JP6941432B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to data collection of an air conditioner.

In order to investigate the cause of failure of an air conditioner, it is effective to know the operation status and communication status for a certain period before the failure. Therefore, the air conditioner stores operation data and communication data during operation, and the board of the air conditioner is provided with a communication interface for data collection (acquisition) and a slot for storage connection, so that past operation can be performed. It is possible to output internal data such as data. At the time of data collection, a dedicated service tool (service checker) is connected to the communication interface for data collection to perform one-to-one communication with the indoor unit.

Patent Document 1 describes a data receiving unit that is connected to an air conditioner (air conditioner) and acquires internal log data in binary format from the controller of the air conditioner, a condition value set in advance in binary format, and the acquired internal. Data including an output determination unit that compares with log data to determine whether or not the output condition is satisfied, and an external output unit that outputs a notification signal when the output determination unit determines that the output condition is satisfied. The collecting device is described. The air conditioner is provided with an external interface capable of performing data communication with an external device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-114341

There are two dedicated communication lines for air conditioners: a communication line that connects all indoor units, outdoor units, and centralized controllers, and a communication line that connects remote controllers and indoor units. However, a dedicated communication interface is further provided for outputting a large amount of log data, and the cost has increased due to the implementation of the circuit and the like.

The present invention is an invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, and by enabling the output of internal data of an air conditioner by a communication interface for communication of air conditioning control, a dedicated communication interface is not required and the inside is not required. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of acquiring data.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioner of the present invention includes a control unit that controls air conditioning, a storage unit, and a communication unit that communicates with another unit, and the control unit is for controlling air conditioning. the first mode for performing communication (e.g., a normal mode 24a) and, possess a second mode for performing communication for outputting internal data stored in the storage unit (e.g., high-speed mode 24b), the further control The unit has a DIP switch that switches between the first mode and the second mode, and communicates with other devices via two non-polar communication lines via the communication unit during the first mode or the second mode. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, by enabling the output of the internal data of the air conditioner by the communication interface for communication of air conditioning control, it is possible to output the internal data without the need for a dedicated communication interface.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of an air conditioning system. It is a figure which shows the internal structure and control wiring of an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a centralized controller, and a remote controller. It is a figure which shows the structure and control wiring at the time of acquiring the internal data from an outdoor unit. It is a figure which shows the switching of the DIP switch of an outdoor unit, (a) is a figure which shows the normal mode, and (b) is a figure which shows the high speed mode. It is a figure which shows the switching of the communication mode of an outdoor unit, (a) is a figure which shows the normal mode, and (b) is a figure which shows the high-speed mode. It is a flowchart which shows the switching of a normal mode and a high speed mode of a control part.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system ACS. The air conditioning system ACS includes a centralized controller 1 (centralized control device), an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 3, a remote controller 4 (air conditioning control terminal, remote controller) and the like. In the indoor unit 3, an indoor unit 3A capable of directing the airflow in four directions, an indoor unit 3B capable of directing the airflow in two directions, and the like are appropriately arranged as needed. The outdoor unit 2 includes outdoor units 2A and 2B having different air-conditioning capacities.

The centralized controller 1, the outdoor unit 2, and the indoor unit 3 are connected by a communication path dedicated to the air conditioner of the communication path 7A (control wiring). The indoor unit 3 and the remote controller 4 are connected by a dedicated communication path different from the communication path 7A of the communication path 7B (control wiring). The centralized controller 1 can acquire information transmitted from the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 and control operation, stop, change of set temperature, and the like to them. The control results are also reflected in the display contents of the remote controller 4 from the indoor unit 3 via the communication path 7B. When the control is performed from the remote controller 4, the control content is reflected from the indoor unit 3 to the outdoor unit 2 and the centralized controller 1 via the communication path 7A.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration and control wiring of the centralized controller 1, the outdoor unit 2, the indoor unit 3, and the remote controller 4. The centralized controller 1 includes a communication unit 1a, a control unit 1b, a storage unit 1c, a display unit 1d, a speaker 1e, an input unit 1f, and the like. The outdoor unit 2 has a communication unit 2a, a control unit 2b, a storage unit 2c, and the like. The indoor unit 3 includes a communication unit 3a, a control unit 3b, a storage unit 3c, a sensing unit 3d for detecting a person, and the like. The remote controller 4 includes a communication unit 4a, a control unit 4b, a storage unit 4c, a display unit 4d, a speaker 4e, an input unit 4f, a temperature sensing unit 4g, and the like.

The communication lines 7A and 7B are both communicated by two non-polar communication lines. Based on the communication data and the data of the sensing unit, the control units 1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b execute internal control and control commands to other devices. Commands to other devices, internal controls other than the transmitted content, and internal data of the sensing unit are stored in each storage unit 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4c.

Communication data and internal data of the sensing unit are the alarm and its occurrence time in the case of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3, and the setting of each thermistor (suction, blowout, freezing, remote, gas pipe, humidity) input value board switch. , It is a communication record with the outside. On the other hand, in the centralized controller 1 and the remote controller 4, there are settings such as schedule, abnormality history, brightness of own display, power consumption, CO2 emission, and the like.

When acquiring the internal data, the service checker 5 carried by the maintenance staff (serviceman) is connected and used. Here, the case of acquiring the internal data from the outdoor unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. When acquiring the internal data of the centralized controller 1, the indoor unit 3, and the remote controller 4, they can be acquired in the same manner as the outdoor unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration and control wiring when acquiring internal data from the outdoor unit. The service checker 5 carried by the maintenance staff has a communication unit 5a, a control unit 5b, and a storage unit 5c. The maintenance staff connects the service checker 5 to the communication port, which is the connection port of the communication path 7A of the outdoor unit 2, which is a device for collecting (acquiring) internal data, via the communication path 7A. The internal data can be stored in the personal computer 6 (personal computer) via the service checker 5.

The personal computer 6 has a communication unit 6a, a control unit 6b, a storage unit 6c, a display unit 6d, an input unit 6f, and the like. The service checker 5 is connected to the personal computer 6 with a USB cable 6K, and power is also supplied from the USB cable 6K.

Next, the operation for acquiring the internal data will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
4A and 4B are diagrams showing switching of the DIP switch of the outdoor unit 2, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a normal mode, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a high-speed mode.

The outdoor unit 2 which is a component of the air conditioner includes a control unit 2b for controlling air conditioning, a storage unit 2c, and a communication unit 2a having a communication port 28 for communicating with another unit, and includes a control unit 2b. Is a normal mode 24a (first mode) (see FIG. 5) for communication for air conditioning control and a high-speed mode 24b (second mode) for communication for outputting internal data stored in the storage unit 2c. ) (See FIG. 5).

The control unit 2b has a DIP switch unit 21, and one of them is a DIP switch 22 that switches between a normal mode 24a and a high-speed mode 24b. As shown in FIG. 4A, the high-speed mode of the DIP switch 22 is set to OFF during normal operation. Further, the control unit 2b has a push-type switch 23 that gives a command to start output in the high-speed mode 24b.

When acquiring the internal data, as shown in FIG. 4B, the maintenance staff turns on the service checker 5 and connects the service checker 5 to the communication port 28, which is the communication connection portion of the communication path 7A used in normal operation. It is connected via the control wiring of the communication path 7A. Then, the control unit 2b starts the connection confirmation by communication, and as a result of the connection confirmation, recognizes that the connection partner is the service checker 5.

After that, when the push-type switch 23 or the service checker 5 sends a signal for starting internal data transmission, the control unit 2b transmits the internal data in the high-speed mode 24b.

Although the outdoor unit 2 has been described in FIG. 4, the same applies to the centralized controller 1, the indoor unit 3, and the remote controller 4, which are other devices. That is, when the DIP switch installed in each device is switched to the high-speed mode, each device starts the connection confirmation by communication, and as a result of the connection confirmation, the connection partner is recognized as the service checker 5.

In an actual building, in order to ensure workability and reliability, the communication speed is conventionally set to 9.6 kbps in order to ensure the wiring length, the degree of freedom of wiring, and the noise resistance. Then, when acquiring the internal data of the air conditioner, if the data capacity is large, communication takes time and the air conditioning operation is hindered.

In the present embodiment, when the control unit 2b detects the connection of the service checker 5, the control unit 2b switches to the high-speed communication in the high-speed mode, which is about 100 times faster than the communication in the normal mode during the air-conditioning operation. It is possible to shorten the time until the output of the internal data is completed, and it is possible to suppress the obstruction of the air conditioning operation. Further, since the main body of the service checker can be directly connected to the constituent devices such as the outdoor unit 2, the wiring length can be shortened, the reliability and noise resistance can be improved, and the internal data can be communicated.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing switching of the communication mode of the outdoor unit, FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a normal mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a high-speed mode. The control unit 2b has a microcomputer 24 and a switching circuit 25. The switching circuit 25 of the control unit 2b enables switching between the normal mode 24a and the high-speed mode 24b. The microcomputer 24 is equipped with communication processing functions for each of the normal mode 24a and the high-speed mode 24b, and the mode is selected by switching.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing switching between the normal mode 24a and the high-speed mode 24b of the control unit 2b. When acquiring the internal data, the maintenance staff first disconnects the communication line connected to the other device from the communication port 28, and inserts the communication line of the service checker 5. After that, the DIP switch 22 (see FIG. 4) installed in the control unit 2b is switched to the high-speed mode.

The control unit 2b determines whether or not the DIP switch 22 is in the high-speed mode (step S11), and if it is not in the high-speed mode (step S11, No), maintains the normal mode. On the other hand, in the high-speed mode (step S11, Yes), the control unit 2b determines whether or not the service checker 5 is connected (step S12). If the service checker 5 is not connected (steps S12, No), the process returns to step S11.

When the service checker 5 is connected (step S12, Yes), the control unit 2b determines whether or not there is an internal data transmission start command from the push-type switch 23 or the service checker 5 (step S13). If there is no transmission start command (step S13, No), the process returns to step S13. When there is a transmission start command (step S13, Yes), the control unit 2b switches to the high-speed mode (step S14) and starts transmitting internal data in the high-speed mode (step S15). The control unit 2b determines whether or not the transmission of the internal data is completed (step S16), and if the transmission of the internal data is not completed (steps S16, No), the data transmission is continued (step S20). Return to step S16. On the other hand, when the transmission of the internal day is completed (step S16, Yes), the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the control unit 2b determines whether or not the service checker 5 is removed from the communication port 28, and if it is not removed (steps S17, No), returns to step S17 and is removed (step S17, No). Step S17, Yes), and the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the control unit 2b determines whether or not the DIP switch 22 is in the normal mode, and if it is not in the normal mode (step S18, No), returns to step S18 and is in the normal mode (step S18, Yes). ), The high-speed mode is switched to the normal mode (step S19), and a series of processes is completed.

That is, the control unit of the air conditioner confirms whether or not the service checker 5 is connected. After confirming the connection of the service checker 5, the control unit switches from the normal mode to the high-speed mode by instructing the push-type switch 23 or the service checker 5 to start transmitting internal data. Then, the control unit transmits the internal data from each device in response to the internal data transmission start command. After transmitting the internal data, it is confirmed that the service checker 5 has been disconnected, and after confirming that the DIP switch 22 has been changed to the normal mode, the mode is returned to the normal mode.

Summarizing the above, the air conditioner of the present embodiment includes a control unit that controls air conditioning, a storage unit, and a communication unit that has a communication port for communicating with another unit, and the control unit controls air conditioning. It has a first mode (for example, a normal mode) for performing communication for the above, and a second mode (for example, a high-speed mode) for performing communication for outputting the internal data stored in the storage unit. The air conditioner here controls an outdoor unit (for example, an outdoor unit 2), an indoor unit (for example, an indoor unit 3), a centralized controller 1 that centrally controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and the indoor unit. It is one of the air conditioning control terminals (for example, remote controller 4). Further, the second mode is a high-speed communication that is nearly 100 times faster than the first mode as described above.

The communication unit has a detection means for detecting that a terminal for collecting internal data (for example, a service checker 5) is connected. The detection means is an analog switch. The analog switch is one of electronic components that switches the circuit on / off according to the state of the input signal.

When the control unit detects that the terminal is connected, it can switch to the second mode and start outputting the internal data.

The air conditioner of the present embodiment acquires the internal data of the past operation data and the internal data of the communication data by using the normal communication port of the air conditioning control without adding a new data acquisition port or the like. It is a thing. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to enable high-speed output of internal data by switching the communication mode by a circuit in the communication interface for communication of the air conditioner. A communication interface for acquiring internal data is no longer required, and additional costs can be reduced and internal data can be acquired at high speed.

The air conditioning unit constituting the air conditioner is provided with a communication unit having a communication port used for communication of the air conditioning operation, a control unit for controlling the air conditioning operation, and a storage unit and a control unit for storing the control information of the air conditioning operation for control. The unit can switch from the normal mode (first mode) to the high-speed mode (second mode) for acquiring internal data stored in the air conditioner by the circuit. Further, the communication port is configured to be connectable to a terminal (for example, a service checker 5) that collects its internal data. Therefore, high-speed communication in the high-speed mode makes it possible to collect a large amount of internal data in a short time. In addition, a dedicated communication interface that has been separately installed for acquiring internal data becomes unnecessary, and it is possible to acquire a large amount of internal data by reducing additional costs.

1 Centralized controller 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a Communication unit 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b Control unit 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c Storage unit 2 Outdoor unit 3 Indoor unit 4 Remote control (air conditioning control terminal, remote control) controller)
5 Service checker (data acquisition terminal)
6 Personal computer (personal computer)
6K USB cable 7A, 7B Communication path 21 DIP switch part 22 DIP switch 23 Push type switch 24 Microcomputer 24a Normal mode 24b High speed mode 25 Switching circuit 28 Communication port ACS air conditioning system

Claims (6)

It is equipped with a control unit that controls air conditioning, a storage unit, and a communication unit that communicates with other devices.
The control unit may possess a first mode for performing communication for air conditioning control, and a second mode in which the communication for outputting internal data stored in the storage unit, and
Further, the control unit has a DIP switch for switching between the first mode and the second mode.
An air conditioner characterized by communicating with the other device via two non-polar communication lines via the communication unit during the first mode or the second mode. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is a high-speed communication as compared with the first mode. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit has a detection means for detecting that a terminal for collecting internal data is connected. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the detection means is an analog switch. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the control unit detects that the terminal is connected, the control unit switches to the second mode and starts outputting the internal data. The air conditioner is any one of an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a centralized controller that centrally controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and an air conditioning control terminal that controls the indoor unit. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 5.

Images