Information gathering equipment, air conditioning equipment, and trains

Abstract

To provide an information collection device, an air conditioning device, and a train that facilitate a wiring check, can improve maintainability, and can restrain the influence of noise even if the number of sensors is increased.SOLUTION: An information collection device comprises a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of signal wires arranged in at least one of an indoor part or an outdoor part of an air conditioning device, a plurality of analog-digital conversion units for converting the plurality of signals into a plurality of first digital signals, and a communication unit for transmitting the plurality of first digital signals to an air conditioning control device, and receiving a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] This embodiment relates to an information collection device, an air conditioner, and a train.

Background Art

[0002] The air conditioner is becoming more multifunctional, and the number of sensors provided in the air conditioner tends to increase. Signals from these sensors are centrally managed by the air conditioning control device. However, as the number of sensors increases, the number of wirings in the air conditioner increases, and the maintenance burden including checking for disconnection of the wirings increases. Also, the more the number of wirings increases, the more susceptible it is to noise.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, this embodiment provides an information collection device, an air conditioner, and a train that can facilitate wiring checks, improve maintainability, and suppress the influence of noise even when the number of sensors increases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information collection device according to this embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives a plurality of signals from a plurality of signal lines disposed at least on one of the indoor side or the outdoor side of the air conditioner, a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units that convert the plurality of signals into a plurality of first digital signals, and a communication unit that transmits the plurality of first digital signals to the air conditioning control device and receives a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a top view showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information gathering device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning system in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information gathering device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning system in the third embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information gathering device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning system in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information gathering device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a train according to the fifth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a top view showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to a first embodiment. The air conditioning system 1 is installed, for example, on a train. The air conditioning system 1 is divided into an indoor section 2 and an outdoor section 3. The indoor section 2 includes, for example, an indoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 21 and an indoor blower 22. The outdoor section 3 includes, for example, an outdoor heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) 31, an outdoor blower 32, and a compressor 33. In this specification, air conditioning includes at least one of the meanings of air conditioning and air conditioning.

[0009] In the air conditioning system 1, a refrigerant circulates between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 31. The refrigerant transfers heat between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 31. The indoor heat exchanger 21 performs heat exchange between the air in the vehicle's interior space and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 performs heat exchange between the outside air and the refrigerant.

[0010] The outdoor fan 32 generates an airflow that promotes heat exchange with the outside air. The indoor fan 22 generates an airflow that promotes heat exchange with the interior space and supplies the heat-exchanged air to the interior space of the vehicle.

[0011] The compressor 33 is positioned between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and compresses the refrigerant. The compressor 33 compresses the refrigerant, which promotes the circulation of the refrigerant between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the outdoor heat exchanger 31.

[0012] The air conditioning unit 1 is equipped with an information collection device 4. The information collection device 4 is located in at least one of the indoor area 2 or the outdoor area 3. For example, Figure 1 shows an example where the information collection device 4 is located in the indoor area 2. The information collection device 4 may be located across both the indoor area 2 and the outdoor area 3. Alternatively, the information collection device 4 may be located in the indoor area 2, the outdoor area 3, or in the partition separating the indoor area 2 and the outdoor area 3.

[0013] Multiple devices located in the indoor area 2 or the outdoor area 3 are equipped with multiple sensors that measure, for example, temperature or current. The information gathering device 4 is connected to the multiple sensors by multiple signal lines. For example, the information gathering device 4 is connected to a signal line 211 extending from a sensor that measures the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21, a signal line 221 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the indoor blower 22, a signal line 311 extending from a sensor that measures the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 31, a signal line 321 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the outdoor blower 32, and a signal line 331 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the compressor 33.

[0014] The signal lines connected to the information collection device 4 are not limited to the above example. For example, when the air conditioner 1 is controlled by an inverter (not shown), a signal line for transmitting an inverter control signal to the information collection device 4 may be connected. Also, a signal line for transmitting a signal such as a relay or contactor for air conditioner control to the information collection device 4 may be connected.

[0015] The information collection device 4 converts the signals received via each signal line into digital signals and transmits them to the air conditioner control device 51 via the serial transmission line 511. Also, the information collection device 4 receives digital signals from the air conditioner control device 51. The air conditioner control device 51 controls at least one air conditioner 1.

[0016] For example, in a train, the air conditioner control device 51 controls the air conditioner 1 provided in one vehicle. When a plurality of air conditioners 1 are provided in one vehicle, one air conditioner control device 51 may control these plurality of air conditioners 1, or dedicated air conditioner control devices 51 may be provided for each individual air conditioner 1. Also, one air conditioner control device 51 may control the plurality of air conditioners 1 in a plurality of vehicles of the train. In any case, the information collection device 4 provided inside each air conditioner 1 performs serial communication with the corresponding air conditioner control device 51.

[0017] In addition to the air conditioner 1, the air conditioner control device 51 may exchange information with on-vehicle equipment (not shown) (for example, equipment that collectively manages train control devices, power supply devices, security devices, etc.). In this case, in addition to the serial transmission line 511, a plurality of transmission lines for exchanging information between the on-vehicle equipment and the air conditioner control device 51 may be arranged in one vehicle.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information collection device 4 according to the first embodiment. The information collection device 4 includes a reception unit 41, a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units (A / D conversion units) 42, and a master IC (Integrated Circuit) 431.

[0019] The receiving unit 41 receives multiple signals from multiple signal lines located in at least one of the indoor 2 or outdoor 3 areas of the air conditioning unit 1. In the example in Figure 2, sensors 61-63, an inverter controller 64, and a relay (contactor) 65 are connected to the information acquisition device 4 by analog signal lines 611-613, a serial transmission line 614, and a digital signal line 615. Note that the signal lines connected to the information acquisition device 4 are not limited to the example in Figure 2. The analog signal lines 611-613, the serial transmission line 614, and the digital signal line 615 are located in either the indoor 2 or the outdoor 3 areas, or they span both the indoor 2 and the outdoor 3 areas. The receiving unit 41 receives signals from the analog signal lines 611-613, the serial transmission line 614, and the digital signal line 615.

[0020] Multiple analog-to-digital conversion units 42 are provided in the information acquisition device 4 and are each connected to a receiving unit 41. These multiple analog-to-digital conversion units 42 convert the multiple signals received by the receiving unit 41 into multiple first digital signals through analog-to-digital conversion.

[0021] The master IC 431 constitutes the communication unit 43. The communication unit 43 is connected to the air conditioning control device 51 by a wired or wireless serial transmission line 511.

[0022] The communication unit 43 transmits multiple first digital signals to the air conditioning control device 51 and receives second digital signals from the air conditioning control device 51. Specifically, the master IC 431 constituting the communication unit 43 is connected to multiple analog-to-digital conversion units 42 and is connected to the air conditioning control device 51 by a serial transmission line 511. The master IC 431 receives multiple first digital signals from the multiple analog-to-digital conversion units 42 and transmits them to the air conditioning control device 51 via the serial transmission line 511. The air conditioning control device 51 also transmits second digital signals to the communication unit 43 via the serial transmission line 511 to control the air conditioning system. In addition to normal control, control can be performed based on the collected information.

[0023] As described above, the air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an information gathering device 4 that aggregates signal lines from multiple sensors 61 to 63 and other sensors and communicates serially with the air conditioning control device 51. This eliminates the need to run multiple wires outside the air conditioning unit 1, thereby reducing the number of wires within a single vehicle.

[0024] Reducing the number of wires makes wiring checks easier and improves maintainability. Furthermore, digital signals are transmitted and received between the air conditioning control device 51 and the air conditioning unit 1. This helps suppress the effects of noise.

[0025] (Second embodiment) As described above, the air conditioning unit 1 may be configured to be installed in one vehicle. In this case, the air conditioning control device 51 can be installed inside the air conditioning unit 1. Alternatively, the air conditioning control device 51 may be installed inside the information gathering device 4.

[0026] Figure 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning unit 1a in the second embodiment. The air conditioning unit 1a includes an information gathering device 4a. The air conditioning unit 1a also includes a wired or wireless serial transmission line 521 connecting the information gathering device 4a to the on-board equipment 53. Figure 3 assumes that the air conditioning unit 1a has the same functions as the air conditioning control device 51 in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information acquisition device 4a in the second embodiment. The information acquisition device 4a comprises an information acquisition unit 44 and an air conditioning control unit 52.

[0028] The information gathering unit 44 includes a receiving unit 41, a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units 42, and a communication unit 43. The operation of the receiving unit 41 and the plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units 42 in the information gathering device 4a is the same as the operation of the receiving unit 41 and the plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units 42 in the air conditioning device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0029] The air conditioning control unit 52 functions as an air conditioning control device. The air conditioning control unit 52 is connected to the master IC 431 in the communication unit 43 by a wired or wireless serial transmission line 511. The air conditioning control unit 52 can control the air conditioning system based on information from the information collection unit 44. Specifically, the air conditioning control unit 52 receives multiple first digital signals from the master IC 431, which are obtained by converting multiple signals measured by sensors 61-63, etc., from analog to digital. The air conditioning control unit 52 controls the air conditioning of one vehicle based on these multiple first digital signals. The air conditioning control unit 52 also transmits a second digital signal to the communication unit 43 to control the air conditioning system. In addition to normal control, control can also be performed based on the collected information.

[0030] Thus, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 52, which performs the same functions as the air conditioning control device 51, is placed inside the information acquisition device 4a. This shortens the distance between the information acquisition device 4a and the air conditioning control unit 52, improving noise immunity. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the number of wires between the information acquisition device 4a and the air conditioning control unit 52 can be reduced, making wiring checks easier and improving maintainability.

[0031] (Third embodiment) The information gathering device 4 can take on various configurations. For example, the information gathering device 4 may consist of a slave unit connected to a sensor in the air conditioning unit 1 and a master unit connected to the air conditioning control device 51. Alternatively, multiple slave units may be arranged, each connected to a different sensor.

[0032] Figure 5 is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning system 1b in the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 1b includes an information collection device 4b. The information collection device 4b has a master unit 70 and at least one slave unit 71 located in at least one of the indoor 2 or outdoor 3 areas. In the example in Figure 5, the information collection device 4b is provided with three slave units 71a, 71b, and 71c.

[0033] The master unit 70 communicates wirelessly with the slave units 71a, 71b, and 71c. The master unit 70 receives data from sensors and other sources from the slave units 71a, 71b, and 71c, and also transmits and receives digital signals with the air conditioning control device 51 via a wired or wireless serial transmission line 511.

[0034] The slave unit 71a is located, for example, in the indoor unit 2. The slave unit 71a is connected to a signal line 211 extending from a sensor that measures the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21, and a signal line 221 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the indoor blower 22.

[0035] The sub-unit 71b is located, for example, outside the room 3. The sub-unit 71b is connected to a signal line 311 extending from a sensor that measures the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 31, and a signal line 321 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the outdoor fan 32.

[0036] The sub-unit 71c is located, for example, in the compressor chamber 3a inside the exterior 3. The compressor chamber 3a is a space separated, for example, by a partition plate 3b, and contains a compressor 33. A signal line 331 extending from a sensor that measures the current of the compressor 33 is connected to the sub-unit 71c.

[0037] The information gathering device 4b may consist of a master unit 70 and at least one slave unit 71. The number of slave units 71 in the information gathering device 4b, the placement of the master unit 70 and each slave unit 71, and the connection configuration between the slave units 71 and each sensor in the air conditioning unit 1b are not limited to the above example.

[0038] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information acquisition device 4b in the third embodiment. The master unit 70 has a communication unit 432. The communication unit 432 transmits and receives a first digital signal and a second digital signal to and from the air conditioning control device 51 via a serial transmission line 511, similar to the communication unit 43 in the first embodiment.

[0039] The slave unit 71 comprises a receiving unit 41, multiple analog-to-digital conversion units 42, and a master IC 431. The two slave units 71 in Figure 6 are any two of the slave units 71a, 71b, and 71c in Figure 5, with the remaining one being omitted from the illustration.

[0040] The receiving unit 41 receives multiple signals from analog signal lines 611-613, serial transmission line 614, and digital signal line 615, similar to the receiving unit 41 in the first embodiment. The analog-to-digital conversion unit 42 converts the multiple signals received by the receiving unit 41 into a first digital signal by analog-to-digital conversion. The master IC 431 transmits the first digital signal to the master unit 70 wirelessly.

[0041] As described above, the information acquisition device 4b in the third embodiment comprises a master unit 70 and a slave unit 71 that communicates wirelessly with the master unit 70. In this case as well as in the first embodiment, the information acquisition device 4b can aggregate signal lines from multiple sensors and transmit them all at once as digital signals to the air conditioning control device 51. As a result, the information acquisition device 4b, as in the first embodiment, can reduce the number of wires, improving maintainability and suppressing the effects of noise. In addition, by placing the slave unit 71 near the sensors, the wiring length between the sensors and the slave unit 71 can be shortened.

[0042] (Fourth embodiment) In the third embodiment of the information gathering device 4b, the slave unit 71 transmitted and received digital signals with the air conditioning control device 51 via the master unit 70. Alternatively, the slave unit 71 and the air conditioning control device 51 may directly transmit and receive digital signals.

[0043] Figure 7 is a top view showing the configuration of the air conditioning system 1c in the fourth embodiment. The air conditioning system 1c includes at least one information gathering device 4 located in at least one of the indoor 2 or outdoor 3 areas. In the example shown in Figure 7, information gathering devices 4c, 4d, and 4e are included. The information gathering devices 4c, 4d, and 4e communicate wirelessly with the air conditioning control device 51.

[0044] The information acquisition device 4c is connected to signal lines 211 and 221, similar to the slave unit 71a in the third embodiment. The information acquisition device 4d is connected to signal lines 311 and 321, similar to the slave unit 71b. The information acquisition device 4e is connected to signal line 331, similar to the slave unit 71c. The number of information acquisition devices 4 in the air conditioning unit 1c, and the configuration of the connections between the information acquisition devices 4 and the signal lines, are not limited to the above examples.

[0045] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information acquisition device 4 in the fourth embodiment. The two information acquisition devices 4 in Figure 8 are two of the information acquisition devices 4c, 4d, and 4e in Figure 7, with the remaining one being omitted from the illustration. The configuration of the information acquisition device 4 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0046] The communication unit 43 transmits multiple first digital signals to the air conditioning control device 51 wirelessly and receives a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device 51.

[0047] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, at least one information collection device 4 can directly transmit and receive digital signals wirelessly with the air conditioning control device 51. In this case, a master unit is not required, and the configuration of the air conditioning device 1c and the information collection device 4 can be simplified compared to the third embodiment. Also, in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, information from sensors is aggregated for each information collection device 4 and transmitted collectively to the air conditioning control device 51 as a digital signal. This reduces the number of wires, improves maintainability, and suppresses the effects of noise.

[0048] (Fifth embodiment) Multiple air conditioning units 1 may be installed on a train. In this case, the air conditioning units 1 may send and receive data from each other to control the air conditioning of the entire train.

[0049] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a train 10 according to the fifth embodiment. The train 10 comprises a plurality of connected vehicles 100a, 100b, each having at least one air conditioning unit 1. The air conditioning unit 1 has at least one information gathering device 4, and the information gathering device 4 has a communication unit 43. In the following description, the communication unit 43 located in vehicle 100a will be referred to as communication unit 43a, and the communication unit 43 located in vehicle 100b will be referred to as communication unit 43b.

[0050] In train 10, the communication unit 43a in the air conditioning unit 1 inside vehicle 100a communicates wirelessly with the communication unit 43b in the air conditioning unit 1 inside vehicle 100b. The communication units 43a and 43b send and receive information collected by the information gathering device 4 to each other.

[0051] Furthermore, communication units 43a and 43b may perform wireless communication within the same vehicle or between different vehicles. When communication units 43a and 43b perform wireless communication between the same vehicles, a closed environment can be created in which air conditioning control is completed within the same vehicle.

[0052] Thus, the train 10 according to the fifth embodiment can perform air conditioning control between multiple air conditioning units 1 within the same vehicle, or between multiple air conditioning units 1 installed in different vehicles. This allows for detailed monitoring of the operating status of the air conditioning units in each vehicle, while constructing an air conditioning control system within the train with fewer wires, making wiring checks easier and improving maintainability. Furthermore, understanding the differences in air conditioning between vehicles improves the accuracy of detecting abnormalities.

[0053] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, a configuration in which some components are removed from all the components shown in each embodiment is also conceivable. Moreover, components described in different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0054] [Note] [Item 1] A receiving unit that receives multiple signals from multiple signal lines located in at least one of the indoor or outdoor parts of an air conditioning unit, Multiple analog-to-digital conversion units that convert the multiple signals into multiple first digital signals, The system includes a communication unit that transmits the plurality of first digital signals to an air conditioning control device and receives a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device. Information gathering device. [Item 2] An information gathering unit having the aforementioned communication unit, The system comprises an air conditioning control unit that functions as the aforementioned air conditioning control device and is controllable by the information collection unit, The information gathering device described in item 1. [Item 3] The communication unit communicates with the air conditioning control device via wired or wireless serial communication. The information gathering device described in item 1. [Item 4] A first heat exchanger located inside the room, A second heat exchanger located outside the room, A compressor positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, Equipped with an information gathering device, The aforementioned information gathering device is A receiving unit that receives multiple signals from multiple signal lines located in at least one of the interior or exterior of the room, Multiple analog-to-digital conversion units that convert the multiple signals into multiple first digital signals, The system includes a communication unit that transmits the plurality of first digital signals to an air conditioning control device and receives a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device. Air conditioner. [Item 5] The aforementioned information gathering device is At least one sub-unit, A master unit having the aforementioned communication unit and performing wireless communication with the slave unit, The slave unit has the receiving unit and the plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units. Air conditioning equipment as described in item 4. [Item 6] A train equipped with the air conditioning system described in item 4. [Item 7] The system comprises a plurality of connected vehicles, each having at least one of the aforementioned air conditioning units, The communication unit of the air conditioning unit in the vehicle communicates wirelessly with the communication unit of the air conditioning unit in another vehicle. The trains listed in item 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Air conditioning unit, 2 Interior, 3 Exterior, 3a Compressor room, 3b Partition plate, 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e Information gathering device, 10 Train, 21 Indoor heat exchanger, 22 Indoor fan, 31 Outdoor heat exchanger, 32 Outdoor fan, 33 Compressor, 41 Receiving unit, 42 Analog-to-digital conversion unit, 43, 43a, 43b, 432 Communication unit, 44 Information gathering unit, 51 Air conditioning control unit, 52 Air conditioning control unit, 53 Onboard equipment, 61, 62, 63 Sensor, 64 Inverter controller, 65 Relay, 70 Master unit, 71, 71a, 71b, 71c Slave unit, 100a, 100b Vehicle, 211, 221, 311, 321, 331 Signal lines: 611, 612, 613; Analog signal lines: 614; Serial transmission lines: 615; Digital signal lines: 431; Master ICs: 511, 521

Claims

1. A first heat exchanger located inside the room, A second heat exchanger located outside the room, A compressor positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, Equipped with an information gathering device, The aforementioned information gathering device is A receiving unit that receives multiple signals from multiple signal lines located in at least one of the interior or exterior of the room, Multiple analog-to-digital conversion units that convert the multiple signals into multiple first digital signals, The system includes a communication unit that transmits the plurality of first digital signals to an air conditioning control device and receives a second digital signal from the air conditioning control device, The aforementioned information gathering device is At least one sub-unit, A master unit having the aforementioned communication unit and performing wireless communication with the slave unit, The slave unit has the receiving unit and the plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units. Air conditioner.

2. A train equipped with the air conditioning system described in Claim 1.

3. The system comprises a plurality of connected vehicles, each having at least one of the aforementioned air conditioning units, The communication unit of the air conditioning unit in the vehicle communicates wirelessly with the communication unit of the air conditioning unit in another vehicle. The train according to claim 2.

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