CA1278356C

CA1278356C - Air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA1278356C
Application number: CA000526401A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nobuo Otsuka; Peter Francis Thompson; Yasuo Sato; Toyohiro Kobayashi
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 1985-12-27
Filing date: 1986-12-29
Publication date: 1990-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-27
Also published as: AU588954B2; US4997029A; AU6701986A; JPS62266348A

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An air conditioning apparatus of a VAV system has a main controller which comprises an operation mode changing means, a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program, and a room controller having a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms, The program can be easily changed by operating the controllers so as to meet the life pattern of a resident.
The air conditioning apparatus provides advantages of saving energy and comfortableness.

Description

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The present invention relates to a duct type air conditioning apparatus which utilizes a variahle air quantity control system capable of regulating temperature in each room independently of the other. Particularly, it relates to the duct type air conditioning apparatus having a controller in which a temperature schedule and other programs are inputted.

The presen-t invention will be illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings in which;

Figures 1 through 7 show a first embodiment of the air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the entire construction of the air conditioning apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the main controller used for the first embodiment;
~0 Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the room controller used for the first emb~dim~nt;

Figure 4 is a dîagram showing an embodiment of the inner circuit of the main controller;

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the inner circuit of the room controller;

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the steps for the operations of the main controller;

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a temperature schedule to be inputted into the main controller;
Figure 8 is a front view of the main controller according to the , ~ - .

. ' , ' , ' , 3 ~j second embodiment oE the presen-t invention;

Figure g is a diagram showing an example of a temperature schedule to be inputted in the main con-troller according to the second embodiment;

Figure lo is a ~ront view of the main controller according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

~igure 11 is a front view of the room controller according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a front view of the room controller according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 13 is a diagram showing a conventional air conditioning apparatus.

There has so far been known a centralized air-conditioning system which carries out air conditioning by distributing temperature-regulated air to each room through air ducts. The conventional air conditioning system has varlous meritorious effects in comparison with a heat pump chiller/fan coil system, a package air-conditioner decentralized arrangement system and others from ~5 the viewpoint that it can easily incorporate a humidifier, a high performance filter, an external air introducing system and a total heat-exchanger, hence it is able to perform a high grade air conditioning operation. It can ùtllize the room space with high effectiveness because it is sufficient ~to~form an outlet 30 port and an intake port for the room to be air-conditloned, and it has the least disorder in its heat transporting system.
Therefore, such central air conditioning system has bee~ used widely for the air condittoning of~a large-size building. Of various central air condltioning systems, the variable air 35 quantity control system~capable of carrying out the energy-saving operations ~hereinafter, referred to;as "VAY system~) ls capable :

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of controlling temperature in a plura].ity o~ roorn~, each having different heat load, independently of the other, is capable of stopping the air-conditioning operation in those rooms which are not in use, it also able to reduce the running cost of the air conditioning system by changing the power for the air blower, in accordance with quantity of air to be blown out, and, at the same time is able to decrease the capaci-ty of the heat source device by taking into consideration of the rate of its use.

There are several types in the vAv system. As one system, there is a system which uses a throttle type VAV unit, in which pressure in the duct which varies depending on the degree of opening of the dampers is detected, and the capacity of the air blower is controlled so as to bring the value of pressure to a certain predetermined level. Therefore, when the heat load in the room decreases (even when the air quantity becomes small, the temperature of the air within the duct is controlled at a ;

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-constant level), the required performance of the heat source device becomes ~mall and the power for the air blower is also decreased.
As conventional technique~ adopting the throttle type VAV unit, there are known those as in the Japanese Examined Patent Publication Mo. 47497/1985 and as shown in Figure 2.10a in Manual of Refrigeration and A r-conditioning (new fourth edition, techique for application) published by Nippon Reito Kyokai.
Figure 13 is a diagram showing the system of the conventional air conditioning apparatus. In Figure 13, a reference numeral 1 designates rooms to be air-conditioned (in this case, four rooms are to be air-conditioned). A numeral 2 designates a room unit 15 ~ disposed in~the celling o the building, and which is const~ructed with an air-filter 3j a heat exchanger 4 and an air blower 5. A main air duct 6 is connected to the air outlet~port of the room unit 2, and four branch ducts 7 are diverged from the main air duct 6. A throttle type 20~ ~VAV~un~lt 8~ is placed in each of the branch ducts 7. A
~damper 9 is~turnably fitted within each of the VAV
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unit~8,~and;which~is~driven by a stepping motor (not ; shown)~ An outiet port 10 i~ provided at the end part oE
the~branch~duct 7. An inlet port 11 is provided at the lower~part of a door in the room 1. An inlet port 12 is formed~ln~the celling~board above the corridor. An inlet duct~13 connect~ the inlet port 12 o~ the ceiling to the air~nle~t Dort of the room unit 2. A room controller 14 ~L~7B~5~j is attached to each of the rooms 1. A kemperature detector 15 and a pressure detector 16 are disposed in the main air duct 6. A heat source device 17 such as a heat pump is connected to the heat exchanger 4. A
controlling apparatus for controlling the operations of the heat source device, the air blower 5 and the dampers 9 is disposed in the ceiling.
In the conventional air conditioning apparatus having the construction as described above, when a user determines a set room temperature by the room controller 14 placed in each of the rooms, the degree of opening of the dampers is regulated at their optimum positions in accordance with the set room temperature for each room and the current temperature in each of the rooms.
Pressure in the main air duct 6 varys depending on the degree o~opening of the dampers 9. The pressure is ~detected by the pressure detector 16, and the capacity of the air blower 5 is changed so that a pre- determined :
~ established~pressure is given. When the quantity of air 20~ blown~is changed, the temperature of air at the outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is also changed. The temperature of the~air~is~detected by the temperature detector 15 whereby the performance of the heat source device 17 is :` :: : :
contr~olled~so that a predetermined tempera~ure of the air 25~ s~gi~ven. Thus, the air regulated at a substantially constant~temperature i~ blown into the rooms at flow rates~depending on the magnitude of the heat load in each , .,,, :~ ~: :

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of the rooms. After the air-conditioning, the air in the rooms flows ~hrough the inlet port 11, the corridor, the inlet port 12 formed in the ceiling and the inlet duct 13 to be returned to the room unit 2. Such a series of control is carried out in the optimum manner by means of the controlling apparatus 18 so as to satisfy energy-saving and comfortableness on the basis of the detecting signals from the room controllers 14, the temperatuxe detector 15, the pressure detector 16 and the various detectors ~not shown) in the heat source device 17.
In the conventional air conditioning apparatus, however, a controlling operation in which the energy-saving and comfortableness are both satisfied has been insufficient. The reason is as follows. The conventional air conditioning apparatus adopting the VAV
system has been used mainly for office buildingsO In this case, the air conditioning apparatus is operated in the daytlme in which each room is air-conditioned under substantially equal temperature condition, and its operation is stopped in holidays such as the weekends.
Accordingly, the function to adjust the air quantity by the~VAV unit is merely to maintain a room ternperature in :~each of the rooms at constant level by increasing or ~ ~ decreasing the flow rates depending on the heat loads : 25~ :changing~due to the orientation of the rooms, the number ~of~persons in the rooms and 90 on. In the conventional :~ air conditioning apparatus, a program or operating the apparatus~ in given time zone~ and the stop of the ,.

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operation in holidays is given to the controlling apparatus 18. In this case, the operation of air-conditioning for the room which is not in use can be stopped by the room controllers in the rooms.
There are many problems in ~he conventional air conditioning apparatus using the VAV system when it is applied to a private house. While energy can be greatly reduced by suitably controlling the apparatus, comfortableness for living may be impaired, or the operation of the apparatus becomes complicated and troublesome. For houses in U.S.A., duct type centralized air-conditioning systems are widely used. However, an air conditioning apparatus with automatic control of the VAV system lS not practically used, and what is proposed is such a type that the degree of opening of the dampers is adjusted manually or by use of thermostats, or a set back value is used in certain time zones for a set temp~erature for the total system by using a timer. In the specification, "set back" means that when room ~20 ~ warming;-operation is carried out, the set room temperature is shifted to a slightly lower value in the period~of certain time, and when room cooling operation is carried ~out,lit is shifted to a slightly higher level, : ~:
~thereby to save energy.
The conventional air conditioning apparatus is usua~lly operated for all day and ~or all rooms. However, increase in the cost of energy in the recent years has :: ~
~ increased the economic burden of the users and therefore, ::

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a system capable of saving energy i5 expected~ Even though ~he conventional system accomplishes some amoun-t of energy-savlng by using the set back values, it can no-t greatly reduce the energy s because of the lack of the function of a zoning control (namely, feeding of air is stopped to a room which does not require the air-conditioning). Further, the conventional air conditioning apparatus has the problems that it is troublesome -to ad~ust the degree of the dampers, or open and close them by manual operations; efficiency of the apparatus decreases, and noise is increased because control of the capacity of the heat source apparatus and the air blower is not in association with the change of the air-flow rate.

Thus, the air conditioning apparatus adopting the VAV system is considered to be suitable for energy-saving in private houses.
In this case, however, a special care is needed to save energy for each room. It is, therefore necessary to use a controller in which temperature schedules for the rooms are inputted. In this case, there is a problem that even though a program of temperature schedule is prepared so as to be in conformity with the life pattern of a famlly, the daily life is not always coincident with the actual life pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to easily change the program including data initially inputted.

Briefly the following prior art problems need to be addressed;

(1) A life pattern in the weekdays is different from that in the holidays.

(2) Actual life is not always coincident with the life pattern inputted in the controller.
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(3) In the case that a room is frequently opened and closed, the temperature difference bekween the interior and the exterior o~
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the room should be small, and the temperature in the room should reach a predetermined value as soon as possible.

(4) The zoning and the setting-back should realize remarkable energy-saviny.

(5) The zonin~ and the setting-back should not irnpair comfortableness in the room.

(6) Operations of inputting and changing data should be simple.

~s a controller used for an air conditioning apparatus for many rooms, there is known one as shown in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publicatlon No. 8581/1985. The proposed air conditioning apparatus is of a type having a refrigerant piping instead of the duct type. In the published air conditioning apparatus, a plurality of room controllers and a main controller which functions~as the room controllers are provided. Accordingly, a set room temperature of any room can be changed by the main controller. However, the air conditioning apparatus is not adapted~to input a program for the temperature schedule and it is insufficient from the viewpoint of saving energy.

The present invention éliminates the disadvantages of the conventional~ air conditioning apparatus and to provide an air conditioning apparatus of a VAV system with a main controller and room controllers which can be easily operated and satisfies both advantages~of energy-saving and comfortableness.
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The present invent~on provides an air conditioning apparatus which~aomprlses~a heat source device for producing warm air or ~cool air,~a heat exchanger connected to the heat source device, an air~blowe~r placed by ~he heat exchanger, an air duct which contains~the~heat exchanger and the air blower and distributes the~warm~air~or~the cool air from the heat exchanger to a '; : :

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plurality of rooms, air quarlti-ty adjusting dampers, each of which is disposed in a branched duct connected to each oE the rooms, a controlling apparatus for controlling the dampers, the heat source device and the air blower, a main con-troller connecked to the control].ing apparatus, a room controller provided with a room temperature detector which is connected to the controlling apparatus and is installed in each of the rooms, wherein the main controller is further provided with an ~peration mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program, and the room controller is further provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms.

In a particular embodiment thereof the invention provides an air-conditioning apparatus comprising:

means for producing temperature controlled air including a heat source device and a heat exchanger device connected to said heat source;

means for delivering said temperature controlled air to each one of a plurality of rooms said means including an air-blower placed in the vicinity of said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing said heat exchanger and said air-blower wherein said air-duct system distributes said air from sald heat exchanger to said plurality of rooms;

a plurality of air quantity ad~usting dampers each of which is associated with a respective one of said rooms in order to regulate the air quantlty fed to each of sa~d roomsJ

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a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heat source device and said air-blower;
a main contro].ler connected to said controlling apparatus;

a room controller provided in each oE said rooms including a room temperature de-tector whlch is connected to said controlling apparatus, wherein;

said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule lnputting means for controlling the temperature of each of said rooms independently of each other in accordance with a program, and wherein each said room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature of only its associated room.

In another embodiment of the present invention an air-conditioning apparatus comprising: means for producing temperature controlled air including a heat source device and a heat exchanger device connected to said heat source; means for delivering said temperature controlled air to each one of a plurality 3f rooms said means including an air-blower placed in the vicinity of:said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing:said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing said heat exchanger and said air-blower wherein said air-duct system distributes said air from said heat exchanger to said plurality of rooms; a plurality of air quantity adjusting dampers each of which is associated wikh a respective one of said rooms in order to regulate the air quantity fed to each o~ said rooms;
a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heat : source device and said air-blower a maln controller connected to said: controlling apparatus; a room controller provided in each of said rooms including a room temperature detector which ls : : :

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connected to said con-trolling apparatus, wherein; said main controller is further provided wi-th an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means for controlling the temperature of each of said rooms independently to each other in accordance with a program, and wherein each said controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature of only its associated room, whsrei~ said temperature schedule inputting means is adapted to input a signal indicative of a set temperature as a reference value, and a signal indicative of a set-back temperature value at each of a plurallty of predetermined times set within said program.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an air conditioning apparatus in which the main controller is provided with an operation mode changing means for changing operation modes including a holiday operation mode a temperature schedule inputting means and a timer means for determining a day of the week, and a room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means.

Further, the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus in which the main controller is provided with an opera-: tion mode changing means for changing operation modes including a programmed mode and an all-room mode and a temperature schedule inputting means, and the room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means.

Further, the present invention is to provide an air conditioning . apparatus in which~the main controller is provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means, and the room controller is provided with a set : room temperature changing means and an central/local operation selectlng means for selecting a programmed operation according to the temperature schedule stored in the maln controller or a manual operation.

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Further, the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus in which the main controller is provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means, and the room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means and an operation/stop selecting means to select either the operation or the stop of air conditioning of the rooms.
An operation mode changing means used in the present inventisn is adapted to control the operations of a heat source device, an air blower and dampers and so on through a controlling apparatus.

A temperature schedule inputting means is adapted to input a signal indicative of a set room temperature as a reference value and to input an optional or fixed set bacX value at each time of 0 o'clock to 24 o'clock.

A set room temperature changing means changes a set room temperature in the room independently of the temperature schedule inputting means. When the set room temperature (reference temperature) is changed by the operation of both the set room temperature changlng means .~

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and the temperature schedule inputting means, a value given by the either means which has been operated later is dominant. The set back value inputted through the temperature schedule inputting means is in association with the operation mode changing means in such a manner that when the cooling operation is carried out, the set back value assumes a higher temperature level, and when the room warming operation is carried out, it assumes a lower room temperature level automatically.
io A timer means is to correct the set back value in the daytime zones to be zero whe~ it operates in a holiday, The operation mode changing means corrects the set back value in the daytime zones to be zero and clears the holiday mode at zero o'clock.
` 15 The operation mode changing means, when the all-room mode operation is carried out, controls the set temperatures ln all rooms to be at a reference temperature inputted by the temperature schedule inputting means or by the set room temperature changing means until the all-room mode operation is changed to the programed mode.
A central/local operation selecting means operates in a such a~mannerlthat when the central operation mode is ~selected, the room temperature of a room is controlled in 25 ~ accordance with a program inputted by the temperature ~ ~ schedule inputting means, and when the local operation `~` mode is selected, the room temperature is controlled to - :: : :

, '~ ' : ' be a constank value (set room temperature) until the local operation mode ls changed to the central operation mode.
An operation/stop selecting means is to temporally stop the air-conditioning of the room.
In the following, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 in which the general construction of the air conditioning apparatus is basically the same as that shown in Figure 13.
In Figure 1 showing a diagram of connection of electric parts, a main controller 19 is connected to a controlling apparatus 18 to determine an operation mode and to establish a program on a temperature schedule for the rooms. Four room controllers 14, four dampers 9, a temperature detector 15 and a pressure detector 16 are connected to the controlling apparatus 18. Further, a ~o heat source controlling apparatus'which performs capacity control and operation control for a heat source device 17 20 such as a heat pump and an air blower controlling apparatus:21 which performs capacity control for the air blower 5;are connected to the con~trolling apparatus 18.
:~ A microcomp~ter is installed in each of the ~ con:tro1~11ng apparatus 18, the main controller 19, the - : ~ 25 room controllers 14, the heat ~ource device controlling ~ apparatus 20 and the air blower controlling apparatu~ 21 , -so as~:to be able to transmit data held in these apparatus under multiplex transmission.
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In this case, the controLling apparatus 18 is preferably used as a parent machine to supervise the data signals. It is possible to construct the cantrolling apparatus 18, the heat source device controlling apparatus 20 and the air blower controlling apparatus 21 in one piece.
Figure 2 is a front view of the main controller 19.
In Figure 2, a reference numeral 22 designates an operation mode key which functions as the operation mode changing means, numerals 23 to 26 designate light emittlng diodes (LEDs for displaying "OFF" mode, "COOL" mode, "FAN" mode and "HEAT" mode which are related to the operation mode key 22. A numeral 27 designates a llquid crystal display (LED) type time indicator, a numeral 28 designates a time key for setting time, which corresponds to the time indicator 27, a numeral 29 deslgnates a~liquid crystal display type temperature ~indicator capable of displaying a room number, a set room temperature~and a temperature schedule, numerals 30 to 37 design~ate input keys as the temperature schedule inputting; means which corresponds to the temperature indicator~29, which comprise a room key 30, a set room temperature raising key 31, a set room temperature ; lowering~;key 3~2, a 0C set back key 33, a 2C set back ~key 3~4,~a 5C set back key 35 and 15C set back key 36, and~ah lnput key for inputting the data given by the op~erations~ of the keys 33 to 36 into a memory.

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Figure 3 is a front view of the room controller 14.In Figure 3, a numeral 38 designates a temperature indicator comprising LCDs which display a room temperature at the current time, a set room temperature and the set back value currently effective ~umerals 39 and 40 designate keys as the set room temperature changing means which is related to the temperature indicator 38, and a numeral 40 designates a set room temperature lowering key. The temperature indicator 38 may be so constructed that a set back absolute temperature is used instead of the set back value (differential temperature with respect a set temperature.
Figure 4 shows a diagram of the inner circuit of the main controller l9. In Figure 4, a numeral 41 designates 1 a microcomputer comprising a CPU 41, a memory 43, a clock 44, an input unlt 45, an output unit 46 and a communication unit 47. The keys 22, 28 and 30 to 37 as described above are connected to the input unit 45, and the indicators 23 to 27 and 29 as described above are connected to ~the output unit 46. The communication unit 47 ~is connected to the controlling apparatu~ 18.
~Figure S:shows~:a dlagram of the lnner circuit of the :~:room controlIerl14. In Figure 5, a numeral 48 designates a;~microcomputer comprising a CPU 49, a memory 50, an ;5~ nput~unit~5l, an cutput unit 52 and a communication unit 53.~A~rocm temperature detector 54 such as a thermister s~ connected to the input unit 51 through an A/D

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,, transducer 55. The set room temperature raising and - lowering keys 39 and 40 are connected to the input unit 51, and the temperature indicator 38 is connected to the output unit 52. The communication unit 53 is connected to the con-trolling apparatus 18.
The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 in which Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the steps for the operation of the main controller 19, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the temperature schedule for a room warming operation.
The conditions for operation and the temperature schedule are inputted by operating the main controller 19.
At Step 56, time key 28 is operated to set time. An :~input signal of time is received in the CPU 42 through the inpuk unit 45 and at the same time, it is stored in the memory: 43 and is displayed on the time indicator 27 throught the output unit 46. Then, time is indicated on ~:the indicator 27 by the clock 44.
: At Step 57, the operation mode key 22 i9 operated to set an operation mode with the result that ane of the : : :LEDs 23 to 26 is illuminated through the miarocomputer 41.~ At~step~58, the room key 30 i8 operated to select a 25 : room~number, and the result of the ~election i9 displayed at :the l~eft side on the temperature indicator 29 ~in this embodimsnt, "3";1s displayed for the room selected). At Step~59, keys 31 and 32 are operated to input the data of ,: :

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the set room temperature ~reference temperature) for the room which is determined at Step 58.
Then, display is made at the left side from the center of the temperature indicator 29 (in this embodiment, "26C" is displayed). At Steps 60-65, the keys 33 to 36 are operated to input a set back value for the set room temperature (inpukted at Step 59) at each time of 0 o'clock to 24 o'clock, and the set back values are displayed on the temperature indicator 29 in a form of graph as shown in Figure 2. When one of the keys 33 to 36 is operated, the set back value corresponding to the operated key is inputted for each unit of one hour and then, a set back value for the next one hour is inputted by operating any of the corresponding keys 33 to 36. The values on the surface of the keys 33 to 36 indicate the previously determined set back values.
Namely, the 0C key is used when a user wishes to ~maintain the set room temperature, the 2C key is used when~he wlshes to slightly modify the temperature to save energy or to carelhis health, this key being used, for instance,~when he i5 in bed, the 5C key is used when he wishes to frequently leave the room, to save energy and wishes to have ~he~room temperature return to the room temperature as soon as possible when he enters in the 25~ room, and the~15C key is used when the room is left unoccupied. The 15C key may be used as an of-key and ::
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5ti ~etermination operation depending on the room cooling mode or the room warming mode at Step 6Z. I the room cooling mode is taken, a higher room temperature is automatically established ~Step 64) and when khe room warming mode is taken, a lower room tempera~ure is cs~ C'~
automatically established ~Step 64). ~h~-*~t-~ma-t-i~a-l change is carried out when the operation mode is switched during air-conditioning operations. On completion of the selective operation of the keys from 0 o'clock to 24 o'clock, the input key 37 is operated to store thus determined temperature schedule in the memory 43 at Step 66. The operations of the ~s 58 to 66 are done for all of the rooms ~Step 67).
The various input data described above are stored in .
the memory 43, while data necessary to control the heat source device 17 and other devices are transmitted to the controlling apparatus 18 through the communication unit 47~. When~the user wishes to change the conditions of the operations, any keys may be operated to input the data zo corresponding to the operated keys to the controlling apparatus;l8.
~ Figure 7 shows an example of the temperature schedule ; determined~by~the~conditions of a room. When a program is to~be prepared for the temperature schedule, rough ~25 ~ data are: inputted in the consideration that the actual fe~is~not always coincident with the programed life pattern~and fine adjustment of the program may be done by operating the room controller 14 for each of the rooms.

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The room controller 14 is provided with the keys 39 and 40 which change the set room temperature (reerence temperature) of the room.
The data inputted by operating the keys are transmitted to the CPU 49 ~through the input unik 51 of the microcomputer 48) to be stored in the memory 50 and at the same time, the data are displayed on the temperature indicator 38 through the output unit 52. The data are also transmitted to the controlling apparatus 18 through the communication unit 53. The room temperature detector 54 detects the current room temperature and the detected room temperature is coverted into a digital signal in the A/D transducer 55. The signal is inputted in the CPU 49 through the input unit 51 to be stored in the memory 50 and at the same time, it is transmitted to the controlling apparatus 18. The set temperature may be changed by operating either by the main controller 19 or by the room controller 14, in which the value given by either device which has been operated later is dominant.
The data on the set temperature stored in the memories 43 ` and S0 are simultaneously rewritten at each time when the set room temperature value is changed by the either device. I
There are two ways to use the set back value when the 25~ set tempe~rature is changed. One way is to maintain the set~back value (di~ference temperature) unchanged and it , i9 ~shited with change in the set room temperature. The ~other~way~ is to increase or decrea~e the set back value . .

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21 ~ r depending on the increase or decrease o the set room temperature in which a temperature ~the absolute temperature) initially set back is not changed. Either way may be empolyed in the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the set back values are selected ~rom the previously determined val~es in the temperature schedule by using the keys 33 to 36.
However, it is feasible that the ~eys 33 and 34 are used as temperature keys, and the keys 35 and 36 are used as time keys so that the set back values can be determined as desired. In this case, more precise temperature schedule is possible.
Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a heat pump is used as the heat source device 17. However, or lS the heat~source device, use of a gas furnace, the combination of a heat pump and a gas furnace, the combination of a heat pump and an electric heater, an air conditioner, the combination o~ an air conditioner and a gas~furnace and the combination o~ an air conditioner and an electrlc~heater mày be considered.
For~auxiliary devices used in combination with the heat~source device, a humidifier,-an air cleaner, a total ` ~
héat exohanqer ~nd other devices are used. The selecting ~ swi~tches~used~for these devices may be installed in the ;~ ~ 25~ ~main controller~L9; or the controlling apparatus 18.
For the combination of the main air duct 6 and the branch~ducts 7, a chamber including a plurallty of the : ~

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dampers 9 may be attached to the outlet port of the room unit 2 and flexible ducts are extended to cannect the chamber and the outlet ports 10~
The dampers 9 may be controlled in such a way that the degree of opening of each of the dampers i5 proportionally controlled depending on temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature so that air is blown out~in correspondence to a heat load, or the dampers 9 are brought to two positions of entirely opening or entirely closing depending on the temperature difference.
In consideration of a service interruption, an electric charging type battery is provided ~or the microcomputer 41 in the main controller 19 so that the temperature schedule stored in the memory 43 is protected from the trouble at the service interruption. As another measures, the temperature schedule is stored in an EEP-ROM.
The controlling apparatus 18 may be provided with an HA termlnal to allow the main controller 19 to operate through telephone from the outside of the house.
The main controller 19 may have an additional means to have room numbers correspond to the rooms. Namely, a ~ cover plate is provided above the main controller 19 at a position where it is not in use, and the reverse side oE
the cover plate is attached with a t.able on which the names of the rooms corresponding to the room numbers are ` written.

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~ ' , ' ' r~~j . i, 2 3 ~ r In the first embodiment, description has been made as to the case that there are four rooms to be air-conditioned. For air conditioning the four rooms, a single main controller 19 and four room controllers 14 are used. However, the system of this embodiment may be so constructed as to have a single main controller including a room temperature detector which serves as a room controller and three room sontrollers 14. This system reduces the cost.
Thus, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the main controller of the air conditioning apparatus lS provided with the operation mode changing means and, the temperakure schedule inputting means, and the room controller i provided with the set temperature ~` 15 changing means, whereby the set temperarure in the room can be changed by either of the controllers.
Accordingly, the operation of the controllers can be .
easily done and save energy.
Figures 8 and 9 show the second embodiment of the 20 ~present invention in which Figure 8 is a front view of ` ~ ~ the main controller 19 and Figure 9 is a diagram showing ~an~example of the temperature schedule a holiday. The general~constru~tion of the second embodiment is similar to~that~of the first embodiment.
, 5 ~ In~Flgure 8, a reference numeral 76 designates a second operation mode key, a numeraL 77 designates an LED
for~displaying holiday mode, which corresponds to the second operation mode key 76, and a numeral 78 designates :

:

a weekday key for determining a day of the week as a timer means. The time indicator 27 is adapted to indicate time and weekdays. The difference in the li~e pattern between the weekdays and holidays distinctly appears in the daytime and is small in the night. On a holiday, the program of the temperature schedule which is previously set and stored in the memory 43 is auto-matically corrected as shown by broken lines in Figure 9.
In times zones to be corrected ~such as time from 6 o'clock to 18 o'clock, the set back value in the time is set to be 0C. This seems to be contrary to an idea of saving energy. However, consideration is made so as not to impair comfortableness in a holiday in which residents o~ten come in and go out the room. On a special holiday (e.g. national holidays) okher than the weekend holidays, the operation mode key 76 is operated to set the holiday mode in the morning. By such operation, the set back value~ln the daytime is automatically corrected to be 0C
as~in the ordinary hoIidays. The-holiday mode is automatically~reset at 24 o'clock.
In accordance with the second embodiment, the main controller is~provided~with the operation mode changing means for changing operation modes including the holiday mode~and~the~timer means so that the set back value in 25~ ; the day time of h~olidays is automatically corrected to be 0. Accordingly, comfortableness of a living condition in the holidays increases, and it is unnecessary to input an additional program for holidays.

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Figure 10 is a front view of a third ~m~odiment of the main controller according to the present invention.
The general construction of the controller is similar to that of the first embodiment.
In Figure 10l a reference numeral 79 designates an LED for displaying a programed operation mode and a numeral 80 designates an LED for displaying an all-room operation mode, both of which are manually changed by operating an operation mode key 76.
The programed operation mode utilized in the third embodiment is same as the operation mode used in the first and second embodiments, and the all-room operation mode is such that the room temperature for all-rooms is controlled to be constant (the set back value is kept to .
be 0C~ in the all day long) at the set room temperature inputted by the keys 31, 32 or the keys 39, 40 regardless of the temperature schedule. The all-room operation mode is preferably;used in such a case that guests come in the ~rooms for a party and all of the rooms are to be alr-condltloned~ ~In this case, the set temperature for each of the rooms can be determined at desired temperatures.
Thus,~ln accordance wlth the third embodiment of the ~present`~invention, the main controller is provided with a5 ~ the~operation mode changing means ~or changing operation modes~includlng the programed mode and the all-room operatlon mode whereby all of the rooms are simultaneously air-conditioned. Accordingly, it is :~ , `: .:
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unnecessary to change the tempera~ure schedule for all-room air-conditioning operation.
Figure 11 is a front view of the room controller according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the Figure, ~he same reerence numerals as in Figure 3 designate the same parts. In Figure 11, a numeral al designates a central/local key as a central/local o~e~ion selecting means. The temperature indicator 38 indicates the central operation mode or the local operation mode which is currently carried out. A
resident operates a key as desired to select either of the mode' The central operation mode is'same as the programed operation mode as in the first and second embodiments.
The local operation mode is manually effected and is to control the room temperature of a room at a constant level at the set room temperature inputted by the keys ::
31,~32~or the keys 39,~40 ~the set back value for the room is corrected to be 0C) regardless of the temperature schedule. Use of the local operation mode provides~the optimum condition of air conditioning of the room without changing the temperature schedule of the main controllerll9 when a resident enters in~the room in - the time zone having a set back value according to the ~: : :
~program lnputted by the maln controller 19.
In~the fourth embodiment of the present invention, t~he room controller is provided with the central/local : : :
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mode selecting means so that the room temperature of a room is controlled to be a constant level regardless o~
the temperature schedule during the local operation mode re~
Accordingly, when a ~e~e~t- enters in the room in an programed time zone, the room temperature can be easily brought to the set room temperature.
Figure 12 is a front view of the room controller o the ifth embodiment according to the present inventlon.
In the Figure, the same reference numerals as in Figure 3 designate the same parts. In Figure 12, a reference numeral 82 designates an ON/OFF key as an operation/stop selecting means. The temperature indicator 38 indicates ON mode or OFP mode which i~ currently carried out.
Selection of these mode can be made by a resident.
The ON mode is a programed operation mode which is same as the foregoing embodiments. The OFF mode is one which possibly~stops air-conditioning o the room regardless of the temperature schedule. The OFF mode is operated when~a resident wishes to save energy or goes out the room. The ONjoFF key may be used such a manner that the set back value for each of the rooms is set to be 0C`for the all day long, and when a resident enters in ~the raom, the key 82 is operated to bring the condition into the ON mode, and when he goes out the 25 ~ room~,~the key 82 ls opera~ed into the OF~ mode.
In ~the fifth embodiment oE the present invention, the ~ room;con~troller is provided with the operation/stop ; . ': ~ , . :
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selecting means so that a resident can stop the I air-conditioning oE the room when he goes out.
~ Accordingly, I;t advantage o~ evergy-saving is large, :

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:

Claims

1. In a particular embodiment thereof the invention provides an air-conditioning apparatus comprising:

means for producing temperature controlled air including a heat source device and a heat exchanger device connected to said heat source;

means for delivering said temperature controlled air to each one of a plurality of rooms said means including an air-blower placed in the vicinity of said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing said heat exchanger and said air-blower wherein said air-duct system distributes said air from said heat exchanger to said plurality of rooms;

a plurality of air quantity adjusting dampers each of which is associated with a respective one of said rooms in order to regulate the air quantity fed to each of said rooms;

a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heat source device and said air-blower;
a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus;

a room controller provided in each of said rooms including a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus, wherein;

said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means for controlling the temperature of each of said rooms independently of each other in accordance with a program, and wherein each said room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature of only its associated room.

2. In another embodiment of the present invention an air-conditioning apparatus comprising: means for producing temperature controlled air including a heat source device and a heat exchanger device connected to said heat source; means for delivering said temperature controlled air to each one of a plurality of rooms said means including an air-blower placed in the vicinity of said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing said heat exchanger and an air-duct system containing said heat exchanger and said air-blower wherein said air-duct system distributes said air from said heat exchanger to said plurality of rooms; a plurality of air quantity adjusting dampers each of which is associated with a respective one of said rooms in order to regulate the air quantity fed to each of said rooms;
a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heat source device and said air-blower; a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus; a room controller provided in each of said rooms including a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus, wherein; said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means for controlling the temperature of each of said rooms independently to each other in accordance with a program, and wherein each said controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature of only its associated room, wherein said temperature schedule inputting means is adapted to input a signal indicative of a set temperature as a reference value, and a signal indicative of a set-back temperature value at each of a plurality of predetermined times set within said program.

3. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said temperature schedule inputting means is so adapted that said set back value can be selected from the values which are previously determined by switches each having a given value.

4. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said set back value is determined to be a higher room temperature in a cooling operation and to be a lower room temperature in a warming operation, in association with said operation mode changing means.

5. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said main controller is so adapted that when the set temperature is changed, the set back value is one of not changed and is changed depending on an amount of the increase or decrease of the set room temperature.

6. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said room controller is provided with a display device for displaying a room temperature, a set room temperature and a set back temperature value.

7. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said controlling apparatus is so adapted that when both said main controller and any of said room controllers are operated to change the set room temperature, an instruction by the device operated later is dominant.

8. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said main controller is provided with a display means for displaying a room number, an set room temperature and a temperature schedule.

9. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said controlling apparatus, said main controller and said room controllers are each provided with a microcomputer, and signals are sent and received under multiplex transmission.

10. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said main controller includes a room temperature detector to thereby act as a room controller.

11. An air conditioning apparatus which comprises:
a heat source device for producing warm air or cool air, a heat exchanger connected to said heat source device, an air blower placed by said heat exchanger, an air duct which contains said heat exchanger and said air blower and distributes the warm air or the cool air from said heat exchanger to a plurality of rooms, air quantity adjusting dampers, each of which is disposed in a branched duct connected to each of the rooms, a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heast source device and said air blower, a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus, and a room controller provided with a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus and is installed in each of the rooms, wherein said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means for changing operation modes including a holiday mode, a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program and a timer means for determining a day of the weekdays, and said room controller is provided with a set room-temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms.

12. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said timer means automatically corrects a set back value for a daytime zone to be zero in holidays.

13. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said operation mode changing means is so adapted that when a signal indicative of the holiday mode is input in the morning of a holiday, the set back value for a daytime zone is corrected to zero and the holiday mode is automatically reset at twenty-four o'clock.

14. An air conditioning apparatus which comprises:
a heat source device for producing warm air or cool air, a heat exchanger connected to said heat source device, an air blower placed by said heat exchanger, an air duct which contains said heat exchanger and said air blower and distributes the warm air or the cool air from said heat exchanger to a plurality of rooms, air quantity adjusting dampers, each of which is disposed in a branched duct connected to each of the rooms, a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heast source device and said air blower, a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus, and a room controller provided with a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus and is installed in each of the rooms, wherein said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means for changing operation modes including a programed operation mode and an all-room operation mode and a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program, and said room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms.

15. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein when said all-room operation mode is selected, the set room temperature of all of the rooms is controlled to be a fixed value which is determined by a signal inputted in said main controller or said room controllers.

16. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein operation of the change from said all-room operation mode to said programed operation mode and vice versa is manually carried out.

17. An air conditioning apparatus which comprises:
a heat source device for producing warm air or cool air, a heat exchanger connected to said heat source device, an air blower placed by said heat exchanger, an air duct which contains said heat exchanger and said air blower and distributes the warm air or the cool air from said heat exchanger to a plurality of rooms, air quantity adjusting dampers, each of which is disposed in a branched duct connected to each of the rooms, a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heast source device and said air blower, a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus, and a room controller provided with a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus and is installed in each of the rooms, wherein said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means and a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program, and said room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms, and a central/local operation selecting means for selecting either a programed operation or a manual operation.

18. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said central/local operation selecting means is so adapted that when the central operation mode is selected, said controlling apparatus controls the room temperature in accordance with a program effected by said temperature schedule inputting means of the main controller, and when the local operation mode is selected, said controlling apparatus controls the room temperature while the set room temperature is unchanged.

19. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said central/local operation selecting means is so adapted that change of the central operation mode to the local operation mode and vice versa is conducted by the manual operation.

20. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said room controllers are respectively provided with a display means for displaying the current operation mode of the central operation or the local operation.

21. An air conditioning apparatus which comprises:
a heat source device for producing warm air or cool air, a heat exchanger connected to said heat source device, an air blower placed by said heat exchanger, an air duct which contains said heat exchanger and said air blower and distributes the warm air or the cool air from said heat exchanger to a plurality of rooms, air quantity adjusting dampers, each of which is disposed in a branched duct connected to each of the rooms, a controlling apparatus for controlling said dampers, said heast source device and said air blower, a main controller connected to said controlling apparatus, and a room controller provided with a room temperature detector which is connected to said controlling apparatus and is installed in each of the rooms, wherein said main controller is further provided with an operation mode changing means, and a temperature schedule inputting means for inputting data for warming or cooling each of the rooms in accordance with a program, and said room controller is provided with a set room temperature changing means for changing a set room temperature for each of the rooms, and an operation/stop selecting means for selecting air-conditioning opearation or the stop of it.

22. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 21, wherein the operation of said operation/stop selecting means is changed manually.

23. The air conditioning apparatus according to Claim 21, wherein said room controllers are respectively provided with a display devide for displaying the operation mode or the stop mode.