阅读说明：本技术 制冷剂量推断装置、方法及程序 (Refrigerant amount estimation device, method, and program ) 是由 冈祐辅 于 2020-02-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：容易地进行制冷剂量的判定。一种制冷剂量推断装置,用于对空气调节机中的制冷剂量进行推断,所述空气调节机的压缩机、热源侧热交换器、过冷却热交换器、减压阀、以及利用侧热交换器与配管连接,所述过冷却热交换器是使通过设置在旁通回路中的过冷却旁通膨胀阀的制冷剂与主流回路内的制冷剂进行热交换的热交换机,所述旁通回路从所述热源侧热交换器与所述过冷却热交换器之间或所述减压阀与所述过冷却热交换器之间连接到所述压缩机的吸入侧的配管,所述制冷剂量推断装置包括：取得部,取得位于所述减压阀与所述过冷却热交换器之间的第一配管内的制冷剂的状态、以及与所述第一配管内的制冷剂的状态相关的操作量；以及学习部,以将第一配管内的制冷剂的状态和与第一配管内的制冷剂的状态相关的操作量、以及制冷剂量相关联的方式进行学习。(The determination of the amount of refrigerant is easily performed. A refrigerant quantity estimation device for estimating the quantity of refrigerant in an air conditioner, in which a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a utilization-side heat exchanger of the air conditioner are connected to pipes, the supercooling heat exchanger is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant passing through a supercooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit and refrigerant in a main flow circuit, and the bypass circuit is connected to the pipe on the intake side of the compressor from between the heat source-side heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, the refrigerant quantity estimation device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe located between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and a learning unit that learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount so as to be associated with each other.)

1. A refrigerant quantity estimation device for estimating the quantity of refrigerant in an air conditioner in which a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected to pipes,

the subcooling heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which a refrigerant passing through a subcooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit connected to a pipe on the suction side of the compressor from between the heat source side heat exchanger and the subcooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the subcooling heat exchanger exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a main flow circuit,

the refrigerant amount inference device includes:

an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe located between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and

the learning unit learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount so as to be associated with each other.

2. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

and an estimation unit that estimates the amount of refrigerant from the state of refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of refrigerant in the first pipe, based on the result of learning by the learning unit.

3. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

and an estimation unit that estimates, based on a result of the learning by the learning unit, whether or not the refrigerant amount is appropriate, based on the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

4. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is a current value of a degree of subcooling or a current value of the degree of subcooling and a value before change,

the manipulated variable relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is a current value of the manipulated variable of the subcooling bypass expansion valve, or a current value or a value before change of the manipulated variable of the subcooling bypass expansion valve.

5. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in any one of claims 1 to 4,

the learning portion further inputs a condenser refrigerant state and an operation amount related to the condenser refrigerant state, and learns in such a manner as to associate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the condenser refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the condenser refrigerant state, and the refrigerant amount.

6. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in any one of claims 1 to 4,

the learning portion further inputs an evaporator refrigerant state and an operation amount related to the evaporator refrigerant state, and learns in such a manner as to associate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe with the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the evaporator refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the evaporator refrigerant state, and the refrigerant amount.

7. The refrigerant quantity inference device as recited in any one of claims 1 to 6,

the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount are initial data at the time of installation of the air conditioner or design data at the time of development of the air conditioner.

8. A computer-implemented method for estimating the amount of refrigerant in an air conditioner in which a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected to pipes,

the subcooling heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which a refrigerant passing through a subcooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit connected to a pipe on the suction side of the compressor from between the heat source side heat exchanger and the subcooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the subcooling heat exchanger exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a main flow circuit,

the method comprises the following steps:

a step of acquiring a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and

a step of learning in such a manner as to correlate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe with an operation amount and an amount of the refrigerant relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

9. A program for estimating the amount of refrigerant in an air conditioner in which a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected to a pipe,

the subcooling heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which a refrigerant passing through a subcooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit connected to a pipe on the suction side of the compressor from between the heat source side heat exchanger and the subcooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the subcooling heat exchanger exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a main flow circuit,

the program is for causing a computer to function as:

an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe located between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and

the learning unit learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount so as to be associated with each other.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant quantity estimation device, method, and program.

Background

Conventionally, a refrigeration cycle device having a refrigerant amount determination function is disclosed. In patent document 1, the state quantity of the refrigerant at a certain time and the state quantity after applying a certain operation amount to the state quantity are measured, and the refrigerant quantity is determined based on whether or not a change according to the operation amount is reflected in the state quantity (paragraph [0025] of patent document 1).

< Prior Art document >

< patent document >

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2012 and 47364

Disclosure of Invention

< problems to be solved by the present disclosure >

However, in the case of patent document 1, in order to accurately determine the refrigerant amount, it is necessary to determine an estimated value of a parameter of the ARX model. The purpose of the present disclosure is to easily determine the amount of refrigerant.

< means for solving the problems >

A refrigerant amount estimation device according to a 1 st aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigerant amount estimation device for estimating an amount of refrigerant in an air conditioner, in which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a utilization side heat exchanger of the air conditioner are connected to a pipe, the supercooling heat exchanger being a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant passing through a supercooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit and refrigerant in a main flow circuit, the bypass circuit being connected to a pipe on a suction side of the compressor from between the heat source side heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, the refrigerant amount estimation device including: an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe located between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and a learning unit that learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount so as to be associated with each other.

According to the 1 st aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a refrigerant quantity estimation device that learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation quantity relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant quantity in a manner correlated with each other.

In addition, in the 2 nd aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes: and an estimation unit that estimates the amount of refrigerant from the state of refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of refrigerant in the first pipe, based on the result of learning by the learning unit.

In addition, in aspect 3 of the present disclosure, the method further includes: and an estimation unit that estimates, based on a result of the learning by the learning unit, whether or not the refrigerant amount is appropriate, based on the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

In the 4 th aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is a current value of a degree of subcooling, or the current value of the degree of subcooling and a value before change, and the manipulated variable relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is a current value of a manipulated variable of the subcooling bypass expansion valve, or a current value of a manipulated variable of the subcooling bypass expansion valve or a value before change.

In addition, in the 5 th aspect of the present disclosure, the learning portion further inputs a condenser refrigerant state and an operation amount related to the condenser refrigerant state, and learns in such a manner as to associate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe with the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the condenser refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the condenser refrigerant state, and the refrigerant amount.

In addition, in the 6 th aspect of the present disclosure, the learning portion further inputs an evaporator refrigerant state and an operation amount related to the evaporator refrigerant state, and learns in such a manner as to associate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe with the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the evaporator refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the evaporator refrigerant state, and the refrigerant amount.

In addition, in the 7 th aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount are initial data at the time of installation of the air conditioner or design data at the time of development of the air conditioner.

A method according to claim 8 of the present disclosure is executed by a computer for estimating an amount of refrigerant in an air conditioner, a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a utilization side heat exchanger of the air conditioner being connected to a pipe, the supercooling heat exchanger being a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant passing through a supercooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit connected to a pipe on a suction side of the compressor from between the heat source side heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and refrigerant in a main flow circuit, the method including the steps of: a step of acquiring a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and a step of learning in such a manner as to correlate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe with an operation amount and a refrigerant amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

A program according to a 9 th aspect of the present disclosure is a program for estimating an amount of refrigerant in an air conditioner in which a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a supercooling heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a use-side heat exchanger of the air conditioner are connected to pipes, the supercooling heat exchanger being a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant passing through a supercooling bypass expansion valve provided in a bypass circuit and refrigerant in a main flow circuit, the bypass circuit being connected to the pipe on a suction side of the compressor from between the heat source-side heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger or between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, the program causing a computer to function as: an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the refrigerant in a first pipe located between the pressure reducing valve and the supercooling heat exchanger, and an operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe; and a learning unit that learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the refrigerant amount so as to be associated with each other.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram (learning phase) of a control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a control device (inference phase) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the state of the refrigerant and the correspondence relationship between the operation amount and the refrigerant amount relating to the state of the refrigerant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a learning process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an inference process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

< Overall configuration (bypass example 1) >

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration (bypass example 1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 200 and an indoor unit 300. As shown in fig. 1, the compressor 203, the heat source side heat exchanger 201, the subcooling heat exchanger 204, the pressure-reducing valve 303, and the use side heat exchanger 301 are connected to a main flow circuit of the refrigerant.

In bypass example 1, a subcooling bypass expansion valve 205 is provided in a bypass circuit connected from a pipe between the heat source side heat exchanger 201 and the subcooling heat exchanger 204 to a pipe on the intake side of the compressor 203. The supercooling heat exchanger 204 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant passing through the supercooling bypass expansion valve 205 in a bypass circuit provided in a pipe connected from between the heat source side heat exchanger 201 and the supercooling heat exchanger 204 to the suction side of the compressor 203 and the refrigerant in the main flow circuit.

< outdoor Unit >

The compressor 203, the heat source side heat exchanger 201, and the supercooling heat exchanger 204, which have variable or fixed numbers of revolutions, are connected to the outdoor unit 200 through pipes. The outdoor unit 200 includes an outdoor fan 202 that blows air to the heat source side heat exchanger 201.

The outdoor unit 200 includes various sensors. Specifically, the outdoor unit 200 includes a temperature sensor 208 for detecting an outdoor temperature, a temperature sensor 209 for detecting a compressor inlet temperature, a temperature sensor 210 for detecting a condenser inlet refrigerant temperature (a compressor outlet pressure), and a temperature sensor 211 for detecting a condenser outlet refrigerant temperature. The outdoor unit 200 includes a sensor 212 for detecting the compressor inlet pressure and a sensor 213 for detecting the condenser pressure.

< indoor Unit >

On the indoor unit 300 side, a use side heat exchanger 301 for exchanging heat with indoor air and a pressure reducing valve 303 for adjusting the refrigerant flow rate of the use side heat exchanger 301 are connected to pipes. The indoor unit 300 includes an indoor fan 302 that sends air to the use-side heat exchanger 301.

The indoor unit 300 has various sensors. Specifically, the indoor unit 300 includes a temperature sensor 304 that detects an indoor temperature, a temperature sensor 305 that detects an evaporator inlet refrigerant temperature, and a temperature sensor 306 that detects an evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature.

< control device >

The control device 400 is a device that controls the air conditioner 100 and estimates the amount of refrigerant. Specifically, the control device 400 includes a control unit 401 that controls the air conditioner 100, a refrigerant amount estimation unit 402 that estimates the amount of refrigerant, and a learning data storage unit 403 that stores learning data. The control device 400 can function as the control unit 401 and the refrigerant amount estimation unit 402 by executing a program. The refrigerant amount estimation unit 402 and the learning data storage unit 403 are also collectively referred to as a refrigerant amount estimation device. The control device 400 will be described in detail later with reference to fig. 3 to 5.

Note that the control device 400 may be built in the air conditioner 100. Alternatively, a part of or the whole of the control device 400 (for example, the refrigerant amount estimation unit 402 and the learning data storage unit 403) may be installed in a device (for example, a cloud server) different from the air conditioner 100.

< Overall configuration (bypass example 2) >

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration (bypass example 2) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 200 and an indoor unit 300. As shown in fig. 2, the compressor 203, the heat source side heat exchanger 201, the subcooling heat exchanger 204, the pressure-reducing valve 303, and the use side heat exchanger 301 are connected to a main flow circuit of the refrigerant. Hereinafter, the difference from the bypass example 1 will be mainly described.

In bypass example 2, a subcooling bypass expansion valve 205 is provided in a bypass circuit connected from a pipe between the pressure reducing valve 303 and the subcooling heat exchanger 204 to a pipe on the suction side of the compressor 203. The supercooling heat exchanger 204 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant passing through the supercooling bypass expansion valve 205 in a bypass circuit provided in a pipe connected to the suction side of the compressor 203 from between the pressure reducing valve 303 and the supercooling heat exchanger 204 and the refrigerant in the main flow circuit.

< hardware configuration of control device 400 >

Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control device 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3. The CPU1, ROM2, RAM3 form a so-called computer.

The control device 400 includes an auxiliary storage device 4, a display device 5, an operation device 6, and an I/F (Interface) device 7. The hardware of the control device 400 is connected to each other via a bus 8.

The CPU1 is an arithmetic device for executing various programs installed in the auxiliary storage apparatus 4.

ROM2 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM2 functions as a main storage device that stores various programs, data, and the like necessary for the CPU1 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 4. Specifically, the ROM2 functions as a main storage device for storing a boot program such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or an EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface).

The RAM3 is a volatile Memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The RAM3 functions as a main storage device that provides a work area that is extended when various programs installed in the auxiliary storage 4 are executed by the CPU 1.

The auxiliary storage device 4 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs or information used when executing various programs. The learning data storage unit 403 is implemented in the auxiliary storage device 4.

The display device 5 is a display device for displaying the internal state and the like of the control device 400.

The operation device 6 is an input device for the administrator of the control device 400 to input various instructions to the control device 400.

The I/F device 7 is a communication device for connecting to various sensors and networks and communicating with other terminals.

Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram (learning phase) of a control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The supercooling degree obtaining unit 421 obtains, from the learning data storage unit 403, the state of the refrigerant (for example, the supercooling degree obtained by the temperature sensor 207) in the pipe (hereinafter, also referred to as a first pipe) between the pressure reducing valve 303 and the supercooling heat exchanger 204 of the air conditioner 100.

The expansion valve opening degree obtaining unit 422 obtains an operation amount (for example, the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe from the learning data storage unit 403.

The learning unit 423 learns the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe, and the amount of refrigerant (teacher data) acquired from the learning data storage unit 403 in association with each other. The learning unit 423 generates the refrigerant amount estimation model 424 by performing machine learning, and the refrigerant amount estimation model 424 can derive the refrigerant amount from the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

The learning data stored in the learning data storage unit 403 is initial data at the time of installation of the air conditioner 100 or design data at the time of development of the air conditioner 100. In other words, the learning data stored in the learning data storage unit 403 is the amount of refrigerant (for example, an appropriate amount of refrigerant), the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe at that time, and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe at that time.

The state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is, for example, a value of the degree of supercooling detected by the temperature sensor 207 for the supercooling heat exchanger outlet temperature. The value of the degree of subcooling is the current value or the current value and the value before change. The value before the change is a value before an operation related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (for example, adjustment of the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) is performed.

The operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe is, for example, an operation amount (for example, an opening degree) of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205. The operation amount is the current value, or the current value and the value before change. The value before the change is a value before an operation related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (for example, adjustment of the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) is performed.

In addition to the above-described "state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe", the learning unit 423 may be configured to learn by further inputting the state of the condenser refrigerant and the operation amount relating to the state of the condenser refrigerant.

The condenser refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the condenser refrigerant state may include, for example, a condenser inlet refrigerant temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 210, a condenser outlet refrigerant temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 211, a condenser pressure obtained by the sensor 213, an outside air temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 208, the number of revolutions of the fan 202, and a circulation amount. Each value is the current value, or the current value and the value before the change. The value before the change is a value before an operation related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (for example, adjustment of the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) is performed.

The circulation amount is calculated from the number of revolutions of the compressor 203, the compressor inlet and outlet pressures obtained by the sensors 212 and 213, and the compressor inlet and outlet temperatures obtained by the temperature sensors 209 and 210.

In addition to the above-described "state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe", the learning portion 423 may be configured to learn by further inputting the evaporator refrigerant state and the operation amount relating to the evaporator refrigerant state.

The evaporator refrigerant state and the operation amount related to the evaporator refrigerant state may include, for example, an evaporator inlet refrigerant temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 305, an evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 306, an operation amount (for example, an opening degree) of the pressure reducing valve 303, an evaporator pressure, an indoor temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 304, an indoor unit air volume, an indoor unit connection capacity, and an indoor unit connection model. Each value is the current value, or the current value and the value before the change. The value before the change is a value before an operation related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (for example, adjustment of the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) is performed.

The evaporator pressure is calculated based on the evaporator inlet refrigerant temperature.

In this way, by using "the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe" and "the state of the condenser refrigerant and the operation amount relating to the state of the condenser refrigerant" or "the state of the evaporator refrigerant and the operation amount relating to the state of the evaporator refrigerant", in addition to "the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe" it is possible to improve the accuracy of estimation of the amount of refrigerant.

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a control device 400 (inference phase) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The supercooling degree obtaining unit 421 obtains, from the control unit 401, the state of the refrigerant (for example, the supercooling degree obtained by the temperature sensor 207) in the pipe (first pipe) between the pressure reducing valve 303 and the supercooling heat exchanger 204 of the air conditioner 100.

The expansion valve opening degree obtaining unit 422 obtains an operation amount (for example, the opening degree of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205) related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe from the control unit 401.

The estimating unit 425 inputs the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe to the refrigerant amount estimation model 424 learned by the learning unit 423 to estimate the refrigerant amount. The estimation unit 425 notifies the controller 401 of the estimated refrigerant amount.

The estimation unit 425 may be configured to estimate the refrigerant amount itself, or may be configured to estimate whether the refrigerant amount is appropriate (that is, whether the refrigerant amount is large or small).

Hereinafter, a case of estimating whether the amount of refrigerant is large or small will be described. The estimating unit 425 may compare the estimated refrigerant amount with a predetermined threshold value (for example, an appropriate refrigerant amount defined for each model of the air conditioner 100) to estimate whether the refrigerant amount is large or small. Alternatively, the estimation unit 425 may estimate that the refrigerant amount is large when the estimated refrigerant amount is larger than a predetermined upper limit value, and estimate that the refrigerant amount is small when the estimated refrigerant amount is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the state of the refrigerant and the correspondence relationship between the operation amount and the refrigerant amount relating to the state of the refrigerant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6, the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (e.g., the degree of subcooling), and the operation amount related to the amount of refrigerant in the first pipe (e.g., the operation amount of the subcooling bypass expansion valve 205), and the amount of refrigerant are associated. Therefore, for example, if the degree of subcooling changes by the same operation amount, the refrigerant amount changes, and therefore the refrigerant amount can be estimated.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a learning process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step 11(S11), the learning unit 423 acquires the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (teacher data) and the operation amount related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (teacher data).

In step 12(S12), the learning unit 423 performs machine learning so as to associate the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe (teacher data) acquired in S11 with the operation amount (teacher data) relating to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the refrigerant amount (teacher data).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an inference process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step 21(S21), the estimating unit 425 acquires the state (actual measurement value) of the refrigerant in the first pipe and the operation amount (actual measurement value) related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

In step 22(S22), the estimating unit 425 estimates the refrigerant quantity itself or whether the refrigerant quantity is appropriate, based on the result of learning in S12 of fig. 7, from the state (actual measurement value) of the refrigerant in the first pipe acquired in S21 and the manipulated variable (actual measurement value) related to the state of the refrigerant in the first pipe.

While the embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

This application is based on application No. 2019-052020 filed on day 19/3/2019 to the sunward franchise, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Description of the symbols

100 air conditioner

200 outdoor machine

201 heat source side heat exchanger

202 outdoor fan

203 compressor

204 supercooling heat exchanger

205 supercooling bypass expansion valve

206 bypass circuit

207 supercooling heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor

208 outdoor air temperature sensor

209 compressor inlet temperature sensor

210 condenser inlet refrigerant temperature (compressor outlet pressure) sensor

211 condenser outlet refrigerant temperature sensor

212 compressor inlet pressure sensor

213 condenser pressure sensor

300 indoor machine

301 utilization side heat exchanger

302 indoor fan

303 pressure reducing valve

304 indoor temperature sensor

305 evaporator inlet refrigerant temperature sensor

306 evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature sensor

400 control device

401 control unit

402 refrigerant quantity estimating unit

403 data storage unit for learning

421 supercooling degree obtaining part

422 expansion valve opening degree obtaining part

423 learning unit

424 refrigerant quantity inference model

425 estimation unit