JP2002039649A - Operation alarm device of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To issue an alarm by detecting the leakage of a refrigerant quickly and certainly. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a current value measurer 27 which measures the drive current value of a refrigerant compressor, a current value judger 28 which judges the existence of refrigerant leakage by comparing the drive current value measured by this current measurer 27 with a comparison standard current value set inside in advance, and an operation controller 22 which controls the system to issue an alarm by driving an alarm 29 when judged that there is refrigerant leakage by this current value judger 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerant compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an outdoor heat exchanger,
An outdoor fan, a decompressor interposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger, and a connection between the refrigerant compressor and the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger. The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a refrigeration cycle formed by a four-way valve that switches between air conditioners and, more particularly, to an operation alarm device for an air conditioner that detects and warns a refrigerant leak.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various air conditioners capable of detecting refrigerant leakage have been proposed. For example, JP-A-1-952
No. 55 has a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of a condenser or an evaporator. The temperature detected by the temperature detector after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of operation of the compressor, and the start of operation of the compressor. Sometimes it compares with the temperature detected by the temperature detector,
When this temperature difference is below a certain value, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking,
The operation of the compressor is stopped.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-184032 has a sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature in an evaporator. The refrigerant is detected based on a difference between a detected temperature of the sensor and a target temperature and an amount of change in the detected temperature. To infer the amount of leakage. Also, JP-A-8-210739
In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-260, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking when the indoor conduit temperature detected from the indoor unit whose operation is stopped falls below a preset temperature.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional air conditioners, the presence / absence of refrigerant leakage is determined on the basis of the indoor temperature and the conduit temperature. However, the room temperature and the conduit temperature do not change immediately after the operation is started, but start to change only after the operation is continued to some extent. Therefore, in the conventional method of determining the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage based on the indoor temperature or the conduit temperature, even if the refrigerant is actually leaking, unless the compressor is operated for a long time, There was a problem that it was not possible to determine whether or not leaked.

[0005] The temperature change also depends on the operating environment of the air conditioner. For example, even if the heating operation capacity is insufficient due to leakage of refrigerant, if a pot is being used indoors, the room is heated by the heat, and the indoor temperature reaches the set temperature. As a result, there is a case where refrigerant leakage cannot be detected. That is,
The method of determining refrigerant leakage based on temperature depends on the operating environment of the air conditioner, and thus has a problem that refrigerant leakage cannot always be detected accurately. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation alarm device for an air conditioner that can detect a refrigerant leak quickly and reliably and issue an alarm. .

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an operation alarm device for an air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a refrigerant compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and an outdoor heat exchanger. And an outdoor fan, a decompressor interposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant compressor and the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger. An air conditioner provided with a refrigeration cycle formed by a four-way valve for switching the connection between the current value measuring means for measuring a driving current value of the refrigerant compressor, and a driving current value measured by the current value measuring means. Current value judging means for judging the presence / absence of refrigerant leakage by comparing with a reference current value preset in advance, and an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the current value judging means judges that the refrigerant is leaking. And that To.

According to the present invention having such features,
The current value determination means compares the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor measured by the current value measurement means with a comparative reference current value set in advance, and the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the comparative reference current value. When it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking. When a refrigerant leak has occurred, the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor decreases substantially in proportion to the refrigerant leak. Therefore, the comparison reference current value is almost completely changed by the refrigerant (for example, 9
If it is set to the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor at the time of leakage, it can be reliably determined that the refrigerant has completely leaked. The alarm unit outputs a comparison result indicating that the drive current value has become equal to or less than the comparison reference current value from the current value determination unit.
Alternatively, the user is informed of the leakage of the refrigerant by displaying a "warning" character on the display panel. This allows the user to immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking after the start of operation. That is, it is possible to quickly resolve the problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of the refrigerant leakage.

In the air conditioner operation warning device according to the present invention, in the above configuration, a plurality of types of the comparison reference current values are prepared, and the current value judging means is measured by the current value measuring means. The driving current value is compared with each of the comparison reference current values, and each of the comparison results is output.The warning unit gradually changes the content of the warning based on the comparison result output from the current value determination unit. It is characterized by changing and outputting.

According to the present invention having such features,
For example, a drive current value when the refrigerant leaks about 50% is set as a first comparison reference current value, and a drive current value when the refrigerant leaks about 90% is set as a second comparison reference current value. It is assumed that a reference current value is prepared. In the current value determination means, the drive current value measured by the current value measurement means,
Comparing the first and second comparison reference current values,
When the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value,
The first detection signal is output to the alarm unit. In the alarm means,
On the basis of the first detection signal, for example, "Pee, Pee"
The user is notified that the refrigerant is leaking by such a long electronic sound, a slow cycle of LED blinking, or a character display of "Caution" on the display panel. Thus, the user can immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking by about 50% immediately after the start of the operation, so that the user can consider measures such as repair. The current value judging means outputs a second detection signal to the alarm means when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value. In the alarm means, based on the second detection signal, for example, a short beep such as "beep," a short cycle of LED blinking, or a "warning" character display on the display panel, etc. Notifies that refrigerant leakage has occurred. This allows the user to recognize that the refrigerant is almost completely leaked and that repair is required immediately, so that immediate repair can be taken.

The operation alarm device for an air conditioner according to the present invention, in the above configuration, has a current value change monitoring means for monitoring a change in the drive current value measured by the current value measurement means; Prediction means for predicting the speed of refrigerant leakage based on the change information of the drive current value obtained by the means, wherein the warning means outputs a warning content when the refrigerant predicted by the prediction means is output. The leak speed information is output together. The speed information may be time information until the refrigerant leaks almost completely.

According to the present invention having such features,
By predicting the rate of refrigerant leakage, for example, 50
Since it is possible to predict and display how many hours (or days) it takes to leak from the% leaked state to 90%, the user looks at the predicted time (or the number of days). , Can judge the urgency of repair.

In the above configuration, the operation alarm device for an air conditioner according to the present invention has an indoor temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature, and a comparison reference between the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting means and a preset reference temperature. A temperature judging means for judging the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak by comparing the temperature with the temperature, wherein the alarm means judges the refrigerant leak by the current value judging means and judges the refrigerant leak by the temperature judging means. It is characterized by issuing an alarm when it is performed. According to the present invention having such features, the refrigerant leakage is determined by performing not only the current value comparison but also the temperature comparison, so that the refrigerant leakage can be more reliably determined.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram (refrigeration cycle) of an air conditioner provided with the operation control device of the present invention. In the figure, a discharge port 11 and a suction port 12 of a refrigerant compressor 1 are connected via a four-way valve 2 to one connection port of an indoor heat exchanger 3 having an indoor fan 31 and an outdoor fan 51.
And the other connection port of the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the other connection port of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected to the decompressor 4. Connected through. Further, the indoor heat exchanger 3 has a configuration in which a conduit temperature sensor 7 for detecting the temperature (substantially the conduit temperature) of the refrigerant flowing in a conduit (not shown) provided therein is attached. I have. The conduit temperature sensor 7 is attached to a location that is not affected by the ventilation of the indoor fan 31. An indoor temperature sensor 21 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the temperature of the intake air (that is, the indoor temperature) is arranged near the air intake port of the indoor unit (not shown).

During the heating operation, the four-way valve 2 is switched so that the discharge port 11 of the refrigerant compressor 1 is connected to one of the connection ports of the indoor heat exchanger 3, and the suction port 12 of the refrigerant compressor 1 is connected. Since one connection port of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 is connected, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the refrigerant compressor 1 flows as indicated by the solid line arrow in the drawing to heat the room.

That is, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the refrigerant compressor 1 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2 where the indoor fan 31 forcibly exchanges heat to heat the room. I do. The refrigerant condensed after completing the heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger 3 is decompressed by the decompressor 4 and supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 5, where the outdoor fan 51 forcibly exchanges heat to perform cooling. The surface temperature of the outer heat exchanger 5 is reduced. The refrigerant vaporized after the end of the heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 5 is circulated again to the refrigerant compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2.

On the other hand, at the time of cooling operation, the four-way valve 2 is switched so that the discharge port 11 of the refrigerant compressor 1 and one connection port of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected, and the suction port 12 of the refrigerant compressor 1 is connected. Since one connection port of the indoor heat exchanger 3 is connected, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the refrigerant compressor 1 flows as indicated by a broken line arrow in the drawing to cool the room.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an operation control device including the operation alarm device of the present invention. The output of the conduit temperature sensor 7 for detecting the conduit temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the output of the indoor temperature sensor 21 for detecting the indoor temperature are determined by the operation control unit 2 for controlling the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG.
2 and the output of the indoor temperature sensor 21 is guided to a temperature determination unit 23. An output of an input unit 24 provided with various switches (not shown) is guided to the operation control unit 22, and a clock unit 25 for measuring the current time and a timer unit 2 for measuring a certain time.
6 are connected bidirectionally. Further, an alarm unit 29 is connected to the operation control unit 22.

The drive current value of the refrigerant compressor 1 controlled by the operation control unit 22 is measured by a current value measurement unit 27, and the measured value of the current value measurement unit 27 is transmitted to a current value determination unit 28. You are being led. The operation control unit 22
Are bidirectionally connected to the temperature determination unit 23, the current determination unit 28, and the current value measurement unit 27, respectively.

The temperature judging section 23 is a block for judging the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage by comparing the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 21 with a comparative reference temperature set in advance. Here, as the comparison reference temperature, an expected target indoor temperature after a certain period of time is measured in advance from an indoor or outdoor temperature and the operation state of the refrigerant compressor 1 by an experiment or the like, and the measured temperature is used as the comparison reference temperature. . Since this comparison reference temperature varies depending on the performance and use conditions of the air conditioner to which the present invention is applied, it is determined in advance by experiments and the like as described above.

The temperature judging section 23 compares the comparative reference temperature set in this way with the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 21. When the heating operation is started, a predetermined time elapses after the operation starts. When the room temperature is equal to or lower than the comparison reference temperature, the refrigerant leakage detection signal
Output to 2. In the case of the cooling operation, when a certain period of time has elapsed after the start of the operation, and when the room temperature is equal to or higher than the comparison reference temperature, the refrigerant leakage detection signal is output to the operation control unit 2.
2 is output.

The current value judging section 28 compares the driving current value measured by the current value measuring section 27 with a comparative reference current value set in advance to determine the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage. It is. Here, a plurality of types of comparison reference current values are prepared, and the current value determination unit 28 compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with each of the comparison reference current values, and It outputs the comparison result. For example, as a comparison reference current value, a first comparison reference current value that is a drive current value when the refrigerant leaks about 50%, and a second comparison reference value that is a drive current value when the refrigerant leaks about 90%. Assuming that two types of current values are prepared, the current value determination unit 28 compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the first and second comparison reference current values, respectively. When the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value, the first detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22. Further, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference value, a second detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22.

The alarm section 29 may be realized by, for example, an electronic sound generating section for generating an electronic sound.
It may be realized by a light emitting unit such as D, or may be realized by a liquid crystal display panel attached to the front surface of the air conditioner body.

The operation control unit 22 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). When an operation control unit 22 receives a refrigerant leakage detection signal from the temperature judgment unit 23,
The alarm unit 29 is driven, and an alarm is issued to the user by electronic sound, blinking of an LED, display of characters on a display panel, or the like. In addition, when receiving the first detection signal from the current value determination unit 28, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29, for example, a long beep such as "Pee, Pee", or a slow blinking of the LED, Alternatively, the user is notified that the refrigerant is leaking by displaying the word "Caution" on the display panel. When the operation control unit 22 receives the second detection signal from the current value determination unit 28, the operation control unit 22 may emit a short beep such as “beep”, a short cycle of LED blinking, or a “warning” to the display panel. Is displayed to inform the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred.

The operation control unit 22 includes the current value measurement unit 2
7. A function as a current value change monitoring means for monitoring a change in the drive current value measured by 7 and a prediction for predicting the speed of the refrigerant leakage based on the change in the drive current value obtained by the current value change monitoring means. It has a function as a means.
Then, the speed information of the refrigerant leakage predicted by the prediction means is converted into time information and displayed on the display panel of the alarm unit 29.

Here, when a refrigerant leak occurs, the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor 1 decreases almost in proportion to the refrigerant leak. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the drive current value and the refrigerant amount. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first comparison reference current value is set to the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor 1 when the refrigerant leaks about 50%, and the second comparison reference current value is set to 90 % Is set to the drive current value of the refrigerant compressor 1 at the time of leakage by about%. That is, in a small-sized air conditioner having a rated current value of 4.5 A, the first comparative reference current value is 3.5 A, and the second comparative reference current value is 2.75.
A, the medium-sized type (about 8 tatami mats) air conditioner with a rated current value of 15A has a first comparative reference current value of 10A and a second comparative reference current value of 5.5A. You have set.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner provided with the above-described operation alarm device will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment. is there. Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described.

[Embodiment 1] The feature of Embodiment 1 is that only the second comparison reference current value is prepared in the current value judgment section 28,
The second comparison reference current value is to be compared with the drive current value. Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a temperature setting switch (not shown) of the input unit 24 is operated, the operation control unit 2
After the set temperature is stored in 2, for example, when a start switch (not shown) of a heating operation is operated, an operation signal is input from the input unit 24 to the operation control unit 22. Operation control unit 2
2 controls the refrigeration cycle based on the operation signal,
The heating operation is started so that the room temperature is maintained near the set temperature (step S1).

When the heating operation is started, the operation control unit 22
Starts the timer unit 26 and starts measurement for a certain time (about 1 to 2 minutes). When the certain time elapses (when Yes is determined in step S2), the current value determination unit 28
Start Thus, the current value determination unit 28 compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the second comparison reference current value set inside (step S3). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value (when it is determined as Yes in Step S4), a second detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22 (Step S5).

Upon receiving the second detection signal, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a short beep such as "beep", a short cycle of LED blinking, or a "blink" on the display panel. A warning is displayed (step S6) to notify the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred. Thereby, the user can immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking from the refrigerant compressor 1 itself or its conduit, at the time when about 1 to 2 minutes have passed after the start of operation. In other words, it is possible to quickly resolve the problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of refrigerant leakage, and to take measures such as requesting repair.

[Second Embodiment] A feature of the second embodiment is that a current value judging unit 28 prepares two kinds of first comparison reference current values and second comparison reference current values, and these first and second comparison current values are prepared. The comparison reference current value and the drive current value are compared.
Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a temperature setting switch (not shown) of the input unit 24 is operated and the set temperature is stored in the operation control unit 22, for example, a start switch (not shown) of the heating operation is operated, the operation signal is transmitted from the input unit 24 to the operation signal. It is input to the control unit 22. The operation control unit 22 controls the refrigeration cycle based on the operation signal, and starts the heating operation so that the room temperature is maintained near the set temperature (step S11).

When the heating operation is started, the operation control unit 22
Starts the timer unit 26 and starts measurement for a certain time (about 1 to 2 minutes). When the certain time elapses (when Yes is determined in step S12), the current value determination unit 2
8 is started. Thus, the current value determination unit 28 first compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the first comparison reference current value set therein (step S13). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value (Ye in step S14).
s), the first detection signal is sent to the operation control unit 2
2 (step S15).

When receiving the first detection signal, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a long beep such as "p, p", a slow cycle of LED blinking, or display on the display panel. The user is informed that refrigerant leakage has occurred by displaying characters such as "Caution" (step S16). When the drive current value is equal to or smaller than the first comparison reference current value, the current value determination unit 28
Further, the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 is compared with the second comparison reference current value (step S1).
7). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value (when determined to be Yes in step S17), a second detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22 (step S18).

When receiving the second detection signal, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a short beep such as “beep, beep”, a short cycle of LED blinking, or “blinking” on the display panel. A warning is displayed (step S19) to notify the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred. This allows the user to operate the refrigerant compressor 1
It is possible to immediately know that the refrigerant is almost completely leaked from itself or its conduit when about 1-2 minutes have passed after the start of operation. In other words, it is possible to quickly resolve the problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of the refrigerant leak, and to immediately request repair.

[Third Embodiment] A feature of the third embodiment is that two kinds of first comparison reference current value and second comparison reference current value are prepared in the current value judging section 28 and these first and second comparison current values are prepared. The comparison reference current value and the drive current value are compared with each other, the speed of the refrigerant leakage is predicted based on the change in the drive current value, and the time until the refrigerant completely leaks is displayed. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a temperature setting switch (not shown) of the input unit 24 is operated and the set temperature is stored in the operation control unit 22 and then, for example, a start switch (not shown) of the heating operation is operated, the operation signal is transmitted to the input unit. 24 to the operation control unit 22
Is input to The operation control unit 22 controls the refrigeration cycle based on the operation signal, and starts the heating operation so that the room temperature is maintained near the set temperature (step S2).
1).

When the heating operation is started, the operation control unit 22
Starts the timer unit 26 and starts measuring for a certain period of time (about 1 to 2 minutes). When the certain period of time elapses (when Yes is determined in step S22), the current value judging unit 2
8 is started. Thereby, the current value determination unit 28 first compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the first comparison reference current value set therein (step S23). At this time, the operation control unit 22 stores the measured drive current value in an internal memory (RAM or the like) (not shown) together with the measurement time (step S24).
As the measurement time, the current time measured by the clock unit 25 is taken.

On the other hand, the current value judging section 28 determines that the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value as a result of the comparison between the drive current value and the first comparison reference current value (step S25).
When it is determined as Yes), the first detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22 (step S26).

When receiving the first detection signal, the operation control unit 22 predicts the refrigerant leakage speed from the past drive current value history data stored in an internal memory (RAM or the like) (not shown) ( Step S27). That is, in the internal memory, the drive current value measured each time the operation is started and the measurement time at that time are sequentially stored.
By looking at the amount of decrease in the drive current value with the passage of time, it is possible to calculate how far the refrigerant will almost completely leak. However, the change in the drive current value is
The calculated value here is only a guide because it depends on the use environment of the air conditioner.

When the operation control unit 22 receives the first detection signal, it drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a long beep such as "p, p" or a slow blinking of the LED. The display panel displays the word "Caution" and displays time information until the refrigerant almost completely leaks out (for example, "Remaining time is up") (step S28). Alerts the user that a refrigerant leak has occurred.

Thus, the user can immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking from the refrigerant compressor 1 itself or the conduit thereof, about 1-2 minutes after the start of operation, In addition, it is possible to know how much time is left before the refrigerant completely leaks. Therefore, the user can consider a specific countermeasure such as when to request the repair in consideration of time.

When the drive current value is equal to or smaller than the first comparison reference current value, the current value determination unit 28 further compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the second comparison current value. A comparison is made with the reference current value (step S29). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value (when it is determined as Yes in step S29), a second detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22 (step S29).
30).

When receiving the second detection signal, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a short beep, a short beep, and a short cycle of LED blinking, and to display on the display panel. The display of the word "warning" is performed (step S31) to notify the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred. This allows the user to operate the refrigerant compressor 1
It is possible to immediately know that the refrigerant is almost completely leaked from itself or its conduit when about 1-2 minutes have passed after the start of operation. That is, it is possible to promptly resolve a problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of the refrigerant leakage and immediately request repair.

[Fourth Embodiment] A feature of the fourth embodiment is that the current value judging section 28 prepares two kinds of first and second comparison reference current values, and the first and second comparison current values are prepared. The comparison between the comparison reference current value and the drive current value is performed, and the temperature judgment unit 23 also compares the room temperature with the comparison reference temperature. Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

After a temperature setting switch (not shown) of the input unit 24 is operated and the set temperature is stored in the operation control unit 22, for example, a start switch (not shown) of the heating operation is operated. 24 to the operation control unit 22
Is input to The operation control unit 22 controls the refrigeration cycle based on the operation signal, and starts the heating operation so that the room temperature is maintained near the set temperature (step S4).
1).

When the heating operation is started, the operation control unit 22
Starts the timer unit 26 and starts measurement for a certain time (about 1 to 2 minutes). When the certain time elapses (when Yes is determined in step S42), the current value determination unit 2
8 is started. Thereby, the current value determination unit 28 first compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 with the first comparison reference current value set therein (step S43). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value (Ye in step S44).
s), the first detection signal is sent to the operation control unit 2
2 (step S45).

When receiving the first detection signal, the operation control unit 22 activates the temperature judgment unit 23. This allows
The temperature determination unit 23 includes a comparison reference temperature set inside,
A comparison is made with the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 21 (step S46). Then, when the indoor temperature is equal to or lower than the comparison reference temperature (however, in the case of the cooling operation, when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the comparison reference temperature), a refrigerant leak detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22.

As a result, the operation control unit 22 sets the alarm unit 2
9 and a long electronic sound like "Pee, Pee"
A slow cycle of the ED blinks, or a "caution" character is displayed on the display panel (step S4).
7) Notify the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S46 that the room temperature is equal to or higher than the comparison reference temperature (in the case of cooling operation, the room temperature is equal to or lower than the comparison reference temperature) (step S46).
If it is determined to be Yes at 46), although the refrigerant is leaking, the temperature control desired by the user can be performed, so that "caution" is not issued at this time.

The current value judging section 28 determines that the driving current value is equal to or lower than the first comparison reference current value and the room temperature is equal to or lower than the comparison reference temperature (Yes in both Steps S44 and S46). ), Then
The drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit 27 and the second
Is compared with the comparison reference current value (step S48). As a result, when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value (when it is determined Yes in step S48),
The second detection signal is output to the operation control unit 22 (Step S49).

When receiving the second detection signal, the operation control unit 22 drives the alarm unit 29 to emit a short beep such as “beep, beep,” a short cycle of LED blinking, or “ A warning is displayed (step S50) to notify the user that refrigerant leakage has occurred. This allows the user to operate the refrigerant compressor 1
It is possible to immediately know that the refrigerant is almost completely leaked from itself or its conduit when about 1-2 minutes have passed after the start of operation. In other words, it is possible to quickly resolve the problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of the refrigerant leak, and to immediately request repair.

[0051]

According to the air conditioner operation warning device of the present invention, the current value judging means compares the driving current value of the refrigerant compressor measured by the current value measuring means with the preset internal setting value. It is compared with the reference current value, and when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the comparison reference current value, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking. The alarm means outputs a comparison result indicating that the drive current value has become equal to or less than the comparison reference current value from the current value determination means, for example, an electronic sound, blinking of an LED, or a warning of a display panel. The user is notified of the refrigerant leakage by displaying characters. This allows the user to immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking after the start of operation. That is, it is possible to quickly resolve the problem that the operation is continued for a long time in the state of the refrigerant leakage.

Further, according to the air conditioner operation warning device of the present invention, for example, the first comparison reference current value which is a drive current value when the refrigerant leaks about 50%, and the refrigerant leaks about 90%. When the second comparison reference current value, which is the drive current value at the time of the comparison, is prepared, the current value determination means compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement means with the first and second comparison current values. When the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the first comparison reference current value, a first detection signal is output to the alarm unit. In the alarm means, based on the first detection signal, for example, a long electronic sound such as "Pee, Pee", a slow blinking of the LED, or a character display of "Caution" on the display panel, etc. To notify that refrigerant leakage has occurred. As a result, the user can immediately know that the refrigerant is leaking about 50% immediately after the start of the operation.
We can consider measures such as repair. The current value judging means outputs a second detection signal to the alarm means when the drive current value becomes equal to or less than the second comparison reference current value. In the alarm means, based on the second detection signal, for example, a short beep such as "beep," a short cycle of LED blinking, or a "warning" character display on the display panel, etc. Notifies that refrigerant leakage has occurred. This allows the user to recognize that the refrigerant is almost completely leaked and that repair is required immediately, so that immediate repair can be taken.

According to the air conditioner operation warning device of the present invention, by predicting the speed of refrigerant leakage, for example,
Since it is possible to predict and display how many hours (or days) it will take from the state where the refrigerant is leaking 50% to the time that the refrigerant leaks to 90%, the user can predict the time (or the number of days). To determine the urgency of the repair. Further, according to the air conditioner operation warning device of the present invention, not only the current value comparison but also the temperature comparison are performed to determine the refrigerant leakage, so that the refrigerant leakage can be more reliably determined. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an air conditioner provided with an operation alarm device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an operation control device including the operation alarm device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between a drive current value and a refrigerant amount.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor (refrigerant compressor) 21 Room temperature sensor (room temperature detection means) 22 Operation control part 23 Temperature judgment part 24 Input part 25 Clock part 26 Timer part 27 Current value measurement part 28 Current value judgment part 29 Alarm part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerant compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and a space between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger An air conditioner having a refrigerating cycle formed by a decompressor inserted between the refrigerant compressor and a four-way valve for switching a connection between the refrigerant compressor and the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger. A current value measuring means for measuring the driving current value of the compressor; and comparing the driving current value measured by the current value measuring means with a comparative reference current value set in advance to determine whether there is refrigerant leakage. An operation alarm device for an air conditioner, comprising: a current value judging unit for judging the condition of the refrigerant; and an alarming unit for issuing an alarm when the current value judging unit judges that the refrigerant is leaking. 2. A plurality of types of the comparison reference current values are prepared, and the current value determination unit compares the drive current value measured by the current value measurement unit with each of the comparison reference current values, 2. The air according to claim 1, wherein each of the comparison results is output, and the warning means outputs the contents of the warning stepwise based on the comparison results output from the current value determination means. Harmonizer operation warning device. 3. A current value change monitoring means for monitoring a change in drive current value measured by the current value measurement means; and a refrigerant based on drive current value change information obtained by the current value change monitor means. And a prediction unit for predicting a leak speed, wherein the warning unit outputs the refrigerant leak speed information predicted by the prediction unit when outputting the content of the warning. 3. The operation alarm device for an air conditioner according to 2. 4. The air conditioner operation warning device according to claim 3, wherein the speed information is time information until the refrigerant almost completely leaks. 5. An indoor temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature, and a temperature for judging the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage by comparing the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting means with a preset comparison reference temperature. 3. A warning device, further comprising: a determination unit, wherein the warning unit issues a warning when the current value determination unit determines that the refrigerant is leaking and the temperature determination unit determines that the refrigerant is leaking. 5. The operation alarm device for an air conditioner according to 3 or 4.