Air conditioner control device, air conditioner equipped with the same, air conditioner control method, and air conditioner control program

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner control device which detects a sign of a failure before occurrence of the failure, an air conditioner with the same, a control method for air conditioner and a control program for air conditioner.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an air conditioner control device 50 provided in an outdoor unit 2 including a compressor 10 and an inverter. The outside unit 2 comprises a detection sensor which detects a predetermined value based on the compressor 10 or the inverter. The number of times that the predetermined value exceeds a predetermined threshold is counted as a sign detection count or the predetermined value is defined as the sign detection count. When the sign detection count becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined count, oil return control for returning oil to the compressor 10 or load suppression control for suppressing a load of the compressor 10 is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner control device, an air conditioner equipped with the same, a control method for an air conditioner, and a control program for an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] In the case of an air conditioner's outdoor unit, if two compressors are installed, even if one compressor breaks down, the other compressor can be used for backup operation, allowing the outdoor unit to continue operating without stopping. Also, if multiple outdoor units are installed, even if one outdoor unit's compressor breaks down, the other outdoor units can be used for backup operation. On the other hand, if there is only one outdoor unit and one compressor, if a malfunction occurs in the compressor, the outdoor unit may stop, and the air conditioner may become unusable. To address this issue, compressor malfunctions are detected. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for detecting compressor malfunctions by estimating internal information of the compressor based on information on the current and / or voltage applied to the motor coil. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-38912 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the invention disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 only detects compressor failures, so there is a problem in that the processing after the failure is detected is left to the user. For example, even if a failure is detected, if the user does not arrange for immediate repairs, the outdoor unit may stop and the air conditioner may not be usable.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an air conditioner control device that detects signs of a failure before it leads to a failure, an air conditioner equipped with the same, a control method for an air conditioner, and a control program for an air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioner control device, the air conditioner equipped with the same, the air conditioner control method, and the air conditioner control program of the present disclosure employ the following means. An air conditioner control device according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control device provided in an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, the outdoor unit has a detection sensor that detects a predetermined value based on the compressor or the inverter, and counts the number of times that the predetermined value exceeds a predetermined threshold as a symptom detection number, or counts the predetermined value as the symptom detection number, and when the symptom detection number becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number, Changing the upper limit rotation speed of the compressor A load suppression control is performed to suppress the load on the compressor.

[0007] According to this aspect, a predetermined value based on the compressor or inverter is detected, and when the number of times the predetermined value exceeds a threshold value or the number of times the symptom detection of the predetermined value is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number, oil return control or load suppression control is performed, so that a symptom of failure of the outdoor unit can be detected before the failure occurs. Furthermore, when a symptom of failure is detected, control is performed to suppress and protect the outdoor unit, so that the outdoor unit can be delayed from reaching a complete failure. By detecting a symptom of failure in advance and delaying the outdoor unit from reaching a failure, maintenance can be performed before the outdoor unit is permanently stopped, and the outdoor unit can be prevented from becoming unusable.

[0008] In the above aspect, the predetermined value is any one of a current value flowing from the inverter to the compressor, a temperature of a power transistor of the inverter, a number of start failures which is the number of times the compressor has failed to start, a number of communication abnormalities which is the number of times communication between the inverter and a control board has become abnormal, and a number of compressor step-outs which is the number of times the compressor has not been able to operate in accordance with a command from the inverter, and when the predetermined value is the current value or the temperature, the number of times which exceeds a predetermined threshold value is counted as the number of symptom detections, or when the predetermined value is any one of the number of start failures, the number of communication abnormalities, or the number of compressor step-outs, the predetermined value may be set as the number of symptom detections.

[0009] According to this aspect, since control is performed by detecting a predetermined value based on the type of failure related to the compressor or inverter, it is possible to detect symptoms of a failure in the outdoor unit before the failure occurs.

[0010] In the above aspect, the oil return control may be either a control that keeps an solenoid valve provided on a circuit that returns oil from an oil separator provided on the discharge side of the compressor to the compressor open at all times when the compressor is operating, or a control that lowers a predetermined cumulative threshold when the oil return control is initiated when an oil upflow cumulative amount, which is the cumulative value of the amount of oil flowing out from the oil separator to the indoor unit side, exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold.

[0011] According to this aspect, since the solenoid valve on the oil return circuit from the oil separator is always open, the lubricating oil stored in the oil separator is quickly returned to the compressor, and the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor is resolved. Also, since the threshold value of the accumulated oil upflow amount, which is the condition for starting the oil return control, is lowered, the oil return control is started earlier than when the threshold value is not lowered, and the lubricating oil stored in the air conditioner is returned to the compressor, and the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor is resolved. By resolving the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor, the operating condition of the compressor can be improved.

[0012] In the above aspect, the load suppression control may be control for lowering an upper limit rotation speed that is an upper limit value of the rotation speed of the compressor.

[0013] According to this aspect, since the upper limit rotation speed of the compressor is lowered, the load on the compressor can be suppressed and the compressor can be protected, which is expected to improve the operating conditions of the compressor and the inverter.

[0014] In the above aspect, the system may have a failure diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a symptom of a failure in the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter, depending on the result of the oil return control.

[0015] According to this aspect, since the system has a fault diagnosis mode that determines the true cause of the failure symptom according to the result of the oil return control, it is possible to easily identify the part that needs repair. By executing the oil return control that is expected to improve the operating condition of the compressor, if the operating condition of the compressor improves, it is possible to determine that the true cause of the failure symptom is the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor does not improve, it is possible to determine that the true cause of the failure symptom is the inverter.

[0016] In the above aspect, the air conditioner control device may collect the specified value in association with a corresponding failure symptom, derive the specified number of times based on the collected specified value and failure symptom, and perform the oil return control or the load reduction control when the number of times the symptom is detected becomes equal to or greater than the specified number.

[0017] According to this aspect, the air conditioner control device derives the predetermined number of times that serves as a threshold for detecting signs of failure, and therefore it is possible to detect signs of failure using the predetermined number of times that correspond to the tendency of each air conditioner. It is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting signs of failure. The air conditioner control device may derive the predetermined number of times from information collected by machine learning. Furthermore, the air conditioner control device may be provided in a centralized management device and derive the predetermined number of times for each air conditioner, or may derive the predetermined number of times from information collected from multiple air conditioners.

[0018] In the above aspect, the outdoor unit may further include a notification unit that notifies of a failure symptom of the outdoor unit when the number of times the symptom detection is made equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0019] According to this aspect, when a symptom of a malfunction of the outdoor unit is detected, the malfunction symptom is notified, so that the user can be notified that there is a symptom of a malfunction in the outdoor unit. The notified user can take measures against the malfunction before it leads to a malfunction, and it is possible to prevent the outdoor unit from malfunctioning and going into a stopped state, which makes the outdoor unit unusable.

[0020] An air conditioner according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes one or more indoor units, one outdoor unit, and any of the air conditioner control devices described above.

[0021] A method for controlling an air conditioner according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure is a method for controlling an air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, the method including the steps of: detecting a predetermined value based on the compressor or the inverter; counting the number of times that the predetermined value exceeds a predetermined threshold as a number of symptom detections, or setting the predetermined value as the number of symptom detections; and when the number of symptom detections becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number, Changing the upper limit rotation speed of the compressor and a load reducing step of reducing the load on the compressor.

[0022] An air conditioner control device according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control device provided in one outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, the outdoor unit comprising: The number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has failed to start A detection sensor for detecting before Note Number of startup failures When the number of symptom detections is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number, an oil return control is performed to return oil to the compressor. Master Action ,before The system has a fault diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a fault symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter according to the result of the oil return control, and if the operating condition of the compressor improves as a result of the oil return control, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor does not improve as a result of the oil return control, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the inverter. and a notification unit that notifies the outdoor unit of a failure symptom when the number of times of symptom detection reaches or exceeds the predetermined number. . In the above aspect, the oil return control may be either control for constantly opening a solenoid valve provided on a circuit for returning oil from an oil separator provided on the discharge side of the compressor to the compressor when the compressor is operating, or control for lowering a predetermined integration threshold when the oil return control is started when an oil upflow integrated amount, which is an integrated value of the amount of oil flowing out from the oil separator to the indoor unit side, exceeds a predetermined integration threshold. 。 above In the above embodiment, the air conditioner control device Number of startup failures and the corresponding fault Content The collected information is collected in association with the Number of startup failures and malfunction Content The predetermined number of times is calculated based on the number of times, and when the number of times of symptom detection is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times, the oil return control is performed. Master It may be possible to 。 Books An air conditioner according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes one or more indoor units, one outdoor unit, and any of the air conditioner control devices described above. A method for controlling an air conditioner according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure is a method for controlling an air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, The number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has failed to start Detecting the before Note Number of startup failures a step of setting the symptom detection number as a predetermined number of times, and an oil return facility for returning oil to the compressor when the symptom detection number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times. As Equipped with ,before The system has a fault diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a fault symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter, depending on the result of the oil return process. If the operating condition of the compressor improves as a result of the oil return process, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor does not improve as a result of the oil return process, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the inverter. When the number of times of symptom detection reaches or exceeds the predetermined number, a malfunction symptom of the outdoor unit is notified. do. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a control program for an air conditioner, The number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has failed to start and detecting before Note Number of startup failuresand returning oil to the compressor when the number of times the symptom is detected is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. ,before The system has a fault diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a fault symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter according to the result of the oil return step, and if the operating condition of the compressor improves as a result of the oil return step, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor does not improve as a result of the oil return step, it is determined that the true cause of the fault symptom is the inverter. When the number of times of symptom detection reaches or exceeds the predetermined number, a malfunction symptom of the outdoor unit is notified. do. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, symptoms of an outdoor unit failure are detected and measures are taken to extend the time until failure, thereby preventing the outdoor unit from shutting down due to failure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one aspect of an air conditioner according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] 10 is a diagram showing outdoor unit failure types and the corresponding symptom detection counts. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an air conditioner control device, an air conditioner including the same, a control method for an air conditioner, and a control program for an air conditioner according to several embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of one aspect of an air conditioner control device, an air conditioner including the same, a control method for an air conditioner, and a control program for an air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The air conditioner 1 is configured by connecting an indoor unit 3 to one outdoor unit 2. There may be one or more indoor units 3, and when multiple indoor units 3 are connected, the indoor units 3 are connected in parallel to each other via a branch 6 between a gas side pipe (not shown) and a liquid side pipe (not shown) connected to the outdoor unit 2.

[0027] The outdoor unit 2 is equipped with an inverter-driven compressor 10 that compresses the refrigerant, a four-way switching valve 12 that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 13 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, a subcooling coil 14 that is integrally configured with the outdoor heat exchanger 13, an outdoor expansion valve (EEVH) 15, a receiver 16 that stores liquid refrigerant, a subcooling heat exchanger 17 that subcools the liquid refrigerant, a subcooling expansion valve (EEVSC) 18 that controls the amount of refrigerant diverted to the subcooling heat exchanger 17, an accumulator 19 that separates the liquid component from the refrigerant gas sucked into the compressor 10 and sucks only the gas component into the compressor 10, a gas side operation valve 20, and a liquid side operation valve 21. The above-mentioned devices on the outdoor unit 2 side are connected in sequence via refrigerant piping 22 to configure a known outdoor side refrigerant circuit 23. In addition, the outdoor unit 2 is provided with an outdoor fan 24 that blows outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0028] An oil separator 40 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 10. In the oil separator 40, mist-like lubricating oil (oil) in the compressed refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant. The refrigerant from which the mist-like lubricating oil has been separated in the oil separator 40 is guided to the four-way switching valve 12. The lubricating oil separated in the oil separator 40 and stored in the oil separator 40 is returned to the low-pressure side of the compressor 10 via an oil return pipe.

[0029] The oil return pipe is provided with a solenoid valve 41, a first capillary portion 42, and a second capillary portion 43. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve 41 is controlled by the air conditioner control device 50, and the amount of oil flowing through the oil return pipe is adjusted. The first capillary portion 42 and the second capillary portion 43 are used as fixed throttles to reduce the pressure of the lubricating oil passing through them.

[0030] The gas side piping and liquid side piping are refrigerant piping connected to the gas side operating valve 20 and liquid side operating valve 21 of the outdoor unit 2, and the piping lengths are set appropriately during on-site installation depending on the distance between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor units 3 connected to it. A branch 6 is provided midway through the gas side piping and liquid side piping, and when multiple indoor units 3 are connected, an appropriate number of indoor units 3 are connected via the branch 6. This constitutes one sealed refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit) 7.

[0031] The indoor unit 3 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 30 that cools or heats the indoor air by exchanging heat with a refrigerant to provide indoor air conditioning, an indoor expansion valve (EEVC) (electric expansion valve) 31, an indoor fan 32 that circulates the indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger 30, and an indoor controller (not shown), and is connected to the branching device 6. When the indoor unit 3 corresponding to normal operation is stopped, the indoor expansion valve 31 is set to a predetermined opening degree when stopped. In the case of cooling operation, the predetermined opening degree when stopped is fully closed, and in the case of heating operation, the predetermined opening degree when stopped is slightly open close to fully closed.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which one indoor unit 3 is installed, but the number of units to be installed can be determined arbitrarily.

[0033] The air conditioner control device 50 acquires the set value from the indoor controller and the refrigerant temperature from the compressor discharge temperature sensor, etc., and controls the rotation speed of the compressor 10, the opening degree of each indoor expansion valve 31, the switching control of the four-way switching valve 12, and the opening / closing or opening degree of each other valve, etc. The air conditioner control device 50 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a computer-readable storage medium. A series of processes for realizing various functions is stored in a storage medium or the like in the form of a program, for example, and the CPU reads this program into the RAM or the like and executes information processing and arithmetic processing to realize various functions. The program may be installed in a ROM or other storage medium in advance, may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means. The computer-readable storage medium may be a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

[0034] In the above air conditioner 1, the cooling operation is performed as follows. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed and discharged by the compressor 10 is circulated to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 side by the four-way switching valve 12, where it is condensed and liquefied by exchanging heat with outside air blown by the outdoor fan 24. This liquid refrigerant is further cooled by the supercooling coil 14, passes through the outdoor expansion valve 15, and is temporarily stored in the receiver 16.

[0035] The liquid refrigerant, whose circulation amount has been adjusted in the receiver 16, is partly released from the liquid refrigerant piping as it passes through the subcooling heat exchanger 17 and circulates through the liquid refrigerant piping, where it is given a degree of subcooling by heat exchange with refrigerant that has been adiabatically expanded in the subcooling expansion valve 18. This liquid refrigerant is guided from the outdoor unit 2 through the liquid side operating valve 21 to the liquid side piping, and then guided to the indoor unit 3 via the branch 6.

[0036] The liquid refrigerant flows into the indoor unit 3 and is adiabatically expanded by the indoor expansion valve 31, becoming a gas-liquid two-phase flow and flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30. In the indoor heat exchanger 30, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and indoor air circulated by the indoor fan 32, and the indoor air is cooled to cool the room. Meanwhile, the refrigerant is gasified and reaches the branching device 6.

[0037] The refrigerant gas guided to the gas side piping returns to the outdoor unit 2, passes through the gas side operation valve 20 and the four-way switching valve 12, and is merged with the refrigerant gas from the subcooling heat exchanger 17, and is then introduced into the accumulator 19. In the accumulator 19, the liquid component contained in the refrigerant gas is separated, and only the gas component is sucked into the compressor 10. This refrigerant is compressed again in the compressor 10, and the above cycle is repeated to perform cooling operation.

[0038] On the other hand, the heating operation is carried out as follows. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed and discharged by the compressor 10 is circulated to the gas side operation valve 20 side via the four-way switching valve 12. This high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor unit 2 via the gas side operation valve 20 and the gas side piping, and is introduced into the indoor unit 3 via the branching device 6.

[0039] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas introduced into the indoor unit 3 exchanges heat with indoor air circulated via the indoor fan 32 in the indoor heat exchanger 30, and the heated indoor air is blown into the room for heating. Meanwhile, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 30 passes through the indoor expansion valve 31 to the branching device 6, and returns to the outdoor unit 2 through the liquid side piping. During heating, in the indoor unit 3, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 31 is controlled via an indoor controller (not shown) so that the refrigerant outlet temperature or the degree of refrigerant subcooling of the indoor heat exchanger 30 functioning as a condenser becomes a control target value.

[0040] The refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 2 passes through the liquid side operation valve 21 and reaches the subcooling heat exchanger 17, and in the process of circulating through the liquid refrigerant piping, a portion of it flows out of the liquid refrigerant piping and exchanges heat with refrigerant that has been adiabatically expanded in the subcooling expansion valve 18, thereby providing a degree of subcooling. It then flows into the receiver 16, where it is temporarily stored, thereby adjusting the amount of circulation. This liquid refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor expansion valve 15, where it is adiabatically expanded, and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0041] In the outdoor heat exchanger 13, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the outside air blown by the outdoor fan 24, and the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and is evaporated into gas. This refrigerant passes from the outdoor heat exchanger 13 through the four-way switching valve 12, merges with the refrigerant gas from the subcooling heat exchanger 17, and is then introduced into the accumulator 19. In the accumulator 19, the liquid component contained in the refrigerant gas is separated, and only the gas component is sucked into the compressor 10, where it is compressed again. The heating operation is performed by repeating the above cycle.

[0042] 1, the outdoor unit 2 of the present invention is equipped with only one compressor 10. In this case, if the compressor 10 or the inverter breaks down, the outdoor unit 2 stops and the air conditioner 1 cannot be used. To prevent this, in the present invention, signs of failure of the compressor 10 including the inverter are monitored, and when signs of failure are detected, control is performed as a life-prolonging measure to extend the time until complete failure.

[0043] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, the air conditioner control device 50 acquires predetermined values ​​detected by each detection sensor provided in the outdoor unit 2. The air conditioner control device 50 counts the number of times that the predetermined value exceeds a predetermined threshold as the number of symptom detections, which is used as an indicator of a malfunction symptom, or the predetermined value itself is used as the number of symptom detections. When the number of symptom detections reaches or exceeds the predetermined number, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a malfunction symptom is present in the outdoor unit 2. FIG. 2 shows the type of fault and the corresponding number of times the symptom was detected. In this embodiment, fault detection is performed for five types of faults: (1) overcurrent, (2) power transistor overheating, (3) compressor start-up failure, (4) inverter communication abnormality, and (5) compressor loss of synchronism, and symptoms of each fault are detected.

[0044] (1) Overcurrent A current sensor (not shown) (detection sensor) detects the value of the current flowing from the inverter to the compressor 10. When the current value exceeds a current threshold (predetermined threshold) that is a criterion for determining whether or not there is an overcurrent, it is determined that an overcurrent is flowing. The air conditioner control device 50 counts the number of times that the current value exceeds the current threshold as the number of symptom detections. Here, if the number of times that the current value exceeds the current threshold is counted four times within 15 minutes, the outdoor unit 2 is permanently stopped and cannot be used. In this way, the conditions that lead to a permanent stop are referred to as permanent stop conditions. A permanent stop refers to a stopped state in which operation cannot be automatically resumed. For example, if the current value exceeds the current threshold, the compressor 10 stops operation for protection. If a state in which operation can be resumed is detected, such as a drop in the current value, the compressor 10 automatically resumes operation. In the case of a permanent stop, the compressor 10 remains stopped and will not automatically resume operation. In order to detect the presence of a fault symptom before the permanent stop condition is reached, a fault symptom detection condition is set. The fault symptom detection condition is set to a value that is, for example, 50% or less of the permanent stop condition, and more preferably, a value of about 20 to 30%. The failure symptom detection condition for detecting a failure symptom due to overcurrent is that the number of symptom detections is 2 or more. When the counted number of symptom detections reaches 2 or more, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a failure symptom has been observed. The permanent stop condition for overcurrent may be set to be five counts within 30 minutes when the number of symptom detections is counted with the compressor 10 rotation speed at or above 80 (rps). In this case, the failure symptom detection condition is set to be two or more counts.

[0045] (2) Power transistor overheating A power transistor temperature sensor (not shown) (detection sensor) detects the power transistor temperature, which is the temperature of the power transistor (not shown) mounted on the inverter board. If the power transistor temperature exceeds a temperature threshold (predetermined threshold) that is a criterion for determining whether the power transistor is abnormally overheating, it is determined that the power transistor is in an overheated state. The air conditioner control device 50 counts the number of times that the power transistor temperature exceeds the temperature threshold as the number of symptom detections. Here, it is assumed that the permanent stop condition for power transistor overheating is that the power transistor temperature exceeds the temperature threshold value five times within 60 minutes. The failure symptom detection condition for detecting a failure symptom due to overheating of a power transistor is that the number of symptom detections is 2 or more. When the counted number of symptom detections reaches 2 or more, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a failure symptom is present. The permanent shutdown condition for power transistor overheat may be set to be that the power transistor temperature detects the temperature threshold for 15 consecutive minutes. In this case, the failure symptom detection condition is that the power transistor temperature detects the temperature threshold for 5 consecutive minutes.

[0046] (3) Compressor startup failure The air conditioner control device 50 (detection sensor) detects the number of start failures, which is the number of times that a start failure occurs in the compressor 10, such as the compressor 10 being unable to start, and counts it as the number of symptom detections. Here, the condition for permanent shutdown of the compressor in the case of a start failure is set to be the occurrence of 20 consecutive start failures, i.e., the number of start failures is counted 20 consecutive times without a normal start in between. The condition for detecting a symptom of a failure due to a compressor start-up failure is that the symptom is detected five or more times in a row. When the number of consecutive symptom detections counted reaches five or more, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a symptom of a failure is present.

[0047] (4) Inverter communication error The air conditioner control device 50 (detection sensor) detects the number of communication abnormalities, which is the number of times that a communication abnormality occurs due to a failure or disconnection of the inverter board in the communication between the inverter board and the control board, and counts it as the number of symptom detections. Here, it is assumed that the condition for permanently stopping the inverter communication abnormality is when the communication abnormality is counted four times. The failure symptom detection condition for detecting a failure symptom due to an inverter communication abnormality is that the number of symptom detections is 2 or more. When the counted number of symptom detections reaches 2 or more, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a failure symptom is present.

[0048] (5) Compressor loss of synchronism The air conditioner control device 50 (detection sensor) detects the number of compressor out-of-steps, which is the number of times the compressor 10 has stepped out (become out of sync with the input), such as when the compressor 10 is unable to operate at the corresponding rotation speed in response to the inverter rotation speed command, and counts this as the number of symptoms detected. Here, it is assumed that a condition for permanently stopping the compressor step-out is when the compressor step-out count is four times. The failure symptom detection condition for detecting a symptom of a failure due to a compressor step-out is that the number of symptom detections is 2 or more. When the counted number of symptom detections reaches 2 or more, the air conditioner control device 50 detects that a failure symptom is present.

[0049] Each failure sign detection condition is a changeable value. A user or manager of the air conditioner 1 changes the failure sign detection condition corresponding to each failure type using an outdoor unit controller (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit 2. For example, for an item for which "2 (times)" is set as a failure sign detection condition, the condition can be changed to any integer between 1 and 4. Also, for an item for which "5 (times)" is set, the condition can be changed to any integer between 1 and 19.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the air conditioner control device 50 detects signs of failure, the air conditioner control device 50 performs oil return control to return oil to the compressor 10, or load suppression control to suppress the load on the compressor 10, thereby performing control as a life-prolonging measure to extend the time until the outdoor unit 2 completely fails.

[0051] [Oil return control] When the air conditioner control device 50 detects a symptom of a malfunction, the air conditioner control device 50 performs oil return control. The oil return control is performed by either oil separator solenoid valve control or oil upflow integrated amount threshold change control.

[0052] [Oil separator solenoid valve control] In the oil separator 40 provided on the discharge side of the compressor 10, as described above, the mist-like lubricating oil (oil) in the compressed refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant. The lubricating oil separated and stored in the oil separator 40 is returned to the compressor 10 via the oil return pipe, the solenoid valve 41, and the first capillary portion 42 or the second capillary portion 43. Here, when oil return control is performed based on the detection of a failure symptom, the solenoid valve 41 is always open while the compressor 10 is in operation, regardless of the rotation speed of the compressor 10. This allows the lubricating oil stored in the oil separator 40 to be actively returned to the compressor 10.

[0053] [Oil Upflow Accumulation Amount Threshold Change Control] The oil return control in the air conditioner 1 is started when the oil upflow cumulative amount, which is the cumulative amount of oil that has flowed out from the oil separator 40 to the indoor unit 3, exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold. oil Then, the oil rise accumulated by the air conditioner control device 50 is T oil When the oil pressure exceeds this limit, oil return control is started to return the lubricating oil from the oil separator 40 to the compressor 10. Here, if oil return control is performed based on the detection of a malfunction symptom, T oil The value of T oil multiplied by the cumulative threshold variable 0.5 oil× 0.5, that is, the predetermined integrated threshold value that is the start condition for the oil return control is lowered, making it easier to enter the oil return control. This causes the lubricating oil stored in the air conditioner 1 to be actively returned to the compressor 10.

[0054] [Load suppression control] When load suppression control is performed based on the detection of a failure symptom, the upper limit rotation speed of the compressor 10 is set to N max Then, N max The value of N max N multiplied by the upper limit RPM variable 0.8 max ×0.8, and the load on the compressor 10 is suppressed.

[0055] The integrated threshold variable and the upper limit rotation speed variable are changeable values. A user or manager of the air conditioner 1 changes the integrated threshold variable and / or the upper limit rotation speed variable using an outdoor unit controller (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit 2. For example, the integrated threshold variable can be changed to any value between 0.1 and 1.0 with one decimal place. The upper limit rotation speed variable can be changed to any value between 0.1 and 1.0 with one decimal place.

[0056] If the operating condition of the compressor 10 improves due to the oil return control (oil separator solenoid valve control and oil upflow cumulative amount threshold change control), such as by reducing the number of detections of signs of failure, it can be said that the condition has improved due to the oil return control to the compressor 10. In other words, it can be seen that the true cause of the failure was in the compressor 10. Using this, the air conditioner control device 50 of this embodiment may have a failure diagnosis mode for inferring the true cause of a failure. By using the fault diagnosis mode, the air conditioner control device 50 determines that the true cause of the fault is in the compressor 10 if the situation improves through oil return control, and determines that the true cause of the fault is in the inverter if the situation does not improve through oil return control.

[0057] On the other hand, if the operating conditions of the compressor 10 improve as a result of the load suppression control, for example by reducing the number of signs of a malfunction, it is determined that the true cause of the malfunction lies in either the compressor 10 or the inverter.

[0058] The air conditioner control device 50 may select either the oil return control or the load suppression control according to a predetermined priority order, or may select randomly, or in any other manner. The air conditioner control device 50 may also collect each failure content and the corresponding appropriate life-prolonging measures in association with each other, learn through machine learning, and infer and perform the most suitable control for the detected failure symptoms.Furthermore, each failure content, the associated values ​​of various information about the outdoor unit 2, and the life-prolonging measures in that case may be collected in association with each other, learn through machine learning, and infer and perform the most suitable control for the detected failure symptoms and the associated values ​​of various information about the outdoor unit 2.

[0059] The air conditioner control device 50 may also collect the details of the failure and the number of times the symptom was detected in association with each other, and derive the failure symptom detection conditions based on the collected details of the failure and the number of times the symptom was detected. Also, the failure symptom detection conditions may be derived by learning using machine learning.

[0060] The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment may also be equipped with an alarm device (announcement unit). The notification device may be any device capable of notifying a user or administrator of the air conditioner 1, such as the outdoor unit 2, the indoor unit 3, a wireless remote control or a wired remote control (not shown), a PC connected to the air conditioner 1 via a network, or a centralized management device. The notification by the notification device may be by voice, text display, lamp, or any combination thereof. When the number of times the symptom is detected for each type of failure satisfies the failure symptom detection condition, the notification device notifies the user or manager of the air conditioner 1 that a symptom of a failure is observed in the outdoor unit 2.

[0061] As described above, the air conditioner control device, the air conditioner equipped with the same, the air conditioner control method, and the air conditioner control program according to the present embodiment provide the following advantageous effects. According to one aspect of the air conditioner control device according to some embodiments, a predetermined value based on the compressor 10 or the inverter is detected, and when the number of times the predetermined value exceeds a threshold value or the number of times the symptom detection of the predetermined value is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number, oil return control or load suppression control is performed, so that a symptom of failure of the outdoor unit 2 can be detected before the failure. Furthermore, when a symptom of failure is detected, control is performed to suppress and protect the outdoor unit 2, so that the outdoor unit 2 can be delayed from reaching a complete failure. By detecting a symptom of failure in advance and delaying the outdoor unit 2 from reaching a failure, maintenance can be performed before the outdoor unit 2 is permanently stopped, and the outdoor unit 2 can be prevented from becoming unusable.

[0062] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the air conditioner control device of some embodiments, a predetermined value based on the type of fault related to the compressor 10 or the inverter is detected and control is performed, so that signs of a fault in the outdoor unit 2 can be detected before the fault occurs.

[0063] According to one aspect of the air conditioner control device of some embodiments, the solenoid valve 41 on the oil return circuit from the oil separator 40 is always open, so that the lubricating oil stored in the oil separator 40 is quickly returned to the compressor 10, and the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor 10 is resolved. In addition, the threshold value of the accumulated oil upflow amount, which is the condition for starting the oil return control, is lowered, so that the oil return control is started earlier than when the threshold value is not lowered, and the lubricating oil stored in the air conditioner 1 is returned to the compressor 10, and the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor 10 is resolved. By resolving the shortage of lubricating oil in the compressor 10, the operating condition of the compressor 10 can be expected to improve.

[0064] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the air conditioner control device according to some embodiments, the upper limit rotation speed of the compressor 10 is lowered, so that the load on the compressor 10 can be suppressed to protect the compressor 10. This is expected to improve the operating conditions of the compressor 10 and the inverter.

[0065] According to one aspect of the air conditioner control device of some embodiments, since it has a fault diagnosis mode that determines the true cause of a fault symptom according to the result of the oil return control, it is possible to easily identify the part that needs repair. By executing the oil return control that is expected to improve the operating condition of the compressor 10, if the operating condition of the compressor 10 improves, it is possible to determine that the true cause of the fault symptom is the compressor 10, and if the operating condition of the compressor 10 does not improve, it is possible to determine that the true cause of the fault symptom is the inverter.

[0066] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the air conditioner control device according to some embodiments, the air conditioner control device 50 derives a predetermined number of times that serves as a threshold for detecting signs of failure, and therefore it is possible to detect signs of failure using a predetermined number of times that matches the tendency of each air conditioner 1. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of detecting signs of failure. The air conditioner control device 50 may derive the predetermined number of times from information collected by machine learning. Furthermore, the air conditioner control device 50 may be provided in a centralized management device and derive the predetermined number of times for each air conditioner 1, or may derive the predetermined number of times from information collected from multiple air conditioners 1.

[0067] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the air conditioner control device according to some embodiments, when a symptom of a malfunction of the outdoor unit 2 is detected, the malfunction symptom is notified, and therefore it is possible to notify the user that there is a malfunction symptom in the outdoor unit 2. The notified user is able to take measures against the malfunction before it leads to a malfunction, and it is possible to prevent the outdoor unit 2 from malfunctioning and going into a stopped state, making the outdoor unit 2 unusable.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, one outdoor unit 2 has one compressor 10, but one outdoor unit 2 may have two or more compressors 10. In this case, the air conditioner control device 50 acquires the number of times each symptom is detected for each compressor 10 and each inverter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Air conditioner 2 Outdoor unit 3 Indoor unit 10 Compressor 50 Air conditioner control device

Claims

1. An air conditioner control device provided in an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, The outdoor unit has a detection sensor that detects the number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has failed to start, The number of start failures is set as a symptom detection number, and when the number of symptom detection numbers becomes a predetermined number or more, an oil return control is performed to return oil to the compressor, a failure diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a failure symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter according to the result of the oil return control; If the operating condition of the compressor is improved by the oil return control, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor is not improved by the oil return control, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the inverter, an air conditioner control device comprising: an alarm unit that issues an indication of a malfunction of the outdoor unit when the number of times the indication is detected reaches or exceeds the predetermined number of times.

2. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein the oil return control is either a control for constantly opening an solenoid valve provided on a circuit that returns oil from an oil separator provided on the discharge side of the compressor to the compressor when the compressor is operating, or a control for lowering a predetermined cumulative threshold when the oil return control is started when an oil upflow cumulative amount, which is the cumulative value of the amount of oil flowing out from the oil separator to the indoor unit side, exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold.

3. The air conditioner control device collects the number of start-up failures in association with the corresponding failure content, 3. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is derived based on the collected number of startup failures and failure details, and the oil return control is performed when the number of symptom detections reaches or exceeds the predetermined number.

4. One or more indoor units; 1 outdoor unit, An air conditioner comprising the air conditioner control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method for controlling an air conditioner having an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, comprising: A step of detecting a number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has experienced a start failure; A step of determining the number of startup failures as a symptom detection number; an oil return process of returning oil to the compressor when the number of times of symptom detection reaches a predetermined number; Equipped with a failure diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a failure symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter according to the result of the oil return process; If the operating condition of the compressor is improved by the oil return process, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor is not improved by the oil return process, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the inverter, The air conditioner control method includes: notifying a symptom of a malfunction of the outdoor unit when the number of times of symptom detection reaches or exceeds the predetermined number.

6. A control program for an air conditioner having an outdoor unit having a compressor and an inverter, A step of detecting a number of start failures, which is the number of times the compressor has experienced a start failure; A step of setting the number of startup failures as a symptom detection number; an oil return step of returning oil to the compressor when the number of times the symptom is detected becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined number; on the computer, a failure diagnosis mode for determining whether the true cause of a failure symptom of the outdoor unit is the compressor or the inverter according to the result of the oil return step; If the operating condition of the compressor is improved by the oil return step, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the compressor, and if the operating condition of the compressor is not improved by the oil return step, it is determined that the true cause of the failure symptom is in the inverter, an air conditioner control program that notifies the user of a symptom of a malfunction in the outdoor unit when the number of times the symptom is detected reaches or exceeds the predetermined number of times;

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