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WO2024218873A1 - Climatiseur, programme et système de climatisation - Google Patents

Climatiseur, programme et système de climatisation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024218873A1
WO2024218873A1 PCT/JP2023/015504 JP2023015504W WO2024218873A1 WO 2024218873 A1 WO2024218873 A1 WO 2024218873A1 JP 2023015504 W JP2023015504 W JP 2023015504W WO 2024218873 A1 WO2024218873 A1 WO 2024218873A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air conditioner
refrigerant
air
ventilation
fan
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
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PCT/JP2023/015504
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
正典 佐藤
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Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Publication date
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Priority to PCT/JP2023/015504 priority Critical patent/WO2024218873A1/fr
Publication of WO2024218873A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024218873A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
    • F24F11/36—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to leakage of heat-exchange fluid

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to air conditioners that use flammable refrigerants.
  • An air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that is connected to the indoor unit via refrigerant piping.
  • the refrigerant piping is filled with refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant circulates between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
  • a flammable refrigerant such as propane is used as the refrigerant.
  • Safety is particularly required for air conditioners that use flammable refrigerants.
  • JP 2022-124311 A Patent Document 1
  • WO 2018/134949 A Patent Document 2
  • WO 2019/077696 A Patent Document 3
  • JP 2022-124311 A International Publication No. 2018/134949 International Publication No. 2019/077696
  • sensors for detecting refrigerant leaks often react to substances other than refrigerants, such as insecticides.
  • conventional air conditioners have the problem that even when there is no refrigerant leak, they perform the same operations as when there is a refrigerant leak, which can cause inconveniences such as unnecessarily reducing user comfort or causing unnecessary anxiety to the user.
  • This invention was conceived in light of this situation, and its purpose is to provide technology to avoid the inconvenience that occurs when a leak sensor detects a refrigerant leak even when no refrigerant leak is occurring.
  • an air conditioner including an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a refrigerant circuit that circulates a combustible refrigerant between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, a leakage sensor for detecting leakage of the refrigerant in the indoor unit, and an electrical circuit that controls operation of the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and the refrigerant circuit.
  • the indoor unit includes a fan that sends air from inside the indoor unit to outside, and when the leakage sensor detects leakage of the refrigerant, the electrical circuit drives the fan and checks whether or not ventilation is being performed in the target space for air conditioning, and when the check result indicates that ventilation is not being performed in the target space, keeps the fan running.
  • This disclosure provides a technology to avoid inconveniences that may occur when a refrigerant leak is detected by a leak sensor even when no refrigerant leak is occurring.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. FIG. 1 is an external view of a remote controller 1003.
  • 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of notifications in the remote controller 1003.
  • 10 is a diagram showing yet another example of a notification in the remote controller 1003.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1000 of the first embodiment.
  • 6 is a flowchart of a modified example of the process of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1100.
  • FIG. 1 is an external view of a remote controller 1003.
  • 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of notifications in the remote controller 1003.
  • 10 is a diagram showing yet another example of a notification in the remote controller 1003.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system including an air conditioner 1000 according to a third embodiment.
  • 13 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner 1000 according to a third embodiment.
  • 13 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner 1000 according to a third embodiment.
  • 13 is a flowchart of a part of a process related to detection of a refrigerant leak in an air conditioner 1100 according to a fourth embodiment.
  • 13 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner 1000 according to a fifth embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.
  • air conditioner 1000 includes a refrigerant circuit 500, an outdoor unit 1001, an indoor unit 1002, and a remote controller 1003.
  • the refrigerant circuit 500 includes a compressor 200, an outdoor heat exchanger 211, a fan 220, an expansion valve 230, a four-way valve 240, an indoor heat exchanger 110, and a fan 120.
  • the fan 220 constitutes an outdoor blower.
  • the fan 120 constitutes an indoor blower.
  • the four-way valve 240 has ports P1 to P4.
  • an electronic expansion valve (LEV: Linear Expansion Valve) can be used as the expansion valve 230.
  • the refrigerant circuit 500 is arranged separately for an outdoor unit 1001 and an indoor unit 1002.
  • the outdoor unit 1001 includes a compressor 200, a four-way valve 240, an outdoor heat exchanger 211, a fan 220, and an expansion valve 230.
  • the indoor unit 1002 includes an indoor heat exchanger 110 and a fan 120.
  • the outdoor unit 1001 and the indoor unit 1002 are connected by piping 310 and piping 320.
  • a flammable refrigerant may be used as the refrigerant.
  • the flammable refrigerant may be a flammable refrigerant (A3 refrigerant) such as propane, a low flammable refrigerant (A2 refrigerant), or a slightly flammable refrigerant (A2L refrigerant).
  • A3 refrigerant such as propane
  • A2 refrigerant low flammable refrigerant
  • A2L refrigerant slightly flammable refrigerant
  • the outdoor unit 1001 includes a control device 100.
  • the indoor unit 1002 includes a control device 700.
  • the control devices 100 and 700 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly.
  • Compressor 200 is configured to change its operating frequency according to a control signal received from control device 100.
  • compressor 200 has a built-in drive motor with a variable rotation speed that is inverter-controlled, and when the operating frequency is changed, the rotation speed of the drive motor changes.
  • the output of compressor 200 is adjusted by changing the operating frequency of compressor 200.
  • the four-way valve 240 is controlled to be in either a cooling operation state or a heating operation state by a control signal received from the control device 100.
  • port P1 and port P4 are in communication, and port P2 and port P3 are in communication.
  • refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit in the direction shown by the solid arrows.
  • port P1 and port P3 are in communication, and port P2 and port P4 are in communication.
  • refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit in the direction shown by the dashed arrows.
  • the air conditioner 1000 further includes temperature sensors 261-267.
  • the temperature sensor 261 is disposed in the indoor unit 1002 and detects the room temperature T261 of a room (the room in which the indoor unit 1002 is installed), which is an example of a target space for air conditioning.
  • the temperature sensor 262 is disposed on the side connected to the piping 320 (liquid pipe) of the indoor heat exchanger 110 and measures a refrigerant temperature T262.
  • the temperature sensor 263 is disposed on the side connected to the piping 310 (gas pipe) of the indoor heat exchanger 110 and measures a refrigerant temperature T263.
  • the temperature sensor 264 measures a refrigerant temperature T264, which is the temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 110.
  • Temperature sensor 265 is arranged on the side connected to port P4 of four-way valve 240 of outdoor heat exchanger 211, and measures refrigerant temperature T265.
  • Temperature sensor 266 is arranged on the side connected to expansion valve 230 of outdoor heat exchanger 211, and measures refrigerant temperature T266.
  • Temperature sensor 267 measures refrigerant temperature T267, which is the temperature of the refrigerant in outdoor heat exchanger 211.
  • the control device 100 controls the opening of the expansion valve 230 and the operation of the fans 220, 120 according to the temperatures measured by each of the temperature sensors 261-267 and the output settings in the air conditioner 1000.
  • the SH (superheat) of the refrigerant at the evaporator outlet is adjusted.
  • the control of the operation of the fan 120 may be realized via the control device 700. That is, the control device 100 may determine the rotation speed of the fan 120 and notify the control device 700 of the rotation speed.
  • the control device 700 may control the operation of the fan 120 according to the rotation speed notified by the control device 100.
  • the control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 and a memory 102.
  • the CPU 101 is an example of a control circuit.
  • the memory 102 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
  • the control device 100 may further include other elements (such as an input/output buffer) that are not shown.
  • the CPU 101 expands a program that is non-temporarily stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it.
  • the program stored in the ROM is a program that describes the processing procedures of the control device 100.
  • the control device 100 executes control of each device in the air conditioner 1000 in accordance with these programs.
  • the control device 700 includes a CPU 701, a memory 702, and a communication unit 703.
  • the CPU 701 is an example of a control circuit.
  • the communication unit 703 is an interface for wireless or wired communication with the remote controller 1003.
  • the control device 700 and the remote controller 1003 may be configured to communicate with each other via a network.
  • the memory 702 includes a ROM and a RAM.
  • the control device 700 may further include other elements (such as an input/output buffer) that are not shown.
  • the CPU 701 expands a program that is non-temporarily stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it.
  • the program stored in the ROM is a program in which the processing procedures of the control device 700 are written.
  • the control device 700 executes control of each device in the air conditioner 1000 according to these programs.
  • control by the control device 100 and the control device 700 is not limited to processing by software, but can also be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuitry).
  • the air conditioner 1000 further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 150, 750.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • Each of the GPS receivers 150, 750 receives signals from multiple GPS satellites.
  • the CPU 101 identifies the position of the outdoor unit 1001 by analyzing the signal received by the GPS receiver 150.
  • the CPU 101 may transmit the position of the outdoor unit 1001 to the control device 700.
  • the CPU 701 identifies the position of the indoor unit 1002 by analyzing the signal received by the GPS receiver 750.
  • the CPU 701 may transmit the position of the indoor unit 1002 to the control device 100.
  • the indoor unit 1002 includes a leakage sensor 720.
  • the leakage sensor 720 detects the concentration of the leaked refrigerant.
  • One example of the leakage sensor 720 is a semiconductor gas sensor that is sensitive to reducing gases in general.
  • the indoor unit 1002 includes an emergency operation switch 291 for causing the air conditioner 1000 to perform emergency operation.
  • the CPU 701 controls the air conditioner 1000 according to the number of times the emergency operation switch 291 is operated within a given period (e.g., one second). More specifically, the CPU 701 causes the air conditioner 1000 to perform cooling operation in a predetermined manner with one operation. Cooling operation in a predetermined manner is an example of emergency operation.
  • the CPU 701 causes the air conditioner 1000 to perform heating operation in a predetermined manner with two operations. Heating operation in a predetermined manner is an example of emergency operation.
  • the CPU 701 causes the air conditioner 1000 to stop emergency operation (cooling operation or heating operation) with three operations.
  • the remote controller 1003 includes a communication unit 301, a display unit 302, an operation unit 303, and a battery 304.
  • the battery 304 supplies power to each element in the remote controller 1003.
  • the communication unit 301 is an interface for wireless or wired communication with the communication unit 703 of the control device 700.
  • the display unit 302 includes a display and an element (control circuit) that controls the display of the display.
  • the operation unit 303 includes one or more operation buttons and an element (control circuit) that outputs a signal corresponding to each of the one or more operation buttons.
  • the display unit 302 controls what is displayed on the display according to a signal received by the communication unit 301 from the communication unit 703, or according to the type of button that is operated among one or more operation buttons of the operation unit 303.
  • the display unit 302 displays the operating state of the air conditioner 1000 (cooling/heating, set temperature, etc.).
  • the display unit 302 also displays various messages.
  • the operation unit 303 When any of the one or more operation buttons is operated, the operation unit 303 outputs a signal corresponding to the operated button to the communication unit 703 and the display unit 302.
  • the communication unit 703 transmits the signal output from the operation unit 303 to the control device 700.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of the air conditioner 1000 that includes a four-way valve 240, but a configuration dedicated to cooling that does not have a four-way valve 240 may also be used.
  • FIG. 2 is an external view of remote controller 1003. As shown in Fig. 2, in remote controller 1003, display unit 302 and operation unit 303 are provided on the outer surface. Operation unit 303 includes button group 303A. Button group 303A has a circular shape and includes four buttons (up button, down button, right button, and left button).
  • the display unit 302 displays a message (There may be a refrigerant leak. Have you opened a window or ventilated the room?), which is an example of a notification.
  • the display unit 302 further displays "Yes” along with the pictogram for the up button, and "No" along with the pictogram for the down button.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of a notification on the remote controller 1003.
  • the display unit 302 displays a message (Please close the windows and stop ventilation. Have you done this?) which is another example of a notification.
  • the display unit 302 also displays "Yes" along with a pictogram of the up button.
  • the remote controller 1003 recognizes that the answer "Yes" has been entered.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing yet another example of a notification on the remote controller 1003.
  • the display unit 302 displays a message (Refrigerant is leaking. Please open a window or take other measures to ventilate the room and contact your dealer or manufacturer. Operation cannot be permitted.) which is yet another example of a notification.
  • notification in the air conditioner 1000 is not limited to display on the remote controller 1003. Notification may be provided on a user terminal (such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, laptop computer, etc.) that can communicate with the control device 700 and/or the control device 100. Furthermore, the form of notification may be a form other than display, such as audio output.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process related to detection of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1000 of the first embodiment.
  • the process of Fig. 5 is started at regular time intervals while the air conditioner 1000 is energized.
  • the process of Fig. 5 may be performed in the air conditioner 1000 by the CPU 701 executing a given program, by the CPU 101 executing a given program, or by the CPU 701 and the CPU 101 working together.
  • the process of Fig. 5 will be described below.
  • step S100 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether or not a refrigerant leak has been detected by the leak sensor 720. If the air conditioner 1000 determines that a refrigerant leak has been detected (YES in step S100), the control proceeds to step S102; if not (NO in step S100), the process in FIG. 5 ends.
  • step S102 the air conditioner 1000 sets the exclusion of operation commands in the air conditioner 1000.
  • "Exclusion of operation commands” means that operation commands from the remote controller 1003 input via the communication unit 703 are excluded in the air conditioner 1000. More specifically, even if the air conditioner 1000 appears to accept a command input by the user to the remote controller 1003, it does not carry out control in accordance with that command. As a result, the command input to the indoor unit 1002 via the remote controller 1003 is excluded from the control of the operation of the air conditioner 1000.
  • step S104 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether the air conditioner 1000 is in operation.
  • the air conditioner may also be referred to as an "air conditioner” in the diagram.
  • “Operation” here means cooling operation, heating operation, or operation of the indoor fan (fan 120 in the indoor unit 1002). If the air conditioner 1000 determines that the air conditioner 1000 is in operation (YES in step S104), control proceeds to step S108; if not (NO in step S104), control proceeds to step S106.
  • step S106 the air conditioner 1000 starts driving the indoor fan and proceeds to step S110.
  • step S108 the air conditioner 1000 stops operation of the air conditioner 1000, starts driving the indoor fan, and proceeds to step S110.
  • operation of the air conditioner 1000 (cooling operation, heating operation, and/or driving of the indoor fan) is stopped, and driving of the indoor fan is started.
  • step S108 the indoor fan is driven to achieve the required stirring air volume.
  • An example of a method for calculating the required stirring air volume complies with the international standard IEC 60335-2-40 edition 7. More specifically, the required stirring air volume is calculated as Qmin [m 3 /min] according to the following formula (1).
  • Y represents a coefficient having a value of 1 or 1.5.
  • A0 represents the area of the air outlet of the indoor unit [ m2 ].
  • mc represents the refrigerant charge amount [kg].
  • LFL represents the lower flammability limit concentration of the refrigerant [kg/ m3 ].
  • CF represents the concentration factor, which is a coefficient of 0.5 or less.
  • step S110 the air conditioner 1000 notifies the user that there may be a refrigerant leak.
  • the notification is a display on the remote controller 1003, as described with reference to FIG. 2.
  • Another example of the notification may be a voice output or other form of notification.
  • step S112 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether ventilation is being performed in the space that is the target of air conditioning.
  • step S112 One example of the determination in step S112 is to ask the user whether ventilation is being performed or not, and to specify the content of the response to the response.
  • One example of a response is the display of the message "Are you opening the windows and ventilating the room?" shown in FIG. 2. The user inputs a response to the response by operating a button in button group 303A.
  • step S112 Another example of the judgment in step S112 is to obtain the output of a sensor installed in the space to be air-conditioned, and to judge whether or not the output corresponds to ventilation being performed.
  • the sensor may be attached to the indoor unit 1002, or may be installed separately from the indoor unit 1002.
  • the sensor may or may not be a component of the air conditioner 1000.
  • An example of a sensor is a camera that captures color images of the space to be air-conditioned and/or a camera that captures thermal images of the space to be air-conditioned.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may determine whether ventilation is being performed by analyzing the captured images to identify the open/closed state of a window provided in the space to be air-conditioned.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may analyze the captured thermal images to determine that ventilation is being performed if the difference between the temperature around the window and the temperature of other locations exceeds a given threshold, and may determine that ventilation is not being performed if this is not the case.
  • Information identifying the portion of the captured thermal image that corresponds to the window may be preset in the air conditioner 1000.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may determine that ventilation is being performed if the CO2 concentration is lower than a given threshold, close to the outdoor air concentration, and/or has decreased in a recent certain period of time, and may otherwise determine that ventilation is not being performed.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may also determine whether ventilation is being performed at the time of step S112 by using a model that has been subjected to machine learning processing on the change in CO2 concentration.
  • a sensor that detects the opening and closing of a window in the space to be air-conditioned (or in a room that is connected to the space to be air-conditioned). If the window is open, the air conditioner 1000 determines that ventilation is being performed, and if the window is closed, it determines that ventilation is not being performed.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may estimate whether or not a person living in the air-conditioned space is present in the air-conditioned space (or a house including the air-conditioned space) according to the schedule of the person or based on output from another sensor. The air conditioner 1000 may then determine that ventilation is being performed when the estimation result is that the person is present in the air-conditioned space (or a house including the air-conditioned space), and that ventilation is not being performed when the estimation result is that the person is not present in the air-conditioned space (or a house including the air-conditioned space). A machine learning model may be used to estimate whether or not the person is present in the air-conditioned space.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may determine whether ventilation is being performed based on the operation information of an external device set in the target space for air conditioning (or a place that communicates with the target for air conditioning control).
  • an external device is an induction heating (IH) cooking heater.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may determine that ventilation is being performed if the external device is operating or has been operating within a given time period.
  • the external device is an apparatus in which a ventilation fan is also operated in conjunction with the operation of the external device.
  • step S112 determines in step S112 that ventilation is being performed (YES in step S112)
  • control proceeds to step S114; if not (NO in step S112), control proceeds to step S128.
  • step S114 the air conditioner 1000 performs control to request that ventilation be stopped.
  • This control is a display on the display unit 302 of the remote controller 1003, as shown in FIG. 3. This control may be realized by audio output, or by any other notification mode.
  • step S116 it is determined whether a signal indicating that ventilation has been stopped (ventilation stop signal) has been acquired.
  • ventilation stop signal a signal indicating that ventilation has been stopped
  • remote controller 1003 transmits a ventilation stop signal to indoor unit 1002, and as a result, air conditioner 1000 acquires the ventilation stop signal.
  • the user makes a sound indicating that ventilation has been stopped, and in air conditioner 1000, a voice recognition element recognizes the sound to generate a ventilation stop signal, and as a result, air conditioner 1000 acquires the ventilation stop signal.
  • step S118 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether a certain amount of time has passed since receiving the ventilation stop signal in step S116.
  • the air conditioner 1000 holds control in step S118 until the certain amount of time has passed (NO in step S118), and when it determines that the certain amount of time has passed (YES in step S118), it advances control to step S120.
  • step S120 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether or not a refrigerant leak has been detected by the leak sensor 720. If the air conditioner 1000 determines that a refrigerant leak has been detected (YES in step S120), control proceeds to step S128; if not (NO in step S120), control proceeds to step S122.
  • step S122 the air conditioner 1000 stops driving the indoor fan.
  • step S124 the air conditioner 1000 cancels the "rejection of operation commands" set in step S102. As a result, the air conditioner 1000 performs operation operations in accordance with the commands input to the remote controller 1003.
  • step S126 the air conditioner 1000 notifies that the detection of the leak in step S100 and the associated driving of the indoor fan in step S106 or step S108 are due to external influences (the location where the outdoor unit 1001 is installed).
  • the air conditioner 1000 then ends the processing of FIG. 5.
  • the notification in step S126 may be a display on the display unit 302, or may be in other forms such as audio output.
  • the notification in step S126 may include information requesting that ventilation be stopped.
  • step S1208 the air conditioner 1000 notifies the air conditioner 1000 of a refrigerant leak and a request to perform ventilation.
  • the air conditioner 1000 then ends the processing in FIG. 5.
  • An example of the notification in step S128 is the display on the display unit 302 shown in FIG. 4.
  • step S110 a notification of a possible leak is given
  • step S128, a notification of a leak is given. More specifically, when the leak sensor 720 detects a refrigerant leak in step S100, the air conditioner 1000 determines that there is a possibility of a leak while driving the indoor fan. Thereafter, when the air conditioner 1000 obtains information that ventilation is not being performed in the space to be air-conditioned, it confirms the determination that a refrigerant is leaking.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a modified example of the process of Fig. 5.
  • the air conditioner 1000 is configured to be capable of controlling a system for ventilation of a target space for air conditioning (for example, a smart automatic window opening and closing system, hereinafter referred to as a "ventilation system").
  • the remote controller 1003 accepts operations for controlling the ventilation system (operations for opening and closing windows).
  • the control device 700 and/or the control device 100 transmits a control signal to the ventilation system in response to the operation of the remote controller 1003 or in response to the contents shown in FIG. 6.
  • the ventilation system performs operations in accordance with the control signal from the air conditioner 1000.
  • the process in FIG. 6 includes steps S113 and S115 instead of steps S112, S114, and S116 in FIG. 5, and also includes step S129 instead of step S128 in FIG. 5.
  • the air conditioner 1000 notifies the user of the possibility of a refrigerant leak in step S110, and then proceeds to step S113.
  • step S113 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether or not the ventilation system is performing ventilation. If a window is opened by the ventilation system, the air conditioner 1000 determines that ventilation is performing, and if a window is closed by the ventilation system, it determines that ventilation is not performing.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may perform the determination in step S113 based on whether the last control signal transmitted from the air conditioner 1000 to the ventilation system was to open or close a window.
  • the air conditioner 1000 may perform the determination in step S113 by communicating with the ventilation system and acquiring the status of the ventilation system.
  • step S115 the air conditioner 1000 stops ventilation by the ventilation system.
  • stopping ventilation means closing the windows. More specifically, the air conditioner 1000 sends a control signal to the ventilation system to close the windows. The air conditioner 1000 then advances control to step S118.
  • step S118 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether a certain amount of time has passed since the ventilation system was caused to stop ventilation in step S115, and if it determines that the certain amount of time has passed, the air conditioner advances control to step S120.
  • step S120 determines in step S120 that a refrigerant leak has been detected by the leak sensor 720. If the air conditioner 1000 determines in step S120 that a refrigerant leak has been detected by the leak sensor 720, the control proceeds to step S129.
  • step S129 the air conditioner 1000 notifies the ventilation system of the refrigerant leak in the same manner as in step S128, and also causes the ventilation system to perform ventilation.
  • the air conditioner 1000 transmits a control signal to the ventilation system to open a window. After that, the air conditioner 1000 ends the processing in FIG. 6.
  • the air conditioner 1000 can cause the ventilation system to perform ventilation.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2.
  • Air conditioner 1100 in Fig. 7 further includes an air supply and exhaust mechanism compared to air conditioner 1000 in Fig. 1.
  • the air supply and exhaust mechanism includes an on-off valve 160, piping 162, and a fan 760.
  • the opening and closing of on-off valve 160 and the driving of fan 760 are controlled by control device 700 and/or control device 100.
  • the outdoor unit 1001 has an opening 161.
  • the indoor unit 1002 has an opening 761.
  • the pipe 162 connects the opening 161 and the opening 761.
  • the opening/closing valve 160 opens and closes the opening 161.
  • the fan 760 When the fan 760 is driven, it rotates in a first direction to send air from the opening 161 to the opening 761, and in a second direction to send air from the opening 761 to the opening 161. If the opening/closing valve 160 opens the opening 161, the fan 760 rotates in the first direction to send air from the opening 161 to the opening 761, and thus outside air is supplied to the target space for air conditioning via the outdoor unit 1001.
  • the on-off valve 160 opens the opening 161
  • the fan 760 rotates in the second direction, sending air from the opening 761 to the opening 161, thereby discharging the air in the space to be air-conditioned to the outside via the outdoor unit 1001.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing related to detection of refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 1100.
  • the processing in Fig. 8 is started at regular time intervals while power is being supplied to the air conditioner 1100.
  • the processing in Fig. 8 may be performed in the air conditioner 1100 by the CPU 701 executing a given program, by the CPU 101 executing a given program, or by the CPU 701 and the CPU 101 working together.
  • the process of FIG. 8 includes steps S130 and S132 instead of steps S113, S115, and S129 of the process of FIG. 6.
  • steps S130 and S132 instead of steps S113, S115, and S129 of the process of FIG. 6.
  • ventilation is stopped for a certain period of time, and then it is determined again whether a refrigerant leak is detected.
  • air supply and exhaust is being performed when a refrigerant leak is detected, air supply and exhaust is stopped for a certain period of time, and then it is determined again whether a refrigerant leak is detected.
  • the second detection of a refrigerant leak confirms the determination that a refrigerant leak has been detected.
  • the process of FIG. 8 is described below.
  • step S110 when the air conditioner 1100 notifies the user of the possibility of a refrigerant leak in step S110, the control proceeds to step S130.
  • step S130 If the air conditioner 1100 determines that air supply and exhaust have been performed within the above-mentioned fixed period of time (YES in step S130), control proceeds to step S118; if not (NO in step S130), control proceeds to step S132.
  • the air conditioner 1100 determines in step S118 whether a certain amount of time has passed since the supply and exhaust of air by the supply and exhaust mechanism was stopped. If it determines that the certain amount of time has passed, control proceeds to step S120. Then, if the air conditioner 1100 determines in step S120 that the leak sensor 720 has detected a refrigerant leak, control proceeds to step S132.
  • step S132 the air conditioner 1100 notifies the user of the refrigerant leak in the same manner as in step S129, and also causes the air supply and exhaust mechanism to supply and exhaust air. At this time, the air conditioner 1100 may also issue a notification to encourage ventilation. After that, the air conditioner 1100 ends the processing in FIG. 8.
  • the air conditioner 1100 can carry out air intake and exhaust using the air intake and exhaust mechanism. Furthermore, even if the leak sensor 720 detects a leak, if the air intake and exhaust mechanism is stopped for a certain period of time and the leak sensor 720 no longer detects a leak, the air conditioner 1100 determines that the first detection of a leak was due to an external influence.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system including an air conditioner 1000 according to the third embodiment.
  • N air conditioners 1000 are shown as air conditioners 1000A to 1000N.
  • the air conditioning system includes N air conditioners and a management server 5000.
  • the management server 5000 can be realized by a general-purpose information processing device (computer).
  • the management server 5000 communicates with each of the air conditioners 1000A to 1000N via a network N.
  • the air conditioner 1000 of embodiment 3 determines whether a refrigerant leak detected by the leak sensor 720 is due to a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1000 itself, a refrigerant leak in another air conditioner 1000, or an external influence.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow charts of the process for detecting refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 1000 of embodiment 3.
  • the process shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 further includes steps S140 to S150 in addition to the process shown in FIG. 5.
  • the process in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the process in FIG. 5.
  • step S100 if it is determined in step S100 that the leak sensor 720 has detected a leak, the air conditioner 1000 sets the elimination of the operation command in step S102, and then proceeds to step S140.
  • step S140 the air conditioner 1000 performs a leakage state determination.
  • Leakage state determination means using the degree of subcooling (SC value) at the condenser outlet to determine whether the air conditioner 1000 is in a leakage state or a non-leakage state.
  • a leakage state means a state in which refrigerant is leaking from the air conditioner 1000
  • a non-leakage state means a state in which refrigerant is not leaking from the air conditioner 1000.
  • the memory (memory 702 and/or memory 102) of the air conditioner 1000 stores a map corresponding to environmental conditions and operating states for the SC value.
  • the map defines a reference value for the SC value for each combination of two or more environmental conditions and two or more operating states.
  • An example of two or more environmental conditions is the difference between the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature.
  • An example of two or more operating states is cooling operation and heating operation.
  • the air conditioner 1000 acquires the environmental conditions and operating state at that time, and also calculates the degree of subcooling.
  • the degree of subcooling is calculated by subtracting the temperature detected by temperature sensor 266 in the outdoor unit 1001 from the temperature detected by temperature sensor 267.
  • the degree of subcooling is calculated by subtracting the temperature detected by temperature sensor 262 in the indoor unit 1002 from the temperature detected by temperature sensor 264. Note that if the air conditioner 1000 is not performing cooling or heating operation at the time step S140 is performed, the temperature sensor used to calculate the degree of subcooling is selected based on the operating state of the air conditioner 1000 immediately prior to this operation.
  • the air conditioner 1000 compares the calculated degree of subcooling with the reference value in the map that corresponds to the environmental conditions and operating state obtained as described above. If the degree of subcooling is smaller than the reference value, the air conditioner 1000 determines that the air conditioner 1000 is in a leaking state, and if the degree of subcooling is equal to or greater than the reference value, the air conditioner 1000 determines that the air conditioner 1000 is in a non-leaking state.
  • step S142 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether the result of the determination in step S140 is a non-leak state. If it is determined that there is a non-leak state (YES in step S142), control proceeds to step S144; if not (NO in step S142), control proceeds to step S146.
  • step S146 the air conditioner 1000 stops operation of the air conditioner 1000 (cooling operation, heating operation, driving of the indoor fan, etc.), drives the indoor fan to achieve the required airflow rate, and proceeds to step S148.
  • step S148 the air conditioner 1000 notifies the air conditioner 1000 of a leak, and the process shown in Figures 10 and 11 is terminated.
  • the notification in step S148 may be implemented in a manner similar to the notification in step S128 ( Figure 5).
  • step S144 the air conditioner 1000 notifies the user that the leak detected in step S100 may be due to "refrigerant leakage from another air conditioner” or "external influence.”
  • the notification may be displayed or output as audio.
  • the display may be performed on the display unit 302 of the remote controller 1003, or on a terminal owned by the user.
  • the address of the terminal owned by the user may be registered in advance in the memory of the air conditioner 1000.
  • the air conditioner 1000 then proceeds to control step S104.
  • step S104 the air conditioner 1000 determines whether the air conditioner 1000 is operating. If it is operating, it stops operation and then drives the indoor fan in step S108. If it is not operating, it drives the indoor fan in step S106, and then proceeds to step S112 ( Figure 11).
  • the air conditioner 1000 of embodiment 3 performs the control of steps S112 to S126, similar to the air conditioner 1000 of embodiment 1.
  • the air conditioner 1000 of embodiment 3 performs step S150 instead of performing step S128 in embodiment 1.
  • step S150 the air conditioner 1000 notifies other air conditioners in the air conditioning system of a refrigerant leak and a request to perform ventilation.
  • the air conditioner 1000 then ends the processing in Figures 10 and 11.
  • the air conditioner 1000 determines whether the leak sensor 720 still detects a leak even after ventilation has been stopped for a certain period of time or more. If the leak sensor 720 still detects a leak, the air conditioner 1000 determines that the leak detected by the leak sensor 720 is due to refrigerant leakage from another air conditioner. On the other hand, if the leak sensor 720 no longer detects a leak after ventilation has been stopped for a certain period of time or more, the air conditioner 1000 determines that the leak detected by the leak sensor 720 is due to an external influence.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a part of the process related to the detection of refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 1100 of the fourth embodiment.
  • the part shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the part of the process performed in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11.
  • the air conditioner 1100 of embodiment 4 performs a leak state determination when the leak sensor 720 detects a leak.
  • step S112 when the air conditioner 1000 determines that the air conditioner 1000 is in a non-leak state, it advances control to step S112 after notification in step S144.
  • step S130 when the air conditioner 1100 determines that the air conditioner 1100 is in a non-leak state, it advances control to step S130 as shown in FIG. 12 after notification in step S144.
  • step S160 the air conditioner 1100 notifies the other air conditioner that the leak detected in step S100 is due to a refrigerant leak, and causes the air supply and exhaust mechanism to perform air supply and exhaust. Then, the process in FIG. 12 ends.
  • the air conditioner 1100 determines that the air conditioner 1100 is in a non-leak state, it determines that the detected leak is due to refrigerant leakage from another air conditioner or due to an external influence.
  • the air conditioner 1100 determines that the leak detected in step S100 is due to refrigerant leakage from another air conditioner (step S160). If air supply and exhaust have been performed within the certain period of time at that point (YES in step S130), the air conditioner 1100 determines again after the certain period of time has passed whether the leak sensor 720 has detected a leak, and if a leak is detected, determines that the leak detected in step S100 is due to refrigerant leakage from another air conditioner (step S160).
  • the air conditioner 1000 of the fifth embodiment constitutes an air conditioning system, and is configured to be able to communicate with the management server 5000 via the network N.
  • the memory of each air conditioner 1000 stores information specific to each air conditioner 1000 (information identifying each air conditioner 1000, such as the installation position, serial number, etc.).
  • step S1208 after notifying the user of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1000 and a request to perform ventilation in step S128, the control proceeds to step S170.
  • the management server 5000 of the air conditioning system manages information indicating that a refrigerant leak has been detected in the air conditioner 1000 that constitutes the air conditioning system.
  • step S100 the air conditioner drives the indoor fan in step S106 or step S108, and then determines in step S112 whether or not ventilation is being performed in the space that is the target of air conditioning. This determination corresponds to confirmation of whether or not ventilation is being performed in the space that is the target of air conditioning. Then, if the result of the above confirmation is that ventilation is not being performed in the space that is the target of air conditioning (NO in step S112), the air conditioner notifies of a leak (steps S128, S129, S132, S150, S160) and ends the processing shown in FIG. 5 and the like. This maintains the driving of the indoor fan.
  • the air conditioner may perform stop control (control to stop ventilation).
  • stop control is a request to stop ventilation in step S114 (FIG. 5).
  • stop control is stopping ventilation by the ventilation system in step S115 (FIG. 6).
  • the air conditioner may notify the leak (steps S128, S129, S132, S150, S160) and end the processing shown in FIG. 5 etc. This keeps the indoor fan running.
  • the air conditioner may notify of a leak if it keeps the indoor fan running (steps S128, S129, S132).
  • the air conditioner may perform a leakage state determination (step S140) based on the degree of subcooling of the combustible refrigerant.
  • step S140 determines in the leakage state determination that the air conditioner is in a non-leak state (YES in step S142) and the result of the above confirmation is that ventilation is not being performed in the target space of air conditioning (NO in step S112 or step S130)
  • the air conditioner may notify an external terminal of a refrigerant leak in another air conditioner that shares the target space of air conditioning (steps S150, S160).
  • the air conditioner may perform stop control to stop ventilation in the space that is the target of air conditioning (steps S114, S115). If the leakage sensor does not detect a refrigerant leak a certain amount of time after ventilation is stopped by the stop control (NO in step S120), the air conditioner may stop driving the indoor fan (step S122).
  • the air conditioner may stop operation of the air conditioner (step S108). This also stops operation of the air supply and exhaust mechanism. If the leak sensor detects a refrigerant leak a certain amount of time after air supply and exhaust by the air supply and exhaust mechanism is stopped in step S108, the air conditioner may cause the air supply and exhaust mechanism to perform air supply and exhaust operation (step S132).
  • the air conditioner may determine whether or not ventilation is being performed on the space that is the subject of air conditioning based on the operating state of the air supply and exhaust mechanism within a certain period of time (step S130).
  • the air conditioner can inquire of an external device, such as a smart automatic window opening and closing system, whether ventilation is being performed or not to determine whether ventilation is being performed by the air conditioner.
  • an external device such as a smart automatic window opening and closing system
  • the air conditioner may determine whether or not ventilation of the target space of air conditioning is being performed based on a detection result obtained from a status sensor that detects the state of the target space of air conditioning.
  • the status sensor is a camera that captures color images, a camera that captures thermal images, a CO2 sensor, and/or a sensor that detects the opening and closing of a window in the target space of air conditioning (or in a room that communicates with the target space of air conditioning).
  • the air conditioner may transmit information about the installation location of the air conditioner and information identifying the air conditioner to the management server (step S170).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Abstract

Un climatiseur (1000) comprend une unité intérieure (1002), une unité extérieure (1001), un circuit de fluide frigorigène (500) qui fait circuler un fluide frigorigène combustible entre l'unité intérieure (1002) et l'unité extérieure (1001), ainsi qu'un capteur de fuite (720). Lorsque le capteur de fuite (720) détecte une fuite du fluide frigorigène, le climatiseur (1000) entraîne un ventilateur (120) pour confirmer si un espace à climatiser est ventilé. Le climatiseur (1000) maintient l'entraînement du ventilateur (120) dans les cas où le résultat de la confirmation est que l'espace à climatiser n'est pas ventilé.
PCT/JP2023/015504 2023-04-18 2023-04-18 Climatiseur, programme et système de climatisation Pending WO2024218873A1 (fr)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018009772A (ja) * 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 日立ジョンソンコントロールズ空調株式会社 冷暖切替ユニット及びそれを備える空気調和機
WO2018096576A1 (fr) * 2016-11-22 2018-05-31 三菱電機株式会社 Climatiseur et système de climatisation
WO2018134949A1 (fr) * 2017-01-19 2018-07-26 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif à cycle de réfrigération
CN110940042A (zh) * 2018-09-21 2020-03-31 奥克斯空调股份有限公司 一种制冷剂泄漏的检测方法及空调装置
WO2020105117A1 (fr) * 2018-11-20 2020-05-28 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif de climatisation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018009772A (ja) * 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 日立ジョンソンコントロールズ空調株式会社 冷暖切替ユニット及びそれを備える空気調和機
WO2018096576A1 (fr) * 2016-11-22 2018-05-31 三菱電機株式会社 Climatiseur et système de climatisation
WO2018134949A1 (fr) * 2017-01-19 2018-07-26 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif à cycle de réfrigération
CN110940042A (zh) * 2018-09-21 2020-03-31 奥克斯空调股份有限公司 一种制冷剂泄漏的检测方法及空调装置
WO2020105117A1 (fr) * 2018-11-20 2020-05-28 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif de climatisation

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