JP2002354558A - Central control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To overcome such a problem that an upper level central controller is required for integrally controlling a group of central controllers where the number of controllable slave terminals is limited. SOLUTION: Central controllers 1-3 perform communication using the same communication means as that used for communication of terminals 11-13, 21-23 and 31-33 thus realizing extension of a control range, limited to a preset number of control terminal groups 10, 20 and 30, to theoretically unlimited number of terminals without requiring any extra apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized control device for a home or business air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional centralized control device, particularly in a centralized control device for home or small-scale commercial air conditioning, the number of controlled terminals that can be controlled by one centralized control device depends on the performance of the centralized control device and communication. Limited depending on speed.

That is, in order to ensure controllability and responsiveness, it is necessary to limit the number of controlled terminals according to the processing capacity of the central control device and the communication speed of the communication means. In the conventional centralized control system, 1
Since the number of controlled terminals that can be controlled by one centralized control device is limited, in order to control the number of controlled terminals or air conditioners exceeding the limit, a plurality of centralized control devices are used. There is a problem that a higher-level centralized control device 60 that centrally controls and manages these centralized control device groups is required.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional centralized control system.
Denotes controlled terminals below the centralized control device 1 and 10 denotes a communication control unit controlled by the centralized control device 1. Since the same applies to 20 and 30, the description is omitted.
Reference numeral 60 denotes a higher-level central control device for centrally controlling the central control device.

[0005] Centralized control device 1 and its controlled terminal group 1
The central control device 1 sends control commands to the controlled terminal groups 1, 2, and 3 using the communication means, and the controlled terminal groups are connected to each other. It operates based on the control command sent. Controlled terminal 1
1, 12 and 13 respectively send the state information to the central control apparatus 1 by the communication means 14 based on the command of the central control apparatus 1 or voluntarily, and the central control apparatus 1 performs display based on the state information. And performs operations such as sending a signal to the operator. Some commands of the central control device require the same control content for all controlled terminals belonging to the communication control unit. For example, in an air conditioner, operation stop, operation start, operation mode switching, and the like correspond to this. Such an instruction is called a simultaneous instruction.

In a system having a plurality of centralized control devices and communication control units corresponding to the centralized control devices as shown in FIG. 7, a simultaneous command is often transmitted. The device 60 is required.

However, in a home or small-scale air conditioning system for business use, the higher-level centralized control device 60 is often not installed for reasons such as cost. In such a system, since the simultaneous command is transmitted only within each control communication unit, each centralized control device must be individually operated in order to bring the entire system into the same operation state.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and reduces the number of controlled terminals that can be controlled without adding a new device located above the centralized control device. It is intended to provide a technology which can be theoretically expanded without limit.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a wired or wireless communication means, and uses the communication means to control one or more controlled terminals and to grasp the operation state. A centralized control device for performing communication between the centralized control devices using a communication means.

[0010] By the communication between the centralized control devices, a centralized control system can be obtained in which the number of controllable controlled terminals can be theoretically expanded without any limitation without adding a new device.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 has a communication means by wire or wireless, and transmits a control signal to at least one controlled terminal via the communication means, or A centralized control device configured to receive a status signal indicating its operation state from a control terminal, performing communication between the centralized control devices using the communication means, wherein the centralized control device group mutually communicates. It has a command that can simultaneously perform a predetermined control, and one central control device of the central control device group controls another central control device group by the command.

According to this configuration, the number of controlled terminals that can be controlled without adding a new device can be theoretically expanded without limit.

A centralized control device which constitutes a centralized control system for performing communication between the centralized control devices, characterized in that a specific centralized control device is authorized to issue a command to another centralized control device. One or more hierarchies may be provided in the group, and control of the state of the entire central control system may be permitted only from a specific central control device belonging to an upper layer. As a result, the centralized control device that can change the operation state and operation state of the entire system is limited, and more stable system operation can be performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the communication between the centralized control device groups uses a device identification number different from the device identification number used for communication with the controlled terminal. Things.

[0015] This makes it possible to distinguish between communication with the controlled terminal and communication with the controlled terminal and communication with another centralized control device at the same time. And responsiveness can be improved.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the central control device group uses the device identification number used for communication with the controlled terminal also for communication between the central control device groups. is there. By using the same device identification number both for communication with the controlled terminal and for communication with other centralized controllers, a simple configuration can be achieved without adding a storage device or storage area for storing the device identification number. A centralized control system can be constructed.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that all or some of the plurality of centralized control devices have authority to issue a command to another centralized control device, and communication between the centralized control devices is performed. By giving the same function / authority to all or some of the centralized control devices that make up the centralized control system, even if it is necessary to change the operating state or operation status of the entire system, search for a specific centralized control device It is possible to easily change the state of the entire system without any change.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the controlled terminal is an air conditioner, and the central control device can transmit a control signal to the air conditioner or receive information of the air conditioner. It is a remote control device capable of simple two-way communication. As a result, the air-conditioning equipment group whose operation is controlled in several communication control units is
Control and management can be performed without operating each centralized control device that controls each communication control unit individually.

[0019]

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

(Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1, 2, and 3 denote centralized control devices, and reference numerals 11, 12, and 13 denote groups of controlled terminals that are centrally controlled by the centralized control device 1,
Reference numerals 2 and 23 denote controlled terminal groups that are centrally controlled by the central control device 2, and 31, 32, and 33 denote controlled terminal groups that are centrally controlled by the central control device 3.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which three centralized control devices and each centralized control device have three controlled terminals, but the number of each is based on conditions such as the size of the system. It fluctuates according to.

Central control device 1 and its controlled terminal group 1
The central control device 1 sends control commands to the controlled terminal groups 1, 2, and 3 using the communication means, and the controlled terminal groups are connected to each other. It operates based on the control command sent.

Each of the controlled terminals 11, 12, and 13 sends the status information to the central control device 1 by the communication means 14 based on the command of the central control device 1 or voluntarily, and the central control device 1 Based on the information, operations such as displaying and sending a signal to the operator are performed.

Reference numerals 10, 20, and 30 denote communication control units each composed of a centralized control device and a group of controlled terminals, each of which is located within a wavy ellipse. It communicates only with the device and cannot communicate with the centralized control device of another communication control unit. That is, the centralized control device 1 and the controlled terminals 11, 12, 13 are connected via the communication means 14 to form a closed communication control unit 10.

Similarly, the central control device 2 and the controlled terminal 2
1, 22, 23 are connected via the communication means 24 to form a closed communication control unit 20, and the central control device 3 and the controlled terminals 31, 32, 33 are connected via the communication means 34,
A closed communication control unit 30 is formed.

The centralized control devices 1, 2, and 3 have communication means 40 between the centralized control devices in addition to the communication means 14, 24, and 34 for communicating with the controlled terminal group. Perform communication.

The communication means 40 uses the same medium as the communication in the communication control unit, but by the method described below,
It shall be distinguished from communication in the communication control unit.

In the group of centralized control devices, the communication means 40 generates an operation or information corresponding to a preset simultaneous command in information or operation information of an operation performed on a specific or arbitrary centralized control device. In this case, by issuing a simultaneous command, it becomes possible to maintain the same control state, and furthermore, it is possible to maintain the same operation state of the controlled terminal groups under each centralized control device. .

That is, by operating a specific or arbitrary one centralized control device, it becomes possible to control the entire centralized control device composed of a plurality of communication control units.

Reference numeral 50 denotes another type of communication means. In this case, there are devices connected to a public telephone line, specific examples of which include a door phone and a telephone having a control function. Just by connecting the means 50 to any one of the centralized control devices 1, 2, and 3 or a specific one set in advance, the entire centralized control system can be controlled.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method of setting a device identification number according to the present embodiment. The device identification number used for communication between centralized control devices, the centralized control device and its subordinate devices are shown. A method of separately setting and storing device identification numbers used for communication with a controlled terminal, that is, communication in a communication control unit, is shown for the communication control unit 10 as an example.

In the above embodiment, reference numeral 100 denotes the device identification number of the central control device 1 used for communication between the central control devices and its storage area, and 101 denotes the device identification number used for communication in the communication control unit 10 and its storage region. Indicates a storage area.

The centralized control device 1 uses the device identification number 100 for communication with the other centralized control devices 2 and 3, and uses the device identification number 101 for communication within the communication control unit 10.

According to this embodiment, the communication between the centralized control devices and the communication within the communication control unit can be performed simultaneously, and a centralized control system with high responsiveness and controllability can be provided.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method of setting a device identification number according to the present embodiment. The device identification number used for communication between the centralized control devices, the centralized control device and its subordinate devices are shown. The method of setting and storing the communication with the controlled terminal, that is, the device identification number used for the communication in the communication control unit without discriminating the communication control unit 10 is shown as an example.

In the above embodiment, reference numeral 100 denotes a device identification number of the central control device 1 used for communication between the central control devices and its storage area.

The central control device 1 uses the device identification number 100 for communication with the other central control devices 2 and 3 and for communication within the communication control unit 10.

According to this embodiment, the communication between the central control devices and the communication within the communication control unit can be performed with the same device identification number, and the area for storing the device identification number can be saved. A centralized control system that controls a plurality of communication control units with a simpler configuration can be provided.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication mode between centralized control devices of this embodiment. The central control device 1 is higher in communication and control than 2 and 3. That is, the information corresponding to the simultaneous command among the operation information and control information performed on the central control device 1 is sent to the other central control devices 2 and 3 by the communication means 40a, and 2 and 3 are included in the information. The controlled terminal is controlled based on the control.

However, the central control device 2 or 3
Is not sent to the central control device 1.

According to this embodiment, by limiting the centralized control devices that control the entire centralized control system, it is possible to provide a centralized control system in which the overall operation state can be easily managed.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication mode between centralized control devices of this embodiment. The centralized control devices 1, 2, and 3 have completely the same functions and authority over the entire centralized control system. That is, the information corresponding to the simultaneous command among the operation information and control information performed on the central control device 1 is sent to the other central control devices 2 and 3 by the communication means 40a, and 2 and 3 The controlled terminal is controlled based on the control.

Among the operation information and control information generated in the central control device 2 or 3, those corresponding to the simultaneous command are similarly sent to the central control device 3 or 2 and 1 and communicated to the respective controlled terminals. Perform control.

According to this embodiment, the entire centralized control system can be controlled from all the centralized control devices, so that the overall operation state can be controlled from a nearby centralized control device. And a centralized control system that can be operated quickly.

It should be noted that the fourth and fifth embodiments can be selected by operating the central control device. According to this configuration, the size of the central control system, the management status at each time, the number of managers, etc. Depending on the conditions and conditions, a mode in which the entire system is controlled from a limited central control device, a mode in which the entire system is controlled from all central control devices, or the entire system only from a specific set of central control devices Can be selected.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the centralized control system of this embodiment is applied to an air conditioner. The controlled terminal 11 is connected to a multi-room air conditioner having one indoor unit and three indoor units, and the controlled terminal 12 is separated from the outdoor unit 1 by the indoor unit 1. A controlled air conditioner is connected to the controlled terminal 3, and an air conditioner embedded in the ceiling is connected to the controlled terminal 3, all of which can be controlled from the central control device 1. The communication control unit 20
And 30 are similar.

In a home-use or small-scale air-conditioning system, a high-level central control device for managing the entire operation state is often not installed. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the operation state of all air conditioners by operating a specific or arbitrary one centralized control device. It becomes possible.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the present invention has a wired or wireless communication means, and controls and grasps the operation state of one or more controlled terminals using the communication means. A centralized control device, comprising a command for performing communication between the centralized control devices using the communication means, and simultaneously controlling the states of the centralized control device group, wherein the centralized control device group is controlled by the communication means and the command. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a centralized control system in which the number of controllable controlled terminals can be theoretically expanded without any limitation without adding a new device.

Also, the present invention is characterized in that a device identification number different from a device identification number used for communication with a controlled terminal is used for communication between the centralized control devices.
According to this configuration, it is possible to distinguish between the communication with the controlled terminal and the communication with the controlled terminal and the communication with another central control device at the same time. There is an effect that the performance and responsiveness can be improved.

Also, the present invention is characterized in that the device identification number used for communication with the controlled terminal is also used for communication between the centralized control devices. According to this configuration, the same device identification number is used. A centralized control system can be constructed with a simple configuration by using both the communication with the controlled terminal and the communication with other centralized control devices without adding a storage device or storage area for storing the device identification number. The effect that it becomes possible is produced.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a specific centralized control device has the authority to issue a command to another centralized control device. By providing one or more layers in a centralized control device group that constitutes a centralized control system that performs communication of the system, and permitting control of the state of the entire centralized control system only from a specific centralized control device belonging to an upper layer, The centralized control device that can change the overall operation state and operation state is limited, and an effect that more stable system operation can be achieved is achieved.

The invention of the present application is characterized in that all or some of the plurality of centralized control devices have the authority to issue a command to another centralized control device. By assigning the same function and authority to all the centralized control units that make up the centralized control system that communicates data without having to search for a specific centralized control unit even when the operating state or operation status of the entire system needs to be changed. There is an effect that the state can be easily changed.

The invention of the present application has a controlled terminal connected to one or more air-conditioning equipment groups or a controlled terminal configured as a part of the air-conditioning equipment. It is possible to control and manage a group of air conditioners whose operation is controlled by dividing them into several communication control units without individually operating each central control device that controls each communication control unit. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual communication diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a device identification number in a communication control unit and a device identification number used for communication between centralized control devices are held independently.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a single device identification number is held;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the entire centralized control system is controlled from a specific centralized control device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the entire central control system is controlled from an arbitrary central control device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a centralized control system in which an air conditioner is connected to a controlled terminal or the controlled terminal is a part of the air conditioner.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional centralized control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 Centralized control device 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 3
3 Controlled terminal 14a, 31a Air conditioner incorporating a controlled terminal 10, 20, 30 Communication control unit 14, 24, 34 Communication unit within communication control unit 40, 40a, 40b Communication unit between centralized control devices 50, etc. Communication control device 60 Upper central control device 70, 70a, 70b Multi-room air conditioner 80 Separate type air conditioner 90 External general line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Ito 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Okui 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City Osaka Pref. Terms (reference) 3L061 BA03 BA05 5K048 BA08 CA08 DA08 DC01 EA11 EB02 EB12 FB08 FC01 HA01 HA02 5K101 KK11 LL01 RR11 SS07 TT06 UU16

Claims (6)

[Claims] A control signal is transmitted to at least one controlled terminal via the communication means, or a status signal indicating an operation state of the controlled terminal is provided from the controlled terminal. A central control device configured to receive the command, the communication between the central control devices is performed using the communication means, the central control device group mutually issues a command that can perform predetermined control simultaneously. Have
A centralized control system, wherein one centralized control device of the centralized control device group controls another centralized control device group according to the command. 2. The centralized control according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the centralized control device groups uses a device identification number different from the device identification number used for communication with the controlled terminal. system. 3. The centralized control system according to claim 1, wherein the centralized control device group uses a device identification number used for communication with the controlled terminal device also for communication between the centralized control device groups. . 4. The centralized control system according to claim 1, wherein the controlled terminal includes at least one group of air conditioners or a controlled terminal configured as a part of the air conditioner. 5. The centralized control system according to claim 1, wherein all or some of the centralized control devices have authority to issue the command to another centralized control device group. 6. The controlled terminal is an air conditioner, the centralized control device transmits a control signal to the air conditioner,
Or a remote control device capable of two-way communication capable of receiving information possessed by the air conditioner.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.