JP5590980B2 - Refrigeration air conditioner - Google Patents

Refrigeration air conditioner Download PDF

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JP5590980B2
JP5590980B2 JP2010133852A JP2010133852A JP5590980B2 JP 5590980 B2 JP5590980 B2 JP 5590980B2 JP 2010133852 A JP2010133852 A JP 2010133852A JP 2010133852 A JP2010133852 A JP 2010133852A JP 5590980 B2 JP5590980 B2 JP 5590980B2
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pressure
way valve
refrigerant
expansion device
control unit
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圭介 外囿
健太郎 漢
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Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Description

本発明は、霜取運転を行なうことのできる冷凍空調装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a refrigeration air conditioner that can perform a defrosting operation.

従来から、圧縮機、放熱器、膨張弁及び蒸発器を配管接続した冷凍サイクルを備え、霜取運転を行なうことのできる冷凍空調装置が存在している。霜取運転は、たとえば暖房運転や加温運転時において蒸発器に付着した霜を溶解し、蒸発器の熱交換効率を低減させないようにするために実行される。そして、このような霜取運転の効率を向上させるようにした冷凍空調装置が種々提案されている。   Conventionally, there is a refrigeration air conditioner that includes a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a radiator, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected by piping, and that can perform a defrosting operation. The defrosting operation is executed, for example, in order to dissolve frost attached to the evaporator during heating operation or heating operation so as not to reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator. Various refrigeration air conditioners that improve the efficiency of the defrosting operation have been proposed.

そのようなものとして、「圧縮機と、四方弁と、室外熱交換器と、膨張弁と、室内熱交換器とを有し冷媒回路中に循環させるように構成し、前記室内熱交換器を検出する室内熱交温度検出手段と、前記室外熱交換器に配置した室外送風機を有し、暖房運転中に前記室内熱交温度検出手段が予め設定された過負荷保護動作開始温度まで上昇すると前記室外送風機の運転を停止し、過負荷保護動作解除温度まで降下すると前記室外送風機の運転を再開する過負荷保護装置を備えてなる空気調和機において、前記過負荷保護動作中に前記室外送風機の停止時間を積算する過負荷保護動作積算手段を設け、前記過負荷保護動作積算手段が積算した過負荷保護動作積算時間が予め設定された積算時間に達したら除霜する際の前記四方弁切換え前に所定の時間前記膨張弁の全開と前記室外送風機を停止した後に霜取運転に移行することを特徴とした空気調和機」が提案されている（たとえば、特許文献１参照）。   As such, “a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are configured to circulate in the refrigerant circuit, and the indoor heat exchanger is An indoor heat exchange temperature detecting means for detecting and an outdoor fan arranged in the outdoor heat exchanger, and when the indoor heat exchange temperature detecting means rises to a preset overload protection operation start temperature during heating operation, In an air conditioner comprising an overload protection device that stops the operation of the outdoor fan and resumes the operation of the outdoor fan when the temperature drops to the overload protection operation release temperature, the outdoor fan is stopped during the overload protection operation. Overload protection operation integration means for integrating the time is provided, and when the overload protection operation integration time accumulated by the overload protection operation integration means reaches a preset integration time, before switching the four-way valve when defrosting Predetermined Between said fully opened expansion valve outdoor blower air conditioner is characterized in that the process proceeds to defrost operation after the stops "have been proposed (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

特許文献１に記載の技術は、負荷側の室内機が複数で、各室内機の個別運転が可能なビル用マルチに代表されるものであり、霜取運転時に、接続されている室内機Ｂの全数に対する絞り装置を全開とし、霜取中における四方弁の高低圧差圧を小さくしてから四方弁を切り替えて、四方弁の切り替え時に発生する冷媒流動音を低減させることを目的としている。   The technology described in Patent Document 1 is represented by a building mulch that has a plurality of load-side indoor units and can individually operate each indoor unit, and is connected to the indoor unit B that is connected during defrosting operation. The throttling device is fully opened, and the four-way valve is switched after reducing the high / low pressure differential pressure of the four-way valve during defrosting to reduce the refrigerant flow noise generated when switching the four-way valve.

特開２００６−２２６５６８号公報（実施の形態２、３）JP 2006-226568 A (Embodiments 2 and 3)

特許文献１に記載の冷凍空調装置は、まず、全室内機の絞り装置を全開とするため（特許文献１の図１１及び図１２参照）、四方弁の高低圧差圧が制御できず、切り替え時の冷媒流動音は低減する反面、過剰に均圧してしまうことで四方弁を作動させるための最低作動差圧を下回り、四方弁の動作不良に起因する著しい暖房能力低下の可能性がある。つまり、四方弁が動作不良を起こすと、冷媒流路が切り替わらないため、霜取運転の冷凍サイクルにならなかったり、霜取運転の冷凍サイクルから抜けられなかったりすることになり、結果的に暖房能力の低下を招いてしまうことになる。   The refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 1 first opens the throttling device of all indoor units (see FIGS. 11 and 12 of Patent Document 1), so the high-low pressure differential pressure of the four-way valve cannot be controlled and is switched. Although the refrigerant flow noise is reduced, excessive pressure equalization causes the temperature to fall below the minimum operating differential pressure for operating the four-way valve, which may cause a significant reduction in heating capacity due to the malfunction of the four-way valve. In other words, if the four-way valve malfunctions, the refrigerant flow path will not be switched, so that the refrigeration cycle in the defrosting operation cannot be achieved or the refrigeration cycle in the defrosting operation cannot be removed. It will cause a decline in ability.

また、特許文献１に記載の冷凍空調装置は、高低圧差圧がわからず、十分に均圧できていない状態で四方弁を切り替えるため、四方弁の切り替え時の冷媒流動音も十分に低減できていない可能性がある。さらに、全室内機の絞り装置を全開とするため、霜取運転前に暖房運転中であった室内機も霜取中は冷房サイクルと同じ状態となるため、凝縮器として機能していた熱交換器が冷却され、霜取運転終了後の暖房運転再開時に過剰な凝縮器となってしまい、暖房立ち上がりが悪く、温風が出始める時間が長引いてしまうことになりかねない。   Moreover, since the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not know the high and low pressure differential pressure and switches the four-way valve in a state where pressure is not sufficiently equalized, the refrigerant flow noise at the time of switching the four-way valve can be sufficiently reduced. There is no possibility. Furthermore, since the expansion device for all indoor units is fully opened, the indoor units that were in the heating operation before the defrosting operation are in the same state as the cooling cycle during the defrosting, so the heat exchange functioned as a condenser When the heater is cooled and the heating operation is resumed after the defrosting operation is over, the condenser becomes excessive, and the start-up of the heating is poor, and the time for starting the warm air may be prolonged.

本発明は、上記のような課題を解決するためになされたもので、霜取運転時の四方弁の最低作動差圧を確保して、四方弁を確実に作動させることができ、かつ、四方弁の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を大幅に抑制することができる冷凍空調装置を提供することを第１の目的とする。また、第１の目的に加えて、さらに必要以上に凝縮器が冷却されることを抑制して、暖房の立ち上がりを迅速にできる冷凍空調装置を提供することを第２の目的とする。   The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can ensure the minimum operating differential pressure of the four-way valve during the defrosting operation, and can reliably operate the four-way valve. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration air conditioner capable of significantly suppressing refrigerant flow noise during valve switching. In addition to the first object, a second object is to provide a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus that can suppress the condenser from being cooled more than necessary and can quickly start up heating.

本発明に係る冷凍空調装置は、冷媒を圧縮して吐出する圧縮機、前記圧縮機から吐出された冷媒の流路を切り替える四方弁、及び、冷媒と熱媒体との間で熱交換する熱源側熱交換器が少なくとも搭載されている熱源機と、冷媒を減圧する絞り装置、及び、冷媒と熱媒体との間で熱交換する利用側熱交換器が少なくとも搭載されている複数台の利用側機と、前記圧縮機の吐出側における冷媒の圧力を検知する高圧圧力検知手段と、前記圧縮機の吸入側における冷媒の圧力を検知する低圧圧力検知手段と、前記四方弁を介して冷媒の流路を切り替える制御装置と、を備えた冷凍空調装置において、前記制御装置は、暖房運転中に霜取開始条件を満たしたとき、前記高圧圧力検知手段及び前記低圧圧力検知手段からの圧力情報に基づいて算出した前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が、前記四方弁の最低作動圧力差に関連して予め設定されている所定値Ａ以下になると、前記絞り装置の開度を通常開度よりも大きな開度としてから、前記四方弁を介して冷媒の流路を切り替えて前記圧縮機からの吐出冷媒を前記熱源側熱交換器に流し、前記熱源側熱交換器に付着した霜を融かす霜取運転を実行し、前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が前記所定値Ａ以下になっていないとき、前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が前記所定値Ａ以下になるまで前記絞り装置の開度を予め規定されている変化幅で大きくしていくものである。 The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes a compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and a heat source side that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium. A plurality of usage-side units equipped with at least a heat-source unit on which a heat exchanger is mounted, a throttling device that decompresses the refrigerant, and a usage-side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium A high pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor, a low pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor, and a flow path of the refrigerant via the four-way valve A control device that switches between the high pressure detection means and the low pressure detection means when the defrost start condition is satisfied during the heating operation. before the calculated The differential pressure between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve is equal to or less than a predetermined value A which is set in advance in relation to the minimum operating pressure differential of the four-way valve, than the normal opening an opening degree of the throttle device A frost that melts the frost adhering to the heat source side heat exchanger by switching the refrigerant flow path through the four-way valve to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the heat source side heat exchanger after the opening degree is large. When the differential operation between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve is not less than the predetermined value A, the differential pressure between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve is less than the predetermined value A The opening degree of the expansion device is increased by a predetermined range of change until the value becomes .

本発明に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁の動作不良をなくすことができ、霜取り不十分や冷媒の流れとして暖房サイクルへ復帰できないなどの著しい暖房能力の低下を抑制することが可能になる。また、本発明に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁の必要最低作動圧以上を確保しつつ十分に均圧してから四方弁を切り替えることが可能なため、四方弁の切り替え時における冷媒流動音も最大限に抑制することができる。   According to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention, the malfunction of the four-way valve can be eliminated, and it is possible to suppress a significant decrease in heating capacity such as insufficient defrosting and failure to return to the heating cycle as a refrigerant flow. . Further, according to the refrigeration air conditioner according to the present invention, since the four-way valve can be switched after sufficiently equalizing while ensuring the required minimum operating pressure of the four-way valve, the refrigerant flow sound at the time of switching the four-way valve Can be suppressed to the maximum.

本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置の冷媒回路構成を概略化して示す回路構成図である。It is a circuit block diagram which shows roughly the refrigerant circuit structure of the refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部（第１制御部）の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part (1st control part) mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the control action at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの別の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部（第２制御部）の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part (2nd control part) mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 performs. 本発明の実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部（第２制御部）の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part (2nd control part) mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 performs. 本発明の実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the control action at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention performs. 本発明の実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部（第２制御部）の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part (2nd control part) mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. 実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 4 performs. 本発明の実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部（第２制御部）の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part (2nd control part) mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. 実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the control processing at the time of the defrost operation which the refrigeration air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 5 performs.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
実施の形態１．
図１は、本発明の実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００の冷媒回路構成を概略化して示す回路構成図である。図２は、冷凍空調装置１００に搭載されている制御部２０１の構成を示すブロック図である。図３は、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作を示すタイミングチャートである。図４は、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。図５は、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの別の一例を示すフローチャートである。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram schematically illustrating a refrigerant circuit configuration of a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 201 mounted on the refrigeration air conditioner 100. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the control operation during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of control processing during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100.

図１〜図５に基づいて、冷凍空調装置１００の構成及び動作について説明する。実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００は、冷凍サイクルを有しており、たとえば冷蔵庫や冷凍庫、自動販売機、空気調和装置、ショーケース、ヒートポンプ給湯機等のヒートポンプ装置として利用されるものである。なお、図１を含め、以下の図面では各構成部材の大きさの関係が実際のものとは異なる場合がある。また、図１を含め、以下の図面において、同一の符号を付したものは、同一又はこれに相当するものであり、このことは明細書の全文において共通することとする。さらに、明細書全文に表わされている構成要素の形態は、あくまでも例示であって、これらの記載に限定されるものではない。   Based on FIGS. 1-5, the structure and operation | movement of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 are demonstrated. The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has a refrigeration cycle and is used as a heat pump device such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a vending machine, an air conditioner, a showcase, a heat pump water heater, or the like. . In addition, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relationship of the size of each component may be different from the actual one. Further, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts, and this is common throughout the entire specification. Furthermore, the forms of the constituent elements shown in the entire specification are merely examples, and are not limited to these descriptions.

図１に示すように、冷凍空調装置１００は、熱源機（室外機）Ａと、複数台の室内機（利用側機）Ｂと、で構成されている。熱源機Ａと室内機Ｂとは、冷媒配管（ガス配管及び液配管）１０で接続されて連絡するようになっている。なお、図１では、熱源機Ａが１台である場合を例に示しているが、設置台数を特に限定するものではなく、２台以上であってもよい。また、室内機Ｂが２台である場合を例に示しているが、設置台数を特に限定するものではなく、３台以上であってもよい。   As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes a heat source unit (outdoor unit) A and a plurality of indoor units (use side units) B. The heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are connected by a refrigerant pipe (gas pipe and liquid pipe) 10 to communicate with each other. In addition, in FIG. 1, although the case where the heat source machine A is one is shown as an example, the number of installation is not particularly limited, and two or more may be used. Moreover, although the case where there are two indoor units B is shown as an example, the number of installed units is not particularly limited, and may be three or more.

熱源機Ａは、室内機Ｂに温熱又は冷熱を提供する機能を有している。この熱源機Ａには、圧縮機１と、冷媒流路を切り替える流路切替装置としての四方弁２と、熱源側熱交換器３と、が配管接続されて搭載されている。また、熱源機Ａには、高圧圧力検知手段１１と、低圧圧力検知手段１２と、制御部（第１制御部）２０１と、が搭載されている。なお、実施の形態１では、熱源側熱交換器３に空気を供給する熱源側送風機４が熱源機Ａ内における熱源側熱交換器３の近傍に設けられている状態を例に示している。   The heat source unit A has a function of providing hot or cold to the indoor unit B. In this heat source machine A, a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2 as a flow path switching device for switching a refrigerant flow path, and a heat source side heat exchanger 3 are mounted in a pipe connection. Further, the heat source machine A is equipped with a high pressure detection means 11, a low pressure detection means 12, and a controller (first controller) 201. In the first embodiment, a state in which the heat source side blower 4 for supplying air to the heat source side heat exchanger 3 is provided in the vicinity of the heat source side heat exchanger 3 in the heat source unit A is shown as an example.

圧縮機１は、冷媒を圧縮して高温・高圧の冷媒とするものである。四方弁２は、冷凍空調装置１００の運転（冷房（冷却）運転、暖房（加熱）運転、霜取運転）に応じて制御され、冷媒の流れを切り替えるものである。熱源側熱交換器３は、冷凍サイクルを循環する冷媒と空気や水等の熱媒体（図１では、熱源側送風機４により空気が供給されている）との間で熱交換するものである。熱源側送風機４は、熱源側熱交換器３に空気を供給するものである。   The compressor 1 compresses a refrigerant into a high-temperature / high-pressure refrigerant. The four-way valve 2 is controlled according to the operation (cooling (cooling) operation, heating (heating) operation, defrosting operation) of the refrigeration air conditioner 100, and switches the flow of the refrigerant. The heat source side heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle and a heat medium such as air or water (in FIG. 1, air is supplied by the heat source side blower 4). The heat source side blower 4 supplies air to the heat source side heat exchanger 3.

高圧圧力検知手段（第１圧力センサー）１１は、圧縮機１の吐出側と四方弁２との間に設けられ、四方弁２の高圧側の冷媒圧力を検知するものである。低圧圧力検知手段（第２圧力センサー）１２は、圧縮機１の吸入側と四方弁２との間に設けられ、四方弁２の低圧側の冷媒圧力を検知するものである。制御部２０１は、高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて差圧を算出し、その差圧により四方弁２を介して冷媒流路を切り替えるものである。   The high-pressure detection means (first pressure sensor) 11 is provided between the discharge side of the compressor 1 and the four-way valve 2 and detects the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side of the four-way valve 2. The low pressure detection means (second pressure sensor) 12 is provided between the suction side of the compressor 1 and the four-way valve 2 and detects the refrigerant pressure on the low pressure side of the four-way valve 2. The control unit 201 calculates a differential pressure based on pressure information sent from the high-pressure detection unit 11 and the low-pressure detection unit 12 and switches the refrigerant flow path via the four-way valve 2 based on the differential pressure.

なお、実施の形態１では、四方弁２の高圧側の冷媒圧力と低圧側の冷媒圧力との差圧を、高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２で検知した圧力情報を基に算出しているが、その他の手段として冷媒温度からの飽和圧力等で差圧を算出するように代替してもよい。   In the first embodiment, the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 is calculated based on pressure information detected by the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12. However, as another means, the differential pressure may be calculated by the saturation pressure from the refrigerant temperature or the like.

室内機Ｂは、熱源機Ａから供給される温熱又は冷熱により対象物（室内や倉庫等における空気や貯湯タンクに貯める水等）を暖房（加熱）又は冷房（冷却）するものである。この室内機Ｂには、絞り装置１０２と、利用側熱交換器１０３と、が配管接続されて搭載されている。また、室内機Ｂには、制御部（第２制御部）２０２が搭載されている。なお、実施の形態１では、利用側熱交換器１０３に空気を供給する利用側送風機１０１が室内機Ｂ内における利用側熱交換器１０３の近傍に設けられている状態を例に示している。また、実施の形態１では、２台の室内機Ｂが熱源機Ａに対して並列に接続されている状態を例に示しており、一方の室内機Ｂには「ａ」を、他方の室内機Ｂには「ｂ」をそれぞれ付して図示している。   The indoor unit B heats (heats) or cools (cools) an object (such as air in a room or a warehouse or water stored in a hot water storage tank) by the heat or cold supplied from the heat source device A. In the indoor unit B, the expansion device 102 and the use-side heat exchanger 103 are mounted by pipe connection. The indoor unit B includes a control unit (second control unit) 202. In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the usage-side fan 101 that supplies air to the usage-side heat exchanger 103 is provided in the vicinity of the usage-side heat exchanger 103 in the indoor unit B. In the first embodiment, the state in which two indoor units B are connected in parallel to the heat source unit A is shown as an example. Machine B is shown with “b” attached thereto.

絞り装置１０２（絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂ）は、減圧弁や膨張弁としての機能を有し、冷媒を減圧して膨張させるものであり、開度が可変に制御可能なもの、たとえば電子式膨張弁等で構成されている。利用側熱交換器１０３（利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂ）は、冷凍サイクルを循環する冷媒と空気や水等の熱媒体（図１では、利用側送風機１０１により空気が供給されている）との間で熱交換するものである。利用側送風機１０１（利用側送風機１０１ａ、利用側送風機１０１ｂ）は、利用側熱交換器１０３に空気を供給するものである。制御部２０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて、絞り装置１０２の開度を制御するものである。   The expansion device 102 (the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b) has a function as a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve, expands the refrigerant by reducing the pressure, and can control the opening degree variably, for example, an electronic type It consists of an expansion valve. The use-side heat exchanger 103 (use-side heat exchanger 103a, use-side heat exchanger 103b) is supplied with a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle and a heat medium such as air or water (in FIG. 1, air is supplied by the use-side fan 101). Heat exchange). The use side blower 101 (use side blower 101 a, use side blower 101 b) supplies air to the use side heat exchanger 103. The control unit 202 controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102 based on the pressure information sent from the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12.

制御部２０２と制御部２０１とで、冷凍空調装置１００の制御装置を構成している。この制御装置は、冷凍空調装置１００の全体を統括制御できるようなマイクロコンピュータ等で構成し、四方弁２の切り替え制御、絞り装置１０２の開度制御の他、圧縮機１の駆動周波数制御や熱源側送風機４の回転数制御、利用側送風機１０１の回転数制御等も制御可能にしておくとよい。なお、実施の形態１では、制御部２０１と制御部２０２とを分けて図示しているが、１つの制御装置でそれぞれの機能を分担するようにしてもよい。また、制御部２０１と制御部２０２とを分けて搭載する場合には、有線又は無線で連絡可能に構成するとよい。   The control unit 202 and the control unit 201 constitute a control device for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100. This control device is composed of a microcomputer or the like that can control the entire refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100. In addition to switching control of the four-way valve 2, opening control of the expansion device 102, driving frequency control of the compressor 1 and heat source The rotational speed control of the side blower 4 and the rotational speed control of the use side blower 101 may be controlled. In the first embodiment, the control unit 201 and the control unit 202 are illustrated separately, but each control function may be shared by one control device. In addition, when the control unit 201 and the control unit 202 are separately mounted, it is preferable that the control unit 201 and the control unit 202 be configured to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wireless.

制御部２０１及び制御部２０２について説明する。制御部２０１は、四方弁切り替え制御部として機能し、図２に示すように、四方弁切り替え判定手段３０１と、均圧判定手段３０２と、を具備している。四方弁切り替え判定手段３０１は、四方弁２の必要最低作動差圧以上に予め設定された所定の作動差圧値以上での四方弁２の切り替え可否を判定する機能を有している。均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２とによって検知された四方弁２の高圧側の冷媒圧力と低圧側の冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する機能を有している。   The control unit 201 and the control unit 202 will be described. The control unit 201 functions as a four-way valve switching control unit, and includes a four-way valve switching determination unit 301 and a pressure equalization determination unit 302 as shown in FIG. The four-way valve switching determination means 301 has a function of determining whether or not the four-way valve 2 can be switched at a predetermined operating differential pressure value that is greater than or equal to the necessary minimum operating differential pressure of the four-way valve 2. Whether the pressure equalization determining means 302 has sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 detected by the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12. It has the function to judge.

また、制御部２０２は、絞り装置開度制御部として機能し、予め設定された霜取運転時の初期開度から差圧を見ながら必要に応じて徐々に最大開度まで絞り装置１０２の開度を大きく（アップ）することができるようになっている。   Further, the control unit 202 functions as a throttle device opening degree control unit, and gradually opens the throttle device 102 to the maximum opening degree as necessary while watching the differential pressure from a preset initial opening degree during the defrosting operation. The degree can be increased (up).

ここで、図１に基づいて冷凍空調装置１００の動作を冷媒の流れとともに説明する。図１では、実線矢印が冷房（冷却）運転時における冷媒の流れを、破線矢印が暖房（加熱）運転時における冷媒の流れを、それぞれ示している。また、霜取運転時における冷媒の流れは、冷房運転時における冷媒の流れ（実線矢印）と同様になる。   Here, the operation of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described along with the flow of the refrigerant based on FIG. In FIG. 1, a solid line arrow indicates the refrigerant flow during the cooling (cooling) operation, and a broken line arrow indicates the refrigerant flow during the heating (heating) operation. The refrigerant flow during the defrosting operation is the same as the refrigerant flow (solid arrow) during the cooling operation.

まず、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する冷房運転時における冷媒の流れを説明する。圧縮機１で圧縮された高温高圧のガス冷媒は、四方弁２を介して熱源側熱交換器３に流入し、熱源側送風機４から供給される室外空気との熱交換により放熱することで高圧液冷媒となり、熱源側熱交換器３から流出する。熱源側熱交換器３から流出した高圧液冷媒は、熱源機Ａから流出して室内機Ｂに流入する。室内機Ｂに流入した高圧液冷媒は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂのそれぞれに流入し、減圧されて低圧二相冷媒となる。   First, the refrigerant flow during the cooling operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100 will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2 and dissipates heat by heat exchange with the outdoor air supplied from the heat source side blower 4. It becomes a liquid refrigerant and flows out of the heat source side heat exchanger 3. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 3 flows out of the heat source unit A and flows into the indoor unit B. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor unit B flows into the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b, and is decompressed to become a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.

絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂから流出した低圧二相冷媒は、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂのそれぞれに流入し、利用側送風機１０１ａ、利用側送風機１０１ｂから供給される室内空気との熱交換により蒸発することで低圧ガス冷媒となり、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出する。利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出した低圧ガス冷媒は、室内機Ｂから流出して熱源機Ａへと流入する。熱源機Ａに流入した低圧ガス冷媒は、四方弁２を介して最終的に圧縮機１へ戻る。   The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b flows into the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b, and is supplied from the use side blower 101a and the use side blower 101b. It becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant by evaporating by heat exchange with the refrigerant and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b flows out from the indoor unit B and flows into the heat source unit A. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the heat source machine A finally returns to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2.

次に、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する暖房運転時における冷媒の流れを説明する。圧縮機１で圧縮された高温高圧のガス冷媒は、四方弁２を介して利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂのそれぞれに流入し、利用側送風機１０１ａ、利用側送風機１０１ｂから供給される室内空気との熱交換により放熱することで高圧液冷媒となり、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出する。利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出した高圧液冷媒は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂに流入し、減圧されて低圧二相状態となる。   Next, the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100 will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows into the usage-side heat exchanger 103a and the usage-side heat exchanger 103b via the four-way valve 2, and is supplied from the usage-side blower 101a and the usage-side blower 101b. The heat is dissipated by heat exchange with the indoor air, thereby becoming a high-pressure liquid refrigerant and flowing out from the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the use-side heat exchanger 103a and the use-side heat exchanger 103b flows into the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b, and is reduced in pressure to be in a low-pressure two-phase state.

絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂから流出した低圧二相冷媒は、室内機Ｂから流出して熱源機Ａに流入する。熱源機Ａに流入した低圧二相冷媒は、熱源側熱交換器３に流入する。熱源側熱交換器３に流入した低圧二相冷媒は、熱源側送風機４から供給される室外空気との熱交換により蒸発することで低圧ガス冷媒となり、熱源側熱交換器３から流出する。熱源側熱交換器３から流出した低圧ガス冷媒は、四方弁２を介して最終的に圧縮機１へ戻る。   The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b flows out of the indoor unit B and flows into the heat source unit A. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source machine A flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 3 evaporates by heat exchange with outdoor air supplied from the heat source side blower 4 to become a low pressure gas refrigerant, and flows out of the heat source side heat exchanger 3. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 3 finally returns to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2.

次に、冷凍空調装置１００が実行する霜取運転時における冷媒の流れを説明する。冷媒の流れとしては、冷房運転時における冷媒の流れと同じであるが、霜取運転時には熱源側送風機４及び利用側送風機１０１ａ、利用側送風機１０１ｂが停止されている。つまり、熱源側熱交換器３、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、及び、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂには、空気が供給されず、冷媒と空気との間での熱交換を抑制するようになっている。   Next, the flow of the refrigerant during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air conditioner 100 will be described. The flow of the refrigerant is the same as the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation, but the heat source side blower 4, the use side blower 101a, and the use side blower 101b are stopped during the defrosting operation. That is, air is not supplied to the heat source side heat exchanger 3, the use side heat exchanger 103a, and the use side heat exchanger 103b, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air is suppressed. Yes.

圧縮機１で圧縮された高温高圧のガス冷媒は、四方弁２を介して熱源側熱交換器３に流入し、熱源側熱交換器３に着いた低温の霜と熱交換することにより放熱することで高圧液冷媒となり、熱源側熱交換器３から流出する。熱源側熱交換器３から流出した高圧液冷媒は、熱源機Ａから流出して室内機Ｂに流入する。室内機Ｂに流入した高圧液冷媒は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂのそれぞれに流入し、減圧されて低圧二相冷媒となる。   The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3 via the four-way valve 2 and dissipates heat by exchanging heat with the low temperature frost attached to the heat source side heat exchanger 3. As a result, it becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant and flows out of the heat source side heat exchanger 3. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 3 flows out of the heat source unit A and flows into the indoor unit B. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor unit B flows into the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b, and is decompressed to become a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.

絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂから流出した低圧二相冷媒は、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂのそれぞれに流入し、暖房運転時の余熱と室内空気との熱交換により一部蒸発しながら低圧のガスと液が混在した二相冷媒となり、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出する。このとき、利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂは、冷却されることになる。利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂから流出した低圧二相冷媒は、室内機Ｂから流出して熱源機Ａへと流入する。熱源機Ａに流入した低圧二相冷媒は、四方弁２を介して最終的に圧縮機１へ戻る。   The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b flows into each of the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b, and is partially due to heat exchange between residual heat and room air during heating operation. It becomes a two-phase refrigerant in which low-pressure gas and liquid are mixed while evaporating, and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b. At this time, the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b are cooled. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b flows out of the indoor unit B and flows into the heat source unit A. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source machine A finally returns to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2.

ここで、図３に基づいて、暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける各アクチュエーターの制御動作について説明する。冷凍空調装置１００は、暖房運転中において、予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、まず以下のような制御を実行する。圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させ、同時に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をアップ（通常開度よりも大きな開度、たとえば全開）させる。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減させる。これは、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減させるためである。   Here, based on FIG. 3, the control operation of each actuator in the switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and the switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation will be described. The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 first executes the following control as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 when a preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation. The operating capacity of the compressor 1 is reduced to a preset capacity, and at the same time, the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is increased (opening larger than the normal opening, for example, fully open). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure is reduced. This is to reduce the refrigerant flow noise when the four-way valve 2 is switched.

その後、四方弁２を切り替え、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を実行する。そして、霜取運転中において、予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合、四方弁２を再度切り替える準備動作として、まず以下のような制御を実行する。圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。それから、四方弁２を切り替え、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度）に戻し、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了する。   Thereafter, the four-way valve 2 is switched to increase the operating capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operating capacity, and the defrosting operation is executed. Then, during the defrosting operation, when a preset defrosting termination condition is satisfied, the following control is first executed as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. The operating capacity of the compressor 1 is reduced again to a preset capacity. By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced. Then, the four-way valve 2 is switched, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening amount (normal opening amount), and the operating capacity of the compressor 1 is increased to a preset operating capacity. End operation.

次に、図４に基づいて、暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの一例について説明する。
暖房運転中に予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ１０１）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させる（ステップＳ１０２）。同時に、制御部２０２は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をアップ（通常開度よりも大きな開度に）させる（ステップＳ１０３）。 Next, an example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation will be described based on FIG.
When the preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation (step S101), the control unit 201 reduces the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparation operation for switching the four-way valve 2. (Step S102). At the same time, the control unit 202 increases the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b (to an opening larger than the normal opening) (step S103).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ１０４）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差に関連して、その最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ１０４；Ｎｏ）、所定値Ａ以下になるまで待機する。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ１０４；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ１０５）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S104). In the control unit 201, the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference in relation to the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. If it is determined that there is not (step S104; No), the process waits until the value becomes a predetermined value A or less. When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has become equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S104; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 and executes the defrosting operation (step S105). .

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ１０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ１０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When a preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S101), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. Decrease again (step S102). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ１０４）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ１０４；Ｎｏ）、所定値Ａ以下になるまで待機する。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ１０４；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替える（ステップＳ１０５）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S104). The control unit 201 determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is not less than the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2 (step S104; No), it waits until it becomes below the predetermined value A. When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S104; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S105).

そして、制御部２０２は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ１０７）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   And the control part 202 returns the opening degree of the expansion apparatus 102a and the expansion apparatus 102b to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, the arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S107). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

次に、図５に基づいて、暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの別の一例について説明する。図４との違いは、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合であっても（ステップＳ１０４；Ｎｏ）、予め設定された所定時間Ｔを超過したとき（ステップＳ１０８；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えることができるようにしたことである。   Next, another example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation will be described based on FIG. The difference from FIG. 4 is the case where it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determining means 302 is not less than the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. Even if (step S104; No), when the preset predetermined time T is exceeded (step S108; Yes), it is that the control part 201 was able to switch the four-way valve 2. FIG.

この時間Ｔは、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度アップ動作が完了した時点からタイマーカウントアップし、四方弁２の切り替え動作が完了した時点でタイマーリセットされるようにしておくとよい。すなわち、図５における制御処理の特徴は、所定時間Ｔを設けて、差圧が所定値Ａ以下を満足しなくても四方弁２を切り替えることができるようにしたことである。ただし、この時間Ｔのカウントアップとタイマーリセットのタイミングは任意に設定可能にしてもよい。   The time T may be counted up from the time when the opening operation of the expansion devices 102a and 102b is completed, and the timer may be reset when the switching operation of the four-way valve 2 is completed. That is, the feature of the control processing in FIG. 5 is that the predetermined time T is provided so that the four-way valve 2 can be switched even if the differential pressure does not satisfy the predetermined value A or less. However, the timing of counting up the time T and resetting the timer may be arbitrarily set.

以上のように、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００によれば、差圧が所定値Ａ以下になった場合に四方弁２を切り替えるようにしたことで、四方弁２の最低作動差圧以上で確実に四方弁２を切り替えることができるので、四方弁２の動作不良をなくすことが可能になる。したがって、冷凍空調装置１００は、霜取り不十分や冷媒の流れとして暖房サイクルへ復帰できないなどの著しい暖房能力の低下を抑制することが可能になる。また、冷凍空調装置１００は、四方弁２の必要最低作動圧以上を確保しつつ十分に均圧してから四方弁２を切り替えることが可能なため、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音も最大限に抑制することができる。   As described above, according to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the four-way valve 2 is switched when the differential pressure becomes the predetermined value A or less, so that the minimum operating differential pressure of the four-way valve 2 is achieved. Since the four-way valve 2 can be switched reliably as described above, it is possible to eliminate the malfunction of the four-way valve 2. Therefore, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 can suppress a significant decrease in heating capacity such as insufficient defrosting or being unable to return to the heating cycle as a refrigerant flow. In addition, since the refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus 100 can switch the four-way valve 2 after sufficiently equalizing while ensuring the required minimum operating pressure of the four-way valve 2, the refrigerant flow noise at the time of switching the four-way valve 2 is also maximized. It can be suppressed to the limit.

実施の形態２．
図６は、本発明の実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部２０２ａの構成を示すブロック図である。図７は、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。図６及び図７に基づいて、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置の構成及び動作について説明する。なお、実施の形態２では実施の形態１との相違点を中心に説明し、実施の形態１と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略するものとする。 Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 202a mounted on the refrigeration air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control processing during a defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2. Based on FIG.6 and FIG.7, the structure and operation | movement of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus based on Embodiment 2 are demonstrated. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

実施の形態１では、四方弁２の必要最低作動圧以上を確保しながら四方弁２の作動不良をなくしつつ、十分に均圧してから四方弁２を切り替えることで、暖房能力の低下の抑制及び四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音の低減を図るようにしたものであるが、実施の形態２では、霜取運転中における絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を必要最小限として、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂの冷却を抑制し、暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりをより改善するようにしたものである。   In Embodiment 1, while suppressing the malfunction of the four-way valve 2 while securing the required minimum operating pressure or more of the four-way valve 2, the pressure is sufficiently equalized and then the four-way valve 2 is switched, thereby suppressing reduction in heating capacity and Although the refrigerant flow noise at the time of switching the four-way valve 2 is reduced, in the second embodiment, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b during the defrosting operation is set to the minimum necessary, and the frost Cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b during the taking operation is suppressed, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is further improved.

すなわち、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置は、冷媒回路構成と制御方法においては、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と同様であるが、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御する制御部２０２ａに、各絞り装置１０２の開度を検知する絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と、霜取運転中に各絞り装置１０２の開度を制御できる絞り装置開度制御手段３１３と、を備えるようにした点で実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と相違している。なお、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置の冷房運転、暖房運転、霜取運転中におけるそれぞれの冷媒の流れについては、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と同様である。   That is, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 in the refrigerant circuit configuration and control method, but controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b. The control unit 202a includes a throttle device opening degree detection unit 312 that detects the opening degree of each throttle device 102, and a throttle device opening degree control unit 313 that can control the opening degree of each throttle device 102 during the defrosting operation. It differs from the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it is provided. Note that the refrigerant flows during the cooling operation, heating operation, and defrosting operation of the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 are the same as those of refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

図６に基づいて、制御部２０２ａについて詳しく説明する。
制御部２０２ａは、実施の形態１で説明した制御部２０２と同様に、制御部２０１における高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて、絞り装置１０２の開度を制御するものである。絞り装置開度検知手段３１２は、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度がどの値になっているかを熱源機Ａから検知する機能を有している。絞り装置開度制御手段３１３は、霜取運転中に熱源機Ａの状態から絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を実際に制御する機能を有している。 The controller 202a will be described in detail based on FIG.
Similar to the control unit 202 described in the first embodiment, the control unit 202a controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102 based on the pressure information sent from the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12 in the control unit 201. It is something to control. The expansion device opening degree detection means 312 has a function of detecting from the heat source device A what values the opening amounts of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b are. The expansion device opening degree control means 313 has a function of actually controlling the opening amounts of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b from the state of the heat source unit A during the defrosting operation.

なお、以下の説明でも同様であるが、熱源機Ａから検知する機能とは、熱源機Ａと室内機Ｂとが通信できる手段（有線、無線いずれでも可）を有し、熱源機Ａから室内機Ｂの情報（たとえば、後述する室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度、ΔＴ０、サーモＯＮ／ＯＦＦ等の運転情報、絞り装置１０２の開度優先フラグ等）をモニタし、室内機Ｂがそのモニタ要求に答えて、熱源機Ａがその情報を知ることができることを意味している。   In addition, although it is the same also in the following description, the function to detect from the heat source machine A has a means (both wired and wireless) which can communicate between the heat source machine A and the indoor unit B. The information of the machine B (for example, the opening degree of the throttle device 102 of the indoor unit B, which will be described later, ΔT0, operation information such as the thermo ON / OFF, the opening priority flag of the throttle device 102, etc.) is monitored. It means that the heat source machine A can know the information in response to the monitor request.

つまり、制御部２０２ａは、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２によって検知した絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度から、絞り装置開度制御手段３１３が霜取運転中に熱源機Ａの状態から絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を実際に制御するようになっている。   That is, the control unit 202a detects the expansion device from the state of the heat source unit A during the defrosting operation by the expansion device opening control unit 313 from the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b detected by the expansion device opening detection unit 312. 102a and the opening degree of the expansion device 102b are actually controlled.

次に、図７に基づいて、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの一例について説明する。実施の形態１で示した図４及び図５との相違点は、霜取り開始、終了時の絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をまず予め設定された任意の初期開度Ｌ０に設定することと、その後四方弁２の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧に応じて、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて霜取運転中でも任意に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御できるようにしたことである。   Next, based on FIG. 7, an example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation performed by the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described. . 4 and 5 shown in the first embodiment is that the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b at the start and end of defrosting is first set to an arbitrary initial opening degree L0 set in advance. Then, depending on the differential pressure between the high pressure and the low pressure of the four-way valve 2, the expansion device opening detection means 312 and the expansion device opening control means 313 arbitrarily expand the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b. The opening degree can be controlled.

暖房運転中に予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ２０１）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させる（ステップＳ２０２）。同時に、制御部２０２ａは、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を任意に予め設定されている初期開度Ｌ０とする（ステップＳ２０３）。   When the preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation (step S201), the control unit 201 reduces the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparation operation for switching the four-way valve 2. (Step S202). At the same time, the control unit 202a sets the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b to an initial opening L0 that is arbitrarily set in advance (step S203).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ２０４）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ２０５）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S204). The control unit 201 waits for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determining unit 302 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S204; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S205).

制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を予め規定されている開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ２０６）。そして、制御部２０１では、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ２０４）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ２０５）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   The control unit 201 determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2 (step S204; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is increased by the predetermined opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313 (step S206). ). Then, in the control unit 201, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 determines again whether or not the four-way valve 2 can be switched (step S204). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S204; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S205), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S204; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ２０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ２０７；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S207), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S207; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ２０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ２０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S201), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. Decrease again (step S202). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ２０４）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ２０５）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ２０８）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S204). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S204; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S205) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S208).

一方、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ２０６）。そして、制御部２０１では、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ２０４）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ２０５）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ２０４；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 201 determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2 (step) S204; No), the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening detection unit 312 and the expansion device opening control unit 313 (step S206). Then, in the control unit 201, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 determines again whether or not the four-way valve 2 can be switched (step S204). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S204; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S205), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S204; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ２０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ２０７；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ２０９）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S207), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S207; Yes). And after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S209). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

以上のように、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を検知しながら、その差圧が所定値Ａ以下となるように絞り装置１０２の開度を必要最小限に抑制することができるため、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂへの冷媒流量を低減することができることになる。したがって、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置は、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３ａ、利用側熱交換器１０３ｂの冷却を抑制することができ、霜取運転後の暖房運転の立ち上がりを更に向上することが可能になる。なお、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作のタイミングは実施の形態１で説明した図３と同様である。   As described above, according to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2, while detecting the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2, the differential pressure becomes a predetermined value A or less. Thus, since the opening degree of the expansion device 102 can be suppressed to a necessary minimum, the refrigerant flow rate to the use side heat exchanger 103a and the use side heat exchanger 103b during the defrosting operation can be reduced. . Therefore, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 can suppress the cooling of the usage-side heat exchanger 103a and the usage-side heat exchanger 103b during the defrosting operation, and start up the heating operation after the defrosting operation. Further improvement is possible. Note that the timing of the control operation during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that in FIG. 3 described in Embodiment 1.

実施の形態３．
図８は、本発明の実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部２０２ｂの構成を示すブロック図である。図９は、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。図１０は、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作を示すタイミングチャートである。図８〜図１０に基づいて、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置の構成及び動作について説明する。なお、実施の形態３では実施の形態１及び実施の形態２との相違点を中心に説明し、実施の形態１及び実施の形態２と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略するものとする。 Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 202b mounted in the refrigeration air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control processing during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating a control operation during a defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3. Based on FIGS. 8-10, the structure and operation | movement of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus based on Embodiment 3 are demonstrated. In the third embodiment, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. It shall be.

実施の形態１では、四方弁２の必要最低作動圧以上を確保しながら四方弁２の作動不良をなくしつつ、十分に均圧してから四方弁２を切り替えることで、暖房能力の低下の抑制及び四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音の低減を図るようにしたものであり、実施の形態２では、実施の形態１の特徴事項に加え、霜取運転中における絞り装置１０２開度自体を必要最小限にすることで、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を抑制し、暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりを改善するようにしたものである。これに対し、実施の形態３では、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却をさらに最小限に抑制し、暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりを更に向上させるようにしたものである。   In Embodiment 1, while suppressing the malfunction of the four-way valve 2 while securing the required minimum operating pressure or more of the four-way valve 2, the pressure is sufficiently equalized and then the four-way valve 2 is switched, thereby suppressing reduction in heating capacity and The refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 is reduced. In the second embodiment, in addition to the features of the first embodiment, the opening degree of the expansion device 102 itself during the defrosting operation is required. By minimizing the cooling, the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 during the defrosting operation is suppressed, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is improved. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 during the defrosting operation is further suppressed to the minimum, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is further improved.

すなわち、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置は、冷媒回路構成と制御方法においては、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と同様であるが、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御する制御部２０２ｂに、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と、絞り装置開度制御手段３１３と、に加え、各室内機Ｂの室温Ｔ１と室温設定温度Ｔ０の差温ΔＴ０を検知できる室温差温検知手段３１４を備えた点で実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と相違している。なお、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置の冷房運転、暖房運転、霜取運転中におけるそれぞれの冷媒の流れについては、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と同様である。   That is, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 is similar to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 in the refrigerant circuit configuration and control method, but controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b. In addition to the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313, the control unit 202b can detect the temperature difference ΔT0 between the room temperature T1 and the room temperature setting temperature T0 of each indoor unit B. It differs from the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 in that 314 is provided. Note that the refrigerant flows during the cooling operation, heating operation, and defrosting operation of the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those of refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

図８に基づいて、制御部２０２ｂについて詳しく説明する。
制御部２０２ｂは、実施の形態１で説明した制御部２０２と同様に、制御部２０１における高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて、絞り装置１０２の開度を制御するものである。室温差温検知手段３１４は、それぞれの室内機Ｂの室温Ｔ１と利用側（室内機Ｂ側）から設定された室温設定温度Ｔ０との差温ΔＴ０を熱源機Ａから検知できる機能を有している。なお、各室内機Ｂに温度検知手段を設けて、室温Ｔ１を検知するとよい。 The control unit 202b will be described in detail based on FIG.
Similar to the control unit 202 described in the first embodiment, the control unit 202b determines the opening degree of the expansion device 102 based on the pressure information sent from the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12 in the control unit 201. It is something to control. The room temperature difference temperature detection means 314 has a function of detecting, from the heat source device A, the temperature difference ΔT0 between the room temperature T1 of each indoor unit B and the room temperature set temperature T0 set from the use side (indoor unit B side). Yes. In addition, it is good to provide temperature detection means in each indoor unit B, and to detect room temperature T1.

次に、図９に基づいて、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの一例について説明する。実施の形態２で示した図７との相違点は、霜取り開始、終了時の絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をまず予め設定された任意の初期開度Ｌ０に設定する前に、各室内機Ｂの室温Ｔ１と利用側から設定された室温設定温度Ｔ０との差温ΔＴ０を熱源機Ａから検知し、その後四方弁２の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧に応じて、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて霜取運転中でも任意に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御できるようにした点である。   Next, an example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation performed by the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 will be described based on FIG. . The difference from FIG. 7 shown in the second embodiment is that the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b at the start and end of defrosting is first set to an arbitrary initial opening degree L0 set in advance. A differential temperature ΔT0 between the room temperature T1 of the indoor unit B and the room temperature set temperature T0 set from the use side is detected from the heat source unit A, and then the expansion device is selected according to the differential pressure between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve 2 The opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313 can arbitrarily control the opening amounts of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b even during the defrosting operation.

暖房運転中に予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ３０１）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させる（ステップＳ３０２）。同時に、制御部２０２ｂは、室内機Ｂのそれぞれにおいて、室温差温検知手段３１４を用いて室温Ｔ１と室温設定温度Ｔ０との差温ΔＴ０を検知し、ΔＴ０が予め設定された所定値Ｘより小さい（ΔＴ０＜Ｘ）、つまりあまり暖房負荷が高くない室内機Ｂが存在するかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ３０３）。   When the preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation (step S301), the control unit 201 reduces the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparation operation for switching the four-way valve 2. (Step S302). At the same time, in each of the indoor units B, the control unit 202b detects the temperature difference ΔT0 between the room temperature T1 and the room temperature setting temperature T0 using the room temperature difference temperature detection means 314, and ΔT0 is smaller than a predetermined value X set in advance. (ΔT0 <X), that is, it is determined whether or not there is an indoor unit B that does not have a very high heating load (step S303).

ΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂが存在する場合（ステップＳ３０３；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０２ｂは、ΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂ（対象室内機Ｂ）の絞り装置１０２（絞り装置１０２ａ、あるいは、絞り装置１０２ｂ）の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０（図１０参照）とし、ΔＴ０＜Ｘ以外の室内機Ｂ（非対象室内機Ｂ）の絞り装置１０２の開度を全閉（図１０参照）として冷媒を流さないようにする（ステップＳ３０４）。   When there is an indoor unit B that satisfies ΔT0 <X (step S303; Yes), the control unit 202b causes the expansion device 102 (the expansion device 102a or the expansion device 102b) of the indoor unit B (target indoor unit B) that satisfies ΔT0 <X. ) Is arbitrarily set to an initial opening L0 (see FIG. 10), and the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B (non-target indoor unit B) other than ΔT0 <X is fully closed (FIG. 10). (Refer to step S304).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ３０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ３０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S306). The control unit 201 waits for determination for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S307).

制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、ΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ３０８）。そして、制御部２０１では、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ３０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ３０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2 (Step S306; No), the throttle device opening degree detection means 312 and the throttle device opening degree control means 313 increase the opening degree of the throttle device 102 of the indoor unit B with ΔT0 <X by the opening change width ΔL (step S308). . And in the control part 201, the pressure equalization determination means 302 performs the switching possibility determination of the four-way valve 2 again (step S306). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S307), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S306; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的にΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ３０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ３０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B with ΔT0 <X finally becomes the preset maximum opening degree Lmax (step S309), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S309; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ３０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ３０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When the defrosting termination condition set in advance during the defrosting operation is satisfied (step S301), the control unit 201 again sets the operating capacity of the compressor 1 to a predetermined capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. Decrease (step S302). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ３０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ３０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ３１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S306). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S307) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S310).

一方、制御部２０２ｂは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、ΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ３０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ３０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ３０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202b determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S306; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B with ΔT0 <X is opened by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313. Up (step S308). And the control part 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination means 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S306). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S307), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S306; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的にΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ３０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ３０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ３１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B with ΔT0 <X finally becomes the preset maximum opening degree Lmax (step S309), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S309; Yes). Then, after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening (normal opening, that is, an arbitrary opening set during the heating operation) (step S311). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

ところで、ΔＴ０＜Ｘの室内機Ｂが存在しない場合（ステップＳ３０３；Ｎｏ）、制御部２０２ｂは、全室内機Ｂにおける絞り装置１０２の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０とする（ステップＳ３０５）。   By the way, when the indoor unit B with ΔT0 <X does not exist (step S303; No), the control unit 202b sets the opening degree of the expansion device 102 in all the indoor units B to an arbitrarily set initial opening degree L0 ( Step S305).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ３０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ３０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S306). The control unit 201 waits for determination for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S307).

制御部２０２ｂは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ３０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ３０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ３０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When the control unit 202b determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. (Step S306; No), the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313 increase the opening amount of the expansion device 102 of an arbitrary indoor unit B by the opening change width ΔL (Step S306). S308). And the control part 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination means 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S306). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S307), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S306; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ３０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ３０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S309), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S309; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ３０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ３０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S301), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. It is lowered again (step S302). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ３０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ３０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ３１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S306). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S307) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S310).

一方、制御部２０２ｂは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ３０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ３０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ３０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ３０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202b determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S306; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the arbitrary indoor unit B is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313. (Step S308). And the control part 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination means 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S306). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S306; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S307), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S306; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ３０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ３０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ３１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S309), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S309; Yes). Then, after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening (normal opening, that is, an arbitrary opening set during the heating operation) (step S311). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

以上のように、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を検知しながら、その差圧が所定値Ａ以下となるように、暖房負荷の少ない室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を必要最小限に抑制し、霜取運転中における負荷の高い（ΔＴ０＞Ｘ）室内機Ｂの利用側熱交換器１０３への冷媒流量を低減することができることになる。したがって、実施の形態３に係る冷凍空調装置は、霜取運転中における負荷の高い利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を抑制することができ、霜取運転後の暖房運転の立ち上がりを更に向上することが可能になる。   As described above, according to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3, the differential pressure becomes the predetermined value A or less while detecting the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. As described above, the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B having a small heating load is suppressed to the minimum necessary, and the load on the use side heat exchanger 103 of the indoor unit B having a high load during the defrosting operation (ΔT0> X) is reduced. The refrigerant flow rate can be reduced. Therefore, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 can suppress the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 having a high load during the defrosting operation, and further improve the start-up of the heating operation after the defrosting operation. Is possible.

実施の形態４．
図１１は、本発明の実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部２０２ｃの構成を示すブロック図である。図１２は、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。図１１及び図１２に基づいて、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置の構成及び動作について説明する。なお、実施の形態４では実施の形態１〜実施の形態３との相違点を中心に説明し、実施の形態１〜実施の形態３と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略するものとする。 Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 202c mounted on the refrigeration air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control processing during a defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4. Based on FIG.11 and FIG.12, the structure and operation | movement of the refrigerating air conditioning apparatus which concern on Embodiment 4 are demonstrated. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. It shall be.

実施の形態３では、霜取運転中における絞り装置１０２の開度自体を利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却をさらに最小限に抑制し、暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりを更に向上させるようにしたものであるが、実施の形態４では、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を更に最小限に抑制して暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりをより向上させるようにしたものである。   In the third embodiment, the opening degree of the expansion device 102 during the defrosting operation is further suppressed to the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 to the minimum, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is further improved. However, in the fourth embodiment, the cooling of the use-side heat exchanger 103 during the defrosting operation is further suppressed to the minimum, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is further improved.

すなわち、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置は、冷媒回路構成と制御方法においては、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と同様であるが、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御する制御部２０２ｃに、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と、絞り装置開度制御手段３１３と、に加え、室内機Ｂの運転状態を検知する室内機運転検知手段３１１を備えた点で実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と相違している。なお、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置の冷房運転、暖房運転、霜取運転中におけるそれぞれの冷媒の流れについては、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と同様である。   That is, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 is the same as the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 in the refrigerant circuit configuration and control method, but controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b. Embodiment 2 in that the control unit 202c is provided with an indoor unit operation detection unit 311 for detecting the operation state of the indoor unit B in addition to the expansion unit opening degree detection unit 312 and the expansion unit opening degree control unit 313. It is different from the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus concerning. Note that the refrigerant flows during the cooling operation, heating operation, and defrosting operation of the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 are the same as those of refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

図１１に基づいて、制御部２０２ｃについて詳しく説明する。
制御部２０２ｃは、実施の形態１で説明した制御部２０２と同様に、制御部２０１における高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて、絞り装置１０２の開度を制御するものである。各室内機Ｂには、運転モードとして通常、「冷房」、「暖房」、「送風」、「停止」等を備えているのが一般的であるが、それに加え室温Ｔ１と利用側から設定された室温設定温度Ｔ０との差温ΔＴ０に応じて、「サーモＯＮ」、「サーモＯＦＦ」等の運転状態を有している。たとえば、ΔＴ０＞０の場合には「サーモＯＮ」、ΔＴ０≦０の場合には「サーモＯＦＦ」となるように設定されていることが多い。このような室内機Ｂの運転状態を、室内機運転検知手段３１１は、熱源機Ａから室内機Ｂ毎に個別に検知できる機能を有している。 The controller 202c will be described in detail based on FIG.
Similar to the control unit 202 described in the first embodiment, the control unit 202c controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102 based on the pressure information sent from the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12 in the control unit 201. It is something to control. Each indoor unit B is generally provided with “cooling”, “heating”, “fan”, “stop”, etc. as operation modes, but in addition to this, the room temperature T1 is set from the use side. Depending on the temperature difference ΔT0 from the room temperature set temperature T0, there are operating states such as “Thermo ON” and “Thermo OFF”. For example, in many cases, “thermo ON” is set when ΔT0> 0, and “thermo OFF” is set when ΔT0 ≦ 0. The indoor unit operation detection means 311 has such a function that can individually detect such an operation state of the indoor unit B from the heat source unit A for each indoor unit B.

次に、図１２に基づいて、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの一例について説明する。実施の形態３で示した図９との相違点は、霜取り開始、終了時の絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をまず予め設定された任意の初期開度Ｌ０に設定する前に、運転モードを熱源機Ａから室内機Ｂ毎に個別に検知し、その後四方弁２の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧に応じて、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて霜取り運転中でも任意に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御できるようにした点である。   Next, an example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 will be described based on FIG. . The difference from FIG. 9 shown in the third embodiment is that the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b at the start and end of defrosting is first set to the predetermined initial opening degree L0 before the operation. The mode is individually detected for each indoor unit B from the heat source unit A, and then the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control unit 313 are controlled according to the differential pressure between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve 2. Thus, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b can be arbitrarily controlled even during the defrosting operation.

暖房運転中に予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ４０１）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させる（ステップＳ４０２）。同時に、制御部２０２ｃは、室内機Ｂのそれぞれにおいて、室内機運転検知手段３１１を用いて運転モードを検知し、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外、すなわちあまり暖房負荷が高くない室内機Ｂが存在するかどうか判定する（ステップＳ４０３）。   When the preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation (step S401), the control unit 201 reduces the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparation operation for switching the four-way valve 2. (Step S402). At the same time, in each of the indoor units B, the control unit 202c detects the operation mode using the indoor unit operation detection means 311 and there is an indoor unit B other than [heating operation and thermo-ON], that is, the heating load is not so high. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S403).

［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂが存在する場合（ステップＳ４０３；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０２ｃは、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２（絞り装置１０２ａ、あるいは、絞り装置１０２ｂ）の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０とし、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を全閉として冷媒を流さないようにする（ステップＳ４０４）。   When there is an indoor unit B other than [heating operation and thermo-ON] (step S403; Yes), the control unit 202c causes the expansion device 102 (expansion device 102a or The opening of the expansion device 102b) is arbitrarily set to an initial opening L0, and the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B in [heating operation and thermo-ON] is fully closed so that no refrigerant flows. (Step S404).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ４０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ４０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S406). The control unit 201 waits for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determining unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S407).

制御部２０２ｃは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２を任意の開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ４０８）。そして、制御部２０１では、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ４０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ４０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When the control unit 202c determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. (Step S406; No), the expansion device opening detection means 312 and the expansion device opening control means 313 are used to adjust the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B other than [heating operation and thermo-ON] by an arbitrary opening change width ΔL. The opening is increased (step S408). And in the control part 201, the pressure equalization determination means 302 performs the switching possibility determination of the four-way valve 2 again (step S406). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S407), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S406; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ４０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ４０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S409), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S409; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ４０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ４０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   If the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S401), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. It is lowered again (step S402). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ４０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ４０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ４１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S406). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S407) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S410).

一方、制御部２０２ｃは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ４０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ４０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ４０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202c determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S406; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B other than [heating operation and thermo-ON] is changed by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313. The opening degree is increased by the width ΔL (step S408). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S406). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S407), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S406; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ４０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ４０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ４１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S409), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S409; Yes). And after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S411). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

ところで、［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂが存在しない場合（ステップＳ４０３；Ｎｏ）、制御部２０２ｃは、全室内機Ｂにおける絞り装置１０２の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０とする（ステップＳ４０５）。   By the way, when there is no indoor unit B other than [heating operation and thermo-ON] (step S403; No), the control unit 202c sets the opening degree of the expansion device 102 in all the indoor units B to an initial opening arbitrarily set in advance. The degree is set to L0 (step S405).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ４０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ４０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S406). The control unit 201 waits for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determining unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S407).

制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ４０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ４０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ４０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2 (Step S406; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the arbitrary indoor unit B is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313 (step S408). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S406). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S407), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S406; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ４０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ４０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S409), even if the differential pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S409; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ４０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ４０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   If the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S401), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. It is lowered again (step S402). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ４０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ４０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ４１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S406). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S407) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S410).

一方、制御部２０２ｃは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ４０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ４０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ４０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ４０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202c determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S406; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of the arbitrary indoor unit B is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313. (Step S408). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S406). When the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S406; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S407), and the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. (Step S406; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ４０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ４０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ４１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S409), even if the differential pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S409; Yes). And after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S411). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

以上のように、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を検知しながら、その差圧が所定値Ａ以下となるように、暖房負荷の少ない、すなわち［暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ］以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を必要最小限に抑制し、霜取運転中における負荷の高い（暖房運転かつサーモＯＮ）室内機Ｂの利用側熱交換器１０３への冷媒流量を低減することができることになる。したがって、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置は、霜取運転中における負荷の高い利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を抑制することができ、霜取運転後の暖房運転の立ち上がりを更に向上することが可能になる。なお、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作のタイミングは実施の形態３で説明した図１０と同様である。   As described above, according to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4, the differential pressure becomes the predetermined value A or less while detecting the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. As described above, the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B other than the heating load, that is, [heating operation and thermo-ON] is suppressed to the necessary minimum, and the load during the defrosting operation is high (heating operation and thermo-ON) ) The refrigerant flow rate to the use side heat exchanger 103 of the indoor unit B can be reduced. Therefore, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 can suppress the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 with a high load during the defrosting operation, and further improve the start-up of the heating operation after the defrosting operation. Is possible. Note that the timing of the control operation during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 is the same as that in FIG. 10 described in Embodiment 3.

実施の形態５．
図１３は、本発明の実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置に搭載されている制御部２０２ｄの構成を示すブロック図である。図１４は、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御処理の流れの一例を示すフローチャートである。図１３及び図１４に基づいて、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置の構成及び動作について説明する。なお、実施の形態５では実施の形態１〜実施の形態４との相違点を中心に説明し、実施の形態１〜実施の形態４と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略するものとする。 Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 202d mounted in the refrigeration air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of control processing during a defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5. Based on FIG.13 and FIG.14, the structure and operation | movement of the refrigerating air conditioning apparatus which concern on Embodiment 5 are demonstrated. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. It shall be.

実施の形態４では、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を更に最小限に抑制して暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりをより向上させるようにしたものであるが、実施の形態５では、霜取運転中における利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を更に効率的に最小限に抑制し、暖房運転復帰後の立ち上がりを向上させるようにしたものである。   In the fourth embodiment, cooling of the use-side heat exchanger 103 during the defrosting operation is further suppressed to a minimum, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is further improved, but in the fifth embodiment, Further, the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 during the defrosting operation is more efficiently suppressed to the minimum, and the rise after the return to the heating operation is improved.

すなわち、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置は、冷媒回路構成と制御方法においては、実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と同様であるが、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御する制御部２０２ｄに、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と、絞り装置開度制御手段３１３と、に加え、各室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を優先的に制御できる絞り装置開度優先判定手段３１５を備えた点で実施の形態２に係る冷凍空調装置と相違している。なお、実施の形態４に係る冷凍空調装置の冷房運転、暖房運転、霜取運転中におけるそれぞれの冷媒の流れについては、実施の形態１に係る冷凍空調装置１００と同様である。   That is, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is similar to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 in the refrigerant circuit configuration and control method, but controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b. In addition to the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313, the control unit 202d can control the opening degree of the expansion device opening priority determination means that can preferentially control the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of each indoor unit B. It differs from the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 in that 315 is provided. Note that the refrigerant flows during the cooling operation, heating operation, and defrosting operation of the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 are the same as those of refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

図１３に基づいて、制御部２０２ｄについて詳しく説明する。
制御部２０２ｄは、実施の形態１で説明した制御部２０２と同様に、制御部２０１における高圧圧力検知手段１１及び低圧圧力検知手段１２から送られる圧力情報に基づいて、絞り装置１０２の開度を制御するものである。絞り装置開度優先判定手段３１５は、複数の室内機Ｂの内、特定の室内機Ｂのみの制御基板上のディップスイッチ操作等の任意の設定方法で予め優先フラグを立てておき、その優先フラグを熱源機Ａから検知できる機能を有している。 The control unit 202d will be described in detail based on FIG.
Similar to the control unit 202 described in the first embodiment, the control unit 202d controls the opening degree of the expansion device 102 based on pressure information sent from the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12 in the control unit 201. It is something to control. The expansion device opening priority determination means 315 sets a priority flag in advance by an arbitrary setting method such as a dip switch operation on the control board of only a specific indoor unit B among the plurality of indoor units B, and the priority flag Can be detected from the heat source device A.

次に、図１４に基づいて、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する暖房運転から霜取運転への切り替え、霜取運転から暖房運転への切り替えにおける制御処理の流れの一例について説明する。実施の形態４で示した図１２との相違点は、霜取り開始、終了時の絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度をまず予め設定された任意の初期開度Ｌ０に設定する前に、優先フラグの有無を熱源機Ａから室内機Ｂ毎に個別に検知し、その後四方弁２の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧に応じて、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて霜取り運転中でも任意に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を制御できるようにした点である。   Next, based on FIG. 14, an example of the flow of control processing in switching from the heating operation to the defrosting operation and switching from the defrosting operation to the heating operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5 will be described. . The difference from FIG. 12 shown in the fourth embodiment is that prior to setting the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b at the start and end of defrosting to an arbitrary initial opening degree L0 set in advance. The presence / absence of a flag is individually detected for each indoor unit B from the heat source unit A, and thereafter, the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means according to the differential pressure between the high pressure and the low pressure of the four-way valve 2. In 313, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b can be arbitrarily controlled even during the defrosting operation.

暖房運転中に予め設定された霜取開始条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ５０１）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで低下させる（ステップＳ５０２）。同時に、制御部２０２ｄは、室内機Ｂのそれぞれにおいて、絞り装置開度優先判定手段３１５を用いて優先フラグ有無を検知し、優先フラグ有の室内機Ｂが存在するかどうか判定する（ステップＳ５０３）。   When the preset defrosting start condition is satisfied during the heating operation (step S501), the control unit 201 reduces the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparation operation for switching the four-way valve 2. (Step S502). At the same time, in each of the indoor units B, the control unit 202d detects the presence / absence of a priority flag using the throttle device opening priority determination unit 315, and determines whether there is an indoor unit B with a priority flag (step S503). .

優先フラグ有の室内機Ｂが存在する場合（ステップＳ５０３；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０２ｄは、優先フラグ有以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２（絞り装置１０２ａ、あるいは、絞り装置１０２ｂ）の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０とし、優先フラグ有の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を全閉として冷媒を流さないようにする（ステップＳ５０４）。   When the indoor unit B with the priority flag exists (step S503; Yes), the control unit 202d determines the opening degree of the expansion device 102 (the expansion device 102a or the expansion device 102b) of the indoor unit B other than the priority flag. The initial opening L0 is arbitrarily set in advance, and the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B with the priority flag is fully closed so that the refrigerant does not flow (step S504).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ５０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ５０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S506). The control unit 201 waits for determination for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S507).

制御部２０２ｄは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、優先フラグ有以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２を任意の開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ５０８）。そして、制御部２０１では、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ５０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ５０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When the control unit 202d determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. (Step S506; No), the throttle device opening degree detection means 312 and the throttle device opening degree control means 313 increase the throttle device 102 of the indoor unit B other than the priority flag presence by an arbitrary opening change width ΔL. (Step S508). Then, in the control unit 201, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 determines again whether or not the four-way valve 2 can be switched (step S506). When the differential pressure becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S507). When the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (Step S506; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ５０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ５０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S509), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S509; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ５０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ５０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S501), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. It is lowered again (step S502). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ５０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ５０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ５１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S506). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S507) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S510).

一方、制御部２０２ｄは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、優先フラグ有以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ５０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ５０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ５０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202d determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S506; No), the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B other than the priority flag is opened by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening detection means 312 and the expansion device opening control means 313. (Step S508). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S506). When the differential pressure becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S507). When the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (Step S506; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ５０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ５０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ５１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S509), the four-way valve 2 is turned on even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. It switches and transfers to defrost operation operation (Step S509; Yes). And after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S511). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

ところで、優先フラグ有の室内機Ｂが存在しない場合（ステップＳ５０３；Ｎｏ）、制御部２０２ｄは、全室内機Ｂにおける絞り装置１０２の開度を任意に予め設定された初期開度Ｌ０とする（ステップＳ５０５）。   By the way, when the indoor unit B with the priority flag does not exist (step S503; No), the control unit 202d sets the opening degree of the expansion device 102 in all the indoor units B to an arbitrarily set initial opening degree L0 ( Step S505).

このとき、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ５０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になるまで任意の所定時間だけ判定待機し、その値が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転を実行する（ステップＳ５０７）。   At this time, the pressure equalization determination means 302 determines whether or not the high pressure detection means 11 and the low pressure detection means 12 have sufficiently equalized the differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. (Step S506). The control unit 201 waits for determination for an arbitrary predetermined time until the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A, and when it is determined that the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the defrosting operation is executed by switching the four-way valve 2 (step S507).

制御部２０２ｄは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ５０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ５０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ５０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   When the control unit 202d determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to the predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. (Step S506; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of any indoor unit B is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313 (Step S506; No). S508). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S506). When the differential pressure becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S507). When the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (Step S506; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ５０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ５０９；Ｙｅｓ）。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S509), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S509; Yes).

霜取運転中に予め設定された霜取終了条件を満足した場合（ステップＳ５０１）、制御部２０１は、再度四方弁２を切り替える準備動作として、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された容量まで再度低下させる（ステップＳ５０２）。こうすることで、高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を低減でき、四方弁２の切り替え時における冷媒流動音を低減できる。   When the preset defrosting condition is satisfied during the defrosting operation (step S501), the control unit 201 sets the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset capacity as a preparatory operation for switching the four-way valve 2 again. It is lowered again (step S502). By doing so, the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure can be reduced, and the refrigerant flow noise during switching of the four-way valve 2 can be reduced.

このとき、霜取開始と同じように、均圧判定手段３０２は、高圧圧力検知手段１１と低圧圧力検知手段１２によって四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧が十分に均圧できたかどうかを判定する（ステップＳ５０６）。制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が所定値Ａ以下になったと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、四方弁２を切り替えて（ステップＳ５０７）、霜取終了動作を実行する（ステップＳ５１０）。   At this time, as in the case of the start of defrosting, the pressure equalization determination unit 302 has a sufficient differential pressure between the high pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2 by the high pressure detection unit 11 and the low pressure detection unit 12. It is determined whether the pressure has been equalized (step S506). When it is determined that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 (step S507) and performs the defrosting end operation. Execute (Step S510).

一方、制御部２０２ｄは、制御部２０１における均圧判定手段３０２によって算出した差圧が四方弁２の最低作動圧力差より少し大きい値に予め設定された所定値Ａ以下になっていないと判定された場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、絞り装置開度検知手段３１２と絞り装置開度制御手段３１３にて、任意の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を開度変化幅ΔＬだけ開度アップする（ステップＳ５０８）。そして、制御部２０１は、均圧判定手段３０２が四方弁２の切り替え可否判定を再度行なう（ステップＳ５０６）。差圧が所定値Ａ以下となった場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部２０１は、四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作を実行し（ステップＳ５０７）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上の場合（ステップＳ５０６；Ｎｏ）、再度上記動作を繰り返す。   On the other hand, the control unit 202d determines that the differential pressure calculated by the pressure equalization determination unit 302 in the control unit 201 is not less than or equal to a predetermined value A set in advance to a value slightly larger than the minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve 2. In the case (step S506; No), the opening degree of the expansion device 102 of any indoor unit B is increased by the opening change width ΔL by the expansion device opening degree detection means 312 and the expansion device opening degree control means 313. (Step S508). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the pressure equalization determination unit 302 can switch the four-way valve 2 (step S506). When the differential pressure becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S506; Yes), the control unit 201 switches the four-way valve 2 to execute the defrosting operation (step S507). When the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (Step S506; No), the above operation is repeated again.

ただし、最終的に室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度が予め設定された最大開度Ｌｍａｘとなった場合には（ステップＳ５０９）、差圧が所定値Ａ以上であっても四方弁２を切り替えて霜取運転動作へと移行する（ステップＳ５０９；Ｙｅｓ）。そして、四方弁２を切り替えた後、絞り装置１０２ａ、絞り装置１０２ｂの開度を元の開度（通常開度、つまり暖房運転時に設定されていた任意の開度）に戻す（ステップＳ５１１）。それから、制御部２０１は、圧縮機１の運転容量を予め設定された運転容量にまで増加させて霜取運転を終了し、暖房運転を再開する。   However, when the opening of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b of the indoor unit B finally reaches the preset maximum opening Lmax (step S509), even if the differential pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. The four-way valve 2 is switched to shift to the defrosting operation (step S509; Yes). And after switching the four-way valve 2, the opening degree of the expansion device 102a and the expansion device 102b is returned to the original opening degree (normal opening degree, ie, arbitrary opening degree set at the time of heating operation) (step S511). Then, the control unit 201 increases the operation capacity of the compressor 1 to a preset operation capacity, ends the defrosting operation, and restarts the heating operation.

以上のように、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置によれば、四方弁２の高圧側冷媒圧力と低圧側冷媒圧力との差圧を検知しながら、その差圧が所定値Ａ以下となるように、優先フラグ有以外の室内機Ｂの絞り装置１０２の開度を必要最小限に抑制し、霜取運転中における優先フラグ有の室内機Ｂの利用側熱交換器１０３への冷媒流量を低減することができることになる。したがって、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置は、霜取運転中における負荷の高い利用側熱交換器１０３の冷却を抑制することができ、霜取運転後の暖房運転の立ち上がりを更に効率的に向上することが可能になる。なお、実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置が実行する霜取運転時における制御動作のタイミングは実施の形態３で説明した図１０と同様である。   As described above, according to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5, the differential pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value A while detecting the differential pressure between the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure and the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure of the four-way valve 2. As described above, the opening of the expansion device 102 of the indoor unit B other than the priority flag is suppressed to the minimum necessary, and the refrigerant flow rate to the use side heat exchanger 103 of the indoor unit B with the priority flag during the defrosting operation is reduced. It can be reduced. Therefore, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5 can suppress the cooling of the use side heat exchanger 103 having a high load during the defrosting operation, and more efficiently start up the heating operation after the defrosting operation. It becomes possible to improve. Note that the timing of the control operation during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is the same as that in FIG. 10 described in Embodiment 3.

なお、実施の形態１〜実施の形態５に係る冷凍空調装置に使用する冷媒の種類を特に限定するものではなく、たとえば二酸化炭素（ＣＯ2 ）や炭化水素、ヘリウムなどの自然冷媒、ＨＦＣ４１０ＡやＨＦＣ４０７Ｃ、ＨＦＣ４０４Ａなどの塩素を含まない代替冷媒、若しくは既存の製品に使用されているＲ２２やＲ１３４ａなどのフロン系冷媒のいずれを使用してもよい。 It is not limited in particular the type of refrigerant used in the refrigerating and air conditioning apparatus according to the fifth embodiment 1 embodiment embodiment, for example, carbon dioxide (CO 2) and hydrocarbons, natural refrigerant such as helium, HFC410A and HFC407C Either an alternative refrigerant that does not contain chlorine, such as HFC404A, or a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant such as R22 or R134a that is used in existing products may be used.

また、本発明の特徴事項を実施の形態１〜実施の形態５に分けて説明したが、これらの特徴事項を冷凍空調装置の用途や目的に応じて適宜組み合わせるようにしてもよい。   Moreover, although the characteristic matter of this invention was divided and demonstrated to Embodiment 1-Embodiment 5, you may make it combine these characteristic matters suitably according to the use and objective of a refrigerating air conditioner.

１ 圧縮機、２ 四方弁、３ 熱源側熱交換器、４ 熱源側送風機、１１ 高圧圧力検知手段、１２ 低圧圧力検知手段、１００ 冷凍空調装置、１０１ 利用側送風機、１０１ａ 利用側送風機、１０１ｂ 利用側送風機、１０２ 絞り装置、１０２ａ 絞り装置、１０２ｂ 絞り装置、１０３ 利用側熱交換器、１０３ａ 利用側熱交換器、１０３ｂ 利用側熱交換器、２０１ 制御部、２０２ 制御部、２０２ａ 制御部、２０２ｂ 制御部、２０２ｃ 制御部、２０２ｄ 制御部、３０１ 四方弁切り替え判定手段、３０２ 均圧判定手段、３１１ 室内機運転検知手段、３１２ 絞り装置開度検知手段、３１３ 絞り装置開度制御手段、３１４ 室温差温検知手段、３１５ 絞り装置開度優先判定手段、Ａ 熱源機、Ｂ 室内機。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor, 2 Four way valve, 3 Heat source side heat exchanger, 4 Heat source side blower, 11 High pressure detection means, 12 Low pressure detection means, 100 Refrigeration air conditioner, 101 Use side blower, 101a Use side blower, 101b Use side Blower, 102 throttle device, 102a throttle device, 102b throttle device, 103 utilization side heat exchanger, 103a utilization side heat exchanger, 103b utilization side heat exchanger, 201 control unit, 202 control unit, 202a control unit, 202b control unit , 202c control unit, 202d control unit, 301 four-way valve switching determination unit, 302 pressure equalization determination unit, 311 indoor unit operation detection unit, 312 expansion device opening detection unit, 313 expansion device opening control unit, 314 room temperature differential temperature detection Means, 315 Throttle device opening priority determination means, A heat source machine, B indoor unit.

Claims (1)

冷媒を圧縮して吐出する圧縮機、前記圧縮機から吐出された冷媒の流路を切り替える四方弁、及び、冷媒と熱媒体との間で熱交換する熱源側熱交換器が少なくとも搭載されている熱源機と、
冷媒を減圧する絞り装置、及び、冷媒と熱媒体との間で熱交換する利用側熱交換器が少なくとも搭載されている複数台の利用側機と、
前記圧縮機の吐出側における冷媒の圧力を検知する高圧圧力検知手段と、
前記圧縮機の吸入側における冷媒の圧力を検知する低圧圧力検知手段と、
前記四方弁を介して冷媒の流路を切り替える制御装置と、を備えた冷凍空調装置において、
前記制御装置は、
暖房運転中に霜取開始条件を満たしたとき、
前記高圧圧力検知手段及び前記低圧圧力検知手段からの圧力情報に基づいて算出した前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が、前記四方弁の最低作動圧力差に関連して予め設定されている所定値Ａ以下になると、前記絞り装置の開度を通常開度よりも大きな開度としてから、前記四方弁を介して冷媒の流路を切り替えて前記圧縮機からの吐出冷媒を前記熱源側熱交換器に流し、前記熱源側熱交換器に付着した霜を融かす霜取運転を実行し、
前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が前記所定値Ａ以下になっていないとき、前記四方弁の高圧圧力と低圧圧力との差圧が前記所定値Ａ以下になるまで前記絞り装置の開度を予め規定されている変化幅で大きくしていく
ことを特徴とする冷凍空調装置。 A compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and a heat source side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium are mounted. A heat source machine,
A plurality of usage-side units equipped with at least a throttle device for decompressing the refrigerant, and a usage-side heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium;
High pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor;
Low pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor;
In a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus comprising a control device that switches a refrigerant flow path through the four-way valve ,
The controller is
When the defrosting start condition is satisfied during heating operation,
A differential pressure between the high pressure and low pressure of the four-way valve calculated based on pressure information from the high-pressure pressure detection means and the low-pressure pressure detection means is preset in relation to a minimum operating pressure difference of the four-way valve. If the opening of the expansion device is larger than the normal opening, the refrigerant flow is switched via the four-way valve to discharge the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the heat source. Flowing through the side heat exchanger, and performing a defrosting operation for melting frost adhering to the heat source side heat exchanger ,
When the pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure of the four-way valve is not less than the predetermined value A, the throttle device until the pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure of the four-way valve is equal to or less than the predetermined value A. The refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus is characterized in that the opening degree is increased by a predetermined change width .
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