JP2001215040A - Air conditioning system and storage medium for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning system in which modification of settings concerning to external input function can be dealt with easily and burden incident to modification of specifications can be reduced on the manufacturer side. SOLUTION: In the air conditioning system 1 comprising an indoor unit 4 installed in an air conditioning space, and controllers (C1, C2) provided in correspondence with the indoor unit 4 and having external input terminals 37a-37d, a normal mode or a set mode is selected in response to mode switching operation for an operating board 50. When a specified setting operation is performed for the operating board 50 under a state where the set mode is selected, a processing to be executed in response to an input signal from the external input terminal 37a-37d at the time of set mode is selected among a plurality of candidates based on that operation. When a signal is inputted from the external input terminal 37a-37d under a state where the normal mode is selected, the processing selected at the time of set mode is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning system capable of performing various controls using an external input terminal and an external output terminal of a control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioning system used for adjusting the temperature of each room of an office building or a hotel, an indoor unit such as a fan coil unit for each room, an operation panel for inputting an instruction regarding its operation, and its operation are provided. And a control device for controlling the operation of the indoor unit in accordance with an instruction from the panel. Also, apart from individual control devices for each room,
There is also provided an air conditioning system in which a higher-level control device is provided for a whole building or for each fixed group such as each floor, and communication between the higher-level control device and an individual control device enables air-conditioning control. I have.

[0003]

In a conventional air conditioning system, a signal input from an external device such as a host control device to an individual control device and a control (process) to be executed in response to the input signal are described. Is determined in advance by the manufacturer of the air conditioning system. The conditions for outputting a signal from the external output terminal of the control device are also determined in advance.
Then, a program of the microcomputer of each control device is created according to the determined contents. But,
The environment in which the air-conditioning system is installed and the demands of customers vary, and it is often necessary to change the processing contents in individual control devices according to the environment. If such a specification change is required, the program of the microcomputer has been modified by the manufacturer in the past.

[0004] However, if the manufacturer modifies the program or physically modifies the operation panel every time a specification change is required, the burden on the manufacturer is large and the manufacturing cost is increased. An air conditioning system that satisfies customers and users cannot be provided unless the specifications are changed.

The present invention provides an air-conditioning system and a computer provided in the air-conditioning system, which can easily change the settings relating to the external input function and the external output function, reduce the burden on the manufacturer on the specification change, and reduce the manufacturing cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium which can be read by using a computer.

[0006]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The air conditioning system of the present invention comprises an indoor unit (4) installed in an air-conditioned space and control devices (C1, C2) provided in association with the indoor unit and controlling the operation of the indoor unit. An air conditioning system provided with external input terminals (37a to 37d) provided in the control device, wherein a normal mode or a setting mode is selected in response to a mode switching operation for a predetermined input device (50). When a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state where the setting mode is selected,
Based on the operation, a function selecting means for selecting a process to be executed in response to the input of a signal from the external input terminal in the normal mode from a plurality of candidates, and in a state where the normal mode is selected. A control execution unit that executes a process selected by the function selection unit when a signal is input from the external input terminal;
Is provided.

According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, each means for selecting a process to be executed for an input from the external input terminal from a plurality of candidates is prepared in advance in the control device of the air conditioning system. After the installation of the air conditioning system, the relationship between the input signal to the external input terminal and the processing corresponding thereto can be set on the spot according to the user's request. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the specification change, and reduce the burden on the manufacturer on the specification change, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

In the air conditioning system according to the present invention, the function selecting means may select a plurality of processes in correspondence with a plurality of states of a signal input from the external input terminal. According to this, various processes can be executed in association with a signal input from one external input terminal. The plurality of states of the input signal include, for example, a rise and a fall when a rectangular wave-like input signal is given.

Another air conditioning system according to the present invention is an indoor unit (4) installed in an air-conditioned space, and a control device (C1, C2) provided in association with the indoor unit and controlling operation of the indoor unit. An air conditioning system (1) provided with external output terminals (39a to 39c) in the control device, and in response to a mode switching operation on a predetermined input device (50), a normal mode or A mode selection unit for selecting a setting mode, and when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state where the setting mode is selected, based on the operation, from the external output terminal during the normal mode. A function selecting means for selecting a condition for permitting the signal output from a plurality of candidates; and a condition selected by the function selecting means in a state where the normal mode is selected. The control device and an output control means for outputting from the external output terminal a predetermined signal if the (C
1, C2).

According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, each means for selecting a condition for permitting the signal output from the external output terminal from a plurality of candidates is prepared in advance in the control device of the air conditioning system. After installation of the air conditioning system, conditions relating to the output of the external output terminal can be set on the spot according to a user's request. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the specification change, and reduce the burden on the manufacturer on the specification change, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

In the air conditioning system, the function selecting means may be capable of selecting a plurality of conditions for permitting signal output from the external output terminals (39a to 39c). In this way, by combining a plurality of conditions, the output of the external output signal can have various control meanings, and the ability to adapt to a specification change is enhanced.

In each of the above air conditioning systems, an operation panel (50) to be operated in association with the air conditioning control may be provided, and the operation panel may be usable as the input device. In this case, it is not necessary to prepare an input device separately from the operation panel to set the external input function and the external output function, and these functions can be set more easily. Further, the operation panel (50) may be installed in the air-conditioned space. According to this, the operation panel can be operated in the air-conditioned space to change its function.

Further, the present invention can be configured as a storage medium readable by a computer of an air conditioning system.
That is, the storage medium (32) of the present invention is provided with a control device (C1, C2) as a computer for controlling air conditioning in an air-conditioned space.
2), and the control device has external input terminals (37a to 37a).
37b) A storage medium applied to the air conditioning system (1) provided with the control device, wherein the control device selects a normal mode or a setting mode in response to a mode switching operation on a predetermined input device (50). When a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state in which the setting mode is selected, a mode selection unit performs input of a signal from the external input terminal in the normal mode based on the operation. A function selection unit that selects a process to be executed in response from a plurality of candidates; and a function selected by the function selection unit when a signal is input from the external input terminal in a state where the normal mode is selected. Control execution means for executing processing,
It is characterized by storing a program to function as each.

Another storage medium of the present invention is a control device (C) as a computer for controlling air conditioning of an air-conditioned space.
1, C2), and an external output terminal (3
9a to 39c) is a storage medium (32) applied to the air conditioning system (1) provided with the control device, in response to a mode switching operation on a predetermined input device (50), in a normal mode or a normal mode. A mode selection unit for selecting a setting mode, when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state where the setting mode is selected, based on the operation, the external output terminal from the external output terminal in the normal mode. Function selection means for selecting a condition for permitting signal output from a plurality of candidates; and, when the condition selected by the function selection means is satisfied in a state where the normal mode is selected, a predetermined signal is output to the external device. It is characterized by storing a program that functions as output control means for outputting from an output terminal.

The above-described air conditioning system of the present invention can be realized by reading and executing a program stored in these storage media by a computer.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows an outline of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning system 1 has a cold heat source 2 and a hot heat source 3 and a fan coil unit 4. The cold heat source 2 and the hot heat source 3 are installed in a basement or a roof of a building, and the fan coil unit 4 is installed in each room in the building. The fan coil unit 4 includes a pair of heat exchangers 5, 6 in a housing 4a that can be installed on a floor or the like.
It is configured as an integrated device containing the fan 7 for blowing air and the like, and functions as the indoor unit of the present invention. Cold heat source 2
Known configurations can be used for the heat source 3 and the heat source 3, respectively.

The cold water supplied from the cold heat source 2 is guided to the vicinity of each chamber via the outgoing pipe 10, and from there is supplied to the heat exchanger 5 through the supply pipe 11 which is provided for each fan coil unit 4. Supplied. The heat-exchanged water discharged from the heat exchanger 5 returns to the cold heat source 2 from the return pipe 12 via the return pipe 13. On the other hand, the hot water supplied from the heat source 3
And is supplied to the heat exchanger 6 in the fan coil unit 4 via a supply pipe 15 prepared for each fan coil unit 4 and branched therefrom. The heat-exchanged water discharged from the heat exchanger 6 returns to the heat source 3 from the return pipe 16 via the return pipe 17. Such an air-conditioning system 1 is called a four-pipe type because four pipes are connected to the fan coil unit 4, and further, since the heat exchangers 5 and 6 are provided in double, a double-coil type is used. is called.

In order to control the amount of heat exchange by the heat exchangers 5 and 6, the supply pipes 11 and 15 have control valves 20 and 21 respectively.
Is connected. As the control valves 20 and 21, use is made of a flow rate adjusting valve capable of adjusting a flow rate (opening degree) according to an input signal, such as an electromagnetic proportional control valve. However, a two-position solenoid-operated directional control valve that is controlled to switch between full open and full close may be used. Also, the control valves 20, 2 of the supply pipes 11, 15
Temperature sensors 22 and 23 are provided between the heat exchanger 1 and the heat exchangers 5 and 6 to determine the supply state of the cold water and the hot water to the supply pipes 11 and 15. Each of the temperature sensors 22 and 23 outputs a signal corresponding to the surface temperature of the supply pipes 11 and 15.

In order to control the operation of the fan coil unit 4, a power unit 30 and a controller 40 are provided in the air conditioning system 1 in association with each of the fan coil units 4. The power unit 30 has a built-in power supply circuit (not shown), supplies power necessary for the operation of control elements such as the fan 7 and the control valves 20 and 21, and controls the operation of those control elements based on various input signals. I do. The controller 40 is mounted at a position operable by a resident or the like, for example, in a wall of an air-conditioned space where the fan coil unit 4 is installed so that the front surface thereof is exposed.
The power unit 30 and the controller 40 do not necessarily need to be provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the fan coil unit 4. When a plurality of fan coil units 4 are controlled collectively, such as in a case where a plurality of fan coil units 4 are provided in one room, one group of the fan coil units 4 to be collectively controlled is required. One power unit 30 and one controller 40 may be provided. One controller 40 may be provided for a plurality of power units 30.

The air-conditioning system 1 includes a pump for pumping cold or hot water from the heat sources 2 and 3 and an outgoing pipe 1.
A bypass valve and the like for releasing excess pressure of 0 and 14 to the return pipes 13 and 17 are provided, but these are not shown.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device provided in the power unit 30. As shown in FIG. The control device C1 in the power unit 30 includes a CPU 31 and the CPU
A drive circuit 33, 34a, 34b for driving a fan motor 7a as a drive source of the fan 7 and actuators of the control valves 20, 21 in response to an operation command from the CPU 31; A communication circuit 35 for performing communication between the controller 40 and the power unit 30, and a communication circuit 36 for performing communication between the power unit 30 and a higher-level control device (not shown)
And The host controller is for centrally controlling the power unit 30 and the fan coil unit 4 in each room.

The CPU 31 is configured as a one-chip microcomputer in which, for example, a microprocessor unit and various peripheral circuits necessary for its operation are integrated. The temperature sensors 22 and 23 described above are further connected to the CPU 31. The storage device 32 stores a program executed by the CPU 31 and various data necessary for executing the program. As the storage device 32, for example, an EEPROM is used.

The control unit C1 of the power unit 30 includes external input terminals 37a to 37d for inputting control signals such as drive commands from an external device other than the host control device, and input signals from the external input terminals 37a to 37d. External input protection circuits 38 ... 3 for protecting the CPU 31 from
8 and external output terminals 39a to 39c for outputting a control signal to an external controller or the like. Note that the number of external input terminals and external output terminals may be changed as appropriate. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish the external input terminals 37a to 37d, they are represented by reference numeral 37,
When it is not necessary to distinguish the external output terminals 39a to 39c, they are represented by reference numeral 39.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the front side of the controller 40. As is clear from this figure, the controller 40 has a controller main body 41 and a front cover 42 detachably attached to the front surface 41a of the main body 41 using screws. Controller body 41
Is a box shape, and on the front surface 41a, push-button operation switches 43a to 43g and a liquid crystal panel 44 as a display device are provided.
, Three LEDs 45b, 45c and 45d, and a dip switch 46. Operation switch 4
Although the arrangement of 3a to 43g may be changed as appropriate, in the present embodiment, four operation switches 43a to
3d, two operation switches 43e and 43f are arranged side by side in the center, respectively, and one operation switch 43g is further arranged on the upper right end. LED45b
45d are lower three operation switches 43b, 43c,
It is arranged just above 43d. This allows the LEDs 45b to 45d to function as monitor lamps for determining whether the fan coil unit 4 has been operated in response to the operation of each of the operation switches 43b, 43c, 43d.

The front cover 42 includes an operation switch 43
Operation units 47a to 47g respectively corresponding to a to 43g
A window 48 corresponding to the liquid crystal panel 44;
Opening windows 49b to 49d respectively correspond to b to 45d. The response here is the front cover 4
2 when they are attached to the main body 41. The operation units 47a to 47g are parts that are pressed and operated by the user, and correspond to the corresponding operation switches 43a to 43g.
For example, an operation button that can be moved back and forth or a flexible portion that can be bent back and forth so as to be able to transmit the pushing operation to 43 g. The display windows 48 and 49b to 49d may be closed by a transparent panel, or may be a hole in which the panel is omitted.

In the above configuration, the front surface 41a of the controller main body 41 and the operation switches 43a to 43
An operation panel 50 is configured by a combination of 43g, the liquid crystal panel 44, the LEDs 45b to 45d, the dip switch 46, and the front cover 42.

A controller for executing various calculations and processes required for air-conditioning control and the like in cooperation with the controller C1 of the power unit 30 described above is accommodated in the controller main body 41. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device C2. As is clear from this figure, the control device C2 in the controller 40 includes a CPU 51 and its CPU 5
A driving circuit 53 for driving the liquid crystal panel 44 in response to a display command from the CPU 51;
A communication circuit 55 for performing communication between the thermistor 54 functioning as a room temperature detecting device and the power unit 30
And The CPU 51 is configured as a one-chip microcomputer similarly to the CPU 31. The storage device 52 is C
The program to be executed by the PU 51 and various data necessary for executing the program are stored. Furthermore, CPU5
1 includes operation switches 43a to 43g of the operation panel 50;
The LEDs 45b to 45d and the dip switch 46 are connected.

In this embodiment, a control system (computer) for controlling the operation of the fan coil unit 4 is constituted by a combination of the control device C1 in the power unit 30 and the control device C2 in the controller 40.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which all information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 44. As is apparent from this figure, the liquid crystal panel 44 is provided with a main display section 60, a mode display section 61, and a set temperature display section 62. The main display unit 60 includes a numerical value display unit 60a for selectively displaying the current room temperature or the current time, a timer display unit 60b for indicating whether or not a timer is set, and an air volume display unit 60c for indicating a setting state of the air volume. Can be An operation prohibition mark 60d and a special signal mark 60e can be displayed on the main display section 60a. On the mode display section 61, marks 61a to 61d indicating the current operation mode can be selectively displayed.

The set temperature display section 62 is provided with a numerical display section 62a and an indicator 62b for indicating the air conditioning temperature set by the user. The indicator 62b indicates the deviation of the current set temperature from the preset initial temperature by replacing the number of lighting of the segments 64 ... 64 from the reference line 63 to the + side or the-side. For example, when the initial temperature is 24.0 ° C. and the amount of change in the set temperature corresponding to one segment 64 is 0.5 ° C., if three segments 64 are lit from the reference line 63 to the + side, The set temperature at that time was 25.5 ° C. (= 24.0 +
0.5 × 3). In the air-conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment, the numerical display unit 62a cannot be displayed and only the indicator 62b is displayed by a predetermined operation on the controller 40 or a predetermined control signal input to the external input terminal 37 of the power unit 30. Can be. The set temperature has upper and lower limits, and the operator of the air conditioning system 1 sets the upper and lower limits of the set temperature to an appropriate range from the viewpoint of cost. You may feel dissatisfied with the range. In such a case, the set temperature is displayed only by the indicator 62b, and measures can be taken in advance so that the user does not feel dissatisfied. The amount of change in the set temperature corresponding to one segment 64 is not limited to 0.5 ° C., and may be changed as appropriate. The administrator of the air conditioning system 1 has one segment 6
The change amount corresponding to No. 4 may be changed.

In the air conditioning system 1, the power unit 3 is operated by a predetermined mode switching operation on the operation panel 50.
0 and the respective controller C1,
The operation mode of C2 can be switched between the normal mode and the setting mode. The normal mode is a mode in which the control devices C1 and C2 control the operation of the fan coil unit 4 according to the operation on the operation panel 50. In the normal mode, the CPU 31 of the power unit 30 operates the fan coil 4 (the opening degree of the control valves 20 and 21 or the fan) in accordance with various operating conditions set using the operation panel 50 and an input signal from the external input terminal 37. The operation of the motor 7a) is controlled, and the display contents of the liquid crystal panel 44 of the controller 40 are controlled. The CPU 51 of the controller 40 detects the operation states of the operation switches 43a to 43g and the DIP switch 46 and the state of the thermistor 54 at regular intervals, and supplies signals corresponding to those states to the CPU 31.
The liquid crystal panel 44 and the LED 4 according to the drive command from the
The display of 5b to 45d is controlled.

The setting mode is a mode provided for setting the functions of the power unit 30 and the controller 40 in the normal mode. In the setting mode, the relationship between the input signals of the external input terminals 37a to 37d and the processing to be executed corresponding thereto can be set. FIG. 6 (a)
As shown in (1), the input signal to the external output terminal 37 is generally a rectangular wave, and the CPU 31 identifies the rising edge of the rectangular wave as an ON signal and the falling edge as an OFF signal. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the setting mode,
ON signal from each external input terminal 37a-37d, OFF
Two setting values A and B can be set for each signal. In the normal mode, the CPU 31 executes the processing assigned to the set value A and the set value B in response to the input of the ON signal or the OFF signal. FIG.
In the setting mode, as shown in FIG.
four conditions A to D for outputting signals from a to 39c
Can be set. When all of the conditions A to D are satisfied, the CPU 31 outputs a predetermined signal from the external output terminal 39.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for setting an external input / output function for the power unit 30. When a predetermined mode switching operation is performed on the operation panel 50, the power unit 30 and the controller 40
Control devices C1 and C2 switch from the normal mode to the setting mode. When a predetermined setting start operation (for example, operation of the operation switch 43b) is performed in the state where the setting mode has been switched, the processing in FIG. 7 is started in response thereto. Note that the processing in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 31 according to a program stored in the storage device 32 of the power unit 30. However, the processing of FIG. 7 may be executed by the CPU 51 of the controller 40. The mode switching operation is configured by combining a setting change operation of the DIP switch 46 and a specific operation on the operation switches 43a to 43g. Therefore, in order to set the functions of the controller 40, the user needs to remove the front cover 42. Therefore, there is no possibility of inadvertently switching to the setting mode.

In the external input / output setting process, first, an item number for identifying a setting item is set to an initial value (step S11), and then the item number of the initial value and the corresponding setting value are set on the liquid crystal panel. 44 (step S
12). The correspondence between item numbers and setting information is shown in FIG.
It is determined in advance as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the external input terminals 37a to 37d are connected to the input terminals 1 to 3, respectively.
4, and the external output terminals 39a to 39c are indicated as output terminals 1 to 3, respectively. For example, if the item number is 000, the set value A relating to the ON signal of the external input terminal 37a is set.
Is the setting object, and if the item number is 001, the setting value B relating to the ON signal of the external input terminal 37a is the setting object. If item number 002, OF of external input terminal 37c
The setting value A relating to the F signal is set, and the item number 0
If it is 03, the setting value B relating to the OFF signal of the external input terminal 37a is set. Item numbers 100 to 103
The same applies to 200 to 203 and 300 to 303. On the other hand, in the item numbers 010 to 013, the output terminal 39a
The conditions A to D for outputting a signal from are set. The same applies to item numbers 110 to 113 and 210 to 213.

For each item number, any one of set values 0 to 41 can be selected. Fig. 8 shows the correspondence between set values and their functions.
As shown in (b), a function corresponding to each set value is a candidate for a process to be executed by the CPU 31 in response to an input signal from the external input terminal 37. Note that the setting value 0 means unused. ON signal of external input terminal 37 or OFF
If the set value 0 is assigned as the set value A or B relating to the signal, no processing is assigned to the ON signal or the OFF signal. When the set value 0 is set in any of the four output conditions A to D of the external output terminal 39, the condition is ignored. Set value 0 for all output conditions A to D for one external output terminal 39
Is set, the output from the external output terminal 39 is not performed. The correspondence between each item number and the set value is stored in advance in the storage device 32 of the power unit 30 as set data.

Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. In step S12, the initial item number (for example, 0
00) and the corresponding set value are displayed, subsequently, a change operation (for example, the operation switch 4
3e or 43f) (step S13). If there is a change operation, the item number is changed according to the operation (step S14), and the newly selected setting item and the corresponding setting value are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 44 (step S15). If there is no change operation, steps S14 and S15 are skipped.

In the following step S16, it is determined whether or not a change start operation relating to the set value (for example, operation of the operation switch 43g) has been performed. If the change start operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S13. If the change start operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S17, in which the item numbers and set values displayed on the liquid crystal panel 44 or the LEDs 45b to 45d blink, and the setting waits.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a predetermined set value change operation (for example, operation of the operation switch 43e or 43f) is performed on the operation panel 50 (step S18). When the operation is performed, the change operation is performed. The set value is changed according to the content (step S19). If there is no operation, step S19 is skipped. In the following step S20,
It is determined whether a predetermined determination operation (for example, operation of the operation switch 43g) has been performed. When the determination operation is performed, the setting data in the storage device 32 is updated according to the item number and the setting value currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 44 (Step S21). The setting data here is information in which the item numbers are associated with the setting values as described above.

Thus, the processing for setting the external input / output function is completed. When a predetermined mode switching operation is further performed after the end of this process, the setting mode ends and the mode is switched to the normal mode.

According to the above-described processing, the processing to be executed by the control devices C1 and C2 on the signal input from the external input terminal 37 is performed within a range prepared in advance according to the program stored in the storage device 32. Can be set freely. This eliminates the need to modify the program when changing the external input function or external output function of the power unit 30.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an input signal detection process executed by the CPU 31 at regular intervals in the normal mode in order to realize the external input function set by the process of FIG.

In the process of FIG. 9, first, the external input terminal 37a
It is determined whether an ON signal or an OFF signal has been input from .about.37d (step S31). ON signal or O
When the input of the FF signal is detected, the first set value A (one of 0 to 41 in FIG. 8B) corresponding to that signal is set to 0.
It is determined whether or not (step S32). If the set value A is not 0, the process corresponding to the set value A is executed (step S33), and if the set value A is 0, the step S33 is skipped. Subsequently, the next set value B corresponding to the same signal
Is determined to be 0 (step S34). If the set value B is not 0, the process corresponding to the set value B is executed (step S35), and if the set value B is 0, the step S35 is skipped. Thus, the input signal detection processing ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by the CPU 31 at regular intervals in the normal mode in order to realize the external output function set by the process of FIG.

In the process of FIG. 10, first, a variable N for discriminating the output terminal numbers (1 to 3) is set to an initial value 1 (step S41), and the output terminal N is selected as a processing target (step S42). ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the four conditions A to D set for the output terminal N are satisfied (step S43). If the conditions are satisfied, a signal is output from the output terminal N (step S44). ). If not, no signal is output. Next, the variable N
Is determined to be 3 (step S45), and if this is denied, 1 is added to the variable N (step S46),
Thereafter, the process returns to step S42. Step S
When it is determined at step 45 that the variable N is 3, the external output processing ends.

FIG. 11 shows an example of using the external input / output function when the air conditioning system 1 is applied to a hotel. FIG.
FIG. 1A illustrates a connection state between the power unit 30 and an external device. In the figure, inputs to the external input terminals 37a to 37d are represented by inputs 1 to 4, and outputs from the external output terminals 39a to 39c are represented by outputs 1 to 3, respectively.

In the example of FIG. 11, a window opening / closing sensor 100, a key holder 101, and a night panel 102 are connected to the external input terminal 37 as external input devices. The window opening / closing sensor 100 outputs a signal corresponding to the opening / closing state of the window of the guest room.
An ON signal is input to 7a, and an OFF signal is input when the window is closed. The key holder 101 is installed in a guest room and functions as a storage device for storing a guest room key 101a (for example, a card-shaped key).
Function as a key detection device that outputs a signal corresponding to the presence or absence of the key. Such a key holder 101 is widely used, for example, as a switch for turning on / off a power supply of a passenger room. When the key 101a is inserted into the key holder 101, a predetermined key detection signal is input from the key holder 101 to the external input terminal 37b. Here the key 101a
Is inserted into the external input terminal 37b when the key is inserted, and an OFF signal is input when the key 101a is removed.

The night panel 102 has various operation switches (not shown) installed at the bedside of the bed, and outputs signals corresponding to the operation states of the operation switches.
Here, a sleep switch operated to indicate that the user is sleeping and a switch for turning on and off the air conditioning are provided as the operation switches. When the sleep switch is switched to the ON position, an ON signal is input to the external input terminal 39c, and when the sleep switch is switched to the OFF position, an OFF signal is input to the external input terminal 39c. One set of ON signal and OFF signal is input to 39d.

Further, another air conditioner 110 different from the fan coil unit 4 is connected to the external output terminal 39a, and a sleeping indicator 111 is connected to the external output terminal 39c. The sleeping indicator 111 is installed, for example, at a position (for example, an outer surface of a door) that can be visually recognized from outside the guest room.

FIG. 11B shows a setting example of the external input / output function corresponding to the connection example of FIG. Note that FIG.
8B, the external input terminals 37a to 37d are similar to FIG.
Are input terminals 1-4 and external output terminals 39a-3
9c are expressed as output terminals 1 to 3, respectively. Also,
The function corresponding to each set value is as shown in FIG.

According to the setting example of FIG. 11B, a setting value 2 is assigned to the input terminal 1 for the ON signal,
The set value 0 is assigned to the F signal. FIG.
According to (b), the set value 2 means that the fan coil unit 4 is stopped. Therefore, the window is opened and the window opening / closing sensor 1 is opened.
When the ON signal is output from 00 to the external input terminal 37a, the CPU 31 stops the operation of the fan coil unit 4 (corresponding to the set value 2).

Next, the input terminal 2 is assigned a set value 3 for the ON signal, and the set value 2 for the OFF signal.
Is assigned. According to FIG. 8B, the set value 2 means stop of the fan coil unit 4, and the set value 3 means operation of the fan coil unit 4. Therefore, when the key 101a is inserted into the key holder 101 and an ON signal is input to the external input terminal 37b, the CPU 31 starts the operation of the fan coil unit 4 (corresponding to the set value 3), and the OFF signal is output to the external input terminal 37b. When input, the CPU 31 stops the fan coil unit 4 (corresponding to the set value 2).

The input terminal 3 is assigned a set value 38 for the ON signal and a set value 37 for the OFF signal. According to FIG. 8B, the set value 38 corresponds to ON of the external signal, and the set value 37 corresponds to OFF of the external signal. Here, ON of an external signal means outputting an ON signal from an output terminal having the same number as an input terminal, and OFF of an external signal outputs an OFF signal from an output terminal having the same number as an input terminal. Means that. As described above, the input terminal 3 is connected to the night panel 10.
2 is connected to the sleeping switch, and the output terminal 3 is connected to the sleeping light 1
11 is connected. Therefore, when the sleep switch is turned on, the CPU 31 outputs an ON signal from the output terminal 3.
Thereby, the sleeping light 111 is turned on and it can be confirmed that the user is sleeping from outside the guest room. As described above, the power unit 30 is utilized by utilizing the external input / output function of the power unit 30.
Can be used as a repeater of another control signal that is not associated with the air conditioning control.

Further, a set value 4 is assigned to the input terminal 4 for the ON signal, and only a set value 0 is assigned to the OFF signal. According to FIG. 8B, the set value 4 corresponds to the operation switching, which means that the fan coil unit 4 is stopped when it is operating, and is started when it is stopped. Therefore, the night panel 102
Each time the air conditioning switch is operated, the CPU 31 alternately switches the operation and the stop of the fan coil unit 4.

On the other hand, set value 3 is assigned to output terminal 1 as condition A, and set value 0 is assigned to conditions BD. Therefore, when the fan coil unit 4 is operating, a signal is output from the output terminal 1 to another air conditioner 110. Using this output signal, another air conditioner 110 can be operated in conjunction with the fan coil unit 4.

The external input / output function of the power unit 30 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 11, but can be used in various forms. Other setting examples are shown in FIGS.

In the example of FIG. 12A, when an ON signal is input to the input terminal N (N is any one of 1 to 4), the operation mode of the fan coil unit 4 is set to the cooling mode according to the set value 22. Then, when the OFF signal is input, the heating mode is set in accordance with the set value 23. The input signal at this time may be supplied from, for example, a host controller of the air conditioning system 1. ON during cooling operation from another air conditioner
A usage method is also possible in which a signal is received during a heating operation to receive an OFF signal, and the operation mode is automatically linked to another air conditioner.

In the example of FIG. 12B, the input terminal 1 is turned on.
When the signal is input, the operation of the fan coil unit 4 is started according to the set value 3, and the set temperature on the operation panel 50 is initialized according to the set value 5. OF input terminal 1
When the F signal is input, the operation of the fan coil unit 4 is stopped according to the set value 40, and the operation panel 50 is set to the operation prohibited state. The ON signal and the OFF signal to the input terminal 1 are also input to the input terminal 2, and when the ON signal is input, the operation mode of the fan coil unit 4 is set to the automatic cooling / heating mode according to the set value 25,
In addition, the temperature display of the liquid crystal panel 44 is initialized according to the set value 6. As the input signal in this example, a signal from the key holder 101 in FIG. 11A may be used.

In the example of FIG. 12C, the input terminal N is turned on.
When a signal is input, the control valve 2 according to the set value 20
The opening degrees of 0 and 21 are fixed to the fully open position, and the control valves 20 and 21 are closed according to the set value 19 when the OFF signal is input. This example can be used when water is circulated during non-air conditioning for the purpose of preventing freezing of piping in a cold region. The signal to the input terminal N can be given from, for example, a host controller.

In the example of FIG. 12D, the input terminal N is turned on.
When a signal is input, the operation panel 50 is set in accordance with the set value 33.
Is in an operation permission state, and when the OFF signal is input, the operation panel 50 is in an operation prohibited state according to the set value 34.
As the input signal, for example, the key holder 1 shown in FIG.
The signal from 01 can be used.

In the example of FIG. 12E, the input terminal N is turned on.
When the signal is input, the inhibition state of the dehumidification control by the fan coil unit 4 is released in accordance with the set value 27, and O
When the FF signal is input, the dehumidification control is prohibited according to the set value 28. As an input signal, for example, a signal from a dehumidification sensor installed in an air-conditioned space can be used. An OFF signal is input when the humidity is below a predetermined value, and an ON signal is input when the humidity exceeds a predetermined value. Dehumidification operation is performed by control valves 20 and 2
It is desired that the operation be stopped when the air conditioning space is vacant, for example, when the air-conditioning space is vacant, since the heat consumption is large in order to open the air conditioners 1 simultaneously. In such a case, a signal from a higher-level control device or a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a room may be guided to an external input terminal to permit dehumidification control when the device is occupied, and prohibit dehumidification control when not present. .

In the example of FIG. 12F, the input terminal N is turned on.
When a signal is input, the external failure signal is turned on according to the set value 8, and when an OFF signal is input, the external failure signal is turned off according to the set value 7. For example, this example can be used when an ON signal is set to be input when a fire is detected from a fire alarm device, and the air conditioning operation is stopped by an external failure signal ON.

FIG. 11 shows an example of setting output terminals.
It is not limited to (b). For example, when the set value 3 and the set value 23 are assigned as the conditions of the output terminal N (N is any one of 1 to 3), a signal is output from the output terminal N only when operating in the heating mode. This output can be used, for example, as a signal for operating the humidifier in the same room in conjunction with the heating operation of the fan coil unit 4. As shown in FIG. 13, by guiding a signal from the output terminal 39 to another input terminal 37 in conjunction with the input of a signal to any one of the external input terminals 37, further various controls can be realized.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be implemented with various modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the operation panel 50 is used as an input device for setting the external input / output function of the power unit 30. However, another input device connected to the host controller or the external input terminal 37 connected to the upper control device is used. The modes of the control devices C1 and C2 may be switched using the input device, or the functions of the operation panel 50 may be set.

[0065]

As described above, according to the air conditioning system of the present invention, a plurality of processes to be executed for an input from an external input terminal and a condition for permitting a signal output from an external output terminal are provided. Since the means for selecting from the candidates are prepared in advance in the control device of the air conditioning system, the external input function and the external output function can be set on the spot according to the request of the user after the installation of the air conditioning system. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the specification change, and reduce the burden on the manufacturer on the specification change, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power unit control device provided in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of an operation panel provided on a front surface of a controller provided in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device of a controller provided in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a liquid crystal panel of the operation panel in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining settings relating to an external input / output function of the power unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an external input / output function setting process executed by the CPU of the power unit in FIG. 2 or the CPU of the controller in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view showing various information prepared for performing the processing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of an input signal detection process executed by the CPU of the power unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of an external output process executed by the CPU of the power unit in FIG. 2;

11 is a diagram showing an example of using an external input / output function in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an application example of an external input / output function in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which an output signal from an external output terminal is input to an input terminal to perform further control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 air conditioning system 2 cold heat source 3 hot heat source 4 fan coil unit 7 fan 7 a fan motor 20, 21 control valve 30 power unit 32 storage device (storage medium) 37 a to 37 d external input terminal 39 a to 39 c external output terminal 40 controller 50 operation panel C1 Power unit controller C2 controller controller

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An indoor unit installed in an air-conditioned space,
A control device provided in association with the indoor unit to control the operation of the indoor unit, wherein the control device is provided with an external input terminal for performing a mode switching operation for a predetermined input device. A mode selection unit that selects a normal mode or a setting mode in response to the input device, when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state where the setting mode is selected, the normal mode is set based on the operation. Function selecting means for selecting from a plurality of candidates a process to be executed in response to input of a signal from the external input terminal in a mode, and a signal input from the external input terminal in a state where the normal mode is selected An air conditioning system, characterized in that the control device includes: a control execution unit that executes a process selected by the function selection unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said function selecting means is capable of selecting a plurality of processes in correspondence with a plurality of states of a signal input from said external input terminal.
An air conditioning system according to claim 1. 3. An indoor unit installed in an air-conditioned space,
A control device provided in association with the indoor unit to control the operation of the indoor unit, wherein the control device is provided with an external output terminal for performing a mode switching operation for a predetermined input device. A mode selection unit that selects a normal mode or a setting mode in response to the input device, when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device in a state where the setting mode is selected, the normal mode is set based on the operation. A function selection unit that selects a condition for permitting signal output from the external output terminal from a plurality of candidates in a mode, and a condition selected by the function selection unit in a state in which the normal mode is selected is satisfied. And an output control means for outputting a predetermined signal from the external output terminal in such a case. 4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein said function selecting means can select a plurality of conditions for permitting signal output from said external output terminal. 5. An operation panel to be operated in association with the air conditioning control is provided in the air conditioning system, and the operation panel can be used as the input device. The air-conditioning system described in Crab. 6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the operation panel is installed in the air-conditioned space. 7. A storage medium applied to an air conditioning system provided with an external input terminal, comprising a control device as a computer for controlling air conditioning in an air-conditioned space, wherein the control device comprises: Mode selecting means for selecting a normal mode or a setting mode in response to a mode switching operation for a predetermined input device, when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device while the setting mode is selected, Based on the operation, a function selecting means for selecting a process to be executed in response to the input of a signal from the external input terminal in the normal mode from a plurality of candidates, and in a state where the normal mode is selected. When a signal is input from the external input terminal,
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program that functions as a control execution unit that executes a process selected by the function selection unit. 8. A storage medium applied to an air conditioning system provided with an external output terminal, comprising a control device as a computer for controlling air conditioning of an air-conditioned space, the control device comprising: Mode selecting means for selecting a normal mode or a setting mode in response to a mode switching operation for a predetermined input device, when a predetermined setting operation is performed on the input device while the setting mode is selected, Based on the operation, the function selecting means for selecting a condition for permitting signal output from the external output terminal from the plurality of candidates in the normal mode, and the function selecting means in a state where the normal mode is selected. A program which functions as output control means for outputting a predetermined signal from the external output terminal when the selected condition is satisfied is described. Computer readable storage medium, characterized by.