Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Electrical power generation or distribution system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-08-21
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Electrical power generation or distribution system
C062S158000, C318S803000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278910
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a compressor driving control technique for use in air conditioners, and other devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, air conditioners equipped with an inverter have become wide spread, and reduction in size, performance improvement, reduction in cost and improved reliability are desired.
FIG. 1
is a block diagram showing a conventional compressor driving apparatus. In
FIG. 1
, inverter circuit
1
and inverter driving circuit
2
are housed in module unit
3
. A low voltage direct current supply circuit
5
is adapted to convert a high voltage direct current from high voltage direct current power supply (“HV-DC power supply”)
4
into a low voltage direct current for use in the inverter driving circuit
2
. A driving signal generating circuit
6
for inverter circuit
1
is connected to the inverter driving circuit
2
through an insulating circuit
7
. Circuits
4
through
7
are disposed outside of the module unit
3
. Compressor
8
is a load against the inverter circuit
1
.
In the prior art, the insulating circuit
7
, which comprises photocouplers, etc., is required because an isolation is necessary between the driving signal generating circuit
6
and the module unit
3
from the standpoint of safety. There is a problem, however, that waveforms of an output voltage from the inverter circuit
1
are distorted. This is because a signal developed by the driving signal generating circuit
6
is of relatively high speed, such that a time lag occurs under the influence of the insulating circuit
7
.
Moreover, it is required to prepare in advance the data for the driving signal generating circuit
6
for each and every specification of the compressor
8
. As a result, it is difficult to standardize a compressor driving section including the driving signal generating circuit
6
, the inverter driving circuit
2
and the inverter circuit
1
.
In the control system of inverter type air conditioners of the prior art, a compressor driving signal generating section and the compressor driving section for driving the compressor are arranged separately. This results in drawbacks, such as low operating efficiency due to inaccurate operation of a compressor driving power supply (distortion of supply voltage wave forms) and lack of standardization.
An object of the present invention is to resolve the above cited problems of the prior art, and to provide a compressor driving apparatus for air conditioners that results in a smaller size, higher performance and standardization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A compressor driving apparatus of this invention comprises a module unit that houses:
a power supply for converting an externally supplied high voltage direct current into a low voltage direct current;
an inverter for converting the high voltage direct current into an alternating current for driving a compressor;
an inverter driver for driving the inverter;
a central processing unit (“CPU”) for generating a signal to be used for driving the inverter, and having a function for communicating with the external devices;
a storage circuit for storing data which is alterable from the outside; and,
a relay driver for driving an external relay,
and that a portion of the output from the power supply is available for supplying external devices. This may improve the operational efficiency of the compressor because the inverter driving signal generated by the CPU is accurately transferred to the inverter, which enables the supply of low distortion electricity to the compressor. In addition, standardization, as well as a reduction in size, becomes possible since the data representative of each type of compressor is stored in the storage circuit. This data may be freely reconfigured using an external device.
In the present invention, the inverter circuit is covered by polymeric resin after the circuit is disposed on a metallic member. The other circuits are mounted on a printed circuit board and are disposed apart from the inverter circuit. The inverter circuit and other circuits are then integrally molded using a polymeric resin. Therefore, reliability is increased because heat generating members and non-heat generating members are separated from one another.
Also, the present invention is adapted to provide a relay driving signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after voltage of the high voltage direct current power supply (“HV-DC power supply”) exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined time may be varied via a communication port, so that it is adaptable to any HV-DC power supply.
Furthermore, the present invention comprises a capacitor for grounding a negative side terminal of the HV-DC power supply. The capacitor may suppress an excessive leakage current in high frequency band.
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Matsui Keizo
Miura Kenichiro
Tokorotani Yoshihiro
Lee Thomas
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Nguyen Nguyen
Ratner & Prestia
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