JPH03186171A - Remote monitoring device of refrigerating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain cost reduction of information output side equipment and reduce the work load for maintenance work by transmitting data on operating state of a refrigerating machine to a facsimile through a telephone circuit. CONSTITUTION:When a predetermined time period elapses, the number of start- stop reaches the set value, or an abnormal state occurs while a refrigerating machine is in operation, a central processing device 11 outputs a signal to a facsimile modem 35 after deciding whether to transmit it or not, and the facsimile modem 35 converts it to a sound signal. Then, the facsimile modem 35 is connected to a telephone circuit 10 by a network controller 34, and the data on operating state, etc. are output from a facsimile 7 installed in a service center. Thereby, a computer for data output are not required to be installed in each service center, and development of software and maintenance work become unnecessary, so that the work load on managers are reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a remote monitoring device for a refrigerator such as an absorption refrigerator.

(b) Conventional technology For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-28454 discloses that a detection signal is detected from a temperature sensor installed in a pipe connecting an evaporator, an absorber, a condenser, a high-temperature regenerator, etc. of an absorption chiller/heater. A diagnostic device for an absorption chiller/heater that inputs and displays measured temperatures and diagnostic results on a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel has been disclosed. This diagnostic device is provided with a connector for transmitting diagnostic data and the like to the outside, and the diagnostic data is used for centralized management of a plurality of absorption chiller/hot water machines using a telephone line or the like.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the centralized management of absorption chiller/heater machines as shown in the above-mentioned conventional technology, currently diagnostic data is sent to a monitoring center using a telephone line, and diagnostic data is sent to a monitoring center using a telephone line. A system that uses a modem (modulator/demodulator) as a remote monitoring device for centralized management and connects the diagnostic device and a computer at a service center or monitoring center via a telephone line to send and receive data has been put into practical use. There is. Such remote monitoring equipment always requires a computer system at the service center, as well as a program (software) to run the computer, and the number of absorption chiller/heater machines to be managed and the types of machines differ. Software had to be developed for each computer at the center. Furthermore, maintenance of software is a heavy burden on users.

Furthermore, these computer systems (usually personal computers) are relatively expensive, creating the problem that creating a large number of service centers, for example in each region, would incur significant costs.

Also, as a means to solve the above-mentioned software or cost problems, voice notification has been proposed.

However, this method has the major drawback of not keeping records, and cannot be used as a remote monitoring device for refrigerators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring device for a refrigerator that can reduce the cost of equipment on the information output side, such as a service center, and can significantly reduce the burden of maintenance.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a central processing unit that operates by inputting data from the refrigerator (1), determines whether or not it is in a state to be transmitted, and outputs a signal. A processing unit (11), a fax modem (35) that inputs signals from this central processing unit (11) and converts them into sound signals, and this fax modem (35).
The network control unit (34) inputs signals from the telephone line (10) and outputs the signals to the telephone line (10).
) to a facsimile (7).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring device for a refrigerator that can utilize a telephone line facsimile network.

In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the refrigerator @ (1), when the set operating time has elapsed, or when the number of starts and stops reaches the set value, call the service center etc. and send the information by facsimile (7). This provides a remote monitoring device for refrigerators that reports

Furthermore, a photocoupler (16) and an input buffer (17) for inputting abnormal signals etc. from the refrigerator (1) via the control panel (1a) are connected to the input buffer (17) and are connected to the power buffer (17). A central processing bag ff (11) that inputs and processes signals, a real-time clock (26), a second RAM (27), and a key generator (33).
) and the central processing unit (11) connected to the central processing unit (
11), and a network control unit (34) connected to the fax modem (35). be.

(Thursday) Operation When operating the refrigerator (1), when the preset time has elapsed, when the number of starts and stops reaches the set value, or when an abnormality occurs in the refrigerator (1), the central processing Equipment (1
1) determines whether to send or not and outputs a signal, and the fax modem (35) that inputs this signal converts it into an audio signal and outputs it, and is connected to the telephone line by the network control unit (34). Since data such as operating status is output from a facsimile machine (7) installed at a service center, etc., there is no need to provide a computer system for data output at each service center, etc., and software development and There is no need for management, and the burden on the administrator can be significantly reduced.

In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the refrigerator (1), the control panel (L
a), photocabra (16), and large power buffer (17)
), the central processing unit (11) inputs a signal, outputs a signal based on the character font stored in the character generator (33) to the fax modem (35), and outputs the signal based on the character font stored in the character generator (33) to the fax modem (35). A sound signal is output, and the fax modem (35) is output to the second RAM (2
The network control unit (34) connects to the service center's facsimile (7) stored in advance in the facsimile (7) via a telephone line.
), there is no need to install a computer system to output information to the service center, making it possible to reduce the cost of information output equipment.
Furthermore, there is no need to manage software or the like. Furthermore, even if a computer system is provided, there is no need to keep the computer system on so that information from the remote monitoring device can be output at any time.

(F) Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

0>(1), 42>, and (3> in FIG. 2) are refrigerators, such as an absorption refrigerator, an absorption chiller/heater, or a gas heat pump, which are installed in different buildings, respectively.

Further, (4), (5), and (6) are remote monitoring devices connected to the refrigerator control panels (la), (2a), and (3a), respectively. Furthermore, (7), (8
) and (9) are facsimile machines (hereinafter referred to as FAX) installed at, for example, the refrigerator manufacturer's service center, the refrigerator manufacturer's factory, or the refrigerator manufacturer's engineering department, which are responsible for monitoring the refrigerator. , these F
A X (7)', (8), and (9) and each remote monitoring device (4).

(5) and (6) are connected via a public telephone network (10). Here, FAX (8) and (9) are used to obtain the same information not only at the service center but also at the manufacturer.

Hereinafter, the remote monitoring device (4) will be explained in detail based on FIG. 1. (11) is the central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU)
The CPU (11) has the first RAM (random access memory) (12), ROM (read-on memory)
(13), a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) (14), an interval timer (15), and several input/output ports. The operating signals and alarm signals output from the refrigerator are sent to the first RAM via a post-input buffer (17) insulated by a photocoupler (16) according to the timing generated by the interval timer (15) of the CPU (11). (12) is stored periodically. Here, the photocoupler (16) and input buffer (17) constitute an input interface. Also, (18)
is a dip switch, and this dip switch〈1
8> specifies the alarm input for sending the alarm and selects the telephone line dial (for example, 10pps, 20pps,
tone), and communication settings (communication speed, parity) for the terminal connected via the serial interface. Here, an R3-232C driver/receiver (20) is connected to the UART (14) of the CPU (11>), and an R3-232C connector (21) is further connected to this driver/receiver (20). There is.

Then, UART (14), R8-232C driver/receiver (24) and R3-232C funector (2)
1> constitutes an R8-232C interface (serial interface).

For this reason, general terminals (Kikirakta terminal, personal computer, word processor, handy terminal, etc.) having R8-232C can be connected to the CPU (11).

(22> is a drive circuit, (23) is an alarm relay, (24) is a 4-mass switch, (24a) is an alarm output circuit, and (25a) and (25b) are network control units described later. (hereinafter referred to as NCU) control relay, (25c) is a relay for controlling energization of the storage battery (B), (22a) is a light emitting element that lights up the alarm output circuit, (26) is a real-time clock (
(hereinafter referred to as RTC), (27) is the second RAM, and the second RAM (27>) stores up to five destinations such as the service center, factory, and engineering department. (26) and the second RAM (27) are supplied with power by the capacitor (30), which is a backup source, through the battery switching circuit (28) even when the AC power is OFF.Here, the battery switching circuit (28) The RTC (26) is activated by detecting a drop in tfi(vcc).
and 2nd RAM (27) (7)'tlE source woconde/f (30)? ,=switching, l;j (vcc) decrease is output as an interrupt signal to the NMX terminal of the CPU (11) to notify. Also, (31) is a power outage detection circuit,
This power failure detection circuit (31) detects the presence or absence of ACt[lfJ, and outputs a signal to the input port (Pj) of the CPU (11) before the drop in vcc to notify the presence or absence of AC power. Further, (32) is a stabilized power supply circuit. moreover,(
25s) is a relay switch that is turned on and off by a relay (25c) for controlling energization. And tfj
, when the switch (S) is turned on, the relay (25c) is energized, the relay switch (25S) is turned on, and the storage battery (B) is turned on.
) is charged. Here, the storage battery (B) is used to output power outage information. Also, (33) is a character generator (hereinafter referred to as CG), and this CG (33
) stores the character font. And the CPU
(11), RTC (26), second RAM (27), character generator (33), etc., constitute an information processing circuit.

(34) is NCU, (35) is fax modem, (
36) is a DTMF (dual tone multifrequency) generator, and the NCU (34) is a public telephone diagram, I! (10). Here, the fax modem (hereinafter referred to as fax modem) (35) #t
The digital signal sent from the CPU (11) is modulated into a sound signal for the telephone line, and the sound signal sent from the telephone line (10> via the NCU (34) is modulated into a digital signal. In addition, the DTMF generator (3)
6) is used for tone dialing.

Further, (40) is a manual call switch, and when this switch (40) is turned on to the call prohibition contact (40a) and the automatic call contact (40e) instead of the manual call contact (40b). Data etc. are automatically transmitted from the CPU (11) when a transmission condition occurs. In addition, manual call contact (4
0b) is a momentary (rebound) switch. Here, the transmission conditions are conditions for generating transmission information, and the following (A) to (D) are set.

(A) 1 sent when a pre-specified alarm input is received
Alarm sending.

(B) 1 periodic transmission that is sent at preset time intervals regardless of whether the absorption chiller is running or stopped. 6 (C) 1 periodic transmission that is sent at preset time intervals regarding the cumulative operating time of the absorption chiller. "Driving time transmission"(D>"Scheduledtransmission" to transmit at a preset time.

Then, the second RAM (27) stores the time interval of ``regular transmission,'' the operating time of ``driving time transmission,'' and the ``periodic transmission.''

The transmission time and conditions for "alarm transmission" are stored.

In addition to the above transmission conditions, (E) 1 stop t to be sent when detecting power outage'wL/recovery.
/Return transmission”.

etc. may be set in advance. Here, a storage battery (B) is provided to perform transmission during power outage.

Furthermore, (42) is a transformer, and (43) is a crystal oscillator.

The operation of the remote monitoring device 11) will be explained below. For example, when operating a refrigerator (1) that is an absorption chiller/heater,
Data such as high temperature regenerator temperature, condensing temperature, cold water output temperature, cooling water temperature, etc., and the current date and time are displayed in the 1st R in the CPU (11).
AM (12) is stored periodically. Also, when the temperature of the high-temperature regenerator or the concentration of the absorption liquid is high, it can be controlled from the refrigerator! The alarm input sent via (la) is stored in the first RAM (12). CPU (11) is R
1st R according to the program stored in OM (13)
It is determined whether the current date and time stored in AM (12) and the following conditions have occurred: '1 periodic transmission', '1 periodic transmission', 'operating time transmission', and 'r alarm transmission'. Here, if the periodic transmission time (e.g. 6 hours) has elapsed, the periodic transmission time (e.g. 10am and 3pm) has passed, the driving time transmission time (e.g. 18 hours) If the manual call switch (40) is turned on to the automatic call contact (40e), the CPU (11) will Fax modem (35), N CU (34) sends multiple pieces of data to destinations stored in advance in the second RAM (27)
, and via the telephone line (10). At this time,
The transmission data is expanded into the second RAM (27) as image information in the document format shown in FIG. 3 using a CG (33) character font. Next, the image information is subjected to encoding processing (according to fax regulations) by the CPU (11), and the amount of information is compressed.

Then, the destination preset in the second RAM (27) is selected (for example, a service center), and the fax number of the destination is used. Furthermore, the NCU (34) connects the remote monitoring device (4) and F A X (7) via the telephone line (10>. F A X (7)
If the service center is not in use and the connection is successful, the compressed information is sent to the FAX (7) located at the service center according to the specified protocol. Here, as shown in Figure 3, the transmitted information includes, for example, (a) destination name (name of the property where the remote monitoring device is installed), and ID code (telephone number used, etc.) (b) ) Date and time of transmission, (c) Received call: destination name, (d) Operating time, number of starts and stops, (e) Number of alarm inputs, alarm input, etc. In addition to the above information, transmission information is generated as transmission information. Date and time, operating status at the time of transmission (running or stopped),
The transmission type (conditions for generation of transmission information), etc. may be added.

The information received by F.A.X. (7) is output in the format shown in FIG. 3 above. Here, fax (7)
) is receiving information from another party, the telephone line is unavailable, and the information from the remote monitoring device (4) is being sent by F.A.X.
(7), and a predetermined period of time has elapsed (for example, 3
If no information is received after 6 minutes and 6 minutes), the remote monitoring device (4) and the factory FAX (8)
A connection will be established. Then, if a telephone line is available and information is sent and received via the telephone line (10), the information is output by F A X (8). At this time, F A X (8) If a signal is being received from another device and the signal from the remote monitoring device (4) is not received and is not received after a predetermined period of time, the remote monitoring device (4) and the technical department of the refrigerator manufacturer F A X (9)
A connection will be established. At this time, if F A stops.

Furthermore, even when information is output to the FAX (7), the remote monitoring device (4>) sequentially sends the same information to the FAXes (8) and (9) based on prespecified settings. In addition, when the manual call switch (40>) is switched to the call prohibition contact (40a), all FAXs (7) and (8).

Sending to (9>) is prohibited. Also, manual call switch (
40) is turned on to the manual calling contact (40b), information is output from the remote monitoring device (4) regardless of the above transmission conditions. In addition, the control panels for refrigerators (2) and (3) (
2a), remote monitoring device (5) connected to (3a)
, (6) is configured in the same way as the remote monitoring device (4) above, and sends information by FAX (7) periodically or when an abnormality occurs.
), (8), and (9).

According to the above embodiment, operating data of the refrigerator, data when an abnormality occurs, etc. are converted into sound signals by the FAX modem (35), output to the telephone line (10) via the NCU (34), and each Since the output is sent to FAX (7), (8), and (9), you can use FAX (7), (8), and (9) provided at the service center of the refrigerator manufacturer to send the output to FAX (7), (8), and (9). It can output driving information and alarm information,
It is no longer necessary to provide a computer system at a service center or the like as in the past, and equipment for outputting various information about the refrigerator can be made cheaper. Furthermore, the user does not have to manage the software, and the maintenance burden on the user can be significantly reduced. Also, please contact FA for various information.
X (7), (8), and (9) are output in writing, so they can be used later when servicing the refrigerator.

Furthermore, even if a computer system is installed in the service center, there is no need to keep the computer system on and open all the time to output information from the remote monitoring device, reducing the burden on the administrator. can.

Furthermore, the manual call switch (40) is connected to the automatic call contact (4).
When switching to 0c), periodic transmission, periodic transmission, alarm transmission, operation time transmission, etc. are automatically performed, so that servicing of the refrigerator can be greatly simplified.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and similar effects can be obtained when a remote monitoring device for an air conditioner has the same configuration as the present invention.

(g) Effects of the Invention The present invention is a remote monitoring device for a refrigerator configured as described above, which includes a CPU that inputs data from the refrigerator, determines whether or not it is in a state that should be transmitted, and outputs a signal. , is equipped with a FAX modem that inputs signals from this CPU, converts them into sound signals, and outputs them, and an NCU that inputs signals from this FAX modem and outputs signals to the telephone line. Since the data is sent to a facsimile at a service center or the like via a telephone line, the data can be output by a facsimile installed at the service center. In addition, there is no need to install a computer system at the service center to output refrigerator data, and even if the number of service centers increases, the cost of data output equipment can be reduced, and management of software etc. It is no longer necessary to perform such operations, and the user's maintenance burden can be significantly reduced.

In addition, we have made it possible to use the telephone line facsimile network in the remote monitoring device for refrigerators, so it is possible to output refrigerator operating data, alarms, etc. to a facsimile.
By installing facsimile machines in multiple service centers or factories, data can be easily and inexpensively output without the need for a computer system as in the past, and the burden on users such as maintenance is greatly reduced. be able to.

In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the refrigerator, when a predetermined operating time has elapsed, or when the number of starts and stops reaches a set value, the service center is called and the information is reported by facsimile. It is possible to output multiple pieces of information using facsimile without having to install a computer system at a service center, etc., and as a result, when multiple service centers are set up, the cost of purchasing computer systems and software development are reduced. It is possible to eliminate this, and to significantly reduce maintenance and other costs.

Furthermore, it is equipped with an information processing circuit that inputs abnormal signals from the refrigerator via an interface, a fax modem, and a network control unit.
Refrigerator data can be output to a facsimile at a service center or the like, eliminating the need for a computer system at the service center or the like, and greatly reducing the user's expense and maintenance burden.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring device, and FIG. 2 explains the flow of information between the refrigerator, the remote monitoring device, and the facsimile. The block diagram, FIG. 3, is a diagram of the transmitted manuscript. (1), (2), (3)... Refrigerator, (4
), (s), (6)...Remote monitoring device, (
7), (8), (9)...Facsimile, (
10)... Telephone line, (11)... CPU (central processing unit), (34) NCU (network control unit), (35)... FAX modem.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A central processing unit that operates by inputting data from a refrigerator such as an absorption refrigerator, determines whether or not it is in a state to be transmitted, and outputs a signal; It is equipped with a fax modem that inputs the fax data and converts it into a sound signal, and a network control unit that inputs the signal from the fax modem and outputs the signal to the telephone line. A remote monitoring device for a refrigerator, which is characterized by sending information to a facsimile. 2. In a remote monitoring device for a refrigerator such as an absorption chiller/heater,
A remote monitoring device for a refrigerator, characterized in that a telephone line facsimile network can be used. 3. When an abnormality occurs in a refrigerator such as an absorption refrigerator, when a set operating time has elapsed, or when the number of starts and stops reaches a set value, call the service center and send the information by fax. A remote monitoring device for a refrigerator that is characterized by a notification function. 4. An interface that inputs abnormal signals etc. from the refrigerator, an information processing circuit connected to this interface that inputs and processes signals from the interface, and an information processing circuit that is connected to this information processing circuit and operates by inputting signals from the information processing circuit. A remote monitoring device for a refrigerator, comprising: a fax modem for faxing; and a network control unit connected to the fax modem.