JP2014194309A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a higher device compliant with the air conditioning system HTTP Interface specification (SBC) standard protocol to monitor and control an air conditioner connected to a manufacturer-specific air conditioning network, and to provide a versatile air conditioning monitoring and control system at low cost.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system comprises: means for causing a protocol conversion adapter that relays a higher device mounting therein an SBC protocol to an air conditioner on a manufacturer-specific air conditioning network to detect the air conditioner present on the air conditioning network, to acquire an operation state thereof, to form a database, to receive an SBC air conditioner information acquisition request from the higher device, to read relevant air conditioning information from the database, to convert the read air conditioning information into an SBC protocol format, and to transmit the information to the higher device; and means for receiving an SBC air conditioner control request from the higher device, converting the control request to control data on the air conditioner network, and transmitting the control data to the air conditioner.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner control device capable of operating a plurality of air conditioners connected via a communication network and an air conditioning system using the same.

  In Patent Document 1, a personal computer identification number (IP address) and an indoor unit identification number to be operated on a personal computer are registered in advance and correspond to a personal computer and an air conditioner control device that can communicate with the indoor unit via an air conditioning network. In addition, when the user accesses the air conditioner control device with a personal computer, the air conditioner control device confirms the IP address, and if it is a registered personal computer, the operation screen of the indoor unit associated with the personal computer is displayed. A system that provides an air conditioner control device that can be displayed on a personal computer and allows the user to operate the indoor unit using the operation screen, and allows the information processing terminal to operate the indoor unit regardless of the user. It is disclosed.

2009-133550 gazette

  However, because conventional systems are all configured with manufacturer-specific control devices and application software due to the fact that there is no standard in the communication network of air conditioners, air conditioners from different manufacturers cannot be controlled by the same application software. . For example, in the system of Patent Document 1, the user has to install application software for each manufacturer of air conditioners installed on a personal computer or mobile phone and use them for each air conditioner. There is a disadvantage that a system that is not versatile by a manufacturer also increases the manufacturing cost. An object of the present invention is to enable control and control of an air conditioner connected to a manufacturer's original air conditioning network from a host device compatible with the standard protocol (hereinafter referred to as SBC protocol) of the air conditioning system HTTP interface specification, and to make a manufacturer-free air conditioning monitoring and control system inexpensive. It is to be possible to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described object, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted.

  The user can construct a remote control system for the air conditioner at a relatively low cost.

It is an example of the building which installed the air-conditioning control system which is one Example of this invention. It is an example of the connection diagram of the air-conditioning control system which is one Example of this invention. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of the air-conditioning adapter of this invention. It is an example of the message | telegram block diagram for identifying and communicating with the other party's machine in the air-conditioning communication network of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the main body setting mode program of the air-conditioning adapter of this invention. It is an example of a display panel screen when a user performs a setting operation in the main body setting mode. It is an example of a display panel screen when a user performs a setting operation in the main body setting mode. It is an example of the flowchart of the normal communication mode program of the air conditioning adapter of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the connection confirmation program of the air-conditioning adapter of this invention. It is a structural example of the air-conditioner database which an air-conditioning adapter constructs. It is an example of setting a management address number for each connection management table and remote control group. It is a connection management table and a management address number setting example for each indoor unit. It is a connection management table and a management address number setting example for each indoor unit. It is an example of the communication sequence at the time of communicating with a high-order management apparatus with a SBC protocol. It is the example of a message | telegram of the air-conditioner information acquisition request command sent from a high-order management apparatus to an air-conditioning adapter. It is a message example of an air conditioner information acquisition response command sent from the air conditioning adapter to the host management device. It is the example of a message | telegram of the air-conditioner setting request command sent from a high-order management apparatus to an air-conditioning adapter. It is an example of a message of an air conditioner setting response command sent from the air conditioning adapter to the host management device.

  1 and 2 are views showing an overview of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration as an example in which an air conditioning system is arranged in a building. There are 6 ceiling-mounted air conditioning indoor units 1 in a conference room, 1 in a reception, 2 in a server room, and 4 in an office. Has been placed. And the multi-type air-conditioning outdoor unit 2 which can connect the multiple indoor unit which sends a refrigerant | coolant to these air-conditioning indoor units is installed in the outdoors. Moreover, the wall remote controller 3 for a user to operate an air conditioner is attached to the indoor unit.

  A building controller 5, which is a high-level management device that performs power management of all electric machines and systems in the building, is installed at the reception on the first floor, and the building controller and the air conditioner are remotely monitored and controlled from the building controller 5. An air conditioning adapter 4 that communicates with and connects the two is installed in one corner of the conference room and office.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1 because of duplication, a similar air conditioning system is also installed on the third floor or higher floor of this building, and remote monitoring and control can be performed from the building controller 5 via the air conditioning adapter 4. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state of the units of the air conditioning system such as a pipe and a communication network embedded in the wall in FIG. 1, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected by the refrigerant pipe 6, The indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and the air conditioning adapter are connected by an air conditioning communication network 7, and the air conditioning adapter 4 and the building controller 5 are connected by an IP network 8.

  The control communication network 7 in which the air conditioner and the air conditioner adapter are connected in this system is a dedicated network for the air conditioner that communicates from the physical layer to the application layer according to specifications unique to the manufacturer. On the other hand, the air conditioning adapter and the building controller communicate with each other by a wired LAN using a protocol (hereinafter referred to as an SBC protocol) determined by the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association Interface Committee in the air conditioning system HTTP interface specification standardization guide. The air conditioning adapter 4 connected to both relays between two different networks.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the air conditioning adapter 4. The air conditioning adapter 4 of this example includes a CPU 40 that is a one-chip microcomputer, a user input / output unit 41 including a display panel and input keys for a user to make settings and instructions, and to refer to the current operating state of the indoor unit. , An air-conditioning communication network IF unit 42 that communicates with indoor units and outdoor units connected by the air-conditioner communication network 7, a LAN communication IF unit 43 for communicating with the building controller 5 using the SBC protocol, an OS, a control program, and various types A memory disk unit 44 that holds data, a RAM unit 45 that is a work memory area for the CPU 40 to execute a control program, a setting unit 46 that includes a dip switch that specifies installation information and installation information of an air conditioning adapter, etc. The power supply unit 47 is managed.

  The memory disk unit 44 stores an OS, driver software for each unit, an application program for controlling the air conditioner according to instructions from the host device, and an information data file collected by the application program. The program for SBC protocol communication and air conditioner communication of the present invention is also stored in the memory disk unit 44, and the CPU 40 reads the application program specified by the setting unit 46 from the memory disk 44 and expands it in the RAM 45. The SBC communication and the air conditioning communication process with the building controller 5 are performed.

  In this system, the indoor unit and outdoor unit connected to the air conditioning communication network, and the air conditioning adapter, the ID number for identifying and specifying each unit on the air conditioning communication network is set by a dip switch connected to each unit. Means for setting. This ID number is used as a communication address indicating a transmission source and a transmission destination in the air conditioning communication network. In the case of an outdoor unit, since a maximum of 64 units can be connected to one air-conditioning communication network in this example, numerical values from 1 to 64 are set as ID numbers so as not to overlap with other outdoor units. In this example, since up to 64 indoor units can be connected to one outdoor unit (refrigerant system) in this example, the indoor units connected to the same outdoor unit are 1 to 64 so that the numbers do not overlap. Set the value and set it with the DIP switch together with the ID number of the outdoor unit of the refrigerant supply source.

  In the case of this system, the ID of the air conditioning adapter can connect up to 8 air conditioning adapters to one air conditioning communication network, so the ID number of 1 to 8 does not overlap with other air conditioning adapters. Set with.

  In this system, the DIP switch is used for setting the ID number, but any apparatus and method for setting the number input may be used.

  The ID number set as described above is used as a communication address in the air conditioning communication network. A packet format transmitted and received in the air-conditioning communication network is shown in FIG. A packet transmitted / received through the air-conditioning communication network includes an identification code (column 100) indicating what request / response / notification the packet is, a transmission source system ID (column 101), a transmission source machine ID (column 102), Information data (column 106) corresponding to each data type is placed behind the common header including information on the transmission destination system ID (column 103), transmission destination machine ID (column 104), and packet data length (column 105). In this configuration, a check code (BCC) (column 107) is added at the end.

  A set of a system ID and a machine ID is used as an address of an air conditioning communication network that designates a destination / source machine. Specifically, when the transmission destination / transmission source is an indoor unit, the system ID column (101 column / 103 column) contains the ID of an outdoor unit that provides refrigerant to the indoor unit (1 to 64 in this system). In the unit ID column (102 column / 104 column), the ID of the indoor unit (in this system, any value from 1 to 64) is entered.

  When the transmission destination / transmission source is an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit ID in the system ID column and 0 in the unit ID column are fixed. When the transmission destination / transmission source is an air conditioning adapter, the system ID column is fixed to “202”, and the adapter ID number (1 to 8 in this system) is entered in the machine ID column. Thereby, each machine is specified on the air-conditioning communication network, and data transmission / reception is performed.

  Further, when the system ID and machine ID of the transmission destination are “255”, it is a simultaneous broadcast (broadcast).

  Although the actual ID is a simple number as described above, for convenience of the following explanation, in FIG. 2, the ID number set in each machine is the i1 to i6, 1F reception for the six indoor units in the 1F large conference room. Office indoor units are i7, 2F server room 2 indoor units are i8 and i9, 2F office indoor units are i10 to i13, 2 outdoor units (refrigerant system) are o1 and o2, air conditioning The adapters are indicated by a1, a2, and i, o, a for each type. Further, in the following description, a set of refrigerant system ID and machine ID (address of air conditioning communication network) is expressed by connecting with a hyphen (-). For example, the air conditioning communication network address of the indoor unit of the 1F reception office is described as “o1-i7”.

  On the other hand, information necessary for the air conditioning adapter to communicate with the building controller using the SBC protocol is set by starting an application program for setting the air conditioning adapter. The air conditioning adapter of this example relays two different communications of SBC protocol communication and air conditioner communication, and implements a normal communication mode for realizing air conditioner monitoring control by a building controller, and various types for implementing the air conditioner monitoring control. There are application programs for at least two operation modes of the setting mode for performing communication settings, and which one is executed is specified by the value of the operation mode setting DIP switch of the setting unit 47 when the power is turned on it can.

  When the operation mode setting DIP switch is set to 1 (ON) and the power is turned on, the CPU 40 reads out the setting mode application program from the memory disk 44 and develops it in the RAM 45 for execution. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a registration process in which the user performs various settings in the main body setting mode. The procedure is described below.

  When the setting mode program is activated, the CPU first reads the setting information already registered from the memory disk unit 44 (step 1000) and displays it on the display panel of the user input / output unit 41, and the user selects a setting item. A setting screen for input is created (step 1001).

  The setting items are divided into two types: LAN communication information and air conditioner management information. The LAN communication information includes an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway address, and communication when connecting and communicating with a host device via a LAN (IP protocol). With / without address filtering for specifying whether or not to identify a higher-level device, and up to three MAC addresses of the higher-level device for identification are specified as filtering addresses. The air conditioner management information includes recognition start system ID, recognition start indoor unit ID, number of management, indoor unit recognition unit, and “implementation” / “omission” of air conditioner connection confirmation. FIG. 6 shows an example of a setting screen for LAN communication information, and FIG. 7 shows an example of a setting screen for air conditioner management information. The detailed contents of the set items and values will be described later in the normal communication mode operation.

  If nothing has been set and registered yet, such as when it is used for the first time after factory shipment, all 0 or default values are displayed as a list as shown in FIGS. In step 1002, the user enters an input key operation waiting state, and when the user selects and designates an item whose current setting is to be changed using the input key, in step 1003, the current setting numerical value of the designated item enters an input waiting state for a change instruction. Become. Each time the user presses the △ key or ▽ key in step 1004, the current value increases or decreases. When the determination key is pressed when the desired value is reached, the CPU updates the newly input numerical value in step 1005. The setting value is written in the memory disk unit 44. The user repeats steps 1002 to 1005 until all the setting items become desired numerical values.

  When all the items have been set, the power is turned off, the operation mode setting DIP switch is set to 0 (OFF), and the power is turned on again. The CPU 40 reads the air conditioning control monitoring program in the normal communication mode from the memory disk 44. The data is expanded in the RAM 45 and executed. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a flow of air conditioning control monitoring processing performed in the normal communication mode. Hereinafter, the contents of the process will be described.

  First, the CPU reads the LAN communication information set in the main unit setting mode (step 2000), and the LAN port with the IP address / subnet mask / default gateway specified using the Ethernet (registered trademark) driver and the TCP / IP communication module. To enable communication with the host device (step 2001). Subsequently, an air conditioner communication network port is opened by the air conditioner communication driver, and communication with the air conditioner is made possible using the ID of the own machine designated by the DIP switch (step 2002). In step 2003, the air conditioner management information set in the main unit setting mode is read out. If the setting for air conditioner connection confirmation is “execution”, the connection confirmation processing in step 2004 is performed. Proceed to 2005.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of connection confirmation processing in step 2004.
The connection confirmation process checks the existence and connection form of all indoor units / outdoor units currently connected to the air conditioner communication network, and builds an air conditioner information database that holds information about the connected air conditioners in the work memory. In addition, it is a process of recognizing which of the connected air conditioners is managed by itself.

  FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner information database. The air conditioner information database lists the connection status, basic information, setting information, and sensing information for each ID for the number of indoor units and outdoor units that can be connected to the air conditioner communication network. Is a database that stores The connection status is information on whether or not the indoor unit / outdoor unit with the corresponding ID is connected, and the basic data is information that does not change such as the model, refrigerant connection configuration, remote control group configuration, etc. Two pieces of information are acquired and preparations are made for relaying between the host device and the air conditioner. The setting data is currently set operation information and is changed by a command from the host device or a user's remote control operation. Sensing information is measured value information of a sensor of each machine and changes sequentially.

  After completing the connection check, the air conditioning adapter collects data from each air conditioner via the air conditioner communication network so that the constantly set data and sensing data become the latest information. Reads and responds to the relevant information in the air conditioner database, and if there is a request for operation control from the host device, compares it with the relevant information in the air conditioner database. A normal operation of repeating the process of sending a command message via the network is performed.

  In the connection confirmation procedure, first, in step 2100, an information storage area for air conditioners corresponding to the maximum number of connected units (here, 64 outdoor units and 64 indoor units) is secured in the work area, and an ID number serving as an index Separately, a data storage area is allocated, the connection state is set to “not connected”, and all other data values are initialized to 0 to construct an air conditioner database file. In step 2101, the air conditioning communication network address of the connection confirmation partner is set to the outdoor unit 1, that is, the system ID (OID in FIG. 9) = 1, and 1 is set to the number of transmissions. In step 2102, an outdoor unit for acquiring basic configuration information from the outdoor unit such as a list of types and sizes of outdoor units and a list of connected indoor unit IDs to the air conditioning communication network address of the connection confirmation partner set Create and send a basic information request message. In step 2103, a response from the destination outdoor unit is waited for the set timeout period (1 second in this example). If there is a response, the process proceeds to step 2106, and the corresponding ID information data area of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner database of FIG. The connection state (here, the data area of the outdoor unit 1) is set to “connected”, and the received outdoor unit basic information is changed to the format of the air conditioner database and written.

  If no response is returned even after waiting for 1 second in step 2103, the process proceeds to step 2104. If the number of transmissions is smaller than the set maximum number of transmissions (3 in this example), the number of transmissions is incremented by 1 in step 2105, Returning to step 2103, the outdoor unit basic information request message is retransmitted. In step 2104 and step 2105, retransmission is repeated, and if there is no response after three transmissions, it is determined that there is no outdoor unit having that ID, step 2106 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step 2107. Basic information (of the outdoor unit 2 in this case) is acquired. The timeout time and the maximum number of transmissions can be arbitrarily set.

  In steps 2107 and 2108, the process of acquiring basic information from the outdoor units for the number of outdoor units that can be connected to the air conditioning unit communication network (64 in this system) is repeated, and all outdoor unit connection states and basics in the air conditioning unit database are obtained. The information data is a value reflecting the actual system information.

  When the basic information acquisition of the outdoor unit is completed, the basic information of the indoor unit is acquired in steps 2109 to 2116 in the same manner. The acquired basic information of the outdoor unit includes ID list information of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit. Therefore, basic information acquisition of indoor units does not send basic information acquisition requests to all possible destinations as in the case of outdoor units, but sends basic information acquisition requests only to connected indoor units (step 2110, 2111), if there is a response, the connection state of the indoor unit data of the corresponding ID is set to connection, and the process of writing the acquired information to the basic data is repeated. If there is no response from the indoor unit for the maximum number of transmissions and the timeout occurs, the connection confirmation is canceled and the setting error process is performed, but this is not relevant to the present invention, so this description is omitted.

  When the basic information of all connected indoor units has been acquired, in steps 2118 to 2121, the basic data is organized to recognize the indoor units and outdoor units that should be managed and to communicate with the host device. Set the upper communication address. In this system, either the remote control group unit or the indoor unit unit can be selected as the recognition unit of the indoor unit to be managed.

  In the remote control group, when a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single remote control and the indoor units are set to have a common operation setting by a user's remote control operation, a plurality of remote control groups connected to the single remote control It is a term indicating an individual indoor unit group. When installing each indoor unit, the IDs of other indoor units that form a remote control group are registered from the remote control. This remote control group information is included in the basic information of the indoor units that is acquired when the connection is confirmed. ing.

  Whether to use the recognition unit of the indoor unit or the remote controller group is set in advance in the setting item “indoor unit recognition unit” of the main body setting mode. The setting items “recognition start system ID”, “recognition start machine ID”, and “recognition range number” are set values indicating the range of indoor units that are recognized as management targets by the adapter.

  If the recognition unit is an indoor unit unit, the indoor unit having the air conditioning address of the recognition start system ID-recognition start unit ID is set as the first unit, and the indoor units corresponding to several recognition ranges are managed in ascending order of the subsequent ID numbers. Recognize as a machine. When the ID flies, the indoor unit with the next largest ID is recognized.

  If the recognition unit is a remote control group unit, from the remote control group including indoor units having the air conditioning address of the recognition start system ID-recognition start unit ID, the remote control group including the indoor unit with a young ID number is recognized as the management target for the number of recognition ranges. To do.

  Specifically, the remote control group information included in the basic information of each indoor unit acquired in steps 2109 to 2116 is read, and the numbers in the recognition classification are assigned to the remote control groups in ascending order of the indoor unit numbers. 11 is created (step 2118). If the recognition unit is a remote control group, the process advances to step 2120 to recognize indoor units corresponding to the number of remote control groups corresponding to the number of recognition ranges in ascending order of ID from the machine of the recognition start system ID and the recognition start machine ID, and again the upper management apparatus In response to a supervisory control instruction from, assign a management number for self-management.

  If the recognition unit is an indoor unit, in step 2121, the indoor units are selected from the indoor unit having the start address in the ascending order of addresses in the ascending order, and the management number is simply assigned.

  For example, the seven indoor units installed in 1F of FIG. 1 are the i1 and i2 indoor units as the first remote controller, the i3 and i4 indoor units as the second remote controller, and the i5 and i6 indoor units. When the unit is connected to the third remote controller and i7 is connected to the fourth remote controller, the indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit o1 of the building 1F belongs to one of the four remote control groups. Are numbered as group Nos. 01 to 04, respectively.

  If the recognition start system ID is o1, the recognition start machine ID is i2, and the recognition range is 2, if the recognition unit is a remote control group unit, the remote control group 1 including the indoor unit of o1-i2 and o1 Two groups of remote control group 2 to which the indoor unit with the number o1-i3 next to -i2 belongs are recognized as management targets. In this case, the indoor units that are actually monitored and controlled by the adapter in accordance with instructions from the host are i1 to i4.

  In the previous example, if the recognition unit is an indoor unit, the indoor units i2 and i3 are recognized as objects to be managed by the adapter.

  For convenience of the following description, in this system, the adapter a1 in 1F is set as recognition start system ID = o1, recognition start machine ID = i1, recognition range number = 4, indoor unit recognition unit = remote control group unit, and 2F It is assumed that the adapter a2 has a recognition start system ID = o2, a recognition start machine ID = i10, a managed number = 4, and an indoor unit recognition unit = indoor unit.

  In the above example, FIG. 12 shows the management air conditioner and management address number of the adapter 1 installed on the first floor, and FIG. 13 shows the management air conditioner and management address number of the adapter 2 installed on the second floor.

  By the connection confirmation process as described above, the air conditioner to be managed by each adapter can be recognized, and the air conditioner monitoring control can be performed from the building controller which is a higher management apparatus.

  Normally, once the air conditioning unit communication network for building management needs to be changed, there is almost no need to change it. Therefore, once this air conditioner connection check is performed at the time of initial installation, it will be carried out unless the air conditioner installation in the building is renewed. do not have to. Therefore, it is usually omitted.

  Since the air conditioner database and the connection management table are sequentially backed up in a memory disk, if connection confirmation is omitted when the power is turned on, the air conditioner saved in the memory disk before the last power off in step 2005 in FIG. The database and connection management table are read into the work area and used.

  If any request command is received from the upper management apparatus until the connection confirmation is completed, an error response is returned.

  The upper communication address for communicating with the upper device may be set when an SBC request is received from the first upper management device after the connection management table is created or read.

  When the connection confirmation or the stored data reading is completed, in step 2006, the reception status of the monitoring control instruction from the upper management apparatus is checked. In the SBC protocol adopted in this system, messages sent and received between the host management device and the adapter are in HTTP format, and the adapter does not voluntarily send messages to the host device, and always requests from the host device. It receives a command message and only returns a response command for that request.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication flow between the upper management apparatus and the adapter, and an HTTP header configuration of a request command and a response command. The SBC protocol defines two types of data pack format and XML format as communication data specifications, and this air conditioning adapter creates and returns a response command in the same format as the request command format sent by the host device. .

  In the LAN communication reception of step 2006, if the address filtering setting in the setting mode is “Yes”, the filtering of the MAC address set when the request command message is received from the higher-level device is performed. Only when the MAC address matches one of the MAC addresses 1, 2, or 3, the message is received as a valid one, and when it does not match, the message is deleted as not received.

  The upper management apparatus transmits a request command as shown in FIG. 15 to the adapter when acquiring the status of the connected air conditioner. FIG. 15 is an example of an HTTP message requesting the adapter 1 for operation information of the connected management numbers 0 to 127.

  If the command received in step 2006 is a machine state acquisition request command, the process proceeds to step 2008, and “operation / stop” and “operation mode (air blowing / cooling / heating / others)” of the remote control group requested for the state information are performed. “Set temperature” and “failure state” are read from the air conditioner database, and a response command message containing data as shown in FIG. 16 is created and returned.

  In FIG. 16, all remote control groups 0 to 3 are normal, group 0 is set to 26 ° C., group 1 is set to 22 ° C., group 2 is set to 27 ° C., and only group 4 returns a status of operation stop. Since groups 4 to 127 do not exist under the control of the air conditioning adapter 1, there is no reply data. In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the part enclosed in {} is a comment indicating the meaning of the data.

  When the host management device sends the request command of FIG. 15 to the air conditioning adapter 2, since the air conditioning adapter 2 has an indoor unit as a recognition unit, the indoor units i8, i9, i10, corresponding to the management numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 The information of i11 is read from the air conditioner database, and a response command in the format of FIG. 16 is created and returned.

  For example, when the host device wants to change the setting such as changing the set temperature of the remote control group 2 to 28 ° C. for energy saving in response to the tight supply of power, a setting request having data as shown in FIG. Send commands to the adapter. If the adapter receives a control request command, the adapter proceeds to step 2009 to create a message for the air conditioner communication network for setting the request command, and from the air conditioner communication unit to all the indoor units in the remote control group to be controlled. Send to. That is, in response to the request command of FIG. 17, a change command to the set temperature of 28 ° C. is transmitted to the indoor units i3 and i4. Then, in step 2010, a response command for successful setting as shown in FIG. 18 is transmitted to the upper management apparatus.

  While waiting for the request command received from the host management device, the adapter constantly obtains the latest information on the air conditioner from the air conditioner communication network. In the sensing data in the air conditioner database of FIG. 10, each air conditioner voluntarily transmits a sensing change notification when the sensor value changes, and the notified value is stored. Since the setting information is returned in response to the adapter acquisition request, in step 2011, a request message is transmitted to each air conditioner at regular time intervals (30 seconds in this system), and the latest setting information of the air conditioner is collected.

  In step 2013, the reception status of the sensing change notification or the response message in step 2011 is checked, and if received, the air conditioner database information is updated in accordance with the change value in step 2014.

  By repeating steps 2006 to 2014 as described above, the air conditioner remote monitoring control from the host device by the SBC protocol is realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor unit, 2 ... Outdoor unit, 3 ... Remote control, 4 ... Air-conditioning adapter, 5 ... Building controller (high-order monitoring apparatus), 6 ... Refrigerant piping, 7 ... Air-conditioning communication network, 8 ... IP network, 6 ... Refrigerant piping, 6 ... Refrigerant piping, 40 ... CPU, 41 ... User input / output unit, 42 ... Air conditioning communication IF unit, 43 ... LAN communication IF unit, 44 ... Memory disk, 45 ... RAM, 46 ... Setting unit, 47 ... Power management unit

Claims (4)

In an air conditioning system comprising a management device that performs remote monitoring control of an air conditioner via a network, a plurality of air conditioners connected to an air conditioning communication network, and a conversion adapter that relays the management device and the air conditioner,
The conversion adapter is
A network communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the management device via the network;
An air conditioner communication unit that transmits and receives data for acquiring and controlling the state of the air conditioner and the air conditioner via the air conditioning communication network;
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner connected to the air conditioning communication network and the air conditioning communication network address of the indoor unit, the remote control group number set in the remote control group of the indoor unit, and the management address of the remote control group are stored. A memory for storing a connection management table and an air conditioner database storing state information of the air conditioner acquired from the air conditioner;
The air conditioner database acquired based on the management address when the network communication unit, the air conditioner communication unit, and the memory are controlled, and the network communication unit receives a status acquisition request of the air conditioner When the status information of the air conditioner is transmitted from the network communication unit and the network communication unit receives a control request for the air conditioner, the room belonging to the indoor unit remote control group to be controlled identified from the management address A control unit that transmits a control request command to the air conditioner communication unit with the machine as a destination,
An air conditioning system characterized by that. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion adapter includes a recognition unit designating unit that selects whether to perform monitoring control of the management device in units of remote control groups or in units of indoor units.
The control unit sets a management address of a management device for the indoor unit in the connection management table when the recognition unit designation unit selects the recognition unit to be performed in units of indoor units. Air conditioning system. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion adapter includes a recognition start ID designating unit that designates an air conditioner communication network address of an arbitrary indoor unit as a recognition start ID,
The control unit has a remote control group number only for a remote control group having the remote control group number equal to or higher than the remote control group to which the indoor unit having the air conditioner communication network address designated by the recognition start ID designation unit belongs. An air conditioning system characterized by setting management addresses necessary for communication in ascending order. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the conversion adapter is
A recognition start ID designating unit for designating an air conditioner communication network address of an arbitrary indoor unit as a recognition start ID;
A number-of-recognition designation unit that designates the number of remote control groups or air-conditioning indoor units that should perform relay processing with the device
The controller is
When the remote control group unit is designated by the setting recognition unit designation unit, the recognition number designation is performed in the order of the remote control group number from the remote control group to which the indoor unit having the air conditioner communication network address designated by the recognition start ID designation unit belongs. Set the management address required for communication for the number of remote control groups specified by the
When the indoor unit unit is designated by the setting recognition unit designation unit, the number of recognitions is designated in ascending order of the air conditioning unit communication network address from the indoor unit having the air conditioning unit communication network address designated by the recognition start ID designation unit. An air conditioning system characterized in that a management address required for communication is set for the number of indoor units specified by the unit.

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