Air conditioning sytem

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus controlled by means of an inverter for air-conditioning closed rooms and comprising a device for adapting the external unit to single/multiple internal unit conditions.

[0002] It is known, in the technical sector relating to air conditioning, to use refrigerating machines (external units) arranged outside the rooms to be air-conditioned and to connect these machines to apparatus (internal units) suitable for controlled distribution of the refrigerated air inside the room to be air-conditioned.

[0003] It is also known that essentially two main air-conditioning configurations may be used:

• a so-called mono-split configuration where a single internal unit is connected to a dedicated external unit of the mono-split type; or
• a so-called multi-split configuration where a plurality of internal units are connected to a dedicated external unit of the multi-split type;

in both cases a number of refrigerating lines with associated expansion valves corresponding to the number of internal units connected is provided.

[0004] It is also known that universal-type internal units have been designed, these units being able to operate with external units of both the mono-split and multi-split type.

[0005] Examples of a conventional multi-split configuration are described and illustrated in: GB 2,194,651 in which an external multi-split unit is associated with a plurality of internal units via a control board by means of which the internal units which send the request for a refrigerating load through the return valves receive a controlled supply from the external unit; and in and US 2006/0150648 that discloses an apparatus with a plurality of external units driving a plurality of internal units.

[0006] Although performing their function, the known solutions have the drawback, however, that they nevertheless require different external units specific either for use in a mono-split configuration or for use in a multi-split configuration, therefore resulting in the need to manage, store and provide technical support for two different types of machine, with a consequent increase in the production and management costs and ultimately the purchase price for the end user.

[0007] The technical problem which is posed, therefore, is to provide an apparatus for air-conditioning closed rooms, which comprises an external unit able to manage operating configurations of both the mono-split type and the multi-split type.

[0008] In connection with this problem it is also required that this apparatus should have small dimensions and be easy and inexpensive to produce and assemble.

[0009] These results are achieved according to the present invention by an apparatus for air-conditioning closed rooms, comprising an external unit according to the characteristic features of Claim 1.

[0010] Further details may be obtained from the following description of a non-limiting example of embodiment of the subject of the present invention provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1:

shows a functional block diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention in a mono-split configuration;

Figure 2:

shows a functional block diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention in a multi-split configuration;

Figure 3:

a simplified diagram of the device for controlling the apparatus according to Fig. 1.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1 and assuming in a conventional manner relative upstream and downstream positions of the various parts with reference to the direction of flow of the fluid, the apparatus according to the invention comprises essentially:

• an external unit 10 for generating the cooled air, provided with a single delivery line 11 and a single return line 12;
• at least one internal unit 20a, in the example there being envisaged further internal units 20b,20c (so-called "split units") for distributing the cooled air, which are connected to the external unit 10 via respective refrigerating lines 21.
• a control device 30 arranged between the external unit 10 and the internal units 20 and comprising:
• a single upstream inlet 31 connected to the delivery line 11 of the external unit 10;
• a single upstream outlet 32 connected to the return line 12 of the external unit 10;
• at least one outlet 30a connected to the internal unit 20a and further outlets 30b,30c connected to the further inlet units 20b,20c; an associated expansion valve 33 connected to the refrigerating lines 21 of the respective internal units 20a,20b,20c is arranged on each of the said outlets 30a,30b,30c;
• an emulation electronic board 40 comprising a central processing unit (CPU) 41 (Fig. 3);
• devices 46 for detecting the presence of an internal unit 20 on the associated refrigerating line 21;
• interface devices 42 for connection to the internal units 20, the external unit 10 and the probes 23 for detecting the temperature of the rooms to be air-conditioned;
• control and actuating devices 43 able to manage operation of the expansion valves 33 and therefore the flowrate of the cold fluid supplied to the internal units 20;
• memories 45 for storing the identification data of each internal unit 20 and the external unit 10, the dimensions of each room to be air-conditioned and the programs for managing the apparatus;
• a port 44 for connection to the Web for remote programming and control of the board.

[0012] With reference to this configuration and to the basic diagram in Fig. 1 the operating principle of the apparatus is as follows:

• once all the connections of the refrigerating and electrical networks have been performed, arranging the control devices 30 in parallel both downstream of the internal units 20 and upstream of the external unit 10;

and having performed unique identification of the addresses of each internal unit 20 and of the associated expansion valve 33 with storage thereof in the memory 45 of the associated control board 40;
each time the apparatus is switched on:

• the CPU 41 detects, by means of the devices 46, the internal units 20 which are effectively connected to the external unit 10 by means of the refrigerating lines 21 and the expansion valves 33;
• if the check shows that a single internal unit us connected, namely that there is mono-split type operating configuration,

the CPU acknowledges this condition and manages control in such a way that the external unit 10 supplies all the refrigerant available to the single existing internal unit;

• if the check shows instead that several internal units are connected, namely that there is multi-split type operating configuration,
• the CPU 41 interrogates the various internal units 20, receiving the information regarding: the size of the room inside which the internal units 20a,20b,20c are installed; the identity of the corresponding probe 23a,23b,23c for detecting the temperature of the room, and the value of the final temperature chosen for said room;
• the control board 40 starts the control cycle by means of the CPU 41 which
• manages both modulation of the compressor of the external unit 10 and opening/closing of the individual expansion valves 33 by means of the actuating devices 42 so as to modulate dynamically the supply of the refrigerant to the internal units connected, whether they be switched on or off, until the temperature chosen by the user in the individual rooms containing the internal units is reached;
• checks that there are no variations in the said room temperature and, where necessary, starts again the cycle for opening/closing the valve 33 in order to maintain the selected temperature;
• performs the check on each of the various expansion valves 33 so that all the internal units, whether switched on and/or off, are simultaneously checked and updated, emulating said units as single units in a mono-split configuration.

[0013] The control board is therefore substantially able to perform a computerized emulation so as to divide up among several internal units 20 the use of the CPU 41, namely emulate always and only a single internal unit 20 with respect to the external unit 10 in the case of both mono-split and multi-split installations, such that the external unit is universal and can be used equally well for both configurations.

[0014] It is pointed out in particular how, by means of the emulation control board according to the invention, it is also possible to configure the apparatus for multi-split operation, providing several delivery/return outlets from the external unit, but effectively install only a single internal unit (mono-split operation) to which the external unit will supply all the refrigerating fluid, modulating it as required, in the absence of the other internal units.

[0015] This possibility is not available with the apparatus of the prior art where the presence of a single internal unit in the multi-split configuration does not allow uniform operation and requires the replacement of the multi-split external unit with a dedicated mono-split unit. Although not described in detail it is understood that the external units 10 are of the inverter type based on technology which is well-established in the sector and therefore able, under the control of an inverter device, to supply both cooled air and heated air as required.

[0016] It is therefore clear how with the apparatus according to the invention it is possible to use a single external unit model for both the mono-split and multi-split configurations with evident advantages in terms of a reduction in the models required and hence a reduction in the costs for design costs and warehouse management costs for parts and finished models.

[0017] In addition, as a result of electronic control of distribution of the cold fluid, it is possible to configure easily the plant according to the real needs of the user, expanding the plant without having to replace machines which are already installed and supplying more power only if really needed.

[0018] Although described in connection with certain constructional forms and certain preferred examples of embodiment of the invention, it is understood that the scope of protection of the present patent is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for conditioning the air in closed rooms, controlled by means of an inverter and comprising an external unit (10) for conditioning the refrigerating fluid, at least one internal unit (20) for distributing the conditioned air, which is connected to the external unit (10) by means of corresponding refrigerating lines (21), and a control device (30) which is arranged between the external unit (10) and each internal unit (20) and comprises:

- an upstream inlet (31) connected to the delivery line (11) of the external unit (10);

- an upstream outlet (32) connected to the return line (12) of the external unit (10);

- at least two outlets (30a), each of which has an associated expansion valve (33) connected to the refrigerating lines (21) of the internal units (20);

characterized in that

- said external unit (10) is provided with a single delivery line (11) and a single return line (12),

- said control device (30) comprises an electronic control board (40) emulating a mono-split connection between the external unit (10) and each internal unit (20) and vice versa,

and in that the refrigerating circuits of the internal units (20) are directly connected in parallel on the delivery side to the control device (30) via refrigerating lines (21) through expansion valves (33) directly controlled by the electronic control board (40).

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that said electronic control board (40) comprises:

- means (46) for detecting the presence of internal units (20) which are effectively connected to the external unit (10);

- a central processing unit (41);

- interface devices (42) for connection to the internal units (20), to the external unit (10) and to the sensors (23) for detecting the temperature of the rooms to be air-conditioned;

- actuating devices (43) for managing opening/closing of the expansion valves (33) of the respective internal units (20);

- memories (45) for storing the identification data of each internal unit (20) and the external unit (10) and the programs for managing the apparatus.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that said control board (40) comprises an area for storing the size of the room to be air-conditioned.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that said control board (40) comprises a port (44) for connection to the Web for remote programming and control of the board.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprise a plurality of control devices (30) connected in parallel to the single delivery line (11) and to the single return line (12) of the external unit (10).

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that said internal units (20) are connected in parallel to the respective control device (30).

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zur Klimatisierung der Luft in geschlossenen Räumen, welche mittels eines Inverters gesteuert ist und eine externe Einheit (10) zur Konditionierung des Kühlmittels, mindestens eine interne Einheit (20) zur Verteilung der klimatisierten Luft, welche mit der externen Einheit (10) durch entsprechende Kühlleitungen (21) verbunden ist, und eine Steuervorrichtung (30) umfasst, welche zwischen der externen Einheit (10) und jeder internen Einheit (20) angeordnet ist und umfasst:

einen stromaufwärts gelegenen Einlass (31), welcher mit der Zuführleitung (11) der externen Einheit (10) verbunden ist;

einen stromaufwärts gelegenen Auslass (32), welcher mit der Rückführleitung (12) der externen Einheit (10) verbunden ist;

mindestens zwei Auslässe (30a), von welchen jeder ein zugeordnetes Expansionsventil (33) aufweist, welches mit den Kühlleitungen (21) der internen

Einheiten (20) verbunden ist;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die externe Einheit (10) mit einer einzelnen Zuführleitung (11) und mit einer einzelnen Rückführleitung (12) ausgestattet ist,
die Steuervorrichtung (30) eine elektronische Steuerkarte (40) umfasst, welche eine Mono-Split-Verbindung zwischen der externen Einheit (10) und jeder internen Einheit (20) und umgekehrt emuliert, und dass
die Kühlkreisläufe der internen Einheiten (20) direkt parallel auf der Zuführseite via Kühlleitungen (21) durch Expansionsventile (33) mit der Steuervorrichtung (30) verbunden sind, welche direkt durch die elektronische Steuerkarte (40) gesteuert werden.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dass die elektronische Steuerkarte (40) umfasst:

Mittel (46) zum Erfassen der Anwesenheit von internen Einheiten (20), welche wirksam mit der externen Einheit (10) verbunden sind;

eine zentrale Datenverarbeitungseinheit (41);

Schnittstelleneinrichtungen (42) zur Verbindung mit den internen Einheiten (20), mit der externen Einheit (10) und mit den Sensoren (23) zum Erfassen der Temperatur der zu klimatisierenden Räume;

Betätigungseinrichtungen (43) zur Steuerung des Öffnens/Schliessens der Expansionsventile (33) der jeweiligen internen Einheiten (20);

Speicher (45) zur Speicherung der Identifikationsdaten jeder internen Einheit (20) und der externen Einheit (10) und der Programme für die Steuerung der Vorrichtung.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuerkarte (40) einen Bereich zum Speichern der Grösse des zu klimatisierenden Raumes umfasst.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuerkarte (40) einen Anschluss (44) zur Verbindung mit dem Web zur Fernprogrammierung und Steuerung der Karte umfasst.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung mehrere Steuervorrichtungen (30) umfasst, welche parallel mit der einzelnen Zuführleitung (11) und mit der einzelnen Rückführleitung (12) der externen Einheit (10) verbunden sind.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die internen Einheiten (20) parallel mit der jeweiligen Steuervorrichtung (30) verbunden sind.

Revendications

1. Système de conditionnement d'air dans des pièces fermées, commandé au moyen d'un onduleur et comportant une unité externe (10) pour conditionner le fluide réfrigérant, au moins une unité interne (20) pour distribuer l'air conditionné, laquelle est connectée à l'unité externe (10) au moyen de liaisons frigorifiques correspondantes (21), et un dispositif de commande (30) qui est disposé entre l'unité externe (10) et chaque unité interne (20) et comprend :

- une admission amont (31) raccordée à la ligne de distribution (11) de l'unité externe (10) ;

- une sortie amont (32) raccordée à la ligne de retour (12) de l'unité externe (10) ;

- au moins deux sorties (30a), chacune étant dotée d'une vanne de détente associée (33) raccordée aux liaisons frigorifiques (21) des unités internes (20) ;

caractérisé en ce que

- ladite unité externe (10) est prévue avec une seule ligne de distribution (11) et une seule ligne de retour (12),

- ledit dispositif de commande (30) comporte un tableau de commande électronique (40) pour émuler une connexion mono-split entre l'unité externe (10) et chaque unité interne (20) et vice-versa,

et en ce que les circuits de réfrigération des unités internes (20) sont directement connectés en parallèle sur le côté de la distribution au dispositif de commande (30) par l'intermédiaire des liaisons frigorifiques (21) à travers des vannes de détente (33) directement commandées par le tableau de commande électronique (40).

2. Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit tableau de commande électronique (40) comporte :

- des moyens (46) pour détecter la présence des unités internes (20) qui sont effectivement connectées à l'unité externe (10) ;

- une unité centrale de traitement (41) ;

- des dispositifs d'interface (42) permettant une connexion aux unités internes (20), à l'unité externe (10) et aux capteurs (23) pour détecter la température des pièces qui doivent être climatisées ;

- actionner les dispositifs (43) pour gérer l'ouverture / la fermeture des vannes de détente (33) des unités internes respectives (20) ;

- des mémoires (45) pour stocker les données d'identification de chaque unité interne (20) et de l'unité externe (10) et les programmes permettant de gérer le système.

3. Système selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit tableau de commande (40) comporte une zone pour stocker la dimension de la pièce qui doit être climatisée.

4. Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit tableau de commande (40) comporte un port (44) pour une connexion au Web en vue d'une programmation et d'une commande à distance du tableau.

5. Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une pluralité de dispositifs de commande (30) connectés en parallèle à la seule ligne de distribution (11) et à la seule ligne de retour (12) de l'unité externe (10).

6. Système selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdites unités internes (20) sont connectées en parallèle au dispositif de commande respectif (30).

Drawing