JP2001355893A - Air conditioner and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner in which sensors for detecting temperature in a room are contained in an air conditioner body and a remote controller separated from the air conditioner body, and operation is controlled based upon a detected value by one sensor of the foregoing sensors, the improvement being such that when the one sensor used in the operation has any trouble, the trouble is displayed and the operation is continued. SOLUTION: An air conditioner 1 is adapted to include a first sensor 15a provided therein for detecting temperature in a room, and a second sensor 15b provided on a remote controller 20 separated from the air conditioner body 6 for detecting temperature in the room, and the operation is controlled on the basis of a detected value by any one of the sensors 15a, 15b. In the air conditioner 1, when any trouble happens on the one sensor used in the operation, the operation is continued by switching the sensor to the other sensor, and an alarming means 55 is provided for alarming the fact that some failure has happened on the sensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an air conditioner,
In particular, the present invention relates to an air conditioner in which a control device having substantially the same function or a sensor for detecting temperature and / or humidity is provided in an air conditioner main body and a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an air conditioner, a sensor such as a room temperature sensor is incorporated in an air conditioner main body and a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body, and either of these sensors is installed. In some cases, the operation of the air conditioner is controlled based on the detection value of one sensor.

[0003] The remote controller of this air conditioner is provided with a selection switch for switching and selecting which of the two sensors to use, and a display unit for displaying the selected sensor. If the location of the remote controller is suitable for controlling the indoor temperature, select a sensor on the remote controller with the selection switch, and if the location of the remote controller is not suitable for controlling the indoor temperature. For example, a sensor in the air conditioner body is selected by a selection changeover switch, and the operation of the air conditioner can be controlled based on the detection value of the selected room temperature sensor.

Here, when one of the sensors used for the operation of the air conditioner breaks down, an alarm is displayed on the remote control display unit and the operation of the air conditioner is stopped abnormally.

[0005]

However, the customer (user) notices the alarm display, requests a repair to a service center or the like, and cannot use the air conditioner until the serviceman comes to the site and completes the repair. was there. In addition, there is a problem that the time from the abnormal stop to the operation and use of the air conditioner is long.

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned conventional problems. The air conditioner main body and a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body have different indoor temperature and / or temperature.
In the case of an air conditioner that incorporates a sensor that detects humidity and controls operation based on the detection value of one of these two sensors, if one sensor used for operation fails, It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can display that the operation has been performed and continue the operation.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner body is provided with a first control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner. A second control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner is provided on a remote controller remote from the main body, and the air conditioner for controlling the operation using one of the two control devices is used for operation. When an abnormality occurs in one of the control devices, the operation is switched to the other control device to continue the operation, and a notifying unit for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the control device is provided. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first sensor for detecting the indoor temperature and / or humidity is provided in the air conditioner main body, and the indoor temperature and / or humidity is detected by a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body. Providing a second sensor to detect, in an air conditioner that controls the operation based on the value detected from one of these two sensors, if an abnormality occurs in one of the sensors used for operation, It is characterized by providing a notifying means for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the sensor while switching to the other sensor to continue the operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner according to the first or second aspect, the notifying means is a sound output means for notifying by a sound.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, the informing means is means for informing a service center.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when an abnormality occurs in one of the control device or the sensor used for operation,
A changeover switch for automatically switching to the other control device or the other sensor is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a first control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner is provided in the main body of the air conditioner, and the operation of the air conditioner is controlled by a remote controller remote from the main body of the air conditioner. In the air conditioner that controls the operation using either one of these two control devices, if an abnormality occurs in one of the control devices used for the operation, the other An air conditioner control method, characterized in that the air conditioner is automatically switched to the control device to continue the operation, and that there is provided a notifying unit for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the control device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first sensor for detecting the indoor temperature and / or humidity is provided in the air conditioner main body, and the indoor temperature and / or humidity is detected by a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body. Providing a second sensor to detect, in an air conditioner that controls the operation based on the value detected from one of these two sensors, if an abnormality occurs in one of the sensors used for operation, While automatically switching to the other sensor to continue operation,
A method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the sensor.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] An air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Has an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a remote controller, such as an inverter-driven compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger in which an indoor fan is opposed, an expansion valve, an outdoor heat exchanger in which an outdoor fan is opposed, and the like. A refrigeration cycle is constructed by connecting the refrigerant pipes in this order in order and reversibly circulating the refrigerant.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a state where an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an indoor unit of an air conditioner embedded in a ceiling. The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor unit main body 6 installed in a ceiling space 5, a decorative panel 9 attached to a lower surface of a ceiling 10, and a wired panel. A remote control (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote control) 20 is provided, and the indoor fan 2, the indoor heat exchanger 3, and the electrical box 4 are built in the indoor unit main body 6. It has a main body display unit 11 and the like.

A first room temperature sensor 15a for detecting room temperature is provided in a suction passage between the suction port 7 and the centrifugal blower 2, and an indoor heat exchange sensor (not shown) is provided in the indoor heat exchanger 3. The electrical box 4 is provided with, for example, a serial transmission circuit and a reception circuit for exchanging signals with an outdoor unit, an indoor control device for controlling the indoor fan 2, and the like.

On the other hand, the outdoor unit 31 includes a compressor 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, an outdoor fan 34, and the like. In addition, an outdoor heat exchange sensor, a serial receiving circuit, a drive circuit for driving the compressor 32, a blower 34 An outdoor control device (not shown) for controlling the operation is provided.

The remote controller 20 is connected to the indoor unit main body 6 via a wiring 13. The remote controller 20 has a second room temperature sensor 15b for detecting a room temperature, as shown in FIG.
Start / stop switch 22, cooling / heating operation switch 23,
An operation unit 26 such as a temperature setting switch 24, a wind speed changeover switch 25, etc., and a display unit 27 for displaying a set temperature and cooling / heating.
Etc. are provided.

Here, the switching between the use of the first room temperature sensor 15a built in the indoor unit 1 and the use of the second room temperature sensor 15b built in the remote controller 20 is performed as follows.

Generally, in order to set the suction temperature of the indoor unit 1 to room temperature, the first temperature sensor 15
It is set so that the operation of the indoor unit 1 (air conditioner) is controlled at a. However, if the installation location of the remote controller 20 is suitable for controlling the indoor temperature according to the request of the customer (user) or the installation location of the indoor unit 1, the second room temperature sensor 15b on the remote controller 20 is selected. I do. In this case, for example, after simultaneously pressing the check switch 70, the set switch 71, and the cancel switch 72 of the remote controller 20 shown in FIG.
4. When the timer switch 73 is pressed, operation control by the second room temperature sensor 15b can be performed. At this time, a liquid crystal display of “remote control sensor” appears on the display unit 27.

The display unit 27 of the remote controller 20 displays liquid crystal display such as operation contents such as cooling / heating, wind direction / wind speed, and set temperature, and selects either the first room temperature sensor 15a or the second room temperature sensor 15b. Is displayed. Further, when the room temperature sensor used for operation among the room temperature sensors 15a and 15b fails, for example, F1,
An alarm is displayed by displaying a code such as F2.

In FIG. 2, although not shown, an automatic changeover switch is provided, and if this switch is turned on, if the first room temperature sensor 15a breaks down,
The operation can be switched to the operation control by the second room temperature sensor 15b.

In such a configuration, the indoor control device 21 controls the first or second room temperature sensor 15a, 1
5b and the like, the operating frequency of the compressor 32 is calculated from the difference between each of these detected values and each set value set by the remote controller 20, and a signal or the like for instructing the operating frequency is transmitted by a serial transmission circuit. This is to cause an outdoor control device (not shown) to transmit via a serial receiving circuit.

The indoor control device has a communication function for contacting a service center which provides support such as repair and inspection of the product when the room temperature sensor fails.
FIG. 3 is a control block configuration diagram for performing processing for contacting a service center according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 51 denotes a service center located at a remote location from the air conditioner 1. The service center 51 and the air conditioner body 6 are connected wirelessly or by wire, and the air conditioner body 6 is provided with communication means capable of data communication with the service center 51. The communication means 52 may be a satellite communication system, a telephone line, a dedicated line, or the like.

The two room temperature sensors 15a and 15b are connected to a failure detecting means 53 for detecting disconnection or short circuit of the sensors, and an alarm determining means 54 for receiving a signal from the failure detecting means 53 and deciding to issue an alarm. Is connected. The alarm determination means 54 is further connected to the remote control display section 27 and the notification means 55 for causing the communication means 52 to transmit an alarm.

In the control device configured as described above, when the failure detecting means 53 detects a disconnection or short circuit in the room temperature sensor 15a or 15b used for the operation control of the air conditioner 1, the alarm determining means 54 And a warning is displayed on the remote control display unit 27, and the service center 5 is notified by the notification unit 55 and the communication unit 52.
Notification to 1 is made. By this notification, the service center 51 knows that a failure has occurred, and can respond.

As described above, the room temperature sensor 15a or 15
If b fails, the failure is immediately notified to the service center 51, so that even if the customer (user) does not notice the failure, the response to the failure is not delayed.

Next, the operation when the room temperature sensor fails will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the switching of the sensor when the room temperature sensor fails in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, the selection changeover switch selects the first room temperature sensor, and the air conditioning operation is controlled based on the first room temperature sensor. In the figure, the room temperature sensor is simply a sensor.

First, when the run / stop switch is pressed in S1, the room temperature is detected by the first room temperature sensor 15a (step S2). Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the detected temperature value is within a predetermined range. A resistance element such as a thermistor is used for each of the room temperature sensors 15a and 15b. If the circuit connected to the room temperature sensors 15a and 15b is disconnected or short-circuited, the detected temperature value is out of a predetermined range, and failure detection is performed. The means 53 determines that a failure has occurred. If the first room temperature sensor 15a is determined to be normal, normal air-conditioning operation is performed based on the difference between the temperature detected by the first room temperature sensor 15a and the set temperature set by the remote controller 20 (step S4).

If it is determined in step S3 that the first room temperature sensor 15a is out of order, the process proceeds to step S5 via the alarm determination means 54, and an alarm display of the first room temperature sensor 15a is displayed on the remote control display unit 27. You.

Next, in step S6, it is confirmed whether or not the automatic changeover switch is ON, and if it is determined that the automatic changeover switch is ON, the notification means 55 and the communication means 52 are provided.
The service center 51 is notified of the failure via (step S7). Next, the sensor is switched from the first room temperature sensor 15a to the second room temperature sensor 15b (step S8). In addition, this switching operation can be automatically and promptly performed while the operation of the air conditioner 1 is continued. In step S9, the temperature is detected by the second room temperature sensor 15b. In step S10, it is determined whether the detected temperature value is within a predetermined range.
3, the normal air-conditioning operation is performed based on the difference between the temperature detected by the second room temperature sensor 15b and the set temperature set by the remote controller 20 (step S11). ).

If it is determined in step S10 that the second room temperature sensor 15b is out of order, the process proceeds to step S12, in which the alarm display of the first room temperature sensor 15a displayed on the remote control display unit 27 is canceled, and 2 room temperature sensor 1
5b is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step S13, and the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped. This display indicates a failure of a room temperature sensor that has failed afterwards among the two room temperature sensors.

If it is determined in step S6 that the automatic change-over switch has not been turned on, the process proceeds to step S13, and the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped with the alarm display of the first room temperature sensor 15a being displayed. .

Note that in the flowchart of FIG.
Although the first room temperature sensor 15a is selected when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is started, the operation may be started by selecting the second room temperature sensor 15b. In this case, FIG.
By replacing the characters of the first sensor 15a and the second sensor 15b in the flowchart of the above, the flowchart will be the one in the case where the second room temperature sensor 15b is selected at the start of operation.

As described above, if the automatic change-over switch is ON, when the first selected room temperature sensor 15a breaks down, it is automatically notified to the service center 51 and switched to the other room temperature sensor 15b. Instead, the operation of the air conditioner 1 can be continued, so that the air-conditioning operation is continued until the service person arrives and immediately before the repair is performed. Further, since a warning is displayed in code form on the remote control display unit 27, a serviceman can immediately identify a failed part and shorten the repair time.

FIG. 5 is a control pattern processing table for an alarm display and air-conditioning operation in the event of a sensor failure in one embodiment of the present invention.

When both the first and second room temperature sensors 15a and 15b are normal, a normal air-conditioning operation is performed as shown in a processing pattern I (steps S3 to S4 in FIG. 4).

When the first room temperature sensor 15a has failed and the second room temperature sensor 15b is normal, the first room temperature sensor 15a is displayed on the remote control display 27 as shown in the processing pattern II.
The alarm display of a is performed, and the air conditioning operation is performed based on the difference between the temperature detected by the second room temperature sensor 15b and the set temperature (Steps S5 to S11 in FIG. 4).

On the contrary, if the first room temperature sensor 15a is normal,
When the second room temperature sensor 15b breaks down, an alarm display of the second room temperature sensor 15b is displayed as shown in a processing pattern III, and the difference between the temperature detected by the first room temperature sensor 15a and the set temperature is displayed. The air-conditioning operation based on is performed.

When both the first and second room temperature sensors 15a and 15b fail, an alarm display of the failed sensor is displayed later as shown in the processing pattern IV, and the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped ( Step S12 to Step S in FIG.
13).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first,
Although the second room temperature sensors 15a and 15b have different mounting locations, the purpose of the sensors is almost the same, so that it is determined that they can be complemented each other. The operation can be continued by switching to the sensor.

Although the present invention has been described based on one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the remote controller is described as a wired remote controller. However, a wireless remote controller may be used, and the air conditioner 1 is described as a separate-type ceiling-mounted air conditioner 1. It may be an air conditioner of a wall-hanging type, a ceiling cassette type, a floor standing type, or the like, or may be an integrated air conditioner.

In the present embodiment, the alarm display is displayed on the remote control display unit 27. However, the alarm display may be displayed by turning on an LED or the like on the main body display unit 11 or the like. May be a place other than the remote control display section 27 or the main body display section 11 as long as it can be seen.

The alarm display may be an audio output instead of a display, or may be an audio alarm provided with a speaker or a buzzer.

Further, in the present embodiment, two room temperature sensors are used, these room temperature sensors are used for almost the same purpose, and the operation of the air conditioner 1 is controlled using one of the room temperature sensors. When one of the used room temperature sensors fails, the operation is switched to the other room temperature sensor to continue the operation. However, a controller may be used instead of these room temperature sensors. If two control devices are provided in the air conditioner 1 and these two control devices are control devices used for almost the same function and for almost the same purpose, one of the control devices used is broken. The operation of the air conditioner 1 may be continued by switching to the other control device that has not failed. Further, two humidity sensors may be used instead of the two room temperature sensors.

[0050]

As described above, in an air conditioner having two sensors and these sensors are used for almost the same purpose, even if one of the sensors, such as the room temperature sensor, used fails. Since the air conditioning operation can be continued by switching to the other sensor that has not failed, the air conditioning operation can be performed until just before the service man arrives and the repair is started by notifying the repair request. Improves the handling in the event of a failure and improves convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control block configuration diagram for performing processing for contacting a service center according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating switching of a sensor when a sensor fails according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a pattern processing table of alarm display and control at the time of a sensor failure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 Ceiling-mounted air conditioner (indoor unit) 2 Indoor fan 3 Heat exchanger 4 Electrical box 5 Ceiling space 6 Indoor unit body (air conditioner body) 7 Suction port 8 Blow-out port 9 Makeup panel 10 Ceiling 11 Main body display unit 13 Wiring 15a First room temperature sensor 15b Second room temperature sensor 20 Remote controller 21 Control device 22 Start / stop switch 23 Cooling / heating operation switching switch 24 Temperature setting switch 25 Wind speed switching switch 26 Operation unit 27 Display unit 31 Outdoor Machine 32 compressor 33 outdoor heat exchanger 51 service center 52 communication means 55 notification means

Claims (7)

[Claims] An air conditioner main body is provided with a first control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner, and a second control for controlling the operation of the air conditioner by a remote controller remote from the air conditioner body. In an air conditioner provided with a device and controlling operation using one of these two control devices, if an abnormality occurs in one of the control devices used for operation, the air conditioner is switched to the other control device. An air conditioner provided with a notifying means for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the control device while continuing the operation with the control device. 2. An air conditioner main body is provided with a first sensor for detecting indoor temperature and / or humidity, and a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body is used for detecting indoor temperature and / or humidity. A sensor is provided, and in an air conditioner that controls operation based on a value detected from one of these two sensors, when an abnormality occurs in one of the sensors used for operation, the other sensor is used. An air conditioner, comprising: a switch for continuing the operation and providing a notifying unit for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the sensor. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a voice output unit that notifies the user by voice. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means is means for notifying a service center. 5. A switch for automatically switching to one of the control devices or the other sensor when an abnormality occurs in one of the control devices or the sensors used for driving. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A first control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner in the main body of the air conditioner, and a second control for controlling the operation of the air conditioner by a remote controller remote from the main body of the air conditioner. In an air conditioner provided with a device and controlling operation using one of these two control devices, if an abnormality occurs in one of the control devices used for operation, the other control device automatically controls the other control device. A method for controlling an air conditioner, characterized in that a notifying means for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the control device is provided while the operation is continuously switched and the control device is abnormally generated. 7. A first sensor for detecting a temperature and / or humidity in a room is provided on an air conditioner main body, and a second sensor for detecting a temperature and / or humidity in a room is provided on a remote controller remote from the air conditioner main body. A sensor is provided, and in an air conditioner that controls operation based on a value detected from one of these two sensors, when an abnormality occurs in one of the sensors used for operation, the other sensor is used. A method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising automatically switching to continue operation and providing a notifying means for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the sensor.