AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system having an emergency power supply in an indoor unit.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional air-conditioning system having an emergency power supply for supplying electric power at the time of emergency such as stop of a commercial power supply, and configured to be operated by the power fed from a commercial power supply during normal operation, has been known. The air-conditioning system includes, as an emergency power supply, one or both of a battery and a private power generator (Patent Literature 1, for example).

In the air-conditioning system of Patent Literature 1, when the feeding state is switched to a state where power is fed from an emergency power supply due to power failure or other factor, the emergency power supply transmits a power feeding signal to a controller, and the controller that received the power feeding signal from the emergency power supply sets the compressor to have a lowest frequency and sets the air flow rate of the fan to be the lowest.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-24431

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

However, in the air-conditioning system of Patent Literature 1, a hardware component for notifying interruption of power feeding from a commercial power supply is required additionally. Consequently, a system is desired that detects interruption of power feeding from a commercial power supply, without having a special hardware component.

The present invention has been made in view of the problem described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning system that detects interruption of power feeding to an outdoor unit without having a hardware component additionally.

Solution to Problem

An air-conditioning system of one embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit having a fan, an outdoor unit connected with the indoor unit via a refrigerant pipe and configured to perform transmission and reception of a communication signal with the indoor unit, and an emergency power supply connected with the indoor unit and configured to feed electric power to the indoor unit at a time of power failure. The indoor unit includes a controller that controls operation of the fan corresponding to a communication state with the outdoor unit. The controller includes a power applied time error determination unit that, when a communication error occurs in communication with the outdoor unit, determines whether or not the communication error is a power applied time error peculiar to a power applied time when electric power is fed from a commercial power supply to the outdoor unit, a connection establishment error determination unit that, when the power applied time error determination unit determines that the communication error is not the power applied time error, determines whether or not the communication error is a connection establishment error that occurs at a time of establishing a connection with the outdoor unit, to detect power failure in the outdoor unit, and a fan control unit that, when the connection establishment error determination unit determines that the communication error is the connection establishment error, drives the fan by the electric power fed from the emergency power supply.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller provided to the indoor unit analyzes a communication error that occurs in a communication signal transmitted and received with the outdoor unit to determine whether or not power supply to the outdoor unit is interrupted on the basis of a communication state between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Consequently, it is possible to detect interruption of power fed to the outdoor unit without having a hardware component additionally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of the air-conditioning system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of the air-conditioning system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation of the air-conditioning system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller provided to an indoor unit of the air-conditioning system of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an air-conditioning system 10 includes an indoor unit 20 having a fan 40, an outdoor unit 30 connected with the indoor unit 20 via a refrigerant pipe 90 and configured to perform transmission and reception of a communication signal with the indoor unit 20, an indoor operation unit 50 to which electric power is fed from the indoor unit 20 and that receives air-conditioning and ventilation operation including operation of driving the fan 40, and an emergency power supply 70 connected with the indoor unit 20 and configured to feed electric power to the indoor unit 20 at the time of power failure due to interruption of power feeding from a commercial power supply 500.

Here, a schematic configuration of a refrigerant circuit in the air-conditioning system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relation between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 of the air-conditioning system 10. The indoor unit 20 includes a decompression device 20a, an evaporator 20b, the fan 40, and a controller 60.

The outdoor unit 30 includes a compressor 30a, a condenser 30b, and an outdoor fan 30c. The compressor 30a, the condenser 30b, the decompression device 20a, and the evaporator 20b are connected in series by refrigerant pipes 90 to form a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant pipe 90 is formed to allow refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant pipe 90.

The fan 40 sends air to the indoor space. The indoor operation unit 50 is configured of, for example, a remote controller or a contact type input device and has a display unit 50a that displays various types of information. The indoor operation unit 50 receives operations related to start-stop control and rotation frequency control of the fan 40 and executes them. The emergency power supply 70 includes an indoor unit power supply 70a for feeding power to the indoor unit 20 at the time of emergency, and an urgent power supply 70b for feeding power into an urgent power feeding area 80 including the indoor unit 20 and the indoor operation unit 50 at the time of emergency.

The air-conditioning system 10 of Embodiment 1 is configured to perform only operation control of the fan 40 by the power fed from the emergency power supply 70. This means that the air-conditioning system 10 is configured such that power feeding from the emergency power supply 70 to outdoor unit 30 is not required so that the system is able to cope with Business Continuity Plan (BCP). Consequently, it is possible to secure a minimum air-conditioning environment at a cost lower than the conventional air-conditioning system. Here, BCP means a state where device operation and environmental adjustment can be performed continuously at the time of emergency that is not a normal power feeding state (power applied time). The time of BCP is assumed as a state where the power is restored in the indoor unit 20 by the power fed from the emergency power supply 70 after interruption of the power fed from the commercial power supply 500. It should be noted that the power applied time means a state where the power is fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor unit 30, which is a state where the power of the air-conditioning system 10 is covered by the power fed from the commercial power supply 500.

As operation modes, the controller 60 has an air sending mode in which operation of the compressor 30a (illustrated in FIG. 2) provided to the outdoor unit 30 is not needed, and a cooling mode, a dry mode, and a heating mode in which operation of the compressor 30a is needed. In the cooling mode, the dry mode, and the heating mode, air-conditioning is performed by allowing refrigerant to flow between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30. The controller 60 controls, for example, operation of the fan 40 corresponding to a communication state with the outdoor unit 30.

The controller 60 includes a fan control unit 60a that performs rotation frequency control including start-stop control of the fan 40, a mode determination unit 60b that determines whether or not the operation mode before power failure is the air sending mode, a power applied time error determination unit 60c that, when a communication error occurs in the communication with the outdoor unit 30, determines whether or not the communication error is a power applied time error peculiar to the power applied time when the power is fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor unit 30, and a connection establishment error determination unit 60d that, when the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that the communication error is not a power applied time error, determines whether or not the communication error is a connection establishment error (no-Ack error) with the outdoor unit 30.

The controller 60 also includes an operation unit state determination unit 60e that, when the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines that the communication error is not a connection establishment error, determines whether or not operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible, a waveform determination unit 60f that, when the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines that operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible, determines presence or absence of a waveform deformation in a communication signal transmitted and received between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, and a display processing unit 60g that displays various types of information on the display unit 50a.

When the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 is interrupted, the fan control unit 60a controls a driving state of the fan 40 by the power fed from the emergency power supply 70. The fan control unit 60a drives the fan 40 when the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines that a connection establishment error occurs. When the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines that a connection establishment error occurs and the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an air sending mode, the fan control unit 60a sets a permission to permit rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50. The fan control unit 60a drives the fan 40 when the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines that communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is ensured. The fan control unit 60a sets permission when the waveform determination unit 60f determines that no waveform deformation is present. The fan control unit 60a sets permission when the waveform determination unit 60f determines that waveform deformation is present and the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an air sending mode.

The air-conditioning system 10 of Embodiment 1 is configured such that, immediately after the power restoration when the power feeding is switched to the emergency power supply 70 and the power feeding from the emergency power supply 70 to the indoor unit 20 starts, the setting state including the operation mode before the power failure is reproduced. This means that the fan control unit 60a is configured to drive the fan 40 in an operation state in which the fan 40 is driven before the power failure. However, the configuration of the air-conditioning system 10 is not limited to a configuration of reproducing the setting state before the power failure. For example, the air-conditioning system 10 may be configured such that the fan control unit 60a drives the fan 40 in a predetermined fixed setting state in such a manner that the fan control unit 60a always drives the fan 40 or always stops the fan 40 after the power is restored by the emergency power supply 70. Then, after the power is restored by the emergency power supply 70, the operating state can be changed by the operation from the indoor operation unit 50 in the case where the state of the outdoor unit 30 satisfies a predetermined condition. This means that, in the case where permission is set by the fan control unit 60a, when an operation state change command is received via the indoor operation unit 50, the indoor unit 20 operates in accordance with the received change command.

It should be noted that communication errors include an error related to BCP that occurs at both the power applied time and the BCP time (e.g., no-Ack error or hardware error), and a power applied time error peculiar to the power applied time. Consequently, when a power applied time error occurs, it is considered that such a time is not the BCP time. Consequently, in Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning system 10 is configured to detect interruption of the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 when a communication error occurring in a communication signal is neither a power applied time error nor a connection establishment error. This means that the connection establishment error determination unit 60d detects power failure in the outdoor unit 30. Consequently, the air-conditioning system 10 can detect interruption of the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 by the power applied time error determination unit 60c and the connection establishment error determination unit 60d from a communication state between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, without having a configuration of reliably detecting interruption of power fed to the outdoor unit 30.

The mode determination unit 60b has a stopped state determination function of determining whether or not the operation state before power failure is a stopped state. The fan control unit 60a is configured to maintain the stopped state of the fan 40 when the mode determination unit 60b determines that the fan 40 is in a stopped state. The power applied time error determination unit 60c has a no-response error determination function of determining whether or not a communication error determined to be a power applied time error is a no-response error representing a state of no response from the outdoor unit 30. A no-response error is an error of the case where Ack from the outdoor unit 30 is received but no response is made. A no-response error includes the case where the outdoor unit 30 is in preparation for a part of communication and functions, so that a response is delayed.

As an error other than a no-response error, a Busbusy error, a driver error, or other related error is assumed. In the case of a Busbusy error or a driver error, as it is highly likely that not only communication with the outdoor unit 30 but also communication with other devices are impossible, the state of the device is unknown. Consequently, Embodiment 1 is configured such that, when the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that an error is a no-response error, the fan control unit 60a stops driving of the fan 40 in consideration of safety.

As described above, the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines whether or not the current state is a state where operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible. A state where operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible means, for example, a state where communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is ensured, a state where start-stop operation and an operation related to rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50 are set to be valid, or a state where contact control of the fan 40 is valid. A state where an operation from the indoor operation unit 50 is impossible, among states where operation control of the fan 40 is impossible, includes a state where a user is not able to instruct the indoor unit 20 to control the fan 40 because the wiring of the indoor operation unit 50 is disconnected, for example.

In Embodiment 1, the operation unit state determination unit 60e has a function of determining whether or not communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is ensured. The waveform determination unit 60f has a function of determining whether or not a waveform deformation is present in a communication signal, when it is determined that communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is ensured. The waveform determination unit 60f determines whether or not a waveform deformation is present in a communication signal to determine whether or not a hardware error (H/W error) occurs.

Then, in the air-conditioning system 10, when the power applied state is restored in which power is fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor unit 30 after the power failure (when power is restored by the commercial power supply 500), the state is transferred to a normal operation state where the rotation frequency control of the fan 40 is not limited and refrigerant operation (operation of the compressor 30a) is possible. More specifically, the outdoor unit 30 has a function of outputting an error clear request indicating that power is restored when the power is restored by the commercial power supply 500. The power applied time error determination unit 60c has a function of determining whether or not an error not caused by interruption of power feeding occurs in a communication signal after the error clear, when an error clear request is output from the outdoor unit 30. In Embodiment 1, the power applied time error determination unit 60c is configured to use a power applied time error as an error not caused by interruption of power feeding. The fan control unit 60a is configured to set permission when the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that a power applied time error does not occur in the communication signal.

Next, operation of the air-conditioning system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of the air-conditioning system 10. The air-conditioning system 10 determines presence or absence of various types of errors as described below on the basis of the communication state between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, and performs rotation frequency control of the fan 40 including start-stop control.

First, the indoor unit 20 checks the operation mode before the power failure. This means that when a communication error occurs in the communication with the outdoor unit 30, the mode determination unit 60b determines whether or not the operation state before the power failure is a stopped state, by the stopped state determination function (FIG. 3: step S301). When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the state is a stopped state (FIG. 3: step S301, YES), the fan control unit 60a determines that the state is a normal state, and maintains the stopped state of the fan 40. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that the state is a stopped state, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S302). On the other hand, when the mode determination unit 60b determines that the state is not a stopped state (FIG. 3: step S301, NO), the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines whether or not the communication error is a power applied time error peculiar to the power applied time (FIG. 3: step S303).

When the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that the communication error is a power applied time error (FIG. 3: step S303, YES), the power applied time error determination unit 60c further determines whether or not the communication error is a no-response error (FIG. 3: step S304). Step S304 is a step for determining whether or not control of the fan 40 is affected.

When the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that the communication error is not a no-response error (FIG. 3: step S304, NO), the fan control unit 60a determines that an abnormality occurs, and stops the fan 40. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a. At step S304, when the communication error is not a no-response error, it is highly likely that not only communication with the outdoor unit 30 but also communication with other devices cannot be made, and the state of the device is unknown. Consequently, in Embodiment 1, the fan 40 is stopped in consideration of safety (FIG. 3: step S305).

When the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that the communication error is a no-response error (FIG. 3: step S304, YES), the mode determination unit 60b determines whether or not the operation mode before the power failure is an air sending mode. This means that the mode determination unit 60b determines whether the operation mode before the power failure is an air sending mode, or a cooling mode, a dry mode, or a heating mode requiring operation of the compressor 30a (FIG. 3: step S306).

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the operation mode is an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S306, YES), the fan control unit 60a determines that operation is in a normal state, and sets permission to permit rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50. The fan control unit 60a also starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it, because operation of the fan 40 in the air sending mode can be made regardless of the state of the outdoor unit 30. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that operation is in a normal state, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S307).

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the operation mode is one other than the air sending mode, that is, an operation mode requiring refrigerant control (FIG. 3: step S306, NO), the fan control unit 60a determines that an abnormality occurs, and sets non-permission not to permit rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50. Further, as the state of the device is known, which is different from step S305, the fan control unit 60a starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that an abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S308).

When the power applied time error determination unit 60c determines that the communication error is not a power applied time error (FIG. 3: step S303, NO), the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines whether or not the communication error is a connection establishment error (no-Ack error) (FIG. 3: step S309). When the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines that the communication error is a connection establishment error (FIG. 3: step S309, YES), the mode determination unit 60b determines whether or not the operation mode before the power failure is an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S310).

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S310, YES), the fan control unit 60a determines that the state is a normal state, and sets permission, and then starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that the state is a normal state, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S311).

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is not an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S310, NO), the fan control unit 60a determines that an abnormality occurs, sets non-permission, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that an abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S312).

When the connection establishment error determination unit 60d determines that the communication error is not a connection establishment error (FIG. 3: step S309, NO), the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines whether or not operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible. This means that the operation unit state determination unit 60e checks whether or not communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is ensured, whether a start-stop operation and an operation related to rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50 are set to be valid, or whether or not contact control of the fan 40 is valid, for example (FIG. 3: step S313).

When the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines that operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is impossible (FIG. 3: step S313, NO), the waveform determination unit 60f determines presence or absence of a waveform deformation in a communication signal transmitted and received between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, to determine whether or not the error is a hardware error (H/W error) (FIG. 3: step S314).

When the waveform determination unit 60f determines that a waveform deformation is present (FIG. 3: step S314, YES), a transmission circuit (not illustrated) of the indoor unit 20 may be broken, and when the transmission circuit is broken, there is no method to stop the fan 40. Consequently, the fan control unit 60a determines that an abnormality occurs, and stops the fan 40 for safety. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S315).

When the waveform determination unit 60f determines that no waveform deformation is present (FIG. 3: step S314, NO), the transmission circuit of the indoor unit 20 is normal but communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is not possible for some reason. Consequently, the controller 60 stops operation of the indoor unit 20 (FIG. 3: step S316). Step S316 is an operation incorporated in consideration of safety, because, in a state where communication with the indoor operation unit 50 is impossible, a start-stop operation from the indoor operation unit 50 at the time of emergency is also impossible. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that the transmission circuit is in a normal state, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S317).

Even when the operation unit state determination unit 60e determines that operation control by the indoor operation unit 50 is possible (FIG. 3: step S313, YES), the waveform determination unit 60f determines whether or not a waveform deformation is present in a communication signal from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor unit 30 to determine whether or not the error is a hardware error (H/W error) (FIG. 3: step S318).

When the waveform determination unit 60f determines that no waveform deformation is present (FIG. 3: step S318, NO), the fan control unit 60a determines that the state is a normal state and sets permission, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that the state is a normal state, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S319). When the waveform determination unit 60f determines that a waveform deformation is present (FIG. 3: step S318, YES), the mode determination unit 60b determines whether or not the operation mode before the power failure is an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S320).

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S320, YES), the fan control unit 60a determines that a slight abnormality occurs, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that a slight abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S321). Here, a slight abnormality means a slight abnormality in which changes can be allowed, for example, in the rotation frequency and in the operation mode of the fan 40.

When the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an operation mode other than the air sending mode (FIG. 3: step S320, NO), the fan control unit 60a determines that an abnormality occurs and sets non-permission, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 60g displays the fact that an abnormality occurs, on the display unit 50a (FIG. 3: step S322).

As described above, the air-conditioning system 10 of Embodiment 1 is configured such that the controller 60 provided to the indoor unit 20 analyzes a communication error that occurs in a communication signal transmitted and received between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 to thereby determine whether or not the power fed to the outdoor unit 30 is interrupted. Consequently, it is possible to detect that power feeding from the commercial power supply 500 is interrupted, on the basis of the communication state between the indoor unit 20 and outdoor unit 30, without having a hardware component additionally. Further, the controller 60 is configured to determine whether or not to allow start-stop control of the fan 40 and rotation frequency control of the fan through input to the indoor operation unit 50, on the basis of the communication state with the outdoor unit 30. Consequently, as a level at which driving of the fan 40 is allowed can be recognized, even at the time of emergency, it is possible to operate the indoor unit 20 in a state where the function is limited. In the conventional air-conditioning apparatus, the rotation frequency of the fan is fixed at the time of using the emergency power supply, so it is impossible to respond to the need of changing the fan start-stop state (on→off, off→on) or changing the air flow rate of the fan corresponding to the situation and the environment. However, the air-conditioning system 10 can change the start-stop state and the air flow rate of the fan even at the time of using the emergency power supply 70, by the processing based on the communication state with the outdoor unit 30.

Further, the conventional air-conditioning system is configured to feed electric power to both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit by the emergency power supply. Consequently, it is difficult to secure minimum operation of the indoor unit by connecting a battery of small capacity, and it is necessary to have an emergency power supply having a battery of large capacity. Meanwhile, the air-conditioning system 10 is configured to feed electric power to the urgent power feeding area 80 including the indoor unit 20 and the indoor operation unit 50 by the emergency power supply 70. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 10, it is not necessary to feed power to the outdoor unit 30 at the time of emergency. Thus, it is possible to adopt a private power generator or other related element having a small capacity sufficient for securing minimum operation of the indoor unit 20 and the indoor operation unit 50, as the emergency power supply 70. Thus, even in the state where power for transmission to the outdoor unit 30 is not fed and operation of the compressor 30a cannot be made, by the emergency power supply 70 of a small capacity, it is possible to secure operation control and air flow rate operation of the fan 40, and to attain flexible ventilation operation.

The air-conditioning system 10 has a configuration of not only determining whether or not to continue operation of the fan 40, but also determining, in stages, a normal state, a state where a slight abnormality occurs, and a state where an abnormality occurs, and determining the operation propriety of the fan 40 corresponding to the result of the determination. Consequently, the air-conditioning system 10 can attain rotation frequency control of the fan 40 corresponding to the operation state such as an operation mode and each of the staged states even at the time of emergency in which power feeding is different from that in the normal state.

It should be noted that while FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates the case where the air-conditioning system 10 includes one indoor unit 20, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The air-conditioning system 10 may include two or more indoor units 20. This means that, in Embodiment 1, the number of indoor units 20 provided to the air-conditioning system is assumed to vary depending on the environment of the site. Consequently, the capacity of a capacitor for securing power to allow the outdoor unit 30 to reliably communicate the fact of interruption of the power feeding to all of the indoor units 20, after interruption of the power feeding to the outdoor unit 30, varies depending on the number of indoor units 20, the connection environment, and other factors. In particular, it is unrealistic to mount, on the outdoor unit 30, a capacitor having a large capacity corresponding to the case where a large number of indoor units 20 are connected. Meanwhile, in the air-conditioning system 10, the BCP state (outdoor unit side power feeding interrupted state) can be detected by determining the type of an error that occurs corresponding to the communication state with the outdoor unit 30. Consequently, it is possible to attain ventilation and air conditioning with a minimum configuration without adding a special hardware component.

Further, in FIG. 2, an indoor fan provided to the indoor unit 20 is exemplarily illustrated as the fan 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the controller 60 may control the rotation frequency of a fan of a ventilation device, a fan of an outdoor air processing device (outdoor air intake device), or other related component as described below. This means that a ventilation device or an outdoor air processing device may be provided instead of the indoor unit 20.

Embodiment 2

Next, an air-conditioning system of Embodiment 2, in which propriety setting of fan operation is discriminated between one for the time of BCP and another for the power applied time, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system 110 according to Embodiment 2. The same components as those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference signs and the description is omitted.

The air-conditioning system 110 is configured to determine the power feeding interrupted state of the outdoor unit 30 from the communication state between an indoor unit 120 and the outdoor unit 30, similarly to the case of Embodiment 1. This means that a no-Ack error shown at step S309 and a H/W error shown at step S318 are errors that occur in both the power applied time and the BCP time, so that the power applied time error determination unit 60c may determine that the outdoor unit 30 is in a power failure state at step S303, from not only the power feeding interrupted state but also another factor such as disconnection of wiring and contact failure. In view of the above, the air-conditioning system 110 of Embodiment 2 adopts a configuration in which propriety setting of fan operation is selectable when a communication error is an error related to BCP.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a controller 160 of the air-conditioning system 110 includes a fan control unit 160a that controls a driving state of the fan 40 in the same manner as that of the fan control unit 60a of Embodiment 1, and a display processing unit 160g that displays various types of information on a display unit 150a provided to an indoor operation unit 150. The fan control unit 160a has a permission determining function of determining whether or not to set permission to permit rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 150 when a communication error is an error related to BCP.

The display unit 150a displays a selection request of whether or not to set permission (selection request screen). The display processing unit 160g displays a selection request on the display unit 150a when the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an operation mode other than the air sending mode. The fan control unit 160a is configured to set permission when permission of rotation frequency control of the fan 40 is input from the indoor operation unit 150, in response to the selection request displayed on the display unit 150a by the display processing unit 160g.

Further, in the case where the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an operation mode other than the air sending mode, the fan control unit 160a may set permission when permission of rotation frequency control of the fan 40 at the time of BCP is input in advance. It should be noted that permission of rotation frequency control of the fan 40 may be stored in a storage unit (not illustrated) provided inside or outside the controller 60 when the permission is input from the outside so that the fan control unit 160a can refer to the permission when the fan control unit 160a determines whether or not to set the permission.

Next, operation of the air-conditioning system 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation of the air-conditioning system 110. First, the controller 160 performs processing of steps S301 to S311, as in the case of FIG. 3.

Next, when the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is not an air sending mode (FIG. 5: step S310, NO), the fan control unit 160a determines whether or not to make a setting for a slight abnormality at the time of BCP, that is, whether or not to set permission at the time of BCP (FIG. 5: step S501).

When the fan control unit 160a determines not to make a setting for a slight abnormality (FIG. 5: step S501, NO), the fan control unit 160a sets non-permission, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 160g displays the fact that an abnormality occurs, on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S502). On the other hand, when the fan control unit 160a determines to make a setting for a slight abnormality (FIG. 5: step S501, YES), the fan control unit 160a sets permission, and starts operation of the fan 40 and continues it. The display processing unit 160g displays the fact that a slight abnormality occurs, on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S503).

It should be noted that when a communication error is an error related to BCP, the fan control unit 160a may determine whether or not to make a setting for a slight abnormality, in accordance with the selection by the user. The fan control unit 160a may also be configured to determine to make a setting for a slight abnormality, in the case where the condition that rotation frequency control of the fan 40 is not allowed at the time of BCP is stored in advance (FIG. 5: step S501).

This means that when the mode determination unit 60b determines that the mode is an operation mode other than the air sending mode (FIG. 5: step S310, NO), the display processing unit 160g may display a selection request (selection request screen) on the display unit 150a to allow a user to select whether or not to set permission. Then, when a selection of not approving rotation frequency control of the fan 40 is input from the indoor operation unit 150 in response to the selection request displayed on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S501, NO), the fan control unit 160a may set non-permission and the display processing unit 160g may display the fact that an abnormality occurs, on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S502). Further, when permission of rotation frequency control of the fan 40 is input in response to the selection request displayed on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S501, YES), the fan control unit 160a sets permission, and the display processing unit 160g may display the fact that a slight abnormality occurs, on the display unit 150a (FIG. 5: step S503).

Then, the controller 160 performs processing of steps S313 to S321, as in the case of FIG. 3. Next, the controller 160 performs processing of steps S504 to S506, similarly to steps S501 to S503.

As described above, the air-conditioning system 110 of Embodiment 2 is configured such that the controller 160 provided to the indoor unit 120 analyzes a communication error that occurs in a communication signal transmitted and received between the indoor unit 120 and the outdoor unit 30 to thereby determine whether or not the power fed to the outdoor unit is interrupted. Consequently, it is possible to detect interruption of power feeding from the commercial power supply 500 on the basis of a communication state between the indoor unit 120 and the outdoor unit 30, without adding a hardware component. In addition, the controller 60 is configured to determine whether or not to permit start-stop control of the fan 40 and rotation frequency control of the fan 40 by the indoor operation unit 50, on the basis of a communication state with the outdoor unit 30. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 110, it is possible to change the start-stop state and the air flow rate of the fan even at the time of using the emergency power supply 70.

Further, the air-conditioning system 110 is also configured to select a propriety setting for fan operation when a communication error is an error related to BCP. Consequently, while it is enough to fix the air flow rate of the fan 40 to weak air at the power applied time, as refrigerant operation cannot be made at the time of BCP, it is possible to respond to a need of changing the air flow rate of the fan 40 to strong air, for example. Further, it is also possible to correspond to a need of performing rotation frequency control of the fan 40 to have an air flow rate corresponding to the environment different from that of the power applied time, when the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor unit 30 is interrupted. Further, regarding an error that may be caused by a factor other than power failure, it is possible to attain rotation frequency control of the fan 40 corresponding to a request by a user to set a state where fan operation is not possible with a determination of an abnormal state without fail for priority to safety.

Embodiment 3

Next, a configuration of an air-conditioning system 210 of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the air-conditioning system 210 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller 260 provided to the air-conditioning system 210. The same components as those of Embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference signs and the description is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the air-conditioning system 210 includes an indoor unit 220A having a fan 240A, an indoor unit 220B having a fan 240B, an indoor operation unit 250 to which power is fed from the indoor unit 220A and that receives air-conditioning and ventilation operation including driving operation of the fans 240A and 240B, and an emergency power supply 70 that feeds power to the indoor unit 220A when power failure occurs. The emergency power supply 70 includes an indoor unit power supply 70a that feeds power to the indoor unit 220A and the indoor unit 220B at the time of emergency, and an urgent power supply 70b that feeds power to the urgent power feeding area 80 including the indoor unit 220A, the indoor unit 220B, and the indoor operation unit 250 at the time of emergency.

Further, the air-conditioning system 210 includes an outdoor unit 230A to which power is fed from the commercial power supply 500, an outdoor unit 230B connected with the outdoor unit 230A, and an outdoor operation unit 350 to which power is fed from the outdoor unit 230A and that receives air-conditioning and ventilation operation including driving operation of the fans 240A and 240B. The indoor unit 220A and the indoor unit 220B are connected with the outdoor unit 230A and the outdoor unit 230B by refrigerant pipes 290. The indoor unit 220A has a controller 260 having a configuration that is the same as that of the controller 60 or the controller 160 of Embodiment 1 or 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the controller 260 includes a fan control unit 260a that performs rotation frequency control including start-stop control of the fan 240A and fan 240B, and an operation unit state determination unit 260e that determines whether or not operation control by the indoor operation unit 250 is possible. The operation unit state determination unit 260e has a function of distinguishing the indoor operation unit 250 and the outdoor operation unit 350. It should be noted that a state where operation from the indoor operation unit 250 and the outdoor operation unit 350 is impossible, among states where operation control of the fans 240A and 240B is impossible, includes, for example, a state where a user cannot instruct the indoor units 220A and 220B to control the fan 240A because, for example, wiring of the indoor operation unit 250 is disconnected, and a state where power is not fed to the outdoor operation unit 350 because power is fed only from the indoor unit power supply 70a.

The operation of the air-conditioning system 210 is the same as that of the air-conditioning systems 10 and 110 in Embodiments 1 and 2 described above. Here, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the operation unit state determination unit 260e determines whether or not operation control is possible, for example, by determining whether or not communication with the indoor operation unit 250 is ensured (FIGS. 3 and 5: step S313). This means that the operation unit state determination unit 260e determines that operation control is impossible in the case that satisfies not only a condition that communication with the outdoor operation unit 350 is impossible due to interruption of power feeding but also a condition that communication with the indoor operation unit 250 is impossible due to some reasons (FIGS. 3 and 5: step S313, NO). On the other hand, the operation unit state determination unit 260e determines that operation control is possible when communication with the indoor operation unit 250 is ensured (FIGS. 3 and 5: step S313, YES).

As described above, the air-conditioning system 210 of Embodiment 3 is configured such that the controller 260 provided to the outdoor unit 230A analyzes a communication error that occurs in a communication signal transmitted and received between the outdoor units 230A and 230B to determine whether or not the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 is interrupted. This means that, in the air-conditioning system 210, it is possible to detect interruption of the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor units 230A and 230B on the basis of a communication state with the outdoor units 230A and 230B, without providing a configuration of reliably detecting interruption of the power fed to the outdoor units 230A and 230B and interruption of the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 to the outdoor operation unit 350 via the outdoor unit 230B. In addition, the controller 60 is configured to determine whether or not to approve rotation frequency control of the fans 240A and 240B on the basis of a communication state with the outdoor units 230A and 230B. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 210, it is possible to change the start-stop state and the air flow rate of the fan 240A and 240B even at the time of using the emergency power supply 70.

Further, in a conventional air-conditioning system including both an outdoor remote controller and an indoor remote controller, power may not be fed to some remote controllers. For example, in a state where power is fed only to an indoor unit, power is not fed to the outdoor remote controller. In the remote controller to which power is not fed, the display screen is turned off, and it is impossible to operate the remote controller to stop operation, so that it is impossible to receive start-stop operation at the time of emergency. Consequently, the conventional air-conditioning system is configured to stop driving of the fan provided to the indoor unit in a state where power is not fed to any of the remote controllers even when power is fed to the indoor unit.

Meanwhile, the air-conditioning system 210 of Embodiment 3 is configured such that the fan control unit 260a approves rotation frequency control of the fans 240A and 240B when fan operation control by the indoor operation unit 250 is possible. Consequently, in the case where the indoor units 220A and 220B are applied with power and power is fed to the indoor operation unit 250, for example, even when power is not fed to the outdoor operation unit 350, the indoor operation unit 250 is able to perform start-stop and rotation frequency control of the fans 240A and 240B.

It should be noted that while FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the controller 260 that performs rotation frequency control of the fan 240A and the fan 240B is provided to the indoor unit 220A, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the air-conditioning system 210 may include a controller that is provided to the indoor unit 220A and performs rotation frequency control of the fan 240A in the same manner as that of the controller 260, and a controller that is provided to the indoor unit 220B and controls rotation frequency control of the fan 240B in the same manner as that of the controller 260.

Meanwhile, a conventional air-conditioning system may have a method for notifying power supply interruption of an outdoor unit. However, as a case is assumed where a plurality of indoor units are included, it is impossible to ensure a capacitor capacity sufficient for guaranteeing completion of power supply interruption notification through communication with all of the connected indoor units when power supply of the outdoor unit is lowered. Meanwhile, the air-conditioning systems 10,110, and 210 of Embodiments 1 to 3 described above adopt a configuration of detecting a BCP state by determining the type of an error from the communication state with the outdoor unit 30. Consequently, it is possible to attain ventilation and air conditioning with a minimum configuration, without adding a special hardware component.

It should be noted that the embodiments described above are each a preferable specific example of the air-conditioning system. While various technically preferable limitations may be added, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects. For example, Embodiments 1 to 3 exemplary show configurations in which each controller is provided to an indoor unit, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Each controller may be provided outside the indoor unit in the urgent power feeding area 80. Further, FIGS. 1 and 4 each exemplarily illustrate an air-conditioning system having one indoor unit and one outdoor unit, and FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an air-conditioning system including two indoor units and two outdoor units. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. This means that the air-conditioning systems according to Embodiments 1 to 3 described above may be configured by appropriately combining one or more indoor units and one or more outdoor units.

Further, FIGS. 1 and 4 each exemplarily illustrate an air-conditioning system including one indoor operation unit, and FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an air-conditioning system including both an indoor operation unit and an outdoor operation unit. However, a plurality of indoor operation units and a plurality of outdoor operation units may be provided. In addition, while FIGS. 1, 4, and 6 exemplarily illustrate the cases where the air-conditioning systems 10,110, and 210 are operated by the power fed from the commercial power supply 500 at the power applied time, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, each of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit may have a different supply. This means that the indoor unit power supply 70a may be a commercial power supply for the indoor unit, and only the urgent power supply 70b is provided as an emergency power supply. Furthermore, while the embodiments described above each exemplarily illustrate a configuration in which the emergency power supply 70 includes the indoor unit power supply 70a and the urgent power supply 70b, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The emergency power supply 70 may include either the indoor unit power supply 70a or the urgent power supply 70b.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10, 110, 210 air-conditioning system 20, 120, 220A, 220B indoor unit

20
a decompression device 20b evaporator 30, 230A, 230B outdoor unit 30a compressor 30b condenser 30c outdoor fan 40, 240A, 240B fan

50, 150, 250 indoor operation unit 50a, 150a display unit 60, 160, 260 controller 60a, 160a, 260a fan control unit 60b mode determination unit 60c power applied time error determination unit 60d connection establishment error determination unit 60e, 260e operation unit state determination unit 60f waveform determination unit 60g, 160g display processing unit 70 emergency power supply 70a indoor unit power supply 70b urgent power supply

80 urgent power feeding area 90, 290 refrigerant pipe 350 outdoor operation unit 500 commercial power supply

AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

PCT Information