JPH02223752A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a circuit configuration by forcibly driving a compressor for a fixed time when power is thrown in, comparing a detected electric current value with a reference value, and a tube temperature of an indoor side heat exchanger after a fixed time's lapse with the operation contents of an air conditioner and then detecting a failure. CONSTITUTION:A microcomputer 15 for an indoor unit 1 turns on a power supply relay 6 when a power supply switch is turned on, drives a compressor 9 of an outdoor unit 2 forcibly for a fixed time, compares its total electric current value with a reference value, and devices the presence of any operational failure. Moreover, it compares a temperature of tubes for an indoor side heat exchanger, which is detected by an inner tube temperature sensor 4, with the operation contents of an air conditioner, and decides the failure based on whether or not the temperature of the tubes is equivalent to the detected operation contents. It is, therefore, possible to eliminate the need for a receiving/ transmitting circuit which receives and transmits a signal from or to an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit, and an outdoor unit micro computer, thereby simplifying the configuration of a failure diagnosis circuit.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to abnormality detection of an air conditioner.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional air conditioner operation protection device disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 87-17338. In FIG. 9, (1) is an indoor unit.

(2) is the outdoor unit, +5) is the guide temperature sensor that detects the indoor temperature and inputs it to the microcomputer, (9) is the compressor, a9 is the indoor microcomputer, +Ill is the indoor microcomputer (the signal from 19 is sent to the outdoor The file sent to unit (2),
Alternatively, the transmitting/receiving circuit receives the signal sent from the outdoor unit (2), and η is the input signal side (17a) of the indoor relay, which is the contact side of the relay that is turned on and off by the input signal side αη, and α$ is the input signal side (17a) of the indoor relay. Power line, α9 is an outdoor microcomputer.

The prisoner sends the signal from the outdoor microcomputer α9 to the indoor unit) (1
) or the transmitting/receiving circuit that receives the signal sent from the guide unit (11), Qυ is the input signal side of the outdoor relay, (21a) is the contact of the relay that is turned ON and OFF by the input signal side Qυ On the side, ■ is a signal line.

Further, FIG. 6(a) is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the indoor unit, and FIG. 6(b) is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the outdoor unit. In addition, Fig. 6(a),
(1) The steps in the flowchart of (1) will be explained in terms of functions and operations of the prior art.

Next, the operation will be explained. The signal output from the indoor microcomputer (19) inside the indoor unit (1) is received by the transmitter/receiver circuit αe inside the indoor unit (1), and then
Connect the indoor unit (2
) The signal is sent to the internal transmitter/receiver circuit, and the transmitter/receiver circuit @
The signal received from the indoor side is inputted by the outdoor microcomputer 9 inside the outdoor unit (21).

Conversely, the signal output from the outdoor microcomputer a9 is as follows.

Once received by the transmitter/receiver circuit inside the outdoor unit (2), the signal is transmitted from the transmitter/receiver circuit to the transmitter/receiver circuit αG inside the indoor unit (1) through the signal line (2).

The signal received by the transmitter/receiver circuit αe is sent to the indoor microcomputer αSK.
Therefore, it is input.

All of the means for detecting an abnormality, protecting the operation, and displaying an abnormality in the event that the timing of signal transmission and reception, signal assembly, or signal transmission and reception are not performed normally due to incorrect wiring, etc. indoor units) (11
, indoor microcontroller (1) inside the outdoor unit (2)
), is performed by software included in the outdoor microcomputer (2). FIG. 6(al) shows a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the indoor unit, and FIG. 6(1)l shows a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the K outdoor unit.

In FIG. 6(a), the outdoor unit (2) K assembles a signal to be transmitted in the step and outputs the transmission signal in the step. Step (43) conversely inputs the signal transmitted from the outdoor unit (2) and checks whether the transmitted signal is received normally in the Oshiwa Step En.If it is received normally, step (
Proceed to step c) and if the data is not received normally, proceed to step -. In Steve's case, the transmission signal sent from outside is a normal signal or an indoor unit (1)
The signal sent from the outdoor unit (2) to the outdoor microcomputer! If 19 cannot be received normally, the outdoor unit (
Check whether the signal is sent from 2) to the indoor unit (1) to inform of an abnormality. If the signal is normal, go back to step f4ft. If the signal is to notify of an abnormality, go to step -. 1Oη, and connect the contact side of the relay (1
7a).

(21a) is turned off and the abnormality display is turned on.

In Figure 6 (1) l, in step (51) the signal sent from the indoor unit (1) is received, and in step (52) it is checked whether it has been received normally. If the reception is normal, proceed to step (53); if the reception is not normal, proceed to step (53).
Proceed to step 55). Step (indoor unit (in 53)
1) is assembling the signal to be sent to step (54).
) outputs the transmission signal to the indoor unit (1). In step (55), a reception error signal is assembled to notify the indoor microcomputer (151c) that the transmission signal from the indoor unit (1) was not received normally, and it is output in step (54). .

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Since the conventional air conditioner operation protection device is configured as described above, four microcomputers must be installed inside the outdoor unit, and information is exchanged between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit using signals. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a transmitting/receiving circuit in the indoor and outdoor units, resulting in problems such as an extremely expensive operation protection device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can detect an abnormality without providing an outdoor microcomputer and a signal transmitting/receiving circuit.

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can detect an abnormality without providing an outdoor microcomputer and a signal transmission/reception circuit.

[Means to solve the problem]

The air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with a current detection circuit that detects the full load current, and the pressure Mi machine is forcibly operated for a certain period of time from the time the power is turned on to obtain the load current, and this and the current reference value are and a method that detects the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger after a certain period of time after the compressor starts operating while the air conditioner is operating, and compares this with the air conditioner operation. It is more than possible to detect it.

[Effect]

The air conditioner of this invention detects the current with the current detection circuit by operating the compressor for a certain period of time from the time the power is turned on, and detects an abnormality by comparing this with a predetermined reference value of the current. In addition, while the air conditioner is operating, the temperature of the tubes in the indoor heat exchanger is detected a certain period of time after the compressor starts operating, and this is compared with the operation of the air conditioner to determine whether the tube temperature is commensurate with the operation. Detect small abnormalities by determining whether the

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. 1st
In the figure, (1) is an indoor unit, (2) is an outdoor unit, (3) is a current detection circuit that detects the full load current, and (4) is a current detection circuit that detects the full load current.
) is an internal pipe source sensor that detects the pipe temperature of the indoor heat exchanger,
(6) is the outdoor 22) (2) is the power supply relay that supplies power and stops it, (7) is the four-way valve αl11
fcON, 0FIP four-way valve relay, (8) is the outer fan cII ON/OFF outer 7 unrelay, (9) is the compressor, α1 is the four-way valve, αD is the outer 7 an, αa is the outer fan reel L/-( Turn on and off the outer fan 7tld with 81.
F88R, α9 is the indoor microcomputer, 111 is the power line, and a9 is the all OFF switch.

Next, an embodiment of the current detection circuit (3) for detecting the full load current is shown in FIG. In the figure, (3a) is a current transformer, (31)) is a discharge resistor, (3C) is a diode array that rectifies alternating current to direct current, (3(1) is an electrolytic capacitor that smooths the rectified waveform, 3e
) divides the voltage generated across the electrolytic capacitor (3d) and sends it to the indoor microcomputer l! Voltage dividing resistor for iK input.

(5f) A diode that prevents the positive potential of the Fi electrolytic capacitor (3d) from rising too high.

(3g) is a compressor (9), an outside fan (111), a four-way valve (
This is a load such as Io.

In Figure 1, when the air conditioner is plugged into a power source and the all OFF switch (LIJ is closed, the air conditioner is energized), the air conditioner is operated. By turning on (6), the compressor (9) is operated for a certain period of time.As the compressor (9) is energized, a stain current is generated, so the current is detected by the current detection circuit (3). The current is detected, converted to voltage, and input to the indoor microcomputer υ.The current is converted to voltage within the current detection circuit (3).

In Figure 2, when current flows through the primary side of the current transformer (3a), the discharge resistor (3a) connected to the secondary side
A voltage is generated across b). Diode array (3C
], both ends of the electrolytic capacitor (5d) become a DC voltage, and the DC voltage is divided by a voltage dividing resistor (5θ) and input to the microphone. The magnitude of the voltage across the electrolytic capacitor (3d) is determined by the magnitude of the current flowing to the primary side of the current transformer (3a), so if the primary current is large, the microcontroller input voltage will also be large. If the next-side current is small, the microcomputer input voltage will also be small. The voltage value input to the indoor microcomputer aS is compared with a voltage value corresponding to a certain current value inside the microcomputer, and based on the result, it is determined whether the air conditioner is in a normal state or abnormality.

A flowchart of software for performing the above operations is shown in FIG. 4(a). In the figure, step (6) corresponds to compressor operating means (6), in which when the air conditioner is energized, the compressor (9) is forcibly operated for a certain period of time. In step (62), the compressor ( 9) Detects the current when the machine is operated, converts it to voltage, and connects it to the indoor microcomputer α9.
is being entered. In step (63), the detected current value is compared with a predetermined current reference value, and if the detected current is higher than the reference value, it is considered normal, and conversely, if it is lower than the reference value, it is abnormal. Become.

For example, if the standard value of current is 2 [A] and the compressor (91!) is forced to operate for 2 seconds after the air conditioner is energized, the current value at that time will depend on the current capacity of the compressor (9). However, in 2 seconds, it becomes 5 [A] to 6 [A], so if the voltage value input to the microcontroller corresponds to the current value of 5 [A] to 6 [A], the air conditioner is normal. It is determined that

In addition, an indoor unit (1) and an outdoor unit (2) are used, in which when the relay (6) is temporarily turned on, the four-way valve section is energized, and when the relay (7) is turned on, the compressor (9) is energized.
If there is a wiring error in the wiring connection with the air conditioner, the compressor (
9) is not energized, but the four-way valve al is energized. The current capacity of the western valve is not as large as the current capacity of the compressor (9), about 1 [A], so the standard value of 2 [A]
The air conditioner also became smaller, indicating that there was something wrong with the air conditioner. Note that the step of detecting the current and comparing it with the reference value (1
52) and (63) correspond to the current comparison means (65).

However, in FIG. 1, there may be a pattern in which no abnormality is detected even if the compressor operating means and current comparing means are used. For example, indoor unit) +11 and outdoor unit (2
) in the wiring connection as shown in Figure 3. In this case, the compressor is normally energized, but the outside fan α
D does not rotate or the four-way valve is OWL. Four-way valve α [ga O
If there is no NL, even if heating operation is attempted, cooling operation will be performed. Therefore, after a certain period of time after the air conditioner is operated and the compressor is operated, the tube temperature of the heat exchanger of indoor unit l-(1) is determined as the inner tube temperature. By comparing the detected pipe temperature with the operating details of the air conditioner, it can be determined whether the air conditioner is normal or abnormal. A comparison calculation means (76) for performing this operation is shown in a flow chart in FIG. 4(t).

In step (71), the current operating details of the air conditioner are checked.In step (72), the temperature of the pipes of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit (1) after a certain period of time after the compressor (9) starts operating is determined. is detected by the inner pipe temperature sensor α◆ and inputted to the guide microcomputer a9, and in step (73) it is checked whether the operation content is heating.

If it is heating, proceed to step (74), and if cooling or drying, proceed to step (75). In Step 7 (compare the reference value of the inner pipe temperature for heating and the detected inner pipe temperature), if the detected inner pipe temperature is higher than the reference value, it is determined to be normal, and if it is lower, it is determined to be abnormal. do.

Therefore, in the case of incorrect wiring as shown in Figure 4, even if the heating operation is performed, the cooling operation pressure will remain, so the inner pipe temperature will not be very cold, and will be much lower than the standard value for heating, which is abnormal. It is judged that.

In step (75), the inner pipe temperature is compared with the reference value in the case of cooling dry, and if the inner pipe temperature is lower than the reference value, it is normal.
On the other hand, if it is high, it is abnormal. Therefore.

If a failure occurs such as the relay (7) welding and the contacts remaining closed, it is determined that there is an abnormality in step (75).

In the above embodiment, in step (1) of Fig. 4, the operating details of the air conditioner are confirmed in step (7), and the temperature of the pipes of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit (1) is detected in step (72). In step (71), the tube temperature of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit (1) may be detected, and in step (72), the operation details of the air conditioner may be confirmed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, there is a method that includes a current detection circuit and detects the current by forcibly operating the compressor for a certain period of time from the time the power is turned on, and a method that detects the current when the compressor starts operating while the air conditioner is operating. By using software to compare the temperature of the pipes in the indoor heat exchanger with the operating conditions of the air conditioner after a certain period of time, abnormalities in the air conditioner can be detected. There is no need for transmitter/receiver circuits or outdoor microcomputers for communication, and the air conditioner can be obtained at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a current detection circuit, and Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. A wiring diagram showing one embodiment, FIG. 4(a) is a flowchart showing the compressor operating means and current comparing means, and FIG. 4(b) shows the comparison calculation means for comparing the internal pipe temperature and operation details. Flowchart, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional air conditioner operation protection device,
FIG. 6(a) is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a conventional indoor unit, and FIG. 6(1)) is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a conventional outdoor unit. (3) is the current detection circuit, (4) is the inner tube temperature sensor, (9)
(6) is a compressor operating means, (65) is a current comparison means, and (76) is a comparison calculation means. The same reference numerals in the two figures indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An air conditioner capable of heating and cooling is provided with a current detection circuit for detecting a full load current, and a compressor operating means for forcibly operating a compressor for a certain period of time from power-on, and at that time, the current detection circuit A current comparison means for comparing the detected current value with a reference value of the current value, and a current comparison means for comparing the detected current value with a reference value of the current value, and a current comparison means for comparing the detected current value with a reference value of the current value; An air conditioner characterized in that an abnormality is detected using a comparison calculation means that compares and calculates operation details.