Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system for allowing simple work for cancelling the interlock of an indoor unit.SOLUTION: The air conditioning system includes a first outdoor unit having an interlock cancelling instruction part for transmitting an interlock cancelling signal to the indoor unit after a first opening / closing circuit state recognition part recognizes that a first opening / closing circuit is in an unlock setting state, and the indoor unit having an interlock cancellation reception part for storing interlock cancellation information showing the interlock cancelling state in a memory when receiving the interlock cancelling signal, and an interlock control part for putting the indoor unit in an interlock cancelling state to enable air conditioning operation of the indoor unit when the interlock cancellation information is stored in the memory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in an air conditioning system equipped with multiple safety devices to prevent refrigerant leakage, in which the interlocks of the multiple safety devices can be released all at once by pulling out a first member from a first circuit provided in a utilization unit (indoor unit). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-76264 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that allows the interlock release of an indoor unit to be easily performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The air conditioning device of the present disclosure has a first outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected by refrigerant piping, and communicates between the first outdoor unit and the indoor unit, wherein the first outdoor unit has a first opening / closing circuit that switches between an open state and a short-circuited state in response to operation of a first short-circuit member, a first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit that recognizes whether the first opening / closing circuit is in a locked setting state corresponding to one of the open state and the short-circuited state, or an unlocked setting state corresponding to the other of the open state and the short-circuited state, and an interlock release instruction unit that sends an interlock release signal to the indoor unit after the first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit recognizes that the first opening / closing circuit is in the unlocked setting state, and the indoor unit has an interlock release receiving unit that stores interlock release information indicating that it is in the interlock release state in a memory when the interlock release signal is received, and an interlock control unit that, when the interlock release information is stored in the memory, sets the indoor unit to an interlock release state in which air conditioning operation is possible, and, when the interlock release information is not stored in the memory, sets the indoor unit to an interlock state in which air conditioning operation is impossible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The air conditioner of the present disclosure allows the interlock of the indoor unit to be released easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an air conditioning device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram of the control configuration of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the connection portion of the high-voltage switch according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] Flowchart of process for releasing interlock of indoor unit in embodiment [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram of an installation procedure for an air conditioner according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]An explanatory diagram of the work procedure for replacing indoor units in an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment in which the outdoor unit is provided with a dedicated opening / closing circuit for releasing the interlock. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment in which the outdoor units of the master unit and the slave unit are provided; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure)

[0009] At the time the inventors arrived at the idea of this disclosure, there was a technology available for an air conditioner consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that could simultaneously release the interlocks of multiple safety devices for preventing refrigerant leakage in the indoor unit by removing a short-circuit member from the open / close circuit provided in the indoor unit, thereby reducing the burden of releasing the interlocks of the indoor units.

[0010] However, in an air conditioner having multiple indoor units, it is necessary to release the interlock of the safety device for each indoor unit, which is an inconvenient workload. Furthermore, even when the indoor units are designed to be installed on a ceiling surface, such as a ceiling-mounted or ceiling-suspended type, the inconvenient workload of releasing the interlock of the indoor units is also significant. The inventors discovered a problem of how to avoid these inconveniences, and in order to solve this problem, they have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides an air conditioner that allows the interlock release of the indoor unit to be easily performed.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. [1. Air conditioning equipment configuration] The configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The air conditioner 1 includes one outdoor unit 10 and three indoor units 50 (50a, 50b, 50c) connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 10 by refrigerant piping 2. The number of indoor units 50 may be one or four or more.

[0013] In the air conditioner 1, a refrigeration cycle 5 is formed by an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 50, and refrigerant piping 2. The air conditioner 1 air-conditions a room in which the indoor unit 50 is installed by circulating a refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit 10 between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50 via the refrigerant piping 2. In this embodiment, a case where a flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant is exemplified. The flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane. Note that the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 is not limited to a flammable refrigerant and may be a non-flammable refrigerant.

[0014] In the initial state before use, the indoor units 50 are in an interlocked state in which air conditioning operation is disabled, and the worker W installing the air conditioner 1 must confirm that the indoor units 50 have been installed correctly and then release the interlock on the indoor units 50. To make it easier for the worker W to release the interlock on the indoor units 50, the air conditioner 1 of the present disclosure is configured to enable the interlock on each indoor unit 50 to be released all at once by operating the outdoor unit 10. Details of this configuration will be described later.

[0015] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a gas-liquid separator 12, an oil separator 13, a four-way valve 14, an outdoor heat exchanger 16 having an outdoor fan 15, and an outdoor expansion valve 17. The gas-liquid separator 12, which supplies gas refrigerant to the compressor 11, is connected to the suction side of the compressor 11, and the four-way valve 14 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 11 via the oil separator 13. The discharge side of the compressor 11 is provided with a high-pressure switch 18 that operates when the pressure in the refrigerant piping 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The four-way valve 14 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. In the outdoor heat exchanger 16, heat exchange occurs between air sent by the outdoor fan 15 and the refrigerant circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The outdoor expansion valve 17 is connected downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 16.

[0016] The outdoor unit 10 is equipped with an outdoor unit control unit 20 that controls the operation of the outdoor unit 10, and the operation of the compressor 11, four-way valve 14, outdoor fan 15, outdoor expansion valve 17, etc. is controlled by control signals output from the outdoor unit control unit 20. In addition, a high-pressure switch 18 is connected to the outdoor unit control unit 20, and the operating status of the high-pressure switch 18 is recognized by an outdoor unit control unit 22.

[0017] The outdoor unit control unit 20 is connected by a communication line 3 to an indoor unit control unit 60 provided in each indoor unit 50 and which controls the operation of the indoor unit 50, and communicates with the indoor unit control unit 60. A plurality of indoor units 50 are connected to the outdoor expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 14 via refrigerant piping 2.

[0018] Each indoor unit 50 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 52 equipped with an indoor fan 51, an indoor expansion valve 53, a temperature sensor 54 that detects the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit 50 is installed, a humidity sensor 55 that detects the humidity of the room in which the indoor unit 50 is installed, and a refrigerant leakage sensor 56 that detects refrigerant leakage. The refrigerant leakage sensor 56 may be installed on a wall or the like of the space to be air-conditioned. Also, each indoor unit 50 is connected to a remote control 90 that issues commands to start and stop air conditioning operation, sets the air conditioning temperature, displays the operating status, etc.

[0019] The indoor expansion valve 53 is provided in the liquid-side piping upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 52. A first on-off valve 80 and a second on-off valve 81 are provided on both ends of the indoor heat exchanger 52 to switch between a state in which the refrigerant flows and a state in which the refrigerant flow is blocked.

[0020] The operation of the first on-off valve 80, the second on-off valve 81, the indoor fan 51, etc. is controlled by control signals output from the indoor unit control unit 60. Detection signals from the temperature sensor 54, the humidity sensor 55, and the refrigerant leakage sensor 56 are input to the indoor unit control unit 60. Based on the detection signals from the temperature sensor 54, the humidity sensor 55, and the refrigerant leakage sensor 56, the indoor unit control unit 60 recognizes the temperature, humidity, and presence or absence of refrigerant leakage in the room in which the indoor unit 50 is installed.

[0021] [2. Control system configuration] The configuration of the control system of the air conditioner 1 provided for releasing the interlock of the indoor unit 50 will be described with reference to Figure 2. For ease of explanation, Figure 2 shows only one of the three indoor units 50 (50a, 50b, 50c) shown in Figure 1. The configuration and operation of each indoor unit 50 are similar. The outdoor unit 10 is shipped from the factory to the installation site with its power plug unplugged, and installation of the outdoor unit 10 is carried out with the power plug kept unplugged.

[0022] The outdoor unit control unit 20 includes an outdoor unit communication circuit 21, an outdoor unit processor 30, an outdoor unit memory 35, and a connection terminal 22 to which the high-voltage switch 18 is connected. The outdoor unit processor 30 reads and executes an outdoor unit program 36 stored in the outdoor unit memory 35, thereby controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 10 and functioning as a first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit 31 and an interlock release instruction unit 32.

[0023] The high-pressure switch 18 has an output contact 181 that is short-circuited when the pressure in the refrigerant pipe 2 near the discharge port of the compressor 11 in which the high-pressure switch 18 is disposed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and is open when the pressure exceeds the predetermined value. Both ends of the output contact 181 are connected via a plug 182 to connection terminals 221 and 222 of a socket 22 provided in the outdoor unit control unit 20, and as shown in Fig. 2, when the high-pressure switch 18 with the output contact 181 in the short-circuited state is connected to the socket 22, the connection terminals 221 and 222 are short-circuited. When the high-pressure switch 18 is not connected to the connector, the connection terminals 221 and 222 are open.

[0024] Next, the effect of using the high-voltage switch 18 also as an interlock release component will be described. The high-voltage switch 18 is connected to a power relay for driving the compressor. More specifically, the high-voltage switch 18 is connected to a circuit that drives a coil that drives the power relay for starting the compressor. Therefore, unless the high-voltage switch 18 is connected to the socket 22, the power relay will be in an open state and the compressor 11 will not be able to be driven. If a component not connected to the power relay (e.g., various sensors such as a temperature sensor or pressure sensor) were also used as an interlock release component, there is a possibility that the compressor 11 would operate even when that component is not connected due to a design error in the air conditioning system's control specifications or control software.

[0025] On the other hand, as in the present disclosure, by using the high-voltage switch 18 connected to the power relay as a component for releasing the interlock, even if there is a software design error, the start of operation of the compressor 11 can be physically restricted. Therefore, even when the high-voltage switch 18 is not inserted (in other words, when the safety device has not been inspected), the compressor 11 can be prevented from operating, improving safety. Furthermore, the power relay to which the high-voltage switch 18 is connected is used to drive the compressor and is a high voltage, so it can become a source of ignition. By inserting the high-voltage switch 18 after an operator has confirmed that there is no refrigerant leakage in the outdoor unit 10 in addition to the safety device, ignition in the power relay can be prevented if the air conditioning is operated with a refrigerant leak in the outdoor unit 10.

[0026] The socket 22 corresponds to the first opening and closing circuit of the present disclosure, and the high-voltage switch 18 corresponds to the first short-circuiting member of the present disclosure. The first opening and closing circuit state recognizing unit 31 recognizes whether the connection terminals 221, 222 of the socket 22 are in a short-circuited state or an open state. When the first opening and closing circuit state recognizing unit 31 recognizes that the connection terminals 221, 222 of the socket 22 are in a short-circuited state (the connector 182 of the high-voltage switch 10 is connected to the socket 22) at the time of power-on or the like, the interlock release instructing unit 32 transmits an interlock release signal to the indoor unit 50 instructing it to release the interlock.

[0027] The indoor unit control unit 60 includes an indoor unit communication circuit 61 connected to the outdoor unit communication circuit 21 via a communication line 3, an indoor unit processor 70, and an indoor unit memory 75. The indoor unit memory 75 stores an indoor unit program 76 for controlling the indoor unit 50, and the indoor unit processor 70 functions as an interlock release reception unit 71 and an interlock control unit 72 by reading and executing the indoor unit program 76.

[0028] The interlock release reception unit 71 receives an instruction to release the interlock of the indoor unit 50 when it receives an interlock release signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 10. When it receives an instruction to release the interlock of the indoor unit 50, the interlock release reception unit 71 changes the interlock release flag 77 stored in the indoor unit memory 75 from "0" (interlock state) to "1" (interlock release state). The interlock release flag 77 in the "1" state corresponds to the interlock release information of the present disclosure.

[0029] When the interlock release flag 77 is "0", the interlock control unit 72 puts the indoor unit 50 into an interlock state in which air conditioning operation is disabled, and when the interlock release flag 77 is "1", the interlock control unit 72 puts the indoor unit 50 into an interlock release state in which air conditioning operation is enabled.

[0030] 3 illustrates an example of the layout of a board 100 on which electronic components of the outdoor unit control unit 20 are mounted. The mounting area of the board 100 is divided into a high-voltage area 110 on which high-voltage (e.g., 200 to 300 V) electronic components (such as electrolytic capacitor 111) are mounted, and a low-voltage area 120 on which low-voltage (e.g., 12 V) electronic components are mounted. A socket 22 to which a high-voltage switch 18 is connected is mounted in the low-voltage area 120, thereby preventing an operator W from accidentally touching electronic components mounted in the high-voltage area 110 when connecting a plug 182 of the high-voltage switch 18 to the socket 22. Note that the high-voltage area 110 and the low-voltage area 120 do not necessarily have to be completely separated, as long as the socket 22 is positioned away from the high-voltage area 110.

[0031] [3. Interlock release process] The steps of the process for releasing the interlock of the indoor unit 50, which is executed by the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50, will be described according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50 execute the process according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 during initial communication after power-on, or during regular communication for exchanging information between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50. Steps S1 to S5 in Fig. 4 are processes performed by the outdoor unit 10, and steps S10 to S12 are processes performed by the indoor unit 50. The multiple indoor units 50 (indoor units 50a, 50b, 50c shown in Fig. 1) each execute the process of steps S10 to S12 shown in Fig. 4.

[0032] In the outdoor unit 10, in step S1, the first opening and closing circuit state recognition unit 31 recognizes the state (short-circuit state or open state) of the connection terminals 221, 222 of the socket 22 to which the high-voltage switch 18 is connected. In the following step S2, when the first opening and closing circuit state recognition unit 31 recognizes that the connection terminals 221, 222 of the socket 22 are short-circuited (the plug 182 of the high-voltage switch 18 is connected to the socket 22), the interlock release instruction unit 32 proceeds to step S3.

[0033] By the loop processing of steps S3 and S4, the interlock release instruction unit 32 repeats the processing of sending an interlock release signal to the indoor unit 50 in step S3 until it receives an interlock release response signal sent from the indoor unit 50 in step S4. When the interlock release instruction unit 32 receives an interlock release response signal, it proceeds from step S4 to step S5 and ends the transmission of the interlock release signal to the indoor unit 50.

[0034] In the indoor unit 50, in step S10, the interlock release reception unit 71 advances the process to step S11 when it receives interlock release information transmitted from the outdoor unit 10. In step S11, the interlock release reception unit 71 changes the interlock release flag 77 from "0" to "1." This releases the interlock of the indoor unit 50. In the following step S12, the interlock release reception unit 71 transmits an interlock release response signal to the outdoor unit 10, thereby completing the process of releasing the interlock of the indoor unit 50.

[0035] In the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, in step S4, the condition for terminating transmission of the interlock release signal by the interlock release instruction unit 32 is set to be reception of an interlock release response signal transmitted from the indoor unit 50, but other conditions such as the following conditions 1 to 3 may also be used.

[0036] Condition 1: The transmission of the interlock release signal is terminated when a predetermined period (for example, several tens of minutes) has elapsed since the interlock release signal was transmitted. Condition 2: When the indoor unit 50 is installed and the test run is carried out in each work step, if the test run starts without any problems, the transmission of the interlock release signal is terminated. Condition 3: End transmission of the interlock release signal when the predetermined process (circuit inspection process, etc.) before installing and running the indoor unit 50 is completed. In this case, if there is an indoor unit 50 that has not received the interlock release signal due to some kind of malfunction, an error will be issued during the test run, allowing the worker W to notice that the interlock of the indoor unit 50 has not been released.

[0037] [4. Air conditioning unit installation procedure] The installation procedure for the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to the process charts shown in Figures 5 and 6. The process chart in Figure 5 is a process chart for installing a new air conditioner 1 and replacing the outdoor unit 10. Figure 6 is a process chart for adding an indoor unit 50 and replacing the indoor unit 50.

[0038] In the process chart of Fig. 5, in step 1, worker W installs the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50, installs safety equipment to deal with refrigerant leakage (refrigerant leakage sensor 56, alarm, shutoff valve, etc.), and then performs steps 2 to 7. In the following step 8, worker W performs the work of connecting the plug 182 of the high-pressure switch 18 to the socket 22 of the outdoor unit control unit 20 as described above to release the interlock of the indoor unit 50.

[0039] In the next step 9, the worker W turns on the power to the air conditioner 1. If the interlock release operation is not performed in step 8, an alarm is issued. In the next step 10, the processing according to the flowchart in FIG. 4 described above is executed, and the interlock of the indoor unit 50 is released through communication between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50. In the next step 11, a circuit inspection is performed. In the circuit inspection, the first on-off valve 80, the second on-off valve 81, and the alarm, which are safety devices in case of a refrigerant leak, are inspected to see if they are operating normally. For example, the alarm is made to issue an error notification to check whether it is operating normally, or whether the first on-off valve 80 and the second on-off valve 81 are opened and closed normally. In the next step 12, the error notification of the alarm device is cancelled using the remote control 90. In the next step 13, the worker W performs a test run of the air conditioner 1, and in step 14, the installation of the air conditioner 1 is completed.

[0040] In the process chart of Fig. 6, in step 1, the worker W removes the plug 182 of the high-pressure switch 18 from the socket 22 of the outdoor unit control unit 20 to establish an interlock state. After performing the refrigerant recovery work in the following step 2, the worker W replaces or adds an indoor unit 50 in step 2 and then performs the work of steps 4 to 9. In the following step 10, as the work to release the interlock, the worker connects the plug 182 of the high-pressure switch 18 to the socket 22 of the outdoor unit control unit 20 as described above.

[0041] In the next step 11, the worker W turns on the power to the air conditioner 1, which causes the processing according to the flowchart in Figure 4 described above to be executed in step 10, and the interlock of the replaced or added indoor unit 50 is released through communication between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 50. The worker W performs a trial run of the air conditioner 1 in step 15, and completes the installation of the air conditioner 1 in step 16.

[0042] Furthermore, if an interlock release signal is sent from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 50 on the condition that the power is turned on with the high-voltage switch 18 connected to the socket 22 of the outdoor unit control unit 20, the interlock of the indoor unit 50 may be released even when an indoor unit 50 is added or replaced but the high-voltage switch 18 is not inserted or removed from the socket 22. In other words, there is a problem in that an operator cannot send an interlock release signal even if they have confirmed that the added or replaced indoor unit 50 is equipped with a safety device.

[0043] In order to solve the above problem, the air conditioner 1 may be controlled as follows. First, a microcomputer or the like stores in its memory a history of the state in which the plug 182 of the high-voltage switch 18 is connected to the connection terminals 221, 222 of the socket 22 (short-circuit state) and the state in which it is not connected to the connection terminals 221, 222 (open state). By referencing the memory of the microcomputer, it is possible to determine whether the high-voltage switch 18 has been inserted or removed from the socket 22 while the air conditioner 1 is powered off. Here, the high-voltage switch 18 may open due to a pressure abnormality during air conditioning operation, but as disclosed herein, by checking the open / short state of the high-voltage switch 18 while the air conditioner 1 is powered off, the possibility of the switch opening due to the pressure abnormality can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, when the air conditioner 1 is powered on, communication occurs between the outdoor unit 10 and each indoor unit 50, and the number of indoor units 50 recognized by the outdoor unit 10 is compared with the number of indoor units 50 stored in the outdoor unit memory 35 before powering on. If the comparison determines that the number of indoor units 50 has increased after powering on the air conditioner 1 compared to before powering on, it is determined that an indoor unit 50 has been added. If it is determined that an indoor unit 50 has been added, the outdoor unit memory 35 is referenced to determine whether the high-voltage switch 18 was inserted or removed from the socket 22 when the power was turned off. If the high-voltage switch 18 was inserted or removed, the outdoor unit 10 sends an interlock release signal to each indoor unit 50. If it is determined that the high-voltage switch 18 was not inserted or removed, the outdoor unit 10 does not send an interlock release signal to each indoor unit 50. This makes it possible to prevent workers from starting operation of the air conditioner 1 without checking whether a safety device is installed when an indoor unit 50 is being added, thereby improving safety.

[0045] Furthermore, when the air conditioner 1 is powered on, communication may be performed between the outdoor unit 10 and each indoor unit 50, and the identification information (e.g., model name, model number, serial number) of each indoor unit 50 may be compared with the identification information of the indoor unit 50 before power-on, which is stored in the outdoor unit memory 35. This makes it possible to determine whether the indoor units 50 have been swapped before and after power-on. If it is determined that the indoor units 50 have been swapped before and after power-on, the outdoor unit memory 35 may be referenced to determine whether the high-voltage switch 18 was inserted or removed from the socket 22 when the power was turned off. If the high-voltage switch 18 was inserted or removed, the outdoor unit 10 sends an interlock release signal to each indoor unit 50. If it is determined that the high-voltage switch 18 was not inserted or removed, the outdoor unit 10 does not send an interlock release signal to each indoor unit 50. This prevents workers from starting operation of the air conditioner 1 without checking whether safety devices are installed when an indoor unit 50 is renewed, thereby improving safety.

[0046] The outdoor unit memory 35 stores identification information (e.g., model number, serial number) of each indoor unit 50 in the air conditioner 1, and the number of indoor units 50 and the history of insertion and removal of the high-pressure switch 18 may be stored in a storage unit other than the outdoor unit memory 35. Furthermore, it may be determined that the high-pressure switch 18 has been inserted or removed since air conditioning operation was stopped, provided that an operation to start a trial run of the air conditioner 1 has been performed. In this case, if it is determined that the high-pressure switch 18 has been inserted or removed, an interlock release signal is sent from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 50, and if it is determined that the high-pressure switch 18 has not been inserted or removed, the outdoor unit 10 does not send the interlock release signal to the indoor unit 50. When adding or renewing indoor units 50, a trial run or the like must be performed. Therefore, by checking the information on whether the high-voltage switch 18 is inserted or removed when such an operation is performed, it is possible to estimate whether or not the safety devices were checked when the indoor units 50 were added or renewed, even if the number of indoor units 50 or information on the model of the indoor units 50 is not held.

[0047] [5. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the worker W can release the interlocks of multiple indoor units 50 all at once by performing the simple task of connecting the plug 182 of the high-voltage switch 18 to the socket 22 of the outdoor unit control unit 20 of the outdoor unit 10, which is installed outdoors and therefore easy to work with. This eliminates the need to release the interlocks for each of the multiple indoor units 50, and also eliminates the need to release the interlocks on the indoor unit 50 side, which is often difficult to work with as it is often installed on the ceiling as a ceiling-embedded or ceiling-suspended type, so the worker W can easily release the interlocks of the indoor units 50.

[0048] This improves workability, even in the case of a multi-air conditioning system, as there is no need to perform the interlock release operation for each of the multiple indoor units 50. Furthermore, since air conditioning installation work (refrigerant charging, etc.) is often performed on the outdoor unit 10 side, the interlock release operation can be performed as part of a series of installation work (refrigerant charging, etc.) on the outdoor unit 10 side. Furthermore, unlike indoor units 50, which are often installed on the ceiling, the outdoor unit 10 is installed on the ground, which simplifies the interlock release operation.

[0049] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0050] Like the high-pressure switch 18 exemplified in the above embodiment, an outdoor unit part (interlock release member) used to release the interlock of the indoor unit 50, or near the outdoor unit part, may be provided with a written instruction indicating that the interlock should be released by inserting the outdoor unit part into the board after installing the safety device (e.g., shut-off valve, refrigerant sensor), such as "After confirming that the safety device is connected, insert the connector into the outdoor unit board to release the interlock." In addition to the high-voltage switch, various sensors such as a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor can be used as outdoor unit components used to release the interlock.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the socket 22 for connecting the high-voltage switch 18 is shown as the first opening / closing circuit of the present disclosure, and the high-voltage switch 18 is shown as the first short-circuiting member of the present disclosure, but the first opening / closing circuit of the present disclosure may be configured to switch between a short-circuited state and an open state by operating the first short-circuiting member. Therefore, another accessory having an output contact similar to that of the high-voltage switch 18 may be used as the first opening / closing circuit.

[0052] Furthermore, the first opening / closing circuit may be configured to include a dedicated component for releasing the interlock. Fig. 7 illustrates a configuration in which a short-circuit pin 173 is provided as the first opening / closing circuit on a substrate 150 on which electronic components constituting the outdoor unit control unit 20 are mounted. The short-circuit pin 173 is in an open state when a header 174 is not attached, and in a short-circuit state when the header 174 is attached. The first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit 31 recognizes whether the short-circuit pin 173 is in a short-circuit state or an open state.

[0053] The board 150 is partitioned into areas 160 and 180 that are used when replacing parts, and an area 170 that is used during installation. A short-circuit pin 173 is mounted in area 170, which is also equipped with a seven-segment LED 171 and an operation button 173 in addition to the short-circuit pin 173. To prevent the header 174 from falling off, a fall-prevention member that houses or holds the header 174 may be provided on the board 150 or near the location where the board 150 is arranged. The fall-prevention member is, for example, a tray provided below the board 150.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the state in which the first opening and closing circuit (the socket 22 to which the high-voltage switch 18 is connected, and the short-circuit pin 173) is shorted is defined as an unlocked state corresponding to the interlock release state, and the state in which the first opening and closing circuit is open is defined as a locked state corresponding to the interlock state. In another embodiment, the open state of the first opening and closing circuit may be defined as a locked state, and the short-circuited state of the first open circuit may be defined as an unlocked state. In this case, removing the high-voltage switch 18 from the socket 22 or pulling out the header 174 from the short-circuit pin 173 is the operation for releasing the interlock of the indoor unit 50.

[0055] Figure 8 shows another embodiment in which the outdoor units are a first outdoor unit 10a and a second outdoor unit 10b. The configurations of the first outdoor unit 10a and the second outdoor unit 10b are the same as those of the outdoor unit 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the first outdoor unit 10a functioning as a parent unit and the second outdoor unit 10b functioning as a child unit. In Figure 8, the same components as those in the outdoor unit 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, with the addition of "a" for the first outdoor unit 10a and "b" for the second outdoor unit 10b, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0056] The outdoor unit processor 30b of the second outdoor unit 10b functions as a second open / close circuit state recognition unit 31b and a second open / close circuit state transmission unit 33. The second open / close circuit state recognition unit 31b recognizes the state (short-circuit state or open-circuit state) of the terminal of the socket 22b to which the plug 182b of the high-voltage switch 18b is connected. The second open / close circuit state transmission unit 33 transmits a second open / close circuit state recognition signal indicating the recognition result of the state of the terminal of the socket 22b by the second open / close circuit state recognition unit 31b to the first outdoor unit 10a.

[0057] When the power is turned on, etc., the interlock release instruction unit 32a of the first outdoor unit 10a receives, through communication with the second outdoor unit 10b, a second open / close circuit state recognition signal transmitted from the second outdoor unit 10b by the second open / close circuit state transmission unit 33. Then, when the interlock release instruction unit 32a recognizes from the second open / close circuit state recognition signal that the socket 22b of the second outdoor unit 10b is in a short-circuit state and the first open / close circuit state recognition unit 31a recognizes that the socket 22a of the first outdoor unit 10a is in a short-circuit state, it transmits an interlock release signal to the indoor unit 50 to release the interlock of the indoor unit 50.

[0058] In this case, when the first outdoor unit 10a and the second outdoor unit 10b are installed during the initial installation of the air conditioner 1, it is sufficient to send an interlock release signal from the first outdoor unit 10a (master unit) to each indoor unit 50, and there is no need to send an interlock release signal from the second outdoor unit 10b (slave unit) to each indoor unit 50. This prevents the second outdoor unit 10b (slave unit) from sending duplicate interlock release signals to each indoor unit 50, thereby reducing communication traffic. Furthermore, when adding or replacing indoor units 50, the interlock release signal can be sent to each indoor unit 50 by simply inserting or removing the high-voltage switch 18 into or from the socket 22a of the first outdoor unit 10a (master unit). This simplifies the work process, as the interlock of the added or replaced indoor unit can be released without inserting or removing the high-voltage switch 18 in the second outdoor unit 10b (slave unit).

[0059] The control unit constituting the air conditioner of the present disclosure may be a controller capable of controlling the operation of the air conditioner of the present disclosure. When describing the subject matter of the invention, the entity controlling the operation of the air conditioner of the present disclosure may be referred to as a control means, a control unit, or similar terms in addition to a controller. The controller can be realized in various ways. For example, a processor may be used as the controller. Using a processor as the controller enables various processes to be performed by loading a program from a storage medium storing the program into the processor and executing the program. This allows the processing content to be changed by modifying the program stored in the storage medium, thereby increasing the flexibility of changing the control content. Examples of processors include a central processing unit (CPU) and a microprocessing unit (MPU). Examples of storage media include a hard disk, flash memory, and optical disk. Furthermore, the controller may be wired logic, which does not allow rewriting of programs. Using wired logic as the controller is effective in improving processing speed. Examples of wired logic include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, the controller may be realized by combining a processor and wired logic. By combining a processor and wired logic to implement a controller, it is possible to increase the flexibility of software design while improving processing speed. Furthermore, the controller and a circuit having a function other than the controller may be implemented using a single semiconductor element. An example of a circuit having a different function is an A / D / D / A conversion circuit. Furthermore, the controller may be implemented using a single semiconductor element or multiple semiconductor elements. When using multiple semiconductor elements, each control function described in the claims may be implemented using different semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the controller may be implemented using a configuration including semiconductor elements and passive components such as resistors or capacitors.

[0060] The communication circuit as a communicator provided in the air conditioner of the present disclosure may be any circuit that enables communication between the components of the air conditioner of the present disclosure. When describing the subject matter of the invention, the term "communicator" may also be used to refer to a communication means, a communication unit, a transmission / reception means, a transmission / reception unit, or similar terms that enable communication between the components of the air conditioner of the present disclosure. The communicator can be realized in various ways. Examples of the communicator include a wireless connection with an external device via a base station or a direct wireless connection with an external device. Examples of wireless connections with an external device via a base station include, for example, an IEEE 802.11-compatible wireless LAN that wirelessly communicates with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router, a third-generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 3G), a fourth-generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 4G), an IEEE 802.16-compatible WiMax (registered trademark), or a low-power wide area network (LPWA). The use of a communicator that directly connects the device of the present disclosure to an external device wirelessly is effective in improving the security of communications, and also allows the device of the present disclosure to communicate with external devices even in places where there is no relay device such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router. Examples of communicators that directly connect the device of the present disclosure to an external device wirelessly include communication via Bluetooth (registered trademark), communication via NFC (Near Field Communication) via a loop antenna, and infrared communication.

[0061] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0062] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0063] (Technology 1) An air conditioner having a first outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected by a refrigerant pipe, and communicating between the first outdoor unit and the indoor unit, wherein the first outdoor unit has a first opening / closing circuit that switches between an open state and a short-circuited state in response to operation of a first short-circuit member, a first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit that recognizes whether the first opening / closing circuit is in a locked setting state corresponding to one of the open state and the short-circuited state, or an unlocked setting state corresponding to the other of the open state and the short-circuited state, and an interlock release instruction unit that sends an interlock release signal to the indoor unit after the first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit recognizes that the first opening / closing circuit is in the unlocked setting state, and the indoor unit has an interlock release receiving unit that stores interlock release information indicating that it is in the interlock release state in a memory when the interlock release information is stored in the memory, and an interlock control unit that sets the indoor unit to an interlock release state in which air conditioning operation is possible when the interlock release information is stored in the memory, and sets the indoor unit to an interlock state in which air conditioning operation is not possible when the interlock release information is not stored in the memory. With this configuration, the interlock of the indoor unit can be released simply by operating the first short-circuiting member to set the first opening / closing circuit provided in the outdoor unit to an unlocked state, which is a simple operation. Here, operating the first short-circuiting member includes, for example, inserting a header, which is the first short-circuiting member, into the short-circuiting pin when the first opening / closing circuit is a short-circuiting pin, or sliding an operating part, which is the first short-circuiting member, when the first opening / closing circuit is a slide switch.

[0064] (Technology 2) The air conditioning device according to Technology 1, wherein the interlock release instruction unit starts transmitting the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when the first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit recognizes that the first opening / closing circuit is in the unlocked state, and ends transmitting the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when a predetermined transmission end condition is met. With this configuration, to enable operation of an added or replaced (renewed) indoor unit, an operator must operate the first short-circuit member on the outdoor unit side (in the above embodiment, by inserting and removing the high-voltage switch 18 into and from the socket 22). This creates an opportunity to confirm that the installation work for the indoor unit, including the installation of safety devices, has been completed successfully, improving safety when operating the air conditioner.

[0065] (Technology 3) An air conditioning apparatus according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, comprising a second outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit by the refrigerant piping and communicating with the first outdoor unit, wherein the second outdoor unit has a second opening / closing circuit that switches between an open state and a short-circuit state in response to operation of a second short-circuit member, a second opening / closing circuit state recognition unit that recognizes whether the second opening / closing circuit is in the locked state or the unlocked state, and a second opening / closing circuit state transmission unit that transmits a second opening / closing circuit state recognition signal indicating the recognition result by the second opening / closing circuit state recognition unit to the first outdoor unit, wherein the interlock release instruction unit transmits the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when it is recognized from the second opening / closing circuit state recognition signal received from the second outdoor unit that the second opening / closing circuit is in the unlocked state and when it is recognized by the first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit that the first opening / closing circuit is in the unlocked state. According to this configuration, the interlock of the indoor unit is released through communication between the first outdoor unit and the indoor unit. Therefore, similar overlapping communication for releasing the interlock of the indoor unit between the second outdoor unit and the outdoor unit is not required, and communication volume can be reduced. Furthermore, when adding or replacing an indoor unit, the interlock of the added or replaced indoor unit can be released by operating the first outdoor unit, and there is no need to operate the second outdoor unit, making the work easier.

[0066] (Technology 4) An air conditioning device according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the first short-circuiting member is a high-pressure switch provided in the refrigerant piping and having an output contact that switches from the unlocked setting state to the locked setting state when the pressure in the refrigerant piping is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and the first opening / closing circuit is a terminal unit for connecting the high-pressure switch to the first opening / closing circuit state recognition unit by the output contact. According to this configuration, the high-voltage switch and the terminal portion for connecting the high-voltage switch, which are existing components of the outdoor unit, can be reused as the first short-circuiting member and the first opening / closing circuit, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the outdoor unit. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present disclosure is applicable to an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, in which the operation of releasing the interlock of the indoor unit is simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Air conditioner 2 Refrigerant piping 3. Communication lines 10 Outdoor unit 18 High voltage switch 20 Outdoor unit control unit 21 Indoor unit communication circuit 22 Socket (first opening and closing circuit) 30 Outdoor unit processor 31 First opening / closing circuit state recognition unit 32 Interlock release instruction section 35 Outdoor unit memory 36 Outdoor unit program 50 Indoor unit 60 Indoor unit control unit 61 Indoor unit communication circuit 70 Indoor unit processor 71 Interlock release reception desk 72 Interlock control section 75 Indoor unit memory 76 Indoor unit program 77 Interlock release flag 90 Remote Control 181 (High voltage switch) output contact W Worker

Claims

1. An air conditioning apparatus having a first outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected by a refrigerant pipe, wherein communication is performed between the first outdoor unit and the indoor unit, The first outdoor unit is a first opening / closing circuit that switches between an open state and a short-circuit state in response to operation of a first short-circuit member; a first opening and closing circuit state recognition unit that recognizes whether the first opening and closing circuit is in a locked state corresponding to one of an open state and a short-circuit state, or in an unlocked state corresponding to the other of the open state and the short-circuit state; an interlock release instruction unit that transmits an interlock release signal to the indoor unit after the first opening and closing circuit state recognition unit recognizes that the first opening and closing circuit is in the unlocked state, The indoor unit is an interlock release receiving unit that stores interlock release information indicating that the interlock is released in a memory when the interlock release signal is received; an interlock control unit that, when the interlock release information is stored in the memory, sets the indoor unit to an interlock release state in which air conditioning operation is possible, and, when the interlock release information is not stored in the memory, sets the indoor unit to an interlock state in which air conditioning operation is impossible. Air conditioner.

2. The interlock release instruction unit starts transmitting the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when the first opening and closing circuit state recognition unit recognizes that the first opening and closing circuit is in the unlocked state, and ends transmitting the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when a predetermined transmission end condition is met. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 .

3. a second outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit by the refrigerant piping and communicating with the first outdoor unit; The second outdoor unit is a second opening / closing circuit that switches between an open state and a short-circuit state in response to operation of the second short-circuit member; a second opening and closing circuit state recognition unit that recognizes whether the second opening and closing circuit is in the locked state or the unlocked state; a second opening and closing circuit state transmission unit that transmits a second opening and closing circuit state recognition signal indicating a recognition result by the second opening and closing circuit state recognition unit to the first outdoor unit, The interlock release instruction unit transmits the interlock release signal to the indoor unit when it is recognized from the second open / close circuit state recognition signal received from the second outdoor unit that the second open / close circuit is in the unlocked state and when it is recognized by the first open / close circuit state recognition unit that the first open / close circuit is in the unlocked state. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first short-circuiting member is a high-pressure switch that is provided in the refrigerant pipe and has an output contact that switches from the unlocked setting state to the locked setting state when the pressure in the refrigerant pipe is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, The first switching circuit is a terminal unit for connecting the high-voltage switch to the first switching circuit state recognition unit via the output contact. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

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