JPH01103398A - Group controller for plural equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain remote control and to control plural equipments by plural control groups by providing a centralized management device comprising an own address setting device, a master/slave set selector and a remote control circuit or the like. CONSTITUTION:A device controller 2a selected as a master set via a master/ slave set selector 23a by a pulse from a remote control 7 in a centralized management device 6 outputs an operation command (b) to the equipment to be connected and sends an operation signal to controllers 3a, 4a of the slave set. Then the controller 3a outputs an operation command (c) to the equipment to be controlled connected via a delay time in response to the pattern set by the own address setting device 31a. Similarly, the controller 4a outputs an operation command (d) via a delay time in response to the pattern. When the next pulse is sent from the circuit 7, the controller 2a stops the own operation and the operation of the equipment to be controlled. Moreover, the controllers 3a, 4a are stopped after a delay time. Thus, the plural equipments are controlled by plural control groups and remote control is attained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a group control device for a plurality of devices, and in particular, a device for controlling a group of devices, such as a plurality of air conditioners, etc., as one device to be controlled.
The present invention relates to a group control device for a plurality of devices that performs these controls by configuring a plurality of control groups.

[Prior Art] FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing a conventional multi-device control device disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 165452/1982.

In the figure, (1) is a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as "remote control") that controls the operation of this multiple device control device.
), (2), (3), and (4) are a plurality of device controllers, and (5) is a signal line that propagates an operation command signal. (2
0), (30), and (40) are device controllers (2>
, (3), and (4), and is, for example, an air conditioner. (21>, (3
1).

(41) is a self-address setter that sets a self-address for each device controller (2>, (3), (4), respectively; these self-address setters (21), (31), (
41), the delay time, etc. was set based on the address set. Then, in accordance with this delay time, the operation start time of the controlled devices 1111 (20>, (30), (40), etc. is controlled by the operation command signal received from the remote controller (1).

A conventional multiple device control device is configured as described above, and a plurality of device controllers (2>, (
3) and (4), and multiple controlled devices (20>,
It was to control the operation of (30) and (40).

Next, this control operation will be explained below.

First, an operation command signal is transmitted from the remote control (1) to each device controller (2), (3), and (4) via the signal line (5). Each device controller (2>, (3), (4) receives this operation command signal at the same time, but the address set by each self-address setting device (21), (31), (41) The start times of the controlled devices (20), (30), and (40) are controlled by delaying by different times according to the following.

In this way, this type of multiple device control I device can sequentially start multiple controlled devices (20), (30), and (40) at different timings, and increases drive current due to simultaneous startup. It was possible to prevent this.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional multiple device control device as described above, a group of device controllers (2), (3) connected to -1 remote controllers (1) are used.
), (4), multiple controlled devices (20>, (30
) and (40), and although it is possible to uniformly control multiple devices using one control group consisting of one control system, it is also possible to control multiple devices in a diversified manner. The problem was that it could not be done.

Another problem was that multiple devices could not be controlled remotely.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a group control device for multiple devices that can control multiple devices in multiple control groups and can be operated remotely. Take it as a challenge.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A group 1ilJa device for a plurality of devices according to the present invention includes device controllers (2a), (3a), and (4a).

By setting self addresses in (2b), (3b), and (4b), each of the controlled devices (20) and (30)
), (40) self-address setting device (21a>, (31a), which can appropriately set the operation start time and operation end time)
(41a), (21b>, (31b), (41b),
Each of the device controllers (2a), (3a>, (4a), (2
b>, (3b), and (4b) are divided into a plurality of control groups, and device controllers (2a) and (3a>) of each control group.

(4a), (2b), (3b), (4b) to select one of the base units as the base unit and the other unit as the slave unit (23a), (33a), (43a) , (23b), (
33b), (43b), and a device controller (2a) which is a master device of each of the control groups.

(2b) is connected to the pulse input terminals (22a) and (22b) of the plurality of device controllers (2a).

(3a>, (4a>, (2b), (3b)
, (4b), which is comprised of a central control device (6) that remotely transmits a driving command signal to control the operations of (4b).

[Operation] In the group control device for multiple devices of the present invention, each device controller (2a), (3a), (4a), (2b),
(3b) and (4b) are divided into a plurality of control groups, and each device controller (2a) and (3a).

(4a), (2b), (3b), (4b) self-address setter (21a>, (31a>, (41a) G, -T
Each subject tllllis (20), (30), (
40) Set the operation start time and operation end time appropriately,
Master/child unit selection @(23a>, (33a>).

(43a>, each device controller of each control group (2a>
, (3a), (4a>, (2b), (3°b), (4b
) as the parent device and the others as the slave devices, and select one of the device controllers (2a) and (2b) that are the parent devices of each control group.
), the central control device (6) remotely transmits operation command signals to the multiple device controllers (2a), (3a>, (4a)
>, (2b>, (3b), and (4b)), the plurality of controlled devices (20), (30), and (40) are controlled differently for each of the plurality of control groups. It can be operated at specific timings, and can also be controlled remotely.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a group control device for a plurality of devices, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, (1a>, (Ib) is a remote control (2a) that controls the operation of this multiple device control device.

(3a), (4a) and (2b), (3b).

(4b) is a plurality of device controllers each forming a separate control group, (5a>, (5b) is a signal line that propagates the operation command signal. (6) is a plurality of device controllers (2a),
(3a>, (4a), (2b), (3b), (4b) This is a central control device that sends driving command signals to .

(21a).

(31a), (41a) and (21b), (31b>,
(41b> is each device controller (2a), (3a>, (4a)
>, (2b), (3b), and (4b), respectively. (22a
>, (32a), (42a) and (22b), (32b
), (42b) are each device controller (2a), (3a), (
4a).

(2b), (3b), (4b) are pulse input terminals into which pulse signals are input; (23a), (33a>, (43a)
), (23b), (33b), and (43b) are each device controller (2a) of each control group.

(3a>, (24a>, (34a) .

(44a>, (24b), (34b), (44b) are each device controller (2a>, (3a>, (4a), (2b)
, (3b), (4b) and a remote display interface for connection with the remote display circuit (9) of the central control device (6);
(25a>, (35a>.

(45a), (25b), (35b), (45b) are connected by signal lines (5a>, (5b), respectively, and each device controller (2a), (3a>, (4a), (2b), ( 3
b) A transmitting/receiving circuit that transmits or receives an operation or stop command signal between (26a>, (36a>, (4b)), (26a>, (36a>, (
46a>, (26b), (36b), (46b) are each device controller (2a>, (3a), (4a>, (2b),
This is a controller that controls the operations of (3b) and (4b).

The group control device for a plurality of devices in this embodiment is configured as described above, and each device controller (2a), (3a),
(4a) and remote control (1a) are connected to a single signal line (5a)
The other controllers (2b), (3b), (4b) and the other remote control (1b) are connected by a single other signal line (5b) to form the first control group. ) to form a second control group.

In this embodiment, each self-address setter (21a>
, (31a>, (41a>, (21b), (31b>,
(41b) is, for example, (21a), (21b> is ll
'l, 0. +1, (31a), (31b) are “0.1j
, (41a), and (41b) are set to ``1.
, (43a).

By (23b), (33b), and (43b), the device controllers (2a) and (2b) are connected to the base unit, and other device controllers (3a>
, (4a>, (3b), and (4b) are each selected as a child device.

Furthermore, the device control which is the master unit of the first control group! ll
The pulse input terminal (22a) of the device (2a) and the remote control circuit (7) of the central control device (6) are connected to a single signal line (8a).
) are connected. On the other hand, in the second control group,
Pulse input terminal (2
2b) and the remote control circuit (7) of the central control device (6>) are connected by a single signal line (8b).

Also, a remote display circuit (9) and each device controller (2a), (3a), (4a) of each control group.

(2b), (3b), and (4b) are the respective remote display interfaces (24a>, (34a>).

(44a>, (24b), (34b), (
44b) via each message @1il (27a>, (37a>
, (47a>, (27b), (37b>, (47b)r
It is connected.

The control operation of the group control device for a plurality of devices in this embodiment will be described below.

For example, a pulse signal is sent from the remote control circuit (7) of the central control device (6) to the pulse input terminal (22a) of the device controller (2a), which is the parent device of the first group, via the signal line (8a). Send. This signal causes the device controller (2a
)'s controller (26a) determines that its own group enters the operating state. And this controller (
26a) is a remote control (1a>, (lb)) and a slave device connected to the transmitter/receiver circuit (25a) via a signal line (5a).

The operation command signal is transmitted to other device controllers (3a) and (4a). This signal is sent to the transmitter/receiver circuit (35a).

(45a) and each equipment controller (3a).

(4a) is a self-address setter (31a), (41a)
The operation of each controlled device (not shown) is controlled after a delay time corresponding to the pattern "o, 1j, and Ir1.1j" is set. For example, "0°1" is 2 seconds, ff' 1.
If 1j has a delay time pattern of 3 seconds,
Various device controllers (3a).

(4a) starts the operation of each controlled device after a delay time of 2 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively.

At the same time, each remote display interface (34a), (
44a) via the signal line (37a>, (47a),
A signal indicating that the device is in operation is transmitted to the remote display circuit (9) of the central control device (6).

Of course, the device controller (2a) of the main unit is the central management device (6).
Each of the above operations is performed at the time when a driving command signal is received.

Next, the operation of each device controller (2a>, (3a>, (4a)) will be explained using a time chart. FIG. It is a chart.

In the figure, (a) shows the output signal of the remote control circuit (7). (b), (C) and (d) are the device controller (2a) which is the parent device and the device controller (3a>, (3a) which is the slave device), respectively.
4a) shows the operation command (signal) to the controlled device.

When a pulse (Pl) is transmitted from the remote control circuit (7), the device controller (2a), which is the parent device, immediately operates and issues an operation command to the controlled device connected to this device controller (2a). (b). At the same time, an operation signal is transmitted to each device controller (3a), (4a) which is a slave device. In response to this signal, the equipment controller (3a), which is a slave unit, uses the patterns fo, 1j set by the self-address setter (31a).
After a delay time (2 seconds) corresponding to
Issue an operation command Cc) to the controlled ta device connected to a). In addition, the device controller (4a), which is another slave device, uses the self-address setter (41a) to set the device controller (4a) after a delay time (3 seconds) corresponding to the pattern “1.Ij. ) issues an operation command (d>) to the controlled device connected to the control device.

After that, when one hour has passed and the pulse P2 is transmitted from the remote control circuit (7), the device controller (2a) which is a vA machine
immediately stops operating, and the operation of the controlled device a connected to this device controller (2a) also stops. At the same time, a stop signal is sent to each device controller (3a>, (4a>) that is a child device.This signal causes each device controller (3a>, which is a child device) to stop.
a).

(4a) are self-address setters (31a>).

(41a), the operation of each controlled device is stopped after a delay time (2 seconds and 3 seconds) according to the patterns fo, 1j and lI'1, 1j set by (41a).

In this case, the time T from pulse P1 to pulse P2 is the operating time T of each controlled device.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of control groups can be formed and a plurality of controlled devices can be arbitrarily controlled at different timings, so that it is possible to freely control a plurality of devices by dividing them into each group. Can be done. Further, since each of these control groups is controlled by an operation signal from the remote operation circuit (7), it can also be controlled by remote operation. Therefore, it goes without saying that an increase in drive current due to simultaneous starting of multiple controlled devices can be prevented.
Enables wide-ranging control of multiple devices, expanding the scope of use.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the main unit/slave unit selection machine (23a
>, (33a>, (43a>, (23b), (33b)
, (43b), each device controller (2a), (3a), (4
a), (2b), (3b).

(4b) was used to select between the parent device and the slave device. but,
Self-address setter (21a>, (31a)゛, (41
a), (21b>, (31b), (41b),
For example, if the setting pattern is fi'1. oj, the device controller may be selected as the parent device.

In the above embodiment, a group control device for a plurality of devices having two control groups, a first and a second control group, has been described, but additional control groups may be added. Furthermore, the number of device controllers installed in each group is not limited to three, and can be increased or decreased as desired.

The group control device for a plurality of devices described above can be used not only for controlling air conditioners but also for other controlled devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the group control device for multiple devices of the present invention divides each device controller into a plurality of control groups,
Set the operation start time and operation stop time of each controlled device appropriately using the self-address setting device on each device controller, and select one of the device controllers in each control group as the parent device using the parent device/slave device selection device. With a configuration that controls the operation of multiple device controllers by remotely transmitting operation command signals from the central control device to the device controller that is the parent device of each control group. , it is possible to arbitrarily operate multiple controlled devices at different timings in multiple control groups, and also remotely, and to freely set the control of multiple devices by dividing them into each group. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in drive current due to simultaneous starting of multiple controlled devices, and it is also possible to broadly control multiple devices, expanding the range of use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a group control device for multiple devices that is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operating state of the group control device for multiple devices shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a conventional multiple device control device. In the figure, 2a, 2b, 3a: device controller, 3b, 4a, 4b: device controller, 6: central management device, 20.30.40: controlled device, 21a, 31a, 41a: self Address setter, 21b
, 31b, 41b: Self-address setter, 22a, 32
a, 42a: pulse input terminal, 22b, 32b, 42b
: Pulse input terminal, 23a, 33a, 43a: Master unit/slave unit selection machine, 23b, 33b, 43b: ¥i1 unit/slave unit selection machine. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals and the same symbols indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a group control device for a plurality of devices, which has a plurality of device controllers that individually control the operation of a plurality of controlled devices, and can control the plurality of device controllers by a single operation command signal, A self-address setting device that can set the operation start time and operation end time of each controlled device by setting a self-address to each device controller, and dividing each device controller into a plurality of control groups; A master unit/slave unit selection machine that selects one of the equipment controllers in each control group as the master unit and the other as a slave unit, and a pulse input terminal of the equipment controller that is the parent unit of each control group. A group control device for a plurality of devices, comprising: a central control device that is connected to each other and transmits a driving command signal for controlling the operation of the plurality of device controllers by remote operation. (2) The device controller that is the parent device of each control group is
Receives operation command signals from the central control device, determines whether to start or end each control group, and sends operation or stop command signals to other device controllers that are child units of each control group. A group control device for a plurality of devices according to claim 1. (3) The group control device for a plurality of devices according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of controlled devices are a plurality of air conditioners.