JPH09133387A - Control device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable addresses of many utilization side devices connected to one heat source device to be set automatically. SOLUTION: A main micro-computer 21 and each of indoor devices are connected through extended micro-computers 22a.... The main micro-computer 21 and each of the indoor devices are connected through each of signal lines. During a trial operation, the main micro-computer 21 opens predetermined flow dividing valves in sequence while each of the indoor devices being kept at operating state. Each of the extended micro-computer 22a... may convert a data length obtained from a control device for each of indoor devices into a state adapted for the main micro-computer 21 and sends it to the main micro- computer 21. The min micro-computer 21 automatically sets and acknowledges an address of it in response to data of the control device for the indoor device connected to the opened flow-dividing valve.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to one heat source side unit in which a plurality of utilization side units are connected by piping.
The present invention relates to a control device for an air conditioner, which is a so-called multi-unit, in which a heat medium is circulated from one heat source side unit to each usage side unit to perform an air conditioning operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner for cooling or heating a room has been constructed such that one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit by piping. A multi-configuration in which multiple indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit by piping, and control data is sent and received between the control circuit provided in the outdoor unit and the control circuit provided in the indoor unit to air-condition with the multiple indoor units. Came to be taken.

In this case, the pipe connection between the outdoor unit and each indoor unit is arranged such that a plurality of flow dividing valves are provided in the pipe from the outdoor unit and the supply of the refrigerant to each indoor unit is controlled by opening and closing the valves. ing. Further, the control circuit of this outdoor unit is a microcomputer provided on the substrate (hereinafter,
It is configured by one), and exchanges data with a microcomputer provided in each indoor unit to control the compressor and fan of the outdoor unit.

Further, in order to set the addresses of the microcomputers of the indoor units to the microcomputers of the outdoor unit, a method of manually setting the addresses of the indoor units one by one at the time of installation has been conventionally used.

[0005]

However, in the conventional method, there is a risk of incorrect address setting due to incorrect wiring, and in that case, setting / testing must be redone, which is extremely complicated. It was

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and air capable of automatically addressing a large number of use side units connected to one heat source side unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a harmony machine.

[0007]

That is, the control device according to the invention of claim 1 is a pipe for circulating a plurality of use side units to a single heat source side unit through a flow dividing valve for heat medium circulation. Applied to an air conditioner configured to circulate the heat medium between the heat source side unit and the use side unit, is provided in each use side unit, and controls the operation of this use side unit The heat source side control means is provided in the heat source side unit and controls the operation of the heat source side unit, and each use side control means is connected to the heat source side control means via a signal line. At the same time, the heat source side control means sequentially opens each shunt valve at the time of test operation, and sets the control address of each usage side control means based on the data from the usage side control means in that case. Things That.

In the control device for an air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention, the heat source side control means puts each utilization side unit into an operating state during the trial operation.

In the control device of the third aspect of the invention, a single heat source side unit and a plurality of use side units are connected by a pipe for circulating heat medium, and the heat medium is connected between the heat source side unit and the use side unit. It is applied to an air conditioner configured to circulate, and is provided in each of the use side units, use side control means for controlling the operation of the use side unit, and provided in the heat source side unit, the heat source side unit A main control means for controlling the operation, a plurality of extended control means electrically connected to the main control means for exchanging data with each other, and a plurality of use side units are respectively specified from among the plurality of extended control means. It is provided with a plurality of signal lines capable of electrically connecting data to and from the extended control means, and exchanges data between the user-side control means and the main control means via the extended control means. Extended control hand It is intended to transmit to the main control unit to convert the state of fitting the data length from the user-side control unit to the main control unit.

[0010]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner of the present invention (mainly a refrigerant circuit diagram of an outdoor unit. In this figure, the air conditioner of the present invention includes one outdoor unit 2
(Heat source side unit), and a plurality of indoor units 14a, 14b, ... (Purpose side unit) pipe-connected thereto.

The outdoor unit 2 includes a compressor 3 and a four-way valve 8.
(The flow path is switched between the cooling operation and the heating operation), the heat source side heat exchanger 4, the receiver tank 5, the accumulator 7, etc. are provided, and the indoor side unit 14a has the use side heat exchanger 1
5a and a pressure reducing device 17a (such as an electric expansion valve and a capillary tube) are provided.

The inlet of the four-way valve 8 is connected to the discharge pipe 3A of the compressor 3, and the outlet of the four-way valve 8 is connected to the suction pipe 3B of the compressor 3 via the accumulator 7.

The heat source side heat exchanger 4 is connected to one of the connection ports of the four-way valve 8, and the receiver tank 5 is connected to the outlet of the heat source side heat exchanger 4, and the receiver tank 5 is connected to the main valve. It is connected to the service valve 18 via 11. A plurality of flow dividing valves 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d ... Are connected to the service valve 18. still,
The diversion valves 6a ... Can be expanded by a plurality of four sets each.

Further, a muffler 12 is connected to the other connection port of the four-way valve 8, and the muffler 12 is a service valve 13
Connected to. A plurality of connection valves 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d ... Are connected to the service valve 13. It should be noted that a plurality of connection valves 16a ... Can be added in a set of four.

A use side heat exchanger 15a (having an indoor fan (not shown)) of the indoor unit 14a and a pressure reducing device 17a are connected in series between the flow dividing valve 6a and the connecting valve 16a. The indoor units 14b, 14c, 14d have the same configuration as the indoor unit 14a, and this indoor unit is connected between the diversion valve and the connection valve as needed.

Reference numeral 9 is a defrost valve for directly supplying the heat source side heat exchanger 4 with the high temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 to defrost it, and 10 is the liquid refrigerant in the receiver tank 5 or in the pipe. It is a liquid valve that is supplied into the compressor 3 and cooled (liquid injection). Further, an outdoor fan (not shown) is provided in opposition to the heat source side heat exchanger 4 and is air-cooled.

With the above configuration, during cooling operation of the air conditioner (for example, the shunt valve 6a is assumed to be open. Even if other indoor units are connected, a similar refrigerant flow will occur, so Only the unit 14a will be described.) When the compressor 3 is operated, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 through the four-way valve 8 and radiates heat there. Is condensed. The liquid refrigerant discharged from the heat source side heat exchanger 4 flows into the main tank 11, the service valve 18, and the flow dividing valve 6a after being accumulated in the receiver tank 5, flows out from the outdoor unit 2, and is discharged by the decompression device 17a of the indoor unit 14a. After the pressure is reduced, the heat is evaporated in the use side heat exchanger 14a to enable the cooling operation by the indoor unit 14a.
Then, the evaporated and gasified refrigerant is used as the indoor unit 14a.
From the connection valve 16 and returns to the outdoor unit 2. Then, after passing through the muffler 12, the four-way valve 8 and the accumulator 7, it is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction pipe 3B. As a result, the heat source side heat exchanger 4 becomes a condenser and the use side heat exchanger 15 becomes an evaporator.

Next, during the heating operation, when the compressor 3 is operated, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the indoor unit 14a from the connection valve 16 through the four-way valve 8 and the muffler 12. To do. Then, this gas refrigerant is condensed in the utilization side heat exchanger 15a by the action of the decompression device 6a and enables the heating operation by the indoor unit 14a.

The liquid refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger 4 returns to the outdoor unit 2 from the flow dividing valve 6a via the pressure reducing device 17,
It flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 through the main valve 11 and the receiver tank 5. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 4 evaporates there, passes through the four-way valve 8 and the accumulator 7, and is sucked into the compressor 3 from the suction pipe 3B. by this,
The heat source side heat exchanger 4 becomes an evaporator, and the use side heat exchanger 15
Becomes a condenser.

The supply of the refrigerant to the indoor units 14a ... Is controlled by opening and closing the flow dividing valves 6a.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of essential parts of a control device used in the air conditioner shown in FIG. In the figure, in the outdoor unit 2, one main microcomputer (general-purpose microcomputer) 21 mainly provided on the same substrate as main control means, and extended control means connected in parallel to the main microcomputer 21. , And a plurality of extended microcomputers (general-purpose microcomputers) 22a, 22b, 22c ... (Three in the embodiment, but it depends on the number of indoor units connected).

Then, each indoor unit 14a, 14b
.. are each equipped with a control device by a general-purpose microcomputer, and are respectively extended microcomputers 22 of the outdoor unit 2.
serial communication circuits 23a, 2b between a, 22b ...
One-to-one serial data communication is performed via 3b, 23c, ...

An electric motor 30 for driving an outdoor fan is connected to the main microcomputer 21 via a drive circuit 31, and the four-way valve 8, the defrost valve 9, the liquid valve 10, the main valve 11, etc. are respectively driven by a drive circuit 32, It is connected through 33.

The drive circuit 31 is provided with a plurality of auxiliary relays that are excited in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21, and the motor 3 is formed by a combination of contact pieces that respond to the excitation of these relays.
The speed adjustment terminal of 0 is selected to change the speed of the electric motor 30 (air volume of the outdoor fan). The speed of the electric motor 30 is determined by the main microcomputer 21 as the outside air temperature, the temperature of the heat source side heat exchanger, the temperature of the use side heat exchanger, the number of indoor units to which the refrigerant is supplied,
By determining the overload state of the refrigeration cycle and the like, the number of indoor units operating increases as the outside air temperature of the cooling operation increases, and the speed of the electric motor 30 increases as the refrigeration cycle overloads. Controlled in the direction.

When the cooling operation (and the reverse cycle defrosting) / heating operation is switched, the four-way valve 8 is switched by being excited by an auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 32 in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21. Similarly, when the temperature of the heat source side heat exchanger 4 is particularly lowered during the heating operation, the defrost valve 9 is excited by the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 32 in response to the signal from the main microcomputer 21 so that the flow path is reduced. Open, liquid valve 10 is compressor 3
When the temperature of the compressor 3 (or the temperature of the discharge gas) or the refrigeration cycle becomes overloaded during the operation of, the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 33 responds to the signal from the main microcomputer 21 and is excited to flow. The main valve 11 opens the flow path when the auxiliary relay in the drive circuit 32 is excited in response to a signal from the main microcomputer 21 during operation of the air conditioner.

The compressor 3 is also connected to the main microcomputer 21 via the drive circuit 34, and when a three-phase induction motor is used as the drive source of the compressor 3, the drive circuit 34 obtains a predetermined rotation speed. It corresponds to a three-phase inverter circuit that is turned on / off in response to a switching signal for obtaining a three-phase pseudo sine wave of a required frequency, and when a DC motor (brushless type) is used as a drive source of the compressor 3, The drive circuit 34 corresponds to a three-phase inverter circuit that turns ON / OFF in response to a DC voltage required to obtain a predetermined rotation speed and a switching signal for appropriately switching the energization of the stator winding.
The predetermined number of rotations is calculated by the main microcomputer 21 according to a predetermined algorithm according to the refrigerating capacity required from each indoor unit 14a, 14b ....

Further, the main microcomputer 21 has an extended microcomputer 2
2a, 22b ... Are connected so that data can be transmitted and received. Main microcomputer 21 and expansion microcomputer 22
a, 22b ... Are connected to four common signal lines. Of these four, one is a clock signal line for synchronizing data, and the other is a control signal signal line for indicating the start and end of data.
It is connected to the port for the same function of each microcomputer.
The remaining two are the main microcomputer 21 to the expansion microcomputer 22a,
22b ... The output signal line through which the data output to the main microcomputer 21 and the extension microcomputers 22a, 22b ...
-It is an input signal line for inputting the data output from.

Each of the expansion microcomputers 22a, 22b, ... Is set to 2 bits by an external switch (in the case of three expansion microcomputers, the number of expansion microcomputers is increased or decreased). , Main microcomputer 21
The address of the extended microcomputer becomes "01", "10", "11" when the address of "0" is "00".

When data is output from the main microcomputer 21, the address (other than "00") of the specified extended microcomputer is provided at the beginning of the data and the data is output to the output signal line. The extended microcomputer specified by the address fetches this data and operates based on this data. It should be noted that the extended microcomputer outputs data having an address "00" designating the main microcomputer 21 to the input signal line.

The data output from the main microcomputer 21 includes a control code for transferring the data to a specific indoor unit (for example) 14a, the data to be transferred, and the specific indoor unit 14a stored in the expansion microcomputer. Data including a control code for outputting the data of (1) to the main microcomputer 21.

Each expansion microcomputer has a storage unit for transmission / reception corresponding to each of the connected indoor units 14a, 14b, 14c ...
The data transmitted from b, 14c ... Are stored in the corresponding storage units and output to the input signal line in response to the output request from the main microcomputer 21. The output request from the main microcomputer 21 is periodically made about every 1 to 2 seconds in this embodiment. That is, the data transmitted from these indoor units is regularly polled by the main microcomputer 21 and used for control.

When transmitting data to the indoor unit, the extended microcomputer transmits the data once stored in the storage unit for transmission to the indoor unit a plurality of times as necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a serial communication circuit (interface circuit) 2 which enables transmission / reception of data between the extended microcomputer (eg 22a) and the indoor unit (eg 14a).
It is a principal part electric circuit diagram of 3a. Serial communication circuit 23
b, 23c ... Have the same circuit configuration as the serial communication circuit 23a.

Photocouplers 41 and 42 are connected between the DC power supply voltage Vcc and the ground GND in the order of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the light emitting element blinks in response to a signal from the extended microcomputer 22a to receive light. The output of the element is supplied to the expansion microcomputer 22a. 43 and 45 are resistors for bias, and 44 is a capacitor for absorbing noise.

A light receiving element of the photocoupler 41 and a light emitting element of the photocoupler 42 are connected in series to the indoor unit 14a via a noise filter 46, a protection resistor 47, and a diode 48 for preventing reverse connection. . Reference numeral 49 is a resistor for bias, and 50 is a Zener diode for protection. The data from the extended microcomputer 22a is transmitted to the indoor unit 14a by turning on / off the photocoupler 41, and the data from the indoor unit 14a is transferred to the photocoupler 4a.
It is transmitted to the extended microcomputer 22a by turning ON / OFF of 2.

In the figure, an AC power source is connected to COM and AC, and one of the signal lines is shared by COM to supply data and AC power to the indoor unit 14a.

Next, the address setting for control of each indoor unit 14a ... In the trial run will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the outdoor unit 2 and each indoor unit 14a ... (Twelve units in the embodiment) are connected by piping and connected to a power source (not shown).

First, when a power source (not shown) is turned on, the main microcomputer 21 is reset to set the indoor unit storage address to 0. In step S1, the main microcomputer 21 detects the connected shunt valves 6a ... And assigns an address to them (in this case, 12 indoor units 14a ... Are connected and each shunt valve 6a ... (Allocating 1 to 12) The process proceeds to step S2, and the flow dividing valve 6a at the address 1 is opened. In this case, one branch valve 6a connected to the predetermined indoor unit 14a is opened and the other branch valves are not opened.

Next, in step S3, the main microcomputer 2
1 determines whether each indoor unit 14a ... Is operating, and when each indoor unit 14a ... Is not operating, the process proceeds to step S8, and each indoor unit 14a.
Drive a ... and proceed to step S4. Main microcomputer 2
1 performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit via the extended microcomputer 22a ... And collects data of a predetermined indoor unit after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the temperature data of the indoor unit (in this case, the first indoor unit 14a) changes, the data length from the indoor unit 14a is converted into a state suitable for the main microcomputer 21 and transmitted to the main microcomputer 21. The process proceeds to step S5, 1 is added to the storage address of the indoor unit, and the process proceeds to step S6.

Next, the main microcomputer 21 stores the indoor unit 14a connected to the opened flow dividing valve 6a of address 1 as address 1. That is, the main microcomputer 21 opens the shunt valve 6a of the address 1, the indoor unit 14a in which the temperature has changed, the port of the serial communication circuit 23a wired to the indoor unit 14a, and the expansion to which the circuit 23a is connected. The port of the microcomputer 22a is stored as address 1, and the process proceeds to step S7. Main microcomputer 2 here
1 judges whether or not the number of the storage address of the indoor unit has reached the number of shunt valves, and if not, step S2
Then, the diversion valve at the next address (address 2 in this case) is opened (in this case, the diversion valve 6b connected to the second indoor unit 14b is opened and the other diversion valves are closed).

After opening the flow dividing valve 6b of address 2 in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and the main microcomputer 21 determines whether or not each indoor unit is operating. In this case, since each indoor unit was operated last time, the process proceeds to step S4, and the main microcomputer 21 performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit via the expansion microcomputer 22 ... And collects data of a predetermined indoor unit. When the temperature data of the indoor unit (the second indoor unit 14b in this case) changes, the data length from the indoor unit 14b is converted into a state suitable for the main microcomputer 21 and transmitted to the main microcomputer 21. The process proceeds to step S5, 1 is added to the storage address of the indoor unit, and the process proceeds to step S6.

Next, the main microcomputer 21 stores, as the address 2, the indoor unit 14b connected to the shunt valve 6b of the opened address 2. That is, similar to the above, the main microcomputer 21
Is the address 2 of which the shunt valve 6b with the address 2 opened, the indoor unit 14b in which the temperature has changed, the port of the circuit 23b wired to the indoor unit 14b, and the port of the expansion microcomputer 22a to which the circuit 23b is connected are addressed. , And the process proceeds to step S7. Here, the main microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the number of the storage address of the indoor unit has reached the number of the shunt valves. If not, the process returns to step S2 to open the shunt valve at the next address (address 3 in this case) ( In this case, the flow dividing valve 6c connected to the third indoor unit 14c is opened and the other flow dividing valves are closed).

As described above, the main microcomputer 21 sequentially opens the addresses 3, 4, 5, ... Of the shunt valve and performs data communication with the control device of each indoor unit. Then, according to the temperature data from the indoor unit, the main microcomputer 21 causes the addresses 3, 4, 5, ...
And the extended microcomputer 22a ... And the extended microcomputer 22a.
, And the indoor units connected to the respective ports of the circuit 23a .. are sequentially stored as addresses 3, 4, 5 ,. As a result, the installed indoor units are respectively stored in the storage addresses of the indoor units of the main microcomputer 21.

In step S4, when the main microcomputer 21 cannot collect the data of the control device of each indoor unit via the extended microcomputer 22a ..., It proceeds to step S9 and gives an abnormal warning that the temperature of the indoor unit does not change. An error is displayed and the process ends.

On the other hand, even if the indoor unit 14a connected first and the indoor unit 14b connected second by the above setting are connected in the wrong order, the main microcomputer 21 can sequentially set the address numbers of a large number of connected indoor units. The control of the unit 2 is not hindered. Further, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of operating the indoor unit by going to the installation location of the main microcomputer 21 and each indoor unit 14 ...

In the embodiment, the main microcomputer 21 is connected to three expansion microcomputers 22a, and the expansion microcomputer is connected to four indoor units. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the main microcomputer 21 is provided with two or four expansion microcomputers. It is okay to connect more than five indoor units to the expansion microcomputer.

Further, in the embodiment, the air conditioner in which the refrigerant is circulated between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit has been described, but cold water or hot water (heat medium) cooled or heated by the heat source side unit is used side. The present invention is also effective for a so-called chiller unit that is circulated in the unit.

[0048]

As described above in detail, according to the invention of claim 1, the heat source side control means for controlling the heat source side unit is provided, and the use side control means of each use side unit is connected via a signal line. Then, when the predetermined diversion valves are sequentially opened during the trial operation, the heat source side control means recognizes the usage side control means based on the data of the usage side control means of the usage side unit connected to the opened diversion valve. Therefore, the heat source side control means can automatically set the address based on the data of the utilization side control means. Therefore, even if the wiring connection of the heat source side control means of the usage side unit is incorrect,
The heat source side control means can recognize and control each of the connected use side control means.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the above, the heat source side control means puts each of the use side units into an operating state during a trial run. It is possible to eliminate the hassle of going out and operating the user side unit.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3, the plurality of extended control means connected to the main control means of the heat source side unit are connected to the use side control means via signal lines, and the main control is performed. The means exchanges data with each of the use side control means via each of the extension control means, and the extension control means converts the data length from the use side control means into a state suitable for the main control means. Since the information is transmitted to the main control means, various microcomputers can be used as the use-side control means, which is highly versatile.

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a piping configuration diagram of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a control device used in the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a serial communication circuit that enables transmission / reception of data between an extended microcomputer and an indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a program of a main microcomputer of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Outdoor unit (heat source side unit) 4 Heat source side heat exchanger 6a ... Dividing valve 8 Four-way valve 14a ... Indoor unit (use side unit) 15a Use side heat exchanger 21 Main microcomputer (main control means) 22a ... Extended microcomputer (extended control means)

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Isao Arai 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hisashi Tokizaki 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A single heat source side unit is connected with a plurality of use side units by heat medium circulation pipes through a flow dividing valve respectively, and between the heat source side unit and the use side unit. In the air conditioner configured to circulate the heat medium in, in each of the use-side unit, use-side control means for controlling the operation of the use-side unit, and provided in the heat source-side unit, Heat source side control means for controlling the operation of the heat source side unit, each of the use side control means is respectively connected to the heat source side control means via a signal line, the heat source side control means, during the trial run Each of the flow dividing valves is sequentially opened, and the control address of each user side control means is set based on the data from the user side control means in that case. . 2. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat source side control means brings each of the use side units into an operating state during a test operation. 3. A single heat source side unit and a plurality of use side units are connected by a pipe for circulating a heat medium, and the heat medium is circulated between the heat source side unit and the use side unit. In the formed air conditioner, a usage-side control unit that is provided in each of the usage-side units and controls the operation of the usage-side unit, and a main that is provided in the heat-source-side unit and that controls the operation of the heat-source-side unit Control means, a plurality of extension control means electrically connected to the main control means so as to be able to exchange data with each other, and a plurality of extension control means for the plurality of user side units, among the plurality of extension control means. And a plurality of signal lines electrically connected to each other so that data can be transferred between the user side control means and the main control means via the expansion control means, and the expansion Control means control device for an air conditioner and transmits to the main control unit is converted to a state adapted to the main control unit data length from the use-side control unit.