JP2012149855A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can clearly recognize the content of maintenance operation and the time of maintenance operation.
When an RF module 11 of a remote controller 1 transmits an operation signal for stopping operation to an air conditioner indoor unit 2, an RF module 21 receives the operation signal, and the contents and operation time of a maintenance operation are displayed on an MPU board 22. Is generated as driving information. The operation information is transmitted from the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and when the RF module 11 of the remote controller 1 receives the operation information, the LCD unit 15 displays the content of the maintenance operation and the operation time. . At least one of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 and the remote controller 1 is provided with RTCs 17 and 23 that perform time management. When the operation time of the maintenance operation is displayed on the LCD unit 15, the remaining time of the maintenance operation is counted down using the RTC.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that displays the content and operating time of a maintenance operation.

  In recent years, there has been an air conditioner that performs two-way communication between a main body of an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner) and a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) that controls the air conditioner (see Patent Document 1). In this type of conventional technology, when an operation stop command is sent from the remote control to the air conditioner body, the air conditioner body stops operation and information such as operation time and power consumption (electricity cost) is transmitted from the air conditioner body to the remote control. There was something to inform the user.

JP 2007-278696 A

  Air conditioners during cooling operation tend to be exposed to heat exchangers due to the temperature difference between room temperature and heat exchanger, so if the operation is stopped as it is, the internal humidity of the indoor unit will increase and generation of mold will occur. It was a cause of bad smell. Therefore, some recent air conditioners automatically perform a drying operation in order to dry the dew on the heat exchanger after the cooling operation is stopped.

  In addition, air conditioner indoor units are equipped with a filter so that dust and dirt in the air do not enter the air intake, but the filter is automatically cleaned when the operation is stopped after the predetermined operation integration time has come. Some of them have functions.

  As described above, the conventional air conditioner automatically starts the maintenance operation (drying operation or filter cleaning) when the air conditioner satisfies the predetermined condition regardless of the stop operation of the user. For this reason, in the conventional air conditioner, when the operator performs the operation stop operation of the air conditioning operation, the operation time and the power consumption (electricity cost) of the air conditioning operation are transmitted from the air conditioner main body to the remote control by two-way communication. Information on maintenance operation was not sent.

  From the operator's point of view, since the operation does not stop even if the air conditioner is stopped, it is not possible to know what kind of operation is being performed and how long the operation will continue. There is a problem that the maintenance operation is not sufficiently performed, such as stopping automatically or starting a new air conditioning operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can clearly recognize the content of maintenance operation and the time of maintenance operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an air conditioner including an air conditioner body that performs a maintenance operation after an air-conditioning operation, and a remote controller that operates the air conditioner body. The air conditioner body includes a body receiving means for receiving an operation signal for operating from the remote controller, a body transmitting means for transmitting operation information of the air conditioner body to the remote controller, and the maintenance operation. Maintenance operation information generation means for generating contents and operation time as the operation information, and the remote controller transmits remote control signals for operating the air conditioner body, and the air Remote control receiving means for receiving the operation information of the air conditioner main body transmitted from the conditioner main body, and included in the operation information received by the remote control receiving means. Display means for displaying the content of the maintenance operation and the operation time, and when the remote control transmission means transmits an operation signal to stop the operation to the air conditioner main body, the main body reception means The maintenance operation information generation means receives the maintenance operation content and the operation time as the operation information, and when the operation information is transmitted from the main body transmission means, the remote control reception means receives the information, and the display means The contents of the maintenance operation and the operation time are displayed on the screen.

  In addition, the present invention includes a timing unit that performs time management on at least one of the air conditioner main body and the remote controller, and after the operation time of the maintenance operation is displayed on the display unit, the timing unit is used. The remaining time of the maintenance operation is preferably displayed in a countdown manner.

  In the present invention, when the time measuring means is in the air conditioner main body, the display means transmits countdown information from the main body transmitting means to the remote control receiving means at regular intervals after the countdown starts. It is preferable to display the contents of the maintenance operation and the remaining time.

  According to the present invention, the remote control transmission means transmits an operation signal for stopping the operation to the air conditioner main body, the main body reception means receives the operation signal, and the maintenance operation information generation means and the content of the maintenance operation and the operation When the time is generated as the operation information and the operation information is transmitted from the main body transmission means, the remote control reception means receives this and displays the content of the maintenance operation and the operation time on the display means. In this way, the content of the maintenance operation and the operation time are transmitted from the main body of the air conditioner to the remote control and displayed on the display means. Therefore, the content of the maintenance operation and the time of the maintenance operation are known, and the remote control is operated. There is an effect that it becomes a judgment material at the time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among an air conditioner body, a remote controller, a humidifier, and an external connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the air conditioner body, the remote controller, the humidifier, and the external connection device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the remote controller of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the pairing setting operation performed between the remote controller and the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of air conditioner model information that can be received during the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of air conditioner model information that is the minimum necessary for the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the air conditioner after pairing setting according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the operation start operation is performed from the remote controller on the air conditioner main body in which the operation is stopped. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the operation stop operation is performed from the remote controller on the operating air conditioner body. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the internal clean operation is performed after the operation stop operation is performed from the remote controller on the operating air conditioner body. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the internal clean operation and the filter clean operation are performed after the operation stop operation is performed from the remote controller on the operating air conditioner body. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the PC according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen for managing air conditioner operation information based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC.

  Embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between an air conditioner body, a remote controller, a humidifier, and an external connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the air conditioner body, the remote controller, and a humidifier in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an air conditioner indoor unit 2 as a main body of the air conditioner, a remote controller 1, and an outdoor unit (not shown), and uses bidirectional wireless communication by an RF module. When the remote controller 1 performs remote control and various settings on the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the remote controller 1 acquires various operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the information is displayed on the display means of the remote controller 1, and the operation is performed. Used for management and various settings. In addition, the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment can connect the various operation information acquired to a personal computer (PC) 3 via a USB connection terminal as an external connection terminal and perform operation information management on the PC 3 side. . In addition, the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment can perform a remote operation using an infrared (IR) LED as an infrared transmission means, such as a humidifier 4 that is an operation target device other than the air conditioner indoor unit 2.

  A schematic configuration of the remote controller 1 configured as shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner indoor unit 2 as an air conditioner body, a PC 3 connected via a USB connection terminal, and a humidifier 4 will be described with reference to FIG. . The remote control 1 is a remote control transmission means including a transceiver and antenna for performing two-way wireless communication with the air conditioner indoor unit 2, an RF module 11 as a remote control reception means, a personal computer (PC) that performs information management, etc. 3, USB socket 12 for USB connection, IRLED 13 for transmitting and controlling the humidifier 4 by an infrared (IR) diode, data such as various operation information received from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 for a certain period (here In this case, the MPU board 14 on which the MPU (microprocessor unit) for controlling each part of the remote controller 1 is mounted, the operation information of the remote controller 1 and the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (operating time, LCD unit 15 as display means for displaying power consumption, etc., operation target Key operating unit 16 to operate the vessel, RTC as clocking dedicated time measuring unit for performing time management (real time clock) 17 and is configured by for supplying battery 18 power to each unit of the remote controller 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a main body receiving unit that performs bidirectional wireless communication with the RF module 11 of the remote controller 1, an RF module 21 as a main body transmitting unit, and the remote controller 1 that is received by the RF module 21. Control each part of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 based on the command, collect operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, calculate the operation time and power consumption (electricity cost) in the air conditioning operation mode 22a and the maintenance operation mode 22b, An MPU board 22 on which an MPU including a memory for holding data for a certain period (here 10 days) is mounted is provided. The MPU board 22 constitutes maintenance operation information generating means for generating the characteristic maintenance operation content and operation time of the present invention as operation information. The air conditioner indoor unit 2 is provided with an RTC 23 as a timekeeping means necessary for displaying the operation time of the maintenance operation in a countdown manner.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the PC 3 includes a USB socket 31 for connecting a USB cable to the USB socket 12 of the remote controller 1. By installing the operation information management software, the PC 3 can transmit and receive data when connected via USB, and periodically collects operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 via the remote controller 1 and displays it on the PC screen. Operation management can be performed continuously.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 4 includes an IRPD (infrared receiving) unit 41 that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the IRLED 13 of the remote controller 1. The remote controller 1 can control the humidifier 4 by this infrared signal (command).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 1 for operating the air conditioner includes an LCD unit 15 including a liquid crystal display unit that displays operation information (contents of maintenance operation, operation time, power consumption, etc.), and an air conditioner indoor unit 2. And a key operation unit 16 for operating. The key operation unit 16 includes an operation / stop key 16a for starting and stopping operation of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and a confirmation key 16b necessary for starting pairing. .

  Since the air conditioner of this embodiment performs two-way wireless communication using the RF module between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the operation target device can be distinguished if there is another type of air conditioner nearby. Since it will disappear, it is necessary to set the pairing in advance.

[Pairing settings]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the pairing setting operation performed between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is receivable during the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of air conditioner model information, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of air conditioner model information necessary for the pairing setting in FIG.

  First, when the registration setting of the remote controller 1 is selected, or when a pairing partner is not stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as EEPROM) mounted on the MPU board 9 of the remote controller 1 (LCD unit 15). When “No registration” is displayed, the remote control registration setting mode is set, and a pairing display for displaying a procedure for pairing with the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is performed. Similarly, when there is no pairing registration, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is displayed by a lamp (not shown) provided in the air conditioner indoor unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, when the operator presses a pairing button (not shown) in the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the pairing execution state is indicated by a buzzer sounding and a lamp being lit. The pairing request signal is sent to the RF module 21 and pairing is started (step S60).

  Further, while the pairing display is displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1, the run / stop key 16a of the key operation unit 16 of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG. When pressed simultaneously, a pairing request signal is sent to the RF module 11, and pairing is started (step S61). The LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1 displays “Pairing registration in progress”. Here, communication for pairing is performed between the RF modules 11 and 21 (step S62), and after confirming whether the model can be registered for pairing (step S63), the RF module 21 transfers to the MPU board 22. A pairing completion signal indicating that the pairing of the RF module is completed is transmitted (step S64), and a pairing completion signal indicating that the pairing of the RF module is completed is transmitted from the RF module 11 to the MPU board 14 (step S65). ).

  Subsequently, an air conditioner model information request is transmitted as general-purpose data from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S66). At this time, the air conditioner model information signal receivable from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a series name (Z / S), an indoor unit year (A to Z), a character string (model name of 16 characters, as shown in FIG. ), Derivative model (1), air conditioner ID (MAC address), and the like. When the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the air conditioner model information request, the RF module 21 on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 side transmits a general-purpose data transmission completion signal to the remote controller 1 to notify the successful transmission (step S67). . The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 switches the RF module 11 to the reception mode (step S68).

  Subsequently, the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 transfers the air conditioner model information to the remote controller 1 side (step S69). When the remote controller 1 receives the model information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the RF module 11 transmits an information transfer completion signal to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to notify that the transmission has been successful (step S70).

  When the remote controller 1 acquires the air conditioner model information, the remote controller 1 notifies the RF module 11 that the reception mode is stopped (step S71), and receives the completion of the reception mode (step S72).

  Based on the acquired air conditioner model information, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 determines whether or not the air conditioner indoor unit 2 that performs pairing setting is a corresponding model. When the received signal includes at least the signal shown in FIG. 6 in the corresponding model, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 transmits the pairing establishment general-purpose data to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S73). When the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the general data for which pairing has been established, it notifies the remote controller 1 that the transmission of the general data has been completed (successful transmission) (step S74). The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 displays that the pairing has been established on the LCD unit 15 for 5.5 seconds. When the operator selects “Z” or “S” according to the series name, the selected model content Is written to EEPROM.

  On the other hand, if the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 determines that the air conditioner indoor unit 2 that performs the pairing setting is not a corresponding model, or if the received air conditioner model information is other than the signal shown in FIG. The general-purpose data in which the ring is not established is transmitted to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S75). When the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the general-purpose data that is not paired, it notifies the remote controller 1 that the transmission of the general-purpose data has been completed (step S76). The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 displays a pairing failure indication on the LCD unit 15 for 5.5 seconds, performs a pairing clear process (step S77), and receives a notification that the pairing clear has been completed (step S78). ).

  If pairing is not established, pairing clear processing is also performed on the MPU board 22 side of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S79), and notification that pairing clear has been completed is received (step S80). In this way, the pairing setting is completed.

  Between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 for which the above pairing setting has been completed, the remote controller 1 performs operation operations and various settings for the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is connected to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 by the following communication sequence. When the remote controller 1 requests a saved operation status log (history), the log can be acquired.

[Communication sequence between air conditioner and remote control]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the air conditioner after pairing setting according to the present embodiment. The remote controller 1 requests and collects an operation status log from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 at a fixed time every day.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 reaches the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 via the RF modules 11 and 21 when the RTC 17 reaches a fixed time (here, AM0: 03). A log request is transmitted to (step S81). The remote controller 1 waits for log data to be sent from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 after transmitting the log request. When waiting for a log, if the log has not been sent even after a certain period of time, a reception error due to a reception timeout is determined, the log reception wait is terminated, and the log collection for that day is terminated. The EEPROM of the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 has a capacity that can store a log of the air conditioner operation status for a maximum of 10 days, so when a reception error occurs the next time the log can be received, Log transfer is performed collectively.

  As shown in FIG. 7, whenever log data is sequentially sent from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (steps S82, 83...), It is stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 each time. As for the log saving method, if there is an unsaved area in the EEPROM, the log is written in that area, and if there is no unsaved area, the oldest log writing area is overwritten and saved. When the remote controller 1 receives the log end indicating the end of the log data from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S84), the log acquisition is completed.

  Further, between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2, when the remote controller 1 transmits a driving operation command at a time other than the above-described fixed time, an operation status log is acquired from the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the LCD unit of the remote controller 1 is acquired. 15 can be displayed.

[Display of maintenance operation contents and operation time]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when the operation start operation is performed from the remote controller to the air conditioner main body in which operation is stopped, and FIG. 9 is a operation stop operation from the remote control to the air conditioner main body in operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example when the internal clean operation is performed after the operation stop operation is performed from the remote controller to the operating air conditioner main body. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example when the internal clean operation and the filter clean operation are performed after the operation stop operation is performed from the remote controller to the operating air conditioner body, and FIG. 12 is a display example on the remote controller It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the case of changing the setting of a filter clean space | interval based on the electricity bill of the performed filter clean driving | operation.

  When the operation of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is stopped and the remote controller 1 also displays the operation stop screen as shown in FIG. 8, when the operator presses the start / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1, the white arrow The air conditioner indoor unit 2 is also in operation. However, if communication is not possible even when the operation / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1 is pressed, “communication ×” indicating that communication is not possible, indicated by a black arrow, is displayed on the LCD unit 15. For this reason, the operator can know whether the communication is successful and the command is executed, or whether the command is not executed because the communication is not possible, only by looking at the display on the remote controller 1.

  Subsequently, when the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is in operation and the remote controller 1 is also being operated as shown in FIG. 9, if the operator depresses the operation / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1, the operation is stopped. Before displaying the status, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is requested to log. The MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 calculates the electricity bill and the operation time in the air conditioning operation mode 22a, and transmits them to the remote controller 1, thereby “notice of today” (air conditioning operation) by “notice” indicated by a white arrow. ) "Can be displayed. After 5.5 seconds from the “notification” display, the operation stop state indicated by the white arrow is displayed. On this operation stop screen, today's total electricity bill and yesterday's total electricity bill are displayed.

  Since the power consumption of an air conditioner varies depending on the cooling and heating operation mode and the set temperature, although not shown, the power consumption is measured in real time on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 side and integrated to obtain the power consumption. The power consumption per unit time stored in the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is calculated.

  Subsequently, when the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is in the air conditioning operation and the remote controller 1 also displays the screen for the cooling operation as shown in FIG. 10, when the operator presses the operation / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1, Similarly to the case of FIG. 9, a log is requested to the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the electricity cost and operation time of today's operation calculated by the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 are displayed on the remote controller 1. Here, the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 determines that the air conditioning operation is a cooling operation and that a heat exchanger or the like has condensed, and performs an internal clean operation for drying the interior of the indoor unit after the air conditioning operation is stopped. It starts automatically and performs an internal clean operation for maintenance operation. The internal clean operation time is determined from the table stored in the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 according to the cooling operation time before the operation is stopped.

  At the start of the maintenance operation, the maintenance operation mode, the operation time, and the maintenance operation mode are calculated from the maintenance operation time and the electricity cost per unit time of the maintenance operation stored in the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2. The information on the electricity bill is transmitted to the remote controller 1, and the remote controller 1 displays the received information.

  The remote controller 1 displays the remaining time of the internal clean operation (mainly about 90 minutes) from the maintenance operation time information 5.5 seconds after the display, and counts down and displays it. This countdown is measured by the RTC 17 of the remote controller 1. Alternatively, the countdown information may be transmitted to the remote controller 1 and displayed by the RTC 23 on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 side.

  In this manner, during the maintenance operation, the display indicating that the “internal clean operation” shown in FIG. 10 is being performed and the “remaining operation time” are displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1. As a result, the operator knows the contents of the maintenance operation after the operation is stopped and the remaining time of the maintenance operation. It becomes the judgment material. For example, when the operator depresses the operation / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1 when there is a remaining time for the maintenance operation, the internal clean operation is stopped halfway and an operation stop screen indicated by a white arrow is displayed. On this operation stop screen, today's electricity bill total and yesterday's electricity bill total are displayed, and the amount of money including the electricity bill up to the midway stop of the internal clean operation is displayed in today's electricity bill total.

  In addition, when the internal clean operation shown in FIG. 10 is displayed and the maintenance operation is completed without stopping halfway, as shown by the black arrow, the operation time and actual time only for the maintenance operation (in this case, the internal clean operation) are actually required. After displaying the electricity bill, the operation stop state indicated by the white arrow is displayed. This operation stop screen displays today's total electricity bill and yesterday's total electricity bill.

  Subsequently, when the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is in the air conditioning operation and the remote controller 1 also displays the screen for the cooling operation as shown in FIG. 11, when the operator depresses the operation / stop key 16a of the remote controller 1, Similarly to the case of FIG. 10, a log is requested to the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the electricity cost and operation time of today's operation calculated by the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 are displayed on the remote controller 1. Similarly to FIG. 10, the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 determines that the air conditioning operation is the cooling operation and the heat exchanger or the like is condensed, and automatically starts the internal clean operation after the air conditioning operation is stopped. At this time, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 transmits maintenance operation mode, operation time, and electricity bill information to the remote controller 1, and the remote controller 1 displays the received information.

  The remote controller 1 counts down the remaining operation time during the internal clean operation from the maintenance operation time information 5.5 seconds after displaying the above information.

  When the internal cleaning is completed after 90 minutes, as shown by the white arrow, the operation time for only the internal clean operation and the actual electricity cost are displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 automatically starts the filter clean operation for cleaning the filter as indicated by the white arrow when it is determined that the predetermined integrated air conditioning operation time has arrived. To do. At this time, as in the internal clean operation, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 transmits maintenance operation mode, operation time, and electricity bill information to the remote controller 1, and the remote controller 1 displays the received information. Thereafter, during the filter clean operation, the operation status and the remaining time are displayed on the remote controller 1 in a countdown manner. This countdown display is the same as in the case of the internal clean operation, and may be performed using any RTC of the remote controller 1 or the air conditioner indoor unit 2.

  In addition, when the maintenance operation is finished without stopping the filter clean operation shown in FIG. 11 (after 10 minutes), as shown by the white arrow, the operation time and the electricity cost for the filter clean operation only are displayed. Then, the operation stop state indicated by the next white arrow is displayed. On this operation stop screen, today's electricity bill total and yesterday's electricity bill total are displayed.

[Display of maintenance operation details and operation time]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. The operation when the maintenance operation is automatically performed after the air conditioning operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the operator has stopped the air conditioning operation during the air conditioning operation (step S100). If there is no air conditioning operation stop operation, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 waits until there is an air conditioning operation stop operation (step S101).

  When the operator performs a stop operation of the air conditioning operation from the remote controller 1 (Yes in step S100), the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 calculates the operation time and the electricity cost of the air conditioning operation, and the air conditioner via the RF module 21. Information such as the air conditioning operation time and electricity bill is sent from the indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 1, and information such as the air conditioning operation time and electricity bill is acquired by the remote controller 1 (step S102). The air conditioner indoor unit 2 determines whether to perform the maintenance operation after the air conditioning operation is completed. When the maintenance operation is not performed (No in Step S103), the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 displays the acquired operation time and electricity cost of the air conditioning operation (Step S104).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the maintenance operation is present (Yes in step S103), the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 stores a predetermined maintenance operation time in the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2. The information is extracted from the table and the electricity cost is calculated to generate maintenance operation information (step S105). The air conditioner indoor unit 2 sends the maintenance operation information to the remote controller 1, and the remote controller 1 performs the maintenance operation time and the electricity cost. Are displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1 (step S106). The remote controller 1 counts down the remaining operation time based on the operation time sent from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S107). The remote controller 1 turns off the reception waiting state from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to save energy until the countdown is completed, and notifies the air conditioner indoor unit 2 of completion after the countdown is completed. The electricity cost, the total operation time of the air conditioning operation and the maintenance operation, and the electricity cost are calculated, and the information is transmitted to the remote controller. The remote controller 1 displays the maintenance operation time and the electricity cost on the LCD unit 15 (step S108), and then displays the total operation time and the electricity cost for the air conditioning operation and the maintenance operation (step S109).

  As described above, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the maintenance operation is automatically started after the air conditioning operation is stopped, the content of the maintenance operation, the time required for the maintenance operation, and the like are displayed on the remote controller 1. For this reason, the operator can grasp what kind of maintenance operation is being performed after the air-conditioning operation is stopped and know how long the maintenance operation is performed. It will be a judgment material when doing. In particular, when the operation time display for maintenance operation is displayed in a countdown manner, the remaining time for maintenance operation is known. Become a material.

[Communication sequence between remote control and PC]
In addition, the remote controller 1 of this embodiment includes a USB socket 12 as an external connection terminal that is connected to a PC 3 that can manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2. For this reason, by connecting the remote controller 1 and the PC 3 by USB, it becomes possible to collect the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 in the PC 3 via the remote controller 1, and the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 can be managed in the PC 3. .

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the PC according to the present embodiment. According to the communication sequence between the air conditioner 1 and the remote controller 2 described above, a log of the air conditioner operating status stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 is transmitted to the PC 3. The EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 has a capacity capable of storing a log received from the air conditioner for a maximum of 40 days.

  First, when the remote control 1 and the PC 3 are connected via USB, a series of processing (enumeration) is performed until communication is possible by the USB driver, and communication is performed between the remote control 1 and the PC 3 upon completion of the enumeration. Becomes possible (step S85). During the enumeration, a display of “connection detection: USB connected” is displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1.

  When the enumeration is completed, the PC 3 requests air conditioner information from the remote controller 1 (step S86). In response to this, the remote controller 1 transmits the air conditioner information stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 to the PC 3 (step S87). The air conditioner information includes air conditioner product name, series name, capacity band, indoor unit year, operating voltage, air conditioner MAC address, room information, and remote control type.

  The PC 3 compares the received air conditioner information with the managed air conditioner information, and identifies which air conditioner the received air conditioner information corresponds to. When managing a plurality of air conditioners in the PC 3, it is necessary to collate information about which air conditioner the received air conditioner corresponds to.

  Subsequently, the PC 3 requests the air conditioner operation setting information from the remote controller 1 in order to read the operation setting information (step S88). In response to this, the remote controller 1 transmits the air conditioner operation setting information stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 to the PC 3 (step S89). The air conditioner operation setting information includes volume level, presence / absence of voice, absence eco switching, presence / absence of internal clean, maintenance time, presence / absence of energy saving fan, presence / absence of automatic power, and current switching.

  Subsequently, the PC 3 makes a log request to the remote controller 1 for reading the log (step S90). The remote controller 1 transmits log data in response to the log request from the PC 3 (step S91). The PC 3 and the remote controller 1 repeat the next data request and log data transmission (steps S92, S93, S94). The remote controller 1 transmits a log end to the PC 3 when there is no log data to be transmitted (step S95), and the log reading process in the PC 3 is completed. Thereafter, the USB connection connecting the PC 3 and the remote controller 1 is disconnected (step S96), and when the remote controller 1 is released from the communication mode with the PC 3, the display of the LCD unit 15 shifts to the normal display.

  As described above, the operation log of the air conditioner temporarily stored in the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (can be stored for up to 10 days) is transmitted to the remote controller 1 and stored (can be stored for up to 40 days). When the PC 3 is connected via USB, the log stored in the remote controller 1 is transferred to the PC 3 side. The PC 3 can manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 as shown in FIGS. 14 to 29 using the operation information management software installed in advance.

[Management of operation information on PC]
14 to 29 are diagrams showing examples of PC screens for managing air conditioner operation information based on log information acquired by the PC. First, the PC 3 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 14 by the operation information management software. When the operator clicks on the air conditioner selection tag 100 and clicks the “living 1” button 101 and clicks on the calendar tag 102, the daily operating time, electricity bill, and month of the “living 1” air conditioner are clicked. A calendar screen 103 on which unit, yearly electricity bill, monthly target electricity bill, etc. are displayed is displayed. Thereby, it becomes possible to continuously grasp the operation status and the electricity bill for each air conditioner, and it can be used for efficient use and setting of the air conditioner.

  When the PC 3 and the remote controller 1 are connected by USB, as shown in FIG. 15, the remote controller 1 is connected and a window 104 indicating that data is being received is displayed. Then, when new driving information is taken into the PC 3, the PC 3 has a screen in which the driving time up to the previous day and the electricity bill stored in the remote control 1 are added to the calendar screen 103 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the operator clicks the graph tag 105 on the screen from the state of FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 17, a graph screen 106 in which the daily electricity bill is converted into a bar graph can be displayed. As a result, it is possible to grasp at a glance the increase or decrease in the electricity bill of the air conditioner for one month. Also, as the total electricity bill, the total of the air-conditioner electricity bill for this month's “Living 1”, the previous month's electricity bill, the annual electricity bill, the previous year's electricity bill, the monthly target electricity Since the cost is also displayed, it becomes possible to grasp the operating condition of the air conditioner from various perspectives.

  In addition, when the total room total button 108 of the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked on the screen of FIG. 17, the graph screen 106 in which the living room 1 button 101 and the bedroom 1 button 107 are totaled is different in color (if monochrome display, Displayed with a difference in density. Thereby, it is possible to grasp at a glance the total and the breakdown of the electricity bills of the air conditioners in all rooms. Further, the graph screen 106 is provided with a reduction button 109 and an enlargement button 110. For example, when the enlarge button 110 is clicked in the state shown in FIG. 18, the graph screen 106 can be enlarged and displayed as the graph rate changes as shown in FIG. This makes it possible to clearly grasp subtle changes in the electricity bill.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, an air conditioner selection tag 100 includes a living 1 button 101, a dining 1 button 111, a Japanese-style room 1 button 112, a bedroom 1 button 113, a children's room 1 button 114, other 1 button 115, and a children's room 2 button. If a large number of air conditioners are registered, clicking the all room total button 108 displays a graph of the total electricity bill for all rooms per day. In the graph of total electricity charges for all rooms in a day, since the electricity charges for each room are displayed in different colors (in the case of monochrome display, the concentration is different), the breakdown of the electricity charges for many air conditioners is also included. It can be grasped at a glance.

  In addition, when a specific date is clicked in the graph display shown in FIG. 18, a window 117 showing details of the driving situation on that day can be opened as shown in FIG. The window can display the total electricity bill, operating time, average outside air temperature, and the like for that room.

  Furthermore, the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 shown in FIG. 22 is a screen when the living room 1 button 101 of the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked and the air conditioner setting confirmation tag 118 is clicked. The air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 can easily confirm details of the setting contents of the air conditioner registered in the living room 1 button 101 on the screen of the PC 3. In addition, since the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 displays the function of the setting content, when the operator changes the setting content, it can be changed while correctly understanding the setting content. Further, when the next page button 120 is clicked, an air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 for the next page is displayed as shown in FIG. When changing the setting contents, when the setting contents to be changed are clicked, the changed contents are displayed in a menu, and the setting contents are changed by clicking the desired contents. To return to the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 on the previous page, the previous page button 121 is clicked. The changed setting information is sent from the PC 3 connected to the USB to the remote controller 1, and when the command or the like is sent from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the changed setting information is also sent. The setting of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is changed.

  Also, in the calendar display of FIG. 16, when the one-point advice button 123 shown in FIG. 24 is clicked, a one-point advice window 122 is opened and advice for efficiently using the air conditioner is displayed to the operator. The When there are a plurality of one-point advice windows 122, another one-point advice window 122 can be opened by clicking the next page button 122a or the previous page button 122b (see FIG. 25).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, when the file management tag 124 next to the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked, data is written to the read button 125 for reading data from a CD-ROM or the like, the CD-R or the like. Export button 126 to perform, model delete button 127 to delete the air conditioner model registered in the air conditioner selection tag, file button 128 to write a file to a flexible disk (FD), etc., this software for displaying help of this PC software Button 129 and a button 130 for the software for displaying the name, provider, version information, etc. of the PC software. For example, when the model deletion button 127 is clicked, a window 131 as shown in FIG. 27 is opened and a list of registered models is displayed. For example, when the living room 1 button 131 is clicked, a confirmation window 132 for confirmation of deletion is opened as shown in FIG. 28, and deletion or cancellation is canceled by clicking “Yes” or “No”. it can.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, when the button 130 is clicked for this software of the file management tag 124, the screen displaying the name of the PC software, the name of the provider, and the release date (not shown). 133 can be displayed.

  Thus, since the air conditioner according to the present embodiment can manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 also on the PC 3 via the remote controller 1, the display contents that could not be displayed only on the display screen of the remote controller 1 can be displayed. It is possible to display in detail using a display of an externally connected device such as PC3. In particular, the air conditioner setting screens shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 provide functional explanations regarding internal clean and filter clean intervals related to the maintenance operation, and it is possible to appropriately set the maintenance operation by understanding this content. Further, when the content of the maintenance operation is displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1, it is possible to appropriately determine whether it is better to continue the maintenance operation or to interrupt the normal operation.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful when two-way communication is possible between the air conditioner body and the remote controller, and in particular, the maintenance operation is automatically started after the air conditioning operation. Suitable for air conditioner.

1 Remote controller (remote control)
11 RF module 12 USB socket 13 IRLED
14 MPU board 15 LCD unit 16 Key operation unit 17 RTC (real time clock)
18 battery 2 air conditioner (air conditioner)
21 RF module 22 MPU board 22a Air-conditioning operation mode 22b Maintenance operation mode 23 RTC (real time clock)

Claims (3)

An air conditioner including an air conditioner main body that performs a maintenance operation after air conditioning operation, and a remote controller that operates the air conditioner main body,
The air conditioner body is
Main body receiving means for receiving an operation signal for driving operation from the remote control;
Main body transmission means for transmitting operation information of the air conditioner main body to the remote controller;
Maintenance operation information generating means for generating the content and operation time of the maintenance operation as the operation information;
With
The remote control is
Remote control transmission means for transmitting an operation signal for operating the air conditioner body;
Remote control receiving means for receiving operation information of the air conditioner body transmitted from the air conditioner body;
Display means for displaying the content and operation time of the maintenance operation included in the operation information received by the remote control receiving means;
With
When the remote control transmitting means transmits an operation signal for stopping the operation to the air conditioner main body, the main body receiving means receives the operation signal, and the maintenance operation information generating means indicates the contents of the maintenance operation and the operation time. When the operation information is generated and transmitted from the main body transmission means, the remote control reception means receives the operation information, and the display means displays the content of the maintenance operation and the operation time. Machine. A time measuring means for performing time management on at least one of the air conditioner main body and the remote control;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein after the operation time of the maintenance operation is displayed on the display means, the remaining time of the maintenance operation is counted down using the time measuring means. When the time measuring means is in the air conditioner main body, countdown information is transmitted from the main body transmitting means to the remote control receiving means at regular intervals after the start of the countdown, and the contents of the maintenance operation are displayed on the display means. The remaining time is displayed, The air conditioner of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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