KR101460711B1 - Air conditioner and operating method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, it relates to an air conditioner and an operation method thereof, in which not only an installed indoor unit and an outdoor unit are controlled but also an optional unit which is separately connected later is registered and controlled through a controller. And it is easy to monitor and control the operation using the controller, thereby improving the user's convenience.

Air conditioner, indoor unit, remote controller, local controller, optional unit

Description

[0001] Air conditioner and operating method thereof [0002]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and its operating method for registering and managing an optional unit that is separately connected later, and controlling the operation thereof.

Generally, an air conditioner is provided for cooling, heating, and purifying air, and is installed to discharge air of cold and hot into the room and purify the room air to create a more comfortable indoor environment for a human being. Such an air conditioner is controlled separately by an indoor unit constituted by a heat exchanger, an outdoor unit constituted by a compressor, a heat exchanger and the like, and controlled by a power source supplied to a compressor or a heat exchanger.

At least one of the plurality of outdoor units is driven corresponding to the number of the indoor units to be driven so that the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit in accordance with the requested operation state and the cooling / It is operated in heating mode.

The air conditioner further includes a local controller or a remote controller to remotely monitor and control the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

However, in the case where the optional unit is additionally installed in addition to the initially installed indoor unit or outdoor unit, the air conditioner must be set by manipulating the rotary switch or the dip switch provided in the indoor unit with respect to the installed option unit manually by the user. There is a problem in that the installation and registration are troublesome and the installation time is long. In addition, when the optional unit is connected to the indoor unit installed on the ceiling, the option unit is not operated when the option unit is installed incorrectly, and it is difficult to reinstall the indoor unit. When the H / W or S / W of the indoor unit is changed, There is a problem that needs to be reinstalled.

In addition, in the conventional remote controller or the local controller, the control menu for the option unit is displayed irrespective of the actual connection state of the option unit, so that the user can recognize that the air conditioner malfunctions when operating the remote controller or the local controller. There is a problem that the controller can not confirm whether or not the option unit is actually connected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner in which an option unit is additionally installed in a pre-installed air conditioner, an associated option unit is easily registered, and a control menu of the controller is activated corresponding to whether an option unit is connected, So that the convenience of the user can be improved, and an operation method thereof.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes at least one outdoor unit including a compressor, a heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit. The indoor unit senses the connected option unit, The option unit is registered according to data received from the option unit, and the data of the option unit is transmitted to the connected controller.

Also, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes at least one outdoor unit including a compressor, a heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan, and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit. The air conditioner is connected to the indoor unit, And a local controller for transmitting an activation signal to the indoor unit such that an option unit connected to the indoor unit is activated in response to the command, wherein when the activation signal is received from the local controller, the indoor unit determines that the option unit is connected, The option unit is registered as a controllable unit, and the function of the option unit is activated.

The method of operating an air conditioner according to the present invention further includes detecting an option unit mounted on a connection terminal provided in an indoor unit, determining whether the option unit is a newly connected option unit, Registering the option unit in accordance with the received product information, activating a control function of the option unit, and transmitting the data of the option unit to the controller.

The present invention also provides a method of operating an air conditioner, comprising: transmitting an activation signal for an option unit connected to an indoor unit to an indoor unit in response to a user command input to a local controller; Transmitting the control command for the option unit to the indoor unit, and displaying the operation status based on the data of the option unit received from the indoor unit.

The air conditioner and the method of operating the air conditioner according to the present invention as described above can easily register the option unit by registering the option unit through the local controller or by automatically detecting whether the option unit is mounted or not, The menu of the local controller or the remote controller is activated and the menu is deactivated at the time of unplugging, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the unconnected option unit, checking the connection status of the option unit is easy, The management and control using the controller are easy and the user's convenience is improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-type air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes at least one indoor unit I01 to I03 installed in the room, at least one outdoor unit O01 connected to the indoor unit, and including a compressor and a heat exchanger, A remote controller C01 for monitoring and controlling the operation of the indoor units I01 to I03 and the outdoor unit 01, a local controller R01 connected to the indoor unit for displaying the operation state of the indoor unit and transmitting the user command to the indoor unit do.

The air conditioner may further include a ventilation unit and an air purifying unit in addition to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, but the description thereof will be made by way of example, with the outdoor unit and the indoor unit connected.

At least one indoor unit I01 to I03 may be provided in one room, and the outdoor unit OO1 may be driven by at least one of the plurality of indoor units, and the cooling / heating capacity may be varied corresponding to the indoor unit to be driven The operating number of the outdoor units and the number of operating the compressors installed in the outdoor units are variable. The outdoor unit O01 and the indoor units I01 to I03 transmit and receive data in accordance with a predetermined communication method and are connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe so that cooling or heating operation is performed according to the flow of the refrigerant according to the flow of refrigerant between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit .

The outdoor unit (O01) includes a compressor for receiving and compressing refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, an accumulator for extracting the gas refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant and supplying the gas refrigerant to the compressor, And a four-way valve. The apparatus further includes a plurality of pressure sensors and a temperature sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and further includes a plurality of sensors, valves, oil collectors, and the like. .

The indoor units I01 to I03 include an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve through which the refrigerant supplied from the indoor fan and the outdoor unit is expanded, and further include a plurality of temperature sensors.

In addition, the indoor units I01 to I03 are connected to an optional unit in addition to the air conditioner unit that is initially installed, and control the connected optional unit according to a control command received from the remote controller C01 or the local controller R01.

The remote controller C01 transmits and receives data to and from the indoor unit and the outdoor unit according to a predetermined communication method to display an operation state of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and displays a control command in response to an input user command, So that the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can perform predetermined operations.

At this time, the remote controller C01 can set a lock for the indoor unit and the indoor unit so that the operation state of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can not be changed by another controller, that is, a local controller or another remote controller. Priority.

Here, the air conditioner may further include a second remote controller for controlling the indoor unit and the outdoor unit such as the remote controller C01, and the second remote controller may be connected to the remote controller C01 in a predetermined communication manner, And controls the operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and monitors the operation thereof.

The local controller R01 is connected to at least one of the plurality of indoor units I01 to I03 to variably control the operation settings of the indoor units connected in accordance with the user command input and receive and output the operation states of the corresponding indoor units. The local controller R01 may be a wired remote controller connected to the indoor unit, and may also include a wireless remote controller in some cases.

The remote controller C01 or the local controller R01 activates and displays a menu for registering the option unit and controlling the option unit when the optional unit is connected to the indoor units I01 to I03. When a user command for the option unit is inputted through the activated menu, the control command is transmitted to the indoor unit to which the option unit is connected, so that the option unit performs a predetermined operation.

2 is a view illustrating a configuration of an indoor unit and an optional unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioner further includes optional units OP01 to OP04 connected to the indoor unit I.

The option units OP01 to OP04 are a ventilation unit for ventilating indoor air, a heater for heating room air, a humidifying unit for controlling the humidity of the room by discharging predetermined humidified air, and an air purifying unit One. The option unit may further include an additional indoor unit.

These option units OP01 to OP04 are operated when the indoor unit connected to the heater is operated in the heating mode and not operated in the indoor unit cooling mode due to the characteristics of each option unit. When the indoor unit is additionally installed, the indoor unit is operated in the same mode as the connected indoor unit. Further, the option unit is not operated when the indoor unit is stopped and the power is off, and the option unit can be operated while the indoor unit is operating.

The indoor unit I may be equipped with one or more optional units, and the optional units may be wired via a cable or wirelessly connected according to a predetermined communication method.

The indoor unit I transmits connection information and operation state information to the installed option units OP01 to OP04 to the local controller R01 or the remote controller C01 and transmits the connection information and operation state information from the local controller R01 or the remote controller C01 And controls the operation of the connected option unit according to the received control command.

Further, the air conditioner can be interconnected in various ways between the indoor unit I and the option units OP01 to OP04. At this time, the option units OP01 to OP04 installed in the indoor unit I may be initially registered through the automatic detection function of the indoor unit or may be registered through the local controller R1 at the time of initial registration.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a connection structure between the option unit and the indoor unit of FIG. 2. FIG.

The first embodiment of the connection structure between the indoor unit and the option unit is characterized in that the first indoor unit I1 and the first option unit OP1 communicate with each other via the first communication line L1, It is wired. At this time, the first indoor unit I1 includes a connection terminal to which the first communication line L1 is connected.

The first local controller Rl receives and registers the connection information of the first option unit OP1 via the first indoor unit I1 with the wired remote controller connected to the indoor unit I1 as the second communication line L2, Receives operational state information of the first option unit OP1, and transmits a control command input by the user to the first indoor unit I1. The remote controller C01 receives the connection information and operation state information of the first option unit from the indoor unit I1 through the outdoor unit O01 and transmits the control instruction to the first indoor unit I1.

The second embodiment of the connection structure between the indoor unit and the option unit is such that the second indoor unit I2 is connected to the second local controller R2 via the fourth communication line L4 as shown in FIG. And the second option unit OP2 is connected to the second indoor unit I2 and the second local controller R2 by connecting the third communication line L3 to the fourth communication line L4. At this time, the second option unit OP2 is directly connected to the second local controller R2. The third communication line or the fourth communication line may be the same communication line as the case may be, or a communication line for transmitting and receiving data using the same communication method may be used.

The second local controller R2 receives connection information or operation state information of the second option unit OP2 from the second indoor unit I2 or receives connection information or operation state information directly from the second option unit OP2 can do.

The second local controller R2 and the remote controller C01 transmit a control command for the second option unit OP2 to the second indoor unit I2 and the second indoor unit I2 transmits the control command for the second option unit OP2 ).

The third embodiment of the connection structure between the indoor unit and the optional unit as shown in FIG. 3 (c) is similar to the third embodiment in that the third indoor unit I3 and the third local controller R3 are connected to the sixth communication line L6 The third option unit OP3 is connected to the fifth communication line L6 and the third option unit OP3 is connected to the third indoor unit I3 and the third local controller R3 .

The third indoor unit I3 and the third optional unit OP3 are connected to the duct D1 and the third optional unit is interlocked with the third indoor unit I3. At this time, the third indoor unit I3 may be a duct type, and the third option unit OP3 may be a ventilation unit.

The third local controller R3 receives the connection information or operation state information of the third option unit OP3 from the third indoor unit I3 as in the case of the second embodiment, Information or operation state information. The third indoor unit I3 controls the third option unit OP3 according to the control command received from the third local controller R3 or the remote controller C01.

As described above, the indoor unit and the option unit are interconnected by a plurality of methods. The initial registration of the option unit connected to the indoor unit is performed by the indoor unit itself or the initial registration through the local controller. Hereinafter, the optional unit is connected to the indoor unit according to the first embodiment of the connection structure of the indoor unit and the optional unit.

When the connected option unit is initially registered through the self-detection function of the indoor unit, the following occurs.

4 is a block diagram showing an option unit connected to the indoor unit and the indoor unit of FIG.

4, the indoor unit I includes an input unit 20, an output unit 30, a data unit 40, a communication unit 50, a connection sensing unit 60, an interface unit 70, 80).

The input unit 20 of the indoor unit I includes at least one input means such as a button and applies data to the control unit 80 in accordance with the operation of the input means. In this case, the position of the input unit 20 and the number of input means may be varied according to the type of the indoor unit I, and the input unit may further include input means such as touch input means in addition to buttons.

The output unit 30 includes at least one of a predetermined display means, a lamp to be turned on or off, and a speaker. The output unit 30 displays on the screen the current operation status, the set value, the schedule information, and the indoor measurement information of the indoor unit I through the display unit and displays whether the indoor unit I is operating normally by turning on or off the lamp, And displays the color of the image. In addition, when a malfunction of the indoor unit occurs, an alarm occurs, and a predetermined operation is performed, a warning sound, a beep sound, a predetermined sound effect, and a voice guidance are output through the speaker in response thereto.

The data unit 40 stores setting data for indoor unit operation control, schedule data according to the indoor unit operation, control data for controlling the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor fan, and the expansion valve in the indoor unit. Also, control commands received from the remote controller C01 or the local controller R01 are stored, and operation state data, log data, and error occurrence data on the result of the indoor unit operation are stored. In addition, the data section 40 stores image data, screen configuration information, and music data output through the output section 930).

The communication unit 50 includes at least one communication module and transmits and receives data to and from the outdoor unit O01 and the remote controller C01 and communicates with the local controller R01 to transmit operation state data of the indoor unit I And receives a control command for operation of the indoor unit. At this time, the communication unit 50 includes a communication module corresponding to each communication method when transmitting and receiving data to and from the remote controller C01, the outdoor unit O01, and the local controller R01 using different communication methods. When receiving the control command from the wireless remote controller, the communication unit 50 includes a wireless communication module such as an infrared ray, Bluetooth, and RF communication.

The interface unit 70 includes at least one connection terminal 71 to 74 to which the option unit is connected. The interface unit 70 applies the data transmitted from the option unit to the control unit 80 through the connection terminals 71 to 74 and transfers the control command of the control unit 80 to the option unit. Accordingly, the optional unit connected to the indoor unit I performs a predetermined operation under the control of the indoor unit I. When four connection terminals are provided, the interface unit 70 may connect the optional units to the first to fourth connection terminals 71 to 74, distinguish the option units connected to the connection terminals, To be transmitted to the designated option unit.

The connection detecting unit 60 is connected to the interface unit 70 and detects whether the option unit is mounted on a connection terminal provided in the interface unit. At this time, the connection sensing unit 60 senses a HIGH or LOW signal generated depending on whether an option unit connected to each connection terminal of the interface unit is mounted, And whether or not the optional unit is mounted is applied to the control unit 80.

The control unit 80 controls the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor fan, and the expansion valve in accordance with the data to be input and output so that the indoor unit can discharge the cold or hot air to the room, and the optional unit connected to the interface unit 70 .

The control unit 80 controls the option unit through the interface unit 70 so that the control unit 80 performs a predetermined operation when receiving a control command for the option unit connected from the communication unit 50 or the input unit 20, When the operation state information of the option unit is received via the unit 70, the operation state information of the option unit is transmitted to the local controller R01 and the remote controller C01 to display the operation state of the option unit. Also, the control unit 80 outputs the operation state of the option unit through the output unit 30, and controls the output unit 30 to output a predetermined warning sound when malfunction occurs.

At this time, if the installation of the optional unit is detected on the connection terminal of the interface unit 70 through the connection detection unit 60, the control unit 80 determines whether the option unit is the pre-registered option unit, Initial registration and activate the control function for the option unit. For example, when the second option unit OP02 is newly installed in the second connection terminal 72, the control unit 80 requests the product information of the option unit to the second option unit through the interface unit 70 , And when the product information of the option unit is received from the second option unit through the interface unit 70, the option unit is automatically initialized. The control unit 80 receives unique information such as the type, model name, and serial number of the newly connected second option unit, address information for transmitting / receiving data, and control data for option unit control as product information, (OP02) is initially registered.

At this time, the controller 80 transmits the registration information of the initially registered option unit and the data on the activation of the option unit to the remote controller C01 and the local controller R01 through the communication unit 50, Allows the control menu to be activated.

The controller 80 controls the remote controller C01 and the local controller R01 to transmit data on the inactivity of the option unit due to the disconnection when the disconnection of the previously connected optional unit is detected through the connection detecting unit 60. [ So that the control menu for the option unit is deactivated.

On the other hand, when the option unit is initially registered through the local controller, the control unit 80 registers the option unit in the data unit 40 according to the activation signal of the option unit received from the local controller R01, Activate the function of the unit. Further, the control unit 80 transmits the registration information and activation data of the option unit to the remote controller C01.

At this time, when the connected option unit is the pre-registered option unit, the control unit 10 activates the control function for the option unit based on the data stored in the data unit 40, To the remote controller C01 or the local controller R01.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the local controller of FIG.

5, the local controller R01 includes a local controller input unit 120, a local controller output unit 130, a local controller data unit 140, a local controller communication unit 150, a local controller control unit 110, .

The local controller input unit 120 includes a plurality of buttons, and further includes touch input means as the case may be. The local controller output unit 130 includes display means for displaying data input through the local controller input unit 120, an operation state of the connected indoor unit, an operation state of the connection option unit in the indoor unit, a speaker for outputting a warning sound or an effect sound, .

The local controller data unit 140 stores control data for controlling the indoor unit through the local controller, setting data input through the local controller input unit 120, and screen setting data of the local controller output unit 130, The control setting data and the operation state data for the indoor unit and the option unit which are received through the indoor unit and the optional unit are stored. In particular, when the newly installed option unit is initially registered, the local controller data unit 140 stores the registration information according to the information of the option unit.

The local controller communication unit 150 transmits the indoor unit control command and the option unit control command inputted through the local controller input unit 120 by receiving and transmitting data with the indoor unit, and receives the operation state of the indoor unit and the state information of the optional unit.

The local controller control unit 110 causes the operation states of the received indoor unit and the optional unit to be output to the screen through the local controller display unit 130 and to output a control command in response to the user command input through the local controller input unit 120 And controls it to be transmitted to the corresponding indoor unit through the local controller communication unit 150. [

4, when the option unit newly connected through the automatic indoor unit detection function is initially registered, the local controller control unit 110 transmits a control signal to the local controller communication unit 150 from the communication unit 50 of the indoor unit I, Stored in the local controller data unit 140 and controls the control menu for the corresponding option unit displayed on the local controller display unit 130 to be activated.

Also, the local controller control unit 110 causes the control menu for the option unit to be deactivated when data on inactivity due to disconnection of the option unit from the indoor unit I is received.

On the other hand, when the optional unit newly installed in the indoor unit is initially registered, the local controller is as follows.

When an option unit initial registration command is inputted through the local controller input unit 120, the local controller control unit 110 causes a menu for changing the setting of the option unit to be displayed on the screen of the local controller output unit 130, (120), and transmits an activation signal for the optional unit to the indoor unit (I).

The local controller control unit 110 sets the corresponding option unit corresponding to the data of the option unit received from the indoor unit I and deactivates the corresponding control unit for the option unit not connected to the indoor unit, And the control is performed so that the initial registration and setting change of the connected option unit can be performed.

Figure 6 is a front view of the local controller of Figure 2;

As shown in FIG. 6, the local controller includes a predetermined display screen on the local controller output unit 130, and a local controller input unit 120 including a plurality of buttons to which a user command is input is disposed on the front side.

The local controller output unit 130 divides the screen into a plurality of areas, displays a set value and a current value according to the indoor unit operation, and outputs setting information for the option unit.

The local controller input unit 120 includes temperature control buttons B01 and B02 for variably controlling the set temperature of the indoor unit, an operation stop button B40 for operating or stopping operation, an operation selection button B31 for changing the operation mode of the indoor unit, An additional operation button B32 for registering and setting the option unit, a ventilation button B39 for controlling and setting the ventilation device among the optional units, a function setting button B33, a movement key B21- B24), a setting end button, a setting release button (B38), a room temperature button (B35) for displaying the current room temperature, a wind intensity button (B36) for controlling the wind intensity, a wind direction button (B37), a reservation button (B34) for setting a reservation mode and a command for time adjustment.

The local controller can initially register an option unit newly connected to the indoor unit as described above.

When the additional operation button B32 among the plurality of buttons of the local controller input unit 120 configured as described above is input, the local controller control unit 110 determines whether the menu for registering and setting the option unit performing the additional operation function is local To be output on the screen of the controller output unit 130. When the ventilation button is operated, a menu for registering and setting the ventilation unit among the option units is displayed.

When the operation keys B21 to B24 are operated after the additional operation button B32 is operated or the additional operation button B32 is operated several times, the cursor is sequentially set to 'heater', 'humidification', 'air clean' If the newly connected option unit is a heater, the 'heater' is set and registered when the setting release button B38 is input while the cursor is moved to the 'heater', and the setting release button B38 is reentered When the heater is set as described above, the heater is automatically operated or the heater is operated or stopped by the operation of the operation stop button B40.

When the newly connected option unit is the ventilator, when the ventilation button B39 is operated, the ventilating menu is displayed and registration setting becomes possible. When the operation selection button B31 is operated after the ventilation button B39 is operated, the ventilation operation mode is set.

Even if the option unit is set according to the automatic indoor unit detection function, the operation is set or changed for each option unit through the local controller R01 as described above.

On the other hand, for an add-on that is not actually connected because the option unit is not actually connected or registered, the cursor is not moved but skipped to the next item.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a ventilation menu of the control screen of the local controller of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an additional operation menu of the control screen of the local controller of FIG.

As shown in Fig. 7, when the ventilation button B39 is operated, the ventilation menu is displayed on the local controller output unit 130. [ At this time, when the ventilation device is not connected, the ventilation menu is not displayed even if the ventilation button B39 is operated.

If the ventilation mode is selected in the ventilation menu and is set to be operated according to the operation of the operation stop button B40, the local controller control unit 110 generates a control command according to the ventilation operation and transmits the control command to the indoor unit I. Accordingly, the indoor unit I controls the ventilation unit among the connected optional units so that the ventilation operation is performed according to the setting.

Here, the operation status can be confirmed by displaying the menu of the option unit on the screen or not displaying the operation status of the option unit, that is, the status of 'during operation' and 'operation stop'. When the ventilator is in operation, a 'ventilation' indication 11a is displayed on the ventilator menu screen as shown in FIG. 7 (a), and when the ventilator is not operated, The screen is not displayed (11b).

When the operation selection button B31 is operated on the ventilating menu screen, the selection item of the ventilation operation mode is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C. When the operation keys B21 to B24 or the operation selection button B31 are operated, , The cursor is sequentially moved to one of the automatic, rapid, and power saving ventilation operation modes, and the operation mode is set when the setting release button B38 is operated.

As another example, as shown in Fig. 8, it is possible to display not only the operation state of the option unit, that is, the state during operation and the operation stop, but also indicate whether or not the option unit is registered.

For example, if the option unit is not connected and is not registered, the corresponding item of the additional operation is displayed in a blurred state, and the movement of the cursor is disabled. For a registered option unit, make sure that the item is displayed in bold.

If the heater is later connected to the option unit, the item of the heater in the additional operation menu 13a is dimmed as shown in (a) of FIG. 8, and the procedure of initializing the optional unit through the automatic detection of the indoor unit or the local controller When the heater is registered, the heater item 14 is displayed in dark and the changed additional operation menu 13b is displayed on the screen as shown in Fig. 8 (b). In some cases, an option product that is not registered may be displayed so that the item is not displayed.

Operation according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

9 is a flowchart showing an option unit sensing method of the indoor unit of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the option unit newly connected to the indoor unit is initially registered through the automatic detection function of the indoor unit.

When the optional unit is connected through the connection terminal provided in the interface unit 70 of the indoor unit I, the connection sensing unit 60 applies a sensing signal to the control unit 80 indicating that the optional unit is connected to the connection terminal S160).

The control unit 80 determines whether the option unit sensed by the connection sensing unit 60 is a pre-registered unit. If the option unit is newly connected, the control unit 80 requests product information from the option unit in step S170. At this time, the product information of the requested option unit is data such as the type, model name, manufacturing number, etc. of the option unit.

When the requested product information is received from the option unit through the interface unit 70 (S180), the control unit 80 registers the option unit on the basis of the received product information (S190). When the initial registration is completed, the control unit 80 activates the control function for the option unit (S200) and transmits the data of the option unit to the connected controller (S210). At this time, the control unit 80 transmits the registration information data of the local controller R01 connected to the indoor unit and the option unit newly registered to the outdoor unit O01 and the remote controller C01.

The control unit 80 continuously detects whether the optional unit connected through the connection detecting unit 70 is connected (S220). When the option unit is normally connected to the local controller R01 or the remote controller C01, the indoor unit controls the option unit to operate according to the received control command (S240) .

Meanwhile, when the option unit is disconnected (D220), the control function for the option unit is disabled (S250), and the message indicating that the option unit is disconnected and disabled is transmitted to the remote controller or the local controller (S260).

Further, the indoor unit transmits to the local controller or the remote controller when the option unit is performing a predetermined operation or when the operation state of the option unit is variable.

On the other hand, when the connected option unit is not newly connected, the control function of the option unit is activated based on the registration information of the option unit stored in the data unit 40, To the local controller R01 or the remote controller C01.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of registering information of the option unit sensed in FIG. 9 in a remote controller or a local controller.

9, the local controller or the remote controller operates as follows.

10, the local controller R01 registers the option unit on the basis of the data of the received option unit (S280) when the data on the newly registered option unit is received from the indoor unit (S270) The control menu corresponding to the function of the option unit is activated (S290). At this time, the control menu may be displayed dark or blurred depending on its setting state, which can be changed.

If a user command to the option unit is received in step S300, the connection status of the option unit is determined first in step S310. If the option command is received in step S310, To the indoor unit (S320).

On the other hand, if data on the option unit inactivity is received from the indoor unit, since the option unit is not normally connected, the control menu of the option unit is disabled or the menu is not displayed (S330). At this time, the connection status confirmation of the option unit is performed not only when the control command for the option unit is received, but also at a predetermined time interval even if the control command for the option unit is not inputted.

11 is a flowchart showing a method of activating an option unit connected to an indoor unit through a local controller. When a newly connected option unit is registered through the local controller, the following is the case.

11, the local controller determines whether the option unit corresponding to the input data is the pre-registered option unit, when the data for the option unit is input through the local controller input unit 120 (S340) In case of connected option unit, initialize the option unit. At this time, when the optional unit initial registration is completed, the local controller activates the control menu for the function of the option unit (S350).

The local controller transmits an activation signal for the initially registered option unit to the indoor unit I (S360).

At this time, the local controller R01 transmits the control command inputted to the indoor unit to which the option unit is connected through the button operation of the local controller input unit 120, when the control command for the optional unit is inputted (S370).

Thereafter, when the operation status data on the status change of the option unit is received, the local controller updates the operation status information of each unit displayed on the screen and displays it on the screen (S390).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, .

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of an indoor unit and an optional unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a connection structure of the option unit and the indoor unit of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an option unit connected to the indoor unit and the indoor unit of FIG. 2;

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the local controller of Figure 2;

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the configuration of the local controller of Fig. 2;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a ventilation menu on the control screen of the local controller of FIG. 2,

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing an additional operation menu of the control screen of the local controller of FIG. 2,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an option unit sensing method of the indoor unit of FIG. 2,

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of registering information of the option unit sensed in FIG. 8 in a remote controller or a local controller,

11 is a flowchart showing a method of activating an option unit connected to an indoor unit through a local controller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

C01: remote controllers I01 to I03, I: indoor unit

O01: outdoor unit

OP01 to OP04, OP1 to OP2: Option unit

R01, R1, R2, R3: Local controller

20: input unit 30: output unit

40: data part 50: communication part

60: connection detecting unit 70: external device interface unit

71, 72, 73: connection terminal 80:

110: local controller control unit 120: local controller input unit

130: local controller output unit 140: local controller data unit

150: local controller communication section

Claims (16)

An air conditioner comprising at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, The indoor unit detects the connected option unit, registers the option unit according to the data received from the option unit, transmits the data of the option unit to the connected controller, Wherein the controller registers the option unit as a controllable unit in response to data of the option unit received from the indoor unit and activates a control menu for the option unit. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the indoor unit includes at least one connection terminal to which the option unit is connected; A connection sensing unit for sensing a connection of the option unit according to a signal input from the connection terminal; A communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the option unit through the connection terminal; A control unit for requesting product information from the option unit through the communication unit and registering the received product information when the connection detection unit detects connection of the option unit; Wherein the air conditioner comprises an air conditioner. The method of claim 2, Wherein the control unit activates the function for the option unit when registering the option unit and transmits data on the function activation of the option unit to the controller. The method of claim 2, Wherein the control unit disables the function of the option unit and transmits data on the function inactivity of the option unit to the controller when a connection failure of the option unit is detected from the connection detection unit. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the controller outputs status information of the option unit to the screen based on data of the option unit received from the indoor unit. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the controller is a local controller connected to the indoor unit to which the option unit is connected and displays an operation state of the indoor unit and transmits an input user command to the indoor unit. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the controller is a remote controller connected to the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor units for monitoring and controlling the operation of the plurality of indoor units or a local controller connected to the indoor units. An air conditioner comprising at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, And a local controller connected to the indoor unit and transmitting an activation signal to the indoor unit so that an option unit connected to the indoor unit is activated corresponding to an input user command, When the activation signal is received from the local controller, the indoor unit determines that the option unit is connected and registers the option unit as a controllable unit, activates the function of the option unit, And the local controller activates a control menu for controlling the option unit. delete The method of claim 9, Wherein the local controller transmits the control command to the indoor unit when a control command is input through a control menu for controlling the option unit and outputs the operation state of the option unit to the screen in response to data received from the indoor unit Air conditioner. The method of claim 9, Wherein the indoor unit controls the option unit according to a control command received from the local controller, and transmits the operation state of the option unit to the local controller. The method of claim 9, Wherein the indoor unit transmits an operation state of the option unit to a remote controller connected to the plurality of indoor units and the outdoor unit. The method according to claim 1 or 9, Wherein the option unit includes at least one of a ventilation unit, an air cleaning unit, a heater, and a humidifying unit. Detecting that an optional unit is mounted on a connection terminal provided in the indoor unit; Determining whether the option unit is a newly connected option unit and requesting product information as an option unit if the option unit is a newly connected option unit; Initializing the option unit according to received product information, and activating a control function of the option unit; And And transmitting data of the option unit to a controller, And deactivating the control menu of the option unit when data on the option unit inactivity is received. Transmitting an activation signal for an option unit connected to the indoor unit to an indoor unit corresponding to a user command input to the local controller; Activating a control menu for the option unit; And Transmitting a control command for the option unit to the indoor unit, and displaying an operation state based on data of the option unit received from the indoor unit; Lt; / RTI > Further comprising the step of updating and displaying the operation state information for each unit when the operation state data for the state change of the option unit is received.

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