JPH10336902A - Air conditioner with grid-connected power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To enable appropriate management of a grid-connected power generator with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: A microcomputer 160 provided in an SOL 154 stores error information detected when the microcomputer detects the occurrence of an error together with a set value input from a serial circuit 192 via an indoor unit.
Write to 0. Further, the microcomputer sends the information written in the EEPROM to the indoor unit via the serial circuit 192. Therefore, if the indoor unit is connected to a remote PC through a telephone line or the like, the PC can read out the error information, and write the set values to the EEPROM based on the error information and the like, and a large number of photovoltaic power generators can be used. Each of the 150 can be managed collectively so as to operate properly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for indoor air conditioning, and more particularly to a system such as a solar power generation device for outputting electric power generated by using sunlight or the like as an energy source as commercial power. The present invention relates to an air conditioner with a grid-connected power generator to which a grid-connected power generator is connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Air conditioners (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioners").
Performs heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle provided between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, thereby achieving air conditioning in the air-conditioned room provided with the indoor unit. .

In this air conditioner, a microcomputer is provided in each of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
Are provided, each of which is controlled by a microcomputer. The microcomputers are connected so that data can be exchanged by serial communication or the like, and the microcomputer provided in the indoor unit can control the entire air conditioner.

[0004] In recent years, solar power generation devices utilizing solar energy have become widespread, and air conditioners include air conditioners equipped with a solar power generation device that are driven by electric power generated by the solar power generation device. On the other hand, there is a grid-connected power generator that outputs electric power generated by a photovoltaic power generator as commercial power without using it only for an air conditioner.
In such an air conditioner, the power generated by sunlight is effectively used by using a solar power generation device as a grid-connected power generation device.

[0005] In this photovoltaic power generator as a grid-connected power generator, the generated DC power is converted into AC power matched with commercial power by an inverter circuit and output. In such a photovoltaic power generator, the generated power is output as commercial power while monitoring the power of the commercial power supply based on a preset set value.

A grid-connected power generator such as a solar power generator supplies generated power as a commercial power while matching the frequency, phase, voltage, etc. of the commercial power. It is necessary to disconnect the grid-connected power generator from the commercial power supply and stop the output of the generated power so that the abnormality does not spread to the grid-connected power generator.

For this reason, when a power generator is installed or the like, various set values are set in order to monitor a commercial power supply for outputting the generated power and to match the commercial power when outputting the generated power. It has become.

On the other hand, when the power generator stops operating frequently, it is highly probable that the set value for the commercial power supply at the place where the grid-connected power generator is installed is inappropriate, and is changed to an appropriate set value. There is a need.

[0009]

However, when an abnormality occurs simply based on the set value, the system interconnection generator is stopped, and after confirming that the abnormality has been resolved, the system interconnection generator is activated. If so, it is difficult to grasp the cause of the stoppage of the grid-connected power generator. Further, even when the set value is inappropriate, it is difficult to confirm whether the set value is inappropriate or not, and it is difficult to reset the set value to an appropriate value. .

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and in particular, a grid-connected power generator for outputting generated power as a commercial power source, such as a solar power generator that generates power using solar energy, is provided. It is an object of the present invention to propose an air conditioner with a grid-connected power generation device that can easily manage the operation state of the grid-connected power generation device from a remote location.

[0011]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Air conditioning operation in a room provided with an indoor unit by circulating a refrigerant by a refrigeration cycle formed between an indoor unit provided indoors and an outdoor unit provided outdoors by electric power supplied from a commercial power supply Air-conditioning unit that collects solar energy, generates electric power corresponding to the collected solar energy, converts the generated electric power into electric power that matches the commercial power supply, and outputs it. And a system power generation unit, comprising: a grid-connected power generation device-equipped air conditioner that controls the operation of the grid-connected power generation unit and monitors a commercial power supply and an operation state based on a preset set value. Monitoring control means, and external storage means for storing and holding an operation status of the grid-connected power generation unit, wherein the settling value is stored and output from the monitoring control means,
It is characterized by including.

According to the present invention, the monitoring control means monitors the commercial power supply based on the set value stored in the external storage means, and matches the generated power with the power of the commercial power supply (commercial power). Convert to AC power and output. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the commercial power supply or the inside of the apparatus, the monitoring control means writes the abnormality in the external storage means and stores it.

Therefore, the contents of the abnormality that has occurred can be accurately determined based on the information stored in the external storage means. Further, the cause can be determined from the content of the abnormality. For example, if the abnormality has occurred due to improper setting value stored in the external storage means, the setting value stored in the external storage means is used. It can be rewritten to an appropriate set value.

As such an external storage means, any general storage means such as a magnetic type or an optical type can be used, but an electric rewriting provided separately from a microcomputer for controlling the system interconnection power generation unit. Non-volatile memory (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Me)
It is preferable to use moly (EEPROM).

The EEPROM can rewrite data at an arbitrary address, and can hold the written data so that the written data does not disappear even when the power supply is stopped. Also, unlike magnetic or optical storage means, data at any address can be read instantly,
Data can be written in a short time.

The invention according to a second aspect is characterized by including display control means for outputting information stored in the external storage means to a display means for displaying the information.

According to the present invention, the display control means for displaying the information stored in the external storage means on the display means is provided. Thus, when an abnormality occurs, the content and cause of the abnormality can be easily confirmed by displaying the abnormality on the display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information stored in the external storage means is output via a predetermined communication medium, and the external storage means is controlled based on the information input via the communication medium. And communication control means.

According to the present invention, there is provided communication control means for outputting information stored in the external storage means via a communication medium. Thus, it is possible to grasp the abnormality of the grid-connected power generation device at a location apart from the location where the grid-connected power generation device is provided. If the data stored in the external storage means can be rewritten via the communication medium, an appropriate set value can be written to the external storage means at a remote place.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the display control means or the communication control means stores the information stored in the external storage means in the display means or the communication medium via an indoor unit of the air conditioner. Is output.

According to the present invention, the display unit or the communication medium is connected through the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Thereby, the operating state of the grid-connected power generation device can be known while staying indoors, and connection to the communication medium becomes easy.

That is, a microcomputer is provided in the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and thereby the indoor unit is connected to a data communication terminal (Data Terminal).
Equipment: DTE), and the indoor unit has a data line terminating device (Data Communications Equipment) such as a modem (modem) or DSU (Digital Service Unit).
t: DCE), the indoor unit can be easily connected to an already installed communication network such as an analog telephone network or a digital telephone network.

Further, the indoor unit is provided with a remote control having a display unit for displaying the operation state of the air conditioner. With this remote control, the indoor unit can be installed indoors without providing special display means. It is easy to check the operation state and the like of the grid-connected power generator while staying there.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner 10 which is an air conditioner with a solar power generation device to which the present invention is applied. The air conditioner 10 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 14, and receives operation signals (for example, signals using infrared rays) transmitted from a remote control switch 120 by the indoor unit 12, and performs various operations in accordance with the received operation signals. The air conditioning operation and the stop according to the operation mode are performed.

Further, the air conditioner 10 is provided with a solar power generation device 150 as a system interconnection power generation device.
The solar power generation device 150 is provided in a solar panel 152 that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electric energy, and electric energy (hereinafter, referred to as “generated power”) generated by the solar panel 152. It is constituted by a commercial power supply unit (hereinafter referred to as “SOL154”) to be inputted.

The air conditioner 10 and the SOL 154 are separately connected to a distribution board 156. The distribution board 156 is connected to an integrated watt-hour meter 158 that includes a power purchase meter that integrates the amount of electric power (referred to as commercial electric power) of a commercial power supply and a power sale meter that integrates the supplied electric power. Commercial power is supplied to the air conditioner 10 from the distribution board 156, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 10 and the like is integrated in the power purchase meter. In addition, the amount of power output from the SOL 154 as commercial power is integrated in the power selling meter. That is, the indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner 10, the outdoor unit 1
SOL 154 operates even when the SOL 4 is stopped, and SOL at night etc.
Even when 154 is stopped, the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor unit 14 can perform the air-conditioning operation.

The distribution board 156 is supplied with, for example, a single-phase three-wire 100V / 200V lamp power, and the SOL 154 outputs a single-phase 200V lamp power. ing.

First, the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor unit 14 of the air conditioner 10 will be described.

FIG. 2 shows an indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner 10.
2 shows a refrigeration cycle configured between the outdoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 14. Indoor unit 12 and outdoor unit 1
4, a large refrigerant pipe 16A for circulating the refrigerant.
And a thin-tube refrigerant pipe 16B are provided in pairs, and one end of each is connected to a heat exchanger 18 provided in the indoor unit 12.

The other end of the refrigerant pipe 16A is connected to the outdoor unit 1
4 is connected to the valve 20A. This valve 20A
Is connected to the four-way valve 24 via the muffler 22A. Each of the four-way valves 24 has a compressor 26.
Accumulator 28 and muffler 22B connected to
Is connected. Further, the outdoor unit 14 is provided with a heat exchanger 30. One end of the heat exchanger 30 is connected to the four-way valve 24, and the other end is connected to the valve 20B via a cooling / heating capillary tube 32, a strainer 34, an electric expansion valve 36, and a modulator 38. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 16B is connected to the valve 20B, thereby forming a closed circulation path of the refrigerant forming a refrigeration cycle between the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor unit 14.

In the air conditioner 10, the operation mode is switched between a cooling mode (including a dry mode) and a heating mode by switching the four-way valve 24. In FIG. 2,
Arrows indicate flows of the respective refrigerants in the cooling mode (cooling operation and dehumidifying operation) and the heating mode (heating operation).

In the indoor unit 12, the air in the room is sucked by the operation of a cross flow fan (not shown), and the air is blown into the room after passing through the heat exchanger 18. At this time, the air passing through the heat exchanger 18 exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and is blown out to the room as air-conditioned air.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the air outlet 50 of the indoor unit 12 is provided with upper and lower flaps 54 and left and right flaps 52, so that air for air conditioning the room can be blown out in a desired direction. I can do it.

As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 12
Is provided with a power supply board 56, a control board 58, and a power relay board 60 which constitute an air conditioning control unit. The power supply board 56 outputs power (commercial power) supplied to operate the air conditioner 10 to a motor power supply 62, a control circuit power supply 64, a serial power supply 66, a drive circuit 68, and the like. The control board 58 is provided with a serial circuit 70, a drive circuit 72, and a microcomputer 74.

The drive circuit 68 of the power supply board 56 includes a fan motor 76 (for example, DC
A brushless motor is connected, and supplies driving power from a motor power supply 62 according to a control signal from a microcomputer 74 provided on the control board 58. At this time, the microcomputer 74 sets the output voltage from the drive circuit 68 to 1
It is controlled so as to be changed in 256 steps within a range of 2V to 36V.

The drive circuit 72 of the control board 58 is connected to an upper and lower flap motor 78 for operating the power relay board 60 and the upper and lower flaps 54. The power relay board 60 is provided with a power relay 80, a temperature fuse, and the like. The power relay 80 is operated by a signal from the microcomputer 74 to open and close a contact 80A for supplying power to the outdoor unit 14. Air conditioner 1
In the case of 0, the electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 14 when the contact 80A is closed, so that the outdoor unit 14 is operated.

The upper and lower flap motors 78 are controlled in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 74 to operate the upper and lower flaps 5.
Operate 4. When the upper and lower flaps 54 are swung in the vertical direction, the outlet 50 of the indoor unit 12 is opened.
The direction in which air is blown out of the apparatus is changed in the vertical direction. The operation of the upper and lower flaps 54 can be fixed so that the blowing wind is directed in an arbitrary direction. In the automatic mode, the blowing is directed or swung in a predetermined direction according to the driving state.

As described above, in the indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner 10, by controlling the rotation of the cross flow fan 44 and the operation of the upper and lower flaps 54, the desired air flow rate and the desired air flow direction or the room are set to be comfortable. The air volume and the air direction are adjusted so that the conditioned air can be blown into the room.

The microcomputer 74 and a serial circuit 70 connected to the serial power supply 66 of the power supply circuit 56 are connected to the outdoor unit 14. The microcomputer 74 communicates with the outdoor unit 14 via the serial circuit 70. Serial communication is performed to control the operation of the outdoor unit 14.

The indoor unit 12 includes the remote controller 1
A display board 82 provided with a receiving circuit for receiving an operation signal from the control unit 20 and display LEDs for operation display and the like is provided. The display board 82 is connected to the microcomputer 74. As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 82A of the display board 82 is provided on the front surface of the casing 42 of the indoor unit 12, and transmits and receives operation signals and the like to and from the remote controller 120. Thus, the operation signal from the remote controller 120 is input to the microcomputer 74.

As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 12
The microcomputer 74 includes a room temperature sensor 8 for detecting the room temperature.
4 and a heat exchange temperature sensor 86 for detecting the coil temperature of the heat exchanger 18, and a service LED and operation switch 88 provided on the control board 58.
Is connected. The remote controller 120 is also provided with a temperature sensor.
And is transmitted at a predetermined timing.

The operation changeover switch 88 is for switching between a normal operation and a test operation performed at the time of maintenance or the like.
The contact of the power switch 88A is opened so that the supply of the operating power to the air conditioner 10 can be cut off. The air conditioner 10 is used with the operation changeover switch 88 set to the normal operation position. The service LED is turned on at the time of maintenance to notify a service person of a self-diagnosis result.

The indoor unit 12 is connected to the outdoor unit 14 via terminals 90A, 90B, 90C of the terminal board 90.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the outdoor unit 14 is provided with a terminal plate 92, and the terminals 92A, 92B, and 92C of the terminal plate 92 are connected to the terminals 90A of the terminal plate 90 of the indoor unit 12, respectively. , 90B,
90C. Thereby, the outdoor unit 1
Operation power is supplied to the indoor unit 12 from the indoor unit 12, and serial communication with the indoor unit 12 is possible.

The outdoor unit 14 includes a rectifying board 9
4. A control board 96 is provided. The control board 96 is provided with noise filters 100A, 100B, 100C, a serial circuit 102, a switching power supply 104, and the like, together with the microcomputer 98.

The rectifying board 94 has a noise filter 100
A rectifies the power supplied through the A
The data is smoothed via 00B and 100C and output to the switching power supply 104. The switching power supply 104 is connected to the inverter circuit 106 together with the microcomputer 98.
Thus, when an induction motor is used as the compressor motor 108, power having a frequency corresponding to a control signal output from the microcomputer 98 is output from the inverter circuit 106 to the compressor motor 108, and the compressor 26 is rotationally driven. ing.

The microcomputer 98 is connected to the inverter circuit 1
The frequency of the power output from 06 is off or 14Hz
The control is performed so as to be in the range described above (the upper limit is determined by the upper limit of the operating current).
08, that is, the rotation speed of the compressor 26 is changed,
Capacity of compressor 26 (cooling / heating capacity of air conditioner 10)
Is controlled. When a DC brushless motor is used as the compressor motor 108, the number of rotations of the compressor motor 108 is controlled by changing a DC voltage applied to the motor based on a signal from the microcomputer 98.

The control board 96 includes a four-way valve 2
4 and a fan motor 110 for driving a fan (not shown) for cooling the heat exchanger 30 and a fan motor condenser 110A. Also, the outdoor unit 14
Are provided with an outside air temperature sensor 112 for detecting the outside air temperature, a coil temperature sensor 114 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant coil of the heat exchanger 30, and a compressor temperature sensor 116 for detecting the temperature of the compressor 26. 98.

The microcomputer 98 switches the four-way valve 24 in accordance with the operation mode, and controls the control signal from the indoor unit 12, the outside air temperature sensor 112, and the coil temperature sensor 11.
4 and on / off of the fan motor 110, the operating frequency of the compressor motor 108 (compressor 26) and the like are controlled based on the detection result of the compressor temperature sensor 116. The capacity of the air conditioner 10, that is, the capacity of the compressor 26 is determined by the operating frequency of the compressor motor 108.

FIG. 5 schematically shows SOL 154 constituting a system power generation control unit provided in solar power generation device 150. The SOL 154 is provided with a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as “microcomputer 160”).
An inverter circuit 164 is connected to the microcomputer 160 via an IGBT drive circuit 162. The power (DC power) generated by the solar panel 152 is supplied to the inverter circuit 164 via the capacitor 166. The solar panel 152 that absorbs sunlight, for example, sets a plurality of modules in a frame,
Installed in a place lit by sunlight, such as the roof of a building.

In the inverter circuit 164, the microcomputer 16
0 according to the switching signal supplied from the IGBT drive circuit 162 under the control of the solar panel 152.
Of the inverter circuit 164 (for example, a sawtooth wave) having the same frequency (for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz) as the commercial power supply.

The power converted into AC by the inverter circuit 164 is supplied to the capacitor 168 and the choke transformer 1.
The electric power is output via the switch 70 and supplied to the distribution board 156 as commercial power. At this time, the AC power output from the inverter circuit 164 passes through the capacitor 168 and the choke transformer 170 to remove a DC component, and is output as a sine wave AC power.

The microcomputer 160 includes a generated current detection circuit 172, a generated voltage detection circuit 174, a current detection circuit 1
76, a third harmonic detection circuit 178, a system voltage zero-cross input circuit 180, a U-phase voltage detection circuit (U-phase system voltage detection circuit) 182, and a V-phase voltage detection circuit (V-phase system voltage detection circuit) 184 are connected. ing.

The microcomputer 106 detects the voltage and phase of the commercial power from the zero-cross detection circuit 180, the U-phase and V-phase voltage detection circuits 182 and 184, and controls the IGBT drive circuit 162 based on the detection results. Circuit 1
A switching signal is generated so that the output of the switch 64 is substantially the same voltage as the commercial power supply and the frequency and the phase match.
Note that the AC power output from the inverter circuit 164 has a voltage slightly higher than the voltage of the commercial power supply and substantially coincides with each other to prevent backflow.

Further, the microcomputer 160 determines, by the third harmonic detection circuit 178, a power failure in which the commercial power is stopped from the ratio of the third harmonic included in the commercial power.

Here, the microcomputer 160 includes a distribution board 156.
When the commercial power is stopped, that is, when a power failure is detected, the relay coil 186A of the system conductor 186 is driven via the drive circuit 188, and the contacts of the parallel-off conductor 186 provided on the distribution board 156 side of the choke transformer 170 are connected. Is opened to disconnect the inverter circuit 164 from the commercial power. At this time, the inverter circuit 1
The switching operation at 64 is also stopped, and the output of the SOL 154 empty AC power is stopped.

The microcomputer 164 determines whether or not the solar panel 152 is in the power generation state based on the detection results of the generated current detection circuit 172 and the generated voltage detection circuit 174, and
Power generated by solar panel 152 (power generated)
Is measured, and the output power is measured from the detection result of the current detection circuit 176.

On the other hand, an EEPROM 190 is connected to the microcomputer 160 as external storage means. A write power supply 198 is provided between the microcomputer 160 and the EEPROM 190. The microcomputer 160 sends data by designating an address while applying a voltage set for writing to the EEPROM 190 via the writing power supply 198. As a result, the data sent from the microcomputer 160 is written into the EEPROM 190 at the designated address.

The microcomputer 160 outputs various set values for properly operating the SOL 154 together with data for converting the DC power generated by the solar panel 152 into AC power having a frequency corresponding to the commercial power.
Write to a preset address in PROM 190,
Thus, the above-described data is stored and held in the EEPROM 190. The microcomputer 160 uses the EEPR
SOL1 based on the data stored in OM190
It controls the operation of each device in 54 and monitors commercial power.

The microcomputer 190 has an EEPROM 1
If an abnormality is detected during monitoring based on the data written in the data 90, an error code indicating the content of the abnormality, error information such as the date and time of occurrence, and the like are stored in an EEP specified in advance.
The data is written in an area (for example, a plurality of addresses) of the ROM 190. Thus, the error information detected by the microcomputer 160 is stored in the EEPROM 190.

Further, a serial circuit 192 is connected to the microcomputer 160. This serial circuit 192
Terminal 192A and outdoor unit 1 of air conditioner 10
4 and a terminal 92C provided in
94 (see also FIG. 4, the grounding line is omitted).
Thus, the microcomputer 160 in the SOL 154 is connected to the microcomputer 74 in the indoor unit 12 so that information can be exchanged.

The microcomputer 160, upon request from the microcomputer 74, operates through the serial circuit 192, the operation information of the photovoltaic power generator 150 such as the power generation state of the solar panel 152, the operation state of the SOL 154, and the set values stored in the EEPROM 190. And the like, error information, and the like. The microcomputer 74 provided in the indoor unit 12 outputs data such as a set value and a control signal for controlling the SOL 154.
The fourth microcomputer 160 performs control according to the control signal sent from the microcomputer 74 and rewrites the set value to the EEPROM 190 in response to a request from the microcomputer 74.

On the other hand, SOL 154 is
Photovoltaic power generator 150 output from microcomputer 160
Can be displayed. The display of the operation information may be performed by a display switching button (not shown) provided on the remote control switch 120, and may be displayed on a dedicated display panel provided separately from the display of the operation state of the air conditioner 10. You may do.

The microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12 uses the SO
When the information on the operating state output from the microcomputer 160 in L154 is received, the information is output to the remote controller 120. The remote controller 120 displays this driving information on the display panel 19.
6 is displayed.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the display panel 196. On the display panel 196, in addition to the ON / OFF display of the SOL 154, the display of the generated power, the output power, and the like,
Indication of various set values for matching between output power and commercial power, error codes when an error occurs,
It is possible to display an error channel and the like.

The display on the display panel 196 displays, for example, a display mark indicating that power is being generated, and also displays “generated power”, “output power”, and the like. When the power generation at the solar panel 102 is stopped or sufficient power is not obtained at night or the like, the display mark indicating that the power is being generated disappears, and a “standby” display or the like is displayed, and the commercial power is stopped (during the power outage). ), “Abnormal” or “suppression” is displayed, and error information such as an error code is also displayed.

Further, it is possible to set and change various set values while checking the display on the display panel 196. Normally, the set value is set when the photovoltaic power generator 150 is installed, and is written in the EEPROM 190.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12 is provided with a communication interface circuit 130 of a predetermined communication standard such as the RS-232C standard. As shown in FIG. 7, a modem 132 is connected to the communication interface circuit 130.

The modem 132 is connected to a telephone line (analog telephone line) 134 wired in a room or the like where the indoor unit 12 is installed. That is, the microcomputer 74 is connected to the telephone line 134 via the modem 132 and can transmit and receive various data. Therefore, a personal computer (the personal computer 13) is connected to the telephone line 134 via the modem 136 as a data communication terminal.
8) and the like, the personal computer 138 can be connected to the microcomputer 160 of the SOL 154 via the microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12 to read the operating state of the photovoltaic power generator 150, and Fifteen
A control signal for controlling 0, a signal for setting or changing a set value can be output, and the personal computer 138 can read error information from the EEPROM 190 of the SOL 154.

The operating state, set value, error information, and the like of the photovoltaic power generator 150 read by the personal computer 138 are output to the personal computer 138 by connecting the printer 140 or the like as output means.
Is output (printed out).

The set values stored in the EEPROM 190 include a system overvoltage value and a system overvoltage duration for detecting an abnormality in the voltage and frequency of the commercial power, a system undervoltage value and a system undervoltage continuation time, and a system overfrequency. There are a value and a system over-frequency duration, a system under-frequency value, a system under-frequency duration, and the like. By setting these set values according to the commercial power to which the photovoltaic device 150 is connected, the photovoltaic device 150 Is appropriately supplied as commercial power.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The indoor air conditioning operation by the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor unit 14 of the air conditioner 10 is performed by operating / stopping the remote control switch 120, setting the operation mode, setting the temperature, setting the air flow, setting the wind direction, and the like in the air conditioning operation stopped state. . When the microcomputer 74 provided in the indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner 10 receives an operation signal of a predetermined code based on a setting operation from the remote control switch 120, the microcomputer 74 analyzes the code of the operation signal, and performs air conditioning operation according to the analysis result. Start control.

Further, when the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor unit 14 are instructed to stop by operating / stopping the remote control switch 120, the air conditioning operation is stopped.

On the other hand, when solar panel 102 of solar power generation apparatus 150 receives sunlight, it converts the energy of the sunlight and generates DC power according to the received sunlight. The generated power is input to the inverter circuit 164 of the SOL 154 provided integrally with the outdoor unit 14. When the microcomputer 160 of the SOL 154 detects the generated power, the microcomputer 160 detects the zero-cross detection circuit 180, the detection results of the U and V-phase voltage detection circuits 182 and 184, and the EEPROM.
The IGBT driving circuit 162 is controlled based on the data stored in 190, and outputs a switching signal to the inverter circuit 164.

The inverter circuit 164 is driven in accordance with the input switching signal, converts DC power into AC power matched to the frequency and voltage of commercial power, and outputs the AC power. Further, the microcomputer 160 of the SOL 154 outputs the generated current and generated voltage (or generated power) of the solar panel 152,
The operation information such as the output current output as the commercial power and whether or not each part of the SOL 154 operates normally is determined.
This operation information is output to the microcomputer 74 via the serial circuit 192 sequentially or in response to a request from the microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12.

That is, when an operation such as display switching of the remote control switch 120 is performed, a predetermined code for requesting the operation information of the SOL 154 is transmitted from the remote control switch 120 to the indoor unit 12. Indoor unit 12
Of the SOL from the remote control switch 120
When the code for requesting the operation information of 154 is received, the serial circuit 70 requests the SOL 154 for the operation information.
When the microcomputer 160 of the SOL 154 outputs the operation information in response to this request, the microcomputer 74 sends the operation information to the remote controller 120.

The remote control switch 120 is connected to the SOL 154
Is received, the received driving information is displayed on the display panel 196. Thus, the signal from the SOL 154 located outdoors (outdoors) can be
The operation state of 0 can be easily confirmed while staying indoors.

When the photovoltaic power generator 150 is installed and connected to the distribution board 156, a set value based on the frequency and voltage of the commercial power supply is set in the SOL 154. While the setting value is displayed on the display panel 196 of the remote controller 120, a switch indicating a setting value to be set on the display panel 196 of the remote control switch 120 is input by operating a switch (not shown) provided on the remote control switch 120. It is input while displaying the set values and the like in order.

When the set value is set, remote control switch 120 sends a code indicating the set value displayed on display panel 196 to microcomputer 74 of indoor unit 12. The microcomputer 74 outputs a code indicating the received set value to the microcomputer 160 of the SOL 154 by serial communication. When the information to be written as the set values is input, the microcomputer 160 stores the set values in the EEPROM 190.
The set value is written in a preset area in the area.

As described above, in the air conditioner 10, the simple operation performed while checking the display on the display panel 196 provided on the remote control switch 120 enables the
Entering various set values to make 0 operate properly
It can be written and stored in the EPROM 190.

On the other hand, microcomputer 160 monitors the operation of SOL 154 and the commercial power based on the stored set values, and outputs appropriate AC power. At this time, SOL1
When an abnormality in the inside of the power supply 54, the solar panel 152, the commercial power supply, or the like is detected, an error code based on the content of the abnormality is generated.
Write to EEPROM 190. That is, when an abnormality occurs in the solar power generation device 150 or the commercial power supply, the content of the abnormality is stored in the EEPROM 190. Therefore, this E
By reading the information stored in a predetermined area of the EPROM 190, the content of the abnormality can be confirmed even after the abnormality is resolved, and the cause of the abnormality can be determined.

For example, when displaying error information on the display panel 196 of the remote control switch 120, a code for requesting the error information is transmitted to the microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12 by operating a switch (not shown) provided on the remote control switch 120. . When the microcomputer 74 reads this code, the microcomputer 74 of the SOL 154
Request error information. When the error information is requested, the microcomputer 160 reads out the error information written in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 190, and reads the error information.
The error information is sent to the remote control switch 120 by the microcomputer 74, and a display based on the error information is displayed on the display panel 196 of the remote control switch 120. Thus, the solar power generation device 1
In the air conditioner 10 to which the air conditioner 50 is connected, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not an error has occurred in the photovoltaic power generator 150 and the content of the error that has occurred.

The microcomputer 74 provided in the indoor unit 12 communicates with the telephone line 1 via the modem 132.
34. Therefore, this telephone line 134
Data can be exchanged with a personal computer 138 connected to the PC.

Therefore, when the personal computer 138 requests the microcomputer 74 to output data relating to the operating state of the photovoltaic power generator 150, the microcomputer 74
The driving information input from 154 can be output to the personal computer 138, and the operating state of the solar power generation device 150 can be accurately grasped from a remote place. When the personal computer 138 detects an error in the photovoltaic power generator 150 and when an error occurs, the microcomputer 74 of the indoor unit 12 requests the
The information about the error is read from the microcomputer 154 and output to the personal computer 138.

Therefore, the operating state of the photovoltaic power generator 150 can be known at a location different from the location where the photovoltaic power generator 150 is installed by the personal computer 138, and the occurrence of an error in the photovoltaic power generator 150 The information on the error that has occurred can be read as well as the presence / absence of the error. In the personal computer 138, the indoor unit 1
The data such as the set value is transferred to the SOL
154 EEPROM 190.

Thus, for example, the solar power generation device 15
When the cause of the error occurring at 0 is an inappropriate set value, the corresponding set value can be changed and written.

That is, it is possible to monitor the photovoltaic power generators 150 without going to the site where the photovoltaic power generators 150 are installed. It can be managed according to the operating conditions. In addition, the solar power generation device 1
When an abnormality occurs in the 50, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the abnormality without going to the site, to clarify the cause of the abnormality, and to perform appropriate processing according to the abnormality that has occurred. In addition, the photovoltaic power generator 150 can always be appropriately operated. It can be managed as needed. Such a management of the photovoltaic power generator 150 can use the existing telephone line 134 by connecting the photovoltaic power generator 150 directly or through the outdoor unit 14 to the indoor unit 12. The microcomputer 74 provided in the indoor unit 12 can be used, which eliminates the need for special communication equipment, and can be carried out easily at low cost.

In the present embodiment, an example using a modem 132 and an analog line has been described. However, the communication means is not limited to this, and a DSU (Digital Service Uniform) is used.
Any device that can be connected using a communication medium such as a digital telephone line or wireless using various connection terminals such as t). That is, a connection terminal according to a communication medium to be used may be connected to the microcomputer 74 of the air conditioner 10. The communication interface circuit 130 connected to the microcomputer 74
Various standards can be applied without being limited to S-232C. That is, any configuration for performing data communication such as so-called personal computer communication can be applied as the communication means.

Although the present embodiment has been described using a solar power generation device that outputs electric power generated using sunlight as commercial power as a system interconnection power generation device, a system interconnection connected to an air conditioner is described. The system power generation device may have any configuration. Further, the configuration of the air conditioner to which the grid-connected power generation device is connected is not limited to the air conditioner 10, and at least a unit (such as an indoor unit) disposed indoors has an air conditioning control unit including a microcomputer. I just need.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, the photovoltaic power generator is provided with an external storage means capable of rewriting information and holding the written information, and the external storage means is provided with a set value or the like. Writes information about the error when it occurred. As a result, even after the error is eliminated, the cause of the error can be known as well as the content of the error.

Further, since it is possible to read out information stored in the external storage means and write information into the external storage means via the communication medium, each of the large number of photovoltaic power generators can operate properly. An excellent effect that it can be managed collectively is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration cycle provided between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an outdoor unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an SOL.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display on a display panel.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing connection between a personal computer and an air conditioner and SOL.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 air conditioner (air conditioner with grid-connected power generator) 12 indoor unit (air conditioner, display control means, communication control means) 14 outdoor unit (air conditioner) 58 control board 74 microcomputer (display control means, communication control means) ) 120 Remote controller (display means) 130 Communication interface circuit 132, 136 Modem 138 Personal computer 150 Photovoltaic power generator (grid-connected power generator, grid-linked power generator) 152 Solar panel 154 SOL 160 Microcomputer (monitoring control means) 164 Inverter circuit 190 EEPROM (external storage means) 196 Display panel (display means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hisashi Tokizaki 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An indoor unit is provided by circulating a refrigerant by a refrigeration cycle formed between an indoor unit provided indoors and an outdoor unit provided outdoors by electric power supplied from a commercial power supply. An air-conditioning unit that performs indoor air-conditioning operation, condenses solar energy, generates power corresponding to the condensed solar energy, and converts the generated power to power that matches the commercial power supply And a grid-connected power generation unit that outputs the power from the grid-connected power generation unit, and controls the operation of the grid-connected power generation unit and a commercial power supply and Monitoring control means for monitoring the operation status; and external storage means for storing and setting the operation status of the grid-connected power generation unit output from the monitoring control means while the set value is stored. An air conditioner with a grid-connected power generator. 2. The air conditioner with a grid-connected power generator according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for outputting information stored in said external storage means to a display means for displaying the information. 3. Communication control means for outputting information stored in the external storage means via a predetermined communication medium, and controlling the external storage means based on information input via the communication medium; The air conditioner with a grid-connected power generator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising: 4. The display control means or the communication control means outputs information stored in the external storage means to the display means or the communication medium via an indoor unit of the air conditioner. The air conditioner with a grid-connected power generator according to any one of claims 2 and 3.