JP2001272082A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an air conditioner capable of measuring the operation time of a compressor and the current value of the air conditioner, and to retain those data for a long time. SOLUTION: A CPU 24 provided on a control board 20 functions as an integrated operation time calculation unit 24a, obtains an integrated operation time obtained by integrating the operation times of the compressor 11, and records the integrated operation time in an EEPROM 23 which is a nonvolatile memory. Also, CPU2
Numeral 4 functions as an integrated current value calculation unit 24b, calculates an integrated value of the current value flowing through the air conditioner (integrated current value),
It is recorded in the ROM 23. Further, if necessary, the external device 30 connected to the input / output
The recorded contents of the EPROM 23 are output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The electricity cost consumed in an air conditioner varies depending on the operation time of a compressor, the power consumed in the air conditioner, and the like. In order for the user to accurately predict such an electricity bill, it is necessary to measure the operation time of the compressor and the current value flowing through the entire air conditioner over a long period of time and retain the data.

[0003]

However, the conventional air conditioner cannot measure the operating time of the compressor or the value of the current flowing through the entire air conditioner, and predicts the electricity cost as described above. To do so, the air conditioner had to be separately constructed and installed with a commercially available timer and ammeter.

[0004] However, there is a problem that when installing the timer or the ammeter, the cost and the man-hour for installation are required. In addition, since the air conditioner must be temporarily stopped when the timer or the ammeter is attached, a problem arises in that it is impossible to air-condition each room to which the indoor unit is attached during that time.

[0005] Further, even if a current meter is attached to a conventional air conditioner, the current value at the time of measurement can only be measured, so that the data is insufficient for calculating the electricity cost and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is intended to measure the operation time of a compressor and the current value of an air conditioner, and to retain such data for a long time. It is an object to provide an air conditioner that can be used.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner, comprising: an accumulating means (24) for accumulating the operation time of the air conditioner; Storage means (23) for storing the accumulated operation time accumulated in the step (1).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner (100) according to the first aspect, the integration means (2)
4) is characterized in that an integrated current value in the air conditioner is obtained by integrating currents flowing in the air conditioner, and the integrated current value is written to the storage means (23).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner (100) according to the first or second aspect, the integrated operating time is an integrated operating time of the compressor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the integrating means (2
4) The air conditioner (100) including: (4) wherein the integrating means obtains an integrated current value in the air conditioner by integrating currents flowing through the air conditioner, and a predetermined storage means (23). ), The integrated current value is written.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner (100) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the accumulating means (24) is provided with the storage means (23) every predetermined time. ) Is written.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner (100) according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an interface (25) for connecting a predetermined external device is further provided, The content written in the storage means (23) is output to the external device via the interface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner (100) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the storage means (23) is a writable nonvolatile memory. It is characterized by.

[0014]

In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the integrating means determines the integrated operating time of the air conditioner by integrating the operating time of the air conditioner, and integrates the integrated operating time into the storage means. The operation time can be written.

In the air conditioner according to the second and fourth aspects, the integrating means can determine the integrated current value in the air conditioner and can write the integrated current value in the storage means.

In the air conditioner according to the third aspect,
The accumulated operation time of the compressor is written in the storage means.

In the air conditioner according to claim 5,
The integrating means writes into the storage means at predetermined time intervals.

In the air conditioner according to claim 6,
For external devices connected via the interface,
The contents written in the storage means are output.

In the air conditioner according to claim 7,
The integrated operation time and the integrated current value can be recorded in a writable nonvolatile memory.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 100 according to this embodiment. Air conditioner 100
Is configured by connecting an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2 by a connection pipe 3. An external power supply 200 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 of the air conditioner 100.
The air-conditioning operation is realized by supplying power from 00. The power supplied from the external power supply 200 is supplied not only to the outdoor unit 1 but also to each unit including the indoor unit 2, that is, to the entire air conditioner 100.

The outdoor unit 1 is provided with an air conditioner 10 for circulating refrigerant and blowing air, a control board 20 for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, and an air conditioner interposed in a power transmission path from an external power supply 200. And a current detection circuit 40 for detecting a value of a current flowing through the entire device 100. The air conditioner 10 includes a compressor 11 and a blower 12.

When operating the air conditioner 100, the control board 20 individually controls the operation of the compressor 11 and the blower 12, and inputs the current value detected by the current detection circuit 40.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control board 20. The control board 20 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21 which is a read-only memory in which a control program and the like for controlling the operation of the air-conditioning mechanism 10 are recorded in advance, and a RAM (a rewritable volatile memory in which data is recorded). Ra
ndom Access Memory) 22 and an EEPROM (Electronic Memory) which is a nonvolatile memory capable of electrically rewriting recorded data.
ectrically ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory)
23 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24. The CPU 24 accesses each memory to write and read data and serves as control means for controlling the air conditioning mechanism 10. Further, the control board 20 further includes an input / output interface 25 for connecting an external device 30 to input and output data, a timer 26 for measuring time by counting a predetermined clock, and a compressor of the air conditioning mechanism 10. CPU 2 for 11 and blower 12
And an output port 27 for outputting a control signal from the control unit 4. Each of the above-mentioned parts has, for example, an integrated structure mounted on one substrate.

A control parameter and a control program for controlling the air-conditioning mechanism 10 are recorded in advance in the ROM 21 at the time of manufacture or the like, and are mounted on the control board 20.

The CPU 24 reads the control parameters and the control program recorded in the ROM 21 and controls the operation of the air conditioner 10. Also, the CPU 24
In addition to the function of controlling the operation of the air-conditioning mechanism 10, an integrated operation time calculation unit 24 a for obtaining an integrated operation time obtained by accumulating the operation time of the compressor 11, accumulates a current value flowing through the entire air conditioner 100, It functions as an integrated current value calculation unit 24b for obtaining a current value and a memory control unit 24c for writing and reading data to and from the RAM 22 and the EEPROM 23. However, the integrated operation time calculation unit 24a, the integrated current value calculation unit 24b, and the memory control unit 24c need not be configured independently.

The input / output interface 25 is an external device 30
Is detachable. The external device 30 includes, for example, a computer 31, a cable 32, and a connection connector 33. When the connection connector 33 is connected to the input / output interface 25, the CPU 24 of the control board 20 and the computer 31 can perform data communication.

The timer 26 is configured to give a predetermined trigger to the CPU 24 every time a predetermined time is counted. The timer 26 may be provided as an internal function of the CPU 24. The timer 26 is configured to generate a first trigger T1 and a second trigger T2 at predetermined time intervals. The first trigger T1 is generated, for example, every 10 seconds, and the second trigger T2 is generated, for example, every one hour. Occurs. Then, the first trigger T1 is given to the integrated current value calculator 24b, and the second trigger T2 is given to the memory controller 24c.

In the EEPROM 23, a recording area for recording the integrated operation time of the compressor 11 obtained by the integrated operation time operation section 24a of the CPU 24 and the integrated current value obtained by the integrated current value operation section 24b is secured. The integrated operation time and the integrated current value are written, read, or updated by the memory control unit 24c of the CPU 24. Then, E is input via the CPU 24.
The integrated operation time or the integrated current value recorded in the EPROM 23 is output to an external device connected to the input / output interface 25.

The air conditioner 100 configured as described above
, The CPU 24 operates as follows.

When the CPU 24 starts the operation control of the compressor 11, the integrated operation time calculation section 24a functions to accumulate the operation time of the compressor 11. Then, when the CPU 24 stops the operation control of the compressor 11, the cumulative operation time operation of the compressor 11 by the integrated operation time operation unit 24a is stopped. Therefore, the integrated operation time calculation unit 24a is configured to calculate the integrated operation time of the compressor 11 by counting the operation time during the operation of the compressor 11.

When the integrated operating time calculating section 24a calculates the integrated operating time of the compressor 11, for example, the integrated operating time is obtained in units of minutes, and the memory control section 24c temporarily stores the integrated operating time in units of minutes in the RAM 22. Store. And RAM
Each time the integrated operation time stored in the RAM 22 indicates a predetermined time such as one hour, the memory control unit 24c
2 to read the accumulated operation time stored in
The integrated operation time in the ROM 23 is updated.

That is, the CPU 24 accesses the EEPROM 23 when the integrated operation time of the compressor 11 counts a predetermined time (for example, one hour), and acquires the integrated operation time in the EEPROM 23 recorded before that time. Then, a predetermined time (for example, one hour) counted up is added to the integrated operation time, and the data is written (updated) in the EEPROM 23 again.

By this operation, the accumulated value of the operation time of the compressor 11, that is, the air conditioner 100 is stored in the EEPROM 23.
Is installed, the accumulated operating time of operating the compressor 11 is recorded, and the accumulated operating time of the compressor 11 can be maintained even when the power supply to the air conditioner 100 is cut off.

Therefore, when the user or the like wants to check the operation time of the compressor 11, the external device 30 is connected to the input / output interface 25 and the computer 3 of the external device 30 is connected.
By performing a predetermined input from 1 or the like, the accumulated operation time can be obtained from the EEPROM 23 via the CPU 24, and the accumulated operation time of the compressor 11 can be checked by the computer 31 or the like. The compressor 11 is an air conditioner 1
Since power consumption is the highest in 00, it is possible to relatively accurately predict the electricity cost by checking the integrated operation time of the compressor 11. In addition, since the operating life of the compressor 11 is generally several tens of years, the accumulated operating time as described above can be used as a guide for knowing the time of replacement of the compressor 11.

The CPU 24 is configured to update the integrated operation time recorded in the EEPROM 23 when the integrated operation time of the compressor 11 has counted a predetermined time (for example, one hour). For example, RAM2
2. Record the accumulated operation time in minutes in EEPR
The OM 23 can record data in units of time. Therefore, the recording area of the integrated operation time secured in the EEPROM 23 can be reduced as compared with the case of recording in minutes, and the unit price per unit capacity is expensive.
23 can also reduce the cost of parts. In this case, the CPU 24 performs an operation for unit conversion when recording the data in the EEPROM 23.

On the other hand, the integrated current value calculation section 24b inputs the current value detected by the current detection circuit 40, and integrates the current value at predetermined time intervals to obtain an integrated current value. When detecting the first trigger T1 every predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) input from the timer 26, the integrated current value calculation unit 24b calculates the current value obtained from the current detection circuit 40 and calculates the current value stored in the RAM 22. The integrated current value is updated by adding the current value to the current value, and the result is written into the RAM 22 again.

When the memory control unit 24c detects the second trigger T2 input from the timer every predetermined time (for example, one hour), the memory control unit 24c integrates the current for the predetermined time (for example, one hour) recorded in the RAM 22. In addition to reading the value, the EEPROM 23 is accessed to obtain the integrated current value recorded in the EEPROM 23 before that, and the integrated current value for a predetermined time is added to the integrated operation time, and then written into the EEPROM 23 again (updated). I do.

By this operation, the time accumulated value of the current value of the entire air conditioner 100 in the EEPROM 23, that is, the air conditioner 100 is installed after the air conditioner 100 is installed.
Is stored, and the integrated current value can be held even when the power supply to the air conditioner 100 is interrupted.

Therefore, when the user or the like
When the user wants to check the integrated value of the current flowing through the external device 30, the external device 30 is connected to the input / output interface 25.
By performing a predetermined input from the computer 31 or the like, the integrated current value can be obtained from the EEPROM 23 via the CPU 24, and the integrated current value of the air conditioner 100 can be checked by the computer 31 or the like. Then, by performing a predetermined calculation on the integrated current value based on the power supply voltage and the power factor, the power consumed in the air conditioner 100 can be calculated, and the prediction of the electricity cost is performed relatively accurately. It becomes possible.

Since the CPU 24 is configured to record the integrated current value for a predetermined time in the EEPROM 23 at predetermined time intervals, the CPU 24 records the integrated current value in the RAM 22, for example.
While recording the integrated current value every 0 seconds in units of 1A,
The data can be recorded in the EPROM 23 in units of 100A. Therefore, the recording area of the integrated current value secured in the EEPROM 23 can be made smaller than in the case of recording in units of 1 A, and the cost of parts can be reduced.
In this case as well, the CPU 24 performs an operation for unit conversion when recording in the EEPROM 23.

As described above, the external device 30 acquires the integrated operation time and the integrated current value of the compressor 11 recorded in the EEPROM 23, and performs the calculation, thereby obtaining the air conditioner 100.
Can be calculated relatively accurately. Therefore, there is no need to separately attach a timer or an ammeter to the air conditioner 100, and the user can predict the electricity bill relatively accurately.

Also, in this embodiment, the EEPROM
Since the integrated operation time and the integrated current value are recorded in the electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory 23, the data can be retained better than in the case of recording in the volatile memory. Can be.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described contents.

For example, in the above description, the case where the integrated operation time is obtained for the compressor 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be the integrated operation time for other devices. However, since the compressor 11 is the member that consumes the most power as described above, it is preferable to calculate at least the integrated operation time of the compressor 11 in order to predict the electricity cost and the like.

In the above description, the memory for recording the integrated operation time and the integrated current value is an EEPROM 2
Although the second mode has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured with another memory.

In the above description, the integrated operation time calculation section 24a is configured to count the operation time of the compressor 11 by itself. Therefore, the timing of accessing the RAM 22 or the like can be detected each time the operation time is counted for each predetermined time without a trigger from the timer 26. The integrated operation time calculation unit 24a may be configured to perform the writing operation by accessing the operation information.

Further, what is connected to the input / output interface 25 is not limited to the external device 30 such as the computer 31, but may be a controller of the air conditioner 100, for example.

[0049]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, integrating means for integrating the operating time of the air conditioner,
Since the storage means for storing the accumulated operation time accumulated by the accumulation means is provided, the accumulated operation time can be held for a long time.

According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention,
Since the integrating means obtains the integrated current value in the air conditioner and writes the integrated current value in the storage means, the integrated current value of the air conditioner can be obtained and the integrated current value can be held for a long time. it can.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the accumulated operation time of the compressor included in the air conditioning mechanism can be recorded in the storage means, and the accumulated operation time of the compressor can be obtained and held for a long time. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the arithmetic means writes data to the predetermined memory at predetermined time intervals, the recording capacity of the storage means can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the contents written in the storage means are output to an external device connected via the interface, so that the contents written in the storage means can be easily confirmed. it can.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the storage means is a writable nonvolatile memory, the integrated current value and the integrated current value can be held even when the power supply is interrupted. The recorded contents can be retained for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 air conditioner 1 outdoor unit 2 indoor unit 3 connection pipe 20 control board 21 ROM 22 RAM 23 EEPROM 24 CPU 24 a integrated operation time calculation unit 24 b integrated current value calculation unit 24 c memory control unit 25 input / output interface 26 timer 30 external device 31 Computer

Claims (7)

[Claims] An air conditioner comprising: an accumulating means (24) for accumulating the operation time of the air conditioner; and a storage means (23) for storing the accumulated operating time accumulated by the accumulating means. 2. The air conditioner (100) according to claim 1, wherein:
In the above, the integrating means (24) obtains an integrated current value in the air conditioner by integrating current flowing in the air conditioner, and writes the integrated current value in the storage means (23). An air conditioner characterized by that: 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the integrated operation time is an integrated operation time of a compressor. 4. An air conditioner (100) comprising an integrating means (24), wherein the integrating means integrates a current flowing in the air conditioner to thereby calculate an integrated current value in the air conditioner. An air conditioner characterized in that the integrated current value is obtained and written in a predetermined storage means (23). 5. The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the integrating means (24) performs writing to the storage means (23) every predetermined time. A characteristic air conditioner. 6. The air conditioner (100) according to claim 1, wherein an interface (2) for connecting a predetermined external device is provided.
5) The air conditioner further comprising: 5) outputting the contents written in the storage means (23) to the external device via the interface. 7. The air conditioner (100) according to claim 1, wherein said storage means (23) is a writable nonvolatile memory. .