Data recording device

Abstract

To prevent failure from occurring in an air conditioner.SOLUTION: A data recording device comprises: a housing 11; a plurality of electronic components 14 arranged inside the housing 11; and a tool-side connector 17 protruding from the housing 11. The plurality of electronic components 14 comprises: a wired communication unit that acquires maintenance and inspection information from an air conditioner via the tool-side connector 17 and a tool connector when the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector; a recording unit that stores the maintenance and inspection information acquired by the wired communication unit; and a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a maintenance terminal device, and transmits the maintenance and inspection information to the maintenance terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a data recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] When performing maintenance and inspection of an air conditioner, a data recording device is known that is connected via a cable (communication line) to a maintenance and inspection connector provided on the air conditioner's control board, acquires operating information data from the air conditioner, and transfers it to a terminal device. The interface of such a data recording device generally has a female connector. The cable connected to the air conditioner has a male connector, and by inserting the male connector into the female connector provided on the data recording device, the terminal device can acquire operating information data from the air conditioner (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-242004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the cable is hanging down from the air conditioner during work, the exposed metal part of the male connector may come into contact with the air conditioner or a metal part (earth) around it, causing a ground fault.If the male connector has a ground fault and an abnormal current flows to the ground, the air conditioner may experience malfunctions such as failure of the control board.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a data recording device that prevents malfunctions from occurring in air conditioners. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A data recording device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a main body disposed inside the housing, and a tool side connector protruding from the housing, wherein the main body has a wired communication unit that acquires information from the air conditioner via the tool side connector and the tool connector when the tool side connector is inserted into a tool connector connected to the air conditioner, a memory unit that stores the information, and a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a terminal device and transmits the information to the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The disclosed data recording device can prevent malfunctions from occurring in air conditioners. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a data recording device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the data recording device main body. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the data recording device main body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view showing the data recording device main body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the data recording device when the tool connector is inserted into the tool-side connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit formed by a plurality of electronic components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A data recording device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description does not limit the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following description, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. [Example]

[0010] The data recording device 1 of the first embodiment is a tool used when maintaining and inspecting an air conditioner, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a cable 2 and a data recording device main body 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment. The cable 2 includes a cable main body 5, an air conditioner connector 6, and a tool connector 7. The cable main body 5 is formed in a flexible string shape. The cable main body 5 includes a plurality of electric wires (not shown) and an insulator that insulates the plurality of electric wires so that they do not electrically contact each other. The air conditioner connector 6 is provided at one end of the cable main body 5. The tool connector 7 is provided at the other end of the cable main body 5 opposite the end where the air conditioner connector 6 is provided.

[0011] An example of the tool connector 7 is a USB (registered trademark) Type-A female connector. The tool connector 7, which is a female connector, is connected to the male connector by inserting the shell of the male connector into the shell and fitting them together. The tool connector 7 has a plurality of female connector pins (not shown). The plurality of female connector pins are arranged inside the shell of the tool connector 7 and are connected to the plurality of electric wires of the cable main body 5, respectively.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the data recording device main body 3. The data recording device main body 3 comprises a housing 11, a substrate 12, and a plurality of electronic components 14 (main body). The housing 11 is formed from an insulating material such as resin, and is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape. An internal space 15 is formed inside the housing 11. The substrate 12 is formed in a plate shape, is disposed in the internal space 15, and is fixed to the housing 11. Each of the plurality of electronic components 14 is mounted on the substrate 12 and disposed in the internal space 15.

[0013] An opening 16 is further formed in the housing 11. The internal space 15 is connected to the outside of the housing 11 via the opening 16. The data recording device main body 3 further includes a tool-side connector 17 and a light-emitting unit 18, which is one of the plurality of electronic components 14. An example of the tool-side connector 17 is a USB Type-A male connector. The tool-side connector 17 passes through the opening 16. That is, a portion of the tool-side connector 17 is disposed outside the housing 11 and protrudes from the housing 11. Another portion of the tool-side connector 17 is disposed in the internal space 15. The light-emitting unit 18 is formed of a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting unit 18 is disposed near the tool-side connector 17 in the internal space 15, and is mounted on the board 12 by being fixed to the board 12.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, the tool-side connector 17 includes a metal cover 21 and a plurality of male connector pins 22. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the data recording device main body 3. The metal cover 21 is made of metal, and the surface of the metal cover 21 has a metallic luster. The metal cover 21 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The plurality of male connector pins 22 are disposed inside the metal cover 21 and fixed to the metal cover 21. The plurality of male connector pins 22 are made of a conductor and are connected to any of the plurality of electronic components 14 via the substrate 12.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the data recording device main body 3. The metal cover 21 penetrates the opening 16 and includes an outer portion 23, an inner portion 24, and multiple tabs 25. The outer portion 23 is disposed outside the housing 11 and protrudes therefrom. The inner portion 24 is formed integrally with the outer portion 23 and is disposed in an area of ​​the internal space 15 on the front surface 28 side of the substrate 12. The multiple tabs 25 penetrate the substrate 12 and include a front surface portion 26 and a back surface portion 27. The front surface portion 26 is disposed on the front surface 28 side of the substrate 12 and is formed integrally with the inner portion 24. The back surface portion 27 is disposed on the back surface 29 side of the substrate 12, behind the front surface 28, and protrudes from the back surface 29.

[0016] The tool side connector 17 is fixed to the substrate 12 by joining the back side portion 27 to the substrate 12 via solder (not shown), and is fixed to the housing 11 via the substrate 12. That is, the tool side connector 17 is fixed to the substrate 12 by soldering the back side portion 27 to the substrate 12 by flow soldering after the multiple tab portions 25 have penetrated the substrate 12. The multiple electronic components 14 and the light emitting unit 18 are soldered to the substrate 12 together with the multiple tab portions 25 of the metal cover 21 by flow soldering, and are mounted on and fixed to the substrate 12.

[0017] The light-emitting unit 18 is disposed in a region of the internal space 15 on the side of the surface 28 of the substrate 12. Because the metal cover 21 of the tool-side connector 17 is fixed to the substrate 12 via the plurality of claw portions 25, there is no need to provide a member separate from the plurality of claw portions 25 that is to be disposed around the inner portion 24 of the surface 28 of the substrate 12 in order to fix the metal cover 21 to the substrate 12. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2 , no member for fixing the tool-side connector 17 to the substrate 12 is disposed in the region of the surface 28 of the substrate 12 between the tool-side connector 17 and the light-emitting unit 18.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 5, when the tool side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 of the cable 2, the multiple male connector pins 22 are in electrical contact with the multiple female connector pins of the tool connector 7. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the data recording device 1 when the tool connector 7 is inserted into the tool side connector 17. A gap 31 is formed between the housing 11 and the tool connector 7 when the tool side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 of the cable 2. In other words, the data recording device main body 3 is formed so that a gap 31 is formed when the tool side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 of the cable 2.

[0019] A portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 18, light 32, is projected onto an inner portion 24 of the metal cover 21 and reflected by the inner portion 24 because no components are disposed in the area of ​​the surface 28 of the substrate 12 between the tool-side connector 17 and the light-emitting unit 18. A portion of the light reflected by the inner portion 24, reflected light 33, leaks out of the housing 11 via the opening 16, passes through the gap 31, and travels without being blocked by the tool connector 7. In other words, the data recording device main body 3 is formed so that when the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 of the cable 2, the portion of the light reflected by the metal cover 21, reflected light 33, travels without being blocked by the tool connector 7.

[0020] Furthermore, data recording device main body 3 is formed so that when tool side connector 17 is inserted into tool connector 7 of cable 2, light 34 emitted from light emitter 18 that is not blocked by tool connector 7 does not leak out of housing 11. In other words, data recording device main body 3 is formed so that light 34 is blocked by housing 11. If opening 16 were made larger or an opening separate from opening 16 were provided in housing 11 so that light 34 could leak out of housing 11, the strength of housing 11 may decrease. Since housing 11 is formed so that light 34 does not leak out of housing 11, data recording device 1 is formed so that reflected light 33 travels without being blocked by tool connector 7 while suppressing a decrease in the strength of housing 11.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical circuit formed by the plurality of electronic components 14 further includes a wireless communication unit 41, a wired communication unit 42, a memory unit 43, and a control unit 44. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit formed by the plurality of electronic components 14. The wireless communication unit 41 is controlled by the control unit 44 and wirelessly communicates with a device having a wireless communication function using power supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2. The wired communication unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 44 and acquires information output to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2 using power supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2.

[0022] The memory unit 43 is controlled by the control unit 44 and stores information acquired by the wired communication unit 42 using power supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2. The control unit 44 controls the light emitting unit 18, the wireless communication unit 41, the wired communication unit 42, and the memory unit 43 using power supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2.

[0023] The data recording device 1 is used together with an air conditioner and a maintenance terminal device (not shown). The air conditioner has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is installed in a room that is heated or cooled by the air conditioner. The outdoor unit is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit has a control device that controls the air conditioner. An example of the control device is a control board equipped with a control microcomputer and various electronic components that control the air conditioner. The control device has an air conditioner-side connector that is used to extract air conditioner operation data, etc., during board design or product design. The location of the air conditioner-side connector on the outdoor unit varies depending on the model of air conditioner. When the air conditioner connector 6 is connected (engaged) to the air conditioner-side connector, the control device supplies power to the data recording device main body 3 of the data recording device 1 via the cable 2 and outputs predetermined information to the data recording device main body 3 of the data recording device 1 via the cable 2.

[0024] The maintenance terminal device is a computer such as a smartphone, and has a wireless communication function. When the maintenance terminal device is connected to the data recording device main body 3 via wireless communication so as to be able to communicate information, the maintenance terminal device transmits instruction signals to the data recording device main body 3 via wireless communication and acquires information transmitted from the data recording device main body 3 via wireless communication.

[0025] [Operation of the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment] The data recording device 1 is used when a maintenance worker performs maintenance and inspection of an air conditioner. The maintenance worker first connects the air conditioner connector 6 of the cable 2 to an air conditioner-side connector provided on the air conditioner's outdoor unit, and then connects the tool-side connector 17 to the tool connector 7. The data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner by connecting the air conditioner connector 6 to the air conditioner-side connector and the tool-side connector 17 to the tool connector 7.

[0026] When the air conditioner connector 6 is connected to the air conditioner-side connector and the tool-side connector 17 is not connected to the tool connector 7, the cable 2 may not be secured to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and may hang down and swing about. Even when the cable 2 hangs down from the outdoor unit, the data recording device 1 prevents the multiple female connector pins from contacting metal parts of the outdoor unit by arranging the multiple female connector pins in holes in the tool-side connector 17. By preventing the multiple female connector pins from contacting metal parts of the outdoor unit, the data recording device 1 prevents the multiple female connector pins from being grounded. When the air conditioner connector 6 is connected to the air conditioner-side connector, a ground fault in the multiple connector pins may occur, which can cause malfunctions in the air conditioner, such as damage to the air conditioner's control device. Because the tool-side connector 17 is a female connector, the data recording device 1 prevents the multiple female connector pins from being grounded, preventing malfunctions in the air conditioner during maintenance and inspection.

[0027] The air conditioner-side connector is often located on the control board of the air conditioner, and because various electronic components are located on the control board, there is not always enough space around the air conditioner-side connector to accommodate the placement of the data recording device main body 3. Even if there is not enough space around the air conditioner-side connector, the air conditioner connector 6 can be placed around the air conditioner-side connector because, as shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner connector 6 is smaller than the data recording device main body 3. This allows maintenance workers to easily connect the air conditioner connector 6 to the air conditioner-side connector. In other words, compared to other data recording devices in which the air conditioner connector 6 is fixed to the data recording device main body 3, the data recording device 1 makes it easier for maintenance workers to connect the air conditioner connector 6 to the air conditioner-side connector of the air conditioner.

[0028] Furthermore, because the cable 2 of the data recording device 1 is flexible, the air conditioner connector and the data recording device main body 3 can be separated by the length of the cable 2 while the air conditioner connector 6 is connected to the air conditioner connector, allowing the data recording device main body 3 to be moved to various locations. This allows the maintenance worker to position the data recording device main body 3 closer to the maintenance worker or change the orientation of the data recording device main body 3 when connecting the air conditioner connector 6 to the air conditioner connector of the air conditioner. In other words, the data recording device 1 makes it easier to handle the data recording device main body 3 than other data recording devices in which the air conditioner connector 6 is fixed to the data recording device main body 3 or the tool connector 7.

[0029] The air conditioner control device supplies power to the data recording device main body 3 of the data recording device 1 via the cable 2 when the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner. When power is supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the cable 2, the control unit 44 of the data recording device 1 activates the wireless communication unit 41 and the wired communication unit 42 and turns on the light-emitting unit 18. A portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 18, light 32, is reflected by the metal cover 21. A portion of the reflected light reflected by the metal cover 21, reflected light 33, leaks to the outside of the housing 11 through the opening 16, passes through the gap 31, and travels without being blocked by the tool connector 7.

[0030] After the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 and after the air conditioner connector 6 of the cable 2 is connected to the air conditioner-side connector of the air conditioner, the maintenance worker checks whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit. At this time, the maintenance worker determines that the light-emitting unit 18 is lit when the reflected light 33 is visible, and determines that the light-emitting unit 18 is off when the reflected light 33 is not visible. If the maintenance worker determines that the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, the maintenance worker determines that the data recording device 1 is operating normally. On the other hand, if the maintenance worker determines that the light-emitting unit 18 is off, the maintenance worker determines that the data recording device 1 is not operating normally.

[0031] At this time, because the cable 2 is flexible, the maintenance worker can change the orientation of the data recording device main body 3 with respect to the outdoor unit while the air conditioner connector 6 is connected to the air conditioner-side connector of the outdoor unit. That is, the maintenance worker can change the orientation of the data recording device main body 3 so that the reflected light 33 is easily visible. Therefore, when the maintenance worker checks whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, the data recording device 1 does not require the maintenance worker to move into the area where the reflected light 33 travels, which makes it easier for the maintenance worker to check whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit.

[0032] When the light-emitting unit 18 is not lit, the maintenance worker reconnects the air conditioner connector 6 to the air conditioner-side connector of the air conditioner, reinserts the tool-side connector 17 into the tool connector 7, and checks again whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit.

[0033] When the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner, the air conditioner control device further outputs maintenance and inspection information to the wired communication unit 42 of the data recording device 1 via the cable 2. Examples of maintenance and inspection information include error codes and operation data. The error code indicates a malfunction that has occurred in the air conditioner. The operation data indicates the operation performed on the air conditioner, or the type of operation initiated by the air conditioner, or the detection results detected by a sensor provided in the air conditioner. The air conditioner control device repeatedly outputs the maintenance and inspection information to the wired communication unit 42 of the data recording device 1 via the cable 2 every time maintenance and inspection information is generated.

[0034] When the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal device and connects the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device main body 3 so that information can be transmitted via wireless communication. After the maintenance terminal device is connected to the data recording device main body 3, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal device and transmits a write start instruction signal from the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device 1 via wireless communication. When the wireless communication unit 41 receives the write start instruction signal transmitted from the maintenance terminal device via wireless communication, the control unit 44 erases the maintenance and inspection information already recorded in the memory unit 43. After the maintenance and inspection information recorded in the memory unit 43 is erased, the control unit 44 turns off the light-emitting unit 18. After the light-emitting unit 18 is turned off, the control unit 44 acquires the maintenance and inspection information input to the wired communication unit 42 from the air conditioner control device and records the acquired maintenance and inspection information in the memory unit 43. Even after the acquired maintenance and inspection information is recorded in the memory unit 43, the control unit 44 acquires the maintenance and inspection information using the wired communication unit 42 each time the maintenance and inspection information is output from the air conditioner's control device, and records the maintenance and inspection information acquired by the wired communication unit 42 in the memory unit 43.

[0035] The maintenance worker checks whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, and when the light-emitting unit 18 is not lit, i.e., is off, leaves the data recording device 1 for a predetermined period of time. An example of the predetermined period is several days. The air conditioner is used as usual during the period of time that the data recording device 1 is left unattended. After the data recording device 1 has been left unattended for the predetermined period of time, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal device to reconnect the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device main body 3 via wireless communication so that information can be transmitted, and transmits a write completion instruction signal from the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device 1 via wireless communication.

[0036] When the control unit 44 of the data recording device 1 receives the write end instruction signal, it stops recording the maintenance and inspection information in the memory unit 43 and turns on the light-emitting unit 18. The maintenance worker checks whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, and when the light-emitting unit 18 is not lit, i.e., is turned off, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal again to connect the maintenance terminal to the data recording device main body 3 so that information can be transmitted, and sends the write end instruction signal from the maintenance terminal to the data recording device main body 3.

[0037] After the light-emitting unit 18 lights up, the control unit 44 of the data recording device 1 controls the wireless communication unit 41 to transmit the maintenance and inspection information recorded in the memory unit 43 to the maintenance terminal device via wireless communication. The maintenance terminal device acquires and records the maintenance and inspection information transmitted from the data recording device 1 via wireless communication. After the maintenance and inspection information transmitted from the data recording device 1 has been recorded in the maintenance terminal device, the maintenance worker removes the air conditioner connector 6 of the cable 2 from the air conditioner-side connector of the air conditioner and removes the data recording device 1 from the outdoor unit. The maintenance worker performs maintenance and inspection of the air conditioner using the maintenance and inspection information recorded in the maintenance terminal device.

[0038] With this operation, even when the air conditioner is not provided with a storage device for recording maintenance and inspection information, the maintenance worker can use the data recording device 1 to obtain the maintenance and inspection information and properly maintain and inspect the air conditioner. Therefore, with the data recording device 1, there is no need to provide the air conditioner with a storage device for recording maintenance and inspection information in advance, and by omitting the storage device from the air conditioner, the manufacturing costs of the air conditioner can be reduced.

[0039] A malfunction may occasionally occur in an air conditioner while the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner. If a malfunction occurs in the air conditioner while the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner, power may no longer be supplied to the data recording device main body 3 from the air conditioner's control device. Maintenance and inspection information that has already been recorded in the memory unit 43 is not erased when power is no longer supplied to the data recording device main body 3, and remains stored in the memory unit 43.

[0040] When a malfunction occurs in the air conditioner and power is no longer supplied from the air conditioner's control device to the data recording device main body 3, the maintenance worker removes the air conditioner connector 6 of the cable 2 from the air conditioner-side connector of the air conditioner and pulls out the tool-side connector 17 from the tool connector 7. The fact that power is no longer being supplied from the air conditioner's control device to the data recording device main body 3 can be known, for example, by observing that the light-emitting unit 18 provided on the data recording device main body 3 is turned off. After the tool-side connector 17 is removed from the tool connector 7, the maintenance worker inserts the tool-side connector 17 into the female connector of the mobile battery. The mobile battery supplies power to the data recording device main body 3 via the tool-side connector 17 while the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the female connector of the mobile battery. When power is supplied to the data recording device main body 3 via the tool-side connector 17, the control unit 44 of the data recording device 1 activates the wireless communication unit 41 and the wired communication unit 42 and turns on the light-emitting unit 18.

[0041] When the light-emitting unit 18 is lit, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal device and connects the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device main body 3 so that information can be transmitted via wireless communication. After the maintenance terminal device is connected to the data recording device main body 3, the maintenance worker operates the maintenance terminal device and transmits an information transmission instruction signal from the maintenance terminal device to the data recording device 1 via wireless communication. When the wireless communication unit 41 receives the information transmission instruction signal transmitted via wireless communication from the maintenance terminal device, the control unit 44 of the data recording device 1 controls the wireless communication unit 41 to transmit the maintenance and inspection information recorded in the memory unit 43 to the maintenance terminal device via wireless communication. The maintenance terminal device acquires and records the maintenance and inspection information transmitted from the data recording device 1 via wireless communication.

[0042] According to this operation, even if a malfunction occurs in the air conditioner's control device while the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner, the maintenance terminal device can obtain the maintenance and inspection information obtained before the malfunction occurred by the data recording device main body 3. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the air conditioner's control device while the data recording device main body 3 is connected to the air conditioner, the maintenance worker can perform maintenance and inspection of the air conditioner using the maintenance and inspection information obtained by the data recording device main body 3 before the malfunction occurred.

[0043] [Effects of the data recording device 1 according to the first embodiment] The data recording device 1 of the first embodiment includes a housing 11, a plurality of electronic components 14 arranged inside the housing 11, and a tool-side connector 17 protruding from the housing 11. The electrical circuit formed by the plurality of electronic components 14 includes a wired communication unit 42, a memory unit 43, and a wireless communication unit 41. When the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7, the wired communication unit 42 acquires maintenance and inspection information from the air conditioner via the tool-side connector 17 and the tool connector 7. The memory unit 43 stores the maintenance and inspection information acquired by the wired communication unit 42. The wireless communication unit 41 transmits the maintenance and inspection information to the maintenance terminal device via wireless communication with the maintenance terminal device. Because the tool connector 7 into which the tool-side connector 17 is inserted is a female connector, the female connector pin provided on the tool connector 7 is arranged inside a hole in the tool connector 7 into which the tool-side connector 17 is inserted. Therefore, the data recording device of the embodiment can prevent the female connector pin from being grounded when the air conditioner is undergoing maintenance and inspection, and can prevent malfunctions in the air conditioner caused by the female connector pin of the tool connector 7 being grounded.

[0044] The data recording device 1 of the first embodiment further includes a flexible cable 2. The cable 2 includes a tool connector 7 and an air conditioner connector 6 that is fitted into and detached from an air conditioner-side connector fixed to the air conditioner. When the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7 and the air conditioner connector 6 is fitted into the air conditioner-side connector, the wired communication unit 42 acquires maintenance and inspection information from the air conditioner.

[0045] In this case, in the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment, even when the air conditioner connector 6 is mated with the air conditioner-side connector, the orientation of the tool connector 7 is not restricted, and further, even when the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7, the orientation of the data recording device main body 3 is not restricted. That is, in the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment, even when the data recording device main body 3 is connected to an air conditioner, a maintenance worker can change the orientation of the data recording device main body 3, making it easier for the maintenance worker to handle the data recording device main body 3. Furthermore, when the air conditioner connector 6 is mated with the air conditioner-side connector and the tool-side connector 17 is not inserted into the tool connector 7, the tool connector 7 may become loose and dangle. In the data recording device 1 of the embodiment, even when the tool connector 7 is dangling, a ground fault to the female connector pin of the tool connector 7 is prevented, thereby preventing a malfunction of the air conditioner caused by a ground fault to the female connector pin of the tool connector 7.

[0046] Incidentally, the tool connector 7 of the data recording device 1 in the above-described embodiment is provided on the cable 2 of the data recording device 1, but it may also be provided on the air conditioner. When provided on the air conditioner, the main body connector is movably supported on the outdoor unit of the air conditioner via the cable, or is fixed to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Even when the main body connector into which the tool side connector 17 is inserted is provided on the air conditioner, malfunctions in the air conditioner can be prevented by the main body connector being a female connector.

[0047] The data recording device 1 of Example 1 further includes a light-emitting unit 18 disposed inside the housing 11 and emitting light. The housing 11 has an opening 16 through which the tool-side connector 17 passes. The housing 11 is formed so that reflected light 33, which is part of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 18 and reflected by the tool-side connector 17, leaks to the outside of the housing 11 through the opening 16. A maintenance worker performing maintenance and inspection of an air conditioner using the data recording device 1 may be able to see the reflected light 33 emitted from the light-emitting unit 18 and reflected by the tool-side connector 17, even when it is difficult to directly see the light-emitting unit 18 through the opening 16. Therefore, the data recording device 1 of Example 1 can improve the visibility of whether the light-emitting unit 18 is lit. Furthermore, if the opening 16 is made larger or an opening separate from the opening 16 is provided in the housing 11 so that the maintenance worker can directly see the light-emitting unit 18, the strength of the housing 11 may be reduced. The data recording device 1 of the first embodiment can easily improve the visibility of whether the light emitting unit 18 is lit or not without reducing the strength of the housing 11.

[0048] Incidentally, the housing 11 of the data recording device 1 in the embodiment described above is formed so that light 34 emitted from the light emitting unit 18 that is not blocked by the tool connector 7 does not leak out of the housing 11, but it may be formed so that light 34 leaks out of the housing 11. Even when the housing 11 is formed in this way, the data recording device 1 can prevent malfunctions from occurring in the air conditioner because the tool connector 7 is a female connector.

[0049] Incidentally, the tool side connector 17 of the data recording device 1 in the embodiment described above is formed so that reflected light 33 emitted from the light emitting unit 18 and reflected by the tool side connector 17 travels without being blocked by the tool connector 7, but it may also be formed so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 18 is not reflected by the tool side connector 17. Even when the tool side connector 17 is formed in this way, the data recording device 1 can prevent malfunctions from occurring in the air conditioner because the tool connector 7 is a female connector.

[0050] Furthermore, when the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into the tool connector 7, the wireless communication unit 41 of the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment communicates wirelessly with the maintenance terminal device using power supplied from the air conditioner via the tool-side connector 17 to transmit maintenance and inspection information to the maintenance terminal device. When the tool-side connector 17 is inserted into a female connector provided on a mobile battery, the wireless communication unit 41 communicates wirelessly with the maintenance terminal device using power supplied from the mobile battery via the tool-side connector 17 to transmit the maintenance and inspection information to the maintenance terminal device. Even if power supply from the air conditioner is cut off before the maintenance and inspection information is transmitted to the maintenance terminal device, the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment can transmit the maintenance and inspection information to the maintenance terminal device by connecting to the mobile battery via the tool-side connector 17. Therefore, a maintenance worker can use the maintenance and inspection information transmitted from the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment to the maintenance terminal device to perform maintenance and inspection even on an air conditioner in which a malfunction has occurred that prevents power from being supplied to the data recording device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0051] In the data recording device 1 of the above-described embodiment, when the air conditioner stops supplying power to the data recording device main body 3, the data recording device main body 3 is connected to a mobile battery. However, the data recording device main body 3 may also be connected to another device other than a mobile battery. Examples of such devices include another air conditioner or a repaired air conditioner. Even when the data recording device main body 3 is connected to such a device, the data recording device 1 can use the power supplied from such a device to transmit the maintenance and inspection information stored in the memory unit 43 to the maintenance terminal device.

[0052] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the above content. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Data recording device 2: Cable 3: Data recording device body 6: Air conditioner connector 7: Tool connector 11: Housing 14: Multiple electronic components 16: Opening 17: Tool side connector 18: Light-emitting part 33:Reflected light 41: Wireless communication unit 42: Wired communications department 43: Storage part

Claims

1. The housing and a main body disposed inside the housing; a tool-side connector protruding from the housing; The body includes: a wired communication unit that acquires information from the air conditioner via the tool-side connector and the tool connector when the tool-side connector is inserted into a tool connector connected to the air conditioner; a storage unit that stores the information; a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a terminal device and transmits the information to the terminal device; Data recording device.

2. a light-emitting unit disposed inside the housing and emitting light; an opening through which the tool-side connector passes is formed in the housing; The housing is formed so that light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the tool-side connector leaks to the outside of the housing through the opening.

2. The data recording device according to claim 1.

3. The tool connector is connected to the air conditioner via a flexible cable.

2. The data recording device according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a flexible cable, The cable the tool connector; an air conditioner connector that is fitted into an air conditioner-side connector fixed to the air conditioner and that is detached from the air conditioner-side connector, The wired communication unit acquires information from the air conditioner when the tool-side connector is inserted into the tool connector and when the air conditioner connector is fitted into the air conditioner-side connector.

2. The data recording device according to claim 1.

5. The wireless communication unit when the tool-side connector is inserted into the tool connector, wireless communication is performed with the terminal device using power supplied from the air conditioner via the tool-side connector to transmit the information to the terminal device; When the tool-side connector is inserted into a connector provided on a device other than the air conditioner, the information is transmitted to the terminal device via wireless communication using power supplied from the device via the tool-side connector.

2. The data recording device according to claim 1.

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