WO2020194658A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

This air conditioner is constituted of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. An indoor communication circuit unit and an indoor control unit are provided inside the indoor unit; and an outdoor communication circuit unit and an outdoor control unit are provided inside the outdoor unit. If no communication has been performed for a certain length of time between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit, the indoor control unit moves a first relay from an open state to a closed state at a predetermined period, and moves the first relay from the closed state to the open state after power from a commercial power source has been added to the outdoor control unit. The outdoor control unit: upon receiving the supply of power, moves a second relay from an open state to a closed state and starts up the outdoor communication circuit unit, thereby causing transmission/receipt to be performed between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit; and after a predetermined length of time, moves the second relay from the closed state to the open state on the basis of a signal from the indoor control unit, and shuts off the power supply to the outdoor control unit. The predetermined period can be modified.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner. The present invention also relates to a technique for reducing standby power consumption of an air conditioner.

In a conventional air conditioner, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit communicate with each other, and for example, the indoor unit sends an operation start signal to the outdoor unit to start the air conditioning operation of the outdoor unit. However, in the conventional air conditioner, since communication is always performed even during the operation standby, the power of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is constantly consumed, and the standby power is consumed during the operation standby. was there.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce standby power consumption, an outdoor power supply unit connected to a commercial power source and a power switching device for cutting off the power supply from the commercial power source are arranged in the outdoor unit, and the outdoor power supply unit is used. The indoor power supply unit connected by the first indoor / outdoor connection wire and the second indoor / outdoor connection wire is arranged in the indoor unit, and the power switching device is arranged on either side of the indoor / outdoor connection electric wire when the operation is stopped. An air conditioner that reduces power consumption when the operation is stopped has been proposed by controlling the power supply switching device at each preset time (see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and is configured to shift to a standby state in which the power supply to the outdoor unit is cut off when an operation stop request is made. When the air conditioner) is requested to stop the operation of the air conditioner, the determination means for determining whether or not the air conditioner can be shifted to the standby state, and the above-mentioned determination means for determining that the transition is not possible. , An air conditioner has been proposed to improve the restartability of the air conditioner after the transition to the standby state by providing a transition prohibition means for prohibiting the transition of the air conditioner to the standby state. (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-229824 JP 2013-137138

In the above-mentioned air conditioner of Patent Document 1, when the operation is stopped, the electrolytic capacitor is charged by turning on the power switching device for a preset charging time by the outdoor control unit. The DC power generated from the charged electrolytic capacitor gradually decreases as the power is supplied to the indoor unit. The time from when the electrolytic capacitor is fully charged to when it falls below the specified value of the electric power required for the operation of the indoor unit is a fixed fixed time. Every time the time elapses, it is necessary to turn on and control the power switching device. For this reason, the power supply to the indoor unit cannot be completely cut off, and the power supply cycle cannot be changed freely. Therefore, when the air conditioner is stopped for a long time, the expected energy saving effect cannot be obtained. There was a problem.

Further, in the air conditioner of Patent Document 2 described above, since the outdoor unit transmission circuit is not supplied with power during the standby state, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit cannot communicate information necessary for air conditioning control. Therefore, there is a problem that the air conditioner cannot be remotely controlled or the air conditioner cannot be automatically controlled according to the room temperature or the outside air temperature.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the standby state when the air conditioner is stopped, the indoor unit supplies power to the outdoor unit at predetermined intervals, and the inside of the outdoor unit is supplied with power. The outdoor communication circuit section and the indoor communication circuit section inside the indoor unit communicate with each other. Then, the predetermined cycle can be changed. With such a configuration, the cycle in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner update the information related to the air conditioning control can be freely changed according to the weather and the like. In this way, an air conditioner with improved operability while maintaining energy saving is provided.

The air conditioner according to the present invention is composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, an indoor communication circuit unit and an indoor control unit are provided in the indoor unit, and an outdoor communication circuit unit and an outdoor control unit are provided in the outdoor unit. When the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit do not communicate with each other for a certain period of time, the indoor control unit sets the first relay from the open state to the closed state at a predetermined cycle and controls the power from the commercial power source outdoors. After adding to the unit, the first relay is changed from the closed state to the open state. When power is supplied, the outdoor control unit sets the second relay from the open state to the closed state, activates the outdoor communication circuit unit, causes the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit to transmit and receive, and performs transmission and reception for a predetermined time. After that, based on the signal from the indoor control unit, the second relay is changed from the closed state to the open state to cut off the power supply to the outdoor control unit, and the predetermined cycle can be changed.

According to the present invention, the indoor unit supplies power to the outdoor unit at predetermined intervals in the standby state in which the air conditioner stops the air conditioning operation. With this power supply, the outdoor unit receives information including the indoor temperature from the indoor unit at a predetermined cycle, the indoor unit receives the information including the outside air temperature from the outdoor unit, and the air conditioner receives information on air conditioning control (indoor temperature). And the outside air temperature) is updated. Moreover, the length of the predetermined cycle can be changed. With such a mechanism, the cycle in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner update the information related to the air conditioning control can be changed according to the weather, etc., and the air conditioner can be remotely operated according to the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature. Alternatively, an air conditioner with improved operability while maintaining energy saving is provided by automatic control.

It is a figure which shows the electrical system block diagram of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the air conditioner in the stopped operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the operation until the outdoor unit is supplied with commercial power from the indoor unit and the air conditioner shifts from the low standby power state to the power supply state will be described. It is a figure which shows the flowchart. It is a figure which shows the electrical system block diagram of the air conditioner of the power-powered state in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioner from the power supply state to the low standby power state in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioner from the low standby power state to the power supply state in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state transition of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which showed the structure of the multi-type air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Further, even if the figures are different, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding configurations. The form of the component represented in the full text of the specification is merely an example, and is not limited to the form described in the specification. In particular, the configuration of the components is not limited to the configuration in the embodiment. Then, the drawing may be a simplified representation of the actual structure.

Embodiment 1.
<Composition>
FIG. 1 is an electrical system block diagram showing a basic configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioner 1 in the present embodiment includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical system when the air conditioner 1 is not performing heating operation or cooling operation, that is, air conditioning operation, and power is not supplied to each circuit in the outdoor unit 3.

The indoor unit 2 includes an indoor terminal block 21. The indoor terminal block 21 has terminals S1, S2, and S3.
The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor terminal block 22. The outdoor terminal block 22 has terminals L, N, S1, S2, and S3.

The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected by a power supply line 23, a power supply signal common line 24, and a signal line 25.
The power line 23 is connected to the terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22.
The power signal common line 24 is connected to the terminal S2 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22.
The signal line 25 is connected to the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22.
The power signal common line 9 corresponds to the "common line" in the present invention.

A single-phase AC power supply 4 is connected as a commercial power source to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal block 22 of the outdoor unit 3.
The terminal L of the outdoor terminal block 22 is connected to the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22.
The terminal N of the outdoor terminal block 22 is connected to the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22.
As a result, the power from the single-phase AC power supply 4 supplied to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal block 22 is transmitted from the terminals S1 and S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 via the power supply line 23 and the power supply signal common line 24. , Is supplied to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal block 21 of the indoor unit 2.

In addition to the indoor terminal block 21, the indoor unit 2 includes an indoor control unit 5, an indoor rectifying unit 6, an indoor communication circuit unit 7, an indoor operation switching unit 8, an outdoor start relay 9, a remote control communication unit 10, and a temperature sensor 31. To be equipped.

The remote control communication unit 10 is connected to the indoor control unit 5. The remote control communication unit 10 receives the signal from the remote control 11 and sends the signal to the indoor control unit 5.

The remote controller 11 is a device having a display unit and transmitting a signal from the user to the air conditioner 1 to the indoor unit 2 by wire or wirelessly, and the signal is used to start the operation of the air conditioner 1 and to transmit the signal to the air conditioner 1. Including changing the settings of. The remote controller 11 includes one or both of a panel remote controller provided on the wall surface of the room where the indoor unit 2 is provided and a stick-type remote controller portable by the user.

The indoor rectifying unit 6 is electrically connected to the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal block 21, the indoor communication circuit unit 7, and the indoor control unit 5. The indoor rectifying unit 6 converts the AC voltage given to the terminals L and N of the outdoor terminal block 22 from the single-phase AC power supply 4 into an arbitrary DC voltage and supplies it to the indoor control unit 5.

The indoor communication circuit unit 7 is connected to terminals S2 and S3 of the indoor terminal block 21. The indoor communication circuit unit 7 communicates with the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 (described later) of the outdoor unit 3 via the signal line 25 and the power signal common line 24.

The indoor control unit 5 operates the outdoor start relay 9. Further, the indoor control unit 5 operates the indoor communication circuit unit 7 to transmit and receive an operation signal or the like to and from the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 of the outdoor unit 3.

The terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the c terminal of the outdoor activation relay 9. The terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the a terminal of the outdoor activation relay 9. The indoor communication circuit unit 7 is connected to the b terminal of the outdoor start relay 9.

The outdoor start relay 9 connects the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 to the indoor communication circuit unit 7 or the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the indoor terminal by switching the connection destination of the c terminal to the a terminal or the b terminal. The connection with the terminal S1 of the base 21 is switched.

In the outdoor start relay 9, the operation of switching the connection destination of the c terminal from the b terminal to the a terminal is called an ON operation, and the state in which the c terminal and the a terminal are connected is called an ON state (closed state). Further, in the outdoor start relay 9, the operation of switching the connection destination of the c terminal from the a terminal to the b terminal is called an OFF operation, and the state in which the c terminal and the b terminal are connected is called an OFF state (open state).
In the outdoor start relay 9 shown in FIG. 1, the c terminal is fixed.

The outdoor activation relay 9 opens and closes the connection between the power supply line 23 and the signal line 25. When the outdoor start relay 9 is turned on, the power from the single-phase AC power supply 4 is supplied between the signal line 25 and the power signal common line 24.
The outdoor start relay 9 is in the OFF state in the steady state, and connects the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7. The outdoor start relay 9 is turned on by a signal from the indoor control unit 5 to open the connection between the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7, and the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the indoor terminal block. Connect to terminal S1 of 21.

The temperature sensor 31 is connected to the indoor control unit 5, measures the suction temperature of the indoor unit 2, and transmits it to the indoor control unit 5.
Although not shown, the indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an infrared sensor, and a display unit as a mechanical system.

The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor rectifying unit 12, an inrush current prevention relay 13, an inrush current prevention resistor 14, an outdoor relay 15, a capacitor 16, an inverter circuit unit 17, an outdoor control unit 18, and a communication circuit power supply unit. 19, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the outdoor terminal block 22, the power supply relay 26, the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27, the power supply switching relay 28, and the power supply coil included in the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27. 29, an outdoor operation switching unit 30, and a temperature sensor 32 are provided. The power supply relay 26 is composed of an inrush current prevention relay 13 and an outdoor relay 15.

The outdoor control unit 18 operates the outdoor relay 15 and the power supply switching relay 28. Further, the outdoor control unit 18 operates the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 to transmit and receive various operation signals and the like to and from the indoor unit 2.

The outdoor relay 15 is normally open (normally open), and the contact is closed by the operation from the outdoor control unit 18 (hereinafter, also referred to as "short circuit").

The outdoor start relay 9 is controlled by the indoor control unit 5. When the outdoor start relay 9 is in the OFF state (when not energized), the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the indoor communication circuit unit 7 via the outdoor start relay 9, and is connected to the power signal common line 24 and the signal line. 25 is connected to the outdoor unit 3. In this way, the communication line between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2 is established, and various operation signals and the like are transmitted and received between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2. When the outdoor start relay 9 is turned on (when energized), the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 via the outdoor start relay 9, and is connected to the power signal common line 24. Single-phase AC power is supplied between the signal lines 25.

The terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the indoor rectifying unit 6, and the terminal S2 of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the indoor rectifying unit 6 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7. The indoor rectifier unit 6 converts the single-phase AC power supplied between the power supply line 23 and the power supply signal common line 24 into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power to the indoor control unit 5.

The remote controller communication unit 10 receives a signal including an operation signal and operation settings of the air conditioner 1 from the remote controller 11 by the user and transmits the signal to the indoor control unit 5.

The outdoor rectifying unit 12 is connected to the L terminal of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the N terminal of the outdoor terminal block 22, and rectifies the AC power of the single-phase AC power supply 4 and converts it into DC power of an arbitrary voltage. To do. One end of the output of the outdoor rectifying unit 12 is connected to the inrush current prevention relay 13, the outdoor relay 15, and the outdoor operation switching unit 30. The other end of the output of the outdoor rectifying unit 12 is connected to the inverter circuit unit 17 and the outdoor circuit unit 18. The outdoor relay 15 has its contacts open when it is not operating, and the outdoor control unit 18 controls the opening / closing operation.

One end of the capacitor 16 is connected to the inrush current prevention resistor 14 and the outdoor relay 15, and the other end is connected to the outdoor rectifying unit 12, the inverter circuit unit 17, and the outdoor control unit 18. The capacitor 16 smoothes the output of the outdoor rectifying unit 12 and supplies DC power to the inverter circuit unit 17 and the outdoor control unit 18.

The terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is connected to the c terminal of the power supply switching relay 28. The communication circuit power supply unit 19 is connected to the a terminal of the power supply switching relay 28, the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22, and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20. The inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is connected to the b terminal of the power supply switching relay 28. In the power supply switching relay 28 shown in FIG. 1, the c terminal is fixed. The power supply switching relay 28 can switch the connection destination of the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 to the communication circuit power supply unit 19 or the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 by switching the c terminal to the a terminal or the b terminal. Is.

In the power supply switching relay 28, the operation of switching the connection destination of the c terminal from the b terminal to the a terminal is called an ON operation, and the state in which the c terminal and the a terminal are connected is called an ON state (closed state). Further, in the power supply switching relay 28, the operation of switching the connection destination of the c terminal from the a terminal to the b terminal is called an OFF operation, and the state in which the c terminal and the b terminal are connected is called an OFF state (open state).
The power supply cutoff relay 28 is in the OFF state in the steady state, and is turned on by a signal from the outdoor control unit 15 to cut off the energization of the inrush current prevention relay coil 20.

The operation of the power supply switching relay 28 is controlled by the outdoor control unit 18. When the power supply switching relay 28 is in the OFF state (when the power supply switching relay 28 is not energized), the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is connected to the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27, and the outdoor start relay 9 is connected. When is ON, single-phase AC power is supplied between the power signal common line 24 and the signal line 25. When energized in this way, the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is energized, and the inrush current prevention relay 13 that has been opened is closed by the power supply coil 29 included in the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27. When the power supply switching relay 28 is ON (when the power supply switching relay 28 is energized), the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is connected to the communication circuit power supply unit 19 via the power supply switching relay 28. Will be done. The communication circuit power supply unit 19 generates DC power from the single-phase AC power supplied between the power supply line 23 and the power supply signal common line 24, and supplies power to the outdoor communication circuit unit 20. The generation of DC power is performed by a half-wave rectifier circuit, but is not limited to this.

The inverter circuit unit 17 converts the DC power smoothed by the capacitor 16 into AC power. The inverter circuit unit 17 is controlled by the outdoor control unit 18 and is connected to a motor (not shown) or the like that drives the compressor. The converted AC power has a frequency and a voltage corresponding to the operation of such a motor.

The temperature sensor 32 is connected to the outdoor control unit 18, measures the outside air temperature, and transmits the outside air temperature to the outdoor control unit 18.
Although not shown, the outdoor unit 3 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, an electromagnetic expansion valve, a refrigerant switching valve, and a compressor as a mechanical system.

The single-phase AC power supply 4 supplies electric power to the outdoor unit 3 via the terminal L of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal N of the outdoor terminal block 22. Since the inrush current prevention relay 13 and the outdoor relay 15 are open during the operation standby of the air conditioner 1, electric power is not supplied to the inverter circuit unit 17 and the outdoor control unit 18 which are the loads of the outdoor unit 3.
One end of the communication circuit power supply unit 19 is connected to the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and is connected to the power supply line 23 via the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22. On the other hand, the other end of the communication circuit power supply unit 19 is connected to the a terminal of the power supply switching relay 28. When the power supply switching relay 28 is in the OFF state, the b terminal and the c terminal of the power supply switching relay 28 are connected, and the b terminal and the a terminal of the power supply switching relay 28 are not connected. Therefore, the power supply signal common line 24 and the other end of the communication circuit power supply unit 19 are not connected. Therefore, power is not supplied to the communication circuit power supply unit 19, and power is not supplied to the outdoor communication circuit unit 20. One end of the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is connected to the c terminal of the power supply switching relay 28, and is connected to the power signal common line 24 via the power supply switching relay 28 and the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22. However, since the other end of the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is connected to the signal line 25 via the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22, power is not supplied to the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 as well.

The outdoor unit 3 receives electric power from the single-phase AC power supply 4 via the terminal L of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal N of the outdoor terminal block 22 and supplies the electric power to the indoor unit 2, but each circuit inside the outdoor unit 3 Is in a state where power is not supplied to.

In this way, when the air conditioner 1 is stopped from the air conditioning operation (during operation standby) and the indoor unit 2 is shutting off the power supply to the outdoor unit 3, the inverter circuit unit 17 and the outdoor control unit are used. No power is supplied to the communication circuit power supply unit 19, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27, and the mechanical system. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the standby power of the outdoor unit 3.

In the present specification, as shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 2 cuts off the power supply to each circuit in the outdoor unit 3 while the air conditioner 1 is stopped in the air conditioning operation (during the operation standby). The state is called a low standby power state.

When the air conditioner 1 is in the low standby power state, the indoor unit 2 is always supplied with commercial power by the single-phase AC power supply 4. Therefore, the indoor unit 2 can receive the signal from the remote controller 10 by the remote controller receiving unit 11 even when the outdoor unit 3 is in the low standby power state.

In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the electrical system block when power is not supplied to each circuit in the outdoor unit 3 has been described above.

<Operation>
Next, the steps from the state of the air conditioner 1 in FIG. 1 to the activation of the outdoor unit 3 and the establishment of communication between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 will be described.

In FIG. 2, the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1 supplies power to the inverter circuit unit 17, the outdoor control unit 18, the communication circuit power supply unit 19, and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 from the low standby power state (to the power supply state). It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the operation up to).

When the power is turned on to the air conditioner 1, power is supplied from the single-phase AC power supply 4 to the indoor unit 2 via the power supply line 23 and the power signal common line 24. The indoor rectifying unit 6 converts the AC voltage obtained from the single-phase AC power supply 4 into an arbitrary DC voltage and supplies it to the indoor control unit 5. As a result, the indoor control unit 5 is activated.

When the indoor control unit 5 is activated, the indoor control unit 5 confirms the communication status with the outdoor unit 3 (step S1). When the indoor control unit determines that communication is established between the indoor communication circuit unit 7 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the indoor control unit 5 does not support the transition of the outdoor unit 3 to the low standby power state. Alternatively, it is determined that power is being supplied to the outdoor control unit 18 (energized state). At this time, the indoor communication circuit unit 7 performs steady communication with the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, and does not perform the activation sequence from steps S2 to S13 shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S1, when the indoor control unit 5 determines that communication is not established between the indoor communication circuit unit 7 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 for a certain period of time, the outdoor control unit 18 of the indoor control unit 5 has low standby power. The state (non-energized state) is determined, and the activation sequence after step S2 is started.

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the outdoor control unit 18 is in a low standby power state, the indoor control unit 5 turns on the outdoor start relay 9 to switch the connection, and connects the c terminal of the outdoor start relay 9 to the a terminal. That is, the connection between the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 is disconnected, and the connection is switched between the terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 (step S2). When connected in this way, single-phase AC power is supplied between the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22, and a voltage is applied.

When single-phase AC power is supplied between the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22, the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is energized via the power supply switching relay 28. When the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is energized, the inrush current prevention relay 13 is closed by the power supply relay coil unit 29 included in the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 (step S3).

The AC power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply 4 to the outdoor unit 3 is converted into DC power by the outdoor rectifier unit 12. When the inrush current prevention relay 13 is closed in step S3, DC power is supplied to the capacitor 16, the inverter circuit unit 17, and the outdoor control unit 18 via the inrush current prevention relay 13. The inrush current can be prevented by the presence of the inrush current prevention resistor 14 in the DC power supply path. In this way, when the DC power is supplied to the outdoor control unit 18, the outdoor control unit 18 is activated (step S4).

When the outdoor control unit 18 is activated, the activated outdoor control unit 18 closes the outdoor relay 15 (step S5).

When the outdoor relay 15 is closed, the indoor control unit 5 turns on the outdoor start relay 9 (connects the a terminal and the c terminal) and after a certain period of time elapses, or the voltage of the capacitor 16 reaches a predetermined DC voltage. At that time, the outdoor start relay 9 is turned off (connecting the b terminal and the c terminal), the connection between the terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21 and the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 is disconnected, and the terminal S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 is disconnected. It is connected to the indoor communication circuit unit 7 (step S6).

By turning off the connection of the outdoor start relay 9 in this way, the supply of the single-phase AC power supply between the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is stopped. When the supply of single-phase AC power supply between the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is stopped, the supply of power to the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 is also stopped, and the inrush current prevention relay 13 is turned off and released (step S7). By operating in this way, it is possible to prevent an inrush current at the time of starting the outdoor unit 3.

In the above description, the inrush current prevention relay 13 is turned off after the outdoor start relay 9 is turned off, but the outdoor start relay 9 may be turned off after the inrush current prevention relay 13 is turned off. .. That is, step S6 and step S7 in FIG. 2 may be interchanged.

When the inrush current prevention relay 13 is turned off and opened, the outdoor control unit 18 turns on the power supply switching relay 28 (connects the a terminal and the c terminal), and the inrush current with the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22. The connection with the prevention relay drive unit 27 is opened, and the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the communication circuit power supply unit 19 are connected (step S8). When the power supply switching relay 28 is turned on, the single-phase AC power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply 4 between the terminal S1 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is sent to the communication circuit power supply unit 19. It is supplied and a voltage is applied. The communication circuit power supply unit 19 converts single-phase AC power into DC power of an arbitrary voltage and supplies it to the outdoor communication circuit unit 20.

When DC power is supplied from the communication circuit power supply unit 19 to the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the outdoor control unit 18 operates the outdoor communication circuit unit 20. At this time, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 starts communication with the indoor communication circuit unit 7 via the power signal common line 24 and the signal line 25 (step S9).

When the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 starts communication with the indoor communication circuit unit 7, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 has been established (step S10). ).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 has been established, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 start steady communication (step S11). At this time, the air conditioner 1 is in the power supply state.

By the above operation, the indoor unit 2 is inside the outdoor unit 3 in the state where the air conditioner 1 has stopped the air conditioning operation and the power supply to each circuit in the outdoor unit 3 is cut off in the low standby power state. By supplying commercial power to each circuit, the air conditioner 1 is in a power supply state, and the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 can communicate with each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical system block of the air conditioner 1 in the power supply state, and shows the outdoor start relay 9, the inrush current prevention relay 13, the outdoor relay 15, and the power supply switching relay in the air conditioner 1 in step 11. It is a figure which shows the connection state of 28.

In step S10, when the specified time elapses without the indoor control unit 5 confirming the establishment of communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7, the air conditioner 1 again steps from step 2. Repeat up to 10. In the second step 10, when the specified time elapses without the indoor control unit 5 confirming the establishment of communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7, the indoor communication circuit unit 7 is an air conditioner. 1 is determined to be a communication abnormality (step 13).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 has a communication abnormality, the indoor control unit 5 abnormally stops the air conditioner 1 so that the air conditioning operation cannot be performed. At this time, the indoor control unit 5 transmits a signal indicating that the air conditioner 1 is in an abnormal state to the display unit of the remote controller 11 through the remote controller communication unit 10. The indoor control unit 5 may display that the air conditioner 1 is in an abnormal state by displaying means such as an LED provided in the housing of the indoor unit 2.

As described above, in the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the outdoor unit 3 corresponds to the transition to the low standby power state, the outdoor unit 3 is started regardless of the non-compliance, and the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit Communication between the three can be established.

A case where the user transmits a signal for changing the setting of the air conditioner 1 by the remote controller 11 when the air conditioner 1 is in the low standby power state will be described. Since each circuit in the indoor unit 2 is constantly supplied with commercial power from the single-phase AC power supply 4, the remote controller communication unit 10 receives a signal for changing the setting of the air conditioner 1 from the remote controller 11 in a low standby power state. To receive. When the indoor control unit 5 receives the signal for changing the setting of the air conditioner 1 via the remote controller communication unit 10, the indoor control unit 5 starts the activation sequence shown in FIG. 2 (steps S1 to S11). Then, in step S11, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 perform steady communication. When the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 perform steady communication, a signal for changing the setting of the air conditioner 1 is transmitted from the indoor communication circuit unit 7 to the outdoor communication circuit unit 20. When the outdoor control unit 18 receives a signal including a setting change of the air conditioner 1 via the indoor communication circuit unit 7, the outdoor control unit 18 is stored in the memory of the outdoor control unit 18 based on the signal. Update the settings of the air conditioner 1. The settings of the air conditioner 1 include the operation mode of the air conditioner 1, the target room temperature, the compressor frequency, and the protection state.

In this way, when the air conditioner 1 is in the low standby power state, when the indoor control unit 5 receives the signal of the setting change of the air conditioner 1 from the remote controller 11 via the remote controller communication unit 10, the indoor control unit 5 5 starts the activation sequence (steps S1 to S11). As a result, each circuit in the outdoor unit 3 is supplied with power, and the outdoor unit 3 can receive the signal from the remote controller 11 from the indoor unit 2. With such a mechanism, the outdoor unit 3 can receive the signal from the remote controller 11 received by the indoor unit 2 without waiting for the next operation start of the air conditioner, and the air conditioning with improved operability. Machine 1 is obtained. Therefore, the signal from the remote controller 11 can be shared between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3, and the startability of the air conditioner 1 at the next start of operation can be improved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner 1 from the power supply state to the low standby power state. The operation after the air conditioner 1 has stopped the air conditioning operation is also represented by the flowchart of FIG.

The indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the state of the air conditioner 1 is abnormal (step S15). When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the state of the air conditioner 1 is abnormal, the air conditioner 1 continues the power supply state (step S24). When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 is not abnormal, the indoor control unit 5 performs the following determinations.

Next, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the air conditioner 1 has stopped the air conditioning operation (step S16).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 is in the air conditioning operation (when step S16 is not established), the air conditioner 1 continues the power supply state (step S24).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 has stopped the air conditioning operation (when step S16 is established), the indoor control unit 5 determines whether the user is operating the remote controller 11 (step). S17).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the user is operating the remote controller 11, the power supply state is continued.

The method of determining whether or not the user is operating the remote controller 11 is determined by whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the remote controller communication unit received the signal transmitted by the remote controller 11 by the user's button operation. In addition, it is determined at which level the menu displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 11 operated by the user is located. When the user operates the remote controller 11, among the items displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 11, the item first selected by the user is the highest level of the menu. When the user selects the "Timer" item and then the "Schedule Setting" item, the "Timer" item is at the top level, and the "Schedule Setting" item is from the "Timer" item. It belongs to the lower hierarchy. If the menu displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 11 operated by the user is "schedule setting", the room control unit 5 determines that the user is operating the remote controller 11.

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the user is not operating the remote controller 11, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the state in which S15 to S17 are not established in the air conditioner 1 has elapsed for a predetermined time ( Step S18).

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the state in which S15 to S17 are not established in the air conditioner 1 (the air conditioner 1 is in the power supply state) has not elapsed for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 has not passed. Continue the power supply state of. When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the state in which S15 to S17 are not established in the air conditioner 1 has elapsed for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 shifts the air conditioner 1 to the low standby power state S19 to. The sequence of S23 is started.

As a result, even if the air conditioner 1 temporarily stops the air conditioning operation due to an erroneous operation by the user, the air conditioner 1 can perform the operation of starting the operation of the air conditioner 1 again within a predetermined time. The operation of the air conditioner 1 can be started before the transition to the low standby power state.

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the states in which S15 to S17 are not established have elapsed for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 determines that the power supply state of the air conditioner 1 has continued for a predetermined time, and the air conditioner 1 The condition for transitioning to the low standby power state is satisfied. At this time, the indoor control unit 5 transmits a command to the outdoor control unit 18 to turn off the outdoor relay 15 to open it. When the outdoor control unit 18 receives a command from the indoor control unit 5 to turn off the outdoor relay 15 to open it, the outdoor control unit 18 turns off the outdoor relay 15 to open it. (Step S19)

As a result, the supply of electric power from the single-phase AC power supply 4 to the outdoor control unit 18 is stopped, the DC voltage after rectification by the capacitor 16 drops (step S20), and the outdoor control unit 18 is de-energized (step). S21).

Since the outdoor control unit 18 is de-energized, the power supply switching relay 28 operates OFF (connects the b terminal and the c terminal), and the connection between the communication circuit power supply unit 19 and the terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 is released. The terminal S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 and the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 are connected (step S22).

With such a connection relationship, the inverter circuit unit 17, the outdoor control unit 18, and the communication circuit power supply unit 19, which are the main loads in the outdoor unit 3, are de-energized, and the outdoor unit 3 is de-energized. .. In such a process, the air conditioner 1 shifts to the low standby power state (step S23).

In this way, the outdoor control unit 18 turns off the outdoor relay 15 to open it, so that the air conditioner 1 can be shifted from the power supply state to the low standby power state, and the standby power of the air conditioner 1 is reduced. can do.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner 1 from the low standby power state to the power supply state.

When the indoor control unit 5 detects an abnormality in step S25, the activation sequence (described later) of the transition to step S29 is executed. If no abnormality is detected, the following determination is performed (step S26).

Next, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the air conditioner 1 is in operation (step S26). When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 is in operation, the indoor control unit 5 executes a transition activation sequence (described later) in step S29. When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the indoor control unit 5 performs the following determination.

Subsequently, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether the user is operating the remote controller 11 (step S27). When the remote control communication unit 10 receives a signal other than the operation signal from the remote controller 11 by the user, or when the indoor control unit 5 determines that the user is operating the remote controller 11, the activation sequence of the transition to step S29 (See below) will be implemented.
When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the user is not operating the remote controller 11, the following determination is performed (step S28).
Whether or not the user is operating the remote controller 11 is determined by the indoor control unit 5 based on whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the remote controller communication unit received the signal transmitted by the remote controller 11 by the user's remote controller operation. Further, the method of determining whether or not the user is operating the remote controller 11 determines which layer the menu displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 11 operated by the user is in. When the user operates the remote controller 11, among the items displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 11, the item first selected by the user is the highest level of the menu. When the user selects the "Timer" item and then the "Schedule Setting" item, the "Schedule Setting" item belongs to the hierarchy below the "Timer" item. If the menu displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 11 operated by the user is "schedule setting", the room control unit 5 determines that the user is operating the remote controller 11.

Subsequently, the indoor control unit 5 determines whether or not the air conditioner 1 has continued the low standby power state for a predetermined time (step S28). When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 has continued the low standby power state for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 executes an activation sequence (described later) for shifting to step S29.

When the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 has not continued the low standby power state for a predetermined time, the air conditioner 1 continues the low standby power state (step S41).

The activation sequence (steps S29 to S40) is the same as the flowchart (steps S2 to S13) of FIG. 2 for explaining the operation from when the air conditioner 1 is turned on to when it shifts to the power supply state. After that, when the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are not communicating, the indoor control unit is not receiving the operation signal from the remote controller, and the air conditioner 1 is not in a communication abnormality, the indoor control unit 5 Repeats the sequence of S19 to S23 for shifting the air conditioner 1 to the low standby power state and the start-up sequences S29 to S40 at a predetermined cycle. At this time, the outdoor control unit 18 activates the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 at a predetermined cycle, and causes the indoor communication circuit unit 7 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 to communicate with each other.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a transition of the power supply state of the air conditioner 1 when the air conditioner 1 is stopped in the air conditioning operation. In step S1, when the indoor control unit 5 determines that communication is established between the indoor communication circuit unit 7 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the indoor control unit 5 determines that the air conditioner 1 is in the power supply state. This state is continued for a predetermined time. Then, when the power supply state of the air conditioner 1 elapses for a predetermined time, the air conditioner 1 transitions from the power supply state to the low standby power state by (steps S15 to S21). Then, when the state in which the air conditioner 1 is in the low standby power state elapses for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 performs a start sequence (steps S29 to S40) to bring the air conditioner 1 into the power supply state from the low standby power state. .. In this way, the air conditioner 1 repeats the power supply state at a predetermined cycle while the air conditioning operation is stopped. At this time, the indoor control unit 5 changes the outdoor start relay 9 from the open state to the closed state at a predetermined cycle, and applies the electric power from the commercial power source to the outdoor control unit 18.

Further, the length of the predetermined cycle can be changed by remotely controlling the air conditioner 1 by a control device via a network including a server and / and a gateway, or by automatically controlling the air conditioner 1 by the indoor control unit 5.
Further, the length of the predetermined cycle can be changed by a signal from the remote controller.

The predetermined time in step S28 is set to the minimum period required for the temperature sensor of the indoor unit 2 to detect the change in room temperature, and the temperature sensor of the outdoor unit 3 measures the temperature of the outside air temperature a plurality of times to detect the outside air. The minimum time required for the temperature to stabilize. At least one of the fixed time in step S1, the predetermined time in step S18, and the predetermined time in step S28 is remotely controlled by the control device via the network including the server and / and the gateway, or by the indoor control unit 5. The length can be changed by automatic control. Further, the length of at least one of the fixed time in step S1, the predetermined time in step S18, and the predetermined time in step S28 can be changed by a signal from the remote controller 11.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined time used for the determination for the indoor control unit 5 to perform the activation sequence in step 28 is set as the default fixed time, but the time is not limited to this. The predetermined time corresponds to the amount of change in the suction temperature (room temperature) measured by the temperature sensor 31 of the indoor unit 2 in the power supply state from the suction temperature (room temperature) measured by the temperature sensor 31 of the indoor unit 2 in the previous power supply state. The room control unit 5 may determine the temperature. Further, the indoor control unit 5 determines the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 32 of the outdoor unit 3 in the power supply state according to the amount of change from the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 32 of the outdoor unit 3 in the previous power supply state. You may.

In the present embodiment, DC power is supplied from the outdoor rectifying unit 12 to the capacitor 16, the inverter circuit unit 17, and the outdoor control unit 18 in step S4, but the present invention is not limited to this. By controlling the DC power supplied to the inverter circuit unit 17 by the outdoor control unit 18, it is possible to supply the DC power only to the capacitor 16 and the outdoor control unit 18 in step S4. By having such a configuration of the outdoor unit 3, the power consumption in the outdoor unit 3 can be further reduced as compared with the case where the DC power is supplied to the capacitor 16, the inverter circuit unit 17 and the outdoor control unit 18 in step S4. , Power saving effect can be obtained.

<Effect>
In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, the indoor unit 2 restarts the power supply to the outdoor unit 3 at predetermined intervals in a low standby power state, so that the outdoor unit 3 becomes the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. The acquisition and update of the air conditioning control information (including the indoor temperature and the outside air temperature) acquired in the above is acquired from the indoor unit 2 at a predetermined cycle and updated. Moreover, the length of the predetermined cycle can be changed. With such a configuration, the user can change the cycle in which the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 update the information related to the air conditioning control according to the weather and the like. In this way, an air conditioner having improved operability while maintaining energy saving is provided.

Further, in the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, when the remote controller communication unit 10 receives a signal from the remote controller 11 in a low standby power state, the indoor control unit 5 supplies power to each circuit in the outdoor unit 3. Temporarily supply. With such a mechanism, the outdoor unit 3 can acquire the information including the signal from the indoor unit 2. With such a function, the information including the signal can be shared between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 before the next operation start of the air conditioner 1, and the reliability of the operation of the air conditioner is improved. Can be made to.

Embodiment 2.
In the present embodiment, an embodiment of a multi-connection type air conditioner 100 in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the air conditioner 100 is composed of an outdoor unit 50 and two indoor units 2A and 2B.
The connection of the electrical system in the outdoor unit 50 in the state of the air conditioner 100 in the state of stopping the air conditioning operation (during operation standby) of the second embodiment is connected to the outdoor unit 3 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The same is true. Further, the connection of the electrical system in the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B is the same as that of the indoor unit 2 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the plurality of indoor units is two, the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more units may be used.

The terminals S1, S2 and S3 of the outdoor terminal block 22 of the outdoor unit 50 are the terminals S1, S2 and S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 of the indoor unit 2A and the power supply line 23, the power supply signal common line 24 and the signal line 25. It is connected.
Further, the terminals S1, S2 and S3 of the indoor terminal block 21 provided in each of the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B are connected by crossover wiring of the power supply line 23', the power supply signal common line 24'and the signal line 25'. ..

The remote controller communication unit 10 of the indoor unit 2A receives a signal from the remote controller 11A for starting the operation of the air conditioner 100 and changing the setting of the air conditioner 100. The remote controller 11A wirelessly or wiredly communicates with the remote controller communication unit 10 of the indoor unit 2A.

In the second embodiment, the connection and flowchart of the electrical system of the air conditioner 100 when the indoor unit 2A supplies power to the outdoor unit 50 and shuts off the power supply will be described below. When the air conditioner 100 is in a state where the air conditioning operation is stopped (during operation standby), the user determines which of the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B supplies power to the outdoor unit 50 by a signal from the remote controller 11A. Can be determined.

In the second embodiment, when the air conditioner 100 is stopped from the air conditioning operation (during operation standby), the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B are shutting off the power supply to the outdoor unit 50 (low standby power). In the state), power is not supplied to the inverter circuit unit 17, the outdoor control unit 18, the communication circuit power supply unit 19, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, and the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 of the outdoor unit 50. This makes it possible to reduce the standby power of the outdoor unit 50.

When the air conditioner 100 is in a low standby power state, commercial power is always supplied to the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B by the single-phase AC power supply 4. Since commercial power is always supplied to the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B, the indoor unit 2A can receive the signal from the remote controller 10A by the remote controller receiving unit 11 even when the outdoor unit 50 is in the low standby power state. it can.

In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 100 supplies power to the inverter circuit unit 17, the outdoor control unit 18, the communication circuit power supply unit 19, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, and the inrush current prevention relay drive unit 27 from the low standby power state. The flowchart for explaining the operation until the power is supplied (power supply state is reached) is the same as in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment (S1 to S13).

In step 11, the outdoor control unit 18 of the outdoor unit 50 starts steady communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2A. Through the steady communication, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 of the outdoor unit 50 receives information on the suction temperature (room temperature) T1 measured by the temperature sensor 31 of the indoor unit 2A from the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2A, and the indoor unit The suction temperature T1 of 2A is updated. Similarly, the outdoor control unit 18 of the outdoor unit 50 starts steady communication between the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 and the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2B. Through the steady communication, the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 of the outdoor unit 50 receives information on the suction temperature (room temperature) T2 measured by the temperature sensor 31 of the indoor unit 2B from the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2B, and the indoor unit The suction temperature T2 of 2B is updated.

The outdoor control unit 18 of the outdoor unit 50 is the average value TN of the suction temperatures of all the indoor units (indoor unit 2A and indoor unit 2B) from the suction temperature (room temperature) T1 and the suction temperature (room temperature) T2 obtained in step 11. Is transmitted from the outdoor communication circuit unit 20 to the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2A. When the indoor communication circuit unit 7 of the indoor unit 2A receives the average value TN of the suction temperature of all the indoor units from the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A sucks from the remote control communication unit 10 of the indoor unit 2A. The average temperature value TN and the outside air temperature are transmitted to the remote controller 11. When the remote controller 11 receives the average suction temperature TN and the outside air temperature of all the indoor units from the remote controller communication unit 10, the remote controller 11 displays the average suction temperature TN and the outside air temperature on the display unit. In this way, by displaying the average value TN of the suction temperature of all the indoor units and the outside air temperature on the display screen of the remote controller 11, the user can know the average temperature TN and the outside air temperature of the latest all indoor units.

When the air conditioner 100 starts the air conditioning operation next time, the air conditioner 100 is based on the average value TN of the suction temperature of all the indoor units, the suction temperature of the indoor unit 1A or the indoor unit 2B, or the indoor temperature detected by an external device such as a remote controller. Implement temperature control.

Further, in the flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner 100 from the power supply state to the low standby power state in the second embodiment, the flowchart in which the air conditioner 1 in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment is low from the power supply state is shown. It is the same as the flowchart explaining the operation until the transition to the standby power state (S15 to S24).

Further, in the second embodiment, the activation sequence in which the air conditioner 100 is changed from the low standby power state to the power supply state is from the time when the air conditioner 1 is changed to the power supply state in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. It is the same as the flowchart explaining the operation of (S1 to S13).

In the second embodiment, the schematic diagram showing the transition of the power supply state of the air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 is stopped from the air conditioning operation is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 6). In step S1, when the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A determines that communication is established between the indoor communication circuit unit 7 and the outdoor communication circuit unit 20, the air conditioner 100 of the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A determines that communication is established. It is determined that the power is being supplied, and this state is continued for a predetermined time. Then, when the power supply state of the air conditioner 100 elapses for a predetermined time, the air conditioner 100 transitions from the power supply state to the low standby power state by (steps S15 to S21). Then, when the state in which the air conditioner 100 is in the low standby power state elapses for a predetermined time, the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A performs a start sequence (steps S29 to S40) to move the air conditioner 100 from the low standby power state. Power is supplied. In this way, the air conditioner 100 periodically transitions between the power supply state and the low standby power state while the air conditioning operation is stopped.

The predetermined time in step S18 is the minimum time required for the room temperature sensors of the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B to detect the change in room temperature, and the predetermined time in step S28 is the temperature of the room temperature sensor of the outdoor unit 50. The measurement is performed multiple times, and the minimum time required for the detected outside air temperature to stabilize is set. At least one of the fixed time in step S1, the predetermined time in step S18, and the predetermined time in step S28 of the second embodiment can be changed in length by a signal from the remote controller.

<Effect>
As described above, in the present embodiment, even when there are a plurality of indoor units (indoor unit 2A and indoor unit 2B) of the air conditioner, the indoor unit 2A is outdoors at predetermined intervals in a low standby power state. The power supply to the machine 50 is restarted. Therefore, the outdoor unit 50 acquires and updates the air conditioning control information (including the indoor temperature and the outside air temperature) acquired by the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B from the indoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 2B at a predetermined cycle. ,Update. Further, the user can change the length of the predetermined cycle by the signal from the remote controller 11A. With such a configuration, the user can change the cycle in which the air conditioner 100 updates the information related to the air conditioning control according to the weather and the like. In this way, the air conditioner 100 having improved operability while maintaining energy saving can be obtained. Further, while the operation of the air conditioner 100 is stopped, the information on the air conditioning control displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 11A of the air conditioner 100 can be updated at an appropriate timing while suppressing the standby power.

Further, when the air conditioner 100 is in a low standby power state, the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A receives a signal from the remote controller 11A via the remote controller communication unit 10, or the indoor control unit of the indoor unit 2A. When 5 determines that the user is operating the remote controller 11A, the indoor control unit 5 of the indoor unit 2A temporarily restarts the power supply to the outdoor unit 50. With such a configuration, the outdoor unit 50 can acquire the signal from the remote controller 11A received by the indoor unit 2A without waiting for the air conditioner 100 to start the operation next time. With such a function, the information included in the signal from the remote controller 11A by the user can be shared between the indoor unit 2A and the outdoor unit 50, and the reliability in the operation of the air conditioner is improved.

In the first embodiment, the case where the commercial power supply 3 is connected to the outdoor terminal block 22 of the outdoor unit 3 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the commercial power supply 3 can be connected to the indoor terminal block 21 of the indoor unit 2.
For example, terminals L and N are provided on the indoor terminal block 21 of the indoor unit 2, and the commercial power supply 3 is connected to the terminals L and N. Then, the terminal L of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the terminal S1 of the indoor terminal block 21. Further, the terminal N of the indoor terminal block 21 is connected to the terminal S2 of the indoor terminal block 21. As a result, the electric power from the commercial power supply 3 supplied to L and N of the indoor terminal block 21 is transmitted from the terminals S1 and S2 of the indoor terminal block 21 via the power supply line 23 and the power signal common line 24 to the outdoor unit. It is supplied to terminals S1 and S2 of the outdoor terminal block 22 of 3.
Even with such a configuration, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the commercial power supply 3 can be connected to the indoor terminal block 21 of the indoor unit 2A.

1 ... Air conditioner, 2 ... Indoor unit, 3 ... Outdoor unit, 4 ... Single-phase AC power supply, 5 ... Indoor control unit, 6 ... Indoor rectifier unit, 7 ... Indoor communication circuit unit, 8 ... Indoor operation switching unit, 9 ... outdoor start relay, 10 ... remote control communication unit, 11 ... remote control, 12 ... outdoor rectifying unit, 13 ... inrush current prevention relay, 14 ... inrush current prevention resistance, 15 ... outdoor relay, 16 ... condenser, 17 ... inverter circuit unit, 18 ... Outdoor control unit, 19 ... Communication circuit power supply unit, 20 ... Outdoor communication circuit unit, 21 ... Indoor terminal block, 22 ... Outdoor terminal block, 23 ... Power supply line, 24 ... Power signal common line, 25 ... Signal line, 26 ... power supply relay, 27 ... inrush current prevention relay drive unit, 28 ... power supply switching relay, 29 ... power supply relay coil unit, 30 ... outdoor operation switching unit, 100 ... air conditioner, 2A ... indoor unit, 2B ... indoor Machine, 50 ... outdoor unit, 31 ... temperature sensor, 32 ... temperature sensor.

Claims (7)

1. It is an air conditioner that is configured by connecting an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
   The indoor communication circuit unit provided in the indoor unit and
   An indoor control unit provided in the indoor unit and causing the indoor communication circuit unit to transmit and receive.
   An outdoor communication circuit unit provided in the outdoor unit, receiving the suction temperature of the indoor unit from the indoor communication circuit unit, and transmitting the outside air temperature to the indoor communication circuit unit.
   An outdoor control unit provided in the outdoor unit and causing the outdoor communication circuit unit to transmit and receive to and from the indoor communication circuit unit.
   A first relay provided in the indoor unit that supplies electric power from a commercial power source to the outdoor control unit when it is closed and cuts off power supply to the outdoor control unit when it is open.
   It has a second relay provided in the outdoor unit, which supplies power from a commercial power source to the outdoor communication circuit unit when it is closed, and cuts off power supply to the outdoor communication circuit unit when it is open. And
   The indoor control unit confirms whether communication is being performed between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit, and communication is not performed between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit for a certain period of time. In this case, the first relay is changed from the open state to the closed state at a predetermined cycle, the power from the commercial power source is applied to the outdoor control unit, and then the first relay is changed from the closed state to the open state.
   When power is supplied, the outdoor control unit sets the second relay from an open state to a closed state to activate the outdoor communication circuit unit, and transmits and receives between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit. After a predetermined time, the second relay is changed from the closed state to the open state based on the signal from the indoor control unit, and the power supply to the outdoor control unit is cut off.
   An air conditioner whose predetermined period can be changed.
2. When the remote controller receiving unit receives the setting change signal transmitted from the remote controller when the power supply to the outdoor unit is cut off, the indoor control unit closes the first relay and turns on the commercial power supply. The air conditioner according to claim 1, which is added to the outdoor control unit.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indoor unit is energized when the power supply to the outdoor unit is cut off.
4. The outdoor unit is equipped with a temperature sensor.
   The air according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the indoor control unit closes the first relay from an open state and supplies commercial power only to the temperature sensor, the outdoor communication circuit unit, and the outdoor control unit. Harmony machine.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the fixed time can be changed by a signal from the remote controller.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined time can be changed by a signal from the remote controller.
7. It is an air conditioner that is configured by connecting multiple indoor units and outdoor units.
   An indoor communication circuit unit provided in one of the plurality of indoor units,
   An indoor control unit provided in one of the plurality of indoor units and allowing the indoor communication circuit unit to transmit and receive.
   An outdoor communication circuit unit provided in the outdoor unit, receiving the suction temperature of the indoor unit from the indoor communication circuit unit, and transmitting the outside air temperature to the indoor communication circuit unit.
   An outdoor control unit provided in the outdoor unit and causing the outdoor communication circuit unit to transmit and receive to and from the indoor communication circuit unit.
   A first relay provided in one of the plurality of indoor units, which supplies power from a commercial power source to the outdoor control unit when it is closed, and cuts off power supply to the outdoor control unit when it is open. When,
   It has a second relay provided in the outdoor unit, which supplies power from a commercial power source to the outdoor communication circuit unit when it is closed, and cuts off power supply to the outdoor communication circuit unit when it is open. And
   The indoor control unit confirms whether communication is being performed between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit, and communication is not performed between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit for a certain period of time. In this case, the first relay is changed from the open state to the closed state at a predetermined cycle, the power from the commercial power source is applied to the outdoor control unit, and then the first relay is changed from the closed state to the open state.
   When power is supplied, the outdoor control unit sets the second relay from an open state to a closed state, activates the outdoor communication circuit unit, and transmits and receives between the indoor communication circuit unit and the outdoor communication circuit unit. After a predetermined time, the second relay is changed from the closed state to the open state based on the signal from the indoor control unit, and the power supply to the outdoor control unit is cut off.
   An air conditioner whose predetermined period can be changed.

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