AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS

Abstract

 It is a problem of the present invention to improve, in an air conditioning apparatus equipped with plural indoor units and an outdoor unit that shares a refrigerant system with the indoor units, operating efficiency by performing an operation resulting from an appropriate operating mode. An air conditioning apparatus is equipped with plural indoor units (20a to 20e), an outdoor unit (30) that shares a refrigerant system with the plural indoor units (20a to 20e), and a control component. In a case where there is an operation request from an indoor unit that has been set as a priority indoor unit among the plural indoor units (20a to 20e), the control component decides, as an executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the priority indoor unit. In a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, or in a case where a predetermined amount of time has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component performs a redetermination process in which the control component redetermines the executed operating mode and decides the executed operating mode in accordance with the result of the redetermination.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus equipped with plural indoor units and an outdoor unit that shares a refrigerant system with the plural indoor units.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as disclosed in patent document 1 (JP-A No. H7-248147), there has been an air conditioning apparatus equipped with plural indoor units and an outdoor unit that shares a refrigerant system with the indoor units. In this air conditioning apparatus, in a case where there are operation requests at the same time from the plural indoor units, sometimes operating modes requested by the indoor units are different. In such a case as this, in patent document 1, the operation corresponding to the operating mode of the indoor unit that was the first to make an operation request is executed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

<Technical Problem>

[0003] In this connection, it is conceivable to set an indoor unit whose operating mode is to be prioritized from among plural indoor units, and decide the operating mode to execute in accordance with the operating mode of that indoor unit. In such a case as this, thereafter if operation is continued in the operating mode corresponding to the indoor unit that was prioritizingly set even when the operation of the indoor unit that was prioritizingly set is stopped, or if operation in an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit that was not prioritizingly set is continued a long time, sometimes the operating mode currently being executed is not an operating mode that is appropriate in terms of the overall the air conditioning apparatus.

[0004] Therefore, it is a problem of the present invention to improve, in an air conditioning apparatus equipped with plural indoor units and an outdoor unit that shares a refrigerant system with the indoor units, operating efficiency by performing an operation resulting from an appropriate operating mode.

<Solution to Problem>

[0005] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a first aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of indoor units, an outdoor unit, and a control component. The outdoor unit shares a refrigerant system with the plurality of indoor units. The control component is configured to decide a predetermined operating mode as an executed operating mode. The control component is configured to control the operation of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit in accordance with the executed operating mode. In a case where there is an operation request from an indoor unit that has been set as a priority indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units, the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the priority indoor unit. In a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, or in a case where a predetermined amount of time has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to perform a redetermination process. In the redetermination process, the control component redetermines the executed operating mode and decides the executed operating mode in accordance with the result of the redetermination.

[0006] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention, the redetermination process is performed in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit or in a case where a predetermined amount of time has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit. For this reason, compared to a case where operation is continued in the operating mode corresponding to the priority indoor unit even when there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit or where operation in an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit is continued a long time, the air conditioning apparatus can be operated in an appropriate operating mode.

[0007] Because of this, the operating efficiency of the air conditioning apparatus can be improved.

[0008] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the first aspect, wherein in a case where there is an operation request from one or a plurality of indoor units other than the priority indoor unit and there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to perform a first-come-first-served process. In the first-come-first-served process, the control component decides, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of the plurality of indoor units. In this air conditioning apparatus, because the first-come-first-served process is performed, the operating mode does not change even if subsequently there is a request from an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit to operate in a different operating mode, so the number of times the operating mode changes can be reduced. Because of this, the number of times the various devices operate when changing the operating mode can be reduced.

[0009] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the second aspect, further comprising a setting component. The setting component is configured to set, as the priority indoor unit, one indoor unit out of the plurality of indoor units. In the first-come-first-served process the control component is configured to judge all indoor units other than the priority indoor unit out of the plurality of indoor units to be non-priority indoor units. In this air conditioning apparatus, in the first-come-first-served process all the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are set in the same category.

[0010] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the third aspect, wherein in the redetermination process the control component is configured to judge whether or not there is an operation request in accordance with rankings of the non-priority indoor units decided beforehand. Additionally, the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there is an operation request and whose ranking is high. In this air conditioning apparatus, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units are decided beforehand, so compared to a case where the non-priority indoor units are ranked each time the redetermination process is performed, the process content can be simplified.

[0011] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the fourth aspect, wherein the rankings are decided in descending order of capacities of the non-priority indoor units. In this air conditioning apparatus, in the redetermination process the operating mode is prioritized in descending order of the capacities of the indoor units, so an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0012] It will be noted that the capacities of the indoor units here mean the thermal energy that an indoor unit takes from a room or gives to a room per unit time.

[0013] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the third aspect, wherein in the redetermination process the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit whose requested capacity is the highest out of all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request. In this air conditioning apparatus, in the redetermination process the operating mode of the indoor unit whose requested capacity is large is prioritized, so an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0014] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of the third aspect, wherein the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode that is the most numerous out of the operating modes corresponding to all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request. In this air conditioning apparatus, in the redetermination process the operation in the operating mode that is the most numerous is performed, so an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0015] An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning apparatus of any of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the control component includes a storage component. The storage component is configured to store the operating mode that had been decided as the executed operating mode just before an operation request is made by the priority indoor unit. Additionally, in the redetermination process performed in the case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode stored in the storage component. In this air conditioning apparatus, the operating mode stored in the storage component is decided as the executed operating mode, so compared to a case where processing that judges the operating environments of the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit is executed each time the redetermination process is performed, the process content can be simplified.

<Advantageous Effects of Invention>

[0016] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention, the operating efficiency can be improved.

[0017] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of times the various devices operate when changing the operating mode can be reduced.

[0018] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first-come-first-served process all the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are set in the same category.

[0019] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the process content can be simplified.

[0020] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0021] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0022] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus can be performed.

[0023] In the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the process content can be simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] 

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a control component with which the air conditioning apparatus is equipped.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation control in the air conditioning apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0025] An air conditioning apparatus 100 pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It will be noted that the following embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed in a range that does not depart from the spirit of the invention.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioning apparatus 100

[0026] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the air conditioning apparatus 100. The air conditioning apparatus 100 pertaining to the present invention is equipped with plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e and an outdoor unit 30 that shares a refrigerant system with the plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. The air conditioning apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is a so-called multi-type air conditioning apparatus in which the five indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are connected to the single outdoor unit 30. It will be noted that in the air conditioning apparatus pertaining to the present invention the numbers of outdoor units and indoor units are not limited to those in the present embodiment, and it suffices for plural indoor units and one or plural outdoor units to share a refrigerant system.

(2) Detailed Configuration of Air Conditioning apparatus 100

(2-1) Indoor Units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are installed in rooms A, B, C, D, and E of a building 10. In the present embodiment, the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are installed in the different rooms A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. Here, sometimes the sizes (square footages) of the rooms A, B, C, D, and E in the building 10 are different from each other. In such a case as this, it is recommended that indoor units of capacity classes matching the sizes of the rooms be installed in the rooms A, B, C, D, and E. It will be noted that this may be accommodated by designing beforehand pipe connectors with different pipe diameters to match the sizes of the rooms A, B, C, D, and E in the building 10 when installing the air conditioning apparatus 10, so as to be able to install indoor units of different capacity classes in the rooms A, B, C, D, and E, for example, so as to be able to connect indoor units of different capacity classes.

[0028] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, it will be supposed that room A (hereinafter called room A) and room B (hereinafter called room B) have the same size and that room C (hereinafter called room C), room E (hereinafter called room E), and room D (hereinafter called room D) are successively larger in size. Furthermore, here, it will be supposed that room A is a study, room B is a child's room, room C is a master bedroom, room D is a living room, and room E is a drawing room. Additionally, it will be supposed that the first indoor unit 20a is installed in room A, the second indoor unit 20b is installed in room B, the third indoor unit 20c is installed in room C, the fourth indoor unit 20d is installed in room D, and the fifth indoor unit 20e is installed in room E. It will be noted in regard to the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e that the capacity classes of the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are such that the fourth indoor unit 20d is the largest, the fifth indoor unit 20e is larger than the third indoor unit 20c, the third indoor unit 20c is larger than the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b, and the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b are the same.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a control component 60 with which the air conditioning apparatus 100 is equipped. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e have indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e, respectively. The indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e control the operations of various parts (indoor fan motors 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e, indoor expansion valves 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e, and flaps, etc.) configuring the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. Additionally, the indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e have microcomputers, memories, and so forth provided in order to control the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, can exchange control signals and so forth with remote controllers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e for individually operating the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, and can exchange control signals and so forth with the outdoor unit 30 via a transmission line 61.

[0030] It will be noted that in FIG. 2 the word "first" is added in front of the various devices with which the first indoor unit 20a is equipped, the word "second" is added in front of the various devices with which the second indoor unit 20b is equipped, the word "third" is added in front of the various devices with which the third indoor unit 20c is equipped, the word "fourth" is added in front of the various devices with which the fourth indoor unit 20d is equipped, and the word "fifth" is added in front of the various devices with which the fifth indoor unit 20e is equipped.

(2-2) Outdoor Unit 30

[0031] The outdoor unit 30 is connected via refrigerant pipes to the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e and forms a refrigerant circuit configured from a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and so forth.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 30 has an outdoor unit control component 31. The outdoor unit control component 31 controls the operations of various parts (a compressor motor 32, a four-way switching valve 33, an outdoor fan motor 34, and an outdoor expansion valve 35) configuring the outdoor unit 30. Additionally, the outdoor unit control component 31 has a microcomputer, a memory, and so forth provided in order to control the outdoor unit 30 and can exchange control signals and so forth with the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e (i.e., the indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e) via the transmission line 61.

[0033] Here, a setting component 37 is provided on a control board 36 that has the outdoor unit control component 31 of the outdoor unit 30. Examples of the setting component 37 include a dip switch. Additionally, using this dip switch, a user or installer can select, from the plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, and set, as a priority indoor unit, one indoor unit to be prioritized over the other indoor units when deciding an executed operating mode that is an operating mode to be executed in the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100. It will be noted that the setting component 37 of the present invention is not limited to the dip switch and may also have another configuration. Furthermore, in the present embodiment the setting component 37 is provided in the outdoor unit 30, but the setting component 37 may also be provided in the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e; it suffices, for example, for a user to be able to set the priority indoor unit from the remote controllers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e. Moreover, although the setting component 37 is provided here, the setting component 37 does not have to be provided if the priority indoor unit is automatically set by other means (e.g., the control component 60).

(2-3) Control Component 60

[0034] The air conditioning apparatus 100 can control, with the control component 60 configured from the indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e and the outdoor control component 31, the various parts of the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. That is, the control component 60, which controls operations of the entire air conditioning apparatus 100 including a cooling operation and a heating operation, is configured by the indoor unit control components 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e, the outdoor unit control component 31, and the transmission line 61.

[0035] The control component 60 is connected in such a way that it can receive detection signals of various non-illustrated sensors with which the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are equipped, and can control the various parts on the basis of the detection signals.

[0036] Furthermore, the control component 60 executes various processes in controlling the operations of the air conditioning apparatus 100. The various processes include a process in which the control component 60 selects, from predetermined operating modes (here, a cooling mode and a heating mode), and decides an executed operating mode that is an operating mode in which the air conditioning apparatus 100 operates. It will be noted that in a case where there is an operation request from an indoor unit that has been set as a priority indoor unit among the plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, the control component 60 decides, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the priority indoor unit. Here, the priority indoor unit is set in the setting component 37. Furthermore, in a later-described second first-come-first-served process the control component 60 judges all indoor units other than the indoor unit that has been set as the priority indoor unit in the setting component 37 to be non-priority indoor units. It will be noted that the process in which the control component 60 decides the executed operating mode includes a first first-come-first-served process, a second first-come-first-served process, and a redetermination process. Additionally, the control component 60 controls the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e in accordance with the executed operating mode it has decided.

[0037] Here, when the cooling mode is decided as the executed operating mode, the cooling operation is performed in the air conditioning apparatus 100. In a case where the cooling operation is performed, particularly the outdoor unit control component 31 switches the four-way switching valve 33 in such a way that the discharge side of the compressor and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger become interconnected and the suction side of the compressor and a gas refrigerant communicating pipe become interconnected. Furthermore, in this case, indoor unit control components of indoor units from which there is a request to operate in the heating mode close the indoor expansion valves under their control. On the other hand, when the heating mode is decided as the executed operating mode, the heating operation is performed in the air conditioning apparatus 100. In a case where the heating operation is performed, particularly the outdoor unit control component 31 switches the four-way switching valve 33 in such a way that the discharge side of the compressor and the gas refrigerant communicating pipe become interconnected and the suction side of the compressor and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger become interconnected. It will be noted that, in this case, indoor unit control components of indoor units from which there is a request to operate in the cooling mode do not perform control to close the indoor expansion valves under their control but rather maintain the indoor expansion valves in an opened state. Furthermore, here, regarding indoor units from which there is no operation request, that is, indoor units whose operation is stopped, the indoor expansion valves are maintained in an opened state.

[0038] It will be noted that although in the present embodiment the control of the various parts according to the operating modes is designed as described above, the control of the various parts of the present invention is not limited to this, and the control of the various parts may also be different.

(3) Various Processes

(3-1) First First-come-first-served Process

[0039] The first first-come-first-served process is a process that is executed in a case where a priority indoor unit setting has not been made in the setting component 37.

[0040] In the first first-come-first-served process, all the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are judged to be non-priority indoor units. Additionally, in the first first-come-first-served process, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of the non-priority indoor units-that is, the operating mode corresponding to the indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of all the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e-is decided as the executed operating mode. It will be noted that this executed operating mode is continued without being changed until there is no longer an operation request from any of the non-priority indoor units. For example, in a case where, even if there is no longer an operation request from the indoor unit that was the origin for deciding the executed operating mode in the first first-come-first-served process (the non-priority indoor unit that was the first to make an operation request from a state in which there was no operation request from any of the non-priority indoor units), there is an operation request from another non-priority indoor unit at that point in time, the operating mode of the non-priority indoor unit that was the origin for the executed operating mode is maintained and the air conditioning apparatus 100 is operated in that operating mode. Additionally, the first first-come-first-served process ends when the operation of all the non-priority indoor units is stopped and there is no longer an operation request from any of the non-priority indoor units.

[0041] For example, in the first first-come-first-served process, in a case where the operation of the first indoor unit 20a is the first to be started out of all the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e and there is a request to operate in the cooling mode from the first indoor unit 20a, the executed operating mode is decided to be the cooling mode. Additionally, the operation in the cooling mode is continued even if there are requests to operate in the heating mode from other indoor units (e.g., the second to fifth indoor units 20b to 20e). Thereafter, in a case where, even if the operation of the first indoor unit 20a is stopped and there is no longer an operation request from the first indoor unit 20a, there are operation requests from other indoor units (e.g., the second to fourth indoor units 20b to 20d) at that point in time, the operation in the cooling mode is continued even if there is a request to operate in the heating mode from one of those indoor units (e.g., the second indoor unit 20b). It will be noted that, at this time, the executed operating mode is changed in a case where all the indoor units from which there is an operation request are requesting operation in an operating mode different from the current executed operating mode. For example, in a case where the cooling mode corresponding to the operation request from the first indoor unit 20a has been decided as the executed operating mode and, at the point in time when there is no longer an operation request from the first indoor unit 20a, there are operation requests from the second to fourth indoor units 20b to 20d and the operation requests from the second to fourth indoor units 20b to 20d are requests to operate in the heating mode, the executed operating mode is changed from the cooling mode to the heating mode.

(3-2) Second First-come-first-served Process

[0042] The second first-come-first-served process is a process that is executed in a case where a priority indoor unit setting has been made in the setting component 37, there is an operation request from one or plural indoor units other than the priority indoor unit, and there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit.

[0043] In the second first-come-first-served process, the plural indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are judged to be non-priority indoor units. Additionally, in the second first-come-first-served process, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of the non-priority indoor units-that is, the operating mode corresponding to the indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of all the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit-is decided as the executed operating mode. It will be noted that this executed operating mode is continued without being changed until there is no longer an operation request from the non-priority indoor unit or until there is an operation request from the priority indoor unit. For example, in a case where, even if there is no longer an operation request from the non-priority indoor unit that was the origin for deciding the executed operating mode in the second first-come-first-served process (the non-priority indoor unit that was the first to make an operation request from a state in which there was no operation request from the priority indoor unit or the non-priority indoor units), there is an operation request from another non-priority indoor unit at that point in time, the operating mode of the non-priority indoor unit that was the origin for the executed operating mode is maintained and the air conditioning apparatus 100 is operated in that operating mode. It will be noted that, at this time, the executed operating mode is changed in a case where all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request are requesting operation in an operating mode different from the current executed operating mode. Additionally, the second first-come-first-served process ends when the operation of all the non-priority indoor units is stopped and there is no longer an operation request from any of the non-priority indoor units. Furthermore, in a case where there is an operation request from the priority indoor unit while the second first-come-first-served process is being executed, at that point in time the second first-come-first-served process ends, the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit is decided as the executed operating mode, and the air conditioning apparatus 100 is operated in that operating mode.

[0044] For example, in the second first-come-first-served process, in a case where the fifth indoor unit 20e has been set as the priority indoor unit in the setting component 37, the operation of the first indoor unit 20a is the first to be started out of all the indoor units, and there is a request to operate in the cooling mode from the first indoor unit 20a, the executed operating mode is decided to be the cooling mode. Additionally, the operation in the cooling mode is continued even if there are requests to operate in the heating mode from other non-priority indoor units (e.g., the second to fourth indoor units 20b to 20d). Thereafter, in a case where, even if the operation of the first indoor unit 20a is stopped and there is no longer an operation request from the first indoor unit 20a, there are operation requests from other indoor units (e.g., the second to fourth indoor units 20b to 20d) at that point in time, the operation in the cooling mode is continued even if there is a request to operate in the heating mode from one of those indoor units (e.g., the second indoor unit 20b). On the other hand, in a case where, when the operation of the first indoor unit 20a is stopped and there is no longer an operation request from the first indoor unit 20a, the operation requests from all the other non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request are requests to operate in the heating mode, the executed operating mode is changed from the cooling mode to the heating mode. Furthermore, in a case where there is a request to operate in the heating mode, for example, from the fifth indoor unit 20e that is the priority indoor unit while the second first-come-first-served process is being executed, the executed operating mode is changed from the cooling mode to the heating mode.

(3-3) Redetermination Process

[0045] The redetermination process is a process that is executed in a case where a priority indoor unit has been set in the setting component 37 and there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit in a state in which the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit is decided as the executed operating mode.

[0046] In the redetermination process, the currently decided executed operating mode is redetermined, and the executed operating mode is decided in accordance with the result of the redetermination. Here, the redetermination of the executed operating mode is performed in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit and there is an operation request from one or plural non-priority indoor units. In this redetermination process, the control component 60 judges whether or not there is an operation request in accordance with rankings of the non-priority indoor units decided beforehand and decides, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there is an operation request and whose ranking is high. Because of this, the redetermination process ends.

[0047] It will be noted that it suffices for the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process to be decided in descending order of presumed levels of demand from users, for example. In the present embodiment, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process are decided in descending order of the capacities of the non-priority indoor units, regarding an operation request from a non-priority indoor unit whose level of demand from users is high as an operation request from an indoor unit whose capacity class is large. Furthermore, when there is more than one indoor unit with the same capacity in a case where the rankings are decided in descending order of the capacities of the indoor units as in the present embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 100 may be configured in such a way that the control component 60 automatically ranks those indoor units with the same capacity or in such a way that a user or installer can manually rank only those indoor units with the same capacity.

[0048] For example, in a case where the fifth indoor unit 20e is set as the priority indoor unit in the setting component 37 and the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process are decided in the order of the fourth indoor unit 20d, the third indoor unit 20c, the second indoor unit 20b, and the first indoor unit 20a, the executed operating mode is decided to be the cooling mode in a case where there is a request to operate in the cooling mode from the fifth indoor unit 20e. It will be noted that the operation in the cooling mode is performed even if there is a request to operate in the heating mode from the non-priority indoor units (the first to fourth indoor units 20a to 20d). The redetermination process is executed in a case where, thereafter, the operation of the fifth indoor unit 20e is stopped, there is no longer an operation request from the fifth indoor unit 20e, and there is an operation request from another non-priority indoor unit (at least any one of the first to fourth indoor units 20a to 20d). In the redetermination process, at the point in time when there is no longer an operation request from the fifth indoor unit 20e, first it is judged whether or not there is an operation request in accordance with the rankings decided beforehand, that is, in the order of the fourth indoor unit 20d, the third indoor unit 20c, the second indoor unit 20b, and the first indoor unit 20a. At this time, for example, in a case where there are operation requests from the first to third indoor units 20a to 20c, the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the third indoor unit 20c is decided as the executed operating mode. That is, in a case where, even if the operation requests from the first and second indoor units 20a and 20b are requests to operate in the cooling mode, the operation request from the third indoor unit 20c is a request to operate in the heating mode, the executed operating mode is decided to be the heating mode.

(4) Flow of the Deciding of the Executed Operating Mode by the Control Component 60

[0049] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation control in the air conditioning apparatus 100. It will be noted that in FIG. 3 a case is shown where the operation of all the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e is stopped at the "start" point in time.

[0050] In step S1, in a case where there is an operation request from any of the indoor units in a state in which the operation of all the indoor units is stopped, it is judged whether or not a priority indoor unit has been set in the setting component 37. Then, in a case where the judgment is NO, that is, in a case where a priority indoor unit setting has not been made, the flow proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, in a case where the judgment is YES, that is, in a case where a priority indoor unit setting has been made, the flow proceeds to step S3.

[0051] In step S2, the first first-come-first-served process is executed. Then, a predetermined operating mode is decided as the executed operating mode, and the execution of the first first-come-first-served process ends when the operation of all the indoor units is stopped.

[0052] In step S3, it is judged whether or not the operation request is an operation request from the priority indoor unit. Then, in a case where the judgment is NO, that is, in a case where the operation request is not an operation request from the priority indoor unit, or in other words in a case where the operation request is an operation request from a non-priority indoor unit, the flow proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, in a case where the judgment is YES, that is, in a case where the operation request is an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the flow proceeds to step S5.

[0053] In step S4, the second first-come-first-served process is executed. Then, the second first-come-first-served process ends when a predetermined operating mode is decided as the executed operating mode. Then, the flow proceeds to step S9.

[0054] In step S5, the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit is decided as the executed operating mode. It will be noted that, at this time, in a case where an operating mode corresponding to an operation request from the non-priority indoor unit had been decided as the executed operating mode, the executed operating mode is changed from that operating mode to the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit. Then, the flow proceeds to step S6.

[0055] In step S6, it is judged whether or not there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit. Then, in a case where the judgment is YES, that is, in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the flow proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, in a case where the judgment is NO, that is, in a case where the operation request from the priority indoor unit has not gone away, or in other words in a case where there is an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the flow returns to step S6.

[0056] In step S7, it is judged whether or not there is an operation request from a non-priority indoor unit. Then, in a case where the judgment is YES, that is, in a case where there is an operation request from a non-priority indoor unit, the flow proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, in a case where the judgment is NO, that is, in a case where there is not an operation request from a non-priority indoor unit, or in other words in a case where there is not an operation request from any of the indoor units, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is ended.

[0057] In step S8, the redetermination process is executed. Here, the redetermination process ends when a predetermined operating mode is decided as the executed operating mode. Then, the flow proceeds to step S9.

[0058] In step S9, it is judged whether or not there is an operation request from the priority indoor unit. Then, in a case where the judgment is YES, that is, in a case where there is an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the flow returns to step S5. On the other hand, in a case where the judgment is NO, that is, in a case where there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, excluding predetermined cases the state in which the operating mode that was decided in the redetermination process is decided as the executed operating mode is maintained until there is no longer an operation request from any of the non-priority indoor units. Then, when there is no longer an operation request from any of the indoor units, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is ended.

(5) Characteristics

(5-1)

[0059] Here, conventionally, in a case where a priority indoor unit whose operating mode is to be prioritized is set from among plural indoor units and the executed operating mode is decided in accordance with the operating mode of the priority indoor unit, operation in the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit has been continued even when there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit. In such a case as this, if a request to operate in an operating mode different from that operating mode is made by an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit, sometimes it cannot be said that the air conditioning apparatus overall is operating in an appropriate operating mode. That is, it is not always the case that the operating mode of the priority indoor unit is the most appropriate operating mode for the other non-priority indoor units.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the redetermination process is performed in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit. For this reason, compared to a case where the operation in the operating mode of the priority indoor unit is continued even when there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be operated in an appropriate operating mode.

[0061] Furthermore, because the redetermination process is performed, the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be operated in an appropriate operating mode without indefinitely prolonging the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the priority indoor unit despite the fact that there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit.

[0062] Because of this, the operating efficiency of the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be improved.

(5-2)

[0063] In the present embodiment, the second first-come-first-served process is performed in a case where a priority indoor unit setting has been made in the setting component 37, there is an operation request from one or plural indoor units other than the priority indoor unit, and there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit. In this air conditioning apparatus 100, regarding indoor units other than the priority indoor unit, the operation in the operating mode corresponding to the first operation request is executed, so the operating mode does not change even if subsequently there is a request from an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit to operate in a different operating mode. Because of this, compared to a case where the operating mode is changed each time there is a request 'from an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit to operate in an operating mode different from the executed operating mode, the number of times the operating mode is changed can be reduced, so the number of times the various parts operate when changing the operating mode can be reduced.

(5-3)

[0064] In the second first-come-first-served process, the control component 60 of the present embodiment judges all indoor units other than the priority indoor unit out of the plural indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e to be non-priority indoor units. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 100, in the second first-come-first-served process, in contrast to the redetermination process, all the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit are set in the same category.

(5-4)

[0065] In the redetermination process the control component 60 of the present embodiment judges whether or not there is an operation request in accordance with rankings of the non-priority indoor units decided beforehand and decides, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there is an operation request and whose ranking is high. In this air conditioning apparatus 100, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units are decided beforehand, so compared to a case where the non-priority indoor units are ranked each time the redetermination process is performed, the process content can be simplified.

(5-5)

[0066] Here, in a case where a priority indoor unit whose operating mode is to be prioritized is set from among plural indoor units, and the executed operating mode is decided in accordance with the operating mode of the priority indoor unit, and there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, it is also conceivable to decide the executed operating mode by first-to-request priority from the standpoint of prior benefit. However, in a first-come-first-served process, in principle the process does not end unless the operation of all the indoor units is stopped. For this reason, a situation can also arise where the operating mode that was decided as the executed operating mode in the first-come-first-served process is actually an operating mode of a non-priority indoor unit that was the first to make an operation request several days prior. In such a case as this, it is not always the case that the executed operating mode that was decided several days prior is the most appropriate operating mode at the current point in time.

[0067] In the control component 60 of the present embodiment, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process are decided in descending order of capacity. In this air conditioning apparatus 100, in the redetermination process the operating mode is prioritized in descending order of the capacities of the non-priority indoor units, so an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus 100 can be performed.

[0068] Furthermore, oftentimes the magnitudes of the capacities of the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are proportional to the sizes of the rooms in which the indoor units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are installed. At the same time, sometimes there is a room (e.g., a drawing room, etc.) in which users want to prioritize the air conditioning operating mode regardless of the size of the room, that is, the capacity of the indoor unit. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the setting component 37 can set, as the priority indoor unit, the fifth indoor unit 20e installed in room E, which is a drawing room. Furthermore, because it is also presumed that room D, which is a living room, and room C, which is a master bedroom, are rooms in which there will be a large operating demand from users, in the redetermination process the rankings of the fourth indoor unit 20d installed in room D and the third indoor unit 20c installed in room C are decided in such a way as to be higher than those of the first indoor unit 20a installed in room A, which is a study, and the second indoor unit 20b installed in room B, which is a child's room.

(6) Example Modifications

(6-1) Example Modification A

[0069] In the embodiment, the redetermination process is performed in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit. However, the timing when the redetermination process pertaining to the present invention is performed is not limited to this.

[0070] Here, in a first-come-first-served process, in principle the process does not end unless the operation of all the indoor units is stopped. For this reason, a situation can also arise where the operating mode that was decided as the executed operating mode in the first-come-first-served process is actually an operating mode of a non-priority indoor unit that was the first to make an operation request several days prior. In such a case as this, it is not always the case that the executed operating mode that was decided several days prior is the most appropriate operating mode at the current point in time.

[0071] Therefore, for example, the redetermination process may also be performed in a case where a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.) has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit. More specifically, a predetermined operating mode may be decided as the executed operating mode in the first first-come-first-served process and/or the second first-come-first-served process of the embodiment, the executed operating mode may be redetermined when the operation in that predetermined operating mode has continued a predetermined amount of time, and the executed operating mode may be decided in accordance with the result of the redetermination. Alternatively, in addition to the timing when the redetermination process of the embodiment is executed, the redetermination process may also be performed at the above timing after the execution of the first first-come-first-served process and/or the second first-come-first-served process. That is, the redetermination process may also be performed in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit and in a case where a predetermined amount of time has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit.

[0072] In this way, because the redetermination process is executed at a predetermined timing, the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be operated in an appropriate operating mode. Because of this, the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be efficiently operated.

(6-2) Example Modification B

[0073] In the embodiment, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process are decided beforehand in descending order of the capacities of the non-priority indoor units.

[0074] However, the rankings of the non-priority indoor units in the redetermination process are not limited to the embodiment, and it suffices for the rankings to be decided in accordance with the non-priority indoor units presumed to have high levels of demand from users.

[0075] For example, the rankings may also be decided in descending order of the requested capacities (e.g., the differences between the set temperatures and the room temperatures, etc.) of the non-priority indoor units. That is, in the redetermination process, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit whose requested capacity is the highest out of all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request may be decided as the executed operating mode. More specifically, for example, in the redetermination process, if there are operation requests from the first to third indoor units 20a to 20c and the requested capacity from the first indoor unit 20a is larger than the requested capacities from the second and third indoor units 20b and 20c, the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the first indoor unit 20a is decided as the executed operating mode. In this way, because the operating mode of the non-priority indoor unit whose requested capacity is large is prioritized, an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus 100 can be performed.

[0076] Furthermore, the operating mode that is the most numerous out of the operating modes corresponding to all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request may also be decided as the executed operating mode. For example, in the redetermination process, in a case where there are operation requests from the first to fourth indoor units 20a to 20d, and the operation requests from the first to third indoor units 20a to 20c are requests to operate in the cooling mode, and the operation request from the fourth indoor unit 20d is a request to operate in the heating mode, the cooling mode is decided as the executed operating mode by majority decision. In this way, because operation is performed in the operating mode that is the most numerous among the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request, an operation that is efficient in terms of the overall air conditioning apparatus 100 can be performed.

[0077] Alternatively, the control component 60 may have a storage component that stores the operating mode that had been decided as the executed operating mode just before an operation request is made by the priority indoor unit, and in the redetermination process performed in the case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the operating mode stored in the storage component may be decided as the executed operating mode. For example, in a case where the priority indoor unit is set to the fifth indoor unit 20e, and an operating mode corresponding to an operation request from the first indoor unit 20a is decided as the executed operating mode and operation is performed in that operating mode before there is an operation request from the fifth indoor unit 20e, and then an operating mode corresponding to an operation request from the fifth indoor unit 20e is decided as the executed operating mode, first the operating mode corresponding to the first indoor unit 20a is stored in the storage component. Thereafter, when there is no longer an operation request from the fifth indoor unit 20e and the redetermination process is executed, the operating mode corresponding to the operation request from the first indoor unit 20a stored in the storage component is decided as the executed operating mode. In this way, the operating mode stored in the storage component is decided as the executed operating mode, so compared to a case where processing that judges the operating environments of the indoor units other than the priority indoor unit is executed each time the redetermination process is performed, the process content can be simplified.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0078] According to the present invention, in an air conditioning apparatus equipped with plural indoor units and an outdoor unit that shares a refrigerant system with the indoor units, operating efficiency can be improved by performing an operation resulting from an appropriate operating mode.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0079] 

20a

First Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit)

20b

Second Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit)

20c

Third Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit)

20d

Fourth Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit)

20e

Fifth Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit)

30

Outdoor Unit

37

Setting Component

60

Control Component

100

Air Conditioning apparatus

CITATION LIST

<Patent Literature>

[0080] Patent Document 1: JP-A No. H7-248147

Claims

1. An air conditioning apparatus (100) comprising:

a plurality of indoor units (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e);

an outdoor unit (30) that shares a refrigerant system with the plurality of indoor units; and

a control component (60) configured to decide a predetermined operating mode as an executed operating mode and control the operation of the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit in accordance with the executed operating mode,
wherein

in a case where there is an operation request from an indoor unit that has been set as a priority indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units, the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the priority indoor unit, and

in a case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, or in a case where a predetermined amount of time has passed since an operating mode corresponding to an indoor unit other than the priority indoor unit was decided as the executed operating mode in a state in which there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to perform a redetermination process in which the control component redetermines the executed operating mode and decides the executed operating mode in accordance with the result of the redetermination.

2. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
in a case where there is an operation request from one or a plurality of indoor units other than the priority indoor unit and there is no operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to perform a first-come-first-served process in which the control component decides, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the indoor unit from which there was an operation request first out of the plurality of indoor units.

3. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a setting component (37) configured to set, as the priority indoor unit, one indoor unit out of the plurality of indoor units,

wherein in the first-come-first-served process the control component is configured to judge all indoor units other than the priority indoor unit out of the plurality of indoor units to be non-priority indoor units.

4. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
in the redetermination process the control component is configured to judge whether or not there is an operation request in accordance with rankings of the non-priority indoor units decided beforehand and decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit from which there is an operation request and whose ranking is high.

5. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the rankings are decided in descending order of capacities of the non-priority indoor units.

6. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
in the redetermination process the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode corresponding to the non-priority indoor unit whose requested capacity is the highest out of all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request.

7. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
in the redetermination process the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode that is the most numerous out of the operating modes corresponding to all the non-priority indoor units from which there is an operation request.

8. The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control component includes a storage component that is configured to store the operating mode that had been decided as the executed operating mode just before an operation request is made by the priority indoor unit, and
in the redetermination process performed in the case where there is no longer an operation request from the priority indoor unit, the control component is configured to decide, as the executed operating mode, the operating mode stored in the storage component.

Drawing