FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“CONTROL DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING
ANOMALY OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM”
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD. of 16-5, Konan 2-
chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088215, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to
be performed.
- 2 -
DESCRIPTION
Title of the Invention
CONTROL DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ANOMALY OF
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a control device
for an air conditioning system, an air conditioning system,
and a method for determining an anomaly of an air
conditioning system. Background Art
[0002]
Makers acquire operating data of an air conditioning
system through remote monitoring, and perform proposal for
energy saving to customers, determination of the presence
or absence of a need for maintenance, and the like, for
example, in related-art air conditioning systems, as part
of maintenance.
[0003]
In the related-art air conditioning systems that
control an outdoor unit and an indoor unit using different
control devices, respectively, the outdoor unit and the
indoor unit are operated by different control programs.
- 3 -
Therefore, it is difficult to accurately ascertain an
operating state of an air conditioning system.
Thus, NPL 1 discloses an air-conditioning remote
monitoring system in which a local server installed within
a customer's building periodically transmits operating
data of an air conditioner to an air-conditioning remote
monitoring center server through the Internet, and the
operating data that the center server has received are
displayed on a monitoring screen of an air-conditioning
remote monitoring center. In this air-conditioning remote
monitoring system, main data (pressure value, refrigerant
temperature, the rotational speed of a fan, the operation
time of a compressor, the rotational speed of the
compressor, the number of times of starting and stopping
of the compressor, and the like) of the air conditioner
are transmitted at regular intervals to the center server.
[0004]
Then, in a case where an anomaly has occurred, a
malfunction site showing the anomaly is specified on the
basis of the operating data transmitted to the center
server, and a maker carries out a contact with the service
center and a request for repair.
Citation List
[Non-Patent Literature]
[0005]
- 4 -
NPL 1: TOSHIBA REVIEW Vol. 60, No.6 (2005), Pages.52
to 55
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006]
However, in an area where external network
environment, such as the Internet, is insufficient, it is
difficult to install the air-conditioning remote
monitoring center server. Additionally, high costs are
required also for the installation of the air-conditioning
remote monitoring center server.
[0007]
Moreover, if the indoor unit and the outdoor unit
manufactured by different makers are used for the air
conditioning system, it is necessary to determine whether
or not machinery (also referred to as functional
components) installed in these units is operating
correctly as the air conditioning system. Unless this
determination is performed, the cause of an anomaly of the
air conditioning system cannot be made clear, and a maker
who has the responsibility for the anomaly cannot be
clarified.
[0008]
The invention has been made in view of such
circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a
- 5 -
control device for an air conditioning system, an air
conditioning system, and a method for determining an
anomaly of an air conditioning system that can simply and
accurately ascertain an operating state of the air
conditioning system more.
Solution to Problem
[0009]
In order to solve the above problem, a control
device for an air conditioning system, an air conditioning
system, and a method for determining an anomaly of an air
conditioning system in the invention adopts the following
means.
[0010]
A control device for an air conditioning system
related to a first aspect of the invention is a control
device for an air conditioning system including one or a
plurality of outdoor units and one or a plurality of
indoor units. The control device includes outdoor-unit
control means capable of communication with the outdoor
unit through a communication medium, the outdoor-unit
control means acquiring, through the communication medium,
information about machinery installed in the outdoor unit
and outputting a control command to the machinery
installed in the outdoor unit; indoor-unit control means
capable of communication with the indoor unit through the
- 6 -
communication medium, the indoor-unit control means
acquiring, through the communication medium, information
about machinery installed in the indoor unit and
outputting a control command to the machinery installed in
the indoor unit; and anomaly determination means for
determining the presence or absence of an anomaly in the
machinery by individually changing an operating point of
the machinery installed in the outdoor unit or the indoor
unit and acquiring a predetermined state quantity before
and after the change.
[0011]
In the control device for an air conditioning system
related to this configuration, the outdoor-unit control
means that outputs the control command to the machinery
installed in the outdoor unit, and the indoor-unit control
means that outputs the control command to the machinery
installed in the indoor unit are virtually loaded. The
machinery installed in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit
is, for example, an expansion valve, a fan, and a four-way
valve.
That is, since the indoor-unit control means and the
outdoor-unit control means are present independently from
the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the configurations
of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are simplified.
Moreover, for example, like installation for only
- 7 -
communication and actuator functions of components, it is
not necessary to load advanced programs into the indoor
unit and the outdoor unit, and replacement of the indoor
unit and the outdoor unit can be easily performed. In
addition, as long as the indoor unit or the outdoor unit
satisfies specification, the indoor unit and the outdoor
unit manufactured by a maker different from that of the
control device may be adopted.
[0012]
Here, in the related-art air conditioning systems
that control the outdoor unit and the indoor unit using
the different control devices, respectively, the outdoor
unit and the indoor unit are operated by different control
programs. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately
ascertain the operating state including the presence or
absence of an anomaly of the overall air conditioning
system. For this reason, in the related-art air
conditioning systems, it is necessary to collect and
manage data, such as the operating state and various state
quantities of the air conditioning system, using a server
or the like for remote monitoring.
Moreover, if the indoor unit and the outdoor unit
manufactured by different makers are used for the air
conditioning system, it is necessary to determine whether
or not the machinery installed in these units is operating
- 8 -
correctly as the air conditioning system.
[0013]
Thus, in the control device of the air conditioning
system related to this configuration, the presence or
absence of an anomaly in the machinery is determined by
the anomaly determination means by acquiring the
predetermined state quantity before and after the
operating point of the machinery installed in the outdoor
unit or the indoor unit is individually changed. That is,
the control device performs active monitoring control for
positively operating the machinery. The state quantities
are, for example, the temperature of the refrigerant, the
pressure of the refrigerant, the flow rate of the
refrigerant, and the like.
The influence that the machinery has on the air
conditioning system can be clarified by individually
changing the operating point of the machinery installed in
the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, and acquiring the
state quantity before and after the change. Then, in a
case where the influence is not proper, a possibility or
the like that the machinery has an anomaly (malfunction or
the like) can be considered.
[0014]
Additionally, in the air conditioning system related
to this configuration, one control device controls the
- 9 -
indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Thus, the control
states of the respective pieces of machinery, the various
state quantities in the air conditioning system, and the
like can be managed by the control device. For this
reason, association between timings at which the operating
points of the machinery are changed individually, and
changes in the state quantities before and after the
timings is easy. That is, in this configuration, the
operating state of the air conditioning system can be
ascertained simply and accurately without using the server
for remote monitoring like the related-art air
conditioning systems.
Additionally, in this configuration, even if the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit manufactured by different
makers are used, the presence or absence of an anomaly is
determined by acquiring the predetermined state quantity
before and after the operating point of the machinery
installed in these units are changed individually. Thus,
it is possible to accurately ascertain the influence that
the operation of the machinery has on the air conditioning
system.
[0015]
As described above, one control device controls the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit, individually changes the
operating point of the machinery installed in the indoor
- 10 -
unit or the outdoor unit, and acquires the predetermined
state quantity before and after the change. Thus, the
operating state of the air conditioning system can be
ascertained more simply and accurately.
[0016]
In the above first aspect, the anomaly determination
means may acquire the predetermined state quantity that
fluctuates more easily according to a change in the
operating point of the machinery, and may determine the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery.
[0017]
According to this configuration, the presence or
absence of an anomaly in the machinery is determined on
the basis of only the predetermined state quantity that
fluctuates more easily in a case where the operating point
of the machinery is changed. Thus, the operating state of
the air conditioning system can be determined earlier.
[0018]
In the above first aspect, the anomaly determination
means may determine the presence or absence of an anomaly
of the machinery by changing the operating point of the
machinery in order one by one for the plurality of indoor
units and the plurality of outdoor units.
[0019]
According to this configuration, the state of the
- 11 -
outdoor unit or the indoor unit can be determined more
exactly.
[0020]
In the above first aspect, the anomaly determination
means may determine the presence or absence of an anomaly
of the machinery during the operation of the air
conditioning system.
[0021]
According to this configuration, the operating point
of the machinery are changed in a short time. Thus, even
if the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is operating, the
presence or absence of an anomaly can be determined
without impairing a user's temperature adjustment
sensation.
[0022]
In the above first aspect, the amount of a
refrigerant within the air conditioning system may be
calculated on the basis of the state quantity.
[0023]
According to this configuration, the presence or
absence of leakage of the refrigerant can be detected, on
the basis of a time change in the flow rate of the
refrigerant.
[0024]
An air conditioning system related to a second
- 12 -
aspect of the invention includes one or a plurality of
outdoor units; one or a plurality of indoor units; and the
control device described in the above.
[0025]
A method for determining an anomaly of an air
conditioning system related to a third aspect of the
invention is a method for determining an anomaly of an air
conditioning system including one or a plurality of
outdoor units and one or a plurality of indoor units,
outdoor-unit control means capable of communication with
the outdoor unit through a communication medium, the
outdoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the outdoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the outdoor unit,
and indoor-unit control means capable of communication
with the indoor unit through the communication medium, the
indoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the indoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the indoor unit.
The method includes individually changing an operating
point of the machinery installed in the outdoor unit or
the indoor unit; acquiring a predetermined state quantity
before and after the change; and determining the presence
- 13 -
or absence of an anomaly in the machinery.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0026]
According to the invention, an excellent effect that
the operating state of the air conditioning system can be
ascertained more simply and accurately is exhibited.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0027]
Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerant system
of an air conditioning system related to an embodiment of
the invention.
Fig. 2 is an electrical configuration diagram of the
air conditioning system related to the embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a
malfunction prediction control part related to the
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of
malfunction prediction processing related to the
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5A is a flowchart illustrating a flow of
malfunction prediction operation related to the embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 5B is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the
malfunction prediction operation related to the embodiment
- 14 -
of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of
refrigerant amount determination processing related to the
embodiment of the invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0028]
Hereinbelow, an embodiment of a control device of
the air conditioning system, an air conditioning system,
and an anomaly determination method for an air
conditioning system related to the invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerant system
of an air conditioning system 1 related to the present
embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the air
conditioning system 1 includes one outdoor unit B, and a
plurality of indoor units A1 and A2 connected to the
outdoor unit B by a common refrigerant line 10. Although
a configuration in which two indoor units A1 and A2 are
connected to one outdoor unit B is illustrated for
convenience in Fig. 1, the number of outdoor units B to be
installed and the number of indoor units A1 and A2 to be
connected are not limited.
[0030]
The outdoor unit B includes, for example, a
- 15 -
compressor 11 that compresses and delivers a refrigerant,
a four-way valve 12 that switches a circulation direction
of a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 13 that
performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and ambient
air, an outdoor fan 15, an accumulator 16 that is provided
on a suction-side pipe of the compressor 11 from the
purpose of gas-liquid separation or the like of a
refrigerant, an outdoor-unit expansion valve 17 that is,
for example, an electronic expansion valve, and the like.
Additionally, the outdoor unit B is provided with various
sensors 20 (refer to Fig. 2), such as pressure sensors 21
(a high-pressure sensor 21_1 and a low-pressure sensor
21_2) that measure refrigerant pressures, an outdoor
temperature sensor 24 that measures refrigerant
temperature. In addition, the high-pressure sensor 21_1
measures the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from
the compressor 11, and the low-pressure sensor 21_2
measures the pressure of the refrigerant sent to the
compressor 11.
[0031]
The indoor units A1 and A2 include an indoor heat
exchanger 31, an indoor fan 32, an indoor-unit expansion
valve 33, and the like, respectively. The two indoor
units A1 and A2 are respectively connected to respective
refrigerant lines 10 that branch at a header 22 and a
- 16 -
distributor 23 within the outdoor unit B.
An indoor temperature sensor 35_1 measures the inlet
refrigerant temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 31,
an indoor temperature sensor 35_2 measures the
intermediate refrigerant temperature of the indoor heat
exchanger 31, and the indoor temperature sensor 35_3
measures the outlet refrigerant temperature of the indoor
heat exchanger 31.
[0032]
Fig. 2 is an electrical configuration diagram of the
air conditioning system 1 related to the present
embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the indoor units A1
and A2, the outdoor unit B, and a control device 3 are
connected together through a common bus 5, and are
configured to be capable of mutually transferring
information. In addition, the common bus 5 is an example
of a communication medium, and communication can be
wireless or wired.
The control device 3 is connected to a maintenance
inspection device 6 that performs maintenance inspection
through a communication medium 7, and is configured to be
capable of periodically transmitting operating data, or at
the time of occurrence of the anomaly, rapidly notifying
the maintenance inspection device of the effect.
[0033]
- 17 -
Here, in a related-art air conditioning systems,
control devices are provided inside an indoor unit and an
outdoor unit, respectively. In contrast, in the present
embodiment, respective indoor-unit control parts 41_1 and
41_2 and an outdoor-unit control part 43 are provided
independently from the indoor units A1 and A2 and the
outdoor unit B. Specifically, the indoor-unit control
part 41_1 that controls the indoor unit A1, the indoorunit
control part 41_2 that controls the indoor unit A2,
and the outdoor-unit control part 43 that controls the
outdoor unit B are mounted on the control device 3 serving
as a virtualized control part.
[0034]
That is, since the indoor-unit control parts 41 and
the outdoor-unit control part 43 are present independently
from the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B, the
configurations of the indoor units A and the outdoor unit
B are simplified. Moreover, for example, like
installation for only communication and actuator functions
of components, it is not necessary to load advanced
programs into the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B,
and replacement of the indoor units A and the outdoor unit
B can be easily performed. In addition, as long as the
indoor units A1 and A2 or the outdoor unit B satisfies
specification, the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B
- 18 -
manufactured by a maker different from that of the control
device 3 may be adopted.
[0035]
That is, the indoor-unit control parts 41_1 and 41_2
and the outdoor-unit control part 43 are integrated in the
control device 3 having one kind of hardware, and
independent operations are made possible on the hardware
included in the control device 3. The control device 3
has a master control part 40 for making the indoor-unit
control parts 41_1 and 41_2 and the outdoor-unit control
part 43 virtually present within the control device.
[0036]
In the control device 3, the indoor-unit control
parts 41_1 and 41_2 and the outdoor-unit control part 43
are configured to be capable of mutually transferring
information. Additionally, the indoor-unit control parts
41_1 and 41_2 and the outdoor-unit control part 43 may
perform, for example, autonomous decentralized control for
making the individual control parts realize independent
autonomous decentralized controls while sharing
information. Here, the autonomous decentralized control
means that information is received from the sensors 20 and
other control parts (for example, the indoor-unit control
part 41_2 and the outdoor-unit control part 43 are
equivalent to the other control parts in the case of the
- 19 -
indoor-unit control part 41_1), and a predetermined
application gives control commands to the corresponding
indoor units A1 and A2 or outdoor unit B (for example, the
indoor unit A1 in the case of the indoor-unit control part
41_1) according to control rules with this information as
an input.
[0037]
In the indoor unit A1, indoor unit local controllers
52 that are respectively provided to correspond to various
machinery 51, such as the indoor fan 32 and the indoorunit
expansion valve 33 (refer to Fig. 1), are connected
to the common bus 5 through a gateway (communication means)
53. In addition, although illustration is omitted, the
indoor unit A2 is also configured to be the same as the
indoor unit A1.
In the outdoor unit B, outdoor unit local
controllers 62 that are respectively provided to
correspond to various machinery 61, such as the compressor
11, the four-way valve 12, and an outdoor fan 13 (refer to
Fig. 1), are connected to the common bus 5 through a
gateway (communication means) 63.
[0038]
The gateways 53 and 63 are assemblies of functions
including, for example, a communication driver, an address
storage region, a machinery attribute storage region, a
- 20 -
configuration machinery information storage region, an OS,
and a communication framework.
The address storage region is a storage region for
storing addresses that are unique identification numbers
assigned in order to communicate with the control device 3
or the like.
Additionally, the machinery attribute storage region
is a storage region for storing its own attribute
information and attribute information about the machinery
51 and 61 to be held. For example, information, such as
information about whether there is an indoor unit or an
outdoor unit, capacity, installed sensors (for example, a
temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like), and
information (for example, the number of fan taps, the full
pulse of valves, and) about the machinery, is stored.
[0039]
Moreover, the sensors 20 (for example, the pressure
sensors that measure the refrigerant pressures, the
temperature sensor that measures the refrigerant
temperature, and the like) provided in the indoor units A1
and A2 and the outdoor unit B are respectively connected
to the common bus 5 through an AD board 71. Here, in a
case where the measurement accuracy of the sensors 20 is
low, nodes having a correction function for correcting a
measurement value may be provided between the AD board 71
- 21 -
and the sensors 20. In this way, by giving the correction
function, it is possible to use sensors, which are
inexpensive and are not so high in measurement accuracy,
as the sensors 20.
[0040]
In such an air conditioning system 1, for example
the indoor-unit control parts 41_1 and 41_2 of the control
device 3 acquire measurement data and control information
acquired from the sensors 20, the indoor unit local
controllers 52, and the outdoor unit local controllers 62
through the common bus 5, and executes a predetermined
indoor unit control program on the basis of the
measurement data, thereby outputting control commands to
the various machinery (for example, the indoor fan 32, the
indoor-unit expansion valve 33, and the like) provided the
indoor units A1 and A2. The control commands are sent to
the indoor unit local controllers 52 through the common
bus 5 and the gateway 53. The indoor unit local
controllers 52 drive the corresponding pieces of machinery,
respectively, on the basis of the received control
commands. Accordingly, the control of the indoor units A1
and A2 based on the control commands is realized.
[0041]
Similarly, the outdoor-unit control part 43 of the
control device 3 acquires the measurement data and the
- 22 -
control information from the sensors 20, the indoor unit
local controllers 52, and the outdoor unit local
controllers 62 through the common bus 5, and executes a
predetermined outdoor unit control program on the basis of
these measurement data, thereby outputting control
commands to the various machinery (for example, the
compressor 11, the four-way valve 12, the outdoor heat
exchanger 13, the outdoor fan 15, the outdoor-unit
expansion valve 17, and the like) provided in the outdoor
unit B. The control commands are sent to the outdoor unit
local controllers 62 through the common bus 5 and the
gateway 63. The outdoor unit local controllers 62 drive
the corresponding pieces of machinery, respectively, on
the basis of the received control commands.
[0042]
The indoor units A1 and A2 and the outdoor unit B
may be subjected to the autonomous decentralized control
by the indoor-unit control parts 41_1 and 41_2 and the
outdoor-unit control part 43, respectively. In this case,
the control rules are set between the indoor units A1 and
A2 and the outdoor unit B, and the control parts perform
control, respectively, according to the control rules.
For example, if the refrigerant pressures are mentioned as
an example, in a case where the refrigerant pressures
acquired from sensors 20 is within a predetermined first
- 23 -
allowable fluctuation range, the indoor-unit control parts
41_1 and 41_2 determine control commands for making a user
or the like coincide actual temperatures and actual air
volumes with set temperatures and set air volumes, and
outputs the control commands to the indoor units A1 and A2,
respectively, through the common bus 5. Here, the indoorunit
control parts 41_1 and 41_2 may cooperate to perform
mutual transfer of information, thereby determining the
respective control commands. Additionally, the outdoorunit
control part 43 determines output commands of the air
conditioning system 1 for maintaining the refrigerant
pressure at a predetermined second allowable fluctuation
range, for example, control commands regarding the
rotational speed of the compressor 11, the rotating speed
of the outdoor fan 15, and the like, and transmits the
control commands to the outdoor unit B through the common
bus 5.
For example, by setting the first allowable range to
be wider than the second allowable range, it is possible
for the outdoor-unit control part 43 to ascertain output
change information about the indoor units A1 and A2 and
determine the behavior of the outdoor unit B.
[0043]
In addition, the control device 3, the indoor unit
local controllers 52, and the outdoor unit local
- 24 -
controllers 62 are constituted with, for example, a
central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory
(RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a computer-readable
storage medium, and the like. A series of processing for
realizing various functions are stored in the storage
medium or the like in the form of a program as an example,
and the various functions are realized when the CPU reads
this program to the RAM or the like to execute processing
of information and calculation processing. In addition, a
form in which this program is installed in advance in the
ROM or other storage media, a form in which this program
is provided after being stored in the computer-readable
storage medium, a form in which this program is
distributed through communication means in a wired or
wireless manner, or the like may be applied. The
computer-readable storage medium is a magnetic disk, a
magnetic-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a
semiconductor memory, or the like.
[0044]
Here, in the related-art air conditioning systems
that control the outdoor unit and the indoor unit using
the different control devices, respectively, the outdoor
unit and the indoor unit are operated by different control
programs. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately
ascertain the operating state of the overall air
- 25 -
conditioning system. For this reason, in the related-art
air conditioning systems, it is necessary to collect and
manage data, such as the operating state and various state
quantities of the air conditioning system, using a server
or the like for remote monitoring.
Additionally, if the indoor units A and the outdoor
unit B manufactured by different makers are used for the
air conditioning system 1 related to the present
embodiment, it is necessary to determine whether or not
the machinery installed in these units is operating
correctly as the air conditioning system 1.
[0045]
Thus, the control device 3 of the air conditioning
system 1 related to the present embodiment includes a
malfunction prediction control part 44.
The malfunction prediction control part 44
individually changes the operating points of the machinery
(the machinery 51 and 61) installed in the indoor units A
or the outdoor unit B, acquires predetermined state
quantities before and after the change, and executes a
malfunction prediction operation for determining the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery.
[0046]
That is, the control device 3 is able to
individually operate the various machinery installed in
- 26 -
the air conditioning system 1 using the malfunction
prediction control part 44, irrespective of control of
normal operations, such as a cooling operation and a
heating operation. Accordingly, the control device 3
performs active monitoring control for positively
operating the machinery. The state quantities are, for
example, the temperature of the refrigerant, the pressure
of the refrigerant, the flow rate of the refrigerant, and
the like that are measured by the sensors 20.
[0047]
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating
the functions of the malfunction prediction control part
44 in the control device 3 related to the present
embodiment.
[0048]
The malfunction prediction control part 44 includes
a check machinery selection unit 70, an operating point
change control unit 72, a state quantity acquisition unit
74, a storage unit 76, an anomaly determination unit 78,
and a refrigerant amount calculation unit 80.
[0049]
The check machinery selection unit 70 selects
machinery of which an operating point is individually
changed for the malfunction prediction operation.
[0050]
- 27 -
The operating point change control unit 72 outputs a
predetermined control command to the machinery of which
the operating point is changed.
[0051]
The state quantity acquisition unit 74 acquires
predetermined state quantities before and after a change
in an operating point from the various sensors 20 and the
like.
[0052]
The storage unit 76 stores the state quantities
acquired by the state quantity acquisition unit 74 in time
series.
[0053]
The anomaly determination unit 78 determines the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery on the
basis of the acquired state quantities.
[0054]
The refrigerant amount calculation unit 80 executes
refrigerant amount calculation processing for calculating
the amount of the refrigerant within the air conditioning
system 1 on the basis of the acquired state quantities.
[0055]
In this way, the malfunction prediction operation
related to the present embodiment, the influence that the
machinery has on the air conditioning system 1 can be
- 28 -
clarified by individually changing the operating points of
the machinery installed in the indoor units A or the
outdoor unit B, and acquiring the state quantities before
and after the change. Then, in a case where the influence
is not proper, a possibility or the like that the
machinery has an anomaly (malfunction or the like) can be
considered.
[0056]
Additionally, in the air conditioning system 1
related to the present embodiment, one control device 3
controls the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B. Thus,
the control states of the respective pieces of machinery,
the various state quantities in the air conditioning
system 1, and the like can be managed by the control
device 3. For this reason, association between timings at
which the operating points of the machinery are changed
individually, and changes in the state quantities before
and after the timings is easy. That is, in the air
conditioning system 1 related to the present embodiment,
the operating state of the air conditioning system 1 can
be ascertained simply and accurately without using the
server for remote monitoring like the related-art air
conditioning systems. For example, in a case where
abnormal changes have occurred in the state quantities
before and after the operating points of the machinery are
- 29 -
changed, or in a case where no change does not occur, it
is determined that a malfunction occurs in the machinery.
[0057]
Additionally, in the air conditioning system 1
related to the present embodiment, even if the indoor
units A and the outdoor unit B manufactured by different
makers are used, the presence or absence of an anomaly is
determined by acquiring predetermined state quantities
before and after the operating points of the machinery
installed in these units are changed individually. Thus,
it is possible to accurately ascertain the influence that
the operation of the machinery has on the air conditioning
system 1.
[0058]
Additionally, in the related-art air conditioning
systems in which the presence or absence of an anomaly, or
the like is monitored remotely, a number of pieces of
machinery are installed. Thus, the amount of operating
data to be transmitted to the server or the like for
remote monitoring is huge, and it is difficult to
accurately and rapidly ascertain the state of the air
conditioning system and to determine the presence or
absence of an anomaly.
Thus, the above-described state quantity acquisition
unit 74 acquires predetermined state quantities that
- 30 -
fluctuate more easily according to the changes in
operating points on of the machinery. That is, sensors 20
that acquire state quantities according to machinery of
which operating points are changed are determined in
advance. Then, the anomaly determination unit 78
determines the presence or absence of an anomaly in the
machinery on the basis of the acquired state quantities.
In addition, the above state quantities that fluctuate
more easily are, in other words, state quantities in which
time variations to the changes in the operating points of
the machinery are larger.
[0059]
In this way, in the air conditioning system 1
related to this configuration, in a case where the
operating points of the machinery are changed, the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery is
determined on the basis of the predetermined state
quantities that fluctuate more easily. Thus, the
operating state of the air conditioning system 1 can be
determined earlier.
Additionally, even if the malfunction prediction
operation is performed during the operation of the air
conditioning system 1, the presence or absence of an
anomaly in the machinery is determined on the basis of the
predetermined state quantities that fluctuate more easily.
- 31 -
Therefore, the presence or absence of an anomaly can be
determined in a short time. Thus, a user's temperature
adjustment sensation is not impaired.
[0060]
The following Table 1 is a table showing an example
of the combination between machinery of which operating
points are changed, and state quantities to be acquired in
the malfunction prediction operation.
[0061]
[Table 1]
Detection
Method
Acquired State Quantity (Determination Method)
Indoor-Unit
Expansion Valve
Compulsive
opening degree
command
- During cooling
Changes of indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2,
35_3 or changes in superheat degree
- During heating
Changes of indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2,
35_3
Indoor Fan
Compulsive
rotational
speed command
- During cooling
Change of low-pressure sensor 21_2
Rotation speed decrease: low pressure
drop
Rotation speed increase: low pressure
rise
- During heating
Change of high-pressure sensor 21_1
Rotation speed decrease: high pressure
rise
Rotation speed increase: high pressure
drop
Outdoor Fan
Compulsive
rotational
speed command
- During cooling
Change of high-pressure sensor 21_1
Rotation speed decrease: high pressure
rise
Rotation speed increase: high pressure
drop
- During heating
Change of low-pressure sensor 21_2
Rotation speed decrease: low pressure
drop
Rotation speed increase: low pressure
rise
- 32 -
Four-Way Valve
Determine flow
direction of
refrigerant
(switching
command)
- During cooling
Value of outdoor temperature sensor 24 > value of
indoor temperature sensor 35_3
- During heating
Value of outdoor temperature sensor 24 < value of
indoor temperature sensor 35_3
Outdoor-Unit
Expansion Valve
Compulsive
opening degree
command
Change in pressure
- During cooling
Opening direction: value of high-pressure sensor
21_1 decreases
Closing direction: value of high-pressure sensor
21_1 increases
- During cooling
Opening direction: value of low-pressure sensor
21_2 increases or change in superheat degree
Closing direction: value of low-pressure sensor
21_2 decreases or change in superheat degree
[0062]
In a case where machinery of which an operating
point is changed is the indoor-unit expansion valve 33, a
compulsive opening degree command for changing the opening
degree by a predetermined amount is output to the indoorunit
expansion valve 33. The amount of heat exchange by
the indoor heat exchanger 31 is changed by this compulsive
opening degree command, and it is determined whether or
not the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is functioning
normally.
Then, state quantities acquired in this case are
changes of the indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and
35_3. In addition, a change in superheat degree may be
acquired as a state quantity during cooling. This is
because a temperature change appears as a reaction
earliest as a presence or absence of a flow of the
refrigerant within the refrigerant line 10, in a case
- 33 -
where the opening degree of the indoor-unit expansion
valve 33 is changed.
[0063]
In a case where machinery of which an operating
point is changed is the indoor fan 32, a compulsive
rotational speed command for changing the rotational speed
by a predetermined amount is output to the indoor fan 32.
The amount of heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger
31 is changed by this compulsive rotational speed command,
and it is determined whether or not the indoor fan 32 is
functioning normally.
Then, state quantities acquired in this case are
changes of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 and the lowpressure
sensor 21_2. This is because a pressure change
of the refrigerant appears as a reaction earliest, in a
case where the rotational speed of the indoor fan 32 is
changed. Specifically, if the indoor fan 32 is
functioning normally during the cooling operation, the
value of the low-pressure sensor 21_2 falls by reducing
the rotational speed of the indoor fan 32, and the value
of the low-pressure sensor 21_2 rises by increasing the
rotational speed of the indoor fan 32. On the other hand,
if the indoor fan 32 is functioning normally during the
heating operation, the value of the high-pressure sensor
21_1 rises by reducing the rotational speed of the indoor
- 34 -
fan 32, and the value of the high-pressure sensor 21_1
falls by increasing the rotational speed of the indoor fan
32.
[0064]
In addition, in a case where the operating points of
the indoor fan 32 included in the indoor units A are
changed in this way, it is difficult to acquire pressure
changes using the high-pressure sensor 21_1 and the lowpressure
sensor 21_2 included in the outdoor unit B, in
the related-art air conditioning systems that control the
outdoor unit and the indoor unit using the different
control devices, respectively.
However, in the air conditioning system 1 related to
the present embodiment in which one control device 3
controls the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B, as
described above, association between timings at which the
operating points of the machinery are changed individually,
and changes in the state quantities before and after the
timings is easy. For this reason, the control device 3
acquires pressure changes using the high-pressure sensor
21_1 and the low-pressure sensor 21_2 to a change of the
operating point of the indoor fan 32, and can easily
determine the presence or absence of an anomaly of the
indoor fan 32.
[0065]
- 35 -
In a case where machinery of which an operating
point is changed is the outdoor fan 15, a compulsive
rotational speed command for changing the rotational speed
by a predetermined amount is output to the outdoor fan 15.
The amount of heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger
13 is changed by this compulsive rotational speed command,
and it is determined whether or not the outdoor fan 15 is
functioning normally.
Then, state quantities acquired in this case are
changes of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 and the lowpressure
sensor 21_2. This is because a pressure change
of the refrigerant appears as a reaction earliest, in a
case where the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 15 is
changed. Specifically, if the outdoor fan 15 is
functioning normally during the cooling operation, the
value of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 rises by reducing
the rotational speed of the outdoor fan 15, and the value
of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 falls by increasing the
rotational speed of the outdoor fan 15. On the other hand,
if the outdoor fan 15 is functioning normally during the
heating operation, the value of the low-pressure sensor
21_2 falls by reducing the rotational speed of the outdoor
fan 15, and the value of the low-pressure sensor 21_2
rises by increasing the rotational speed of the outdoor
fan 15.
- 36 -
[0066]
In a case where machinery of which an operating
point is changed is the four-way valve 12, whether or not
the four-way valve 12 is functioning normally is
determined on the basis of a flow direction of the
refrigerant during the cooling operation or the heating
operation.
In addition, in order to perform a defrosting
operation during the heating operation, a switching
command for switching the direction of the refrigerant is
output to the four-way valve 12. The flow direction of
the refrigerant may be changed by this switching command,
and it may be determined whether or not the four-way valve
12 is functioning normally.
State quantities acquired in this case are values of
any of the indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3
and the outdoor temperature sensor 24. This is because
the flow direction during the cooling operation and the
flow direction during the heating operation are determined
uniquely; therefore determination on whether or not the
four-way valve 12 is functioning normally is possible if
the temperatures of the indoor units A and the outdoor
unit B are acquired. Specifically, if the four-way valve
12 is functioning normally during the cooling operation,
the value of the outdoor temperature sensor 24 becomes
- 37 -
higher than the value of indoor temperature sensor 35_3 or
the like. On the other hand, if the four-way valve 12 is
functioning normally during the heating operation, the
value of the outdoor temperature sensor 24 becomes lower
than the value of indoor temperature sensor 35_3 or the
like.
[0067]
In a case where machinery of which an operating
point is changed is the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17, a
compulsive opening degree command for changing the opening
degree by a predetermined amount is output to the outdoorunit
expansion valve 17. The amount of heat exchange by
the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is changed by this
compulsive opening degree command, and it is determined
whether or not the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17 is
functioning normally.
Then, state quantities acquired in this case are
changes of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 and the lowpressure
sensor 21_2. This is because a pressure change
appears as a reaction earliest in order to balance heat
under operation depending on a change in the amount of
heat exchange (circulation flow rate), in a case where the
opening degree of the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17 is
changed. Specifically, if the outdoor-unit expansion
valve 17 is functioning normally during the cooling
- 38 -
operation, the value of the high-pressure sensor 21_1
falls by opening the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17, and
the value of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 rises by
closing the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17. On the other
hand, if the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17 is
functioning normally during the heating operation, the
value of the low-pressure sensor 21_2 rises by opening the
outdoor-unit expansion valve 17, and the value of the lowpressure
sensor 21_2 falls by closing the outdoor-unit
expansion valve 17. Additionally, during the heating
operation, a change in superheat degree calculated from
the value of the low-pressure sensor 21_2 and the value of
the outdoor temperature sensor 24 by opening and closing
the outdoor-unit expansion valve 17 may be detected.
[0068]
In addition, even if the operating points of the
machinery are changed due to the malfunction prediction
operation, the operating points of the machinery is
returned to their original operating points after a
predetermined time (for example, during several seconds)
has passed.
[0069]
Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of
malfunction prediction processing (malfunction prediction
program) related to the present embodiment. The
- 39 -
malfunction prediction processing is executed by the
control device 3.
[0070]
First, in Step 100, it is determined whether or not
a predetermined cumulative operation time (for example, 50
hours) has passed from the end of the malfunction
prediction processing executed previously. In a case
where the determination is positive, the processing
proceeds to Step 102.
[0071]
The malfunction prediction operation is performed in
Step 102.
In addition, in the malfunction prediction operation,
determination of the operating state is performed on a
plurality of the indoor units A and a plurality of the
outdoor units B by changing the operating points of the
machinery in order one by one. Thus, the states of the
indoor units A or the outdoor units B can be determined
more exactly.
Additionally, in the malfunction prediction
operation, the presence or absence of an anomaly in the
machinery is determined during the operation of the air
conditioning system 1.
In the malfunction prediction operation related to
the present embodiment, the operating points of the
- 40 -
machinery are changed in a short time. Thus, even if the
air conditioning system 1 is operating, the presence or
absence of an anomaly can be determined without impairing
a user's temperature adjustment sensation.
[0072]
In the next Step 104, it is determined whether or
not there is any machinery showing an anomaly depending on
the malfunction prediction operation. In a case where the
determination is positive, the processing proceeds to Step
106, and in a case where the determination is negative,
the processing returns to Step 100.
[0073]
In Step 106, in order to solve the anomaly, the
operation of the air conditioning system 1 is stopped and
the malfunction prediction processing is ended.
[0074]
Fig. 5A and B are flowcharts that illustrate an
example of the malfunction prediction operation executed
in Step 102. In Fig. 5A and 5B, as an example, machinery
of which an operating point is changed individually is
selected for the indoor-unit expansion valve 33.
[0075]
First, in Step 200, a predetermined indoor unit A
under stop is selected, and the temperature of the indoor
heat exchanger 31 installed in the selected indoor unit A
- 41 -
is stored in the storage unit 76.
The indoor units A are selected in order such that
the indoor-unit expansion valves 33 are not checked and in
order with a smaller value of address. Additionally, the
temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 31 is the
temperature measured by at least one of the indoor
temperature sensor 35_1, 35_2, and the 35_3. Each
temperature stored in Step 200 is stored as an initial
value Tn(0). Tn is any of temperatures measured by the
indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3, T1 shows
a temperature measured by the indoor temperature sensor
35_1, T2 shows a temperature measured by the indoor
temperature sensor 35_2, and T3 shows a temperature
measured by the indoor temperature sensor 35_3.
In addition, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 of
the indoor unit A under stop is in a closed state.
[0076]
In the next Step 202, the indoor-unit expansion
valve 33 installed in the indoor unit A selected in Step
200 is opened. Specifically, a predetermined opening
degree pulse is output from the operating point change
control unit 72 to the indoor-unit expansion valve 33.
[0077]
In the next Step 204, temperatures are measured by
the indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3 and
- 42 -
are stored in the storage unit 76, and it is determined
whether or not a temperature change before and after the
indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is opened is a
predetermined temperature or lower. As an example, in a
case where a temperature difference between the measured
temperature Tn(t) and the initial value Tn(0) satisfies the
following Equation, the determination is regarded as being
positive.
Tn(t) ≤ Tn(0) - 10
In Step 204, in a case where the determination is
positive, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is regarded
as being normal, and the processing proceeds to Step 206.
On the other hand, in a case where the determination is
negative, the processing proceeds to Step 208.
[0078]
In Step 206, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is
closed again, and the processing proceeds to Step 212.
[0079]
In Step 208, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is
closed again, and the processing proceeds to Step 210.
[0080]
In Step 210, since the normality of the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 is not determined definitely,
information showing the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 of
an indoor unit A selected as holding processing is stored
- 43 -
in the storage unit 76, and the processing proceeds to
Step 212.
[0081]
In Step 212, regarding all indoor units A under stop,
it is determined whether or not check on the indoor-unit
expansion valves 33 is completed. In a case where the
determination is positive, the processing proceeds to Step
214, and in a case where the determination is negative,
the processing returns to Step 200.
[0082]
In Step 214, a predetermined indoor unit A under
operation is selected, and the temperature of the indoor
heat exchanger 31 installed in the selected indoor unit A
is stored in the storage unit 76.
The indoor units A are selected in order such that
the indoor-unit expansion valves 33 are not checked and in
order with a smaller value of address.
In addition, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 of
the indoor unit A under operation is in an open state.
[0083]
In the next Step 216, the indoor-unit expansion
valve 33 installed in the indoor unit A selected in Step
214 is fully closed. Specifically, 0 is output as an
opening degree pulse from the operating point change
control unit 72 to the indoor-unit expansion valve 33.
- 44 -
[0084]
In the next Step 218, temperatures are measured by
the indoor temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3, and
it is determined whether or not a temperature changed
before and after the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is
closed is a first temperature or higher. Specifically, in
a case where a temperature difference based on the
measured temperature Tn=1,2,3(t) and the initial value
Tn=1,2,3(0) satisfies the following equations, the
determination is regarded as being negative. In addition,
the following equations are equations for determining
whether or not the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is
operating depending on a change in superheat degree as an
example.
SH(0) = T3(0) - min(T2(0), T1(0))
SH(t) = T3(t) - min(T2(t), T1(t))
SH(t)  SH(0) + 5
In Step 218, in a case where the determination is
positive, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is regarded
as being normal, the opening degree of the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 is returned its original, and the
processing proceeds to Step 224. On the other hand, in a
case where the determination is negative, the processing
proceeds to Step 220.
[0085]
- 45 -
The temperature change of the indoor unit A under
operation may not be the first temperature or higher
depending on the operating state of the air conditioning
system 1.
Thus, in Step 220, it is determined whether or not a
change in temperature measured in each of the indoor
temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3 is a second
temperature or higher, not the first temperature that is
the temperature change of the superheat degree.
For example, in a case where the temperature
difference between the measured temperature Tn=1,2,3(t) and
the initial value Tn=1,2,3(0) satisfies the following
equations, the determination is regarded as being negative.
Tn=1,2,3(t)  Tn=1,2,3(0) + 10
In Step 220, in a case where the determination is
positive, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 is regarded
as being normal, the opening degree of the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 is returned its original, and the
processing proceeds to Step 224. On the other hand, in a
case where the determination is negative, the processing
proceeds to Step 222.
[0086]
In Step 222, since the normality of the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 is not determined definitely,
information showing the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 of
- 46 -
an indoor unit A selected as holding processing is stored
in the storage unit 76, and the processing proceeds to
Step 224.
[0087]
In Step 224, regarding all indoor units A under
operation, it is determined whether or not check on the
indoor-unit expansion valves 33 is completed. In a case
where the determination is positive, the processing
proceeds to Step 226, and in a case where the
determination is negative, the processing returns to Step
214.
[0088]
In Step 226, regarding all indoor units A, it is
determined whether or not the indoor-unit expansion valves
33 are normal. In a case where the determination is
positive, the malfunction prediction operation is ended.
[0089]
On the other hand, in a case where information
showing the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 subjected to
the holding processing is stored in the storage unit 76,
the determination is regarded as being negative in Step
226. In this case, the processing returns to Step 200,
and after a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes)
has passed, the malfunction prediction operation is
repeated again.
- 47 -
The reason why the malfunction prediction operation
is performed again after the passage of the predetermined
time is because malfunction prediction operation is
executed during operation of the air conditioning system 1
to occur; therefore, a case where a change does not occur
in state quantities occur depending on the operating state
of the air conditioning system 1 even if the operating
points of the machinery are changed. If the predetermined
time has passed, even if the operating state of the air
conditioning system 1 changes and the operating points of
the machinery are changed similar to the previous case, a
change may occur in state quantities and it may be
determined that the machinery is normal.
[0090]
In the malfunction prediction operation, even if
there is any machinery of which the normality is not
determined and the malfunction prediction operation is
repeated by a predetermined number of times (for example,
twice), the machinery that cannot be definitely determined
to be normal is determined to have an anomaly (a
malfunction or incompatible with a the air conditioning
system 1).
[0091]
By virtue of the malfunction prediction operation
described above, an anomaly in the machinery can be
- 48 -
detected before a malfunction of the air conditioning
system 1, and the anomaly determination at a constant
level using data is made possible, not based on
determination resulting from a human being’s thought.
Additionally, by collecting only the results
originating from a malfunction prediction operation and
aggregating the verification results of the machinery and
data of incompatible sites, statistical data of machinery
in which a problem occurs in quality, such as which kind
of problem occurs in a combination of any machinery of any
maker and any indoor unit of any maker, is obtained. It
is also possible to reflect this result on an immediate
response to an anomaly or design change.
Additionally, it is possible to classify, for
example, the capacity of the indoor units A being
insufficient (a selection mistake, performance degradation)
with respect to a load generated in an indoor chamber, and
the like depending on the operating state. As a result,
the range of compensation for incompatibility can be
limited.
[0092]
Next, the refrigerant amount calculation processing
executed in the refrigerant amount calculation unit 80 of
the control device 3 will be described.
As described above, since the control device 3
- 49 -
controls the indoor units A and the outdoor unit B, the
various state quantities and the like in the air
conditioning system 1 can be managed.
Thus, in the refrigerant amount calculation
processing, the amount of the refrigerant within the air
conditioning system 1 is calculated using the state
quantities of the refrigerant under the operation of the
air conditioning system 1. Accordingly, the state of an
increase and a decrease in the amount of the refrigerant
can be managed in time series, and the presence or absence
of leakage of the refrigerant can be determined.
[0093]
The refrigerant amount calculation processing
related to the present embodiment divides the air
conditioning system 1 into a plurality of regions
(hereinafter a "divided regions") virtually.
An example of the division are 1. Outdoor heat
exchanger 13, 2. Indoor heat exchanger 31, 3. Gas pipe, 4.
Liquid pipe, 5. Pressure vessel, and 6. In-machinery line.
The gas pipe is a pipe through which a gas
refrigerant that faces from the indoor units A to the
outdoor unit B flows, in the refrigerant line 10. The
liquid pipe is a line through which a liquid refrigerant
that faces from the outdoor unit B to the indoor units A
flows, in the refrigerant line 10.
- 50 -
The pressure vessel is the compressor 11 and the
accumulator 16.
The in-machinery line is a line that connects the
respective pieces of machinery within the indoor units A,
and a line that connects the respective pieces of
machinery within the outdoor unit B.
[0094]
The amount of the refrigerant can be calculated, for
example, by multiplying the density (kg/m3) of the
refrigerant by the internal volume (m3) of the lines.
The refrigerant density is calculated on the basis
of the state quantities measured by the pressure sensors
and the temperature sensor included in the air
conditioning system 1. Additionally, the lengths,
internal diameters, and the like of respective lines
through that a refrigerant flows are obtained in advance
as design values, and the internal volumes of the lines,
are calculated from the design values. Also, the amount
of the refrigerant is calculated for each divided region,
and the total of these amounts is estimated as the amount
of the refrigerant circulating through the air
conditioning system 1.
[0095]
Next, a method for calculating the amount of the
refrigerant will be described for each divided region
- 51 -
taking the case of the cooling operation as an example.
[0096]
1. Outdoor Heat Exchanger 13 (Condenser)
In the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a liquid phase and
a gas phase are present in a mixed manner, and the amount
of the refrigerant required in the operating state varies
greatly depending on a liquid phase region generated
inside the outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, the control
device 3 stores a map, in which the amount of the
refrigerant within the outdoor heat exchanger 13 in the
operating state of the air conditioning system 1 is
predicted, in advance. In this map, for example, a
horizontal axis is high pressure and a vertical axis is
the amount of the refrigerant, and a relationship between
the high pressure and the amount of the refrigerant
according to different supercooling degrees is shown.
That is, in the refrigerant amount calculation
processing, the amount of the refrigerant is calculated by
reading the amount of the refrigerant according to a
measurement value of the high-pressure sensor 21_1 and a
supercooling degree from the map. In addition, the
invention is not limited, and the amount of the
refrigerant within the outdoor heat exchanger 13 may be
calculated by calculating the mean density of the
refrigerant within the outdoor heat exchanger 13 on the
- 52 -
basis of the pressure and temperature in the outdoor heat
exchanger 13, and multiplying the density by a volume
within the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
[0097]
2. Indoor Heat Exchanger 31 (Evaporator)
In the indoor heat exchanger 31, the liquid phase
and the gas phase are also present in a mixed manner.
Thus, similar to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the
control device 3 stores a map, in which the amount of the
refrigerant within the indoor heat exchanger 31 in the
operating state of the air conditioning system 1 is
predicted, in advance. In this map, for example, a
horizontal axis is low pressure and a vertical axis is the
amount of the refrigerant, and a relationship between the
low pressure and the amount of the refrigerant according
to superheat degrees is shown.
That is, in the refrigerant amount calculation
processing, the amount of the refrigerant is calculated by
reading the amount of the refrigerant according to the
measurement value of the low-pressure sensor 21_2 and a
superheat degree from the map.
In addition, the invention is not limited, and the
amount of the refrigerant within the indoor heat exchanger
31 may be calculated by calculating the mean density of
the refrigerant within the indoor heat exchanger 31 on the
- 53 -
basis of the pressure and temperature in the indoor heat
exchanger 31, and multiplying the density by a volume
within the indoor heat exchanger 31.
[0098]
3. Gas Pipe
In the refrigerant amount calculation processing,
the amount of the refrigerant is calculated by calculating
a gas density from the measurement value of the lowpressure
sensor 21_2, and the measurement value of the
temperature sensor in the gas pipe, and multiplying this
gas density by the internal volume of the gas pipe.
[0099]
4. Liquid Pipe
In the refrigerant amount calculation processing,
the amount of the refrigerant is calculated by calculating
a liquid density from the measurement value of the lowpressure
sensor 21_2, and the measurement value of the
temperature sensor in the liquid pipe, and multiplying
this liquid density by the internal volume of the liquid
pipe.
[0100]
5. Pressure Vessel
In the refrigerant amount calculation processing,
the amount of the refrigerant is calculated by calculating
a gas density from the measurement value of the low-
54 -
pressure sensor 21_2, and the measurement value of the
temperature sensor in the pressure vessel, and multiplying
this gas density by the internal volume of the pressure
vessel.
In addition, since there is no liquid into the
accumulator 16 during the operation of the air
conditioning system 1, it can be assumed that a
substantially single-phase superheated gas present inside
the pressure vessel.
[0101]
6. In-machinery Line
As the in-machinery line, there is a line a pipe
(hereinafter referred to as a "liquid line") through which
a liquid phase flows, and a line (hereinafter referred to
a "gas line") through which a gas phase flows. Thus, in
the refrigerant amount calculation processing, the liquid
line and the gas line are virtually divided according to
the operating state of the air conditioning system 1. In
the refrigerant amount calculation processing, the amount
of the refrigerant within the liquid line is obtained by
multiplying the liquid density calculated from the
pressure and temperature in the liquid line by the
internal volume of the liquid line, and the amount of the
refrigerant within the gas line is obtained by multiplying
the gas density calculated from the pressure and
- 55 -
temperature in the gas line by the internal volume of the
gas line. The sum of the amount of the refrigerant within
the liquid line and the amount of the refrigerant within
the gas line becomes the amount of the refrigerant in the
in-machinery line.
[0102]
In addition, the amount of the refrigerant is not
limited to storing a correlation equation using the
control device 3 and being calculated on the basis of this
correlation equation, as described above. The control
device 3 may be connected to an external server, and the
amount of the refrigerant may be calculated in this server.
[0103]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of
refrigerant amount determination processing related to the
present embodiment. The refrigerant amount determination
processing is executed by the control device 3.
[0104]
First, in Step 300, it is determined whether or not
a predetermined cumulative operation time (for example, 50
hours) has passed from the end of the refrigerant amount
determination processing executed previously. In a case
where the determination is positive, the processing
proceeds to Step 302.
[0105]
- 56 -
In Step 302, the above-described refrigerant amount
calculation processing is performed, and the calculated
amount of the refrigerant is stored.
[0106]
In the next Step 304, it is determined whether or
not the amount of the refrigerant calculated this time is
reduced by a predetermined amount or more, compared to the
amount of the refrigerant calculated previously. This
predetermined amount may be the ratio of the amount of the
refrigerant calculated previously to the amount of the
refrigerant calculated this time, or may be a difference
(absolute value) between the amount of the refrigerant
calculated previously and the amount of the refrigerant
calculated this time. For example, in a case where the
predetermined amount is calculated depending on the ratio
and in a case where the amount of the refrigerant
previously calculated is reduced by 10% or more compared
to the amount of the refrigerant calculated this time, the
answer is set to be positive in Step 304 and the
processing proceeds to Step 306. On the other hand, in a
case where the amount of the reduction is less than 10%,
it is determined that the answer is negative, and the
processing returns to Step 300. That is, in a case where
the reduction of the amount of the refrigerant is a
predetermined amount or more, an anomaly in which the
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refrigerant leaks out from the air conditioning system 1
occurs.
[0107]
In Step 306, an alarm showing that the anomaly
occurs is activated, for example, through the maintenance
inspection device 6, and the refrigerant amount
determination processing is ended.
[0108]
As described above, the control device 3 for the air
conditioning system 1 related to the present embodiment
includes the outdoor-unit control part 43 capable of
communication with the outdoor unit B through the
communication medium, the outdoor-unit control part 43
acquiring, through the communication medium, the
information about the machinery installed in the outdoor
unit B and outputting control commands to the machinery
installed in the outdoor unit B; and an indoor-unit
control part 41 capable of communication with the indoor
units A through the communication medium, the indoor-unit
control part 41 acquiring, through the communication
medium, the information about the machinery installed in
the indoor units A and outputting the control commands to
the machinery installed in the indoor units A. The
control device 3 individually changes the operating points
of the machinery installed in the indoor units A or the
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outdoor unit B, acquires the predetermined state
quantities before and after the change, and determines the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery.
[0109]
In this way, one control device 3 controls the
indoor units A and the outdoor unit B, individually
changes the operating points of the machinery installed in
the indoor units A or the outdoor unit B, and acquires
predetermined state quantities before and after the change.
Thus, the operating state of the air conditioning system 1
can be ascertained more simply and accurately.
[0110]
Although the invention has been described above
using the above embodiment, the technical scope of the
invention is not limited to the scope described in the
above embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be
added to the above embodiment without departing from the
concept of the invention, and forms to which these changes
or improvements are added are also included in the
technical scope of the invention. Additionally, the above
embodiment may be appropriately combined.
[0111]
For example, a form in which the malfunction
prediction processing and the refrigerant amount
determination processing are executed after the passage of
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the predetermined cumulative operation time from the end
of each processing executed previously has been described
in the above embodiment. However, the invention is not
limited to this, and may have a form in which each
processing is executed at predetermined time intervals,
such as once a week.
[0112]
Additionally, the flow of the malfunction prediction
processing or the refrigerant amount determination
processing described in the above embodiment is also an
example, unnecessary steps may be eliminated, new steps
may be added, or processing order may be changed, without
departing from the main point of the invention.
[0113]
For example, a form in which the malfunction
prediction processing is executed during the operation of
the air conditioning system 1 has been described in the
above embodiment. However, the invention is not limited
to this, a form in which the malfunction prediction
processing is executed during the stop of the air
conditioning system 1.
Reference Signs List
[0114]
1: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
3: CONTROL DEVICE
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41: INDOOR-UNIT CONTROL PART
43: OUTDOOR-UNIT CONTROL PART
44: MALFUNCTION PREDICTION CONTROL PART
A: INDOOR UNIT
B: OUTDOOR UNIT
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Claims
[Claim 1]
A control device for an air conditioning system
including one or a plurality of outdoor units and one or a
plurality of indoor units, the control device comprising:
outdoor-unit control means capable of communication
with the outdoor unit through a communication medium, the
outdoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the outdoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the outdoor unit;
indoor-unit control means capable of communication
with the indoor unit through the communication medium, the
indoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the indoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the indoor unit; and
anomaly determination means for determining the
presence or absence of an anomaly in the machinery by
individually changing an operating point of the machinery
installed in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit and
acquiring a predetermined state quantity before and after
the change.
[Claim 2]
The control device for an air conditioning system
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according to Claim 1,
wherein the anomaly determination means acquires the
predetermined state quantity that fluctuates more easily
according to a change in the operating point of the
machinery, and determines the presence or absence of an
anomaly in the machinery.
[Claim 3]
The control device for an air conditioning system
according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the anomaly determination means determines
the presence or absence of an anomaly of the machinery by
changing the operating point of the machinery in order one
by one for the plurality of indoor units and the plurality
of outdoor units.
[Claim 4]
The control device for an air conditioning system
according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
wherein the anomaly determination means determines
the presence or absence of an anomaly of the machinery
during the operation of the air conditioning system.
[Claim 5]
The control device for an air conditioning system
according to any one of Claims 1 to 4,
wherein the amount of a refrigerant within the air
conditioning system is calculated on the basis of the
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state quantity.
[Claim 6]
An air conditioning system comprising:
one or a plurality of outdoor units;
one or a plurality of indoor units; and
the control device according to any one of Claims 1
to 5.
[Claim 7]
A method for determining an anomaly of an air
conditioning system including one or a plurality of
outdoor units and one or a plurality of indoor units,
outdoor-unit control means capable of communication with
the outdoor unit through a communication medium, the
outdoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the outdoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the outdoor unit,
and indoor-unit control means capable of communication
with the indoor unit through the communication medium, the
indoor-unit control means acquiring, through the
communication medium, information about machinery
installed in the indoor unit and outputting a control
command to the machinery installed in the indoor unit, the
method comprising:
individually changing an operating point of the
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machinery installed in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit;
acquiring a predetermined state quantity before and
after the change; and
determining the presence or absence of an anomaly in
the machinery.