WO2018225419A1 - Refrigerant volume estimation device and refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerant volume estimation device (30) is applied to a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle device (20) that is mounted to a mobile body (1) and that has a refrigerant circulation circuit (200). The refrigerant volume estimation device comprises a refrigerant volume estimation unit (30a) that estimates the volume of refrigerant in the circulation circuit on the basis of a prescribed estimation parameter and a physical quantity that includes the state quantity of the refrigerant while the refrigeration cycle device is operating. The refrigerant volume estimation device comprises a parameter correction unit (30b) that corrects the estimation parameter so that the refrigerant volume estimated by the refrigerant volume estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant volume measured during refrigerant charging. The refrigerant volume estimation unit estimates the refrigerant volume in the circulation circuit on the basis of the physical quantity that includes the state quantity of the refrigerant and the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit.

Description

Refrigerant amount estimation device, refrigeration cycle device Cross-reference to related applications

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-111860 filed on June 6, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant amount estimation device that estimates a refrigerant amount in a circulation circuit through which a refrigerant circulates, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes the refrigerant amount estimation device.

Vapor compression type refrigeration cycle devices suffer from problems such as reduced cooling capacity when the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit is insufficient. Further, if the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit is excessive, problems such as stagnation of liquid refrigerant in the condenser and suction of liquid refrigerant into the compressor occur. Accordingly, various methods for charging an appropriate amount of refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit in the refrigeration cycle apparatus have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-232579 A

By the way, in a refrigeration cycle apparatus used for air conditioning of a house, a building, etc., a highly airtight hermetic compressor is adopted, and various pipes are joined by welding, so that substantially no refrigerant leakage occurs. It has a configuration.

On the other hand, in a refrigeration cycle apparatus mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, a semi-hermetic or open type compressor is adopted for the convenience of maintenance, or a circulation circuit is used to absorb vibration during movement of the moving body. It is necessary to adopt rubber piping for some parts. For this reason, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus mounted on the moving body, a small amount of refrigerant leakage (so-called slow leak) is unavoidable from a part of the compressor and piping.

On the other hand, the refrigerant in the circulation circuit is based on general-purpose arithmetic expressions including parameters determined based on the results of tests performed in advance and state quantities such as the temperature and pressure of refrigerant in the circulation circuit as in Patent Document 1. It is conceivable to estimate the quantity.

However, as in Patent Document 1, if a parameter used in a general-purpose arithmetic expression is a fixed value, for example, an error due to individual differences in functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus occurs, so that sufficient estimation accuracy of the refrigerant amount is ensured. I can't.

The present disclosure is intended to provide a refrigerant amount estimation device capable of accurately estimating the refrigerant amount and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the refrigerant amount estimation device.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the refrigerant amount estimation device is applied to a vapor compression refrigeration cycle device that is mounted on a moving body and has a refrigerant circulation circuit. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a circulation circuit that is mounted on a moving body and circulates refrigerant, and a refrigerant amount estimation device that estimates a refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit.

The refrigerant quantity estimation device in each aspect is
A refrigerant quantity estimation unit that estimates a refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on a physical quantity including a refrigerant state quantity during operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and a predetermined estimation parameter;
A parameter correction unit that corrects the estimated parameter so that the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant amount measured when the refrigerant is charged;
It is comprised including.

Then, the refrigerant quantity estimation unit estimates the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on the physical quantity including the refrigerant state quantity and the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit.

According to this, the estimation parameter used for estimating the refrigerant amount is corrected so that the refrigerant amount estimated when the actual refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated is close to the actual refrigerant quantity. It is possible to reduce errors due to individual differences. As a result, the amount of refrigerant can be estimated with high accuracy.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the vehicle carrying the refrigeration cycle apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram showing a schematic structure of a refrigerating cycle device of a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a Mollier diagram which shows the state of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of operation | movement of a refrigerating-cycle apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the change over time of the refrigerant | coolant amount in a circulation circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the correction coefficient calculation process which the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus of 1st Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation process which the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus of 1st Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the correction coefficient calculation process which the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the change of the refrigerant | coolant amount estimated by the general purpose estimation formula at the time of operation | movement of a refrigerating-cycle apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts as those described in the preceding embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted. Further, in the embodiment, when only a part of the constituent elements are described, the constituent elements described in the preceding embodiment can be applied to the other parts of the constituent elements. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other even if they are not particularly specified as long as they do not cause any trouble in the combination.

(First embodiment)
This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, an example in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 of the present disclosure is mounted on an automobile 1 that is a moving body will be described. The automobile 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an engine 10 that functions as a driving source for traveling and a driving source for the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is applied to a vehicle air conditioner that air-conditions the interior space of the automobile 1. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 functions to cool the air blown into the vehicle interior space until it reaches a desired temperature.

2, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is configured as a vapor compression refrigeration cycle including a circulation circuit 200 in which a refrigerant circulates, a compressor 21, a radiator 22, a decompression device 23, and an evaporator 24.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 employs R134a, which is an HFC refrigerant, as the refrigerant. Note that oil that lubricates the compressor 21 (that is, refrigeration oil) is mixed in the refrigerant. Part of the oil circulates in the circulation circuit 200 together with the refrigerant.

The compressor 21 is a device that compresses and discharges the sucked refrigerant. The compressor 21 includes a reciprocating compression mechanism. Note that the compressor 21 may include a rotary compression mechanism.

The compressor 21 of the present embodiment is configured to be driven by a rotational driving force output from the external engine 10. The compressor 21 of the present embodiment is configured as a variable capacity compressor capable of changing the refrigerant discharge capacity.

The compressor 21 of the present embodiment is configured as an open type compressor. Specifically, the compressor 21 of the present embodiment has a power transmission mechanism 213 such as a pulley and a belt such that a shaft 212 that protrudes outside through the housing 211 is rotated by a driving force from the engine 10. To the output shaft 10a of the engine 10.

Furthermore, the compressor 21 of the present embodiment is provided with an electromagnetic clutch 214 that turns on / off transmission of the rotational driving force from the engine 10. The compressor 21 of the present embodiment is configured to stop its operation when the electromagnetic clutch 214 is turned off.

Here, in the compressor 21 of the present embodiment, a portion where the shaft 212 passes through the housing 211 is sealed by a seal member 215 such as a mechanical seal or a lip seal. The seal member 215 is made of a polymer material containing a resin. The polymer material has gas permeability. For this reason, in the compressor 21, the refrigerant inside the housing 211 may gradually permeate outside through the seal member 215.

Subsequently, the heat radiator 22 exchanges heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 with the outside air introduced from the outdoor blower 221 or the outside air introduced by the ram pressure during travel of the automobile 1. It is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat. The radiator 22 of the present embodiment is disposed in a front portion of the engine room where outside air is introduced by the ram pressure when the automobile 1 is traveling. The refrigerant flowing into the radiator 22 is condensed by heat exchange with the outside air. Note that the outside air passes through the radiator 22 as indicated by a broken line arrow AFo in FIG.

Subsequently, the decompression device 23 is an expansion valve that decompresses and expands the refrigerant that has passed through the radiator 22. As the decompression device 23, for example, a temperature type expansion valve configured so that the temperature on the outlet side of the evaporator 24 can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature is employed.

Subsequently, the evaporator 24 is a heat exchanger that evaporates the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the decompression device 23 by heat exchange with the blown air supplied from the indoor blower 241 that blows air into the vehicle interior space. . The blown air supplied from the indoor blower 241 passes through the evaporator 24 as indicated by a broken line arrow AFc in FIG. When passing through the evaporator 24, the blown air supplied from the indoor blower 241 is cooled to a desired temperature by the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant, and then blown out into the vehicle interior.

Subsequently, the circulation circuit 200 is a closed circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor 21, the radiator 22, the decompression device 23, and the evaporator 24 through a plurality of pipes 201 to 204. Specifically, the circulation circuit 200 includes a first high-pressure pipe 201 that connects the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 21 and the refrigerant inlet side of the radiator 22, the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22, and the refrigerant inlet side of the decompression device 23. The second high-pressure pipe 202 is connected. The circulation circuit 200 connects the first low-pressure pipe 203 connecting the refrigerant outlet side of the decompression device 23 and the refrigerant inlet side of the evaporator 24, and connects the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24 and the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 21. The second low-pressure pipe 204 is configured.

The high- pressure pipes 201 and 202 and the low- pressure pipes 203 and 204 are basically composed of metal pipes. However, the first high-pressure pipe 201 is a first polymer pipe partially containing a polymer material (for example, rubber or resin) having excellent flexibility in order to absorb vibration of the engine 10 or the compressor 21. 201a. Similarly, the second low-pressure pipe 204 is a second polymer partly containing a polymer material (for example, rubber or resin) having excellent flexibility in order to absorb vibrations of the engine 10 and the compressor 21. It is comprised by the piping 204a.

Since each polymer pipe 201a, 204a has higher gas permeability than a part constituted by a metal pipe, the refrigerant flowing inside may gradually permeate to the outside. In particular, since the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 flows through the first polymer pipe 201a, the refrigerant tends to easily leak to the outside.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, a slow leak of refrigerant from the seal member 215 of the compressor 21 and the polymer pipes 201a and 204a is unavoidable. For this reason, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 includes a refrigerant amount estimation device 30 that estimates the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200.

3 includes a known microcomputer having a storage unit 31 such as a processor, a ROM, a RAM, and its peripheral circuits. In addition, the memory | storage part 31 of the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus 30 is comprised with a non-transitional tangible storage medium.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the input side of the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30, an outside air temperature sensor 301 that detects the outside air temperature, an inside air temperature sensor 302 that detects the inside air temperature, an air conditioning control device 40 that controls the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20, An engine control device 50 and the like for controlling the engine 10 are connected.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 is connected to the air conditioning control device 40 and the engine control device 50 so that the air conditioning control information of the air conditioning control device 40 and the travel control information of the engine control device 50 can be acquired. .

The air conditioning control device 40 is connected to various sensors for detecting state quantities of the refrigerant such as the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the circulation circuit 200 on the input side. Specifically, a high-pressure side pressure sensor 41 and a high-pressure side temperature sensor 42 that detect the pressure and temperature of the high-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the radiator 22 are connected to the air conditioning control device 40. The air conditioning control device 40 is connected to a low-pressure side pressure sensor 43 and a low-pressure side temperature sensor 44 that detect the pressure and temperature of the low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator 24.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment can acquire information detected by the high pressure side pressure sensor 41, the high pressure side temperature sensor 42, the low pressure side pressure sensor 43, and the low pressure side temperature sensor 44 from the air conditioning control device 40 as air conditioning control information. It has become.

The engine control device 50 is connected to its input side with a rotation speed sensor 51 that detects the rotation speed of the engine 10, a vehicle speed sensor 52 that detects the traveling speed of the automobile 1, and the like. The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment can acquire information detected by the rotation speed sensor 51 and the vehicle speed sensor 52 from the engine control device 50 as engine control information.

Here, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 has a configuration in which the compressor 21 is driven by the rotational driving force output from the engine 10. For this reason, the rotation speed of the engine 10 is a factor that greatly affects the operation of the compressor 21 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

Further, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is configured such that the heat radiator 22 is introduced to the outside air by the ram pressure when the automobile 1 is traveling. For this reason, the traveling speed of the automobile 1 is a factor that affects the heat radiation amount of the radiator 22 in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

Thus, the information detected by the rotation speed sensor 51 and the vehicle speed sensor 52 is a state quantity that is relevant to the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 among the operating states of the automobile 1. In the present embodiment, information detected by the rotation speed sensor 51 and the vehicle speed sensor 52 corresponds to a moving body state quantity that is relevant to the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 among the operating states of the moving body.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 is connected to the output side thereof, such as an electromagnetic clutch 214 of the compressor 21, a notification device 60 that notifies the user of the abnormality. Although not shown, the notification device 60 has a display panel that visually displays various abnormality information of the refrigeration cycle device 20. The notification device 60 displays information indicating an abnormality on the display panel when an abnormal signal indicating an abnormal state is input from the refrigerant amount estimation device 30. Note that the notification device 60 is not limited to a configuration that visually notifies abnormality information, and may be configured to notify the abnormality information audibly.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is connected to a wireless communication device 70 mounted on the automobile 1. The wireless communication device 70 is configured to be able to communicate with the external server 90 via the base station 80 and the Internet 85.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to output various information stored in the storage unit 31 to the external server 90 via the wireless communication device 70. In the present embodiment, the external server 90 functions as an external data storage device.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 configured as described above performs arithmetic processing on various signals or the like input from the input side according to a program stored in the storage unit 31 in advance, and based on the result of the arithmetic processing or the like, Control various devices to be controlled connected to.

Specifically, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 estimates the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 based on the input information and a predetermined estimation parameter. The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to correct an estimation parameter used when estimating the refrigerant amount in order to reduce an error due to individual differences of functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 is in an abnormal state that is equal to or less than the appropriate reference amount based on the estimated refrigerant amount, and the refrigerant amount is insufficient. When an abnormal state occurs, a predetermined measure against the abnormal state is executed.

Furthermore, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment uses the wireless server 70, the Internet 85, and the like to store various information used when determining whether the refrigerant leak is abnormal or not, using the external server 90. Output to.

Here, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 includes a processing execution unit configured by hardware and software for executing various arithmetic processes, a control unit configured by hardware and software for controlling various control target devices, and the like. It has been aggregated.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 includes a refrigerant amount estimation unit 30a that estimates the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 and a parameter correction unit 30b that corrects an estimation parameter used when estimating the refrigerant amount.

In addition, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 includes an abnormality determination unit 30c that determines whether or not the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 is in an abnormal state, and executes a countermeasure to execute a predetermined countermeasure when an abnormal state occurs. The unit 30d is aggregated.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 outputs various information used when determining whether or not the refrigerant leak is an abnormal leak to the external server 90 using the wireless communication device 70 or the like. Are aggregated.

Next, the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation of the vehicle air conditioner is started while the engine 10 is operating, the air conditioning control device 40 turns on the electromagnetic clutch 214 to operate the compressor 21.

As a result, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 (that is, the point A1 in FIG. 4) flows into the radiator 22 and is radiated by heat exchange with the outside air in the radiator 22. (That is, point A1 → point A2 in FIG. 4).

The refrigerant that has flowed out of the radiator 22 (that is, point A2 in FIG. 4) flows into the decompression device 23 and is decompressed and expanded until it reaches a predetermined pressure in the decompression device 23 (that is, point A2 → A3 in FIG. 4). ).

The refrigerant that has flowed out of the decompression device 23 (that is, point A3 in FIG. 4) flows into the evaporator 24, and in the evaporator 24, absorbs heat from the air blown into the passenger compartment and evaporates (that is, point A3 in FIG. 4). A4 points). Thereby, the air blown into the passenger compartment is cooled. Then, the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 24 (that is, point A4 in FIG. 4) flows to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 21 and is compressed again by the compressor 21 (that is, point A4 in FIG. 4). → A1 point).

Here, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20, when the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 decreases, the pressure of the low-pressure refrigerant sucked into the compressor 21 decreases as shown by the broken line in FIG. And the superheat degree SH of the refrigerant | coolant in the refrigerant | coolant exit side of the evaporator 24 becomes large (namely, A4 point-> B4 point of FIG. 4). According to the knowledge of the present inventors, the pressure decrease amount ΔPL of the low pressure refrigerant and the refrigerant superheat degree SH increase amount ΔSH tend to increase as the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 decreases.

Further, when the pressure of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 21 is decreased due to the decrease in the refrigerant amount, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is decreased and the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 is reduced. SC becomes small (that is, point A2 → point B2 in FIG. 4). According to the knowledge of the present inventors, the amount of decrease ΔPH in the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant and the amount of decrease ΔSC in the refrigerant supercooling degree SC tend to increase as the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 decreases.

Thus, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20, there is a strong correlation between the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 and the refrigerant state quantity such as the refrigerant temperature and pressure in the circulation circuit 200.

Next, the change over time of the refrigerant amount in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment employs a refrigerant-permeable pipe in a part of the circulation circuit 200 and employs an open-type compressor 21. A slow leak is inevitable. That is, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the refrigerant amount M in the circulation circuit 200 decreases with time as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Then, when the refrigerant amount M in the circulation circuit 200 is equal to or less than the appropriate reference amount M_th, an abnormal state in which the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 is insufficient is obtained. In this abnormal state, problems such as insufficient cooling capacity in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 are likely to occur.

Therefore, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment estimates the refrigerant quantity by substituting the refrigerant state quantity and the physical quantity including the automobile 1 state quantity as variables into an estimation equation using a predetermined estimation parameter. It has a configuration.

As an estimation formula for estimating the refrigerant amount, a general-purpose estimation formula using an estimation parameter determined based on a test result of a test machine of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 or a simulator simulating the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 may be adopted. Conceivable. The estimation parameter is a generic name for each coefficient set for each variable used for estimating the refrigerant amount.

However, when the general-purpose estimation formula is adopted, for example, an error due to individual differences of functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 that is an actual machine occurs, so that the estimation accuracy of the refrigerant amount cannot be ensured.

Therefore, in the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment, the correction coefficient ΔM for correcting the estimation parameter in the general-purpose estimation formula is determined, and the refrigerant quantity is estimated by the correction estimation formula using the general-purpose estimation formula and the correction coefficient ΔM. It is the composition to do.

Hereinafter, the correction coefficient determination process and the refrigerant quantity estimation process executed by the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition, each control step of the control process shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 constitutes a function realization unit that realizes various functions executed by the refrigerant amount estimation device 30.

First, the outline of the correction coefficient calculation process executed by the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 according to the present embodiment performs correction coefficient calculation processing when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operated for the first time after a specified amount of refrigerant is filled in the circulation circuit 200 in the product shipping stage or maintenance. Execute.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30, at step S100, reads the actual refrigerant amount M _R which is weighed at the time of filling of the refrigerant. Incidentally, the actual refrigerant amount M _R is an amount of refrigerant which is metered by the refrigerant filling machine for filling a refrigerant is stored in advance in the air conditioning controller 40 or the like.

Subsequently, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 operates the refrigeration cycle device 20 via the air conditioning control device 40 in step S110. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment operates the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 so that the output of the indoor blower 241, the output of the outdoor blower 221, and the discharge capacity of the compressor 21 are maximized.

Subsequently, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 counts the elapsed time Cnt1 after the refrigeration cycle device 20 is operated by the timer A in step S120. The timer A is a time measuring means and is built in the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30 in advance.

Further, in step S130, the refrigerant amount estimating apparatus 30 determines whether or not the elapsed time Cnt1 counted by the timer A has passed a preset first reference time Cnt_th1.

Here, the first reference time Cnt_th1 is set to a time required from when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operated until a change in state quantity of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 reaches a stable state within a predetermined range. . For this reason, the process of step S130 can be interpreted as a determination process for determining whether or not the behavior of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is stable.

When the elapsed time Cnt1 has passed the first reference time Cnt_th1 as a result of the determination process in step S130, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 uses the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (preliminarily stored in the storage unit 31 in step S140). estimating the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} by t). Note that the general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t) is set so that the refrigerant amount M ₁ decreases as the elapsed time t increases, as shown by the solid line in FIG.

In the present embodiment, as the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t), the refrigerant temperature Td and pressure Pd of the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 having a strong correlation with the refrigerant amount, the refrigerant temperature of the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24 The following formula F1 with Ts, pressure Ps, elapsed time t, etc. as variables is adopted.

M ₁ (t) = f [Pd, Ps, Td, Ts, Ne, Vs, t]... F1
Here, the temperature Td and pressure Pd of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 and the temperature Ts and pressure Ps of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24 are the traveling speed Vs of the automobile 1 and the rotational speed Ne of the engine 10. It changes by fluctuation. For this reason, in the above-described mathematical formula F1, the state quantities of the automobile 1 such as the traveling speed Vs of the automobile 1 and the rotational speed Ne of the engine 10 are also added to the variables.

Further, the universal estimation formula M _{1 (t)} is the estimated parameter is set which is determined on the basis of the test results performed by the testing machine or the like of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20. The estimation parameter is defined as each coefficient α1 to α7 set for each variable, for example, as shown in the following formula F2.

M ₁ (t) = α1 × Pd + α2 × Ps + α3 × Td + α4 × Ts + α5 × Ne + α6 × Vs−α7 × t... F2
As described above, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 according to the present embodiment converts the physical quantity including the refrigerant state quantity and the state quantity of the automobile 1 into the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) using the predetermined estimation parameter in step S140. substituted estimates the refrigerant quantity M ₁ by. Then, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 stores the _{M 1} estimated by the generic estimation formula _M 1 (t) in the storage unit 31.

Subsequently, in step S150, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 counts an elapsed time Cnt2 after the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is in a stable state by a timer B different from the timer A. The timer B is a time measuring means and is built in the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30 in advance.

Further, in step S160, the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30 determines whether or not the elapsed time Cnt2 counted by the timer B has passed a preset second reference time Cnt_th2.

Here, the second reference time Cnt_th2 the sample number of the generic estimation formula M _{1 (t)} the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated in is set to the time required to reach the required number required for regression analysis to be described later ing. The required number of samples is preferably, for example, 10 times or more the number of coefficients constituting the estimation parameter.

Determination processing result of the step S160, if the elapsed time Cnt2 has not passed the second reference time Cnt_th2, refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 returns to step S140, the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} in the general-purpose estimation formula _M 1 (t) presume.

On the other hand, the result of the determination process of step S160, if the elapsed time Cnt2 has passed the second reference time Cnt_th2, refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S170, the actual refrigerant amount _{M R} and the refrigerant quantity _M 1 (t The difference amount ΔM (t) is calculated.

Refrigerant quantity estimating device 30, for example, calculates a difference amount .DELTA.M (t) between the actual refrigerant amount _{M R} and the refrigerant quantity _M 1 (t) by the following equation F3.

ΔM (t) = M _R −M ₁ (t)... F3
Subsequently, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 calculates a mathematical model ΔM related to the difference quantity ΔM (t) in step S180. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment describes physical quantities including the refrigerant temperature and pressure when the refrigerant quantity M ₁ is estimated by the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) using the difference amount ΔM (t) as an objective variable. A mathematical model ΔM related to the difference amount ΔM (t) is calculated by regression analysis using variables.

In the present embodiment, as variables in the general estimation equation M ₁ (t), the refrigerant temperature Td and pressure Pd on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22, the refrigerant temperature Ts and pressure Ps on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24, the automobile A traveling speed Vs of 1 and a rotational speed Ne of the engine 10 are employed.

For this reason, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 uses, as explanatory variables for regression analysis, the refrigerant temperature Td and pressure Pd of the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22, the refrigerant temperature Ts and pressure Ps of the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24, and the automobile. A traveling speed Vs of 1 and a rotational speed Ne of the engine 10 are employed.

Specifically, the mathematical model ΔM calculated in step S180 is a mathematical expression that includes the traveling speed Vs of the automobile 1 and the rotational speed Ne of the engine 10 as variables, as represented by the following mathematical expression F4.

ΔM = g [Pd, Ps, Td, Ts, Ne, Vs]... F4
In the above mathematical formula F4, the correction parameter calculated by the regression analysis is set. The correction parameters are defined as coefficients β1 to β6 set for each variable, for example, as shown in the following formula F5.

ΔM = β1 × Pd + β2 × Ps + β3 × Td + β4 × Ts + β5 × Ne + β6 × Vs... F5
Subsequently, in step S190, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 calculates a corrected estimation formula M ₂ (t) obtained by correcting the estimation parameter of the general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t) by the mathematical model ΔM. Specifically, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 adds the mathematical model ΔM to the general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t) as shown in the following formula F6, thereby obtaining the corrected estimation formula M ₂ (t). calculate.

M ₂ (t) = M ₁ (t) + ΔM... F6
Note that the estimation parameters in the above equation F6 are obtained by adding correction parameters β1 to β6 of the mathematical model ΔM to the estimation parameters α1 to α6 of the general estimation equation M1 (t) as shown in the following equation F7. It becomes.

M ₂ (t) = (α1 + β1) × Pd + (α2 + β2) × Ps + (α3 + β3) × Td + (α4 + β4) × Ts + (α5 + β5) × Ne + (α6 + β6) × Vs−α7 × t... F7
Subsequently, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S200, the actual refrigerant amount M _R and the correction estimation formula M ₂ error tolerance the absolute value of the difference is set in advance between the refrigerant quantity M ₂ calculated in _(t) It is determined whether it is less than e_th.

As a result, if the absolute value of the difference between the actual refrigerant amount M _R and the refrigerant quantity M ₂ is error tolerance e_th above, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S210, resets the timer A and timer B The general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t) is replaced with the corrected estimation formula M ₂ (t). Then, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, again, in step S140, to estimate the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} by the function estimation formula _M 1 (t). Since the general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t) is replaced with the corrected estimation formula M ₂ (t) in step S210, the refrigerant amount M ₁ is estimated by the general-purpose estimation formula M ₂ (t) in the process of step S140. Will do.

On the other hand, when the absolute value of the difference between the actual refrigerant amount MR and the refrigerant amount M2 is less than the allowable error value e_th, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 uses the general-purpose estimation formula for the mathematical model ΔM calculated in step S180 in step S220. A correction coefficient for correcting the estimation parameter of M ₁ (t) is determined.

Subsequently, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 outputs the data calculated in this control process to the external server 90 using the wireless communication device 70 or the like in step S230. Specifically, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 associates information related to the corrected estimation parameter (for example, the correction coefficient ΔM) with identification information (for example, a vehicle identification number) for identifying the automobile 1, and the wireless communication device 70 and the like are output to the external server 90.

The above is the outline of the correction coefficient calculation process. Hereinafter, the outline of the refrigerant quantity estimation process executed by the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment performs a refrigerant quantity estimation process when a predetermined start condition is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operating.

As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 reads various sensor outputs via the air conditioning control device 40, the engine control device 50, and the like in step S300. Then, the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30, at step S310, the estimating the refrigerant quantity _{M 2} in the circulation circuit 200 by the correction estimation formula _M 2 (t).

In the present embodiment, as the correction estimation equation M ₂ (t), a correction coefficient ΔM added to the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) is adopted as shown by the following equation F8.

M ₂ = M ₁ (t) + ΔM... F8
Specifically, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 uses the temperature Td and pressure Pd of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 and the temperature Ts and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24 with respect to the above formula F8. ps, running speed Vs, estimates the refrigerant quantity _{M 2} by substituting the rotation speed Ne of the engine 10.

Subsequently, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S320, determines whether or not the refrigerant quantity M ₂ is equal to or less than the proper reference amount M_th preset refrigerant. The appropriate reference amount M_th is set to a refrigerant amount that starts to affect the operation (for example, cooling capacity) of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

As a result, when the refrigerant quantity M ₂ exceeds the appropriate reference amount M_th, the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30, at step S330, appropriate to the status flag indicating the state of the refrigerant quantity indicating a state where no shortage of amount of refrigerant Set to state and exit this process.

On the other hand, when the refrigerant quantity M ₂ is less appropriate reference amount M_th, the refrigerant quantity estimating device 30, at step S340, sets a status flag indicating the state of the refrigerant quantity in the abnormal state indicating that the amount of refrigerant is insufficient To do.

Subsequently, in step S350, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 performs a notification process for notifying the user that the refrigerant leakage state is an abnormal leakage state by the notification device 60. Specifically, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 outputs an abnormal signal indicating that the refrigerant amount is in an abnormal state to the notification device 60. In this notification process, in addition to being in an abnormal state, it is desirable that the notification device 60 notifies the user of information that prompts the charging of the refrigerant.

Further, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 executes an operation restriction process for restricting the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 in step S360. In this operation restriction process, the electromagnetic clutch 214 is turned off and the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is stopped. According to this, various malfunctions that occur in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 due to a lack of refrigerant can be suppressed.

Refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 described above, as the amount of the refrigerant estimated when the operate the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is actual approaches the actual refrigerant quantity M _R, configured to correct the estimated parameters used to estimate the refrigerant quantity It has become. According to this, since the error due to individual differences in functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 can be reduced, the estimation accuracy of the refrigerant amount can be improved.

Specifically, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 of this embodiment, the difference between the refrigerant amount estimated the actual refrigerant amount M _R and objective variable, a state amount and the state quantity of the motor vehicle 1 of the refrigerant and the explanatory variable regression The mathematical model (that is, the correction coefficient ΔM) relating to the difference amount is determined by analysis. Then, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 is configured to correct the estimated parameters of the function estimation formula M _{1 (t)} by the correction coefficient ΔM determined by regression analysis. According to this, it is possible to reduce the estimation error of the refrigerant amount due to the individual difference between the functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

Here, when the correction coefficient ΔM for correcting the estimated parameter is determined in a state where the state of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 becomes unstable, such as when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is started, the reliability of the corrected estimated parameter is determined. Can not be secured.

On the other hand, the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment corrects the estimation parameter in a state where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operating in a stable state where fluctuations in the refrigerant state quantity fall within a predetermined range. The coefficient ΔM is determined. According to this, the reliability of the corrected estimated parameter can be ensured.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to determine a correction coefficient ΔM for correcting the estimation parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operated for the first time after the refrigerant is charged. Thus, if indeed the deviation of the amount of refrigerant existing in the circulation circuit 200 and the actual refrigerant amount M _R determines the correction coefficient ΔM in little circumstances configuration, sufficiently ensure the reliability of the corrected estimated parameters can do.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment compares the moisture amount M ₂ estimated by the corrected estimation formula M ₂ (t) using the corrected estimation parameter with the refrigerant proper reference amount M_th, and compares the refrigerant amount. Is configured to determine whether or not is in an abnormal state.

According to this, an abnormal state in which the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 is insufficient due to a slow leak or the like can be grasped, and there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent problems such as a decrease in cooling capacity in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

Further, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment calculates the refrigerant amount based not only on the refrigerant state quantity but also on the physical quantity including the state quantity of the automobile 1 such as the running speed Vs of the automobile 1 and the rotational speed Ne of the engine 10. The configuration is to be estimated. According to this, the estimation accuracy of the refrigerant in the refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 can be improved.

Furthermore, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to output the information related to the corrected estimation parameter to the external server 90 using the wireless communication device 70 or the like in a state in which the information is associated with the identification information of the automobile 1. ing. According to this, for example, the data stored in the external server 90 can be effectively used for grasping the tendency of individual differences in functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 mounted on the automobile 1.

Here, in this embodiment, in step S110 in the correction coefficient calculation process, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operated so that the output of the indoor fan 241, the output of the outdoor fan 221, and the discharge capacity of the compressor 21 are maximized. Although the example to make was demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

In step S110 in the correction coefficient calculation process, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 performs refrigeration so that, for example, the output of the indoor blower 241, the output of the outdoor blower 221, and the discharge capacity of the compressor 21 are set to predetermined values. The cycle device 20 may be configured to operate.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the content of the correction coefficient calculation process which the refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus 30 performs differs from 1st Embodiment. Other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, in this embodiment, a different part from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 of the present embodiment executes a correction coefficient calculation process shown in FIG. 8 instead of the correction coefficient calculation process shown in FIG. Of the steps shown in FIG. 8, steps denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 6 have the same processing contents unless otherwise specified.

The refrigerant amount estimation device 30 according to the present embodiment performs correction coefficient calculation processing when a user operates the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 after a specified amount of refrigerant is filled in the circulation circuit 200 in a product shipping stage or maintenance. Execute.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 of this embodiment, after reading the actual refrigerant quantity M _R in step S100, in step S110A, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is activated by the user Judge whether or not.

Step S110A determination process result, if the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is activated by the user, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S120A, estimates the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} by the function estimation formula _M 1 (t). Since the process of step S120A is the same as the process of step S140 of FIG. 6, the description thereof is omitted. Incidentally, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 stores the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated time in the storage unit 31.

Here, when the state quantity of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 is in an unstable state, such as when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is activated, the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated by the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) is As shown in FIG. For this reason, when the state quantity of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 is in an unstable state, the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated by the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) is sufficiently reliable. I can't say that.

On the other hand, when the state quantity of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 is in a stable state, the fluctuation of the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated by the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) converges to a predetermined range. That is, when the state quantity of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit 200 is in a stable state, the refrigerant quantity M ₁ estimated by the general-purpose estimation equation M ₁ (t) can sufficiently ensure the reliability.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S130A, the difference between the currently estimated refrigerant quantity M ₁ and the previous estimated refrigerant quantity M ₁ _old is preset smaller than the reference difference amount e _M It is determined whether or not. In the case where the refrigerant quantity _M 1 _old the previously estimated is not stored in the storage unit 31, can not be performed, the determination at Step S130A. Therefore, when the refrigerant quantity M ₁ _old the previously estimated is not stored in the storage unit 31, forcibly may be to return to the process of step S120A.

Step S130A determination process results, when the difference between a currently estimated refrigerant quantity _{M 1} and the previous estimated refrigerant quantity _M 1 _old exceeds the reference difference amount _{e M,} the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S120A Then, the refrigerant quantity M ₁ is estimated again by the general-purpose estimation formula M ₁ (t). At this time, the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30 stores before estimating the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} by the function estimation formula _M 1 (t), the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} of the previously estimated in the storage unit 31 as the _M 1 _old.

On the other hand, if the difference between the current estimated refrigerant quantity _{M 1} and the previous estimated refrigerant quantity _M 1 _old is less than the reference difference amount _{e M,} the refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus 30, at step S140, a general purpose estimation formula _M 1 ( estimating the refrigerant quantity _{M 1} by t). In addition, since the process after step S140 is the same as the process shown in FIG. 6, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

As described above, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment with the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In particular, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the correction coefficient calculation process at the timing when the user operates the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20, and it is necessary to force the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 to operate. Absent. This has the advantage that, for example, the time required for product shipment and maintenance can be shortened.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although typical embodiment of this indication was described, this indication is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, for example, can be variously changed as follows.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example of calculating the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 using the corrected estimation formula using the corrected estimation parameter has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 is configured to calculate the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit 200 using, for example, a control map that associates the refrigerant state quantity, the state quantity of the automobile 1, the refrigerant quantity, and the corrected estimated parameter. It may be.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the mathematical model ΔM is calculated by regression analysis has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 may be configured to calculate the mathematical model ΔM by machine learning such as a neural network, for example.

As in the above-described embodiments, it is desirable to determine the correction coefficient ΔM for correcting the estimation parameter when the refrigerant state in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is in a stable state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the refrigerant amount estimation device 30 may be configured to determine the correction coefficient ΔM for correcting the estimation parameter regardless of whether or not the refrigerant state in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is a stable state.

As in each of the above-described embodiments, it is desirable to correct the estimation parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operated for the first time after charging the refrigerant, but the present invention is not limited to this. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 may be configured to correct the estimation parameter at an arbitrary timing after charging the refrigerant, for example.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit 200 is estimated using the state quantity of the refrigerant when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operating and the physical quantity including the state quantity of the automobile 1 as variables has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 may be configured to estimate the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit 200 based on, for example, a physical quantity related to the state quantity of the refrigerant when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is operating.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the refrigerant state quantity serving as a variable at the time of estimating the refrigerant quantity is the refrigerant temperature Td and pressure Pd of the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22, and the refrigerant outlet side refrigerant of the evaporator 24. Although temperature Ts and pressure Ps were illustrated, it is not limited to this.

The variable at the time of estimating the refrigerant amount is not limited to the direct refrigerant state quantity, and a physical quantity having a strong correlation with the refrigerant state quantity may be employed. For example, the refrigerant temperature Td on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 has a strong correlation with the outside air temperature. Further, the refrigerant temperature Ts on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24 has a strong correlation with the inside air temperature. For this reason, as the variables at the time of estimating the refrigerant quantity, for example, instead of the refrigerant temperature Td on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 22 and the refrigerant temperature Ts on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator 24, the outside air temperature and the inside air temperature are used. It may be adopted. Further, the variables at the time of estimating the refrigerant amount may include, for example, the degree of supercooling SC and the degree of superheating SH.

As in each of the above-described embodiments, it is preferable to determine whether or not the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit 200 is in an abnormal state based on the estimated refrigerant amount, but is not limited thereto. . The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 may simply be configured to output the estimated refrigerant quantity to a display device or the like, for example. In this case, it is desirable that the appropriate reference amount M_th is displayed on the display device.

As in each of the above-described embodiments, information related to the corrected estimated parameter is output to the external server 90 using the wireless communication device 70 or the like in a state in which the information is associated with identification information for identifying the automobile 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The refrigerant quantity estimation device 30 may be configured to simply estimate the refrigerant quantity and not output information regarding the corrected estimation parameter or the like to the external server 90.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the compressor 21 driven by the rotational driving force output from the external engine 10 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the compressor 21 may be configured to be driven by a rotational driving force output from an electric motor.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 is mounted on the automobile 1 that is a moving body has been described. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 20 may be mounted on a moving body such as a railway vehicle or a trailer, for example.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which R134a, which is an HFC-based refrigerant, is employed as the refrigerant charged in the circulation circuit 200 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, R1234yf having a low global warming potential GWP may be employed for the refrigeration cycle apparatus 20.

In the above-described embodiment, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily indispensable except for the case where it is clearly indicated that the element is essential and the case where the element is clearly considered to be essential in principle.

In the above-described embodiment, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is particularly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. Except in some cases, the number is not limited.

In the above embodiment, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the component, etc., the shape, positional relationship, etc. unless otherwise specified and in principle limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to etc.

(Summary)
According to the 1st viewpoint shown by one part or all part of the above-mentioned embodiment, a refrigerant | coolant amount estimation apparatus is provided with a refrigerant | coolant amount estimation part and a parameter correction | amendment part. A refrigerant | coolant estimation part estimates the refrigerant | coolant amount in a circulation circuit based on the physical quantity containing the state quantity of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of operation | movement of a refrigerating-cycle apparatus, and a predetermined estimated parameter. The parameter correction unit corrects the estimated parameter so that the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant amount measured when the refrigerant is charged.

According to the second aspect, the parameter correction unit uses the difference amount between the actual refrigerant amount and the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit as an objective variable, and the refrigerant when the refrigerant amount is estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit The mathematical model for the difference is determined by regression analysis using the physical quantity including the state quantity as an explanatory variable. The parameter correction unit corrects the estimated parameter using a mathematical model determined by regression analysis. According to this, it becomes possible to reduce the estimation error of the refrigerant amount due to the individual difference of the functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

According to the third aspect, the parameter correction unit corrects the estimated parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operating in a stable state in which the fluctuation of the physical quantity including the refrigerant state quantity falls within a predetermined range.

If the estimated parameter is corrected in a state where the state quantity of the refrigerant in the circulation circuit becomes unstable, such as when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is started up, the reliability of the corrected estimated parameter cannot be ensured. For this reason, it is desirable to correct the estimation parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operating in a stable state in which the fluctuation of the physical quantity including the refrigerant state quantity falls within a predetermined range.

According to the fourth aspect, the parameter correction unit corrects the estimated parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated for the first time after the refrigerant is charged. Thus, if the estimated parameter is corrected in a situation where there is almost no deviation between the refrigerant amount actually present in the circulation circuit and the actual refrigerant amount, the reliability of the corrected estimated parameter can be ensured.

According to the fifth aspect, the refrigerant amount estimation device determines whether the refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit is less than or equal to the appropriate reference amount in advance based on the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit. Department. According to this, an abnormal state in which the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit is insufficient due to slow leak or the like can be grasped, and there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent problems such as a decrease in cooling capacity in the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect, in the refrigerant quantity estimation device, the physical quantity includes a moving body state quantity that is related to the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus among the operating states of the moving body. According to this, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the refrigerant amount in the refrigerant estimation unit.

According to the seventh aspect, the refrigerant amount estimation device includes an output unit that outputs to the external data storage device in a state associated with the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit and the identification information for identifying the moving object. Yes. According to this, for example, the data stored in the external data storage device can be effectively used for grasping the tendency of individual differences among functional products constituting the refrigeration cycle device.

According to the eighth aspect, the refrigerant quantity estimation device is applied to a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a radiator, a decompression device, and an evaporator. The refrigerant amount estimation unit is based on at least the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator, and the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit. Estimate the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit.

Thus, based on the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator having a strong correlation with the amount of refrigerant in the circulation circuit and the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator, the refrigerant in the circulation circuit If the amount is estimated, the accuracy of estimating the amount of refrigerant can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect shown in part or all of the above embodiments, the refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a circulation circuit in which the refrigerant circulates, and a refrigerant amount estimation device that estimates the amount of refrigerant circulated in the circulation circuit. . The refrigerant quantity estimation device includes a refrigerant quantity estimation unit and a parameter correction unit. The refrigerant quantity estimation unit estimates the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on the physical quantity including the refrigerant state quantity during operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and a predetermined estimation parameter. The parameter correction unit corrects the estimated parameter so that the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant amount measured when the refrigerant is charged.

Claims (9)

1. A refrigerant amount estimation device applied to a vapor compression refrigeration cycle apparatus (20) mounted on a moving body (1) and having a refrigerant circulation circuit (200),
   A refrigerant quantity estimation unit (30a) for estimating a refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on a physical quantity including a refrigerant state quantity during operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and a predetermined estimation parameter;
   A parameter correction unit (30b) that corrects the estimated parameter so that the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant amount measured when the refrigerant is charged,
   The refrigerant quantity estimation unit is a refrigerant quantity estimation device that estimates a refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on a physical quantity including a refrigerant state quantity and the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit.
2. The parameter correction unit uses a difference amount between the actual refrigerant amount and the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit as an objective variable, and calculates a refrigerant state quantity when the refrigerant amount is estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit. The refrigerant quantity estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mathematical model related to the difference amount is determined by regression analysis using an included physical quantity as an explanatory variable, and the estimation parameter is corrected by the determined mathematical model.
3. The said parameter correction | amendment part correct | amends the said estimation parameter in the state which the said refrigerating-cycle apparatus is operating in the stable state where the fluctuation | variation of the physical quantity containing the state quantity of a refrigerant | coolant is settled in the predetermined range. Refrigerant quantity estimation device.
4. 4. The refrigerant quantity estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter correction unit corrects the estimation parameter when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated for the first time after the refrigerant is charged.
5. The abnormality determination part (30c) which determines whether the refrigerant | coolant amount in the said circulation circuit is below a predetermined appropriate reference amount based on the refrigerant | coolant amount estimated by the said refrigerant | coolant amount estimation part is provided. The refrigerant quantity estimation device according to any one of 4.
6. The refrigerant quantity estimation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the physical quantity includes a moving body state quantity that is relevant to the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus among operating states of the moving body. apparatus.
7. An output unit (30e) that outputs information related to the estimated parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit to an external data storage device (90) in a state associated with identification information for identifying the mobile object. The refrigerant quantity estimation device according to any one of 6.
8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor (21), a radiator (22), a decompression device (23), and an evaporator (24).
   The refrigerant amount estimation unit includes at least the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator, and the estimated parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit. The refrigerant quantity estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit is estimated based on the refrigerant quantity.
9. A vapor compression refrigeration cycle apparatus (20) mounted on a moving body (1),
   A circulation circuit (200) through which the refrigerant circulates;
   A refrigerant amount estimation device (30) for estimating a refrigerant amount in the circulation circuit,
   The refrigerant quantity estimating device is
   A refrigerant quantity estimation unit (30a) for estimating a refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on a physical quantity including a refrigerant state quantity during operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and a predetermined estimation parameter;
   A parameter correction unit (30b) that corrects the estimated parameter so that the refrigerant amount estimated by the refrigerant amount estimation unit approaches the actual refrigerant amount at the time of charging the refrigerant,
   The refrigerant quantity estimation unit is a refrigeration cycle apparatus that estimates a refrigerant quantity in the circulation circuit based on a physical quantity including a refrigerant state quantity and the estimation parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit.

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