JP3903345B2 - Central control device and air conditioner service system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a service system that performs maintenance, inspection, operation monitoring, and the like of an air conditioner, and is particularly suitable for a system that updates a program, sets calendar data, and the like.

  Conventionally, an operation control program for an air conditioner is stored in a centralized control device, and is transmitted and updated to an outdoor unit and an indoor unit via a communication line. It is described in.

  Furthermore, by monitoring the operating state of the air conditioner and storing the information in an HTML file format and providing it on the Internet, it is possible to quickly perform failure diagnosis and response when an abnormality occurs, for example, Patent Document 3 It is described in.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-359741

JP-A-9-79654 JP-A-11-230602

  In recent years, systemization and individual decentralization of air conditioners have progressed, making it more complicated, for example, a large number of units used in a single building, speeding up the service of air conditioners, especially renewal, renewal, and maintenance. Information transmission, information sharing, etc. are further required.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner service system that is more accurate and reliable while speeding up service, renewal, renewal, and maintenance of an air conditioner. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a centralized control connected to a communication line of an air conditioner that is operated and controlled by transmitting and receiving signals by connecting one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units via a communication line. A device having an outdoor unit or an indoor unit as a target device, storage means for storing a control program for the target device , communication means for the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and communication means connected to the Internet When at least two target devices are instructed to rewrite the control program at once via the Internet, it is determined whether the target device for which the instructions are issued is operating or stopped. , der performs first from the target device that has been stopped, the rewriting of the control programs stored control program implemented in the target device .

Moreover, in the above, it is desirable that the control program is rewritten when the outdoor unit or the indoor unit being operated is stopped.

Further, the present invention is connected to the communication line of an air conditioner that is controlled by transmitting and receiving signals by connecting one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units via a communication line, and the outdoor unit or the An indoor unit as a target device, storage means for storing a control program of the target device , communication means with the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and communication means connected to the Internet, and at least the target device When two or more units are instructed to rewrite the control program at once via the Internet, it is determined whether the target device for which the instruction has been issued is operating or stopped. first from the target device that, centralized control instrumentation of the control program implemented in the target device rewrites the stored control program Wherein the rewrite instruction of the control program is the outdoor unit or the indoor unit service system of an air conditioner version of the control program Ru performed from the Internet on the homepage shown in.
In the above, it is preferable that the serial number of the air conditioner is indicated together with the version of the control program.

  Furthermore, in the above, it is preferable that the rewriting instruction is input from a mobile terminal connected to the Internet.

  Further, in the above, it is desirable to display on the homepage whether or not the control program needs to be rewritten.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while speeding up service, update, renewal, and maintenance of an air conditioner, it is possible to obtain an air conditioner service system that is more accurate and reliable.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an entire service system of an air conditioner, and 2 is an outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The outdoor unit 2 is connected by a communication line 6 to an indoor unit 3, a remote controller 4, and other control timers 5 that are constituent units of the air conditioner. The air conditioner or its centralized control device 1 is connected to a monitoring center 8 (base station) serving as a Web server via the Internet 100.

Furthermore, the air conditioner or its centralized control device 1 receives radio waves transmitted by geodetic satellites launched by the US Department of Defense by GPS, and also terrestrial waves in the radio wave band for mobile phones in order to construct DGPS. It is possible to know the position (longitude / latitude) of the received point on the earth.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the centralized control device 1, which performs group management of indoor units and performs operation / stop mode of the air conditioner, temperature setting, air volume, auto louver setting, alarm code display when an abnormality occurs, and the like. . The control timer 5 is used together with the central control device 1 to set a schedule operation for one week.

  The central control device 1 includes a GPS receiving means 22 having an antenna module for receiving radio waves transmitted from the GPS satellite 9, a control means 25 for calculating longitude / latitude from the received information, storing, converting data, editing, etc. An air conditioner communication means 24 for communicating with the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 such as model data including operation data, setting data, and a manufacturing number, and a communication means 24 for exchanging data with the monitoring center 8 are provided. It has been. The communication means 24 is preferably connected to the Internet 100 and wireless communication. Further, it has a standard radio wave receiving means 21 for receiving radio waves of a new long wave (JJY) broadcast transmitted by the Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

  In the air conditioner, the refrigerant system number and the group number are determined at the time of system design, and the centralized control device 1 reads the manufacturing numbers of the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 2 and receives information on the radio waves transmitted from the GPS satellites, or The longitude / latitude of the received point is calculated and transmitted to the monitoring center 8 via the Internet. The monitoring center 8 creates a home page based on the information and becomes a Web server. Therefore, if a terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone is connected to the Internet, the model etc. can be specified from the installation location and serial number of the air conditioner. Data creation, system configuration diagrams delivered to customers, etc. can be created, and maintenance and repair can be handled individually and promptly.

  Further, as information transmitted to the monitoring center in addition to the manufacturing number and position data, a software version, an alarm history, and the like can be collectively managed in the monitoring center 8 together with operation data.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of data processing. The central control apparatus 1 collects the respective production numbers from messages (messages) transmitted / received to / from the indoor unit 3, outdoor unit 2, etc. (41). Next, the position of the central control apparatus 1 is calculated from the information received by the GPS receiving means 22 (42). If this location is connected to a map search system or the like, the details of the location can be known, a customer database in which customer information is stored, air conditioner model information associated with each customer, and a device in which the system configuration is stored By referring to the information database, the system configuration of the air conditioner can be immediately searched and displayed.

  The central control apparatus 1 monitors whether a response request from the monitoring center 8 or an alarm such as an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner (43). For example, if there is a response request message from the monitoring center 8, the manufacturing number, operation data, option setting data, etc. are transmitted to the monitoring center 8 (44). When the central control device 1 detects an alarm in the components of the air conditioner, it sends the manufacturing number, operation data when the alarm is generated, etc. to the monitoring center 8 (45). Furthermore, these transmission data are preferably determined in advance and can be used for a wide range of applications.

  As described above, the location of the centralized control device, the system configuration, the serial number of each system component device, the operation data, the operation data of the air conditioner (for example, suction pressure, discharge, such as the temperature and pressure of the main part in the refrigeration cycle) Pressure, on-compressor temperature, outdoor unit expansion valve opening, indoor unit expansion valve opening, compressor current value, compressor frequency, outside air temperature, evaporation temperature, suction temperature, blowing temperature, freezing temperature, required frequency, gas pipe Temperature, set temperature, etc.) and record it in a database.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of data processing relating to rewriting of a control program accompanying an upgrade, which is one of the air conditioner services. The control means 25 of the centralized control device 1 receives a program rewriting instruction from the monitoring center 8 (base station). Whether or not there is always monitored by a communication message (51). At this time, the monitoring center 8 associates the target of rewriting with the manufacturing number, and sets an identification code such as individual or batch in the header portion of the message, for example.

  Thereafter, the central control apparatus 1 receives the program data sent from the monitoring center 8 and temporarily stores it in the nonvolatile storage means (52). Next, if there is a rewrite instruction from the monitoring center 8, it recognizes and selects whether the target device (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3, etc.) is a specific manufacturing number or a batch (53). When the program is rewritten, if the target device is in operation, an abnormality may occur in the operation of the device. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the operation is stopped before the rewriting operation is started (54). If the device to be rewritten is stopped, rewriting by communication is started (55).

  When a rewrite instruction is issued in a batch, a stopped device is searched for and rewriting is started from that device to shorten the rewriting time. At this time, in order to prevent double rewriting, the control means 25 manages using a flag or the like. When the rewriting is completed (56), an end signal of the rewritten serial number is transmitted to the monitoring center 8 (57). The monitoring center 8 manages the serial number end signal, and the central control apparatus 1 and both prevent double rewriting. Furthermore, if the monitoring center 8 forcibly stops the air conditioner and immediately enters the rewriting operation, the customer usage state is monitored, and when the operation stop command is issued, a mode for entering the rewriting operation is provided. More flexible operation switching is possible.

  In order to significantly reduce the communication traffic with the monitoring center 8, the centralized control device 1 has sufficient capacity of the non-volatile storage means and stores programs of several types of devices.

  FIG. 6 shows a homepage screen provided by the monitoring center 8 when rewriting the control software. The upper part shows the customer name, the address, the name of the dealer, the delivery time of the air conditioner, and the lower part shows the air conditioner. Serial number, refrigerant system, type of outdoor unit, type and address of indoor unit connected to this outdoor unit, option setting, alarm history indicating the number of times an alarm has been generated, control software for each outdoor unit and indoor unit Version etc. are shown.

  Here, the customer name and its address are linked to the map data and map display, and if they are clicked with a mouse or the like, a map related to the customer name or address is displayed.

  Further, the alarm history is linked to a screen showing detailed information as shown in FIG. 7, and the screen is switched from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 by clicking or the like. In FIG. 7, alarm codes and their occurrence dates can be listed as an alarm history. It is often possible to check whether the software version of each customer's device is the latest version and whether it needs to be rewritten by coloring or blinking on the screen in FIG. 6, and by selecting the device to be rewritten on the screen It is desirable to rewrite the specific device.

  Further, the monitoring center 8 sends a data collection mode signal to the air conditioner to continuously monitor the operation data, or sends a trigger mode signal, so that the alarm is generated within the set time buffer until an alarm occurs. Click to collect data and use it for pass / fail judgment.

  In the above description, the air conditioner or the central control device 1 receives radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites, and performs maintenance, monitoring, maintenance and other services related to the air conditioner based on the information and the serial number of the air conditioner. Therefore, even if the air conditioner is relocated after installation or the location of the air conditioner is unknown, even if the air conditioner system scale, for example, for a small store, is a large building multi-system. Can also be managed appropriately.

  Next, the setting of the calendar data as an air conditioner service will be described. However, if the setting is only for the setting of the calendar data or the standard time, instead of receiving the radio wave transmitted from the GPS satellite 9, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications It is only necessary to use the standard radio wave receiving means 21 that receives the radio wave of the new long wave (JJY) broadcast transmitted by the Communications Research Laboratory.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of data processing for setting the calendar data. First, the data (31) received by the standard radio wave receiving means 21 is converted into transmission data that can be recognized by the air conditioner (32). Then, it communicates with the system components of the air conditioner using calendar data, such as the control timer 5 (34). Then, the system component device of the air conditioner that has received the data updates its own calendar data. In this example, the traffic on the communication line is increased by monitoring the air conditioner or component equipment when the power is turned on, or by requesting the centralized control device 1 for calendar data every preset time. Can be suppressed. The calendar data request may be given to a system component device of the air conditioner other than the central control device 1. Furthermore, since the calendar data can be automatically updated, not only the setting by human being can be eliminated, but also the calendar data can be updated to an error-free one without a backup power source even at the time of power failure recovery.

The system block diagram which shows the service system of the air conditioner which is one Embodiment by this invention. The block diagram of the centralized control apparatus used for the service system of the air conditioner which is one embodiment by this invention. The data processing flowchart which is one Embodiment by this invention. Data processing flowchart regarding rewriting of control program accompanying version upgrade according to one embodiment The data processing flowchart with respect to the setting of the calendar data by one embodiment. The screen of the homepage concerning rewriting of the control program by one embodiment. The screen of the homepage which shows the details of the alarm history by one embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Central control apparatus, 2 ... Outdoor unit, 3 ... Indoor unit, 4 ... Remote control switch, 5 ... Control timer, 6 ... Communication line A, 7 ... Communication line B, 8 ... Base station, 9 ... Artificial satellite, 100 ... the Internet.

Claims (6)

A centralized control device connected to the communication line of an air conditioner that is operated and controlled by connecting one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units via a communication line and transmitting and receiving signals ,
With the outdoor unit or the indoor unit as a target device, storage means for storing a control program for the target device , communication means for the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and communication means connected to the Internet,
Determined for more than at least two units of the target device, if the rewrite instruction of the control program in bulk through the Internet is issued, whether the target device the instruction is issued is stopped or are driving And
First from the target device that has been stopped, the centralized control apparatus characterized by rewriting the control program implemented in the target device to the stored control program. The centralized control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control program is rewritten when the outdoor unit or the indoor unit being operated is stopped. One or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a communication line and connected to the communication line of the air conditioner that is operation-controlled by transmitting and receiving signals ,
With the outdoor unit or the indoor unit as a target device, storage means for storing a control program for the target device , communication means for the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and communication means connected to the Internet,
Determined for more than at least two units of the target device, if the rewrite instruction of the control program in bulk through the Internet is issued, whether the target device the instruction is issued is stopped or are driving And
First from the target device that has been stopped, with a centralized control unit for rewriting the control program implemented in the target device to the stored control program,
The air conditioner service system according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting instruction of the control program is issued from a homepage on the Internet showing a version of the control program for the outdoor unit or the indoor unit. 4. The air conditioner service system according to claim 3 , wherein a serial number of the air conditioner is indicated together with a version of the control program. 4. The air conditioner service system according to claim 3 , wherein the rewriting instruction is input from a portable terminal connected to the Internet. 4. The air conditioner service system according to claim 3 , wherein whether or not the control program needs to be rewritten is displayed on the homepage.

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