JP3409950B2 - Air conditioning management device - 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 conditioning management device for centrally managing a plurality of air conditioning related devices including air conditioners connected in a hierarchical structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of air conditioning management device, a plurality of air conditioning related devices are connected to a bus and data communication is performed via the bus to centrally manage each air conditioning related device. There is a limit to the number of air conditioning related devices that can be connected to a book bus.Therefore, a bus is hierarchically configured into multiple buses such as a main bus and sub-bus. Devices are divided and connected.

A single central controller connected to the main bus centrally connects a plurality of air-conditioning related devices connected to each of the hierarchically constructed buses such as the main bus and sub-bus. In this centralized management, in order for the center controller to perform data communication with the air conditioning-related equipment connected to the sub bus, in addition to the telegram containing the address of the sub bus connected to the main bus, A message containing the sub address of the air conditioning related device is created, this message is transmitted from the center controller, and data communication is performed with the air conditioning related device on the sub bus.

[0004]

As described above, in order for the center controller to perform data communication with the air conditioning-related equipment connected to the sub bus, the address of the main bus and the sub address of the sub bus are required. There is a problem that it is hierarchically expressed and complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
The purpose is to be able to perform data communication with air conditioning related equipment connected to the sub-bus with a unified address when viewed from the center controller by address conversion, and no complicated hierarchical address is required. To provide an air conditioning management device.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 centrally manages a plurality of air conditioning-related equipment selected from a group including air conditioners, air conditioning power meters and sensors. Center controller, a main bus connected to the center controller, and a first bus connected to the main bus, each of which is assigned a unique address based on a first address sequence on the main bus. A plurality of air-conditioning-related devices, a relay controller connected to the main bus, a sub-bus connected to the relay controller, and a sub-bus connected to the sub-bus, each of which is based on a second address sequence on the sub-bus. A second plurality of air conditioning-related devices to which addresses are respectively assigned, and the center controller has the first address sequence. The address based on is used to perform data communication with the first plurality of air conditioning-related devices, and the address based on the first address sequence is used, and the second plurality of air conditioning related devices are connected via the relay controller. When performing data communication with a device and the relay controller receives an address for calling the second air conditioning-related device from the center controller, the relay controller converts the address into an address of the second address series, The gist of the present invention is to have address conversion means for converting the addresses of the second plurality of air conditioning related devices used for data communication from the air conditioning related devices to the center controller into the addresses of the first address series.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the center controller uses the address based on the first address series to perform data communication with the first plurality of air conditioning-related devices connected to the main bus. At the same time, the address based on the first address sequence is used to perform data communication with the second plurality of air conditioning-related devices via the relay controller. In this case, the relay controller operates from the center controller to the second air conditioner. When the address for calling the related equipment is received, the address is converted into the address of the second address series by the address conversion means, the second air conditioning related equipment of the converted address is called, and the second air conditioning related equipment is used. When performing data communication to the center controller, enter the addresses of the second plurality of air conditioning-related devices used in this data communication. The address conversion unit converts the address into a first address series address and uses the converted address to mediate data communication. As a result, when viewed from the center controller, it is connected to the sub-bus. The second air conditioning-related device can also perform data communication at an address unified with the address of the main bus.

The present invention according to claim 2 provides the invention according to claim 1.
In the invention described above, the gist is that the relay controller has communication specification conversion means for converting communication specifications in data communication between the center controller and the second plurality of air conditioning-related devices.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the relay controller converts the communication specifications in the data communication between the center controller and the second plurality of air conditioning related equipment by the communication specification converting means. As a result, even devices having different communication specifications can perform data communication with an address unified with the address of the main bus.

Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 3 is the same as claim 1.
Alternatively, the gist of the invention described in 2 is that the sub-bus is formed of a star-type network.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, data communication can be similarly performed using the sub-bus of the star network.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The air-conditioning management device shown in the figure includes a center controller 1 that centrally manages a plurality of air conditioners, a main bus 3 connected to the center controller 1, and a first plurality of air conditioners connected to the main bus 3. 5, a relay controller 7 connected to the main bus 3 like these air conditioners 5, and the relay controller 7
And a second plurality of air conditioners 11 connected to the sub-bus 9.

The center controller 1 is a main bus 3
Each air conditioner 5 is called with an address uniquely assigned to each of the first plurality of air conditioners 5 connected to each other based on the first address sequence in the main bus 3. For example, address 1 is assigned to the first air conditioner 5, address 2 is assigned to the second air conditioner 5, and
Address 3 is assigned to each air conditioner 5, and each air conditioner 5 is called by these addresses.

In addition, the center controller 1 also uses the addresses uniquely assigned to the second plurality of air conditioners 11 connected to the sub-bus 9 based on the first address sequence. Are called respectively. For example, the address 32 (first address 32) is assigned to the (n + 1) th air conditioner 11,
Address 33 (first address 33) for the second air conditioner 11
Is assigned to the n + 3th air conditioner 11 and the address 34
(First address 34) is assigned and each of the air conditioners 11 is controlled to be called by these addresses.

Further, the second plurality of air conditioners 11 connected to the sub-bus 9 have a unique second address on the sub-bus 9 under the relay controller 7 in addition to the address based on the first address sequence described above. Each is assigned a unique address based on the sequence. For example, the nth
+1 air conditioner 11 has address 17 (second address 17)
Is assigned to the n + 2th air conditioner 11 and the address 18
(Second address 18) is assigned, and the n + 3th air conditioner 11 is assigned address 19 (second address 19).

That is, each of the second plurality of air conditioners 11 connected to the sub-bus 9 has two types of addresses, a first address based on the first address series and a second address based on the second address series. However, when the center controller 1 calls the first address of the first address series and calls the center controller 1 from each of the second plurality of air conditioners 11, each of the air conditioners 1
1 calls the center controller 1 with the second address of the second address series.

Therefore, the relay controller 7 connected between the center controller 1 and the second plurality of air conditioners 11 is the center controller 1 when the center controller 1 calls the second plurality of air conditioners 11. To convert the first address of the first address sequence from the second address of the second address sequence to call the center controller 1 from each of the second plurality of air conditioners 11. The air conditioner 11 has address conversion means for converting the second address of the second address series into the first address of the first address series.

Communication between the center controller 1 and each air conditioner 11 in the air-conditioning management apparatus configured as described above is performed using a message as shown in FIG. In this message, the message length and checksum from the priority code is 1 byte, and the number of data items indicated by the message length is provided as data. The first address of the above-mentioned first address series is used as the address set in this message, and the message in which the address of the second address series on the sub-bus is set as in the conventional case. The telegram is simplified by the amount that does not require.

In the air-conditioning management apparatus configured as described above, when the center controller 1 communicates with the air conditioner 11 connected to the sub bus 9, the center controller 1 uses the first address sequence for the air conditioner 11. Since the communication is performed using the first address of the above, the relay controller 7 receiving this communication message converts the address of the first address series into the address of the second address series by the address converting means. Specifically, when the center controller 1 calls the n + 1th air conditioner 11, the n + 1th air conditioner sent from the center controller 1
The first address 32 of the air conditioner 11 of the relay controller 7
When the relay controller 7 receives this, the relay controller 7 converts the first address 32 into the second address 17 by the address conversion means, and calls the n + 1th air conditioner 11 on the sub-bus 9 with the second address 17.

Further, for example, the nth connected to the sub bus 9
When communicating from the +2 air conditioner 11 to the center controller 1, the n + 2th air conditioner 11 uses the second address 18 of its own to perform communication. Therefore, the communication set by the second address 18 is performed. The relay controller 7, which has received the message, converts the second address 18 into the first address 33 of the first address series by the address converting means, and the center controller 1 uses the converted first address 33.
Is called.

As described above, the relay controller 7 has the first
By providing the address conversion means for performing the address conversion between the second address series and the second address series, all communication from the center controller 1 to the air conditioner 11 can be performed with the first address series address. Communication from the air conditioner 11 to 1 is all the second
Since it can be performed with the address of the address series, the communication message between the two can be simplified and the communication control can be simplified.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The air-conditioning management device shown in the figure uses a plurality of power meters 13 instead of the second plurality of air-conditioners 11 in the air-conditioning management device shown in FIG. 1, and also converts the communication specifications instead of the relay controller 7. The difference is that a relay controller 15 having a protocol conversion means for performing the above is used, and other configurations, actions, concept of address assignment, and communication message configuration are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. .

That is, when communication is performed between the center controller 1 and a plurality of power meters 13, the protocol conversion means provided in the relay controller 15 converts the communication specifications between the center controller 1 and the power meters 13. I try to communicate.

Although the concept of address allocation is the same as in the case of FIG. 1, the plurality of power meters 13 are allocated the second addresses in the second address series from the first address. Specifically, the first power meter 13 has the address 1
(Second address 1) is assigned to the second power meter 13
Is assigned address 2 (second address 2),
The power meter 13 of is assigned an address 3 (second address 3). The addresses of the first address series for each power meter 13 are the same as in the case of FIG. That is, as the addresses of the first address series, the first power meter 13 has the address 32 (first address 32), the second power meter 13 has the address 33 (first address 33), and the third address.
The power meter 13 of is assigned an address 34 (second address 34).

In the air-conditioning management apparatus thus configured, for example, the center controller 1 has the first power meter 13
When the relay controller 7 receives the first address 32 of the first wattmeter 13 sent from the center controller 1, the relay controller 7 sends the first address 32 to the second address by the address conversion means. In addition to converting to 1, the communication specifications are converted by the protocol converting means, and the first power meter 13 on the sub-bus 9 is called with the second address and the converted communication specifications.

Further, for example, the second bus connected to the sub bus 9
When communication is performed from the power meter 13 of the second controller to the center controller 1, the second power meter 13 of the second address meter 2
Since the communication is performed using, the relay controller 7, which receives the communication message in which the second address 2 is set, converts the second address 2 into the first address 33 of the first address series by the address conversion means. At the same time, the protocol conversion means converts the communication specifications, and the center controller 1 is called with the converted first address 33 and communication specifications.

As described above, by providing the relay controller 7 with the address converting means for performing the address conversion of the first address series and the second address series and the protocol converting means, the center controller 1 to the wattmeter 13 is provided. Since all communication can be performed by the address of the first address series, and all communication from the power meter 13 to the center controller 1 can be performed by the address of the second address series, connection on the main bus 3 It is possible to simplify address management and communication control while expanding the network with a hierarchical structure that does not increase the number of devices significantly.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the arrangement of an air conditioning management device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The air-conditioning management apparatus shown in the same figure is different from the air-conditioning management apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in that a sub-network 17, which is a star-type network, is used instead of the sub-bus 9, and other configurations, functions, and addresses are used. The allocation method and the configuration of the communication message are the same as in the embodiment of FIG.

The concept of address allocation is the same as in the case of FIG. 1, but the second plurality of air conditioners 11 are
The second address in the second address sequence is assigned from the first address. Specifically, the first air conditioner 11 is assigned address 1 (second address 1), the second air conditioner 11 is assigned address 2 (second address 2),
The third air conditioner 11 is assigned the address 3 (second address 3). The address of the first address sequence for each air conditioner 11 is the same as that in the case of FIG. 1, and the first air conditioner 11 has the address 32 (first address 32),
The second air conditioner 11 has an address 33 (first address 3
3), the third air conditioner 11 is assigned an address 34 (second address 34).

In the air-conditioning management apparatus thus configured, for example, the center controller 1 is the first air-conditioner 11
When the relay controller 7 receives the first address 32 of the first wattmeter 13 sent from the center controller 1, the relay controller 7 sends the first address 32 to the second address by the address conversion means. 1 and the first address on the sub bus 9 is converted to the second address.
The air conditioner 11 is called.

Also, for example, the second bus connected to the sub bus 9
When communicating from the air conditioner 11 to the center controller 1, the second air conditioner 11 uses the second address 2 of its own.
Since the communication is performed using, the relay controller 7, which receives the communication message in which the second address 2 is set, converts the second address 2 into the first address 33 of the first address series by the address conversion means. And then this converted first
The center controller 1 is called at the address 33.

As described above, by providing the relay controller 7 with the address conversion means for performing the address conversion between the first address series and the second address series, all the communication from the center controller 1 to the air conditioner 11 is made to be the first. Since the addresses in the address series can be used, and all communication from the air conditioner 11 to the center controller 1 can be performed in the addresses in the second address series, a hierarchy that does not significantly increase the number of connected devices on the main bus 3. While expanding the network with the structure, it is possible to simplify address management and communication control.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the arrangement of an air conditioning management device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The air-conditioning management apparatus shown in the figure uses a sub-network 17 which is a star network instead of the sub-bus 9 in the air-conditioning management apparatus shown in FIG.
Instead of the relay controller 7, a relay controller 21 having a protocol conversion means for converting communication specifications according to the sensor group is used instead of the relay controller 7. The use is different, and other configurations, operations, concepts of address assignment, and configurations of communication messages are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

That is, when communication is performed between the center controller 1 and a plurality of sensor groups 19, the protocol conversion means provided in the relay controller 21 converts the communication specifications between the center controller 1 and the sensor groups 19. I try to communicate.

The concept of address allocation is the same as in the case of FIG. 1, but the plural sensor groups 19 are
The second address in the address series is assigned from the first address. Specifically, the first sensor group 19 is assigned address 1 (second address 1), the second sensor group 19 is assigned address 2 (second address 2),
Address 3 (second address 3) is assigned to the third sensor group 19. The addresses of the first address series for each sensor group 19 are the same as in FIG. That is, as the addresses of the first address series, the first sensor group 19 has the address 32 (first address 32), the second sensor group 19 has the address 33 (first address 33), and the third sensor group 19 Address 34 (second
Address 34) is assigned.

In the air-conditioning management apparatus thus configured, for example, the center controller 1 includes the first sensor group 1
9 is called, when the relay controller 21 receives the first address 32 of the first sensor group 19 sent from the center controller 1, the relay controller 2
1 converts the first address 32 into the second address 1 by the address converting means, and converts the communication specifications by the protocol converting means, and the first sensor on the sub-bus 9 with the second addresses and the converted communication specifications. It is designed to call group 19.

Further, for example, the second bus connected to the sub bus 9
When the second sensor group 19 communicates with the center controller 1 from the second sensor group 19, the second sensor group 19 uses the second address 2 of the second sensor group 19 to communicate. Relay controller 21 that received the
The address converting means converts the second address 2 into the first address 33 of the first address series, the protocol converting means converts the communication specification, and the converted first address 33 and the communication specification are used as the center. It is designed to call the controller 1.

As described above, the relay controller 21 is provided with the address conversion means for performing the address conversion of the first address series and the second address series and the protocol conversion means, so that the communication from the center controller 1 to the sensor group 19 is performed. Can be performed with the addresses of the first address series, and all communication from the sensor group 19 to the center controller 1 can be performed with the addresses of the second address series. It is possible to simplify the address management and communication control while expanding the network with a hierarchical structure that does not increase significantly.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the center controller uses the addresses based on the first address series to connect the first plurality of first busses to the main bus. While performing data communication with the air conditioning related equipment, data communication with the second plurality of air conditioning related equipment is performed through the relay controller by using the address based on the first address sequence, and in this case, the relay controller is the center controller. When the address for calling the second air conditioning-related device is received from the address conversion device, the address is converted into an address of the second address series, the second air conditioning-related device at the converted address is called, and the second When performing data communication from the air-conditioning related equipment to the center controller, the second plurality of air-conditioning-related equipment used in this data communication Since the address of the device is converted into the address of the first address series by the address conversion means, and the converted address is used to mediate the data communication, when viewed from the center controller, the data is transferred to the sub-bus. The connected second air conditioning-related device can also perform data communication at an address unified with the address of the main bus, simplifying communication control and easily expanding the network.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the relay controller converts the communication specifications in the data communication between the center controller and the second plurality of air conditioning related equipment by the communication specification converting means, and the air conditioning related Even devices having different communication specifications can perform data communication with an address unified with the address of the main bus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication telegram used in the air conditioning management device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning management device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Center controller 3 main buses 5 First multiple air conditioners 7,15,21 Relay controller 9 sub bus 11 Second plural air conditioners 13 electricity meter 17 subnetwork 19 sensors

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-239147 (JP, A) JP-A-4-32645 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/02 102

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A center controller for centrally managing a plurality of air conditioning-related devices selected from a group including an air conditioner, an air conditioning power meter, and a sensor, a main bus connected to the center controller, and a main bus. A plurality of first air-conditioning-related devices that are connected to each other and are each assigned a unique address based on a first address sequence on the main bus; a relay controller connected to the main bus; A sub-bus connected to the controller; and a plurality of second air-conditioning-related devices connected to the sub-bus, each of which is assigned a unique address based on a second address sequence on the sub-bus. The controller uses an address based on the first address sequence to communicate with the first plurality of air conditioning-related devices. Data communication with the second plurality of air conditioning-related devices via the relay controller, using the address based on the first address sequence, and the relay controller is the center controller. When an address for calling the second air conditioning-related device is received from the second air conditioning-related device, the address is converted into an address of the second address series, and the second address used for data communication from the second air conditioning-related device to the center controller. 2. An air conditioning management device comprising address conversion means for converting addresses of a plurality of two air conditioning related devices into addresses of the first address series. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the relay controller has a communication specification conversion unit that converts communication specifications in data communication between the center controller and the second plurality of air conditioning related devices. Management device. 3. The air conditioning management device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-bus is configured by a star type network.