JP2019027681A - Filter monitoring device for air conditioning device and remote monitoring system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a filter monitoring device capable of determining proper filter cleaning timing according to a use environment in an existing air conditioning device, and to provide a remote monitoring system using the same.SOLUTION: A filter monitoring device 10 includes: a wind speed sensor 12 and a current sensor 15 which can be attached to an existing air conditioning device; a storage part 112; and a determination part 113. The wind speed sensor 12 detects the wind speed of the air after passing through a filter. The current sensor 15 measures a current flowing in a power source line of the air conditioning device. The storage part 112 stores a threshold value for determination of the wind speed in each wind speed mode of the air conditioning device and a current value changing corresponding to each wind speed mode by associating them. The determination part 113 compares the threshold value for determination corresponding to the current value detected by the current sensor 15 with the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12, and in the case where the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12 is lower than the threshold value for determination, it determines that clogging occurs in the filter included by the air conditioning device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter monitoring apparatus that monitors the degree of clogging of a filter used in an air conditioning facility, and a remote monitoring system using the same.

  In recent years, air conditioning equipment (air conditioning equipment) is provided in many offices and stores. Such air conditioning equipment takes in indoor air, adjusts its temperature, etc., and then releases the air again into the room. At this time, the taken-in air passes through a filter of the air conditioning equipment and is discharged into the room after dust and dirt in the air are removed.

  The filter of the air conditioner is clogged with dust and dust removed from the air as the air conditioner is used. If the clogging progresses in the filter, the cooling / heating efficiency in the air conditioning equipment decreases or the power consumption increases, so that the filter needs to be periodically cleaned. In general air conditioning equipment (including air conditioners such as air conditioners), the cumulative usage time since the filter was last cleaned is measured, and when this cumulative usage time reaches a predetermined time, the user or service is designated as the filter cleaning time. Notify Man.

  However, the appropriate filter cleaning time in actual air conditioning equipment varies greatly depending on the use environment. That is, in an environment where there is little dust or dust, dirt is unlikely to accumulate on the filter, and the frequency of cleaning the filter may be low. On the other hand, in an environment where there is a lot of dust or dust, dirt is likely to accumulate on the filter, and the frequency of cleaning the filter needs to be increased.

  In the method of determining the filter cleaning time based on the accumulated use time, such a difference in use environment cannot be reflected, and an appropriate filter cleaning time according to the use environment cannot be determined. On the other hand, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the amount of air passing through the filter is detected by an air amount sensor, and when the detected amount of air falls below a preset threshold value, the filter cleaning time is notified. An air purifier is disclosed.

JP-A-2006-87510 JP-A-2006-95106

  In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the filter cleaning time is determined based on the air volume that changes in accordance with the degree of filter clogging. Therefore, it is possible to determine the filter cleaning time reflecting the difference in use environment.

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the air volume sensor is provided in advance in the air cleaner, and a threshold value used for determining the filter cleaning time needs to be set in advance in the control device. For this reason, this technique cannot be used in the existing air conditioning equipment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a filter monitoring device capable of determining an appropriate filter cleaning time according to the use environment in an existing air conditioning facility, and a remote monitoring system using the filter monitoring device. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above problems, the filter monitoring device of the present invention can be retrofitted to an existing air conditioner and measures the first parameter that changes when the filter provided in the air conditioner is clogged. First measuring means, second measuring means that can be retrofitted to an existing air conditioner and that changes a second parameter that changes according to the wind speed mode of the air conditioner, and each wind speed mode of the air conditioner And a storage unit for storing the first parameter determination threshold value and the second parameter that changes corresponding to each wind speed mode, and the second parameter detected by the second measurement unit. The corresponding determination threshold value is compared with the first parameter detected by the first measurement means, and it is determined that the filter included in the air conditioner is clogged based on the comparison result. It is characterized in that it comprises a tough, the.

  According to said structure, the filter monitoring apparatus of this invention attaches a 1st measurement means and a 2nd measurement means with respect to an air conditioner, and monitors an air conditioner based on the measurement result. It can also be applied to air conditioning equipment. Further, the filter clogging is determined based on the comparison result between the first parameter detected by the first measuring means and the determination threshold value. The determination threshold value is determined based on the second parameter that changes corresponding to the wind speed mode. It is stored in association. For this reason, by using the determination threshold value corresponding to the second parameter detected at that time as the determination threshold value used for determining the filter clogging, it is possible to make an appropriate determination according to the wind speed mode at that time. .

  In the filter monitoring apparatus, the first parameter is a wind speed of the air after passing through the filter, the first measuring unit is a wind speed sensor that detects the wind speed, and the determination unit includes the wind speed sensor. It can be set as the structure which determines with clogging having arisen in the filter with which an air conditioner is provided, when the wind speed detected by this falls below the said threshold value for determination.

  In the filter monitoring apparatus, the second parameter is a current flowing through a power line of a fan motor provided in the air conditioner, and the second measuring unit is a current sensor that detects a current flowing through the power line. It can be.

  The filter monitoring device has a setting input mode for setting a threshold value for determination and a current value stored in the storage unit. In the setting input mode, the air conditioner is operated. A wind speed value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor is stored as a determination threshold value in the storage unit, and a current value detected by the current sensor is associated with the determination threshold value at the same time. It can be set as the structure memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part.

  According to the above configuration, by setting the determination threshold and current value later, the manufacturer and model of the air conditioning equipment (ceiling cassette type air conditioner, floor type air conditioner, total heat exchanger, fan coil unit, etc.) Regardless of the filter monitoring device can be attached.

  In order to solve the above problems, a remote monitoring system of the present invention includes the filter monitoring device, and a monitoring control device connected to the filter monitoring device through a network so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the filter monitoring device. When it is determined that the filter included in the air conditioner monitored by the device is clogged, the determination result of the filter clogging is transmitted to the monitoring control device via the network.

  The filter monitoring device and the remote monitoring system of the present invention can be applied to existing air conditioning equipment, and have an effect that it is possible to determine an appropriate filter cleaning time according to the use environment.

1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a remote monitoring system to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the attachment state of the filter monitoring apparatus in the remote monitoring system of FIG. 1, and is the top view which looked at the air conditioning apparatus attached to the indoor ceiling from the downward direction. It is a functional block diagram of a filter monitoring apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote monitoring system (hereinafter abbreviated as this system) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an attachment state of the filter monitoring device in the present system, and is a plan view of the air conditioner 50 attached to the ceiling of the room as viewed from below. In addition, this system has illustrated the case where this invention is applied to the central air-conditioning equipment used in a building etc.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a filter monitoring device 10 and a monitoring control device 20, which are communicably connected via a network 30 such as the Internet. The filter monitoring device 10 is attached in the vicinity of the air conditioner 50 attached to the ceiling of the room, and monitors the operating status and the like of the air conditioner 50.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the filter monitoring device 10 includes a device main body 11, a wind speed sensor 12, a suction temperature sensor 13, an outlet temperature sensor 14, and a current sensor 15. The wind speed sensor 12 is arrange | positioned downstream from the filter with which the air conditioner 50 is provided, and detects the wind speed of the air after passing a filter. The suction temperature sensor 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the air suction port 52 of the air conditioner 50 and detects the temperature of the air sucked from the air suction port 52. The blowing temperature sensor 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the air outlet 51 of the air conditioner 50 and detects the temperature of the air blown from the air outlet 51. The current sensor 15 is attached to a power supply line of the air conditioner 50, specifically, a power supply line that supplies an operation current of the indoor fan motor, and measures the current flowing through the power supply line to thereby operate the air conditioner 50 in the wind speed mode. Used to check the status. For the wind speed sensor 12, it is preferable to attach a silicon cover, for example, around the sensor to prevent air turbulence around the sensor. As a result, the wind speed sensor 12 can acquire stable wind speed data.

  In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the apparatus main body 11 and various sensors (the wind speed sensor 12, the suction temperature sensor 13, the blowout temperature sensor 14, and the current sensor 15) are illustrated so as to be visible from the outside. Actually, it is preferable that these are attached so as not to be visually recognized from the outside. For example, the apparatus main body 11 can be disposed behind the ceiling. Various sensors can be attached to the inside of the exterior panel of the air conditioner 50.

  The apparatus main body 11 is attached to the ceiling near the air conditioner 50, and the wind speed sensor 12, the suction temperature sensor 13, the blowout temperature sensor 14, and the current sensor 15 are connected to the apparatus main body 11 via a cable. A cable for connecting these sensors is not particularly limited and may be a general-purpose IV line. However, a robot cable may be used to improve operability. Further, these sensors may be easily detachable from the apparatus main body 11 by connector connection or the like. These sensors can be attached to the air conditioner 50 using an adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like, but the attachment method is not particularly limited, and for example, a special attachment jig is used. The sensor may be attached to the air conditioner 50.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the filter monitoring apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 11 of the filter monitoring apparatus 10 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a determination unit 113, and a communication unit 114.

  The storage unit 112 is a means for storing a threshold (determination threshold) for determining the cleaning time of the filter used in the air conditioner 50 and the like. The determination unit 113 compares the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12 with a determination threshold value stored in the storage unit 112 and determines whether it is time to clean the filter (that is, whether or not the filter is clogged). It is a means to determine. The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for communicating with the monitoring control device 20 via the network 30. The control unit 111 is a means for performing input processing of detection values from various sensors and overall control of the filter monitoring apparatus 10.

  The filter monitoring apparatus 10 of this system determines the cleaning time of the filter used in the air conditioner 50 based on the wind speed detection by the wind speed sensor 12 in particular. Specifically, the wind speed of the air blown from the air outlet 51 of the air conditioner 50 is detected by the wind speed sensor 12. The detected wind speed is compared with a determination threshold value stored in the storage unit 112 in the determination unit 113. When the detected wind speed is lower than the determination threshold, it is determined that the filter is being cleaned because it is clogged.

  However, since the wind speed of the air at this time also changes depending on the wind speed mode selected in the air conditioner 50 (such as “sudden”, “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, “fine”), filter monitoring The device 10 also needs to recognize the wind speed mode. The wind speed mode selected in the air conditioner 50 can be recognized from the detection value of the current sensor 15. When the selected wind speed mode is recognized in the air conditioner 50, a determination threshold value corresponding to the wind speed mode is selected, and determination by the determination unit 113 is performed. As a result, the filter monitoring device 10 can appropriately determine the cleaning time of the filter regardless of which mode is selected in the air conditioner 50.

  In addition, the method of using a temperature sensor and a current sensor other than the method of using a wind speed sensor can also be considered for the clogging determination in a filter. For example, if the temperature difference between the suction temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 13 and the blowout temperature detected by the blowout temperature sensor 14 becomes larger than normal, it can be determined that the filter is clogged. This is because, for example, when the filter is clogged during cooling, air stays inside the air conditioner 50, and the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor 14 is lower than normal. On the contrary, during heating, the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor 14 rises higher than normal, and in this case also, the temperature difference between the suction temperature and the blowing temperature becomes large. In addition, if there is a decrease in the current detected by the current sensor 15 during operation in the constant wind speed mode, it can be estimated that the filter is clogged.

  Further, regarding the determination of the wind speed mode, in addition to the method using the current sensor, a method using the wind speed sensor is also conceivable. For example, the wind speed mode can be estimated by collecting data on the wind speed distribution of the wind speed sensor 12. This is because a peak corresponding to the number of wind speed modes appears in the wind speed distribution of the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12.

  When the filter monitoring device 10 determines that the filter of the air conditioner 50 is at the cleaning time, the determination result is output from the communication unit 114 and transmitted to the monitoring control device 20 via the network 30. Accordingly, a service person is dispatched to an office or a store where the air conditioner 50 is detected to be in the filter cleaning time, and the filter is quickly cleaned (or replaced) by the service person.

  The filter monitoring device 10 of this system is not provided as a direct function in the main body of the air conditioner 50, but is provided with various sensors attached to the air conditioner 50 and monitoring the air conditioner 50 based on the sensor output. is there. Thereby, this system has the advantage that it can be applied to any existing air conditioning equipment.

  However, since this system is premised on being applied to existing air-conditioning equipment, the determination threshold value stored in the storage unit 112 cannot be set in advance. This is because if the manufacturer, model, etc. of the air conditioner 50 are different, the initial wind speed in the air conditioner 50 (wind speed in a state where clogging is not occurring immediately after filter cleaning) is also different. For this reason, when using the present system, it is necessary to first input a determination threshold value.

  In order to use this system, first, the apparatus main body 11 of the filter monitoring apparatus 10 is attached to an appropriate position near the air conditioner 50, and various sensors (wind speed sensor 12, suction temperature sensor 13, blowout temperature sensor 14 and The current sensor 15) is attached to the air conditioner 50 at a predetermined position. When such an installation operation is completed, a determination threshold setting input operation is performed.

  The filter monitoring apparatus 10 has a threshold setting mode in addition to the normal monitoring mode. Such mode switching can be performed by an operation input unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 11. The determination threshold setting input operation is performed by setting the filter in the air conditioner 50 to a state in which there is no clogging immediately after cleaning, switching the filter monitoring device 10 to the threshold setting mode, and operating the air conditioner 50 in this state.

  At this time, a wind speed value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 10% of the detected wind speed) from the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12 is set as a determination threshold value and stored in the storage unit 112. At this time, the current value detected by the current sensor 15 at the same time is stored in the storage unit 112 in association with the determination threshold. By performing the above operation for all the wind speed modes of the air conditioner 50, combinations of the determination threshold value and the corresponding current value are stored in all the wind speed modes. When the determination threshold setting input operation is completed, the filter monitoring apparatus 10 is switched to the normal monitoring mode.

  As described above, in this system, the filter monitoring device 10 is not directly provided as a function in the main body of the air conditioner 50, but is in an indirect mounting form, so that the manufacturer and model of the air conditioning equipment (ceiling cassette type air conditioner, It can be installed regardless of floor-mounted air conditioner, total heat exchanger, fan coil unit, etc., and the contamination of the filter can be determined by digitizing with a wind speed sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor.

Further, the filter monitoring apparatus 10 in the present system can be used not only for the above-described monitoring of the filter cleaning time but also for the following monitoring control.
-Since the current status of the air conditioner 50 can be determined by the current sensor 15 (operation on / off, whether the thermostat is stopped, etc.), the air conditioner 50 is constantly monitored to check the operation stop of the air conditioner 50. Can be contacted.
-It is possible to determine a decrease in capacity due to aged deterioration of the air conditioner 50 based on the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 12 immediately after the filter cleaning. That is, if the detected wind speed by the wind speed sensor 12 is lower than the initial wind speed (which can be stored in the storage unit 112 at the time of setting input work) even though it is immediately after the filter cleaning, it is determined that the air conditioner 50 has a reduced capacity. , One of the criteria for determining as aging degradation.
-By monitoring the intake air temperature by the intake temperature sensor 13, the set temperature can be predicted and enlightenment for energy saving operation can be achieved.
-By comparing the temperature difference between the blow-out temperature and the suction temperature with past data, it can be used as a material for determining whether or not the capacity of the air conditioner 50 is normal (the temperature difference decreases as the air-conditioning capacity decreases). .
-The wind speed value immediately after the filter cleaning is compared with the past wind speed value immediately after the filter cleaning. If the wind speed value is reduced, it can be determined that the heat exchanger in the air conditioning facility is clogged.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the filter monitoring apparatus 10 in this system can self-determine the failure of various sensors. For example, the control unit 111 monitors the presence or absence of signal input from the wind speed sensor 12, the suction temperature sensor 13, the blowout temperature sensor 14, and the current sensor 15, and if there is no signal input from any of the sensors, the sensor has failed. It can be determined that there is. When a sensor failure is determined, the replacement of the failed sensor can be prompted by communication from the filter monitoring device 10 to the monitoring control device 20.

  Moreover, the filter monitoring apparatus 10 in this system may be configured to store the detection results obtained by the wind speed sensor 12, the suction temperature sensor 13, the blowout temperature sensor 14, and the current sensor 15 in the storage unit 112 as history data. By analyzing the characteristics of individual differences due to such data accumulation, it can be used to predict the next filter replacement time (cleaning time).

  Further, the filter monitoring device 10 in this system can communicate with a mobile terminal or the like by Wi-Fi communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication near the filter monitoring device 10 in addition to communication with the monitoring control device 20. It is good. Thereby, it becomes possible for a service person or the like to communicate with the filter monitoring apparatus 10 using a portable terminal on hand and browse data stored in the filter monitoring apparatus 10.

  The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not serve as a basis for limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the scope of claims. Moreover, all the changes within the meaning and range equivalent to a claim are included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Filter monitoring apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 111 Control part 112 Memory | storage part 113 Determination part 114 Communication part 12 Wind speed sensor 13 Suction temperature sensor 14 Outlet temperature sensor 15 Current sensor 20 Monitoring control apparatus 30 Network 50 Air conditioner 51 Air outlet 52 Air inlet

Claims (6)

A first measuring means that can be retrofitted to an existing air conditioner, and that measures a first parameter that changes when a filter of the air conditioner is clogged;
A second measuring means that can be retrofitted to an existing air conditioner, and that measures a second parameter that varies according to the wind speed mode of the air conditioner;
A storage unit that associates and stores a threshold for determination of the first parameter in each wind speed mode of the air conditioner and the second parameter that changes corresponding to each wind speed mode;
A filter provided in the air conditioner based on the comparison result by comparing the determination threshold value corresponding to the second parameter detected by the second measuring means with the first parameter detected by the first measuring means. And a determination unit that determines that clogging is occurring in the filter monitoring device. The filter monitoring device according to claim 1,
The first parameter is a wind speed of the air after passing through the filter, and the first measuring means is a wind speed sensor for detecting the wind speed;
The said monitoring part determines with the filter provided with an air conditioner having clogged when the wind speed detected by the said wind speed sensor is less than the said threshold value for determination, The filter monitoring apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The filter monitoring device according to claim 1,
The filter monitoring apparatus, wherein the second parameter is a current flowing through a power line of a fan motor provided in the air conditioner, and the second measuring means is a current sensor that detects a current flowing through the power line. The filter monitoring device according to claim 1,
The first parameter is a wind speed of the air after passing through the filter, and the first measuring means is a wind speed sensor for detecting the wind speed,
The second parameter is a current value flowing through a power line of a fan motor provided in the air conditioner, and the second measuring unit is a current sensor that detects the current value,
The said monitoring part determines with the filter provided with an air conditioner having clogged when the wind speed detected by the said wind speed sensor is less than the said threshold value for determination, The filter monitoring apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The filter monitoring device according to claim 4,
A setting input mode for setting the threshold value for determination and the current value stored in the storage unit;
In the setting input mode, a wind speed value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor in a state where the air conditioner is operated is stored as a determination threshold in the storage unit, and at the same time by the current sensor. The detected current value is stored in the storage unit in association with the determination threshold. A filter monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a monitoring control device connected to the filter monitoring device via a network so as to be communicable,
When it is determined that the filter included in the air conditioner monitored by the filter monitoring device is clogged, the determination result of the filter clogging is transmitted to the monitoring control device via the network. Remote monitoring system

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