JP5034964B2 - Element operation frequency recording device and element operation frequency error estimation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an element operation frequency recording apparatus and an element operation frequency error estimation method, for example, an operation frequency of a relay.

  An operating current is supplied to the fan motor via a relay. When a relay failed, it was necessary to identify the cause of the failure. One cause of the failure of the relay is, for example, that the relay ON / OFF count (hereinafter referred to as the operation count) exceeds the guaranteed count as a product. In order to identify the cause of this failure, it is conceivable to record the number of relay operations in an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) and confirm the number of operations.

  Further, if the number of operations is recorded in the EEPROM each time the relay operates (ON / OFF), the number of accesses to the EEPROM increases. The increase in the number of accesses causes an EEPROM failure. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of accesses to the EEPROM, it is preferable to measure the number of times the relay operates, accumulate the number of operations, and record the number of operations in the EEPROM at regular intervals.

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

JP 2007-19353 A

  However, if the number of relay operations is recorded in the EEPROM for each fixed period, when the power is cut off, the number of operations during the fixed period including the time of the cutoff is lost, and the cumulative value cannot be obtained correctly. Therefore, an error due to power interruption occurs between the number of operations recorded in the EEPROM and the actual number of operations of the relay.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an element operation frequency recording apparatus and an element operation frequency error estimation method capable of estimating the error.

  A first aspect of an element operation frequency recording apparatus according to the present invention is an element operation frequency recording apparatus that records the operation frequency of elements (H1, M1, L1) that operate repeatedly in a state where power is supplied. The non-volatile recording medium (3) operates with the power supplied thereto, measures the number of operations, and is measured in the predetermined period every time the continuous predetermined time (T1) in which it is in an operating state has elapsed. An element operation frequency recording unit (2a, 2b) that records the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the number of operations as a first frequency on the nonvolatile recording medium, and operates when the power is supplied and when the power is turned on A power-on count recording unit (2c) that records an accumulated value obtained by accumulating the number of times the power is turned on as a second count on the nonvolatile recording medium;

  A second aspect of the element operation frequency recording device according to the present invention is the element operation frequency recording device according to the first aspect, wherein the predetermined time is constant and an elapsed time since the power is turned on. And an accumulated time recording unit that records the elapsed time to the nonvolatile recording medium every predetermined time and when the supply of power is cut off because an abnormality is detected ( 2d).

  A first aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention is the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation frequency recording device (1) according to the first aspect. The element operation frequency error estimation method for estimating an error with respect to the operation frequency, wherein the predetermined time is constant, and the element (H1, M1, L1 is within the predetermined time in a state where the power is supplied. A value obtained by multiplying the number of times of operation by repeating the second number of times is grasped as the error.

  The second aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention is the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation frequency recording device (1) according to the first aspect. The element operation frequency error estimation method for estimating an error with respect to the operation frequency, wherein the predetermined time is constant, and the element (H1, M1, L1 is within the predetermined time in a state where the power is supplied. A value obtained by multiplying the half value of the number of times of operation by repeating the above) by the second number is grasped as the error.

  A third aspect of the element operation number error estimation method according to the present invention is the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation number recording device (1) according to the second aspect. An element operation frequency error estimation method for estimating an error with respect to the operation frequency, wherein the predetermined time is constant, and the power is supplied only when the abnormality is detected and the power is shut off. A first value obtained by multiplying a third number obtained by subtracting 1 from the second number of times to repeatedly operate the element (H1, M1, L1) within the predetermined time in the state, A value that is an integral multiple of the predetermined time that is smaller than the time and that is closest to the elapsed time, and a second value that is the number of times the element is operated repeatedly within a period (T2) of the difference from the elapsed time The obtained value is grasped as the error.

  A fourth aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention is the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation frequency recording device (1) according to the second aspect. An element operation frequency error estimation method for estimating an error with respect to the operation frequency, wherein the predetermined time is constant, and the power is supplied only when the abnormality is detected and the power is shut off. A first value obtained by multiplying a half value of the third number of times by which the element (H1, M1, L1) is repeatedly operated within the predetermined time in a predetermined state by a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the second number of times; A value that is an integral multiple of the predetermined time that is smaller than the elapsed time and closest to the elapsed time, and a second value that is the number of times the element is operated repeatedly within a period (T2) of the difference from the elapsed time; As the error

  According to the first aspect of the element operation number recording apparatus of the present invention, the error can be estimated from the second number of times recorded on the nonvolatile recording medium.

  According to the second aspect of the element operation frequency recording device of the present invention, when the elapsed time recorded on the nonvolatile recording medium is not an integral multiple of the predetermined time, the integral multiple of the predetermined time closest to the elapsed time is From the difference with the elapsed time, it can be estimated when the power supply is cut off. Therefore, the accuracy of estimating the error can be improved.

  According to the first aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention, the error of the number of times the element is operated repeatedly is estimated from the number of power-on times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium by a simple arithmetic process. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention, the error of the number of times the element is operated repeatedly from the second number recorded on the nonvolatile recording medium by a simple arithmetic process. Can be estimated.

  According to the third aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of error estimation by a simple calculation process.

  According to the fourth aspect of the element operation frequency error estimation method of the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of error estimation by a simple calculation process.

First embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conceptual configuration of a fan motor driving device. This fan motor driving device includes an AC power supply AC1, a control circuit 1, and a fan motor MF1. Such a fan motor drive device is mounted on, for example, an air conditioner.

  The control circuit 1 includes relays L 1, M 1, H 1, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 2, and a nonvolatile memory 3.

  The nonvolatile memory 3 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM).

  Relays L1, M1, and H1 are turned on when a switch signal is received from microcomputer 2, and are turned off when no switch signal is input.

  The fan motor MF1 is a tap-switching type fan motor that can switch the ventilation airflow in a plurality of stages, for example. Fan motor MF1 shown in FIG. 1 has one end connected to one end of AC power supply AC1, and three ends connected to the other end of AC power supply AC1 via relays L1, M1, and H1, respectively. For example, when only the relay L1 is ON, the fan motor MF1 operates with “weak wind”, and when only the relay M1 is ON, the fan motor MF1 operates with “medium wind”, and only the relay H1 is operated. In the ON state, the fan motor MF1 operates with “strong wind”.

  The microcomputer 2 includes a relay control unit 2a, an ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b, and a power-on frequency recording unit 2c. For example, the microcomputer 2 operates by receiving a DC power supply from the outside. Therefore, the relay control unit 2a, the ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b, and the power-on frequency recording unit 2c operate only when DC power is supplied. Note that the DC power supplied to the microcomputer 2 may be a DC power obtained by rectifying the AC power AC1.

  The relay control unit 2a outputs a switch signal to each of the relays L1, M1, and H1 (the output of the switch signal is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 1), and controls ON / OFF of these. Note that the relay control unit 2a can output a switch signal to each of the relays L1, M1, and H1 at predetermined control intervals. Further, as described above, when the supply of power to the microcomputer 2 is interrupted, the relay control unit 2a stops its operation. At this time, the relays L1, M1, and H1 are turned off.

  The ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b measures the ON / OFF frequency (hereinafter referred to as the operation frequency) of each of the relays L1, M1, and H1, and records it in the non-volatile memory 3 every predetermined time T1 (for example, 2 hours). To do.

  The power-on count recording unit 2 c records the power-on count in the nonvolatile memory 3 when DC power is supplied to the microcomputer 2.

  The function of the relay control unit 2a, the function of the ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b, and the function of the power-on frequency recording unit 2c are executed even when the microcomputer 2 reads a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3, for example. Well, it may be implemented in hardware.

  Note that a portion composed of the ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b, the power-on frequency recording unit 2c, and the nonvolatile memory 3 can be grasped as an element operation frequency recording device.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic graph showing the actual number of operations for one relay, the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and the number of times of power-on. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 shows a graph under the condition that the relay L1 repeats ON / OFF at regular intervals. In addition, although the frequency | count of operation | movement of the relay L1 is a discrete value with respect to time, in FIG. 2, these are connected and illustrated.

  The ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b, for example, increments the number of operations of the relay L1 by 1 each time the relay control unit 2a outputs a switch signal to the relay L1. Then, the cumulative number of times of the operation is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 every continuous constant time T1 (for example, 2 hours) in which the device itself is in the operating state. In FIG. 2, for example, the number of operations of the relay L1 is measured from time t0, and the number of operations is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 at time t1 when a certain time T1 has elapsed from time t0. Subsequently, at the time t2 when the fixed time T1 has elapsed from the time t1, the number of operations of the relay L1 up to the time t2 is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3.

  For example, when the DC power supplied to the microcomputer 2 is cut off at a time t3 when a predetermined time (<predetermined time T1) has elapsed from the time t2, the operation of the microcomputer 2 and consequently the ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b is stopped. . Therefore, of the number of operations of the relay L1 measured by the ON / OFF number recording unit 2b, the number of operations from time t2 to t3 is lost. Accordingly, an error E1 occurs at time t3 between the actual number of operations of the relay L1 and the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. The error E1 is the number of operations of the relay L1 from the time t0 to the time t3, and the time t2 (this is the timing immediately before the time t3 when the DC power supply is shut off in the timing of recording the number of operations to the nonvolatile memory 3. And the number of times stored in the non-volatile memory 3.

  When DC power is supplied again to the microcomputer 2 at time t4, the ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b reads the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. Each time the relay control unit 2a outputs a switch signal to the relay L1, 1 is added to the number of operations. The ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b records the number of operations in the nonvolatile memory 3 at time t5 when a certain time T1 has elapsed from time t4.

  Similarly, when the DC power supplied to the microcomputer 2 is cut off again at time t6 when a predetermined time (<predetermined time T1) has elapsed from time t5, the actual number of operations of the relay L1 and non-volatile An error E2 occurs between the number of operations recorded in the memory 3. The error E2 is the sum of the number of operations of the relay L1 from time t5 to time t6 and the error E1.

  The operation from time t7 to time t9 is the same as the operation from time t4 to t6. Then, when the DC power supply is cut off at time t9, similarly, an error E3 occurs between the actual number of operations of the relay L1 and the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. Error E3 is the sum of the number of operations of relay L1 from time t8 to time t9 and error E2.

  As described above, every time the supply of DC power is interrupted, the error between the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 and the actual number of operations of the relay L1 increases.

  In this embodiment, every time DC power is supplied (time t0, t4, t7), the power-on count recording unit 2c records the power-on count in the nonvolatile memory 3. More specifically, for example, at times t0, t4, and t7, the power-on count recording unit 2c reads the power-on count recorded in the non-volatile memory 3 and adds 1 to the power-on count to be non-volatile. Record in the memory 3.

  The error between the actual number of operations of the relay L1 and the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 is related to the number of times the power is turned on, and the number of times the power is turned on is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. Therefore, for example, when specifying the cause of the failure of the relay L1, the error between the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 and the actual number of operations of the relay L1 is calculated from the number of power-on times recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. Can be estimated.

  Hereinafter, the error estimation method will be described more specifically. The ON / OFF frequency recording unit 2b records the number of operations of the relay L1 in the non-volatile memory 3 every two hours, and the non-volatile memory 3 records 120 times as the number of operations and 20 times as the number of times of power-on. A case will be described as an example.

  The period T2 from when the number of operations is recorded in the non-volatile memory 3 until the power is turned off (for example, referring to FIG. 2, the period from time t2 to time t3, the period from time t5 to t6) is the maximum. It is a fixed time T1 (2 hours). For example, when the relay L1 is turned on every 5 minutes, the number of times the relay L1 is operated within a certain time T1 is 24 times. Therefore, an error of 24 times occurs at the maximum per power-on time. Note that the relay L1 does not necessarily operate every 5 minutes. Here, 5 minutes may be an average value of the number of operations of the relay L1 in normal operation, or may be the control interval described above that allows the relay L1 to operate.

  Since the number of power-on times recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 is 20, the maximum error is 480 times (= 24 × 20, a value obtained by multiplying the number of times the relay L1 is operated within a certain time T1 by the number of power-on times). Can be assumed. Therefore, it can be seen that the number of relay operations can be 480 times of errors with respect to 120 times recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. As described above, the error can be estimated by simple arithmetic processing.

  The period T2 is determined based on the timing at which the DC power supply is shut off. Since the interruption of the power supply can occur at an arbitrary timing, the period T2 varies. In addition, the probability that the DC power supply is cut off at an arbitrary time is the same. Therefore, the period T2 (the average value of the period T2) per power-on time can be considered as one hour.

  In this case, the error per power-on can be estimated as 12 times (half value of 24 times that the relay L1 is operated within a certain time T1). Since the number of power-on times recorded in the non-volatile memory 3 is 20, the error is 240 times (= 12 × 20, a value obtained by multiplying half the number of times the relay L1 is operated within a certain time T1 by the number of power-on times. ). Therefore, as the number of relay operations, the error is grasped as 240 times with respect to 120 times recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3.

  Since the estimated error is larger than the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3, it can be determined that the number of operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 is an unreliable value. Therefore, it is possible to investigate other causes (for example, failure due to overcurrent) as the cause of failure of the relay L1.

  Note that, under the above-described conditions, the ratio of the estimated error is large with respect to the number of relay operations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. This may be due to low accuracy in estimating the error. Therefore, the accuracy of estimating the error can be improved by shortening the fixed interval for recording the number of operations. Specifically, it is desirable to employ a value that is sufficiently small as an average interval from when the power is turned on to when it is shut off during normal operation.

  As described above, the error can be estimated from the number of times of power-on recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 by a simple arithmetic process.

  Since the user tends to repeatedly turn on / off the power when a failure occurs, in the case of an initial failure, the ratio of the power-on frequency to the relay operation frequency increases. On the other hand, when the relay fails in a situation where long-term operation is performed beyond the initial operation, the ratio of the power-on frequency to the relay operation frequency becomes small. In this case, the accuracy of estimating the error is improved because the ratio of the number of times of power-on that is the cause of the error is small with respect to the number of times of operation of the relay.

  Further, it may be estimated that the cause of the failure of the relay is not due to the number of operations because the ratio is below a predetermined value.

  The error estimation method described above may be executed by the microcomputer 2 and the estimated error may be recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. In this case, since it is not necessary for the worker to perform arithmetic processing to estimate the error, the burden on the worker can be reduced.

Second embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows another conceptual example of the fan motor driving device. Compared with the fan motor driving device shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 2 further includes an operation integration time recording unit 2d. For example, the microcomputer 2 receives a notification that an abnormality relating to the fan motor MF1 has been detected, and shuts off the DC power supplied to itself. The DC power supply is shut off by the microcomputer 2 turning off a switch provided between the DC power supply and the microcomputer 2, for example.

  The operation integration time recording unit 2d derives the operation integration time by, for example, integrating the elapsed time since the power was turned on. Then, when the notification that the abnormality is detected is received every certain time (for example, 2 hours), the operation integration time is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3.

  For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the accumulated operation time recording unit 2d during the period from time t4 to t6 will be described. At time t4, the operation integration time recording unit 2d reads the operation integration time recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3, and integrates the operation integration time using, for example, a timer circuit (not shown). Then, the accumulated operation accumulated time is recorded in the non-volatile memory 3 at time t5 when a certain time has elapsed from time t4. And the operation integration time after time t5 is integrated.

  At time t6 when a predetermined period (<fixed time T1) has elapsed from time t5, the power supply is cut off. When the interruption of the power supply is executed, for example, when the microcomputer 2 receives a notification of abnormality, the accumulated operation time is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 even at time t6.

  Then, when an abnormality is detected and the power supply is shut off, the accumulated operation time recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 is read. When the number of times the DC power source is shut off is one and the operation integration time is not an integral multiple of a certain time (for example, 2 hours), for example, 6 hours and 12 minutes, the following can be understood. That is, it can be seen that 12 minutes after recording the number of operations of the relay L1 in the non-volatile memory 3 (= 6 hours, 12 minutes and −6 hours), the supply of DC power was cut off due to an abnormality. Therefore, it can be seen that one period T2 of the number of power-on times recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 is 12 minutes. Of the number of times the power is turned on, one period T2 is an integer of a fixed time T1 (2 hours) that is smaller than the accumulated operation time (6 hours 12 minutes) recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3 and closest to the accumulated operation time. It can be grasped as a period (12 minutes = 6 hours 12 minutes−6 hours) between the double value (6 hours) and the elapsed time.

  Hereinafter, the same conditions as in the first embodiment will be described. The number of times the relay L1 is operated in 12 minutes, which is one time period T2, is twice (12 ÷ 5 = 2, the remainder is 2). Therefore, it can be estimated that the error in the number of operations due to the one time is two times.

  Of the 20 power-on times, the other 19 times (= 20 times-one time, a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the power-on number recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3) are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the error due to the 19 power-on times can be estimated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, an error estimated in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to an error caused by the number of power-on times 19 (a value obtained by multiplying the number of times the relay L1 is operated within a certain time T1 by the number of power-on times 19 times, or a constant value) The value obtained by multiplying the half of the number of times of operating the relay L1 within the time T1 by the number of times of power-on 19 times) is added 2 times of the error caused by the above-mentioned power-on number of times, so that the number of times of power-on is 20 times. This is grasped as an error caused.

  As described above, when an abnormality is detected and the power supply is cut off, one period T2 of the number of power-on times can be accurately determined. Therefore, the accuracy of estimating the error in the number of relay operations by simple arithmetic processing Can be improved.

  Note that the above error estimation method is preferably applied only when the number of times the DC power supply is shut off due to an abnormality is one. This is because, for example, when the number of times the DC power supply is shut down due to an abnormality is two times, the two time periods T2 are 12 minutes (for example, one time period T2 is 7 minutes and one time period T2 is 5 minutes). This is because it is not known whether it is 2 hours 12 minutes (for example, one time period T2 is 1 hour 10 minutes and one time period T2 is 1 hour 2 minutes). In other words, the error estimation method may be executed when the power is shut off based on an abnormality for the first time.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the error estimated by the microcomputer 2 by executing the estimation method may be recorded in the nonvolatile memory 3. In this case, the burden on the worker can be reduced.

  In the first and second embodiments, the element operation frequency recording device and the element operation frequency error estimation method have been described as relays. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any element that performs repeated operations may be used. It is applicable.

It is a figure which shows a conceptual example of a fan motor drive device. 4 is a schematic graph showing the actual number of relay operations, the number of relay operations recorded in a nonvolatile memory, and the number of power-on times. It is a figure which shows another example of a conceptual of a fan motor drive device.

Explanation of symbols

2b ON / OFF count recording unit 2c Power-on count recording unit 2d Operation accumulated time recording unit 3 Non-volatile memory

Claims (6)

An element operation frequency recording device for recording the number of operations of elements (H1, M1, L1) that operate repeatedly in a situation where power is supplied,
A non-volatile recording medium (3);
The power is supplied to operate, the number of times of the operation is measured, and the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the number of times of the operation measured in the predetermined period is obtained every time a predetermined time (T1) in which the power supply is in operation. An element operation number recording unit (2a, 2b) for recording the number of times on the nonvolatile recording medium as
A power-on count recording unit that operates with the power supplied and records the cumulative number of times the power is turned on when the power is turned on as a second count on the nonvolatile recording medium ( 2c), the device operation frequency recording device (1). The predetermined time is constant,
The elapsed time since the power was turned on is integrated, and the elapsed time is recorded at the predetermined time and when the supply of power is cut off due to an abnormality being detected. The device operation number recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated time recording unit (2d) for recording on a medium. An element operation number error estimation method for estimating an error of the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation number recording device (1) according to claim 1 with respect to the number of operations. There,
The predetermined time is constant,
The number of times of element operation for grasping, as the error, a value obtained by multiplying the number of times the element (H1, M1, L1) is operated repeatedly within the predetermined time with the power supplied, by the second number of times. Error estimation method. An element operation number error estimation method for estimating an error of the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation number recording device (1) according to claim 1 with respect to the number of operations. There,
The predetermined time is constant,
Element operation for grasping, as the error, a value obtained by multiplying a half value of the number of times of repeatedly operating the element (H1, M1, L1) within the predetermined time in a state where the power is supplied, by the second number Count error estimation method. An element operation number error estimation method for estimating an error of the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation number recording device (1) according to claim 2 with respect to the number of operations. There,
The predetermined time is constant,
For the first time, when the abnormality is detected and the power is shut off, the element (H1, M1, L1) is repeatedly operated within the predetermined time while the power is supplied. A time period (T2) between a first value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the second number of times, an integer multiple of the predetermined time that is smaller than the elapsed time and closest to the elapsed time, and the elapsed time The element operation frequency error estimation method for grasping, as the error, a value obtained by adding a second value that is the number of times the element is operated repeatedly in (). An element operation number error estimation method for estimating an error of the first number of times recorded in the nonvolatile recording medium (3) of the element operation number recording device (1) according to claim 2 with respect to the number of operations. There,
The predetermined time is constant,
For the first time, when the abnormality is detected and the power is shut off, the element (H1, M1, L1) is repeatedly operated within the predetermined time while the power is supplied. A period of difference between the first value obtained by multiplying the second number by 1 and the value that is an integer multiple of the predetermined time that is smaller than the elapsed time and is closest to the elapsed time, and the elapsed time An element operation frequency error estimation method for grasping, as the error, a value obtained by adding a second value that is the number of times the element is operated repeatedly in (T2).

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