JPH0979654A - Lan connected air conditioner system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen wirings of a multiple air conditioner system and to simplify the construction thereof by connecting a plurality of indoor and outdoor machines to LAN and by controlling a flow rate of refrigerant distributed to each of the indoor machines and the capacity of a compressor. SOLUTION: LAN 1 for interchanging control signals and others is controlled by centralized control equipment 5 provided with an operating system for a network. The centralized control equipment 5 is connected with indoor machines of 2-128 units such as 3A and 3B and outdoor machines of 1-16 units such as 4A through the intermediary of the LAN 1 and distribution of a flow rate of refrigerant to each of the indoor machines 3A and 3B and a necessary operating capacity of a compressor of the outdoor machine 4A are determined by the equipment. According to this constitution, it is possible to lessen wirings of a multiple air conditioner system, to simplify the construction thereof and to realize reduction of the cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi air conditioner system, and more particularly to a local area network (LAN).
The present invention relates to a LAN-connected air conditioner system that is reasonably configured by utilizing, and is suitable for low cost, maintenance such as maintenance, and improvement of operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an air conditioner, a control program is mounted on a printed board at the time of manufacturing, and in a multi-air conditioner system, a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit via communication wiring. In addition, a local area network (LAN) is built in the building and it is used for central management.
A system for digitally controlling the operating portion of an air conditioner in a building using the terminal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-340150.
No. 1-212941.

Further, as an example of downloading a program via a LAN, there is JP-A-4-340150.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned prior art (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-212941), the wiring of the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, etc. is rationally performed in the multi-air conditioner system,
There was no sufficient consideration given to controlling the room temperature and other details and reducing the number of indoor and outdoor units. In addition, the above-mentioned prior art (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-340150)
No.), the specification of the air conditioner is changed by the user (for example, the set temperature range is from 17 ° C to 30 ° C to 20 ° C to 26 ° C).
In the case of a request to change the control program), the specific configuration for changing the control program was not shown in detail.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to reduce the wiring of a multi-air conditioner system, to simplify the construction, and to reduce the cost, and to use other OA equipment such as a personal computer. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner system that can be effectively used in an air conditioner network by sharing the wiring required for the network.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner system which improves controllability and operability as an air conditioner and is suitable for maintenance such as maintenance management.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner system of the present invention comprises a local area network (LAN), a plurality of indoor units connected to the LAN, and the same connected to the LAN. Equipped outdoor unit,
A central control device for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant distributed to each of the indoor units and the capacity of the compressor is provided.

In addition, a local area network (LA
N), a plurality of indoor units connected to the LAN, an outdoor unit also connected to the LAN, and an OA connected to the LAN.
It is provided with a device and an operating system (OS) for managing the LAN, and a centralized control device for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant distributed to each of the indoor units and the capacity of the compressor.

Further, in a multi-air conditioner system composed of a plurality of constituent devices, a local area network (LAN), constituent devices connected to the LAN, a storage device and transmission means provided in the constituent devices, LAN and transmission. A loader for loading a control program into a storage device via means, and a multi-air conditioner system including a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor. Network (LAN) and LAN
An outdoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, an outdoor storage device and an outdoor transmission unit provided in the outdoor unit, and a loader for loading the outdoor control program into the outdoor storage unit via the LAN and the outdoor transmission unit. ing.

Further, the above is characterized in that a group consisting of a specific plurality of constituent devices is selected from the plurality of constituent devices and the control programs are collectively loaded into the storage device of the group.

Further, the centralized control device is characterized in that it has a plurality of control programs for different uses and can select any one of them.

Further, in the above, it is characterized in that a plurality of control programs are provided for different purposes and one of them can be selected.

Further, in the above, there are provided means for storing the unique numbers in the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and means for sending the unique numbers to the LAN.

Further, in the above, there are provided means for storing a unique number in the constituent equipment and means for transmitting the unique number to the LAN.

Further, in the above-mentioned multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of constituent devices, a local area network (LAN), a constituent device connected to the LAN, a control unit, a storage device, and a transmission means provided in the constituent devices. A centralized control device provided with an OA device connected to the LAN, an operating system (OS) for managing the LAN, and a loader for loading a control program used in a control unit into a storage device via the LAN. Is equipped with.

Further, in the above, the operating data of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are transmitted to the centralized control device.

Further, a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves,
In a multi-air conditioner system consisting of an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, a local area network (LA
N), a plurality of indoor units connected to the LAN, and the LAN
An outdoor unit connected to the LAN, a centralized control device having an operating system (OS) for managing the LAN, and a LAN
OA equipment connected to the OA equipment, and means for inputting a response to the operating state of the multi-air conditioner system from the OA equipment and transmitting the response to the centralized control device via the LAN.

Furthermore, the local area network (L
AN), 2 to 128 indoor units connected to the LAN, 1 to 16 outdoor units connected to the LAN, and LA
It is provided with a plurality of client personal computers connected to the N and a server personal computer provided with a server operating system (OS) for managing the LAN.

Furthermore, the local area network (L
AN), an outdoor unit connected to the LAN, personal computers for a plurality of clients connected to the LAN, and a personal computer for a server provided with a server operating system (OS) for managing the LAN. I have it.

[0020]

In the present invention, the local area network (L
(AN) and a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units are connected to the LAN, it is possible to freely change the configuration of the multi-air conditioner system and make selections according to the air conditioning plan of the building system.

Further, since the centralized control device determines the distribution of the refrigerant flow rate to at least each indoor unit and controls so as to determine the operating capacity of the compressor of the outdoor unit, the model and capacity of the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, etc. Can be easily managed, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be standardized and standardized, and the number of models can be reduced.

As described above, the cost of the multi-air conditioner system can be reduced, the controllability and operability of the air conditioner can be improved, and the maintenance management can be facilitated.

Further, since the OA device is connected to the LAN, the wiring can be shared with the OA device normally installed in the building and the equipment such as the disaster prevention and crime prevention system, and the effective use thereof can be achieved.

Further, since the control program required for the component equipment of the multi-air conditioner system is loaded from the loader to the storage device via the LAN and the transmission means, the control program required for each component equipment is changed according to the change of the specifications. It becomes easy to do.

Furthermore, since the outdoor control program required for the outdoor unit of the multi-air conditioner system is transferred from the loader to the outdoor storage device via the LAN and the outdoor transmission means, the control program required for the outdoor unit can be changed in specifications. It becomes easy to change accordingly. In particular, the ability to change the control program of the outdoor unit makes it possible to finely change the control of the operating capacity of the compressor in response to the case where the combination of indoor units is changed by mixing large and small capacities.

Further, in the above, since a specific group is selected from a plurality of constituent devices and the control programs required for the group are collectively loaded into the storage device of the constituent devices, for example, a certain group The control program can be efficiently transmitted in a short time by classifying it into the one dedicated to cooling and the other used only as a heat pump machine.

Further, since the centralized control device is provided with a plurality of control programs for each application and one of them can be selected, the air conditioner can be controlled, for example, for hospitals with a relatively low temperature change and a gentle control, or a school. For the purpose of increasing learning efficiency, the temperature can be lowered and changed for the purpose of active control.

Further, if the loader is provided with a plurality of application-specific control programs and one of them can be selected, the air conditioner can be changed according to the application such as hospital or school. And, in this example, rather than centrally controlling a plurality of constituent devices, the constituent devices are dispersedly controlled,
When the discharge pressure, the suction pressure, the outside air temperature and the like are constantly detected by individual constituent devices, it is suitable to change the program required for them.

Further, in the above description, since the manufacturing number is stored as a unique number for the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and it can be sent to the LAN, the centralized control device or the loader has the manufacturing number. To determine
Only the control program corresponding to it can be transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to improve the controllability of the multi-air conditioner system, such as the program having an improved version different for each manufacturing number, and the maintenance management becomes easy.

Further, the LAN is connected to the storage device of the multi-air conditioner system and the constituent equipment and OA equipment provided with the transmission means, and the centralized control device controls the LAN to the operating system (OS) and the storage equipment. Since the program can be loaded, it becomes easy to change the control program required for each component according to the change of the specifications, and the OA such as a personal computer or a printer usually installed in a building.
Wiring of equipment etc. can be shared and effective use is achieved.

Further, in the above, since the operation data of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are transmitted to the centralized control device, if the operation data is, for example, the suction pressure of the compressor, the discharge pressure, the temperature of each part, etc., By analyzing the recorded operation data, the cause such as the device failure can be found. Further, if the operation data is compared with the reference value, the operation state can be diagnosed.

As a result, the maintenance and maintenance of each air conditioner and multi-air conditioner system can be facilitated.

Further, a centralized control device having an OS for managing the LAN and an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and an OA device are connected to the LAN, and the operating condition of the multi air conditioner system is higher than that of the OA device, for example, when the room temperature is high. Since the response can be input, not only the operating state is controlled by the temperature sensor, but also the operating state can be controlled in consideration of the reaction to the operating state at the place where the indoor unit is installed.

As a result, the controllability and operability of the air conditioner are improved.

Further, the LAN is provided with a personal computer for a server, which is provided with an OS for connecting 2 to 128 indoor units, 1 to 16 outdoor units, and a client personal computer, and managing the personal computers. As a result, a small-scale LAN that can be integrated with one system of refrigerant piping to perform installation work corresponding to a system capacity of up to 84 kW, and that can be inexpensively performed with a personal computer.
You can build a system with.

Therefore, in a building or the like, the capacity can be set in small increments according to each room, and a system design such as selecting an outdoor unit of an appropriate scale according to the expansion of each indoor unit can be performed.

Further, an outdoor unit connected to the LAN and L
Since the personal computer for a plurality of clients connected to the AN and the personal computer for the server provided with the server OS for managing the LAN are provided, at least the outdoor unit can be provided at a low cost through a small LAN. It is possible to change the control program, for example, a control program which gives an opening degree command of the expansion valve provided in the indoor unit. Therefore, the indoor unit does not need a means for controlling the opening of the expansion valve, the indoor unit can be shared, and the number of models can be reduced.

As a result, not only the wiring required for the LAN but also the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be effectively used.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the connection of the components to the local area network (LAN) of the air conditioner system of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a basic configuration of a refrigeration cycle which is a component of the air conditioner system.

In FIG. 1 for exchanging control signals and the like, the LAN 1 is managed by a centralized control device 5 provided with an operating system (OS) for the network. The central unit 5 is connected to the indoor unit 3A via the LAN 1,
2 to 128 units are connected as in 3B and 1 to 16 outdoor units are connected as in 4A. For this connection, for example, 10BASE-T (Ethernet of twisted pair line) is used. The OS of the centralized control device 5 has a multitasking function, and is an indoor unit 3A, 3B and an outdoor unit 4A that are terminals.
It is possible to set the usage right of the terminal by recognizing such as the ID.

As shown in the refrigeration cycle of FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 4
Each of A and 4B has a receiver 12, a four-way valve 8 for switching between heating and cooling, an outdoor heat exchanger 9, and a receiver 12 whose opening is adjusted in order to change the amount of refrigerant for the outdoor heat exchanger 9.
It has an accumulator 11. Indoor units 3A, 3B,
3C and 3D have an indoor heat exchanger 13 and an electronic expansion valve 14 whose opening is variable. Next, an example of the operation during driving will be described.

During cooling, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas discharged from the compressor 7 of the outdoor unit 4A passes through the four-way valve 8 and is heat-exchanged by the outdoor heat exchanger 9 to become a liquid refrigerant. Here, the electronic expansion valve 1
0 is fully open. The liquid refrigerant is the receiver 12 and the common liquid pipe 1
5, the liquid is split into the liquid pipe of each indoor unit, the pressure is reduced by the electronic expansion valve 14, and the heat is exchanged with the indoor air by the indoor heat exchanger 13,
Becomes low-pressure gas. The low-pressure gas merges with the common gas pipe 16, passes through the gas pipe of the outdoor unit, returns to the compressor 7 via the four-way valve 8 and the accumulator 11, and becomes a compressed high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas and is discharged again.

During heating, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas discharged from the compressor 7 of the outdoor unit 4A passes through the four-way valve 8 and merges with the common gas pipe 16, and is heat-exchanged with the indoor air by the indoor heat exchanger 13 to generate the liquid refrigerant. Becomes Here, the electronic expansion valve 14 is fully opened. The liquid refrigerant merges with the common liquid pipe 15, passes through the receiver 12 of the outdoor unit, is decompressed by the electronic expansion valve 10, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air by the outdoor heat exchanger 9 to become a low-pressure gas, which is the four-way valve 8,
It returns to the compressor 7 through the accumulator 11 and is discharged again.

In either of the above cooling or heating operation, it is necessary to close the electronic expansion valve 14 of the indoor unit which needs to be stopped in response to the indoor demand. In addition, a plurality of outdoor units are required to operate all or a part of them according to the required capacity. Furthermore, when the operating capacity of the compressor or the two outdoor heat exchangers 9 are configured, it is necessary to switch them.

The above-mentioned selection and combination depending on the required cooling or heating load, particularly the capacity control of the compressor, is performed by the central control unit 5. Here, to control the capacity of the compressor by the centralized control device 5 may be to determine the number of operating outdoor units, or to control the compressor 7 of each outdoor unit using a variable frequency power supply (inverter). It is also possible to instruct the capacity at the time and directly control. ◆ In addition, the central control device 5 controlling the refrigerant flow rate means that at least the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 14 of each indoor unit is determined so that the refrigerant is appropriately distributed to each indoor unit according to each indoor load. means.

As described above, the centralized controller 5 controls the network operating system (O) for managing the LAN.
Since S) is provided, its maintenance and management becomes easy. Moreover, since the distribution of the refrigerant flow rate to at least each indoor unit is determined, and the required operating capacity of the compressor of the outdoor unit is determined,
It becomes easy to manage the model and capacity of indoor units and outdoor units,
Can be shared.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. ◆ FIG. 2 shows the connection of the constituent devices to the LAN of the air conditioner system of the present invention. ◆ 1
Is a LAN similar to the example of FIG. 1, and is connected with a plurality of personal computers 6A, 6B as OA devices. The OA device to be connected is a printer or the like which is usually used in an office in a building, and may be equipment such as a disaster prevention and crime prevention system.

The refrigeration cycle as a multi-air conditioner
As is the case with FIG. 1, the centralized control device 5 determines the distribution of the refrigerant flow rate to each of the indoor units 3A, 3B, and determines the required operating capacity of the compressor 7 of the outdoor unit 4A. Also,
An ice heat storage unit or the like is connected as another component. In the present embodiment, the wiring in the building of the office automation equipment and the wiring between the indoor and outdoor units necessary for the air conditioner can be shared, and the construction work can be promoted.

Further, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 6 to 12. ◆ Fig. 3 shows the indoor unit 3 which is one of the components of the multi air conditioning system.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of A. Similarly, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the outdoor unit 4A. FIG. 6 is a list view showing an example of unique numbers stored in each constituent device, and FIG. 7 is a list view of refrigerant system numbers and group numbers of indoor units and outdoor units decided at the time of system design, and FIG. Is a message format transmitted from the centralized control device or the loader to the LAN, and FIGS. 9 to 12 show message examples.

The connection of the constituent devices to the LAN of the air conditioner system is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. The refrigeration cycle is similar to that described in FIG.

The indoor unit 3A requires a relatively high speed in a basic portion of the indoor unit, and although not shown, for example, a control unit 3-which mainly detects an indoor temperature and drives a fan motor 3- 3, a storage device 3-2, and a transmission unit 3-1 that communicates with other components via the LAN 1. The storage device 3-2 has an initial program loader (I) for confirming that the control program has been transmitted.
PL).

The outdoor unit 4A also requires relatively high speed or constant monitoring. Although not shown, for example, a control unit 4-3 mainly for detecting discharge and suction pressures, driving a compressor, and the like, It is provided with a storage device 4-2 and a transmission means 4-1 for communicating with other constituent devices via the LAN 1.

Other indoor units and outdoor units have the same structure,
Similarly, the centralized control device 5 also has a storage device and a transmission means, and further comprises a loader for transmitting the control program onto the LAN 5. Here, the loader may be provided separately from the centralized control device 5. ◆ Indoor unit 3A, 3B, outdoor unit 4
A and the centralized control device 5 store a manufacturing number which is a unique number when manufacturing the device. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a 10-digit manufacturing number is stored, and this number can be transmitted to LAN 1 by a request signal from another device.

Further, the refrigerant system number and the group number are determined at the time of system design as shown in FIG. 7, and the centralized control device 5 reads the manufacturing numbers of the indoor units 3A, 3B and the outdoor unit 4A and the like at the time of construction. The refrigerant system number and the group number corresponding to are transmitted and stored in the storage devices 3-2 and 4-2 such as the indoor units 3A and 3B and the outdoor unit 4A.

The message format to be transmitted is shown in FIG.
As shown in Fig. 2, the control program for each indoor unit and outdoor unit can be transmitted to LAN1 by specifying the information of the header part, and if the serial number is specified, the specific indoor unit and outdoor unit can be specified. It is also possible to send just the control program. ◆ L for each indoor unit 3A, 3B, outdoor unit A, etc.
The message on AN1 is received via the transmission means 3-1, 4-1. The control units 3-3, 4-3 discriminate the message for itself and store only the message for itself in the storage device, 4
-Read in 2.

As an example, the centralized control device 5 or its loader sends the message of FIG. 9 in which the indoor control program is installed. The indoor units 3A and 3B receive the message of FIG. 9 via the transmission unit 3-1, and the control unit 3-3 recognizes the identification number = 1 in the header part and determines that the message is for itself. Then, the indoor control program is loaded into the storage device 3-2.

On the other hand, the outdoor unit 4A similarly receives the message of FIG. 9 via the transmission means 4-1, and the control section 4-3 recognizes the identification code = 1 in the header section, and is not a message for itself. And discard this message.

As described above, the indoor control program can be loaded into the indoor units 3A, 3B, etc. at the same time. As another message example, a case where the group number 1 is used as a cooling only machine and the other groups 2 to 5 are used as heat pump machines will be described.

First, the cooling-only outdoor control program is set in the centralized control device 5 or its loader, and the message of FIG. 10 is transmitted via the LAN 1. Then, similarly to the above, only the outdoor unit 4A recognizes the message for itself and loads the cooling-only outdoor control program into the storage device 4-1.

Next, the heat pump outdoor control program is set in the centralized control device 5 or its loader, and as shown in FIG.
Message is sent, and the heat pump outdoor control program is loaded in the storage device 4-1 of the outdoor unit 4B, though not shown.

Next, the room control program is transferred to the central control unit 5
Alternatively, it is set in the loader and the message of FIG. 12 is transmitted, and the indoor control program is similarly sent to the indoor unit 3
The storage device 3-1 such as A, 3B is loaded.

In the above description, the control program is set in the centralized control unit 5 or its loader, but one of the air conditioners on the LAN 1 or the devices constituting the air conditioner is set.
One device, for example, the indoor unit 3A, is provided with a load switch, and when this switch is pressed, the indoor unit 3A causes the storage device 3 to operate.
It is also possible to send the control program stored in -2 to the above in the same message format as described above.

As described above, it is possible to easily and surely change the control program required for each component in accordance with the change in the system specifications. In particular, when the capacity combinations of the indoor units are mixed and provided, the control of the operating capacity of the compressor can be changed. Further, since a specific group can be selected and the control program can be loaded in a lump, the program can be efficiently changed.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which groups of air conditioners are connected via gateways 20 and 21. This makes it possible to disperse the danger when a failure occurs in one of the groups. ◆ Also, connect a device that can be connected to the public line network on LAN1, and remotely connect via this device.
You may load the control program of the air conditioner on AN1 or the apparatus which comprises an air conditioner. Furthermore, although the centralized control device 5 is described as a server personal computer in the above embodiment, a loader may be simply provided separately.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment, which is shown in FIG.
The file server 17 is separately provided for the above.

The file server 17 is provided with a plurality of control programs for each application, and a plurality of programs required for detection by various sensors are prepared. In addition, the indoor unit 3A,
3B, the outdoor unit A, etc., the operating frequency of the compressor, the suction pressure and the discharge pressure, the opening / closing state of each expansion valve, the temperature of each part such as the suction temperature, the discharge temperature, the outside air temperature, etc. It is transmitted to the server 17 and stored. On the other hand, the reference value of the operation data is separately stored in the file server 17, and the analysis software provided in the centralized control device 5 compares the two values to perform a failure diagnosis.
Further, a plurality of personal computers for clients are connected as OA devices, for example, as described above, and are installed in the same room where at least one indoor unit 3A is installed.

From the personal computers 6A and 6B, a response indicating that the room temperature is high, for example, can be input, and the information is transmitted to the server personal computer 5 which is a centralized control device. The server personal computer 5 comprehensively determines the response to the operating state of the multi-air conditioner system as described above and the values obtained by the temperature sensors provided in the indoor units 3A and 3B to control the operating state. As a result, it is possible to optimally control the compressor capacity, the amount of refrigerant, etc. so as to raise the room temperature, particularly by concentrating only where there is a reaction that the room temperature is high.

In the above embodiment, assuming that the number of indoor units connected to the LAN is 2 to 128 and the number of outdoor units is 1 to 16, the refrigerant pipes of one system are combined to obtain a total of about 84 KW (30 horsepower). It is possible to expand according to the system capacity. In addition, the scale is convenient for constructing an air conditioner system with a small-scale LAN that can be manufactured at a low cost by using a personal computer.

Furthermore, in the above, at least the control program of the outdoor unit, for example, the control program which gives the opening degree command of the expansion valve provided in the indoor unit can be changed through the small LAN. Therefore, a means for controlling the opening degree of the expansion valve is not required in the indoor unit, and at least a drive unit is sufficient, and the indoor unit can be shared.

[0071]

According to the present invention, the wiring of the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, etc. is rationalized and the number of models is reduced, so that the wiring work is simplified and the cost is reduced, and the OA device such as a personal computer is used. It is possible to provide an air conditioner system that can be shared with the wiring required for the network consisting of.

Furthermore, the controllability and operability of the air conditioner are improved, and maintenance such as maintenance and management,
An air conditioner system suitable for various system deployments is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection of constituent devices to a local area network (LAN) of an air conditioner system of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 LA of an air conditioner system according to another embodiment
It is a block diagram which shows the connection of the component equipment to N.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an indoor unit that is one of the components of the multi-air conditioner system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an outdoor unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a refrigeration cycle which is a component of the air conditioner system.

FIG. 6 is a list diagram showing an example of unique numbers stored in each component device.

FIG. 7 is a list of refrigerant system numbers and group numbers of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, which are determined when the system is designed.

FIG. 8 is a list of message formats transmitted by a centralized control device or a loader to a LAN.

FIG. 9 is a list showing a message example.

FIG. 10 is a list showing a message example.

FIG. 11 is a list showing a message example.

FIG. 12 is a list showing a message example.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment and showing the connection of the constituent devices to the LAN of the air conditioner system in which a file server is separately provided for the one shown in FIG. 2.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 shows still another embodiment, and shows an example in which a group of air conditioners is connected via a gateway to that of Fig. 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Local Area Network (LAN), 3A-3
Z ... Indoor unit, 4A-4F ... Outdoor unit, 5 ... Centralized control device or server personal computer, 6A-6B ... OA
Personal computer for device or client, 3-
1, 4-1 ... Transmission means, 3-2, 4-2 ... Storage device, 3
-3, 4-3 ... Control part, 7 ... Compressor, 10, 14 ... Electronic expansion valve.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masamichi Mochizuki, 390 Muramatsu, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Division (72) Inventor, Masashi Watanabe 390, Muramatsu, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Hitachi Shimizu Engineering Co., Ltd. Within

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit having a compressor, a local area network (LAN), the plurality of indoor units connected to the LAN, L comprising the outdoor unit connected to the LAN, and a central control device for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant distributed to each of the indoor units and controlling the capacity of the compressor.
AN connection air conditioner system. 2. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, wherein a local area network (LAN) and the plurality of units connected to the LAN are provided. An indoor unit, the outdoor unit connected to the LAN, an OA device connected to the LAN, and an operating system (O
A LAN-connected air conditioner system comprising: S), and a central control device that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant distributed to each of the indoor units and the capacity of the compressor. 3. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of constituent devices, a local area network (LAN), the constituent devices connected to the LAN, a storage device and a transmission means provided in the constituent devices, A LAN-connected air conditioner system comprising: a loader that loads a control program required for the constituent devices into the storage device via the LAN and the transmission means. 4. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, comprising a local area network (LAN) and the outdoor unit connected to the LAN. An outdoor storage device and an outdoor transmission unit provided in the outdoor unit, and a loader that loads an outdoor control program required for the outdoor unit to the outdoor storage device via the LAN and the outdoor transmission unit. L characterized by having and
AN connection air conditioner system. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a group of a plurality of specific constituent devices is selected from the plurality of constituent devices, and the control programs are collectively stored in the storage device of the group. An air conditioner system characterized by loading. 6. The LA according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the centralized control device has a plurality of application-specific control programs, and any one of them can be selected.
N connection air conditioner system. 7. The LAN-connected air conditioner system according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the control programs are provided for different purposes, and any one of them can be selected. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing a unique number in the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and means for transmitting the unique number to the LAN. LAN connection air conditioner system featuring 9. The LAN-connected air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising: a unit for storing a unique number in the constituent device, and a unit for transmitting the unique number to the LAN. system. 10. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of constituent devices, a local area network (LAN), the constituent devices connected to the LAN, a controller provided in the constituent devices, a storage device, and a transmission. Means, an OA device connected to the LAN, and an operating system (O) for managing the LAN.
A LAN-connected air conditioner system comprising: S) and a centralized control device provided with a loader for loading a control program used in the control unit into the storage device via the LAN. 11. The LAN connection air conditioner system according to claim 2, wherein operation data of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are transmitted to the centralized control device. 12. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, wherein a local area network (LAN) and the plurality of units connected to the LAN are provided. An indoor unit, the outdoor unit connected to the LAN, and an operating system (O) that manages the LAN.
S), a centralized control device, an OA device connected to the LAN, and a means for inputting a response to an operating state of the multi-air conditioner system from the OA device and transmitting the response to the centralized control device via the LAN. L characterized by having and
AN connection air conditioner system. 13. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, and a local area network (LAN) and 2 to 128 units connected to said LAN. The indoor unit, 1 to 16 outdoor units connected to the LAN, a plurality of client personal computers connected to the LAN, and a server operating system (OS) for managing the LAN. And a personal computer for a server provided with a LAN connection air conditioner system. 14. A multi-air conditioner system comprising a plurality of indoor units equipped with expansion valves and an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor, wherein a local area network (LAN) and the outdoor unit connected to the LAN are provided. A LAN connection air comprising: a plurality of client personal computers connected to the LAN; and a server personal computer provided with a server operating system (OS) for managing the LAN. Harmony system.