Patent Description:
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit each of which typically has a control board equipped with a microcomputer (see PATENT LITERATURE <NUM> or the like). The microcomputers on the two control boards are connected via a transmission line, so as to communicate with each other. Along with advanced functionality of air conditioners in recent years, a single outdoor unit may be provided with a plurality of control boards.

Patent literature <NUM> and patent literature <NUM> disclose a control device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Provision of the plurality of control boards needs a power source circuit for delivery of DC voltage necessary on each of the boards from an external commercial AC power source. This increases the total number of components necessary for the power source circuit.

In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of components even in a case where a single apparatus is equipped with a plurality of control boards.

In the control device thus configured, the second control board needs neither a noise filter nor an AC-DC converter, so as to achieve reduction in the number of components relevant to a power source circuit. Accordingly, the number of components can be reduced even in a case where a single apparatus is equipped with a plurality of control boards.

(<NUM>)In the control device according to (<NUM>) described above, the first control board and the second control board are preferably accommodated in a common case.

In this case, it is possible to inhibit noise generated on a communication circuit configured to execute communication between the first control unit and the second control unit.

In the control device according to (<NUM>) described above, the second control board includes a communication circuit configured to execute communication between the first control unit and the second control unit by means of a current signal, and the communication circuit includes an input unit configured to provide an input signal from the first control board to the second control unit, an output unit connected in series to the input unit and configured to output an output signal from the second control unit to the first control board, and a bypass circuit provided in parallel with the output unit and including a first switch, and the second control unit closes the first switch when coming into a sleep mode and opens the first switch when cancelling the sleep mode.

In this case, the bypass circuit is formed to keep the communication circuit by means of a current signal even in a case where there is another control board provided for an additional function and configured similarly to the second control board.

(<NUM>)In the control device according to (<NUM>) or (<NUM>) described above, the first switch is a semiconductor switch or the like, and resistance is connected in series on a positive potential side from a control terminal.

This case enables inhibition of control current flowing to the semiconductor switch.

(<NUM>)In the control device according to anyone of (<NUM>) or (<NUM>) described above, when the first switch is closed, electric resistance is less than electric resistance of the output unit.

Electric current can reliably flow to the bypass circuit in this case.

(<NUM>)In the control device according to (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) described above, the second control unit exemplarily controls a function of ventilation, humidification, or washing.

Such a function can be achieved by the second control unit independently from the first control unit.

(<NUM>)In the control device according to any one of (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) described above, optionally, the second control board includes a switching power source to be supplied with the DC voltage, and the switching power source has an output side provided with a second switch.

When the second control unit comes into the sleep mode, the second control board opens the second switch so as to inhibit power consumption.

(<NUM>) An air conditioner includes the control device according to (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) described above.

Description will be made hereinafter to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram depicting exemplary outer appearance of an air conditioner <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> includes an outdoor unit <NUM> and an indoor unit <NUM>. The outdoor unit <NUM> includes a case 101c constituted by a body unit 101a having a built-in refrigerant circuit, and a ventilating-humidifying unit 101b provided thereon. The case 101c mentioned herein corresponds to an outer package portion having maximum size of the outdoor unit <NUM>, and does not matter whether or not to have an internal partition. The outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> are connected via a refrigerant pipe <NUM> and an air pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional schematic view of the air conditioner <NUM>. The body unit 101a of the outdoor unit <NUM> includes, in the mentioned order, a liquid shutoff valve <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM>, a four-way switching valve <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, and a gas shutoff valve <NUM>, which constitute a known refrigerant circuit connected as depicted. The heat exchanger <NUM> is provided with a fan <NUM> for ventilation.

The indoor unit <NUM> includes a heat exchanger <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, and a fan <NUM>, which are connected as depicted. The outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> are connected to each other via a liquid refrigerant tube <NUM> and a gas refrigerant tube <NUM>.

The ventilating-humidifying unit 101b includes an intake-exhaust fan <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a humidifying rotor <NUM>, and an adsorption fan <NUM>. The ventilating-humidifying unit 101b is configured to discharge outdoors indoor air introduced into the indoor unit <NUM>, and add moisture to fresh outdoor air and send indoors the air thus humidified. In winter, the ventilating-humidifying unit 101b is configured to introduce indoors air heated with use of the heater <NUM>. The ventilating-humidifying unit 101b is connected with the indoor unit <NUM> via the air pipe <NUM>.

The body unit 101a of the outdoor unit <NUM> operates in accordance with an own basic microcomputer to be described later. The ventilating-humidifying unit 101b operates in accordance with an own functional microcomputer to be described later.

<FIG> is a circuit connection diagram depicting an exemplary center part of a control device <NUM> in the air conditioner <NUM>. This figure depicts control boards each constituted by a printed circuit board. The control boards include a basic control board <NUM> (first control board) having a control function of achieving basic operation as the air conditioner <NUM>, and a functional control board <NUM> (second control board) having a control function of achieving an additional function. The functional control board <NUM> is provided separately and is different from the basic control board <NUM>. Though the figure depicts the single functional control board <NUM>, there may occasionally be provided a plurality of functional control boards.

The basic control board <NUM> is connected with an external AC power source <NUM>. The basic control board <NUM> is provided thereon with a noise filter <NUM>, an AC-DC converter <NUM> including a rectifier circuit <NUM> and a smoothing capacitor <NUM>, a terminal block <NUM> for external power supply, a switching power source <NUM>, a capacitor <NUM>, a basic microcomputer (first control unit) <NUM>, and an interface circuit <NUM>, which are connected as depicted.

The noise filter <NUM> inhibits noise leakage from the basic control board <NUM> to the AC power source <NUM>. The AC-DC converter <NUM> rectifies by voltage doubling and smooths AC voltage (e.g. <NUM> V) to obtain DC voltage (about <NUM> V). Rectification by voltage doubling is merely exemplary, and the AC-DC converter has only to be a circuit configured to rectify and smooth AC voltage. This DC voltage is stepped down to predetermined voltage by the switching power source <NUM>, for supply of stable control voltage to the basic microcomputer <NUM>. The basic microcomputer <NUM> achieves basic operation as the air conditioner <NUM> in accordance with software. The software is stored in a memory (not depicted) equipped in the basic microcomputer <NUM>.

The functional control board <NUM> is connected with the basic control board <NUM> via DC output wiring <NUM>. The DC output wiring <NUM> supplies the functional control board <NUM> with DC voltage. The functional control board <NUM> is provided thereon with a switching power source <NUM>, a capacitor <NUM>, a functional microcomputer (second control unit) <NUM>, and an interface circuit <NUM>, which are connected as depicted.

The DC voltage supplied from the DC output wiring <NUM> is stepped down to predetermined voltage by the switching power source <NUM>, for supply of stable control voltage to the functional microcomputer <NUM>. The functional microcomputer <NUM> achieves additional functional operation as the air conditioner <NUM> in accordance with software. The software is stored in a memory (not depicted) equipped in the functional microcomputer <NUM>. The basic microcomputer <NUM> and the functional microcomputer <NUM> are connected to each other via the interface circuit <NUM>, a transmission line <NUM>, and the interface circuit <NUM>, to execute communication between microcomputers. The functional control board <NUM> is configured to control a function of ventilation, humidification, washing, or the like, independently from the basic control board <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> depicted in <FIG> separately includes the basic control board <NUM> for achievement of basic functions and the functional control board <NUM> for achievement of additional functions, so as to prepare various additional functions by the functional control board <NUM>. The functional control board <NUM> needs neither a noise filter nor an AC-DC converter, so as to achieve reduction in the number of components relevant to a power source circuit.

The basic control board <NUM> and the functional control board <NUM> are both accommodated in the common case 101c (<FIG>). The both control boards <NUM> and <NUM> accommodated in the common case are disposed relatively close to each other, so as to inhibit noise generated on a communication circuit (the interface circuit <NUM>, the transmission line <NUM>, and the interface circuit <NUM>) configured to execute communication between the basic microcomputer <NUM> and the functional microcomputer <NUM>.

Description is made next with focus on communication between microcomputers. <FIG> is a circuit diagram depicting a communication circuit <NUM> for communication between microcomputers. <FIG> exemplifies communication between the basic microcomputer <NUM> and the functional microcomputer <NUM> as one-to-one relation, whereas <FIG> depicts a case where there are provided two (exemplifying a plurality of) functional control boards. Similarly to the functional control board <NUM>, an additional functional control board 2x includes a functional microcomputer 28x and an interface circuit 29x.

The communication circuit <NUM> is provided as a closed circuit configured to cause a current signal to flow in a time dividing manner. The communication circuit <NUM> constituted by the interface circuits <NUM>, <NUM>, and 29x is configured to cause electric current to flow in a looped manner. The microcomputers each have operation states including a normal mode of operating at high speed and a sleep mode of operating at low speed for functional inhibition and power saving.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram depicting the interface circuit <NUM> on the functional control board <NUM> according to the first example. In <FIG>, the interface circuit <NUM> includes a photocoupler <NUM> functioning as an input unit for a signal transmitted from the basic microcomputer <NUM>, a reception circuit <NUM>, a photocoupler <NUM> functioning as an output unit for a signal to be transmitted to the basic microcomputer <NUM>, a transmission circuit <NUM>, and a bypass circuit (also called an ACS through circuit) <NUM>. The bypass circuit <NUM> is configured to short-circuit and invalidate both ends of the output unit <NUM> in the sleep mode.

When a current signal flows to the photocoupler <NUM>, an input signal ACS_INPUT is provided to the functional microcomputer <NUM> via the reception circuit <NUM>. The functional microcomputer <NUM> outputs an output signal ACS_OUTPUT that turns ON or OFF the photocoupler <NUM> via the transmission circuit <NUM>.

The bypass circuit <NUM> is constituted by a drive circuit 295a, a photocoupler 295b, resistance 295c, and a transistor 295d, which are connected as depicted. Examples of the resistance 295c has high resistance of about <NUM> kΩ. An ACS_THRU signal has an H level when the functional microcomputer <NUM> is in the normal mode (operating at high speed), and has an L level when the functional microcomputer <NUM> is in the sleep mode (operating at low speed).

When the ACS_THRU signal has the H level, the drive circuit 295a turns ON the photocoupler 295b. In this case, the transistor 295d is in an OFF state because the transistor 295d has no voltage generated between a base and an emitter, and the communication circuit <NUM> (<FIG>) has electric current flowing through the photocoupler <NUM>. In other words, the photocoupler <NUM> is ready to output a signal. In this case, the bypass circuit <NUM> has electric current flowing from the resistance 295c and passing the photocoupler 295b. The electric current is quite small because the resistance 295c has a high resistance value.

When the ACS_THRU signal has the L level, the drive circuit 295a turns OFF the photocoupler 295b. In this case, the transistor 295d is in an ON state because the transistor 295d has voltage applied between the base and the emitter via the resistance 295c. The photocoupler <NUM> is bypassed by the transistor 295d connected in parallel, and the photocoupler <NUM> includes a phototransistor 293d being short-circuited. The functional microcomputer <NUM> has an output port (a port for ACS_OUTPUT) thus invalidated.

The switching power source <NUM> supplies power to a device other than the functional microcomputer <NUM>, and exemplarily supplies voltage of <NUM> V to a load 31a via a switch 30a. Similarly, the switching power source <NUM> supplies voltage of <NUM> V to a load 31b via a switch 30b, and supplies voltage of <NUM> V to a load 31c via a switch 30c. The functional microcomputer <NUM> is configured to control to turn ON or OFF the switches 30a, 30b, and 30c with use of an output port <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exemplary timing chart in a case where the functional microcomputer <NUM> comes into the sleep mode from the normal mode. The timing chart indicates, in the mentioned order from the top, ACS_OUTPUT, ACS_INPUT, ACS_THRU, a port state, a load off port (<NUM> V, <NUM> V, <NUM> V), and a microcomputer operation mode. The port state indicates whether the output port (the port for ACS_OUTPUT) is valid or invalid. When the port state is invalid, an input port is also invalid except for microcomputer reset and ACS_INPUT. The load off port corresponds to the output port <NUM>.

In an initial state, communication is executed between the basic microcomputer <NUM> and the functional microcomputer <NUM>. ACS_THRU has the H level, and the port for ACS_OUTPUT is valid. The load off port also has the H level, and the switches 30a, 30b, and 30c are closed. The microcomputer operation mode is the normal mode (high speed).

At time t1, a signal inquiring about authorization for switching into the sleep mode is transmitted from the functional microcomputer <NUM> to the basic microcomputer <NUM>. At time t2, the basic microcomputer <NUM> transmits, to the functional microcomputer <NUM>, a signal authorizing to switch into the sleep mode. Communication between microcomputers is stopped hereafter. At time t3, ACS_THRU changes to the L level. At time t4, the transistor 295d (<FIG>) is turned ON, and the port state for ACS_OUTPUT becomes invalid. At time t5, the load off port has the L level, and power supply to the loads 31a, 31b, and 31c is also stopped. The functional microcomputer <NUM> having come into the sleep mode opens the switches 30a, 30b, and 30c so as to inhibit unnecessary power consumption. At time t6, the microcomputer operation mode changes to the sleep mode.

In this manner, when the function of the functional control board <NUM> is not in use, the transistor 295d (<FIG>) is turned ON (closed) to form bypass wiring at an output unit of the functional microcomputer <NUM> in the sleep mode. The output unit is thus invalidated. The bypass wiring is formed to keep the communication circuit for communication between microcomputers by means of a current signal even in a case where there is another functional control board provided for an additional function. The resistance 295c provided in series on a positive potential side of the base of the transistor 295d has high resistance (e.g. <NUM> kΩ), so as to inhibit electric current flowing to the transistor 295d through the resistance 295c in the sleep mode.

The transistor 295d in <FIG> has ON resistance (electric resistance) less than ON resistance of the photocoupler <NUM>. It is thus possible to inhibit electric current from flowing toward the photocoupler <NUM> and cause electric current to reliably flow to the transistor 295d on the bypass circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exemplary timing chart in a case where the functional microcomputer <NUM> returns into the normal mode from the sleep mode. Similarly to <FIG>, the timing chart indicates, in the mentioned order from the top, ACS_OUTPUT, ACS_INPUT, ACS_THRU, the port state, the load off port, and the microcomputer operation mode.

The basic microcomputer <NUM> transmits a signal for cancellation of the sleep mode. At the time t1, the functional microcomputer <NUM> having received the signal for cancellation of the sleep mode changes the microcomputer operation mode from the sleep mode into the normal mode. At the time t2, the load off port changes to the H level, and power supply to the loads 31a, 31b, and 31c is enabled. At the time t3, the port state of the functional microcomputer <NUM> becomes valid. At the time t4, ACS_THRU reaches the H level. At the time t5, the functional microcomputer <NUM> notifies the basic microcomputer <NUM> of return into the normal mode, to enable communication between microcomputers hereafter.

Exemplifies below are variations of the interface circuit on the functional control board.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram depicting the interface circuit <NUM> on the functional control board <NUM> according to the second example. This circuit diagram can be regarded as depicting a basic circuit obtained by further simplifying the circuit depicted in <FIG>. The circuit configurations other than a switch <NUM> are similar to circuit configurations on the circuit depicted in <FIG>, and are thus denoted by the identical reference signs and will not be described repeatedly. The switch <NUM> is opened when ACS _THRU has the H level, and is closed when ACS_THRU has the L level to short-circuit the phototransistor 293d of the photocoupler <NUM> and invalidate ACS_OUTPUT. Examples of the switch <NUM> include a semiconductor switch, as well as a relay. Electric resistance is smaller when the switch <NUM> is constituted by the relay in comparison to the case where the switch <NUM> is constituted by the semiconductor switch, to inhibit attenuation in signal level of the communication circuit <NUM> (<FIG>).

<FIG> is a circuit diagram depicting the interface circuit <NUM> on the functional control board <NUM> according to the third example. The circuit includes the same constituent components of the circuit depicted in <FIG>, and the respective constituent components are thus denoted by the identical reference signs and will not be described repeatedly. <FIG> is different from <FIG> in that the photocoupler <NUM> has an anode connected with a collector of the transistor 295d and the resistance 295c. The bypass circuit <NUM> operates similarly to the case depicted in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram depicting the interface circuit <NUM> on the functional control board <NUM> according to the fourth example. The circuit includes the same constituent components of the circuit depicted in <FIG>, and the respective constituent components are thus denoted by the identical reference signs and will not be described repeatedly. <FIG> is different from <FIG> in that the photocoupler <NUM> and the photocoupler <NUM> are inverted in vertical relation, but the circuit depicted in <FIG> operates similarly to the circuit depicted in <FIG>.

At least part of the interface circuits according to the above examples may be appropriately combined with each other. The interface circuit can have other variations. In short, the interface circuit has only to constitute a bypass circuit configured to validate and invalidate ACS _OUTPUT for the functional microcomputer.

The above disclosure can be expressed generally as follows.

This control device <NUM> includes the first control board (basic control board <NUM>) connected with the AC power source <NUM> and equipped with the first control unit (basic microcomputer <NUM>), and the second control board (functional control board <NUM>) provided separately and different from the first control board <NUM> and equipped with the second control unit (functional microcomputer <NUM>). The first control board includes the noise filter <NUM>, the AC-DC converter <NUM> configured to generate DC voltage from supplied AC voltage, and the DC output wiring <NUM> configured to allow the DC voltage to be used in the board and also supply the DC voltage to outside the board. The second control board is supplied with the DC voltage from the DC output wiring <NUM>.

In an exemplary case where the control device <NUM> thus configured includes the first control board for achievement of the basic functions of the device and the second control board for achievement of the additional functions of the device, the second control board can achieve various additional functions. The second control board needs neither a noise filter nor an AC-DC converter, so as to achieve reduction in the number of components relevant to a power source circuit. Accordingly, the number of components can be reduced even in a case where a single apparatus is equipped with a plurality of control boards.

The first control board and the second control board are preferably accommodated in the common case.

The first control board and the second control board accommodated in the common case are disposed relatively close to each other, so as to inhibit noise generated on the communication circuit configured to execute communication between the first control unit and the second control unit. The case mentioned herein corresponds to an outer package portion having maximum size of the device, and does not matter whether or not to have an internal partition.

The second control board includes the communication circuit configured to execute communication between the first control unit and the second control unit by means of a current signal. The communication circuit includes the input unit configured to provide an input signal from the first control board to the second control unit, the output unit connected in series to the input unit and configured to output an output signal from the second control unit to the first control board, and the bypass circuit <NUM> provided in parallel with the output unit and including the first switch (295d, <NUM>). The second control unit closes the first switch when coming into the sleep mode, and opens the first switch when cancelling the sleep mode.

In this case, when the function of the second control board is not in use, the first switch is closed to form the bypass circuit configured to invalidate the output unit of the second control unit in the sleep mode. The bypass circuit is formed to keep the communication circuit by means of a current signal even in a case where there is another control board provided for an additional function and configured similarly to the second control board.

The first switch is the semiconductor switch, and the resistance is connected in series on the positive potential side from a control terminal. This case enables inhibition of control current flowing to the semiconductor switch.

The first switch being closed has electric resistance preferably less than electric resistance of the output unit. In this case, it is possible to inhibit electric current from flowing toward the output unit and cause electric current to reliably flow to the bypass circuit.

The second control unit (functional microcomputer <NUM>) is configured to control the function of ventilation, humidification, or washing. Such a function can be achieved by the second control unit independently from the first control unit. The second control unit is not limitedly configured to achieve the above function, but may alternatively be configured to control a plurality of indoor units provided in multiple connection. The second control unit may be configured to control a hot water supply apparatus connected to the outdoor unit. When the outdoor unit is equipped with two or more fans, the second control unit may be configured to control a second and subsequent fans.

The second control board includes the switching power source <NUM> to be supplied with DC voltage, and the switching power source <NUM> has an output side provided with the second switch (30a, 30b, 30c).

When the second control unit comes into the sleep mode, the second control board opens the second switch so as to inhibit unnecessary power consumption.

The air conditioner includes the control device according to any one described above.

Claim 1:
A control device comprising:
a first control board (<NUM>) connected with an AC power source (<NUM>) and equipped with a first control unit (<NUM>); and
a second control board (<NUM>) provided separately and different from the first control board (<NUM>) and equipped with a second control unit (<NUM>); wherein
the first control board (<NUM>) includes a noise filter (<NUM>), an AC-DC converter (<NUM>) configured to generate DC voltage from AC voltage, and DC output wiring (<NUM>) configured to allow the DC voltage to be used in the board and also supply the DC voltage to outside the board, and
the second control board (<NUM>) is supplied with the DC voltage from the DC output wiring (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the second control board (<NUM>) includes a communication circuit (<NUM>) configured to execute communication between the first control unit (<NUM>) and the second control unit (<NUM>) by means of a current signal, and the communication circuit (<NUM>) includes
an input unit (<NUM>) configured to provide an input signal from the first control board (<NUM>) to the second control unit (<NUM>),
an output unit (<NUM>) connected in series to the input unit (<NUM>) and configured to output an output signal from the second control unit (<NUM>) to the first control board (<NUM>), and
a bypass circuit (<NUM>) provided in parallel with the output unit (<NUM>) and including a first switch (295d, <NUM>), and
the second control unit (<NUM>) closes the first switch (295d, <NUM>) when coming into a sleep mode and opens the first switch (295d, <NUM>) when cancelling the sleep mode.