JP2009168314A - Capacity diagnostic data recording device, air conditioner, and capacity diagnostic data calculation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply a capacity diagnostic data recording device capable of obtaining objective data that becomes the basis for insufficient capacity. <P>SOLUTION: An operation time integrating part 312b integrates an operation integrated time T0 during which a compressor 321 is operated. A thermo-off frequency measuring part 312c measures the thermo-off frequency in which the compressor 321 is stopped with the temperature of a space to be air conditioned deviating from a prescribed range. A unit frequency operation time integrating part 312d calculates the length of the thermo-off frequency per one time in the operation integrated time T0 and records it in a nonvolatile memory 313. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capability diagnosis data recording apparatus, an air conditioner, and a capability diagnosis data calculation method, and relates to, for example, the capability of an air conditioner.

  The air conditioner adjusts the temperature and the like for the space that is the target of air conditioning control. And when an air conditioner does not perform air-conditioning control appropriately with respect to the said space, it is necessary to specify the cause.

  There are various causes for this, for example, when the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive or insufficient with respect to the air conditioning load of the space. Such excess or deficiency of the air conditioner is determined in consideration of the size of the space and the presence or absence of a heat source (such as a person).

  Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a technique related to the present invention.

JP 2007-107871 A

  However, when explaining to the user that the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive or insufficient, there is no objective data as a basis for the excess or deficiency of the capacity, and the persuasive power is lacking.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a capability diagnosis data recording apparatus that can obtain objective data that is the basis for excess or deficiency in capability.

  A first aspect of the capability diagnosis data recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation time integration unit (312b) that integrates a period during which a compressor (321) that compresses refrigerant in order to perform an air conditioning operation is operating. A stop frequency measuring unit (312c) for measuring the number of times the compressor has stopped due to the temperature of the space subject to the air conditioning operation deviating from a predetermined range; And a non-volatile recording medium (313) in which the length of the number of times is recorded.

  The 1st aspect of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention is equipped with the said capability diagnostic data recording device which concerns on a 1st aspect, and the said compressor.

  The 2nd aspect of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention is an air conditioner which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: When the said length is longer than predetermined value, the capability of the said air conditioner is insufficient. A display unit (13, 51) for displaying the possibility is further provided.

  A third aspect of the air conditioner according to the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein when the length is shorter than a predetermined value, the capacity of the air conditioner may be excessive. It further includes a display unit (13, 51) for displaying that there is a characteristic.

  A first aspect of the capacity diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention includes: (a) integrating a period during which a compressor (321) that compresses refrigerant to perform an air conditioning operation is operating; ) Measuring the number of times the compressor has stopped due to the temperature of the space subject to the air conditioning operation deviating from a predetermined range; and (c) the steps (a) and (b). After the execution of the step, the step of calculating the length of the accumulated number of times per time is executed.

  A second aspect of the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention is the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the first aspect, wherein the accumulated period is divided by the number of times in the step (c). The length is required.

  A third aspect of the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention is the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the first or second aspect, wherein (d) after the execution of step (c), the length is When it is longer than the predetermined value, the step of displaying on the display unit (13, 51) that there is a possibility that the capacity of the compressor is insufficient is further executed.

  A fourth aspect of the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention is the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the first or second aspect, wherein (d) after the execution of step (c), the length is When it is shorter than the predetermined value, a step of displaying on the display unit (13, 51) that the capacity of the compressor may be excessive is further executed.

  A fifth aspect of the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention is the ability diagnosis data calculation method according to the first or second aspect, wherein (e) after execution of step (a), the period is 2 A step of displaying on the display unit (13, 51) that there is a possibility that the capacity of the compressor is insufficient due to the number of times being zero even though it is longer than a predetermined value. Is further executed.

  According to the first aspect of the capability diagnosis data recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to obtain objective data about the excess or deficiency of the compression function force with respect to a desired air conditioning operation.

  According to the first aspect of the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to obtain objective data that serves as a basis for determining whether the capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient for the air conditioning load.

  According to the 2nd aspect of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention, a user can recognize about the possibility that the capability of an air conditioner is insufficient by visually recognizing a display part, Therefore A quick measure is taken. be able to.

  According to the 3rd aspect of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention, a user can recognize about the possibility that the capability of an air conditioner is excessive by visually recognizing a display part, Therefore Take a quick measure. Can do.

  According to the first aspect of the capability diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention, objective data on excess or deficiency of the compression function force with respect to a desired air conditioning operation can be obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the capability diagnosis data calculation method of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the length of the period during which the compressor is operated per one stop count with a simple calculation.

  According to the third and fifth aspects of the capacity diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention, the user can recognize the possibility that the capacity of the compressor and thus the air conditioner is insufficient by visually recognizing the display unit. Therefore, prompt measures can be taken.

  According to the fourth aspect of the capacity diagnosis data calculation method according to the present invention, the user can recognize the possibility that the capacity of the compressor and thus the air conditioner is excessive by visually recognizing the display unit. Prompt measures can be taken.

First embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual configuration of an example of an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 1, an indoor unit 2, and an outdoor unit 3. The remote controller 1, the indoor unit 2, and the outdoor unit 3 can communicate with each other. The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 have a refrigerant circuit (not shown). The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 circulate the refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit (not shown) based on an operation input to the remote controller 1 by the user and adjust the indoor temperature using the latent heat of the refrigerant. Since such air conditioning control is realized by a known configuration, a detailed description regarding the air conditioning control is omitted. Such a known configuration may be referred to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-292429.

  FIG. 2 shows a conceptual configuration of an example of the internal configuration of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

  The outdoor unit 3 includes an electric element part 31 and a machine element part 32. The machine element unit 32 includes a compressor 321 and a fan 322. The electrical element unit 31 includes a communication unit 311, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 312, and a nonvolatile memory 313. The communication unit 311, the microcomputer 312, and the nonvolatile memory 313 are provided on a printed board, for example.

  The indoor unit 2 includes a communication unit 21 and a microcomputer 22.

  The remote controller 1 includes a communication unit 11, a microcomputer 12, a display unit 13, and an operation unit 14.

  The communication unit 311 can communicate with the indoor unit 2. The communication unit 21 can communicate with the remote controller 1 and the outdoor unit 3. The communication unit 11 can communicate with the indoor unit 2.

  The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a button for selecting a cooling operation and a heating operation, a button for setting a room temperature, and a button for stopping the operation. When the user operates the operation unit 14 to specify, for example, the cooling operation and sets the indoor temperature, the microcomputer 12 sends the cooling operation command and the set temperature set to the indoor unit 2 via the communication unit 11. Send.

  The microcomputer 22 that has received the cooling operation command and the set temperature via the communication unit 21 transmits the cooling operation command and the set temperature to the outdoor unit 3 via the communication unit 21. Then, the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 execute a cooling operation to bring the indoor temperature close to the set temperature. The same applies to the heating operation.

  The nonvolatile memory 313 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM). In the non-volatile memory 313, for example, a plurality of frequencies for driving the compressor 321 are recorded in advance.

  The microcomputer 312 includes a compressor command unit 312a, an operation time integration unit 312b, a thermo-off number measurement unit 312c, and a unit number operation time calculation unit 312d.

  For example, based on the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature, the compressor command unit 312a selects a frequency recorded in the nonvolatile memory 313, for example, and outputs a command signal to the compressor 321. The compressor 321 compresses the refrigerant by performing a compression operation with the capability based on the command signal. The compression operation is realized by, for example, rotation of a motor (not shown). In this case, the capacity of the compressor can be grasped as the number of rotations of the motor. The capacity increases with increasing compressor operating frequency.

  Further, the compressor command unit 312a stops the compressor 321 due to the temperature of the space (room) that is the target of the air conditioning operation deviating from the predetermined range. More specifically, during the cooling operation, the compressor 321 is stopped when the room temperature falls below a predetermined value lower than the set temperature. Further, during the heating operation, the compressor 321 is stopped when the indoor temperature exceeds a value higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value. Such a compressor stop function is generally called a thermo-off function.

  The operation time integration unit 312b integrates the operation integration time T0 during which the compressor is operating. The operation time integration unit 312b can recognize the start and stop of the operation of the compressor 321 by receiving a command signal from the compressor command unit 312a, for example, and integrates the operation integration time T0 of the compressor 321 using a timer circuit (not shown). To do.

  The thermo-off count measuring unit 312c indicates that the room temperature has deviated from a predetermined range (in terms of cooling operation, the room temperature has fallen below a predetermined value lower than the cooling set temperature: in accordance with heating operation). In other words, the number of times the compressor 321 has stopped due to the room temperature exceeding a predetermined value higher than the heating set temperature (hereinafter also referred to as the thermo-off number N) is measured. Specifically, for example, a notification that the compressor 321 is stopped based on the thermo-off function is received from the compressor command unit 312a, and the number of times of the notification is measured.

  The unit times operation time calculation unit 312d calculates a length L of the operation integration time T0 per one thermo-off time N. Then, the calculated length L is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 313.

  Note that the function of the operating time integrating unit 312b, the function of the thermo-off count measuring unit 312c, and the function of the unit times operating time calculating unit 312d are realized by the microcomputer 312 reading a program recorded in advance in the nonvolatile memory 313, for example. It may also be realized by hardware.

  Subsequently, the operation of the air conditioner will be described by taking cooling operation as an example. First, the user operates the operation unit 14 to select a cooling operation and inputs a set temperature.

  Next, the microcomputer 12 transmits the cooling operation command and the set temperature to the indoor unit 2 via the communication unit 11. The microcomputer 22 that has received the cooling operation command and the set temperature via the communication unit 21 transmits the cooling operation command and the set temperature to the outdoor unit 3 via the communication unit 21. The microcomputer 312 that has received the cooling operation command and the set temperature via the communication unit 311 starts the cooling operation based on the signal together with the indoor unit 2, and brings the room temperature closer to the set temperature.

  At this time, the compressor command unit 312 a outputs a command signal to the compressor 321 and starts the operation of the compressor 321. The operation time integration unit 312b integrates the operation integration time T0 of the compressor 321 with the start of operation of the compressor 321.

  The room temperature approaches the set temperature by the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner. When the room temperature falls below a value lower than the set temperature by a predetermined value, the compressor command unit 312a stops the compressor 321. At this time, the operation time integration unit 312b stops the integration of the operation integration time T0. Further, the thermo-off count measuring unit 312c receives a notification that the compressor 321 is stopped based on the thermo-off function, for example, from the compressor command unit 312a, and increments the thermo-off count N by 1. The initial value of the thermo-off count N is zero.

  The unit number of times operation time calculation unit 312d calculates the length L per operation N of the thermo-off times N of the operation integration time T0 integrated by the operation time integration unit 312b. Specifically, the length L is calculated by dividing the operation integration time T0 by the thermo-off count N. Then, the length L is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 313.

  Next, when the room temperature rises due to the stop of the compressor 321 and exceeds, for example, a set temperature, the compressor command unit 312a outputs a command signal to the compressor 321 based on the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature, for example. Then, the operation of the compressor 321 is restarted. At this time, the operation time integration unit 312b resumes integration of the operation integration time T0.

  Thereafter, each time the compressor 321 is stopped based on the thermo-off function, the operation time integrating unit 312b, the thermo-off number measuring unit 312c, and the unit-number operation time calculating unit 312d perform the above operation. Note that the unit times operation time calculation unit 312d does not need to calculate the length L every time the compressor 321 is stopped by the thermo-off function. For example, the length L may be calculated and recorded in the non-volatile memory 313 when the user presses a button for stopping the operation of the operation unit 14. In addition, the length L may be calculated at regular intervals and recorded in the nonvolatile memory 313. However, the length L is not calculated when the thermo-off count N is zero.

  As a result of the above-described operation, the length L of the operation integration time T0 per thermo-off count N is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 313. For example, when the capacity of the compressor 321 (for example, the rated capacity) and the capacity of the air conditioner (for example, the rated cooling capacity) are large with respect to the indoor air conditioning load, the frequency at which the compressor 321 stops due to the thermo-off function. growing. That is, the length L is shortened. Conversely, when the capacity of the compressor and thus the capacity of the air conditioner are small with respect to the indoor air conditioning load, the frequency at which the compressor 321 stops due to the thermo-off function is reduced. That is, the length L becomes longer. In addition, since the capacity | capacitance of a compressor and the capacity | capacitance of an air conditioner have a positive correlation, it demonstrates as the capacity | capacitance of an air conditioner typically in the following description, However, It may replace with the capacity | capacitance of a compressor.

  Therefore, by reading the length L recorded in the non-volatile memory 313, the operator can obtain objective data (length L) that is the basis for excess or deficiency of the air conditioner capacity with respect to the air conditioning load. it can. Therefore, for example, when explaining the excess or deficiency of the air conditioner capacity to the air conditioning load to the user, it can be explained based on objective data.

  In addition, when the capability of an air conditioner is very small with respect to an air-conditioning load, the thermo-off frequency | count N may maintain zero. In such a case, for example, the operation time integration unit 312b records the operation integration time T0 in the non-volatile memory 313, and the operation time integration time T0 exceeds the predetermined value, but the non-volatile memory 313 has a long time. It may be determined that the capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient because the length L is not recorded. The condition that the accumulated operation time T0 exceeds a predetermined value is based on the following reason. That is, in the air conditioning control, the compressor 321 is not stopped by the thermo-off function until the room temperature converges within a certain range with respect to the set temperature.

  Although the operation time integration unit 312b is described as integrating the operation integration time T0 of the compressor 321, this is not limiting, and the operation integration time of the air conditioner may be integrated as the operation integration time T0.

  In the present embodiment, the user can be notified of the possibility of excess or deficiency in the capacity of the air conditioner. This will be specifically described below.

  The unit times operation time calculation unit 312d determines whether or not the calculated length L is shorter than a first predetermined value (for example, 120 seconds). And when it is judged that it is short, the notification to that effect is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 via the communication part 311.

  The microcomputer 22 that has received the notification via the communication unit 21 transmits the notification to the remote controller 1 via the communication unit 21.

  The microcomputer 12 that has received the notification via the communication unit 11 displays on the display unit 13 that there is a possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive with respect to the air conditioning load.

  Moreover, the unit times operation time calculation unit 312d determines whether or not the calculated length L is longer than a second predetermined value (for example, 10 minutes). And when it is judged that it is long, the notification to that effect is transmitted via the communication part 311. Note that the notification is transmitted when the thermo-off count N is zero even though the operation integration time T0 integrated by the operation time integration unit 312b exceeds the third predetermined value (for example, 60 minutes). May be.

  The microcomputer 22 that has received the notification via the communication unit 21 transmits the notification to the remote controller 1 via the communication unit 21.

  The microcomputer 12 that has received the notification via the communication unit 11 displays on the display unit 13 that there is a possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient for the air conditioning load.

  Therefore, the user can recognize the possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive and insufficient with respect to the air conditioning load by visually recognizing the display unit 13 of the remote controller 1, and take prompt action. Can do.

  Note that the function of the operation time integrating unit 312b, the function of the thermo-off number measuring unit 312c, and the function of the unit number of times operation time calculating unit 312d are not necessarily provided in the outdoor unit 3, and all of them are the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit. It may be provided in either the machine 2 or the remote controller 1. For example, when the microcomputer 22 of the indoor unit 2 includes these, a notification that the outdoor unit 3 (more specifically, the microcomputer 312) stops the compressor 321 by, for example, a thermo-off function, and the operation of the compressor 321 The start and end may be transmitted to the indoor unit 2 via the communication unit 311.

  FIG. 3 shows a conceptual configuration of another example of the air conditioner. Compared with the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner further includes a server 4 and an information terminal 5. The server 4 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the indoor unit 2 through, for example, a LAN, WAN, Internet line, or the like. The information terminal 5 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the server 4 via, for example, an Internet line or a mail line. The information terminal 5 includes a display unit 51. Such a server 4 is provided, for example, in a building management center. The information terminal 5 is, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA. This information terminal 5 is used, for example, by a user who uses this air conditioner.

  The internal configurations of the remote controller 1 and the outdoor unit 3 are the same as those shown in FIG. However, the communication unit 21 can also communicate with the server 4.

  In the air conditioner having such a configuration, the indoor unit 2 (more specifically, the microcomputer 22) has a possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive or insufficient with respect to the air conditioning load. The notification is transmitted to the server 4 via the communication unit 21. Then, the server 4 transmits the notification to the information terminal 5 by e-mail or the like. The information terminal 5 that has received the notification displays on the display unit 51 that there is a possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is excessive or insufficient with respect to the air conditioning load.

  Thereby, by visually recognizing the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5, it is possible to notify the user of the possibility that the air conditioner has an excessive capacity and an insufficient capacity with respect to the air conditioning load. Therefore, prompt response can be promoted.

It is a figure which shows the notional structure of an example of an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows an example of a notional internal structure of the air conditioner shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the conceptual structure of another example of an air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

13, 51 Display unit 312b Operation time integration unit 312c Thermo-off frequency measurement unit 312d Unit frequency operation time calculation unit 321 Compressor

Claims (9)

An operation time integration unit (312b) that integrates the period during which the compressor (321) that compresses the refrigerant to perform the air conditioning operation is operating;
A number-of-stops measurement unit (312c) that measures the number of times that the compressor has stopped due to the temperature of the space that is the target of the air conditioning operation deviating from a predetermined range;
A capability diagnosis data recording apparatus comprising: a non-volatile recording medium (313) on which the length of the accumulated period is recorded. The capability diagnosis data recording device according to claim 1,
An air conditioner comprising the compressor. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit (13, 51) for displaying that there is a possibility that the capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient when the length is longer than a predetermined value. Machine. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit (13, 51) for displaying that the capacity of the air conditioner may be excessive when the length is shorter than a predetermined value. . (A) integrating a period during which the compressor (321) that compresses the refrigerant to perform the air conditioning operation is operating;
(B) measuring the number of times the compressor has stopped due to the temperature of the space subject to the air conditioning operation deviating from a predetermined range;
(C) A capability diagnosis data calculation method that, after the execution of the step (a) and the step (b), executes a step of calculating the length of the number of times of the integrated period.   6. The ability diagnosis data calculation method according to claim 5, wherein, in the step (c), the length is obtained by dividing the accumulated period by the number of times. (D) After execution of step (c), when the length is longer than a predetermined value, the display unit (13, 51) displays that the capacity of the compressor may be insufficient. The capability diagnosis data calculation method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the step is further executed. (D) A step of displaying on the display unit (13, 51) that there is a possibility that the capacity of the compressor is excessive when the length is shorter than a predetermined value after the execution of the step (c). The capability diagnosis data calculation method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: (E) After the execution of step (a), the compressor may be insufficient due to the number of times being zero even though the period is longer than the second predetermined value. The ability diagnosis data calculation method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising the step of displaying on the display unit (13, 51) that there is a characteristic.

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