JP2006207949A - Piping transmission device, and air conditioner and air conditioning network system provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal transmission device capable of easily carrying out address settings of indoor units while saving labor of providing a communication line apart from a refrigerant pipe by using the refrigerant pipe as the communication line, and to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioning network system provided therewith. <P>SOLUTION: An outdoor unit 10 composing the air conditioner 50 sends a test frame to each indoor unit, and it identifies a system on the basis of data that had a response. When it is judged that indoor units 11-13 are connected to a refrigerant pipe 15 of the same system, addresses are set in the indoor units 11-13. The system identification is carried out on the basis of a frequency characteristic of a signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe. The outdoor unit 10 sets the addresses in a descending order of received signal levels (in an order of the indoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the indoor unit 13). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe transmission device in which a first device and a second device are connected by piping. The present invention also relates to an air conditioner including the pipe transmission device and an air conditioner network system including one or more of the air conditioners.

  In the conventional air conditioner transmission method, an electrical insulation device is provided on the indoor unit side and the outdoor unit side of the gas side refrigerant pipe and liquid side refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner divided into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The control board of the indoor unit is connected to the gas side refrigerant pipe and the liquid side refrigerant pipe, and the control board of the outdoor unit is connected to the gas side refrigerant pipe and the liquid side refrigerant pipe to connect the gas side and liquid side refrigerant pipes to the room. It was comprised so that it might use as a communication medium of the control signal of a unit and an outdoor unit (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, there is an air conditioner address setting device in which communication wiring is separated for each piping system so that signals to be transmitted do not interfere with each other in order to set addresses of indoor units constituting the air conditioner (for example, Patent Documents). 2). This address setting device is configured such that a local network of outdoor units and indoor units constituting an air conditioner is configured by one refrigerant system, and addresses of the indoor units are automatically assigned.

  Furthermore, an indoor unit address setting method of an air conditioning system that integrates and manages a plurality of refrigerant systems is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3). This indoor unit address setting method is configured to set the address of the indoor unit by switching the communication line for each system.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-2880 (page 3, FIG. 1) JP-A-6-272944 (page 3, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-310486 (page 3, FIG. 1)

  In the transmission method of the air conditioner, when the refrigerant pipe becomes long as in the building air conditioning system, there is a possibility that electrical noise is mixed from the pipe support portion and the like. Further, the signal attenuation is proportional to the length of the refrigerant pipe, and the longer the refrigerant pipe is, the more difficult it is to communicate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. Furthermore, in general, a plurality of refrigerant pipes are laid in parallel, and outdoor units and indoor units connected to different refrigerant pipes can communicate with each other, so system identification is also difficult. there were.

  In addition, the above address setting device has a problem that the address setting of indoor units connected to a plurality of refrigerant systems cannot be integrated. That is, since the refrigerant pipe and the communication line are provided separately, it is necessary to switch the communication line for each system. Further, even in the above address setting method, it is determined whether the indoor unit is connected to the same system or is connected to a different system by switching the communication line.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. By using the refrigerant pipe as a communication line, it is possible to set the address of the indoor unit while omitting the trouble of providing a communication line separately from the refrigerant pipe. It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal transmission device that can be easily performed, an air conditioner including the signal transmission device, and an air conditioning network system.

  The piping transmission device according to the present invention includes one or more systems configured by connecting one or two or more second devices to a first device via a pipe, and each device mutually receives information. A pipe transmission device that communicates with each other, wherein the pipe is provided with a signal connection unit for transmitting and receiving signals between the first device and the second device.

  The piping transmission device according to the present invention includes one or more systems configured by connecting one or two or more second devices to a first device via a pipe, and each device mutually receives information. Since a signal connection unit for transmitting and receiving signals between the first device and the second device is provided in the pipe, a communication line is provided separately from the pipe. There is no need to provide it, and the address setting operation of the indoor unit can be easily performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an air conditioner 50 including a pipe transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 50 includes a system 1 and a system 2. The system 1 is configured by connecting an indoor unit 11, an indoor unit 12, and an indoor unit 13 to the outdoor unit 10 via a refrigerant pipe 15. The system 2 is configured by connecting an indoor unit 21, an indoor unit 22, and an indoor unit 23 to the outdoor unit 20 via a refrigerant pipe 25.

  The refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25 fulfill the function of conducting a refrigerant such as gas or liquid and the function of a communication line. That is, since the material of the refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25 is generally copper, the refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25 function as antenna elements based on the same principle as an antenna used wirelessly, and a high-frequency current flows through a part thereof. As a result, radio waves are radiated from the entire pipe. Further, when the pipe receives the electromagnetic field, a high-frequency current flows, and a radio wave signal can be transmitted and received by taking it out as an electric signal by a coupler constituted by a capacitor and an induction coil (not shown). In addition, although the raw material of the refrigerant | coolant piping 15 and the refrigerant | coolant piping 25 is generally copper, it is not limited to this.

  The outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 include a compressor (not shown) that compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, and the like. The outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are installed outdoors, and may be arranged on the rooftop of a building. The indoor units 11 to 13 and the indoor units 21 to 23 indoors the air heat exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger chamber (not shown) in which the refrigerant sent from the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 exchanges heat with the indoor air. It is configured to include an air blower (not shown) to be sent out. Moreover, the indoor units 11-13 and the indoor units 21-23 may be arrange | positioned so that it may be integrated in the ceiling of a room | chamber interior, and may be arrange | positioned so that it may be installed directly on a floor surface.

  The pipe transmission device according to the present invention couples an electrical signal from any one of the outdoor unit 10, the outdoor unit 20, the indoor units 11 to 13, and the indoor units 21 to 23 to the refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25. Because the radio signal generated by the transmission line is transmitted to the other along the surface of the refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25, signals transmitted and received by each device are not affected by the outer wall, etc., and a dedicated communication line is provided. It can be realized without need.

  In addition, although the case where the air conditioner 50 is comprised by the system | strain 1 and the system | strain 2 is shown here as an example, the system which comprises the air conditioner 50 may be one, and even if it is two or more I do not care. One indoor unit may be connected to one outdoor unit, or a plurality of indoor units may be connected. Furthermore, the case where the refrigerant piping constituting one system is branched in the middle will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the system 1 constituting the air conditioner 50. The outdoor unit 10 includes at least a signal transmission / reception unit 30 and a control unit 31. The signal transmission / reception unit 30 transmits a system identification signal (test frame) for indicating a system to which the outdoor unit 10 belongs, an address setting signal for setting an address of the indoor unit, and the like to the indoor unit. It fulfills the function of receiving an address request signal, a response signal, etc. transmitted from. The control unit 31 includes a determination unit 32, and fulfills a function of managing and controlling the indoor unit based on a user instruction from a remote controller (not shown) or the like.

  In addition, the control unit 31 functions to change the signal level of the address setting signal. The determination unit 32 has a function of determining whether the indoor unit that transmitted the signal is an indoor unit in the system to which the outdoor unit 10 belongs based on the frequency characteristics of the signal transmitted from the indoor unit. The control unit 31 may be configured with a microcomputer or the like. Further, the frequency characteristics of the signal transmitted from the indoor unit may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.

  The indoor unit 11 includes at least a signal transmission / reception unit 40 and a control unit 41. The signal transmission / reception unit 40 transmits an address request signal for requesting address setting, a response signal for notifying the reception level of the address setting signal, and the like to the outdoor unit 10, and a system identification signal and an address setting signal transmitted from the outdoor unit And so on. The control unit 41 is configured to include a determination unit 42 and fulfills a function of managing and controlling the indoor environment based on indoor temperature, humidity, and the like. The determination unit 42 has a function of determining whether the outdoor unit that has transmitted the signal based on the frequency characteristics of the system identification signal is an outdoor unit in the system to which the indoor unit 11 belongs. The control unit 41 may be configured with a microcomputer or the like. The frequency characteristic of the system identification signal may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.

  The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 11 are connected by the refrigerant pipe 15 via signal connection parts (the first signal connection part 33 and the second signal connection part 43). The 1st signal connection part 33 connects the outdoor unit 10 and the refrigerant | coolant piping 15 electrically. The 2nd signal connection part 43 connects the indoor unit 11 and the refrigerant | coolant piping 15 electrically. That is, each signal transmitted and received by the signal transmitting / receiving unit 30 and the signal transmitting / receiving unit 40 is transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 15 via the first signal connecting unit 33 and the second signal connecting unit 43. The signal connection portion is preferably a coupling clamp including a cylindrical core made of a magnetic material.

  In addition, although the system | strain 1 was shown here as an example, it is the same also about the system | strain 2. FIG. Moreover, although the connection between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 11 is shown as an example, the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 12, and the indoor unit 13 are connected in the same manner. Further, the outdoor unit 20 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 30 and a control unit 31 including a determination unit 32 as in the outdoor unit 10, and the indoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 13 also include the signal transmission / reception unit 40 as in the indoor unit 11. And a control unit 41 including a determination unit 42.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a case where the refrigerant pipe 15 is branched. Although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an example in which the refrigerant piping system is different, FIG. 3 shows an example in which one refrigerant piping is branched in the middle. In particular, it is assumed that when the scale of the air conditioner 50 is increased, the refrigerant piping is often branched into a large number. FIG. 3A shows a case where the refrigerant pipe 15 branched from the control unit 31 of the outdoor unit 10 is selectively connected and an address is set in the indoor unit. FIG. 3B shows a case where the changeover switch 47 is provided to set an address in the indoor unit.

  The air conditioner 50a shown in FIG. 3A branches the refrigerant pipe 15 by a branch pipe 45, and the refrigerant pipe 15 on the outdoor unit side (primary side) and the refrigerant pipe 15 on the indoor unit side (secondary side) Are connected by a wiring 46. The branch pipe 45 may be a fork-type branch pipe. If this branch pipe 45 is metallically installed in a building frame, the high-frequency impedance in the communication signal may be reduced, and communication may become impossible. Therefore, in order to ensure the impedance, the primary side and the secondary side are electrically and magnetically coupled by the wiring 46. Moreover, the sub system 1a and the sub system 1b have shown the subgroup of the refrigerant | coolant piping 15 which the control part 31 selectively connected.

  The air conditioner 50 b shown in FIG. 3B is provided with a changeover switch 47 for operating the crossover wiring 46 on the crossover wiring 46. In the air conditioner 50a, the case where the control unit 31 of the outdoor unit 10 selectively disconnects the refrigerant pipe 15 is shown as an example. However, in the air conditioner 50b, the refrigerant pipe 15 is disconnected by a PHS (not shown), a mobile phone, The case where it can operate from remote operation terminal devices, such as Zigbee, is shown as an example. Zigbee is one of short-range wireless communication standards for home appliances. An arrow 48 indicates a signal for transmitting to the outdoor unit 10 that the selective disconnection of the refrigerant pipe 15 has been completed.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing frequency characteristics corresponding to the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15. FIG. 4A shows the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 11 to 13. Here, the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15 connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 11 is 5 meters, the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15 connecting the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 is 10 meters, outdoor The case where the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15 connecting the unit 10 and the indoor unit 13 is 20 meters is shown as an example.

  FIG. 4B shows the frequency characteristics of a signal that changes corresponding to the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15. The gain of the frequency of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 15 decreases as the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15 increases. That is, it is indicated that the frequency of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 15 has a characteristic that it attenuates corresponding to the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe 15. The signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 15 is a system identification signal, an address request signal, an address setting signal, or the like.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication state between different systems. Here, the system 1 is composed of two refrigerant pipes, ie, a refrigerant pipe 15a and a refrigerant pipe 15b, and the system 2 is composed of two refrigerant pipes, ie, a refrigerant pipe 25a and a refrigerant pipe 25b. Generally, when an air conditioner 50 is provided in a building such as a building, a plurality of refrigerant pipes 15 and refrigerant pipes 25 are laid in parallel (see FIG. 1). Then, since the refrigerant pipe is made of metal (copper) as described above, signal leakage occurs between the plurality of refrigerant pipes, and between the different systems (for example, the system 1 and the system 2). Communication is possible.

  That is, the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 21 can communicate with the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 11, respectively. Further, the outdoor units and the indoor units can communicate with each other. When a plurality of refrigerant pipes are laid in parallel as described above, the refrigerant pipes are coupled by a capacitor, an induction coil, or the like (not shown). Therefore, the frequency of signals transmitted through different systems does not have a characteristic of being attenuated corresponding to the pipe length of the refrigerant pipe.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing frequency characteristics of signals transmitted through refrigerant pipes of different systems. As shown in FIG. 5, each signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 transmits both the refrigerant pipe 15 of the system 1 and the refrigerant pipe 25 of the system 2. The frequency characteristic of a signal transmitted through only one system has a characteristic that attenuates in accordance with the pipe length as shown in FIG. However, the frequency characteristics of signals transmitted through systems connected to different refrigerant pipes do not have the characteristic of being attenuated corresponding to the pipe length by the action of a capacitor (not shown). That is, it has a frequency characteristic that establishes a directly proportional relationship that the gain increases as the frequency of the signal increases.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the received signal level when the indoor unit receives a signal transmitted from the outdoor unit. FIG. 7A shows the received signal level of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant piping of the same system (outdoor unit 10 → indoor unit 11), and FIG. 7B transmits the refrigerant piping of a different system. The received signal level of the signal is shown (outdoor unit 10 → indoor unit 21). Here, although the received signal level when the indoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 21 receive a signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 is shown as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reception signal level when the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 receive signals transmitted from the indoor units 11 to 13 may be used. That is, as long as it is a signal that transmits refrigerant piping of the same system and different systems, the device that receives the signal may be an outdoor unit or an indoor unit.

  The control unit 41 of the indoor unit 11 or the indoor unit 21 makes a tone corresponding to the frequency of the received signal. For example, here, a case where five tones 1 to 5 and 1 'to 5' are respectively set is shown as an example. The indoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 21 that set the tone calculate the difference between the tones. Δ1 is the difference between tone 1 and tone 2, Δ5 is the difference between tone 4 and tone 5, Δ1 ′ is the difference between tone 1 ′ and tone 2 ′, and Δ5 ′ is the difference between tone 4 ′ and Differences from tone 5 'are shown. Here, the case where five tones are set is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, there is a difference between the frequency characteristics of signals transmitted from outdoor units of the same system and the frequencies of signals transmitted from outdoor systems of different systems as shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, a signal transmitted through a different system has a feature that attenuation (difference between each tone) is smaller than a signal transmitted through the same system. This cancels out the frequency characteristic (FIG. 4B) that attenuates corresponding to the pipe length and the frequency characteristic (FIG. 6) that does not attenuate corresponding to the length of the pipe because a capacitor or the like acts. Because.

  As described above, the relationship of Δ1 <Δ5 is established at the reception signal level of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant piping of the same system shown in FIG. 7A, whereas the refrigerants of different systems shown in FIG. Such a relationship does not hold at the reception signal level of the signal transmitted through the pipe. That is, there is a significant difference between Δ5 ′ and Δ5 between the reception level of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant piping of the same system and the reception level of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant piping of a different system (Δ5 ′). <The relationship of Δ5 is established). Therefore, by comparing the two frequency characteristics, it is possible to easily determine whether the systems are the same system or different systems.

  This can greatly reduce the labor required for the address setting work that has been performed by the user directly operating the indoor unit until now. In addition, since the refrigerant pipe is used as a communication line, it is not necessary to construct a new network line separately from the refrigerant pipe. Furthermore, if the outdoor unit is connected to an external monitoring terminal or the like, a network with the outside can be easily constructed, so that an air conditioner capable of centralized management can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing for setting an address in an indoor unit will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, system identification processing for determining whether the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected to the refrigerant pipe of the same system or the refrigerant pipe of a different system will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of system identification processing performed by the outdoor unit 10.
The outdoor unit 10 transmits a test frame, which is a system identification signal, to the indoor unit (step S101). This test frame transmits the surface layer of the refrigerant pipe 15 from the signal transmission / reception unit 30 via the first signal connection unit 33. Since the refrigerant pipe 15 and the refrigerant pipe 25 are laid in parallel and leak signals to each other, the test frame that transmits the refrigerant pipe 15 also transmits to the refrigerant pipe 25 across the system. That is, the test frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 is also received by the indoor units 21 to 23 constituting the system 2.

  It is desirable to adopt the CSMA / CD method as the communication method. CSMA / CD is one of communication models in a broadcast LAN medium, and is a method for communication between a plurality of nodes without causing a collision (or as little as possible).

  The outdoor unit 10 that has transmitted the test frame is in a standby state until it receives an address request signal transmitted from the indoor unit (step S102; No). When the address request signal is received (step S102; Yes), the control unit 31 of the outdoor unit 10 sets five tones at the frequency of the address request signal and compares the differences between the tones (step S103). At this point in time, since the system has not yet been identified, the outdoor unit 10 determines all received address request signals as judgment targets. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, tones of 1 to 5 and 1 'to 5' are set for the respective signal frequencies.

  When the relationship of FIG. 7A is established (step S103; Yes), the determination unit 32 determines that the indoor unit that has transmitted the address request signal is connected to the same system, and the address setting mode. (Step S104). On the other hand, when the relationship of FIG. 7A is not established, that is, when the relationship of FIG. 7B is established (step S103; No), the indoor unit that transmitted the address request signal is connected to the same system. The determination unit 32 determines that there is no address and does not shift to the address setting mode.

  As described above, there is a significant difference in the tone difference (Δ5 and Δ5 ′) between the frequency characteristic of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe of the same system and the frequency characteristic of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe of a different system. It will be. Therefore, if the difference between the tones is calculated and compared, it can be relatively easily discriminated whether they are the same system or different systems. That is, the relationship of Δ1 <Δ5 is established for signals transmitted through the refrigerant piping of the same system, and the relationship is not established for signals transmitted through the refrigerant piping of different systems. Further, when there is a response from a plurality of indoor units, the relationship of Δ5 ′ <Δ5 is also established, so that the control unit 31 can more reliably identify the system if this relationship is also determined.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of system identification processing performed by the indoor unit 11.
When the indoor unit 11 receives a test frame (system identification signal) transmitted from the outdoor unit (step S201), the control unit 41 of the indoor unit 11 sets five tones at the frequency of the test frame, Are compared (step S202). At this point in time, since the system has not yet been identified, the indoor unit 11 sets all the received test frames as judgment targets.

  When the relationship shown in FIG. 7A is established (step S202; Yes), the determination unit 42 determines that the outdoor unit that has transmitted the test frame is connected to the same system, and sends an address request signal. Transmit (step S203). On the other hand, when the relationship of FIG. 7A is not established, that is, when the relationship of FIG. 7B is established (step S202; No), the outdoor unit that transmitted the test frame is not connected to the same system. The determination unit 32 determines that the address request signal is not transmitted. In this way, system identification processing is also possible in indoor units.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow (indoor unit side address setting mode) of the indoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 21 that request the outdoor unit 10 to set an address. The indoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 21 are in a standby state until a test frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 is received (step S301; No). When the signal transmission / reception unit 40 of the indoor unit 11 or the indoor unit 21 receives the test frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 (step S301; Yes), the control unit 41 sets five tones at the frequency of the test frame, The difference between each tone is calculated (step S302). Based on the calculated tone difference data, the determination unit 42 of the control unit 41 determines whether the transmission is from an outdoor unit connected to the refrigerant pipe of the same system (step S203).

  Similar to the determination unit 32 of the outdoor unit 10, the determination unit 42 identifies the system by comparing the difference between Δ1 and Δ5 and the difference between Δ1 ′ and Δ5 ′ (system identification processing). At this point, the system has not yet been identified. When it is determined that the relationship shown in FIG. 7A is established, the indoor unit 11 identifies the system as being the outdoor unit 10 connected to the refrigerant pipe 15 of the same system (step S303; Yes). Moreover, the indoor unit 21 is the outdoor unit 10 connected to the refrigerant | coolant piping 25 of a different system | strain, when it is judged that the relationship of Fig.7 (a) is not materialized but the relationship of FIG.7 (b) is materialized. And the system are identified (step S303; No). Therefore, the address is not set until the indoor unit 21 receives a test frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 20 of the same system.

  When the indoor unit 11 systematically identifies the outdoor unit 10 connected to the refrigerant pipe 15 of the same system, the indoor unit 11 transmits an address request signal with a unique ID to the outdoor unit 10 from the signal transmission / reception unit 40 (step S304). ). The outdoor unit 10 that has received this address request signal transmits an address setting signal for setting the address of the indoor unit 11 to the indoor unit 11. Until the address setting signal is received, the indoor unit 11 is in a standby state (step S305; No). Then, when a predetermined time elapses in the standby state (step S306; Yes), the state returns to the standby state before receiving the test frame.

  When the indoor unit 11 receives the address setting signal (step S305; Yes), a unique address is given to the indoor unit 11, and a series of processes performed by the indoor unit 11 is completed. The information of the indoor unit 11 to which the address is assigned may be stored in the storage unit or the like (not shown) of the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 11.

  In addition, a user who manages the air conditioner 50 may arbitrarily set an apparatus (outdoor unit / indoor unit) that performs system identification. Then, the user can select the one that can be easily managed. For example, it is possible to connect the air conditioner 50 to an external network and operate the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 from a remote operation terminal device or the like to perform an address setting operation of the indoor unit. The unique address is preferably a MAC address, but is not limited to this, and any address may be used as long as it can be managed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow (outdoor unit side address setting mode) of the outdoor unit 10 when an address request signal is transmitted from a plurality of indoor units connected to the refrigerant piping of the same system. As shown in FIG. 4, the frequency of the signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe of the same system has a characteristic that it attenuates corresponding to the pipe length. Therefore, the outdoor unit 10 determines whether the outdoor unit is an indoor unit connected to the refrigerant pipe 15 of the same system or an indoor unit connected to the refrigerant pipe 25 of a different system, and the refrigerant of the same system is used. A unique address is assigned to each of the plurality of indoor units 11 to 13 connected to the pipe.

  First, the outdoor unit 10 performs output setting of a test frame transmitted to the indoor unit (step S401). Thereafter, the test frame is transmitted to the indoor unit (step S402). The outdoor unit 10 is in a standby state until a response is received from the indoor unit (step S403; No). When there is a response from the indoor unit (step S403; Yes), the system of the indoor unit is identified (step S404). This system identification process is performed as shown in FIG.

  As a result of the system identification process, when there is one indoor unit that is determined to be connected to the refrigerant pipe of the same system (step S405; No), the outdoor unit 10 gives a unique address to the indoor unit ( Step S406). When there are a plurality of indoor units that are determined to be connected to the refrigerant pipe of the same system (step S405; Yes), the outdoor unit 10 compares the reception levels of the received signals, and the reception levels are in descending order. An address is assigned (step S407).

  The height of the reception level is determined based on the magnitude of the signal frequency (signal level) that can be received. This means that the shorter the distance from the outdoor unit 10, the smaller the signal frequency that can be received. That is, the outdoor unit 10 changes the output setting of the test frame (changes the signal level from small to large) and addresses in the order in which the response signals are returned (in the order of the indoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the indoor unit 13). Is granted. If it does so, it will become possible to give an address in order from an indoor unit with short distance. Note that the control unit 31 changes the output setting of the test frame.

  The outdoor unit 10 assigns a unique address to the indoor unit and stores this address in a storage unit (not shown) (step S408). Thereafter, the address setting mode is continued until the predetermined time elapses (step S409; No), and when the predetermined time elapses, the address setting mode is ended (step S409; Yes).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing flow (outdoor unit side address setting mode) of the outdoor unit 10 that sets an address in the indoor unit when the refrigerant piping of the same system is branched. In this case, since it is obvious that the refrigerant pipes 15 are of the same system, the system identification process need not be performed. Here, system 1 will be described as an example. Such branching is particularly effective when the air conditioner 50 performs simultaneous cooling and heating air conditioning.

  The control unit 31 of the outdoor unit 10 in the address setting mode intentionally disconnects the branched refrigerant pipes 15 and sequentially connects the branched refrigerant pipes 15 one by one (step S501). By this operation, the refrigerant pipe 15 constituting the system 1 can be separated into a predetermined sub system. That is, only the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 11, and the indoor unit 12 connected to the refrigerant pipe 15 of the sub system 1 a can communicate with each other.

  When the connection of the sub system 1a is completed, the outdoor unit 10 transmits a test frame to the indoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 (step S502). The outdoor unit 10 is in a standby state until it receives an address request signal transmitted from the indoor unit (step S503; No). When the address request signal is received (step S503; Yes), it is determined whether the address request signal is from a plurality of indoor units (step S504). If there is only a response from one indoor unit (indoor unit 11) (step S504; No), the outdoor unit 10 gives a unique address to the indoor unit 11 (step S505).

  When there is an address request signal from a plurality of indoor units (indoor unit 11 and indoor unit 12) (step S504; Yes), the reception levels of response signals transmitted from the plurality of indoor units are compared and received. Addresses are assigned in descending order of level (step S506). Then, the address is stored in a storage unit (not shown) or the like (step S507). Thereafter, the address setting mode is continued until the predetermined time elapses (step S508; No), and when the predetermined time elapses, the address setting mode is ended (step S508; Yes). Thereafter, the control unit 31 disconnects the sub system 1a, connects the sub system 1b, and performs the same processing.

  In addition, here, the control unit 31 intentionally cuts off the branched refrigerant pipes 15 and connects the branched refrigerant pipes 15 one by one in order, but in FIG. As shown, the changeover switch 47 may disconnect and connect the refrigerant pipe 15. This change-over switch 47 detects the completion of connection by a signal (arrow 48) from the secondary side refrigerant piping 15. This signal may be a signal such as a sound wave or an ultrasonic wave in addition to an electrical signal. The address setting is performed in the same manner as in FIGS. However, the system identification process is not performed as described above.

  In the said embodiment, although the case where the piping electric power transmission apparatus which concerns on this invention was provided in the air conditioner was demonstrated to the example, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be used for a refrigerant pipe connecting a refrigerator and a showcase, a refrigerator and a refrigerator warehouse, a heat source and a fan coil unit, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of a housing air conditioner, respectively. Moreover, although the case where the refrigerant piping is branched has been described as an example, this is remarkably effective in a flow dividing control device that performs simultaneous cooling and heating air conditioning. That is, in the shunt control device, since cooling / heating is switched for each sub system, information on whether or not they are the same sub system is essential for cooperative operation of the device.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the air conditioner provided with the piping transmission apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the system | strain which comprises the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the case where the refrigerant | coolant piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention has branched. It is explanatory drawing which shows the frequency characteristic corresponding to the piping length of the refrigerant | coolant piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication state between the different systems | systems which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the frequency characteristic of the signal which transmits the refrigerant | coolant piping of a different system | strain which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a received signal level when an indoor unit receives the signal transmitted from the outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the outdoor unit which performs the system identification which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the indoor unit which performs the system identification which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the indoor unit side address setting mode which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outdoor unit side address setting mode which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outdoor unit side address setting mode when the refrigerant | coolant piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention has branched.

Explanation of symbols

1 system, 1a sub system, 1b sub system, 2 systems, 10 outdoor unit, 11 indoor unit, 12 indoor unit, 13 indoor unit, 15 refrigerant pipe, 15a refrigerant pipe, 20 outdoor unit, 21 indoor unit, 22 indoor unit, 23 indoor units, 25 refrigerant piping, 25a refrigerant piping, 30 signal transmission / reception unit, 31 control unit, 32 determination unit, 33 first signal coupling unit, 40 signal transmission / reception unit, 41 control unit, 42 determination unit, 43 second signal coupling Part, 45 branch pipe, 46 crossover wiring, 47 changeover switch, 50 air conditioner, 50a air conditioner, 50b air conditioner.

Claims (14)

1 or 2 or more systems configured by connecting one or more second devices to a first device via a pipe, and each device communicates information with each other,
In the piping,
A pipe transmission device comprising a signal connection part for transmitting and receiving signals between the first device and the second device. The signal connection part is:
A first signal connection portion attached to a connection portion of the pipe with the first device;
The pipe transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a second signal connection portion attached to a connection portion of the pipe with the second device. The first device is:
The pipe transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a system identification signal of a system to which the first device belongs is transmitted to the second device. The second device is:
Based on the system identification signal, comprising a determination unit that determines whether the signal is transmitted from the first device in the system to which the second device belongs,
When the determination unit determines that the signal is transmitted from the first device in the system to which the second device belongs, an address request signal for requesting address setting is transmitted to the first device. The piping transmission device according to claim 3. The system identification signal is
The pipe transmission device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the systems has different frequency characteristics. The first device is:
When receiving the address request signal,
The pipe transmission device according to claim 4, wherein an address setting signal for setting an address of a second device that has transmitted the address request signal is transmitted to the second device. The second device transmits a response signal to the first device when the reception level of the address setting signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
The first device increases the signal level of the address setting signal in order, and receives a response signal from the second device, and assigns addresses in order from the second device that responds. The pipe transmission device according to claim 6. Among the pipes, a wiring is provided in a pipe branched by a branch pipe for branching the pipe,
The pipe transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein communication is possible via the crossover wiring. The pipe transmission device according to claim 8, wherein a changeover switch for switching communication is provided in the transition wiring. The pipe transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first device is an outdoor unit, and the second device is an indoor unit. The pipe transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is a refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe is
The pipe transmission device according to claim 11, comprising a refrigerant gas pipe and a refrigerant liquid pipe. An air conditioner comprising the pipe transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An air conditioning network system comprising one or more of the air conditioners according to claim 13.

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