JP3113685B2 - Data collection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data collection device for collecting and storing operation data of an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when an abnormality occurs in an air conditioner, a resident usually requests a maintenance service to eliminate the abnormality. The maintenance service worker goes to the site in response to the request of the resident, and diagnoses and repairs the abnormality.

[0003]

However, there are remarkable recent enhancements and sophistication of the functions of air conditioners, and accurate diagnosis of abnormalities is very difficult in terms of time and personnel. Is coming. In particular, it is increasingly impossible to make an accurate determination of an infrequent abnormality in which operation stops once every few days.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data collection device capable of easily and accurately diagnosing an abnormality of an air conditioner and greatly reducing a load on a maintenance service.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A data collection apparatus according to the present invention is a mode for switching between a collection mode and an output mode.
Mode changeover switch and operation data collection interval
Time setting knob for setting the time interval and the data communication
Interface jack for connecting the
Connection lines for pressure take-up and data transfer
The connection line is installed on the control circuit board of the air conditioner.
For connecting / disconnecting to / from knit connection terminals
Connector, the connector for connection and the connection
Operation air from the control circuit board of the air conditioner
The main controller that operates under pressure and the air conditioner
Data storage memory for storing collected operation data
To ensure that the contents of this data storage memory are not
Backup power supply and operation data collection interface.
Timer for counting global time and execution time
And the mode changeover switch provided in the main control unit.
When the collection mode is set by
The interval for which the time is set with the time setting knob
Each time the timer reaches, the time count of the timer
Until the specified execution time is reached,
The operation data of the machine is connected to the connection connector and the connection
And collect it via the data storage line
And the storage capacity of the data storage memory is full.
The old operation data in the same data storage memory
Control means for storing while erasing, provided in the main control unit
Output mode is set with the mode switch
Connection of the data storage memory
Control means for externally outputting via a jack .

[0006]

The control circuit board of the air conditioner has connection terminals, and the operation data of the air conditioner is periodically collected and stored by connecting to the connection terminals. This stored content is output as needed.

[0007]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 5 shows an air conditioner related to the data collection device of the present invention.

An outdoor heat exchanger 3 is connected to a discharge port of the compressor 1 via a four-way valve 2, and an indoor heat exchanger 5 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 via a decompressor, for example, an expansion valve 4. .
The indoor heat exchanger 5 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2. Thus, a heat pump refrigeration cycle is configured.

That is, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid line arrow in the drawing, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 5 functions as an evaporator. During the heating operation, the switching operation of the four-way valve 2 causes the refrigerant to flow in the direction of the dashed arrow in the drawing, so that the indoor heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator.

An outdoor fan 6 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 3. At least the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the expansion valve 4 including the outdoor fan 6 are provided.
Thus, the outdoor unit 10 is configured.

An indoor fan 7 is provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 5, and at least the indoor heat exchanger 5 including the indoor fan 7 and the indoor fan 7
0 is configured. Further, a control circuit shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20.

The outdoor unit 10 has an outdoor controller 11 comprising a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. The four-way valve 2, the outdoor fan motor 6M, the compressor motor 1M, and the unit connection terminal 12 are connected to the outdoor control unit 11.

The indoor unit 20 has an indoor control unit 21 composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. This indoor control unit 21 includes an indoor fan motor 7M,
And a remote control type operation controller 31 is connected.

Then, the indoor control unit 2 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 30.
1, the outdoor control unit 11 is connected to the indoor control unit 21 via a power supply line 32 and a serial signal line 33 for data transfer.

The outdoor controller 11 and the indoor controller 21
Is to execute overall control of the air conditioner while transferring data via the serial signal line 33 using the commercial AC power supply 30 as an operation power supply.

The unit connection terminal 12 is used to connect a data collection unit 40, which will be described later, to supply an operating voltage to the data collection unit 40, and to store data in a memory in the outdoor control unit 11. It serves to output the operating data that is present. Here, the appearance of the outdoor unit 10 is shown in FIG.

The outdoor unit 10 accommodates refrigeration cycle equipment such as the compressor 1 in a housing, an air inlet (not shown) on the back of the housing, an air outlet 13 on the upper surface, and a control box on the front. 14 is provided.

A control circuit board 15 is built in the control box 14, and the internal control circuit board 15 appears by removing a cover (not shown) of the control box 14. The outdoor control section 11 is mounted on the control circuit board 15, and the unit connection terminals 12 are mounted on the control circuit board 15.

The data collection unit 40 can be connected to the unit connection terminal 12 with the cover of the control box 14 removed. As shown in FIG. 3, the data collection unit 40 has a connection line 41 for connecting to the unit connection terminal 12 and a connection connector 42 attached thereto. This connection line 41 is for transmitting operation data and operation voltage.

The data collection unit 40 has a mode changeover switch 43 for switching between a collection mode and an output mode, and a time setting knob 44 for setting an interval time of operation data collection on an upper surface. Has a connection jack 45. This connection jack 4
Numeral 5 enables connection of an interface 60 which is a data communication interface. A personal computer 70 is connected to the end of the interface 60.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
1 includes power supply lines 41a and 41b for taking in an operating voltage and a data transfer line 41c for transferring data. The power supply line 41a is a positive voltage line (+ 5V), and the power supply line 41b is a ground line (GND).

The data collection unit 40 includes a CPU 50 which is a main control unit. The CPU 50 includes a buffer 51, a data storage memory 52, a timer 53, a driver 54, a backup power supply 55, a mode changeover switch 43, and a time setting switch. Knob 44 and power supply line 41
a and 41b are connected. The buffer 51 amplifies the data signal on the data transfer line 41c.

The data storage memory 52 stores operation data collected from the air conditioner through the data transfer line 41c.
Access memory).

The timer 53 counts an interval time ts ₁ from the collection of operation data to the next collection,
Is intended to count the running time ts ₂ applied to the collection of operational data. The driver 54 performs signal processing such as amplification on the data supplied from the CPU 50 and transmits the data to the connection jack 45. Backup power supply 55
For example, a battery is used, but a capacitor or the like can also be used.

As described above, the CPU 50 is mainly used to periodically collect and store the operation data of the air conditioner when the control circuit board 15 is connected to the unit connection terminal 12, and to store the stored contents as necessary. Functional means for outputting to the personal computer 70 is configured. Also, the unit connection terminal 12 and the data collection unit 40
Thus, the data collection device of the present invention is configured. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The cover of the control box 14 of the outdoor unit 10 is removed, and the connection connector 42 of the data collection unit 40 is connected to the unit connection terminal 12 of the internal control circuit board 15.

When this connection is completed, the connection line 41
Outdoor unit 10 through power supply lines 41a and 41b of
Supplies an operating voltage to the data collection unit 40, whereby the data collection unit 40 operates.

In this case, first, the data collection unit 40
It is determined which mode is set by the mode changeover switch 43 (step S1). Here, if the acquisition mode is set, the time count t ₁ is started by the timer 53 (step S2).

The time count t ₁ is set by the time setting knob 44.
In the set in that reaches the interval time ts ₁ (step S3), and the next time count t ₂ is started by the timer 53 (step S4). Then, the time count t ₂ is set to a predetermined execution time ts.
Until the number reaches ₂ (step S5), the operation data is collected and stored (step S6).

That is, the operation data stored in the outdoor control section 11 is taken into the CPU 50 of the data collection unit 40 through the unit connection terminal 12, the data transfer line 41c of the connection line 41, and the buffer 51, and the data is stored. Is stored in the storage memory 52.

In this case, when the storage capacity of the data storage memory 52 becomes full (step S7), the old operation data stored in the data storage memory 52 is deleted (step S8), and the new operation data is stored there. The data is stored. In step S5, the time count t ₂ is reached the execution time ts _2, where the collection and storage of operational data is completed (step S9).

Thereafter, the determination in step S1 and the step S
The comparison of step S3 with the time count t _{1 of} 2 is repeated, and when the time count t ₁ reaches the interval time ts ₁ , the collection and storage of the operation data are similarly repeated.

On the other hand, a personal computer is connected to the connection jack 45 of the data collection unit 40 through the interface 60.
It is assumed that the computer 70 is connected and the output mode is set by the mode changeover switch 43.

In this case, the setting of the output mode is confirmed in step S1.
, A data output start command is first issued (step S10). This start command is sent to the interface 60 through the driver 54 and the connection jack 45, and is transferred to the personal computer 70 therefrom.

Subsequently, the data storage memory 5
The operation data stored in CP2 is CP
The data is read by U50, and is sent to the interface 60 through the driver 54 and the connection jack 45 (step S11). The operation data sent to the interface 60 is serially transferred to the personal computer 70 therefrom.

In response to the start command, the personal computer 70 enters the operation data fetching mode, and stores the subsequently input operation data in the internal memory.

Thereafter, when the output of all the operation data stored in the data storage memory 52 is completed (step S12), the CPU 50 issues a data output end command (step S13). This termination command is sent to the interface 60 through the driver 54 and the connection jack 45, from which the personal computer 7
Enter 0.

Therefore, when the data collection unit 40 is connected to the control circuit board 15 such as when an abnormality occurs in the air conditioner from time to time, the situation before and after the abnormality can be easily detected. Therefore, an abnormality of the air conditioner can be accurately diagnosed, and quick and reliable repair can be performed, thereby greatly reducing the burden on maintenance services.

In addition, even when the data collection unit 40 is connected to the control circuit board 15 for a long time,
The operating voltage of the data collection unit 40 is
Because it is a configuration that captures data from the server, there is no need to worry about power-off, and data collection is reliable.

Further, since the backup power supply 55 is provided, even if the data collection unit 40 is brought back by a maintenance service person, the contents of the data storage memory 52 are not erased and are safe.

[0041] Further, it is possible to freely change the interval time ts ₁ from the collection of operational data until the next collection time setting knob 44, also sufficient cope with differences in the air conditioner model It is excellent in versatility.

In the above embodiment, the case where the data collection unit 40 is connected to the control circuit board 15 of the outdoor unit 10 has been described as an example. However, the operation data is collected and connected to the control circuit board of the indoor unit 20. It is also possible to save.

[0043]

According As described above, according to the present invention to the present invention, yield
Mode switching for switching between collection mode and output mode
Set the switch and interval time of operation data collection
Time setting knob and data communication interface.
Connection jack for connection of
Connection line for data and data transfer and this connection line
Unit connected to the control circuit board of the air conditioner.
Connector for connection / disconnection to connection terminal
Through this connection connector and the connection line
Receiving the operating voltage from the control circuit board of the air conditioner.
The main control unit that operates by
Data storage memory for storing transfer data
To keep the contents of the data storage memory
Backup power supply and operation data collection interval
Timer for counting time and execution time, and
Provided in the main control unit,
When the collection mode is set, the time count of the timer
The interval time set with the time setting knob is reached
Each time the timer counts down,
Until the running time of the air conditioner
Transfer data to the connection connector and the connection line
And store it in the data storage memory and
When the storage capacity of the data storage memory is full
Does not delete old operation data in the same data storage memory.
Control means for storing the data, and provided in the main control unit,
When the output mode is set with the mode switch,
Store the contents of the data storage memory to the connection jack
And a control means for outputting the data to the outside via the control device, whereby an abnormality of the air conditioner can be easily and accurately diagnosed, and a data collection device capable of greatly reducing a load on maintenance service can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of a data collection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the data collection unit of the embodiment is connected to an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the appearance of the data collection unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the data collection unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Outdoor unit, 11 ... Outdoor control part, 12 ... Unit connection terminal, 40 ... Data collection unit, 52 ... Data storage memory, 60 ... Interface, 70 ... Personal computer.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A switching between an acquisition mode and an output mode is performed.
Mode changeover switch for setting the operation data collection interval time
Connection knob that allows connection between the data setting interface and the data communication interface.
And connection lines for operating voltage acquisition and data transfer, and the connection lines are provided on the control circuit board of the air conditioner.
To connect / disconnect to the unit connection terminal
Previous through the connector, the connector and the connecting line
It operates by receiving the operating voltage from the control circuit board of the air conditioner.
Main control unit to operate and to store the operation data collected from the air conditioner
Of the data storage memory and the contents of this data storage memory
Backup power supply and the interval and execution time of operation data collection.
A timer for counting the time, and a mode switch provided in the main control unit.
When the collection mode is set to
Interval time set with the time setting knob
Every time the timer reaches
The air conditioner until the run time
Operating data of the connection connector and the connection
And store it in the data storage memory
And the storage capacity of the data storage memory is full
Delete old operation data in the same data storage memory
Control means for storing the data while the main control unit is being operated,
When the power mode is set, the data storage memory
Control for externally outputting the stored contents via the connection jack
And a means for collecting data.