JP2006177630A - Multiterminal communication system, and air conditioner equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an outdoor unit to know the existence of an indoor unit even when the indoor unit fed with an electric power source exists after automatic address setting is finished, when a polling system is adopted as a communication system between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. <P>SOLUTION: The existence of the indoor unit 23 not imparted with an address with respect to the outdoor unit 10 is recognized while evading collision of the communication with the indoor unit having no other address, by determining notification timing in response to a lapse time after the power source of the indoor unit 23 is fed, when determining the notification timing of the address not set yet, in the indoor unit 23 having no address. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-terminal communication method between a central device and a plurality of terminal devices.

  Conventionally, in a multi-terminal communication method using a polling method between this type of central device and a plurality of terminal devices, it is necessary for the central device to give an address necessary for managing the terminal device to be controlled. is there. After the address is assigned, communication between the central device and the terminal device is performed using the assigned address.

  As a method for setting this address, there are a case where each terminal device is provided with an address switch, and a case where the central device assigns an address to a plurality of terminal devices while communicating.

  Setting with the address switch becomes complicated when the number is large, and there are problems such as setting errors by workers, so the central unit now gives addresses to multiple terminal units while communicating This method is widely implemented, and this method is called automatic address setting.

  Conventionally, as this type of address setting method, for example, there is a method of assigning a control address using a unique numerical value written in each indoor unit (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal mechanism of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. It is the schematic which shows the functional block implement | achieved by CPU when performing the automatic address setting described in patent document 1. FIG. Hereinafter, the automatic address setting method described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the air conditioner 300 is provided with one outdoor unit 310 and a plurality of indoor units 321 to 324. The outdoor unit 310 and the indoor units 321 to 324 can communicate with each other via the communication line 340.

  In FIG. 15, the outdoor unit 310 is provided with a CPU 311, an EEPROM 312, a data transmission unit 310 a, and a data reception unit 310 b. Further, the indoor unit 321 is provided with a CPU 411, an EEPROM 412, a data transmission unit 321a, and a data reception unit 321b.

  The EEPROMs 312 and 412 store a unique serial number (identification number) given at the time of manufacture of the outdoor unit and each indoor unit, an address set for communication, and the like.

  The other indoor units 322 to 324 shown in FIG. 14 are the same as the indoor unit 321 shown in FIG.

  Prior to normal operation, the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 needs to transmit and receive control signals for controlling the operation of the compressor, the indoor fan, etc. to each of the plurality of indoor units 321 to 324 during normal operation. Automatic address setting for automatically assigning an address to each indoor unit is performed.

  The CPU 411 of the indoor unit 321 has a function of sending a response message to various commands received from the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 via the communication line 340 or setting a no-response state during automatic address setting. ing.

  Hereinafter, the case where the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 performs automatic address setting will be described as an example.

  FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram realized by the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 when automatic address setting is performed. First, the CPU 311 functions as the address reset unit 311 a and resets the addresses of the plurality of indoor units 321 to 324 connected to the communication line 340. When the CPU 311 confirms that the address has been reset in each of the indoor units 321 to 324, the CPU 311 functions as the address non-setting detection unit 311b, and the indoor unit 321 to 324 in which an address has not yet been set. Detect whether there is a machine. Then, if there is an indoor unit whose address is not set, the indoor unit having the smallest serial number or the largest serial number is sequentially identified and functions as the address setting unit 311c to assign a unique address. An indoor unit is identified and an address is set and assigned to the indoor unit. When the CPU 311 completes address setting for one indoor unit, it functions as the address non-setting detection unit 311b again, and detects whether there is an indoor unit for which no address has been set as described above. When addresses are already set and assigned to all the indoor units 321 to 324, the CPU 311 functions as the address confirmation unit 311d and confirms the address of each indoor unit. And when there is no abnormality in the address set with respect to each indoor unit 321-324, it is comprised so that it may transfer to normal operation of an air conditioner after that.

  Next, a method for specifying one indoor unit when the serial number set for each indoor unit is, for example, 24-bit data will be described.

  For example, the serial number expressed by 24 bits of the indoor unit 321 is “10111...”, The serial number expressed by 24 bits of the indoor unit 322 is “10110. It is assumed that the serial number expressed by 24 bits is “10100...” And the serial number expressed by 24 bits of the indoor unit 324 is “10000.

  First, when the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 transmits a command so that the indoor unit whose upper first bit value is 1, the first bit of all the indoor units 321 to 324 is 1, The indoor units 321 to 324 transmit response messages. At this time, by monitoring the communication line 340, the CPUs of the indoor units 321 to 324 can recognize that other indoor units have transmitted the response message.

  Next, the CPU 311 transmits a command so that the indoor unit whose upper second bit value is 1 responds, but since the second bit of all the indoor units 321 to 324 is 0, all the indoor units 321 to 324 are not responding. At this time, the CPUs of the indoor units 321 to 324 can recognize that the indoor units other than the self are not responding by monitoring the communication line 340. Here, if the CPUs of the indoor units 321 to 324 recognize that they are in a non-response state and that other indoor units have transmitted a response message, even if the confirmation commands match for the subsequent bits, While it is configured to maintain a no-response state, when it recognizes that it is in a no-response state and other indoor units are also in a no-response state, when the confirmation command for the next bit matches It is configured to send a response message. For this reason, all the indoor units 321 to 324 are in a no-response state for the second bit, but are in a state capable of responding to the next confirmation command for the third bit.

  Then, when the CPU 311 of the outdoor unit 310 sends a command so that the indoor unit whose next third bit value is 1, the third bit of the indoor units 321 to 323 is 1, so that the three units The indoor units 321 to 323 transmit a response message, and the indoor unit 324 enters a no-response state. The indoor unit 324 maintains a no-response state with respect to subsequent bit confirmation commands. Then, when the CPU 311 transmits a command so that the indoor unit whose next fourth bit value is 1 responds, the fourth bit of the indoor units 321 and 322 is 1, so the two indoor units 321, 322 transmits a response message, and the indoor units 323 and 324 are in a no-response state.

  Then, when the CPU 311 transmits a command so that the indoor unit whose next fifth bit value is 1 responds, only the indoor unit 321 transmits a response message because the fifth bit of the indoor unit 321 is 1. However, the indoor units 322 to 324 are not responding. At this time, the number of responding indoor units is one, and the CPU 311 can normally receive a response message. Therefore, the indoor unit 321 is specified and an address can be set.

When the assignment of the address to the specified indoor unit is completed, the CPU 311 restarts bit confirmation from the first bit again. At this time, the response prohibition state is also cleared for the indoor unit, and the response to the confirmation command for each bit is resumed again. By repeating the above processing, addresses are assigned to all indoor units.
JP 2000-74461 A

  However, in order for the outdoor unit to identify all indoor units in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to assume that all the indoor units are powered on before automatic address setting.

  When the power-on timing for each device differs depending on the installation environment of the device, for example, for an indoor unit that is turned on after the outdoor unit completes automatic address setting, it is impossible for the outdoor unit to recognize the indoor unit .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, by providing each indoor unit with an address non-setting notification function, it is possible to notify the outdoor unit that the address has not been set from the indoor unit.

  The present invention relates to a communication method using a polling method, and even when there is a terminal device that does not have an address due to power being turned on after completion of automatic address setting, the terminal device that does not have an address is a central device In addition, the terminal device itself uses various information to determine the timing for notifying the presence of an address non-set terminal device. On the other hand, it is possible to make the central device recognize the presence of an unassigned terminal device while avoiding communication conflicts with other terminal devices when the address is not set from the terminal device. An address can be assigned again.

In the first invention, a terminal device to which no address is assigned transmits a specific command to the central device at a preset timing in communication between the central device and a plurality of terminal devices. It is possible to recognize the existence of a terminal device to which no address is assigned to the device, and the central device can assign an address to each terminal device again.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the notification of the address not set of the first invention, each terminal device has a function of determining the notification timing, thereby avoiding a communication collision with other terminal devices, The central device can be made aware of the presence of an unassigned terminal device, and the central device can again assign an address to each terminal device.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting of the second aspect of the invention, the notification timing is set to a time set in advance from the time when the terminal device is turned on. By making a match, it becomes possible to recognize the existence of a terminal device to which no address is assigned to the central device while avoiding a communication collision with other terminal devices, and the central device again recognizes each terminal device. It is possible to assign an address to.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting according to the second aspect of the invention, the notification timing is triggered by a specific command transmitted by the central device, and the specific command is determined by the terminal device. By doing so, it becomes possible to recognize the existence of an unassigned terminal device to the central device while avoiding a communication collision with other terminal devices, and the central device again assigns an address to each terminal device. It becomes possible to grant.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting according to the second aspect of the invention, the notification timing is triggered by the number of transmissions of a specific command from the central device, and the specific command and the number of transmissions. By determining the terminal device, it becomes possible to recognize the existence of a terminal device to which no address is given to the central device while avoiding communication collisions with other terminal devices. An address can be assigned to the device.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting of the second aspect, the notification timing is triggered by the number of command transmissions from the central device, and the number of transmissions is determined by the terminal device. As a result, it is possible to recognize the existence of an unassigned terminal device to the central device while avoiding communication collisions with other terminal devices, and the central device again assigns an address to each terminal device. It becomes possible to do.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting according to the second aspect of the invention, the notification timing is triggered by a specific address of the terminal device with respect to the central device. By deciding, it becomes possible to recognize the existence of an unassigned terminal device to the central device while avoiding communication collisions with other terminal devices, and the central device again addresses each terminal device. Can be given.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, when determining the timing for notifying the address non-setting of the second aspect, the notification timing is triggered by the number of responses of the specific address of the terminal device to the central device, and the specific address and By determining the number of responses by the terminal device, it becomes possible to recognize the existence of a terminal device to which no address is assigned to the central device while avoiding communication collisions with other terminal devices. An address can be assigned to each terminal device.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, by changing the notification timing of the first to eighth aspects of each notification, an address is given to the central device while avoiding communication collision with other terminal devices. It is possible to recognize the presence of a terminal device that does not exist, and the central device can again give an address to each terminal device.

  In the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the multi-terminal communication system of the first to ninth aspects is installed in an air conditioner, even if there is an indoor unit for which no address is set, the outdoor unit is not present. It is possible to grasp and give an address to each indoor unit again.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for a general air conditioner. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Generally, in an air conditioner, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are each provided with a control device, and operation control is performed by communicating with each other between the control devices of both units. In recent years, serial communication using a bus line has been adopted as a communication method, and a large amount of data is transmitted and received by a relatively thin (for example, two-core) signal cable.

  By the way, when installing an air conditioner in a building, an outdoor unit of the air conditioner is often arranged on the roof or the like, and refrigerant piping is often piped from there to each indoor unit. In such a case, the signal cable of each air conditioner is laid separately as well as the refrigerant pipe. However, one bus line is shared between the outdoor unit and each indoor unit to facilitate cable installation work, etc. The configuration is common. In other words, if the outdoor unit and each indoor unit are connected by a single bus line and the operation control is performed as an air conditioner through the bus line, a single signal cable is used from the rooftop to the indoors. You can just pull in.

  In this type of air conditioner, communication between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit in one air conditioner is performed at predetermined time intervals by a polling signal output from the outdoor unit.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 is provided with one outdoor unit 10 and a plurality of indoor units 21 to 23. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 21 to 23 can communicate with each other via a communication bus line 40.

  FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the transmission timing of each polling performed between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 21 to 22 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, t1 is a time interval at which the outdoor unit starts transmission to the indoor unit, and t2 indicates a timing at which the indoor unit called from the outdoor unit 10 starts transmission. In the figure, A and B are commands transmitted by the outdoor unit, A ′ and B ′ are responses to the commands A and B of the outdoor unit 10 by the indoor unit 21, and A ″ and B ″ are indoors. The unit 22 is a response to the command A and the command B of the outdoor unit 10.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the timing at which the indoor unit 23 for which no address is set interrupts the communication between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 21 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. C in the figure is a command for the indoor unit to notify the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and t3 represents the timing at which the indoor unit 23 transmits the command C. The command C is shorter than the command A and the command B because the command A and the command B include control information for the indoor unit, but the command C does not include information on the state. .

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit without an address transmits a command C for informing the outdoor unit 10 that an address has not been set. Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. FIG. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while the indoor unit 23
For, it is assumed that no address is given due to a delay in power-on.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 10 performs serial data communication by polling with respect to the indoor units 21 to 22. Here, the outdoor unit is a master and the indoor unit is a slave.

  The outdoor unit 10 repeats transmission to each of the indoor units 21 to 22 at a predetermined time (t1) interval. On the other hand, if the data from the outdoor unit 10 is addressed to itself, The response to the outdoor unit 10 is started after a certain time (t2) has elapsed since the start of data transmission of the unit 10. In this way, the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 21 to 22 perform communication sequentially. By the way, in the general polling method, since the outdoor unit 10 performs polling only on the recognized indoor units 21 to 22, the indoor unit 23 having no address is not called from the outdoor unit 10.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. Will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

  In FIG. 4, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not shown in the flowchart, the outdoor unit transmits the command A or the command B here after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that address setting has been completed by knowing A or B as a command transmitted by the outdoor unit.

  Here, if it has an address, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2. In st2, the timer 1 is started by starting reception, and the process proceeds to st3. In st3, it waits for the outdoor unit 10 to transmit the command A. If the command A is received, the process proceeds to st4 and waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse in the timer 1 started in st2. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started.

  If the value of timer 1 has passed t3 in st4, the process proceeds to st5, command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10 (st5), timer 2 is subsequently started (st6), and the process proceeds to st7. In st7, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). When it is less than T, the process proceeds to st8, and when the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason, and the process returns to st2 for redoing.

  In st8, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started at st8, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st7, and st7 and st8 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified by sending command C. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the receiving state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which an address is not set, and performs address setting processing again. In the above description, the command A of the outdoor unit is described, but the command B may be used instead of the command A.

(Embodiment 2)
The description on FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for informing the outdoor unit 10 that an address has not been set according to the second embodiment. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. Although not shown in the flowchart, when the indoor unit 23 is powered on, the timer 3 is started and updated regularly.

  In FIG. 5, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B. Here, if it has an address, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2.

  In st2, timer 1 is started by the start of reception, and the process proceeds to st3. In st3, it waits for the outdoor unit to transmit the command A. When the command A is received, the process proceeds to st4. In st4, it is determined whether or not the timer 3 has passed a preset time (TT). If the preset time (TT) has not elapsed, the process returns to st2, and if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to st5.

  In st5, the timer 1 started in st2 waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started. If the value of timer 1 has passed t3 in st5, the process proceeds to st6, and the command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, and then the timer 2 is started in st7 and proceeds to st8.

  In st8, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st9. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 has not been recognized for some reason by the command C, the timer 3 is cleared (st10), and the process is repeated. Return to st2.

  In st9, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st8, and st8 and st9 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again. In the above description, the command A of the outdoor unit is described, but the command B may be used instead of the command A.

(Embodiment 3)
The description for FIG. 1 is the same as the description in Embodiment 1, and thus the description is omitted. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the timing when the indoor unit 23 in which no address is set interrupts the communication performed between the transmission data of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 21 in the third embodiment of the present invention. is there. In the figure, C is a command for the indoor unit to notify the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and t3 represents the timing at which the indoor unit 23 starts transmitting command C.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for informing the outdoor unit 10 that an address has not been set according to the third embodiment. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. FIG. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 7, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B. Here, if it has an address, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2.

  In st2, it is determined whether the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after transmitting the command notifying that the address has not been determined, and the process proceeds to st3. Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that command B has been received. In st3, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st4. In st4, it waits for the outdoor unit to transmit the command (command B in this description) selected in st2. If the command (command B) selected in st2 is received in st4, the process proceeds to st5 and waits for the timer 1 started in st3 to pass a predetermined time (t3). About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started.

  If the value of timer 1 has passed t3 in st5, the process proceeds to st6, a command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, the process proceeds to st7, the timer 2 is started, and the process proceeds to st8. In st8, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st9. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason, and the process returns to st3 for redoing.

  In st9, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st8, and st8 and st9 are repeated.

As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

(Embodiment 4)
The description for FIGS. 1 and 6 is the same as the description so far, and the description is omitted. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for informing the outdoor unit 10 of an address non-set state according to the fourth embodiment. Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 8. FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 8, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B. Here, if it has an address, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2.

  In st2, it is determined whether the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after transmitting the command notifying that the address has not been determined, and the process proceeds to st3. Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that command B has been received. In st3, the number (CC) of how many times the command selected in st2 is transmitted after transmitting the command for notifying the address undecided is determined (CC), and the process proceeds to st4. In st4, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st5. In st5, it waits for the outdoor unit to transmit the command (command B in this description) selected in st2.

  If the received command is not the command B in st5, the process returns to st4. If the command B is received, the process proceeds to st6. After the reception number counter is incremented by 1, the process proceeds to st7. In st7, the reception number counter is compared with the number of times (CC) set in st3. When the reception number counter is less than the comparison value (CC), the process returns to st4, and when the reception number counter exceeds the comparison value (CC), the process proceeds to st8.

  In st8, the timer 1 started in st4 waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started. If the value of timer 1 has passed t3 in st8, the process proceeds to st9, a command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, the process proceeds to st10, the timer 2 is started, and the process proceeds to st11. In st11, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st12. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason. Return to st4.

  In st12, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st11, and st11 and st12 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

(Embodiment 5)
The description on FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for notifying the outdoor unit 10 of an address non-set state according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 9, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B.

  If it has an address at st1, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2. In st2, it is determined how many times the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command to transmit the command for notifying that the address has not been determined, and the process proceeds to st3. The number of times set here is CCC. In st3, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st4. In st4, it waits for the outdoor unit to transmit a command. The command here may be either command A or command B.

  If the command received in st4 is not a command from the outdoor unit 10, the process returns to st3. If a command from the outdoor unit 10 is received, the process proceeds to st5. After the reception number counter is incremented by 1, the process proceeds to st6. In st6, the reception number counter is compared with the number of times (CCC) set in st2. When the reception number counter is less than the comparison value (CCC), the process returns to st3, and when the reception number counter exceeds the comparison value (CCC), the process proceeds to st7. In st7, the timer 1 started in st3 waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse.

  About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started. When the value of timer 1 has elapsed t3 in st7, the process proceeds to st8, and after the command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, the timer 2 is started in st9 and the process proceeds to st10. In st10, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st11. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 has not been recognized for some reason by the command C. Return to st3.

In st11, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started in st11, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st10, and st10 and st11 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

(Embodiment 6)
The description for FIG. 1 is the same as the description in Embodiment 1, and thus the description is omitted. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the timing when the indoor unit 23 in which no address is set interrupts the communication performed between the transmission data of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 21 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. is there. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for notifying the outdoor unit 10 that an address has not been set according to the sixth embodiment.

  Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11. FIG. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 11, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B.

If it has an address at st1, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2. In st2, the communication between the outdoor unit 10 and another indoor unit is received, the set address is extracted, and the process proceeds to st3. In this description, the set addresses are 21 and 22. In st3, it is determined which indoor unit of the address extracted in st2 is to be interrupted next, and the process proceeds to st4. In this description, it is assumed that the indoor unit 22 is selected. In st4, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st5. In st5, it waits for the selected indoor unit (indoor unit 22) to transmit a command. If the command received in st5 is not from the selected indoor unit, the process returns to st4, and if it is the selected indoor unit (indoor unit 22), the process proceeds to st6. In st6, the timer 1 started in st4 is set for a predetermined time. (T3) Wait for elapse. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets between the time until the response of the selected indoor unit is complete | finished and the outdoor unit 10 next starts transmission. If the value of timer 1 has elapsed t3 in st6, the process proceeds to st7, and after transmitting the command C to the outdoor unit 10, the process proceeds to st8, the timer 2 is started and the process proceeds to st9. In st9, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st10. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason, and the process returns to st4 for redoing.

In st10, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started in st10, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st9, and st9 and st10 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 that does not have an address notifies the presence of an indoor unit without an address using the time from the completion of transmission of the selected indoor unit until the outdoor unit 10 starts transmission. Can do. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

(Embodiment 7)
The description for FIG. 1 is the same as the description in Embodiment 1, and thus the description is omitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which an indoor unit with no address set transmits a command C for notifying the outdoor unit 10 of no address set in the seventh embodiment. A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 12, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B.

  If it has an address at st1, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2. In st2, the communication between the outdoor unit 10 and another indoor unit is received, the address of the set indoor unit is extracted, and the process proceeds to st3. In this description, the set addresses are 21 and 22. In st3, it is determined which indoor unit of the address extracted in st2 is to be interrupted next, and the process proceeds to st4. In this description, it is assumed that the indoor unit 22 is selected.

  In st4, the number (CC) of how many times the indoor unit selected in st3 transmits the command to notify that the address has not been determined is determined, and the process proceeds to st5. In st5, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st6. In st6, it waits for the selected indoor unit (indoor unit 22) to transmit a command. In st6, if the received command is not from the selected indoor unit (indoor unit 22), the process returns to st5, and if it is the selected indoor unit (indoor unit 22), the process proceeds to st7.

  In st7, the reception number counter is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to st8. In st8, the reception number counter is compared with the number of times (CC) determined in st4. If the reception number counter exceeds the set number, the process proceeds to st9, and if not, the process returns to st5. In st9, the timer 1 started in st5 waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets between the time until the response of the selected indoor unit is complete | finished and the outdoor unit 10 next starts transmission.

If the value of timer 1 has passed t3 in st9, the process proceeds to st10, the command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, then the process proceeds to st11, the timer 2 is started and the process proceeds to st12. In st12, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st13. If the timer 2 exceeds T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason, the reception number counter is cleared (st14), and the process is repeated. Therefore, the process returns to st5.

  In st13, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. If the address setting is started in st13, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st12, and st12 and st13 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 that does not have an address notifies the presence of an indoor unit without an address using the time from the completion of transmission of the selected indoor unit until the outdoor unit 10 starts transmission. Can do. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

(Embodiment 8)
The description for FIGS. 1 and 6 is the same as the description so far, and the description is omitted. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which an indoor unit without an address in the eighth embodiment transmits a command C for informing the outdoor unit 10 that an address has not been set. A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that addresses are assigned to the indoor units 21 to 22 by automatic address setting from the outdoor unit 10, while addresses are assigned to the indoor units 23 for reasons such as a delay in power-on. Make it not exist.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, a command C for notifying the presence of an indoor unit whose address is not set for the outdoor unit 10 of the indoor unit 23 that is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by the bus line 40 but does not have an address. The transmission procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 13, first, it is confirmed that it does not have an address (st1). Although not expressed in the flowchart, here, the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after completion of initial setting such as address setting. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit that does not have an address, it is possible to know that the address setting has been completed when the command transmitted by the outdoor unit knows A or B.

  If it has an address at st1, the process ends. If it does not have an address, the process proceeds to st2. In st2, it is determined whether the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command A or the command B after transmitting the command for informing that the address has not been determined, and the process proceeds to st3. Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that command B has been received. In st3, the timer 1 is started by the start of reception and proceeds to st4. In st4, it waits for the outdoor unit to transmit the command (command B in this description) selected in st2. When the command B is received at st4, the process proceeds to st5, and the timer 1 started at st3 at st5 waits for a predetermined time (t3) to elapse. About the time setting of the timer 1 (t3), it sets to the time which the outdoor unit 10 can perform the analysis of the command C until the response of another indoor unit is started.

  If the value of timer 1 exceeds t3 in st5, the process proceeds to st6, and after command C is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10, the timer 2 is started in st7 and proceeds to st8. In st8, it is determined whether or not the timer 2 is less than a preset value (T). If it is less than T, the process proceeds to st9. If the timer 2 is greater than or equal to T, it is determined that the outdoor unit 10 cannot recognize the command C for some reason. Redo from selection of command to interrupt.

In st9, it is determined whether or not address setting is started after transmission of the command C. Although not shown in the figure, for example, when the outdoor unit 10 transmits the command D, it is determined that the address setting has been started. In st9, if the address setting is started, the process is terminated. If the address setting is not started, the process returns to st8, and st8 and st9 are repeated.

  As described above, the indoor unit 23 having no address uses the time from the data transmission of the outdoor unit 10 to the start of a response by any of the indoor units 21 to 22 to the outdoor unit 10. The presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set can be notified. On the other hand, when the outdoor unit 10 in the reception state receives the command C, it recognizes the presence of an indoor unit for which no address is set, and performs the address setting process again.

  An air conditioner equipped with a multi-terminal communication method and a multi-terminal communication method according to the present invention is a communication method having a fixed order of polling in a system having a plurality of terminal devices for one central device. Even when a terminal device that does not have an address occurs, it can be notified of its existence, so it is applicable not only to air conditioners but also to all devices with master / slave relationships that employ other polling methods. it can.

Schematic which shows the structure of the air conditioner 100 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The time chart showing each transmission timing of the polling performed between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 21-22 in Embodiment 1 of this invention Time chart showing the timing when indoor unit 23 in which no address is set interrupts communication performed between transmission data between outdoor unit 10 and indoor unit 21 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which showed the procedure which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 1 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 2 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 Time chart showing the timing at which indoor unit 23 in which no address is set interrupts communication performed between transmission data between outdoor unit 10 and indoor unit 21 in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The flowchart which showed the procedure which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 3 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 4 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which an address is not set transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Time chart showing the timing at which indoor unit 23 in which no address is set interrupts communication performed between transmission data between outdoor unit 10 and indoor unit 21 in Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 6 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which address is not set in Embodiment 7 of this invention transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 The flowchart which showed the procedure in which the indoor unit in which an address is not set transmits the command C which alert | reports address non-setting with respect to the outdoor unit 10 in Embodiment 8 of this invention. Schematic showing the configuration of a conventional air conditioner Schematic showing the internal mechanism of a conventional outdoor unit and indoor unit Schematic showing functional blocks implemented by the CPU when performing conventional automatic address setting

Explanation of symbols

10 outdoor unit 21, 22, 23 indoor unit 100 air conditioner

Claims (10)

In communication with a polling method between a central device and a plurality of terminal devices, in the multi-terminal communication method having a function of automatically assigning an address used by the central device to manage the plurality of terminal devices, The terminal device to which no address is assigned has a function of notifying the central device of the presence of an address unset terminal device, and when the central device receives an address non-set notification from the terminal device, A multi-terminal communication system, wherein an address is set for the terminal device. The function of notifying the presence of an unaddressed terminal device is characterized in that the terminal device itself, to which no address is assigned, determines the timing at which an address non-setting is notified to the central device based on one or more factors. The multi-terminal communication system according to claim 1. The timing at which the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is set to be the time when the elapsed time since the power of the corresponding terminal device is turned on matches the preset time. The multi-terminal communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The timing when the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is triggered by a specific command transmitted by the central device, and the specific command is determined by the terminal device. The multi-terminal communication system according to claim 2. The timing at which the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is triggered by the number of transmissions of a specific command from the central device, and the specific command and the number of transmissions are determined by the terminal device. The multi-terminal communication method according to claim 2, wherein: The timing at which the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is triggered by the number of command transmissions from the central device, and the number of transmissions is determined by the terminal device. The multi-terminal communication system according to claim 2. The timing at which the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is triggered by a specific address of the terminal device with respect to the central device, and the specific address is determined by the terminal device. The multi-terminal communication system according to claim 2. The timing at which the terminal device itself to which no address is assigned notifies the central device that the address has not been set is triggered by the number of responses of the specific address of the terminal device to the central device, and the specific address and the number of responses are The multi-terminal communication method according to claim 2, wherein the terminal device determines. The function of notifying of the presence of an unaddressed terminal device has a function of changing the timing at which an unassigned terminal device itself notifies the central device of address non-setting every time it is notified. The multi-terminal communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. An air conditioner in which operation control is performed by performing communication by polling between an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, comprising the multi-terminal communication method according to claim 1.

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