JPH11148772A - Controller for cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent other ships from misrecognition of the light of an LED display part in a controller of a refrigeration unit as night signal lamp during the navigation at night. SOLUTION: An operator operates an operation panel 20 to extinguish an LED display 11 along of a display section 10 with a CPU 31. With the extinguishing of the LED display part 11, the CPU 31 works a liquid crystal display part 12 to display the effect that the LED display part 11 is off. A contralized control system 62 and a computer 65 also can extinguish the LED display part 11 by transmitting an extinguishing command to a control section 30. In addition, the LED display part 11 can be automatically extinguished by managing an output level of an optical sensor 53 or managing the time. This enables the extinguishing of the LED display part 11 in the night navigation thereby preventing misrecognition from other ships.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a cooling device of a shipping container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a control device of a refrigeration system for a marine transportation container includes a light emitting diode (hereinafter simply referred to as a "light-emitting diode") for displaying the temperature of air blown into the container or the temperature of air sucked from the container. An LED display unit using “LED” was provided. A large and bright LED is employed in the LED display unit in order to improve visibility. The temperature is displayed on the LED display unit in order to manage the temperature inside the container during transportation.

[0003]

However, when a container provided with the above-described LED display unit is loaded and the ship is navigating at night, another ship turns on the light of the LED display unit of the control device at night on the route. There was a possibility of being mistakenly recognized as a signal light.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, a thick paper or board or the like is used for LED.
Although the display unit was covered to prevent the light from leaking, this operation was very troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a control device for a cooling device in which other ships do not misrecognize.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling the operation of a cooling device mounted on a shipping container,
(a) display means (10) including an LED display section (11);
(b) control means (30) for outputting a display signal indicating the content to be displayed on the LED display section, wherein the control means is independent of the presence or absence of the content to be displayed on the LED display section. Can be turned off.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for controlling the operation of a cooling device attached to a container for shipping a ship, comprising: (a) an LED display unit (11) and a liquid crystal display unit (1);
And (b) control means (30) for outputting a display signal indicating the content to be displayed on the LED display section and the liquid crystal display section. Means that the LED display unit can be turned off irrespective of the presence or absence of the content to be displayed on the LED display unit, and when the LED display unit is turned off, the LED display unit is turned off with respect to the liquid crystal display unit Is displayed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising (c) an operation input means (20) for inputting input information, wherein the control means comprises: And turning off the LED display unit based on the input information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to the first or second aspect, the control unit turns off the LED display unit at a preset time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising: (c) an optical sensor (53) for performing an output according to the amount of light in the vicinity. And comparing the output level with a preset level, and turning off the LED display unit when it is determined from the result of the comparison that the light amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to the first or second aspect, (c) remote control means for transmitting a command to the control means by communicating with the control means. (62; 65), wherein the control unit turns off the LED display unit based on the command.

[0012]

In the cooling device control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the LED display section turns off the LED display section regardless of the display contents.

In the cooling device control device according to the second aspect, when the LED display unit is turned off, information indicating that the LED display unit is turned off is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a cooling device, wherein an LED is provided based on input information from operation input means.
The display turns off.

In the control device for a cooling device according to the fourth aspect, the LED display unit is turned off at a preset time.

In the control device for a cooling device according to the fifth aspect, the LED display section is turned off when the periphery of the container for ship transportation becomes darker than a certain level.

In the control device for the cooling device according to the sixth aspect, the LED display section is turned off based on a command from the remote control means.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration apparatus 200 is provided with a control device 100 for controlling the refrigeration operation. The control device 100 includes L
Display unit 1 including ED display unit 11 and liquid crystal display unit 12
0, operation panel 20, control unit 30, interface 40
Is provided.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, and a clock 33 inside. The control unit 30
Is configured to be able to communicate with equipment external to the refrigeration apparatus 200, and is connected via a modem 61 to a centralized management system that performs centralized management of all containers loaded on the transport ship. Further, the computer 65 can be directly connected to the control unit 30.

The interface 40 includes a refrigeration system 200
Are connected to various sensors and controlled objects provided in
The input and output between these and the control unit 30 are controlled. In FIG. 1, a blow-off air temperature sensor 51 that measures the temperature of a blow-out section into the container of the refrigeration apparatus 200, a suction air temperature sensor 52 that measures the temperature of a suction section that returns from the inside of the container to the refrigeration apparatus 200, The figure shows an optical sensor 53 for detecting sunlight, and illustration of other devices is omitted.

With this configuration, when the operation panel 20 is operated by the operator, the contents of the operation are transmitted to the control unit 30 via the display unit 10. The display unit 10 is configured so that the display states of the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 are controlled by the CPU 31 of the control unit 30.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit 10. As shown in FIG. 2, all the LED display elements 11a to 11k of the LED display unit 11 display information by causing the LEDs to emit light. Further, the display unit 10 is also provided with a liquid crystal display unit 12 capable of performing seven-digit display.

An LED display element 11a capable of performing a four-digit display displays temperature information obtained from the outlet air temperature sensor 51 or the inlet air temperature sensor 52. Since such temperature information is important in controlling the quality of the package inside the container, the display is displayed by emitting light so that the temperature can be checked even from the lower side of a plurality of loaded containers. The display is performed by the LED display element 11a. The LED display element 11a also displays an alarm code and a relative humidity when an abnormality occurs.

The LED display elements 11b to 11e are provided to indicate what information is displayed on the LED display element 11a which performs the above four-digit display. For example, when the LED display element 11b is lit, it indicates that the supply temperature is being displayed, and LE
When the D display element 11c is lit, the feedback temperature is L
When the ED display element 11d is lit, the alarm code is indicated, and when the LED display element 11e is lit, the relative humidity is indicated. Also, the LED display elements 11f to 11f
i is provided to display the operating status of the refrigeration system, such as during operation of the compressor or during defrost.

The liquid crystal display unit 12 can display seven digits of a temperature set value which is a target temperature in the container, output values of various sensors other than the above-mentioned sensors, and the like. The liquid crystal display unit 1
2, the temperature history and the like can be displayed in the form of a line graph, and when such a display is performed, the period displayed as the temperature history is displayed by the lighting pattern of the LED display elements 11j and 11k. I have.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation panel 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 20 is provided with a plurality of switches SW1 to SW10. By operating these switches, the operator can input a temperature set value or change display information. it can.

In this embodiment, when the vessel for shipping is loaded in the above-described configuration and the ship is operated at night, the LED display section 11 is turned off regardless of the presence or absence of the contents to be displayed on the LED display section 11. Control function (hereinafter, referred to as “display turn-off function”). The display off function is
The function is realized by the CPU 31 executing a predetermined program stored in the memory 32, and the validity / invalidity of the function can be set.

The setting of the display off function is enabled / disabled, for example, by pressing and holding a predetermined switch (for example, a switch SW7) of the operation panel 20 for 3 seconds when the refrigerating apparatus is started up, so that the LED display section 11 and the liquid crystal display are turned off. Display 1
2 is an initial setting display. In this state, the display off function is enabled / disabled while referring to the display unit 10. Here, when "valid" is set, the display extinguishing function operates, and when "invalid" is set, the display extinguishing function does not operate.

As a means for controlling the LED display section 11 to be turned off at night when the display turn-off function is effective, the LED is turned off by operating the operation panel 20 by the operator. The computer 65 is connected and turned off using a command from the computer 65. The control unit 30 is automatically turned off by the output of the optical sensor 53. The control unit 30 is automatically turned off at a predetermined time. Conceivable. Hereinafter, these light-off functions will be described.

First, in the case of turning off the light by operating the operation panel, the operator operates the switch of the operation panel 20 when the surrounding area becomes dark. For example, an operation of pressing the switch SW2 shown in FIG. 3 twice is performed. By performing this switch operation, the CPU 31 performs a display extinguishing process.

Here, the display turning-off processing is such that the CPU 31 outputs to the display unit 10 a command to turn off all the display of the LED display unit 11 and displays “OFF” or the like on the liquid crystal display unit 12. To order. When the display unit 10 receives a command from the CPU 31, it switches the display states of the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 according to the command. The CPU 31 displays “OF” on the liquid crystal display unit 12.
By displaying "F" or the like, it is possible to prevent the operator from erroneously recognizing the refrigeration apparatus as a stopped state or a failure state. Therefore, the content displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12 is L
Any content may be used as long as it can be recognized that the ED display unit 11 has been turned off. In this way, the LED display section 11 is turned off.

When the LED display section 11 is turned on again, the operator operates the switch of the operation panel 20 again. By this switch operation, the CPU 31 performs a display lighting process.

The display lighting process is performed on the display unit 10 by LE.
A command to turn on all the displays on the D display unit 11 is output, and the display state of the liquid crystal display unit 12 is instructed to display a normal temperature set value, a temperature history, and the like. In this way, the display unit 10 sets the LE based on the command from the CPU 31.
The lighting of the D display unit 11 is performed, and the display unit 10 returns to the normal display state.

As described above, the operator operates the operation panel 20.
The operation of turning off the LED display unit 11 by operating the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is as shown in FIG. 4, which will be described. First, in step S11, it is determined whether the display extinguishing function is valid or invalid. When the display extinguishing function is invalid, the extinguishing of the LED display unit 11 is not performed, so that the process does not proceed to the subsequent processing. If the display turn-off function is valid, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined turn-off operation has been performed by the operator. If "YES", the display turn-off process is performed in step S13, and the LED display unit 11 is turned off and the liquid crystal display unit 12 displays that the LED display unit 11 is turned off. If “NO” is determined in step S12, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether or not a predetermined lighting operation has been performed by the operator. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step S15. If “NO”, the process returns to step S11. In step S15, a display lighting process is performed to bring the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 into a normal display state. Thus, the processing by the CPU 31 is performed based on the switch operation of the operator.

As a result, the operator can turn off the LED display section 11 by a simple switch operation as required, which is easier than the conventional operation of attaching a thick paper or board to the LED display section. And work can be performed in a short time.

Next, a case where the light is turned off by the centralized management system 62 or the computer 65 will be described. FIG.
When the light is turned off by the centralized management system 62 or the computer 65 directly connected to the control unit 30 as shown in the figure, the centralized management system 62 is turned off under predetermined conditions, for example, when the periphery of the ship becomes dark or at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the light-off command is sent from the computer 65 to the CPU of the control unit 30.
31 is output. Then, when receiving the light-off command, the CPU 31 performs a display light-off process. This display turn-off process is the same as described above. The LED display unit 11 is turned off, and information indicating that the LED display unit 11 is turned off is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12.

When the LED display section 11 is turned on again, the central management system 62 or the computer 65
A lighting command is transmitted. When the CPU 31 receives the lighting command, the same display lighting processing as described above is performed, the LED display unit 11 is turned on, and the liquid crystal display unit 12 returns to the normal display state.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off the LED display unit 11 by the centralized management system 62 or the computer 65, which will be described. First, in step S21, it is determined whether the display extinguishing function is valid or invalid. If the display extinguishing function is invalid, the LED display unit 11 is not turned off, so that the process does not proceed. If the display turn-off function is valid, the process proceeds to step S22, and it is determined whether a turn-off command has been received from the centralized management system 62 or the computer 65. If "YES", step S
23, the display turning-off process is performed, and the LED display unit 11
Is turned off and the LED display unit 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12.
An indication that 1 is off is displayed. Step S2
If it is determined “NO” in 2, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined whether or not a lighting command has been received, and if "YES", the flow proceeds to step S25.
If “NO”, the process returns to the step S21. Step S2
In 5, the display lighting process is performed to bring the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 into a normal display state. In this way, the processing by the CPU 31 is performed based on the command transmitted from the central management system 62 or the computer 65.

As a result, the operator can operate the central control system 62 or the computer 65 as necessary to transmit a light-off command, thereby turning off the LED display unit 11. LE
The work can be performed easily and in a short time as compared with the work of pasting on the D display unit. Furthermore, centralized management system 6
In the case of turning off the light by the method 2, the light-off command can be transmitted to all the containers loaded on the shipping vessel at a time, so that the light can be turned off more efficiently.

Next, a case where the light is turned off by monitoring the output of the optical sensor 53 will be described. The optical sensor 53 shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that the output level of the output signal decreases as the amount of received light decreases. And CPU
The monitor 31 monitors the output of the optical sensor 53, and when the output of the optical sensor 53 falls below a predetermined level, determines that the periphery of the ship has become dark, performs a display extinguishing process, and performs LED display 1
1 is turned off, and information indicating that the LED display unit 11 is turned off is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12.

When the output level from the optical sensor 53 becomes higher than the above-mentioned predetermined level, the CPU 31 determines that the periphery has become brighter, performs a display lighting process, turns on the LED display section 11, and turns on the liquid crystal display. The display unit 12 is returned to the normal display state.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off the LED display unit 11 according to the output level of the optical sensor 53, which will be described. First, in step S31, it is determined whether the display extinguishing function is valid or invalid. When the display extinguishing function is invalid, the LED display unit 11 is not turned off, so that the process does not proceed. If the display turn-off function is valid, the process proceeds to step S32, and the CPU 31 checks the output level of the optical sensor 53. Then, it is determined whether or not the output level of the optical sensor 53 is equal to or lower than a predetermined level (Step S)
32). The predetermined level is stored in the memory 32 in advance, and the CPU 31 reads out the predetermined level from the memory 32 when comparing with the output level of the optical sensor 53. Then, if "YES" is determined in the step S32, that is, if the periphery is dark, the process proceeds to a step S33 to perform a display extinguishing process. Then, in step S33, the LED display section 11 is turned off, and the liquid crystal display section 12 displays that the LED display section 11 is turned off. In step S32, "N
If "O" is determined, that is, if the periphery is bright, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, a display lighting process is performed to bring the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 into a normal display state. Thus, the processing by the CPU 31 is performed based on the output level of the optical sensor 53.

Thus, the control unit 30 can automatically detect that the surroundings have become dark and turn off the LED display unit 11. It is possible to extremely efficiently turn off the LED display unit 11 as compared with the operation of attaching the LED display unit to the LED display unit 11.

Next, a case where the control unit 30 automatically turns off the light at a predetermined time will be described. CP shown in FIG.
U31 can perform time management by counting clock pulses generated every predetermined time by the clock 33, and is configured to control turning off and on of the LED display unit 11 based on the time. Then, the operator inputs in advance the turn-off time for turning off the LED display unit 11 and the turn-on time for turning on the LED display unit 11, and stores the turn-off time and the turn-on time in the memory 32. Then, when the light-off time comes, the CPU 31 performs the display light-off processing, and when the light-on time comes, the display lighting processing is performed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off the LED display section 11 based on the turning-off time and the turning-on time, and this will be described.
First, it is determined in step S41 whether the display extinguishing function is valid or invalid. If the display extinguishing function is invalid, the LED display unit 11 is not turned off, so that the process does not proceed. If the display turn-off function is valid, the process proceeds to step S42, and the CPU 31 checks whether or not the turn-off time is reached. Then, if it is the light-off time, the process proceeds to step S43, and the display light-off process is performed. In step S43, L
The ED display 11 is turned off and the liquid crystal display 12
An indication that the ED display unit 11 is turned off is displayed. Also,
If "NO" is determined in the step S42, the process proceeds to a step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether or not it is the lighting time, and if "NO", the process proceeds to step S41.
And if "YES", the process proceeds to step S45. Then, in step S45, the CPU 31 performs a display lighting process to bring the LED display unit 11 and the liquid crystal display unit 12 into a normal display state. In this way, the processing by the CPU 31 is performed based on the light-off time and the light-on time.

Instead of setting the light-off time and the light-on time, a light-off time and a light-off time for how long the light-off state is set may be set. The flowchart in this case is as shown in FIG. First, in step S51, it is determined whether the display extinguishing function is valid or invalid. If the display extinguishing function is invalid, the process does not proceed to the subsequent processing. When the display turn-off function is valid, the process proceeds to step S52,
The CPU 31 checks whether or not the light-off time has elapsed. If the light-off time has not yet elapsed, the process goes to step S51.
Returning to step S53, if the light-off time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S53.

For example, if the day is from 0:00 to 24:00,
In the case where management is performed on a four-hour basis, it is determined that the light-off time has elapsed when the current time is greater than the light-off time by comparing the current time and the light-off time. Therefore, after the light-off time has elapsed, “YES” is always determined until 0:00 next time, and thereafter, “NO” is determined until the light-off time is reached again. When making such a determination, it is preferable that the 0:00 standard can be set arbitrarily separately from the actual time so that there is no 0:00 standard during the turn-off time.

Then, in a step S53, it is checked whether or not a timer for counting a light-off time is operating. If the timer is operating, the process proceeds to step S55, and if the timer is not operating, the process proceeds to step S54. After the CPU 31 starts the timer operation by counting the clock pulses from the clock 33 in step S54, the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S55, the timer value of the operating timer is checked to determine whether or not the light-off time has been reached. If the timer value has not reached the turn-off time, the determination is "NO" and the process proceeds to step S56. If the timer value has reached the turn-off time, the determination is "YES" and the process proceeds to step S57. Note that the process in step S55 only determines the timer value, and does not stop the timer operation even when the determination is "YES".

In step S56, the LED display section 11 is turned off, and the liquid crystal display section 12 displays that the LED display section 11 is turned off.

If "YES" is determined in the step S55, the current time is set to 24 in a step S57.
It is determined whether or not the time (that is, the next 0:00) has elapsed. Here, if it is determined to be “YES”, step S
Proceeding to step S58, if it is determined to be "NO", step S5
Go to 9. In step S58, the time measurement of the timer is stopped and the timer value is cleared. Step S59
Then, the LED display section 11 and the liquid crystal display section 12 are brought into a normal display state. In this way, the processing by the CPU 31 is performed based on the light-off time and the light-off time.

Thus, when the light-off time comes, the control unit 30
Can automatically turn off the LED display unit 11, and the LED display unit 1 is extremely efficient without operator's work.
1 can be turned off.

As described above, in the control device 100 of the refrigeration apparatus shown in this embodiment, the CPU 31 can turn off the LED display section 11 provided on the display section 10.
Generally, the operation of a refrigeration system attached to a shipping container should be continuously maintained during the transportation of the container. Therefore, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus cannot be stopped just because it is night during transportation, so that only the LED display unit 11 can be turned off while the operation of the refrigeration apparatus is continued by the simple operation as described above. What can be done is particularly beneficial for refrigeration systems in shipping containers. In addition, it is possible to maintain the quality of the baggage inside the container to be transported, and to prevent other ships from erroneously recognizing a nighttime signal light or the like.

Although this embodiment has been described as being a refrigeration apparatus, the apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the refrigeration apparatus. Any device may be used as long as it is a cooling device for maintaining the temperature.

[0055]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the LED display section can be automatically turned off.
In the cooling device that needs to be continuously operated, it is possible to efficiently avoid erroneously recognizing another ship as a night signal light or the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the LED is automatically
The display unit can be turned off, and in a cooling device that needs to be operated continuously, it is possible to efficiently prevent other ships from erroneously recognizing a night signal lamp or the like, and the LED display unit is used by the operator. It can be confirmed that the lamp is turned off, and there is no erroneous recognition that the refrigerating apparatus has stopped or failed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the LED display can be turned off easily and efficiently in a short time by the operation of the operator.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the LED display section can be automatically turned off at a predetermined time, and the work of the operator can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the LED display section can be automatically turned off in accordance with the surrounding brightness.
Operator work can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to turn off the LED display unit based on a command from the remote control means.
There is no need to cover the display unit, so that work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off an LED display unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off an LED display unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off an LED display unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off an LED display unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for turning off an LED display unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 control device, 10 display unit, 11 LED display unit, 12 liquid crystal display unit, 20 operation panel, 30 control unit, 31 CPU, 51 blow-out air temperature sensor, 52
Suction air temperature sensor, 53 optical sensor, 62 centralized control system, 65 computer, 200 refrigeration system

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A device for controlling the operation of a cooling device attached to a shipping container, comprising: (a) a display means (10) including an LED display section (11); Control means (30) for outputting a display signal indicating the content to be displayed on the LED display section, wherein the control means can turn off the LED display section regardless of the presence or absence of the content to be displayed on the LED display section. A control device for a cooling device. 2. A device for controlling the operation of a cooling device attached to a shipping container, comprising: (a) a display means (10) including an LED display section (11) and a liquid crystal display section (12); (b) control means (30) for outputting a display signal indicating contents to be displayed on the LED display unit and the liquid crystal display unit
The control means is capable of turning off the LED display unit regardless of the presence or absence of the content to be displayed on the LED display unit, and when turning off the LED display unit, A control device for a cooling device, wherein information indicating that the LED display unit is turned off is displayed. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein (c) an operation input means (20) for inputting input information.
The control device for a cooling device, wherein the control unit turns off the LED display unit based on the input information. 4. The cooling device control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns off the LED display unit at a preset time. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (c) an optical sensor (53) for performing an output in accordance with a peripheral light amount, wherein the control unit determines the output level in advance. A control device for a cooling device, comprising: performing a comparison with a set level; and, when it is determined from the result of the comparison that the light amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the LED display unit is turned off. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (c) remote control means (62; 65) for transmitting a command to the control means by communicating with the control means. The control device for a cooling device, wherein the control unit turns off the LED display unit based on the command.