JP6485128B2 - Air conditioner system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner system, and more particularly, to a configuration for collecting data from air conditioners such as indoor units and outdoor units in the system.

Conventionally, management of setting data of individual air conditioners in an air conditioner system has been performed as shown in Patent Document 1.
In other words, detailed settings for each air conditioner, for example, the movable range of the vertical wind direction plate, etc. by using the LED display and push buttons provided in the indoor unit and the remote control provided in the outdoor unit The set data is stored in each air conditioner, and the operation specified during operation is performed. On the other hand, these setting data may be reset later due to a failure of the air conditioner or the like.

  For this reason, the data collection device collects the setting data set for each air conditioner for each air conditioner and stores them together. And the setting data memorize | stored as needed is transmitted to an applicable air conditioning apparatus, and it resets.

  Since the air conditioner system enables various configurations according to the needs of the operator, there is no master-slave relationship in communication between air conditioners, and all air conditioners communicate with each other equally. For this reason, it is possible to flexibly cope with a configuration including only an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, a configuration in which a group remote controller is added, a configuration including a plurality of these configurations, and a centralized remote controller and a management device that collectively manage.

On the other hand, there is no master-slave relationship for communication between each air conditioner, and each air conditioner is connected in parallel to the communication line in order to reduce the wiring of the communication line. The air conditioner outputs the transmission data to the communication line by dividing time. For this reason, each air-conditioning device will receive the data sent by other air-conditioning devices and return the transmission data, or send the data of its own device, so that the data transmitted to each other will not collide as much as possible. The waiting time until the own data is transmitted is a random time, for example, a maximum of 5 seconds.
In addition, the communication speed is a low communication speed with high communication reliability, for example, the communication speed is set to 78 Kbps (kilobit second), or the length of data transmitted at a time is set to a fixed length format of several tens of bytes once. By shortening the transmission time, transmission data collision is avoided as much as possible.

  For this reason, the setting data of a plurality of items in one air conditioner is not transmitted at a time, but one setting item is transmitted as one packet for each setting item. For this reason, for example, when there are 21 items of setting data for a certain indoor unit, a maximum of 5 seconds × 21 items × 64 units = 112 minutes (about 2 hours) in order to collect data for 64 indoor units per refrigerant system For example, in a large-scale system having four refrigerant systems, it may take 8 hours or more, which is very inefficient. The waiting time of 5 seconds is the worst case time, and when random waiting times are evenly distributed, the average value is 2.5 seconds.

  As a method for shortening the transmission time, there is a method such as compression of transmission data. However, as described above, since the transmission data is as short as several tens of bytes, it cannot be collected as common data and hardly compressed. In addition, the maximum waiting time is determined in advance in consideration of the traffic volume of the maximum number of units connected to the air conditioner system, so that the traffic capacity is not exceeded even when data is transmitted from all devices. . For this reason, if the waiting time is simply shortened, the traffic capacity increases and the data collision frequency increases, and further, the number of retransmission data of the collided data increases, so the collision frequency increases and communication becomes difficult. Therefore, the waiting time cannot be shortened.

JP 2003-279113 A (page 2-3, FIG. 1)

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to shorten the time until data of all air conditioners is collected when the data collection device sequentially collects data of each air conditioner in the air conditioner system. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and each of the plurality of air conditioners stored in each of the plurality of air conditioners . An air conditioner system in which a data collection device for collecting setting data necessary for the operation of an air conditioner is connected by communication,
The air conditioner includes first storage means for storing setting data of the own device,
Second storage means for storing setting data of other devices transmitted by other air conditioners;
Difference setting data generating means for generating difference setting data which is a difference between the setting data of the own device and the setting data of the other device;
Transmission means for transmitting the difference setting data to the data collection device for each operation condition item,
The data collection device includes:
Transmission instruction means for instructing transmission of setting data of each air conditioner to the plurality of air conditioners;
Collected data receiving means for receiving setting data and difference setting data transmitted from the plurality of air conditioners;
Setting data generating means for generating the setting data of the air conditioner itself that transmitted the difference setting data from the received setting data and difference setting data;
A collected data storage means for storing the generated setting data for each of the plurality of air conditioners,
When the data collection device instructs the plurality of air conditioners to transmit the respective setting data, the first air conditioner that is one of the plurality of air conditioners transmits the setting data of its own device to the data. The air-conditioning equipment other than the first air-conditioning equipment transmits the setting data of the first air-conditioning equipment to the second storage unit as setting data of the other equipment, and transmits to the collecting device. Difference setting data is generated from the setting data and the setting data of the other device and transmitted to the data collection device.

  By using the above means, according to the air conditioner system according to the present invention, the first air conditioner transmits the setting data of its own device to the data collection device, and the first air conditioner The other air conditioners generate difference setting data from the setting data of the first air conditioner and the setting data of the own air conditioner and transmit the difference setting data to the data collection device. The data collection time can be shortened compared to the case where all data is transmitted.

It is an apparatus block diagram which shows the Example of the air conditioning system by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting data of the apparatus memorize | stored for every air-conditioning apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining a communication format. It is explanatory drawing explaining a communication sequence. It is a control block diagram of an indoor unit. It is a control block diagram of a data collection device. It is a functional block diagram of an air conditioner. It is a functional block diagram of a data collection device.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail as examples based on the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a device block diagram showing an embodiment of an air conditioner system according to the present invention. The air conditioner system 10 collects setting data set in the air conditioner that is embedded in the ceiling embedded indoor unit 1, the duct type indoor unit 2, the ceiling embedded indoor unit 3, and the air conditioners connected to each other. A data data collecting device 4 is provided. The data collection device 4 is, for example, a device in which dedicated application software is installed in a notebook computer. An outdoor unit (not shown) is also connected to these. A remote controller 1a is connected to the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, a remote controller 2a is connected to the duct-type indoor unit 2, and a remote controller 3a is connected to the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3.
Further, # 001 is assigned to the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, # 002 is assigned to the duct-type indoor unit 2, and # 003 is assigned to the ceiling-mounted indoor unit 3.

  Each remote controller adjusts the set temperature, wind direction, air volume, etc., as well as the environment in which each indoor unit is installed and the needs of the operator. Any operation can be selected and set from the above operations. Each remote controller outputs the set contents and the contents set in advance as initial values to each air conditioner as setting data, and each air conditioner stores the setting data and stores the setting data stored during operation. Air conditioning is operated according to the contents.

  Each indoor unit can change the setting data using a remote controller, but the setting data is similarly stored for an outdoor unit (not shown). Although the outdoor unit does not have a remote controller, setting data can be changed and stored in the same manner as the indoor unit by a segment display unit and a plurality of switches provided in the outdoor unit.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting data stored for each air conditioner for each of the three air conditioners. One setting data is composed of a plurality of operating condition items necessary for operating the air conditioner. Each setting data has items of setting number, setting content, and setting value in the horizontal direction, and setting numbers 1 to 19 in the vertical direction or 1 to 21 are assigned by the air conditioner.

2 (1) shows the setting contents of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, FIG. 2 (2) shows the setting contents of the duct-type indoor unit 2, and FIG. 2 (3) shows the setting contents of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3. Is shown. Since the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 and the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 are the same model, the setting number and the setting content are the same.
However, some of the setting values, which are the contents set by the operator, are different. The duct type indoor unit 2 is a different type of indoor unit from the ceiling embedded type indoor unit 1 and the ceiling embedded type indoor unit 3, and the setting items themselves are partially different.

  For example, the duct-type indoor unit 2 has a setting number (6) for selecting static pressure, but the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 and the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 do not have this item due to functional differences. Similarly, due to a functional difference, the duct type indoor unit 2 does not have the setting number (20) for the left / right swing movable range and the setting number (21) for the up / down wind direction movable range.

  As described above, since the setting number and the setting contents differ depending on the model, the air conditioner system manages setting data having the same setting number and setting contents by dividing them into patterns. For example, the setting data of the ceiling embedded indoor unit 1 and the ceiling embedded indoor unit 3 is managed as the pattern A, and the setting data of the duct type indoor unit 2 is managed as the pattern B. Accordingly, when the same pattern A is considered, assuming that the setting data of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 is the reference data, the setting data of the ceiling-mounted indoor unit 3 is the setting contents of the setting number (5) and the setting number (21). The setting value for is different. This different setting data is called difference setting data.

  Therefore, first, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 transmits the setting values corresponding to all the setting numbers to the data collecting device 4, and then the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 that has been monitoring this transmits the difference setting data. Only to the data collection device 4. In the data collection device 4, since the setting data of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 and the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 are both pattern A, the setting data received from the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 is only the difference setting data. However, it is possible to generate all the setting data of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 using the setting data of all items received by the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a communication format of one packet of a communication signal for performing communication between the data collection device 4 and the air conditioner. FIG. 3 (1) is a format showing a data signal transmitted from the data collection device 4 to start or end setting data collection. FIG. 3 (2) shows one set data for each air conditioner. 3 is a format showing a request response signal sent back from each air conditioner to the data collection device 4. FIG. Since only one setting item is included in one packet in this format, 21 packets need to be transmitted when all 21 items are transmitted.

  The setting data collection start / end format in FIG. 3 (1) includes a “destination” for transmitting data, a “transmission source” for transmitting data, a “packet length” that is the length of the entire data, a “own device type”, It consists of “instruction contents”, “dummy data”, and “check digit”. “Destination” designates the communication address of the other party. However, when # 999 is designated, broadcast communication is performed without designating the other party. The “transmission source” is the communication address of the own device (# 000 in the case of the data collection device 4), and the “packet length” is a fixed value (fixed length format) of 30 bytes. The “own device type” is the “source” air conditioner type, for example, a data collection device, an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, or the like. “Instruction contents” are contents instructed to the air conditioner designated by the destination. For example, it is an instruction content such as setting data collection start and setting data collection end. “Dummy data” is data that fills the remainder of a fixed-length packet length (30 bytes). “Check digit” is check data for checking an error in packet data.

  The format of the set value transmission request in FIG. 3B is the same as that in FIG. In the setting value transmission request format, since the setting data is requested to be transmitted to each air conditioner, the communication address of the air conditioner, for example, # 001 for the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 is set as “destination”. The “instruction content” is a set value transmission request.

  In the format of the request response in FIG. 3 (3), “destination” to “own device type” are the same as those in FIG. 3 (1) and FIG. 3 (2). However, since it is a response, the “destination” is designated as # 000 which is the communication address of the data collection device 4, and the “own device type” is designated as an indoor unit, for example. This is followed by “response contents”, “packet serial number”, “total number of packets”, “pattern type”, “setting number”, “setting value”, “dummy data”, and “check digit”.

  “Response content” indicates the content of response in this packet, and is set value data because it is a response to the set value transmission request in FIG. “Packet sequence number” indicates the sequence number when responding with a plurality of packets in response to transmission of one set value transmission request, and is sequentially updated from 1 each time one packet is transmitted using the request response format. Then send. For example, the “packet serial number” increases to 1 for the first packet, and the “packet serial number” increases to 2 for the next packet. The next time a setting value transmission request instruction is received, “packet serial number” 1 starts. “Total number of packets” is the total number of packets scheduled to be transmitted. On the side of receiving the request response data, it is possible to recognize the data omission by the numerical value of “packet serial number” and the end of data transmission from the numerical value of “total number of packets”.

“Pattern type” informs the pattern type of the setting data set in the own device, and the same pattern type is defined in advance for the setting data of the same setting item for each model of the air conditioner. In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the pattern type is A for the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, that is, the device whose communication address is # 001.
“Setting number” and “setting value” correspond to the setting number and setting value in FIG. 2, respectively. The dummy data and check digit terms are as described above.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a communication sequence. The horizontal direction in FIG. 4 shows the data collection device 4, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, the duct-type indoor unit 2, and the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3, and each vertical direction represents time. Here, transmission data from each device has been described, and a procedure for creating the transmission data and reception processing will be described in detail later.

  First, the data collection device 4 transmits a data signal for starting collection of setting data to all the air conditioners using broadcast communication. Receiving this, each air conditioner executes an initial process such as clearing the storage unit, for example.

  Next, the data collection device 4 extracts the communication addresses of the target air conditioning devices that collect the setting data one by one from the communication addresses of all the air conditioning devices stored in advance, and for the air conditioning devices having the extracted communication addresses. To send the set value transmission request data. In the case of FIG. 4, the data collection device 4 first transmits a data signal for a set value transmission request to the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 (# 001).

When each air conditioner receives a data signal for starting the collection of setting data from the collection device 4, the air conditioner starts monitoring the request response data signal transmitted by each air conditioner. Therefore, each air conditioner knows the presence / absence of a request response from other air conditioners and the contents of the transmitted pattern type after receiving the data signal for starting the collection of setting data.
Then, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 that has received the data signal of the set value transmission request for the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 does not receive a request response from another air conditioner after receiving the data signal for starting the setting data collection. Since this is the first request response as the target device of the same pattern type A, all setting values corresponding to the setting numbers 1 to 21 in the setting data are returned to the data collection device 4.

As described above, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 transmits one set value for each transmission, and thus executes 21 transmissions for the entire setting data. The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 that is the target device of the same pattern type A receives the request response signal of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1, and stores the received request response signal setting data in its own device. Store as reference data.
On the other hand, the data collection device 4 stores request response signal setting data from the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 as reference data for the pattern A in a storage unit described later.

  Next, the data collection device 4 extracts # 002, which is the next communication address, from the communication addresses of all air-conditioning devices stored in advance, and transmits a data signal for transmission request to the duct type indoor unit 2. . As described above, each air conditioner receives the request response data signal transmitted from the other air conditioner, that is, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 after receiving the data signal for starting the setting data collection, and the pattern type is A. I know that.

Therefore, since the duct type indoor unit 2 that has received the data signal of the transmission request for the duct type indoor unit 2 is the first request response data as the target device of the same pattern type B, the setting numbers 1 to All setting values corresponding to the setting number 19 are returned to the data collection device 4. As described above, since the duct type indoor unit 2 transmits one set value for each transmission, the duct type indoor unit 2 executes 19 transmissions for the entire setting data.
On the other hand, the data collection device 4 stores request response data from the duct-type indoor unit 2 as pattern B reference data.

  Next, the data collection device 4 extracts # 003 which is the next communication address from the communication addresses of all the air-conditioning devices stored in advance, and sends a data signal for transmission request to the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3. Send. As described above, each air conditioner receives the data signal of the request response transmitted from the other air conditioner, that is, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 after receiving the data signal for starting the collection of setting data, and the pattern type is I know that it is A. Accordingly, the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 that has received the data signal of the transmission request for the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 has already transmitted the same pattern type A as itself by the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1. The difference setting data between the setting data and the reference data of the pattern A, that is, the setting value data of the setting number (5) and the setting number (21) is transmitted to the data collecting device 4 as request response data.

The data collection device 4 that has received this is the setting data (reference data) received from the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 having the same pattern type A, the difference setting data received from the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3, From the above, set values of all setting numbers of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 are generated and stored as collected data.
If this air conditioner system has other devices than the above, the data collection device 4 similarly collects setting data from other air conditioners. When the data collection device 4 finishes collecting the setting data from all the air conditioning devices, the data collection device 4 transmits a data signal indicating the completion of the setting data collection to all the air conditioning devices by broadcast communication and ends the setting data collection processing. .

FIG. 5 is a hardware block diagram of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3. In addition, illustration of a refrigerant circuit, a motor, etc. which are not related to this application is abbreviate | omitted. The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 and the duct-type indoor unit 2 have the same configuration as the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3.
The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 includes a remote controller 3a that receives an operation by an operator, a storage unit 3c that stores setting data set via the remote controller 3a, a communication unit 3b that communicates with other devices, An indoor unit control unit 3d for controlling these is provided. The storage unit 3c stores the setting data described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of the data collection device 4. The data collection device 4 includes a key input unit 4a that accepts an operator's operation, a display unit 4e, a communication unit 4b that communicates with other devices, and setting data of each air conditioning device received via the communication unit 4b. A storage unit 4c for storing the data individually and a collection device control unit 4d for controlling them are provided. The storage unit 4c collects and stores the setting data described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioner. The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 having this functional block will be described as a representative, but other air conditioners also have the same functional block.
The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 includes a receiving unit 31 that receives data from another air conditioning device via the communication unit 3b, a transmission unit 37 that transmits data to other devices via the communication unit 3b, and a remote controller Initial setting input means 35 for storing the setting data input in 3a in the storage section 3c, storage means 36 (first storage means) that uses the storage section 3c, and reference data type selection means 32 that uses the storage section 3c. A reference data storage unit 33 (second storage unit) that uses the storage unit 3c, and a difference setting data generation unit 34. Each means is controlled by the indoor unit control unit 3d.

  The initial setting input means 35 accepts a plurality of setting numbers and setting values input by the operator via the remote controller 3 a as setting data for the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 and outputs them to the storage means 36. The storage means 36 to which this is input is stored in the storage unit 3c as a table as described in FIG. 2 (3). This process is executed by each air conditioner before setting data collection is started.

  The receiving means 31 monitors the transmission data signal of the data collection device 4 or other air conditioning equipment, and when the data signal for starting the setting data collection is transmitted from the data collection device 4, this data is used as the reference data type selection means. 32 and the reference data storage means 33. Further, when the data signal of the setting value transmission request is transmitted from the data collection device 4, the reception unit 31 outputs reply instruction data to the transmission unit 37. Further, the receiving unit 31 receives a data signal related to the setting data from another air conditioner, and outputs the received setting data to the reference data type selecting unit 32.

  As described above, the receiving unit 31 monitors the transmission data of other air conditioners, and outputs all the transmission data of the other air conditioners to the reference data type selection unit 32. In the reference data type selection means 32, the same pattern type A as that of the own device stored in advance in the storage unit 3c with respect to the pattern type of the data signal transmitted from another air conditioner after receiving the data signal for starting the collection of setting data. Is constantly monitoring whether

  Therefore, the reference data type selection unit 32 to which the received setting data is input has the same pattern as the own device stored in the storage unit 3c in advance in the pattern type item of the request response format described in FIG. If it is the type A and the first received data signal related to the pattern type A after receiving the data signal for starting the collection of setting data, all setting data transmitted from the communication address of the transmission source of this format are received. To the reference data storage means 33.

  The reference data type selection unit 32 ignores the received data unless the pattern type of the received setting data is the same as that of the own device. Further, by managing the packet serial number and the total number of packets in the request / response format of FIG. 3 (3) as described above, the reference data type selection unit 32 can reliably receive all the setting data. That is, it is possible to detect missing packets by confirming whether the packet sequence numbers are consecutive and whether the packet sequence numbers have reached the total number of packets. When the packet is lost, all the transmission data from the corresponding other air conditioner is ignored. In this case, since there is no reference data as will be described later, all the setting data of the own device is transmitted.

  The reference data storage unit 33 to which the setting data of the same pattern type A as that of the own device transmitted from the other device is input is stored in the storage unit 3c as the reference data. The reference data storage unit 33 clears the reference data stored in the storage unit 3c when the data signal for starting the collection of setting data is input from the reception unit 31. That is, the reference data is always cleared at the start of setting data collection.

  The difference setting data generation means 34 reads the reference data from the reference data storage means 33 and compares it with the setting data of its own device stored in the storage means 36 to extract the difference. As described with reference to FIG. 2, if the setting data of the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 is the reference data, the difference of the ceiling-mounted indoor unit 3 is the setting value (2) of the setting number (5) and the setting number. It becomes the set value (1) of (21). This set number and set value are a set of difference setting data. The difference setting data generation unit 34 outputs the extracted difference setting data to the transmission unit 37.

  When the difference setting data is input, the transmission unit 37 transmits a request response data signal to the data collection device 4 using the communication format of the request response when the reply instruction data is input from the reception unit 31. When the reference data in the reference data storage means 33 is cleared at the timing when the setting data collection is started, the difference setting data generation means 34 determines that the setting data of the own device and the reference data are all different, and the difference setting data is automatically stored. Same as the setting data of the machine. When the reply instruction data is output from the receiving unit 31, the transmitting unit 37 transmits all the setting data of the own device as difference setting data. That is, when setting data is transmitted for the first time, setting data for all items is transmitted as difference setting data.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the data collection device 4.
The data collection device 4 includes a key input unit 4a that accepts an operator's operation, an operation accepting unit 41 that uses a display unit 4e that displays the accepted content, and setting data collection that communicates with other air conditioning equipment via the communication unit 4b. A management unit 42, a transmission instruction unit 43 that transmits instruction data to another air conditioning device via the communication unit 4b, a collected data reception unit 44 that receives data from another air conditioning device via the communication unit 4b, The apparatus includes a reference data storage unit 45 that uses the storage unit 4c, a setting data generation unit 46, and a collected data storage unit 47 that uses the storage unit 4c. Each means is controlled by the collecting device control means 4d.

  The operation accepting means 41 accepts an operator's operation from the key input part 4a according to the guidance displayed on the display part 4e. Specifically, it accepts operation instructions to start and end collection of setting data. The accepted operation instruction is output to the setting data collection management means 42.

  The setting data collection management means 42 to which this operation instruction has been input notifies the air conditioning equipment in the air conditioning system of the start and end of the collection of the setting data, so that the setting data collection start / end described with reference to FIG. Using the format, a data signal for starting setting data collection or a data signal for ending setting data collection is transmitted by broadcast communication. Then, setting data collection start or collection end instruction data is output to the transmission instruction means 43. The setting data collection management unit 42 outputs setting data collection start instruction data to the reference data storage unit 45.

The transmission instructing means 43 to which the setting data collection start or collection end instruction data is input interrupts the current processing if the setting data collection end instruction is received. If the input instruction is to start collecting setting data, the transmission instructing means 43 starts from the communication addresses (addresses of all the air conditioners connected in the air conditioner system) stored in the storage unit 4c in advance. One by one is extracted sequentially, and the set value is transmitted so that the setting data stored in the air conditioner is transmitted to the air conditioner at the target address using the format of the set value transmission request described in FIG. Send a request signal. When the transmission for one communication address is completed, the transmission instructing means 43 outputs the transmission completion data for the set value transmission request to the collected data receiving means 44.
As will be described later, when the processing completion data of the target air conditioner is output from the collected data storage unit 47, the transmission instruction unit 43 extracts the next communication address from the communication address of the air conditioner stored in the storage unit 4c. Repeat the same process.

  The collection data receiving means 44 to which the transmission completion data of the set value transmission request is input receives all the data signals of the request response from the air conditioning equipment that has transmitted the set value transmission request. The collected data receiving means 44 determines whether or not all data from the target air conditioner has been received from the packet serial number of the request response format and the total number of packets as described in the air conditioner of FIG. Further, the collected data receiving means 44 that has received all the data from the target air conditioner extracts only the setting number and setting value from the received data signal as setting data, and also targets the communication address of the transmission source. As the communication address of the air conditioner, pattern types are further extracted and output to the reference data storage means 45. There are two types of setting data, including all setting numbers and setting values, and only the difference setting data described above.

  The storage unit 4c in the reference data storage means 45 has an area for storing setting data including all setting values for each pattern type, and reference data to be described later is stored for each pattern type. It has become. When the setting data collection start data is input from the setting data collection management unit 42, the reference data storage unit 45 clears all the reference data stored therein for each pattern type.

  On the other hand, the reference data storage means 45 to which the setting data (including difference setting data), the communication address of the target air conditioner and the pattern type are input from the collected data receiving means 44 confirms the storage area of the reference data corresponding to the pattern type. If this is cleared, it is determined that the input setting data is the first data received with respect to the corresponding pattern, and the input setting data is stored as reference data in the area corresponding to the corresponding pattern identification. The setting data (first time) input at the same time is output to the collected data storage means 47 together with the communication address of the input target air conditioner.

  On the other hand, when the reference data is already stored in the area corresponding to the input pattern type, that is, when the reference data storage means 45 is not in the cleared state, the input setting data is the difference setting data. Then, the reference data corresponding to the input pattern type, the input setting data (difference setting data), and the input communication address of the target air conditioner are output to the setting data generating means 46.

  The setting data generation means 46 to which the reference data, the difference setting data, and the communication address of the target air conditioner are input replaces the input reference data with the setting value indicated by the setting number of the difference setting data. The setting data corresponding to the communication address of the target air conditioner is generated. Then, the generated setting data and the input communication address of the target air conditioner are output to the collected data storage unit 47.

The collected data storage means 47 reserves in advance in the storage unit 4c an area for storing setting data including all setting numbers and setting values corresponding to the communication addresses of the respective air conditioners together with the communication addresses. And the collected data in which the setting data for the first time output from the reference data storage means 45 and the communication address of the target air conditioner, or the setting data generated from the setting data generation means 46 and the communication address of the target air conditioner are input. The memory | storage means 47 stores the setting data input into the area corresponding to the communication address of the input target air conditioning equipment.
When the collection data storage unit 47 completes the storage of the setting data, it outputs the processing completion data of the target air conditioning equipment to the transmission instruction unit 43. In this way, the data collection device 4 repeats the process until the collection of the setting data of all the air conditioners is completed.

  Since the air conditioner system has the functions described above, data collection is started in the same pattern type following the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 1 (first air conditioner) as described in FIG. The ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 (air conditioner other than the first air conditioner) that transmits the setting data for the second and subsequent times after it has been sent is the first to transmit the data after data collection has started. Since only the setting data of the difference between the setting data of 1 and the setting data of the own unit stored in the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 3 to be transmitted after the second is transmitted, each air conditioner transmits the setting data of the own unit The data collection time can be shortened compared to the case where all data is transmitted.

  In addition, since the pattern type is transmitted from each air conditioner, a new model of air conditioner is included in the air conditioner system, and even if a new pattern type occurs, the collection device will handle the new pattern type. Since a reference data storage area is secured in advance, no special program change is required, so flexible support is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the setting data first transmitted from the air conditioner having the same pattern type is used as the reference data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same pattern type may be transmitted first. It is not an absolute condition. As described above, since the data collection device 4 stores the setting data of all items in the collected data storage means 47 for the already received air conditioning equipment, the air conditioning equipment has already completed transmission of the setting data in the air conditioning equipment. The same effect can be obtained by transmitting the address and the difference setting data of the setting data of the air conditioner to the data collection device 4. In this case, however, the air conditioning equipment must always update the reference data in response to the transmission of setting data of other air conditioning equipment. In such a configuration, there is a possibility that the amount of transmission data can be further reduced by selecting reference data that minimizes the number of difference setting data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ceiling embedded type indoor unit 1a Remote control 2 Duct type indoor unit 2a Remote control 3 Ceiling embedded type indoor unit 3a Remote control 3b Communication part 3c Storage part 3d Indoor unit control part 4 Data collection device 4a Key input part 4b Communication part 4c Storage part 4d Collection Device Control Unit 4e Display Unit 10 Air Conditioner System 31 Receiving Unit 32 Reference Data Type Selection Unit 33 Reference Data Storage Unit 34 Difference Setting Data Generation Unit 35 Initial Setting Input Unit 36 Storage Unit (First Storage Unit)
37 Transmitting means 41 Operation accepting means 42 Setting data collection managing means 43 Transmission instructing means 44 Collected data receiving means 45 Reference data storing means 46 Setting data generating means 47 Collecting data storing means

Claims (1)

An air conditioner system in which a plurality of air conditioners including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit and a data collection device that collects setting data necessary for the operation of each air conditioner stored in each of the plurality of air conditioners are connected in communication Because
The air conditioner includes first storage means for storing setting data of the own device,
Second storage means for storing setting data of other devices transmitted by other air conditioners;
Difference setting data generating means for generating difference setting data which is a difference between the setting data of the own device and the setting data of the other device;
Transmission means for transmitting the difference setting data to the data collection device for each operation condition item,
The data collection device includes:
Transmission instruction means for instructing transmission of setting data of each air conditioner to the plurality of air conditioners;
Collected data receiving means for receiving setting data and difference setting data transmitted from the plurality of air conditioners;
Setting data generating means for generating the setting data of the air conditioner itself that transmitted the difference setting data from the received setting data and difference setting data;
A collected data storage means for storing the generated setting data for each of the plurality of air conditioners,
When the data collection device instructs the plurality of air conditioners to transmit the respective setting data, the first air conditioner that is one of the plurality of air conditioners transmits the setting data of its own device to the data. The air-conditioning equipment other than the first air-conditioning equipment transmits the setting data of the first air-conditioning equipment to the second storage unit as setting data of the other equipment, and transmits to the collecting device. A difference setting data is generated from the setting data and the setting data of the other device and transmitted to the data collection device.

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