JP2994940B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner,
In particular, the present invention relates to an air conditioning system for centrally managing a plurality of air conditioners by a central management device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a common outdoor unit and a common main controller are provided, a plurality of indoor units are connected, and the whole system is controlled by the main controller.
There is an air conditioning system of a centralized management system in which a sub controller provided in each indoor unit on each user side performs local control of the indoor unit.

In such a centralized cooling and heating system, a large-scale system such as a cooling and heating system in a building has a cost and an effective use of device resources, etc., in comparison with a cooling and heating individual management system which is individually managed. It was advantageous from a point of view.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional centralized air-conditioning system.

The conventional cooling / heating system 50 includes a plurality of indoor units 51-1 to 51-n and a plurality of indoor units 51-1 to 51-n.
, And each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n and the main controller 52 are separately connected via a multi-core communication line PLM.
It is assumed that an outdoor unit (not shown) is connected to each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n.

Further, the main controller 52 is connected to a room temperature sensor 53 for monitoring the room temperature of the room where each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n is installed, via the same multi-core communication line PLM as described above. Had been monitored at room temperature.

Each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n includes a first room temperature sensor 54 for controlling an indoor unit body described later at room temperature.
A wired or wireless remote controller 56 having a second room temperature sensor 55 for locally controlling the indoor unit, and an output of one of the first room temperature sensor 54 and the second room temperature sensor 55 and a remote controller 56 And an indoor unit main body 57 that actually performs air conditioning based on the settings.

Next, the operation will be described.

When starting the cooling and heating system,
If the main controller 52 starts the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n at the same time, the starting power becomes enormous, and in order to reduce the load on the equipment such as the power being cut off by a breaker or the like, The control was performed so that the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n were sequentially started.

More specifically, the main controller 52
In order to stagger the start start time of each indoor unit, a fixed (for example, fixed to 5 seconds) start standby time is given in advance. That is, since the power consumption temporarily increases for a predetermined time after a certain indoor unit has been started, the next indoor unit to be started until the start standby time elapses after a start command is given to a certain indoor unit. He did not give a start command to him.

The air-conditioning system is started, and each indoor unit 51-1 is started.
When various settings are made by the remote controller 56 in the steps 51 to 51-n, the indoor unit main body 57 sets the actual room temperature based on the output of either the first room temperature sensor 54 or the second room temperature sensor 55. And air conditioning is performed based on the difference between

In parallel with this, the indoor unit main body 57 transfers various data such as an operation state and a data setting state to the main controller 52 via a multi-core communication line PLM.

Thus, local control is performed by each indoor unit 5.
1-1 to 51-n, and control of an outdoor unit (not shown) is performed on the main controller 52 side, thereby improving the operation efficiency of the entire system.

[0014]

In the above-mentioned conventional centralized control type cooling and heating system, the start waiting time for the main controller 52 to perform the start control at the time of starting the cooling and heating system is constant, so that it lacks versatility. There was a problem.

In particular, when the above-mentioned cooling / heating system is installed in a high-rise building or the like, the number of indoor units to be installed increases, the types of indoor units to be connected also vary, and the required start-up standby time differs. In some cases, there is a problem that a load is imposed on the equipment.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of easily or automatically setting a different start standby time for each system.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides n independently controllable n.
(N: an integer of 2 or more) air conditioners, and a central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners, wherein the n air conditioners and the central management device establish communication lines. The air conditioner is connected to the outdoor unit and the indoor
And the start-up standby time required for this indoor unit
In a different air conditioner, the central management device includes: a setting unit for setting a maximum start standby time among the start standby times ; and
At every predetermined time interval set by the setting means, the n
Starting control means for sequentially starting the two air conditioners.

The invention according to claim 2 provides n (n: an integer of 2 or more) air conditioners that can be independently controlled,
A central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners;
Wherein the n air conditioners and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner is
It consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.
In an air conditioner having a different dynamic standby time , the central management device performs data communication with each air conditioner at the time of starting the air conditioner and collects start standby time data for each air conditioner. Data communication means and this data
Starting standby time data collected by communication means
Means for setting the data, the at startup of each of the air conditioners
Each air conditioner based on the set start standby time data
And a start control means for starting the air conditioner after the start of the air conditioner.

The invention according to claim 5 further comprises n (n: an integer of 2 or more) air conditioners which can be independently controlled,
A central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners;
Wherein the n air conditioners and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner is
It consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.
In the air conditioner in which the operation waiting time is different , the central management device determines a maximum start waiting time among the start waiting time.
And setting means for setting the machine time, at the start of the air conditioning apparatus, the setting means set the n-number of the air conditioner a preset sequence for each air conditioner group at predetermined time intervals by And starting control means for starting.

Further, according to the present invention, there are provided n (n: an integer of 2 or more) air conditioners which can be independently controlled, and a central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners. When, wherein the n-number of the air conditioner and the central management device are connected serially via a communication line, wherein the air conditioner
A Japanese machine consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.
In the air conditioners having different start standby times , the central management device performs data communication for each air conditioner group preset at the time of starting the air conditioner, and performs the standby for each air conditioner group. Data communication means for collecting time data, and data collected by the data communication means
Means for setting a start wait time data, respectively, the set start wait time data at the start of the air conditioner
And starting control means for starting each air conditioner group based on the above, and then starting the air conditioner group .

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the setting means sets one of a plurality of predetermined times set in advance as the start standby time.

Thus, the start control means sequentially starts the n air conditioners at set predetermined time intervals when the air conditioner is started.

Therefore, the start control can be easily performed by setting the start standby time, and the flexibility (versatility) of the system is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data communication means performs data communication with each air conditioner at the time of starting the air conditioner, and stores start standby time data for each air conditioner. collect.

With this, the start control means changes the start standby time data corresponding to the air conditioner from the start start time of the air conditioner at the start of each air conditioner based on the collected start standby time data. After the corresponding time has elapsed, start the next air conditioner.

Therefore, the start control can be performed easily and automatically by setting the start standby time, and the flexibility (versatility) of the system is further improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the setting means sets one of a plurality of predetermined times set in advance as a start standby time.

Thus, when the air conditioner is started, the start control means sequentially starts the n air conditioners at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means for each preset air conditioner group. I do.

Therefore, it is possible to easily set the start standby time and perform the start control, thereby improving the flexibility (versatility) of the system and starting each air conditioner for each of a plurality of groups. Therefore, the starting time can be shortened.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, the data communication means performs data communication for each preset air conditioner group when starting the air conditioner, and performs data communication for each air conditioner group. Collect startup wait time data.

Thus, the start control means simultaneously starts the air conditioners constituting each air conditioner group at the time of starting the air conditioner, and responds to the air conditioner group from the start start time of the air conditioner group. After the time corresponding to the start standby time data has elapsed, the next air conditioner group is started.

Therefore, the start control can be performed easily and automatically by setting the start standby time, so that the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is further improved, and each air conditioner is connected to a plurality of groups. Since the starting is performed every time, the starting time can be further reduced.

[0033]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a centralized management type cooling and heating system.

The cooling / heating system 1 can be roughly divided into a main controller 2 which functions as a central management device and controls the entire system 1 and is connected to the main controller 2 via a parallel communication line. The converted serial data is converted into parallel data and output to the main controller 2.
A serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 for converting parallel data output from the side into serial data and outputting the serial data to an indoor unit described later, and a two-wire communication line LM using a multiplex transmission system for the serial / parallel conversion circuit. And a plurality of indoor units 4-1 to 4-n serially connected via the control unit. The indoor units 4-1 to 4-n are connected to the outdoor units 24-1 to 24-n via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 2 includes a communication control board 5 for performing various communication controls, a controller main body 6 in which a control board for performing various controls is stored, various setting data, and operation of the controlled device. A display unit 7 for displaying a state and the like, a printer 8 for printing out various data, and a switch unit 9 such as a dip switch for setting a start standby time are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 includes a CPU 10 for controlling the entire serial / parallel conversion circuit 3, a ROM 11 storing a control program, data and the like, and temporarily storing various data. R to store
It comprises an AM 12 and an interface unit 13 for performing an interface operation with the outside.

Various modes of each of the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n can be considered, and the following is an example of the indoor unit 4-1 shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The indoor unit 4-1 has a first room temperature sensor 20 for detecting the temperature of the room in which the indoor unit is installed, and a second room temperature sensor 21 for wired or wireless control of the indoor unit locally. Remote controller 22
And air conditioning is actually performed based on the output of either the first room temperature sensor 20 or the second room temperature sensor 21 and the setting of the remote controller 22 and is connected to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 via the communication line LM. And an indoor unit main body 23.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit main body 23 includes a CPU 25 for controlling the entire indoor unit main body 23, a ROM 26 for storing control programs and data, and a RAM 27 for temporarily storing various data. And an interface unit 28 for performing an interface operation with the outside.

Here, the setting of the switch section 9 of the main controller 2 when the system is installed, that is, the setting of the start standby time (data) will be described.

An outdoor unit (FIG. 1) is connected to the indoor units constituting the cooling and heating system. As the types of the outdoor units 24-1 to 24-n, for example, a compressor motor is fixed at a commercial frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz). There are a constant speed type operating at a frequency, an inverter type operating a compressor motor at a variable frequency, and a GHP type using a gas heat pump.

The starting standby time required for each of the indoor units connected to the constant-speed, inverter-type, and GHP-type outdoor units is (small) indoor unit connected to the inverter-type outdoor unit <constant-speed outdoor unit. In the case where the connected indoor unit <the indoor unit (large) connected to the GHP type outdoor unit, the size becomes larger, and these models are mixed, it is necessary to set the maximum start standby time.

In the following description, for example, the maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the inverter type outdoor unit is 1 second,
The maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the constant speed outdoor unit is 2 seconds, and the maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the GHP type outdoor unit is 10 seconds. The description will be made on the assumption that the standby time is 2 seconds and 10 seconds.

When a certain system includes an indoor unit connected to a GHP type outdoor unit, the switch unit 9 of the system needs to be set to 10 seconds.
When an indoor unit connected to a GHP type outdoor unit is not included, it is preferable to set the time to the 2 second side.

Thus, the controller main body 6 of the main controller 2 performs the start control by setting the start standby time to the time set by the switch section 9.

More specific starting control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG.

First, the controller body 6 sets a control variable N for specifying an indoor unit to be started to 1 (step S1).

Next, the controller body 6 includes a switch section 9.
Is determined, and it is determined whether the set start standby time is 2 seconds or 10 seconds (step S).
2).

Then, according to the discrimination result, the start standby time data T is set to either 2 seconds or 10 seconds (step S3 or step S4).

Subsequently, a start command is output to the Nth indoor unit via the communication line LM in order to start the Nth indoor unit, and the Nth indoor unit is started (step S5).
More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the indoor unit 4
-1 is transferred via the communication line LM to start the engine.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data t of a timer (not shown) to determine whether the start standby time has elapsed (step S6).

If it is determined in step S6 that the standby time has not elapsed, the process stands by. If the standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N (step S7). The process proceeds to S5 and the process is repeated until all the indoor units have been started. FIG. 7A shows the relationship between the number of indoor units and the operation start time when the start standby time is set to 2 seconds.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the system can be automatically started by the simple operation of setting the switch section 9 in the start standby time corresponding to the setting.

In the above description, a case has been described in which the start standby time which can be set in the switch section 9 is two. However, it is also possible to use a dip switch or the like so that an arbitrary number can be selected.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the start standby time (data) is selected by software. Second Embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, the number of the indoor units that start at the same time is one, but depending on the state of the equipment, a plurality of models with low power consumption at the start may be started simultaneously. It is also possible to

Therefore, the second embodiment is an embodiment in which indoor units that can be started simultaneously are grouped in advance, and starting is performed for each group.

A specific operation will be described.

First, the controller body 6 sets a control variable N for specifying an indoor unit group to be started to one.

Next, the controller body 6 includes a switch section 9.
Is determined, the set start standby time is determined, and the start standby time data T is set based on the determination result.

Subsequently, a start command is output to the N-th indoor unit via the communication line LM to start the N-th indoor unit, and the N-th indoor unit is started. More specifically,
The start command is transferred to the N-th indoor unit via the communication line LM and the start is performed.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data of a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not the start standby time has elapsed. However, when the start standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N, and the process is repeated until all the indoor units have been started in the same manner. FIG. 7C shows an example of the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the starting time can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the start waiting time that can be selected is predetermined. However, in the third embodiment, the main controller 2 sets the start waiting time in advance. Not set, start standby time data corresponding to each of the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n is collected via the communication line LM shown in FIG. 1, and start control is performed based on the collected start standby time data. Is what you do.

The specific operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the controller body 6 sets a control variable N for specifying an indoor unit to be started to 1 (step S10).

Next, the controller body 6 causes the Nth indoor unit to transfer the start standby time data via the communication control board 5 and the communication line LM (step S11). More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the start standby time data TT is transferred to the indoor unit 4-1.

Then, the transferred start waiting time data T
T is set as the start waiting time data T (step S
12).

Subsequently, a start command is output to the Nth indoor unit via the communication line LM to start the Nth indoor unit, and the Nth indoor unit is started (step S1).
3). More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, a start command is transferred to the indoor unit 4-1 via the communication line LM to start.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data t of a timer (not shown) to determine whether the start standby time has elapsed (step S14).

If it is determined in step S6 that the start standby time has not elapsed, the process stands by. If the start standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N (step S15). The process proceeds to S11 and the process is repeated until all the indoor units have been started.
Regarding the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above,
As shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to easily and automatically set a required start standby time and perform start control. As compared with the case, the starting time of the entire system can be shortened. Fourth Embodiment In the third embodiment, data communication is performed every time each indoor unit is started. However, data communication is performed with respect to all the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n before starting the entire system. To collect the start standby time data of all the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n.

As a result, the time from the start of the start to the completion of the start can be shortened. Fifth Embodiment In the above-described third and fourth embodiments, only one indoor unit starts starting at the same time. It is also possible to start more than one.

Therefore, the fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which indoor units that can be started at the same time are grouped in advance and the group is started for each group.

A specific operation will be described.

First, the controller body 6 sets a control variable N for specifying an indoor unit group to be started to one.

Next, the controller body 6 causes the start standby time data to be transferred to any of the indoor units constituting the Nth indoor unit group via the communication control board 5 and the communication line LM. More specifically, in this case N = 1 and 1
The indoor units forming the third indoor unit group are the indoor units 4-1 to 4-1.
Assuming that the number is 4-3, the start standby time data is transferred to, for example, the indoor unit 4-1.

Then, the transferred start standby time data is set as start standby time data T.

Then, in order to start the indoor units forming the Nth indoor unit group, a start command is output to the indoor units forming the Nth indoor unit group via the communication line LM, and each indoor unit is output. Start. More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the start command is transferred to the three indoor units 4-1 to 4-3 via the communication line LM to be started.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with elapsed time data of a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not the start standby time has elapsed. Then, when the start standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N, the start time data is transferred to the next indoor unit group, and the same processing is repeated until all the indoor units have been started. Become. FIG. 7 shows an example of the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above.
It is shown in (c).

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the starting time can be further shortened as compared with the third or fourth embodiment.

[0081]

According to the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, the start control can be easily performed by setting the start standby time, and the flexibility (versatility) of the system is improved.

Further, according to the second or sixth aspect of the present invention, the start control can be performed by easily and automatically setting the start standby time, and the system flexibility (versatility) can be improved. ) Is improved.

According to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the starting time can be reduced in addition to the above effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cooling and heating system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main controller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a serial / parallel conversion circuit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an indoor unit main body.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a start control state.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional cooling and heating system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air-conditioning system 2 Main controller 3 Serial / parallel conversion circuit 4-1 to 4-n Indoor unit 5 Communication control board 6 Controller main body 7 Display part 8 Printer 9 Switch part 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 RAM 13 Interface part 20 1st room temperature sensor 21 second room temperature sensor 22 remote controller 23 indoor unit main body 25 CPU 26 ROM 27 RAM 28 interface unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-280755 (JP, A) JP-A-60-165452 (JP, A) JP-A-61-3939 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 256747 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24F 11/02 103

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air conditioner comprising: n (n: an integer of 2 or more) independently controllable air conditioners; and a central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners. The air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
In the air conditioner in which the start standby time required for the indoor unit is different , the central management device may determine a maximum start time among the start standby times.
Setting means for setting an operation standby time; and starting control means for sequentially starting the n air conditioners at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means when the air conditioner is started. An air conditioner characterized by comprising: 2. An air conditioner comprising: n (n: an integer of 2 or more) independently controllable air conditioners; and a central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners. The air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
In the air conditioner in which the start standby time required for the indoor unit is different , the central management device performs data communication with each air conditioner at the time of starting the air conditioner and performs data communication for each air conditioner. Data communication means for collecting the data of the start waiting time, and the respective start wait times collected by the data communication means.
Means for setting the machine time data, and the set standby time at the time of starting each of the air conditioners.
After waiting for each air conditioner to start based on the interim data,
An air conditioner, comprising: start control means for starting the air conditioner. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the data communication unit collects the start standby time data for all the air conditioners before starting the start of each air conditioner. Air conditioner. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the data communication unit sequentially collects the start standby time data corresponding to each of the air conditioners before starting each of the air conditioners. An air-conditioning system characterized. 5. An air conditioner comprising: n (n: an integer of 2 or more) independently controllable air conditioners; and a central management device for centrally managing the n air conditioners. The air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
In the air conditioner in which the start waiting times required for the indoor units are different , the central management device may determine a maximum start time among the start waiting times.
Setting means for setting an operation standby time; and, at the time of starting the air conditioner, the n air conditioners are set at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means for each preset air conditioner group. An air conditioner, comprising: start control means for sequentially starting. 6. An air conditioner comprising n (n: an integer equal to or greater than 2) air conditioners that can be independently controlled, and a central management device that centrally manages the n air conditioners. The air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, and the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
In the air conditioner in which the start standby time required for the indoor unit is different , the central management device performs data communication for each air conditioner group preset at the time of starting the air conditioner, and performs each air conditioner. Data communication means for collecting data of the start standby time for each machine group, and respective start wait times collected by the data communication means.
Means for setting the machine time data, and the set start standby time when the air conditioner is started.
Of each air conditioner group based on the interval data
And a starting control unit for starting the air conditioner group. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the data communication unit collects the start standby time data for all the air conditioner groups before starting the start of each air conditioner group. An air conditioner characterized by: 8. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the data communication unit sequentially collects the start standby time data corresponding to each of the air conditioners before starting each of the air conditioner groups. An air-conditioning system characterized.