JP2810588B2 - Control device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for an air conditioner comprising a combination of a single outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, and more particularly to transmission and reception of signals between a plurality of indoor units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The prior art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 98. In this publication, three indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit. A remote controller is connected to each of these indoor units, and the operation of each of the indoor units is controlled by a corresponding remote controller.

[0003]

In the control device configured as described above, it is necessary to set a set value for each indoor unit, and there is a troublesome driving operation. In addition, there is a problem that a setting error in which an operation mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification) differs for each indoor unit occurs.

Further, all the indoor units are connected to the outdoor units via signal lines, and the outdoor units need to individually communicate with the respective indoor units, and the control unit of the outdoor unit becomes large and complicated. Had problems.

[0005] In order to solve such problems, the present invention can simultaneously set a plurality of indoor units and reduce the load on the control device for transmitting and receiving signals between the respective units. .

[0006]

According to the present invention, a single outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger is combined with a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor heat exchanger, and each of the indoor units is used. In an air conditioner that enables an air-conditioning operation, the control device of the air conditioner includes an outdoor control unit that controls the operation of an outdoor unit, an indoor control unit A that controls the operation of a specific indoor unit, and other control units. An indoor side control unit B for controlling the operation of the indoor unit is connected to the outdoor side control unit and the indoor side control unit A, and a signal for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit is transmitted to the outdoor side control unit. Connecting the first signal line with the indoor unit A and the indoor unit B, and transmitting a signal set to control the operation of the indoor unit A from the indoor unit A to the indoor unit B; A second signal line for transmitting only a signal indicating an abnormality occurring in the indoor unit B from the inner unit B to the indoor unit A, and a remote controller for providing the indoor unit A with a setting signal for controlling the operation of the indoor unit A The indoor-side control unit A controls the compressor based on a signal transmitted by the second signal line and indicating an abnormality that has occurred in the indoor unit B, and the indoor-side control unit B is controlled by the second signal line. The operation of the indoor unit B is controlled based on a signal set to control the operation of the indoor unit A to be transferred.

[0007]

In the air conditioner control device thus configured, the signal set in the indoor unit A is transferred to the outdoor unit B, so that it is not necessary to set the indoor units A and B individually. Further, since only the signal indicating the abnormality is selected and transmitted from the indoor unit B, the function is simplified for signal communication, and the load on the control device can be reduced.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner, and reference numerals 1 and 2 denote indoor units A and B, which are provided in conditioned rooms, respectively.
An outdoor unit 3 absorbs or radiates heat from a heat source (for example, an outside air or water heat source).

A power line 4 supplies AC power from an AC power source to the outdoor unit. A power line 5 supplies AC power to the indoor unit A1 via the outdoor unit 3. A power line 6 supplies AC power to the indoor unit B2 via the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit A1.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a signal line for transmitting and receiving a control signal between the indoor unit A1 and the outdoor unit 3.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a signal line for transmitting and receiving a control signal between the indoor unit A1 and the indoor unit B1.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 9 is a compressor, 10 is a four-way valve for changing the flow of refrigerant (in the cooling mode), 11 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 12 is a heat exchanger for freezing prevention provided below the outdoor heat exchanger 11. , 13 are receiver tanks, 14 and 16 are decompression devices (capillary tubes) for cooling mode, 15 and 17 are indoor heat exchangers, 18 is accumulators, 19 and 20 are decompression devices (capillary tubes) for heating mode. is there.

In the cooling mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 9 flows in the direction of the solid arrow, and the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the freezing prevention heat exchanger 12 act as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 15 , 17 act as evaporators. Decompression device 1
The pressure reduction amounts of the heat exchangers 4 and 16 are set so that the indoor heat exchangers 15 and 17 can obtain an appropriate evaporation temperature.

Reference numerals 21, 22, and 23 denote check valves, through which the refrigerant flows only in the directions indicated by solid arrows or dotted arrows.

When the four-way valve 10 is switched to the position indicated by the dotted line, the heating mode is set. In the heating mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows in a direction indicated by a dotted arrow, and the indoor heat exchanger 1
The heat exchangers 5 and 17 and the anti-freezing heat exchanger 12 function as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator. The decompression device 19 sets the decompression amount of the refrigerant diverted from the receiver 13, and the decompression device 20 sets the decompression amount of the refrigerant after passing through the antifreezing heat exchanger 12.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a high pressure switch, reference numerals 25, 26 and 27 denote strainers, and reference numeral 28 denotes a dryer. 29 is an outdoor fan, and 30 and 31 are indoor fans, which promote heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the outside air, respectively, and promote heat exchange between the indoor heat exchangers 15 and 17 and the indoor air. I do.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part when an indoor unit (an indoor unit of a ceiling embedded type) is installed on a ceiling. A sirocco fan 3 housed in a fan casing 37 with a suction nozzle 36 is provided in a main body 35 which is suspended from a ceiling beam 33 by a suspender 34 in an internal space 32 of a ceiling 31.
1, a heat exchanger 17 and a drain pump 40 are built in. On the other hand, the decorative panel 41 has an inlet 43 having an air filter 42 and an outlet 4 having a wind direction changing plate 44.
5, a main drain pan 47 for receiving dew water 46 attached to the heat exchanger 17, and outer auxiliary drain pans 50 and 51 for receiving dew water 49 attached to the outer wall of the exterior plate 48 of the main body 35.
The inner auxiliary drain pans 54 and 55 for receiving the dew condensation water 53 attached to the heat insulating material 52 of the exterior plate 48 are integrally formed of a urethane foam heat insulator, and the cool air in the air passage 56 cooled by the heat exchanger 39 is formed. As a result, the high-temperature and high-humidity air in the internal space 32 of the ceiling 31 is cooled, and the dew condensation water 49, 53 adhering to one outer wall of the exterior plate 48 and the heat insulating material 52 is received by the one auxiliary drain pan 50, 54 and cooled. The high-temperature, high-humidity air in the internal space 32 of the ceiling 31 is cooled by the room air, and the other outer wall of the exterior plate 48 and the heat insulating material 52
Water 49, 53 attached to the other auxiliary drain pan 5
1, 55, these dew waters 46, 49, 53
Is led to the main drain pan 47. And the heat exchanger 17
And is conveyed by the drain pump 40 together with the dew condensation water 46 received by the main drain pan 47, and discharged through a drain hose 57 to a drain port 58 to the outside.

As described above, by using the drain pump 40 to raise the condensed water accumulated in the main drain pan 47 to a high position and then draining it, the condensed water can be easily drained even when the main drain pan 47 is at a low position. Things.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are electric circuit diagrams used for the indoor unit 1 shown in FIG. In this figure, 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes a microprocessor (TMS73C161-C76582 manufactured by Texas Instruments), which controls the operation of each device based on a program stored in advance in an internal ROM.

Reference numerals 102 and 103 denote interface circuits. The interface circuit 102 transmits / receives data to / from the indoor unit 2, and the interface circuit 103 transmits / receives data to / from the outdoor unit 3, and has the same circuit configuration. The electric circuit diagrams of the interface circuits 102 and 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a power supply circuit, which is connected to an AC power (AC12 [V]) supplied through a terminal 105 to +12.
[V], +5 [V] voltage and microprocessor 101
Generate a reset signal for resetting. 106
Is a full-wave rectifier circuit, which connects four rectifier diodes in a bridge. 107 is a smoothing capacitor, 10
8 is a noise absorbing capacitor. Using this full-wave rectifier circuit 106 and the smoothing capacitor 107,
[V] DC power is obtained.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a constant voltage control IC.
(Integrated circuit), and the voltage applied to the terminal VO is +5
The transistor 114 is turned on so that the DC voltage becomes [V].
N / OFF control is performed. Reference numeral 115 denotes a smoothing capacitor for stabilizing a DC voltage of +5 [V]. 111,1
Reference numeral 12 denotes a resistor which divides a DC voltage of +12 [V]. Reference numeral 113 denotes a capacitor that stabilizes DC power supplied to the transistor 114. Reference numeral 118 denotes a bias resistor of the transistor 114. Also IC109
, A reset signal is output from the terminal R. This reset signal is generated when the voltage applied to the terminal VS is a predetermined value (+5 [V]).
(A voltage necessary for stabilizing the DC voltage of the capacitor 110) or more, a reset signal is output after a certain time corresponding to the charging time of the capacitor 110. This reset signal is amplified by transistors 116 and 117 and then applied to terminal R of microprocessor 101.

Reference numerals 119 to 124 denote transistors 116, 1
Reference numeral 17 denotes a bias resistor, and reference numerals 125 and 126 denote output resistors of the transistors 116 and 117. 127,12
8 is a capacitor.

Reference numerals 129, 130, and 131 denote thermistors whose resistance values change in accordance with the detected temperature. The thermistors can detect the temperature of the discharged air from the indoor unit 2, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17, and the room temperature of the conditioned room. Mounted on 13
0 to 141 are thermistors 129, 130, 131, respectively.
Is a resistance for linearizing a voltage change corresponding to the resistance change. The linearized voltage changes are supplied to terminals A7, A1, and A0 of the microprocessor 101.
The microprocessor 101 performs A / D (analog / digital) conversion of the voltages applied to these terminals, and stores the data in an internal RAM as temperature data. 142 to 144 are noise absorbing capacitors.

Reference numeral 145 denotes a 2-bit address setting switch, which is connected to terminals C6 and C7 of the microprocessor 101 via diodes 146 and 147. The address is selected and set from four types of addresses by the combination of the two bits. In this embodiment, since the operation of the air conditioner is performed by receiving a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless remote controller (not shown), the address is set to match the destination address of the wireless signal, and a different wireless remote controller is used. Malfunctions due to wireless signals from the controller are prevented.

Reference numeral 148 denotes a float switch, which closes a contact piece when the amount of dew water accumulated in the main drain pan 47 shown in FIG. 3 exceeds a predetermined amount. When the contact piece of the float switch 148 is closed, the transistor of the photocoupler 149 is turned on. Therefore, the diode 150 is short-circuited and the terminal H4 of the microprocessor 101 is shorted.
+5 [V] is applied. 151 is the photocoupler 14
9 is an output resistor. The float switch 148
Is open, the transistor of the photocoupler 149 is turned off, so that the terminal H4 of the microprocessor 101 is changed from +5 [V] to 0.6 to 0.7 [V] (forward voltage of the diode 150). Low voltage is applied. Further, a predetermined differential is set for the opening and closing operation of the contact piece of the float switch 148 to prevent chattering of the contact piece.

A connector 152 is connected to the sub-circuit shown in FIG. 8, and a connector 153 is a connector 1 shown in FIG.
57 are connected so that their terminal numbers match each other.
Diodes 154 and 156 regulate the direction in which the signal from the microprocessor 101 travels. 156
Is resistance.

The switches SW1 and SW2 regulate the operation during heating. SW1 = OFF, SW2 = ON indicates operation of only the heapon, SW1 = ON, SW2 = OFF indicates an auxiliary heater, and SW1 = OFF, SW2 = ON defines the operation of the heapon without the auxiliary heater.

In FIG. 5, the microprocessor 101
Are connected to the connector 157.
158 is an IC containing a plurality of buffer circuits,
Terminals F0, F1, F2, B of microprocessor 101
2 to B6 are power amplified. The speaker 159 is driven by the output of the terminal F0, and emits an alarm sound and the like.

Terminals F1 and B of microprocessor 101
The outputs from 2 to B6 are power-amplified by IC 158,
The signals are supplied to the O terminal, B terminal, C terminal, D terminal, E terminal, and A terminal shown in FIG. 6, respectively. The O terminal outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the energizing relay 163 of the auxiliary heater 162,
The terminal is a relay 165 for adjusting the speed of the indoor fan motor 164.
The terminal C outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the speed adjusting relay 166, the terminal D similarly outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the speed adjusting relay 167, and the terminal E Outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the energizing relay 168 of the drain pump 40, and the A terminal outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the louver motor 171 (wind direction change plate 44).

Reference numeral 171 denotes a switching transistor, which responds to a signal from the
N / OFF. When the transistor 171 is turned on, the relay 174 shown in FIG.
Turns ON. 172 and 173 are bias resistors of the transistor 171.

Reference numeral 175 denotes a switching transistor, which responds to a signal from the
N / OFF. Turning on the transistor 171 controls the energization of an electric heater (not shown) for an auxiliary heat source connected to the connector 176. The energization of the electric heater is controlled via an auxiliary relay. 177,1
Reference numeral 78 denotes a bias resistor for the transistors 177 and 178.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 179 denotes a step-down transformer, which steps down the AC power obtained through the connectors 180 and 181 and supplies it to the power supply circuit 104 shown in FIG. Terminals 1 and 2 of connector 105
AC power is supplied from the outdoor unit 2 during the interval. When the normally open contact piece of the relay 174 is closed (FIG. 6 shows a state where the contact piece is open and a state opposite to the illustrated state is a closed state), AC power is supplied from the terminals 2 and 3 of the connector 181. Is performed. AC power is supplied to the indoor unit 2 via the terminals 2 and 3. 182 is a current fuse, and 183 is a varistor.

When a signal is obtained at the relays 163, 168 and 169, the normally open contact piece of the relay 163 is closed,
The normally open contact of relay 168 closes and the normally open contact of relay 169 closes.

The rotational speed of the indoor fan motor 164 changes as follows according to the combination of the normally open contact pieces of the relays 165, 166 and 167. Relay 165: Open (shown), Relay 166: Open (shown), Relay 1
67: Stop when open (shown), relay 165:
Open, Relay 166: Open, Relay 167: Closed, weak
Relay 165: open, relay 166: weak when closed, relay 165: closed, relay 166: medium when open, relay 165: closed, strong when relay 166: closed. Opening / closing of relays 165, 166, 167 is performed by microprocessor 1
Since the number of rotations of the indoor fan motor 164 is controlled by a signal from the microprocessor 101, the number of rotations is controlled by a signal from the microprocessor 101.

FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram of the interface circuit 102 shown in FIG. Reference numerals 184 to 187 denote switching transistors. When the base terminal of the transistor 184 (output of the terminal A4 of the microprocessor 101) becomes low potential (almost 0 [V]) (L), all the transistors 184 to 187 are turned on (conduction). State). Therefore, the terminal “1” of the connector 188 at this time has +12
The voltage [V] is applied, and at the same time, the terminal “2” of the connector 188 becomes GND (0 [V]).

When the base terminal of the transistor 184 is at a high potential (approximately 5 [V]) (H), the transistors 184 to 184
87 are all OFF. Accordingly, +12 applied between the terminals “1” and “2” of the connector 188 in response to the output (H / L) of the terminal A4 of the microprocessor 101
[V] voltage can be switched. The voltage signal PWM-modulated by this switching is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 via the signal line 8 connected to the connector 188.
Sent to 189 to 192 are bias resistors;
Reference numeral 3,194 denotes a diode that regulates the direction in which current flows.

195 is a bidirectional photocoupler.
Reference numerals 6 and 197 denote resistors and capacitors constituting a noise filter. The input terminal of the photocoupler 195 is connected to the connector 188 via the noise filter. When a DC voltage is applied to the connector 188, the output transistor is turned on, and the terminal A3 of the microprocessor 101 is connected to a low voltage (almost 0 V). ]) (L).

Therefore, when a voltage (a voltage signal transmitted from the indoor unit 2) is applied to the connector 188 while the output of the terminal A4 of the microprocessor 101 is at the H voltage, the terminal A3 of the microprocessor 101 is set to the L potential. I do. Since the potential of the terminal A3 changes to H / L in response to a voltage signal applied to the connector 188, the microprocessor 101 can input a signal from the indoor unit 2.

198 is the output resistance of the photocoupler 195,
199 is a noise absorbing capacitor.

The interface circuit 103 has the same electric circuit as that of FIG. 7 (the interface circuit 102) and operates in the same manner, so that the description is omitted. However, the difference from the interface circuit 102 is that the base terminal of the transistor 184 is connected to the terminal A6 of the microprocessor 101 and the output of the photocoupler 195 is
01 and the point where the connector 188 is connected to the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 7.

FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram connected to the electric circuit shown in FIG.
00 are connected by the same terminal number.

A select switch 202 is connected to terminals “1” to “3” of the connector 200 via a connector 201. The select switch 202 has ON (a position where normal operation is enabled), OFF (a position where operation is disabled, and TEST (a position where test operation is performed).
The position of this switch is scanned and picked up by the microprocessor 101 at the terminal A2 and the terminals H0 and H1.

A remote control signal receiving unit 204 is connected to terminals “4” to “6” of the connector 200 via a connector 203. A remote control signal receiving unit 204 receives a run / stop signal, a cool / warm /
When a dry switching signal, an air flow rate setting signal for an indoor fan, a signal indicating a room temperature setting value, and the like are transmitted as wireless signals, the wireless signal is received, demodulated, and output to the terminal A2 of the microprocessor 101.

Reference numerals 205 to 207 denote indicator lights.
Reference numeral 05 denotes a cold air prevention display (lights up when the blowing of cool air is prevented during the heating operation), an indicator light 206 shows a standby display (lights up when the operation of the compressor is stopped because the outside air is too low), and an indicator light Reference numeral 206 denotes a timer display (lights up when the timer operation is being performed).
Are dynamically lit by the outputs of the terminals G4, G5, D0 and D3.

The indoor unit (B) 2 has a control circuit similar to that of the indoor unit (A) 1, but has an interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the outdoor unit 3, and a demodulation for receiving wireless signals. No circuit is provided. Further, the setting of the address switch 145 is “00”.
And the microprocessor 101 is set to be the indoor unit (B).

FIG. 9 is an electric circuit diagram of a control section that controls the operation of the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. In this figure, 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a microprocessor (TMS73C45A-C78406 manufactured by Texas Instruments) that controls the operation of each device based on a program stored in advance in an internal ROM.

Reference numerals 202 to 204 denote thermistors for detecting temperature, and the internal resistance value changes according to the detected temperature. 2
Reference numerals 05 to 207 denote resistors.
204 is connected in series. Therefore, the potential at the connection point between each thermistor and the resistor changes according to the temperature detected by the thermistor. These connection points are connected to terminals A2, A1 and A0 of the microprocessor 201. The microprocessor 201 has these terminals A2, A1, A0
A / D-converted and applied to the internal RAM as voltage data.

The thermistor 202 detects the temperature of the compressor 9, the thermistor 203 detects the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and the thermistor 204 detects the outside air temperature.

Reference numerals 208 to 210 denote capacitors for stabilizing the voltage at the connection point corresponding to the temperature detected by each thermistor. Numerals 211 to 216 denote cylindrical ferrite beads, which are provided on wiring connecting each of the thermistors 202 to 204 and an electric circuit. (The wiring passes through the holes of the ferrite beads.) These ferrite beads attenuate high-frequency noise that has entered the thermistor. Noise is cut off by these ferrite beads 211 to 216 and capacitors 208 to 210.

Reference numeral 217 denotes a current transformer (CT) which is provided with a search coil on a power line for supplying power to the compressor 9 and detects the power supplied to the compressor 9. 2
20 is C.I. T. 217, a rectifier diode and a smoothing capacitor; T. 21
7 constitutes a smoothing circuit for rectifying and smoothing the output of the circuit 7.

Reference numerals 221 and 222 denote voltage dividing resistors which divide the DC voltage output from the smoothing circuit and supply the divided voltage to the terminal A3 of the microprocessor 201. Microprocessor 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes A / D conversion of the DC voltage applied to the terminal A3 and stores the data as current data flowing to the compressor 9. 223 is a diode for protection, and the output voltage of the smoothing circuit is +5.
This is a bypass circuit when the voltage becomes equal to or more than [V] +0.6 to 0.7 [V] (the forward voltage of the diode). Resistance 22
4,225 is C.I. T. 217 is a resistor for raising the output.

Reference numeral 226 denotes a buffer circuit, which power-amplifies signals output from terminals B7, B6, B4, B3, and D7 of the microprocessor 201, and drives respective relays 227 to 230 shown in FIG. The output of D7 is an external output terminal.

Reference numerals 231 and 232 denote a high pressure switch and a low pressure switch, respectively. The high pressure switch closes the contact piece when the discharge pressure of the compressor 9 becomes higher than the first pressure, and the low pressure switch switches the suction pressure of the compressor 9. Closes the contact piece at or above the second pressure (<first pressure). Photocouplers 233 and 234 are energized when the high-voltage switch 231 and the low-voltage switch 232 are operated, respectively.
A signal is output to C6. 235 and 236 are current limiting resistors of the photocouplers 233 and 234.

Reference numeral 237 denotes a power supply circuit, which is the same electric circuit as the power supply circuit 104 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 238 denotes an interface circuit, which is the same electric circuit as the interface circuits 102 and 103 shown in FIG. The interface circuit 238 is connected to the indoor unit 1 via the signal line 7.
, And connected to terminals C1 and C0 of the microprocessor 201 to enable transmission and reception of signals between the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 3.

FIG. 10 is a control circuit of the electric motor 239 for driving the compressor 9, the four-way valve 10, and the outdoor fan 29. The connector 240 is connected to the connector 243 shown in FIG. 9, and the step-down transformer 241 is supplied with AC power supplied to the connector 242. 244 is a varistor, and 245 is a current fuse.

The compressor 9 has a normally open contact piece of the relay 229 (the relay 229 is not energized in the figure), a temperature fuse 246 that blows when the temperature of the compressor 9 becomes high, and a current supplied to the compressor 9. Is supplied through an excess switch 247 that opens the contact piece when is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. 248 is an operation condenser of the compressor 9.

Electric power is supplied to the four-way valve 10 via a normally open contact piece of the relay 230 (in the illustrated state, the relay 230 is not energized).

The motor 249 switches the rotation speed by energizing / de-energizing the relays 227 and 228 each having a switching contact piece. The illustration shows a state in which the relays 227 and 228 are not energized. When the relays 227 and 228 are de-energized, the motor 249 stops, the relay 227 is de-energized,
When the motor 8 is energized, the motor 249 rotates at a low speed, the relay 227 is energized, and when the relay 228 is de-energized, the motor 24
9 rotates at a medium speed, and when the relays 227 and 228 are energized, the motor 249 rotates at a high speed. 250 is the motor 2
49 is an operating condenser.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of signals between the indoor unit (A) 1, the indoor unit (B) 2, and the outdoor unit 3. Signals between the respective units are performed via respective interface circuits.

Reference numeral 251 denotes a wireless remote controller, which transmits a control signal to the demodulation circuit 204 of the indoor unit (A) 1. A signal represented by A is transmitted from the indoor unit (A) 1 to the indoor unit (B) 2, and a signal represented by B is transmitted from the indoor unit (B) 2 to the indoor unit (A) 1. A signal represented by C is transmitted from (A) 1 to the outdoor unit 3, and a signal represented by D is transmitted from the outdoor unit 3 to the indoor unit (A) 1.

The signal represented by A is the signal of O in the indoor unit.
N / OFF signal (replaceable with the following data), operation mode (COOL / HEAT / DRY) signal, indoor wind speed (H, M, L, AOUT) signal, auto louver control signal, defrost signal, indoor set temperature signal , A drain pump operation signal, and other operation data, and the indoor unit (B) 2 operates based on these signals.

The signal represented by B is the main drain pan 47
When the water level of the indoor air rises, a lock signal for the indoor fan (determined to be locked when the temperature detected by the thermistor 129 exceeds a predetermined range), a freezing signal for the indoor heat exchanger 15 during the cooling operation (thermistor 129). Protection of indoor heat exchanger 15 is determined when the detected temperature of 130 is -1 ° C or less), protection of high load operation signal during heating operation (determined of high load operation when the detected temperature of thermistor 130 is + 59 ° C or more) This signal requires an operation.

Accordingly, between the indoor unit (A) 1 and the indoor unit (B) 2, the indoor unit (B) 2 operates the unit only based on the signal A transmitted from the indoor unit (A) 1, When an abnormality requiring a protection operation occurs in the indoor unit (B), a signal is transmitted to the indoor unit (A) 1.

The signal represented by C indicates the ON / OFF state of the compressor 9.
An ON signal, an ON / OFF signal of the four-way valve 10, a freezing signal of the indoor heat exchanger, a high load signal of the indoor unit, and a defrost signal.

The signal represented by D is a signal representing the outside air temperature, a defrost signal, a signal from a high pressure switch, a signal from a low pressure switch, and a current signal flowing through the compressor 10.

The defrosting operation is started from the tendency of the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger to decrease or the relationship between the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger and the outside air temperature.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the indoor unit (A) 1. In step S1, the microprocessor 101 is reset by a signal from the power supply circuit, and after the initialization process, the operation is started. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a wireless signal has been received from the wireless remote controller 251. When a wireless signal is received, the microprocessor 101 is interrupted and the data of the received signal is stored in a predetermined RAM area. If a wireless signal is being received, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a signal from the indoor unit (B) (a plurality of indoor units can be connected if they are connected in parallel to the signal line 8) is received. When a signal from the indoor unit (B) is received, the microprocessor 101 is interrupted, and data of the signal from the indoor unit (B) is stored in a predetermined RAM area. When data is stored in the RAM area, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S4, it is determined whether a signal from the outdoor unit has been received. The signal from the outdoor unit is also stored in a predetermined RAM area, similarly to the signal from the indoor unit. If data is stored in this RAM area, step S7
Proceed to. The predetermined RAM areas in which the respective received data are stored do not overlap with each other.

In step S5, the operation data is changed based on the signal transmitted from the wireless remote controller 251. The operation data includes data on air conditioner stop / operation / off timer operation / on timer operation, timer operation time data, cooling / heating / dry / AOUT data, room temperature set value data, indoor fan H / M / L / A
OUT data, auto louver control data, and the like. In step S8, based on the operation data, the operation control of the devices (the electric motor 164, the louver motor 170, the drain pump DP, etc.) and the state such as the operation / stop of the compressor 9 / the energization / de-energization of the four-way valve 10 are set. .

In step S6, protection data is set based on the signal transmitted from the indoor unit (B). In step S8, the operation of the device or the setting of the operation state is changed based on the protection data. This protection data is also set when an abnormality occurs in the indoor unit (A). For example, when data indicating that the water level of the main drain pan 47 has become high is set, the drain pump 40 is driven until the water level of the main drain pan 47 becomes low, and the compressor 9 is set to stop.

In step S7, protection data is set based on the signal transmitted from the outdoor unit. The protection data includes a defrost signal from the outdoor unit. In step S8, the operation of the device or the setting of the operation state is changed based on the protection data. For example, when a defrost signal is set, the electric motor 164 is operated at a slight (LL) rotation to prevent blowing of cool air. During the defrosting operation, the four-way valve 10 is switched to the cooling mode.

In step S9, a signal (A shown in FIG. 11) indicating the operation state of the device performed in step S8
Is transmitted to the indoor unit (B). (Confirmation of transmission data is performed by answerback from the indoor unit (B).) The transmission of this signal is performed periodically every 4 seconds.

In step S10, a signal for setting the operation state of the device changed in step S8 (such as ON / OFF of the compressor 9) is transmitted to the outdoor unit. The transmission of this signal is performed periodically every 4 seconds, and in this periodic communication, the outdoor unit 3 sends the signal to the indoor unit (A).
Is returned.

As described above, since the operating state (room temperature setting value, operation mode, indoor fan setting value, etc.) set by the remote controller is transmitted to the indoor unit (A) to the indoor unit (B) 2, only the single unit is transmitted. The operation of a plurality of indoor units can be set simultaneously with the wireless remote controller, and the operation of the air conditioner becomes easier. Further, troublesome operations such as address setting for each indoor unit and selection of a remote controller corresponding to each indoor unit are eliminated.

Each of the indoor units is programmed in the microprocessor so that when the rotation speed of the electric motor 164 is set to AOUT, the air blowing amount is automatically changed based on the room temperature and the set temperature. Therefore, comfortable air blowing is performed for each indoor unit. The operation mode is AO
When it is set to UT, the room temperature set value is automatically set for each indoor unit in the same manner as the air flow rate. O of compressor 9
N / OFF is controlled according to the setting of the indoor unit (A).

Since a signal related to the protection data represented by B in FIG. 11 is transmitted from each indoor unit, if an abnormality occurs in each indoor unit, the indoor unit (A) controls the outdoor unit. Perform protection operation to prevent abnormalities.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation during the cooling operation in step S8 shown in FIG. In step S21, each device (the four-way valve (SV) 10 is turned on) so that the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are in the cooling mode.
/ OFF). In step S22, ON / OFF of the compressor 9 is set to ON when the room temperature detected by the thermistor 131 is higher than the set temperature. The compressor 9 is kept on for at least 3 minutes and kept off for at least 3 minutes to secure the minimum cooling operation time and prevent the compressor 9 from being locked when restarting. Further, the air blowing amount is set based on the difference between the room temperature detected by the thermistor 131 and the set temperature. Note that the air volume is set based on the room temperature detected by each indoor unit.

In step S23, the indoor heat exchanger 1
Whether or not 7, 15 is frozen (the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 17 becomes -1 ° C or less, or the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 15 becomes -1 ° C or less, and the protection data indicating freezing is The determination of whether the indoor unit (B) 2 has been transmitted) and the determination of whether the outside air temperature detected by the thermistor 204 of the outdoor unit 3 has become 15 ° C. or less are performed. If at least one of these two determinations is satisfied, the step is performed. Proceed to S24.

In step S24, the flag F is set to F = 1, and the timer starts counting.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature detected by the thermistor 203 of the outdoor unit 3 is equal to or higher than 18 ° C., and whether or not the time counting (12 minutes) of the timer started in step S24 has ended. A determination is made as to whether or not it is. When both of these determinations are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the flag F is cleared to F = 0, and the timer stops counting.

At step S27, it is determined whether or not the flag F is set to F = 1, and the flag F is set to F = 1.
Is set to step S28 to step S3
1 is performed. In step S28, the light emitting element 206 is turned on and off.
Is set to OFF (operation of the protection unit). Step S30
(The operation of the pump control unit together with steps S25 and S26) sets the drain pump 40 to ON, and proceeds to step S
At 31, the blowing amount of the blowing fan 31 is set to low (L).

Based on such final settings, the drain pump 40 and the blower fan 31 are operated, and ON / OFF signals of the compressor 9 and ON / OFF of the four-way valve 10 are transmitted to the outdoor unit.

For example, ON / OFF of the compressor 9 is first set in step S22, and then F = 1 in step S27.
Is satisfied, it is reset to OFF in step S29. The drain pump 40 turns on / off the compressor 9 in step S22.
ON / OFF is set in conjunction with OFF, but if F = 1 is determined in step S27, it is turned on in step S30.
Is set to When the flag F changes from F = 1 to F = 0, the operation set in step S22 is restarted.

Accordingly, the drain pump 40 is activated when the temperature of the heat exchanger of any of the indoor units falls below -1 ° C. or when the outside air temperature falls below 15 ° C. The operation is continued even if the compressor 9 is stopped for 12 minutes measured by the timer from (condition of step S23).

As the operation of the drain pump 40 is continued, drain water adhering to the heat exchanger or defrost water in which the ice of the heat exchanger is melted accumulates in the main drain pan 47 after the compressor 9 is stopped. It can prevent overflow from the drain pan.

The ON setting of the drain pump and the setting of the air volume L are transmitted to the indoor unit (B) in step S9, and the indoor unit (B) performs the same operation as the indoor unit (A).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation during the heating operation in step S8 shown in FIG. In step S41, the state of each device is set so that the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are in the heating mode. In step S42, the on / off of the compressor 9 is determined by the thermistor 131.
Is set to ON when the detected room temperature is lower than the set temperature. The compressor 9 is kept ON for at least 3 minutes,
The FF is continued for at least 3 minutes to secure the minimum heating operation time and prevent the compressor 9 from being locked when it is restarted. Further, the air blowing amount is set based on the difference between the room temperature detected by the thermistor 131 and the set temperature. Note that the air volume is set based on the room temperature detected by each indoor unit.

In step S43, it is determined whether or not the defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 of the outdoor unit 3 is determined to be necessary. If the defrosting is required, step S5 is performed.
Proceed to 4 to perform the defrosting operation.

In the defrosting operation, the four-way valve 10 is set to OFF (the state shown in FIG. 2), the indoor fans 30, 31 are set to LL (weak) or stopped, the outdoor fan 29 is set to stop, and the compressor 9 is set to off. When it is set to ON, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is heated to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger 11.

In step S43, "defrosting is required" until the predetermined defrost release condition is satisfied after the start of the defrosting operation.
Keep. The defrost release condition is when the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, about 12 ° C.) or when the defrost operation is continued for a predetermined time (12 minutes).

In step S44, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature detected by the thermistor 204 of the outdoor unit 3 has become lower than -11 ° C. When it is determined that the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than −11 ° C., the process proceeds to step S45, and the flag F is set to F = 1. In step S46, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature detected by the thermistor 204 of the outdoor unit 3 has become -7 ° C or higher. When it is determined that the outside air temperature is -7 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to step S47, and the flag F is cleared to F = 0.

In step S48, it is determined whether or not the flag F is F = 1 (whether or not the flag is set). When the flag F is set, the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S49, it is determined whether or not the indoor unit 1 is equipped with an electric heater for auxiliary heating and whether or not the forced heat pump operation is set, that is, whether the heater set, no heater, or heapon is selected. Judge.

If a heapon is set in step S49, step S8 is executed as it is, and the next step S8 is executed.
9. Go to S10. That is, the heating operation by the heat pump cycle is continued regardless of the outside air temperature.

If the heater set has been set in step S49, the flow advances to step S50 to energize the electric heater 162. That is, the output of the terminal B4 of the microprocessor 101 is changed to the L potential, the relay 163 is energized via the buffer 158, and the electric heater 162 is energized. Next, the routine proceeds to step S53, where the compressor 9 is set to OFF (stop). It should be noted that the blowing amount by the blowing fan 31 maintains the blowing amount calculated in step S42.

If no heater is set in step S49, the flow advances to steps S51 to S53 to output a signal, and then the blower fan 31 is stopped.
Set to stop. The signal is output from the terminal D7 of the microprocessor 201 of the outdoor unit 3 via the buffer 226. This signal is output as an operation signal to another heater (for example, a furnace, a boiler, or the like).

Therefore, when the outside air temperature drops to -11 ° C. or lower, the air conditioning operation by the heat pump cycle is stopped and the operation of another heater is started.

A control circuit for starting operation of the heater in response to this signal is incorporated in the other heaters.
The heating operation is automatically started in response to this signal. For example, when operating a heater connected to a home automation (HA) system (a system in which home appliances are organically linked to each other), an operation signal is sent to the heater via an information transmission path constituting the HA system. give.

The setting determined in step S49 is as follows: the amount of heat generated by the electric heater used for auxiliary heating, or the outside air temperature is -11 ° C. depending on the installation condition and installation location of the air conditioner.
Hepon, depending on whether it is rare or not,
It is possible to select heater set or no heater. Switches SW1 = OFF, SW2 = OFF in FIG.
Heater cycle when SW1 = ON, SW2 = OFF, heater set, SW1 = OFF, SW2 = ON, no heater, heat pump cycle when electric heat mounted on indoor units 1 and 2 is small (about 2KW) Is sufficient as an auxiliary heat source to be added to the heating operation, but when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than −11 ° C. and the heating capacity of the heat pump cycle cannot be obtained, sufficient heating may not be performed by the electric heater alone. (The heating value of the electric heater is 5KW
Sufficient heating capacity can be obtained with a certain degree. In such a case, since it is desirable to perform heating by another heater from the viewpoint of energy efficiency, the heater is set without the heater.

As described above, when the outside air temperature decreases during the heating operation and the heating operation by the heat pump cycle cannot be sufficiently obtained, the heating operation by the air conditioner is stopped, and a signal is output to output another heating device. , The energy efficiency in the heating operation can be improved. When the amount of heat generated by the electric heater is sufficiently large, the heating operation by the electric heater is performed.

In the operation of the indoor unit (B) 3, the same set value as that of the indoor unit (A) is transmitted in step S9, so that the indoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) perform almost the same operation. However, when the air blowing amount is AOUT (automatic), it differs for each indoor unit.

[0103]

According to the present invention, the control device for an air conditioner outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit from the indoor unit (A) to the outdoor unit via a signal line. Transmits a signal set in the indoor unit (A) to the indoor unit (B) via a signal line,
Since the operation of the indoor unit (B) is controlled based on the transmitted signal, the setting of all the indoor units can be easily performed only by supplying the operation signal to the indoor unit (A).

Further, only the signal indicating the abnormality of the indoor unit (B) is selected and sent from the indoor unit (B) to the indoor unit (A), and the indoor unit (A) controls the compressor or the like based on this signal. Since the control is performed, the burden on the indoor unit (A) for receiving signals can be reduced. That is, the configuration of the control unit of the indoor unit (A) can be simplified, and the protection operation of the indoor unit (B) can be reliably performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the indoor unit is installed on a ceiling.

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram used for the indoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram used for the indoor unit shown in FIG.

6 is an electric circuit diagram used for the indoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram used for the indoor unit shown in FIG.

8 is an electric circuit diagram used for the indoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an electric circuit diagram used for the outdoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an electric circuit diagram used for the outdoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an indoor unit (A), an indoor unit (B),
It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the signal between outdoor units.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the indoor unit (A).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation during the cooling operation in step S8 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation during the heating operation, particularly in step S8 shown in FIG.

[Description of Signs] 1 Indoor unit A 2 Indoor unit B 3 Outdoor unit 7, 8 Signal line

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuo Inoue 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shoichi Hosoya 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric (56) References JP-A-63-140242 (JP, A) JP-A-4-203740 (JP, A) JP-A-1-181031 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24F 11/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air system in which a single outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger is combined with a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor heat exchanger, and air conditioning operation is enabled using each indoor unit. In the air conditioner, the control device of the air conditioner controls the operation of an outdoor unit, the outdoor control unit that controls the operation of a specific indoor unit, and the indoor control unit A that controls the operation of another indoor unit. A first signal line comprising an indoor control unit B, connecting the outdoor control unit and the indoor control unit A, and transmitting a signal for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit to the outdoor control unit; The indoor unit A is connected to the indoor unit B, and a signal set to control the operation of the indoor unit A is transmitted from the indoor unit A to the indoor unit B. A second signal line for transmitting only a signal indicating an abnormality generated in the indoor unit B to the knit A; and a remote controller for providing a setting signal for controlling the operation of the indoor unit A to the indoor unit A , The indoor side control unit A is transmitted by the second signal line
The compressor based on the signal indicating the abnormality that has occurred in the indoor unit B
And the like, and the indoor side control unit B is controlled by the second signal line.
Set to control the operation of indoor unit A sent
This <br/> a control device of an air conditioner according to claim for controlling the operation of the indoor unit B on the basis of the signal.