JPH04263730A - Controlling device for air conditioning - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate overlapping vain setting manipulation and enhance operability by accurately selecting desired air-conditioning units from among multiple air-conditioning units. CONSTITUTION:There are provided an RAM 54 which registers a plurality of groups consisting of multiple air-conditioning units 1-16, a plurality of tenants consisting of each group and a plurality of blocks consisting of each tenant, and a CPU 52 which designates each air-conditioning unit 1-16 independently according to the groups, tenants and blocks to carry out operation control, thereby individually controlling the operation of each air-conditioning unit 1-16 at an arbitrary control unit.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning management system, and more particularly to a management system that can manage and selectively control a large number of air conditioning units.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional air conditioning control device of this type is shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing this conventional air conditioning management device.

In FIG. 12, 101a to 103a are controlled devices included in a preset group A, and 104
a to 106a are controllers connected to each controlled device 101a to 103a, and 107a to 109a are each controller 104a.
- a selector provided at 106a for selecting a parent device and a slave device;
110a to 112a are address setters provided in each controller 104a to 106a, 113a is a signal line, and 114a
is a remote control that controls the controlled devices 101a to 103a. The same applies to group B and group C, and the controlled devices 101b to 103b, 101c
~103c, controllers 104b~106b, 104c~1
06c, selectors 107b to 109b, 107c to 109
c, address setter 110b-112b, 110c-1
12c, signal lines 113b, 113c, and remote control 11
4b and 114c are provided. Furthermore, 115 is a centralized control management device connected to the groups A to C via signal lines 116, and the controlled devices 1 of each group A to C
01a~103a, 101b~103b, 101c~1
03c is controlled comprehensively.

[0005] Such grouping is performed by the address setters 110a to 112a, 110b to 112b,
This is done based on the settings of 110c to 112c. In addition, the definition of the parent device and slave device in groups A to C is provided by the selectors 107a to 109a, 107b to 109b, and 107c.
This is done based on the settings in ~109c.

Next, the operation of the air conditioning management apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

Each of the remote controllers 114a to 114c controls the controlled devices 101a in the groups A to C to which they belong.
~103a, 101b~103b, 101c~103c
For example, if the remote controller 114b of group B is operated to set, the operating states of the controlled devices 101b to 103b of group B are controlled. Further, the centralized control management device 115 is used for selective control of each group A to C. For example, if group B is selected and control contents are set, controlled devices 101b to 103b of only group B are used. is controlled. That is, in either case, control is executed for each group.

[0008] This type of air conditioning control device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 102049/1983.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional air conditioning management devices are configured to perform control on a group-by-group basis as described above. When performing the same setting operation, it is necessary to select each group A to C sequentially and perform the setting operation redundantly, which is not good in terms of operability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides an air conditioning management device that can improve operability by eliminating redundant and wasteful setting operations by accurately selecting a desired air conditioning unit from among a large number of air conditioning units. The challenge is to

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] An air conditioning management device according to the present invention includes a control unit storage means in which lower and upper control units constituted by a large number of air conditioning units are registered, and the lower control unit and the upper control unit. and an operation control means for arbitrarily specifying and controlling the operation of each air conditioning unit.

0012

[Operation] In the present invention, each air conditioning unit is individually controlled by the operation control means as a lower control unit and an upper control unit. For example, if a specific upper control unit is designated and a desired operation command is given, All air conditioning units included in the upper control unit can be controlled at once.

[0013]

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning management apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 1 is an air conditioning unit composed of an indoor unit 1a and an outdoor unit 1b; 2;
Similar to the air conditioning unit 1, 3 is an indoor unit 2a,
3a and outdoor units 2b and 3b; 17 is a remote controller that remotely controls the start and stop of the air conditioning units 1 to 3, the setting of the air conditioning temperature, etc. Further, 25 is connected to the air conditioning units 1 to 3 and the local remote control 17 via a transmission line 26,
It is a local centralized control unit that monitors and controls its operations.
As will be described later, a large number of air conditioning units 4 to 16 and local remote controllers 18 to 24 are also connected to the transmission line 26.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a transmission conversion section connected to the transmission line 26, and 28 denotes an air conditioning system management section connected to the transmission conversion section 27 via an external transmission line 29 and a transmission control section 30. The management unit 28 takes in the operating information of the air conditioning units 1 to 16 collected by the transmission control unit 30 via the external transmission line 29, monitors the operating status, and issues control commands to the transmission control unit 30 as necessary. It outputs and controls the air conditioning units 1-16 and the local remote controllers 17-24.

Further, 31 is another transmission conversion unit configured similarly to the transmission conversion unit 27, 32 to 34 are air conditioning units connected to the transmission conversion unit 31 via a transmission line 35, Each of them includes indoor units 32a to 34a and outdoor units 32b to 34b. Furthermore, 36 and 37 are a local remote controller and a local central management section that are similarly connected to the transmission conversion section 31. Although not shown, a plurality of other transmission converters are connected to the external transmission line 29.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the organization state of the air conditioning units 1 to 16 on the transmission conversion section 27 side.

In FIG. 1, 38 is the air conditioning unit 1.
3 and the local remote control 17. Similarly, 39 is a group consisting of air conditioning units 4 and 5 and local remote controller 18, 40 is a group consisting of air conditioning units 6 and 7 and local remote controller 19,
41 is a group consisting of the air conditioning unit 8 and the local remote controller 20; 42 is a group consisting of the air conditioning units 9, 10 and the local remote controller 21; 43 is a group consisting of the air conditioning units 11, 12 and the local remote controller 22; 44 are air conditioning units 13, 14 and local remote control 2
3, 45 is an air conditioning unit 15
, 16 and the local remote controller 24.

Further, 46 is a tenant constituted by the groups 38 and 39, and similarly, 47 is a tenant constituted by the group 4.
48 is a tenant composed of the group 42, and 49 is a tenant composed of the groups 43 to 45. Furthermore, 5
0 is a block constituted by the tenants 46 and 47, and similarly, 51 is a block constituted by the tenants 48 and 49.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the air conditioning system management section 28.

In FIG. 3, 52 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) composed of a microcomputer;
53 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) in which a control program for air conditioning management executed by the CPU 52 is stored, and 54 is a readable and writable memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) in which the calculation results of the CPU 52 are temporarily stored. ),
55 is a keyboard controller that converts the output of the keyboard 56 into information that can be input to the CPU 52; 57 is an interrupt controller that controls the order of information exchange based on the timer information of the timer 58; and 59 is a controller that controls the external storage device 60 according to instructions from the CPU 52. controlling disk controller, 6
Reference numeral 1 denotes a CRT controller which converts the screen formation information stored in the video RAM 62 into an executable display signal and outputs it, and causes the CRT 63 to monitor and display the operating status of the air conditioner according to the monitor signal from the CPU 52. be.

FIG. 4 shows the RAM 54 in which the organization data of blocks 50 and 51 transferred from the external storage device 60 is written.
FIG.

In FIG. 4, nB1 is the block 50
The RAM 62 stores the numbers of the tenants 46 that make up the
Similarly, nB1+1 is an address where the number of tenant 47 is stored, and nB1+2 is an address where invalid data "x" indicating that no other tenant exists is stored. Also, nB2, nB2+1, nB2
+2 is the tenant 4 constituting the block 51, respectively.
This is the address where the numbers 8 and 49 and the invalid data "x" are stored.

Furthermore, FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an area within M54.

In FIG. 5, nT1, nT1+1, nT
1+2 is the group 38, 3 that constitutes the tenant 46
This is the address where the number 9 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Furthermore, nT2, nT2+1, and nT2+2 are addresses where the numbers of the groups 40 and 41 constituting the tenant 47 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Further, nT3 and nT3+1 are addresses where the number of the group 42 constituting the tenant 48 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Also, nT4, nT4+1, nT4+
2, nT4+3 is an address where the numbers of groups 43 to 45 constituting the tenant 49 and the invalid data "x" are stored.

Furthermore, FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an area within M54.

In FIG. 6, nG1, nG1+1, nG
1+2, nG1+3 are the addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 1 to 3 constituting the group 38 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Also, nG2, nG2+1, nG
2+2 is the air conditioning unit 4 constituting the group 39;
This is the address where the number 5 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Furthermore, nG3, nG3+1, and nG3+2 are the addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 6 and 7 constituting the group 40 and the invalid data "x" are stored. On the other hand, nG4 and nG4+1 are the addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 8 constituting the group 41 and the invalid data "x" are stored.

Furthermore, nG5, nG5+1, and nG5+2 are addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 9 and 10 constituting the group 42 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Further, nG6, nG6+1, and nG6+2 are the addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 11 and 12 constituting the group 43 and the invalid data "x" are stored. on the other hand,
nG7, nG7+1, and nG7+2 are the addresses where the numbers of the air conditioning units 13 and 14 constituting the group 44 and the invalid data "x" are stored. Also, nG8,
nG8+1 and nG8+2 are the numbers of the air conditioning units 15 and 16 constituting the group 45 and the invalid data "x"
is the address where is stored.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the remote controllers 17-24.

In FIG. 7, 64 is a CPU constituted by a microcomputer, 65 is a ROM in which a control program for air conditioning management executed by the CPU 64 is stored, and 66
67 is a RAM that temporarily stores the calculation results of the CPU 64 and information on the air conditioner; 67 is an EAROM that stores new information of the calculation results of the CPU 64; The integrated controller 70 transmits information signals from the communication means 71 connected to the transmission line 26 to the CPU 64 and the interrupt controller 68.
It is a communication controller that outputs to And the CP
U64, ROM65, RAM66, EAROM67, interrupt controller 68, timer 69, communication controller 7
0 constitutes the local control unit 72.

Further, 73 is an input processing circuit which is a conversion circuit for input signals to the CPU 64, and 74 is an input processing circuit for the CPU 64.
This is an output processing circuit that converts 64 control commands into executable control signals and outputs them. 75 is the local control section 72
A management group setting button 76 is for selecting a group to be managed and displaying it by number, and a management unit setting button 76 is for selecting an air conditioning unit in the group selected by the management group setting button 75 and displaying it by number. Reference numeral 77 includes a group number display unit including an LCD that lights up and displays the groups set by the management group setting button 75, and 78 includes an LCD and the like that lights up and displays the air conditioning units that are set by the management unit setting button 76. This is the unit number display section. Reference numeral 79 represents a registration button for newly registering or deleting an air conditioning unit managed by the local control unit 72, and 80 represents a monitor button for performing a monitoring operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing data stored in the RAM 66.

In FIG. 8, n1 to n1+7 are 8-byte areas in which data regarding the first indoor unit under its own management are stored, and the n1 byte stores the number of the group to which the indoor unit belongs. n1+1
The byte stores the abnormality details, the n1+2 byte stores the operation details, and the measured value of the sensor. Similarly, n1+16 to n1+23 are areas where various data related to the third indoor unit are stored, and n1+24 to n1
+31 is an area where various data regarding the fourth indoor unit is stored, and n1+32 to n1+39 are areas where various data regarding the fifth indoor unit are stored. When a change occurs in each indoor unit, the data is stored in the RAM 66.

Next, the operation of the air conditioning management apparatus of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

In the air conditioning system management section 28, settings for each air conditioning unit 1 to 16 are input using the keyboard 56 and CRT.
It will be held on 63rd. Therefore, while checking on the CRT 63, the operator can connect each air conditioning unit 1 to 16 to groups 38 to 38.
45, tenants 46 to 49, and blocks 50 and 51, it is possible to specify requested functions, such as operation start/stop and temperature setting.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing when the CPU 52 of the air conditioning system management section 28 decodes the data of the target device input using the keyboard 56. This flowchart is used as part of a decoder that decodes keyboard input.

First, when target devices are input in groups, the process moves from step 1 to step 2 to step 3, and the requested function input in step 3 is executed individually for the corresponding group.

[0039] In addition, if the target device is input in tenant units, the process moves from step 1 to step 2 to step 4, and in step 4, tenant/group conversion processing is executed, and the group number within the input tenant is Figure 5
It is calculated from the address of the RAM 54 shown by . Thereafter, similarly to the group input described above, in step 3, the requested function is executed individually for each group.

On the other hand, if the target device is input in blocks, the process moves from step 1 to step 5, in which block/tenant conversion processing is executed, and the tenant number in the input block is converted into a block as shown in FIG. RAM54 shown
Calculate from the address of . Next, in step 4, tenant/group conversion processing is executed to obtain the group number within the tenant, and in step 3, the requested function is executed individually for each group.

[0041] In this way, the target devices specified in units of blocks or units of tenants are broken down into groups, and the requested function is always executed individually for each group.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which setting inputs for target devices are distributed for each group.

For example, in the air conditioning system management section 28, when an operator inputs a command to start operation for the tenant 46, the target groups are group 38 and group 39 according to the conversion table data of FIG. 5 and the flowchart of FIG. It is calculated that the following applies. The air conditioning system management section 28 outputs operation start commands to the groups 38 and 39 individually via the transmission control section 30 and the transmission conversion section 31.

[0044] Furthermore, when a command to start operation for tenant 47 is input, it is calculated that the target group corresponds to group 40 and group 41, and a command to start operation is output to these groups 40 and 41 individually. .

Furthermore, when a command to stop operation is input to block 50, it is calculated that the target group corresponds to groups 38 to 41, and a stop command is output to these groups 38 to 41 individually. .

On the other hand, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the group 38.

For example, when a command to start operation is input using the local remote controller 17, the command is output from the local remote controller 17 to each of the air conditioning units 1 to 3 in the group 38.

Further, when an abnormality occurs in a specific air conditioning unit 2, the details of the abnormality are inputted from the air conditioning unit 2 to the local remote controller 17. The local remote controller 17 determines whether the abnormality is unique to the air conditioning unit 2, and if the abnormality is not unique and affects the entire group 38, the operation request for that group 38 will be invalidated from now on. become

On the other hand, if the abnormality is unique to the air conditioning unit 2, such as a sensor failure, and does not affect the entire group 38, the number of the air conditioning unit 2 and the details of the abnormality are displayed and output, and a message indicating that the abnormality has occurred is displayed. The air conditioning unit 2 is separated from the control target of the group 38 and group operation is continued. Therefore, for example, if a temperature setting input or the like is subsequently performed using the local remote controller 17, the contents of the command are output to the indoor units 1 and 3, allowing the indoor units 1 and 3 to continue operation.

As described above, in the above embodiment, a large number of air conditioning units 1 to 16 whose operation can be controlled individually and a plurality of groups 38 to 45 constituted by aggregating the air conditioning units 1 to 16 are registered. and each group 38-4
A RAM in which a plurality of tenants 46 to 49 constituted by aggregating tenants 46 to 49 are registered, and a plurality of blocks 50 and 51 constituted by aggregating each tenant 46 to 49 are registered.
54 and groups 38 to 4 registered in the RAM 54
5. Arbitrary designation and operation control of each air conditioning unit 1 to 16 in units of tenants 46 to 49 and blocks 50 and 51 C
It is equipped with a PU52.

Therefore, the operation of each air conditioning unit 1 to 16 is individually controlled by the CPU 52 on a group, tenant, or block basis. For example, if a specific block is specified and a desired operation command is given, all air conditioning units included in that block are controlled individually. The air conditioning units 1 to 16 can be controlled all at once. Therefore, it is possible to improve operability by eliminating redundant and wasteful setting operations.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when a specific abnormality occurs in a specific air conditioning unit 1 to 16 within a group,
Since the air conditioning units 1 to 16 in which the abnormality has occurred are separated from the group control target and group operation is continued, the air conditioning function can be maintained by operating the other normal air conditioning units 1 to 16.

By the way, although the control unit storage means in the above embodiment is configured as a readable and writable RAM 54, when implementing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and each air conditioning unit is Any device that can be registered in groups, tenants, and blocks will suffice.

Further, the operation control means of the above embodiment is a CPU.
52, but when implementing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation of each air conditioning unit 1 to 16 can be controlled in units of groups, tenants, and blocks stored in the RAM 54. Good to have.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each air conditioning unit 1 to
16 were divided into three levels: group, tenant, and block, but for example, it is possible to set up a larger unit by aggregating each block to create four levels, or conversely, to create two levels of only group and tenant. Good too.

[0056]

As described above, the air conditioning management apparatus of the present invention includes a control unit storage means in which lower and upper control units constituted by a large number of air conditioning units are registered, and Since each air conditioning unit is equipped with an operation control means for arbitrarily specifying and controlling the operation of each air conditioning unit in the lower and upper control units, each air conditioning unit is individually controlled in the lower and upper control units. By specifying a higher-level control unit and giving the desired operation command, all air conditioning units included in that higher-level control unit can be controlled at once, improving operability by eliminating redundant and wasteful setting operations. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the organization state of air conditioning units in an air conditioning management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an air conditioning system management section in an air conditioning management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an area in a RAM in which block organization data transferred from an external storage device is written in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an area in a RAM in which tenant organization data transferred from an external storage device is written in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an area in a RAM in which group organization data transferred from an external storage device is written in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a local remote controller in an air conditioning management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing data stored in a RAM in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU of the air conditioning system management section in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which setting inputs for target equipment in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are distributed for each group.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating status of a group in the air conditioning management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional air conditioning management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 to 16 Air conditioning unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A large number of air conditioning units whose operation can be individually controlled and a plurality of lower control units constituted by aggregating each of the air conditioning units are registered, and a plurality of lower control units constituted by aggregating each of the lower control units are registered. A control unit storage means in which a plurality of upper control units are registered, and an operation control means for arbitrarily specifying and controlling the operation of each air conditioning unit in the lower control units and upper control units registered in the control unit storage means. An air conditioning management device characterized by: