JP3428819B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention transmits and receives data corresponding to the operation state of an operation unit such as a remote control device between control devices in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol consisting of a combination of 0 and 1 to control operation. Regarding the air conditioner to perform.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner of this type is, for example, a split type air conditioner using a wired remote controller. In this case, the remote control device, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit each have a control device including a microprocessor and the like, and send data between these control devices.
It receives and controls the relevant functional parts for each control device.

One example of transmitting data between control devices is to transmit and receive 51-bit data repeatedly in synchronism with a commercial AC power supply, that is, at 50 or 60 bps. In this case, the data length is fixed. Generally, the data transmitted from the remote control device to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit by operating the remote control device includes a command for operation, a stop, an operation mode, a set air volume, a set temperature, a louver angle change, and stop. Among these, the louver angle setting for changing the wind direction is one that needs to be operated while observing the state of the indoor unit. There is only one louver angle setting button on the remote control device. When this button is pressed and operated, the louver moves, and when the button is released, the louver stops at that position.

One bit is used for communication as to whether or not the angle setting button of the louver is pushed, and any one of the 51 bits is assigned to this. On the other hand, while the angle setting button of the louver is being pressed, the operation of other setting buttons is invalidated. Therefore, while operating the angle setting button of the louver,
For the data other than the bit data, the same 51-bit data that was transmitted last time is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control device.

[0005]

When the remote control device transmits 51-bit data serially, the data to be transmitted is temporarily stored in a register and the data is transmitted.
Therefore, even if the angle setting button on the louver is pressed immediately after the transmission of 51-bit data is started, the operation data is transmitted until the next transmission timing.
There is a delay of up to 1 second in transmission. On the other hand, the control device of the indoor unit temporarily stores the 51-bit data transmitted from the remote control device in the register, and drives the louver based on the data. Therefore, in which of the 51 bits is the louver angle setting bit located? Depending on the situation, there is a maximum delay of 1 second from the start of receiving 51-bit data until the louver is driven. As a result, there is a maximum delay of 2 seconds from the time the louver angle setting button of the remote control device is pressed until the louver actually moves, and the response time varies at least within 1 to 2 seconds. Further, when the change angle of the louver corresponding to the 1-bit signal is fixed, it may feel that the time required for changing the angle is long. On the other hand, when the angle of the louver is stopped, the response time varies within 1 to 2 seconds. However, in the conventional air conditioner of this type, more prompt wind direction adjustment has been demanded.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of significantly improving the control response of the air conditioning function portion by the operation of the remote controller.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, a plurality of control devices change the louver angle based on the operation signals of the operation section and the detection signals of various sensors. In controlling a large number of functional parts including the electric means, the operation corresponding to the operation state of the operation unit,
When sending and receiving data such as a stop command, operation mode, set air volume, set temperature, louver angle change, and stop according to a predetermined communication protocol consisting of a combination of 0 and 1, operation control is performed once. Specific bit in transmission is 1
In this case, protocol change control means for temporarily changing the communication protocol is provided so as to send and receive data that controls only a specific function part. The control response of can be significantly improved.

When a communication protocol in which one transmission is composed of 1 bit is used as the communication protocol that is temporarily changed, the louver angle changing operation is continuously performed, so that the time required for the change is changed. Is also shortened.

In this case, while the data of the temporarily changed communication protocol is 1, transmission and reception are continued according to the communication protocol in which one transmission is made up of 1 bit,
When the data for which the communication protocol has been changed becomes 0, the communication protocol before the change is returned to be sent and received, so that the communication protocol can be changed and restored in a short time.

By the way, the communication protocol which is temporarily changed is delayed from the one-bit configuration if the bit configuration is such that the number of bits transmitted at one time is smaller than that of the communication protocol before the change. If so, the control response can be surely enhanced.

Further, the communication protocol that is temporarily changed uses a protocol that controls a plurality of functional parts that are smaller in number than before the change, so that it is possible to quickly remove functional parts that do not need to be changed frequently. Can be changed.

As a communication protocol for temporarily changing the louver in order to operate only the louver, a specific bit in one transmission is louver angle change data, and while this data is 1, the louver is changed. The louver may be stopped when the angle of is changed and the data becomes zero.

On the other hand, in serial transmission, normally, 1
The transmission data of one time includes more than a predetermined number of stop bits. Another invention uses a stop bit having a different number of bits as a driving / stopping signal for a specific functional part. Therefore, when an operation signal corresponding to the specific functional part is applied, A protocol for temporarily changing the communication protocol so that a second stop bit having a larger number of bits than the stop bit indicating the end of transmission is transmitted and received as an interrupt signal for executing an operation of a specific function part. With a change control means,
As a result, the control response of the air conditioning function portion by operating the remote control can be significantly improved.

In this case, when the sending and receiving of the second stop bit is completed, the protocol is returned to the original protocol in the same manner as when the sending and receiving of the stop bit indicating the end of one transmission is completed. By performing sending and receiving, the second
Even if you can not receive the stop bit of, or have counted more than a predetermined number,
Immediately after that, the normal protocol is used for sending and receiving, which has the advantage of immediately returning to the normal state.

Further, when there are a plurality of specific functional parts for which quick operation is required, it is possible to cope with this by changing the bit number of the second stop bit for each of these functional parts.

By including the operation signal for ending the change of the angle of the louver in the operation signal corresponding to the specific functional portion, the angular position of the louver can be set quickly and accurately.

The louver to be controlled may be connected to a louver motor via a crank mechanism, and the control device may rotate the louver motor to change the angle of the louver.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described in detail based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention. In the figure,
Remote control device 1, indoor unit 2, outdoor unit 3
Are connected to send and receive control signals.

Among them, the remote control device 1 includes a remote control control device 10 composed of a microprocessor, and transmits an operation signal of the operation section 13 to the indoor unit 2 as serial data. The remote control control device 10 includes a communication control means 11 and a protocol change control means 12, and the protocol change control means 12 normally transmits using the A protocol 4 and a specific bit of the serial data to be transmitted, that is, a louver. When the angle change data is 1, the communication control means 11 is instructed to transmit using the B protocol 5.

The indoor unit 2 also includes an indoor unit controller 20 which is also a microprocessor, so that the detected value of the sensor 23 for detecting the indoor temperature, the indoor heat exchanger temperature, etc. can be followed according to the transmission data from the remote controller 1. And controls the indoor fan 25 and the louver 28. Here, the indoor unit control device 20 controls the indoor fan 25 via the indoor fan drive means 24 such as a relay or a power converter,
Further, a louver driving means such as a relay or a power converter.
The angle of the louver 28 is controlled via the angle adjusting means 27 including an electric motor as an electric means and a crank mechanism. In this case, the indoor unit control device 20 also includes the communication control means 21 and the protocol change control means 22, and the protocol change control means 22 normally controls using the A protocol 4 and receives a specific bit of the received serial data. , That is, when the louver angle change data is 1,
Control using B protocol 5.

The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor unit controller 30 composed of a microprocessor, controls the power switch 33, the four-way valve 34 and the outdoor fan 39 according to the transmission data from the remote controller 1 and the indoor unit 2, and controls the outdoor temperature. The compressor 37 is controlled so as to follow the detection value of the sensor 35 that detects the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger and the like. Here, the outdoor unit control device 30 controls the power switch 33 via the switch drive means 32, the outdoor fan 39 via the outdoor fan drive means 38, and the compressor control means 36 such as a power converter. And controls the compressor 37 via. The drive means of the four-way valve 34 is omitted for the sake of simplicity of the drawing. In this case, the outdoor unit control device 30 is
It includes communication control means 31 that performs control operation using the protocol 4.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a schematic structure of the indoor unit 2 which is most closely related to the present invention. The indoor unit 2 has a suction port 7 at the center of the front surface of a housing 6, and an indoor fan 25 is provided inside the indoor unit 25.
The indoor heat exchangers 29 are provided on the left and right when viewed from above. In addition, air outlets 8 are provided inside the panels 9 on both sides of the housing 6, and louvers 28 for changing the wind direction are provided at the respective air outlets 8 so that their angles can be changed.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are a front view and a side view showing the detailed construction of the angle adjusting means 27 of the louver 28, respectively.
Here, the louver 28 is designed to adjust its angle about the fulcrum 28a. When the louver motor 27A is energized, the output shaft 27B is rotated, and the crank mechanism 27C coupled to this output shaft is used. The base end of the louver 28 moves between the illustrated "U" and "D" to adjust the angle.

With respect to the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described structure, particularly the detailed operation of the portion related to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
As is well known, the operation unit 13 constituting the remote control device 1 has a large number of operation switches for operating, stopping commands, selecting an operation mode, setting the air volume, setting the room temperature, changing the angle of the louver, and the like. Therefore, when the operation command switch is pressed on the operation unit 13, the remote controller control device 10 transmits the operation data to the indoor unit control devices 20 and 30 according to the A protocol 4.

FIG. 4A shows the format of serial data according to the A protocol 4, in which a total of 51 bits of data are repeatedly transmitted in synchronization with the frequency of the commercial power source. It should be noted that the symbols [ST] [D] given in FIG.
1] ... [SP] etc. are as shown in FIG.
[Start bit] [Data code] ... [Stop bit] is shown, and each is composed of [1], [4], ... [5 bits or more]. Of these, the data codes [D1] to [D6] are as shown in FIG.
[Transmission mode] [Indoor unit transmission request] ... [Timer, louver]. Then, according to the contents of these data codes [D1] to [D6], the indoor unit controller 20 causes the indoor fan 25 and the angle adjusting means 27.
The outdoor unit controller 30 controls the power switch 33,
The four-way valve 34, the compressor 37, and the outdoor fan 39 are controlled.

In this case, 1 bit in the data code [D6] is assigned to change the angle of the louver. In the conventional device, even if the setting switch is pressed so as to change the louver angle setting value, the louver motor 27A (see FIG. 3) is generated when the predetermined 1 bit in the data code [D6] is "1". Has a structure in which the output shaft 27B is rotated by a predetermined angle, there is a response delay of 1 to 2 seconds when the louver 28 is driven and stopped, and when the amount of movement per bit is small, until the desired wind direction is obtained. The time was too long.

In this embodiment, when the angle setting switch of the louver 28 is pushed, that is,
Whether the predetermined bit in the data code [D6] has become “1” is determined by the protocol change control means 12 constituting the remote controller control device 10 and the protocol change control means 22 constituting the indoor unit control device 20. Each of them is monitored, and when the predetermined bit in the data code [D6] becomes "1", the protocol change control means 12 gives the communication control means 11 an instruction to transmit data according to the B protocol 5, and B A command for returning to the A protocol 4 according to the data content according to the protocol 5 is given to the communication control means 11. Here, the B protocol 5 is for continuously transmitting the data "1" while the angle setting switch of the louver 28 is being pressed. On the other hand, when the predetermined bit in the data code [D6] becomes "1", the protocol change control means 22 gives the communication control means 21 a command for controlling only the louver 28 in accordance with the B protocol 5, and the B protocol 5
A command for returning to the A protocol 4 is given to the communication control means 21 according to the data content according to the above.

Thus, while the louver angle setting switch of the operation unit 13 is being pressed, the communication control means 11 continuously transmits the data "1" in accordance with the B protocol 5 to control the communication of the indoor unit 2. While the means 21 receives this data, the louver driving means 26 and the angle adjusting means 27
The louver 28 is continuously driven via. Then, when the louver angle setting switch of the operation unit 13 is released, the data according to the B protocol 5 becomes "0", and at this time, the protocol change control means 12 in the remote control device 1 has the A protocol 4 Command to return to communication control means
11, the protocol change control means 22 of the indoor unit gives the communication control means 21 a command for the protocol change control means 22 to return to the A protocol 4. As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the control returns to the control performed by repeatedly sending and receiving data having a data length of 51 bits.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for comparing the operations of the conventional apparatus and this embodiment. That is, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5A, data having a data length of 51 bits including stop bits is repeatedly transmitted. Even if the button for setting the louver angle is pressed at time t ₁₁ in the figure, the louver starts its operation after time t ₁₂ . During this time, there will be a delay of up to 2 seconds. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if the louver angle setting button is pressed at time t ₂₁ as shown in FIG. 5B, the predetermined bit position of the next transmission data is “ 1 ”. In the protocol change control means 12 of the remote controller 1 and the protocol change control means 22 of the indoor unit 2, the bit corresponding to this louver angle is "1".
If it is "1", the data of "1" is sent from the next transmission as long as the button for setting the louver angle is pressed and received to change only the angle of the louver 28. To do. As a result, the louver angle change is started at time t ₂₃ , and the louver angle change is ended at time t ₂₄ . T time from time t ₂₃ to the time t ₂₄ is other data not transmitted, also, from the time t ₂₄ by A protocol 4 to the data transmission time t ₂₅ continues to transmit the data of "0".

As a result, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), even if the button for setting the louver angle is pressed at the time t _{11, the} louver does not operate unless the time t ₁₂ is reached. According to the present embodiment, when the louver angle setting button is pressed at time t ₂₁ , the operation starts at time t ₂₃ , and from the time when the louver angle setting button is pressed until the louver actually stops. Comparing the above times, the present embodiment can reduce the time by about 150 milliseconds (msec) as compared with the conventional apparatus.

As is well known, the louver for changing the wind direction is
It is important at which angular position to stop, and for that purpose, the stop position of the louver becomes more important than the start of changing the louver angle. In this embodiment, when the louver angle setting button is released, the louver stops almost at the same time, so that the angular position of the louver can be set quickly and accurately.

When attention is paid to the immediate stop of the louver, when the specific 1 bit in the data code [D6] is changed from [1] to [0], the louver stop signal is output. It is also possible to prepare the B protocol that is prepared. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment focusing on this point in a transmission format. That is, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), Release the button louver angle setting at time t _11, the time t ₁₂ where maximum delay of about 2 seconds from time
The louver was supposed to stop at. in this case,
The 51-bit data described above includes a stop bit indicating the end of one transmission. Incidentally, the number of stop bits in the conventional device is 10
Met.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6B, data released from the louver angle setting button is stored in the register and the data is transmitted at time t ₂₁ . The protocol change control means 12 recognizes this and gives a command for transmitting data according to the B protocol 5 to the communication control means 11.
The protocol change control means 12 recognizes that the bit data has changed from [1] to [0], and gives the communication control means 11 a command to return to the A protocol 4. In this case, the B protocol outputs stop bits having a bit number of 20, and when the stop bits are sent from the communication control means 11 to the communication control means 21, the protocol that constitutes the indoor unit control device 20. Change means 22 is [1]
The number of bits is counted, and it is detected that the count value becomes "20". This enables the indoor unit control device
20 at time t ₂₂ to stop the louver motor 27A (see FIG. 3). That is, a stop bit (20 bits) having a larger number of bits than the stop bit (10 bits) indicating the end of one transmission is sent and received as an interrupt signal for stopping the louver motor. As a result, the louver can be stopped approximately 0.4 seconds after the data is released after the louver button is released. That is, the response time of louver stop is about 1.
It can be reduced to 4 seconds.

Further, in this embodiment, at time t _{22 when} the transmission and reception of the stop bit as the interrupt signal is completed,
The protocol change control means 12 and 22 return from the B protocol 5 to the A protocol 4 and send and receive, just like the stop bit indicating the end of one transmission. In this case, the protocol change control means 22 cannot receive the 20 stop bits, or
Even if 20 bits of [1] are counted, immediately after that, the normal transmission and reception of the A protocol 4 are resumed, which has the advantage of immediately returning to the normal state.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in order to quickly stop the louver, the B protocol is changed to B protocol 5 when the button for setting the louver angle is released, and the stop with the bit number of 20 is stopped. Although the louver motor was stopped by transmitting a bit, for example, the number of bits is 15 even for operation signals corresponding to other elements that require quick response.
It is also possible to send and receive stop bits of to operate, stop or change the state of the element.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the louver button is pressed and operated, the louver moves, and when the louver is released, the louver stops moving to its position. However, the present invention is not limited to this application. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a configuration in which the louver is moved by the first pressing operation and the louver is stopped by the second pressing operation.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably enhance the control response of the air conditioning function portion by the operation of the remote controller. Further, by applying the present invention to drive the louver,
There is also an effect that optimum control of the stop position, which is more important than the start and operation time of operation, can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the embodiment shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are a front view and a side view showing a detailed configuration of a control target of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing a transmission format and its detailed configuration for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

5 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in comparison with a conventional device.

FIG. 6 is a time chart for explaining another embodiment according to the present invention in comparison with a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote control device 2 Indoor unit 3 outdoor unit 4 A protocol 5 B protocol 7 suction port 8 outlets 10 Remote control device 11,21,31 Communication control means 12 Protocol change control means 20 Indoor unit control device 22 Protocol change control means 27 Angle adjustment means 27A louver motor 27B output shaft 27C crank mechanism 28 louvers 30 Outdoor unit control device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-233249 (JP, A) JP-A-3-232343 (JP, A) JP-A-5-322287 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 83498 (JP, A) JP-A-63-42597 (JP, A) Actually open 7-12839 (JP, U) Actually open 61-162738 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 11/02 102

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A louver for changing a wind direction provided at an outlet of an indoor unit, an electric means for changing an angle of the louver, and the electric means based on an operation signal of an operation section and detection signals of various sensors. And a plurality of control devices for controlling a large number of functional parts including, the control device corresponding to the operating state of the operating portion, a command to stop, an operating mode,
In an air conditioner that sends and receives data such as set air volume, set temperature, louver angle change, stop, etc. according to a predetermined communication protocol consisting of a combination of 0 and 1, and performs operation control. When the bit becomes 1,
An air conditioner comprising protocol change control means for temporarily changing the communication protocol so as to send and receive data for controlling only a specific functional part. 2. When a specific bit in one transmission becomes 1, the communication protocol temporarily changed is 1.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein transmission of 0 is configured by 1 bit. 3. While the data for which the communication protocol has been changed is 1, the transmission and reception are continued according to the communication protocol in which one transmission is made up of 1 bit, and the communication protocol is changed. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein when the data becomes 0, the communication protocol before the change is returned to be sent and received. 4. When a specific bit in one transmission becomes 1, the communication protocol temporarily changed is 1.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the number of transmitted bits is smaller than that of the communication protocol before the change. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the temporarily changed communication protocol controls a plurality of functional parts whose number is smaller than that before the change. 6. A specific bit in one transmission is louver angle change data, and a communication protocol for temporarily changing changes the louver angle while the data is 1 and changes the data to 0. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the louver is stopped when the air conditioner is reached. 7. A louver for changing a wind direction provided at an outlet of an indoor unit, an electric means for changing an angle of the louver, and the electric means based on an operation signal of an operation section and detection signals of various sensors. And a plurality of control devices for controlling a large number of functional parts including, the control device corresponding to the operating state of the operating portion, a command to stop, an operating mode,
Corresponding to a specific function part in an air conditioner that sends and receives data such as set air volume, set temperature, louver angle change, stop, etc. according to a predetermined communication protocol consisting of a combination of 0 and 1 When an operation signal is applied,
The communication protocol is temporarily suspended so as to send and receive a second stop bit having a larger number of bits than the stop bit indicating the end of one transmission as an interrupt signal for performing an operation for a specific functional portion. An air conditioner characterized by comprising a protocol change control means for changing the condition. 8. When the transmission and reception of the second stop bit are completed, the protocol is returned to the original protocol in the same manner as when the transmission and reception of the stop bit indicating the end of the one transmission is completed. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the air conditioner transmits and receives. 9. When a plurality of said specific functional parts are present, the number of bits of said second stop bit is made different for each of these functional parts.
Air conditioner described in. 10. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the operation signal corresponding to the specific functional portion includes at least an operation signal for ending the change of the angle of the louver. 11. The louver is connected to a louver motor via a crank mechanism, and the control device rotates the louver motor to change the angle of the louver. The air conditioner according to any one of 1 to 10.