JPH03236554A - Air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable decision of the presence of abnormality of a piping and a wiring by a method wherein a compressor is run to cause a refrigerant to flow, in order, to indoor units, through inflow of a refrigerant, the temperature of an indoor heat exchanger is changed for a value exceeding a given value, a signal for this fact is outputted from each indoor unit, and a signal output therefrom is monitored. CONSTITUTION:When the piping of an indoor heat exchanger is brought into a normal state, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger of an indoor unit C1 is changed for a value exceeding a given value, and a release signal is outputted from an indoor control part 70. When a multi control part 60 receives a command during operation, it monitors signal outputs from indoor units C1, C2, and C3. When a release signal is received from the indoor unit C3 except the indoor units C1 and C2, and when a release signal is received from the indoor unit C3 except the indoor unit C1 of the indoor units C1 and C2, it is decided that the piping and the wiring of the indoor unit C1 are abnormal if a given time elapses in a state that no release signal is received from both the indoor units C1 and C3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Objective of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) This invention relates to a multi-system air conditioner capable of air conditioning a plurality of rooms.

(Prior Art) Generally, a multi-system air conditioner includes one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, and these indoor units are connected via piping and wiring to the outdoor unit via a branch unit. There is.

The branch unit controls the operation of the outdoor unit according to the request of each indoor unit, and further controls the flow of refrigerant to each indoor unit according to the request of each indoor unit.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) When installing this multi-system air conditioner in a building, incorrect connections of refrigerant pipes may occur between each indoor unit and the branch unit. .

Furthermore, incorrect connection of signal lines, so-called miswiring, may occur between each indoor unit and the branch unit.

Naturally, when such incorrect piping or wiring occurs, proper operation becomes difficult.

Therefore, it is necessary to perform a trial run after installation and check the condition of the piping and wiring in the warehouse.

However, the check relies on manual work and must be performed on each indoor unit, which is extremely troublesome.

Also, because it is a hassle, sufficient checks are not done.
Incorrect piping and wiring are often overlooked.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the air conditioner according to claim 1 is capable of automatically controlling the state of piping and wiring between each indoor unit and the branch unit without requiring any human work. The air conditioner according to claim 2 is characterized in that the air conditioner can be checked quickly and accurately, thereby greatly reducing the burden on the person during installation, and enabling proper operation after installation. The condition of the piping and wiring between the indoor unit and the branch unit can be checked automatically, quickly and accurately without the need for any manual work, which greatly reduces the burden on people during installation. At the same time, the purpose is to enable proper operation after installation and further improve the durability and reliability of the compressor.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problem) The air conditioner of claim 1 comprises one outdoor uni-soto having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and each having an indoor heat exchanger. In a multi-system air conditioner consisting of multiple indoor units that are connected via piping and wiring to the above outdoor unit via a branch unit, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger installed in each indoor unit is a heat exchanger temperature sensor for detecting the heat exchanger temperature sensor; a means for outputting a signal to that effect when the detected temperature of the heat exchanger temperature sensor changes by a predetermined value or more, which is provided in each of the indoor units; and a check switch; A means for operating the compressor to sequentially flow refrigerant to each of the indoor units when the check switch is operated, and a means for monitoring the signal output of each of the indoor units when the check switch is operated to check the piping or wiring of each of the indoor units. and means for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality.

The air conditioner according to claim 2 includes one outdoor unit having a variable capacity compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, each having an indoor heat exchanger, and piping and wiring connection to the outdoor unit via a branch unit. In a multi-system air conditioner consisting of a plurality of indoor units, a heat exchanger temperature sensor is provided in each of the indoor units to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger temperature sensor is provided in each of the indoor units to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. means for outputting a signal to that effect when the detected temperature of the heat exchanger temperature sensor changes by a predetermined value or more; an outdoor air temperature sensor provided in each of the outdoor units to detect outdoor air temperature; a check switch; and a check switch. Means for operating the variable capacity compressor at a capacity corresponding to the temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor when the switch is operated to sequentially flow refrigerant to each of the indoor units; and a signal for each of the indoor units when the check switch is operated. and means for monitoring the output and determining whether there is any abnormality in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit.

(Function) In the air conditioner according to the first aspect, when the check switch is operated, the compressor is operated to sequentially flow refrigerant to each indoor unit. At this time, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger changes by a predetermined value or more due to the inflow of refrigerant, and a signal to that effect is output from each indoor unit.

In the air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the signal output is monitored to determine whether there is any abnormality in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit, when the check switch is operated, the variable capacity compressor is adjusted to a capacity corresponding to the temperature of the outdoor unit. to flow refrigerant to each indoor unit in sequence. At this time,
The temperature of the indoor heat exchanger changes by a predetermined value or more due to the inflow of the refrigerant, and a signal to that effect is output from each indoor unit.

This signal output is monitored to determine whether there is any abnormality in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit.

(Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This first embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner of claim 1.

In FIG. 1, A is one outdoor unit, and a plurality of indoor units C1, C2, and C3 are connected to this outdoor unit A via a branch unit B through piping.

The outdoor unit A is equipped with two variable capacity compressors 1 and 2,
The refrigerant discharge ports of the compressor 1.2 are connected to an outdoor heat exchanger 6 via check valves 3.4 and a four-way valve 5, respectively.

A header H is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 6 via a parallel body of a heating expansion valve 7 and a cooling cycle forming check valve 8, and a liquid tank 9, and an electric flow rate regulating valve (hereinafter referred to as PMV) is connected to the header H. ) 11゜21.31, cooling expansion valves 12, 22゜32, and heating cycle forming check valve 1
B, indoor heat exchanger 14, 2 through parallel body of 23°33
4°34 is connected.

The header H is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 14, 24, 34, and the header H is connected to the refrigerant suction port of the compressor 1, 2 via the accumulator 10.

In this way, the outdoor unit A1, the branch unit B1, and the indoor units C1, C2, and C3 constitute a heat pump type refrigeration cycle.

That is, during cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid line arrow in the figure to form a cooling cycle, and during heating operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the broken line arrow in the figure by switching the four-way valve 5 to form a heating cycle. ing.

Furthermore, an oil separator 41 is connected to each refrigerant discharge side port of the compressors 1 and 2, and the oil separator 41
An oil bypass pipe 42 is connected to the refrigerant suction ports of the compressors 1 and 2. In addition, compressors 1 and 2
The respective reference oil level positions of the cases are communicated with each other by an oil equalizing pipe 43, allowing mutual circulation of lubricating oil.

The above-mentioned cooling expansion valves 12, 22, and 32 each have a temperature sensing tube 1.
2a, 22a, and 32a, and these temperature sensing tubes are attached to the gas side refrigerant pipes of the indoor heat exchangers 14, 24, and 34, respectively.

Heat exchanger temperature sensors 15, 25.35 are attached to the indoor heat exchangers 14, 24.34, respectively.

The control circuit is shown in FIG.

The outdoor unit A includes an outdoor control section 50.

The multi-control unit 6 of the branch unit B is connected to this outdoor control unit 50.
0, and the indoor units C,
, C2, and C3 are connected to indoor control units 70, 80, and 90, respectively.

The outdoor control unit 50 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and externally includes a four-way valve 5, inverter circuits 51 and 52, an incorrect distribution check switch 54, and a display unit 5.
5, and an outdoor air temperature sensor 56 are connected.

The inverter circuits 51 and 52 rectify the voltage of the AC power supply 53, convert it into an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency by switching according to a command from the outdoor control unit 50, and supply it as driving power to the compressor motors LM and 2M, respectively. It is something to do.

The multi-control unit 60 consists of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and has an external PMVII.

21.31 is connected.

The indoor control units 70, 80, and 90 are made up of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and are externally connected to an operating unit 71,
81, 91, indoor air temperature sensors 72, 82, 92, and the heat exchanger temperature sensors 15, 25, 35 are connected, respectively.

Then, the indoor control units 70, 80.90 transmit the required capacity according to the air conditioning load (difference between the set temperature and the indoor air temperature) of the room in which they are installed using the frequency setting signals fl, f2.
f3 to the multi-control unit 60, and a functional means that outputs a release signal to that effect when the temperature detected by the heat exchanger temperature sensor 15°25.35 changes by more than a predetermined value and becomes less than a predetermined value. What are you doing?

The multi-control unit 60 receives the frequency setting signal f,
, f2. The required capacity of each indoor unit is determined from f3, and the frequency setting signal fo corresponding to the sum is sent to the outdoor control unit 50.
It has functional means to send to.

The outdoor control unit 50 receives the frequency setting signal f. It has functional means for controlling the operation and output frequency of the inverter circuits 51 and 52, that is, the number of operating compressors 1 and 2 and the operating frequency, according to the operating conditions.

Then, in the outdoor control unit 50 and the multi-control unit 60, when the misdelivery check switch 54 is operated, the compressors 1 and 2 are
function means to operate the refrigerant to sequentially flow the refrigerant to the indoor units C1, C2, C, and to monitor the release signal output of the indoor units C1, C2, C3 when the misdistribution check switch 54 is operated. , C3, and a functional means for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the piping or wiring of C3.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5.

First, let's talk about installation and then regular operation.

It is assumed that all indoor units are currently performing cooling operation.

At this time, the indoor control section 70 of the indoor unit C1 calculates the difference between the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 72 and the set temperature determined by the operation operation section 71, and outputs a frequency setting signal f1 corresponding to the temperature difference. Multi-control unit 6 as required cooling capacity
Transfer to 0.

Similarly, indoor unit c2. C3 indoor control section 80.9
0 is also the frequency setting signal f2. f3 is transferred to the multi-control unit 60 as the required cooling capacity.

The multi-control unit 60 determines the request and cooling capacity of each indoor unit based on the transferred frequency setting signal, and sends the frequency setting signal fO corresponding to the sum to the outdoor control unit 50.
Transfer to.

The outdoor control unit 50 receives the transferred frequency setting signal f.

Based on the number of operating compressors 1 and 2 and operating frequency (
The output frequency of the inverter circuits 51 and 52 is controlled.

In this case, the outdoor control unit 50 shifts from operating one compressor 1 to operating two compressors 1 and 2 as the total required cooling capacity increases.

Note that the multi-control unit 60 controls the indoor units C1, C2,
PMVI corresponding to each required cooling capacity of C3
Control the opening degree of I, 21.31, indoor heat exchanger 14, 2
4. Adjust the refrigerant flow rate to 34 to maintain a constant refrigerant superheat degree.

In heating operation, the flow of refrigerant is reversed and similar capacity control is performed.

Next, we will discuss below how to check for misplacement when installing in a building.

The installer operates the misdelivery check switch 54 of the outdoor unit A upon completion of the installation.

When the misdelivery check switch 54 is operated, the outdoor control section 50 transmits a check signal to the multi-control section 60.

The multi-control unit 60 monitors the reception of the check signal (step S1), and upon receiving the check signal, executes the following control.

Set an internal restart prevention timer (step S2)
, sends an operation stop command to all indoor units C, , C2, and c3.

t due to count-up of restart prevention timer.

After the time has passed (step S4), the indoor unit C1
P M V 11 corresponding to the indoor unit C1 is set to an opening proportional to the capacity ff1 (corresponding to the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 14) (step S5), and a predetermined frequency is set to the outdoor control section 50 of the outdoor unit A. A cooling operation command is transmitted (step S6).

The outdoor control unit 50 starts the compressor 1.2 based on a command from the multi-control unit 60 and transmits an in-operation command to the multi-control unit 60.

When the compressors 1 and 2 are started, a cooling cycle is formed and refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 14.

In this case, if the piping of the indoor heat exchanger 14 is properly arranged, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 14 of the indoor unit C1 changes by more than a predetermined value and becomes less than a predetermined value, and a release signal is output from the indoor control unit 70. be done.

On the other hand, the multi-control unit 60 monitors the reception of the running command (step S7), and upon receiving the running command, executes the following control.

The internal timer T] is set to a predetermined M minute (for example, 10 minutes) (step S8).

All indoor units c1. The signal outputs of C2 and C3 are monitored (step S9.SIO, 512).

Here, if a release signal is received from the indoor unit C1, the process moves to step 516.

However, if a release signal is received from an indoor unit C2 other than the indoor unit C1, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor units C, C2 is abnormal, and the process moves to step 511) and step 316.

If a release signal is received from the indoor unit C3 other than the indoor unit C1, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit C7C5 is abnormal (Step 813), Step 516
Move to.

Further, if M minutes have passed without receiving a release signal from any indoor unit (step 514), it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit C1 is abnormal (step 515), and the process moves to step S16.

In step S16, it is checked whether there is an abnormality determination of the indoor unit C2, and if there is an abnormality determination, the steering knob S
The process moves to step 29, but if there is no abnormality determination, the following control is executed.

The PMV 21 corresponding to the indoor unit C2 is set to an opening proportional to the capacity of the indoor unit C2 (corresponding to the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 24) (step 517).

The internal timer T1 is set to a predetermined N minutes (for example, 5 minutes) (step 518), and the internal timer T2 is set to a predetermined 30 seconds (step 819).

Thus, PMV 21 begins to open and the internal timer T
2 after 30 seconds have elapsed (step 520).
) Fully close the PMVII (step 521).

In this case, if the piping of the indoor heat exchanger 24 is normal, the refrigerant will flow into the indoor heat exchanger 24. As a result, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 24 changes by more than a predetermined value and becomes less than a predetermined value, and a release signal is output from the indoor control unit 8o.

The signal outputs of all indoor units c, , C2, and C3 are monitored (steps S22 and S23 525).

Here, if a release signal is received from the indoor unit C2, the process moves to step S29.

However, if a release signal is received from an indoor unit C1 other than the indoor unit C2, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor units C1 and C2 is abnormal (step 524), and the process moves to step S29.

If a release signal is received from the indoor unit C3 other than the indoor unit C2, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit c2-C3 is abnormal (Step 526), Step S2
Move to 9.

Further, if N minutes have passed without receiving a release signal from any indoor unit (step 527), it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit C2 is abnormal (step 528), and the process moves to step S29.

In step S29, it is checked whether there is an abnormality determination of the indoor unit C3, and if there is an abnormality determination, step S4
Moving on to 2, if there is no abnormality determination, the following control is executed.

The PMV 31 corresponding to the indoor unit C3 is set to an opening proportional to the capacity ff1 (corresponding to the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 34) of the indoor unit C3 (step 530).

The internal timer T1 is set to a predetermined N minutes (for example, 5 minutes) (step 531), and the internal timer T2 is set to a predetermined 30 seconds (step 532).

In this way, when the PMV 31 starts to open and 30 seconds based on the elapsed time of the internal timer T2 has elapsed (step 833)
The PMV 21 is fully closed (step 534).

In this case, if the piping of the indoor heat exchanger 34 is normal, the refrigerant will flow into the indoor heat exchanger 34. As a result, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 34 changes by more than the predetermined value and becomes less than the predetermined value, and the indoor control unit 90 outputs a release signal.

All indoor units c1. The signal outputs of C2 and C3 are monitored (steps S35 and S36°538).

Here, if a release signal is received from the indoor unit C3, the process moves to step S42.

However, if a release signal is received from an indoor unit C1 other than the indoor unit C3, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor units C1 and C3 is abnormal (step 537), and the process moves to step S42.

If a release signal is received from an indoor unit C2 other than the indoor unit C3, it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit C2-C3 is abnormal (Step 539), Step S4
Move on to 2.

Further, if N minutes have passed without receiving a release signal from any indoor unit (step 540), it is determined that the piping or wiring of the indoor unit C3 is abnormal (step 541), and the process moves to step S42.

In step S42, the PMV 31 is fully closed.

Then, the content of the determined abnormality is transmitted to the outdoor control section 50 of the outdoor unit A for 3 seconds (step 543).
). Then, a check completion signal is transmitted to the outdoor control section 50 of the outdoor unit A (step 544).

In the outdoor control section 50, the details of the abnormality are displayed on the display section 55 based on the transmission signal from the multi-control section 60.

Therefore, the state of the piping and wiring between the indoor units CI, C2, C3 and the branch unit B can be checked automatically, quickly and accurately without requiring any manual work. This greatly reduces the burden placed on the person during installation, and enables proper operation after installation.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described.

This second embodiment corresponds to the air conditioner of claim 2.

Here, in the outdoor control section 50 and the multi-control section 60, when the misdistribution check switch 54 is operated, the compressor 1.2 is operated at a capacity according to the temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor 56, and the indoor units C1, C2, C3 are operated. A functional means for sequentially flowing refrigerant through the indoor units C, C2, and C3 is monitored to detect any abnormality in the piping or wiring of the indoor units C, C2, and C3 when the incorrect distribution check switch 54 is operated. It has a functional means for determining the presence or absence.

The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

That is, in the first embodiment, in step S6 when checking the erroneous distribution, a cooling operation command of a predetermined frequency is transmitted to the outdoor control unit 50, and the compressor 1.2 is operated at a constant capacity. In the embodiment, only a cooling operation command is sent to the outdoor control unit 50, and the compressors 1 and 2 are operated at a capacity proportional to the outdoor air temperature.

By doing so, overload operation of the compressors 1 and 2 can be prevented, and in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, there is an advantage that the durability and reliability of the compressors 1 and 2 are improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where there are three indoor units is explained as an example, but there is no limit to the number of indoor units;
It is also possible to implement the same method with one or more devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the air conditioner of claim 1 includes: a heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger; means for outputting a signal to that effect when the detected temperature of the heat exchanger temperature sensor changes by more than a predetermined value; a check switch; The present invention is equipped with a means for flowing refrigerant and a means for monitoring the signal output of each indoor unit when the check switch is operated to determine whether there is any abnormality in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit.
The status of the piping and wiring between each indoor unit and branch unit can be checked automatically, quickly and accurately without the need for any manual work, which greatly reduces the burden on personnel during installation. In addition to reducing the amount of heat generated, proper operation after installation becomes possible.

The air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and a temperature detected by the heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. means for outputting a signal to that effect when the temperature has changed; an outdoor negative temperature sensor installed in each outdoor unit to detect the outdoor air temperature; a check switch; A means for operating the variable capacity compressor at the corresponding capacity to sequentially flow refrigerant to each indoor unit, and a means for monitoring the signal output of each indoor unit when the above check switch is operated to detect abnormalities in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit. Since the system is equipped with a means for determining the presence or absence of air, it is possible to automatically, quickly and accurately check the status of piping and wiring between each indoor unit and the branch unit without requiring any manual work. This greatly reduces the burden on personnel during installation, enables proper operation after installation, and further improves the durability and reliability of the compressor.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of each embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each embodiment. A...Outdoor unit, B...Branch uni-soto, C7
゜C;+, Cq...Indoor unit, 50...Outdoor control section, 60...Multi control section, 70,80.90...
・Indoor control unit, 54...Missed delivery check Sochi.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) One outdoor unit that has a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and multiple indoor units that each have an indoor heat exchanger and are connected by piping and wiring to the outdoor unit via a branch unit. A multi-system air conditioner comprising: a heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger;
means for outputting a signal to that effect when the detected temperature of the heat exchanger temperature sensor changes by more than a predetermined value, provided in each of the indoor units; and a check switch, which operates the compressor when the check switch is operated; A means for sequentially flowing refrigerant to each indoor unit, and a means for monitoring the signal output of each indoor unit when the check switch is operated to determine whether there is an abnormality in the piping or wiring of each indoor unit. An air conditioner featuring: (2) One outdoor unit that has a variable capacity compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and multiple indoor units that each have an indoor heat exchanger and are connected to the outdoor unit by piping and wiring via a branch unit. In a multi-system air conditioner comprising a unit, a heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger temperature sensor provided in each indoor unit to detect the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. means for outputting a signal to that effect when the detected temperature changes by a predetermined value or more; an outdoor air temperature sensor provided in each of the outdoor units to detect the outdoor air temperature; a check switch; Means for operating the variable capacity compressor at a capacity corresponding to the temperature detected by the air temperature sensor to sequentially flow refrigerant to each of the indoor units, and monitoring and synchronizing the signal output of each of the indoor units when the check switch is operated. 1. An air conditioner comprising means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in piping or wiring of each indoor unit.