JP4199243B2 - Communication abnormality diagnostic system for air conditioner and diagnostic method therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for diagnosing a communication abnormality of an air conditioner, and more specifically, diagnosing a communication abnormality by distinguishing between a case where communication is impossible due to power shutoff and a case of actual communication failure. The present invention relates to a communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner that can report the result only to a corresponding reporter and a diagnosis method thereof.

  In general, an air conditioner is a device that cools or heats a room, circulates a refrigerant between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, absorbs ambient heat when the liquid refrigerant evaporates, and liquefies. The air is cooled or heated by releasing the heat.

  In such an air conditioner, one indoor unit is generally installed in one outdoor unit. Recently, however, one or more outdoor units have a plurality of configurations and capacities. Increasing use of multi-system air conditioners that connect indoor units and perform cooling or heating operations for buildings with many separate spaces such as schools, companies, or hospitals .

  Such a multi-type air conditioner is connected to a monitoring center for monitoring or controlling the air conditioner centrally or remotely by communication. The monitoring center performs monitoring control related to various schedule information and operation via a network. Diagnose the communication abnormality of the air conditioner while transmitting to the conditioner.

As described above, in the method of diagnosing communication abnormality of various home appliances including air conditioners, diagnosis data is transmitted at regular intervals from each node of a communication system in which a plurality of nodes are connected via a network. , Receiving the transmitted data and data returned from other nodes, detecting communication abnormality by the presence or absence of data reception at each different node, and depending on the presence or absence of data reception of the corresponding node that transmitted diagnostic data at a certain period There is a method of detecting a communication abnormality of a corresponding node and reporting the communication abnormality to a building manager or a repair engineer of a manufacturer (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-118564 A

  However, in such conventional communication abnormality diagnosis methods, communication failure occurred due to an unexpected power outage or an administrator power cut off due to construction inspection, etc., or it was caused by equipment abnormality or communication line disconnection. Since it does not distinguish whether it is actually a communication failure or not, all communication abnormalities are reported to all concerned parties such as building managers and manufacturer repair technicians. There was a problem of being connected.

  In other words, if communication is not possible due to an unexpected power outage or power cut off by the administrator, the repair engineer is not notified, but only the building administrator is notified. However, with the conventional communication abnormality diagnosis method, an unnecessary report is transmitted to the repair engineer, and the repair engineer must check with the customer (that is, the building manager) every time the report is received. In addition, there is a problem that the reliability is lowered.

  Moreover, in fact, in air conditioners, external phenomena are the same for both device abnormalities and power interruptions that lead to inability to communicate, so it is difficult to accurately determine the cause of communication abnormalities at remote monitoring centers. In any case, the repair engineer is always notified of any abnormal communication, so that every time the report is received, the repair engineer must contact the building manager before visiting.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to distinguish between communication failure due to power interruption and actual communication failure due to device abnormality in diagnosing communication abnormality of the air conditioner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner capable of diagnosing a communication abnormality and a diagnosis method therefor.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner and a diagnosis method thereof that can appropriately report the communication abnormality diagnosis result to a corresponding reporter when a communication abnormality occurs in the air conditioner. is there.

  Still another object of the present invention is to connect a backup power source to a monitoring device for monitoring and controlling the air conditioner, and to perform communication abnormality diagnosis of the air conditioner that enables communication even when the air conditioner power is cut off. To provide a system and a diagnosis method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a system for diagnosing a communication abnormality of an air conditioner, and is connected to the air conditioner through the interface unit that detects the communication abnormality of the air conditioner. And a monitoring device for diagnosing the cause of occurrence of the detected communication abnormality and notifying the corresponding reporter.

  The monitoring device is connected to a backup power supply device that supplies power to the monitoring device so that communication can be performed between the air conditioner and the monitoring device even if the power of the air conditioner is shut off. .

  The interface unit receives power from a monitoring device through a communication line.

  The interface unit is connected to a monitoring device through a communication line to enable communication between the air conditioner and the monitoring device.

  The interface unit is built in an air conditioner.

  When the air conditioner is powered off, the interface unit detects power cutoff by a contact output of a power detection relay and notifies the monitoring device.

  In addition, the monitoring device distinguishes whether the communication abnormality of the air conditioner is incommunicable due to power shutoff or the communication failure due to an equipment abnormality, and notifies the corresponding reporter.

  The relevant reporter is a building manager or a repair engineer of a manufacturer.

  The monitoring apparatus includes an administrator input unit for creating a work inspection schedule for the air conditioner, and a schedule DB for storing the created work inspection schedule information.

  When the communication is impossible due to power interruption, the monitoring device searches the construction inspection schedule stored in the schedule DB for a power interruption of the air conditioner, and manages the building only when communication is impossible due to an unexpected power failure. It is characterized by notifying the person.

  The monitoring device reports to the manufacturer's repair technician only in the case of a communication failure due to equipment abnormality.

  Further, the present invention is a method for diagnosing a communication abnormality of an air conditioner, the step of detecting the communication abnormality of the air conditioner, and whether the detected communication abnormality of the air conditioner is incapable of communication due to power interruption, Or it distinguishes whether it is a communication failure by apparatus abnormality, and the stage which reports to a corresponding reporter, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the step of distinguishing and reporting communication abnormality of the air conditioner, if communication is not possible due to power interruption, search for whether there is power interruption of the air conditioner on the construction inspection schedule prepared in advance, and communication due to unexpected power failure It is characterized by notifying the building manager only when it is impossible.

  In the step of distinguishing and reporting the communication abnormality of the air conditioner, the repair engineer of the manufacturer is notified only in the case of a communication failure due to a device abnormality.

  According to the air conditioner communication abnormality diagnosis system and the diagnostic method according to the present invention, when diagnosing the air conditioner communication abnormality, a distinction is made between a case where communication is impossible due to power interruption and an actual communication failure due to equipment abnormality. Accurately diagnose communication abnormalities, report the diagnosis results only to the relevant whistleblower, and eliminate unnecessary whistleblowers, making the system more reliable for whistleblowers and unnecessary whistle for repair technicians Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm with the building manager, so that it is possible to construct a highly efficient system as a whole.

  Further, the present invention connects a backup power source to a monitoring device for monitoring and controlling the air conditioner, and electrically operates an interface incorporated in the air conditioner so that the interface can be operated by a power source supplied from the monitoring device. As a result, it is possible to communicate even when the power of the air conditioner is cut off, to clearly distinguish cases where communication is not possible due to the power cut off, and to be able to safely back up and store the operation information of the air conditioner. can get.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an air conditioner communication abnormality diagnosis system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the communication abnormality diagnosis system includes a plurality of air conditioners (specifically, outdoor units) 100 and a monitoring device 200 that monitors and controls the plurality of air conditioners 100. In addition, a communication line is connected between the plurality of air conditioners 100 and the monitoring device 200 to enable communication between the plurality of air conditioners 100 and the monitoring device 200.

  The monitoring device 200 is connected to a backup power supply device 300 that supplies backup power so that communication can be performed between the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200 for several minutes even when the power of the air conditioner 100 is shut off. The monitoring device 200 is connected to the monitoring center 400 through the Internet.

  The monitoring center 400 is a management server for remotely monitoring and controlling the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring apparatus 200 via the Internet. The monitoring center 400 performs monitoring control related to various schedule information and operation of the air conditioner 100 via the monitoring apparatus 200. In addition to being transmitted to the air conditioner 100, the operation of the air conditioner 100 is monitored while receiving a communication abnormality of the air conditioner 100 from the monitoring device 200 and notifying a corresponding reporter at the time of actual communication failure due to a device abnormality.

  In addition, the monitoring center 400 reports the communication abnormality of the connected air conditioner 100 to the corresponding reporter as appropriate, the reporter DB 410 storing the reporter registration information, and the entire building by an unexpected unexpected power failure. When a power outage occurs, a material backup DB 420 that stores various schedule information and current operation control information of the air conditioner 100 is provided.

  Based on the reporter information stored in the reporter DB 410, the monitoring center 400 reports the air conditioner 100 communication abnormality to the building manager or manufacturer repair engineer by SMS text message or email of the mobile phone. The machine 100 is monitored and managed remotely.

  FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of an air conditioner communication abnormality diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and communicates with the air conditioner 100 that receives various schedule information and monitoring control related to operation from the monitoring device 200 by communication. When an abnormality occurs, the cause of the communication abnormality is accurately diagnosed, and the communication abnormality can be reported only to the corresponding reporter.

  In FIG. 2, each air conditioner 100 includes an air conditioner control unit 110 that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 100, and an interface unit 120 that transmits and receives data to and from the monitoring device 200. AC power is supplied to the air conditioner 100 between the air conditioner control unit 110 and the interface unit 120, and the air conditioner control unit 110 and the interface unit 120. Power supply detection relay 140 that detects whether or not is connected is connected.

  The interface unit 120 is connected to the monitoring device 200 through a communication line, and enables communication between the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200. The power detection relay 140 turns off the power of the air conditioner 100 (Breaker OFF). ), A central processing unit 122 that controls to transmit information of the air conditioner 100 to the monitoring device 200, a driver 124 that drives to transmit and receive data under the control of the central processing unit 122, and an interface A signal extraction unit 126 that extracts a power source and a transmission signal from the unit 120.

  The interface unit 120 is connected to the monitoring device 200 to which the backup power supply device 300 is connected. Even if the power supply of the air conditioner 100 is cut off, the interface unit 120 receives power from the monitoring device 200 and receives the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200. Communication between them.

The monitoring device 200 connected to the interface unit 120 receives the information of the air conditioner 100 from the interface unit 120 and the signal synthesis unit 210 that synthesizes the power and transmission signals extracted by the interface unit 120. The central processing unit 220 that diagnoses the communication abnormality of 100 and controls the communication abnormality information of the corresponding air conditioner 100 to be transmitted to the monitoring center 400 through the Ethernet (registered trademark) 230, and the building administrator controls the air conditioner 100. An administrator input unit 240 for inputting control commands for controlling the air conditioner and setting information for creating a work inspection schedule for the air conditioner 100 in advance, and various types of air conditioner 100 created by the administrator input unit 240. A schedule DB 250 for storing construction inspection schedule information.

  The schedule DB 250 can store current operation control information of the air conditioner 100 when a power failure occurs in the entire building due to an unexpected power failure.

  The central processing unit 220 receives a communication abnormality of the air conditioner 100 from the interface unit 120, and the communication abnormality is a case where communication is impossible due to a sudden power failure or an administrator power interruption, or a failure or communication of the air conditioner 100. After diagnosing a communication abnormality by distinguishing whether it is an actual communication failure due to wire disconnection, the diagnosis result is transmitted to the monitoring center 400 through the Internet, and immediately in the event of communication failure due to an unexpected power outage or an administrator power shutdown Process so that the building manager can be notified.

  In addition, the central processing unit 220 checks whether there is a power-off (Breaker OFF) of the air conditioner 100 on the work inspection schedule stored in the schedule DB 250 when the air-conditioner 100 is turned off. It is determined whether the power cut-off is due to an unexpected power outage or a planned power outage due to construction inspection.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a construction inspection schedule applied to the present invention, and shows an example of inspection schedule information stored in the schedule DB 250.

  Hereinafter, the operation process and effects of the communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner configured as described above and the diagnosis method thereof will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart showing a communication abnormality diagnosis method for an air conditioner according to the present invention.

  In the system for operation of the present invention, the air conditioner 100 is connected to the monitoring device 200 via the interface unit 120, the monitoring device 200 is connected to the monitoring center 400 through the Internet, and the monitoring device 200 has a backup power supply. The apparatus 300 is connected and is in a state of supplying a minimum power capacity capable of communication to the interface unit 120 of the air conditioner 100.

  First, if the building manager creates in advance a control command for controlling the air conditioner 100 and a construction inspection schedule for the air conditioner 100 using the manager input unit 240 of the monitoring device 200, the central processing unit 220 will Various construction inspection schedule information (for example, FIG. 3) of the air conditioner 100 created by the building manager is stored in the schedule DB 250.

  Thereafter, a communication abnormality between the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200 is detected by the interface unit 120 that connects the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200. A method for detecting a communication abnormality by the interface unit 120 is based on a well-known technique, and a specific description thereof will be omitted.

  If a communication abnormality is detected by the interface unit 120 and this is notified to the monitoring apparatus 200, the monitoring apparatus 200 determines whether or not a communication abnormality of the air conditioner 100 has occurred (S100). In order to distinguish whether an abnormality has occurred, whether the communication abnormality is a communication failure due to an unexpected power failure or an administrator power-off, or an actual communication failure due to a failure of the air conditioner 100 or a disconnection of the communication line Then, it is determined whether the power supplied to the air conditioner 100 is cut off (S110).

  A method of determining the power shutdown of the air conditioner 100 by the monitoring device 200 is as follows. That is, when the power supplied to the air conditioner 100 is cut off, the contact of the power detection relay 140 is closed.

  When the contact of the power detection relay 140 is closed, the central processing unit 122 of the interface unit 120 detects the power cutoff (Breaker OFF) of the air conditioner 100 by the power detection relay 140, and monitors the power cutoff information of the air conditioner 100. By notifying the apparatus 200, it is determined that the air conditioner 100 is powered off.

  Accordingly, when the air conditioner 100 is turned off, the monitoring device 200 searches the work inspection schedule stored in the schedule DB 250 for a power-off (Breaker OFF) of the corresponding air conditioner 100 (S120). It is determined whether the power shutdown of the machine 100 is a planned power outage due to construction inspection (S130).

  If the power shutdown of the air conditioner 100 is a planned power outage due to construction inspection, the monitoring device 200 ignores the communication abnormality that has occurred in the air conditioner 100 and communicates to any reporter because the power failure is due to the administrator power off. Do not report any abnormalities.

  On the other hand, if the power shutdown of the air conditioner 100 is not a planned power outage due to construction inspection, the monitoring device 200 supplies the backup power from the backup power supply 300 to the interface unit 120 because it is an unexpected power outage. Even if the power supply to the machine 100 is cut off, the building manager is immediately notified of a power failure while allowing communication between the air conditioner 100 and the monitoring device 200 for several minutes, or the monitoring center 400 is used to notify the building manager. By doing so, the repair engineer can perform the process itself without visiting (S140).

  Subsequently, the monitoring device 200 backs up and stores various schedule information and operation control information of the corresponding air conditioner 100 in the schedule DB 250 or urgently notifies the monitoring center 400 of various schedule information and the corresponding air conditioner 100. The operation control information is backed up and stored in the material backup DB 420 (S150).

  On the other hand, if the determination result of operation S110 indicates that the air conditioner 100 is not powered off, the monitoring apparatus 200 determines that the communication abnormality of the air conditioner 100 is an actual communication failure due to the failure of the air conditioner 100 or the disconnection of the communication line. Then, the monitoring center 400 is notified of the communication failure.

  In this case, the monitoring center 400 searches the reporter DB 410 and reports a communication failure to both the building manager and the repair engineer, so that the repair engineer can handle the failure of the air conditioner 100 in cooperation with the building manager. (S160).

  Although the specific examples for carrying out the communication abnormality diagnosis system for air conditioner and the diagnosis method according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above specific examples, and is within the technical idea of the present invention. Of course, a person having ordinary knowledge in the field can make various modifications.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the communication abnormality diagnosis system of the air conditioner by this invention. It is a control block diagram of the communication abnormality diagnosis system of the air conditioner by one embodiment of this invention. It is preparation example drawing of the construction inspection schedule applied to this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart which shows the communication abnormality diagnosis method of the air conditioner by this invention.

Claims (12)

A system for diagnosing communication abnormalities in an air conditioner,
An interface unit for detecting a communication abnormality of the air conditioner;
A monitoring device connected to the air conditioner through the interface unit, diagnosing the cause of the detected communication abnormality and notifying the corresponding reporter;
Equipped with a,
The above monitoring device searches the pre-constructed work inspection schedule for the power shutoff of the air conditioner when communication is not possible due to power shutoff, and reports to the building manager only when communication is not possible due to a sudden power failure. A communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner characterized by:     The monitoring device is connected to a backup power supply device that supplies power to the monitoring device so that communication can be performed between the air conditioner and the monitoring device even if the power of the air conditioner is shut off. The communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner according to claim 1.     The air conditioner communication abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit receives power from a monitoring device through a communication line.     The communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to a monitoring device through a communication line to enable communication between the air conditioner and the monitoring device.     The communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is built in the air conditioner.     2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the power of the air conditioner is cut off, the interface unit detects the power cut-off by a contact output of a power detection relay and notifies the monitoring device. Communication abnormality diagnosis system.     2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device distinguishes whether the communication abnormality of the air conditioner is incommunicable due to power shutoff or a communication failure due to an equipment abnormality and reports to a corresponding reporter. Machine communication abnormality diagnosis system.     The communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the corresponding reporter is a building manager or a repair engineer of a manufacturer.     The said monitoring apparatus is provided with the administrator input part for creating the construction inspection schedule of an air conditioner, and schedule DB which stores the created construction inspection schedule information, The said monitoring apparatus is characterized by the above-mentioned. Air conditioner communication abnormality diagnosis system.     8. The communication abnormality diagnosis system for an air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring device notifies a repair technician of a manufacturer only in the case of a communication failure due to a device abnormality. A method for diagnosing communication abnormality of an air conditioner,
Detecting a communication abnormality of the air conditioner;
Distinguishing whether the detected communication abnormality of the air conditioner is incommunicable due to power shutoff or communication failure due to equipment abnormality, and notifying the appropriate whistleblower,
Only including,
The step of distinguishing and reporting the communication abnormality of the air conditioner,
When communication is not possible due to power interruption, search for whether the air conditioner is powered off on the construction inspection schedule prepared in advance, and notify the building manager only when communication is impossible due to unexpected power outage A communication abnormality diagnosis method for an air conditioner. The method for diagnosing communication abnormality of an air conditioner according to claim 11 , wherein in the step of distinguishing and reporting the communication abnormality of the air conditioner, the repair engineer of the manufacturer is notified only in the case of a communication failure due to a device abnormality. .

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