KR20060059027A - Apparatus and method for testing a performance of hr unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting a distributor which is one of air conditioners and a method thereof.

A communication unit for communicating with the distributor side controller; A key operation unit for receiving a dispenser inspection start command; A display unit for displaying a test result according to a dispenser test item; And a control unit for generating a command signal for sequentially controlling the operation of the distributor according to the distributor inspection start command and transmitting the command signal to the distributor side controller.

The control unit generates a command signal for checking whether communication with the distributor side controller is normal, and a command signal for checking whether the valves provided in the distributor side operate normally.

Distributor, performance inspection, air conditioning valve.

Description

Dispenser inspection device and its method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING A PERFORMANCE OF HR UNIT}

1 is a configuration diagram of a general multi-type air conditioner.

Figure 2 is an exemplary view of the heating and cooling piping connection of the multi-type air conditioner shown in FIG.

Figure 3 is a distributor inspection apparatus and a distributor block configuration connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a distributor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7 are views for explaining a valve abnormality check process according to the distributor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a distributor for an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for inspecting a distributor that is one of the air conditioners.

Multi-type air conditioners are air conditioning facilities that are already common in developed countries such as Europe and Japan. The demand for multi-type air conditioners has also increased as the city's functions have been advanced and the standard of living of the people began to improve in the mid 90's. It is spreading rapidly.

A multi-type air conditioner is a cooling and heating system that connects a plurality of indoor units to a refrigerant pipe in one outdoor unit and is also called a system air conditioner. These multi-type air conditioners do not require additional mechanical equipment such as a machine room or cooling tower air conditioner required by the central air-conditioning system, so the space-saving air construction cost is inexpensive, and can be turned on and off with simple operation. It has the advantage of not having to put it.

 The configuration of the multi-type air conditioner and the heating and cooling piping connection configuration are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

1 and 2, a general multi-type air conditioner has a structure in which a distributor B is connected to an outdoor unit A, and each of the distributors B includes a plurality of indoor units C1, C2, and C3. It is a structure that is connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit A is provided with a compressor 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 2, and the like, and the distributor B is provided with liquefied cut-off means and a plurality of air-conditioning valves 30. . Each indoor unit C1, C2, C3 is provided with indoor heat exchangers 62a, 62b, 62c, electromagnetic expansion valves 61a, 61b, 61c and the like.

In the multi-type air conditioner having a piping structure as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit A is the valve 30 of the distributor B according to the operating conditions (cooling main operation, heating main operation, etc.). It is distributed to the selected indoor unit C through the control. In this air conditioner, the performance of the distributor B, which is responsible for the circulation control of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit, can be directly related to the performance of the entire air conditioner. Therefore, the performance of the distributor B is comprehensively determined from the product shipment stage. Although it is necessary to check, it is common to check the performance of the distributor B through the operation after completion of the system construction.

However, in such a case, a lot of time and effort should be spent in detecting which part of the dispenser has failed, and if a replacement is required due to a dispenser defect, a problem arises that reconstruction is to be made.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a distributor inspection apparatus and method for comprehensively inspecting the operation of the distributor.

Distributor inspection device for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A communication unit for communicating with the distributor side controller;

A key operation unit for receiving a dispenser inspection start command;

A display unit for displaying a test result according to a dispenser test item;

And a control unit for generating a command signal for sequentially controlling the operation of the distributor according to the distributor inspection start command and transmitting the command signal to the distributor side controller.

The control unit generates a command signal for checking whether communication with the distributor side controller is normal, and a command signal for checking whether the valves provided in the distributor side operate normally.

Furthermore, the controller may further generate a command signal for requesting transmission of output values of the temperature sensors on the distributor side,

The command signal generated by the controller is

A command signal for checking whether the distributor side low pressure valves are normally operated;

A command signal for checking whether the distributor side high pressure valves are normally operated;

A command signal for checking whether the distributor side condensate removal valve is normally operated;

And a command signal for checking whether the distributor side subcooled expansion valve is normally operated.

According to the configuration as described above, since the distributor inspection device first checks whether there is a communication error with the distributor side controller and generates a command signal for operating the valves and the temperature sensing sensors provided at the distributor side, By checking the gas discharge state according to the operation of the valves it is possible to check the abnormality of the valves provided on the distributor side, as well as the abnormality of the temperature sensor.

Furthermore, the distributor inspection method according to another embodiment of the present invention is a method executable in an external device that can communicate with the controller of the distributor for an air conditioner,

Generating a command signal for checking whether there is a communication error with the distributor side controller, and transmitting the command signal to the controller side and displaying a response result;

Generating a command signal for checking whether the valves provided at the distributor side normally operate and transmitting the command signal to the controller side;

And generating a command signal for requesting transmission of output values of the splitter side temperature sensors and transmitting the command signal to the controller side and displaying a response result thereof.

According to the characteristics of the present invention, it is possible to check whether there is an abnormality in the distributor in the outdoor unit controller without a separate inspection device.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a distributor inspection apparatus 100 and a distributor 200 connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser inspection apparatus 100 includes a display unit 110 for displaying an inspection result according to a dispenser inspection item, a key operation unit 120 for receiving a dispenser inspection start command, and a dispenser inspection device. And a memory 130 in which control program data for controlling the overall operation of the apparatus 100 is stored. The memory 130 may be one-chip IC with the control unit 140 to be described later.

On the other hand, the distributor inspection apparatus 100 generates a command signal for sequentially controlling the operation of the distributor according to the communication unit 150 for performing communication with the distributor side controller 220, which will be described later, and the distributor inspection start command to the distributor side controller And a control unit 140 for transmitting to the control unit 220, wherein the control unit 140 includes a command signal for checking whether communication with the distributor side controller 220 is performed and valves provided at the distributor 200 side. Inspect the distributor by generating a command signal to check normal operation. In addition, the control unit 140 further generates a command signal for requesting the output value transmission of the temperature detection sensors (subcooling outlet sensor, subcooling inlet sensor, liquid pipe sensor) on the distributor 200 side, and thus the temperature located on the distributor 200. It is possible to check the abnormality of the detection sensors.

On the other hand, when the configuration of the distributor 200 that can be electrically connected to the distributor inspection device having the above-described configuration, first, the distributor 200, the communication unit 210 for smooth communication with the inspection device 100, and In accordance with the command signal transmitted through the communication unit 210 includes a distributor controller 220 for controlling the drive of the various valves provided on the distributor 200 side. In addition, the distributor 200 is provided with a valve driving unit 230 for opening and closing the valve under the control of the distributor controller 220, the temperature sensor 240 including a liquid pipe sensor, a subcooling inlet sensor, a subcooling outlet sensor It has a configuration to include.

For reference, as shown in FIG. 5, the various valves provided on the distributor 200 side include the high pressure valves V1 for heating, the low pressure valves for cooling V2, the condensate removing valve V4, and the supercooled expansion valve. (LEV) (V3) etc. are mentioned, for example.

Hereinafter, a method of inspecting an abnormality of the distributor 200 by using the distributor inspection apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. It is preferable to perform this distributor inspection before the product is shipped, but it can be done during system construction or after system construction.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a distributor inspection method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a valve abnormality check process according to the distributor inspection method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It shows a drawing for.

First, the operator who wants to inspect the distributor 200 connects the communication unit 150 and the distributor 200 side communication unit 210 of the distributor inspection apparatus 100 through a communication line. As shown in FIG. 5, the gas tank for nitrogen injection is first connected to a high-pressure engine protruding outside the distributor 200 to complete the inspection preparation operation. At this time, it is assumed that the valves V1, V2, V3, and V4 of the distributor 200 are kept closed and the liquid pipe is blocked by the operator.

As described above, when the inspection preparation work is completed, the operator supplies power to the dispenser inspection apparatus 100 and the dispenser 200 and then inputs a dispenser inspection start command through the key manipulation unit 120. In response to the dispenser inspection start command input (step 300), the controller 140 of the dispenser inspection apparatus 100 generates a command signal for checking whether there is a communication error with the controller 220 of the distributor 200, and generates the command signal. 220 and the response result is received and displayed on the display unit 110 (step 310). For example, if the command signal for checking whether the communication abnormality is transmitted including checksum information, the distributor controller 220 may check whether there is a communication abnormality through the checksum information, and the result of the distributor inspection apparatus again. By returning to the (100) side, the control unit 140 is to be able to display to the operator whether the communication performance of the distributor 200 side is normal.

On the other hand, if the communication failure with the distributor 200 is checked, the control unit 140 of the inspection apparatus 100 generates a command signal for checking the normal operation of the valves provided on the distributor 200, respectively, the distributor controller ( 220).

In more detail, first, the control unit 140 generates a command signal for checking whether the high pressure valves V1 for heating of the distributor 200 normally operate at regular intervals, for example, at intervals of three seconds, for example. 220 to output (step 320). That is, after generating and outputting a command signal for opening ① high pressure valve V1, a command signal for closing ① high pressure valve V1 is generated and output after 3 seconds. After 3 seconds, command signal for opening ② high-pressure valve is generated and output, and after 3 seconds, command signal for closing the valve is generated and output. According to this method, the heating high pressure valve V1 provided in the distributor 200 may be sequentially opened and closed. Of course, it is obvious that the distributor controller 220 receiving the command signal controls the valve by controlling the valve driver 230.

 For reference, FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a distributor 200 having four heating high pressure valves V1 and four cooling low pressure valves V2. As shown, a pair of high pressure valve (V1) and low pressure valve (V2) has a structure connected to the engine connected to the indoor unit.

On the other hand, when a command signal for controlling the opening and closing of the high pressure valves for heating (V1) in the manner described above occurs in the inspection apparatus 100, the distributor controller 220 receives this to open or close the corresponding high pressure valve. If the high pressure valve (V1) for heating is sequentially opened in the state that the nitrogen gas is injected through the high pressure engine as shown in Figure 5 it is visual that the nitrogen gas is discharged through the engine connected to the corresponding high pressure valve (V1) This can be confirmed by the method. Therefore, the operator can check the normal operation of the high-pressure valves (V1) for heating by checking the nitrogen gas discharged to each of the four engines.

If you use a sensor that responds to nitrogen gas, you can automatically indicate on the display whether the high-pressure valves are operating normally without depending on the operator's vision.

As described above, when the normal operation check step for the heating high pressure valves V1 is completed, the operator connects an engine connected to each indoor unit to check whether the cooling low pressure valves V2 are normally operated as shown in FIG. 6. Prevent. And a command for checking the normal operation of the cooling low pressure valve (V2) is issued. In response to the command, the controller 140 generates and outputs a command signal for checking whether the cooling low pressure valves V2 are normally operated, in operation 330. These command signals are also generated at intervals of 3 seconds and are transmitted to the distributor controller 220. That is, after generating and outputting a command signal for opening the ① heating high pressure valve (V1) and the ① cooling low pressure valve (V2) located at the lowest floor of the distributor 200, the high pressure valve (1) ) And ① command signal to close cooling low pressure valve (V2) is generated and output. Then, after 3 seconds, open and close the four pairs of high pressure valves (V1) and low pressure valves (V2) by generating a command signal to open ② high pressure valve (V1) and ② low pressure valve (V2). Generates and outputs a command signal. The command signal output in this manner is received by the distributor controller 220, so that the distributor controller 220 can open or close the corresponding valve. If a command signal for opening the ① high pressure valve (1) for heating and the low pressure valve (1) for cooling (1) for ① located at the lowest floor of the distributor 200 is generated, nitrogen gas injected through the high pressure engine as shown in FIG. The outlet is discharged to the outside through the low pressure engine through the high pressure valve for heating (V1) and the cooling low pressure valve (V2) located at the bottom of the distributor 200.

Therefore, the operator can check the normal operation of the first cooling low pressure valve, and the four low pressure valves for cooling by the output of the command signal for sequentially opening and closing control of the four pairs of valves (V1, V2) ( V2) All of the operations can be checked.

On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 4, the operator can input a command for checking the normal operation of the condensate removal valve (V4) through the key operation unit 120. In response to the command, the controller 140 generates and outputs a command signal for checking whether the condensate removal valve V4 is in normal operation. The command signal at this time opens the condensate removal valve V4 as shown in FIG. When the condensate removal valve (V4) is open, the operator can confirm that the nitrogen gas is discharged through the low pressure engine, it is possible to check whether the normal operation of the condensate removal valve (V4).

As described above, when the normal operation check step for the cooling low pressure valves (V2) and the condensate removal valve (V4) is completed, the operator then checks whether the subcooled expansion valve (LEV) (V3) is operating normally. In order to check the normal operation of the subcooled expansion valve (LEV) (V3) after connecting the nitrogen gas tank to the liquid pipe as shown in FIG. In response to the command, the controller 140 generates and outputs a command signal for checking whether the subcooled expansion valve LEV V3 is in normal operation (step 340). The command signal at this time is a command signal for opening the subcooled expansion valve V3. As described above, if nitrogen gas is injected through the liquid pipe while the subcooled expansion valve V3 is opened, the nitrogen gas injected into the liquid pipe is discharged through the low pressure engine as shown in FIG. 7.

Therefore, the operator can check whether the subcooled expansion valve (V3) is operating normally. For reference, the opened supercooled expansion valve V3 is closed by a newly generated command signal after about 15 seconds.

As described above, when all the valves provided on the distributor 200 have been checked for abnormality, the controller 140 responds to an automatic or manual input so that the operator requests transmission of output values of the temperature sensor on the distributor 200. The command signal is generated and transmitted to the distributor controller 220. The distributor controller 220 reads the values output from the temperature sensor 240, more specifically, the liquid pipe sensor, the subcooled inlet sensor, and the subcooled outlet sensor, and returns them to the controller 140, thereby controlling the controller ( 140 displays them on the display unit 110 (350).

Therefore, the operator will be able to check whether or not the normal operation of the temperature sensor on the distributor 200 side.

In conclusion, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser inspection apparatus 100 first checks whether there is a communication error with the controller 220 of the distributor 200, and then operates the valves and the temperature sensing sensors provided at the distributor side. Since the command signal is generated, the operator can check the gas discharge state according to the operation of the valves to check whether the valves provided on the distributor side as well as whether the temperature sensor is abnormal.

In the above, the separate distributor inspection apparatus 100 checks whether the distributor 200 is abnormal, but the controller of the outdoor unit may check the abnormality of the distributor 200 by mounting the above-described inspection algorithm.

As described above, since the present invention can comprehensively inspect the performance of the dispenser through the dispenser inspection device, the reliability of the product can be improved by checking the performance of the dispenser before shipment or construction before shipment or construction. And, there is an advantage that can detect in advance the error occurred during production.

In addition, there is an advantage in minimizing the waste of human, time, and material costs that can occur due to the construction of the distributor having a defect.

On the other hand, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

In the air conditioner distributor inspection apparatus, A communication unit for communicating with the distributor side controller; A key operation unit for receiving a dispenser inspection start command; A display unit for displaying a test result according to a dispenser test item; And a control unit for generating a command signal for sequentially controlling the operation of the distributor according to the distributor inspection start command and transmitting the command signal to the distributor side controller. And the control unit generates a command signal for checking whether there is a communication error with the distributor side controller, and a command signal for checking whether the valves provided in the distributor side operate normally. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a command signal for requesting transmission of output values of the temperature sensors on the distributor side. The method according to claim 1, wherein the command signal generated by the control unit, A command signal for checking whether the distributor side low pressure valves are normally operated; A command signal for checking whether the distributor side high pressure valves are normally operated; A command signal for checking whether the distributor side condensate removal valve is normally operated; And a command signal for checking whether the distributor side subcooled expansion valve is normally operated. In the dispenser inspection method executable in an external device that can communicate with the controller of the distributor for the air conditioner, Generating a command signal for checking whether there is a communication error with the distributor side controller, and transmitting the command signal to the controller side and displaying a response result; Generating a command signal for checking whether the valves provided at the distributor side normally operate and transmitting the command signal to the controller side; And generating a command signal requesting transmission of output values of the temperature sensors on the distributor side, transmitting the command signal to the controller, and displaying a response result thereof. The method of claim 4, wherein the command signal for checking whether the valves provided on the distributor side operates normally, A command signal for checking whether the distributor side low pressure valves are normally operated; A command signal for checking whether the distributor side high pressure valves are normally operated; A command signal for checking whether the distributor side condensate removal valve is normally operated; And a command signal for checking whether the distributor side subcooled expansion valve is normally operated.

Images