EP2241831B1 - Air conditioner with reduced standby power consuption of the outdoor unit on the basis of a three wire cable connection between indoor and outdoor unit - Google Patents
Air conditioner with reduced standby power consuption of the outdoor unit on the basis of a three wire cable connection between indoor and outdoor unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2241831B1 EP2241831B1 EP10002461.1A EP10002461A EP2241831B1 EP 2241831 B1 EP2241831 B1 EP 2241831B1 EP 10002461 A EP10002461 A EP 10002461A EP 2241831 B1 EP2241831 B1 EP 2241831B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- outdoor
- indoor
- power
- relay
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 199
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 claims description 35
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 18
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 12
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0003—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station characterised by a split arrangement, wherein parts of the air-conditioning system, e.g. evaporator and condenser, are in separately located units
-
- 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
- F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
- F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/26—Refrigerant piping
- F24F1/32—Refrigerant piping for connecting the separate outdoor units to indoor units
-
- 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
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
-
- 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
- F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
-
- 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
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/46—Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
-
- 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
- F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F11/63—Electronic processing
- F24F11/65—Electronic processing for selecting an operating mode
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air conditioner.
- Utility power is connected to the indoor unit rectifier circuit and the indoor unit control unit
- a power relay and the reference frequency extraction circuit are connected to the power supply electric wiring for supplying power to the outdoor unit
- the reference frequency extraction circuit is brought into a non-energized state by opening the power relay in a standby condition
- Patent Literature 1 in a case of an outdoor power receiving system in which the utility power is supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, there is a problem that control cannot be achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from three.
- Patent Literature 2 discloses an air conditioner according to the preamble of claim 1 having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, which are connected by two power lines and a signal line.
- the indoor unit also includes an indoor control section which is configured to open and close a connection between the power line and the signal line via a relay. Said connection is in an opened state in a standby condition. Furthermore, the air conditioner is configured to prevent damage of components in case of miswiring.
- Patent Literature 3 describes an air conditioner with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit both being connected via two power lines and a signal line.
- the indoor unit contains a switch SW4, which is turned for starting an operation into a position to connect a power line to a signal line so as to energize a relay coil for opening another switch SW1 in order to supply power to the outdoor control unit.
- the air conditioner is configured to save power during standby.
- Patent Literature 4 describes an air conditioner which is configured to reduce standby power by cutting of a feed of a power source to an outdoor microcomputer under standby even when a source electric wire from an external part is a type to be connected to an outdoor machine.
- An air conditioner according to the invention includes: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor Technical Problem
- Patent Literature 1 in a case of an outdoor power receiving system in which the utility power is supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, there is a problem that control cannot be achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from three.
- An air conditioner includes: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit being connected by a three core cable including a power line, a common line, and a signal line to distribute utility power supplied to either one of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit via the power line and the common line, the indoor unit includes: an outdoor activation relay configured to open and close a connection between the power line and the signal line; and an indoor control unit is configured to operate the outdoor activation relay to supply the utility power between the signal line and the common line, and the indoor control unit opens the connection between the power line and the signal line in a standby condition.
- the invention is configured to open the connection between the power line and the signal line by the outdoor activation relay in the standby condition, and no utility power is supplied between the signal line and the common line, so that reduction of the standby condition power consumption is achieved.
- Fig. 1 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.
- an air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 1.
- the indoor unit 2 includes an indoor terminal base 30.
- the indoor terminal base 30 includes terminals S1, S2, and S3.
- the outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor terminal base 31.
- the outdoor terminal base 31 includes terminals L, N, S1, S2, and S3.
- the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected by a three core cable including a power line 8, a power signal common line 9, and a signal line 16.
- the power line 8 is connected to the terminal S1. on the indoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S1 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the power signal common line 9 is connected to the terminal S2 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the signal line 16 is connected to the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- Utility power 7 is connected to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 of the outdoor unit 3.
- the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the terminal S1 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the terminal N on the outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31. is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2 via the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor unit 2 includes an indoor rectifier 4, an indoor control unit 5, an indoor communication circuit unit 6, a receiving unit 18, an outdoor activation relay 22, an outdoor power supply line 24, and a power receiving system data unit 26.
- the indoor rectifier 4 is connected to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal base 30.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts an AC voltage to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the indoor control unit 5.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 is connected to the terminals S2 and S3 of the indoor terminal base 30.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 carries out communication with an outdoor communication circuit unit 14 (described later) of the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 is connected to the indoor control unit 5.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 is, for example, a storage device, and is configured to be connected and disconnected by a switching operation of a jumper cable or a switch.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 stores information used for discriminating between an indoor power receiving system and an outdoor power receiving system.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 also stores information used for discriminating whether or not the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 includes an outdoor relay 11 (described later) and an inrush current preventing relay 19 (described later) and allows reduction of power consumption in a standby condition (hereinafter, referred to as "standby condition power consumption reduction capability information"). Detailed description will be given below.
- the receiving unit 18 is connected to the indoor control unit 5.
- the receiving unit 18 receives signals from a remote controller 17 and transmits the signals to the indoor control unit 5.
- the indoor control unit 5 operates the outdoor activation relay 22.
- the indoor control unit 5 also operates the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to perform transmission and reception of a variety of operation signals with respect to the outdoor unit 3.
- the outdoor power supply line 24 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S1 on the indoor terminal base 30 and at the other end thereof to the outdoor activation relay 22.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 is configured to switch the connection from a connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to a connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the outdoor power supply line 24, or vice versa.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 opens and closes the connection between the power line 8 and the signal line 16.
- the utility power 7 is supplied between the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 in a stationary state and, when the operation is effected by the indoor control unit 5, opens the connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6, and connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 to the outdoor power supply line 24.
- the indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, a sensor, a display as mechanical systems.
- the outdoor unit 3 includes an inrush current preventing resistance 10, the outdoor relay 11, an outdoor rectifier 12, a communication circuit power supply unit 13, the outdoor communication circuit unit 14, an outdoor control unit 15, the inrush current preventing relay 19, an inrush current preventing relay coil 20, a power supply cutoff relay 21, an inverter circuit 23, and a capacitor 25.
- the outdoor relay 11 is connected to at one end thereof to the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the outdoor rectifier 12.
- the outdoor relay 11 opens a contact point (normally open) and, when the operation is effected by the outdoor control unit 15, closes the contact point (hereinafter, also referred to as "short circuit").
- the inrush current preventing resistance 10 is provided in parallel with the outdoor relay 11.
- the inrush current preventing resistance 10 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L of the outdoor terminal base 31 via the inrush current preventing relay 19 and at the other end thereof to the outdoor rectifier 12.
- the inrush current preventing resistance 10 is configured to restrain an inrush current to the capacitor 25.
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 is provided in parallel with the outdoor relay 11.
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L of the outdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the inrush current preventing resistance 10.
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 opens the contact point (normally open) and, when the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is energized, closes the contact point to make a short circuit between the inrush current preventing resistance 10 and the terminal L of the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 closes the inrush current preventing relay 19 when the utility power 7 is supplied between the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 is connected to the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 via the outdoor relay 11 and the inrush current preventing resistance 10.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 is also connected to the terminal N on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the outdoor control unit 15 and the inverter circuit 23.
- the capacitor 25 is provided between outputs of the outdoor rectifier 12 for smoothing an output from the outdoor rectifier 12 and supplying a DC voltage to the inverter circuit 23.
- the inverter circuit 23 converts the input DC voltage to an AC voltage of a given frequency and a given voltage.
- the inverter circuit 23 is provided with a motor or the like connected thereto, and drives a compressor or the like provided in the outdoor unit 3.
- the outdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoor relay 11 and the power supply cutoff relay 21.
- the outdoor control unit 15 also operates the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 to perform transmission and reception of a variety of operation signals with respect to the indoor unit 2.
- the outdoor control unit 15 controls the inverter circuit 23.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 is connected at one end thereof to a point between the outdoor relay 11 and the outdoor rectifier 12, thereby being connected to the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 via the outdoor relay 11 and the inrush current preventing relay 19, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 is made up of, for example, a half-wave rectifier circuit.
- the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the communication circuit power supply unit 13.
- the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 carries out communications with the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of the indoor unit 2 via the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31 via the power supply cutoff relay 21.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 closes the contact point of the inrush current preventing relay when being energized.
- the power supply cutoff relay 21 is connected at one end thereof to the inrush current preventing relay coil 20, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the power supply cutoff relay 21 closes the contact point (normally close) and, when operated by the outdoor control unit 15, opens the contact point so that energization of the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is cut off.
- the outdoor unit 3 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a sensor, an electromagnetic expansion valve, a refrigerant switching valve, and a compressor as mechanical systems.
- the power signal common line 9 corresponds to a "common line" in the invention.
- the outdoor relay 11 and the inrush current preventing relay 19 each correspond to a "power supply relay" in the invention.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 corresponds to a "power supply relay coil” in the invention.
- Fig. 2 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner in the standby condition according to Embodiment 1.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2 via the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor rectifier 4 receives the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage.
- the indoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of the indoor control unit 5 and the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether the air conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receiving system data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the outdoor power receiving system, enables the control of the outdoor activation relay 22.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receiving system data unit 26.
- Embodiment 1 a case where the outdoor unit 3 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition will be described.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 is connected to the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from the remote controller 17 and received via the receiving unit 18.
- the contact points of the outdoor relay 11 and the inrush current preventing relay 19 of the outdoor unit 3 are opened in the stationary state.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 of the indoor unit 2 opens the connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the outdoor power supply line 24.
- Fig. 3 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, showing a state where the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is activated.
- Fig. 4 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 during operation.
- Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
- Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
- the indoor control unit 5 receives an operation start request from the remote controller 17 via the receiving unit 18.
- the indoor control unit 5 makes a reference to the information in the power receiving system data unit 26 and, when data from the power receiving system data unit 26 indicates the outdoor power receiving system, operates the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to start communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not communications between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 of the outdoor unit 3 are established.
- the indoor control unit 5 operates (turns ON) the outdoor activation relay 22 to open the connection between the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6, and connects the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal base 30 with the outdoor power supply line 24.
- the utility power 7 is supplied between the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor control unit 5 operates the outdoor activation relay 22 for a predetermined time.
- the predetermined time may be set to a time (n seconds) required for charging the capacitor 25 of the outdoor unit 3.
- the predetermined time is not limited thereto.
- the indoor control unit 5 operates the outdoor activation relay 22 for the predetermined time, then stops (turns OFF) the operation thereof, connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6, and opens the connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the outdoor power supply line 24 (see Fig. 3 ) .
- the indoor control unit 5 operates the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to start the communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 of the outdoor unit 3 are established again.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 starts communications with the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 of the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 carries out communications with the outdoor unit 3 via the indoor communication circuit unit 6, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform a cooling operation or a heating operation.
- the indoor control unit 5 operates the indoor communication circuit unit 6 again to start communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor unit 3 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds).
- the indoor control unit 5 determines that the communications are abnormal.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is energized via the power supply cutoff relay 21, and makes the inrush current preventing relay 19 short-circuited (see Fig. 3 ).
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 When the inrush current preventing relay 19 is made short-circuited, the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to the outdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuit power supply unit 13 via the inrush current preventing resistor 10.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the outdoor control unit 15, the capacitor 25, and the inverter circuit 23.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14.
- the outdoor control unit 15 makes the outdoor relay 11 short-circuited.
- the outdoor control unit 15 operates the power supply cutoff relay 21 to open the contact point.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is brought into a non-energized state, and the inrush current preventing relay 19 is opened (see Fig. 4 ).
- the outdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 to start communications with the indoor unit 2.
- the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 starts communications with the indoor communication circuit unit 6 via the power signal common line 9 and the signal line 16.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of the indoor unit 2 are established.
- the outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with the indoor unit 2 via the outdoor communication circuit unit 14, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation.
- the outdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 again to start communications with the indoor unit 2.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not the communications between the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 and the indoor unit 2 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds).
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines that the communications are abnormal.
- the indoor control unit 5 receives an operation standby signal from the remote controller 17 via the receiving unit 18.
- the indoor control unit 5 transmits the operation standby signal to the outdoor unit 3 via the indoor communication circuit unit 6.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 transmits the operation standby signal to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 via the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9.
- the outdoor control unit 15 receives the operation standby signal via the outdoor communication circuit unit 14.
- the outdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoor relay 11 to open the contact point upon receipt of the operation standby signal.
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 and the outdoor relay 11 are brought into an opened state to cut off the power supply from the utility power 7 to the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition. Therefore, the standby condition power consumption consumed by the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is reduced.
- the utility power 7 is supplied between the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9, and the operation of the inrush current preventing relay 19 is effected thereby, so that the power supply to the outdoor unit 3 is achieved. Therefore, the control is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 from three.
- the utility power 7 supplied between the signal line 16 and the power signal common line 9 is stopped.
- the power supply cutoff relay 21 is provided in the outdoor unit 3 to prevent a short circuit between the terminals S2 and S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31. Therefore, during operation of the air conditioner 1, communications via the signal line 16 are enabled between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3.
- Embodiment 1 the case where the utility power 7 is connected to the outdoor terminal base 31 of the outdoor unit 3 has been described.
- the invention is not limited thereto, and the utility power 7 may be connected to the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2.
- the terminals L and N are provided on the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2, and the utility power 7 is connected thereto. Then, the terminal L on the indoor terminal base 30 is connected to the terminal S1 on the indoor terminal base 30. The terminal N on the indoor terminal base 30 is connected to the terminal S2 on the indoor terminal base 30.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the indoor terminal base 30 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal base 30 to the terminals S1 and S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 of the outdoor unit 3 via the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- Embodiment 2 a pattern in which the outdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition will be described.
- Fig. 7 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.
- Embodiment 2 a configuration of the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 2 will be described with a particular emphasis on different points from Embodiment 1.
- the indoor unit 2 in Embodiment 2 has the similar configuration as Embodiment 1, and the same numbers reference the same parts.
- the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 2 does not include the inrush current preventing relay 19, the inrush current preventing relay coil 20, and the power supply cutoff relay 21 which have been described in conjunction with Embodiment 1 ( Fig. 1 ).
- Other parts of the configuration are the same as those in Embodiment1, and the same numbers reference the same parts.
- the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition.
- it is the outdoor unit 3 having an electric component system in the related art.
- the configuration of the outdoor unit 3 is not limited thereto, and may be varied as long as it is connected to the indoor unit 2 by the three core cable including the power line 8, the power signal common line 9, and the signal line 16.
- the outdoor relay 11 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the outdoor rectifier 12 in the same manner as Embodiment 1.
- the inrush current preventing resistance 10 is provided in parallel with the outdoor relay 11.
- the inrush current preventing resistance 10 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L on the outdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the outdoor rectifier 12.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 in Embodiment 2 stores information indicating that the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition as standby condition power consumption reduction capability information.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to the outdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuit power supply unit 13 via the inrush current preventing resistance 10 in the standby condition of the air conditioner 1.
- the electric power from the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 of the outdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2 via the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor rectifier 4 the electric power of the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2 is input.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage.
- the indoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of the indoor control unit 5 and the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption capability information stored in the power receiving system data unit 26.
- the indoor control unit 5 Upon receipt of the operation start request or the operation standby signal from the remote controller 17 via the receiving unit 18, the indoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to start communications with the outdoor unit 3, and transmits the signal to the outdoor unit 3.
- Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
- the utility power 7 being supplied to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to the outdoor rectifier 12 via the communication circuit power supply unit 13 and the inrush current preventing resistance 10.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the outdoor control unit 15, the capacitor 25, and the inverter circuit 23.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14.
- the outdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 to start communications with the indoor unit 2.
- the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 starts communications with the indoor communication circuit unit 6 via the power signal common line 9 and the signal line 16.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of the indoor unit 2 are established.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines a request signal from the indoor unit 2. When the request signal from the indoor unit 2 is an operation standby signal, the outdoor control unit 15 is brought into a state of waiting an operation start request signal.
- the outdoor control unit 15 turns the outdoor relay ON (short circuit).
- the outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with the indoor unit 2 via the outdoor communication circuit unit 14, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation.
- the outdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 again to start communications with the indoor unit 2.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not the communications between the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 and the indoor unit 2 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds).
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines that the communications are abnormal.
- the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected by the three core cable including the power line 8, the power signal common line 9, and the signal line 16. Therefore, the control is achieved without increasing the number of the connecting cable between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 from three cores.
- the indoor unit 2 which allows the reduction of the standby condition power consumption can be connected thereto.
- the outdoor unit 3 of the model in the related art can be connected to the indoor unit 2 without developing the substrate and software.
- connection of the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 is also possible even when the levels of development of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability thereof are different.
- Embodiment 3 a pattern in which the utility power 7 is connected to the indoor unit 2 will be described.
- Fig. 9 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.
- Embodiment 3 a configuration of the air conditioner 1 in Embodiment 3 will be described with a particular emphasis on different points from Embodiments 1 and 2.
- the indoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 3 includes a 52C relay 27 in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 ( Fig. 1 ).
- the indoor terminal base 30 in Embodiment 3 includes terminals N, L in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 ( Fig. 1 ).
- the 52C relay 27 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S1 on the indoor terminal base 30 -and at the other end to the indoor rectifier 4.
- the 52C relay 27 opens a contact point in the stationary state (normally open), and closes the contact point when the operation is effected by the indoor control unit 5.
- the utility power 7 is connected to the terminals L and N on the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2.
- the terminal L on the indoor terminal base 30 is connected to a point between the 52C relay 27 and the indoor rectifier 4.
- the terminal N on the indoor terminal base 30 is connected to a point between the terminal S2 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor rectifier 4.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the indoor terminal base 30 is input to the indoor rectifier 4.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage.
- the indoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of the indoor control unit 5 and the indoor unit 2.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 in Embodiment 3 stores information indicating that the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition as the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information.
- the power receiving system data unit 26 also stores information indicating that the indoor unit 2 employs the indoor power receiving system.
- the 52C relay 27 corresponds to an "indoor power distribution relay" in the invention.
- the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 3 has a configuration in which the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 are not provided and the utility power 7 is not connected thereto in contrast to the configuration of Embodiment 2 ( Fig. 7 ).
- the terminal S1 on the outdoor terminal base 31 and the outdoor relay 11 are connected directly without the intermediary of the terminal L.
- the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 and the outdoor rectifier 12 are connected directly without the intermediary of the terminal N.
- the invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration similar to the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 2 ( Fig. 7 ) in which the utility power 7 is not connected to the outdoor unit 3 is also applicable.
- the configuration of the outdoor unit 3 is not limited thereto, and may be varied as long as it is connected to the indoor unit 2 by the three core cable including the power line 8, the power signal common line 9, and the signal line 16, and the utility power 7 is not connected thereto.
- the utility power 7 is supplied to the terminals L and N on the indoor terminal base 30 of the indoor unit 2. Then, the utility power 7 is input to the indoor rectifier 4.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage.
- the indoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of the indoor control unit 5 and the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether the air conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receiving system data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the indoor power receiving system, enables the control of the 52C relay 27.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receiving system data unit 26.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 is connected to the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from the remote controller 17 and received via the receiving unit 18.
- the 52C relay 27 opens the contact point in the stationary state.
- the power source supply to the respective components of the outdoor unit 3 is cut off, so that reduction of the power consumption of the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is achieved.
- Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 receives an operation start request from the remote controller 17 via the receiving unit 18.
- the indoor control unit 5 effects the operation (ON) of the 52C relay 27, and connects the terminal L on the indoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S1 on the indoor terminal base 30.
- the utility power 7 is supplied between the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoor communication circuit unit 6 to start the communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communication between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 of the outdoor unit 3 is established.
- the indoor communication circuit unit 6 starts communications with the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 of the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 carries out communications with the outdoor unit 3 via the indoor communication circuit unit 6, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation.
- the indoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoor communication circuit unit 6 again to start communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor unit 3 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds).
- the indoor control unit 5 determines that the communication is abnormal.
- the electric power from the utility power 7 is supplied between the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9 in Step 34 described above, the electric power from the utility power 7 is supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 of the outdoor unit 3.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the outdoor control unit 15, the capacitor 25, and the inverter circuit 23.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14.
- Embodiment 3 even when the outdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition, the 52C relay is brought into an opened state to cut off the power supply from the utility power 7 to the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition. Therefore, the standby condition power consumption consumed by the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is reduced.
- the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected by the three core cable including the power line 8, the power signal common line 9, and the signal line 16. Therefore, the control is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 from three.
- the outdoor unit 3 of the model in the related art can be connected to the indoor unit 2 without developing the substrate and the software.
- connection of the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 is also possible even when the levels of development of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability thereof are different.
- the indoor control substrate and the control may be commonly used irrespective of the power receiving mode of the utility power 7 and the connection to the outdoor unit of the prior year model.
- Embodiment 3 the case of the outdoor unit 3 having no inrush current preventing relay 19 provided therein and not allowing the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition has been described.
- the invention is not limited thereto, and the outdoor unit 3 which allows the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition described in Embodiment 1 may be connected as the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 makes a reference to data in the power receiving system data unit 26, and effects the operation of the outdoor activation relay 22 when the outdoor unit 3 is of the type which allows the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition and the utility power 7 is supplied to the indoor unit 2.
- Embodiment 4 the mode of the air conditioner 1 in a multiple connection having a plurality of the indoor units will be described.
- Fig. 11 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner in the standby condition according to Embodiment 4.
- Embodiment 4 As shown in Fig. 11 , in Embodiment 4, a plurality of the indoor units are provided.
- Embodiment 4 a case where two indoor units, that is, an indoor unit A 28 and an indoor unit B 29 are provided will be described.
- the configurations of the indoor unit A 28 and the indoor unit B 29 are the same as the indoor unit 2 in Embodiment 1 ( Fig. 1 ), and the same numbers reference the same parts.
- the number of the indoor units is not limited thereto, and three or more of those may be provided.
- the indoor unit A 28 and the indoor unit B 29 each are connected to the outdoor unit 3 respectively by the three core cable including the power line 8, the power signal common line 9, and the signal line 16.
- the outdoor terminal base 31 of the outdoor unit 3 is provided with two sets of the terminals S1, S2 and S3 corresponding to the indoor unit A 28 and the indoor unit B 29.
- the terminal S1 on the outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S1 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the terminal S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the terminal S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31.
- the outdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 4 includes the outdoor communication circuit units 14 according to the number of the indoor units to be connected in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 ( Fig. 1 ).
- the outdoor communication circuit units 14 each are connected at one end thereof to the communication circuit power supply unit 13, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 to which the signal line 16 of the indoor unit corresponding thereto is connected.
- the outdoor unit 3 is provided with the power supply cutoff relays 21 according to the number of the indoor units to be connected.
- the power supply cutoff relays 21 each are connected at one end to the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 and at the other end to the terminal S3 to which the signal line 16 of the indoor unit corresponding to the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 is connected.
- the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on the outdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal bases 30 of the indoor unit A 28 and the indoor unit B 29 via the power line 8 and the power signal common line 9.
- the indoor rectifiers 4 each receive an input of the power of the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal bases 30.
- the indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage.
- the indoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of the indoor control unit 5 and the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether the air conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receiving system data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the outdoor power receiving system, enables the control of the outdoor activation relay 22.
- the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the outdoor unit 3 connected to the indoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receiving system data unit 26.
- the outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state.
- each indoor communication circuit unit 6 is connected to the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with the outdoor unit 3.
- the indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from the remote controller 17 and received via the receiving unit 18.
- the contact points of the outdoor relay 11 and the inrush current preventing relay 19 of the outdoor unit 3 are opened in the stationary state.
- each of the respective outdoor activation relays 22 of the indoor unit A 28 and the indoor unit B 29 opens the connection between the terminal S3 on the indoor terminal base 30 and the outdoor power supply line 24.
- the power source supply to the respective components connected to downstream of the inrush current preventing relay 19 and the outdoor relay 11 is cut off, so that reduction of the standby condition power consumption of the outdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is achieved.
- Fig. 12 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 in which one of the indoor units is activated.
- Fig. 13 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 in which one of the indoor units is in operation.
- the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit A 28 receives the operation start request via the receiving unit 18.
- Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 4.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is energized via the power supply cutoff relays 21, and makes the inrush current preventing relay 19 short-circuited (see Fig. 12 ).
- the inrush current preventing relay 19 When the inrush current preventing relay 19 is made short-circuited, the utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on the outdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to the outdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuit power supply unit 13 via the inrush current preventing resistance 10.
- the outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to the outdoor control unit 15, the capacitor 25, and the inverter circuit 23.
- the communication circuit power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from the utility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoor communication circuit units 14.
- the outdoor control unit 15 makes the outdoor relay 11 short-circuited.
- the outdoor control unit 15 effects the operations of all the power supply cutoff relays 21 to open the contact points.
- the inrush current preventing relay coil 20 is brought into a non-energized state, and the inrush current preventing relay 19 is opened (see Fig. 13 ).
- the short circuit between the terminals S2 and S3 on the outdoor terminal base 31 is prevented during operation of the outdoor unit 3, so that communications between the indoor communication circuit unit 6 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 are enabled.
- the outdoor control unit 15 effects the operations of all the outdoor communication circuit units 14 to start communications with the indoor unit A 28 or the indoor unit B 29.
- the outdoor communication circuit units 14 each start communications with the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of the corresponding indoor unit via the power signal common line 9 and the signal line 16.
- the outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the respective outdoor communication circuit units 14 and the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of the corresponding indoor unit are established.
- the outdoor control unit 15 repeats Step 47 until the communications with the indoor communication circuit unit 6 of either one of the indoor unit A 28 or the indoor unit B 29 are established.
- the outdoor unit 3 starts communication with the indoor unit A 28.
- the outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with the indoor unit A 28 via the outdoor communication circuit unit 14, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation.
- the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit B 29 receives the operation start request via the receiving unit 18.
- the outdoor unit 3 is already in operation by the operations described above, and the outdoor communication circuit unit 14 to be connected to the indoor unit B 29 is repeating the establishment of communications, so that the establishment of communications between the indoor unit B 29 and the outdoor unit 3 is achieved.
- the outdoor control unit 15 of the indoor unit B 29 carries out the communications with the outdoor unit 3 via the indoor communication circuit unit 6 by the operations in Step 3 and Step 9 in Embodiment 1, and causes the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation.
- the indoor control units 5 each receive an operation standby signal from the remote controller 17 via the corresponding receiving unit 18.
- the outdoor control unit 15 of the outdoor unit 3 receives the operation standby signal via the respective outdoor communication circuit units 14.
- the outdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of the outdoor relay 11 to open the contact point upon receipt of the operation standby signal from all the indoor units.
- connection between the respective indoor units and the outdoor unit 3 is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the respective indoor units and the outdoor unit 3 from three, and the reduction of the standby made power consumption in the standby condition is achieved.
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
- As one of the air conditioners in the related art, "an air conditioner in which power supplied to an indoor unit is supplied to an outdoor unit via power supply electric wiring, and a reference frequency extraction circuit, an indoor unit rectifier circuit, and an indoor unit control unit are provided in the indoor unit, characterized in that utility power is connected to the indoor unit rectifier circuit and the indoor unit control unit, a power relay and the reference frequency extraction circuit are connected to the power supply electric wiring for supplying power to the outdoor unit, and the reference frequency extraction circuit is brought into a non-energized state by opening the power relay in a standby condition." is proposed (For example, see Patent Literature 1).
-
- Patent Literature 1:
JP-A-2007-225128 - Patent Literature 2:
EP 1 830 138 A1 - Patent Literature 3:
JP 2009 041857 A - Patent Literature 4:
JP 2000 111123 A - In the air conditioner in the related art, communications are carried out between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit is activated by a transmission of an operation start signal or the like to the outdoor unit. However, since the communications are constantly carried out in the standby condition, there is a problem that power is constantly consumed by the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, so that standby condition power consumption is consumed in the standby condition.
- According to the technology described in
Patent Literature 1, in a case of an outdoor power receiving system in which the utility power is supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, there is a problem that control cannot be achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from three. -
Patent Literature 2 discloses an air conditioner according to the preamble ofclaim 1 having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, which are connected by two power lines and a signal line. - The indoor unit also includes an indoor control section which is configured to open and close a connection between the power line and the signal line via a relay. Said connection is in an opened state in a standby condition. Furthermore, the air conditioner is configured to prevent damage of components in case of miswiring.
-
Patent Literature 3 describes an air conditioner with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit both being connected via two power lines and a signal line. The indoor unit contains a switch SW4, which is turned for starting an operation into a position to connect a power line to a signal line so as to energize a relay coil for opening another switch SW1 in order to supply power to the outdoor control unit. The air conditioner is configured to save power during standby. -
Patent Literature 4 describes an air conditioner which is configured to reduce standby power by cutting of a feed of a power source to an outdoor microcomputer under standby even when a source electric wire from an external part is a type to be connected to an outdoor machine. - In order to solve the problems as described above, it is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioner in which the standby condition power consumption is reduced.
- The problem and objects described above are solved by the air conditioner according to
claim 1. Further advantageous improvements of the air conditioner are given by thedependent claims 2 to 9. - An air conditioner according to the invention includes: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor Technical Problem
- In the air conditioner in the related art, communications are carried out between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit is activated by a transmission of an operation start signal or the like to the outdoor unit. However, since the communications are constantly carried out in the standby condition, there is a problem that power is constantly consumed by the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, so that standby condition power consumption is consumed in the standby condition.
- According to the technology described in
Patent Literature 1, in a case of an outdoor power receiving system in which the utility power is supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, there is a problem that control cannot be achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from three. - In order to solve the problems as described above, it is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioner in which the standby condition power consumption is reduced.
- An air conditioner according to the invention includes: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit being connected by a three core cable including a power line, a common line, and a signal line to distribute utility power supplied to either one of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit via the power line and the common line,
the indoor unit includes: an outdoor activation relay configured to open and close a connection between the power line and the signal line; and an indoor control unit is configured to operate the outdoor activation relay to supply the utility power between the signal line and the common line, and
the indoor control unit opens the connection between the power line and the signal line in a standby condition. Advantageous Effects of Invention - The invention is configured to open the connection between the power line and the signal line by the outdoor activation relay in the standby condition, and no utility power is supplied between the signal line and the common line, so that reduction of the standby condition power consumption is achieved.
-
-
Fig. 1 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1; -
Fig. 2 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1 in a standby condition; -
Fig. 3 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1 in a state in which an outdoor unit is activated; -
Fig. 4 is an electric component system diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1 during operation; -
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of an indoor unit according toEmbodiment 1; -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment 1; -
Fig. 7 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 2; -
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of an outdoor unit according toEmbodiment 2; -
Fig. 9 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 3; -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of an indoor unit according toEmbodiment 3; -
Fig. 11 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner in the standby condition according toEmbodiment 4; -
Fig. 12 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 4 in which one of indoor units is activated; -
Fig. 13 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 4 in which one of the indoor units is in operation; and -
Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 4. -
Fig. 1 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1. - As shown in
Fig. 1 , anair conditioner 1 includes anindoor unit 2 and anoutdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 1. - The
indoor unit 2 includes anindoor terminal base 30. Theindoor terminal base 30 includes terminals S1, S2, and S3. Theoutdoor unit 3 includes anoutdoor terminal base 31. Theoutdoor terminal base 31 includes terminals L, N, S1, S2, and S3. - The
indoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 are connected by a three core cable including apower line 8, a power signal common line 9, and asignal line 16. - The
power line 8 is connected to the terminal S1. on theindoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S1 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The power signal common line 9 is connected to the terminal S2 on the
indoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The
signal line 16 is connected to the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. -
Utility power 7 is connected to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3. - The terminal L on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the terminal S1 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The terminal N on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the terminal S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - Accordingly, the
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31. is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2 via thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - The
indoor unit 2 includes anindoor rectifier 4, anindoor control unit 5, an indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, a receivingunit 18, anoutdoor activation relay 22, an outdoorpower supply line 24, and a power receivingsystem data unit 26. - The
indoor rectifier 4 is connected to the terminals S1 and S2 of theindoor terminal base 30. Theindoor rectifier 4 converts an AC voltage to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theindoor control unit 5. - The indoor
communication circuit unit 6 is connected to the terminals S2 and S3 of theindoor terminal base 30. The indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 carries out communication with an outdoor communication circuit unit 14 (described later) of theoutdoor unit 3 via thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 is connected to theindoor control unit 5. The power receivingsystem data unit 26 is, for example, a storage device, and is configured to be connected and disconnected by a switching operation of a jumper cable or a switch. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 stores information used for discriminating between an indoor power receiving system and an outdoor power receiving system. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 also stores information used for discriminating whether or not theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 includes an outdoor relay 11 (described later) and an inrush current preventing relay 19 (described later) and allows reduction of power consumption in a standby condition (hereinafter, referred to as "standby condition power consumption reduction capability information").
Detailed description will be given below. - The receiving
unit 18 is connected to theindoor control unit 5. The receivingunit 18 receives signals from aremote controller 17 and transmits the signals to theindoor control unit 5. - The
indoor control unit 5 operates theoutdoor activation relay 22. Theindoor control unit 5 also operates the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to perform transmission and reception of a variety of operation signals with respect to theoutdoor unit 3. - The outdoor
power supply line 24 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S1 on theindoor terminal base 30 and at the other end thereof to theoutdoor activation relay 22. - The
outdoor activation relay 22 is configured to switch the connection from a connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to a connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the outdoorpower supply line 24, or vice versa. - In other words, the
outdoor activation relay 22 opens and closes the connection between thepower line 8 and thesignal line 16. When theoutdoor activation relay 22 is operated, theutility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The
outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 in a stationary state and, when the operation is effected by theindoor control unit 5, opens the connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, and connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 to the outdoorpower supply line 24. - Although not shown, the
indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, a sensor, a display as mechanical systems. - The
outdoor unit 3 includes an inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10, theoutdoor relay 11, anoutdoor rectifier 12, a communication circuitpower supply unit 13, the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14, anoutdoor control unit 15, the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19, an inrush current preventingrelay coil 20, a powersupply cutoff relay 21, aninverter circuit 23, and acapacitor 25. - The
outdoor relay 11 is connected to at one end thereof to the terminal L on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to theoutdoor rectifier 12. - In the stationary state, the
outdoor relay 11 opens a contact point (normally open) and, when the operation is effected by theoutdoor control unit 15, closes the contact point (hereinafter, also referred to as "short circuit"). - The inrush
current preventing resistance 10 is provided in parallel with theoutdoor relay 11. The inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L of theoutdoor terminal base 31 via the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 and at the other end thereof to theoutdoor rectifier 12. - The inrush
current preventing resistance 10 is configured to restrain an inrush current to thecapacitor 25. - The inrush
current preventing relay 19 is provided in parallel with theoutdoor relay 11. The inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L of theoutdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10. - In a stationary state, the inrush
current preventing relay 19 opens the contact point (normally open) and, when the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is energized, closes the contact point to make a short circuit between the inrush current preventingresistance 10 and the terminal L of theoutdoor terminal base 31. - In other words, the inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 closes the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 when theutility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The
outdoor rectifier 12 is connected to the terminal L on theoutdoor terminal base 31 via theoutdoor relay 11 and the inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10. Theoutdoor rectifier 12 is also connected to the terminal N on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The
outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theoutdoor control unit 15 and theinverter circuit 23. - The
capacitor 25 is provided between outputs of theoutdoor rectifier 12 for smoothing an output from theoutdoor rectifier 12 and supplying a DC voltage to theinverter circuit 23. - The
inverter circuit 23 converts the input DC voltage to an AC voltage of a given frequency and a given voltage. Theinverter circuit 23 is provided with a motor or the like connected thereto, and drives a compressor or the like provided in theoutdoor unit 3. - The
outdoor control unit 15 operates theoutdoor relay 11 and the powersupply cutoff relay 21. Theoutdoor control unit 15 also operates the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 to perform transmission and reception of a variety of operation signals with respect to theindoor unit 2. - The
outdoor control unit 15 controls theinverter circuit 23. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 is connected at one end thereof to a point between theoutdoor relay 11 and theoutdoor rectifier 12, thereby being connected to the terminal L on theoutdoor terminal base 31 via theoutdoor relay 11 and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14. The communication circuitpower supply unit 13 is made up of, for example, a half-wave rectifier circuit. - The outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to the communication circuitpower supply unit 13. The outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 carries out communications with the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit 2 via thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 via the powersupply cutoff relay 21. - The inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 closes the contact point of the inrush current preventing relay when being energized. - The power
supply cutoff relay 21 is connected at one end thereof to the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - In the stationary state, the power
supply cutoff relay 21 closes the contact point (normally close) and, when operated by theoutdoor control unit 15, opens the contact point so that energization of the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is cut off. - Although not shown, the
outdoor unit 3 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, a sensor, an electromagnetic expansion valve, a refrigerant switching valve, and a compressor as mechanical systems. - The power signal common line 9 corresponds to a "common line" in the invention.
- The
outdoor relay 11 and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 each correspond to a "power supply relay" in the invention. - The inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 corresponds to a "power supply relay coil" in the invention. - The configuration of the air conditioner in
Embodiment 1 has been described. - Subsequently, an operation of the air conditioner in
Embodiment 1 will be described. - First of all, supply of power in the
air conditioner 1 in the standby condition will be described. -
Fig. 2 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner in the standby condition according toEmbodiment 1. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2 via thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - Then, the
indoor rectifier 4 receives theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 of theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2. - The
indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage. Theindoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of theindoor control unit 5 and theindoor unit 2. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether theair conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the outdoor power receiving system, enables the control of theoutdoor activation relay 22. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26. - In
Embodiment 1, a case where theoutdoor unit 3 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition will be described. - An operation when the
outdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition will be described in conjunction withEmbodiment 2. - The
outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state. - Accordingly, the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 is connected to theoutdoor unit 3 via thesignal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - At the same time, the
indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from theremote controller 17 and received via the receivingunit 18. - The contact points of the
outdoor relay 11 and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 of theoutdoor unit 3 are opened in the stationary state. - At the same time, the
outdoor activation relay 22 of theindoor unit 2 opens the connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the outdoorpower supply line 24. - Therefore, no
utility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31, so that the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is in a non-energized state. - Therefore, even when the
utility power 7 is supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3, the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 and theoutdoor relay 11 are each brought into an opened state. - Therefore, in the standby condition, a power source supply to the respective components connected to downstream of the inrush
current preventing relay 19 and theoutdoor relay 11 is cut off, so that reduction of the power consumption of theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is achieved. - Subsequently, the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner at the time of activation and during operation will be described.
-
Fig. 3 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1, showing a state where the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is activated. -
Fig. 4 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1 during operation. -
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the indoor unit according toEmbodiment 1. -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment 1. - Referring now to
Fig. 3 andFig. 4 , description will be given on the basis of respective steps inFig. 5 andFig. 6 . - First of all, an operation of the
indoor unit 2 will be described. - The
indoor control unit 5 receives an operation start request from theremote controller 17 via the receivingunit 18. - The
indoor control unit 5 makes a reference to the information in the power receivingsystem data unit 26 and, when data from the power receivingsystem data unit 26 indicates the outdoor power receiving system, operates the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to start communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 of theoutdoor unit 3 are established. - If the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 are established, the procedure goes to Step 9. - In contrast, if the communication between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 is not established inStep 3, theindoor control unit 5 operates (turns ON) theoutdoor activation relay 22 to open the connection between the terminal S3 of theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, and connects the terminal S3 of theindoor terminal base 30 with the outdoorpower supply line 24. - Accordingly, the
utility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The
indoor control unit 5 operates theoutdoor activation relay 22 for a predetermined time. - The predetermined time may be set to a time (n seconds) required for charging the
capacitor 25 of theoutdoor unit 3. The predetermined time is not limited thereto. - The
indoor control unit 5 operates theoutdoor activation relay 22 for the predetermined time, then stops (turns OFF) the operation thereof, connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, and opens the connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the outdoor power supply line 24 (seeFig. 3 ) . - The
indoor control unit 5 operates the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to start the communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - Then, the
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 of theoutdoor unit 3 are established again. - When the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 are established, the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 starts communications with the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 of theoutdoor unit 3. - The
indoor control unit 5 carries out communications with theoutdoor unit 3 via the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform a cooling operation or a heating operation. - In contrast, if the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 cannot be established inStep 7, theindoor control unit 5 operates the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 again to start communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - Then, the
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds). - If the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 cannot be established within n seconds inStep 10, theindoor control unit 5 determines that the communications are abnormal. - Subsequently, an operation of the
outdoor unit 3 will be described. - When the
outdoor activation relay 22 of theindoor unit 2 is turned ON and theutility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9 inStep 4, theutility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3. - When the electric power from the
utility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 of theoutdoor terminal base 31, the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is energized via the powersupply cutoff relay 21, and makes the inrush current preventingrelay 19 short-circuited (seeFig. 3 ). - When the inrush
current preventing relay 19 is made short-circuited, theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the inrushcurrent preventing resistor 10. - The
outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theoutdoor control unit 15, thecapacitor 25, and theinverter circuit 23. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14. - When the DC power is supplied from the
outdoor rectifier 12, theoutdoor control unit 15 makes theoutdoor relay 11 short-circuited. - Subsequently, the
outdoor control unit 15 operates the powersupply cutoff relay 21 to open the contact point. - When the power
supply cutoff relay 21 is opened, the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is brought into a non-energized state, and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 is opened (seeFig. 4 ). - Accordingly, a short circuit between the terminals S2 and S3 on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is prevented during operation of theoutdoor unit 3, so that communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 are enabled. - Subsequently, the
outdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 to start communications with theindoor unit 2. - The outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 starts communications with the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 via the power signal common line 9 and thesignal line 16. - The
outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit 2 are established. - When the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are established, the communications with theindoor unit 2 are started. - The
outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with theindoor unit 2 via the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation. - In contrast, if the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 cannot be established inStep 18, theoutdoor control unit 15 operates the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 again to start communications with theindoor unit 2. - Then, the
outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not the communications between the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds). - If the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are not established within n seconds inStep 21, theoutdoor control unit 15 determines that the communications are abnormal. - Subsequently, an operation to bring the
air conditioner 1 to the standby condition will be described. - The
indoor control unit 5 receives an operation standby signal from theremote controller 17 via the receivingunit 18. - The
indoor control unit 5 transmits the operation standby signal to theoutdoor unit 3 via the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6. - The indoor
communication circuit unit 6 transmits the operation standby signal to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 via thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9. - The
outdoor control unit 15 receives the operation standby signal via the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14. - The
outdoor control unit 15 operates theoutdoor relay 11 to open the contact point upon receipt of the operation standby signal. - Accordingly, a supply of the
utility power 7 to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is stopped, and a supply of the DC power to the respective components of theoutdoor unit 3 is also stopped. - With the operation as described above, transition to the standby condition described above (
Fig. 2 ) is achieved again. - As described above, according to
Embodiment 1, the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 and theoutdoor relay 11 are brought into an opened state to cut off the power supply from theutility power 7 to theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition. Therefore, the standby condition power consumption consumed by theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is reduced. - In order to activate the
outdoor unit 3, theutility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9, and the operation of the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 is effected thereby, so that the power supply to theoutdoor unit 3 is achieved. Therefore, the control is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 from three. - During operation after having activated the
outdoor unit 3, theutility power 7 supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9 is stopped. The powersupply cutoff relay 21 is provided in theoutdoor unit 3 to prevent a short circuit between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. Therefore, during operation of theair conditioner 1, communications via thesignal line 16 are enabled between theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3. - In
Embodiment 1, the case where theutility power 7 is connected to theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3 has been described. The invention is not limited thereto, and theutility power 7 may be connected to theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2. - For example, the terminals L and N are provided on the
indoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2, and theutility power 7 is connected thereto. Then, the terminal L on theindoor terminal base 30 is connected to the terminal S1 on theindoor terminal base 30. The terminal N on theindoor terminal base 30 is connected to the terminal S2 on theindoor terminal base 30. - Accordingly, the
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theindoor terminal base 30 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on theindoor terminal base 30 to the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3 via thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - In this configuration as well, the same advantages are achieved with the same operation.
- In
Embodiment 2, a pattern in which theoutdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition will be described. -
Fig. 7 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 2. - Subsequently, a configuration of the
outdoor unit 3 inEmbodiment 2 will be described with a particular emphasis on different points fromEmbodiment 1. - The
indoor unit 2 inEmbodiment 2 has the similar configuration asEmbodiment 1, and the same numbers reference the same parts. - As shown in
Fig. 7 , theoutdoor unit 3 inEmbodiment 2 does not include the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19, the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20, and the powersupply cutoff relay 21 which have been described in conjunction with Embodiment 1 (Fig. 1 ). Other parts of the configuration are the same as those in Embodiment1, and the same numbers reference the same parts. - The
outdoor unit 3 inEmbodiment 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition. For example, it is theoutdoor unit 3 having an electric component system in the related art. - The configuration of the
outdoor unit 3 is not limited thereto, and may be varied as long as it is connected to theindoor unit 2 by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16. - The
outdoor relay 11 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to theoutdoor rectifier 12 in the same manner asEmbodiment 1. - The inrush
current preventing resistance 10 is provided in parallel with theoutdoor relay 11. The inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal L on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and at the other end thereof to theoutdoor rectifier 12. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 inEmbodiment 2 stores information indicating that theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition as standby condition power consumption reduction capability information. - In this configuration, the
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10 in the standby condition of theair conditioner 1. - The electric power from the
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N of theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 of theoutdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 of theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2 via thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - Then, to the
indoor rectifier 4 the electric power of theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 of theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2 is input. - The
indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage. Theindoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of theindoor control unit 5 and theindoor unit 2. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption capability information stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26. - In
Embodiment 2, since theoutdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition, theindoor control unit 5 does not effect the operation of theoutdoor activation relay 22. - Upon receipt of the operation start request or the operation standby signal from the
remote controller 17 via the receivingunit 18, theindoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to start communications with theoutdoor unit 3, and transmits the signal to theoutdoor unit 3. - Subsequently, an operation of the
outdoor unit 3 at the time of activation inEmbodiment 2 will be described. -
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment 2. - Subsequently, respective steps shown in
Fig. 8 will be described. - The
utility power 7 being supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to theoutdoor rectifier 12 via the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 and the inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10. - Then, the
outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theoutdoor control unit 15, thecapacitor 25, and theinverter circuit 23. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14. - The
outdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 to start communications with theindoor unit 2. - The outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 starts communications with the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 via the power signal common line 9 and thesignal line 16. - The
outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit 2 are established. - When the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are established, the communications with theindoor unit 2 are started. - The
outdoor control unit 15 determines a request signal from theindoor unit 2. When the request signal from theindoor unit 2 is an operation standby signal, theoutdoor control unit 15 is brought into a state of waiting an operation start request signal. - When the request signal from the
indoor unit 2 is the operation standby signal, theoutdoor control unit 15 turns the outdoor relay ON (short circuit). - The
outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with theindoor unit 2 via the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation. - In contrast, if the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 cannot be established inStep 25, theoutdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 again to start communications with theindoor unit 2. - Then, the
outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not the communications between the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds). - If the communications between the outdoor
communication circuit unit 14 and theindoor unit 2 are not established within n seconds inStep 31, theoutdoor control unit 15 determines that the communications are abnormal. - As described the above, in the present embodiment, even when the
outdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition, theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 are connected by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16. Therefore, the control is achieved without increasing the number of the connecting cable between theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 from three cores. - In addition, even when the
outdoor unit 3 always requires the supply of the electric power of theutility power 7, theindoor unit 2 which allows the reduction of the standby condition power consumption can be connected thereto. - Since the
indoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 are connected by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16, theoutdoor unit 3 of the model in the related art can be connected to theindoor unit 2 without developing the substrate and software. - The connection of the
indoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 is also possible even when the levels of development of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability thereof are different. - In
Embodiment 3, a pattern in which theutility power 7 is connected to theindoor unit 2 will be described. -
Fig. 9 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner according toEmbodiment 3. - Subsequently, a configuration of the
air conditioner 1 inEmbodiment 3 will be described with a particular emphasis on different points fromEmbodiments - As shown in
Fig. 9 , theindoor unit 2 according toEmbodiment 3 includes a52C relay 27 in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 (Fig. 1 ). - The
indoor terminal base 30 inEmbodiment 3 includes terminals N, L in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 (Fig. 1 ). - The
52C relay 27 is connected at one end thereof to the terminal S1 on the indoor terminal base 30 -and at the other end to theindoor rectifier 4. The52C relay 27 opens a contact point in the stationary state (normally open), and closes the contact point when the operation is effected by theindoor control unit 5. - The
utility power 7 is connected to the terminals L and N on theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2. - The terminal L on the
indoor terminal base 30 is connected to a point between the52C relay 27 and theindoor rectifier 4. - The terminal N on the
indoor terminal base 30 is connected to a point between the terminal S2 on theindoor terminal base 30 and theindoor rectifier 4. - Accordingly, the
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theindoor terminal base 30 is input to theindoor rectifier 4. Theindoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage. Theindoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of theindoor control unit 5 and theindoor unit 2. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 inEmbodiment 3 stores information indicating that theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition as the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information. - The power receiving
system data unit 26 also stores information indicating that theindoor unit 2 employs the indoor power receiving system. - Other parts of the configuration of the
indoor unit 2 are the same as those inEmbodiment 1, and the same numbers reference the same parts. - The
52C relay 27 corresponds to an "indoor power distribution relay" in the invention. - The
outdoor unit 3 inEmbodiment 3 has a configuration in which the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 are not provided and theutility power 7 is not connected thereto in contrast to the configuration of Embodiment 2 (Fig. 7 ). - As shown in
Fig. 9 , the terminal S1 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and theoutdoor relay 11 are connected directly without the intermediary of the terminal L. The terminal S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 and theoutdoor rectifier 12 are connected directly without the intermediary of the terminal N. - Other parts of the configuration of the
indoor unit 3 are the same as those inEmbodiment 2, and the same numbers reference the same parts. - Although the configuration in which the terminals L and N are not provided on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is shown inFig. 9 , the invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration similar to theoutdoor unit 3 in Embodiment 2 (Fig. 7 ) in which theutility power 7 is not connected to theoutdoor unit 3 is also applicable. - The configuration of the
outdoor unit 3 is not limited thereto, and may be varied as long as it is connected to theindoor unit 2 by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16, and theutility power 7 is not connected thereto. - Subsequently, supply of power when the
air conditioner 1 is in the standby condition will be described. - As shown in
Fig. 9 , theutility power 7 is supplied to the terminals L and N on theindoor terminal base 30 of theindoor unit 2. Then, theutility power 7 is input to theindoor rectifier 4. - The
indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage. Theindoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of theindoor control unit 5 and theindoor unit 2. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether theair conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the indoor power receiving system, enables the control of the52C relay 27. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26. - In
Embodiment 3, since theoutdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition, theindoor control unit 5 does not operate theoutdoor activation relay 22. - The
outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state. - Accordingly, the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 is connected to theoutdoor unit 3 via thesignal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - At the same time, the
indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from theremote controller 17 and received via the receivingunit 18. - In contrast, the
52C relay 27 opens the contact point in the stationary state. - Therefore, no
utility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S1 and S2 on theindoor terminal base 30, so that theutility power 7 is not supplied to theoutdoor unit 3. - Therefore, in the standby condition, the power source supply to the respective components of the
outdoor unit 3 is cut off, so that reduction of the power consumption of theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is achieved. - Subsequently, an operation of the
indoor unit 2 at the time of activation inEmbodiment 3 will be described. -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the indoor unit according toEmbodiment 3. - Subsequently, respective steps shown in
Fig. 10 will be described. - The
indoor control unit 5 receives an operation start request from theremote controller 17 via the receivingunit 18. - The
indoor control unit 5 effects the operation (ON) of the52C relay 27, and connects the terminal L on theindoor terminal base 30 and the terminal S1 on theindoor terminal base 30. - Accordingly, the
utility power 7 is supplied between thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - The
indoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 to start the communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communication between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 of theoutdoor unit 3 is established. - When the communication between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 is established, the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 starts communications with the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 of theoutdoor unit 3. - The
indoor control unit 5 carries out communications with theoutdoor unit 3 via the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation. - In contrast, if the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 cannot be established in Step 36, theindoor control unit 5 effects the operation of the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 again to start communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - Then, the
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 are established within the predetermined time (n seconds). - If the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 and theoutdoor unit 3 cannot be established within n seconds in Step 39, theindoor control unit 5 determines that the communication is abnormal. - Subsequently, an operation of the
outdoor unit 3 at the time of activation will be described. - When the electric power from the
utility power 7 is supplied between thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9 in Step 34 described above, the electric power from theutility power 7 is supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3. - When the electric power from the
utility power 7 is supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31, the power is supplied to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the inrushcurrent preventing resistor 10. - The
outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theoutdoor control unit 15, thecapacitor 25, and theinverter circuit 23. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14. - Operations from then onward are the same as those in
Step 24 to Step 32 inEmbodiment 2. - As described above, in
Embodiment 3, even when theoutdoor unit 3 is not of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition, the 52C relay is brought into an opened state to cut off the power supply from theutility power 7 to theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition. Therefore, the standby condition power consumption consumed by theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is reduced. - Even in the indoor power receiving system in which the
utility power 7 is connected to theindoor unit 2, theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 are connected by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16. Therefore, the control is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between theindoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 from three. - For example, in the
outdoor unit 3 of a model in the related art, theoutdoor unit 3 of the model in the related art can be connected to theindoor unit 2 without developing the substrate and the software. - The connection of the
indoor unit 2 and theoutdoor unit 3 is also possible even when the levels of development of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability thereof are different. - The indoor control substrate and the control may be commonly used irrespective of the power receiving mode of the
utility power 7 and the connection to the outdoor unit of the prior year model. - In
Embodiment 3, the case of theoutdoor unit 3 having no inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 provided therein and not allowing the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition has been described. The invention is not limited thereto, and theoutdoor unit 3 which allows the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition described inEmbodiment 1 may be connected as theoutdoor unit 3. - In this case, in addition to the operations described above, the
indoor control unit 5 makes a reference to data in the power receivingsystem data unit 26, and effects the operation of theoutdoor activation relay 22 when theoutdoor unit 3 is of the type which allows the reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition and theutility power 7 is supplied to theindoor unit 2. - With such the configuration and the operation, the same advantages are achieved.
- In
Embodiment 4, the mode of theair conditioner 1 in a multiple connection having a plurality of the indoor units will be described. -
Fig. 11 is an electric component system block diagram of an air conditioner in the standby condition according toEmbodiment 4. - As shown in
Fig. 11 , inEmbodiment 4, a plurality of the indoor units are provided. - In
Embodiment 4, a case where two indoor units, that is, anindoor unit A 28 and anindoor unit B 29 are provided will be described. - The configurations of the
indoor unit A 28 and theindoor unit B 29 are the same as theindoor unit 2 in Embodiment 1 (Fig. 1 ), and the same numbers reference the same parts. - The number of the indoor units is not limited thereto, and three or more of those may be provided.
- The
indoor unit A 28 and theindoor unit B 29 each are connected to theoutdoor unit 3 respectively by the three core cable including thepower line 8, the power signal common line 9, and thesignal line 16. - The
outdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3 is provided with two sets of the terminals S1, S2 and S3 corresponding to theindoor unit A 28 and theindoor unit B 29. - The terminal S1 on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S1 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The terminal S2 on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The terminal S3 on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is connected to the respective terminals S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31. - The
outdoor unit 3 inEmbodiment 4 includes the outdoorcommunication circuit units 14 according to the number of the indoor units to be connected in addition to the configuration in Embodiment 1 (Fig. 1 ). - The outdoor
communication circuit units 14 each are connected at one end thereof to the communication circuitpower supply unit 13, and at the other end thereof to the terminal S3 to which thesignal line 16 of the indoor unit corresponding thereto is connected. - The
outdoor unit 3 is provided with the power supply cutoff relays 21 according to the number of the indoor units to be connected. - The power supply cutoff relays 21 each are connected at one end to the inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 and at the other end to the terminal S3 to which thesignal line 16 of the indoor unit corresponding to the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 is connected. - Other parts of the configuration of the
outdoor unit 3 are the same as those inEmbodiment 1, and the same number reference the same parts. - First of all, the supply of power in the
air conditioner 1 in the standby condition will be described. - The
utility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied from the terminals S1 and S2 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 to the terminals S1 and S2 on theindoor terminal bases 30 of theindoor unit A 28 and theindoor unit B 29 via thepower line 8 and the power signal common line 9. - Then, the
indoor rectifiers 4 each receive an input of the power of theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 on the indoor terminal bases 30. - The
indoor rectifier 4 converts the input AC voltage to a given DC voltage. Theindoor rectifier 4 supplies the converted DC voltage to respective components of theindoor control unit 5 and theindoor unit 2. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether theair conditioner 1 employs the indoor power receiving system or the outdoor power receiving system on the basis of data stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26 and, when it is determined to be the outdoor power receiving system, enables the control of theoutdoor activation relay 22. - The
indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not theoutdoor unit 3 connected to theindoor unit 2 is of the type which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition on the basis of the standby condition power consumption reduction capability information stored in the power receivingsystem data unit 26. - The
outdoor activation relay 22 connects the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 in the stationary state. - Accordingly, the each indoor
communication circuit unit 6 is connected to theoutdoor unit 3 via thesignal line 16, and is brought into a state of being capable of establishing communications with theoutdoor unit 3. - At the same time, the
indoor control unit 5 is brought into a state of waiting for the reception of an operation start request signal transmitted from theremote controller 17 and received via the receivingunit 18. - The contact points of the
outdoor relay 11 and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 of theoutdoor unit 3 are opened in the stationary state. - At the same time, each of the respective outdoor activation relays 22 of the
indoor unit A 28 and theindoor unit B 29 opens the connection between the terminal S3 on theindoor terminal base 30 and the outdoorpower supply line 24. - Therefore, no
utility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31, so that the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is in the non-energized state. - Therefore, even when the
utility power 7 is supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3, the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 and theoutdoor relay 11 are each brought into an opened state. - Therefore, in the standby condition, the power source supply to the respective components connected to downstream of the inrush
current preventing relay 19 and theoutdoor relay 11 is cut off, so that reduction of the standby condition power consumption of theoutdoor unit 3 in the standby condition is achieved. - Subsequently, the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner at the time of activation and during operation will be described.
-
Fig. 12 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 4 in which one of the indoor units is activated. -
Fig. 13 is an electric component system block diagram of the air conditioner according toEmbodiment 4 in which one of the indoor units is in operation. - The operation to activate the
outdoor unit 3 when an operation start request is transmitted from theremote controller 17 only to theindoor unit A 28 will be described. - When the operation start request is transmitted from the
remote controller 17 to theindoor unit A 28, theindoor control unit 5 of theindoor unit A 28 receives the operation start request via the receivingunit 18. - Operations from then onward of the
indoor unit A 28 are the same as those inStep 1 to Step 11 inEmbodiment 1. - Subsequently, an operation of the
outdoor unit 3 will be described. -
Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the outdoor unit according toEmbodiment 4. - Referring now to
Fig. 12 andFig. 13 , description will be given on the basis of respective steps inFig. 14 . - When the
outdoor activation relay 22 of theindoor unit A 28 is turned ON and theutility power 7 is supplied between thesignal line 16 and the power signal common line 9, theutility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31 of theoutdoor unit 3. - When the
utility power 7 is supplied between the terminals S2 and S3 on theoutdoor terminal base 31, the inrush current preventingrelay coil 20 is energized via the power supply cutoff relays 21, and makes the inrush current preventingrelay 19 short-circuited (seeFig. 12 ). - When the inrush
current preventing relay 19 is made short-circuited, theutility power 7 supplied to the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is supplied to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the inrushcurrent preventing resistance 10. - The
outdoor rectifier 12 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage, and supplies the same to theoutdoor control unit 15, thecapacitor 25, and theinverter circuit 23. - The communication circuit
power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage supplied from theutility power 7 to a given DC voltage and supplies the same to the outdoorcommunication circuit units 14. - When the DC power is supplied from the
outdoor rectifier 12, theoutdoor control unit 15 makes theoutdoor relay 11 short-circuited. - Subsequently, the
outdoor control unit 15 effects the operations of all the power supply cutoff relays 21 to open the contact points. - When the power supply cutoff relays 21 are opened, the inrush current preventing
relay coil 20 is brought into a non-energized state, and the inrushcurrent preventing relay 19 is opened (seeFig. 13 ). - Accordingly, the short circuit between the terminals S2 and S3 on the
outdoor terminal base 31 is prevented during operation of theoutdoor unit 3, so that communications between the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 are enabled. - Subsequently, the
outdoor control unit 15 effects the operations of all the outdoorcommunication circuit units 14 to start communications with theindoor unit A 28 or theindoor unit B 29. - The outdoor
communication circuit units 14 each start communications with the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of the corresponding indoor unit via the power signal common line 9 and thesignal line 16. - The
outdoor control unit 15 determines whether or not communications between the respective outdoorcommunication circuit units 14 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of the corresponding indoor unit are established. - The
outdoor control unit 15 repeats Step 47 until the communications with the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of either one of theindoor unit A 28 or theindoor unit B 29 are established. - Since the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit A 28 is in operation here, it is determined that communications between the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 and the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit A 28 are established. - In this case, the
outdoor unit 3 starts communication with theindoor unit A 28. - The
outdoor control unit 15 carries out communications with theindoor unit A 28 via the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation. - Subsequently, an operation in a case where the operation start request is transmitted from the
remote controller 17 to theindoor unit B 29 when theindoor unit A 28 and theoutdoor unit 3 are in operation will be described. - When the operation start request is transmitted from the
remote controller 17 to theindoor unit B 29, theindoor control unit 5 of theindoor unit B 29 receives the operation start request via the receivingunit 18. - From then onward, establishment of the communications between the indoor
communication circuit unit 6 of theindoor unit B 29 and theoutdoor unit 3 with the same operations as inStep 1 toStep 3 inEmbodiment 1 is achieved. - Here the
outdoor unit 3 is already in operation by the operations described above, and the outdoorcommunication circuit unit 14 to be connected to theindoor unit B 29 is repeating the establishment of communications, so that the establishment of communications between theindoor unit B 29 and theoutdoor unit 3 is achieved. - Therefore, the
outdoor control unit 15 of theindoor unit B 29 carries out the communications with theoutdoor unit 3 via the indoorcommunication circuit unit 6 by the operations inStep 3 and Step 9 inEmbodiment 1, and causes theair conditioner 1 to perform the cooling operation or the heating operation. - Subsequently, an operation to bring the
air conditioner 1 to the standby condition will be described. - In the same manner as in
Embodiment 1, theindoor control units 5 each receive an operation standby signal from theremote controller 17 via the corresponding receivingunit 18. - The
outdoor control unit 15 of theoutdoor unit 3 receives the operation standby signal via the respective outdoorcommunication circuit units 14. - The
outdoor control unit 15 effects the operation of theoutdoor relay 11 to open the contact point upon receipt of the operation standby signal from all the indoor units. - Accordingly, the power supply from the
utility power 7 to theoutdoor rectifier 12 and the communication circuitpower supply unit 13 via the terminals L and N on theoutdoor terminal base 31 is stopped, and the supply of the DC power to the respective components of theoutdoor unit 3 is also stopped. - With the operation as described above, transition to the standby condition described above (
Fig. 11 ) is achieved again. - As described thus far, in
Embodiment 4, even when there are a plurality of the indoor units, connection between the respective indoor units and theoutdoor unit 3 is achieved as-is without increasing the number of cores of the connecting cable between the respective indoor units and theoutdoor unit 3 from three, and the reduction of the standby made power consumption in the standby condition is achieved. - 1:air conditioner, 2:indoor unit, 3: outdoor unit, 4: indoor rectifier, 5: indoor control unit, 6: indoor communication circuit unit, 7: utility power, 8: power line, 9: power signal common line, 10: inrush current preventing resistance, 11: outdoor relay, 12: outdoor rectifier, 13: communication circuit power supply unit, 14: outdoor communication circuit unit, 15: outdoor control unit, 16: signal line, 17: remote controller, 18: receiving unit, 19: inrush current preventing relay, 20: inrush current preventing relay coil, 21: power supply cutoff relay, 22: outdoor activation relay, 23: inverter circuit, 24: outdoor power supply line, 25: capacitor, 26: power receiving system data unit, 27: 52C relay, 28: indoor unit A, 29: indoor unit B, 30: indoor terminal base, 31: outdoor terminal base
Claims (9)
- An air conditioner, in which an indoor unit (2) and an outdoor unit (3) are provided, the indoor unit (2) and the outdoor unit (3) being connected by a three-core cable of a power line (8), a power signal common line (9), and a signal line (16), and utility power (7) supplied to either the outdoor unit (3) or the indoor unit (2) is distributed via the power line (8) and the power signal common line (9), wherein
the indoor unit (2) includes:an outdoor activation relay (22) configured to open and close a connection between the power line (8) and the signal line (16) in order to supply the utility power (7) between the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9) in the closed state; andan indoor control unit (5) configured to open and close the connection between the power line (8) and the signal line (16) by operating the outdoor activation relay (22), andthe indoor control unit (5) being configured to open the connection between the power line (8) and the signal line (16) in a standby condition,characterized in thatthe indoor unit further includes a power-receiving system data unit (26) for storing information including whether the outdoor unit (3) is or is not of the type, which allows reduction of the power consumption in the standby condition as standby condition power consumption reduction capability information,wherein the indoor control unit is configured not to close the connection between the power line (8) and the signal line (16), when the outdoor unit is not of a type which allows reduction of power consumption in the standby condition. - The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit (3) includes:a power supply relay configured to open and close a connection of the utility power (7) supplied to the outdoor unit (3); anda power supply relay coil configured to close the power supply relay when the utility power (7) is supplied between the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9).
- The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein a plurality of the indoor units (28,29) are provided,
the outdoor unit (3) is connected to the plurality of indoor units (28,29) by three core cables each including the power line (8), the power signal common line (9), and the signal line (16), and
the power supply relay coil closes the power supply relay when the utility power (7) is supplied between the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9) which are connected to any one of the plurality of indoor units (28, 29). - The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the indoor unit (2,28,29) includes an indoor communication circuit unit (6) configured to carry out communications with the outdoor unit (3) via the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9), and
the indoor control unit (5) configured to close the connection between the power line and the signal line by operating the outdoor activation relay (22) for a predetermined time when the communication between the indoor communication circuit unit (6) and the outdoor unit (3) is not established when starting operation. - The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the outdoor unit (3) includes:an outdoor communication circuit unit (14) configured to carry out communications with the indoor unit (2,28,29) via the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9);a power supply cutoff relay (21) configured to cut off energization of the power supply relay coil; andan outdoor control unit (15) configured to operates the power supply cutoff relay (21),the power supply relay includes:an outdoor relay (11) operated by the outdoor control unit (15); andan inrush current preventing relay (19) connected in parallel with the outdoor relay (11) and configured to be operated by energization of the power supply relay coil, andthe outdoor control unit (15) configured to operate the outdoor relay (11) after a contact point of the inrush current preventing relay (19) is closed by a supply of the utility power (7) between the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9), to open the contact point by operating the power supply cutoff relay (21) after having closed the contact point of the outdoor relay (11), and to operate the outdoor communication circuit unit (14) to start communication with the indoor unit (2,28,29).
- The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein
the power receiving system data unit (26) is configured to store information to identify whether or not the outdoor unit (3) includes a power supply relay,
and the indoor control unit (5) is configured not to close the connection between the power line and the signal line by operating the outdoor activation relay (22) when the outdoor unit (3) does not have the power supply relay. - The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit (2) includes:an indoor power distribution relay (27) configured to open and close a connection between the utility power (7) supplied to the indoor unit (2) and the power line (8);wherein the power receiving system data unit (26), is adapted to store information for discriminating to which the utility power (7) is supplied, the outdoor unit (3) or the indoor unit (2), andthe indoor control unit (5) is configured to operate the indoor power distribution relay (27) on the basis of the information stored at least in the power receiving system data unit (26), and to supply the utility power (7) from the indoor unit (2) to the outdoor unit (3) via the power line (8) and the power signal common line (9).
- The air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the power receiving system data unit (26) is adapted to store information for discriminating whether or not the outdoor unit (3) includes a power supply relay, and
the indoor control unit (5) is configured not to close the connection between the power line and the signal line by operating the outdoor activation relay (22) when the outdoor unit (3) does not have the power supply relay. - The air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the outdoor unit (3) includes:a power supply relay configured to open and close a connection between the power line (8) and the outdoor unit (3); anda power supply relay coil configured to close the power supply relay when the utility power (7) is supplied between the signal line (16) and the power signal common line (9),the power receiving system data unit (26) is adapted to store information for discriminating whether or not the outdoor unit (3) includes the power supply relay, andthe indoor control unit (5) is configured to close the connection between the power line and the signal line by operating the outdoor activation relay (22) when the outdoor unit (3) includes the power supply relay and the utility power (7) is supplied to the indoor unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2009091723A JP5241585B2 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-04-06 | Air conditioner |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2241831A1 EP2241831A1 (en) | 2010-10-20 |
EP2241831A8 EP2241831A8 (en) | 2011-02-09 |
EP2241831B1 true EP2241831B1 (en) | 2018-04-25 |
Family
ID=42235845
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10002461.1A Active EP2241831B1 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2010-03-09 | Air conditioner with reduced standby power consuption of the outdoor unit on the basis of a three wire cable connection between indoor and outdoor unit |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2241831B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5241585B2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2670725T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3862823A4 (en) * | 2018-10-01 | 2022-04-13 | Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai | Device control method, device control apparatus and device using control apparatus |
Families Citing this family (39)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101847314B (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2011-09-28 | 辛明 | Signal transmission method and transmission device for solar water heater |
JP5289384B2 (en) * | 2010-06-01 | 2013-09-11 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP2012107817A (en) * | 2010-11-18 | 2012-06-07 | Hitachi Appliances Inc | Air conditioning apparatus |
JP2012117704A (en) * | 2010-11-29 | 2012-06-21 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Air conditioner |
JP5830719B2 (en) * | 2011-05-16 | 2015-12-09 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Control device for multi-room air conditioner |
JP5873966B2 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2016-03-01 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5502062B2 (en) * | 2011-12-26 | 2014-05-28 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP2013133974A (en) * | 2011-12-26 | 2013-07-08 | Panasonic Corp | Multi-type air conditioner |
CN104024755B (en) | 2011-12-28 | 2017-07-04 | 大金工业株式会社 | Air-conditioning device |
JP5772587B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2015-09-02 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5655775B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2015-01-21 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5403144B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2014-01-29 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5772588B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2015-09-02 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5246324B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2013-07-24 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5472333B2 (en) * | 2012-01-26 | 2014-04-16 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
MY166408A (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2018-06-25 | Panasonic Appliances Air Conditioning R&D Malaysia Sdn Bhd | Air conditioner |
JP5769692B2 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2015-08-26 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5661090B2 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2015-01-28 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP6231749B2 (en) * | 2013-01-23 | 2017-11-15 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP2014152968A (en) * | 2013-02-06 | 2014-08-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Air conditioner |
JP6037884B2 (en) * | 2013-02-15 | 2016-12-07 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP5984732B2 (en) * | 2013-04-09 | 2016-09-06 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
CN105337598A (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2016-02-17 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Air conditioner, and circuit having low stand-by power consumption and control method thereof |
CN104167643A (en) * | 2014-08-04 | 2014-11-26 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Plug, air conditioner and plug control method |
CN104214901B (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2017-01-11 | 中国扬子集团滁州扬子空调器有限公司 | Out-of-communication control method of indoor unit of inverter air conditioner |
JP6184391B2 (en) | 2014-11-07 | 2017-08-23 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
MY182372A (en) * | 2015-02-11 | 2021-01-21 | Panasonic Appliances Air Conditioning R&D Malaysia Sdn Bhd | Reduced power consumption in air conditioners |
KR101737364B1 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2017-05-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner including the same |
JP6505256B2 (en) * | 2016-01-06 | 2019-04-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
CN106440220B (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2019-07-02 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Air-conditioner standby circuit and air conditioner |
JP2018162902A (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2018-10-18 | 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社 | Air conditioning system and control method |
KR101951675B1 (en) | 2017-03-28 | 2019-02-25 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner having power saving function |
US11486596B2 (en) * | 2017-07-26 | 2022-11-01 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
JP6797311B2 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2020-12-09 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
CN108168048B (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2020-04-24 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Method and device for identifying air conditioner circuit and air conditioner |
US11506412B2 (en) | 2018-01-11 | 2022-11-22 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
WO2019155620A1 (en) * | 2018-02-09 | 2019-08-15 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
KR102053986B1 (en) * | 2018-02-09 | 2019-12-09 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Standby power device |
US11486600B2 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2022-11-01 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air conditioner |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3019844B1 (en) * | 1998-10-05 | 2000-03-13 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Separate type air conditioner |
JP4529603B2 (en) * | 2004-09-14 | 2010-08-25 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Separate type air conditioner |
JP3806882B2 (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-08-09 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP4483800B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2010-06-16 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | Air conditioner |
JP4833168B2 (en) * | 2007-08-09 | 2011-12-07 | シャープ株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP2010054065A (en) * | 2008-08-26 | 2010-03-11 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Air conditioner |
-
2009
- 2009-04-06 JP JP2009091723A patent/JP5241585B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-03-09 EP EP10002461.1A patent/EP2241831B1/en active Active
- 2010-03-09 ES ES10002461.1T patent/ES2670725T3/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3862823A4 (en) * | 2018-10-01 | 2022-04-13 | Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai | Device control method, device control apparatus and device using control apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP5241585B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 |
EP2241831A1 (en) | 2010-10-20 |
EP2241831A8 (en) | 2011-02-09 |
JP2010243051A (en) | 2010-10-28 |
ES2670725T3 (en) | 2018-05-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2241831B1 (en) | Air conditioner with reduced standby power consuption of the outdoor unit on the basis of a three wire cable connection between indoor and outdoor unit | |
US8324755B2 (en) | Power management system and method of operating the same | |
EP2803918B1 (en) | Air conditioning device | |
EP2618457B1 (en) | Intelligent power distribution system and method | |
US20190263279A1 (en) | On-board control device | |
US20140253050A1 (en) | Recreational Vehicle User Interface System and Method | |
US8987947B2 (en) | Air conditioner | |
US20040262997A1 (en) | Backup power management system and method of operating the same | |
CN101165421A (en) | Air conditioner and method of controlling the same | |
JP2014202459A (en) | Air conditioner | |
EP3680566B1 (en) | Air conditioner | |
US20180293062A1 (en) | Arrangement and method for updating a control software in a high-voltage control unit | |
EP2980952A1 (en) | Power supply control device | |
JP6194262B2 (en) | DC power supply device and power supply control method | |
JPH11308783A (en) | Automatic analyzer | |
CN113054266A (en) | Data exchange unit and data exchange system suitable for whole package utilization of echelon batteries | |
EP1311049B1 (en) | Method and network for providing backup power to networked devices | |
JP2013139891A (en) | Air conditioner | |
KR20130022763A (en) | Control method for motor starter and mortor starter using the same | |
CN113251578B (en) | Multifunctional test process line automatic switching method, electronic equipment and storage medium | |
US20220385201A1 (en) | Smart transformer device | |
CN213273305U (en) | Control cabinet, control system and air cooling unit | |
KR20190016706A (en) | Energy Saving Distribution Panel Equipped with Remotely Controllable Circuit Breaker and Segregated Uninterruptible Feeder | |
JP2018064431A (en) | Power control unit | |
CN114844184A (en) | Power supply system, method, device, and medium for controlling power supply system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA ME RS |
|
RTI1 | Title (correction) |
Free format text: AIR CONDITIONER WITH REDUCED STANDBY POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE OUTDOOR UNIT ON THE BASIS OF A THREE WIRE CABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR UNIT |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20110420 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE ES FR IT |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20171004 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR IT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602010050119 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2670725 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20180531 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602010050119 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20190128 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R084 Ref document number: 602010050119 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: GC2A Effective date: 20210113 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230208 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20230213 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230512 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20230404 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240130 Year of fee payment: 15 |