JP3143378B2 - Control device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source side unit in which a plurality of use side units are connected by piping.
The present invention relates to a so-called multi-type air conditioner control device that circulates a heat medium from one heat source side unit to each use side unit to perform an air conditioning operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner for cooling or heating / cooling a room has a configuration in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit by piping. A multi-configuration in which multiple indoor units are connected by piping to the outdoor unit, control data is sent and received between a control circuit provided in the outdoor unit and a control circuit provided in the indoor unit, and air conditioning is performed by the multiple indoor units. Has come to be adopted.

In this case, the pipe connection between the outdoor unit and each indoor unit is configured such that a plurality of flow dividing valves are provided in the pipe from the outdoor unit, and each of the valves is opened and closed to control the supply of the refrigerant to each indoor unit. ing. In addition, the control circuit of this outdoor unit includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a
It is constituted by a single unit, and exchanges data with a microcomputer provided in each indoor unit to control the compressor and fan of the outdoor unit.

In order to set the addresses of the microcomputers of the respective indoor units to the microcomputers of the outdoor units, conventionally, a method of manually setting the addresses of the indoor units one by one at the time of installation has been adopted.

[0005]

However, in the conventional method, there is a danger that the address is set erroneously due to incorrect wiring. In that case, the setting and test run must be repeated, which is extremely complicated. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problem, and is an air which can automatically address a large number of use side units connected to one heat source side unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a harmonic machine.

[0007]

That is, according to the present invention, a single heat source side unit and a plurality of use side units are connected by a pipe for circulating a heat medium, and the heat source side unit and the use side unit are connected to each other. In an air conditioner configured to circulate the heat medium therebetween, provided in each of the use-side units, use-side control means for controlling operation of the use-side units, and provided in the heat-source-side unit, Main control means for controlling the operation of the heat source side unit; a plurality of extension control means electrically connected to the main control means so as to be able to exchange data; and And a plurality of signal lines for electrically connecting data to a specific extended control unit from among the plurality of extended control units. The extended control unit transmits and receives data between the use side control unit and the main control unit. To Together with performed, each extended control means is for sending to the main control unit to convert the state of fitting the data length from the use-side control unit to the main control unit.

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner of the present invention (mainly a refrigerant circuit diagram of an outdoor unit. In this figure, the air conditioner of the present invention has one outdoor unit 2).
(A heat source side unit) and a plurality of indoor units 14a, 14b,...

The outdoor unit 2 includes a compressor 3 and a four-way valve 8.
(A flow path is switched between a cooling operation and a heating operation), a heat source side heat exchanger 4, a receiver tank 5, an accumulator 7, and the like are provided.
5a and a pressure reducing device 17a (electric expansion valve, capillary tube, etc.) are provided.

The inlet of the four-way valve 8 is connected to a discharge pipe 3A of the compressor 3, and the outlet of the four-way valve 8 is connected to a suction pipe 3B of the compressor 3 via an accumulator 7.

A heat source side heat exchanger 4 is connected to one connection port of the four-way valve 8, and a receiver tank 5 is connected to an outlet of the heat source side heat exchanger 4, and the receiver tank 5 is a main valve. It is connected to a service valve 18 via 11. The service valve 18 is connected to a plurality of flow dividing valves 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d,. still,
The flow dividing valves 6a... Can be expanded into plural sets of four.

Further, a muffler 12 is connected to the other connection port of the four-way valve 8, and the muffler 12 is connected to the service valve 13.
Connected to. A plurality of connection valves 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d,... Are connected to the service valve 13. The connection valves 16a... Can also be extended in groups of four.

A use side heat exchanger 15a (having an unillustrated indoor fan) of the indoor unit 14a and a pressure reducing device 17a are connected in series between the flow dividing valve 6a and the connection valve 16a. The indoor units 14b, 14c and 14d have the same configuration as the indoor unit 14a, and this indoor unit is connected between the flow dividing valve and the connection valve as needed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a defrost valve for directly supplying high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 to the heat source side heat exchanger 4 for defrosting, and 10 denotes a liquid refrigerant in the receiver tank 5 or pipe. This is a liquid valve that is supplied into the compressor 3 and cooled (liquid injection). Further, an outdoor fan (not shown) is provided opposite to the heat source side heat exchanger 4 to be cooled by air.

With the above configuration, during the cooling operation of the air conditioner (for example, it is assumed that the flow dividing valve 6a is open. When the other indoor units are connected, the flow of the refrigerant is the same. When the compressor 3 is operated, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 through the four-way valve 8 and radiates heat there. And condensed. The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 4 accumulates in the receiver tank 5, flows through the main valve 11, the service valve 18, and the flow dividing valve 6a, flows out of the outdoor unit 2, and is discharged by the decompression device 17a of the indoor unit 14a. After the pressure is reduced, it evaporates in the use side heat exchanger 14a to enable the cooling operation by the indoor unit 14a.
Next, the evaporated and gasified refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 14a.
And returns from the connection valve 16 to the outdoor unit 2. Then, the air is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction pipe 3B via the muffler 12, the four-way valve 8 and the accumulator 7. Thereby, the heat source side heat exchanger 4 becomes a condenser and the use side heat exchanger 15 becomes an evaporator.

Next, during the heating operation, when the compressor 3 is operated, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows through the four-way valve 8 and the muffler 12 from the connection valve 16 to the indoor unit 14a. I do. Then, the gas refrigerant is condensed in the use side heat exchanger 15a by the operation of the pressure reducing device 6a, and the heating operation by the indoor unit 14a is enabled.

The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 4 returns to the outdoor unit 2 from the branch valve 6a via the pressure reducing device 17, and
It flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 via the main valve 11 and the receiver tank 5. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 evaporates there, passes through the four-way valve 8 and the accumulator 7, and is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction pipe 3B. by this,
The heat source side heat exchanger 4 becomes an evaporator, and the use side heat exchanger 15
Becomes a condenser.

The supply of the refrigerant to each of the indoor units 14a is controlled by opening and closing the flow dividing valves 6a by a control device 19 described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a control device used in the air conditioner shown in FIG. In this figure, the outdoor unit 2 includes one main microcomputer (general-purpose microcomputer) 21 as main control means provided mainly on the same substrate, and extended control means connected in parallel to the main microcomputer 21. (Multiplied microcomputers) 22a, 22b, 22c,... (Three in the embodiment, but depends on the number of connected indoor units).

Each of the indoor units 14a, 14b
.. each have a control device using a general-purpose microcomputer, and each has an extended microcomputer 22 of the outdoor unit 2.
a, 22b,.
It is configured to perform one-to-one serial data communication via 3b, 23c,.

An electric motor 30 for driving an outdoor fan is connected to the main microcomputer 21 via a drive circuit 31. The four-way valve 8, the defrost valve 9, the liquid valve 10, the main valve 11 and the like are connected to a drive circuit 32, respectively. 33.

The drive circuit 31 has a plurality of auxiliary relays which are excited in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21. The motor 3 is driven by a combination of contacts which respond to the excitation of these relays.
A speed adjustment terminal of 0 is selected to change the speed of the electric motor 30 (air volume of the outdoor fan). The speed of the electric motor 30 is determined based on the outside air temperature, the temperature of the heat source side heat exchanger, the temperature of the use side heat exchanger, the number of indoor units to which the refrigerant is supplied,
By judging the overload state of the refrigeration cycle and the like, as the outside air temperature of the cooling operation increases, as the number of operating indoor units increases, the speed of the electric motor 30 increases when the refrigeration cycle becomes overloaded. Is controlled in the following direction.

When switching between the cooling operation (and the reverse cycle defrosting) and the heating operation, the four-way valve 8 is energized and switched in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21 in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21. Similarly, when the temperature of the heat source side heat exchanger 4 drops particularly during the heating operation, the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 32 is excited in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21 to excite the flow path. Open the liquid valve 10 and the compressor 3
When the temperature of the compressor 3 (or the temperature of the discharge gas) or the refrigerating cycle becomes overloaded during the operation of the auxiliary circuit, the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 33 is energized in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21 to be excited. The main valve 11 is opened when the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 32 is excited in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21 during operation of the air conditioner.

The compressor 3 is also connected to the main microcomputer 21 via a drive circuit 34. When a three-phase induction motor is used as a drive source of the compressor 3, the drive circuit 34 is used to obtain a predetermined number of revolutions. This corresponds to a three-phase inverter circuit that is turned on / off in response to a switching signal for obtaining a three-phase pseudo sine wave of a required frequency. When a DC motor (brushless type) is used as a drive source of the compressor 3, The drive circuit 34 corresponds to a three-phase inverter circuit that is turned on / off in response to a DC voltage necessary for obtaining a predetermined rotation speed and a switching signal for performing appropriate switching of current supply to the stator winding.
The predetermined number of revolutions is calculated by the main microcomputer 21 according to a predetermined algorithm according to the refrigerating capacity required from each of the indoor units 14a, 14b.

The main microcomputer 21 further includes an extension microcomputer 2
Are connected so that data can be transmitted and received. Main microcomputer 21 and extended microcomputer 22
are connected to four common signal lines. One of the four is a signal line for a clock for synchronizing data, the other is a signal line for a control signal for indicating the start and end of data,
It is connected to the same function port of each microcomputer.
The remaining two are from the main microcomputer 21 to the expansion microcomputer 22a,
22b... And an output signal line through which data to be output to the extension microcomputers 22a, 22b,.
Input signal line for inputting data output from

Each of the extension microcomputers 22a, 22b,... Is set to 2 bits (in the case of three extension microcomputers, which is increased or decreased according to the number of extension microcomputers that can be mounted) by an external switch. , Main microcomputer 21
Is "00", the addresses of the extended microcomputers are "01", "10", and "11".

When outputting data from the main microcomputer 21, an address (other than "00") of a designated extended microcomputer is provided at the head of the data, and the data is output to an output signal line. The extended microcomputer specified by the address fetches this data and performs an operation based on this data. The extended microcomputer outputs data provided with an address “00” for designating the main microcomputer 21 to an input signal line.

The data output from the main microcomputer 21 includes a control code for transferring data to a specific indoor unit (for example) 14a and data to be transferred, and a specific indoor unit 14a stored in the expansion microcomputer. And the like consisting of a control code for causing the main microcomputer 21 to output this data.

Each expansion microcomputer has a storage unit for transmission and reception corresponding to each of the connected indoor units 14a, 14b, 14c,.
The data transmitted from b, 14c,... are stored in the corresponding storage sections, respectively, and output to the input signal lines in response to an output request from the main microcomputer 21. In this embodiment, the output request from the main microcomputer 21 is made periodically about every 1 to 2 seconds. That is, the data transmitted from these indoor units is periodically polled by the main microcomputer 21 and used for control.

When transmitting data to the indoor unit, the extended microcomputer transmits the data once stored in the storage unit for transmission to the indoor unit a plurality of times as necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a serial communication circuit (interface circuit) 2 for enabling transmission and reception of data between an extended microcomputer (for example, 22a) and an indoor unit (for example, 14a).
It is a principal part electric circuit diagram of 3a. Serial communication circuit 23
.. have the same circuit configuration as the serial communication circuit 23a.

Photocouplers 41 and 42 are connected between the DC power supply voltage Vcc and the ground GND in the order of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The light emitting element blinks in response to a signal from the extended microcomputer 22a, and receives light. The output of the element is supplied to the extension microcomputer 22a. Reference numerals 43 and 45 denote bias resistors, and reference numeral 44 denotes a noise absorbing capacitor.

The light receiving element of the photocoupler 41 and the light emitting element of the photocoupler 42 are connected in series to the indoor unit 14a via a noise filter 46, a protection resistor 47, and a diode 48 for preventing reverse connection. . 49 is a resistor for bias, and 50 is a Zener diode for protection. Data from the extended microcomputer 22a is transmitted to the indoor unit 14a when the photocoupler 41 is turned ON / OFF, and data from the indoor unit 14a is
2 is transmitted to the extended microcomputer 22a by ON / OFF.

In the figure, an AC power supply is connected to COM and AC, and data and AC power are supplied to the indoor unit 14a using one of the signal lines common to COM.

Next, the address setting for control of each indoor unit 14a in the test operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The outdoor unit 2 and each of the indoor units 14a (12 units in the embodiment) are connected to a pipe and to a power source (not shown).

First, when a power supply (not shown) is turned on, the main microcomputer 21 is reset to set the indoor unit storage address to 0. In step S1, the main microcomputer 21 detects the connected flow dividing valves 6a,... And allocates an address to them (in this case, 12 indoor units 14a are connected, and each of the flow dividing valves 6a,. The process proceeds to step S2 to open the flow dividing valve 6a of the address 1. In this case, one branch valve 6a connected to the predetermined indoor unit 14a is opened, and the other branch valve is not opened.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where the main microcomputer 2
1 determines whether or not each of the indoor units 14a... Is operating, and if not, proceeds to step S8 and proceeds to step S8.
are operated and the process proceeds to step S4. Main microcomputer 2
1 performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit via the extended microcomputer 22a, and collects data of a predetermined indoor unit after a lapse of a predetermined time. When a change occurs in the temperature data or the like of the indoor unit (in this case, the first indoor unit 14a), the data length from the indoor unit 14a is converted into a state suitable for the main microcomputer 21 and transmitted to the main microcomputer 21. Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where 1 is added to the storage address of the indoor unit, and the process proceeds to step S6.

Next, the main microcomputer 21 stores, as the address 1, the indoor unit 14a connected to the opened shunt valve 6a of the address 1. That is, the main microcomputer 21 is configured to open the shunt valve 6a of the address 1, the indoor unit 14a in which the temperature has changed, the port of the serial communication circuit 23a connected to the indoor unit 14a by a wire, and the extension connected to the circuit 23a. The port of the microcomputer 22a is stored as address 1, and the process proceeds to step S7. Here the main microcomputer 2
1 judges whether or not the number of the storage address of the indoor unit has reached the number of the diverter valve, and if not, the step S2
Then, the shunt valve of the next address (in this case, address 2) is opened (in this case, the shunt valve 6b connected to the second indoor unit 14b is opened, and the other shunt valves are closed).

After the branch valve 6b of the address 2 is opened in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, where the main microcomputer 21 determines whether or not each indoor unit is operating. In this case, since each indoor unit has been operated last time, the process proceeds to step S4, and the main microcomputer 21 performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit via the extended microcomputers 22 and collects data of predetermined indoor units. When a change occurs in the temperature data or the like of the indoor unit (in this case, the second indoor unit 14b), the data length from the indoor unit 14b is converted into a state suitable for the main microcomputer 21 and transmitted to the main microcomputer 21. Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where 1 is added to the storage address of the indoor unit, and the process proceeds to step S6.

Next, the main microcomputer 21 stores the indoor unit 14b connected to the opened diverter valve 6b of the address 2 as the address 2. That is, as described above, the main microcomputer 21
Is the address 2 of the opened diversion valve 6b, the indoor unit 14b in which the temperature has changed, the port of the circuit 23b connected to the indoor unit 14b, and the port of the extended microcomputer 22a connected to the circuit 23b. And proceeds to step S7. Here, the main microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the number of the storage address of the indoor unit has reached the number of shunt valves, and if not, returns to step S2 and opens the shunt valve of the next address (in this case, address 3) ( In this case, the flow dividing valve 6c connected to the third indoor unit 14c is opened and the other flow dividing valves are closed.

As described above, the main microcomputer 21 sequentially opens the addresses 3, 4, 5,... Of the flow dividing valve and performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit. Then, the main microcomputer 21 uses the temperature data from the indoor unit to open the shunt valve at addresses 3, 4, 5,.
, The extended microcomputer 22a, and the extended microcomputer 22a
, And the indoor units connected to the respective ports of the circuits 23a,... Are sequentially stored as addresses 3, 4, 5,. Thereby, each installed indoor unit is stored in the storage address of the indoor unit of the main microcomputer 21.

If the main microcomputer 21 cannot collect the data of the control unit of each indoor unit via the extension microcomputers 22a,... In step S4, the process proceeds to step S9, where an abnormality warning indicating that the temperature of the indoor unit does not change or An error display or the like is performed and the process ends.

On the other hand, even when the connection between the indoor unit 14a connected first and the indoor unit 14b connected secondly is reversed in the above setting, the main microcomputer 21 can sequentially set the address numbers of the indoor units connected in large numbers. There is no trouble in controlling the unit 2. Further, the trouble of traveling to the installation location of the main microcomputer 21 and the indoor units 14 to operate the indoor units can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, three expansion microcomputers 22a are connected to the main microcomputer 21 and four indoor units are connected to the expansion microcomputer. However, the number of expansion microcomputers is not limited to two or four. The above connection can be made, and five or more indoor units can be connected to the extended microcomputer.

Further, in the embodiment, the air conditioner for circulating the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit has been described. However, cold water or hot water (heat medium) cooled or heated by the heat source side unit is used on the use side. The present invention is also effective for a so-called chiller unit circulating through the unit.

[0048]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the plurality of extension means connected to the main control means of the heat source unit are connected to the use side control means via signal lines, and The control means exchanges data with each use-side control means via each extension control means, and the extension control means converts the data length from the use-side control means into a state suitable for the main control means. Since the data is transmitted to the main control means, various microcomputers and the like can be used as the use side control means, which is versatile.

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a piping configuration diagram of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main block diagram of a control device used in the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a serial communication circuit that enables transmission and reception of data between an extended microcomputer and an indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a program of a main microcomputer of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Outdoor unit (heat source side unit) 4 Heat source side heat exchanger 6a ... Dividing valve 8 Four way valve 14a Indoor unit (use side unit) 15a Use side heat exchanger 21 Main microcomputer (main control means) 22a ... Extended microcomputer (extended control means)

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Isao Arai 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Hisashi Tokizaki 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka JP-A-3-55456 (JP, A) JP-A-4-76341 (JP, A) JP-A-4-273943 (JP, A) JP-A-6-323611 ( JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/02 F24F 11/02 102

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heat source side unit and a plurality of use side units are connected by a heat medium circulation pipe, and the heat medium is circulated between the heat source side unit and the use side unit. In the air conditioner thus configured, a use-side control means provided in each of the use-side units and controlling the operation of the use-side unit, and a main control unit provided in the heat-source-side unit and controlling the operation of the heat-source-side unit A control unit; a plurality of extension control units electrically connected to the main control unit so as to be able to exchange data; and a plurality of the use-side units from the plurality of extension units to specific extension control units. A plurality of signal lines that electrically connect and receive data so that data can be exchanged between the user-side control means and the main control means via the extension control means; The control means for an air conditioner, wherein the means converts the data length from the use side control means into a state suitable for the main control means and transmits the data length to the main control means.