JPH0229531A - Control device and method for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an overcurrent protective device from being shut OFF by monitoring the power consumption state, transmitting a load control command to air conditioners, and controlling the air conditioners corresponding to the degree of predicted excess power consumption. CONSTITUTION:In case the current value is between the value determined by a first current setting circuit 11 and the value decided by a second current setting circuit 12, air conditioners that are given lower precedence are turned down in turn to suppress an increase in the current. In case the current value is between the current value determined by the second current setting circuit 12 and the current value determined by a third current setting circuit 13, the air conditioners that are given lower precedence are stopped in turn to suppress an increase in the current. In case the value exceeds the current value determined by the third current setting circuit 13, all the air conditioners are stopped to prevent an overcurrent protective device 20 from being shut OFF. In case the current value becomes lower than the value determined by a fourth current setting circuit, the air conditioners are restored to normal operation in turn according to the order of precedence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a plurality of air conditioners and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, as the number of devices controlled using microcomputers has increased, there has been a growing trend that a new medium, in which a single central control device will control a plurality of controlled devices, will soon arrive. This wave has also spread to households, and there is an increasing trend to use centralized control devices for air conditioners as well.

On the power supply side of the home, on the other hand, it is necessary to increase the supply equipment in order to cope with the load peak due to the increase in the load of air conditioners and non-air conditioners. Due to differences in usage characteristics, situations have occurred that impede the benefits of consumers, such as overcurrent protection devices operating.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In a general household, when electrical appliances other than the air conditioner are being used at full capacity, when the compressor is started under severe air conditioning conditions, and when the capacity converter When an air conditioner equipped with the was waking up.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problem, and the overcurrent protection device is activated by the operation of the air conditioner and the operation of electrical appliances other than the air conditioner, regardless of the magnitude of the current value of the device other than the air conditioner. The purpose is to eliminate the OFF operation.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve this object, the present invention includes at least one system of current detection means for detecting the total load current value flowing through the wiring of the house, and a system that regulates the current flowing through the wiring of the house. a first current setting means for setting a current value that starts an operation to throttle the capacity of the air conditioner to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house at the rated current of the overcurrent protection device; a second current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly larger than the current value set by the current setting means and that causes the operation of some air conditioners to be stopped in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house; third current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly larger than the current value set by the second current setting means and that stops the operation of all air conditioners in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house; Said first
a fourth current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly smaller than the current value set by the current setting means for restoring the air conditioner from the stopped state to the original operating state; Wiring system setting means for setting which wiring system the air conditioner is connected to through the overcurrent protection device, and a priority setting for setting the operating priority of the plurality of air conditioners. a setting means, a first comparison means for comparing the output of the current detection means and the output of the first current setting means, and a first comparison means for comparing the output of the current detection means and the second current detection means;
and a second comparator stage for comparing the outputs of the current setting means.

third comparing means for comparing the output of the current detecting means and the output of the third current setting means; and fourth comparing means for comparing the output of the current detecting means and the output of the fourth current setting means. , a central control device that centrally controls a plurality of air conditioners, and a transmission line that connects the air conditioner operating terminal and the central control device.

Further, the present invention provides power supply to a plurality of air conditioners and other devices via an overcurrent protection device that turns off electricity when an overcurrent flows. The current of the power supply line to which the equipment is connected is measured, and when it is detected that this current value exceeds the first set current value, the air conditioners are connected in order of priority in order of operation priority. The air conditioners are operated in a suppressed manner, and when it is detected that the current value exceeds the second set current value, the air conditioners are stopped in order from those with the lowest operating priority, and the current value is set to the third set current value. When it is detected that the current value has exceeded the fourth set current value, all air conditioners are stopped, and when it is detected that the current value has fallen below the fourth set current value, the air conditioners that are in suppressed operation or stopped are prioritized. Each instruction signal is transmitted to the air conditioner in order to return to normal operation in descending order of the number of air conditioners.

Operation The present invention constantly monitors the power usage status regardless of the magnitude of the current value of the air conditioner and electric appliances other than the air conditioner, and issues a load control command to the air conditioner. , it is possible to control the air conditioner according to the predicted degree of excess power consumption and eliminate the OFF operation of the overcurrent protection device.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1a, 1b, 1c, and Id are air conditioner operating terminals, and 2 is a plurality of air conditioner operating terminals 18-
Central control device that controls 1d, 3g, 3b, 3a, 3d
indicates an air conditioner. 4 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU). 5 is a plurality of air conditioner terminals 18 to 1d
This is a transmission line that connects the central control device 2 and the central control device 2. 6a, 6
b and 6c indicate commercial power supplies supplied to the air conditioners 3a to 3d, and indicate each single-phase three-wire main line. The air conditioner 3
a to 3d are connected between 6a and 6b and between sb and 6a, respectively. A and 7b are the 07 circuits that detect the total value of the load current of devices connected to each house, and 8m and 8b are the 07 circuits mentioned above.
Rectifier circuits 9a and 9b that rectify the outputs of circuits 7a and 7b
is a smoothing capacitor connected to the rectifier circuits 8a and 8b. Reference numeral 1o denotes a wiring system selection switch section for selecting whether the air conditioner connected to the commercial power source is connected to any of the commercial power source systems 6a and 6b or 6b and 6a.

In the case of this embodiment, the 07 circuit 7a includes a commercial power supply 6a,
For current detection of the load connected between 6b and CT circuit 7
b is for detecting the current of the load connected between the commercial power supply sb and 6a, and the selection switch 10 is set to
This is done when the air conditioner is connected to the system between a and 6b or between 6b and 60, and the state of the selection switch is determined by the CPU 4.
read through. Reference numeral 11 is the rated current of the overcurrent protection device 2o that regulates the current flowing through the wiring of the house, and a current value that sets the current value that starts the operation of reducing the capacity of the air conditioner in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house. This is the current setting means of No. 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes a second current setting means for setting a current value for stopping the operation of some air conditioners in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring in the house. Reference numeral 13 denotes a third current setting means for setting a current value to stop the operation of all air conditioners in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house. Reference numeral 14 denotes a fourth current setting means for setting a current value for returning the air conditioner to its original operating state from a suppressed operation or a stopped state for each system. 15a115b, 15c,
15d is a comparator that compares the current value flowing through the commercial power supply line 6a with the first current setting means 11 and the second current setting means 1.
2. Third current setting means 13, fourth current setting means 14
Compare the current values that have been set and send them to CPU4. Similarly, 16a, 15b, 16c, and 16d are comparators,
Comparing the current value flowing through the commercial power supply line 6c with the current values set by the first current setting means 11, the second current setting means 12, the third current setting means 13, and the fourth current setting means 14, Input to CPU4.

Reference numeral 17 denotes an operation priority setting unit that determines the operation priority between air conditioners connected to the same wiring system set by the wiring system selection switch 10, and is composed of, for example, a 4-bit code switch. There is. 18 a s 18
b s 18 c and 18 d are general electrical appliances other than air conditioners.

Next, the details of the control will be explained using FIG. 3. The CT circuits 7a and 7b constantly monitor the current flowing through the commercial power supply line, and perform the following control depending on the operating status of the air conditioners 3a to 3d and the electric appliances 18a to 18d.

When the current value flowing through the commercial power supply line is less than or equal to the current value (10096) determined by the first current setting circuit (A zone), each air conditioner is operated freely. When the current value flowing through the commercial power line is between the current value determined by the first current setting circuit (100%) and the current value determined by the second current setting circuit (11°96) (B zone)
The capacity of air conditioners set lower in priority is sequentially reduced to suppress the increase in current. The current value flowing through the commercial power supply line is determined by the second current setting circuit (11
0%) and the current value determined by the third current setting circuit (15
0%) (Zone C), the air conditioners set lower in priority are stopped in order to suppress the increase in current. If the current value flowing through the commercial power line exceeds the current value (150%) determined by the third current setting circuit (D
zone), all air conditioners are stopped to prevent the overcurrent protection device 2o from turning off. 8. If the current value flowing through the commercial power line in the C and O zones becomes less than the current value (80%) determined by the fourth current setting circuit due to the above control (C zone), the priority is set high. The air conditioners will gradually return to normal operation. Brush 1 to 4
The current value determined by the current setting circuit up to is determined by taking into consideration the operating characteristics of the overcurrent protection device 2o and the current capacities of the air conditioners 3a to 3d and the general electric appliances 18a to 18d. As is clear, the present invention detects the load current flowing in a house and controls the current of the air conditioner according to its state. Even if there is an overcurrent protection device, it has the effect of preventing the overcurrent protection device from turning off and allowing operation within the capability determined by the overcurrent protection device without impeding the benefits of the beneficiary.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of control contents according to the same embodiment. 1a, 1b, 1G, 1d... terminal device for air conditioner operation, 2... central control device, 3a, 3b, 3
c, 3d...Air conditioner, 5...Transmission line, 7a, 7b...C7 circuit, 10...
...Wiring system selection switch, 11...First current setting circuit, 12...Second current setting circuit, 1
3...Third current setting circuit, 14...
Fourth current setting circuit, 15F1.15b, 15c, 15
d, 16a, 16b, 16c, 15d---Comparator, 17... Operation priority setting section, 20...
・Overcurrent protection device. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person2-
13a-d -・- ++ -・- 12--One concentration pJ surface! Device Air II Sum Collection Speed Traction Island No. 1 current foot supination? 2's t is set up supination I3---3rd electric @ setting circuit 14- 4's t-interval setting circuit +5a-j, 74a-j-1 comparison 6+7-+乍叡1
1 first installation''X own p 2C1-II current a;

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A current detection means that detects the total load current value flowing through the wiring of the house, and a rated current of an overcurrent protection device that regulates the current flowing through the wiring of the house, and the current flowing through the wiring of the house. a first current setting means for setting a current value that starts an operation of reducing the capacity of the air conditioner in order to suppress the air conditioner;
a second current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly larger than the current value set by the first current setting means to stop the operation of some air conditioners in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house; , third current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly larger than the current value set by the second current setting means and that causes the operation of all air conditioners to be stopped in order to suppress the current flowing through the wiring of the house; and the first
a fourth current setting means for setting a current value that is slightly smaller than the current value set by the current setting means and that causes the air conditioner to return to its original operating state from the suppressed operation or stop state for each system; Wiring system setting means for setting which wiring system the conditioner is connected to through the overcurrent protection device, and priority setting for setting the operating priority of the plurality of air conditioners. means, first comparison means for comparing the output of the current detection means and the output of the first current setting means, and a first comparison means for comparing the output of the current detection means and the second current setting means;
a second comparing means for comparing the output of the current setting means; a third comparing means for comparing the output of the current detecting means and the output of the third current setting means; A fourth comparing means for comparing the output of the fourth current setting means, a central control device for centrally controlling a plurality of air conditioners, and the air conditioner operating terminal and the central control device are connected. Air conditioner control device equipped with a transmission line. (2) When operating the air conditioners by supplying power to multiple air conditioners and other devices via an overcurrent protection device that turns off electricity when an overcurrent flows, the air conditioners and other devices measures the current of the power supply line to which it is connected, and when it is detected that this current value exceeds the first set current value, the air conditioners are connected in order of priority. When it is detected that the current value exceeds the second set current value, the air conditioners are stopped in order from the lowest to lowest operating priority, and the current value reaches the third set current value. When it is detected that the current value has exceeded the fourth set current value, all air conditioners are stopped, and when it is detected that the current value has fallen below the fourth set current value, the air conditioners that are in suppressed operation or stopped are placed in the operation priority order. An air conditioner control method that transmits each instruction signal to the air conditioner so that it returns to normal operation in descending order of magnitude. (3) Measure the current of the power supply line to which the air conditioner and other equipment are connected for each power supply system, compare each current value with the set current value, and 3. The method of controlling an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein each air conditioner is controlled according to an order of operation priority of the air conditioner. (4) The method for controlling an air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operating priority order can be set in advance.