JPH1094287A - Lifetime alarm for brush in motor and air-conditioner employing it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To predict and alarm the lifetime of a brush in a motor automatically. SOLUTION: The air-conditioner comprises a gas engine G for driving a compressor 1, and a starter motor 11 for the gas engine G. Driving time of the starter motor 11 is accumulated and compared with an alarm decision time being set based on the abrasion of the brush per unit driving time. When the accumulated time reaches the alarm decision time, an alarm signal is delivered to a display 23. Furthermore, when the accumulated time reaches a forced stop decision time, a forced stop signal is delivered to a relay 13 for moving the starter motor 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a brush life device for an electric motor suitable for use as a starter motor of an internal combustion engine (gas engine) for driving a compressor in, for example, a GHP (gas heat pump) type air conditioner. The present invention relates to an air conditioner using the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a starter motor used for starting the internal combustion engine is, for example, as shown in FIG.
After the brush holder 31 holding 2 is fixed to the stator 30, the brush 32 is pressed against the commutator 33 using spring force. When a current flows from the brush 32 to the commutator 33, a rotor (not shown) integrated with the commutator 33 is rotated, and a crank of the internal combustion engine connected to the rotor is rotated.

When the internal combustion engine is started by being driven by a starter motor, a compressor connected to the internal combustion engine is started to perform cooling or heating.

[0004]

Conventionally, when the brush 32 wears out during a long-term use, the starter motor will not be able to rotate due to a state where power cannot be supplied.

Conventionally, it has not been possible to automatically predict the life of the brush 32 and notify the human. Accordingly, when the brush 32 is not rotated due to long-term use without notice that the wear of the brush 32 is extremely advanced, the brush holder 31 already contacts the commutator 33 to
3 may be damaged. In this case, during maintenance,
It is necessary to replace not only the brush 32 but also the rotor integrated with the commutator 33. As a result, the entire electric motor must be replaced, and extra expenses are required.

If the life of the brush 32 is predicted in advance and only the brush 32 is replaced, no unnecessary expenditure is required at the time of maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a brush life warning device for an electric motor, which can predict the end of the life of a brush in advance and warn a user, and an air conditioner using the device.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Driving time detecting means for detecting the driving time of the electric motor,
A drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time, a storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on an abrasion progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the electric motor; A warning signal output unit that outputs a warning signal when the integrated value of the time integration unit reaches the warning determination time.

According to the present invention, when the electric motor is started, the driving time of the electric motor is detected by the driving time detecting means. Further, the drive time of the electric motor is integrated from a predetermined integration start time by the drive time integration means. Then, the warning determination time stored in the storage means is compared with the integrated value, and when the integrated value reaches the warning determination time, a warning signal is output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving time detecting means for detecting a driving time of an electric motor, a driving time integrating means for integrating the driving time from a predetermined integration start time, and a unit of a brush in the electric motor. Storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on the amount of progress of wear per drive time, and a forced stop determination time; and a warning signal when the integrated value of the drive time integration means reaches the warning determination time. When the integrated value of the drive time integrating means reaches the forced stop determination time,
A forced stop signal output means for outputting a forced stop signal.

According to the present invention, as in the above invention, the warning judgment time is compared with the integrated value to detect that the integrated value has reached the warning judgment time, a warning signal is output, and then a new integration is performed. When the value reaches the forced stop determination time, a forced stop signal is output to forcibly prohibit the start of the electric motor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compressor, an internal combustion engine for driving the compressor, an electric motor for starting the internal combustion engine, and a drive time detection for detecting a drive time of the electric motor. Means, a drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time, and a storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on a wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the electric motor. ,
A warning signal output unit that outputs a warning signal when the integrated value of the drive time integration unit reaches the warning determination time.

According to the present invention, when the electric motor is started to start the internal combustion engine connected to the compressor, the driving time of the electric motor is detected by the driving time detecting means. Further, the drive time of the electric motor is integrated from a predetermined integration start time by the drive time integration means. Then, the warning determination time stored in the storage means is compared with the integrated value, and when the integrated value reaches the warning determination time, a warning signal is output.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compressor, an internal combustion engine for driving the compressor, an electric motor for starting the internal combustion engine, and a drive time detection for detecting a drive time of the electric motor. Means, a drive time integration means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time, a warning determination time set based on a wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the electric motor, and a forced stop determination time A warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal when the integrated value of the drive time integrating means reaches the warning determination time; and a forcible stop determination of the integrated value of the drive time integrating means. A forced stop signal output means for outputting a forced stop signal when the time has elapsed.

According to the present invention, as in the above invention, the warning judgment time is compared with the integrated value to detect that the integrated value has reached the warning judgment time, and after outputting a warning signal, a new integration is performed. When the value reaches the forced stop determination time, a forced stop signal is output to forcibly prohibit the start of the electric motor. Therefore, restarting of the internal combustion engine is also prohibited.

The invention according to claims 5 and 6 is characterized in that the wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush is obtained based on the average number of rotations of the electric motor per unit time.

According to the present invention, since the average number of rotations of the electric motor per unit time is used, the wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush can be set with higher accuracy.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a compressor,
The refrigerant is started by the gas engine G, which is an internal combustion engine, to compress and circulate the refrigerant. Reference numeral 2 denotes a four-way valve for switching the direction of refrigerant flow. Reference numeral 3 denotes an outdoor heat exchanger that functions as a condenser during a cooling operation and as an evaporator during a heating operation. Reference numeral 5 denotes a flow divider, which divides the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 during the heating operation. Reference numeral 6 denotes an electric expansion valve for reducing the pressure of the liquid refrigerant. Reference numeral 7 denotes an indoor heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation. Reference numeral 8 denotes a flow divider, which divides the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 7 during the cooling operation.

At the time of cooling operation, the four-way valve 2 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 and the compressor 1 is started to release the heat energy from the refrigerant to the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 while the indoor heat exchanger 7 The refrigerant absorbs the heat energy in the room. During the heating operation, the four-way valve 2 is switched to the state shown by the solid line, the compressor 1 is started, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 allows the refrigerant to absorb outdoor heat energy, while the indoor heat exchanger 7 transfers heat energy from the refrigerant to the room. Release.

On the other hand, reference numeral 11 denotes a starter motor which is an electric motor, which is started by a DC current from a starter power supply 12 to start the gas engine G. Reference numeral 13 denotes a relay, which supplies current to the starter motor 11 when closed by a command from a controller 15 described later, and interrupts supply of current to the starter motor 11 when opened. Reference numeral 14 denotes a rotation speed sensor which detects the rotation speed of the gas engine G and controls the controller 1.
Notify 5

The controller 15 controls the CP via the bus.
U16, I / Os 17, 18, ROM 19, RAM 20,
It is configured by connecting an EEPROM 21. I / O1
7, a relay 13 and a rotation speed sensor 14 are connected.
A remote controller 22 and a display 23 are connected to / O18.

First, the arithmetic control of the CPU 16 includes control for closing the relay 13 and driving the starter motor 11 in order to start the gas engine G in accordance with the difference between the room temperature and the set temperature. is there. The closing time of the relay 13 is set in advance as described later, but when the gas engine G is started (determined by the number of revolutions), the relay is cut off and opened.

Second, there is a control as a drive time detecting means for detecting a drive time of the starter motor 11. The starter motor 11 is started, for example, for seven seconds at a time, and then rotates and stops for a predetermined time due to inertia. Therefore, the detection of the drive time of the starter motor 11 uses the sum of the timer count for 7 seconds and the count of the inertial time (experience value).

Thirdly, there is a control as a drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time.
The predetermined integration start time is the first operation start time after the manufacture of the air conditioner and the first operation start time after the brush replacement. The integration of the driving time is performed every time the starter motor 11 is started.

Fourth, a warning judgment time set based on the amount of progress of wear of the starter motor 11 per unit drive time of the brush is compared with the accumulated time to determine whether the accumulated value has reached the warning judgment time. There is control to detect still,
Information on the warning determination time is stored in the ROM 19 as storage means.

Fifth, there is a control as a warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal to the display 23 and displaying a warning when the accumulated time reaches the warning determination time. However, the output of the warning signal may be a predetermined lamp or buzzer.

Sixth, the accumulated stoppage time is compared with the forced stoppage judgment time set based on the wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the starter motor 11, and the accumulated value reaches the forced stoppage judgment time. There is control to detect whether or not. The forced stop determination time is a time set longer than the warning determination time, and is a time at which the commutator of the starter motor 11 may be damaged. Note that information on the forced stop determination time is also stored in the ROM 19.

Seventh, there is a control as a forced stop signal output means for outputting a forced stop signal (instructing to continue the relay OFF) to the relay 13 when the integrated value reaches the forced stop determination time.

The CPU 16 performs control in accordance with a start control program and an air-conditioning operation control program in the ROM 19 in response to a command from the remote controller 22. Etc.) in the EEPROM 21. Also, E
The data (integrated value) is read from the EPROM 21 to perform other arithmetic control and the like.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the start of the starter motor 11 and the start of the gas engine G. Gas engine G starts with one revolution of crankshaft (complete explosion)
, And a predetermined time is often required. Here, a case where the starter motor 11 is started a plurality of times before the start of the gas engine G is shown.

The time required for the gas engine G to start in response to the start command of the starter motor 11, that is, the total cranking time Tm is: Tm = Σ (Ts + ts + ks) (1)

Where Ts is the unstarted cranking time,
That is, Ts = K × n (2), which is the sum of trial times when the gas engine G is not started at one start.

K is the driving time per starter motor 11 operation, that is, the unit cranking time, and n is the number of unit cranking times K, that is, the number of trials.

On the other hand, ts indicates the cranking time from the start of the starter motor 11 to the start of the gas engine G in one drive of the starter motor 11. ks is the time during which the starter motor 11 rotates by inertia from the time when the power supply to the starter motor 11 is cut off by the start of the gas engine G.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the control procedure in the present embodiment. First, in step S1, for example, a difference between the room temperature and the target temperature is recognized, and it is determined whether or not to start the gas engine G. When starting the gas engine G, the process proceeds to step S2, closes the relay 13, and proceeds to step S3 to turn on the timer. Then, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the set time of the timer has elapsed. If the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S5, the relay 13 is opened, and further proceeds to step S6 to determine whether the gas engine G has been started. Determine whether or not.

If it is determined in step S6 that the gas engine G has not been started, the process returns to step S2, and the above processing is repeated. If it is determined that the gas engine G has been started, the process proceeds to step S7. Then, the cranking time Ts is calculated and recorded. Further, the process proceeds to step S8 to calculate and record the time ts from the last start of the starter motor 11 to the start of the gas engine G, and further to step S9 to calculate and record the total cranking time Tm.

Subsequently, in step S10 shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the total cranking time Tm has exceeded the warning determination time Tref1. Here, if it is determined that the total cranking time Tm does not exceed the warning determination time Tref1, the process returns to step S1, but if it is determined that the total cranking time Tm has exceeded the warning determination time Tref1, the process proceeds to step S11. Is displayed.

Subsequently, in step S12, the total cranking time Tm is changed to the forced stop determination time Tref2 (Tre2).
It is determined whether f1 <Tref2) has been exceeded. Here, the total cranking time Tm is equal to the forced stop determination time Tr.
If it is determined that the value does not exceed ef2, the process returns to step S1.
Proceeding to 3, the closed state of the relay 13 is locked, whereby the restart of the gas engine G is prohibited, and the processing of this flow ends.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when starting the starter motor 11, the total Tm of the cranking time until the start of the gas engine G is obtained, and compared with the warning determination time Tref1, the brush of the starter motor 11 is determined. The life of the starter motor 11 is determined, and a warning is output when the life is determined. Therefore, it is possible to foresee in advance that the starter motor 11 will become unusable and notify the user.

Therefore, the brush inside the starter motor 11 wears remarkably, and the commutator is not damaged. At the time of maintenance, not only the brush but also the rotor needs to be replaced. It is possible to prevent the necessity of replacement.

Further, since the setting of the warning judgment time and the forced stop judgment time is made based on the progress of wear of the brush per unit driving time, the life can be judged with higher accuracy. The setting of the wear progress amount per unit driving time of the brush is also performed based on the average number of rotations of the electric motor per unit time, so that the life can be determined with high accuracy also from this point.

In the present invention, the case where the electric motor is applied to the DC starter motor 11 has been described, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can also be applied to an AC type starter motor using a brush. Also, the internal combustion engine is not limited to the gas engine G alone, but can be applied to other engines.

In the present invention, when the gas engine G is started, the starter motor 11 is started at predetermined time intervals. However, this may be such that driving is continued until the gas engine G is started. Of course.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the driving time of the electric motor is integrated and compared with the warning determination time, and a warning signal is output when the integrated value reaches the warning determination time. Thus, the life of the brush of the electric motor can be automatically announced and warned, and the maintenance cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, when the integrated value reaches the forced stop determination time, the forced stop signal is output, so that the life of the brush is improved. , The restart of the electric motor can be prohibited, and a situation in which the entire electric motor becomes unusable can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the driving time of the electric motor used to start the internal combustion engine that drives the compressor is integrated and compared with the warning determination time. When the judgment time is reached, a warning signal is output, so that the life of the brush of the electric motor of the air conditioner can be automatically notified and a warning can be given, thereby enabling a reduction in maintenance cost. .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the third aspect of the invention, when the integrated value reaches the forced stop determination time, a forced stop signal is output, so that the brush life , The restart of the electric motor can be prohibited, and a situation in which the entire electric motor becomes unusable can be prevented.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the wear progress amount per unit driving time of the brush is set based on the average number of rotations of the electric motor per unit time. It can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the start of an electric motor and the start of a gas engine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 G gas engine (internal combustion engine) 1 compressor (compressor) 2 four-way valve 3 outdoor heat exchanger 5 shunt 6 electric expansion valve 7 indoor heat exchanger 8 shunt 11 starter motor (electric motor) 13 relay 14 rotation speed sensor 15 Controller 22 Remote control 23 Display

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A drive time detecting means for detecting a drive time of an electric motor, a drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time, and a wear progress per unit drive time of a brush in the electric motor. Storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on the amount; and warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal when an integrated value of the driving time integration means reaches the warning determination time. A brush life warning device for an electric motor, characterized in that: 2. A drive time detecting means for detecting a drive time of an electric motor; a drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a predetermined integration start time; and a wear progress of the electric motor per unit drive time of a brush. Storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on the amount and a forced stop determination time; and a warning signal output for outputting a warning signal when an integrated value of the driving time integration means reaches the warning determination time. A brush life warning device for an electric motor, comprising: a forced stop signal output unit that outputs a forced stop signal when an integrated value of the drive time integrating unit reaches the forced stop determination time. . 3. A compressor, an internal combustion engine that drives the compressor, an electric motor used to start the internal combustion engine, a driving time detecting unit that detects a driving time of the electric motor, and a predetermined integration. A drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a start time; a storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on a wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the electric motor; and the drive time integrating means. And a warning signal output means for outputting a warning signal when the integrated value of (a) has reached the warning determination time. 4. A compressor, an internal combustion engine that drives the compressor, an electric motor that is used to start the internal combustion engine, a driving time detecting unit that detects a driving time of the electric motor, and a predetermined integration. A drive time integrating means for integrating the drive time from a start time, and a storage means for storing a warning determination time set based on a wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush in the electric motor, and a forced stop determination time. A warning signal output unit that outputs a warning signal when the integrated value of the driving time integrating unit reaches the warning determination time; and when the integrated value of the driving time integrating unit reaches the forced stop determination time. And a forced stop signal output means for outputting a forced stop signal. 5. The brush for an electric motor according to claim 1, wherein the wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush is obtained based on an average rotation speed of the electric motor per unit time. Life warning device. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the wear progress amount per unit drive time of the brush is obtained based on an average rotation speed of the electric motor per unit time.