EP1087184B1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1087184B1 EP1087184B1 EP00307919A EP00307919A EP1087184B1 EP 1087184 B1 EP1087184 B1 EP 1087184B1 EP 00307919 A EP00307919 A EP 00307919A EP 00307919 A EP00307919 A EP 00307919A EP 1087184 B1 EP1087184 B1 EP 1087184B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- compressor
- detection means
- air conditioner
- microcomputer
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
- F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
- F24F2140/10—Pressure
- F24F2140/12—Heat-exchange fluid pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
- F24F2140/50—Load
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
- F25B2700/15—Power, e.g. by voltage or current
- F25B2700/151—Power, e.g. by voltage or current of the compressor motor
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
- F25B49/022—Compressor control arrangements
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner comprising the features of the preamble of
claim 1. - Such an air conditioner is known, for instance, from JP-A-9-14805. It comprises a control system as show in the diagram of Figure 8.
- In Figure 8, a serial connection of a
protection circuit 42, arelay contact 36, and a compressor magnet (an excitation coil in an electromagnetic contactor for a compressor) 38 is connected across two lines (i.e., R-S in Figure 8) among three-phase a.c. power source lines (R, S, T) for supplying power to an air conditioner. - The
protection circuit 42 includes an internal thermo-switch (bimetal) 24 provided for a blower, an internal thermo-switch (bimetal) 26 provided for a compressor, and a high-pressure switch 28, which are connected in series. - A photo-coupler (such as a triac photo-coupler) 44, as an optical coupling device for transmitting signals, is connected in parallel to the
relay contact 36 and thecompressor magnet 38. An abnormality detection signal generated from the photo-coupler 44 is supplied to amicrocomputer 46. Themicrocomputer 46 opens or closes therelay contact 36. - Figure 9 is a refrigerant circulation circuit for the air conditioner shown in JP-A-9-14805. In Figure 9,
reference numeral 40 designates a compressor,numeral 18 an indoor side heat exchanger (in this case, a condenser),numeral 23 an outdoor side heat exchanger (in this case, an evaporator), numeral 25 a blower motor, numeral 29 a motor-driven expansion valve, numeral 30 a bypass valve, numeral 31 a motor-driven expansion valve, and numeral 32 a four-way valve. The high-pressure switch 28 and the thermo-switches - The protection circuit as described above is operated as follows. When the temperature of the blower motor shows an abnormal state, the thermo-
switch 24 is opened. When the temperature of the compressor motor shows an abnormal state, the thermo-switch 26 is opened. When an abnormally high pressure condition is generated in the compressor, the high-pressure switch 28 is opened. These three abnormal states may take place separately or jointly. When any one of the thermo-switches pressure switch 28 is opened, theprotection circuit 42 becomes an open state. Accordingly, electric current fed to thecompressor magnet 38 is stopped, whereby the compressor ceases. - In the next, the operation to find a location where an abnormal state occurs, based on a difference of restoration time of each of the thermo-
switches pressure switch 28 when abnormality takes place in the air conditioner, will be described. - The photo-
coupler 44 becomes an off state in the following four cases: - (1) when the power source is instantaneously interrupted (the power source of lines R and S is interrupted);
- (2) when the high-
pressure switch 28 is opened; - (3) when the internal thermo-
switch 24 for the blower is opened; and - (4) when the internal thermo-
switch 26 for the compressor is opened. -
- As to the case (1), the period of instantaneous interruption is generally from several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds at the longest. Accordingly, the photo-
coupler 44 restores within 1 second after the instantaneous interruption. - In the case (2), a differential time such as "OFF at 30 kg/cm2 and ON at 28.5 kg/cm2" is generally determined for the high-
pressure switch 28. Therefore, even in a case that pressure in the compressor exceeds 30 kg/cm2 whereby the compressor is stopped by an opening action of the high-pressure switch 28, the high-pressure switch is not immediately restored to a closing state. The high-pressure switch 28 becomes a closing state when pressure in the compressor is decreased to 28.5 kg/cm2 by operating the electromagnetic valve 30 (Figure 9) to bypass a refrigerant in the refrigeration circulation circuit between its high and low pressure sides. In this case, the time needed for the restoration is several seconds. - On the other hand, in the internal thermo-
switch microcomputer 46, based on an abnormality detection signal from the photo-coupler 44, to specify the thermo-switch by utilizing a difference of restoration time among theswitches - In the conventional air conditioner having the above-mentioned structure, the judgment as to which protection device operated was made on the basis of the restoration time determined for each thermo-switch. Therefore, there was a problem that it took much time to specify the switch.
- Further, in the conventional air conditioner in which the microcomputer judged which switch had operated to stop the compressor, the air conditioner did not have means to display the switch operated to stop the compressor. Accordingly, efficiency in maintenance work was poor.
- Further, there was another problem that a wire for connecting the switches might accidentally come off or was broken. In this case, the compressor could not be operated even though the main power source was turned on to actuate the air conditioner, because an electric current could not be supplied to the compressor magnet.
- Itwould therefore be desirable to be ableto provide an air conditioner wherein the operation of a high-pressure switch can quickly be detected.
- It would also be desirable to be able to provide an air conditioner wherein maintenance work on the operation of the high-pressure switch can effectively be conducted.
- It would also be desirable to be able to provide an air conditioner wherein maintenance work on the high-pressure switch being in an abnormal state can effectively be conducted.
- It would also be desirable to be able to provide an air conditioner wherein maintenance work on the current detection means for detecting a current in the compressor, when it is in an abnormal state, can effectively be conducted.
- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner which comprises:
- a refrigerant circulation circuit for circulating a refrigerant discharged from a compressor through a condenser to an evaporator,
- current detection means for detecting an operating current for the compressor,
- a microcomputer for judging an operating condition of the compressor based on a result detected by the current detection means,
- driving means adapted to receive an instruction from the microcomputer to drive the compressor, and
- a high-pressure switch which is connected in series to the electric circuit of the driving means and is operable based on a discharge pressure of the compressor, wherein the microcomputer judges the absence or the presence of the operation of the high-pressure switch based on the result detected by the current detection means.
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- According to an embodiment there are provided display means for displaying an operating condition of the compressor according to an instruction from the microcomputer.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there are provided,
high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant flowing in a portion at a high pressure side in the refrigerant circulation circuit,
wherein the microcomputer judges an operating condition of the compressor based on a result detected by the current detection means and the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means, and
wherein the microcomputer judges that there is breakage or coming-off of a wire of the driving means for the compressor when a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means does not change and a value detected by the current detection means is equal to or lower than a current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch. - According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there are provided display means for displaying breakage or coming-off of a wire of the driving means for the compressor according to an instruction from the microcomputer.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there are provided,
high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant flowing in a portion at a high pressure side in the refrigerant circulation circuit,
wherein the microcomputer judges an operating condition of the compressor based on a result detected by the current detection means and the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means, and
wherein the microcomputer judges that the current detection means is abnormal when a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means shows a change of rise and a value detected by the current detection means is equal to or lower than a current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch. - According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there are provided display means for displaying an abnormal condition of the current detection means according to an instruction from the microcomputer.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the current detection means has a structure that a wire for detecting an electric current in the compressor is inserted into an annular iron core to detect a magnitude of induced electric power, due to a mutual induction effect, depending on a magnitude of an electric current flowing in the wire.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the microcomputer judges that the current detection means is not correctly set to a power source line of the compressor when a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means shows a change of rise and a value detected by the current detection means is equal to or lower than a current value detected at operation of the high-pressure switch.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means detects the temperature of the condenser.
- According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means detects the temperature of an outlet port of the condenser.
- In drawings:
- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general construction
of an air conditioner according to
Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention; - Figure 2 is a flow chart showing how to detect the
operation of a high pressure switch in
Embodiment 1; - Figure 3 is a flow chart showing operations of the
air conditioner according to
Embodiment 2 wherein an operating condition is displayed on the monitor screen when the operation of the high-pressure switch is detected; - Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a
display on the monitor screen in
Embodiment 2; - Figure 5 is a flow chart showing how to detect a wire coming off or being broken, or being not correctly set, on the basis of a change of temperature in an electric current sensor and a high-pressure refrigerant temperature detecting thermistor, according to Embodiment 3;
- Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the monitor screen according to Embodiment 3;
- Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the monitor screen according to Embodiment 3;
- Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of a protection device of a conventional air conditioner; and
- Figure 9 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the conventional air conditioner.
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- Preferred embodiments of the air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general construction of the air conditioner according to
Embodiment 1. In Figure 1,reference numeral 1 designates a compressor for compressing a refrigerant. A refrigerant circulation circuit is formed by connecting successively thecompressor 1, a four-way valve 2, a condenser 3, a motor-drivenexpansion valve 4, and anevaporator 5 with refrigerant pipes in a loop form to thereby form a refrigeration cycle. - Reference numeral 6 designates a control board for controlling an outdoor unit and numeral 7 designates a microcomputer for controlling outdoor unit (hereinbelow, referred to as simply a microcomputer), mounted on the control board 6.
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Numeral 8 designates a high-pressure switch, actuated depending on the magnitude of pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and numeral 9 designates a low-pressure switch, actuated depending on the magnitude of pressure of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor. Data indicating operating conditions of the low-pressure switch 9 are taken into themicrocomputer 7.Numeral 10 designates a thermo-switch, actuated depending on a temperature of thecompressor 1. Data indicating operating conditions of the thermo-switch 10 are taken into themicrocomputer 7. - The motor-driven
expansion valve 4, which controls the flow rate of the refrigerant, is controlled in accordance with an instruction from themicrocomputer 7. - As means for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at a high pressure side in the refrigerant circulation circuit (hereinbelow referred to as high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means), there are provided a
thermistor 11 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 1, athermistor 12 for detecting the temperature of the condenser 3, athermistor 13 for detecting the temperature of an outlet port of the condenser. Data detected by thethermistors 11 to 13 are taken into themicrocomputer 7. -
Numeral 14 designates a monitor screen, as displaying means for displaying various kinds of data, provided on the control board 6, and numeral 15 designates a current sensor, as current detection means, which has a structure that a wire for detecting an electric current is inserted into an annular iron core, by which an operating current for thecompressor 1 is detected based on a change of the magnitude of an electric current flowing in the wire, whereby the magnitude of an induced power is changed by a mutual induction effect. A current value detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is taken into themicrocomputer 7 through atransducing circuit 16. - Numeral 17a designates a contactor of compressor controlling relay. The contactor of
compressor controlling relay 17a is connected to thecompressor 1 withwires 18. Operations of thecompressor 1 are controlled by opening and closing the contactor ofcompressor controlling relay 17a, whereby acommercial power source 21 is supplied or interrupted. Any one of thewires 18 connectable to thecompressor 1 is inserted into the annular iron core of thecurrent sensor 15. - Numeral 17b designates an excitation coil of compressor controlling relay, as driving means for driving the
compressor 1. Numeral 19a designates a control relay for controlling the application and interruption of a voltage to the excitation coil of compressor controlling relay 17b. Numeral 19b designates an excitation coil of thecontrol relay 19a. Theexcitation coil 19b is controlled according to an instruction from themicrocomputer 7 via a drivingcircuit 20. - The contactor of the
high pressure switch 8 is inserted in series between the excitation coil of compressor controlling relay 17b and thecontrol relay 19a for the compressor controlling relay. - Operations of the air conditioner according to
Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 2. - When the air conditioner is operated, the
microcomputer 7 reads a temperature determined with a remote controller connected to the indoor unit and a temperature detected by a thermistor for detecting room temperature atStep 201. - At
Step 202, the temperature determined with the remote controller and the temperature detected by the thermistor, which are read inStep 201, are compared to judge whether or not thecompressor 1 is under an operation condition. - When the
compressor 1 is not under the operating condition atStep 202, the procedure returns to Step 201. Then, themicrocomputer 7 reads the temperature determined with the remote controller for the indoor unit and a temperature detected by the thermistor for detecting room temperature. - When the
compressor 1 is under the operating condition atStep 202, thecompressor 1 is driven atStep 203. - Then, at Step 240, judgment is made whether an operating current for the
compressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than a current value detected when the high-pressure switch is operated. - When the operating current for the
compressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is higher than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch atStep 204, the procedure returns to Step 203 to continue the operation of thecompressor 1. - At
Step 204, when the operating current for thecompressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than the temperature value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch, thecompressor 1 is stopped atStep 205. - Thus, the presence or the absence of the operation of the high-
pressure switch 8 can be judged from a result of detection by thecurrent sensor 15. - In Figure 1
showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a three-phasecommercial power source 21 is used as means for applying a voltage to thecompressor 1. However, the same effect is obtainable even in a case of using a single-phase commercial power source. - The air conditioner according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 wherein Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method for displaying an operating condition of the air conditioner on the monitor screen when the operation of the high-pressure switch is detected, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the monitor screen. The construction of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 2 is the same as that shown in Figure 1. - Operations of the air conditioner according to
Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the flow chart of Figure 3. - When the air conditioner is operated, the
microcomputer 7 reads a temperature determined with the remote controller connected to the indoor unit and a temperature detected by a thermistor for detecting room temperature atStep 301. - At
Step 302, the temperature determined with the remote controller and the temperature detected by the thermistor, which are read atStep 301, are compared to judge whether or not thecompressor 1 is under an operating condition. - When the
compressor 1 is not under the operating condition atStep 302, the procedure returns to Step 301. Then, themicrocomputer 7 reads again the temperature determined with the remote controller for the indoor unit and a temperature detected by the thermistor. - When the
compressor 1 is under the operating condition atStep 302, thecompressor 1 is operated atStep 303. At thenext Step 304, the fact that thecompressor 1 is driven is displayed in a coded form. - At
Step 305, judgment is made whether an operating current for thecompressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than a current value detected when the high-pressure switch is operated. - When the operating current for the
compressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is higher than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch atStep 305, the procedure returns to Step 303 to continue the operation of thecompressor 1. - At
Step 305, when the operating current for thecompressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch, thecompressor 1 is stopped atStep 306. - At
Step 307, the fact that the high-pressure switch 8 is actuated to stop thecompressor 1 is displayed in a coded form on themonitor screen 14 as shown in Figure 4. - Thus, the presence or the absence of the operation of the high-
pressure switch 8 can be displayed on themonitor screen 14 from a result of detection by thecurrent sensor 15. Accordingly, efficiency in maintenance work is increased. - The air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7 wherein Figure 5 is a flow chart for detecting the fact that a wire comes off or is disconnected, or a wire is not correctly set, on the basis of a change of temperature detected by the current sensor and the thermistor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at a discharge side of the refrigerant circulation circuit, and Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of a display on the monitor screen. The construction of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 is the same as that in Figure 1.
- Operations of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to the flow chart of Figure 5.
- When the air conditioner is operated, the
microcomputer 7 reads a temperature determined with the remote controller connected to the indoor unit and a temperature detected by the thermistor for detecting room temperature. - At
Step 502, the temperature determined with the remote controller and the temperature detected by the thermistor, which are read atStep 501, are compared to judge whether or not thecompressor 1 is under an operating condition. - When it is confirmed that the
compressor 1 is not under the operating condition atStep 502, the procedure returns to Step 501 at which themicrocomputer 7 reads again the temperature determined with the remote controller for the indoor unit and a temperature detected by the thermistor for detecting room temperature. - When the
compressor 1 is under the operating condition atStep 502, a temperature (T0) obtainable from athermistor 11 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at a discharge side is taken atStep 503. Then, thecompressor 1 is operated atStep 504. Further, the fact that thecompressor 1 is operated is displayed in a coded form atStep 505. - At the
next Step 506, a timer t1 which operates thecompressor 1 for a predetermined time is set. - At
Step 507, a decrement of count of the time t1 for operating thecompressor 1 for a predetermined time, which is set atStep 506, is started. - Then, judgment is made as to whether or not the operation of a predetermined time (t1) of the
compressor 1 is finished atStep 508. When the operation for a predetermined time of thecompressor 1 is not finished, the operation of thecompressor 1 is continued atStep 509, and the procedure returns to Step 507. - When it is found that the
compressor 1 has operated for a predetermined time atStep 508, the microcomputer reads a temperature (T1) of the refrigerant detected by thethermistor 11 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 1 after it has been operated for a predetermined time (t1) atStep 510. - At
Step 511, the temperature (T0) of the refrigerant detected by thethermistor 11, read atStep 503, and the temperature (T1) of the refrigerant detected by thethermistor 11, read atStep 510, are compared. - When T0<T1 at
Step 511, judgment is made as to whether or not an operating current for thecompressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than a current value detected when the high-pressure switch is operated, atStep 512. When the operating current is not equal to or lower than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch, the operation of thecompressor 1 is continued atStep 513. - On the other hand, when the operating current for the
compressor 1 is equal to or lower than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch atStep 512, thecompressor 1 is stopped atStep 514. Then, a signal of error indicating that a wire is not correctly set to thecurrent sensor 15 is displayed on themonitor screen 14, as shown in Figure 7, atStep 515. - When T0<T1 is not established at
Step 511, judgment is made as to whether or not an operating current for thecompressor 1 detected by thecurrent sensor 15 is equal to or lower than a current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch atStep 516. When the judgment is negative, the procedure returns to Step 503. - At
Step 516, when the operating current for thecompressor 1 is equal to or lower than the current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch, thecompressor 1 is stopped atStep 517. Then, a signal of error indicating that there is a fault of coming-off or disconnection of a wire in the electric circuit to which the contact of the high-pressure switch 8 or the excitation coil 17b of the compressor controlling relay is connected, is displayed on themonitor screen 14 as shown in Figure 6, atStep 518. - Thus, the fact that a wire comes off or a wire is not correctly set to the current sensor, can be found, and a signal of error can be displayed on the monitor screen.
- In the above-mentioned Embodiments, a change in the temperature of the refrigerant is detected based on a temperature detected by the
thermistor 11 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor. However, the same effect is obtainable even by judging based on a temperature detected by thethermistor 12 for detecting the temperature of the condenser or thethermistor 13 for detecting the temperature of an outlet port of the condenser. - In accordance with the air conditioner of the present invention, the presence or the absence of the operation of the high-pressure switch can be judged from a result of detection by the current detecting means. Accordingly, the operation of the high-pressure switch to stop the compressor can be judged in a very short time.
- Further, the fact that the high-pressure switch is operated to stop the compressor is displayed on the displaying means. Accordingly, efficiency for maintenance work is increased.
- Further, the microcomputer makes judgment of the coming-off or disconnection of a wire in the driving circuit for the compressor on the basis of a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means and a current value detected by the current detection means.
- Further, a signal indicating the disconnection or the coming-off of a wire in the driving circuit for the compressor can be displayed on the displaying means according to an instruction from the microcomputer. Accordingly, a problem that an electric current can not be supplied to the driving circuit for the compressor, so that the air conditioner is disabled, can be eliminated, and efficiency in maintenance work is increased.
- Further, the microcomputer judges abnormality in the current detection means based on a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means and a current value detected by the current detection means.
- Further, efficiency in maintenance work is increased by displaying an abnormal state of the current detection means on the display means according to an instruction from the microcomputer.
- Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims (11)
- An air conditioner comprising:a refrigerant circulation circuit for circulating a refrigerant discharged from a compressor (1) through a condenser (3) to an evaporator (5);current detection means (15) for detecting an operating current for the compressor (1);a microcomputer (7) for judging an operating condition of the compressor (1) based on a result detected by the current detection means (15);driving means adapted to receive an instruction from the microcomputer (7) to drive the compressor (1); anda high-pressure switch (8) which is connected in series to the electric circuit of the driving means and is operable based on a discharge pressure of the compressor (1);
- An air conditioner according to claim 1, including display means for displaying an operating condition of the compressor (1) according to an instruction from the microcomputer (7).
- An air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11; 12; 13) for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant flowing in a portion at a high pressure side in the refrigerant circulation circuit;wherein the microcomputer (7) judges an operating condition of the compressor (1) based on a result detected by the current detection means (15) and the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11; 12; 13); and
- An air conditioner according to claim 3, including display means for displaying breakage or coming-off of a wire of the driving means for the compressor (1) according to an instruction from the microcomputer (7).
- An air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11; 12; 13) for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant flowing in a portion at a high pressure side in the refrigerant circulation circuit;
wherein the microcomputer (7) judges that the current detection means (15) is abnormal when a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11; 12; 13) shows a change of rise and a value detected by the current detection means (15) is equal to or lower than a current value detected at the operation of the high-pressure switch (8). - An air conditioner according to claim 5, including display means for displaying an abnormal condition of the current detection means (15) according to an instruction from the microcomputer (7).
- An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the current detection means (15) has a structure wherein a wire for detecting an operating current for the compressor (1) is inserted into an annular iron core to detect a magnitude of induced electric power, due to a mutual induction effect, depending on the magnitude of an electric current flowing in the wire.
- An air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the microcomputer (7) judges that the current detection means (15) is not correctly set to a power source line of the compressor (1) when a temperature detected by the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11; 12; 13) shows a change of rise and a value detected by the current detection means (15) is equal to or lower than a current value detected at operation of the high-pressure switch (8).
- An air conditioner according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (11) detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (1).
- An air conditioner according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (12) detects the temperature of the condenser (3).
- An air conditioner according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the high-pressure refrigerant temperature detection means (13) detects the temperature of an outlet port of the condenser (3).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP27036299A JP3703346B2 (en) | 1999-09-24 | 1999-09-24 | Air conditioner |
JP27036299 | 1999-09-24 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1087184A2 EP1087184A2 (en) | 2001-03-28 |
EP1087184A3 EP1087184A3 (en) | 2002-10-02 |
EP1087184B1 true EP1087184B1 (en) | 2005-05-04 |
Family
ID=17485223
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00307919A Expired - Lifetime EP1087184B1 (en) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-09-13 | Air conditioner |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1087184B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3703346B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1135337C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2241555T3 (en) |
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JP3896472B2 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2007-03-22 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Refrigeration equipment |
JP2005308319A (en) * | 2004-04-22 | 2005-11-04 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Air conditioner with pump-down function |
US7412842B2 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2008-08-19 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor diagnostic and protection system |
US7275377B2 (en) | 2004-08-11 | 2007-10-02 | Lawrence Kates | Method and apparatus for monitoring refrigerant-cycle systems |
US8590325B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2013-11-26 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Protection and diagnostic module for a refrigeration system |
US20080216494A1 (en) | 2006-09-07 | 2008-09-11 | Pham Hung M | Compressor data module |
US20090037142A1 (en) | 2007-07-30 | 2009-02-05 | Lawrence Kates | Portable method and apparatus for monitoring refrigerant-cycle systems |
US8393169B2 (en) | 2007-09-19 | 2013-03-12 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Refrigeration monitoring system and method |
US9140728B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2015-09-22 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor sensor module |
US8160827B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2012-04-17 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor sensor module |
CN101865515A (en) * | 2010-05-26 | 2010-10-20 | 广东欧科空调制冷有限公司 | Air conditioning unit for controlling system load by current variation |
AU2012223466B2 (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2015-08-13 | Emerson Electric Co. | Residential solutions HVAC monitoring and diagnosis |
US8964338B2 (en) | 2012-01-11 | 2015-02-24 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | System and method for compressor motor protection |
US9480177B2 (en) | 2012-07-27 | 2016-10-25 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor protection module |
US9310439B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 | 2016-04-12 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor having a control and diagnostic module |
CN105074344B (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-02-23 | 艾默生电气公司 | HVAC system remotely monitoring and diagnosis |
US9551504B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-01-24 | Emerson Electric Co. | HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis |
US9803902B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-10-31 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | System for refrigerant charge verification using two condenser coil temperatures |
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JP6203126B2 (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2017-09-27 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Hermetic compressor drive |
KR20160097701A (en) * | 2015-02-09 | 2016-08-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air-conditioner |
CN106288404B (en) * | 2015-05-19 | 2019-05-31 | Tcl空调器(中山)有限公司 | Hot water machine method for heating and controlling and device |
US10845095B2 (en) * | 2015-10-21 | 2020-11-24 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air-conditioning apparatus |
CN105650328B (en) * | 2016-01-27 | 2018-11-02 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | A kind of drive signal anti-collision protection device, air-conditioning system and control method |
CN105890247B (en) * | 2016-04-08 | 2018-08-17 | 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 | The control method and device of air conditioner and its compressor |
KR20190023609A (en) * | 2017-08-29 | 2019-03-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Circuit for blocking operation of compressor |
KR101979454B1 (en) * | 2017-11-13 | 2019-05-16 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Circuit for blocking operation of compressor |
WO2019186648A1 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2019-10-03 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP7150185B2 (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2022-10-07 | 三菱電機株式会社 | air conditioner |
CN112594884B (en) * | 2020-12-10 | 2022-02-18 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioning unit and condenser fan control method and device thereof and storage medium |
CN114857739A (en) * | 2022-03-11 | 2022-08-05 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Method and device for identifying air conditioner fault component, air conditioner and storage medium |
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JPH11270362A (en) | 1998-03-23 | 1999-10-05 | Denso Corp | Throttle control device of internal combustion engine |
-
1999
- 1999-09-24 JP JP27036299A patent/JP3703346B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-09-13 EP EP00307919A patent/EP1087184B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-13 ES ES00307919T patent/ES2241555T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-22 CN CNB001288830A patent/CN1135337C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1292479A (en) | 2001-04-25 |
ES2241555T3 (en) | 2005-11-01 |
EP1087184A3 (en) | 2002-10-02 |
JP3703346B2 (en) | 2005-10-05 |
JP2001091022A (en) | 2001-04-06 |
CN1135337C (en) | 2004-01-21 |
EP1087184A2 (en) | 2001-03-28 |
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