JPH07198185A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve flexibility of a system by setting one of a plurality of preset predetermined times as a start waiting time, and sequentially starting a plurality of air conditioners at each set predetermined time interval at the time of starting the conditioners. CONSTITUTION:The air conditioner comprises a plurality (n) (n: integer of 2 or more) of independently controllable air conditioners, and a main controller 2 for centrally controlling the n conditioners, wherein the n conditioners are serially connected to the controller 2 via a communication line. A controller body 6 of the controller 2 is set at one of a plurality of preset predetermined times as a start waiting time, and switches 9 of the controller 2 sequentially start the n conditioners at its each set predetermined time interval at the time of starting the conditions. Thus, flexibility (general purposes) of the system is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner,
In particular, the present invention relates to an air conditioning system that centrally manages a plurality of air conditioners by a central management device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a common outdoor unit and a common main controller are provided to connect a plurality of indoor units, and the main controller controls the entire system.
There is a centralized management type cooling / heating system in which a sub-controller provided in each indoor unit on the side of each user controls the indoor unit locally.

In such a centralized control type heating / cooling system, in comparison with an individual cooling / heating individual control system, in a large-scale system such as a cooling / heating system in a building, cost and effective use of equipment resources are reduced. It was advantageous from the viewpoint.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional centralized cooling and heating system.

The conventional cooling and heating system 50 includes a plurality of indoor units 51-1 to 51-n and a plurality of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n.
The indoor controller 51-1 to 51-n and the main controller 52 are individually connected via a multi-core communication line PLM.
An outdoor unit (not shown) is connected to each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n.

Further, the main controller 52 is connected to the room temperature sensor 53 for monitoring the room temperature of the room in which the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n are installed, via the multicore communication line PLM similar to the one described above. It was being monitored and the room temperature was being monitored.

Each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n has a first room temperature sensor 54 for controlling the indoor unit body, which will be described later, at room temperature.
And a wired or wireless remote controller 56 having a second room temperature sensor 55 for locally controlling the indoor unit, an output of either the first room temperature sensor 54 or the second room temperature sensor 55, and the remote controller 56. And an indoor unit main body 57 that actually performs air conditioning based on the settings.

Next, the operation will be described.

When starting the air conditioning system,
When the main controller 52 simultaneously starts each of the indoor units 51-1 to 51-n, the starting power becomes enormous. Therefore, in order to reduce the load on the equipment such as the power being cut off by a breaker, The indoor units 51-1 to 51-n were controlled to be sequentially started.

More specifically, the main controller 52
In order to shift the start start time of each indoor unit, a constant (for example, fixed to 5 seconds) start standby time was given in advance. That is, since power consumption temporarily increases for a predetermined time after a certain indoor unit is started, until the start standby time elapses after the start command is given to the certain indoor unit, the indoor unit to be started next is He did not give a start command to him.

The air conditioning system starts, and each indoor unit 51-1
51-n, various settings are made by the remote controller 56, and the indoor unit main body 57 determines the actual room temperature based on the output of either the first room temperature sensor 54 or the second room temperature sensor 55. Air conditioning is performed by operating based on the difference between and.

In parallel with this, the indoor unit main body 57 transfers various data such as an operating state and a data setting state to the main controller 52 via the multi-core communication line PLM.

As a result, local control is performed by each indoor unit 5
The operation efficiency of the entire system is improved by controlling the outdoor unit (not shown) and the like by the main controller 52 side as well as 1-1 to 51-n.

[0014]

In the conventional centralized control type heating and cooling system, the main controller 52 has a fixed start standby time for performing start control when the cooling and heating system is started, and thus lacks versatility. There was a problem.

In particular, when the cooling and heating system is installed in a high-rise building or the like, the number of installed indoor units increases, the types of connected indoor units also vary, and the required start-up standby time also differs. However, there is a problem that the equipment is burdened in some cases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of easily or automatically setting a different start standby time for each system.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 can control n independently.
(N: an integer greater than or equal to 2) air conditioners and a central control device for centrally controlling the n air conditioners are provided, and the n air conditioners and the central control device have communication lines. In the air conditioner connected in series via the air conditioner, the central management device has a setting means for setting one predetermined time out of a plurality of preset predetermined times as a start standby time, and the air conditioner. And a start control means for sequentially starting the n air conditioners at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means when the apparatus is started.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is an n (n: integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners, each of which is independently controllable.
A central control device for centrally controlling the n air conditioners;
An air conditioner in which the n air conditioners and the central management device are serially connected via a communication line, the central management device is configured to operate with each air conditioner when the air conditioning device is started. Data communication means for performing data communication between the air conditioners and collecting start waiting time data for each air conditioner, and a start corresponding to the air conditioner from the start start time of the air conditioner at the time of starting each of the air conditioners Startup control means for starting the next air conditioner after the time corresponding to the standby time data has elapsed.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is an n (n: integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners, each of which is independently controllable,
A central control device for centrally controlling the n air conditioners;
In the air conditioner in which the n air conditioners and the central management device are serially connected via a communication line, the central management device is one of a plurality of preset predetermined times. Setting means for setting a predetermined time as the start standby time, and an air conditioner for presetting the n air conditioners at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means when the air conditioner is started. And a start control means for sequentially starting each machine group.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, n (n: an integer of 2 or more) air conditioners each independently controllable, and a central control device for centrally managing the n air conditioners. And an air conditioner in which the n air conditioners and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, the central control device being preset when the air conditioner is started. A data communication unit that performs data communication for each air conditioner group and collects start standby time data for each air conditioner group, and an air conditioner that configures each air conditioner group when the air conditioner is started. Start at the same time,
Starting control means for starting the next air conditioner group after the time corresponding to the start standby time data corresponding to the air conditioner group has elapsed from the start start time of the air conditioner group,
And is configured.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the setting means sets one predetermined time out of a plurality of preset predetermined times as the start waiting time.

Thus, the starting control means sequentially starts the n air conditioners at the set predetermined time intervals when the air conditioner is started.

Therefore, the starting standby time can be easily set to perform the starting control, and the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data communication means performs data communication with each air conditioner at the time of starting the air conditioner to obtain start standby time data for each air conditioner. collect.

Thus, the start control means changes the start start time of the air conditioner to the start wait time data corresponding to the air conditioner at the time of starting each air conditioner based on the collected start wait time data. Start the next air conditioner after the corresponding time has elapsed.

Therefore, starting control can be performed easily and automatically by setting the starting waiting time, and the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is further improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the setting means sets one predetermined time out of a plurality of preset predetermined times as the start standby time.

Accordingly, the starting control means sequentially starts the n air conditioners for each preset air conditioner group at the predetermined time interval set by the setting means when the air conditioner is started. To do.

Therefore, the start standby time can be easily set and the start control can be performed, the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is improved, and each air conditioner is started for each of a plurality of groups. Therefore, the starting time can be shortened.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the data communication means performs data communication for each air conditioner group preset when the air conditioner is started, and performs data communication for each air conditioner group. Collect start wait time data.

Accordingly, the start control means simultaneously starts the air conditioners constituting each air conditioner group at the time of starting the air conditioner, and responds to the air conditioner group from the start start time of the air conditioner group. The next air conditioner group is started after the time corresponding to the start standby time data has elapsed.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and automatically set the start standby time and perform the start control, so that the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is further improved and each air conditioner is provided in a plurality of groups. Since it is started every time, the starting time can be further shortened.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a centralized control cooling and heating system.

The cooling and heating system 1 is roughly divided into a main controller 2 which functions as a central control unit and is connected to the main controller 2 via a parallel communication line to control the entire system 1 and is inputted from an indoor unit side described later. The serial data is converted into parallel data and output to the main controller 2, and the main controller 2
A serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 for converting parallel data output from the side into serial data and outputting the serial data to the indoor unit side described later, and a two-wire system communication line LM using a multiplex transmission method for the serial / parallel conversion circuit. And a plurality of indoor units 4-1 to 4-n serially connected to each other. The outdoor units 24-1 to 24-n are connected to the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 2 includes a communication control board 5 for performing various communication controls, a controller main body 6 in which a control board for performing various controls is stored, various setting data, and the operation of the controlled device. A display unit 7 for displaying a state and the like, a printer 8 for printing out various data, and a switch unit 9 such as a DIP switch for setting a start standby time are configured.

As shown in FIG. 3, the serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 includes a CPU 10 for controlling the entire serial / parallel conversion circuit 3, a ROM 11 in which a control program, data, etc. are stored, and various data temporarily. R to store
The AM 12 and the interface unit 13 for interfacing with the outside are provided.

Various modes can be considered for each of the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n, and the indoor unit 4-1 will be described below as an example.
Will be described with reference to.

The indoor unit 4-1 has a first room temperature sensor 20 for detecting the temperature of the room where the indoor unit is installed and a second room temperature sensor 21, and is wired or wireless for locally controlling the indoor unit. Remote controller 22
And air-conditioning is actually performed based on the output of either the first room temperature sensor 20 or the second room temperature sensor 21 and the setting of the remote controller 22, and is connected to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 3 via the communication line LM. The indoor unit main body 23 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit main body 23 includes a CPU 25 for controlling the entire indoor unit main body 23, a ROM 26 in which control programs and data are stored, and a RAM 27 for temporarily storing various data. , And an interface section 28 for interfacing with the outside.

Here, the setting of the switch section 9 of the main controller 2 when the system is installed, that is, the setting of the start standby time (data) will be described.

An outdoor unit (FIG. 1) is connected to the indoor unit that constitutes the cooling and heating system. As the type of the outdoor units 24-1 to 24-n, for example, a compressor motor is fixed at a commercial frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz). There are a constant speed type that operates at a frequency, an inverter type that operates a compressor motor at a variable frequency, and a GHP type that uses a gas heat pump.

The start standby time required in each of the indoor units connected to the constant speed type, inverter type, and GHP type outdoor units is as follows: (small) indoor unit connected to the inverter type outdoor unit <constant speed type outdoor unit The indoor unit that is connected <the indoor unit (large) that is connected to the GHP type outdoor unit increases in order, and when these models are mixed, it is necessary to set the maximum start standby time.

In the following description, for example, the maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the inverter type outdoor unit is 1 second,
The maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the constant speed outdoor unit is 2 seconds, and the maximum start standby time of the indoor unit connected to the GHP type outdoor unit is 10 seconds. It is assumed that the waiting time is 2 seconds and 10 seconds.

When a system includes an indoor unit connected to a GHP type outdoor unit, the switch unit 9 of the system must be set to the 10 second side,
When the indoor unit connected to the GHP type outdoor unit is not included, it is preferable to set it to 2 seconds.

As a result, the controller body 6 of the main controller 2 performs the start control by setting the start standby time to the time set by the switch unit 9.

More specific starting control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG.

First, the controller body 6 sets the control variable N for specifying the indoor unit to be started to 1 (step S1).

Next, the controller body 6 is provided with a switch section 9
Is determined, and it is determined whether the set start waiting time is 2 seconds or 10 seconds (step S
2).

Then, the start standby time data T is set to either 2 seconds or 10 seconds according to the determination result (step S3 or step S4).

Then, a start command for starting the Nth indoor unit is output to the Nth indoor unit via the communication line LM to start the Nth indoor unit (step S5).
More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the indoor unit 4
A start command is transferred to -1 via the communication line LM to start.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data t of a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not the start standby time has elapsed (step S6).

If it is determined in step S6 that the startup standby time has not elapsed, the system waits as it is, and if the startup standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S6. The process shifts to S5, and the process is repeated until the start of all the indoor units is completed. Regarding the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above, FIG. 7A shows the case where the start standby time is set to 2 seconds.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the system can be automatically started by the start waiting time corresponding to the setting only by the simple operation of setting the switch unit 9.

In the above description, the case where the switch unit 9 has two settable standby times for start-up has been described, but it is also possible to use an DIP switch or the like so that an arbitrary number can be selected.

It is also possible to select the start waiting time (data) by software. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the number of indoor units that start starting at the same time is one, but depending on the equipment state, a plurality of models that consume less power at startup may be started at the same time. It is also possible to

Therefore, the second embodiment is an embodiment in which the indoor units which can be simultaneously started are divided into groups in advance and the groups are started.

A specific operation will be described.

First, the controller body 6 sets the control variable N for specifying the indoor unit group to be started to 1.

Next, the controller body 6 is provided with a switch section 9
Then, the set start standby time is determined, and the start standby time data T is set according to the determination result.

Subsequently, a start command is output to the N-th indoor unit via the communication line LM to start the N-th indoor unit, and the N-th indoor unit is started. More specifically,
A start command is transferred to the Nth indoor unit via the communication line LM to start it.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data of a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not the start standby time has elapsed. If the start standby time has not elapsed, the system waits as it is. Then, when the start standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N, and similarly, the process is repeated until the start of all the indoor units is completed. An example of the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above is shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the starting time can be shortened as compared with the first embodiment. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the selectable start waiting time is predetermined, but in the third embodiment, the main controller 2 side sets the start waiting time in advance. Without setting, start waiting time data corresponding to each indoor unit 4-1 to 4-n is collected through the communication line LM shown in FIG. 1, and start control is performed based on the collected start waiting time data. Is to do.

Specific operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the controller body 6 sets the control variable N for specifying the indoor unit to be started to 1 (step S10).

Next, the controller main body 6 transfers the start standby time data to the N-th indoor unit via the communication control board 5 and the communication line LM (step S11). More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the indoor unit 4-1 is made to transfer the start standby time data TT.

Then, the transferred start waiting time data T
T is set as the start standby time data T (step S
12).

Subsequently, a start command for starting the N-th indoor unit is output to the N-th indoor unit via the communication line LM to start the N-th indoor unit (step S1).
3). More specifically, in this case, since N = 1, the start command is transferred to the indoor unit 4-1 via the communication line LM to start the indoor unit 4-1.

Next, the start waiting time data T is compared with the elapsed time data t of a timer (not shown) to determine whether the start waiting time has elapsed (step S14).

When it is determined in step S6 that the startup waiting time has not elapsed, the system waits as it is, and if the startup waiting time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N (step S15), and the process proceeds to step S15. The process shifts to S11, and the process is repeated until the start of all the indoor units is completed.
Regarding the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above,
It shows in FIG.7 (b).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to easily and automatically set the required start waiting time and perform the start control. Compared with the case, the start time of the entire system can be shortened. Fourth Embodiment In the third embodiment, the data communication is performed every time each indoor unit is started. However, the data communication is performed to all the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n before starting the start of the entire system. It is also possible to carry out the above and collect the start standby time data of all the indoor units 4-1 to 4-n.

This makes it possible to shorten the time from the start to the completion of the start. Fifth Embodiment In the above-described third and fourth embodiments, only one indoor unit is started at the same time, but depending on the equipment state, a model that consumes less power at the same time may be used at the same time. It is also possible to start a plurality of them.

Therefore, the fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which the indoor units which can be simultaneously started are divided into groups in advance and the groups are started.

A specific operation will be described.

First, the controller body 6 sets the control variable N for specifying the indoor unit group to be started to 1.

Next, the controller main body 6 transfers the start standby time data to any of the indoor units forming the Nth indoor unit group via the communication control board 5 and the communication line LM. More specifically, in this case N = 1 and 1
The indoor units that make up the second indoor unit group are indoor units 4-1 ...
If there are three units 4-3, for example, the start standby time data is transferred to the indoor unit 4-1.

Then, the transferred start waiting time data is set as the start waiting time data T.

Subsequently, in order to start the indoor units forming the N-th indoor unit group, a start command is output to the indoor units forming the N-th indoor unit group via the communication line LM, and each indoor unit is To start. More specifically, since N = 1 in this case, the start command is transferred to the three indoor units 4-1 to 4-3 via the communication line LM to start them.

Next, the start standby time data T is compared with the elapsed time data of a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not the start standby time has elapsed. If the start standby time has not elapsed, the system waits as it is. If the start standby time has elapsed, 1 is added to the value of N, the start time data is transferred to the next indoor unit group, and the same process is repeated until all the indoor units have been started. Become. An example of the relationship between the indoor unit number and the operation start time described above is shown in FIG.
It shows in (c).

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the starting time can be shortened as compared with the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment.

[0081]

According to the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, the start standby time can be easily set and the start control can be performed, and the flexibility (general versatility) of the system is improved.

According to the second or sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily and automatically set the start standby time and perform the start control. ) Is improved.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 5 or 6, in addition to the above effects, the starting time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main controller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a serial / parallel conversion circuit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit main body.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a start control state.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional cooling and heating system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Air Conditioning System 2 Main Controller 3 Serial / Parallel Conversion Circuit 4-1 to 4-n Indoor Unit 5 Communication Control Board 6 Controller Main Body 7 Display 8 Printer 9 Switch 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 RAM 13 Interface 20 First Room Temperature Sensor 21 second room temperature sensor 22 remote controller 23 indoor unit main body 25 CPU 26 ROM 27 RAM 28 interface unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An n (n: an integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners each independently controllable, and a central control device for centrally managing the n number of air conditioners are provided. In an air conditioner in which the air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, the central control device sets one predetermined time out of a plurality of preset predetermined times to a start standby time. And a start control means for sequentially starting the n air conditioners at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means when the air conditioner is started. An air conditioner characterized by the above. 2. An n (n: integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners that can be independently controlled, and a central control device that centrally manages the n number of air conditioners are provided. In an air conditioner in which the air conditioner and the central management device are serially connected via a communication line, the central management device performs data communication with each air conditioner when the air conditioning device is started. Data communication means for collecting start standby time data for each air conditioner, and time corresponding to start standby time data corresponding to the air conditioner from the start start time of the air conditioner at the time of starting each of the air conditioners An air conditioner comprising: a start control means for starting the next air conditioner after a lapse of time. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the data communication unit collects the start standby time data for all the air conditioners before starting the start of each air conditioner. Air conditioner that does. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the data communication unit sequentially collects the start standby time data corresponding to each air conditioner before starting each of the air conditioners. A characteristic air conditioning system. 5. An n (n: an integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners, each of which is independently controllable, and a central control device for centrally managing the n number of air conditioners are provided. In an air conditioner in which the air conditioner and the central control device are serially connected via a communication line, the central control device sets one predetermined time out of a plurality of preset predetermined times to a start standby time. And setting means for setting the air conditioners at the time of starting the air conditioner, the n air conditioners are sequentially started for each preset air conditioner group at predetermined time intervals set by the setting means. An air conditioner characterized by comprising a start control means. 6. An n (n: an integer of 2 or more) number of air conditioners, each of which is independently controllable, and a central control device for centrally managing the n number of air conditioners, are provided. In an air conditioner in which the air conditioner and the central management device are serially connected via a communication line, the central management device is a data set for each air conditioner group preset when the air conditioning device is started. Data communication means for communicating and collecting start standby time data for each air conditioner group, and at the same time when the air conditioner is started, the air conditioners constituting each air conditioner group are simultaneously started, and the air conditioner group Starting control time for starting the next air conditioner group after a time corresponding to the start standby time data corresponding to the air conditioner group has elapsed from the start start time of the air conditioner group. Harmony device. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the data communication unit collects the start standby time data for all air conditioner groups before starting the start of each air conditioner group. A characteristic air conditioner. 8. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the data communication unit sequentially collects the start standby time data corresponding to each air conditioner before starting each air conditioner group. A characteristic air conditioning system.