JP2005077056A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of performing operation of another indoor unit without causing dew condensation, freezing or leak of a heat exchanger even if the power supply to a part of indoor units is interrupted. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner comprises a transmission line power source 16 connected to a transmission line 5 to supply power to each indoor unit 2 or 3; refrigerant circuit interrupting means 21 and 41 for adjusting or interrupting the refrigerant quantity carried into and carried out of each indoor unit; service interruption detection means 30 and 50 for detecting the interruption of power supply to each indoor unit; transmission line power receiving means 29 and 49 for receiving the power capable of ensuring at least the communicating function by the transmission line and the driving function of the refrigerant circuit interrupting means even if the power supply to the indoor units is interrupted; refrigerant circuit interruption control means 34 and 54 for operating the refrigerant circuit interrupting means, when the power supply interruption is detected by the service interruption detection means, to interrupt the inflow of the refrigerant to the indoor units or the outflow of the refrigerant from the indoor units; and an operation control means 10 for continuing the operation of an outdoor unit even when the power supply interruption of a part of the indoor units is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner composed of at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, and in particular, an operation for operating other indoor units even when some of the indoor units are not energized. It relates to a control method.

  In conventional air conditioners, heat exchanger frosting and freezing prevention means for indoor units during power outage required for operating outdoor units during power outages of some indoor units, prevention of drain water generation and drainage means, etc. Therefore, the outdoor unit must be stopped during a power failure of some indoor units (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-221652

Since the conventional air conditioner has the above-described configuration, for example, when the power of some indoor units is shut off for repair, inspection, etc., all other indoor units connected to the refrigerant in the same outdoor unit are operated. There was a problem that it was not possible.
Further, for example, when the heat exchanger of the indoor unit has a power outage in the state of residual frost or dew, there is a problem that an overflow of drain water cannot be detected and a water leakage accident occurs.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object is to cause frost, freezing, and water leakage of the heat exchanger even when the power of some indoor units is shut off. It is to obtain an air conditioner that can operate other indoor units.
Furthermore, the second object is to obtain an air conditioner that can perform an appropriate drain water drainage operation and prevent water leakage even when the indoor unit heat exchanger has a power failure due to residual frost or dew. .

  In the air conditioner according to the present invention, at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by the same refrigerant pipe, and each is connected by a transmission line. A transmission line power supply that supplies power to the indoor unit, a refrigerant circuit blocking unit that adjusts or blocks an amount of refrigerant flowing into or out of each indoor unit, a power failure detection unit that detects a blockage of the power supply of each indoor unit, Transmission line power receiving means for receiving power from the transmission line to ensure at least the communication function by the transmission line and the driving function of the refrigerant circuit shutting means even when the power is shut off, and the refrigerant circuit shutting means when the power failure is detected by the power failure detecting means Refrigerant circuit shut-off control means for operating refrigerant to shut off refrigerant inflow into or out of indoor units, and some indoor units Be detected power-off is obtained and a driving control means for continuing the operation of the outdoor unit.

  In this invention, since the indoor unit in a power outage can separate its refrigerant circuit from the main refrigerant circuit with the power supplied from the transmission line, frost and freezing of the heat exchanger can be achieved even if the power of some indoor units is shut off. And the air conditioner which can drive another indoor unit without incurring water leakage can be obtained.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which an upper side of the figure shows a schematic circuit diagram of an electric system, and a lower side of the figure shows a schematic circuit diagram of a refrigerant system. Yes.

  In FIG. 1, at least one outdoor unit 1, a first indoor unit 2, a second indoor unit 3, and a remote controller 4 that inputs operation and setting signals to these indoor units and displays operating state information. Are connected by a transmission line 5 serving as a medium for communication and power supply of these devices. Moreover, the outdoor unit 1, the indoor unit 2, and the indoor unit 3 are connected by the same refrigerant | coolant piping 8 used as the medium of the refrigerant | coolant distribution | circulation between each unit. The power supply 6 of the indoor unit is connected to the indoor unit 2 via the breaker 7a and to the indoor unit 3 via the breaker 7b. In this figure, the indoor units below the third indoor unit and the remote controllers other than the remote controller 4 have the same configuration and are not shown. However, the number may vary within the limited range of the product. .

  First, the configuration of the outdoor unit 1 will be described. The outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor controller 10, a compressor 11 that compresses and circulates refrigerant under the control of the microcomputer 14, an outdoor heat exchanger 12 that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11, and this heat exchange. It is comprised from the fan 13 which ventilates to the container 12 and promotes heat exchange. The outdoor controller 10 as an operation control means calculates the internal state data of the outdoor unit 1 and the operation and state data of the indoor unit from the transmission line 5 according to a program stored in the memory, and performs operation control and communication control. A communication circuit 15 for bidirectionally converting a communication signal transmitted / received by the transmission line 5 and a data signal from the microcomputer 14, and a transmission line power supply 16 for supplying power to the remote control 4 and the indoor units 2, 3 via the transmission line 5. A memory 17 for storing a control program for the microcomputer 14, a fan drive circuit 18 for driving the fan 13 of the outdoor unit 1 in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 14, and a compressor 11 in response to a control signal from the microcomputer 14 And a compressor drive circuit 19 that performs the operation.

  Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 will be described. The indoor units 2 and 3 are refrigerant circuits that adjust or block the amount of refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchangers 22 and 42 and decompressing and expanding the refrigerant under the control of the indoor controllers 20 and 40 and the microcomputers 27 and 47, respectively. The linear expansion valves 21 and 41 as shut-off means, the indoor side heat exchangers 22 and 42 for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed by the linear expansion valves 21 and 41, and the heat exchangers 22 and 42 are blown indoors. Fans 23 and 43 for cooling and dehumidifying the air, drain pans 24 and 44 for collecting and storing dew condensation water generated on the surfaces of the heat exchangers 22 and 42 by cooling the indoor air, and drain water collected in the drain pans 24 and 44 The drain sensors 25 and 45 for detecting the water level of the water and drain pumps 26 and 46 for sucking and draining the drain water to a higher drain outlet. The indoor controllers 20 and 40 as the operation control means are stored in a memory containing the internal state data of the indoor units 2 and 3, the operation of the outdoor unit 1 from the transmission line 5, the state data, and the operation data of the remote controller 4. Microcomputers 27 and 47 that perform operation control and communication control by calculation according to a program, communication circuits 28 and 48 that bidirectionally convert communication signals transmitted and received by the transmission line 5 and data signals of the microcomputers 27 and 47, and power failure of the power supply 6 Alternatively, when the power supply to the indoor units 2 and 3 is cut off due to the breaker 7a and 7b being cut off, the transmission line 5 is switched to the power supply from the transmission line 5 to hold the control power supply of the controllers 20 and 40 as transmission line power receiving means. Power supply switching circuits 29 and 49 and a power failure detection means for detecting the power interruption and inputting a power failure detection signal to the microcomputers 27 and 47. Signal levels at which the microcomputers 27 and 47 can read the detection signals of the drain circuits 25 and 45 and the pump drive circuits 31 and 51 that drive the drain pumps 26 and 46 by the control signals of the detection circuits 30 and 50 and the microcomputers 27 and 47. The water level detection circuits 32 and 52 that are converted into and input to the fan, the fan drive circuits 33 and 53 that drive the fans 23 and 43 by the control signals of the microcomputers 27 and 47, and the linear expansion valve that is also controlled by the control signals of the microcomputers 27 and 47 And linear expansion valve drive circuits 34 and 54 as refrigerant circuit cutoff control means for driving 21 and 41.

  In the above configuration, a linear expansion valve is used as a refrigerant circuit blocking means for blocking refrigerant flow into the indoor units 2 and 3, but an electromagnetic valve that opens when energized is used instead of the linear expansion valve. Also good.

  In addition, in FIG. 1, a description will be given of a configuration in which refrigerant inflow into the indoor units 2 and 3 is blocked, but a configuration in which the outflow side from the indoor units 2 and 3 is also blocked may be employed.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the system operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Of the programs for the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2 and 3, the processing flow when the power to the indoor unit is shut off is shown. Indicates.
In FIG. 2, steps S100 to S113 show processing of the microcomputers 27 and 47 that control the indoor units 2 and 3, and steps S150 to S156 show processing of the microcomputer 14 that controls the outdoor unit 1.

  First, processing of the microcomputers 27 and 47 that control the indoor units 2 and 3 will be described. In step S100, processing for starting the programs of the microcomputers 27 and 47 is performed, and in step S101, control of a normal state in which the entire air conditioner system is energized is performed. In step S102, the power state is determined based on the power failure detection signals detected by the power failure detection circuits 30 and 50, and the process proceeds to step S103 at the time of power failure and returns to step S101 at the time of energization. In step S103, the control power supplies of the controllers 20 and 40 are switched to the power supply from the transmission line 5 and held. In step S <b> 104, the communication circuit 28, 48 transmits its own power failure to the outdoor unit 1 via the transmission line 5. In step S105, the linear expansion valves 21 and 41 are fully closed by the linear expansion valve drive circuits 34 and 54. In step S106, the water levels of the drain pans 24 and 44 detected by signals input from the drain sensors 25 and 45 via the water level detection circuits 32 and 52 after a predetermined time from the previous processing are compared with a predetermined value, and the water level is set to a predetermined value. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S107, and if the water level is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the process branches to step S112. In step S107, the drain pumps 26 and 46 are operated by the pump drive circuits 31 and 51. In step S108, the water levels of the drain pans 24 and 44 detected by signals input from the drain sensors 25 and 45 via the water level detection circuits 32 and 52 after a predetermined time from the processing of step S107 are compared with a predetermined value, and the water level is a predetermined value. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S109. If the water level is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the process branches to step S111. In step S109, the communication circuits 28 and 48 perform a process of transmitting a forced stop notification due to the drain water level over to the outdoor unit 1 via the transmission line 5. In step S110, the communication circuit 28, 48 transmits its own drain water level over abnormality notification to the remote controller 4 via the transmission line 5 to display the abnormality, or outputs an alarm when there is a connection to an alarm device. In step S111, the drain pumps 26 and 46 operated in step S107 are stopped. In step S112, the power state is determined based on the power failure detection signals detected by the power failure detection circuits 30 and 50, and when the power fails, the process returns to step S106, and when energized, the process branches to step S113. In step S113, measures for returning to normal operation such as operation before power failure and restoration of operation state data, power recovery notification to the outdoor unit 1 are performed, and the process returns to step S101.

  Next, processing of the microcomputer 14 that controls the outdoor unit 1 will be described. In step S150, processing for starting the program of the microcomputer 14 is performed, and in step S151, control of a normal state in which the entire system of the air conditioner is energized is performed. In step S152, the power supply state of all indoor units connected to the refrigerant circuit is checked based on the presence / absence of a power failure notification (from step S104) from the indoor units 2 and 3 received by the communication circuit 15 via the transmission line 5. If the indoor unit exists, the process proceeds to step S153, and if all the indoor units are energized, the process returns to step S151. In step S153, operation control corresponding to the other indoor units is performed with the indoor unit in a power failure being treated as a stop. In step S154, if the communication circuit 15 receives a forced stop notification (from step S109) from the indoor unit connected to the refrigerant circuit via the transmission line 5, the process proceeds to step 155. Processing to return to S152 is performed. In step S155, the compressor 11 is forcibly stopped by the compressor drive circuit 19, and a control process equivalent to an abnormal stop is performed. In step S156, when the reset operation is detected by receiving the reset operation by the remote controller 4 or by direct input such as a switch input, the process of step S155 is canceled, and the process returns to step S153. Hold.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, when the breaker 7a is cut off due to a failure of the fan 23 and the breaker 7a is shut off, the indoor unit 2 detects a power failure (step S102), switches the power supply to the supply from the transmission line 5, and secures a power supply for control. (Step S103), the power failure is transmitted to the outdoor unit 1 (Step S104). Then, by fully closing the linear expansion valve 21, the refrigerant circuit of its own is separated from the refrigerant circuit of the entire air conditioner (step S105). On the other hand, the outdoor unit 1 receives the power failure notification of the indoor unit 2 (step S152), treats the indoor unit 2 as stopped, and performs operation control corresponding to the other energized indoor units 3 and others (step S153).

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, the refrigerant circuit can be controlled by the power supplied from the transmission line even in an indoor unit during a power outage. The energized indoor unit can be operated without causing problems such as frost and freezing of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit and water leakage due to condensed water.

  Next, the operation | movement corresponding to the indoor unit of the structure which has a drain outlet in a position higher than a drain pan and pumps up to a drain outlet by a drain pump and drains is demonstrated. The drain water level is detected after a predetermined time from the closing of the linear expansion valve 21 (step S106), and if it exceeds the predetermined value, the drain pump 26 is operated to drain (step S107). Then, the drain water level is detected again after a predetermined time from the operation of the drain pump 26 (step S108). If the water level does not fall below the predetermined water level, it is determined that there is a risk of water leakage, and a forced stop notification is transmitted to the outdoor unit 1. (Steps S109 and S154), the entire refrigerant circuit is stopped by stopping the compressor 11 (Step S155). Further, an abnormality report is sent to all connected remote controllers including the remote controller 4 to display an abnormality (step S110). Also, special alarm output is performed as necessary. When the water level falls below a predetermined value due to the operation of the drain pump 26, the drain pump 26 is stopped (step S111), and then the drain water level detection is continued until the power is restored.

  In an air conditioner configured in this way, even in an indoor unit in a power outage, the drain pan water level can be detected and the drain pump can be operated with the power supplied from the transmission line, so that the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit due to a failure of the linear expansion valve. Even if it becomes impossible to shut off, the energized indoor unit can be operated without causing a water leakage accident of the indoor unit during a power failure.

  If the drain water level does not decrease even when the drain pump is operated, the outdoor unit 1 is forcibly stopped and the refrigerant circuit is stopped. Therefore, a drain pump failure or a water leakage factor exceeding the drain pump capacity, Even when the pump is not equipped, it is possible to prevent a water leakage accident.

  Furthermore, since the user and service personnel are informed of the risk of water leakage by displaying an abnormality on the remote control 4 and outputting an alarm, even for water leakage factors that cannot be avoided by stopping the refrigerant circuit such as water leakage of the humidifier. Water leakage avoidance treatment can be performed by human means.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The block diagram showing the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the system operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and shows the flow of processing when the power of the indoor unit among the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2 and 3 is shut off. .
In FIG. 3, steps S100 to S107, step S112, step S113, and step S120 to step S123 indicate processing of the microcomputers 27 and 47 that control the indoor units 2 and 3, and step S150 to step S153 and step S160 to step S160. Step S171 shows the processing of the microcomputer 14 that controls the outdoor unit 1.

  First, processing of the microcomputers 27 and 47 that control the indoor units 2 and 3 will be described. Steps S100 to S107, step S112, and step S113 are the same processes as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. In step S120, when the linear expansion valve closing command (from step S162) is received from the outdoor unit 1 connected to the refrigerant circuit via the transmission line 5 by the communication circuit, the process proceeds to step S105, and there is no reception. Wait as it is. In step S121, if a drain water level detection command (from step S163) is received from the outdoor unit 1 connected to the refrigerant circuit via the transmission line 5 by the communication circuit, the process proceeds to step S106. Processing to branch to step S112 is performed. In step S122, the communication circuit alerts the outdoor unit 1 connected to the refrigerant circuit via the transmission line 5 that its own drain water level has exceeded a predetermined value. In step S123, if a drain pump operation command (from step S169) is received from the outdoor unit 1 connected to the refrigerant circuit via the transmission line 5 by the communication circuit, the process proceeds to step S107. Wait as it is.

  Next, processing of the microcomputer 14 that controls the outdoor unit 1 will be described. Steps S150 to S153 are the same processes as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. In step S160, the number of indoor units that have failed due to a power failure notification from the indoor units detected in step S152 is integrated. In step S161, an initial value 1 is set to a counter n that integrates the number of units that have transmitted the linear expansion valve closing command and the drain water level detection command among the indoor units during a power failure detected in step 152. In step S162, a process of transmitting a linear expansion valve closing command for permitting the full expansion of the linear expansion valve to the n-th indoor unit according to the ranking performed in advance among the indoor units during a power failure is performed. In step S163, a process for transmitting a drain water level detection command for permitting the drain water level detection operation to the n th power failure indoor unit and detecting the drain water level is performed. In step S164, the counter n is incremented by one. In step S165, the value of the counter n is compared with the total number of indoor units under power failure accumulated in step S160, and if the value of the counter n is larger than the total number of indoor units during a power failure, the process proceeds to step S153. Processing to return to S162 is performed. In step S166, if a drain over alarm is received from the indoor unit, the process proceeds to step S167, and if there is no reception, the process returns to step S152. In step S167, a process of integrating the number of indoor units whose drain water level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value by the drain over alarm from the indoor units received in step S166 is performed. In step S168, an initial value 1 is set to a counter m that integrates the number of units that have transmitted a drain pump operation command among indoor units during a power failure whose drain water level detected in step S166 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In step S169, a drain pump operation command for permitting and operating the drain pump is transmitted to the m-th indoor unit based on the ranking performed in advance among the indoor units. In step S170, the counter m is incremented by one. In step S171, the value of the counter m is compared with the total number of indoor units during a power outage whose drain water level accumulated in step S167 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the total number of indoor units during a power outage where the value of the counter m is a drain water level equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If larger, the process returns to step S152, and in the following cases, the process returns to step S169.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the air conditioner system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The communication procedure between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units related to the control of the linear expansion valve, the drain sensor and the drain pump at the time of power failure and the operation of each unit. It shows the state.
In FIG. 4, when the power to the indoor units 201 to 203 is cut off at time T1, the indoor units 201 to 203 transmit power failure notification communications 211 to 213 to the outdoor units 200, respectively, and the outdoor units 200 respond to this communication. The indoor units 201 and 202 that sequentially transmit linear expansion valve closing command communication 214 to 216 and drain water level detection command communication 217 to 219 to the indoor units 201 to 203 and detect that the drain water level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value at time T2. Respectively transmits drain over alarm communications 220 and 221 to the outdoor unit 200, and the outdoor unit 200 sequentially transmits drain pump operation command communications 222 to 224 to the indoor units 201 and 202 in response to this communication, and at time T3, the indoor unit 201 is an outdoor unit where the drain water level does not decrease. It is sending a forced stop report communication 225 to Tsu door 200.

  In FIG. 4, the indoor units 201 to 203 are turned off while the indoor units 201 to 205 are in operation, and then the drain water level becomes a predetermined value or more in the indoor units 201 and 202. Although the water level has dropped below a predetermined value, the indoor unit 201 represents an example in which the drain water level has not dropped.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. As in the example of FIG. 4, when the power of some of the indoor units is cut off, the indoor units 201 to 203 that have failed are switched to receiving power from the transmission line 5, and the power failure notifications 211 to 213 are sent to the outdoor unit 200. Transmit (step S104). The outdoor unit 200 receives these communications, stores the addresses of the indoor units that are under power failure, waits for a predetermined time, and then sequentially sends linear expansion valve closing command communications 214 to 216 and drains to these indoor units during a power failure at regular time intervals. Water level detection command communications 217 to 219 are transmitted (steps S162 and S163). The outdoor unit 200 thus performs linear expansion valve command processing for all indoor units during a power failure in this way, and then continues the operation with the indoor unit during a power failure being treated as in the first embodiment (step S153). In this example, the linear expansion valve closing command communication 214 to 216 is performed at an interval of 20 seconds in ascending order of address, but is longer than the time required to fully close the linear expansion valve of the indoor unit from the fully opened position. Even if the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit with the linear expansion valve fully open, it is only necessary to be shorter than the value obtained by dividing the time during which the frost, freezing and water leakage of the heat exchanger are not caused by the maximum number of indoor units connected. Also, the drain water level detection command communication 217 to 219 is performed at an interval of 20 seconds in ascending order of address, but the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit longer than the time required to detect the drain water level of the indoor unit and the drain pump is stopped. However, it should be shorter than the value obtained by dividing the time without leakage due to drain water overflow by the maximum number of indoor units connected. The series of drain water level detection operations are repeated until power recovery of all indoor units is detected.

  After the power failure notification, the indoor units 201 to 202 wait for reception of the linear expansion valve closing command and the drain water level detection command of the outdoor unit, and when the linear expansion valve closing command is received, the linear expansion valves are fully closed (step S105). When the drain water level detection command is received, a detection operation is performed (step S106). When the drain water level detected like the indoor unit 203 is below a predetermined value, it waits until the next same communication reception. When power failure is detected during standby and power recovery is detected, power recovery processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment to return to normal operation. On the other hand, since the detected drain water level is higher than the predetermined value, the indoor units 201 and 202 transmit drain over alarms 220 and 221 to the outdoor unit 200, respectively (step S122), and wait for reception of a drain pump operation command (step S123). In response to these drain water level detection results, the outdoor unit 200 stores the addresses of indoor units whose drain water level is higher than a predetermined value, and sequentially sends drain pump operation command communications 222 and 223 to the indoor units during a power failure at regular intervals. (Step S169). In this example, the drain pump operation command communication 222, 223 is performed at an interval of 5 minutes in ascending order of address, but until the drain pan overflows from the detected water level even if the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit with the linear expansion valve fully opened. Is required to be shorter than the value obtained by dividing the required time by the maximum number of indoor units connected. Further, the series of drain pump operation is repeated until the drain water level detection result of all indoor units becomes a predetermined value or less. In this example, since the drain water level of the indoor unit 201 remains higher than the predetermined value, the outdoor unit transmits the drain pump operation command communication 224 again.

  The indoor units 201 and 202 receive the drain pump operation command communication 222 and 223 and operate the drain pump to drain the drain water. However, in the case where the drain water level does not fall below a predetermined value as in the indoor unit 201, the embodiment 1, the forced stop notification communication 225 is transmitted to the outdoor unit 200. The outdoor unit 200 receives the communication, detects the danger of drain water overflow, enters an abnormal stop mode, and stops the refrigerant circuit. The outdoor unit 200 that has entered the abnormal stop mode transmits the abnormality notification communication 226 to 230 to all the indoor units connected by the refrigerant circuit. In response to this communication, the indoor units 201 to 205 enter an abnormal stop mode and display a water leak alarm on each connected remote controller.

  In the above example, the outdoor unit 200 detects the danger of drain water overflow by the forced stop notification communication 225 from the indoor unit. However, even if the outdoor unit 200 performs the drain pump operation operation for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, If the drain water level of the unit 201 remains higher than the predetermined value, it is determined that there is a danger of drain water overflow, and an abnormal stop mode is entered, and then the same operation as described above may be performed.

  In the above example, the priority order for transmitting the drain pump operation command communication is in the order of younger addresses set in advance in each indoor unit, but the drain sensor can detect the water level step by step. Drain drainage may be performed in order from the highest.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, the power supply state information of each indoor unit connected to the refrigerant circuit is collected in the outdoor unit, and the indoor unit sequentially shuts down the refrigerant circuit one by one under the control of the outdoor unit. Therefore, the power supplied from the transmission line consumed at the same time can be reduced. That is, the power supply capacity of the transmission line power supply 16 can be designed to the minimum necessary, and an inexpensive and small transmission line power supply can be provided.

  Moreover, since the indoor unit sequentially performs the drain water level detection operation one by one in the same manner as the refrigerant circuit shutoff, for example, the heater and the temperature sensor are integrated to detect the submergence of the sensor from the sensor detection temperature after the heater is energized. Also in the drain sensor, the power supplied from the transmission line consumed at the same time can be reduced. That is, the power supply capacity of the transmission line power supply 16 can be designed to the minimum necessary, and an inexpensive and small transmission line power supply can be provided.

  In addition, the drain water level status information of each indoor unit connected to the refrigerant circuit is collected in the outdoor unit, and the indoor unit operates the drain pump one by one under the control of the outdoor unit and drains it at the same time. It is possible to reduce the power supplied from the transmission line. That is, the power supply capacity of the transmission line power supply 16 can be designed to the minimum necessary, and an inexpensive and small transmission line power supply can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the system operation | movement of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the system operation | movement of the air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The operation of the air conditioner system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention shows the communication procedure of the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units related to the control of the linear expansion valve, drain sensor and drain pump at the time of power failure, and the operating state of each unit. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 outdoor unit, 2, 3 indoor unit, 4 remote control, 5 transmission line, 6 power supply,
7a, 7b Breaker, 8 Refrigerant piping, 10, 20, 40 Controller (operation control means), 11 Compressor, 12 Outdoor heat exchanger, 13, 23, 43 Fan, 14, 27, 47 Microcomputer, 15, 28 48 communication circuit, 16 transmission line power supply, 17 memory, 18, 33, 53 fan drive circuit, 19 compressor drive circuit, 21, 41 linear expansion valve (refrigerant circuit cutoff means), 22, 42 indoor heat exchanger, 24, 44 Drain pan, 25, 45 Drain sensor, 26, 46 Drain pump, 29, 49 Power supply switching circuit (transmission line power receiving means), 30, 50 Power failure detection circuit (power failure detection means), 31, 51 Pump drive circuit, 32 , 52 Water level detection circuit, 34, 54 Linear expansion valve drive circuit (refrigerant circuit cutoff control means).

Claims (7)

In an air conditioner in which at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by the same refrigerant pipe, and each is connected by a transmission line,
A transmission line power source connected to the transmission line and supplying power to each indoor unit;
Refrigerant circuit blocking means for adjusting or blocking the amount of refrigerant flowing into or out of each indoor unit;
A power failure detection means for detecting power-off of each indoor unit;
Transmission line power receiving means for receiving power from the transmission line that can secure at least the communication function by the transmission line and the drive function of the refrigerant circuit cutoff means even when the power of the indoor unit is shut off,
Refrigerant circuit cutoff control means for operating the refrigerant circuit cutoff means when the power failure detection means detects power cutoff, and blocking refrigerant inflow into the indoor unit or refrigerant outflow from the indoor unit;
Operation control means for continuing the operation of the outdoor unit even when the power-off of some indoor units is detected;
An air conditioner characterized by comprising: Each indoor unit
A drain pan that collects drain water,
A drain sensor for detecting the water level of the drain water;
A drain sensor receiving detection means for detecting the drain water level by operating the drain sensor with the received power from the transmission line;
A forced stop notification means for transmitting a report to stop the operation of the outdoor unit when the drain water level is detected to be equal to or higher than a predetermined value while the refrigerant circuit is shut off during a power failure;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: Indoor unit
A drain pump that draws drain water from the drain pan to a high drain outlet and drains it;
Drain pump power receiving drive means for driving the drain pump with the received power from the transmission line;
A drain pump power receiving drive control means for driving the drain pump when the drain water level is detected above a predetermined value;
The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising:   Equipped with a water leakage alarm display means for issuing an abnormality report to the remote control, central control device, etc., alarm output from the indoor unit or outdoor unit, etc. when the drain water level is detected above the predetermined value during the refrigerant circuit shut off at power failure The air conditioner according to claim 2. Outdoor unit
An indoor unit power failure detection means for detecting the power state of each indoor unit connected to its refrigerant circuit;
Refrigerant circuit shut-off sequential control means for sequentially performing the refrigerant circuit shut-off operation when there are a plurality of indoor units that have been detected by the indoor unit power failure detecting means at the same time;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: Outdoor unit
An indoor unit power failure detection means for detecting the power state of each indoor unit connected to its refrigerant circuit;
A power failure drain sensor detection sequential control means for sequentially detecting the water level of the drain pan by the power received from the transmission line when there are a plurality of indoor units detected at the same time by the indoor unit power failure detection means. The air conditioner according to claim 2. Outdoor unit
An indoor unit power failure detection means for detecting the power state of each indoor unit connected to its refrigerant circuit;
A power failure that sequentially operates the drain pump power receiving drive means when there are multiple indoor units that have been detected by the indoor unit power failure detecting means at the same time as those detected by the drain sensor power receiving detecting means. Time drain pump drive sequential control means,
The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising:

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