JP6987715B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner including a cooler, a heater and a humidifier.

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner for maintaining a temperature / humidity environment without wasteful energy consumption when air conditioning is performed by taking in outside air. In this air conditioner, the target temperature or target humidity is set as a zone with a width, and when the target temperature or target humidity reaches the above zone, the air conditioning means, the ventilation means, and the refrigeration cycle operation are switched. , It is described that energy saving operation is performed.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an air conditioning equipment capable of quickly and accurately following load fluctuations in an air-conditioned room. In this air conditioning equipment, temperature / humidity detection means is installed on the indoor side to detect temperature and humidity, and based on the temperature / humidity detection results, "heating / humidification", "heating / dehumidification", "cooling / humidification" and "cooling / humidification" It is described that one of the operation modes of "cooling / dehumidifying" is selected.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an air conditioner that realizes constant temperature and humidity control with energy saving without using a heater. In this air conditioner, the cooling amount and the heating amount are controlled by controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger in the air conditioner by switching the four-way valve and controlling the refrigerant flow rate. However, it is described that the amount of humidification is controlled.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-21881 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-8390 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-114247.

The air conditioner described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 is intended for a case where the temperature or humidity can be kept constant by controlling only the cooling device such as a cooling coil, for example, ± 1.0 ° C. Air conditioning can be controlled only in a wide range, and constant temperature and humidity control with high accuracy such as ± 0.1 ° C. cannot be performed.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to use an air conditioner equipped with a heater and a humidifier in addition to the cooling device to perform constant temperature and humidity with high accuracy. In this case, the heater and humidifier operate stably and with energy saving. It is preferable to realize constant temperature and humidity control.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of realizing highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control in a stable and energy-saving manner.

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a cooler for cooling the suction air, a heater for heating the air discharged from the cooler, a humidifier for humidifying the air discharged from the heater, and a temperature for detecting the room temperature. A heater control unit that controls the heater based on the detection result by the sensor, a humidifier control unit that controls the humidifier based on the humidity detection result by the humidity sensor that detects the indoor humidity, and the heater from the heater control unit. A cooler control unit that controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on a temperature control signal to the humidifier and a humidity control signal from the humidifier control unit to the humidifier is provided.

According to this configuration, the cooler control unit controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on the temperature control signal of the heater and the humidity control signal of the humidifier to operate the cooler at a constant output to operate the heater and the heater. The heater and the humidifier can be operated stably and with energy saving as compared with the case where the constant temperature and humidity control is performed by the humidifier, and as a result, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be realized with stability and energy saving.

In the air conditioner according to the present invention, at least one of the cooling amount and the sensible heat ratio with respect to the sucked air may be adjusted so that the heater and the humidifier each operate in a predetermined operating region.

According to this configuration, the heater and the humidifier are stabilized in the predetermined operating region by adjusting at least one of the cooling amount and the sensible heat ratio with respect to the suction air so that the heater and the humidifier operate in the predetermined operating region, respectively. Moreover, it can be operated with energy saving, and as a result, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed stably and with energy saving.

In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined operating region is a high-precision operating region in which the heater and the humidifier can be operated with high accuracy.

According to this configuration, high-precision constant temperature and humidity control can be performed stably and energy-saving while operating the heater and the humidifier in the high-precision operating region.

Further, in this case, the predetermined operating region is an energy-saving operating region on the low output side of the high-precision operating regions that are predetermined to be able to operate the heater and the humidifier with high accuracy. You may.

According to this configuration, high-precision constant temperature and humidity control can be performed stably and with more energy saving while operating the heater and the humidifier in the energy-saving operation region on the low output side of the high-precision operation region.

Further, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, the cooler control unit stores the lower limit threshold and the upper limit threshold for the energy saving operation region of the heater and the energy saving operation region of the humidifier, respectively, and corresponds to the heater control signal. Whether or not the heater and the humidifier are operating in the energy-saving operation region by comparing the heater output value and the humidifier output value corresponding to the humidifier control signal with the lower limit threshold and the upper limit threshold, respectively. May be determined.

According to this configuration, the heater and the humidifier save energy by comparing the heater output value corresponding to the heater control signal and the humidifier output value corresponding to the humidifier control signal with the lower limit threshold and the upper limit threshold of the energy saving operation region, respectively. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not each is operating in the operating region, and as a result, high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is performed stably and with more energy saving while operating the heater and the humidifier in the energy-saving operating region. be able to.

According to the air conditioner according to the present invention, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be realized in a stable and energy-saving manner.

It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is an air diagram which shows the constant temperature and humidity control in the air conditioner of this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the conventional air conditioner. (A) is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the heater and the heating amount, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the humidifier and the humidifying amount. It is a table which shows the relationship between heating and humidification, a cooling amount and a sensible heat ratio. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region A and the humidifier is operating in the region A, and (b) and (c) are changes in the operating points of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region A and the humidifier is operating in the region B, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region A and the humidifier is operating in the region C, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region B and the humidifier is operating in the region A, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region B and the humidifier is operating in the region C, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region C and the humidifier is operating in the region A, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region C and the humidifier is operating in the region B, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each. (A) is an air diagram showing control when the heater is operating in the region C and the humidifier is operating in the region C, respectively, and (b) and (c) are operating point changes of the heater and the humidifier in this case. It is a graph which shows each.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, etc. are examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to applications, purposes, specifications, and the like. Further, when a plurality of embodiments, modifications, and the like are included in the following, it is assumed from the beginning that those characteristic portions are appropriately combined and used.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 10 includes an air flow path forming member 12, a fan 13, a cooler 14, a heater 16, and a humidifier 18. Further, the air conditioner 10 further includes a control unit (cooler control unit) 15, a temperature instruction control unit (heater control unit) 17, and a humidity instruction control unit (humidifier control unit) 19.

The air flow path forming member 12 is composed of, for example, a resin or metal housing-shaped or duct-shaped member. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the air flow path forming member 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the air flow path forming member 12 can be appropriately changed.

A suction port 12a is formed at one end of the air flow path forming member 12, and an outlet 12b is formed at the other end. The space inside the air flow path forming member 12 is formed with an air flow path 11 in which air sucked from the suction port 12a flows toward the outlet 12b.

The fan 13 is provided inside the air flow path forming member 12 in the vicinity of the air outlet 12b. The fan 13 has a function of sucking in air by rotationally driving the internal blades and blowing it out toward the outlet 12b. The amount of air blown by the fan 13 may be constant, or may be automatically or manually adjusted in a plurality of stages (for example, strong, medium, weak) by an instruction adjusting unit (not shown).

The cooler 14 has a function of cooling the air by passing the air sucked into the air flow path forming member 12 from the suction port 12a by the operation of the fan 13. The cooler 14 is provided on the most upstream side in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. In FIG. 1, the air taken into the air flow path 11 from the suction port 12a is shown as the suction air (1), and the air that has passed through the cooler 14 is shown as the cooler outlet air (2).

For the cooler 14, for example, a direct expansion type cooling coil is preferably used. The cooling coil includes, for example, a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated, a compressor connected to the refrigerant circuit, and the like to compress the refrigerant. By setting the operating frequency of the compressor and the evaporation temperature in the cooling coil, the cooling performance (for example, cooling amount, sensible heat ratio, etc.) of the cooler 14 can be adjusted. The configuration of the cooler 14 is not particularly limited, and any known configuration may be used. As will be described in detail later, the operation of the cooler 14 is controlled by the control unit (cooler control unit) 15.

The heater 16 has a function of heating the air flowing in the air flow path forming member 12 to raise the temperature by operating the fan 13. Here, the heating by the heater 16 is also referred to as "reheating" because the air cooled by the cooler 14 is heated again to raise the temperature. In the present embodiment, the heater 16 is provided between the cooler 14 and the humidifier 18 in the air flow path forming member 12. That is, the heater 16 is arranged on the downstream side of the cooler 14 and on the upstream side of the humidifier 18 in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. As the heater 16, for example, an electric heating device can be preferably used. In FIG. 1, the air that has passed through the heater 16 is shown as the heater outlet air (3). The operation of the heater 16 can be controlled by the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17, and the heating amount by the heater 16 is adjusted by the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17.

The humidifier 18 has a function of humidifying the air flowing in the air flow path forming member 12 by operating the fan 13. In the present embodiment, the humidifier 18 is provided between the heater 16 and the fan 13 in the air flow path forming member 12. That is, the humidifier 18 is arranged on the downstream side of the heater 16 and on the upstream side of the fan 13 in the air flow direction in the air flow path 11. The humidifier 18 adds steam or atomized water when the heater outlet air (3) passes through to increase the amount of steam (that is, humidity) contained in the blown air (4). The operation of the humidifier 18 can be controlled by the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier 18 is adjusted by the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19.

The control unit 15 has a function of controlling the cooler 14 based on the temperature control signal from the temperature instruction control unit 17 to the heater 16 and the humidity control signal from the humidity instruction control unit 19 to the humidifier 18. The control unit 15 is preferably configured by, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The control unit 15 can control the operation of the cooler 14 by using a program or data stored in a storage unit (not shown).

A temperature sensor 20 and a humidity sensor 22 are installed in a room targeted for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a temperature sensor 20 and a humidity sensor 22 are installed near an outlet and detect the temperature and humidity of the blown air (4). The temperature sensor 20 and the humidity sensor 22 are arranged, for example, on a wall surface or a ceiling surface in a room. The room temperature, which is the detection result of the temperature sensor 20, is transmitted to the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 by wire or wirelessly. Further, the indoor humidity, which is the detection result of the humidity sensor 22, is transmitted to the humidity instruction adjusting unit 19 by wire or wirelessly.

The temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 controls the operation of the heater 16 based on the room temperature received from the temperature sensor 20. Specifically, the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 generates a heater control signal and outputs it to the heater 16 so that the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 becomes a preset target temperature Target. The heater control signal can be represented by, for example, a current signal in mA (milliampere) as a unit.

The humidity instruction control unit 19 controls the operation of the humidifier 18 based on the indoor humidity received from the humidity sensor 22. Specifically, the humidity instruction control unit 19 generates a humidifier control signal so that the indoor humidity detected by the humidity sensor 22 becomes a preset target humidity Htaget, and outputs the humidifier control signal to the humidifier 18. The humidifier control signal can be represented by, for example, a current signal in mA (milliampere) as a unit.

The heater control signal generated by the temperature instruction control unit 17 and the humidifier control signal generated by the humidity instruction control unit 19 are also input to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 generates a cooler control signal based on these heater control signals and a humidifier control signal and outputs the cooler control signal to the cooler 14. The cooler control signal includes, for example, compressor frequency information, refrigerant evaporation temperature information, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a psychrometric chart showing constant temperature and humidity control in the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment. In the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the dry-bulb temperature and the vertical axis represents the absolute humidity. The dry-bulb temperature on the horizontal axis increases toward the right side, and the absolute humidity increases toward the upper side. In the following, the dry-bulb temperature is appropriately referred to as the temperature. Further, in the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2, a curve of 100% relative humidity, which is curved downward to the left and is curved in a convex shape, is shown (the same applies to FIGS. 6 to 13).

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction air (1) that has flowed into the air flow path 11 from the suction port 12a by the suction function of the fan 13 is cooled and dehumidified while passing through the cooler 14, and the cooler outlet air ( 2). This is represented by a downward-sloping straight line connecting the points (1) and (2) in the psychrometric chart of FIG. That is, by moving from the point (1) to the point (2), the temperature of the air passing through the cooler 14 decreases by ΔT, and the humidity decreases by ΔH.

Here, the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) and the point (2) represents the amount of cooling by the cooler 14, and the slope of this straight line represents the sensible heat ratio. The sensible heat ratio refers to the ratio of the sensible heat to the total heat, which is the sum of the latent heat and the sensible heat applied to the suction air (1) in the cooler 14, and is appropriately referred to as SHF (Sensible Heat Factor) below. ..

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the suction function of the fan 13 causes the cooler outlet air (2) to pass through the heater 16 and become the heater outlet air (3). This is represented in the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2 by a straight line parallel to the horizontal axis connecting the points (2) and the points (3). That is, by moving from the point (2) to the point (3), the temperature of the air heated (or reheated) while passing through the heater 16 rises to the target temperature Target.

Then, the heater outlet air (3) heated by the heater 16 passes through the humidifier 18 and is humidified by the suction function of the fan 13. This is represented in the psychrometric chart of FIG. 2 by a straight line parallel to the vertical axis connecting the points (3) and (4). Strictly speaking, the air is heated by humidification, and the points move laterally, but for convenience, a straight line parallel to the vertical axis is used. That is, by moving from the point (3) to the point (4), the humidity of the air humidified while passing through the humidifier 18 increases to the target humidity Htaget.

Then, the air that has passed through the humidifier 18 is blown out from the air outlet 12b to the outside of the air flow path forming member 12 by the fan 13. As a result, the blown air (4) having the target temperature Target and the target humidity H Target is discharged into the room. After that, the temperature and humidity of the blown air (4) changes due to the infiltration heat from the outside and the heat generated from the heating element installed in the room, and the blown air (4) is sucked into the air conditioner 10 as the sucked air (1). By executing the air conditioning control using the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 in addition to the cooler 14, highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed so that the room temperature and humidity become the target temperature Target and the target humidity Htaget. It can be carried out.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the conventional air conditioner 10A. The configuration of the air conditioner 10A is different from that of the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that it does not include the control unit 15. In this conventional air conditioner 10A, the cooler 14 is continuously operated at a constant capacity. In this case, if there is a disturbance such as a change in the temperature of the sucked air due to a change in the outside air temperature, the heater or humidifier may become an unstable operating region or the operating region may have excessive power consumption. be. As a result, it has been difficult for the air conditioner 10A to perform highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control in a stable and energy-saving manner.

On the other hand, according to the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler is controlled by controlling the cooler 14 based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18 as described above. The heater 16 and the humidifier 18 can be operated stably and with energy saving as compared with the case where the constant temperature and humidity control is performed by the heater and the humidifier by operating the 14 at a constant output, and as a result, the constant temperature and humidity are highly accurate. Control can be realized stably and with energy saving. Next, the constant temperature and humidity control in the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and later.

FIG. 4A is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the heater 16 and the heating amount, and FIG. 4B is a graph showing the relationship between the control signal for the humidifier 18 and the humidifying amount.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the heater 16 can adjust the heating amount in the range of 0% to 100% by changing the control signal in the range of St0 to St3, and such control It is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control unit 15 that the relationship between the signal and the heating amount is represented by the straight line 30. Of these, the manufacturer of the heater 16 recommends that the heater 16 be used in the range indicated by the solid line portion of the straight line 30 for high-precision control, and the output side of the straight line 30 on the lower output side than the solid line portion is recommended. It is said that the accuracy is deteriorated in the region A corresponding to the broken line portion and the region C corresponding to the broken line portion on the high output side due to the characteristics of the device.

In order to perform highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control using the heater 16, it is preferable to use the heater 16 in the operating region corresponding to the solid line portion of the straight line 30, and in particular, it corresponds to the low output side of the solid line portion. It is more preferable to operate in the range of region B (energy saving operation region) because highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed with energy saving. Therefore, in the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the operating point of the heater 16 is the region B.

In the heating amount of the heater 16, the lower limit threshold Tab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region A) and the upper limit threshold Tbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region C) are predetermined. It is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 15. Further, in the storage unit, the control signal St1 corresponding to the lower limit threshold value Tab is stored, for example, with a current value of the unit mA, and the control signal St2 corresponding to the upper limit threshold value Tbc is stored, for example, with the current value of the unit mA. .. Here, the relationship of St0 <St1 <St2 <St3 is established for the control signal of the heater 16. Then, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the heater 16 operates between the control signals St1 and St2 that define the region B.

The lower limit threshold Tab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B for the heating amount of the heater 16 is recommended as a lower limit value for operating the device with high accuracy, and is set to, for example, about 20%, more preferably about 15%. Will be done. On the other hand, the upper limit threshold value Tbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B is an output value for determining whether or not the cooling by the cooler 14 is supercooled and the reheat by the heater 16 is excessive. For example, it is set to about 50%, more preferably about 45%.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the humidifier 18 can adjust the humidification amount in the range of 0% to 100% by changing the control signal in the range of Sh0 to Sh3. It is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control unit 15 that the relationship between the control signal and the humidification amount is represented by the straight line 32. Of these, the manufacturer of the humidifier 18 recommends that the humidifier 18 be used in the range indicated by the solid line portion of the straight line 32 for high-precision control, and the output is lower than that of the solid line portion of the straight line 32. It is said that the accuracy is deteriorated in the region A corresponding to the broken line portion on the side and the region C corresponding to the broken line portion on the high output side due to the characteristics of the device.

In order to perform highly accurate constant temperature and constant humidity control using the humidifier 18, it is preferable to use the humidifier 18 in the operating region corresponding to the solid line portion of the straight line 32, and particularly on the low output side of the solid line portion. It is more preferable to operate within the corresponding region B (energy-saving operation region) because highly accurate constant temperature and humidity control can be performed with energy saving. Therefore, in the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the operating point of the humidifier 18 is the region B.

In the humidification amount of the humidifier 18, the threshold value Hab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region A) and the threshold value Hbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B (that is, the boundary with the region C) are predetermined and controlled. It is stored in the storage unit of unit 15. Further, in the storage unit, the control signal Sh1 corresponding to the lower limit threshold value Hab is stored, for example, with a current value of a unit mA, and the control signal Sh2 corresponding to the upper limit threshold value Hbc is stored, for example, with a current value of a unit mA. .. Here, the relationship of Sh0 <Sh1 <Sh2 <Sh3 is established for the control signal of the humidifier 18. Then, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the humidifier 18 operates between the control signals Sh1 and Sh2 that define the region B.

Regarding the humidification amount of the humidifier 18, the lower limit threshold Hab corresponding to the lower limit of the region B is recommended as a lower limit value for operating the device with high accuracy, and is, for example, about 20%, more preferably about 15%. Set. On the other hand, the upper limit threshold value Hbc corresponding to the upper limit of the region B is an output value for determining whether or not the humidification by the humidifier 18 is excessive due to the excessive dehumidification in the cooler 14, for example. It is set to about 50%, more preferably about 45%.

FIG. 5 is a table showing the relationship between heating and humidification and the amount of cooling and the sensible heat ratio. This table is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control unit 15. The control unit 15 compares the heater control signal input from the temperature instruction control unit 17 with the control signals St1 and St2 defining the area B shown in FIG. 4A, and the operating point of the heater 16 is the area A. It is determined whether it belongs to B or C. Further, the control unit 15 compares the humidifier control signal input from the humidity instruction adjustment unit 19 with the control signals Sh1 and Sh2 defining the region B shown in FIG. 4B, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 is determined. It is determined which of the regions A, B, and C belongs to.

The control unit 15 derives a heating amount (%) corresponding to the heater control signal input from the temperature instruction adjusting unit 17 and compares it with the lower limit threshold value Tab and the upper limit threshold value Tbc, and the operating point of the heater 16 is a region. It may be determined whether it belongs to A, B, or C. Further, the control unit 15 derives a humidification amount (%) corresponding to the humidifier control signal input from the humidity instruction adjustment unit 19, compares this humidification amount with the lower limit threshold value Hab and the upper limit threshold value Hbc, and compares the humidifier amount with the upper limit threshold value Hbc. It may be determined which of the regions A, B, and C the operating point of 18 belongs to.

Subsequently, the control unit 15 determines the cooling amount and the SHF when both the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region A or C, in other words, except when the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B. Adjust at least one. Specifically, in the cases shown in 3 rows and 3 columns in the table shown in FIG. 5, the cooling amount and SHF are not specified except that the heating by the heater 16 belongs to the region B and the humidification by the humidifier 18 belongs to the region B. At least one of them will be adjusted. Next, specific control in each case in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13.

FIG. 6A is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region A, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are the heater 16 and the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, both the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 are operating in the region A and have not reached the region B. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 is increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is inclined (that is, SHF). Adjust so that the length of the straight line (that is, the amount of cooling) becomes longer while maintaining the above.

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount without changing the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the operating point of the heater 16 is changed from (3) to (3'), and as a result, the length of the straight line connecting (2') and (3'), And, the length of the straight line connecting (3') and (4) becomes longer, respectively. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased and changed from the region A to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the humidifying amount by the humidifier 18 is increased. The area A is changed to the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

FIG. 7A is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region B, respectively, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are the heaters 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the desired region B, but the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region A, and the heating amount is insufficient. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, both the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 and the SHF are increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the inclination of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is reduced (. That is, the length of the straight line is adjusted to be longer (that is, the amount of cooling is increased) as the SHF is increased.

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount and raise the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2') and the point (3) becomes long, but the point (3) is unchanged (3). The length of the straight line connecting the point (4) and the point (4) does not change. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased and changed from the region A to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the operating point of the humidifier 18 is the region B. Will be maintained at. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

8 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region A and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region C, respectively, and FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (c) show the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region A and is in a state of insufficient operation, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region C and is in a state of excessive operation. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, the SHF is increased while maintaining the cooling amount for the cooler 14. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is changed. Instead, it reduces the slope of the straight line (ie, increases the SHF).

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to raise the evaporation temperature while maintaining the cooling amount. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) and the point (2') does not change, but the point (2') and the point (3') The length of the straight line connecting the points (3') becomes longer, and the length of the straight line connecting the points (3') and the point (4) becomes shorter than before. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the heating amount of the heater 16 is increased to shift from the region A to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the humidifying amount by the humidifier 18 decreases. The operating point shifts from the area C to the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

9 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region B and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region A, respectively, and FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c) show the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region B, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region A, and the operation is insufficient. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is increased and the SHF is decreased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is longer than before. As it is lengthened, the slope of the straight line is increased (that is, the SHF is decreased).

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to increase the cooling amount and lower the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2') and the point (3') does not change, but the point (3') and the point (4) The length of the straight line connecting the two becomes longer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the operating point of the heater 16 is maintained in the region B, and as shown in FIG. 9C, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 18 increases and the operating point becomes the region A. To the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

10 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region B and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region C, respectively, and FIGS. 10 (b) and 10 (c) show the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region B, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region C and is in a state of excessive operation. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is decreased and the SHF is increased. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is longer than before. As it is shortened, the slope of the straight line is reduced (that is, the SHF is increased).

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the cooling amount and raise the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (2') and the point (3') does not change, but the point (3') and the point (4) The length of the straight line connecting the two becomes shorter. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the operating point of the heater 16 is maintained in the region B, and as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the amount of humidification by the humidifier 18 is reduced and the operating point is the region C. To the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

11 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region A, respectively, and FIGS. 11 (b) and 11 (c) show the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region C and is in a state of excessive operation, and the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region A and is in a state of insufficient operation. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the SHF is reduced while maintaining the cooling amount for the cooler 14. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is changed. Without increasing the slope of the straight line (ie decreasing the SHF).

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to lower the evaporation temperature while maintaining the cooling amount. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) and the point (2') does not change, but the point (2') and the point (3') The length of the straight line connecting the points (3') becomes shorter, and the straight line connecting the points (3') and (4) becomes longer than before. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the heating amount of the heater 16 decreases and shifts from the region C to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 11C, the humidifying amount by the humidifier 18 increases. The operating point shifts from the area A to the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

12 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region B, respectively, and FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c) show the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, the operating point of the heater 16 belongs to the region C and is in a state of excessive operation, but the operating point of the humidifier 18 belongs to the region B. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, the cooling amount of the cooler 14 is reduced and the SHF is reduced. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the length of the straight line connecting the point (1) to the point (2') is longer than before. As it shortens, it increases the slope of the straight line (that is, decreases SHF).

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the cooling amount and lower the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12A, the length of the straight line connecting the points (2') and the points (3) becomes shorter than before, but the points (3) and (4) The length of the straight line connecting the two does not change. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the operating point of the heater 16 shifts from the region C to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the operating point of the humidifier 18 is maintained in the region B. To. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

13 (a) is an air diagram showing control when the heater 16 is operating in the region C and the humidifier 18 is operating in the region C, respectively, and FIGS. 13 (b) and 13 (c) are the heater 16 in this case. It is a graph which shows the operating point change of a humidifier 18 and a humidifier 18, respectively.

In this case, both the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region C and are in an over-operated state. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the amount of cooling by the cooler 14 is reduced. That is, the operating point of the cooler 14 is changed so that the point (2) becomes the point (2'), and the slope of the straight line connecting the points (1) to the point (2') (that is, SHF). Adjust so that the length of the straight line (that is, the amount of cooling) is shortened while maintaining the above.

Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 to reduce the cooling amount without changing the evaporation temperature. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13A, the operating point of the heater 16 is changed from (3) to (3'), and as a result, the length of the straight line connecting (2') and (3'), And, the length of the straight line connecting (3') and (4) is shortened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the heating amount of the heater 16 is reduced and changed from the region C to the region B, and as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the humidifying amount by the humidifier 18 is reduced. The area C is changed to the area B. As a result, the operating points of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 belong to the region B, respectively, and high-precision constant temperature and humidity control is stably and energy-savingly executed.

As described above, according to the air conditioner 10 of the present embodiment, the control unit 15 controls the cooler 14 based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18 to control the cooler. Compared with the case where 14 is operated at a constant output and constant temperature and humidity control is performed by the heater 16 and the humidifier 18, the heater 16 and the humidifier 18 can be operated stably and with energy saving, and as a result, the constant temperature and humidity with high accuracy can be operated. Humidity control can be realized stably and with energy saving.

Further, when the cooler 14 is controlled independently of the heater 16 and the humidifier 18, hunting (violence of control) may occur and the operation may become unstable. However, as in the present invention, the cooler 14 may be controlled. By controlling based on the temperature control signal of the heater 16 and the humidity control signal of the humidifier 18, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned hunting.

The air conditioner according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and improvements can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present application. Of course there is.

10, 10A air conditioner, 11 air flow path, 12 air flow path forming member, 12a suction port, 12b outlet, 13 fan, 14 cooler, 15 control unit (cooler control unit), 16 heater, 17 temperature indication Control unit (heater control unit), 18 humidifier, 19 humidity instruction control unit (humidifier control unit), 20 temperature sensor, 22 humidity sensor, 30, 32 straight lines, A, B, C areas.

Claims (3)

A cooler that cools the suction air and
A heater that heats the air emitted from the cooler, and
A humidifier that humidifies the air emitted from the heater,
A heater control unit that controls the heater based on the detection result of the temperature sensor that detects the room temperature,
A humidifier control unit that controls the humidifier based on the humidity detection result by the humidity sensor that detects the indoor humidity,
A cooler control unit that controls the cooling performance of the cooler based on a temperature control signal from the heater control unit to the heater and a humidity control signal from the humidifier control unit to the humidifier.
Equipped with
The cooler control unit adjusts at least one of the cooling amount and the sensible heat ratio with respect to the sucked air so that the heater and the humidifier each operate in a predetermined operating region.
The predetermined operating region is a high-precision operating region in which the heater and the humidifier can each be operated with high accuracy.
The high-precision operation region is an output region for each of the heater and the humidifier, excluding the region on the low output side and the region on the high output side where the accuracy deteriorates due to the characteristics of the device.
, Air conditioner. The predetermined operating region is an energy-saving operating region of lower output of the heater and the high-accuracy operation region humidifier is predetermined to be able to operate at respectively high accuracy, claim 1 The air conditioner described in. The cooler control unit stores a lower limit threshold value and an upper limit threshold value for the energy saving operation region of the heater and the energy saving operation region of the humidifier, respectively, and controls the heater control signal and the humidifier control signal corresponding to the lower limit threshold value. The air conditioning according to claim 2 , wherein it is determined whether or not the heater and the humidifier are operating within the energy-saving operation region by comparing with the signal value and the control signal value corresponding to the upper limit threshold value, respectively. Device.

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