JP2000161749A - Controller for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely recover a refrigerant from the indoor machine side of an air conditioner to the outdoor machine side of the conditioner, the indoor and outdoor machines of which are separately installed, in accordance with the piping length or the horse power of the outdoor machine during the pumping- down operation of the air conditioner. SOLUTION: A piping length detector 22 is provided in accordance with the length of the piping interconnecting the outdoor and indoor machines 1 and 2 of an air conditioner and a prescribed pumping-down time setting means 23 which sets pumping-down time based on the information on the piping length is installed to a pumping-down operation controller 26. During the pumping-down operation of the air conditioner, therefore, a refrigerant can be recovered surely from the indoor machine side to the outdoor machine side while the load to an air compressor is minimized regardless of the length of the piping.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are separately installed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of air conditioner has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-15 as a pump-down operation method for transferring refrigerant remaining in piping and equipment of an indoor unit to an outdoor unit.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7382. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows the structure and control device of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner, wherein 1 is an outdoor unit, 2 is an indoor unit, 3 is a switch of 200 V AC, and 4 is a compressor whose operation is controlled by the switch 3. 5 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 6 is a discharge pipe service valve for manually shutting off refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit 1 to the indoor unit 2, 7 is an indoor heat exchanger, and 8 is an indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit 2. This is a suction pipe service valve that manually shuts off the refrigerant flowing in 1. Reference numeral 9 denotes an operation switch for recognizing a start input of the pump-down operation, 10 denotes a timer for measuring the pump-down time, and 11 denotes a pump-down time comparison for comparing the pump-down time with a predetermined pump-down predetermined time. Means 12 and the pumping time comparing means 11
And a switch-down control means for controlling the switch 3 by comparing with a predetermined pump-down time. The switch-down control means 12, the pump-down time comparison means 11 and the timer 10 are provided to constitute a pump-down operation controller 13. are doing.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the pump down operation.
To start pump-down operation (STEP1)
Then, the pump-down operator manually operates the discharge pipe service valve 6 to the closed state (STEP 2).

Next, a predetermined time for the pump-down operation is uniquely set by the pump-down time comparing means 11 (ST).
EP3), the switch 3 is closed, the compressor 4 is started (STEP4), and the refrigerant recovery from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1 starts.

At the same time as the compressor 4 is started, a timer in the timer 10 is started to count the operation time of the compressor 4 (STEP 5).
The operation of the compressor 4 is continued until it is determined that the pump down time counted by the timer> the predetermined pump down time (STEP 6).

Immediately before the compressor 4 is stopped, the pump-down operator manually closes the suction pipe service valve 8 (STEP 7), and the switch 3 is opened by the switch control means 12 to start the compressor 4. The timer is stopped (STEP 8) and the timer count in the timer 10 is reset (STEP 9).

[0008]

However, in the conventional configuration, since the predetermined time for the pump-down operation is uniquely set, the time required for refrigerant recovery varies depending on the pipe length or the outdoor power. Therefore, there is a fear that the refrigerant cannot be completely collected in the outdoor unit.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and changes the predetermined time of the pump-down operation according to the pipe length or the state of the horsepower of the outdoor unit, thereby recovering the refrigerant to the outdoor unit side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device that can be surely provided.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump-down predetermined time setting means for setting a predetermined pump-down time from a pipe length detected by a pipe length detector. It is provided in the operation controller. With this pump-down operation controller, it is possible to reliably recover the refrigerant to the outdoor unit according to the pipe length.

Further, the pump down operation controller includes a pump down predetermined time setting means for setting a predetermined pump down time from the outdoor unit horse power detected by the outdoor unit horse power detector. . With this pump-down operation controller, it is possible to reliably recover the refrigerant to the outdoor unit according to the outdoor unit horsepower.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a receiver for recognizing a pump-down operation start signal on the outdoor unit side, and a pipe length between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. A pipe length detector to be recognized, a switch for opening and closing a power supply circuit to the compressor, and a pump down predetermined time setting means for setting a pump down predetermined time by the pipe length recognized by the pipe length detector, A timer for measuring the time from the start of pump-down, a pump-down time comparing means for comparing the length of the pump-down time with the length of the predetermined pump-down time, and an operation of the switch by a pump-down start signal from the receiver. A switch-down control unit that starts the operation and terminates the operation of the switch when it is determined that the pump-down time is longer than the predetermined pump-down time. It is.

Thus, the predetermined pump down time is set according to the length of the pipe between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and the installation state,
Since the refrigerant recovery function is provided, the refrigerant can be reliably recovered without leaving the refrigerant in the pipe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a receiver for recognizing a pump-down operation start signal on the outdoor unit side, an outdoor unit horsepower detector for recognizing the outdoor unit horsepower, and a power supply circuit for the compressor are provided. A switch for opening and closing, and a pump-down predetermined time setting means for setting a pump-down predetermined time from the outdoor unit horsepower recognized by the outdoor horsepower detector, a time-measuring means for measuring time from the start of pump-down, and a pump. Pump down time comparison means for comparing the length of the down time and the predetermined pump down time, and the operation of the switch is started by a pump down start signal from the receiver, and it is determined that pump down time> pump down predetermined time. In this case, a switch-down operation controller is provided by a switch control means for terminating the operation of the switch.

As described above, the pump down predetermined time is set according to the state of the horsepower of the outdoor unit, and the function of recovering the refrigerant is provided, so that the refrigerant can be recovered without difficulty and without remaining in the piping. be able to.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a receiver for recognizing a control signal for a pump-down operation, and reference numeral 22 denotes a pipe for recognizing a pipe length between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1 set by the outdoor unit 1. The length detector 23 is a predetermined pump down time setting means for setting a predetermined pump down time based on the pipe length detected by the pipe length detector 22, and the reference numeral 24 is a predetermined time set by the predetermined pump down time setting means 23. Pump down time comparing means for comparing the operation time of the switch 3, 25
Are the pipe length information from the pipe length detector 22, the pump down operation control signal from the receiver 21, the pump down time counted by the timer 10, the predetermined pump down time set by the pump down predetermined time setting means 23, and the pump down. A switch control means for controlling the opening and closing of the switch 3 based on the comparison information from the time comparison means 24, and 26 is a switch control means 25, a pump down time comparison means 24, the time counting means 10, a pump down This is a pump-down operation controller provided with a predetermined time setting means 23.

The pump-down operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, receiver 21 receives a pump-down operation start signal (ST
EP1), and the information is transmitted to the switch control means 25 in the pump-down operation controller 26, and the pump-down operation is started.

Based on the pipe length information transmitted from the pipe length detector 22 transmitted via the switch control means 25, a predetermined pump down time setting means 23 sets a predetermined time for the pump down operation (STEP 2). Thereafter, the switch 3 is closed by the switch control means 25 to start the compressor 4 (STEP 3), and the collection of the refrigerant from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1 starts.

If the pump-down stop signal is not received by the receiver 21 (STEP 4), the timer is started in the timer 10 (STEP 5), and at the same time, the pump-down time is compared with the predetermined pump-down time by the pump-down time comparing means 24. (STEP 6).

The pump down operation is continued until the receiver 21 receives the pump down stop signal (STEP 7) or until the pump down time> the pump down predetermined time.

When the pump down time reaches a predetermined pump down time, this information is transmitted to the switch control means 25, a pump down normal end display (STEP 8), the switch 3 opens, and the compressor 4 stops. (STEP 9), the timer count time in the time counting means 10 is reset (S9).
(TEP10) The pump-down operation ends normally.

In Steps 4 and 7, when the receiver 21 receives the pump down operation stop signal, the switch control means 25 displays a pump down interruption end display (ST).
The switch 3 is opened together with the EP 11), and the compressor 4 stops (STEP 9). At the same time, the timer count time in the timer 10 is reset (STEP 10), and the pump-down operation is terminated.

As described above, the pump-down operation controller 26 is provided with a pump-down predetermined time setting means 23 for setting a predetermined time for the pump-down operation according to the pipe length of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 according to the state. Therefore, during the pump-down operation, the refrigerant can be reliably collected from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1.

(Embodiment 2) In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes an outdoor unit horsepower detector for recognizing the outdoor unit horsepower of the outdoor unit 1, and 32 denotes a switch control means. The switch control means 32 includes the outdoor unit horsepower information, the pump down operation control signal from the receiver 21, the pump down time counted by the timer 10, and the pump down predetermined time set by the predetermined pump down time setting means 33. The opening and closing of the switch 3 is controlled by the comparison information from the pump down time comparison means 34 for comparing. Reference numeral 35 denotes a pump-down operation controller constituted by the switch control means 32, the pump-down time comparing means 34, the clocking means 10, and the pump-down predetermined time setting means 33.

The pump-down operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, receiver 21 receives a pump-down operation start signal (ST
EP1) and the information is transmitted to the switch control means 32 in the pump-down operation controller 35, and the pump-down operation starts. Based on the outdoor unit horsepower information from the outdoor unit horsepower detector 31 transmitted via the switch control unit 32, a predetermined pump-down time setting unit 33 sets a predetermined time for the pump-down operation (STEP 2).

Thereafter, the switch control means 32 controls the switch 3
Is closed, the compressor 4 starts (STEP 3), and the outdoor unit 1
Recovery of refrigerant to the side begins.

If the pump-down stop signal is not received by the receiver 21 (STEP 4), a timer is started in the timer 10 (STEP 5). At the same time, the comparison between the pump-down time and the predetermined pump-down time is performed by the pump-down time comparing means. This is executed at 34 (STEP 6).

The pump-down operation is continued until the receiver 21 receives the pump-down stop signal (STEP 7) or until the pump-down time> the predetermined pump-down time.

Pump down time> When the pump down time reaches a predetermined time, this information is transmitted to the switch control means 32, a pump down normal end display (STEP 8), the switch 3 opens, and the compressor 4 stops. (STEP 9), the timer count time in the time counting means 10 is reset (S9).
(TEP10), the pump-down operation ends normally.

In Steps 4 and 7, when the pump-down operation stop signal is received by the receiver 21, a pump-down interruption end is displayed by an instruction of the switch control means 32 (STEP 11), and the switch 3 is opened and the compressor is opened. 4 stops (STEP 9).

At the same time, the timer count time in the timer 10 is reset (STEP 10), and the pump-down operation is terminated.

As described above, the pump-down predetermined time setting means 33 for setting the predetermined time of the pump-down operation in accordance with the horsepower of the outdoor unit in the outdoor unit is provided in the pump-down operation controller 35. During the pump down operation, the refrigerant can be reliably collected from the outdoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1.

[0034]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pump down predetermined time setting means for setting the predetermined time of the pump down operation based on the state of the pipe length between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is provided by the pump. Since the pump is provided in the down operation controller, during pump down operation, the refrigerant on the indoor unit side is transferred to the outdoor unit side regardless of the piping condition between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit while minimizing the load on the compressor. Can be recovered.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pump-down operation controller includes the pump-down predetermined time setting means for setting the predetermined time of the pump-down operation according to the state of the outdoor unit horsepower. During operation, the refrigerant on the indoor unit side can be collected on the outdoor unit side regardless of the horsepower of the outdoor unit and while minimizing the load on the compressor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner and a block diagram of a control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner and a block diagram of a control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a conventional air conditioner and a block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Receiver 22 Pipe length detector 23, 33 Pump down predetermined time setting means 24, 34 Pump down time comparison means 25, 32 Switch control means 26, 35 Pump down operation controller 31 Outdoor unit horsepower detector

Claims (2)

[Claims] In an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are separately installed, a receiver for recognizing a pump-down operation start signal on the outdoor unit side, and a pipe length between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are set. A pipe length detector to be recognized, a switch for opening and closing a power supply circuit to the compressor, and a pump down predetermined time setting means for setting a pump down predetermined time by the pipe length recognized by the pipe length detector; A time counting means for counting time from the start of pump down, a pump down time comparing means for comparing the length of the pump down time with a predetermined length of the pump down time, and an operation of the switch by a pump down start signal from the receiver. And the switch-down control means for terminating the operation of the switch when it is determined that the pump-down time> the pump-down predetermined time. A control device for an air conditioner, comprising a controller. 2. An air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are separately installed, a receiver for recognizing a pump-down operation start signal on the outdoor unit side, and an outdoor unit horsepower detector for recognizing the outdoor unit horsepower. A switch for opening and closing a power supply circuit to the compressor, and a predetermined pump-down time setting means for setting a predetermined pump-down time from the outdoor unit horsepower recognized by the outdoor unit horsepower detector; and A pump-down time comparing unit that compares the lengths of a pump-down time and a predetermined pump-down time, and a switch-down start signal from the receiver to start operation of the switch, When it is determined that the down time> pump down predetermined time, a pump down operation controller constituted by switch control means for terminating the operation of the switch is provided. A control device for an air conditioner, comprising: