JP2001280665A - Air conditioner and method for inspecting it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inspect the circuit, etc., corresponding to each indoor machine by means of one inspection machine at the time of inspecting an outdoor machine connected with a plurality of indoor machines. SOLUTION: The inspection machine 10 is connected to each connection 3 of the outdoor machine X. After all communication circuits 7 are set to communication available states, an inspection mode signal is transmitted from the machine X. Upon receiving the signal, a control section 6 sets only one selected communication circuit to a communication available state and the other circuits 7 to communication unavailable states. After checking the operation of the selected circuit 7, the control section 6 sends a completion signal to the machine X. Upon receiving the completion signal, the machine X transmits a select signal for the next communication circuit 7 to be inspected to the control section 6. The section 6 sets only one selected communication circuit 7 to a communication available state and the other circuits 7 to communication unavailable states and checks the operation of the selected circuit 7. By repeating these procedures, the communication circuits 7 are successively inspected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner comprising one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, and more particularly to an inspection in a production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, the outdoor units are inspected on a production line before shipment. For example, it is checked whether a communication circuit for communicating with each indoor unit is operating normally, or whether the refrigeration cycle of each indoor unit is functioning normally.

Conventionally, the same number of inspection units as the indoor units are used, and each inspection unit is connected to the outdoor unit instead of the indoor unit to perform the inspection at one time. Alternatively, any one of the methods is used, such as using a smaller number of inspection machines than the indoor units, connecting the inspection machines while corresponding to each of the indoor units, and performing the inspection in two or more times.

[0004]

In the inspection of the outdoor units of a multi-room air conditioner, if the number of the indoor units to be used is equal to the number of the indoor units to be inspected, the larger the number of the indoor units, the higher the equipment cost. . In addition, there is a problem that time is required for equipment change when switching the model to be produced. In addition, if the method of dividing the inspection in time is adopted, the more indoor units to be inspected, the longer the inspection time and the time required to change the connection for the inspection, which greatly affects the production efficiency.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above, by establishing an inspection method that does not require a plurality of inspection machines,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing equipment costs and inspection time during production.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, a plurality of indoor units can be connected to one outdoor unit when one indoor unit is not connected to one external unit. The connection is made, and the operation of the outdoor unit is inspected in accordance with the inspection mode signal outputted from now.

The external device may be an inspection device programmed to perform an inspection according to a predetermined procedure, or may be a central control device for centrally controlling a plurality of air conditioners. When using an inspection machine, it is suitable for performing an inspection on the production line of an air conditioner. Inspection can be performed by one inspection machine regardless of the number of indoor units, and equipment costs are reduced. In addition, there is no need to change the connection, and the time required for the inspection setup can be reduced.

The outdoor unit has a plurality of connecting portions for connecting each indoor unit, a plurality of communication circuits for performing communication with each indoor unit, and a supply of refrigerant to each indoor unit. A plurality of control valves for adjusting the amount and a control unit for controlling the operation of each indoor unit through a communication circuit while controlling the drive of each control valve are provided. The external device is connected to each connection unit, and when an inspection mode signal is transmitted to the control unit through the connection unit, the inspection of the outdoor unit is performed in response thereto.

As the inspection of the outdoor unit, it is checked whether the communication circuit operates normally or the control valve is operated to check whether the operation of the refrigeration cycle is normal. At this time, the inspection mode signal includes a selection signal for selecting a communication circuit to be inspected, and the control unit determines a communication circuit to be inspected based on the selection signal.
As a result, the communication circuits can be inspected one by one in order, eliminating inspection omissions and increasing the reliability of the inspection. Similarly, control valves to be inspected may be determined for the control valves and inspected one by one. Or,
The above two inspections may be performed simultaneously, and a signal for selecting a communication circuit and a control valve corresponding to the same indoor unit may be transmitted from the external device, and the inspection time can be shortened.

When the inspection of one communication circuit or control valve is completed, the inspection data is transmitted to the external device. The external device regards this as an end signal and recognizes the communication circuit or the next inspection to be performed. A selection signal for selecting a control valve is transmitted. Therefore, a series of inspections can be performed continuously, and the efficiency of the inspection can be improved.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. This air conditioner has one outdoor unit X,
It consists of indoor units A, B, C, and D installed in a plurality of rooms, each of which is connected to a refrigerant pipe by a communication line that enables bidirectional communication, and each of the indoor units A, B, C, and D They are arranged independently of each other. Here, it is assumed that there are four indoor units.

Although not shown, the indoor units A, B, C, and D are provided with a heat exchanger, a fan, an indoor control unit, and the like.
Communication with the outdoor unit X is performed, and the air conditioning operation is performed for each room. The outdoor unit X includes, in addition to members constituting a refrigeration cycle such as a heat exchanger, a fan, and a compressor, the indoor units A, B,
An outdoor controller 1 that controls the entire operation according to the operating conditions of C and D is provided. In addition, each indoor unit A, B,
A plurality of electromagnetic control valves 2 connected to refrigerant pipes C and D are provided, and the supply amount of the refrigerant is adjusted according to a drive signal from the control device 1. Further, a plurality of connection units 3 having terminals for connecting communication lines of the indoor units A, B, C, and D are provided. In the figure, 4 is an AC power supply input terminal plate, and 5 is another circuit board.

The outdoor controller 1 has a control unit 6 comprising a microcomputer and a memory, and a plurality of communication circuits 7 for transmitting serial signals between the indoor controllers.
have. The communication circuit 7 has a transmitting photocoupler 8 and a receiving photocoupler 9 as shown in FIG.
Each is connected to the indoor side control device via the control device 1 and the connection unit 3. When the photocoupler is turned on and off in response to the serial signal output from one of the control devices, the serial signal is transmitted to the other control device, and the signal is transmitted between the outdoor unit X and the indoor units A, B, C, and D. Is used for communication. Hereinafter, the control device refers to the outdoor control device 1.

The control unit 6 controls the indoor units A, B, C,
When an inspection mode signal output from one of the connected inspection machines 10 is received instead of D, the outdoor unit X has a function of inspecting the outdoor unit X according to the signal content. This inspection is performed without connecting the indoor units A, B, C, and D on the production line. For example, the inspection of the communication circuit 7 by operating the photocouplers 8 and 9 and the control valve 2 This is an inspection of the refrigeration cycle by operating the. Inspection machine 10
Is a general one having a microcomputer having a built-in inspection program and data, and is connected to each connection unit 3 by a plurality of communication lines as shown in FIG.

Next, a method of inspecting the outdoor unit X using the inspection machine 10 will be described. First, a communication line from the inspection device 10 is connected to each connection portion 3 of the outdoor unit X. First, all the transmitting photocouplers 8 of the communication circuit 7 are turned on so that signals from outside can be received. Then, when the inspection mode signal is transmitted from the inspection device 10 to the outdoor unit X, the control device 1 receives the serial signal.

The inspection mode signal includes a 1-bit production line mode signal and a 2-bit selection signal.
The production line mode signal is a signal indicating the start of the inspection, and the selection signal is a signal for determining which of the indoor units A, B, C, and D the communication circuit 7 corresponding to is to be inspected.

Therefore, when receiving the inspection mode signal, the controller 1 is set to the inspection mode for executing the inspection, and the transmission photocoupler 8 of the communication circuit 7 selected based on the selection signal, for example, the indoor unit Only the transmission photocoupler 8 corresponding to A is kept on, the transmission photocouplers 8 of the other communication circuits 7 are turned off, and 1
Only one communication circuit 7 can communicate. Then, the control device 1 checks the operation state of the selected communication circuit 7 and, when finished, transmits the inspection data to the inspection device 10.

When the inspection machine 10 receives the inspection data,
Next, a selection signal for selecting the communication circuit 7 to be inspected is transmitted. Then, in response to this, the outdoor unit X turns on the transmission photocoupler 8 of the communication circuit 7 corresponding to the selected indoor unit B, for example, and turns off the photocouplers 8 of the other communication circuits 7. I do. Then, similarly, the operation of one communication circuit 7 is checked, and the inspection data is transmitted to the inspection machine 10. Hereinafter, the inspection is completed by repeatedly checking all the communication circuits 7 in the same manner.

In the normal operation, the refrigerant can be supplied to the indoor units A, B, C, and D which can communicate with each other to perform the operation. Therefore, a 4-bit inspection signal is inserted into the inspection mode signal, and the inspection of the refrigeration cycle corresponding to the indoor units A, B, C, and D is performed at the same time during the inspection of the communication circuit 7. That is, the inspection signal is a signal for operating the control valve 2 corresponding to any of the indoor units A, B, C, and D under inspection.

When the outdoor unit X receives the above-described inspection mode signal, the selected communication circuit 7 is checked, and the control valve 2 corresponding to the selected communication circuit 7 is opened and operated to check the operation of the refrigeration cycle. Control valve 2 is not operated. For example, when the check of the communication circuit 7 and the refrigeration cycle corresponding to the indoor unit A is completed, the control device 1 transmits the inspection data to the inspection device X and receives the next signal from the inspection device X. The indoor units A, B, C, and D selected based on this signal are checked, and the same process is repeated. Finally, a signal for operating all the control valves 2 is transmitted from the inspection machine X to check the entire outdoor unit, and the inspection of the refrigeration cycle ends.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. In the above-described inspection method, the inspection of the refrigeration cycle is performed simultaneously with the inspection of the communication circuit, but may be performed independently.
In addition, the inspection may be performed on the production line before shipment, since the indoor unit is not connected to the outdoor unit.In addition, when the arrangement of the indoor unit is changed after the air conditioner is installed, It can also be performed before the indoor unit is connected again.

[0022]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when an outdoor unit to which a plurality of indoor units can be connected is inspected, one external device for inspection is connected and the inspection mode signal is output. By transmitting, the outdoor unit can be set to the inspection mode, so that the inspection can be easily performed only by the operation of connecting the external device.

Therefore, without reducing the number of inspection items,
Since there is no need to increase the number of inspection devices, inspection costs can be reduced. In addition, even when a large number of indoor units can be connected, inspection can be performed at once, and it is not necessary to perform inspections in a plurality of times, leading to a reduction in the time required for connection change and reduction in personnel. In particular, in the case of performing inspection on a production line, the effect of reducing equipment costs is great, and even if there is a change in the production model, only a small change in equipment for inspection is required, and the cost of equipment investment can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an outdoor unit during inspection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor control apparatus 2 Control valve 3 Connection part 4 Control part 7 Communication circuit 8 Photocoupler for transmission 9 Photocoupler for reception 10 Inspection machine

Claims (9)

[Claims] An indoor unit includes one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units.
The outdoor unit is an air conditioner provided with a plurality of connection units for connecting each of the indoor units, and a control device for controlling the operation of each of the indoor units, wherein the control unit includes the indoor unit. An air conditioner comprising: an inspection unit that inspects the operation of the outdoor unit according to an inspection mode signal from one external device connected to each connection unit when is not connected. 2. An air conditioner comprising one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
A plurality of connection units for connecting each indoor unit to the outdoor unit, a plurality of communication circuits for performing communication between the indoor units, and controlling operation of each indoor unit through the communication circuit. An air conditioner provided with a control unit, wherein the control unit responds to an inspection mode signal from one external device connected to each connection unit when the indoor unit is not connected. An air conditioner characterized by having an inspection means for inspecting each communication circuit. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the control unit has a selection unit that determines a communication circuit to be inspected based on a selection signal included in the inspection mode signal. 4. The communication circuit has a photocoupler, and the control unit turns on all photocouplers at the time of inspection, turns on the photocouplers of the selected communication circuit, and performs other communication. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein a photocoupler of the circuit is turned off. 5. An air conditioner comprising one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
The outdoor unit is provided with a plurality of connection units for connecting each indoor unit, a plurality of control valves for adjusting the supply amount of the refrigerant to each indoor unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive of each control valve. The air conditioner, wherein the control unit, when the indoor unit is not connected, according to an inspection mode signal from one external device connected to each connection unit, the control unit of each control valve An air conditioner comprising inspection means for performing an inspection. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the control unit has a selection unit that determines a control valve to be inspected based on a selection signal included in the inspection mode signal. 7. An air conditioner comprising one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
A plurality of connection units for connecting each indoor unit to the outdoor unit, a plurality of communication circuits for performing communication between the indoor units, and controlling operation of each indoor unit through the communication circuit. In the air conditioner provided with the control unit, in a state where each indoor unit is not connected to the outdoor unit, one inspection device is connected to the outdoor unit via each connection unit, and the inspection device A test mode signal is output from the device to test each communication circuit. 8. The outdoor unit is provided with a plurality of control valves for adjusting a supply amount of the refrigerant to each indoor unit, and when inspecting a communication circuit, inspecting the control valves is performed simultaneously. Item 7. The air conditioner inspection method according to Item 7. 9. When the inspection of one communication circuit is completed,
8. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inspection unit transmits a selection signal for determining a communication circuit to be inspected to the control unit so as to inspect the next communication circuit, and inspects the communication circuits one by one. Or the inspection method of the air conditioner according to 8.