JP4382468B2 - Refrigerator control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for a refrigerator constituting a refrigeration cycle, and more particularly to a configuration for enhancing an energy saving effect by operation control of a compressor or the like.

Conventionally, as a refrigerator control device such as a refrigeration / refrigeration showcase installed in many supermarkets or the like, a refrigerator control device that performs compressor operation control based on various setting information transmitted from a centralized monitoring device is known. It has become. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-241682

In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the centralized monitoring device changes and transmits setting information related to compressor control based on various measurement information received from each showcase, refrigerator, and the like. Control is performed by changing the setting contents according to the setting information transmitted from the centralized monitoring apparatus.
In this case, since the compressor ON / OFF control performed by the refrigerator control device greatly affects the power consumption, when considering the energy saving effect, the control related to the operation state of the refrigerator is appropriately performed. It becomes important.

  However, the refrigerator control device described in Patent Document 1 simply controls the operation of the compressor based on the setting information received from the centralized monitoring device, and controls the air-cooled condenser related to the compressor load. The collaboration with was not considered. Further, since the conventional centralized monitoring device is not connected to the control device for the air-cooled condenser, the setting of the air-cooled condenser cannot be changed by the centralized supervisory device.

  The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a control for obtaining an energy saving effect, a refrigerator control device capable of reducing the load on the refrigerator by cooperating with a control device for an air-cooled condenser The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a refrigerator control device that controls the operation of one or a plurality of compressors, and is connected to an air-cooled condenser control device that controls the rotational speed of a fan based on a target high-pressure control value. in those comprising means for receiving the measurement information and the outside air temperature measurement information on the operating state of the refrigerator from the measuring means, and transmits the calculated the target high pressure control value based on each measurement information to the air-cooled condenser controller The refrigerator control device delays the start of the compressor until the preset start delay time elapses when the measured pressure value exceeds the cut-in pressure value, and changes the pressure value before the start delay time elapses. A starting delay means is provided for determining a tendency and delaying the starting of the compressor until a preset extension time elapses when the pressure value tends to decrease.
The refrigerator control device further includes means for determining an oil supply abnormality based on measurement information from a temperature sensor provided in the oil supply pipe.
Further, the refrigerator control device includes an alarm control means for displaying an alarm when the intake temperature measured by the intake temperature sensor of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value. Further, the alarm control means displays an alarm and forcibly stops the compressor when the discharge temperature measured by the discharge temperature sensor of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value.
In addition, the refrigerator control device can arbitrarily set one control content or a combination of a plurality of control details for each control content.
The refrigerator control device is connected to a central control device that manages and controls the operation of the freezing / refrigeration equipment including a showcase, and performs control based on setting information transmitted from the central control device. Features.

As described above, according to the refrigerator control device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the target high-pressure control value corresponding to the operating state of the compressor is calculated and transmitted to the controller of the air-cooled condenser, the load of the refrigerator is reduced in cooperation with the controller of the air-cooled condenser. Reduction can be achieved. In this case, by reducing the load on the refrigerator, the number of compressors started, the operation time, and the like can be reduced, so that a high energy saving effect can be obtained.
(2) Further, in the start-up delay control of the compressor based on the measurement information of the low-pressure pressure, the start-up delay time is extended according to the change of the pressure measurement value, so that the operation control of the compressor is more appropriately controlled. Thus, the energy saving effect can be enhanced and a short cycle of the compressor can be prevented.
(3) Since the oil supply abnormality determination is performed by the controller of the refrigerator, it is possible to appropriately prevent the refrigerator from being broken due to the oil supply abnormality.
(4) Furthermore, the determination of the liquid back state is performed by the controller of the refrigerator, and according to the suction temperature, the discharge temperature, etc., only the alarm is controlled and the compressor is forcibly stopped. More appropriate compressor protection can be performed.
(5) Since one or a plurality of combinations can be arbitrarily set for a plurality of control contents, it is possible to perform appropriate control according to the situation of each store or the like.
(6) Further, since control is possible based on setting information from the centralized control device, settings for a plurality of refrigerator controllers can be easily performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a controller 100 as a refrigerator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The controller 100 includes a control unit 101 that controls the operation of one or a plurality of compressors, and first and second communication ports 102 and 103 to which an air-cooled condenser controller or a centralized management device is connected via a communication line. , A sensor input unit 104, a plurality of control signal output units 105 to 107, an operation unit 108, and a display unit 109.
The control unit 101 performs operation control of a compressor or the like connected to the control signal output unit 105 based on a control signal from a central control device connected to the first communication port 102 via the communication line 105. Further, the control unit 101 determines an oil supply abnormality, controls the oil supply electromagnetic valve according to the determination result, and controls the operating status (operating time, operating interval, etc.) for each compressor of the refrigerator. Means.
In this embodiment, an air-cooled condenser controller 110 is connected to the second communication port 103 via a communication line, and various measurement information can be received from the air-cooled condenser controller 110, and the air-cooled condenser controller 110 can transmit setting information related to the fan speed. In addition to a plurality of sensors such as a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, a mechanical alarm input contact or the like is connected to the sensor input unit 104. The control unit 101 transmits each measurement signal and the like to the central control apparatus, and performs a pressure setting process and the like described later based on the measurement signal and the like from the controller 100.
An oil pipe solenoid valve is connected to the control signal output unit 106, and the control unit 101 controls the operation of the oil pipe solenoid valve based on an oil supply abnormality determination process described later.
An alarm device is connected to the control signal output unit 107 and performs operation control such as alarm generation based on a control signal from the control unit 101.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the controller 100.
The controller 100 includes a plurality of operation buttons 201 to 204 constituting the operation unit 106 and a digital display 205 constituting the display unit 107.
The control unit 101 performs various settings and display switching according to the operation of the operation buttons 201 to 204, and displays measurement information acquired from each sensor on the digital display 205.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of a centralized management system including the refrigerator control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The centralized management system 300 includes a centralized control device 301 that manages and controls the operating status of various refrigeration / refrigeration facilities such as a freezing / refrigerated showcase. The centralized control device 301 includes controllers 302a for a plurality of showcases 302. The controller 100 of the refrigerator 303 and the controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 are network-connected by a communication line 305 such as a serial transmission line.
The centralized control device 301 manages the operation status of various refrigeration / refrigeration facilities based on measurement information such as temperature and pressure received from the controllers 302a, 100, and 304a, and sets the controller 302a, 100, and 304a. A control signal indicating information or the like is transmitted.
In the refrigerator 303, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant sent from the showcase 102 via the pipe is compressed by one or a plurality of compressors to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant and sent to the air-cooled condenser 304 via the pipe. .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 connected to the communication port 103 of the controller 100 via the communication line 305.
The controller 110 includes a control unit 401 that performs fan motor operation control, first and second communication ports 402 and 403, a sensor input unit 404, a plurality of control signal output units 405 and 406, and an operation unit 407. And a display unit 408.
In the present embodiment, the controller 100 and the central control device 301 of the refrigerator 303 are connected to the first and second communication ports 402 and 403 via the communication line 305 and transmitted from the controller 100 or the central control device 301. Based on the operation information and the like, the operation control of the fan motor connected to the control signal output unit 405 is performed.
In addition to a plurality of sensors such as a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, a mechanical alarm input contact or the like is connected to the sensor input unit 404. The control unit 401 performs operation control of the fan motor and the like based on each measurement signal input via the sensor input unit 404 and transmits each measurement signal and the like to the central control device 301.
A sprinkler is connected to the control signal output unit 406, and a control signal is output from the controller 401 based on a measurement signal from a temperature sensor or the like to control the operation of the sprinkler.

A control method by the controller 100 of the present embodiment with the above configuration will be described.
The controller 100 controls the operation of the compressor based on the setting information from the centralized controller 301 and transmits setting information related to fan rotation speed control to the controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 as high-pressure control. I do.
In the high-pressure control, a target high-pressure control value is calculated based on the operating state of the compressor and the outside air temperature measurement information received from the controller 110 of the air-cooling condenser 304 and transmitted to the controller 110. The controller 110 performs fan rotation speed control based on the target high pressure control value.
Here, the target high pressure control value is determined by the saturation pressure of the target condensing temperature. The target condensing temperature is calculated based on measurement information of the compressor operating state (compressor operating rate, operating pressure, etc.) and outside air temperature.
In calculating the target condensation temperature, for example, the following equation (1) is used.
Target condensation temperature = outside air temperature + minimum temperature difference + (maximum temperature difference-minimum temperature difference) x compressor operating rate (1)
The minimum temperature difference and the maximum temperature difference used in this case are set to preset values. The compressor operation rate indicates the ratio of the actual number of operating units (the number of operating compressors / the total number of compressors) in the number of compressors controlled by one controller 100.
Note that an upper limit value and a lower limit value may be set for the target high pressure control value.
As described above, according to the setting information calculated and transmitted by the controller 100, the controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 performs fan rotation speed control.

  Further, the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303 controls the operation of the refrigerator based on the control signal from the central control device 301, and controls the start-up delay of the compressor, the oil by each control means provided in the controller 100. Abnormal protection control and liquid back state protection control are performed.

In the start delay control of the compressor, the measurement information for each predetermined time interval is compared for the low pressure pressure, and the start delay time of the compressor is extended according to the change tendency. Here, the start delay time is a set time from when the low pressure exceeds a reference value for starting the compressor (hereinafter referred to as “cut-in reference value”) to when the compressor is actually started. Indicates. In the conventional control, when the start-up delay time is set, after the low-pressure pressure exceeds the cut-in reference value, the start-up delay time continues and the compressor is started if it exceeds the cut-in reference value. Was going to do.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the change in the low pressure and the compressor start delay control of the controller 100 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the activation delay time (T1-T2) is set in advance. The controller 100 compares the low-pressure pressure immediately before the start delay time elapsed time (T2) and the past multiple time points (t1, t2, t3), and the low-pressure pressure tends to decrease (p1>p2>p3> p4). ) Extend the startup delay time (T2-T3). In this case, if the low pressure (p5) becomes equal to or lower than the cut-in pressure at the elapse of the extension time (T2-T3), the compressor is not started.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the low pressure (p5 ′) exceeds the cut-in pressure when the extension time (T2-T3) has elapsed, the compressor is started.
Note that the activation delay time may be extended a plurality of times. In addition, when the low-pressure pressure tends to increase during the extension of the startup delay time, the startup control of the compressor may be performed at that time.

In the oil abnormality protection control, the controller 100 monitors the pipe temperature measured by the temperature sensor 601a installed in the oil supply pipe 601 of the refrigerator 303 as shown in FIG. When the oil flows into the oil pipe and the temperature becomes abnormal, the oil supply electromagnetic valve 603 is controlled to be opened and closed, and an alarm signal is output to the alarm device of the central control device 301 and the refrigerator 303, thereby the compressor 604. Control processing for abnormalities such as insufficient oil supply to the tank.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure of the oil supply electromagnetic valve 603 based on the oil supply abnormality determination by the controller 100.
The controller 100 monitors the oil temperature measured by the temperature sensor 601a installed in the oil supply pipe 601 of the refrigerator 303, and performs the following control.
The controller 100 determines whether or not the state where the oil temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference value (60 ° C. in this example) has continued for a predetermined time (30 minutes in this example) (step 701), and satisfies the condition. If the oil supply is abnormal, a protection control signal for opening and closing the oil supply solenoid valve is output and an alarm signal is output (step 702).
Thereafter, the protection control state is continued until the oil temperature falls below the second reference value (55 ° C. in this example). When the oil temperature falls below the second reference value (step 703), the protection control output is turned off. At the same time, the alarm signal output is canceled (step 704).
With the above processing, the controller 100 performs an opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve, an alarm output, etc. in the case of an oil supply abnormality.

In the liquid back state protection control, the controller 100 derives the intake gas saturation temperature and the discharge gas saturation temperature for the refrigerant sent from the showcase 302 based on the measurement information related to the intake temperature, the discharge temperature, and the low pressure, and performs each saturation. By comparing the reference value based on the temperature with the suction temperature and the discharge temperature, it is determined whether or not the liquid state, and protection control and alarm control of the refrigerator 303 are performed. In addition, calculation of each saturation temperature uses a well-known method. .
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of liquid back state protection control by the control unit 100 of the refrigerator, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of liquid back state alarm control.
In the protection control, as shown in FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not the control state of the controller 100 is a liquid back alarm state (step 801), and if not, the following processing is performed.
The controller 100 receives the measurement information of the suction temperature for the refrigerant (step 802), and determines whether or not the received suction temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value (in this example, suction gas saturation temperature + set suction superheat degree). At the same time (step 803), it is determined whether or not a state below the reference value has elapsed for a predetermined time (in this example, 10 minutes) (step 804).
When the state equal to or less than the predetermined value has elapsed for a predetermined time or longer (both YES in Steps 803 and 804), protection display output is performed as protection control (Step 805).
Thereafter, the protection display is continued until the inhalation temperature exceeds the reference value. If the intake temperature exceeds the reference value (step 806), the protection display output is canceled after 10 minutes (step 807).
In the alarm control, as shown in FIG. 9, first, measurement information relating to the intake temperature, the discharge temperature, and the operating state of the compressor is received (step 901).
Based on each measurement information, whether or not the suction temperature is equal to or lower than a reference value (step 902), and whether or not the discharge temperature is equal to or higher than a reference value (discharge gas saturation temperature + set discharge superheat degree in this example) (step) 903) Each determination is made as to whether or not the compressor ON state has passed for 3 minutes or more (step 904).
If all the conditions are satisfied as a result of each determination (both YES in steps 902 to 904), the compressor is forcibly stopped and alarm display output is performed as alarm control (step 905). In this case, the protection display and the alarm display can be identified by lighting of different lamps.
Thereafter, the alarm control is continued until the intake temperature exceeds the reference value. If the intake temperature exceeds the reference value (step 906), the alarm control can be reset (step 907). In this case, the alarm control is reset by operating a reset button or the like after an administrator, a serviceman, or the like confirms safety based on measurement information displayed on the controller 100 or the like.
Through the above processing, the controller 100 performs protection display, alarm display, forced compressor stop, and the like in the liquid back state.

  Each of the above controls can be arbitrarily set by an administrator, and any control may be combined. Here, the priority of each control when a plurality of controls are combined is set in advance, and can be arbitrarily changed by the administrator.

The controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 controls the rotational speed of the fan motor based on the setting information from the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303 and sends measurement signals and warning information of various sensors to the centralized controller 301 and the controller 100. Send.
In the present embodiment, the target high-pressure control value (or correction value according to the outside air temperature) included in the setting information from the controller 100 in accordance with the normal operation mode, low noise mode, and simple ON / OFF mode. Is used as a starting reference pressure (operation center pressure) to control the rotational speed of the fan motor. In this case, in the normal operation mode and the low noise mode, the output voltage (the number of rotations of the fan motor) changes stepwise according to the pressure measurement value.

As described above, in the controller of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, the target high pressure control value corresponding to the operating state of the compressor is calculated and transmitted to the controller of the air cooling condenser. By cooperating with the controller of the condenser, the load on the refrigerator can be reduced. In this case, by reducing the load on the refrigerator, the number of compressors started, the operation time, and the like can be reduced, so that a high energy saving effect can be obtained.
In addition, in the start-up delay control of the compressor based on the measurement information of the low-pressure pressure, the start-up delay time is extended according to the change in the measured pressure value, so that the operation control of the compressor is suppressed to a more appropriate range. As a result, the energy saving effect can be enhanced and a short cycle of the compressor can be prevented.
Further, since the oil supply abnormality determination is performed, it is possible to appropriately prevent the refrigerator from being broken due to the oil supply abnormality.
In addition, the liquid back state is determined, and protection control (alarm only) and alarm control (alarm and forced compressor stop) are performed according to the suction temperature, discharge temperature, etc. Appropriate compressor protection can be provided.
In addition, for each control content, one or a plurality of combinations can be arbitrarily set by the centralized control device, and priority can be set for each control content, so that it can be set according to the situation of each store. It is possible to set appropriate control details.

In the above embodiment, the controller 110 of the air-cooled condenser 304 is connected to the central control device 301 and the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, the controller 110 of the air cooling condenser 304 may be connected only to the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303.
FIG. 10 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of a centralized management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the centralized management system shown in FIG.
The centralized management system 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 306 that has one communication port and is connected only to the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303 as a controller of the air-cooled condenser 304.
In the present embodiment, by transmitting and receiving each piece of information to and from the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303, it is possible to control the air-cooled condenser 304 and the like as in the first embodiment.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the controller 306 of the air-cooled condenser 304 can be simplified. Note that the controller 100 of the refrigerator 303 does not necessarily need to be connected to the centralized control device 301. If the controller 100 is connected only to the controller 306 of the air-cooled condenser 304, it is the same as in the first embodiment. Can be controlled.

In each of the above embodiments, the control is performed by the controller of the refrigerator in the centralized management system. However, the controller of the refrigerator and the controller of the air-cooled condenser need only be connected and are not necessarily concentrated. The management device and the controller of the refrigerator need not be connected.
Further, the set values and the like shown in the above embodiments differ depending on the conditions and the type of the refrigerant, and can be set in various ways.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the refrigerator controller which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows an example of the operation panel of a refrigerator controller. 1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of a centralized management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the air-cooling capacitor | condenser controller which comprises a centralized management system. It is a figure which shows an example of starting delay control by a refrigerator controller. It is a systematic diagram which shows schematic structure for performing oil supply abnormality determination. It is a flowchart which shows the oil supply abnormality determination processing procedure by a refrigerator controller. It is a flowchart which shows the protection control processing procedure of the liquid back state by a refrigerator controller. It is a flowchart which shows the alarm control processing procedure of the liquid back state by a refrigerator controller. It is a systematic diagram which shows the other example of a centralized management system.

Explanation of symbols

100 Controller (refrigerator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Control part 102 1st communication port 103 2nd communication port 104 Sensor input part 105 Control signal output part 106 Control signal output part 107 Control signal output part 108 Operation part 109 Display part 110 Controller (air cooling condenser)
300,1000 Centralized management system 301 Centralized control device 302 Showcase 302a Controller 303 Refrigerator 304 Air-cooled condenser 305 Communication line 306 Controller

Claims (6)

A refrigerator control device that controls the operation of one or a plurality of compressors, and is connected to an air-cooled condenser control device that controls the rotation speed of a fan based on a target high-pressure control value. Receiving measurement information and outside air temperature measurement information, comprising means for calculating the target high-pressure control value based on each measurement information and transmitting to the air-cooled condenser control device ,
When the measured pressure value exceeds the cut-in pressure value, the refrigerator control device delays the start-up of the compressor until the preset start-up delay time elapses, and changes the pressure value before the start-up delay time elapses. And a start delay means for delaying the start of the compressor until a preset extension time elapses when the pressure value tends to decrease. 2. The refrigerator control device according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator control device includes means for determining an oil supply abnormality based on measurement information from a temperature sensor provided in an oil supply pipe. The refrigerator control device, when the suction temperature measured by the suction temperature sensor of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value, further comprising an alarm control means for warning display to claim 1 or 2, characterized in The refrigerator control apparatus as described. The refrigerator according to claim 3 , wherein the alarm control means displays an alarm and forcibly stops the compressor when the discharge temperature measured by the discharge temperature sensor of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value. Control device. The refrigerator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refrigerator control device can arbitrarily set one control content or a combination of a plurality of control details for each control content. apparatus. The refrigerator control device is connected to a central control device that manages and controls the operation of a freezing / refrigeration facility including a showcase, and performs control based on setting information transmitted from the central control device. The refrigerator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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