JP2713041B2 - Control method of air conditioner and apparatus using the method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-type air conditioner, in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit, transmits a pair of signals between the outdoor unit, all the indoor units, and a remote controller in order to simplify wiring of signal lines. A method of connecting the devices by a line and performing serial transmission with each other is adopted. The outdoor unit, each indoor unit, and the remote control have different addresses for individually recognizing them, and each unit communicates on the same transmission path by using the address, so that each unit has an address for transmission. Must be set. The most common way to set an address is to provide an address switch for each unit and manually set it.However, when installing an indoor unit on the ceiling, install the indoor unit on the ceiling and then set the address switch. There is a drawback that it is difficult to operate the address, and it is desired to automatically set the address.

As a conventional example of a method of automatically setting an address, there is a method of setting an address of a terminal of a time division multiplex transmission apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-71344. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a multiplex transmission apparatus showing the method shown in this conventional example. In the figure, 1 is the master unit, 2-1 to 2-n are terminal, 3-1 to 3-n, respectively the master unit and the terminal 2
-1, a transmission line connecting the terminal 2- (n-1) and 2-n; 4-1 to 4-n are signal switching means built in the terminal and for switching transmission signal blocking / passing; The transmission line inserted between the transmission lines 3- (n-1) and 3-n is relayed. Reference numerals 5-1 to 5-n denote transmission units built in the terminal unit, which are connected to a transmission line on the master unit side of the signal switching unit and control on / off of the signal switching unit.

Next, the operation will be described. When the power is turned on, the terminal 2-1 transmits an address setting request from the transmission unit 5-1 to the parent device with the signal switching means 4-1 turned off. An address not yet assigned to the terminal is sent to the terminal 2-1 and the address of the terminal 2-1 is set. After receiving the address setting, the terminal 2-1 turns on the signal switching means 4-1 and ends the address setting. When the signal switching means 4-1 of the terminal 2-1 is turned on and communication with the master is enabled, the terminal 2-2 sends a signal to the master 1 in the same manner as the terminal 2-1. The base unit 1 receives the request and determines the address of the terminal 2-2 in the same manner as described above, and sets the address of the terminal 2-2. Thereafter, all the terminals are set in the same manner by sequentially setting the addresses of the terminals.

[0005]

In the conventional address automatic setting method described above, the master unit (corresponding to the outdoor unit) can set the address of the terminal unit (corresponding to the indoor unit). In the air conditioner, since it is necessary to operate the indoor unit with the remote controller, it is necessary to associate the respective addresses so that the remote controller and the indoor unit can recognize each other, which is not applicable to the method shown in the conventional example. was there. Further, when a terminal breaks down and the signal switching means inserted into the transmission line is turned off, terminals connected after that terminal cannot communicate with the master unit, and there is a problem that the influence of the failure is increased. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to automatically set the address of an indoor unit and also automatically set the address of a remote controller for operating the indoor unit. The purpose is to.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising: one outdoor unit connected to the same refrigeration cycle piping system; a plurality of indoor units; A plurality of remote controllers that operate an indoor unit, a first transmission line that connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and a second transmission line that connects each of the indoor units and the plurality of remote controllers. Transmission means for transmitting signals between the outdoor unit, each of the indoor units, and the plurality of remote controllers, and first signal switching for switching off / pass of a transmission signal transmitted to the first transmission line Means and a second signal switching means for switching the transmission signal transmitted to the second transmission line between cutoff and passage, when the power is turned on, the transmission address is previously stored in the outdoor unit. And giving a predetermined temporary address to each of the indoor units and the plurality of remote controllers, passing through the first signal switching means, shutting off the second signal switching means, and The machine receives a legitimate address from the outdoor unit by communicating with the outdoor unit at a temporary address,
The first signal switching means is cut off, the second signal switching means is passed, and the plurality of remote controllers communicate with the indoor units at a temporary address, thereby obtaining a proper address from each indoor unit. And then
The first and second signal switching means are both passed so that the first and second transmission lines are controlled to be conductive.

[0008] In the air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention, a low-frequency blocking device provided in each indoor unit and inserted and connected between the second signal switching means and the second transmission line.
Means , DC power supply means connected to the second transmission line side, and the second power supply means connected to the remote controller.
And a DC separating means for separating a DC component from the transmission line to use as a power source for the remote controller.

In the air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention, a DC power supply means provided in the outdoor unit and connected to the first transmission line side, and the first power supply means provided in each of the indoor units. A high-frequency blocking means inserted and connected to bypass the second signal switching means, and a DC separation means connected to the remote controller for separating a DC component from the second transmission line and serving as a power supply for the remote controller We took the measure of having.

[0010]

According to the control method of the first aspect, when the power is turned on, a transmission address is given to the outdoor unit in advance, and a predetermined temporary address is given to each of the indoor units and the plurality of remote controllers. First
By passing through the signal switching means, and turning off the second signal switching means, each indoor unit is brought into a state of communicating with the outdoor unit at a temporary address. In this state, a legitimate address is received from the outdoor unit, and then the first signal switching means is shut off, and the second signal switching means is passed. Communication with each indoor unit is assumed. In this state, a legitimate address is received from each of the indoor units,
Thereafter, the first and second signal switching means are both passed to control the first and second transmission lines to conduct.

According to the air conditioner of the second aspect, the low frequency blocking means provided in each indoor unit and inserted and connected between the second signal switching means and the second transmission line; 2
DC power supply means connected to the transmission line side of
The DC component is superposed on the second transmission line. In the remote controller, a DC component is connected to the remote controller by a DC separating unit to separate a DC component from the second transmission line and use the separated power as a power source for the remote controller. That is, since the power supply line and the transmission line for the remote controller are shared, the wiring of the remote controller is simplified, and even if the signal switching means of the indoor unit is turned off due to a malfunction or the like, the power is continuously supplied and the setting of the remote controller is performed. Can be held.

According to the air conditioner of the third aspect, the DC component is superposed on the first transmission line by the DC power supply means provided in the outdoor unit and connected to the first transmission line side. In each of the indoor units, the DC component is supplied to the second transmission line by the high frequency blocking unit inserted and connected to bypass the first and second signal switching units.
In the remote controller, a DC component is separated from the second transmission line by a DC separating unit to be used as a power source for the remote controller. Therefore, since the power supply line and the transmission line to the remote controller are shared, the wiring of the remote controller is simplified,
Since DC power from the outdoor unit is supplied to the remote controller by bypassing the indoor unit, only one power supply circuit can be used, the equipment can be inexpensive, and even if the signal unit of the indoor unit is turned off due to malfunction or the like, the power supply Is continuously supplied, and the settings of the remote controller can be held.

[0013]

【Example】

Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claim 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 6 is an outdoor unit,
7 is a plurality of indoor units connected between the same refrigerant distribution as the outdoor unit, 8 is the same number of remote controllers as the indoor units provided for each indoor unit and operates each indoor unit, 9 is the outdoor unit, A transmission line as a first transmission line connecting between indoor units,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a remote controller transmission line as a second transmission line that connects the indoor unit and the remote controller in a one-to-one connection. Reference numeral 11 denotes a transmission circuit as transmission means built in the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the remote controller. It is. Reference numeral 12 denotes a control unit connected to a transmission circuit built in the outdoor unit and controls operation and transmission of the outdoor unit. Reference numeral 13 denotes an address which can be written and read from the control unit 12 and stores an address of the indoor unit and the like. It is storage means.

A control unit 14 is connected to a transmission circuit built in the indoor unit, and controls the operation and transmission of the indoor unit. A control unit 15 is readable and writable from the control unit 14. Address storage means for storing information such as 16
Is a first signal switching means inserted between the transmission line 9 and the indoor unit transmission circuit 11, and 17 is a second signal switching means inserted between the remote controller transmission line 10 and the indoor unit transmission circuit 11. It is. Reference numeral 18 denotes a control means connected to a transmission circuit built in the remote controller, and controls operation input, display output, transmission, etc. of the remote controller. Reference numeral 19 denotes a writable and readable data from the control means 18, and an own address. Is an address storage unit for storing.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. After turning on the power, the indoor unit reads its own address from the address storage means 15 and checks whether the address is set (step 100).
If the address has not been set, a predetermined temporary address is set as the own address (step 101). Next, the first signal switching means 16 (SW1) is turned on, the transmission line 9 and the indoor unit transmission circuit are turned on, and transmission with the outdoor unit is enabled (step 102). In this state, it is checked whether or not another unit is transmitting on the transmission line (step 103). If there is a transmission signal, it waits for a certain time (step 104) and checks the transmission line again.
This operation is also performed by other units and remote controllers.

If there is no transmission signal in step 103, an address setting request is sent to the outdoor unit whose address is determined (step 105). Upon receipt of this signal, the outdoor unit reads the address of the indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit from the address storage unit 13 (step 202), searches for an unused address (step 203), and searches for an appropriate address. The address is determined as the address of the indoor unit (step 204), the indoor address setting is transmitted to the indoor unit having the temporary address, and the address is stored in the address storage unit 8 (step 206). Indoor unit changes the own address when it receives the address setting (step 106 to 108), and stores the address in the address storage means 15 (step 109).

Next, the address of the remote controller is calculated based on the address of the indoor unit (step 110).
As a calculation method, for example, a method of determining using a rule such as “indoor unit address + 100” is used. Next, the first signal switching means 16 (SW1) is turned off, the second signal switching means 17 (SW2) is turned on, and the transmission is possible only with the remote controller transmission line 10 side. The device connected to the transmission line 10 is searched. In order to search the entire range of addresses that can be taken by the unit connected to the remote controller transmission line 10, first, the partner address at the start of the search is initialized (step 112), and a check is performed to check the presence or absence of a device at that address. Send request (step 11
3).

In the reception check (step 114), the presence or absence of a response from the partner is checked. If there is a response, the number is counted by the number counter (step 115), and the partner address at that time is stored in the address storage means 15. . On the other hand, if there is no response, steps 115 and 116 are skipped. Next, the current address is checked (step 117), and if it is not the last address, the counterpart address is counted up (step 118), and the process is repeated from step 113 again.

On the other hand, the remote controller is waiting in a receiving state at a temporary address after power-on,
When the above-mentioned check request is received (steps 301 to 3)
02) A response signal is sent back (step 303). If the indoor unit determines in step 117 that the address is the last, the indoor unit checks the number counter counted in step 115 (step 119). If there is only one indoor device, the device connected to the remote controller transmission line 10 Is determined to be normal, the address stored in step 116 is used as the temporary address of the remote controller, and the address is calculated in step 110 or the remote controller address is set and transmitted (step 12).
0), and then the signal switching means 16, 17 (SW
1, 2) is turned on to make the transmission line 9 and the remote controller transmission line 10 conductive. The remote controller receives the address setting (steps 304 to 30).
5) The own address is changed to the set address described above (step 306), and the address is stored in the address storage unit 19 (step 307).

Embodiment 2 FIG. Hereinafter will be described with reference to FIG 4 the embodiment corresponding to claim 2. The reference numerals 6 to 19 in the figure are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. Reference numeral 20 denotes a high-pass filter that blocks direct current, and is inserted between the second signal switching unit 17 of the indoor unit and the remote controller transmission line 10. Reference numeral 21 denotes a power supply circuit as DC power supply means for supplying DC power to the transmission line, and is connected to the remote controller transmission line 10 side of the indoor unit. Reference numeral 22 denotes a power receiving circuit serving as DC separating means built in the remote controller 8, which receives a DC power from the remote controller transmission line 10 and generates an operating power for the remote controller.

Next, the operation will be described. When power is supplied to the indoor unit 7, the power supply circuit 21 supplies DC to the remote controller transmission line 10. The power receiving circuit 22 receives power from the remote controller transmission line 10 and uses the power as a control circuit power supply for the remote controller, and the remote controller starts operating. Once the power is turned on to the indoor unit, power is continuously supplied to the remote controller regardless of the operation of the indoor unit. Further, the high-pass filter 20 prevents DC power from flowing to the outdoor unit 6 and other indoor units.

Embodiment 3 FIG. Hereinafter will be described with reference to FIG. 5 embodiment corresponding to claim 3. The reference numerals 6 to 19 in the figure are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. Reference numeral 23 denotes a low-pass filter that blocks a transmission signal and passes a direct current, and is connected between the transmission line 9 of the indoor unit and the remote controller transmission line 10. Reference numeral 24 denotes a power supply circuit (DC power supply means) for supplying DC power to a transmission line built in the outdoor unit.
Connected to. 22 is the remote controller 8
A power receiving circuit built in the DC power supply receives DC power from the remote controller transmission line 10 to generate an operating power for the remote controller.

Next, the operation will be described. When power is supplied to the outdoor unit 6, the power supply circuit 24 supplies DC to the transmission line 9,
DC is supplied to the remote controller transmission line 10 through the low-pass filter 23. The power receiving circuit 22 receives power from the remote controller transmission line 10 and serves as a power source for a remote controller control circuit, and the remote controller starts operating. Once power is supplied to the outdoor unit, power is continuously supplied to the remote controller regardless of the operation of the indoor unit.

[0024]

As described above, according to the control method of the air conditioner of the first aspect of the present invention, all of the address of the indoor unit for the outdoor unit and the address of the remote controller for the indoor unit are automatically associated with each other. Since the assignment is performed, there is no need for a person to set the address after the air conditioner is attached, so that the work of construction is omitted, and there is an effect that the address setting is eliminated and the reliability of the system is improved.

According to the air conditioner of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the wiring of the remote controller is simplified, and the workability of the construction is further improved.
In addition, even if the indoor unit malfunctions, the power of the remote controller can be maintained, so that the reliability of the system is improved.

According to the air conditioner of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the wiring of the remote controller is simplified and the workability of the construction is further improved.
In addition, even if the indoor unit malfunctions, the power of the remote controller can be maintained, so that the reliability of the system is improved, and the number of power supply devices can be reduced to one so that the cost of the device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a control device using one embodiment of a control method of an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for controlling an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for controlling an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a control device for an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a control device of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a transmission device showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 outdoor unit 7 indoor unit 8 remote controller 9 transmission line (first transmission line) 10 remote controller transmission line (second transmission line) 11 transmission circuit (transmission unit) 12 control unit 13 address storage unit 14 control unit 15 address Storage means 16 First signal switching means 17 Second signal switching means 18 Control means 19 Address storage means 20 High-pass filter 21 Power supply circuit (DC power supply means) 22 Power reception circuit (DC separation means) 23 Low-pass filter 24 Power supply circuit ( DC power supply means)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An outdoor unit connected to the same refrigeration cycle piping system, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of remote controllers for operating each of the indoor units, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. A first transmission line to be connected; a second transmission line to connect each of the indoor units to the plurality of remote controllers; and transmission of signals between the outdoor unit, each of the indoor units, and the plurality of remote controllers. Transmission means for performing transmission and reception of transmission signals transmitted to the first transmission line.
An air conditioner comprising: first signal switching means for switching passage; and second signal switching means for switching cutoff / passage of a transmission signal transmitted to the second transmission line. While giving a transmission address to the unit in advance, giving a predetermined temporary address to each of the indoor units and the plurality of remote controllers,
Passing through the first signal switching means, shutting off the second signal switching means, each indoor unit receives a regular address from the outdoor unit by communicating with the outdoor unit at a temporary address, Next, the first signal switching means is cut off, the second signal switching means is passed, and the plurality of remote controllers communicate with the respective indoor units at a temporary address, thereby allowing the respective remote units to communicate with the respective indoor units. Receiving a legitimate address, and thereafter passing the first and second signal switching means together so as to control the first and second transmission lines to be conductive. Method. 2. An air conditioner using the control method according to claim 1, wherein a low-frequency circuit provided in each indoor unit and inserted and connected between said second signal switching means and said second transmission line.
A wave blocking unit , a DC power supply unit connected to the second transmission line, and a DC unit connected to the remote controller to separate a DC component from the second transmission line and use the DC component as a power supply for the remote controller. A control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a separation unit. 3. An air conditioner using the control method according to claim 1, wherein DC power supply means provided in the outdoor unit and connected to the first transmission line side, and provided in each of the indoor units. A high-frequency blocking unit inserted and connected to bypass the first and second signal switching units, and a DC component separated from the second transmission line connected to the remote controller to be used as a power source for the remote controller A control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a DC separation unit.