JP2002013785A - Communication control system of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a method for inexpensively achieving, with a simple circuit configuration, the communication system of an air conditioner for achieving system configurations for meeting the diversified request of users. SOLUTION: In this communication control system of an air conditioner that consists of a plurality of indoor machines and outdoor machines while each indoor machine is connected to control equipment including a remote controller by a communication line, and data is communicated via the communication line, each indoor machine has a communication control device having a power supply circuit 59 where a power supply voltage is supplied from a main power supply, a communication superposition circuit 55 for superposing the power supply voltage and communication data, a transistor 54 for turning on or off the supply of the power supply voltage the main power supply to the communication superposition circuit, and a polarity coincidence circuit 63A that receiving the output of the communication superposition circuit for outputting onto the communication line, and at the same time makes the power supply voltage from the outside non-polarized. When the indoor machine that supplies power cannot supply power, another indoor machine is automatically selected as a power supply source, thus supplying power intermittently.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control device for an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a communication control system for an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of units (for example, an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a remote controller for setting their operating environment, etc.) are connected by a pair of control signal lines, and each unit is connected via the pair of control signal lines. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an air conditioner in which communication data is transmitted and received between units, and power is supplied from a unit having a built-in DC power supply to a unit not having a built-in DC power supply through the pair of control signal lines. (JP-A-56-155326). In this type of air conditioner, a pair of control signal lines connecting each unit not only functions as a communication line for transmitting and receiving communication data including a tone burst signal, but also functions as a power supply line for power supply. ing. Also, a unit that does not have a built-in DC power supply is provided with a circuit that makes the polarity of the supplied signal non-polar in order to avoid troubles caused by mistakes such as wiring work. Thus, non-polarity / bidirectional data can be transmitted between the units while supplying DC power from a unit having a built-in DC power supply to a unit having no built-in DC power supply.

In the prior art, since a tone burst signal is used as a communication signal, each unit requires a high frequency circuit for the tone burst signal, and the circuit configuration is complicated. In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a communication control device for an air conditioner which does not require a high frequency circuit for a tone burst signal (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-25).
No. 1680).

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a communication control device of the air conditioner.

In this communication control device, a master unit (having monitoring control means for monitoring and controlling the air conditioner main body and a power supply) 1 connected to the air conditioner main unit 3 and a plurality of slave units 2 are paired. The master unit 1 and the plurality of slave units 2 are connected to each other by a control signal line (communication line) 4 and are provided with a signal polarity matching circuit composed of a bridge diode for matching the signal polarities. . A transmission signal in which an ON / OFF signal (communication signal) having a predetermined amplitude level is applied to a predetermined DC voltage level under the control of the monitoring control means is transmitted to the master unit, and a signal from the slave unit is matched with the signal polarity. Means for receiving through the circuit are provided. Further, the slave unit receives a transmission signal from the master unit through a signal polarity matching circuit, separates an ON / OFF signal of a predetermined amplitude level from a DC voltage of a predetermined level, and outputs the DC voltage of a predetermined level to the A means is provided for use as a power source for the slave unit and for transmitting an on / off signal of a predetermined amplitude level to the master unit through a signal polarity matching circuit under the control of the control means. This allows
Without the need for a high frequency circuit for the tone burst signal, the communication line and the power line can be shared, and non-polarity / bidirectional data transmission can be performed while power is supplied from the master unit to the slave unit. .

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-2
In the related art disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 51680, a power supply source having a power supply needs to be determined in advance. When various individual systems are constructed according to a user's request, a system configuration and a circuit configuration are required each time. Changes were needed. Further, when the parent device, which is the power supply source, becomes inoperable for some reason, the power supply to the child device is cut off, so that the system itself has to be stopped. In addition, repair the master unit, or
Until the work of replacing the master unit is completed, power cannot be supplied, which causes a serious problem in the operation of the system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication control system for an air conditioner which can realize a system configuration satisfying various needs of a user without specifying a power supply source, with a simple circuit configuration and low cost. It is intended to be realized by. Another object of the present invention is to automatically reselect another power supply even when the power supply is stopped due to a short-circuit of a communication line or a failure in the power supply source, and to operate the air conditioning system. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication control system that can be continuously performed.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 comprises a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit, and each indoor unit communicates with a control device including a remote controller. In a communication control system of an air conditioner connected by a line and performing data communication with each other via the communication line, at least two of the plurality of indoor units have power supply means, Any one of the indoor units having a means performs non-polar / bidirectional data communication between all of the plurality of indoor units and the control device while supplying power to the control device via the communication line. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the power supply means includes a communication superimposing means for superimposing a power supply voltage and communication data, and turning on / off a power supply voltage from a main power supply to the communication superimposing means. A switching means for controlling, and a polarity matching means for receiving the output of the communication superimposing means, outputting the received signal on the communication line, and making the external power supply voltage nonpolar.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the communication superimposing means includes a transistor for inputting an on / off signal as a communication signal, and a division of a power supply voltage from the main power supply by an on / off operation of the transistor. The communication signal and the power supply voltage are superimposed by taking at least two
And two resistors.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching means is provided between the main power supply and the communication superimposing circuit, and switches from the main power supply to the communication superimposing circuit based on an on / off signal. A transistor for controlling on / off of supply of a power supply voltage is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the polarity matching means includes a bridge diode for converting the polarity of an external signal and a transistor for bypassing the signal from the communication superimposing means without passing through the bridge diode. It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the power supply means further includes a voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage in the communication superimposing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the voltage detecting means includes at least two resistors connected in series and a transistor connected to a contact of the resistors, and one of the two resistors is connected to the resistor. A power supply voltage is applied to one end of the resistor opposite to the contact, and one end of the other resistor opposite to the contact is grounded, and the transistor is turned on and off based on the voltage at the contact of the resistor. Off operation,
The power supply voltage is detected based on the on / off operation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the power supply means is further provided between the switching means and the communication superimposing means, and detects a change in a power supply voltage applied to the communication superimposing means. And an overcurrent detecting means for detecting a short circuit of a wiring or the like.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the overcurrent detecting means includes at least one resistor and a transistor which is turned on / off based on a voltage applied to both ends of the resistor. A voltage value applied to both ends of the resistor changes, and when the voltage value exceeds a predetermined voltage value, the transistor is turned on to detect a short circuit of a wiring or the like.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the power supply means further includes a voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage on the communication line, and the power supply means on the communication line based on a detection result by the voltage detection means. Logic means for judging whether or not there is another power supply source for supplying the voltage, and for judging that there is no other power supply source for supplying the power supply voltage, the logic means to function as a power supply source by itself. It is characterized by the following.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the power supply device, the other indoor unit having the power supply device supplies the power supply voltage simultaneously and in opposite phase to the communication line, or the communication line In the case of a short-circuit state, a detection means for detecting the supply of the reverse-phase power supply voltage or the short-circuit of the communication line and stopping the supply of the power supply voltage is provided.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the power supply means restarts power supply after the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system wherein the power supply means communicates via the communication line when another indoor unit having the power supply means supplies in-phase power. It is characterized by having logical means for logically determining whether to stop supplying the power supply voltage based on the data.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first units having a power supply function and at least one second unit having no power supply function are connected by a communication line. A communication control system in which a power supply voltage and communication data are transmitted / received between the first unit and the second unit in a non-polar / bidirectional manner via a line, the communication control system having the power supply function; Each of the one unit is a voltage detection unit that detects whether a power supply voltage is present on the communication line after the main power is turned on, and when it is determined that the power supply voltage is not still present on the communication line after a predetermined time, A power supply voltage determining / supplying means for making the self function as a power supply source and supplying a power supply voltage on the communication line, and when it is determined that the power supply voltage is not still present on the communication line after a predetermined time. Characterized by comprising a power supply stopping means for stopping the power supply.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication control system for an air conditioner, comprising a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit, wherein each indoor unit and a control device including a remote controller are connected by a communication line. The line is characterized in that non-polar and bidirectional data communication is performed between all the indoor units and the control device while supplying power to the control device from any one of the plurality of indoor units.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a device configuration of the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment.

The air conditioning system 100 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 1, a plurality of indoor units 11 to 18, a remote controller 5 for controlling the indoor units, and a centralized controller 6 are connected by a communication line 4. The communication line 4 includes a pair of communication lines, and through this communication line 4, not only communication signals (control signals) but also power supply / reception is performed. That is, the communication line 4 is also used as a power supply line. Each indoor unit is designed to be able to supply power (that is, has a power supply circuit). In this embodiment, all the indoor units are described as having a power supply function. However, it is not necessary that all the indoor units have a power supply function, and at least a plurality (two or more) of the indoor units have a power supply function. As long as it has a supply function, the effects of the present invention can be obtained. Although not shown, each indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected via a communication line 4 or another communication line.

Here, the remote controller 5 and the centralized controller 6 cannot receive power supply independently, but are not connected to any of the indoor units 11 to 18 via the indoor communication line 1 as described later. Power supply from indoor units. In addition, the information of the operation, stop, and setting of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 18 instructed by the user through the remote controller 5 and the centralized controller 6 via the indoor communication line 4 is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 11. , The current operation state can be transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 18 to the remote controller 5 and the centralized controller 6. That is, the communication line 4 is designed to enable two-way data communication.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a communication control device of a power supply source (indoor unit) according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, since all the indoor units can function as a power supply source, all the indoor units have the communication control device of FIG. 3 uniformly.

The left side of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3 corresponds to an arbitrary indoor unit communication control device functioning as a power supply source.
The right side corresponds to each of the indoor unit, the remote controller 5 and the centralized controller 6 not functioning as a power supply source. In addition,
In FIG. 3, only the polarity matching circuit 63B provided in each of the indoor unit, the remote controller 5, and the centralized controller 6 is shown on the right side.

The communication control device shown in FIG. 3 includes a power supply circuit 59 connected to a main power supply (not shown), a transistor 54,
And an overcurrent detection circuit 57 connected to a power supply circuit 59 via a diode 60;
8, a communication superposition circuit 55 connected to the communication port (output side) Tx, a signal detection circuit 62 connected to the communication port (input side) Rx of the microcomputer 58, and a voltage detection connected to the protection circuit input of the microcomputer 58. Circuit 56, power supply output CH1 of microcomputer, communication superimposition circuit 55, signal detection circuit 62
And a polarity matching circuit 63 connected to the voltage detection circuit 56
The other indoor units having a power supply function also include the same units as those of the communication control device in FIG. 3, but the indoor unit without the power supply function, the remote controller 3 and the centralized controller 4 are: There is no circuit related to power supply,
A circuit relating to signal reception and transmission, a polarity matching circuit 63B directly connected to the communication line 4, and other necessary controllers are provided. The polarity matching circuit 63A is connected to the polarity matching circuit 63B of the other indoor units and the remote controller via the communication line 4, so that the indoor units 11 to 18, the remote controller 5, and the centralized controller 6 have a nonpolarity with each other. Two-way communication is being performed.

As will be described later, output signals from the voltage detection circuit 56 and the overcurrent detection circuit 57 (ie, the signal level at the microcomputer input terminal (protection circuit input) in FIG. 3) and the output signal at the power supply output terminal CH1 The microcomputer 58 determines whether or not power is being supplied from another indoor unit based on the level. If it is determined that power is not being received, the microcomputer 58 supplies power to the communication line 4 as a power supply source. be able to. That is, each indoor unit is provided with a logic circuit for limiting the power supply source to one of the arbitrary indoor units. In addition, a control device such as a remote controller and a centralized controller and an indoor unit having no power supply function use the power supply voltage on the communication line as its own power supply.

As will be described later, the voltage detection circuit 56
The overcurrent detection circuit 57 is also used to detect a short circuit in a communication line and the application of simultaneous negative-phase power supply voltages from a plurality of indoor units, and a power supply output terminal based on signals from these circuits. ON of the transistor 54 connected to CH1
By controlling the OFF operation, it is possible to control start / stop of power supply.

In the communication control device shown in FIG. 3, when the power supply voltage is supplied from the indoor unit serving as the power supply source,
An ON signal from the power supply output CH1 of the microcomputer 58 (FIG. 4)
Signal of a level for turning on the transistor Q5 indicated by
Is output to the transistor Q5, and the transistors Q5 and 54 are turned on, so that the power supply voltage is supplied to the communication superimposition circuit 55 via the power supply circuit 59. This power supply voltage is
Further, the power is supplied to the polarity matching circuit 63A and further output to the polarity matching circuit 63B of another device via the communication line 4, thereby supplying power to the other device. In addition, when transmitting communication data to another device by carrying the communication data on the power supply voltage, an on / off signal (communication signal) from the communication port (output side) Tx of the microcomputer is supplied to the communication superimposing circuit 55, where the power supply circuit is provided. The signal is superimposed on the power supply voltage from 59 and output to the polarity matching circuit 63A, and further output to the polarity matching circuit 63B of another device via the communication line 4. On other devices,
The transmitted communication data is detected by the signal detection circuit 62 and output to the input communication port Rx of the microcomputer. This makes it possible to supply power to other devices and to transmit and receive non-polarity / bidirectional communication data.

As for the indoor unit which does not function as a power supply source, since the power supply output CH1 is an off signal, the transistor Q5 in FIG. 4 is turned off, the transistor 54 is also turned off, and the power supply voltage from the power supply circuit 59 is turned off. Is not supplied to the communication superposition circuit 55. Therefore, only the communication signal (on / off signal) from the microcomputer is supplied to the communication superimposing circuit 55 (superimposed on the power supply voltage from another power supply source), and the other device is connected via the polarity matching circuit 63A and the communication line 4. To the polarity matching circuit 63B. As a result, it is possible to exchange nonpolar / bidirectional communication data with other devices.

On the other hand, when a communication signal from another device is received, the communication signal is input to the signal detection circuit 52 via the polarity matching circuit 63A and subjected to predetermined signal processing. (Input side) Supplied to Rx.
As a result, it is possible to exchange nonpolar / bidirectional communication data with another device.

When a power supply voltage is supplied from another device functioning as a power supply source (when the indoor unit functions as a power supply source, when the indoor unit does not function as a power supply source, For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-251
In the communication control device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 680, the polarity matching circuit is constituted by a bridge diode.
The power supply voltage can be input from the outside, but the power supply voltage cannot be supplied to the outside. Therefore, in the case of the related art, as shown in FIG.
The signal polarity matching circuit is arranged in parallel with the power supply (that is, power is supplied to the outside via the communication line 4 without passing through the polarity matching circuit), while the signal polarity matching of the slave unit receiving the power supply is provided. The circuit is connected in series with the power supply of the master unit 1 via a communication line, whereby power is supplied to the signal polarity matching circuit. That is, in the case of the communication control device shown in FIG. 1, the power supply source needs to be determined in advance from the circuit structure, and the power supply source cannot be freely selected.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as will be described later, the polarity matching circuit 63A has a circuit configuration in which a transistor is added to the bridge diode constituting the signal polarity matching circuit of FIG. Can be connected in series with the power supply circuit 59, and can also be connected in series with the polarity matching circuit 63B of another device. Can be done. Therefore, the communication control devices of all the indoor units can have the same circuit configuration, and can exchange power supply voltages with each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the communication control system according to the present embodiment, the power supply voltage can be bidirectionally supplied between the indoor units (supply of the power supply voltage of the communication control device of the indoor unit). The directions are arrows α and β), whereas the communication control device of FIG. 1 has only one direction (β direction).

Accordingly, when an arbitrary indoor unit is used as a power supply source, other indoor units can receive power supply from the power supply source, and when any trouble occurs in the power supply source, the power supply is performed. A possible indoor unit can be automatically selected to function as a power supply source. Therefore, the operation can be continuously performed without stopping the air conditioning system until the trouble of the power supply source is eliminated as in the related art.

FIG. 4 is a specific circuit diagram of the communication control device provided in each indoor unit of FIG.

In the circuit of FIG. 4, the communication superposition circuit 55 shown in FIG. 3 is constituted by the resistors R1 and R2 and the transistor Q2 surrounded by a dotted line 55. The polarity matching circuit 63A of the present embodiment is constituted by the transistors Q3, Q4 and the like connected to the contacts of the present embodiment. As described above, the bridge diode 53 can input a power supply voltage from another indoor unit into its circuit, but cannot output its own power supply voltage to the outside. In the present embodiment, the transistors Q3 and Q4 (functioning as bypass means for the bridge diode 53) can take out their own power supply voltage to the outside. Further, a voltage detection circuit 56 is configured by the resistors R3 and R4 and the transistor Q6, and the resistors R1, R5, R6, and the capacitor C
1 and transistors Q1 and Q7, an overcurrent detection circuit 5
7 are configured.

Next, the operation of transmitting / receiving a communication signal, starting / stopping power supply, detecting a trouble such as short-circuiting of a communication line, and automatically switching a power supply source in the communication control apparatus thus configured will be described below. This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, as described above, all devices (excluding the remote controller and the centralized controller) connected to the communication line 4 can serve as a power supply source. However, it is not necessary that all the indoor units supply power at the same time, and any one of the indoor units may be a power supply source.
In this case, for example, at the manufacturing stage, any one indoor unit serving as a power supply source when power is turned on may be set in advance, and any one of the indoor units is automatically selected based on microcomputer control of each indoor unit. You may make it.

First, the (1) power supply start operation will be described.

Here, when it is assumed that an arbitrary indoor unit is set to function as a power supply source when the power is turned on, a predetermined signal (ON) is supplied to the microcomputer power supply output terminal of the communication control device of the indoor unit. Signal). The transistor Q5 is turned on by this ON signal, and the current from the power supply + V flows through the transistor Q5, whereby the transistor 54 is turned on, and the voltage at the contact P1 becomes the power supply voltage. This power supply voltage cannot be taken out through the bridge diode 53, but since the transistors Q3 and Q4 are on, the power supply voltage is taken out through these transistors Q3 and Q4 and the communication line 4 is connected. It is supplied to other devices (indoor unit, remote controller, centralized controller) via the controller.

On the other hand, in other devices (indoor units), no ON signal is given to the power supply output terminal (OFF signal).
Although the transistor 54 is off, the voltage at the contact P1 is the power supply voltage because the power supply voltage is supplied from outside via the bridge diode 53. Therefore,
When a current flows through the resistors R3 and R4, a voltage is applied to the base of the transistor Q6, and the transistor is turned on, so that a current flows to the microcomputer input terminal.

Now, it is assumed that the signal (SA) at the power supply output terminal is an ON signal (the transistor Q5 is in the ON state).
1 ", logic" 0 "when the off signal (transistor Q5 is off), and logic" 1 "when the signal (SB) at the microcomputer input terminal is an on signal (transistor Q6 is on). Assuming that the off signal (the transistor Q6 is in the off state) is logic “0”, the microcomputer 58 determines that the SA is “1” based on these logic values and the S
If B is "1", it is the power supply itself,
It is determined that the power supply voltage is being supplied to another device. Also,
When the SA is “0” and the SB is “1”, it can be determined that the device itself does not function as a power supply source but is being supplied with power from another device. Similarly, SA
If "1" and SB is "0", it is determined that the power supply itself is the power supply source but does not supply the power supply voltage (the voltage of the contact point P1 is zero). It is determined that a trouble has occurred such as a short-circuit of the communication line, a short circuit in the circuit, etc. Further, if SA is “0” and SB is
Is "0", it is determined that the power supply voltage is not supplied by itself, that is, that there is no indoor unit to be the power supply source, and an ON signal is output to the power supply output terminal so as to become the power supply source. (That is, SA is set to “1”).

As described above, a logic circuit can be formed by the transistors Q5 and Q6 and the resistors R3 and R4 and the like, and the signal (logic) at the input terminal and the signal (logic) at the output terminal of the logic circuit are used. It is possible to automatically select a power supply source (determine whether or not to use itself as a power supply source) and detect a trouble such as a short circuit.
When the occurrence of a trouble is detected, the power supply can be restarted by setting the signal of the power supply output terminal to the off signal and switching to the on signal when the trouble is solved. Such a logical decision is made by a microcomputer provided in each indoor unit.

Next, the operation of (2) superimposing the communication signal on the power supply voltage and outputting it to the communication line 4 will be described.

Communication port (output terminal) of microcomputer 58
Communication signal (ON / OFF signal) from Tx to transistor Q2
, The transistor Q2 is turned on and off. When the indoor unit is a power supply source, the resistors R1 and R2 are supplied from the power supply + V via the transistor 54 and the diode 60 in accordance with the on / off operation of the transistor Q2.
Current flows through Accordingly, the voltage at the contact point P1 is modulated based on the communication signal (ON / OFF signal) applied to the transistor Q2, and is output to the outside via the communication line 4. This means that the power supply voltage and the communication signal have been superimposed and output to the communication line 4. When the indoor unit is not a power supply source, the power supply voltage at the contact point P1 is modulated by the communication signal applied to the transistor Q2 because the power supply voltage is externally depolarized by the bridge diode 53 and applied to the contact point P1. The modulated signal is transmitted to the outside via the communication line 4.

Next, (3) the operation of receiving an external communication signal will be described.

When a communication signal is input from the outside, the signal is input to the signal detection circuit 62 via the bridge diode 53 at the contact point P1. The signal detection circuit 62 receives a predetermined process and the communication port (input side) R of the microcomputer.
x.

Next, (4) a short-circuit detecting operation when a short-circuit occurs in a communication circuit (line) will be described.

As described above, when the communication circuit (communication line) is short-circuited, the voltage at the contact P1 becomes zero or a low voltage close to zero, and the transistor Q6 is turned off.
At this time, the logic circuit can determine that the communication line is short-circuited or that none of the indoor units is functioning as a power supply source (the power supply voltage is not supplied on the communication line 4). When the power supply output signal is turned on in this state,
If the transistor Q6 is still in the off state, it can be determined that it is in the short-circuit state.

Next, a description will be given of (5) a detection operation in the case where an opposite-phase or in-phase power supply voltage is applied from another device via the communication line 4.

Even if an indoor unit acts as a power supply source and performs an operation of supplying a power supply voltage, at the same time, other devices may also serve as a power supply source and supply a power supply voltage. In this case, two cases are considered: a case where the power supply voltage from another device is in the opposite phase to the power supply voltage of the indoor unit and a case where it is in phase. First, the description will be made assuming that the power supply voltages from other devices are in opposite phases.

When the power supply voltage from another device is in the opposite phase, the voltage on the communication line 4 (or the contact point P1) becomes low (or zero). At this time, when the voltage applied to both ends of the resistor R1 rises and becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (Vth, for example, 3 V), the transistor Q1 is turned on, and the transistor Q7 is turned on. Is applied). When the wiring is short-circuited, Rx
Since there is no voltage on (contact P1), Q6 does not turn on and the microcomputer determines that a short circuit has occurred. In the present embodiment, the application of the negative-phase power supply voltage and the determination of the short circuit of the wiring (communication line) are determined by the microcomputer 58 via the OR circuit including the transistors Q6 and Q7, so that the determination can be performed more reliably. . When the application of the opposite-phase power supply voltage or the short-circuit of the wiring is detected as described above, the power supply operation is stopped by using the power supply output signal as an off signal.

On the other hand, when a power supply voltage of the same phase is applied from another device in spite of itself being a power supply source, in this case, it cannot be determined by the circuit configuration of FIG. However, the power supply source sends a signal indicating the start (execution) of the power supply operation to other devices through communication data, and the microcomputer of each indoor unit simultaneously generates a common-mode power supply voltage based on the communication data. It is determined whether the voltage is being applied from another device or not. Based on this determination, the power supply operation is stopped if necessary.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the communication control device (FIGS. 3 and 4) provided in each indoor unit.

First, when a power supply (main power supply for supplying power to each indoor unit and the like) is turned on, it is detected whether or not a power supply voltage exists on a communication line (remote control line) (step S).
1). The detection of the power supply voltage is determined by the protection circuit input of the microcomputer 58 in FIG. 2 (the ON operation of the transistor Q6). Here, if the power supply voltage already exists (YE
S: S1), it is determined that another indoor unit is the power supply source, the communication line power absence counter is set to 0 (step S2), and the process returns to the initial operation (S1). On the other hand, when the power supply voltage does not exist on the communication line (the power supply voltage is not detected) (no power supply is supplied to any indoor units, or power is supplied to each other, and short-circuit occurs due to the application of opposite-phase power supply voltage). Or the wiring (communication line) is short-circuited), and a timer is set with a random number (step S
3). The setting of the timer using random numbers is performed to set a different time-up time in each indoor unit.
As a result, the time until the power supply voltage is supplied to the communication line by setting itself as a power supply source is different for each indoor unit, and each indoor unit can simultaneously become a power supply source and supply the power supply voltage. Can be reduced.

Next, it is determined whether or not the time is up (whether or not the time set by the random number has elapsed) (step S4). If it is determined that the time is not up, the power supply voltage is set on the communication line. It is detected again whether or not it exists (step S5). Here, when the power supply voltage is detected on the communication line (when another device supplies the power supply voltage during the timer counting), the process returns to the initial operation (S1). On the other hand, when the power supply voltage is not detected on the communication line, the process returns to the time-up determination (S4).

If it is determined that the time is up, the communication line power supply absence counter is incremented by 1 (step S).
6) It is determined whether the counter value is larger than a predetermined value (step S7). If the counter value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the indoor unit (power supply source) supplying the power supply voltage stops supplying power, and the indoor unit not supplying the power supply voltage starts supplying power. This is because, although a plurality of power supply sources supply the power supply voltage, the power supply voltages are supplied with phases opposite to each other, so that the power supply voltage may not be detected on the communication line.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that the counter value is larger than the predetermined value, the power supply is stopped in step S9. This is because, even though the above operation is repeated a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the power supply voltage still cannot be supplied due to, for example, a short circuit in the wiring. When the above processing is completed, an initial operation (step S1)
Return to

The indoor unit supplying power to the communication line is always "power-supplied indoor unit is present" at a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) regardless of whether the parent and child are individually or whether the system is stopped.
Send a command on the communication line. The indoor unit that has received the “power supply indoor unit present” command stops supplying power to the communication line except for the indoor unit that has issued this command.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the power supply function is limited to the indoor unit, but it is not necessarily limited to the indoor unit. For example, an outdoor unit or the like may have a power supply function. Further, in the above embodiment, the communication control system for an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units and a remote controller is applied, but the present invention is not limited to the air conditioner system. In short, from multiple units that have their own power supply capability, detect the presence or absence of the power supply voltage on the communication line, and have the function of automatically determining whether to start or stop operating as a power supply source. The present invention can be applied to any system as long as the system is configured.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Communication data (on / off signal) carried on the power supply voltage can be transmitted / received between the indoor unit and a control device such as a remote controller or a centralized controller through a communication line via a communication line. Each or all of the indoor units are equipped with a function to automatically select themselves as the power supply source, so even if the power supply fails due to some trouble, there is no need to stop the air conditioning system, automatically. Another indoor unit can be selected as a power supply source and the system can be operated continuously.

Also, with a simple circuit configuration based on a DC on / off circuit, a communication line and a power line are shared, and non-polarity / bidirectional data communication is performed while power is supplied from a room to a control device. It can be performed.

Further, since one indoor unit is automatically selected from a plurality of indoor units as a power supply source for the control device of the air conditioning system, a service person such as an equipment supplier does not need to perform an initial setting. It is possible to cope with various system configurations.

Furthermore, even if the indoor unit, which is the power supply source, sends power of the opposite phase, the power supply is automatically stopped, so that equipment failure can be prevented.

Further, when the indoor unit, which is the power supply, outputs an opposite phase or the communication line connecting the indoor unit and the control device is short-circuited, another indoor unit that normally operates is automatically searched for and switched. Therefore, operation as an air conditioning system can be continued.

Further, when a plurality of power supply sources output the same phase, the number of indoor units which are power supply sources is automatically limited to one, so that it is possible to prevent the control device from receiving excessive power.

Further, in the present invention, a transistor is used instead of a generally used diode, so that the circuit configuration is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication control device of a conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a device configuration of the air conditioning system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a communication control device used in the air conditioning system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a specific circuit diagram of the communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the communication control device used in the air conditioning system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Communication Line 5 Remote Controller 6 Centralized Controller 55 Signal Detection Circuit 56 Voltage Detection Circuit 57 Overcurrent Detection Circuit 58 Microcomputer 62 Signal Detection Circuit 63A, 63B Polarity Matching Circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301B 311 311S (72) Inventor Takaharu Tenma 1 Otsukicho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture No. Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiji Ohashi 1 Otsukicho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. F-term (reference)

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner comprising: a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit;
In a communication control system of an air conditioner, in which each indoor unit and a control device including a remote controller are connected by a communication line and perform data communication with each other via the communication line, at least two indoor units of the plurality of indoor units are Any one of the indoor units having the power supply unit, while supplying power to the control device via the communication line, between the plurality of indoor units and the control device. A non-polar, two-way data communication is performed by the communication control system for an air conditioner. 2. The power supply means includes: a communication superimposition means for superimposing a power supply voltage and communication data; a switching means for controlling on / off of supply of a power supply voltage from a main power supply to the communication superimposition means; A communication control system for an air conditioner, comprising: a polarity matching unit that receives an output of the communication superimposing unit, outputs the received signal on the communication line, and depolarizes an external power supply voltage. 3. The communication superimposing means, comprising: a transistor for inputting an on / off signal as a communication signal; and a division of a power supply voltage from the main power supply by an on / off operation of the transistor. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising at least two resistors connected in series and superimposing the power supply voltage and the power supply voltage. 4. The switching means is provided between the main power supply and the communication superposition circuit, and turns on supply of a power supply voltage from the main power supply to the communication superposition circuit based on an on / off signal. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising: a transistor for performing off control. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the polarity matching unit includes a bridge diode for converting the polarity of an external signal, and a transistor for bypassing the signal from the communication superimposing unit without passing through the bridge diode. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 2. 6. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein said power supply means further comprises a voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage in said communication superimposition means. 7. The voltage detecting means includes at least two resistors connected in series and a transistor connected to a contact point of the resistor, and is opposite to the contact point of one of the two resistors. A power supply voltage is applied to one end of the resistor, and one end of the other resistor opposite to the contact is grounded, and the transistor is turned on / off based on the voltage at the contact of the resistor. The power supply voltage is detected based on the off operation.
The communication control system for the air conditioner according to the above. 8. The power supply means is further provided between the switching means and the communication superimposing means, and detects a change in a power supply voltage applied to the communication superimposition means, thereby causing a short circuit of a wiring or the like to occur. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising overcurrent detection means for detecting. 9. The overcurrent detecting means includes at least one resistor and a transistor which is turned on / off based on a voltage applied to both ends of the resistor, and applied to both ends of the resistor as a power supply voltage changes. 9. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein when the voltage value changes and the voltage value exceeds a predetermined voltage value, the transistor is turned on to detect a short circuit of a wiring or the like. . 10. The power supply unit further includes a voltage detection unit that detects a power supply voltage on the communication line, and another voltage supply unit that supplies the power supply voltage on the communication line based on a detection result by the voltage detection unit. Logic means for judging whether or not a power supply source is present and, if judging that there is no other power supply source for supplying the power supply voltage, causing the device to function as a power supply source by itself. Item 2. A communication control system for an air conditioner according to Item 1. 11. The power supply means, wherein another indoor unit having the power supply means simultaneously supplies a power supply voltage of opposite phase to the communication line, or when the communication line is in a short-circuit state, The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect the supply of the negative-phase power supply voltage or the short circuit of the communication line and stop the supply of the power supply voltage. 12. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the power supply means restarts power supply after the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. 13. The power supply means, further comprising: a power supply voltage based on communication data communicated via the communication line when another indoor unit having the power supply means supplies in-phase power. 2. The communication control system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a logical unit that logically determines whether to stop supplying air. 14. The power supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising a self-selection unit for automatically selecting itself as a power supply source for supplying a power supply voltage to the communication line.
The communication control system for the air conditioner according to the above. 15. A plurality of first units having a power supply function and at least one second unit not having a power supply function are connected by a communication line, and a power supply is provided via the communication line. A communication control system in which voltage and communication data are transmitted and received between the first unit and the second unit in a non-polar / bidirectional manner, wherein each of the first units having the power supply function is A voltage detecting means for detecting whether a power supply voltage is present on the communication line after the main power is turned on, and a voltage detecting means determining that no power supply voltage is present on the communication line after a lapse of a predetermined time after the main power is turned on. A communication control system comprising: a power supply voltage determining / supplying unit that functions as a power supply source and supplies a power supply voltage to the communication line. 16. Each of said first units further comprises:
A communication control system including a power supply stop unit that stops power supply when the voltage detection unit determines that the power supply voltage is not still present on the communication line after a predetermined time. 17. A communication control system for an air conditioner, comprising a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit, wherein each indoor unit and a control device including a remote controller are connected by a communication line, wherein the communication line is a plurality of indoor units. A non-polar, two-way data communication between all the indoor units and the control device while supplying power to the control device from any one of the control devices.