JP2008215768A - Multichamber air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of necessity of operation of setting work on all the indoor units since ON/OFF selection of an automatic restart function, which is carried out during no power, for the respective indoor units cannot be set in a block by a communication means and the ON/OFF selection of the automatic restart setting is carried out by a user in a living room equipped with each of the indoor units respectively when the setting is changed after the setting in a multichamber air conditioner formed by connecting a plurality of indoor units to a plurality of outdoor units. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic restart setting switch is installed in the outdoor unit. When the switch is set, setting for all the connected indoor units can be carried out from the outdoor unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-room air conditioner having an auto-restart function that automatically restarts operation based on the content stored in a storage device after a power failure, and more specifically, for setting the auto-restart function. It is about control.

  Conventionally, in an air conditioner having an auto-restart function, the means for storing the operation state immediately before the indoor unit fails is a memory part of the indoor unit itself or a remote controller connected to the indoor unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller). After power is restored from a power failure, a signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit based on the contents stored in the storage device, and the outdoor unit is controlled to be in an instructed operating state.

Some of these air conditioners have an auto-restart function as a basic function, but some air conditioners have a switch for turning on / off the auto-restart function. For example, when going out during a power failure, it is possible to prevent the operation from being resumed even when these switches are operated to restore power during absence. The switch for turning on / off the auto-restart function can be individually set by a remote controller or the like connected to the indoor unit for the convenience of the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-317052 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, in the multi-room air conditioner having one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected by piping to the outdoor unit, the ON / OFF selection of the auto restart function is energized. Since the operation is performed while not being done, it is not possible to set all at once by communication means, and if the setting is changed after installation, the user of the room where each indoor unit is installed will set auto restart. ON / OFF selection is set individually, and for example, if each indoor unit is installed in a store where the user is not specified and the administrator wants to change the setting in a batch, all the indoor units are set. This work was necessary and was troublesome.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, the present invention stores one outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units connected by piping to the outdoor unit, and a storage device when the power is restored from a power failure. In a multi-room air conditioner with an auto-restart function that automatically restarts operation based on the contents, the outdoor unit includes an auto-restart setting switch, and by setting the switch, all the connected indoor units It has functions that can be set from the outdoor unit.

  Each of the outdoor units includes a plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units connected to each outdoor unit by piping, means for communicating all the indoor units and the outdoor units, and an auto restart setting switch. The multi-room air conditioner is equipped with a means for recognizing which outdoor unit is piped to each indoor unit, and is set only for indoor units that are piped to an outdoor unit with an auto restart function. It has a possible function.

  In addition, when power is restored from a power failure in each indoor unit, the indoor unit has means for operating the indoor unit with the setting content stored in the storage device, even when the setting is changed in the outdoor unit. The setting is ignored and the setting contents of the indoor unit are retained.

  The present invention increases the degree of freedom of setting the auto-restart function and makes it a simple setting method, thereby shortening the work time of the installation worker or the air conditioner administrator and providing high operability and comfort for the user. Air conditioning can be performed.

  In addition, there are many indoor units connected to multiple outdoor units, and the communication means is connected to all indoor units. Even in complex multi-room air conditioners as a system, the auto-restart function It is possible to clearly set the target to the indoor unit that is connected to the outdoor unit to be set, and to simplify the change of the setting.

  In addition, since the auto restart function that was previously set in the indoor unit can be set in the outdoor unit, for example, when only one room is installed in a non-residential space such as a computer room or kitchen that does not require the auto restart function However, since the setting can be preferentially determined on the indoor unit side, it can be easily set without impairing the convenience in setting the conventional auto-restart function.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The multi-room air conditioner of the present invention comprises an indoor heat exchanger in the indoor unit, a compressor in the outdoor unit, a four-way valve that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger, and the like. A plurality of the indoor units are connected to the machine by connecting pipes to form a refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant is circulated through the refrigeration cycle to cool or heat the room. In addition, all outdoor units installed and all indoor units are connected with connection lines so that a plurality of outdoor units can be controlled simultaneously.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The indoor unit A has control means 1a, communication means 2a and storage means 3a, the indoor unit B has control means 1b, communication means 2b and storage means 3b, and the outdoor unit C has control means 1c. Means 2c and an auto restart setting switch 4c are provided. The communication unit 2a of the indoor unit A and the communication unit 2c of the outdoor unit C, and the communication unit 2b of the indoor unit B and the communication unit 2c of the outdoor unit C are connected by a connection line 9. Reference numeral 5a denotes a remote controller used for operation of the indoor unit A such as operation stop or room temperature setting, and reference numeral 5b denotes a remote control used for operation of the indoor unit B such as operation stop or room temperature setting. And it has automatic operation control and air-restart function for air conditioning with high operability.

  In the auto restart control, when an operation button (not shown) provided on the remote controllers 5a and 5b is turned ON, the room temperature of the room (the air suction temperature of the indoor units A and B) is changed by the remote controllers 5a and 5b. If the temperature is higher than the set room temperature, the cooling mode is reversed. If the temperature is lower than the room temperature set by the remote controllers 5a and 5b, the heating mode is automatically selected and the operation is started. ing. The auto-restart control always stores the current operation status in the storage devices 3a and 3b (for example, EEPROM which is a nonvolatile storage device), and stores the current operation status in the storage device when power is restored such as when a power failure occurs. The operation is automatically resumed based on the stored operation details.

  FIG. 2 shows a flowchart in the first embodiment of the present invention. After the power is turned on, the control means 1c determines the ON / OFF state of the auto restart setting switch 4c mounted on the outdoor unit C (step 1). When ON, an auto restart setting ON signal is transmitted to all indoor units connected by the communication means 2c (step 2), and when OFF, an OFF signal is transmitted (step 3). Each individual indoor unit performs auto-restart ON / OFF setting according to a signal from the outdoor unit, and stores it in storage units 3a and 3b (step 3).

  Thereby, the auto restart setting of each indoor unit is completed, and when the power is restored, the operation is automatically restarted based on the operation content stored in the storage means 3a, 3b, and the installation operator or the air conditioner administrator The working time can be shortened, and the operability is high for the user, so that comfortable air conditioning can be performed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The contents already described above will be omitted. In FIG. 3, the indoor unit A and the indoor unit B are equipped with outdoor address switches 7a and 7b that are means for recognizing which outdoor unit each indoor unit is connected to by piping. Moreover, the outdoor unit D used as another system | strain is connected for piping connection, and the connection line 4 is connected in common so that it can control.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention. When the power is turned on, the setting of the outdoor address switches 7a and 7b set in advance in each indoor unit is read from the storage means 3a and 3b of each indoor unit to set to which outdoor unit each indoor unit is connected by piping. Address registration is performed (step 1). Next, the control means 1c determines the ON / OFF state of the auto restart setting switch mounted on the outdoor unit (step 2). Next, in order to discriminate the indoor unit connected to each outdoor unit, for example, when the auto restart function is set in the outdoor unit C, for the indoor unit in which the outdoor address switch is set to C for all the indoor units If it is ON, an auto restart setting ON signal is transmitted (step 3). If it is OFF, an OFF signal is transmitted (step 4). A signal is not transmitted from the outdoor unit C to the indoor unit D in which the outdoor address switch is not set to C. Each indoor unit performs auto-restart ON / OFF setting according to a signal from the outdoor unit, and stores it in the storage means 3a and 3b (step 5).

  Thereby, the auto restart setting of each indoor unit is completed, and in the event of a power failure, the operation can be automatically restarted based on the operation content stored in the storage means 3a, 3b. There are many indoor units connected to the unit, and the communication means is connected to all indoor units, and even in a multi-room air conditioner that is complex as a system, it is connected to an outdoor unit that sets the auto restart function. The target can be clearly set to the indoor unit, and the change of the setting can be simplified.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in the third embodiment of the present invention. When the power is turned on, the setting of the outdoor address switch set in advance in each indoor unit is read from the storage means 3a, 3b of each indoor unit and the address of each indoor unit is registered (step 1). Next, it is determined in advance whether each outdoor unit is set as a master unit (step 2). Here, it is assumed that the outdoor unit C is set as the master unit. The ON / OFF state of the auto restart setting switch mounted on the outdoor unit C is determined by the control means 2C (step 6). If the auto restart setting state of the outdoor unit C set as the master unit is ON, an auto restart setting ON signal is transmitted to all the indoor units even if the pipe connection is from another system (step 7). If it is OFF, an OFF signal is transmitted to all indoor units (step 8). If no outdoor unit is set for any of the outdoor units, steps 3 to 5 are performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment according to the normal outdoor address setting, and all the indoor units connected to the outdoor address by pipe connection are performed. To send an auto-restart setting ON signal. Each indoor unit performs auto-restart ON / OFF setting according to a signal from the outdoor unit, and stores it in the storage means 3a and 3b (step 9).

According to this, even in a multi-room air conditioner that is complex as a system, by setting one outdoor unit as a master unit, it is possible to perform auto restart setting for all indoor units in one operation. It is possible to simplify setting changes.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The outdoor units C and D are provided with means 8c and 8d for storing the time when the outdoor unit serving as the master unit is set.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. When the power is turned on, the setting of the outdoor address switch set in advance in each indoor unit is read from the storage means 3a, 3b of each indoor unit and the address of each indoor unit is registered (step 1). Next, it is determined in advance whether each outdoor unit is set as a master unit (step 2). Here, it is assumed that the outdoor unit C and the outdoor unit D are set as the master unit, and the outdoor unit C sets the master unit after D. The outdoor unit C transmits the master unit registration time read from the time storing unit 8c to the other outdoor units via the communication unit 1C. The same is transmitted from the outdoor unit D, and the outdoor unit C receives it. At this time, the outdoor unit C compares the base unit registration time of the outdoor unit D with its own registration time. Since the outdoor unit C is the latest registered machine, it stores itself as a parent machine. (Step 6). The outdoor unit D is also compared, but since the registration time is old, it is not stored as a parent unit. The outdoor unit C stored as the master unit determines the ON / OFF state of the auto restart setting switch mounted on the outdoor unit C by the control means 2C (step 7). Thereafter, as in the third embodiment, the setting of the outdoor unit C that is the master unit is transmitted to all the connected indoor units, and the indoor unit stores this (steps 8 to 10).

  According to this, in a multi-room air conditioner that is complex as a system, even if the system administrator or construction contractor changes and it becomes difficult to know which outdoor unit is the previous master unit, any outdoor unit will be the best later. It can be prioritized and auto-restart can be set easily.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. When the power is turned on, the indoor unit can set the outdoor address in each indoor unit in advance and simultaneously transmit its own indoor address to the outdoor unit. At this time, if the indoor unit is set to a specific indoor address switch Even when an auto restart setting OFF signal is transmitted from the outdoor unit (step 1), this is ignored and the auto restart setting is forcibly left in the ON state.

  According to this, even when only one room is installed in a non-residential space such as a computer room or a kitchen that does not require an auto-restart function, the setting can be preferentially simplified on the indoor unit side. In addition, the case where a specific address is set as an example of means for forcibly leaving the auto-restart setting in the ON state has been described, but the switch for forcibly leaving the auto-restart setting in the indoor unit in the ON state May be provided.

The block diagram in the 1st Embodiment of this invention The flowchart in the 1st Embodiment of this invention The block diagram in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the third embodiment of the present invention The block diagram in the 4th Embodiment of this invention Flowchart in the fourth embodiment of the present invention Flowchart in the fifth embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

A, B, E Indoor unit C, D Outdoor unit 1a, 1b, 1c Control unit 2a, 2b, 2c Communication unit 3a, 3b, 3c Storage unit 4 Connection line 5a, 5b Remote control 6 Connection piping 7a, 7b Outdoor address switch 8c 8d time storage means

Claims (5)

One outdoor unit, multiple indoor units connected by piping to the outdoor unit, and auto restart that automatically resumes operation based on the content stored in the storage device when the power supply recovers from a power failure In the multi-room air conditioner having a function, the outdoor unit includes an auto restart setting unit, and has a function that can be set from the outdoor unit for all connected indoor units according to the setting of the auto restart setting unit. Multi-room air conditioner characterized by A plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units connected by piping to each outdoor unit, a unit for communicating all the indoor units and the outdoor units, and an auto restart setting unit provided in each of the outdoor units. The room-type air conditioner is equipped with a means for recognizing which outdoor unit each indoor unit is piped to, and can be set only for indoor units that are piped to an outdoor unit with an auto-restart function. A multi-room air conditioner characterized by having a function. A plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units connected by piping to each outdoor unit, a unit for communicating all the indoor units and the outdoor units, and an auto restart setting unit provided in each of the outdoor units. The room-type air conditioner is equipped with a means for recognizing which outdoor unit each indoor unit is connected to by piping, and a unit for setting an outdoor unit as a master unit among a plurality of outdoor units. If the outdoor unit that is set to is the master unit, the auto-restart setting set on the outdoor unit that is the master unit has the highest priority, and it is set for all indoor units connected by the communication means regardless of pipe connection. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioner has a possible function. A plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units connected by piping to each outdoor unit, a unit for communicating all the indoor units and the outdoor units, and an auto restart setting unit provided in each of the outdoor units. In a room-type air conditioner, a unit for recognizing which outdoor unit each indoor unit is connected to by piping, a unit for setting an outdoor unit as a master unit among a plurality of outdoor units, and a master unit Means for storing the time when the outdoor unit is set, and if the setting is that there are multiple master units among the connected outdoor units, the most recent setting was made at the set time 3. The multi-chamber air according to claim 2, which has a function capable of being set for all indoor units connected by the communication means regardless of piping connection, with the auto-restart setting of the outdoor unit being given top priority. Harmony machine. Each indoor unit has means to operate the indoor unit with the highest priority with the settings stored in the storage device when the power supply is restored from a power failure, and even if the setting is changed in the outdoor unit 5. The multi-room air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the setting content of the indoor unit is ignored and the setting content of the indoor unit is retained.