JPH0763401A - Operation control device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effect a trouble diagnosis accurately by a method wherein a time when an abnormal state occurs can be acknowledged with a less number of component parts. CONSTITUTION:There are provided a plurality of indoor devices (3, 3,...) for carrying out an air conditioning operation and each of the indoor devices (3, 3,...) is connected through a signal line (11). There is also provided an abnormal state sensing means (32) for sensing an abnormal state and outputting an abnormal state indicating signal. There is further provided one schedule timer (5) for outputting a time signal in such a way that each of the indoor devices (3, 3,...) takes a time data indicating a present time. In addition, each of the indoor devices (3, 3,...) is provided with a memory means (35) for receiving an abnormal signal of the abnormal state sensing means (33) and a time signal of the schedule timer (5) and storing a content of abnormal state and a time of occurrence of abnormal state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation control device for an air conditioner, and more particularly to measures against time when an abnormality occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an operation control device for an air conditioner, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-155144, a controller of an outdoor unit and a controller of an indoor unit exchange signals via a signal line. In some cases, a remote controller is connected to the indoor controller via a signal line so that signals can be exchanged. When the operation button or temperature setting button of the remote controller is operated, the start signal of the compressor and the like are exchanged between the outdoor controller and the indoor controller to control the air conditioning operation, while a high pressure abnormality of the refrigerant circuit occurs. The abnormal signal is transmitted to the remote controller and the details of the abnormality are displayed on the remote controller.

[0003]

In the above-described operation control device for the air conditioner, the controller of the indoor unit is provided with a time circuit, and the time circuit outputs the time signal at the present time. When an error occurs, the details of the error and the time when the error occurred are stored. However, in this case, since the time circuit is provided in the indoor unit, in a multi-type air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units, it is necessary to provide the time circuit for each indoor unit, and the number of parts is large. There was a problem of becoming. On the contrary, there is a problem that the cause of the abnormality cannot be grasped accurately because the indoor unit without the time circuit cannot recognize the time when the abnormality occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to enable an abnormality occurrence time to be accurately recognized with a small number of parts and to accurately perform a failure diagnosis. To do.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the means taken by the present invention is such that each air conditioning unit is provided with one timer means for outputting a time signal. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the means taken by the invention according to claim 1 firstly comprises a plurality of air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) For performing air conditioning operation, and each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, 3,
...) is premised on the operation control device of the air conditioner connected via the signal line (11). An abnormality detecting means (33) for detecting an abnormality and outputting an abnormality signal is provided. Furthermore, a time signal is output so that each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) Takes in the time data indicating the current time.
Two timer means (5) are provided. In addition, the storage means (35) for storing the content of the abnormality and the time of occurrence of the abnormality in response to the abnormality signal of the abnormality detection means (33) and the time signal of the timer means (5) is provided in each of the air conditioning units (3, 3). , ...). The means taken by the invention according to claim 2 is that in the invention according to claim 1, the timer means (5) is
Separated from each air conditioning unit (3,3, ...)
The timer unit is connected to each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) Through (11).

[0006]

With the above construction, in the invention according to claim 1,
The timer means (5) outputs the time signal indicating the current time by ticking the current time. For example, in the invention according to claim 2, one timer unit outputs the time signal every 10 intervals. On the other hand, each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) Takes in the time signal when the time signal is output and sequentially stores the current time. Further, the abnormality detecting means (33) outputs an abnormality signal when a transmission abnormality or a high voltage abnormality occurs, and when this abnormality signal is output, each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) The abnormality content and the abnormality occurrence time based on the time signal from the timer means (5) are stored in the storage means (35). Thereafter, in maintenance or the like, the abnormality content and the abnormality occurrence time stored in the storage means (35) are taken out and the abnormality processing is performed.

[0007]

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1,
Each of the air conditioning units (3,3, ...) is equipped with one timer means (5), which transmits the time signal using the signal line (11) and stores the occurrence time at the time of abnormality. Since the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where each device is provided, the configuration of the entire device can be simplified. Moreover, since the time when the abnormality occurs can be recognized, the cause of the abnormality can be accurately grasped, and accurate maintenance can be performed. According to the invention of claim 2, the single air conditioning unit (3,3, ...) Is provided separately from the air conditioning unit (3,3, ...). Therefore, the versatility of the air conditioning unit (3, 3, ...) Can be improved.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the overall system configuration of the air conditioner (1). The air conditioner (1) includes four outdoor units (2, 2, ...) And an indoor unit (a plurality of air conditioning units). , 3) are connected to a refrigerant pipe to form one refrigerant system, and the outdoor units (2, 2, ...) and the indoor units (3, 3, ...) are connected to the signal line (11). Are connected to each other to form one control system (12), and the outdoor unit (2, 2, ...
) And the indoor units (3,3, ...) Send and receive control signals such as operation signals. In addition, the indoor unit (3,3, ...
) Is connected to the remote control (4) via the signal line (13),
The remote controller (4) is connected to each indoor unit (3,3, ...), or one remote controller (4) is connected to a plurality of indoor units (3,3, ...). 1 for each remote control (4)
Group of remote controls (14,1
4, ...). Furthermore, all the indoor units (3,
A schedule timer (5) is connected to (3, ...) Through a signal line (11).

FIG. 3 shows a control block of each of the air conditioners (1), and the indoor units (3, 3, ...) Are CPUs.
(31), the CPU (31) is connected to the remote controller (4) and the outdoor unit (2, 2, ...) Via the transmission section (3a, 3b, 3c) and the schedule timer (5) On the other hand, it is connected to various actuators (32) such as an indoor fan and controls the fan air volume and the like. Outdoor unit above
(2,2, ...) (2) controls the capacity of the compressor, the opening degree of the electric expansion valve, etc., while the remote controller (4) includes a CPU (41), and the CPU (41) transmits Indoor unit via section (4a)
(3,3, ...), display part (42) and input part (4
3) and are connected. The display unit (42) displays the room temperature, the set temperature, etc., while the input unit (43)
It is configured to input an operation signal, a set temperature signal, and the like. The schedule timer (5) is the CPU (51).
The CPU (51) is connected to the indoor unit (3, 3, ...) Through the transmission section (5a), and the input section (52) and the clock circuit section (53) are connected. There is. The input section (52) is
The operation time and the stop time are input, and the clock circuit section (53) outputs a clock signal to the CPU (51). And the above schedule timer
When (5) reaches the operating time or stop time input from the input section (52) based on the clock signal from the clock circuit section (53), the indoor unit (3, 3, ...) receives the operating signal or stop signal. It is configured to output a signal.

On the other hand, as a feature of the present invention, the CPU (51) of the schedule timer (5) is provided with a time oscillating means (54), and the CPU of each indoor unit (3, 3, ...).
The (31) is provided with an abnormality detecting means (33) and also has a RAM.
(34) and EEPROM (35) are connected. The time oscillating means (54) receives the clock signal from the clock circuit section (53) and ticks the current time so that each indoor unit (3, 3, ...) Takes in time data indicating the current time. The schedule timer (5) is configured to output a time signal, and constitutes the timer means which is one timer unit. On the other hand, the abnormality detection means (33) detects an abnormality in transmission between the outdoor unit (2, 2, ...) and the remote controller (4), an abnormality in high pressure of the refrigerant due to the outside air temperature, etc., and an abnormality code indicating the abnormality content. It is configured to output the abnormal signal of.
The RAM (34) is configured to receive the time signal from the schedule timer (5), successively update and write the current time, and store the current time. Above EEPROM
(35) receives the abnormality signal from the abnormality detecting means (33),
A storage means for receiving the time signal of the schedule timer (5) from the RAM (34) and storing the abnormality code and the abnormality occurrence time is configured.

Next, the processing operation when an abnormality occurs in the air conditioner (1) will be described based on the control flows of FIGS. 4 and 5. First, the remote controller (4) sends operating signals, set temperature signals, etc. to the indoor units (3,3, ...), and the indoor units (3,3, ...) The status signals of the current indoor temperature etc. To the remote controller (4), and the remote controller (4) displays the room temperature and the like on the display unit (42). Also, the indoor unit
(3,3, ...) Sends operation signals from the remote controller (4) to the outdoor unit (2,2, ...), and the outdoor unit (2,3, ...).
2, ...) sends control signals such as expansion valve opening to the indoor unit (3,
3,…) to control the air conditioning operation.

On the other hand, in the schedule timer (5), the CPU (51) takes in the clock signal from the clock circuit section (53), the time oscillating means (54) ticks the present time, and the time signal indicating the present time is outputted. It outputs to the indoor units (3, 3, ...), and outputs a time signal at intervals of 10 minutes, for example. And
In the indoor unit (3, 3, ...), first, as shown in FIG. 4, when the time processing routine starts, step ST1
In, it is determined whether the time data is received, that is, it is determined whether the time signal is transmitted from the schedule timer (5), and the determination in step ST1 is NO until the time data is received. Then, the process stands by at step ST1. After that, when the indoor unit (3,3, ...) Receives the time signal from the schedule timer (5), the above step ST1
The determination is YES, the process proceeds to step ST2, the time data based on the time signal is written in the RAM (34), the process returns to step ST1, and the above-described operation is repeated. That is, for example, since the schedule timer (5) outputs a time signal at intervals of 10 minutes, the indoor units (3, 3, ...) Based on the time signal, the current time data is stored in the RAM.
(34) will be sequentially updated and written every 10 minutes.

Further, in the indoor unit (3, 3, ...), when the abnormality processing routine is started, as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined in step ST3 whether or not an abnormality has occurred, and the abnormality occurs. Up to N is judged in step ST3
It becomes O and stands by at step ST4. That is, when a transmission abnormality, a high voltage abnormality, or the like occurs, the abnormality detection means (33) outputs an abnormality signal. Therefore, until the abnormality signal is output, the process waits in step ST3, and when the abnormality signal is output, If the determination in step ST3 is YES, the process moves to step ST4,
The abnormal code and the time data of the RAM (34) are written in the EEPROM (35), the process returns to step ST3, and the above-mentioned operation is repeated. That is, when the abnormality detecting means (33) outputs the abnormality signal, the abnormality code indicating the abnormality content and the time data indicating the time when the abnormality occurs are written and stored in the EEPROM (35). After that, when data is retrieved from the remote controller (4) when an error occurs during maintenance, the error code and error occurrence time written in the EEPROM (35) are displayed on the display section (42) of the remote controller (4). Therefore, the abnormality processing is performed based on this abnormality code and the abnormality occurrence time.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the schedule timer (5) which is one timer means is provided, and the signal line (11) is provided.
To transmit the time signal and use each indoor unit (3,3,…
) Stores the time of occurrence at the time of an abnormality, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where each indoor unit (3, 3, ...) is provided. Can be simplified. Moreover, since the time when the abnormality occurs can be recognized, the cause of the abnormality can be accurately grasped, and accurate maintenance can be performed. In addition, the indoor unit (3, 3, ...) And the outdoor unit (2, 3,
2, ...) A separate schedule timer (5) is provided, so that the indoor units (3,3, ...) Can be shared, and the indoor units (3,3,3) can be shared. The versatility of ...) can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the timer unit is composed of the schedule timer (5), but the timer means of the present invention may be composed of one separate timer unit which outputs only the current time. Further, the timer means of the present invention includes an indoor unit (3, 3,
It is not necessary to provide it separately from the indoor unit (3,3, ...), or one outdoor unit (2,2, ...), and the indoor unit (3,3, ...) Unit (2,2,
…) Each indoor unit (3,3,…) from one timer means
Alternatively, the time signal may be output. Also, the above E
Writing the error code and time data to the EPROM (35) is not updating (overwriting), as long as the memory capacity permits,
You may make it accumulate | store. The storage means is EEP.
The memory is not limited to the ROM (35) and may be a non-volatile memory or the like. In addition, the air conditioner (1) consists of one outdoor unit.
Of course, it may have (2, 2, ...), and is not limited to the embodiment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the air conditioner.

FIG. 4 is a control flow chart showing a time processing routine.

FIG. 5 is a control flow chart showing an abnormality processing routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Air conditioner 11 Signal line 3 Indoor unit (air conditioning unit) 31 CPU 33 Abnormality detection means 34 RAM 35 EEPROM (storage means) 5 Schedule timer (timer means) 53 Clock circuit section 54 Time oscillation means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of air conditioning units (3,
3, ...), and each of the air conditioning units (3, 3, ...) Has a signal line
In the operation control device of the air conditioner connected via (11), an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality and outputting an abnormality signal (33)
And the time data indicating the current time to the above-mentioned air conditioning units (3, 3,
...) is provided in each of the above-mentioned air conditioning units (3,3, ...), and one timer means (5) for outputting the time signal so that the abnormality detection means (33) and the timer means (5) are provided. ) The operation control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a storage unit (35) for storing the details of the abnormality and the time of occurrence of the abnormality in response to the time signal of 2. The operation control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the timer means (5) is configured separately from each air conditioning unit (3, 3, ...) And via a signal line (11). The air conditioning units (3,
3, ...) An operation control device for an air conditioner, which is configured by a connected timer unit.