Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner configured to perform a dehumidification
operation.
Background Art
[0002] There has been a conventional air conditioner in which: an auxiliary heat exchanger
is disposed rearward of a main heat exchanger; and a refrigerant evaporates only in
the auxiliary heat exchanger to locally perform dehumidification so that dehumidification
can be performed even under a low load (even when the number of revolution of a compressor
is small), for example, when the difference between room temperature and a set temperature
is sufficiently small and therefore the required cooling capacity is small. In this
air conditioner, an evaporation region is limited to be within the auxiliary heat
exchanger, and a temperature sensor is disposed downstream of the evaporation region,
to make control so that the superheat degree is constant.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] If a temperature sensor for detecting the completion of the evaporation is provided
in the vicinity of an outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger in the above air conditioner,
the sensor is situated nearer to a liquid side in the indoor heat exchanger. Therefore,
in a cooling operation under a high load, the sensor detects a higher temperature
which is improper as the evaporation temperature of the heat exchanger, on account
of a pressure drop in the refrigerant. Meanwhile, in a heating operation, the sensor
detects a temperature which is lower than the actual condensation temperature and
is improper as the condensation temperature, on account of subcooling. Then, the liquid
may be sucked by the compressor, resulting in a loss of reliability of the compressor.
[0005] To avoid the above problem, it is necessary to additionally provide a sensor for
detecting the condensation temperature in the heating operation and/or the evaporation
temperature in the cooling operation, but this causes another problem of an increase
in cost.
[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner
in which a sensor for detecting the completion of the evaporation of a liquid refrigerant
also serves as a sensor for detecting a condensation temperature in a heating operation
and/or an evaporation temperature in a cooling operation.
Solution to Problem
[0007] An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes
a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion
valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are connected to one another. The indoor heat
exchanger includes an auxiliary heat exchanger which is disposed on a most windward
side and to which a liquid refrigerant is supplied in a dehumidification operation,
and a main heat exchanger disposed leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger. In the
dehumidification operation, the auxiliary heat exchanger includes an evaporation region
where the liquid refrigerant evaporates and a superheat region downstream of the evaporation
region. A temperature detecting means for detecting completion of the evaporation
of the liquid refrigerant in the auxiliary heat exchanger is disposed downstream of
the auxiliary heat exchanger.
[0008] In this air conditioner, if the refrigerant is in a fully superheated state at an
outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger during the dehumidification operation, air
passing through this superheat region is hardly cooled, and therefore does not cool
heat-transfer tubes leeward from this region. Accordingly, by detecting the temperature
of the refrigerant circuit leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger, it is possible
to determine whether the refrigerant is in the superheated state at the outlet of
the auxiliary heat exchanger. Further, avoided is unstable operation resulting from
the detection of an improper temperature, which is different from a proper temperature
due to the subcooling in the heating operation or the pressure drop in the cooling
operation.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of
the first aspect, the temperature detecting means is disposed in or in the vicinity
of a middle of a refrigerant path in the indoor heat exchanger.
[0010] In this air conditioner, the condensation temperature in the heating operation and/or
the evaporation temperature in the cooling operation is/are detected using the temperature
detecting means for detecting the completion of the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant
in the auxiliary heat exchanger in the dehumidification operation.
[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of the
first or the second aspect, a liquid inlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger is provided
at a lower portion of the auxiliary heat exchanger; and the temperature detecting
means is disposed in the vicinity of an upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger.
[0012] In this air conditioner, it is possible to enlarge the extent of the evaporation
region of the auxiliary heat exchanger.
[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner of
any one of the first to the third aspects, the main heat exchanger includes a front
heat exchanger disposed on a front side in the indoor unit, and a rear heat exchanger
disposed on a rear side in the indoor unit; and the auxiliary heat exchanger is disposed
forward of the front heat exchanger.
[0014] In this air conditioner, it is possible to increase the size of the auxiliary heat
exchanger, and therefore to enlarge the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary
heat exchanger.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0015] As described above, the present invention provides the following advantageous effects.
[0016] In first aspect of the present invention, if the refrigerant is in a fully superheated
state at an outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger during the dehumidification operation,
air passing through this superheat region is hardly cooled, and therefore does not
cool heat-transfer tubes leeward from this region. Accordingly, by detecting the temperature
of the refrigerant circuit leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger, it is possible
to determine whether the refrigerant is in the superheated state at the outlet of
the auxiliary heat exchanger. Further, avoided is unstable operation resulting from
the detection of an improper temperature, which is different from a proper temperature
due to the subcooling in the heating operation or the pressure drop in the cooling
operation.
[0017] In the second aspect of the present invention, the condensation temperature in the
heating operation and/or the evaporation temperature in the cooling operation is/are
detected using the temperature detecting means for detecting the completion of the
evaporation of the liquid refrigerant in the auxiliary heat exchanger in the dehumidification
operation.
[0018] In the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to enlarge the extent
of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger.
[0019] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the size
of the auxiliary heat exchanger, and therefore to enlarge the extent of the evaporation
region of the auxiliary heat exchanger.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0020]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner
of an embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross section of an indoor unit of the air conditioner
of the embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an indoor heat exchanger.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control unit of the air conditioner of
the embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing, by way of example, how the flow rate changes as
the opening degree of an expansion valve is changed.
Description of Embodiments
[0021] The following describes an air conditioner 1 of an embodiment of the present invention.
<Overall Structure of Air Conditioner 1>
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes: an indoor
unit 2 installed inside a room; and an outdoor unit 3 installed outside the room.
The air conditioner 1 further includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor
10, a four-way valve 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and
an indoor heat exchanger 14 are connected to one another. In the refrigerant circuit,
the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is connected to a discharge port of the compressor 10
via the four-way valve 11, and the expansion valve 13 is connected to the outdoor
heat exchanger 12. Further, one end of the indoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to
the expansion valve 13, and the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 14 is connected
to an intake port of the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11. The indoor heat
exchanger 14 includes an auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and a main heat exchanger 21.
[0023] In the air conditioner 1, operations in a cooling operation mode, in a predetermined
dehumidification operation mode, and in a heating operation mode are possible. Using
a remote controller, various operations are possible: selecting one of the operation
modes to start the operation, changing the operation mode, stopping the operation,
and the like. Further, using the remote controller, it is possible to adjust indoor
temperature setting, and to change the air volume of the indoor unit 2 by changing
the number of revolutions of an indoor fan.
[0024] As indicated with solid arrows in the figure, in the cooling operation mode and in
the predetermined dehumidification operation mode, there are respectively formed a
cooling cycle and a dehumidification cycle, in each of which: a refrigerant discharged
from the compressor 10 flows, from the four-way valve 11, through the outdoor heat
exchanger 12, the expansion valve 13, and the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, to the
main heat exchanger 21 in order; and the refrigerant having passed through the main
heat exchanger 21 returns back to the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11. That
is, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger
14 (the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and the main heat exchanger 21) functions as an
evaporator.
[0025] Meanwhile, in the heating operation mode, the state of the four-way valve 11 is switched,
to form a heating cycle in which: the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10
flows, from the four-way valve 11, through the main heat exchanger 21, the auxiliary
heat exchanger 20, and the expansion valve 13, to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 in
order; and the refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 12 returns
back to the compressor 10 via the four-way valve 11, as indicated with broken arrows
in the figure. That is, the indoor heat exchanger 14 (the auxiliary heat exchanger
20 and the main heat exchanger 21) functions as the condenser, and the outdoor heat
exchanger 12 functions as the evaporator.
[0026] The indoor unit 2 has, on its upper surface, an air inlet 2a through which indoor
air is taken in. The indoor unit 2 further has, on a lower portion of its front surface,
an air outlet 2b through which air for air conditioning comes out. Inside the indoor
unit 2, an airflow path is formed from the air inlet 2a to the air outlet 2b. In the
airflow path, the indoor heat exchanger 14 and a cross-flow indoor fan 16 are disposed.
Therefore, as the indoor fan 16 rotates, the indoor air is taken into the indoor unit
1 through the air inlet 2a. In a front portion of the indoor unit 2, the air taken
in through the air inlet 2a flows through the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and the
main heat exchanger 21 toward the indoor fan 16. Meanwhile, in a rear portion of the
indoor unit 2, the air taken in through the air inlet 2a flows through the main heat
exchanger 21 toward the indoor fan 16.
[0027] As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 14 includes: the auxiliary heat exchanger
20; and the main heat exchanger 21 located downstream of the auxiliary heat exchanger
20 in an operation in the cooling operation mode or in the predetermined dehumidification
operation mode. The main heat exchanger 21 includes: a front heat exchanger 21a disposed
on a front side of the indoor unit 2; and a rear heat exchanger 21b disposed on a
rear side of the indoor unit 2. The heat exchangers 21a and 21b are arranged in a
shape of a counter-V around the indoor fan 16. Further, the auxiliary heat exchanger
20 is disposed forward of the front heat exchanger 21a. Each of the auxiliary heat
exchanger 20 and the main heat exchanger 21 (the front heat exchanger 21a and the
rear heat exchanger 21b) includes heat exchanger pipes and a plurality of fins.
[0028] In the cooling operation mode and in the predetermined dehumidification operation
mode, a liquid refrigerant is supplied through a liquid inlet 17a provided in the
vicinity of a lower end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, and the thus supplied
liquid refrigerant flows toward an upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, as
shown in FIG. 3. Then, the refrigerant is discharged through an outlet 17b provided
in the vicinity of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, and then flows
to a branching section 18a. The refrigerant is divided at the branching section 18a
into branches, which are respectively supplied, via three inlets 17c of the main heat
exchanger 21, to a lower portion and an upper portion of the front heat exchanger
21a and to the rear heat exchanger 21b. Then, the branched refrigerant is discharged
through outlets 17d, to merge together at a merging section 18b. In the heating operation
mode, the refrigerant flows in a reverse direction of the above direction.
[0029] When the air conditioner 1 operates in the predetermined dehumidification operation
mode, the liquid refrigerant supplied through the liquid inlet 17a of the auxiliary
heat exchanger 20 all evaporates midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, i.e.,
before reaching the outlet. Therefore, only a partial area in the vicinity of the
liquid inlet 17a of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is an evaporation region where
the liquid refrigerant evaporates. Accordingly, in the operation in the predetermined
dehumidification operation mode, only the upstream partial area in the auxiliary heat
exchanger 20 is the evaporation region, while (i) the area downstream of the evaporation
region in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and (ii) the main heat exchanger 21 each
functions as a superheat region, in the indoor heat exchanger 14.
[0030] Further, the refrigerant having flowed through the superheat region in the vicinity
of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 flows through the lower portion
of the front heat exchanger 21a disposed leeward from a lower portion of the auxiliary
heat exchanger 20. Therefore, among the air taken in through the air inlet 2a, air
having been cooled in the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is
heated by the front heat exchanger 21a, and then blown out from the air outlet 2b.
Meanwhile, among the air taken in through the air inlet 2a, air having flowed through
the superheat region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and through the front heat
exchanger 21a, and air having flowed through the rear heat exchanger 21b are blown
out from the air outlet 2b at a temperature substantially the same as an indoor temperature.
[0031] In the air conditioner 1, an evaporation temperature sensor 30 is attached to the
outdoor unit 3, as shown in FIG. 1. The evaporation temperature sensor 30 is configured
to detect an evaporation temperature and is disposed downstream of the expansion valve
13 in the refrigerant circuit. Further, to the indoor unit 2, there are attached:
an indoor temperature sensor 31 configured to detect the indoor temperature (the temperature
of the air taken in through the air inlet 2a of the indoor unit 2); and an indoor
heat exchanger temperature sensor 32 configured to detect whether evaporation of the
liquid refrigerant is completed in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 32 is disposed in
the vicinity of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and leeward from
the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. Further, in the superheat region in the vicinity
of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, the air taken in through the
air inlet 2a is hardly cooled. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the indoor
heat exchanger temperature sensor 32 is substantially the same as the indoor temperature
detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31, it is indicated that evaporation is
completed midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, and that the area in the vicinity
of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is the superheat region. Furthermore,
the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 32 is provided to a heat-transfer tube
in a middle portion of the indoor heat exchanger 14. Thus, in or in the vicinity of
the middle portion of the indoor heat exchanger 14, detected is/are the condensation
temperature in the heating operation and/or the evaporation temperature in the cooling
operation.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit of the air conditioner 1 is connected with:
the compressor 10; the four-way valve 11; the expansion valve 13; a motor 16a for
driving the indoor fan 16; the evaporation temperature sensor 30; the indoor temperature
sensor 31; and the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 32. Therefore, the control
unit controls the operation of the air conditioner 1 based on: a command from the
remote controller (for the start of the operation, for indoor temperature setting,
or the like); the evaporation temperature detected by the evaporation temperature
sensor 30; the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31 (the
temperature of the intake air); and a heat exchanger middle temperature detected by
the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 32.
[0034] Further, in the air conditioner 1, the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 includes the evaporation
region where the liquid refrigerant evaporates and the superheat region downstream
of the evaporation region in the predetermined dehumidification operation mode. The
compressor 10 and the expansion valve 13 are controlled so that the extent of the
evaporation region varies depending on a load. Here, "the extent varies depending
on a load" means that the extent varies depending on the quantity of heat supplied
to the evaporation region, and the quantity of heat is determined, for example, by
the indoor temperature (the temperature of the intake air) and an indoor air volume.
Further, the load corresponds to a required dehumidification capacity (required cooling
capacity), and the load is determined taking into account, for example, the difference
between the indoor temperature and the set temperature.
[0035] The compressor 10 is controlled based on the difference between the indoor temperature
and the set temperature. When the difference between the indoor temperature and the
set temperature is large, the load is high, and therefore the compressor 10 is controlled
so that its frequency increases. When the difference between the indoor temperature
and the set temperature is small, the load is low, and therefore the compressor 10
is controlled so that its frequency decreases.
[0036] The expansion valve 13 is controlled based on the evaporation temperature detected
by the evaporation temperature sensor 30. While the frequency of the compressor 10
is controlled as described above, the expansion valve 13 is controlled so that the
evaporation temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range (10 to 14 degrees
Celsius) close to a target evaporation temperature (12 degrees Celsius) . It is preferable
that the predetermined evaporation temperature range is constant, irrespective of
the frequency of the compressor 10. However, the predetermined range may be slightly
changed with the change of the frequency as long as the predetermined range is substantially
constant.
[0037] Thus, the compressor 10 and the expansion valve 13 are controlled depending on the
load in the predetermined dehumidification operation mode, and thereby changing the
extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, and causing the
evaporation temperature to fall within the predetermined temperature range.
[0038] In the air conditioner 1, each of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and the front heat
exchanger 21a has twelve rows of the heat-transfer tubes. When the number of rows
of the tubes functioning as the evaporation region in the auxiliary heat exchanger
20 in the predetermined dehumidification operation mode is not less than a half of
the total number of rows of the tubes of the front heat exchanger 21a, it is possible
to sufficiently increase the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat
exchanger, and therefore a variation in the load is addressed sufficiently. This structure
is effective especially under a high load.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a graph showing how the flow rate changes when the opening degree of the
expansion valve 13 is changed. The opening degree of the expansion valve 13 continuously
changes with the number of driving pulses input to the expansion valve 13. As the
opening degree decreases, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the expansion
valve 13 decreases. The expansion valve 13 is fully closed when the opening degree
is t0. In the range of the opening degrees t0 to t1, the flow rate increases at a
first gradient as the opening degree increases. In the range of the opening degrees
t1 to t2, the flow rate increases at a second gradient as the opening degree increases.
Note that the first gradient is larger than the second gradient.
[0040] Now, description will be given for an example of the control made so that the extent
of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 varies. For example,
when the load increases in the predetermined dehumidification operation mode on the
condition that the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger
20 is of a predetermined size, the frequency of the compressor 10 is increased and
the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 is changed so as to increase. As a result,
the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 becomes larger
than that of the predetermined size, and this increases the volume of the air actually
passing through the evaporation region even when the volume of the air taken into
the indoor unit 2 is constant.
[0041] Meanwhile, when the load becomes lower in the predetermined dehumidification operation
mode on the condition that the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat
exchanger 20 is of the predetermined size, the frequency of the compressor 10 is decreased
and the opening degree of the expansion valve 13 is changed so as to decrease. Therefore,
the extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 becomes smaller
than that of the predetermined size, and this decreases the volume of the air actually
passing through the evaporation region even when the volume of the air taken into
the indoor unit 2 is constant.
<Characteristics of the Air Conditioner of This Embodiment>
[0042] In the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, if the refrigerant is in a fully superheated
state at the outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 during the dehumidification
operation, air passing through this superheat region is hardly cooled, and therefore
does not cool heat-transfer tubes leeward from this region. Accordingly, by detecting
the temperature of the refrigerant circuit leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger
20, it is possible to determine whether the refrigerant is in the superheated state
at the outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. Further, avoided is unstable operation
resulting from the detection of an improper temperature, which is different from a
proper temperature due to the subcooling in the heating operation or the pressure
drop in the cooling operation.
[0043] Further, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger temperature
sensor 32 is provided to the heat exchanger pipe in the middle portion of the indoor
heat exchanger 14. Therefore, in or in the vicinity of the middle portion of the indoor
heat exchanger 14, detected is/are the condensation temperature in the heating operation
and/or the evaporation temperature in the cooling operation.
[0044] Furthermore, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, the liquid inlet 17a of
the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is provided at the lower portion of the auxiliary
heat exchanger 20, and the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 32 is disposed
in the vicinity of the upper end of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. This allows the
extent of the evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 to be enlarged.
[0045] Furthermore, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, the main heat exchanger
21 includes the front heat exchanger 21a disposed on the front side in the indoor
unit 2, and the rear heat exchanger 21b disposed on the rear side in the indoor unit
2, and the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is disposed forward of the front heat exchanger
21a. This makes it possible to increase the size of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20,
and this allows the increase of the range within which the evaporation region of the
auxiliary heat exchanger 20 varies.
[0046] While the embodiment of the present invention has been described based on the figures,
the scope of the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope
of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing
description of the embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made herein
without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary heat exchanger and the main heat
exchanger may be formed into a single unit. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger
is formed as a single unit, and a first portion corresponding to the auxiliary heat
exchanger is provided on the most windward side of the indoor heat exchanger, and
a second portion corresponding to the main heat exchanger is provided leeward from
the first portion.
[0048] Further, the above-described embodiment deals with the air conditioner configured
to operate in the cooling operation mode, in the predetermined dehumidification operation
mode, and in the heating operation mode. However, the present invention may be applied
to an air conditioner configured to conduct a dehumidification operation in a dehumidification
operation mode other than the predetermined dehumidification operation mode, in addition
to the dehumidification operation in the predetermined dehumidification operation
mode.
Industrial Applicability
[0049] With the present invention, a sensor for detecting the completion of the evaporation
of the liquid refrigerant also serves as a sensor for detecting a condensation temperature
in a heating operation and/or an evaporation temperature in a cooling operation.
Reference Signs List
[0050]
- 1
- air conditioner
- 2
- indoor unit
- 3
- outdoor unit
- 10
- compressor
- 12
- outdoor heat exchanger
- 13
- expansion valve
- 14
- indoor heat exchanger
- 16
- indoor fan
- 20
- auxiliary heat exchanger
- 21
- main heat exchanger