JP2003262387A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance general usability. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner comprises an indoor machine 2 and an outdoor machine 1, and electric power wire 9 supplying electric power is connected to alternating current power circuits 11, 26 of the indoor machine 2 and the outdoor machine 1. The indoor machine 2 and the outdoor machine 1 are respectively provided with communication circuits 22, 5 conducting communication through a signal wire 8. The indoor machine 2 and the outdoor machine 1 respectively comprise signal in/out ends 24, 7 of the communication circuits 22, 5 connected with the signal wire 8, and a pair of terminals 13, 15 and a pair of terminals 28, 29 connected to the electric power wire 9. Each pair of terminals converts signal pulses sent from the signal in/out ends 24, 7 into high frequency signals superimposed on alternating current of the electric power wire 9, and adaptors 17, 30 converting the high frequency signals superimposed on the alternating current of the electric power wire 9 into the signal pulses received by the signal in/out ends 24, 7 is enabled to be connected, thereby improving the general usability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a separation type air conditioner formed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An outdoor unit and an indoor unit of such a separation type air conditioner are controlled so as to operate integrally by exchanging information such as operating conditions and set temperatures.
As a method of transmitting this information, there is generally known a method of connecting an outdoor unit and an indoor unit with a signal line and transmitting a signal pulse which is a transmission signal (hereinafter, referred to as a signal line system).

Further, as an improvement plan for reducing the cost required for the wiring work of such a signal line, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 27279/1993.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5, a high-frequency signal of 10 kHz to 450 kHz, which is a power line superposition signal, is superposed on an AC voltage of a power line that supplies electric power to an outdoor unit and an indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as a power line superposition method), It has been proposed to share a signal line and a power line.

[0004]

However, in the power line superposition system, the power line superposition signal may be attenuated by the AC power supply circuit as a load. That is, the power line superposition method has a disadvantage that the transmission distance is limited as compared with the signal line method.

As described above, it cannot be said that either the signal line system or the power line superposition system is generally good, and it is necessary to select a system suitable for the conditions of the site where the air conditioner is installed. For this reason, factories that manufacture air conditioners are required to supply air conditioners of methods that match the conditions of the site, but it is important to always produce and stock the air conditioners of each method without excess or deficiency. It is difficult to manage.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to increase the versatility of the air conditioner.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a room equipped with an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line of external power and a communication circuit for communicating via a signal line. In an air conditioner formed by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have terminals at a signal input / output end and a power line of a communication circuit to which a signal line is connected, and each terminal transmits from the signal input / output end. An adapter is connected to convert the transmitted signal to a power line superimposed signal to be superimposed on the AC of the power line, and to convert the power line superimposed signal to be superimposed on the AC of the power line into a transmission signal received by the signal input / output end. It is characterized by

That is, in the air conditioner for exchanging data between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit by the signal line system, by adopting a configuration in which an adapter for changing the communication system from the signal line system to the power line superposed communication system can be connected, One air conditioner can support two types of communication methods, and the versatility can be improved.

Further, in the air conditioner described above, an adapter for converting the signal line system into the power line superimposing system can be connected. However, instead of this, the power line superimposing system is used to exchange data between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In the air conditioner, an adapter for changing the power line superimposing system to the signal line system may be connectable.

Specifically, it is formed by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, each of which is provided with an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line of external power and a communication circuit for performing communication by superimposing a power line superposition signal on the AC of the power line. In the air conditioner, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have a signal input / output terminal to which a signal line is connected,
The indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have a terminal at each signal input / output terminal and the power line, and each terminal converts the power line superimposed signal superposed on the AC of the power line into a transmission signal transmitted from the signal input / output terminal, and outputs the signal. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an adapter that converts a transmission signal received at the end into a power line superimposed signal that is superimposed on the AC of the power line can be connected. As a result, one air conditioner can support two types of communication methods, and versatility can be improved.

The signal line system and the power line superposition system may have different data communication procedures and communication speeds.
Therefore, it is preferable to change the communication speed of the data transmitted by the communication circuit when the adapter is connected. In this case, for example, it is possible to change the communication procedure or the communication speed when detecting whether or not the adapter is connected by a known sensor (detection circuit) such as a contact sensor.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when an adapter is attached. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when the adapter is not attached. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle (not shown) that is formed of an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2 and circulates a refrigerant between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2.

First, the configurations of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 will be described. The outdoor unit 1 includes a control device 3 that controls devices that drive the outdoor unit 1, such as a fan and a compressor that blow air to an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown). Control device 3
Is input with data such as the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger, the pressure of the refrigerant, the outside air temperature, and the rotation speed of the compressor from a sensor (not shown), and the data of the outdoor unit 1 and the data transmitted from the indoor unit 2 are input. The outdoor unit 1 is controlled based on the above. A communication circuit 5 is connected to the control device 3. The communication circuit 5 converts the data of the outdoor unit 1 input to the control device 3 into a signal pulse and transmits the signal pulse to the indoor unit 2, and receives the signal pulse transmitted from the indoor unit 2 and converts the signal pulse into data. Then, it has a function of inputting to the control device 3. The signal pulse is transmitted and received by the signal input / output terminal 7 of the communication circuit 5.
The signal line 8 can be connected to the signal input / output terminal 7 as shown in FIG.

The outdoor unit 1 also includes, for example, an AC power supply circuit 11 that receives electric power from a power line 9 connected to a commercial power source and transforms it into an operating voltage of the control device 3 of the outdoor unit 1. The signal input / output terminal 7 has a terminal 13 and the power line 9 has a terminal 1
5 are provided respectively, and an adapter 17 can be connected between the terminals 13 and 15. Adapter 1
7 electrically insulates the control system on the terminal 13 side from the power supply system on the terminal 15 side, converts the signal pulse sent from the terminal 13 into a high frequency signal, and superimposes it on the alternating current of the power line 9, It has a function of converting a high frequency signal superposed on the alternating current into a pulse signal and sending it to the terminal 13. In addition,
When the communication system of the adapter is, for example, a spread spectrum system, it is possible to make it difficult to receive interference such as noise on the power line.

The indoor unit 2 is provided with a control device 20 for controlling a device for driving the indoor unit 2, such as a fan for blowing air to an indoor heat exchanger (not shown). Data such as the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, the pressure of the refrigerant, and the set temperature number input to the indoor unit 2 from the remote controller are input to the control device 20 from a sensor (not shown). The indoor unit 2 is controlled based on the data transmitted from the unit 1. The control device 20 includes a communication circuit 22.
Is connected, the communication circuit 22 converts the data of the indoor unit 2 input to the control device 20 into a signal pulse, transmits the signal pulse to the outdoor unit 1, and receives the signal pulse transmitted from the outdoor unit 1,
It has a function of converting into data and inputting to the control device 20. Transmission and reception of signal pulses are performed via the signal input / output terminal 24 of the communication circuit 22.
A signal line 8 is connected to 4 as shown in FIG. 2, and a signal input / output end 7 and a signal input / output end are connected.

The indoor unit 2 is also provided with an AC power supply circuit 26 that receives electric power from the power line 9 and transforms it into an operating voltage of the control device 20 of the indoor unit 2. Terminal 2 at the signal input / output end 24
8, the power line 9 is provided with terminals 29, respectively, and an adapter 30 can be connected between the terminals 28 and 29. The adapter 30 electrically insulates the control system on the terminal 28 side from the power system on the terminal 29 side, and
It has a function of converting the signal pulse sent from the terminal 28 into a high frequency signal and superimposing it on the alternating current of the power line 9, converting the high frequency signal superimposed on the alternating current of the power line 9 into a pulse signal, and sending it to the terminal 28.

The structure and operation of the air conditioner with and without the adapter will be described below. First, when the adapter is not attached, as shown in FIG. 2, the signal input / output end 7 and the signal input / output end 24 are connected by the signal line 8. No adapter is connected to the terminals 13, 15, 29 and 30. In such a configuration, the outdoor unit 1 transfers the data to the indoor unit 2
In the case of transmission to the communication device 1, the data of the outdoor unit 1 output from the control device 3 is converted into a signal pulse by the communication circuit 5, and this signal pulse is transmitted to the communication circuit 22 via the signal line 8. The communication circuit 22 converts the received signal pulse into data and inputs it to the control device 20. Data transmission from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1 is also possible. In this way, the outdoor unit 1
And the indoor unit 2 transmit and receive data, and operate integrally.

Next, when the adapter is mounted, as shown in FIG.
Are connected between terminals 28 and 29, respectively. In addition,
When the adapter is mounted, the signal input / output end 7 and the signal input / output end 24 are not connected. With such a configuration, when the outdoor unit 1 transmits data to the indoor unit 2, the control device 3 of the outdoor unit 1 tries to send the data to the signal line 8 via the communication circuit 5, but the signal line 8 Since it is not connected, the signal pulse is not transmitted to the communication circuit 22 of the indoor unit 2 via the signal line 8.
However, the adapter 17 connected to the communication circuit 5 receives the signal pulse, converts the data into a high frequency signal, and transmits the high frequency signal to the power line 9. The transmitted high-frequency signal is received by the adapter 30 installed inside the indoor unit 2 via the power line 9. The adapter 30 converts the received high frequency signal into a signal pulse and transmits it to the control device 20 via the communication circuit 22 of the indoor unit 2. In this way, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 operate integrally while transmitting and receiving data.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by attaching and detaching the signal line 8 and the adapters 17 and 30, both the signal line system and the power line superposition system can be supported, and the versatility can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for producing and stocking two types of boards, that is, the communication through the signal line and the communication through the power line, and the time and effort for exchanging the boards to match the communication system. Further, it goes without saying that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed as compared with the air conditioner in which both the two types of communication circuits of the signal line system and the power line superposition system are mounted on the control board.

Modifications of the above-described embodiment are shown in FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied is provided with a sensor for detecting the adapter connection state. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when an adapter is attached. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the modified example of the air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when the adapter is not attached.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 described above, the adapter for converting the signal pulses input and output from the communication circuits 5, 22 into high frequency signals can be attached and detached. However, the communication procedure such as the communication speed and the data content is different between the case where the communication is performed through the signal line 8 and the case where the communication is performed through the power line 9, and it may be necessary to adjust them. Therefore, in the modification shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 1
The sensors 33 and 35 (detection circuits) for detecting the connection state of the sensors 7 and 30 are provided respectively.
It is characterized in that the communication speed and the data contents of the communication circuits 5 and 22 are changed when the connection detection is made by the communication device 5.

The sensors 33, 35 are connected to the adapters 17, 30.
Is provided with a pair of terminals (not shown) at a position to be connected, and when the adapters 17 and 30 come into contact with the pair of terminals, they are electrically connected and turned on. Sensor 33,
35 outputs a signal (for example, applying a voltage of + 5V) to the control devices 3 and 20 when the terminals are conductive and is in the ON state, and when the terminals are OFF without the adapters 17 and 30 being connected, No signal is output (for example, the applied voltage is 0V
It is configured). Further, the control devices 3 and 20 are adapted to perform communication such as a communication speed, a communication method and a data content which are set in advance in accordance with signals from the sensors 33 and 35.

The operation of the air conditioner configured as above will be described. First, when the adapter 17 is additionally installed in the outdoor unit 1, the sensor 33 outputs a signal to the control device 3. Control device 3 in which signal is output from sensor 33
Recognizes that the adapter 17 is additionally installed in the outdoor unit 1. In this case, the communication process according to the communication method when the communication is performed via the power line 9 is executed. Moreover, when the adapter 17 is not installed in the outdoor unit 1, the sensor 33 does not output a signal to the control device 3. As a result, the control device 3 which recognizes that the adapter 17 is not installed in the outdoor unit 1 executes the communication process according to the communication method when the communication is performed via the signal line 8. In this way
It is possible to automatically recognize whether or not the adapter 17 is additionally installed in the outdoor unit 1. Similarly for the indoor unit 2, it is possible to automatically recognize whether or not the adapter 30 is additionally installed.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the air conditioner provided with the communication circuits 5 and 22 for exchanging data between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 in the signal line system, the power line superposition is changed from the signal line system. The adapters 17 and 30 for changing the communication method to the communication method are attached. On the other hand, in the modification shown in FIG. 4, communication circuits 43 and 44 for exchanging data between the outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 by the power line superposition method.
In the air conditioner provided with, the adapters 17 and 30 for changing the power line superimposing method to the signal line method can be mounted. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the communication circuit 43 converts the data of the outdoor unit 41 input to the control device 3 into a high frequency signal and transmits it to the indoor unit 42, and from the indoor unit 42. It has a function of receiving the transmitted high-frequency signal, converting it into data, and inputting it to the control device 3. Communication circuit 44
Similarly, the data of the indoor unit 42 input to the control device 20 is converted into a high frequency signal and transmitted to the outdoor unit 41, and
It has a function of receiving a high-frequency signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 41, converting it into data, and inputting it to the control device 20. The transmission / reception of this high frequency signal is performed via the power line 9.

Here, the construction and operation of the removable adapter, which is a feature of the present invention, when the adapter is attached and not attached will be described. First, when the adapter is not attached, as shown in FIG.
The outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 are connected only by the power line 9. No adapter is connected to the terminals 13, 15, 29 and 30. With such a configuration, when the outdoor unit 41 transmits data to the indoor unit 42, the data of the outdoor unit 41 output from the control device 3 is converted into a high frequency signal by the communication circuit 43, and the high frequency signal is transmitted through the power line 9. Via the communication circuit 44. The communication circuit 44 converts the received high frequency signal into data and inputs it to the control device 20. In addition,
Data transmission from the indoor unit 42 to the outdoor unit 41 is also possible. In this way, the outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 operate integrally while transmitting and receiving data.

Next, when the adapter is mounted, as shown in FIG.
Are connected between terminals 28 and 29, respectively. Also,
The signal input / output end 7 and the signal input / output end 24 are connected via a signal line 8, and the outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 are connected to different power lines 9 and 10, respectively. In such a configuration, when the outdoor unit 41 transmits data to the indoor unit 42, the control device 3 of the outdoor unit 41 tries to send the data to the power line 9 via the communication circuit 43, but the power line 9 is connected to the communication circuit. The high frequency signal is not transmitted to the communication circuit 44 of the indoor unit 42 through the power line 9 because it is not connected to the communication unit 44. However, the adapter 17 connected to the communication circuit 43 receives the high frequency signal, converts the data into a signal pulse, and transmits the signal pulse to the signal line 8. The transmitted signal pulse is received by the adapter 30 installed inside the indoor unit 42 via the signal line 8.
The adapter 30 converts the received signal pulse into a high frequency signal and transmits it to the control device 20 via the communication circuit 44 of the indoor unit 42. In this way, the outdoor unit 41 and the indoor unit 42 operate integrally while transmitting and receiving data.

As described above, according to the modification of the present embodiment, the versatility of the air conditioner can be improved. Also,
A configuration in which a sensor 33 that senses the connection state of the adapters 17 and 30 is provided may also be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sensor 33 is configured to detect that the adapter is in contact with the connection position with the conduction switch of the terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to detect the connection of the adapter. Can be a sensor. Further, in the present embodiment, the adapter is a spread spectrum type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the adapter superimposes a signal pulse on the AC of the power line and converts the signal superimposed on the AC of the power line into a signal pulse. I wish I could.

[0030]

According to the present invention, versatility can be enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration when an adapter of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied is attached.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when an adapter is not attached.

FIG. 3 is a diagram in which an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied is provided with a sensor that detects a connection state of an adapter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when an adapter is attached.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied when an adapter is not attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 outdoor unit 2 Indoor unit 5,22 Communication circuit 7, 24 Signal input / output end 8 signal lines 9 power lines 11,26 AC power supply circuit 17,30 adapter 13, 15, 28, 29 terminals 33, 35 sensor

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masami Ozaki             Hitachi, Ltd. 390 Muramatsu, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture             Air conditioning system Shimizu Production Headquarters F-term (reference) 3L061 BA01 BA04

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner formed by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, each of which includes an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line of external power and a communication circuit for performing communication via a signal line, The indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have a terminal at a signal input / output end of the communication circuit to which the signal line is connected and the power line, and each terminal transmits a transmission signal transmitted from the signal input / output end to the AC of the power line. Converted to a power line superimposed signal to be superimposed on
An air conditioner is connected to an adapter for converting a power line superimposed signal superimposed on the AC of the power line into a transmission signal received by the signal input / output end. 2. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving data, and an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line for external power, the signal input and output ends of the communication circuit and the power line, respectively. A terminal, each of which converts a transmission signal transmitted from the signal input / output terminal into a power line superimposition signal that superimposes on the alternating current of the power line,
An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, to which an adapter for converting a power line superimposed signal superimposed on the alternating current of the power line into a transmission signal received by the signal input / output terminal is connected. 3. An indoor unit of an air conditioner having a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving data, and an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line for external power, the signal input and output ends of the communication circuit and the power line, respectively. A terminal, each of which converts a transmission signal transmitted from the signal input / output terminal into a power line superimposition signal that superimposes on the alternating current of the power line,
An indoor unit for an air conditioner, to which an adapter for converting a power line superimposed signal superimposed on the AC of the power line into a transmission signal received by the signal input / output terminal is connected. 4. Air formed by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, each of which includes an AC power supply circuit connected to a power line of external power and a communication circuit for performing communication by superimposing a power line superimposition signal on the AC of the power line. A harmony machine, wherein the indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have a signal input / output end to which a signal line is connected, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit each include a terminal at each of the signal input / output end and the power line, Each of the terminals converts a power line superimposed signal superimposed on the AC of the power line into a transmission signal transmitted from the signal input / output end, and a transmission signal received by the signal input / output end is superimposed on the AC of the power line. An air conditioner, to which an adapter for converting into a superposed signal is connected. 5. When the adapter is connected,
At least one of the communication procedure and communication speed of the said communication circuit is changed, The air conditioner of Claim 1 or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.