Air conditioner

An air conditioner includes: an air-conditioning control unit; a data read and write unit; a data control unit; and an operation unit. The air-conditioning control unit controls air-conditioning running based on running information; the data read and write unit to which a storage medium configured to store therein data can be removably connected; the data control unit transfers the running information and the operation setting information transmitted from the air-conditioning control unit to the data read and write unit; and the operation unit can input the operation setting information for performing an operation of the air-conditioning running.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner to which a removable storage medium is connectable.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional air conditioner, running information during running of the air conditioner and setting information set by an operator is temporarily stored in a random access memory (RAM) of a controller microcomputer, and then necessary information is intentionally stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), which maintains the stored information unless it is arbitrarily initialized (see Japanese Patent No. 2989407, page 1).

There is another conventional air conditioner that is driven based on control information read from an external storage device that has running information stored therein in advance (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-229451, page 2).

However, in the air conditioner described in Japanese Patent No. 2989407, the nonvolatile memory such as the EEPROM has a limited memory capacity, and it is not easy to retrieve data from the nonvolatile memory. In addition, when a certain board fault occurs on a control board, the running information stored in the nonvolatile memory such as the EEPROM is initialized due to replacement of the board, resulting in a problem of taking time to recover a state of the air conditioner before the fault.

Furthermore, in the air conditioner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-229451, the control information read out from the external storage device is generalized information in a certain condition, rather than information indicating a running condition of an individual device, and therefore an initialization operation of the control information is also required when replacement of the board or the like is performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can be easily recovered, even when replacement of a board or the like is performed due to a certain fault, a state of the air conditioner before the fault.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an air-conditioning control unit that controls air-conditioning running based on running information that is action information during running and operation setting information; a data read and write unit to which a storage medium configured to store therein data can be removably connected, and that can write running information and operation setting information transmitted from the air-conditioning control unit in the storage medium during air-conditioning running and can read running information and operation setting information stored in the storage medium before stop of running, from the storage medium when restarting air-conditioning running; a data control unit that transfers the running information and the operation setting information transmitted from the air-conditioning control unit to the data read and write unit to be written in the storage medium, or transfers, to the air-conditioning control unit, the running information and the operation setting information stored in the storage medium before stop of running and read from the storage medium by the data read and write unit; and an operation unit that can input the operation setting information for performing an operation of the air-conditioning running.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the air conditioner includes a control board1and an operation unit7connected to the control board1. An air-conditioning control unit2, a data control unit3, a communication unit4, and a data read and write unit5are mounted on the control board1.

The air-conditioning control unit2plays a role of controlling the overall action of the air conditioner. The air-conditioning control unit2also plays a role of managing running information of the air conditioner and setting information set by an operator. The air-conditioning control unit2controls the air-conditioning running based on the running information, which is action information during air-conditioning running, and the setting information set by the operator.

The data control unit3collects and organizes the running information and the setting information managed by the air-conditioning control unit2, and transmits the collected and organized information to the data read and write unit5via the communication unit4. Reversely, the data control unit3also plays a role of receiving information from the data read and write unit5via the communication unit4, organizing the received information, and transmitting the organized information to the air-conditioning control unit2. The air-conditioning control unit2and the data control unit3do not have to be physically separated from each other, but may be configured in a physically integrated manner being logically divided inside an integrally formed unit. The communication unit4performs transmission and reception of data between the data control unit3and the data read and write unit5.

A removable storage medium6can be mounted to the data read and write unit5and the data read and write unit5can write the data received from the data control unit3in the removable storage medium6. Reversely, the data read and write unit5may read out data from the removable storage medium6, and transmits the read data to the data control unit3.

The operation unit7transmits the setting information to the air-conditioning control unit2when the operator wants to arbitrarily operate the action of the air conditioner or the operation unit7receives the running information of the air conditioner from the air-conditioning control unit2. A display unit8displays necessary information so that the operator can select desired contents, or the display unit8displays the running information of the air conditioner received from the air-conditioning control unit2. An operation button9is for selecting contents to be set or for selecting contents to be displayed on the display unit8by the operator.

FIG. 2depicts details of storage data in the air-conditioning control unit2according to the first embodiment. Storage data A20is information collected by the air-conditioning control unit2, which is an example of information that is updated during the air conditioner is running. Operation setting information is a record of a change history of the setting information input by the operator via the operation unit7including, for example, a setting temperature, a wind direction, a wind speed, and schedule setting. Running control information is control information that is updated as needed by the air-conditioning control unit2based on the setting information received from the operation unit7, system information of the air conditioner, sensor information of a sensor attached to the air conditioner, and the like. Part running-time information is information on the running time of a control target part, which is attached to the air conditioner, the number of on-off times of a contact, and the like. These pieces of information (operation setting information, running control information, and part running-time information) are stored as needed in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) that is built in the air-conditioning control unit2. Therefore, the air-conditioning control unit2does not need to collect these pieces of information again when restarting running from a state of stop of running, but can restart running after acquiring necessary information by referring to the contents stored in the built-in nonvolatile memory. A storage file A21is the storage data A20in a file format attached with file storage-date information. A storage file B23is stored at a file storing timing different from that of the storage file A21, and includes storage data B22. Similarly to the storage data A20, the storage data B22includes operation setting information, running control information, part running-time information, and file storage-date information (including date and time). The file storing timing may be determined at an interval that is set in advance in the air-conditioning control unit2, or may be arbitrarily set by the operator. The storage files A21and B23are created by the data control unit3based on the storage data A20and B22sent out from the air-conditioning control unit2, respectively.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a running action of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. Immediately after start of running, it is determined whether the running is the first-time running after installing the air conditioner (Step S1). When it is determined that the running is the first-time running (YES at Step S1), it is checked whether to recover setting data (Step S2). When the setting data is not to be recovered or there is no storage file for recovering the data (NO at Step S2), initial setting is performed (Step S3). Setting contents in this case include, for example, contents related to a system configuration of the air conditioner and contents related to scheduled running. When performing recovery of the setting data (Step S4), it is a case where there is a storage file (seeFIG. 2) for the data recovery. However, it is assumed, for example, that there is no storage file at this stage, which will be explained later. When it is not the first-time running (NO at Step S1), information accumulated in previous times of running is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the air-conditioning control unit2as the storage data and accordingly running is started based on the stored information.

During running (Step S5), the running is continued until end of running is specified arbitrarily by the operator or by schedule setting (Step S6). When the ending of running is selected at Step S6(YES at Step S6), the air conditioner normally ends the running. When the running is continued (NO at Step S6), the air-conditioning control unit2regularly checks a timing for storing data (Step S7). The timing (interval) for storing the data can be set, for example, by the operator in advance. That is, the operation unit7can transmits, to the air-conditioning control unit2, information for setting an interval at which the air-conditioning control unit2automatically transmits the storage data to the data control unit3. When it is not the timing for storing the data (NO at Step S7), the process returns to Step S5. At the timing for storing the data (YES at Step S7), the air-conditioning control unit2transmits the storage data to the data control unit3. The data control unit3organizes the storage data in a storage file (seeFIG. 2), and then transmits the storage file to the data read and write unit5via the communication unit4. The data read and write unit5writes the received file in the removable storage medium6(Step S8). In this manner, the storage data transmitted from the air-conditioning control unit2to the data control unit3, for example, at a regular interval and in an automatic manner is stored in the removable storage medium6as the storage file.

The air-conditioning control unit2detects an occurrence of an abnormality as needed while continuing the running (Step S9). When there is no abnormality (NO at Step S9), the running is continued as it is to repeat processes at Steps S5to S8. When an abnormality occurs for any reason (YES at Step S9), the air conditioner abnormally ends the running (Step S10).

When there is an abnormality, the running is restarted after examining and repairing a place that caused the abnormality. Particularly, when the control board1is the cause of the abnormality, the repair is normally performed by replacing the control board1with another one. That is, it is determined whether board replacement is needed (Step S11), and when it is determined that the board replacement is needed (YES at Step S11), the board replacement is performed (Step S12). When the control board1is replaced with a new one, it is hard to carry over the stored contents in the nonvolatile memory in the air-conditioning control unit2to the new control board1. Even when the board replacement is not needed (NO at Step S11), the stored contents in the nonvolatile memory are cleared with elimination of the abnormal state. In these cases, it is required to perform the initial setting again when restarting the running (Step S3). Therefore, when the control board1is replaced, the removable storage medium6is removed from the control board1before replacement and then mounted on the control board1after replacement. When the control board1is not replaced, the removable storage medium6is remained mounted on the control board1. When the repair of the abnormal state is completed, the air conditioner is restarted (Step S13). After the restart, Steps S1and S2are performed again, and when the recovery of the setting data is selected (YES at Step S2), the air-conditioning control unit2performs the data recovery by using the storage file stored in the removable storage medium6(Step S4), and then the running is continued.

FIG. 4is an example of contents displayed on the display unit8when recovering the data. One set or a plurality of sets of a storage file name102that can be recovered and file storage-date information103is displayed on the display unit8. The operator can start data recovery by selecting a file to be recovered with a guide of a file select cursor101by using the operation button9(Step S2inFIG. 3). The operation unit7transmits, to the air-conditioning control unit2, an instruction for causing the data read and write unit5to read the storage file selected by the operator, which is stored in the removable storage medium6. The air-conditioning control unit2then causes the data read and write unit5to read the storage file selected by the operator, which is stored in the removable storage medium6.

When the recovery is started (Step S4inFIG. 3), the data read and write unit5reads out the storage data in the storage file selected from the removable storage medium6, and transmits the storage data to the data control unit3via the communication unit4. The data control unit3organizes the received data and then transmits the organized data to the air-conditioning control unit2. The air-conditioning control unit2starts running based on the received data (running setting information). A part of the storage data is also transmitted to the operation unit7.

As described above, in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment, when restarting the air conditioner after an occurrence of an abnormality that accompanies board replacement or initialization of the nonvolatile memory, the storage data that is stored in the removable storage medium6in advance is read, and the running information (running control information and part running-time information) and operation setting information that is stored before the occurrence of the abnormality is acquired from the storage data, by which the setting data can be recovered. Therefore, it is possible to easily recover the state before the occurrence of the abnormality. In this manner, according to the first embodiment, even when board replacement is performed due to an occurrence of a certain abnormality (including a fault), it is possible to easily recover the state before the occurrence of the abnormality, and therefore the maintainability of the air conditioner is enhanced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5is a block diagram of a configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 5, while the second embodiment includes constituent elements similar to those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the data control unit3, the communication unit4, and the data read and write unit5, which are provided on the control board1according to the first embodiment, are provided on the operation unit7in the second embodiment. Therefore, the removable storage medium6is mounted on the data read and write unit5that is provided on the operation unit7. Because detailed explanations and operations of individual constituent elements are identical to those described in the first embodiment, explanations thereof will be omitted.

According to the second embodiment, when it is possible to repair an abnormality without performing the board replacement at the time of an occurrence of an abnormality, it does not necessitate removal of the removable storage medium6from the control board1when recovering the state before the occurrence of the abnormality by using the data stored in the removable storage medium6. Therefore, the maintainability of the air conditioner can be further enhanced.

According to the present invention, it is configured to enable the running information and the operation setting information to be stored in a removable storage medium and to be read from the removable storage medium as necessary, and therefore, even when replacement of the board is performed due to a certain fault, a state of the air conditioner before the replacement of the board can be easily recovered, and consequently the maintainability of the air conditioner is enhanced.