JP3656148B2 - Air conditioner with life prediction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp the timing for replacement of a compressor in advance and to improve the reliability in an air-conditioning equipment by incorporating the life prediction device of the compressor into the compressor for constituting a refrigeration cycle. SOLUTION: In a life prediction device that is constituted of a life factor measurement means 10, a judging means 11, and an alarm-outputting means 12 for generating an abnormal display signal when deviating from a tolerance, a vibration acceleration pickup 10A is incorporated into the foot part of a compressor 1 as the life factor measurement means 10. The tolerance limit value of the vibration acceleration is set corresponding to the type of a refrigeration cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor 1, and the vibration acceleration of the foot part of the compressor 1 due to the vibration acceleration pickup 10A to be measured in the stable state of the cycle is compared with the tolerance limit value by the judging means 11. In this case, when the measurement value is equal to or higher than the tolerance limit value and the continuation time of the measurement value is equal to or more than 10 minutes, the alarm-outputting means 12 generates a failure display signal. On the other hand, when the measurement value is less than 10 minutes, it is judged that the compressor 1 is operating improperly only temporarily.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner incorporating a life prediction apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-30939, the conventional technology incorporates a rewritable endless recording mechanism in which the operating state is recorded in the air conditioner. A technique has been made to help prevent the failure of the air conditioner and to quickly investigate the cause even if it fails, but no means for predicting the life of the air conditioner has been mentioned.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to solve is to know the replacement time in advance by predicting the life of an important part compressor constituting the refrigeration cycle, it is to improve the reliability of the air conditioner .
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a first air conditioner with a life prediction apparatus of the present invention includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator that form a refrigeration cycle, and identifies the type of the refrigeration cycle. Cycle identification means, frequency detection means for detecting the power frequency for controlling the rotation speed of the compressor, vibration detection means attached to the foot of the compressor, and the measured values of the vibration detection means, the type of the refrigeration cycle and the compression A judgment means for comparing with a predetermined tolerance corresponding to the operating frequency of the machine, and an abnormality display signal is connected via a telephone line when the measured value continuously exceeds the tolerance by the judgment means for a predetermined time. It is transmitted to a service maintenance company .
[0005]
Moreover, the 2nd air conditioner with a lifetime prediction apparatus of this invention installs a noise detection means in the vicinity of a compressor instead of the vibration detection means in the 1st air conditioner with a lifetime prediction apparatus, The life of the compressor is predicted from the noise.
[0006]
Further, the third air conditioner with a life predicting device of the present invention is provided with a current detecting means for measuring the input current of the motor of the compressor instead of the vibration detecting means in the air conditioner with the first life predicting device. The life of the compressor is predicted from this input current.
[0007]
By predicting the service life in this way, the service maintenance company can grasp the replacement time of the compressor , and the compressor can be prevented from malfunctioning, so that the reliability of the air conditioner can be improved. it can.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner provided with a life prediction device. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3 and an outdoor expansion valve 4, and an indoor unit having an indoor expansion valve 5 and an indoor heat exchanger 6. . The compressor 1 or the indoor heat exchanger 6 constituting the refrigeration cycle is connected by piping. Each of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 includes a blower 7.
[0009]
During the cooling cycle, the refrigerant is compressed to a high temperature and a high pressure by the compressor 1 and sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2 where heat is radiated and condensed to the outdoor air, and the condensed refrigerant liquid is It expands with the expansion valve 4, absorbs heat from the indoor air with the indoor heat exchanger 6 and evaporates, and returns to the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2. The air that has been absorbed by the indoor heat exchanger 6 and cooled is sent to the room by the blower 7 and is used for cooling. On the other hand, during the heating cycle, the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to that during the cooling cycle, and the air heated and radiated by the indoor heat exchanger 6 is used for heating. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser during the cooling cycle and functions as an evaporator during the heating cycle, while the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator during the cooling cycle and as a condenser during the heating cycle.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 2, the life predicting device provided in this air conditioner includes a life factor measuring means 10 for measuring fluctuations or changes in factors used for life prediction, measured values of life factors, and predetermined life factors. The determination means 11 compares the allowable limit value and determines whether or not the measured value is within the allowable range, and the alarm output means 12 that issues an abnormality display signal when the measured value deviates from the allowable range. The life factor is the vibration or noise of the compressor or the load current of the compressor. The alarm output means 12 notifies the replacement time of the compressor or its parts.
[0011]
A method for predicting the life of the compressor based on the vibration of the compressor will be described with reference to FIG. For life prediction, as shown in FIG. 3, a vibration acceleration pickup 10A is incorporated as a life factor measuring means in the foot portion of the compressor.
[0012]
(Step 400) The operation of the air conditioner is started.
(Step 401) An allowable limit value of vibration acceleration is set corresponding to the type of the refrigeration cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor.
(Step 402) While the cycle is stable, the vibration acceleration of the compressor foot is measured by the vibration acceleration pickup 10A. A stable cycle state is determined by the fact that the operating speed of the compressor becomes constant or the change width of the operating speed becomes small.
(Step 403) The determination means 11 compares the measured value of vibration acceleration with its allowable limit value.
(Step 404) When the measured value is low and does not reach the allowable limit value, the current state is maintained and the process returns to Step 402. At this time, it is determined that the compressor is operating well.
(Step 405) When the measured value becomes higher than the allowable limit value, it is observed whether the high measured value continues for 10 minutes or more. If it is less than 10 minutes, return to step 402. If it is less than 10 minutes, it is determined that the high vibration of the compressor is a temporary phenomenon.
(Step 406) If the high measured value continues for 10 minutes or more, an abnormal signal signal is generated from the alarm means.
[0013]
The allowable limit value of the vibration acceleration of the compressor varies depending on the use conditions such as the type of refrigeration cycle (cooling cycle, heating cycle, defrost cycle) and the operating frequency of the compressor, and the allowable limit value for each use condition is It is obtained in advance by intensity calculation or experiment.
[0014]
The life prediction apparatus is connected to an air conditioner service maintenance company via a telephone line or the like, and transmits an abnormality display signal. In this way, by detecting the vibration acceleration of the compressor and grasping the life of the compressor and the replacement time from the vibration acceleration, it is possible to prevent the compressor from being broken, and thus improve the reliability of the air conditioner. Can be planned.
[0015]
Instead of predicting the lifetime based on the vibration of the compressor as described above, the lifetime of the compressor can be predicted based on the noise of the compressor. In this case, a sound level meter is installed around the compressor. This life prediction device is configured in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2, and compares the noise level meter as the life factor measurement means with the measured noise value and a predetermined allowable noise limit value. It is comprised from the determination means 11 which determines whether it is in the range, and the alarm output means 12 which emits an abnormality display signal when it deviates from the allowable range. The life prediction procedure is the same as steps 401 to 406 shown in FIG. 4 except that the vibration acceleration of the compressor is replaced with the noise level. Further, the allowable limit value of the noise level of the compressor varies depending on the use conditions such as the type of the refrigeration cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor, and the allowable limit value for each use condition is obtained in advance by experiments.
[0016]
Further, instead of predicting the life based on the vibration of the compressor, it is possible to predict the life of the compressor based on the load current value of the compressor. In this case, an ammeter is installed to measure the input current of the compressor motor. This life prediction apparatus is configured in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2, and compares an ammeter as a life factor measuring means with a measured value of the input current and a predetermined limit value of the input current to obtain a measured value. Is constituted by a judgment means 11 for judging whether or not the value is within the allowable range, and an alarm output means 12 for emitting an abnormality display signal when the value exceeds the allowable range. The procedure for predicting the life is the same as steps 401 to 406 shown in FIG. 4 except that the vibration acceleration of the compressor is replaced with the input current. In addition, the allowable limit value of the input current of the compressor varies depending on the use conditions such as the type of refrigeration cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor, and is the design limit value used for each use condition? Or, obtain in advance by experiment.
[0017]
The alarm signal output by these methods can be used for displaying the replacement time of parts, stopping some parts, stopping the entire unit, etc., and has an effect of preventing failure of the refrigeration cycle parts.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by incorporating the life prediction device in the compressor, it is possible to prevent the compressor from malfunctioning in advance, and to grasp the replacement time, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a refrigeration cycle system diagram of an air conditioner.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a compressor life prediction apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a vibration measurement pickup is attached to a compressor for life prediction.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for predicting the life of a compressor from the vibration of the compressor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Four-way valve 3 Outdoor heat exchanger 4 Outdoor expansion valve 5 Indoor expansion valve 6 Indoor heat exchanger 7 Blower 10 Life factor measurement means 10A Vibration pickup 11 Measurement value judgment means 12 Alarm output means

Claims (3)

A compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator forming a refrigeration cycle, and a cycle identification means for identifying a cooling cycle, a heating cycle, and a defrosting cycle, and a power frequency for controlling the rotation speed of the compressor The frequency detection means to detect, the vibration detection means attached to the foot of the compressor, and the measured value of the vibration detection means correspond to the cooling cycle, heating cycle, defrost cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor A determination means for comparing with a predetermined allowable limit value in order to prevent a compressor failure in advance, and an abnormality occurs when a time when the measured value continuously exceeds the allowable limit value by the determination means exceeds a predetermined time. An air conditioner with a life prediction device, wherein a display signal is transmitted to a service maintenance company connected by a telephone line. A compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator forming a refrigeration cycle, and a cycle identification means for identifying a cooling cycle, a heating cycle, and a defrosting cycle, and a power frequency for controlling the rotation speed of the compressor The frequency detection means to detect, the noise detection means installed in the vicinity of the compressor, and the measured values of the noise detection means correspond to the cooling cycle, the heating cycle, the defrost cycle, and the operating frequency of the compressor. a judging means for comparing the predetermined allowable limit in order to prevent in advance the malfunction of the compressor Te, abnormality display when the time the measurement value by said decision means exceeds continuously the allowable limit value exceeds a predetermined time An air conditioner with a life prediction device that transmits signals to a service maintenance company connected by a telephone line. A compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator forming a refrigeration cycle, and a cycle identification means for identifying a cooling cycle, a heating cycle, and a defrosting cycle, and a power frequency for controlling the rotation speed of the compressor Frequency detecting means for detecting, current detecting means for measuring the input current of the motor of the compressor, and measured values of the current detecting means are classified into cooling cycle, heating cycle, defrost cycle and the operating frequency of the compressor. Correspondingly, a determination means for comparing with a predetermined allowable limit value in order to prevent a compressor failure in advance , and when the time when the measured value continuously exceeds the allowable limit value exceeds a predetermined time by the determination means An air conditioner with a life prediction device, wherein an abnormality display signal is transmitted to a service maintenance company connected by a telephone line.

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