JP2001041534A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently carry out operation of indoor units even if the number of the indoor units which are in communication with outdoor units are changed. SOLUTION: In an air conditioning system 30 wherein a first air conditioning device 31 provided with an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 4 and constituting one refrigerant circulating system, a second air conditioning device 32 provided with an outdoor unit 2 and indoor units 5 to 8 and constituting one refrigerant circulating system, and a third air conditioning device 33 provided with outdoor units 3A and 3B and indoor units 9 to 16 and constituting one refrigerant circulating system are installed, and all of the outdoor units and indoor units are connected by a single communication wire 37, the outdoor units are disconnected from the indoor units that are incapable of communication to continue the control of the other indoor units that are capable of communication according to the conditions of the outdoor units when the indoor units happens to be incapable of communication, or a judgment of communication abnormality is made to stop all the outdoor units and indoor units.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an outdoor unit and an indoor unit constituting an air conditioner, which are connected by a single communication line,
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit controls an indoor unit in a refrigerant circulation system to which the outdoor unit belongs via the communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioning system in which one or a plurality of air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit constitute a refrigerant circulation system, all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are a single unit. Are connected by the communication line. In such an air conditioning system, each outdoor unit controls the indoor unit using the communication line in the refrigerant circulation system to which the outdoor unit belongs.

When the above-described air conditioning system is installed in a building, the indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe, that is, the same refrigerant circulation as the outdoor unit, is provided to a control unit of the outdoor unit. The number of indoor units in the system is set in advance.

[0004] Then, before the first operation after the air conditioning system is installed, the outdoor unit of each air conditioning apparatus sets an address to the indoor unit of the same refrigerant circulation system as the self using the communication line. A signal is transmitted, and addresses are sequentially set for the indoor units that have returned a response. At this time, for example, if there is an indoor unit corresponding to an empty room without a tenant and the power supply is cut off and communication is disabled, the indoor unit whose address is set using the communication line is used. In some cases, the number of connected indoor units does not match the number of connected indoor units preset in the outdoor unit control device as described above. In such a case, the outdoor unit determines that there is an abnormality, and stops all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

[0005] In addition, during operation of the air conditioning system, for example, even if there is an indoor unit that cannot be communicated with the outdoor unit because the power supply is cut off to reduce standby power, the outdoor unit will The set number of connected indoor units and the number of communicable indoor units do not match, and it is determined that communication is abnormal, and all of the outdoor units and the indoor units are stopped.

[0006]

However, as described above, the address is set by judging whether or not the number of indoor units to which the address is set matches the preset number of connected indoor units. However, this address setting would be a complicated task.

Further, when the number of communicable indoor units does not match the preset number of connected indoor units, if all of the outdoor units and the indoor units are stopped, the operation of the indoor units becomes more efficient. Cannot be implemented

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that can easily complete address setting of an indoor unit. Another object of the invention described in 5 is to provide an air conditioning system that can efficiently operate an indoor unit even when the number of indoor units communicating with an outdoor unit fluctuates.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or more air conditioners which comprise an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constitute one refrigerant circulation system, wherein the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are provided. In an air conditioning system in which all of the units are connected by a single communication line, the outdoor unit sets an address only for an indoor unit that has established communication in the same refrigerant circulation path as the outdoor unit. The control is performed on the indoor unit to which the address is set.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are a single unit. In the air conditioning system connected by the communication line, one or a plurality of the outdoor units in the one refrigerant circulation system, only for the indoor unit that has grasped by communication the temperature change due to the operation of the outdoor unit, the An address in the refrigerant circulation system is set, and control is performed on the indoor unit to which the address is set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or a plurality of air conditioners each comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system, wherein all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are a single unit. In the air-conditioning system connected by the communication line, the outdoor unit, when an uncommunicable indoor unit occurs, depending on the state of the outdoor unit, the other uncommunicable indoor unit can communicate with another The control of the indoor unit is continued or the communication is determined to be abnormal, and the control is performed to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or a plurality of air conditioners each comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system, wherein all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are a single unit. In the air-conditioning system connected by the communication line, when the indoor unit unable to communicate occurs, the outdoor unit detects the state of the uncommunicable indoor unit that the outdoor unit has grasped so far. Disconnecting the uncommunicable indoor unit and continuing control of another communicable indoor unit, or determining that communication is abnormal, and controlling to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or a plurality of air conditioners each comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system, wherein all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are a single unit. In the air-conditioning system connected by the communication line, when the number of communicable indoor units increases, the outdoor unit is configured such that, according to the state of at least one of the newly communicable indoor unit and the outdoor unit, Incorporating an indoor unit that has become communicable to continue control of the indoor unit, or determining that communication is abnormal, and controlling to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. .

The first aspect of the present invention has the following effects.

The outdoor unit sets an address only for an indoor unit in the same refrigerant circulation path as the outdoor unit and with which communication has been established, and controls the indoor unit to which the address has been set. Therefore, an indoor unit that does not establish communication (for example, when the air conditioning system is installed in one building, an indoor unit corresponding to an empty room without a tenant,
Even if there is an indoor unit whose power is cut off and communication is disabled), it is determined that there is an abnormality and all outdoor units and indoor units are not stopped uniformly, ignoring this unsuccessful indoor unit and communication is possible Since the control is performed on another indoor unit, the address setting of the indoor unit can be easily completed.

The second aspect of the present invention has the following operation.

One or a plurality of the outdoor units in one refrigerant circulation system set an address in the refrigerant circulation system only for an indoor unit that has grasped, by communication, a temperature change due to the operation of the outdoor unit. Since the control is executed for the indoor unit where is set, even if there is an indoor unit whose temperature change is not grasped by communication, it is not determined to be abnormal, and this indoor unit is ignored and the other indoor units are ignored. Execute the control for this. For this reason, the address setting of the indoor unit performed for each refrigerant circulation system can be easily completed.

The third aspect of the invention has the following operation.

When an uncommunicable indoor unit occurs, the outdoor unit disconnects the uncommunicable indoor unit and continues control of another communicable indoor unit depending on the state of the outdoor unit, or a communication error. Is determined and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are all stopped, so that, for example, even if the indoor unit is turned off to reduce standby power and becomes unable to communicate with the outdoor unit, a communication error occurs immediately. And does not stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit uniformly, depending on the state of the outdoor unit,
The operation of another communicable indoor unit can be continued. As a result,
Even if the number of indoor units communicating with the outdoor units is reduced, the operation of the indoor units can be efficiently performed.

[0020] The invention described in claim 4 has the following operation.

[0021] When an uncommunicable indoor unit occurs, the outdoor unit can disconnect and communicate with the uncommunicable indoor unit according to the state of the uncommunicable indoor unit that the outdoor unit has known so far. Since the control of the other indoor units is continued or the communication is determined to be abnormal and control is performed to stop all of the outdoor units and the indoor units, for example, the power of the indoor units is cut off to reduce standby power. Even if communication with the outdoor unit becomes impossible, the communication unit immediately determines that communication is abnormal and does not stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit uniformly. Operation of the indoor unit can be continued. As a result, even if the number of indoor units communicating with the outdoor units decreases, the operation of the indoor units can be efficiently performed.

The fifth aspect of the invention has the following operation.

When the number of communicable indoor units increases, the communicable indoor units are incorporated according to at least one of the newly communicable indoor units and the outdoor units. Since the control of the indoor unit is continued or the communication is determined to be abnormal and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are all controlled to be stopped, for example, the indoor unit whose power is turned on and communication with the outdoor unit is restored. When a communication error occurs, a communication error is not immediately made, and depending on the state of at least one of the newly communicable indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the new indoor unit and another indoor unit continuing to communicate with the outdoor unit are The operation of the indoor unit that has become able to communicate immediately can be performed immediately. As a result,
Even when the number of indoor units communicating with the outdoor units increases, the operation of the indoor units can be efficiently performed.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present invention. The air conditioning system 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first air conditioner 31, a second air conditioner 32, and a third air conditioner 33.
In the first air conditioner 31, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 4 are connected by using a refrigerant pipe 34 to form one refrigerant circulation system.

The second air conditioner 32 includes an outdoor unit 2
And the indoor units 5, 6, 7, and 8 are connected using a refrigerant pipe 35 to form one refrigerant circulation system. Furthermore, the third
In the air conditioner 33, the outdoor units 3A and 3B and the indoor units 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are connected using a refrigerant pipe 36 to form one refrigerant circulation system. .

In these air conditioning systems 30, the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and the indoor units 4 to 16 are connected by one communication line 37. This communication line 37
, The outdoor unit 1 is connected to the indoor unit 4 in the first air conditioner 31.
In the second air conditioner 32, the outdoor unit 2 is between the indoor units 5 to 8, and in the third air conditioner 33, the outdoor unit 3A
And 3B transmit and receive signals to and from the indoor units 9 to 16, respectively.

In the first air conditioner 31, an instruction such as operation and stop is transmitted from the remote controller 18 to the indoor unit 4, and the indoor unit 4 transmits this signal to the outdoor unit 1 via the communication line 37, and outputs the signal to the outdoor unit 1. The machine 1 uses the communication line 37 based on this signal.
, The indoor unit 4 is controlled. In addition, the second air conditioner 3
In 2, the indoor units 5, 6,
Instructions such as operation and stop are transmitted to 7 and 8, and the indoor units 5, 6, 7 and 8 transmit this signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the communication line 37, and the outdoor unit 2 , The indoor units 5, 6, 7 and 8 are controlled.

Further, in the third air conditioner 33, the remote controller 20 connects to the indoor unit 9, the remote controller 21 connects to the indoor unit 10, the remote controller 22 connects to the indoor unit 9.
To the indoor unit 11, from the remote controller 23 to the indoor unit 12, from the remote controller 24 to the indoor unit 13
Then, instructions such as operation and stop are transmitted from the remote controller 25 to the indoor unit 14, from the remote controller 26 to the indoor unit 15, and from the remote controller 27 to the indoor unit 16, respectively. These indoor units 9 to 16 transmit the signals transmitted thereto to the outdoor units 3A and 3A via the communication line 37.
Send to B. The outdoor units 3A and 3B are indoor units 9 to 16
, And controls each of these indoor units 9 to 16 via the communication line 37 based on the signals transmitted from.

Before the first operation after such an air conditioning system 30 is installed in a building, the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner having the same refrigerant circulation system.
An address is set for each of the indoor units 4 to 16 for each air conditioner 33. This address setting is performed as follows.

That is, first, the outdoor unit 1 of the first air conditioner 31 is sent to the indoor unit 4 and the outdoor unit 2 of the second air conditioner 32 is
To the indoor units 5 to 8, the outdoor unit 3A of the third air conditioner 33
Alternatively, 3B transmits an address setting signal to each of the indoor units 9 to 16 via the communication line 37. Next, the outdoor unit 1
Is transmitted to the indoor unit 4 for which communication has been established,
The outdoor unit 1 sets an address in the first air conditioner 31. In addition, the outdoor unit 2 sets an address in the second air conditioner 32 for the indoor units 5 to 8 for which a signal has been returned to the outdoor unit 2 and communication has been established. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 3A
Or, the indoor unit 9 in which a signal is transmitted to 3B and communication is established.
The outdoor unit 3 </ b> A or 3 </ b> B sets an address in the third air conditioner 33 with respect to 〜 <b> 16.

The outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B execute control only for the indoor units 4 to 16 for which communication has been established and addresses have been set. For example, the indoor units 4 to 16 corresponding to vacant rooms having no tenant. In the case where there is a device whose power is cut off and communication becomes impossible, it is not determined that there is an abnormality, and this is ignored to terminate the address setting.

The address setting for the indoor units 4 to 16 is performed for each of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33 as described above. This is the outdoor unit 1 of the first air conditioner 31, the outdoor unit 2 of the second air conditioner 32, and the outdoor unit 3A of the third air conditioner 33.
And 3B are sequentially operated, and these operating outdoor units 1,
The first air conditioner 31, to which the outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A, or 3B to which the operating outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A, or 3B belongs only for the indoor units 4 to 16 in which the temperature change of the refrigerant is grasped via the communication line 37, Second air conditioner 32 or third air conditioner 3
3 is implemented by setting the address. Each of the indoor units 4 to 16 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) and a temperature sensor for detecting a change in the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger. The temperature change of the refrigerant in the indoor units 4 to 16 described above is based on the fact that the detection values of the temperature sensors of the indoor units 4 to 16 indicate that the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B operating via the communication line 37
Are transmitted to these outdoor units 1, 2, 3
It is grasped by A or 3B. The outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B execute control on the indoor units 4 to 16 whose addresses are set in this way.

Of these, even in the third air conditioner 33 in which the two outdoor units 3A and 3B are present, the refrigerant circulation system is the same, so that the indoor units 9 to 16 with which communication has been established are followed by the next numbers. Address is set. However, in order to distinguish the outdoor unit 3A and the outdoor unit 3B, these outdoor units 3A, 3B
B, a unique outdoor unit address is stored in each of the outdoor units 3A and 3B.
For example, it is manually set by using a switch in the control device.

Next, an indoor unit during normal operation of the air conditioning system 30, which is implemented after setting addresses for the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A, 3B and the indoor units 4 to 16 of the air conditioning system 30, will be described. The separation control, the insertion control, and the abnormality determination of 4 to 16 will be described.

[A] Separation control and abnormality judgment (FIGS. 2 and 3) In this separation control and abnormality judgment, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, and 3
When the indoor units 4 to 16 that cannot communicate with each other are generated, A or 3B is determined according to the state of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B and the indoor units 4 to 16 as shown in FIG. b)
As shown in FIG. 3, depending on the state of the indoor units 4 to 16 in which the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 </ b> A, and 3 </ b> B have not been able to communicate until now, in each of these cases (a) and (b), The communication-disabled indoor units 4 to 16 are disconnected to continue the operation of the other communicable indoor units 4 to 16, or it is determined that the communication is abnormal, and all of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 A, and 3 B
In addition, the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped.

In the case of (a), as shown in FIG. 2, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B uses the communication line 37 to connect the first air conditioner 31, The indoor units 4 to 3 of the air conditioner 32 or the third air conditioner 33
In S16, it is determined whether there is an uncommunicable indoor unit (step S11). Each outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B
Are the indoor units 4 to 4 which cannot communicate in step S11.
When 16 exists, it is next determined whether or not communication with all the indoor units 4 to 16 of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, or the third air conditioner 33 to which the device 16 belongs is possible. Is determined using the communication line 37 (step S1).
2).

Each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B uses the communication line 37 to connect to the first air conditioner 31,
When communication with all the indoor units 4 to 16 of the second air conditioner 32 or the third air conditioner 33 is not possible, it is determined that communication is abnormal, and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and the indoor unit 4 To 16 are stopped (step S13).

In step S12, each outdoor unit 1,
2, 3A or 3B is an indoor unit that can communicate with the indoor units 4 to 16 of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, or the third air conditioner 33 to which the self belongs using the communication line 37. If there is, then, it is determined whether or not the first, second, and third air conditioners 31, 32, and 33 to which the self belongs belong to the operating indoor units 4 to 16 (step S1). S14). Each outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B
The communication line 37 indicates that communication is impossible if there is no operating indoor unit 4 to 16 in the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, or the third air conditioner 33 to which the self belongs. The separated indoor units 4 to 16 are controlled to be separated, and control is performed for the currently communicable indoor units 4 to 16 (step S15).

In step S14, each of the outdoor units 1,
2, 3A or 3B uses the communication line 37 when the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, or the third air conditioner 33 to which the self belongs belongs to the indoor units 4 to 16 that are operating. Next, it is determined whether or not the load avoidance operation cannot be performed (step S16). This load avoidance operation means that when the load of each compressor in the outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B is excessive, the outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A
Alternatively, in the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33 to which 3B belongs, the refrigerant flows to the stopped indoor units 4 to 16 to avoid the load on the compressor. .

For example, in this load avoidance operation, when only the indoor unit 5 in the second air conditioner 32 is in the heating operation and the indoor units 6, 7, and 8 are stopped, only the indoor unit 5 removes the refrigerant. When the compressor pressure of the outdoor unit 2 is operating with the rated power or more when the refrigerant pressure is increased without being sufficiently condensed, the refrigerant flows to the indoor units 6 and 7 and the indoor unit 6 The refrigerant is also condensed by means of (7) and (7), whereby the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced, the power of the compressor of the outdoor unit 2 is reduced, and the load on the compressor is avoided.

In order to be able to perform the above-described load avoidance operation, it is necessary that the indoor units 4 to 16 that are currently stopped are powered on, and the power is cut off to disable communication. In this case, the indoor units 4 to 16 cannot be the load avoidance destination indoor units, and the load cannot be avoided.

In step S16, each outdoor unit 1,
2, 3A or 3B, using the communication line 37, the indoor units 4 to 16 of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, or the third air conditioner 33 to which the self belongs cannot be the load avoidance destination. When it is determined that communication is abnormal,
The outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped (step S13).

In step S 16, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 A and 3 B uses the communication line 37 to transmit the first air conditioner 31 and the second air conditioner 32
Or among the indoor units 4 to 16 of the third air conditioner 33,
If there is a potential load avoidance destination, the control unit disconnects the uncommunicable indoor units 4 to 16 and controls the currently communicated indoor units 4 to 16. Each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B performs steps S11 to S11 described above.
Step S16 is repeatedly executed.

In the case of the above (b), as shown in FIG. 3, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B uses the communication line 37 to connect the first air conditioner 31, The indoor units 4 to 3 of the air conditioner 32 or the third air conditioner 33
In S16, it is determined whether there is an uncommunicable indoor unit (step S21). Each outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B
Are the indoor units 4 to 4 that cannot communicate in step S21.
In the case where the indoor unit 4 exists, the indoor unit
16 are determined to be in operation (step S22). If they are in operation, it is determined that the communication line 37 has a failure such as a disconnection, and the communication is determined to be abnormal. 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped (step S23).

In step S22, when the indoor units 4 to 16 in which communication has been disabled have not been operating, it is determined whether or not the indoor units 4 to 16 have refrigerant flowing as the load avoidance indoor unit. Is determined (step S24).

In this step S24, when the indoor units 4 to 16 in which the communication is disabled are the load avoidance destinations,
Since the expansion valve may be in the open state, it is determined that the communication is abnormal, and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped (step S23).

In step S24, if the indoor units 4 to 16 in which communication has become impossible are not the load avoidance destinations,
The control unit disconnects the indoor units 4 to 16 that have become unable to communicate, and continues the control of the indoor units 4 to 16 that can communicate now (step S25). Each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B repeats steps S21 to S25 described above.

[B] Incorporation control and abnormality determination (FIGS. 4 and 5) In this incorporation control and abnormality determination, each outdoor unit 1
2, 3A or 3B indicates, when the number of communicable indoor units 4 to 16 increases, at least one of the newly communicable indoor unit and the outdoor unit, that is, (c) as shown in FIG. Outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B and indoor unit 4 to 16
Or (d) the indoor unit 4 as shown in FIG.
In any of the cases (c) and (d), the indoor units 4 to 16 that have become communicable are incorporated to continue the control of the indoor units, or the outdoor unit is determined to be abnormal depending on the states of (c) and (d). 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped.

In the case of the above (c), as shown in FIG. 4, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B uses the communication line 37 to connect to the first air conditioner 31, The indoor units 4 to 3 of the air conditioner 32 or the third air conditioner 33
It is determined whether the number of communicable indoor units has increased in step 16 (step S31). Each outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B
In this step S31, the communicable indoor units 4 to 16
If the number has increased, it is determined using the communication line 37 whether or not the address of the increased indoor unit has not been set (step S32). It is determined whether the address is duplicated in the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33 to which the self belongs (step S3).
3).

In steps S32 and S33, if an address is set to the newly communicable indoor units 4 to 16 and if the addresses do not overlap, the newly communicable indoor unit 4 to 16 is set. 4 to 16, for example, the power was cut off to reduce standby power,
After that, the indoor units 4 to 16 whose power was restored and communication became possible
Can be determined. In such a case, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B controls the incorporation of the above-mentioned newly communicable indoor units 4 to 16, and controls the indoor units 4 to 16.
The control of the currently communicable indoor units 4 to 16 is continued (step S34).

Each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is connected to the newly communicable indoor units 4 to 16 in step S32.
In step S33, it is determined that the address has not been set, and in step S33, it is determined that the address is duplicated.
~ 16 can be recognized as a newly installed indoor unit,
In the latter case, the indoor units 4-1 to -1 that can communicate are used.
6 can be recognized as an indoor unit relocated from another air conditioner. Then, each of these outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B determines whether or not the air conditioning system 30 has a plurality of refrigerant circulation systems, that is, whether or not there are a plurality of air conditioning devices (step S35).

When there is only one air conditioner, the outdoor unit of this air conditioner performs forced thermo OFF operation on all the indoor units of the air conditioner (that is, the operation of the fan of the indoor unit continues, The operation is to stop the flow of refrigerant into and out of the indoor heat exchanger), and during this time, addresses are automatically set to all the indoor units of the single air conditioner (step S36). This address setting takes a short time (for example, 1
(2 minutes), the indoor unit of this single air conditioner cancels the forced thermo OFF operation after the address setting is completed (step S37) and incorporates the newly communicable indoor unit. Control.

In step S35, in the case of the air conditioning system 30 having a plurality of air conditioners, it is determined that communication is abnormal, and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped. (Step S38). This is because when there are a plurality of air conditioners, each of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33
Each time, the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B must be operated, and addresses must be set for the indoor units 4 to 16 in which the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger has changed.
This is because a great deal of time is required for this address setting.

Each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B repeats steps S31 to S38 described above.
The control (d) is executed for the newly communicable indoor units 4 to 16 incorporated in 4.

In the case of (d), as shown in FIG. 5, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is connected to the indoor units 4 to 16 newly incorporated in step S34 by the remote controller. It is determined whether or not a driving instruction has been issued using the commands 18 to 27 (step S41). If there is no instruction, no control is performed on the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16 (step S42).

When the operation instruction is given in step S41, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is connected to the refrigerant circulation system (that is, the refrigerant circulation system based on the addresses set in the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16). First air conditioner 3
1, second air conditioner 32 or third air conditioner 3
3) Operating condition and the newly incorporated indoor unit 4
To 16 (the indoor units 4 to 16).
Of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger) is determined using the communication line 37 (step S4).
3).

For example, the indoor unit 1 of the third air conditioner 33
6 is transferred to the second air conditioner 32, and the indoor unit 1
When the operation instruction is transmitted to the indoor unit 16 when the address of the third air conditioner 33 remains the address in the third air conditioner 33, the outdoor units 3A and 3B of the third air conditioner 33
Performs the cooling or heating operation. However, since the indoor unit 16 is already connected to the refrigerant pipe 35 of the second air conditioner 32, the temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 16 is changed by the operation of the outdoor units 3A and 3B. Therefore, the relationship between the refrigerant temperature of the indoor unit 16 and the operation state of the third air conditioner 33 is not established.

As described above, in step S43, the first air conditioner 31 and the second air conditioner 3 based on the addresses set for the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16 are used.
If the operating state of the second or third air conditioner 33 does not correspond to the refrigerant temperature of the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16, each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A, or 3B has a communication error. And all the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped (step S4).
4) If it is supported, it is determined that the addresses of the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16 are appropriate, and the control of the newly incorporated indoor units 4 to 16 is continued (step). S42).

Therefore, according to the air conditioning system 30 of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B includes a first air conditioner 31, a second air conditioner 32, and a third air conditioner 33 to which the outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B belongs.
In this case, an address is set only for the indoor units 4 to 16 with which communication has been established via the communication line 37, and control is executed for the indoor units 4 to 16 to which this address has been set. Indoor units 4 to 16 where communication is not established, for example, when the air conditioning system 30 is installed in one building, the indoor units 4 to 16 for vacant rooms without tenants,
Even if there is an indoor unit whose power is cut off and communication is disabled, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are not uniformly stopped, and this communication is not established. Since the indoor units 4 to 16 are ignored and the other indoor units 4 to 16 that can communicate are controlled, the indoor units 4 to 16 are controlled.
Address setting can be easily completed.

The outdoor unit 1 of the first air conditioner 31 and the second unit
The outdoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 32 and the outdoor units 3A and 3B of the third air conditioner 33 are the outdoor units 1, 2,
Addresses in the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33 only for the indoor units 4 to 16 whose temperature changes due to the operations of 3A and 3B are grasped via the communication line 37. Is set, and control is performed on the indoor units 4 to 16 to which this address has been set.
Indoor units 4 to 16 whose temperature change was not grasped by communication
Is not determined to be abnormal even if the indoor unit 4 exists, the indoor units 4 to 16 are ignored, and the other indoor units 4 whose temperatures are grasped by communication are identified.
The control is executed for .about.16. Therefore, the address setting of the indoor units 4 to 16 performed for each of the first air conditioner 31, the second air conditioner 32, and the third air conditioner 33 can be easily completed.

The outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B is adapted to be connected to any of the outdoor units 1, 2 and 3A or 3B when the uncommunicable indoor units 4 to 16 occur.
The indoor unit 4 that cannot communicate due to the state of 2, 3A or 3B
-16, the control of other indoor units 4 to 16 that can communicate is continued, or it is determined that communication is abnormal, and all of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped. Control, for example, indoor units 4-1
6, even if the power is cut off manually or automatically to reduce standby power and communication with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is disabled, it is immediately determined that communication is abnormal and the outdoor units 1
2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are not stopped uniformly, and steps S12, S14 and S16 in FIG.
Outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B and indoor units 4 to 16
In some cases, the operation of the other communicable indoor units 4 to 16 can be continued. As a result, even if the number of the indoor units 4 to 16 communicating with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B decreases, the operation of the indoor units 4 to 16 can be efficiently performed.

The outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B are adapted to be connected to the outdoor units 1, 2 and 3A when the uncommunicable indoor units 4 to 16 occur.
Due to the state of the uncommunicable indoor units 4 to 16 which the 2, 3A or 3B has known so far, this uncommunicable indoor unit 4
-16, the control of other indoor units 4 to 16 that can communicate is continued, or it is determined that communication is abnormal, and all of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are stopped. Control, for example, indoor units 4-1
6, even if the power is cut off manually or automatically to reduce standby power and communication with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is disabled, it is immediately determined that communication is abnormal and the outdoor units 1, 2,
3A and 3B and all of the indoor units 4 to 16 are not stopped uniformly, and depending on the state of the indoor units 4 to 16 shown in steps S22 and S23 in FIG. Operation can be continued. As a result, even if the number of the indoor units 4 to 16 communicating with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B decreases, the operation of the indoor units 4 to 16 can be efficiently performed.

When the number of communicable indoor units 4 to 16 increases, the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 A, and 3 B communicate with the newly communicable indoor units 4 to 16 and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 A and 3 B. 3B, the control of the indoor units 4 to 16 is continued by incorporating the communicable indoor units 4 to 16 or the communication of the outdoor units 1 to 16 is determined.
Since all of the indoor units 4 to 16 and the indoor units 4 to 16 are controlled to be stopped, for example, the indoor units 4 to 16 in which the power is turned on and the communication with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B is restored. When this occurs, the communication unit does not immediately determine that the communication has failed, and as shown in steps S32, S33, and S35 of FIG. 4 and step S43 of FIG.
Depending on the state of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B and the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B, it becomes possible to newly communicate with the other indoor units 4 to 16 which continue to communicate with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B. The operation of the indoor units 4 to 16 can be performed immediately. As a result, even if the number of the indoor units 4 to 16 communicating with the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A or 3B increases, the operation of the indoor units 4 to 16 can be performed efficiently.

When the addresses of the indoor units 4 to 16 are set, the number of the indoor units 4 to 16 actually connected to the outdoor units 1, 2, 3 A and 3 B and the number of the outdoor units 1,
Since the number of the indoor units 4 to 16 whose addresses are set by 2, 3A or 3B is not compared, the indoor unit 4 actually connected to the outdoor unit 1, 2, 3A or 3B when the air conditioning system 30 is installed. This eliminates the need to manually set the number of connected units to 16 in the controller of each of the outdoor units 1, 2, 3A and 3B. Therefore, the construction of the air conditioning system 30 can be simplified.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0068]

As described above, according to the air conditioning system according to the first aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed. In an air conditioning system in which all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line, the outdoor unit is located in the same refrigerant circulation path as the outdoor unit and the indoor communication is established. Since the address is set only for the unit and the control is executed for the indoor unit to which the address is set, the address setting of the indoor unit can be easily completed.

According to the air conditioning system according to the second aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners each including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and In an air conditioning system in which all of the indoor units are connected by a single communication line, one or more of the outdoor units in the one refrigerant circulating system is configured to recognize, by communication, a temperature change caused by operation of the outdoor unit. Since the address in the refrigerant circulation system is set only for the unit and the control is executed for the indoor unit to which the address is set, the address setting of the indoor unit can be easily completed.

According to the air conditioning system according to the third aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and the outdoor unit and the In an air conditioning system in which all of the indoor units are connected by a single communication line, when the indoor unit that cannot communicate is generated, the indoor unit that cannot communicate is determined according to the state of the outdoor unit. Since the control of the other indoor units that can be separated and communicated is continued or the communication is determined to be abnormal and the control is performed to stop all of the outdoor units and the indoor units, the indoor unit communicating with the outdoor units is controlled. Even if the number of units fluctuates, the operation of the indoor units can be performed efficiently.

According to the air conditioning system of the fourth aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners each comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and the outdoor unit and the In an air conditioning system in which all of the indoor units are connected by a single communication line, when the indoor unit that cannot communicate is generated, the outdoor unit cannot recognize the communication failure that the outdoor unit has known until then. Depending on the state of the indoor unit, the uncommunicable indoor unit is disconnected to continue control of another communicable indoor unit, or it is determined that communication is abnormal, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are stopped. Since the control is performed, even when the number of indoor units communicating with the outdoor units fluctuates, the operation of the indoor units can be efficiently performed.

According to the air conditioning system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of air conditioners including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are provided, and the outdoor unit and the In an air conditioning system in which all of the indoor units are connected by a single communication line, when the number of communicable indoor units increases, the number of communicable indoor units increases. Depending on at least one of the states, the control of the indoor unit is continued by incorporating the indoor unit which has become communicable, or controlling to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit by determining that the communication is abnormal. Therefore, even if the number of indoor units communicating with the outdoor units fluctuates, the operation of the indoor units can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an indoor unit disconnection control in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the disconnection control of the indoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control for incorporating an indoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the control for incorporating an indoor unit in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3A, 3B Outdoor unit 4-16 Indoor unit 30 Air conditioning system 31 First air conditioner 32 Second air conditioner 33 Third air conditioner 37 Communication line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. One or more air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line. In the air conditioning system, the outdoor unit sets an address only for the indoor unit in which communication is established in the same refrigerant circulation path as the outdoor unit, and sets an address for the indoor unit in which this address is set. An air conditioning system configured to perform control. 2. One or a plurality of air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit to constitute one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line. In the air conditioning system, one or more outdoor units in the one refrigerant circulation system set an address in the refrigerant circulation system only for an indoor unit that has grasped, by communication, a temperature change due to operation of the outdoor unit. An air conditioning system configured to execute control on the indoor unit to which the address is set. 3. One or more air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line. In the air-conditioning system, when the uncommunicable indoor unit occurs, the outdoor unit disconnects the uncommunicable indoor unit and continues control of another communicable indoor unit depending on the state of the outdoor unit. Alternatively, the air conditioning system is characterized in that it is determined that communication is abnormal, and control is performed to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. 4. An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and comprising one or more refrigerant circulation systems is provided, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line. In the air conditioning system, the outdoor unit disconnects the uncommunicable indoor unit according to the state of the uncommunicable indoor unit that the outdoor unit has known until then when the uncommunicable indoor unit occurs. An air-conditioning system characterized by continuing control of another indoor unit that can communicate with the air conditioner, or determining that communication is abnormal and performing control to stop all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. 5. One or more air conditioners comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and constituting one refrigerant circulation system are installed, and all of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a single communication line. In the air-conditioning system, when the number of communicable indoor units increases, the number of communicable indoor units increases according to the state of at least one of the newly communicable indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The air conditioning system is characterized in that the control of the indoor unit is continued by incorporating the control unit, or the communication is determined to be abnormal, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are controlled to be stopped.