JPH0271700A - Identification information check system in air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utility by distincting a master set and slave sets with group number added as unit number and revising the number stored in a centralized control unit based on a required condition. CONSTITUTION:A group number Gi is given to a master set 19 and a slave set 20 of indoor sets 12 grouped into groups 13a-13c or the like and a unit number Uj is given to groups 13a-13c to distinct them and the numbers Gi, Uj are stored in a storage device of the centralized control unit 21. Then the control unit 21 outputs an instruction based on the stored content and controls a relevant indoor set 12. If an inadequate reply comes from the relevant indoor set 12 in the distinction of master/slave sets, the control unit 21 reads the number Uj from the indoor set 12 to revise the content of the storage device. Thus, even if the indoor set 12 is revised or the like, the storage content is revised without stopping other indoor sets and the check system with enhanced utility is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for confirming identification information of indoor units in an air conditioner using a large number of indoor units using a single centralized control device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique has been used in which, for example, a plurality of indoor units are installed in each room in a building and these are commonly controlled. Such technologies include the so-called centralized control method and the group control method, and typical examples of the former include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-243245, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 59-63438 as the latter. . FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are system diagrams schematically showing these two conventional examples. The air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a plurality of indoor units 2a, 2b, . and controlled independently from each other.

In the air conditioner 4 shown in FIG. 7, the indoor units 2a, 2b,...
- 2C are connected to each other in series, and one of the indoor units 2a is equipped with a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as the control device) 5.
is connected. This operating device 5 has an input means such as a key panel, and can input various data such as temperature, humidity, and air volume.
given to ft. Hereinafter, the indoor unit 2 to which the operating device 5 is connected will be referred to as a master unit, and the other indoor units 2 will be referred to as slave units.

The slave units 2b, . . . , 2c are connected to the base unit 2 by the operating device 5.
It is commonly controlled in the same operation mode as a.

In any of the above conventional examples, a group number Gi is assigned to each of the plurality of indoor units 2 for mutually identifying them. Further, a unit number Uj is given to distinguish between the master unit and the slave unit in the indoor unit 2. In the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, a single master unit 2a is connected to the central control device 3, but for example, as shown in FIG. A configuration is established in which a remote control device is connected to each as a base unit, and a plurality of slave units are connected to each base unit.

In such a configuration, a base unit and slave units connected to the base unit constitute one group. In other words, the central control device will individually control multiple groups.

For such noise, the group number Gi is determined by each indoor unit 2.
The unit number Uj is given as a series of numbers, for example, the unit number Uj of the parent device is 0, and the remaining child devices are given unit numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . , respectively. These group numbers Gi and unit numbers tJj were set by separate, for example, DIP switches provided in each indoor unit 2. In addition, the group number and unit number that each indoor unit 2 has are determined by sequentially specifying each indoor unit 2 from the central control device 3 by polling and reading the reply data when the entire air conditioner 1.4 is powered on. I tried to remember it.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional example as described above, - When changing the indoor unit 2 that is set as the parent unit 2a within a group, it is necessary to change the memory in the central control device 3. Yes, such a change would be made by turning off and turning on the power to the entire air conditioner 1.4. In such a technology, not only the group including the indoor unit 2 whose parent unit/slave unit settings have been changed, but also the remaining indoor units 12 must stop their air conditioning operation, and such air conditioning equipment 1 is installed in a tenant building, for example, there is a problem in that it causes great inconvenience even to unrelated tenants.

An object of the present invention is to provide an identification information confirmation method for an air conditioner that solves the above-mentioned technical problems and has significantly improved usability.

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, a plurality of indoor units 12 each having a group number Gi for mutual identification are divided into one or more groups 13, and each group 13 is individually controlled by a central control device 21. The indoor units 12 in each group 13 include one base unit connected to the base unit 19 and a slave unit 20 connected to the base unit 19, and the indoor units 12 in each group 13 have identification information used as identification information to identify the base unit 19 and the slave unit 20. The central control device stores the pair of group number GL and unit number Uj in the storage unit 48, and sends a command corresponding to the distinction between the master unit and slave unit to each indoor unit 12. , when the indoor unit 12 returns a message indicating that the master unit/slave unit is not compatible with the command, the central control unit W21 reads the unit number Uj from the indoor unit 12, and stores the contents of the storage unit 48. This is an identification information confirmation method for an air conditioner, characterized in that the identification information is changed.

Moreover, in the present invention, the parent 11! When a message of non-conformity is returned to the classification of 1/slave unit, the central control device 21 may transmit a unit number request command to the indoor unit 12 concerned.

Further, in the present invention, a remote control device 16 is connected to each base unit 19, and the indoor units 12 of the same group 13 may be controlled in the same operation mode by the central control device 21 or the remote control device 16. good.

According to the present invention, a plurality of indoor units 12 each having a group number Gi for mutual identification are divided into one or more groups 13, and the indoor units 1 in each group 13 are divided into one or more groups 13.
2 is set with a unit number Uj used as identification information for identifying the base unit 19 and the slave unit 20, respectively. The central control device 21 has a group number Gi and a unit number UJ.
A pair of . When the indoor unit 12 returns a message indicating that the master unit/slave unit is not compatible with this command, the central control device 21 reads the unit number Uj from the indoor unit 12 and stores the contents of the storage unit 48. change.

That is, when confirming the change of the unit number Uj in the indoor unit 12 by the central control device 21, avoid operations that unnecessarily affect a wide range of indoor units 12, such as stopping and turning on the power of the entire air conditioner 11. In addition, the air conditioner 11 can continue its normal operation, and the operability is significantly improved.

Moreover, the operation of the central control device 21 to read the unit number Uj from the indoor unit 1fi12 is such that when a message of non-compliance with the above-mentioned master unit/slave unit distinction is returned, the central control device 21 issues a unit number request command to the indoor unit 12. This is done by transmitting.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner 11 has a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) indoor units 12, and these indoor units 12 are, for example, 6, 3, and 1.
The tables are divided into three groups 13a, 13b, and 13c (indicated collectively by reference numeral 13). In each group 13, a single indoor unit 12 is connected to a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a remote control)>16a, 16b, 16
C (indicated by reference numeral 16 when collectively referred to) are connected to each other. The indoor unit 12 to which the remote control 16 is connected in this way
is hereinafter referred to as the base unit 19. In each group 13 to 15, an indoor unit 12 different from the master unit 19 is referred to as a child TL120.

Each indoor unit 12 has a series of numbers GO, Gi,...G9.
is assigned. This assignment is performed for each indoor unit 12.
This number is hereinafter referred to as a group number. On the other hand, the indoor units 12 divided into groups 13a to 13c are given a series of numbers UO, Ul, . . . within each group. Such a number is hereinafter referred to as a unit number.
In this embodiment, the base unit 19 is given a unit number UO.

The method of assigning unit numbers to the remaining handsets 20 is arbitrary.

As shown in FIG. 1, indoor units 12 in the same group
are connected in series with each other, and the master units 19 of each group 13 are individually connected to the central control unit 21. In this embodiment, the remote controller 1 is connected to a plurality of indoor units 12 as shown in the first figure.
6 to each group 1 to the indoor unit 12 in group 13.
In addition to performing group control that performs common operations every 3,
It is also intended to perform individual centralized control for each group 13 by the centralized control device 21.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the central control device 21. For example, the central control device 21 has a function (hereinafter referred to as a like timer function) that can set a start time and an end time for 131 periods, and displays time data set under this function. A likelitimer display section 22 is provided.

It also includes a group number display section 23 that displays serial numbers attached to the groups connected to the central control device 21, and a group number selection button 24 whose displayed group number is updated by pressing the button.

The above-mentioned Likelily Timer function can be set for each group, and there is a Likely Timer operating section 25 for performing such setting operations and an operation operation code for operating each indoor unit 12 in a predetermined operating mode. A driving operation code key 26 for inputting, an inspection key 27, and an abnormality code memory clear key 28 are provided.

Additionally, there is a temperature setting key 29 for setting the operating temperature of each indoor unit 12, a test run key 30, an operation key 31 for switching the operating mode between air conditioning operation and ventilation operation, and a filter sign reset key 32. is placed. For example, groups 13 to 15 can be selected using these various keys.
There are provided operating status display sections 3, 3, and a filter sign display section 34 for displaying the operating status such as the operating operation code and set temperature set for each operation.

For example, a maximum of 1 connected to Manako's central control device 21.
6. 16 individual operation keys 35 that individually correspond to the white indoor units 12, and a status indicator light that is a running/stopping status indicator light that indicates the individual running/stopping status of each indoor unit 1fi12 in a lit/unlit state. 36 are provided. Such an indoor unit 12
An individual setting unit 37 for setting the operating behavior for each individual operation, a batch operation key 38 for starting/stopping all the indoor units 12 connected to the central control device 21 at once, and - batch stop. A key 39 is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the central control device 21. As shown in FIG. The central control device 21 includes a transmission control section 4° for transmitting and receiving data to and from the indoor unit 12, and transmits/receives data via the transmitting/receiving section 41. Such a transmission control unit 4o is controlled by a central control unit 42 that includes, for example, a microprocessor, and this central control unit 42 includes key manual units such as the various operation keys shown in FIG. 43 and a DIP switch input section 44 provided in the individual setting section 37 or the like are connected.

This central control section 12 also includes a filter sign display section 34.
an LED control unit 45 that controls turning on/off of LEDs (light emitting diodes) such as the status indicator lamp 36;
Liquid crystal display control unit 46.4 that controls display of liquid crystal display devices such as group number display unit 23 and operation status display unit 33
7 is connected.

In addition, the EE is used to store time data related to the above-mentioned likelitimer inputted from the key human power section 43, etc.
A storage section 48 composed of a PROM (readable/writable memory) or the like is connected.

On the other hand, the centralized control device 21 is provided with a separate timer control section 49 for the like-receiving timer, and this timer control section 49 also has the like-receiving timer operating section 25.
A key manual section 50 consisting of various operation keys such as the above, and a storage section 51 having, for example, the same configuration as the storage section 48 for storing the timer data and the like are connected. Also connected is a liquid crystal display control section 52 that controls the display of the likelitimer display section 22, which is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like.

Further, a clock signal generating section 53 that generates a clock signal that defines the operation of such a timer control section 49, etc.;
An internal power supply 54 that supplies backup power in the event of a power outage is connected to this clock signal generation section 53.

When the air conditioner 11 having the configuration shown in FIG. Then, the unit number Uj is set.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of storing the pair of group number Gi and unit number Uj in the central control device 21, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the table 48a configured in the storage section 48. .

At step a1 in FIG. 4, the central control device 21 designates the indoor units 12, for example, in the order of group numbers Gi by polling. In step a2, the indoor unit 12 designated by polling returns the group number Gi and unit number Uj set for itself to the central control device 21. In step a3, the central control device 21 creates a table 48a of data regarding the presence or absence of connection based on the presence or absence of a reply in step a2, and the classification of parent/slave devices depending on the content of the reply, in order of the group number Gi, as shown in FIG. Configure.

In the "connection" column 48c for each group number Gi in the group number column 48b in FIG. 5, "1" is given if it is connected, and "0" is given if it is "not connected."Also"
If the base unit 19 is "base unit/slave unit" 1i48d,
1" is given, and if it is the slave device 20, "0" is given. Further, the types of messages that can be transmitted depending on whether the device is a parent device or a child device are stored in the possible message space 48e. In step a4, it is determined whether polling of all indoor units 12 has been completed, and if it has been completed, the process proceeds to other processing.

In this embodiment, as described in the prior art section, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a wide range of indoor units 12 is unnecessarily affected, such as by stopping the power of the entire air conditioner 11 and turning it on again. If the air conditioner 11 is installed in a tenant building, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation from unnecessarily causing trouble to a wide range of tenants. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the unit number Uj is changed during mutual data transmission between the central control device 21 and the indoor unit 12 while the air conditioner 11 continues its normal operation. There is no need to perform any human operations,
In this respect as well, operability is improved.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention as described above, the central control device 21 stores the pair of group number Gi and unit number Uj in the storage section 48, and assigns correspondence to each indoor unit 12 according to whether it is a master unit or a slave unit. Send a command. When the indoor unit 12 returns a message indicating that the master unit/slave unit is not compatible with this command, the central control device 21 reads the unit number Uj from the indoor unit 12 and stores the contents of the storage unit 48. change. That is, when the central control device 21 confirms the change in the unit number Uj in the indoor unit 12, the air conditioner 8!
11 It is possible to avoid operations that unnecessarily affect a wide range of indoor units 12, such as stopping and turning on the power of all trees, and the air conditioner 11 can be operated while continuing its normal operation. performance is greatly improved.

In addition, the central control device 21 selects the unit number U from the indoor unit 12.
The operation of reading j is performed when the central control device 21 reads the indoor unit 12 when a non-conformity message is returned for the parent unit/slave unit.
This is done by transmitting a unit number request command to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the central control device 21, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the central control device 21, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the initial transmission operation, and FIG. 5 shows the storage mode of the table 48a. 6 and 7 are system diagrams showing the configuration of a typical conventional example. 11...Air conditioner, 12...Indoor unit, 13-15
...Group, 19...Main device, 20...Slave device, 2
1... Central control device, 35... Individual operation key, 36
...Status indicator light, 40...Transmission control section, 42...
・Central control unit, 48...Storage unit, 48a...Table agent Patent attorney Number of strokes Keiichi 1＼ Figure 〆

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of indoor units 12 each having a group number Gi for mutual identification are set in one or more groups 13
Each group 13 includes a master unit 19 individually connected to the central control device 21 and a slave unit 20 connected in series to the master unit 19. Machine 19 and slave machine 20
Unit number U used as identification information to identify
j are respectively set, the central control device stores the pair of group number Gi and unit number Uj in the storage unit 48, sends a command corresponding to the distinction between the master unit and slave unit to each indoor unit 12, and executes the command. When the indoor unit 12 returns a message of non-compliance with the master unit/slave unit distinction, the central control device 21 reads the unit number Uj from the indoor unit 12 and changes the storage contents of the storage unit 48. An identification information confirmation method for an air conditioner, characterized in that: (2) The central control device 21 transmits a unit number request command to the indoor unit 12 when a message indicating incompatibility with the parent unit/slave unit distinction is returned. An identification information confirmation method for an air conditioner described in scope 1. (3) A remote control device 16 is connected to each base unit 19, and indoor units 12 in the same group 13 are connected to a central control device 2.
3. An address confirmation method in an air conditioner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the address confirmation method in an air conditioner is controlled in the same manner by one or a remote control device 16.