JPH08105649A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate the interruption of an operation signal by a wall, etc. CONSTITUTION: An automatic incoming circuit 20 in which a calling signal is sent from a telephone 23 connects a channel 21 to a telecontrol 16 via an adapter 18. When the telecontrol 16 receives a control signal formed of signals corresponding to the numeric characters of the pushbutton of the telephone 23 (custom code for identifying any of indoor units 10a-10c and power ON command information of indoor units 10a-10c identified by the code), the control signal is converted to a signal for a remote controller 14, which transmits the operation signal (custom code and power ON command information) responsive to the control signal by a radio wave. The operation signal is received and any of the units 10a-10c provided at indoor units 15a-15c in which the own custom code coincides with the custom code received included in the operation signal starts the operation in the automatic operation mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to operating an indoor unit based on an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit transmitted from a wireless remote controller received by a receiver. Controlling an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional wireless remote controller for an air conditioner is designed to start or operate an air conditioner that adjusts at least one of indoor temperature and humidity. An operation signal having command information for instructing to stop is transmitted by infrared rays.

There is no problem if the wireless remote controller of the air conditioner is in the room in which the air conditioner to be remotely controlled is installed, but there is no problem in the room other than the room in which the air conditioner is installed. In a corridor or a corridor, even if the operation signal having the above-mentioned command information is transmitted, infrared rays are blocked by the wall or the like, and the air conditioner cannot receive the operation signal. Therefore, the wireless remote controller of the conventional air conditioner is only for the air conditioner provided in the room where the device is present, and the air conditioner provided in the room other than the room where the device is present. It was insufficient for remote control of the machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner in which an operation signal is not blocked by a wall or the like.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit, and an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit. Wireless remote controller for transmitting an operation signal by a radio wave, a receiver for receiving an operation signal transmitted from the wireless remote controller, and an operation of the indoor unit based on the operation signal when the operation signal is received by the receiver. In the air conditioner including a control device for controlling the wireless remote controller, the wireless remote controller is provided with transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal including a custom code for identifying the wireless remote controller, and the controller receives the reception signal. Judge whether the custom code included in the operation signal received by the instrument matches the preset custom code Wherein both custom code by determining means and said determining means is provided with a control means for controlling the operation of the indoor unit when it is determined that the match.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit, the wireless remote controller transmitting an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit by radio waves, An air provided with a receiver that receives an operation signal transmitted from a wireless remote controller, and a controller that controls the operation of the indoor unit based on the operation signal when the operation signal is received by the receiver. In the harmony device, the wireless remote controller is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal including a custom code for identifying the wireless remote controller, and a controller for controlling the wireless remote controller based on a signal from a telephone line. And a controller included in the operation signal received by the receiver in the control device. It is provided with a control means for controlling the operation of the indoor unit when the it is determined that both custom code matches the determining means and said determining means and custom code is previously set to Tamukodo it is determined whether match.

[0007]

In the air conditioner of the first aspect of the present invention, the outdoor unit is connected to the plurality of indoor units. The wireless remote controller of the air conditioner transmits an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit by radio waves, and the receiver receives the operation signal transmitted from the wireless remote controller.
Then, when the operation signal is received by the receiver, the control device controls the operation of the indoor unit based on the operation signal.

According to the present invention, the wireless remote controller is provided with the transmitting means, and the control device is provided with the judging means and the control means.

The transmitting means transmits an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit including a custom code for identifying any one of the plurality of indoor units. The determination means determines whether or not the custom code included in the operation signal received by the receiver matches a preset custom code, and the control means determines by the determination means that both custom codes match. Control the operation of the indoor unit.

As described above, since the operation signal for operation control of the air conditioner is transmitted by radio waves, the operation signal is transmitted to the air conditioner without being blocked by a wall or the like, and the air conditioner can be reliably operated. It can be operated remotely and controls the operation of the indoor unit when the custom code included in the operation signal received by the receiver matches the preset custom code, so both custom codes match. Only in this case, the operation of the indoor unit is controlled, and a plurality of indoor units can be selectively remotely controlled.

The operation of the invention of claim 2 is substantially the same as that of the invention of claim 1, and the operation of the invention of claim 2 and the operation of the invention of claim 1 are that the controller is the telephone line. The difference is that the wireless remote controller is controlled based on the signal from the.

As described above, since the wireless remote controller is controlled based on the signal from the telephone line, the wireless remote controller can transmit the operation signal including the custom code based on the signal from the telephone line, and A plurality of indoor units can be selectively operated remotely.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment uses an air conditioner (multi-type air conditioner) in which three indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit 12a. That is, three separate and independent rooms 15a, 15b, 15c
An indoor unit 10 having a refrigerant circulation path for circulating a refrigerant in each of (for example, a reception room, a kitchen, a living room)
a, 10b, 10c and the indoor units 10a, 10b,
The outdoor unit 12a to which 10c is connected is provided.
A wireless remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a wireless remote controller) 14 that transmits an operation signal by radio waves to remotely operate the air conditioner is provided in the room or the hallway where the indoor unit is provided.

The wireless remote controller 14 is powered on.
Various operation keys such as OFF, cooling / heating switching setting, temperature setting, timer setting, etc. are provided. By operating this operation key, an operation signal having a code corresponding to each item is output. . In this embodiment, radio waves are applied, and each of the indoor units 10a, 10b, 10c is provided with a receiving circuit 76B (described later) for receiving the radio waves via the antenna 76A.

Here, the operation signals sent from the wireless remote controller 14 by radio waves are the indoor units 10a, 10
When received by a receiving circuit 76B described later in each of b and 10c, the air conditioner controls the temperature, humidity, etc. in the room according to the code of the received operation signal.

The wireless remote controller 14 is engaged with the telecontroller 16. That is, the wireless remote controller 14 and the tele controller 16 are mechanically in contact with each other by a push switch (not shown) provided in the wireless remote controller 14 and a wireless remote switch push mechanism (not shown) provided in the tele controller 16. Upon receiving a control signal to be described later, the tele controller 16 controls the wireless remote controller 14 to cause the wireless remote controller 14 to transmit an operation signal corresponding to the received control signal.

The tele-controller 16 is connected to an automatic incoming circuit 20 via an outlet adapter 18. A telephone 22 is connected to the automatic call receiving circuit 20. The automatic call receiving circuit 20 is connected to another telephone 23 outside the building via a telephone line 21.

Next, the indoor units 10a, 10b, 10
c, the outdoor unit 12a and the refrigerant circuit of each air conditioner will be described. Here, the indoor units 10a, 10
b and 10c have the same configuration, and the respective refrigerant circuits also have the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, the indoor unit 10a, the outdoor unit 12b, and the indoor unit 10 will be described.
a, the refrigerant circuit of the outdoor unit 12a will be described, and the description of the other units and the refrigerant circuits of the other units will be omitted.

First, the refrigerant circuits of the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 12b will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor 26, a four-way valve 27, an outdoor heat exchanger 28 provided in the outdoor unit 12a, a capillary tube 30, an indoor heat exchanger 16 provided in the indoor unit 10a. The accumulator 24 is sequentially connected in a ring shape by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigeration cycle. According to this air conditioner, when the four-way valve 27 is in the state shown by the solid line in the figure, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 26 flows as shown by the solid line arrow, and the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 28.
The refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 16 to cool the room. When the four-way valve 27 is in the state of the broken line shown in the figure, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 26 flows as indicated by the broken line arrow, the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 16, and the refrigerant is discharged in the outdoor heat exchanger 28. Is evaporated and the room is heated.

In this refrigeration cycle, a room for blowing air indoors via a fan motor 112A and an indoor heat exchanger 16 which constitute an outdoor fan for blowing air outdoors via an outdoor heat exchanger 28. The fan motor 70 which comprises an inside blower is further provided.

Next, the electric circuit of the indoor unit 10a will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the electric circuit of the indoor unit 10a includes a power supply board 70 and a control board 72. A drive circuit 70 in which a fan motor 70E for adjusting the amount of air supplied to the room is connected to the power board 70
A, a motor power supply circuit 70B that generates electric power for driving various motors, a control circuit power supply circuit 70C that generates electric power for a control circuit, and a serial circuit power supply circuit 70D that generates electric power for a serial circuit are provided. Has been.

The control board 72 is provided with a serial circuit 72A connected to the serial circuit power supply circuit 70D, a drive circuit 72B for driving the motor, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 72C. The RAM as a storage means (not shown) of the microcomputer 72C stores a custom code for identifying itself. The drive circuit 72B includes a vertical flap motor 74A for vertically moving the flap, left and right flap motors 74B, 74C, and a floor sensor motor for rotationally driving a floor sensor for detecting the temperature of the floor surface in order to detect the temperature of the entire floor surface. 74D is connected.

The microcomputer 72C has a display board 76.
A display LED for displaying the operation mode, etc. provided in the
It is connected to a receiving circuit 76B as a receiving means for receiving an operation signal by radio waves from the wireless remote controller 14 via the antenna 76A.

Further, the microcomputer 72C is connected to an area LED for displaying a temperature detection area on the floor provided on the sensor substrate 78 and a floor sensor.

The wireless remote controller 14 selects a heating mode, a cooling mode, a dry mode, an automatic operation mode and the like, changes the set temperature, changes the amount of blown air, and drives the flap motors 74A, 74B and 74C. The air conditioner is controlled such as changing the angle.

Further, the microcomputer 72C is connected with a room temperature sensor 80A for detecting the room temperature, a heat exchanger temperature sensor 80B for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant coil of the indoor heat exchanger 16, and a humidity sensor 80C for detecting the indoor humidity. In addition, a self-diagnosis LED provided on the switch substrate 82, an operation changeover switch for changing over the operation mode to a heating mode, a cooling mode, a dry mode, and an automatic operation mode, and a self-diagnosis switch are connected.

The operation changeover switch is provided with respective indications of "heating mode", "cooling mode", "dry mode" and "automatic operation mode", and the present switching state is provided on the display substrate 76. It is displayed by the display LED.

Next, the electric circuit of the outdoor unit 12a will be described. The electric circuit of the outdoor unit 12a includes a rectifying circuit 100 and a control board 102, as shown in FIG. The electric circuit of the outdoor unit 12 is
In, the electric circuit of the indoor unit 10 of FIG. 3 is connected.

The control board 102 generates electric power for switching the serial circuit 102A connected to the serial circuit power supply circuit 70D of the indoor unit 10a, noise filters 102B, 102C, 120D for removing noise, and the inverter 104. A switching power supply circuit 102E and a microcomputer 102F are provided.

An inverter 104 is connected to the switching power supply circuit 102E, and a compressor 26 for compressing a refrigerant is connected to the inverter 104.

Further, the microcomputer 102F includes an outside air temperature thermistor 110A for detecting the outside air temperature and the outdoor heat exchanger 2.
A coil temperature thermistor 110B that detects the temperature of the refrigerant coil 8 and a compressor temperature thermistor 110C that detects the temperature of the compressor 26 are connected.

Further, the noise filter 102B is connected with a fan motor 112A and a fan motor capacitor 112B for blowing air to the outdoor heat exchanger 28. The fan motor 112A and the fan motor capacitor 112B are connected in parallel with the compressor. A four-way valve 27 for changing the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from 26 and a solenoid valve 29 are connected to the noise filter 102B.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The operation changeover switch described above is switched to the "automatic operation mode". Here, the "automatic operation mode" means that a predetermined temperature is set, and when the temperature of the room is higher than the set temperature at the start of the operation, the operation is automatically switched to the cooling mode, while the temperature of the room If the temperature is lower than the set temperature, the mode is automatically switched to the heating mode to operate, and the temperature in each room is adjusted to the set temperature.

First, when a call is made from the remote telephone 23 shown in FIG. 1 and a call signal is sent to the telephone line 21,
The automatic incoming call circuit 20 automatically accepts an incoming call on the telephone line 21 immediately if the automatic incoming call mode is designated, and if the telephone 22 does not respond for a certain time or longer even if the automatic incoming call mode is not designated. , The telephone line 21 is connected to the telecontroller 16 via the outlet adapter 18. As a result, the tele controller 16 turns on the push switch by the wireless remote control switch push mechanism. The tele-controller 16 further includes the telephone 2
When a control signal composed of a signal corresponding to the number of the push button of 3 or the like is received, the received control signal is converted into a signal for the wireless remote controller 14 and output to the wireless remote controller 14.

The control signal includes the indoor unit 10a,
Custom code for identifying either 10b or 10c and the indoor unit 10 identified by the custom code
a, 10b, 10c power-on command information that is a command to turn on the power supply, or the indoor units 10a, 10
It includes power-off command information that is a command to turn off the power supply of either b or 10c. The wireless remote controller 1 that has input the converted control signal for the wireless remote controller 14
4 transmits an operation signal according to the input control signal.
That is, the wireless remote controller 14 transmits an operation signal including a custom code and power-on command information or a custom code and power-off command information by radio waves.

Three separate and independent rooms 15a, 15b,
Each indoor unit 10 provided in each of 15c
Each of the microcomputers a, 10b, and 10c is in a standby state until the operation circuit receives the operation signal, and when the operation signal is received (step 202, see FIG. 5), the operation signal received in step 204 is received. The custom code analysis is performed from the above, and in step 206, as a result of the custom code analysis, it is determined whether or not the custom code included in the operation signal matches the custom code owned by the user. If they do not match, the process returns to step 202 to enter the standby state. An indoor unit 10a in which the custom code included in the operation signal matches the custom code that the user owns,
The microcomputer 10b or 10c executes step 20.
At 8, it is determined whether or not there is a power-on instruction by determining whether or not the operation signal includes power-on information. When the power-on command is issued, in step 210, the operation in the automatic operation mode is started. On the other hand, if it is not the power-on command, that is, if it is a power-off command, in step 212, the power is turned off and the operation in the automatic operation mode is stopped.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the operation signal for operating the indoor unit is transmitted by the wireless remote controller, the signals other than the indoor unit provided in the room where the wireless remote controller is placed are transmitted. The reception circuit of the indoor unit can receive the operation signal without being blocked by the wall or the like, and can reliably perform the remote operation of the air conditioner.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control signal composed of the signals corresponding to the numbers of the push buttons of the telephone is converted into the signal for the wireless remote controller by the tele controller and output to the wireless remote controller. Since the converted control signal is transmitted as an operation signal for operating the indoor unit, the indoor unit other than the indoor unit provided in the room where the wireless remote control is placed can be used by the telephone even from a remote place outside the building. Can be surely operated remotely. As a result, the power of the indoor unit can be turned on and off by the telephone from the outside, and the room can be made comfortable when returning home and the laundry dried in the room can be dried.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the operation signal obtained by converting the control signal transmitted from the telephone at the remote place has a custom code for identifying the indoor unit, and the indoor unit has a custom code. When the code matches the custom code included in the operation signal, the operation in the automatic operation mode is started or stopped, so even if you are using a telephone from a remote location outside the building, you can The indoor unit can be selectively controlled.

In the embodiment described above, the power source on / off command information is transmitted from the wireless remote controller to start or stop the operation in the automatic operation mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heating mode is not limited. The operation of any one of the cooling mode and the dry mode may be started or stopped, and the selection of each mode such as the heating mode, the cooling mode, the dry mode and the automatic operation mode, the change of the set temperature, It is also possible to perform control such as changing the amount of blown air and driving the flap motor to change the flap angle. Further, the operation may be stopped or started after a predetermined time by an operation signal for setting a timer.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example of remote control of the air conditioner by a telephone in a remote place outside the building has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of telephones (one parent) can be installed in the building. Machine and a plurality of slaves), call the master's phone from any phone in the building, and control the wireless remote controller by controlling the telecontroller from the master's phone via the outlet adapter, A plurality of air conditioners may be selectively controlled.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless remote controller and the telecontroller are mechanically brought into contact with each other, but the invention is not limited to this, and the wireless remote controller and the telecontroller are connected by cable wiring or the like. It may be electrically connected, and the control signal converted for the wireless remote controller is transmitted to the wireless remote controller by radio waves, and the wireless remote controller receives the signal transmitted from the telecontroller and based on the received signal. The operation signal may be transmitted to the air conditioner by radio waves.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which one outdoor unit is provided for three indoor units has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for multiple indoor units other than three. One outdoor unit may be provided.

[0045]

According to the invention described in claim 1 described above, the operation signal for operation control of the air conditioner is transmitted by the radio wave, so that the operation signal is applied to the air conditioner without being blocked by a wall or the like. The transmitted air conditioner can be reliably operated remotely, and the operation of the indoor unit is controlled when the custom code included in the operation signal received by the receiver matches the preset custom code. Therefore, the operation of the indoor unit is controlled only when the two custom codes match, and the plurality of indoor units can be selectively remotely operated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the wireless remote controller is controlled based on the signal from the telephone line. Therefore, the wireless remote controller transmits the operation signal including the custom code based on the signal from the telephone line. Therefore, there is an effect that a plurality of indoor units can be selectively remote-controlled by the telephone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship among an air conditioner, a wireless remote controller, a telephone, and the like according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of an indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation control routine of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Indoor Unit 12 Outdoor Unit 14 Wireless Remote Control 72C Microcomputer 77A Speaker

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit, the wireless remote controller transmitting an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit by radio waves, and the wireless remote controller transmitting the operation signal. A receiver that receives the operation signal, and a control device that controls the operation of the indoor unit based on the operation signal when the operation signal is received by the receiver. The remote controller is provided with transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal including a custom code for identifying any of the plurality of indoor units, and the control device includes a custom code included in the operation signal received by the receiver. Judgment means for judging whether or not the preset custom code matches, and the judgment means determines that the two custom codes match. An air conditioner comprising control means for controlling the operation of the indoor unit when it is determined that the air conditioner is in operation. 2. An air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit, the wireless remote controller transmitting an operation signal for operation control of the indoor unit by radio waves, and the wireless remote controller transmitting the operation signal. A receiver that receives the operation signal, and a control device that controls the operation of the indoor unit based on the operation signal when the operation signal is received by the receiver. The remote controller is provided with transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal containing a custom code for identifying any one of the plurality of indoor units, and a controller for controlling the wireless remote controller based on a signal from a telephone line. , The controller is preset with a custom code included in the operation signal received by the receiver. The air conditioner is characterized in that it is provided with a judging means for judging whether or not the custom code matches and a controlling means for controlling the operation of the indoor unit when the judging means judges that the both custom codes match. Machine.