EP3447405B1 - Air-conditioning device - Google Patents

Air-conditioning device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3447405B1
EP3447405B1 EP16899344.2A EP16899344A EP3447405B1 EP 3447405 B1 EP3447405 B1 EP 3447405B1 EP 16899344 A EP16899344 A EP 16899344A EP 3447405 B1 EP3447405 B1 EP 3447405B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
power
failure
air
temperature
compressor
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
Application number
EP16899344.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3447405A4 (en
EP3447405A1 (en
Inventor
Yuki Mochizuki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp filed Critical Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Publication of EP3447405A1 publication Critical patent/EP3447405A1/en
Publication of EP3447405A4 publication Critical patent/EP3447405A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3447405B1 publication Critical patent/EP3447405B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • F25B49/022—Compressor control arrangements
    • 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
    • F24F11/89—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/26—Problems to be solved characterised by the startup of the refrigeration cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2115—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor
    • F25B2700/21154—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor of an inverter

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus which circulates refrigerant to perform air conditioning.
  • Patent Literature 1 is concerned with providing an air conditioner having a crankcase heater in which a compressor can be controlled to start by using an existing temperature sensor to determine whether it is a return from a temporary de-energized state due to power failure or the like on the basis of a detection temperature of the temperature sensor.
  • Patent Literature 3 discloses an air-conditioning apparatus according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2.
  • the compressor protection control is a control that when the compressor is in a stopped state, a heating unit such as a heater heats the compressor to evaporate refrigerant accumulating in the compressor.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus of Patent Literature 1 performs the compressor protection control by supplying power to an electric heater wound around the compressor.
  • an operation frequency is restricted for a while after the apparatus is started, and the compressor protection control is performed with heat generated by a coil of an electric motor included in a compressor, in consideration of the case where supplying of power may be stopped for a long period of time, and heating could not be performed using a heating unit such as a heater.
  • the related-art air-conditioning apparatus necessarily executes the compressor protection control when it is started, regardless of whether a power failure continues for a short time or supplying of power is stopped for a long time.
  • the compressor cannot be operated at 100% of capacity while the compressor protection control is being performed. Therefore, in the related-art air-conditioning apparatus, even if the time for which a power failure continues is short, it takes long time to restore the state of air in a to-be-air-conditioned space to that prior to occurrence of the power failure.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of rapidly restoring the state of air in a to-be-air-conditioned space to that prior to occurrence of a power failure in the case where supplying of power is restarted after elapses of a short time from occurrence of the power failure.
  • a compressor when the difference between a temperature which is detected as temperature information when a power failure occurs and a temperature which is detected as temperature information when a power recovery is made is smaller than or equal to a power-failure reference threshold value, a compressor is rotationally driven to proceed to a normal operation control without performing a compressor protection control.
  • the compressor can be rapidly caused to operate at the capacity at which the compressor was operated before occurence of the power failure. Accordingly, in the case where supplying of power is restarted after a short time elapses from occurence of the power failure, the state of air in a to-be-air-conditioned space can be rapidly restored to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to occurrence of the power failure.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an first example not according to the invention.
  • the configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be overall described with reference to Fig. 1 .
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2.
  • the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are operated by power supplied from a commercial power supply 500 which is an AC power supply.
  • the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 3, a heat-source-side heat exchanger 4, a heat-source-side fan 7, and an outdoor-unit control device 9.
  • the indoor unit 2 includes an expansion valve 5, a load-side heat exchanger 6, a load-side fan 8, and an indoor-unit control device 10.
  • the compressor 3, the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the load-side heat exchanger 6 are coupled to each other by a refrigerant pipe 13 to form a refrigerant circuit which circulates refrigerant.
  • the compressor 3 is a compressor whose capacity is variable, and is provided to compress the refrigerant.
  • the compressor 3 includes a compressor motor (not shown) to be controlled by an inverter.
  • the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4 is formed of, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and outside air which is a heat medium.
  • the expansion valve 5 is formed of, for example, an electronic expansion valve, and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant.
  • the load-side heat exchanger 6 is formed of, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and air in a to-be-air-conditioned space.
  • the heat-source-side fan 7 is formed of an axial flow fan such as a propeller fan, and is provided for the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4.
  • the heat-source-side fan 7 sends air to the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4.
  • the load-side fan 8 is formed of a centrifugal fan such as a cross-flow fan, and is provided for the load-side heat exchanger 6.
  • the load-side fan 8 sends air to the load-side heat exchanger 6.
  • the outdoor unit 1 includes a discharge temperature detection device 3a provided on a discharge side of the compressor 3 to detect a discharge temperature, which is the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3.
  • the discharge temperature detection device 3a is, for example, a temperature sensor formed of a thermistor, and is provided at, for example, a discharge port of the compressor 3.
  • the indoor unit 2 includes a suction temperature detection device 11 and an input device 12.
  • the suction temperature detection device 11 is, for example, a temperature sensor formed of a thermistor, and is provided to detect an indoor air temperature, which is the temperature of air in the to-be-air-conditioned space.
  • the input device 12 is to be operated by a user. That is, the input device 12 allows the user to, for example, turn on/off a power source, set a target temperature, set the direction of wind, and set the velocity of wind.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9 controls operations of various actuators provided in the outdoor unit 1, such as the compressor 3 and the heat-source-side fan 7.
  • the indoor-unit control device 10 controls operations of various actuators provided in the indoor unit 1, such as the expansion valve 5 and the load-side fan 8.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9 and the indoor-unit control device 10 mutually communicate with each other to execute cooperative control of the air-conditioning apparatus 100. That is, the outdoor-unit control device 9 can control the operations of various actuators provided in the indoor unit 2, using the indoor-unit control device 10.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor-unit control device 9 as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9 includes a power-failure detection unit 91, a temperature storage processing unit 92, a storage unit 93, a temperature difference calculation unit 94 and an operation control unit 95.
  • the power-failure detection unit 91 constantly monitors the state of supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 to detect a stop of supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500, that is, a power failure. Also, the power-failure detection unit 91 detects that supplying of the power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted, that is, a power recovery, and outputs a signal indicating detection of the power recovery to the temperature storage processing unit 92.
  • the temperature storage processing unit 92 acquires, when the power-failure detection unit 91 detects a power failure, information indicating a discharge temperature from the discharge temperature detection device 3a, and stores the acquired information indicating the discharge temperature in the storage unit 93 as a discharge temperature Td off . Also, the temperature storage processing unit 92 acquires, when receiving the signal indicating detection of the power recovery from the power-failure detection unit 91, information indicating the discharge temperature from the discharge temperature detection device 3a, and stores the acquired information indicating the discharge temperature in the storage unit 93 as a discharge temperature Td on .
  • the storage unit 93 stores, as described above, the discharge temperature Td off and the discharge temperature Td on which are temperature information.
  • the storage unit 93 can hold the stored information even during the power failure.
  • the storage unit 93 can be formed of a programmable read only memory (PROM) such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD).
  • PROM programmable read only memory
  • HDD hard disk drive
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 finds out a difference between the discharge temperature Td on which is detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a when a power recovery is made from a power failure state and the discharge temperature Td off which is detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a when the power-failure detection unit 91 detects the power failure.
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 reads out the discharge temperature Td off and the discharge temperature Td on from the storage unit 93 when supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted after occurrence of the power failure, and calculates a temperature difference ⁇ Td by subtracting the discharge temperature Td on from the discharge temperature Td off .
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 has a function of outputting the calculated temperature difference ⁇ Td to the operation control unit 95.
  • the operation control unit 95 includes a power-failure time determination unit 95a, a protection control unit 95b and an air-conditioning control unit 95c.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 95a compares the temperature difference ⁇ Td calculated by the temperature difference calculation unit 94 with a power-failure reference threshold value to determine whether or not the temperature difference ⁇ Td is greater than the power-failure reference threshold value.
  • the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 is important operation data for recognizing the operation state thereof. Therefore, the discharge temperature detection device 3a is covered with a heat insulating material (not shown).
  • the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 is higher than the temperature of outside air by approximately ten degrees C to several tens of degrees C.
  • the discharge temperature detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a gradually approaches the temperature of the outside air.
  • the variation of the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 is the minimum, for example, the following situation is conceivable: when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in operation, the difference between the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 and the temperature of outside air is only approximately 10 degrees C. Under this situation, the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 varies only by approximately 10 degrees C from the time when a power failure occurs to the time when a power recovery is made.
  • the power-failure reference threshold value is set to 10 degrees C. It should be noted that the time required until the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 lowers by 10 degrees C is several minutes to several tens of minutes, but the time required until refrigerant accumulates in the compressor 3 is generally several hours. Therefore, the refrigerant does not accumulate in the compressor 3 before the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 lowers by 10 degrees C. Thus, in the case where the temperature difference ⁇ Td is 10 degrees C or smaller, the compressor 3 will not be damaged even if the compressor protection control is not performed.
  • the power-failure reference threshold value may be varied as appropriate in accordance with, for example, the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the type of the compressor 3, and the state of attachment of the discharge temperature detection device 3a or the suction temperature detection device 11.
  • the power-failure reference threshold value may be set to a value smaller than 10 degrees C. That is, in the case where the power-failure reference threshold value is set in accordance with, for example, the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 100, and the temperature difference ⁇ Td is smaller than or equal to the power-failure reference threshold value, the compressor 3 can be prevented from being damaged, even without the compressor protection control.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 95a can determine that a power failure time is long, and thus outputs a control command signal to the protection control unit 95b to request the protection control unit 95b to perform the compressor protection control.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 95a can determine that the power-failure time is short, and thus outputs a control command signal to the air-conditioning control unit 95c to request the protection control unit 95b to omit the compressor protection control.
  • the power-failure time is time required from occurrence of occurrence of the power failure to restarting of supplying of power.
  • the protection control unit 95b performs a compressor protection control of heating the compressor 3 only for a fixed period of time in response to the control command signal from the power-failure time determination unit 95a.
  • the compressor 3 includes an electric heater (not shown), and the protection control unit 95b energizes the electric heater for a fixed period of time in response to the control command signal from the power-failure time determination unit 95a.
  • the protection control unit 95b outputs the control command signal to the air-conditioning control unit 95c when the compressor protection control is ended, that is, when the fixed period of time elapses.
  • the air-conditioning control unit 95c rotationally drives the compressor 3, and performs a normal operation control associated with air conditioning.
  • the normal operation control associated with air conditioning is also referred to as "normal operation control”.
  • the air-conditioning control unit 95c performs the normal operation control in cooperation with the indoor-unit control device 10 by controlling the operations of the various actuators provided in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2. For example, the air-conditioning control unit 95c controls the operations of the various actuators in accordance with settings made using the input device 12 or the like. Also, the air-conditioning control unit 95c controls the operations of the various actuators in such a way as to reduce the difference between a target temperature set using the input device 12 and an indoor-air temperature detected by the suction temperature detection device 11.
  • the operation control unit 95 performs the compressor protection control, and then rotationally drives the compressor 3 to execute the normal operation control.
  • the operation control unit 95 rotationally drives the compressor 3 to execute the normal operation control without performing the compressor protection control.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9 indirectly determines whether or not the power-failure time is short, based on the discharge temperature detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a, and performs protection necessity determination processing of determining whether or not to perform the compressor protection control before performing the normal operation control.
  • the first example is described above by referring to by way of example the case where the power-failure detection unit 91 has a function of detecting a power recovery, this is an example, and is not limitative.
  • the temperature storage processing unit 92 may be made to have a function of detecting a power recovery.
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 may store the temperature difference ⁇ Td in the storage unit 93 or the like instead of outputting the temperature difference ⁇ Td to the operation control unit 95.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 95a may read out the temperature difference ⁇ Td from the storage unit 93 or the like, and perform determination processing.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9 and the indoor-unit control device 10 can be made of hardware such as a circuit device which fulfills the above functions, or can be made of software to be executed on a microcomputer such as digital signal processor (DSP) or an arithmetic unit such as a central processing unit (CPU).
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • CPU central processing unit
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • the following description is made by referring to a control operation by the outdoor-unit control device 9, mainly to the protection necessity determination processing.
  • the temperature storage processing unit 92 is on standby until the power-failure detection unit 91 detects a power failure (NO in step S101 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the temperature storage processing unit 92 stores the discharge temperature Td off detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a in the storage unit 93 (Step S102 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in a stopped state until supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted (NO in step S103 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the temperature storage processing unit 92 stores the discharge temperature Td on detected by the discharge temperature detection device 3a in the storage unit 93 (step S104 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 reads out the discharge temperature Td off and the discharge temperature Td on stored in the storage unit 93, and calculates the temperature difference ⁇ Td by subtracting the discharge temperature Td on from the discharge temperature Td off (step S105 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the operation control unit 95 compares the temperature difference ⁇ Td calculated by the temperature difference calculation unit 94 with the power-failure reference threshold value to determine whether or not the temperature difference ⁇ Td is greater than the power-failure reference threshold value (step S106 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the operation control unit 95 executes the compressor protection control (step S107 in Fig. 3 ), and then rotationally drives the compressor 3 to execute the normal operation control (step S108 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the operation control unit 95 rotationally drives the compressor 3 to execute the normal operation control without executing the compressor protection control (step S108 in Fig. 3 ).
  • the power-failure detection unit 91 detects the power failure, and stores the discharge temperature Td off in the storage unit 93. Then, when supplying of power is restarted after occurrence of the power failure, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 automatically restarts its operation. At this time, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 compares the discharge temperature Td on obtained after restarting of supplying of power, with the discharge temperature Td off to determines whether or not to execute the compressor protection control, based on the result of the comparison.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 omits the compressor protection control, and returns to the normal operation control which was executed before the power failure.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 executes the compressor protection control, and after the compressor protection control is ended, returns to the normal operation control which was before occurrence of the power failure.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 can omit the compressor protection control, which is unnecessary in this case, and can thus rapidly causes the compressor 3 to be operated at the capacity at which the compressor 3 was operated before occurrence of the power failure, and can also rapidly restore the state of the air in the to-be-air-conditioned space to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to occurrence of the power failure.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 can omit the compressor protection control without damaging the compressor 3.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100 even if a condition during the power failure, for example, the temperature of air during the power failure, changes, it can be rapidly adjusted, and the state of air in the to-be-air-conditioned space can be rapidly restored to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to the power failure. Thus, the reliability is ensured.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 100A will be overall described with reference to Fig. 4 .
  • Components which are the same as or similar to those of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the first example described above will be denoted by the same reference signs, and their descriptions will be omitted.
  • the outdoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100A includes an inverter device 14, a heat-transfer fin 14a, a first inverter device 15, a first heat-transfer fin 15a and a heat-transfer temperature detection device 17.
  • the inverter device 14 and the outdoor unit 1 drive a compressor motor of the compressor 3 in response to a control signal from the outdoor-unit control device 9A.
  • the inverter device 14 produces a voltage for operating the compressor 3, and supplies the produced voltage to the compressor motor.
  • the heat-transfer fin 14a transfers heat generated in the inverter device 14.
  • the heat-transfer fin 14a is formed of, for example, a heatsink, and is provided in the inverter device 14.
  • the heat-transfer fin 14a transfers heat, especially heat generated by a switching element (not shown) included in the inverter device 14.
  • the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 is, for example, a temperature sensor formed of a thermistor, and is provided in the heat-transfer fin 14a.
  • the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 detects a heat-transfer temperature, which is the temperature of the heat-transfer fin 14a provided in the inverter device 14.
  • the heat-transfer temperature is included in the "temperature information" in the present invention.
  • the first inverter device 15 drives a motor included in the heat-source-side fan 7 in response to a control signal from the outdoor-unit control device 9A.
  • the first heat-transfer fin 15a is formed of, for example, a heatsink, and transfers heat generated in the first inverter device 15.
  • the first inverter device 15 corresponds to the "inverter circuit” in the present invention
  • the first heat-transfer fin 15a corresponds to the "heat-transfer fin” in the present invention.
  • the indoor unit 2 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100A includes a second inverter device 16 and a second heat-transfer fin 16a.
  • the second inverter device 16 drives a motor included in the load-side fan 8 in response to a control signal from the indoor-unit control device 10A.
  • the second heat-transfer fin 16a is formed of, for example, a heatsink, and transfers heat generated in the second inverter device 16.
  • the second inverter device 16 corresponds to the "inverter circuit" in the present invention
  • the second heat-transfer fin 16a corresponds to the "heat-transfer fin” in the present invention.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9A has a function of controlling the operations of the inverter device 14 and the first inverter device 15.
  • the indoor-unit control device 10A has a function of controlling the operation of the second inverter device 16.
  • the other configurations of the outdoor-unit control device 9A and the indoor-unit control device 10A are the same as those of the outdoor-unit control device 9 and the indoor-unit control device 10 in the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor-unit control device 9A as illustrated in Fig. 4 .
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9A includes a temperature storage processing unit 192, a temperature difference calculation unit 194, and an operation control unit 195 including a power-failure time determination unit 195a.
  • the temperature storage processing unit 192 acquires, when the power-failure detection unit 91 detects a power failure, information indicating the heat-transfer temperature from the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17, and stores the acquired information indicating the heat-transfer temperature in the storage unit 93 as a heat-transfer temperature Tinv off . Furthermore, the temperature storage processing unit 192 acquires, when a power recovery is made from the power failure state, information indicating the heat-transfer temperature from the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17, and stores the acquired information indicating the heat-transfer temperature in the storage unit 93 as a heat-transfer temperature Tinv on .
  • the storage unit 93 stores the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off and the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on as temperature information.
  • the other configuration of the temperature storage processing unit 192 is the same as that of the temperature storage processing unit 92 in the first example.
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 194 calculates a difference between the heat-transfer temperature which is detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 when the power recovery is made from the power failure state and the heat-transfer temperature which is detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 when the power-failure detection unit 91 detects the power failure.
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 194 reads out the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off and the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on from the storage unit 93 when supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted after occurrence of the power failure, and calculates a temperature difference ⁇ Tinv by subtracting the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on from the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off .
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 194 has a function of outputting the calculated temperature difference ⁇ Tinv to the operation control unit 195.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 195a compares the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv calculated by the temperature difference calculation unit 194 with a power-failure reference threshold value to determine whether or not the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv is greater that the power-failure reference threshold value. When the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv is greater than the power-failure reference threshold value, the power-failure determination unit 195a can determine that the power-failure time is long, and the power-failure time determination unit 195a thus outputs a control command signal to the protection control unit 95b.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 195a can determine that the power-failure time is short, and the power-failure time determination unit 195a thus outputs a control command signal to the air-conditioning control unit 95c.
  • the power-failure reference threshold value is set to 10 degrees C as in the first example.
  • the power-failure reference threshold value may be varied as appropriate in accordance, for example, the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 100A, the type of the compressor 3 and the state of attachement of the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 or the suction temperature detection device 11. That is, when the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv is smaller than or equal to a power-failure reference threshold value which is set in accordance with, for example, the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the compressor 3 can be prevented from being damaged even when the compressor protection control is not performed.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9A indirectly determines, when supplying of power is restarted, whether or not the power-failure time is short, based on the heat-transfer temperature detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17, and executes protection necessity determination processing of determining whether or not to execute the compressor protection control before shifting to the normal operation control.
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 194 may store the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv in the storage unit 93 or the like, instead of outputting the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv to the operation control unit 195.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 195a may read out the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv from the storage unit 93 or the like, and perform determination processing.
  • Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100A as illustrated in Fig. 4 .
  • a control operation by the outdoor-unit control device 9A will be described with reference to Fig. 6 , by referring mainly to the protection necessity determination processing.
  • the temperature storage processing unit 192 is on standby until the power-failure detection unit 91 detects a power failure (NO in step S201 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the temperature storage processing unit 192 stores information indicating the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 in the storage unit 93 (step S202 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100A is in a stopped state until supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted (NO in step S203 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the temperature storage processing unit 192 stores the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 in the storage unit 93 (step S204 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the temperature difference calculation unit 94 reads out the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off and the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on stored in the storage unit 93, and calculates he temperature difference ⁇ Tinv by subtracting the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on from the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off (step S205 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the operation control unit 195 compares the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv calculated by the temperature difference calculation unit 94 with the power-failure reference threshold value to determine whether or not the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv is greater than the power-failure reference threshold value (step S206 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the operation control unit 195 performs the compressor protection control (step S207 in Fig. 6 ), and then rotationally drives the compressor 3 to perform the normal operation control (step S208 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the operation control unit 195 rotationally drives the compressor 3 to perform the normal operation control without performing the compressor protection control (step S208 in Fig. 6 ).
  • the power-failure detection unit 91 detects the power failure, and stores the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off in the storage unit 93.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A automatically restarts to operate.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A compares the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on obtained after restating of supplying of power with the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off to determine whether or not to perform the compressor protection control, based on the result of the comparison.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A when the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv between the heat-transfer temperature Tinv on and the heat-transfer temperature Tinv off is smaller than or equal to the power-failure reference threshold value, the air-conditioning apparatus 100A omits the compressor protection control, and returns to the normal operation control which was performed before occurrence of the power failure. On the other hand, when the temperature difference ⁇ Tinv is greater than the power-failure reference threshold value, the air-conditioning apparatus 100A executes the compressor protection control, and after the compressor protection control is ended, the air-conditioning apparatus 100A returns to the normal operation control which was executed before occurrence of the power failure.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A can omit the compressor protection control, which is unnecessary in this case, and can thus rapidly cause the compressor 3 to be operated at the capacity at which the compressor 3 was operated before occurrence of the power failure, and can also rapidly restore the state of the air in the to-be-air-conditioned space to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to occurrence the power failure.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A can omit the compressor protection control without damaging the compressor 3.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A even if a condition during the power failure, for example, the temperature of air during the power failure, changes, it can be rapidly adjusted, and the state of air in the to-be-air-conditioned space can be rapidly restored to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to the power failure. Thus, the reliability is ensured.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100A can more accurately determine whether a power recovery is made from the power failure state in a short time period or not.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates by way of example the case where the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 is provided at the heat-transfer fin 14a; however, this is an example, and is not limitative. That is, the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 may be provided at the first heat-transfer fin 15a or the second heat-transfer fin 16a. In this case, the outdoor-unit control device 9A may perform the protection necessity determination processing or the like based on the heat-transfer temperature detected by the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 provided at the first heat-transfer fin 15a or the second heat-transfer fin 16a.
  • the protection necessity determination processing can be more accurately performed than in the case where the heat-transfer temperature detection device 17 is provided at the second heat-transfer fin 16a provided in the indoor unit 2.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the second example not according to the invention.
  • a configuration of a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 100B will be overall described with reference to Fig. 7 .
  • Components which are the same or similar to those in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 and the air-conditioning apparatus 100A according to the first example and the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference signs, and their descriptions will thus be omitted.
  • the outdoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100B includes an outdoor-unit control device 9B, a power-failure time measurement device 18, and a standby power supply device 19.
  • the power-failure time measurement device 18 is a timer which measures time, and measures a power-failure time, which is a period of time for which a power-failure state continues.
  • the standby power supply device 19 is, for example, a battery, and supplies power to the power-failure time measurement device 18 during a power failure.
  • Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor-unit control device 9B as illustrated in Fig. 7 .
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9B includes a power-failure time processing unit 296 and an operation control unit 295 including a power-failure time determination unit 295a.
  • the power-failure time processing unit 296 outputs a measurement start command to the power-failure time measurement device 18 when the power-failure detection unit 91 detects a power failure. That is, the power-failure time measurement device 18 starts to measure time in response to the measurement start command from the power-failure time processing unit 296. Furthermore, the power-failure time processing unit 296 outputs a measurement stop command to the power-failure time measurement device 18 when supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted. That is, the power-failure time measurement device 18 stops measurement of time in response to the measurement stop command from the power-failure time processing unit 296.
  • the power-failure time processing unit 296 acquires the time measured by the power-failure time measurement device 18 as a power-failure time Tpf. Furthermore, the power-failure time processing unit 296 has a function of outputting the power-failure time Tpf acquired from the power-failure time measurement device 18 to the power-failure time determination unit 295a.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 295a compares the power-failure time Tpf with a power-failure reference time to determine whether or not the power-failure time Tpf is longer than the power-failure reference time. When the power-failure time Tpf is longer than the power-failure reference time, the power-failure time determination unit 295a outputs a control command signal to the protection control unit 95b. By contrast, when the power-failure time Tpf is smaller than or equal to the power-failure reference time, the power-failure time determination unit 295a outputs a control command signal to the air-conditioning control unit 95c.
  • the power-failure reference time is set in accordance with, for example, the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 100B and the type of the compressor 3. In the case where it is assumed that the refrigerant accumulates in the compressor 3 relatively early, the power-failure reference time is set to, for example, 60 minutes.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9B directly determines whether or not the power-failure time is short, based on the power-failure time Tpf which is measured by the power-failure time measurement device 18 when supplying of power is restarted, and performs the protection necessity determination processing of determining whether or not to perform the compressor protection control before shifting to the normal operation control.
  • At least one of the power-failure time measurement device 18 and the standby power supply device 19 may be provided in the outdoor-unit control device 9B. Furthermore, the power-failure time measurement device 18 and the standby power supply device 19 may be provided in the indoor unit 2. In this case, for example, at least one of the power-failure time measurement device 18 and the standby power supply device 19 may be provided in the indoor-unit control device 10.
  • the power-failure time processing unit 296 may store the power-failure time Tpf in an internal memory (not shown) or the like, instead of outputting the power-failure time Tpf to the power-failure time determination unit 295a.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 295a may read out the power-failure time Tpf from the internal memory or the like, and perform the determination processing.
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100B as illustrated in Fig. 7 .
  • a control operation by the outdoor-unit control device 9B will be described with reference to Fig. 9 , by referring mainly to the protection necessity determination processing.
  • the power-failure detection unit 91 is on standby until a power failure is detected (NO in step S301 Fig. 9 ).
  • the power-failure time processing unit 296 outputs a measurement start command to the power-failure time measurement device 18 to cause the power-failure time measurement device 18 to start to measure time (step S302 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100B is in the stopped state until supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted (NO in step S303 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the power-failure time processing unit 296 When supplying of power from the commercial power supply 500 is restarted (YES in step S303 in Fig. 9 ), the power-failure time processing unit 296 outputs a measurement stop command to the power-failure time measurement device 18 to cause the power-failure time measurement device 18 to stop measurement of time. Then, the power-failure time processing unit 296 acquires the power-failure time Tpf measured by the power-failure time measurement device 18 (step S304 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the operation control unit 295 compares the power-failure time Tpf with the power-failure reference time to determine whether or not the power-failure time Tpf is greater than the power-failure reference time (step S305 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the operation control unit 295 performs the compressor protection control (step S306 in Fig. 9 ), and then rotationally drives the compressor 3 to perform the normal operation control (step S307 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the operation control unit 295 rotationally drives the compressor 3 to perform the normal operation control without performing the compressor protection control (step S307 in Fig. 9 ).
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100B can omit the compressor protection control, which is unnecessary, and can thus rapidly cause the compressor 3 at the capacity at which the compressor 3 was operated before occurrence of the power failure, and also rapidly restore the state of the air in the to-be-air-conditioned space to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to the power failure. That is, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100B, even if a condition during the power failure, for example, the temperature of air during the power failure, changes, it can be rapidly adjusted, and the state of air in the to-be-air-conditioned space can be rapidly restored to the air-conditioned state thereof prior to the power failure. Thus, the reliability is ensured.
  • the air-conditioning apparatuses 100 and 100A store temperature information obtained prior to occurrence of the power failure, and compare the temperature information with temperature information obtained after a power recovery to execute the protection necessity determination processing.
  • the time required until the discharge temperature of the compressor 3 or the temperature of the heat-transfer fin 14a or the like lowers is compared with the time required until refrigerant accumulates after occurrence of the power failure, as described above, the time required until the refrigerant accumulates after occurrence of the power failure is longer.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus 100B performs the protection necessity determination processing based on the power-failure time Tpf measured by the power-failure time measurement device 18, that is, an actually measured value of the power-failure time. Then, the power-failure reference time to be compared with the power-failure time Tpf can be set to be longer and in such a way as to prevent the compressor 3 from being damaged, in direct consideration of the time required until the refrigerant accumulates after occurrence of the power failure. That is, the air-conditioning apparatus 100B has a function of directly measuring the power-failure time, and can thus determine whether or not to perform the compressor protection control, with higher accuracy. Thus, an operation omitting the unnecessary compressor protection control can be achieved without losing the reliability.
  • the outdoor unit 1 may include an outside-air temperature detection device (not shown), which is, for example, a temperature sensor formed of a thermistor, and detects an outside-air temperature, which is the temperature of outside air.
  • the power-failure reference time may be set based on an inside-outside temperature difference, which is a difference between the outside-air temperature detected by the outside-air temperature detection device and the temperature of indoor air which is detected by the suction temperature detection device 11.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 295a may acquire information indicating the temperature of outside air and the temperature of indoor air from the outside-air temperature detection device and the suction temperature detection device 11 to find out the inside-outside temperature difference. Then, the power-failure time determination unit 295a may set the power-failure reference time based on the inside-outside temperature difference, and apply the set power-failure reference time to the comparison with the power-failure time Tpf.
  • the power-failure time determination unit 295a may change the power-failure reference time such that the greater the inside-outside tmperature difference, the shorter the power-failure reference time.
  • the outdoor-unit control device 9B can execute the protection necessity determination processing with higher accuracy.
  • a temperature difference time table in which said inside-outside temperature differences and power-failure reference times are associated with each other may be stored in the internal memory or the like, and with respect to the found inside-outside temperature difference, the power-failure time determination unit 295a may refer to the temperature difference time table to determine an associated power-failure reference time.
  • the protection control unit 95b energizes the electric heater provided in the compressor 3 to perform the compressor protection control; however, this is an example, and is not limitative.
  • the protection control unit 95b may perform the compressor protection control by applying, to a coil (not shown) of an electric motor included in the compressor 3, a voltage which is set low so as not to cause the electric motor to rotate, and heating the compressor 3 with heat generated by the coil. In the case of adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the electric heat in the compressor 3.
  • the air-conditioning apparatuses 100, 100A and 100B are described above by way of example as air-conditioning apparatuses dedicated to the cooling operation, but they are not limited to such air-conditioning apparatuses.
  • the air-conditioning apparatuses 100, 100A and 100B may be formed to include a four-way valve which switches the flow of refrigerant, and be thus capable of performing a heating operation, a defrosting operation, etc.
  • the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser
  • the load-side heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator
  • the heat-source-side heat exchanger 4 may function as the evaporator
  • the load-side heat exchanger 6 may function as the condenser.
  • the outdoor-unit control device included in the outdoor unit 1 functions as a main controller, and performs the protection necessity determination processing, etc.; however, this is an example, and is not limitative.
  • the indoor-unit control device included in the indoor unit 2 may function as the main controller to perform the protection necessity determination processing, etc.
  • the air-conditioning apparatus according to each of the above embodiments as its controller, only one controller may be provided, and may be made to have the functions of both the outdoor-unit control device and indoor-unit control device.
  • FIGs. 1 , 4 and 7 illustrate by way of example the air-conditioning apparatuses 100, 100A and 100B as separate-type air-conditioning apparatuses, in which the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are separately provided; however, as each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 100, 100A and 100B, an integrated-type air-conditioning apparatus may be applied in which the function of the outdoor unit 1 and the function of the indoor unit 2 are combined.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
EP16899344.2A 2016-04-18 2016-04-18 Air-conditioning device Active EP3447405B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2016/062211 WO2017183070A1 (ja) 2016-04-18 2016-04-18 空気調和装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3447405A1 EP3447405A1 (en) 2019-02-27
EP3447405A4 EP3447405A4 (en) 2019-04-03
EP3447405B1 true EP3447405B1 (en) 2020-05-13

Family

ID=60115765

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16899344.2A Active EP3447405B1 (en) 2016-04-18 2016-04-18 Air-conditioning device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3447405B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP6556339B2 (ja)
WO (1) WO2017183070A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115992988B (zh) * 2022-11-28 2024-05-28 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 便携式空调压缩机的排气控制方法、装置、设备及介质

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2639267B2 (ja) * 1991-12-20 1997-08-06 ダイキン工業株式会社 空気調和装置の運転制御装置
JPH109687A (ja) * 1996-06-25 1998-01-16 Hitachi Ltd 空気調和装置
JPH1026445A (ja) * 1996-07-10 1998-01-27 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 冷凍機およびこの冷凍機を熱源とする空気調和機
JP3518433B2 (ja) * 1999-07-29 2004-04-12 ダイキン工業株式会社 空気調和機
JP2002267280A (ja) * 2001-03-13 2002-09-18 Matsushita Refrig Co Ltd 空気調和機制御装置および空気調和機制御方法ならびに空気調和機制御プログラムを記録した記録媒体
JP4726664B2 (ja) * 2006-03-22 2011-07-20 三菱電機株式会社 空気調和装置
JP2010112619A (ja) 2008-11-06 2010-05-20 Panasonic Corp 空気調和装置
JP2011145017A (ja) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-28 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 空気調和装置
JP5267479B2 (ja) * 2010-02-12 2013-08-21 三菱電機株式会社 空気調和装置および空気調和システム
JP6057512B2 (ja) * 2012-01-16 2017-01-11 三菱重工業株式会社 クランクケースヒータを備えた空気調和機
JP6183024B2 (ja) * 2013-07-18 2017-08-23 三菱電機株式会社 空調機システム
JP6277005B2 (ja) * 2014-01-31 2018-02-07 ダイキン工業株式会社 冷凍装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPWO2017183070A1 (ja) 2018-11-22
EP3447405A4 (en) 2019-04-03
JP6556339B2 (ja) 2019-08-07
EP3447405A1 (en) 2019-02-27
WO2017183070A1 (ja) 2017-10-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2639405C (en) Air conditioning system for low ambient cooling
EP2921802B1 (en) Air conditioner and method for controlling the same
EP3734177B1 (en) Control method for air conditioner
EP3450865B1 (en) Air conditioner
EP3296656A1 (en) Air conditioning system, control method, and program
WO2020115935A1 (ja) 空気調和システム
JP6578920B2 (ja) 空気調和機の制御装置
JPH10153353A (ja) 空気調和機
JP2007255759A (ja) 空気調和装置
AU2013275605B2 (en) Refrigerating Device
JP7378660B2 (ja) 空気調和機及び膨張弁制御方法
JP5686754B2 (ja) 空気調和機
EP3447405B1 (en) Air-conditioning device
JP5900463B2 (ja) 空気調和システム
US10731905B2 (en) Defrosting determination device, defrosting control device, and air conditioner
AU2016420272B2 (en) Air-conditioning apparatus
JP2007212023A (ja) 空気調和装置
JP2011145017A (ja) 空気調和装置
JP6146606B2 (ja) 空気調和機
JP5577276B2 (ja) エンジン駆動式空調機
CA2885449C (en) System for controlling operation of an hvac system having tandem compressors
US20180335237A1 (en) Anti-slugging control method and control apparatus for air-conditioning system, and air-conditioning system
KR102156141B1 (ko) 공기 조화기 제어장치 및 압축기 제어방법
GB2537525A (en) Air conditioner device
JP3526393B2 (ja) 空気調和機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

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

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20181009

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL 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 RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20190304

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F25B 1/00 20060101ALI20190226BHEP

Ipc: F25B 49/02 20060101AFI20190226BHEP

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F25B 49/02 20060101AFI20191028BHEP

Ipc: F25B 1/00 20060101ALI20191028BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20191216

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL 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 RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602016036602

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1270823

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200615

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200814

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200914

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200913

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200813

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200813

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1270823

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602016036602

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

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: 20210216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210430

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210430

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210430

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210430

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R084

Ref document number: 602016036602

Country of ref document: DE

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230512

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20160418

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230228

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240229

Year of fee payment: 9