Electrical equipment, electrical equipment systems and programs

Abstract

To enable the connection relation of an electric facility and a circuit breaker to be more easily identified than before.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning apparatus 1 is connected to some circuit breaker 3 in a power distribution panel 2 by a power supply line 4, but when its connection relation is unknown, an operator sets an air-conditioning apparatus 1 whose connection relation is to be identified, to a search mode and thereby causes a program stored in a storage device 16 to be executed by a control device 17. The control device 17 causes a current whose current value is of a characteristic waveform to be used by a compressor 14 and an air blower 15 in accordance with the program. The operator measures the current value of the power supply line 4 having an ammeter 6 connected to some circuit breaker 3, and determines that the circuit breaker 3 with which a current value having the characteristic waveform is connected to the air-conditioning apparatus 1 that operates in a search mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical equipment, an electrical equipment system, and a program, and more particularly to a connection relationship between a plurality of electrical equipment and a plurality of circuit breakers. [Background technology]

[0002] When multiple air conditioning units are installed in a facility such as a building, multiple outdoor units are installed side by side, for example, on the roof. The facility's distribution panel is equipped with multiple circuit breakers (also called "breakers"), and each air conditioning unit is connected to one of these circuit breakers. The wiring electrically connecting each air conditioning unit to each circuit breaker is either bundled in a wiring rack or buried. Therefore, when installing new air conditioning units, the wiring is tagged with the system name, for example, so that the connection relationship between the air conditioning units and the circuit breakers can be identified.

[0003] However, when replacing air conditioning equipment, the system name may change or become anonymous, which can make it difficult to determine the connection relationship between the air conditioning equipment and the circuit breaker.

[0004] Therefore, in the past, a technology has been proposed in which a current measuring device is provided in correspondence with each of multiple branch breakers, and the current measuring device transmits operating information including the current value and device ID obtained by turning the power of the electrical equipment from off to on to a power control device, and the power control device then refers to the operating information to identify the connection relationship between the electrical equipment and the branch breaker (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] In addition, a technology has been proposed to identify the power cord to which a load device is connected by repeatedly turning the power supply to the load device on and off at a predetermined cycle or by making the change in power consumption generated by the load device characteristic (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 155561 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-190225 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-090113 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-329636 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-107121 [Patent Document 6] Patent Publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to take the trouble of switching the power of the electrical device from off to on, and in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to prepare a separate load device.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to more easily identify the connection relationship between electrical equipment and circuit breakers than in the past. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The electrical equipment of the present invention is characterized by having at least one device that operates when supplied with current, a memory means for storing a program created to cause characteristics to appear in the time-series changes in the current value of the current used by the device, and a control means for controlling the operation of the device by executing the program in accordance with instructions from a user.

[0010] The program is characterized in that it controls the operations of a plurality of the devices.

[0011] The present invention is also characterized in that the device is at least one of a compressor and a blower mounted in an outdoor unit that constitutes the air conditioning equipment.

[0012] The electrical equipment system of the present invention comprises a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of electrical equipment each electrically connected to one of the circuit breakers, and a current measuring device connected to one of the plurality of circuit breakers and measuring the current value of the current output from that circuit breaker, wherein the electrical equipment comprises a memory means for storing a program created to cause characteristics to appear in the time-series changes in the current value of the current used by the electrical equipment, and a control means for controlling the operation of the electrical equipment by executing the program in accordance with instructions from a user, and is characterized in that the connection relationship between the circuit breakers and the electrical equipment is identified by comparing the time-series changes in the current value measured by the current measuring device with the time-series changes in the current value that appear when the electrical equipment is made to execute the program stored in the electrical equipment. The programs stored in the plurality of electrical equipments are each created so that different characteristics appear in the time-series changes in current value.

[0013] The program of the present invention causes a computer installed in electrical equipment having at least one device that operates by consuming power to function as a storage means for storing a program created to cause characteristics to appear in the time-series changes in the current value used by the device, and as a control means for controlling the operation of the device by executing the program in accordance with instructions from a user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the connection relationship between the electrical equipment and the circuit breaker can be more easily specified than in the past. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an electrical equipment system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for identifying a connection relationship in the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of a current value of a current used by a compressor in the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of waveforms of current values ​​used by a compressor and a blower in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of waveforms of current values ​​used by the compressor and the blower in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of waveforms of current values ​​used by the compressor and the blower in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of waveforms of current values ​​used by the compressor and the blower in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of an electrical equipment system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows air conditioning equipment 1 as an example of electrical equipment installed in a facility such as a building, and a circuit breaker 3 installed in a distribution board 2 of the facility. Note that while FIG. 1 shows four air conditioning equipment 1, it is sufficient to install at least one. The same applies to circuit breakers 3. However, it is necessary to install multiple circuit breakers 3. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that one air conditioning equipment 1 is connected to one circuit breaker 3.

[0018] Each air conditioning device 1 is connected to one of the circuit breakers 3 by a power line 4, and operates when current is supplied via the connected circuit breaker 3. Each air conditioning device 1 is not necessarily installed near the distribution board 2. If it is installed away from the distribution board 2, the power lines 4 are either bundled together in a wiring rack 5 or buried for safety reasons.

[0019] 1 also shows an ammeter 6. The ammeter 6 is an example of a current measuring device, and is connected to any one of the plurality of circuit breakers 3 to measure the current value of the current output from the connected circuit breaker 3.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the air conditioning equipment 1 in this embodiment. As described above, the air conditioning equipment 1 is connected to one circuit breaker 3 by a power line 4. All the air conditioning equipment 1 need only have the same configuration, so Fig. 2 shows one air conditioning equipment 1 as a representative.

[0021] The air conditioning equipment 1 is also generally called an "air conditioner." The air conditioning equipment 1 is composed of an outdoor unit 10 installed outdoors, an indoor unit 20 installed indoors, and a remote control 30 that a user uses to operate the indoor unit 20. At least one indoor unit 20 is connected to the outdoor unit 10, and the indoor unit 20 is operated by at least one remote control 30. The remote control 30 is connected to the indoor unit 20 by wire or wirelessly.

[0022] The outdoor unit 10 has a power supply device 11, inverters 12 and 13, a compressor 14, a blower 15, a storage device 16, a control device 17, and a communication device 18. In the outdoor unit 10, in Fig. 2, a power supply line for supplying current from the circuit breaker 3 to operate the outdoor unit 10 is shown by a thick line, separate from the control lines used for sending and receiving signals between the various components.

[0023] The power supply device 11 is a device that receives the current supplied from the circuit breaker 3. The inverters 12 and 13 convert DC current to AC current and supply it to the compressor 14 and the blower 15, respectively. In this embodiment, the compressor 14 and the blower 15 are shown as examples of devices that operate when supplied with current. The memory device 16 is a storage means that stores a program created to cause characteristics to appear in the time-series changes in the current values ​​used by the compressor 14 and the blower 15. The control device 17 controls the operation of the outdoor unit 10. In particular, the control device 17 in this embodiment controls the operation of the compressor 14 and the blower 15 by executing the program stored in the memory device 16 in accordance with instructions from the user. The communication device 18 exchanges information with the indoor unit 20.

[0024] The indoor unit 20 has a control device 21 that controls the operation of the indoor unit 20 in accordance with instructions from the remote control 30 and control from the outdoor unit 10, and a communication device 22 that exchanges information between the outdoor unit 10 and the remote control 30.

[0025] The remote control 30 has an operation unit 31 operated by the user, a display unit 32 that displays the operation content and current setting status, etc., a control device 33 that issues instructions for operating the indoor unit 20 etc. and controls the display of the display unit 32 in accordance with user operations on the operation unit 31, and a communication device 34 that exchanges information with the indoor unit 20.

[0026] The configuration of the air conditioner 1 in this embodiment has been described above, but the configuration itself of the air conditioner 1 in this embodiment may be the same as that of conventional air conditioners 1. This embodiment is characterized in that the control device 17 controls the operation of the compressor 14 and the blower 15 by executing a program stored in the storage device 16, so that characteristics appear in the time-series changes in the current values ​​used by the compressor 14 and the blower 15.

[0027] As mentioned above, each air conditioning device 1 is electrically connected to one of the circuit breakers 3 and operates using the current supplied through the circuit breaker 3. The power lines 4 connecting each air conditioning device 1 to each circuit breaker 3 are grouped together in a wiring rack 5, so it is not possible to confirm the connection relationship between each air conditioning device 1 and each circuit breaker 3 by tracing the power lines 4. For this reason, when installing a new system, tags are attached to the power lines 4 to make the connection relationship clear. However, when replacing air conditioning devices 1, the system name may change, or tags may be forgotten, making it possible to lose track of the connection relationship between the air conditioning devices 1 and the circuit breakers 3.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the connection relationship becomes unknown, it is possible to identify the connection relationship between the air conditioning equipment 1 and the circuit breaker 3 in a simple manner. The method for identifying the connection relationship in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0029] First, a worker carries an ammeter 6 and travels to a facility, such as a building, where the air conditioner 1 is installed to perform maintenance and inspection of the air conditioner 1. When the worker arrives at the installation location of the outdoor unit 10 connected to the circuit breaker 3, he selects the air conditioner 1 to be maintained (step 101). Then, the worker performs a predetermined operation on the outdoor unit 10 of the selected air conditioner 1 to switch it from normal mode, in which it normally operates, to search mode. The search mode is set, for example, by switching a search mode switch provided on the outdoor unit 10 (step 102). Alternatively, it may be set by operating the remote control 30. When the air conditioner 1 enters search mode, it stops and a program stored in the storage device 16 is activated. As a result, the control device 17 in the outdoor unit 10 starts executing the activated program and controls the devices installed in the outdoor unit 10—in this embodiment, at least one of the compressor 14 and the blower 15—to perform the operations described below. To achieve this, the control device 17 is implemented by a computer equipped with a processor, ROM, and RAM.

[0030] It should be noted that there is no need to perform any special operations on the other air conditioners 1, and normal operation may be continued.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the waveform of the current value of the current used by compressor 14 when it is operated according to a program. In Fig. 4, blower 15 is not subject to operation control and is in a stopped state. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the current value. Since the waveform of the current value is determined by the time-series change in the current value, in this embodiment, the time-series change in the current value and the waveform of the current value are used synonymously.

[0032] According to the current waveform shown in FIG. 4, the compressor 14 periodically alternates between an operating state and a stopped state. The time-series change in the current of the compressor 14 shown in FIG. 4 is a characteristic time-series change in the current that does not occur during normal operation, but appears when the program is executed in the search mode. In other words, the program is created to produce a characteristic time-series change, i.e., a characteristic current waveform, that does not occur during normal operation of the compressor 14. In this manner, the operator operates the compressor 14 to use the current shown in FIG. 4 by setting the search mode. The program is pre-stored in the storage device 16, and the operator knows in advance the waveform of the current that the compressor 14 will use when the program is executed.

[0033] Next, the worker connects the ammeter 6 he / she is carrying to the power line 4 connected to the circuit breaker 3 for which the current value has not yet been measured (step 103). Then, the worker checks the waveform of the current value measured by the ammeter 6 (step 104). The ammeter 6 displays the waveform of the current value being measured, i.e., the waveform shape shown in Fig. 4, on a monitor provided with the ammeter 6. Alternatively, the waveform shape may be indicated by a mounted LED that flashes depending on the magnitude of the current value.

[0034] The worker determines the connection relationship between the circuit breaker 3 and the air conditioning equipment 1 by comparing the time series change in the current value indicated by the ammeter 6, i.e., the waveform indicated by the current value, with the waveform of the current value that the control device 17 causes the compressor 14 to use by executing a program.

[0035] If it is determined that the waveforms of both are the same (Y in step 105), the worker determines that the air conditioning equipment 1 to be maintained and inspected is connected to the circuit breaker 3 whose current value has been measured by the ammeter 6, and identifies the connection relationship between the circuit breaker 3 and the air conditioning equipment 1 (step 106).

[0036] On the other hand, if it is determined that the waveforms are not the same (N in step 105), the worker connects the ammeter 6 to the power line 4 connected to another circuit breaker 3 whose current value has not yet been measured (step 103), and repeats the above-mentioned process.The worker then identifies the connection relationship between the circuit breaker 3 and the air conditioning equipment 1 by finding the circuit breaker 3 that has the same waveform as the current value waveform that appears when the control device 17 executes the program (Y in step 105, 106).

[0037] According to this embodiment, the worker identifies the connection relationship between the circuit breaker 3 and the air conditioning equipment 1 in the manner described above. If the worker also wants to identify the connection relationship between another air conditioning equipment 1 and the circuit breaker 3, he or she can set the air conditioning equipment 1 to be identified to search mode in the same manner as described above and check the waveform of the current value using the ammeter 6. In this embodiment, a program is pre-installed in the air conditioning equipment 1, and the program is executed by the control device 17 so that a current with a characteristic current value waveform is used by the equipment installed in the air conditioning equipment 1, so there is no need to prepare a separate device that generates a characteristic current value waveform.

[0038] It is preferable to stop the air conditioning equipment 1 in order to make it easier to confirm the characteristic current waveform from the measurement value by the ammeter 6. However, if the current waveform can be confirmed, it is not necessary to stop the air conditioning equipment 1. However, to do so, it is necessary to create a program so that the device that uses current in the search mode will behave in a way that is not possible during normal operation.

[0039] Here, another example of the waveform of the current value used by the device mounted on the air conditioner 1 operating according to the program will be described.

[0040] 5 to 8 are diagrams showing example waveforms of the current values ​​used by the compressor 14 and the blower 15 when the compressor 14 and the blower 15 are operated according to a program. While FIG. 4 shows only the compressor 14 in operation, FIGS. 5 to 8 show a case where the compressor 14 and the blower 15 are operated as multiple devices by executing a program. As shown in FIG. 4, only a single device, i.e., the compressor 14, may be operated. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, multiple devices, in this embodiment, two devices, the compressor 14 and the blower 15, may be operated. Operating multiple devices makes it possible to identify the connection relationship between the air conditioning equipment 1 and the circuit breaker 3 even if one device is not operating due to a malfunction or other reason. Note that while FIG. 4 shows only the compressor 14 in operation, other devices, such as the blower 15, may also be operated.

[0041] 5 shows an example in which the compressor 14 and the blower 15 are operated at the same timing for the same amount of time. That is, the compressor 14 and the blower 15 operate repeatedly at the same cycle. Note that, as shown in the example in FIG. 5, the magnitude of the current used does not necessarily have to be the same.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows an example in which compressor 14 and blower 15 start operating at the same timing as in FIG. 5, but the operating time lengths are different.

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 show an example in which the operating times of the compressor 14 and the blower 15 are overlapped, while Figures 7 and 8 show an example in which the timing at which the compressor 14 and the blower 15 start operating are staggered.

[0044] Also, in FIG. 7, the compressor 14 is operated in advance and continuously, whereas FIG. 8 shows an example in which the blower 15 is operated in advance and the blower 15 and the compressor 14 are operated without being continuously operated.

[0045] Since the time from when the air conditioning equipment 1 is set to the search mode and the air conditioning equipment 1 starts operating until the worker starts measuring the current value output from the circuit breaker 3 using the ammeter 6 is unspecified, it is preferable to create a program so that the current value of the current used by the air conditioning equipment 1 repeatedly appears in a waveform with a characteristic shape at regular intervals, as exemplified in Figures 4 to 8.

[0046] The ammeter waveforms shown in Figures 4 to 8 are merely examples and are not limited to these examples. As long as the waveform can be recognized by an operator as the current value used by the air conditioning equipment 1 in search mode, the time interval for operating the equipment, the magnitude of the current value used, etc., do not need to be limited to these examples. For example, if the compressor 14 frequently alternates between operating and stopped states, the likelihood of a malfunction increases compared to when this cycle does not occur. In the above explanation, the compressor 14 is controlled to periodically alternate between operating and stopped states, but it does not necessarily need to be stopped. In other words, it is preferable to program the minimum current value supplied to the equipment to be controlled to an appropriate value, taking into account the identification of the equipment to be controlled. The same applies to the maximum current value supplied to the equipment.

[0047] In the above explanation, the connection relationships between the circuit breakers 3 and the air conditioners 1 are checked one by one. However, multiple connection relationships may be checked simultaneously in parallel. For example, if the connection relationships of two air conditioners 1 are to be checked in parallel, the two air conditioners 1 are set to search mode and the devices of each air conditioner 1 are operated by a program. However, in this case, if currents with the same current waveform are used, no difference will appear, so it is necessary to use waveforms with different current values ​​for the air conditioners 1 that are operated in parallel.

[0048] In this case, for example, if four air conditioners 1 are installed in a facility as shown in FIG. 1, programs A, B, C, and D may be installed in each air conditioner 1, causing each air conditioner 1 to use a different waveform, for example, current values ​​of waveforms A, B, C, and D. Alternatively, a single program may be installed in each air conditioner 1, causing each air conditioner 1 to use current values ​​of waveforms A, B, C, and D, and when an operator sets the search mode, the operator may select the waveform to use from waveforms A to D for each air conditioner 1 to be identified. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously check the connection relationships of multiple air conditioners 1. In this case, multiple ammeters 6 may be brought into the facility.

[0049] This embodiment has been described by taking an air conditioning device 1 as an example of electrical equipment and specifying the connection relationship between the air conditioning device 1 and a circuit breaker 3. However, the electrical equipment is not limited to the air conditioning device 1, and the above-described method for specifying the connection relationship can also be applied to other electrical equipment, such as elevators and other electrically operated lifts, pumps, lighting, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 air conditioning equipment, 2 distribution board, 3 circuit breaker, 4 power line, 5 wiring rack, 6 ammeter, 10 outdoor unit, 11 power supply unit, 12, 13 inverter, 14 compressor, 15 blower, 16 storage device, 17, 21, 33 control device, 18, 22, 34 communication device, 20 indoor unit, 30 remote control, 31 operation unit, 32 display unit.

Claims

1. At least one device that operates when supplied with an electric current; a storage means for storing a program created so that one of a plurality of predetermined types of characteristics appears in a time-series change in the current value of the current used by the device; a control means for controlling the operation of the device by executing the program in accordance with an instruction from a user; The control means, in accordance with instructions from the user, selects from the plurality of types of features so that different features appear for each of the devices of the plurality of electrical equipment, thereby performing control to enable each of the plurality of electrical equipment to be investigated simultaneously in parallel.

2. The electrical equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the program controls the operations of a plurality of the devices.

3. It is an air conditioning system, The electrical equipment according to claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of a compressor and a blower mounted in an outdoor unit that constitutes the air conditioning equipment.

4. A plurality of circuit breakers; a plurality of pieces of electrical equipment each electrically connected to one of the circuit breakers; a current measuring device connected to any one of the plurality of circuit breakers and measuring a current value of a current output from the circuit breaker; and The electrical equipment includes: a storage means for storing a program created so that one of a plurality of predetermined types of characteristics appears in a time-series change in the current value of the current used by the electrical equipment; a control means for controlling the operation of the electrical equipment by executing the program in accordance with instructions from a user; and a comparison of a time series change in the current value measured by the current measuring device with a time series change in the current value that appears when the electrical equipment is caused to execute a program stored in the electrical equipment, thereby identifying a connection relationship between the circuit breaker and the electrical equipment; An electrical equipment system characterized in that a different program is stored in each of the plurality of pieces of electrical equipment so that a different feature from the plurality of types of features appears for each of the plurality of pieces of electrical equipment, thereby controlling the system so that each of the plurality of pieces of electrical equipment can be investigated simultaneously.

5. A computer installed in an electrical facility having at least one device that operates by consuming power, a storage means for storing a program created so that one of a plurality of predetermined types of characteristics appears in a time-series change in the current value of the current used by the device; the program is executed in accordance with instructions from a user to function as a control means for controlling the operation of the device; A program for functioning as the control means that performs control to enable each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment to be investigated simultaneously in parallel by selecting, in accordance with instructions from the user, from the multiple types of features so that different features appear for each of the devices of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment.

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