KR100961792B1 - Communication Method And System Using Refrigerant Pipe of Air Conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

Receiving, from the indoor unit controller, a indoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the first transmission signal which is a signal to be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner; Generating a refrigerant pipe signal that is a signal that can be transmitted using a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant of the air conditioner can flow by receiving the first transmission signal; And an outdoor unit communication unit capable of receiving and receiving a refrigerant tube signal and electrically communicating with the outdoor unit controller, generating a second transmission signal, which is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller by receiving a refrigerant tube signal. And outputting a refrigerant pipe signal to the outdoor unit communication unit so that the refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the refrigerant pipe to be transmitted to the outdoor unit control unit. The present invention relates to a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner and a system implementing the same. .

According to the present invention, communication between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is possible without additional communication lines other than the refrigerant pipe.

Air conditioner, refrigerant tube, communication

Description

Communication Method and System Using Refrigerant Pipe of Air Conditioner

The present invention relates to a communication method and system for allowing an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner to communicate with each other using a refrigerant pipe without an additional communication line. Specifically, a refrigerant pipe signal that can be transmitted using a refrigerant pipe can receive a transmission signal from an indoor unit of the air conditioner. The present invention relates to a method and a system for generating a refrigerant pipe signal and allowing the refrigerant pipe signal to be transmitted to the outdoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

Air conditioners that regulate the temperature of indoor air are becoming a necessity in factories, homes, and offices. Basically, such an air conditioner includes an indoor unit that sucks indoor air by using a refrigerant to take the heat of the indoor air and lowers the indoor temperature, and an outdoor unit that lowers the temperature of the refrigerant while sucking and releasing outdoor air.

In order to control the speed of these cycles, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit communicate with each other to exchange information. That is, the indoor unit transmits the indoor state such as the current temperature of the room or the set temperature input by the user or the cooling command input to the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit controls the degree of condensation of the refrigerant by grasping the condition of the indoor unit and the cooling command.

In the case of multi-air conditioners, which are rapidly increasing in recent years, communication between indoor units and outdoor units is essential. The multi-air conditioner is an indoor unit provided with indoor units in each room of the building and connected to a plurality of indoor units provided in each room.

Even in such a multi-air conditioner, the indoor unit transmits a cooling command input to the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. In this case, the outdoor unit may determine which cooling command is input to which indoor unit to adjust the degree of condensation of the refrigerant.

In addition, the outdoor unit may analyze the operation state of each indoor unit and transmit the state data according to the indoor controller or a local controller that controls the operation of the indoor unit. Local controller refers to controlling indoor unit or outdoor unit by connecting with air conditioner through network.

The local controller determines which cooling command is input to which indoor unit connected to which outdoor unit, and transmits a control command for controlling the condensation degree of the refrigerant for each outdoor unit to the outdoor unit to control the outdoor unit. In addition, the local controller may be connected to the local controller and the remote controller connected through the Internet network to receive a control command from the remote controller and transmit it to the outdoor unit.

In the past, such indoor and outdoor communication was mostly performed using a communication method such as RS-485. In other words, the conventional communication method requires a separate communication cable connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit in addition to the refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit for communication between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

However, in the case of the conventional communication method, additional costs and effort for embedding and wiring of a separate communication cable were inevitable when installing the air conditioner.

In addition, according to the conventional method, there is no problem with the refrigerant pipe, but when communication between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit becomes impossible due to a failure or a failure of the communication cable, the existing cable installed by a landfill or the like should be replaced or repaired. This was a costly, cumbersome and very difficult task.

Therefore, the conventional method, as well as the installation of a separate communication cable for the communication between the indoor and outdoor periods, has a problem that the maintenance and repair is also very difficult and additional cost and effort.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication method and system using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner using a refrigerant pipe as a medium for information transmission so that the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can communicate without a separate communication cable. do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the steps of receiving a first transmission signal from the indoor unit control unit which is a signal to be transmitted to the outdoor unit control unit for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner to control the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; Generating a refrigerant pipe signal that is a signal that can be transmitted using a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant of the air conditioner can flow by receiving the first transmission signal; And an outdoor unit communication unit capable of receiving and receiving a refrigerant tube signal and electrically communicating with the outdoor unit controller, generating a second transmission signal, which is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller by receiving a refrigerant tube signal. It provides a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner, and a system implementing the same; comprising the step of outputting the refrigerant pipe signal to the outdoor unit communication unit to transmit the refrigerant pipe signal through the refrigerant pipe to be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller. .

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to install a separate communication cable in addition to the refrigerant pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit when installing the air conditioner, so that the air conditioner can be easily installed and the communication between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is possible unless the refrigerant tube is broken. There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional air conditioner in which a separate communication cable is required in addition to a refrigerant pipe. Conventional air conditioners include an indoor unit (1), outdoor unit (2), refrigerant pipe (3), indoor unit control unit (4), outdoor unit control unit (5) and communication cable (6).

The indoor unit 1 is located in the interior of the building and sucks in the hot air of the room to emit cold air. The outdoor unit 2 is located on the roof of a building or a window, and sucks air outside the building and heats it. The coolant pipe 3 connects the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 with a metal pipe through which a refrigerant of the air conditioner flows.

The indoor unit controller 4 controls the operation of the indoor unit 1, and the outdoor unit controller 5 controls the operation of the outdoor unit 2. The indoor unit control unit 4 and the outdoor unit control unit 5 are connected with a communication cable 6 separate from the refrigerant pipe.

The indoor unit controller 1 provides a communication cable 6 with information about a set temperature, a cooling command, an indoor temperature at which the indoor unit 1 is currently located, and the like, which are input from a indoor unit through a user interface (UI) with an air conditioner user. Transfer to the outdoor unit controller (5) through.

The outdoor unit controller 5 may receive a variety of information from the indoor unit controller 1 through the communication cable 6 to adjust the condensation rate of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe 3.

If there is a separate local controller (not shown) for controlling a plurality of outdoor units in addition to the outdoor unit 2, the outdoor unit controller 5 transmits various information received from the indoor unit controller 4 to the local controller and the refrigerant from the local controller. The condensation rate of the refrigerant may be received accordingly to adjust the condensation rate of the refrigerant in the outdoor unit (2) accordingly.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which a refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through a refrigerant pipe in a single mode.

In FIG. 2, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 11. The indoor unit 10 includes an indoor unit control unit 40, and the outdoor unit 11 includes an outdoor unit control unit 41.

The refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11 includes a first refrigerant pipe part 20 and a second refrigerant pipe part 21. The first refrigerant pipe part 20 is a portion corresponding to the refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows from the outdoor unit 11 to the indoor unit 10. The second refrigerant pipe part 21 is a portion corresponding to the refrigerant pipe from which the refrigerant flows from the indoor unit 10 to the outdoor unit 11.

That is, the refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20 is introduced into the outdoor unit 11 through the second refrigerant pipe unit 21, and again, the indoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20. Flows along the refrigerant pipe.

The indoor unit communication unit 200 of the communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to the present invention is electrically connected to the indoor unit control unit 40 to transmit and receive a signal, the outdoor unit communication unit 250 is electrically connected to the outdoor unit control unit 41 and the signal Send and receive. In addition, the indoor unit communication unit 200 and the outdoor unit communication unit 250 may communicate with each other using a refrigerant pipe.

The indoor unit communication unit 200 includes a first indoor transmitter / receiver 210, an indoor unit generator 22, and a second indoor transmitter / receiver 230.

When the indoor unit controller 40 generates the first transmission signal, the first indoor transmitter / receiver 210 receives the first transmission signal from the indoor unit controller 40 and transmits the first transmission signal to the indoor unit generator 220.

The first transmission signal refers to a signal that the indoor unit controller 40 that controls the operation of the indoor unit 10 transmits to the outdoor unit controller 41 that the indoor unit controller 40 controls the operation of the outdoor unit 11. For example, the first transmission signal may be a cooling command or a set temperature input from the user of the indoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 10, or a current temperature of indoor air in which the indoor unit 10 is located.

The indoor unit generator 220 receives the first transmission signal received by the first indoor transmitter / receiver 210 and generates a refrigerant pipe signal. The coolant pipe signal is a signal that can be transmitted using the coolant pipes 20 and 21. That is, the indoor air generation unit 220 modulates the first transmission signal into the refrigerant pipe signal so that the first transmission signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 41 using the refrigerant pipe.

The second indoor transmission / reception unit 230 receives the refrigerant pipe signal generated by the indoor air generation unit 220 and outputs the refrigerant pipe signal so that the refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit communication unit 250 through the refrigerant pipe.

The first connection part 240 is connected to the second refrigerant pipe part 21 so that the refrigerant pipe signal output from the second indoor transmission and reception part 230 flows to the second refrigerant pipe part 21. The second connection part 290 is connected to the second refrigerant pipe part 21 to receive the refrigerant pipe signal flowing through the second refrigerant pipe part 21 and transmits it to the second outdoor air transmitter and receiver 280.

The first connection part 240 and the second connection part 290 are connected to the second refrigerant pipe part 21 but may be connected to the first refrigerant pipe part 20.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280 receives the refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit 21 from the second connector 290 and transmits the signal to the outdoor air generation unit 270.

The outdoor air generator 270 receives the refrigerant pipe signal from the second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280 and generates a second transmission signal. The second transmission signal is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 41 and refers to a signal generated by the outdoor unit generator 270 by demodulating the refrigerant pipe signal.

The second transmission signal is preferably the same signal as the first transmission signal generated by the indoor unit controller 40. However, the second transmission signal may be different from the first transmission signal due to collision between the signals, noise, or other reasons.

The first outdoor air transmitter / receiver 260 receives the second transmission signal generated by the outdoor air generator 270 from the outdoor air generator 270, and transmits the second transmission signal to the outdoor air controller 41.

Until now, the signal has been transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 200 to the outdoor unit communication unit 250, but in the communication system according to the present invention, the outdoor unit communication unit 250 may transmit the signal to the indoor unit communication unit 200 through the refrigerant pipe.

When the outdoor unit controller 41 generates and outputs a third transmission signal that is information about the operation status of the outdoor unit 11, the first outdoor air transmitter and receiver 260 receives the third transmission signal from the outdoor unit controller 41 to generate an outdoor unit. Transfer to section 270.

The third transmission signal refers to a signal that the outdoor unit controller 41 controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 11 transmits to the indoor unit controller 40 controlling the operation of the indoor unit 10. For example, the third transmission signal may be related to an operating state of the outdoor unit 11 or a circulation speed of the refrigerant.

The outdoor air generator 270 receives the third transmission signal from the first outdoor air receiver 260 and generates a reverse refrigerant pipe signal. The reverse refrigerant pipe signal is a signal that can be transmitted using the refrigerant pipe and refers to a signal generated as a result of modulating the third transmission signal by the outdoor air generation unit 270.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280 outputs the reverse refrigerant pipe signal such that the reverse refrigerant pipe signal generated by the outdoor air generation unit 270 is transmitted to the indoor unit communication unit 200 through the refrigerant pipe.

The second connection unit 290 receives the reverse refrigerant pipe signal from the second outdoor air receiver 280 to allow the reverse refrigerant pipe signal to flow into the second refrigerant pipe unit 21. The first connection part 240 receives the refrigerant pipe signal flowing through the second refrigerant pipe part 21 and transmits the signal to the second indoor transmission and reception part 230.

The second indoor transmission / reception unit 230 receives the reverse refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit 21 from the first connection unit 240 and transmits the signal to the indoor unit generation unit 220.

The indoor unit generation unit 220 receives the reverse refrigerant pipe signal from the second indoor transmission / reception unit 230 and generates a fourth transmission signal. The fourth transmission signal is a signal that can be transmitted to the indoor unit controller 40 and refers to a signal generated by the indoor unit generation unit 220 by demodulating the reverse refrigerant pipe signal.

The fourth transmission signal is preferably the same signal as the third transmission signal generated by the outdoor unit controller 41. However, the fourth transmission signal may be different from the third transmission signal due to collision between signals, noise, or other reasons.

The first indoor transmission / reception unit 210 transmits the fourth transmission signal generated by the indoor unit generation unit 220 to the indoor unit control unit 40. The indoor unit controller 40 obtains information regarding an operating state of the outdoor unit through the fourth transmission signal.

In FIG. 2, the refrigerant pipe signal between the indoor unit communication unit 200 and the outdoor unit communication unit 250 may be transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20 or the second refrigerant pipe unit 21 in a single mode. Single mode is also referred to as single-ended mode, and refers to a communication method in which a single signal is transmitted and received using a single wire.

In the communication system using the refrigerant tube of the air conditioner, the refrigerant tube serving as a communication line between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11 is actually all connected to one. Therefore, when the communication is performed by the single mode, there is an advantage that communication is possible in a wide frequency band such as low frequency and high frequency.

Compared to the single mode, the communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner of the present invention may use the differential mode (Differential Mode) to transmit the refrigerant pipe signal through the refrigerant pipe. The differential method refers to a communication method in which two signals having opposite phases from each other are transmitted and received through two communication paths.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through a refrigerant pipe by such a differential method.

In FIG. 3, the indoor air generation unit 320 receives the first transmission signal and generates a refrigerant pipe signal including a first refrigerant pipe signal and a second refrigerant pipe signal that are opposite in phase to each other. The second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 receives a refrigerant pipe signal including the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal from the indoor air generation unit 320.

The second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 outputs the first refrigerant pipe signal to the third connection part 341 so that the first refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit communication unit 250 through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20. In addition, the second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 outputs the second refrigerant pipe signal to the first connection unit 340 such that the second refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit communication unit 250 through the second refrigerant pipe unit 21.

The third connector 341 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe unit 20 so that the first refrigerant pipe signal flows through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20. The first connector 340 is connected to the second refrigerant pipe part 21 to allow the second refrigerant pipe signal to flow into the second refrigerant pipe part 21.

The fourth connector 391 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe unit 20 to receive the first refrigerant pipe signal flowing through the first refrigerant pipe unit 20 and transmits the signal to the second outdoor air receiver 380 and the second connector 390. ) Is connected to the second refrigerant pipe unit 21 and receives the second refrigerant pipe signal flowing through the second refrigerant pipe unit 21 and transmits it to the second outdoor air transmitter and receiver 380.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 380 is configured to respectively connect the first refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe part 20 and the second refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe part 21 to the fourth connection part 391. And it receives from the second connector 390 and delivers to the outdoor unit generator 370.

The outdoor air generation unit 370 receives the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal and generates a second transmission signal. The outdoor unit generator 370 may generate the second transmission signal by demodulating a signal obtained by adding a first refrigerant pipe signal to a signal inverting the phase of the second refrigerant pipe signal. As described above, it is common in the art to demodulate two input signals that are opposite in phase in the differential method, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Differential method is generally known to have better communication performance than single mode because of the advantage that the noise of communication line can be eliminated by common mode rejection.

However, when the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner is used as the communication line, the refrigerant pipes are substantially all connected to one. Therefore, when communicating using the refrigerant pipes that are physically connected to one, the indoor unit communication unit 300 and the outdoor unit communication unit 350 do not have two physically completely separated communication lines.

However, the refrigerant pipe is bent more than the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11 outside as shown in FIG. 3 to increase the surface area of the refrigerant tube in contact with the air in the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11. The section of the coolant tube that is more bent inside the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11 is relatively higher than the section of the less bent refrigerant tube outside the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 11. It may appear to have a high impedance.

Therefore, in the high frequency region, the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal flow in a relatively low impedance section. By using this characteristic, even in a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner of the present invention, communication is performed by a differential method.

In the communication system according to the differential method of FIG. 3, as in FIG. 2, a signal may be transmitted from the outdoor unit communication unit 350 to the indoor unit communication unit 300 through the refrigerant pipe, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner of the present invention may include a transformer. This will be described in more detail below.

4 is a block diagram of a case in which the indoor unit communication unit 200 of FIG. 2 includes a transformer in connection with an example of communicating using a single mode.

In FIG. 4, the first indoor transmitter / receiver 210 receives a first transmission signal from the indoor controller 40 through a communication path 211 connected to the indoor controller 40.

The indoor unit generation unit 220 includes a first indoor conversion unit 221 and a second indoor conversion unit 222. The first indoor conversion unit 221 receives the first transmission signal and generates a first conversion signal. The first converted signal is a signal that can be transmitted using a refrigerant pipe and refers to a signal generated as a result of demodulating the first transmission signal by the first indoor conversion unit 221.

The second indoor conversion unit 222 receives the first converted signal from the first indoor conversion unit 221 and outputs a refrigerant pipe signal. The second indoor converter 222 includes a transformer. That is, when the first converted signal flows through the coil of the transformer of the first indoor transformer 221 of the transformer, the refrigerant pipe signal is induced in the coil of the second indoor transmitter / receiver by electromagnetic induction.

The refrigerant pipe signal may have the same size as the first converted signal, or may be amplified or reduced in size compared to the first converted signal, and may be freely determined by a user or a designer of the present invention.

The second indoor transmission / reception unit 230 receives the refrigerant pipe signal output from the second indoor conversion unit 222 and outputs the refrigerant pipe signal to the communication path 231 connected to the first connection unit 240 to generate the refrigerant pipe signal. It is to be delivered to the outdoor unit communication unit 250 through the refrigerant pipe.

5 is a configuration diagram of an example in which the outdoor unit communication unit 250 of FIG. 2 includes a transformer.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280 receives the refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe through the communication path 281 connected to the second connection unit 290.

The outdoor air generation unit 270 includes a first outdoor air conversion unit 271 and a second outdoor air conversion unit 272.

The second outdoor air conversion unit 272 receives the refrigerant pipe signal from the second outdoor air transmission and reception unit 280 and outputs a second converted signal. The second external conversion unit 272 includes a transformer.

The second converted signal refers to a signal induced in the coil of the first outdoor air conversion unit 271 side by electromagnetic induction when a refrigerant pipe signal flows through the coil of the second outdoor air transmission / reception unit 280 of the transformer. The magnitude of the second converted signal may be the same as or different from that of the refrigerant pipe signal.

The first outdoor unit converter 271 receives the second converted signal output from the second outdoor unit converter 272 and outputs a second transmission signal. The first outdoor air transmitter / receiver 260 transmits the second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller 41 through a communication path 261 with the outdoor unit controller 41.

Even in an embodiment in which communication is performed by a differential method, a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner of the present invention may include a transformer.

6 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment in which the indoor unit communication unit 300 of FIG. 3 includes a transformer, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment in which the outdoor unit communication unit 350 of FIG. 3 includes a transformer.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the indoor unit controller 40 of FIG. 3 transmits information to the outdoor unit controller 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The first indoor transmission / reception unit 310 receives the first transmission signal from the indoor unit control unit 40 through the communication path 311 with the indoor unit control unit 40 and transmits the first transmission signal to the indoor unit generation unit 320.

The indoor unit generation unit 320 includes a first indoor conversion unit 321 and a second indoor conversion unit 322.

When the first indoor conversion unit 321 receives the first transmission signal from the first indoor transmission / reception unit 310, the first indoor conversion unit 321 generates the first conversion signal A and the first conversion signal B that are in opposite phases to each other, thereby forming two wires 323 and 324. Print each one out of). The first converted signal A and the first converted signal B are signals that can be transmitted through the refrigerant pipe and are signals generated by the first indoor conversion unit 321 demodulating the first transmitted signal.

The second indoor converter 322 includes a transformer. When the first indoor conversion unit 322 receives the first conversion signal A and the first conversion signal B from the first indoor conversion unit 321 through two wires 323 and 324, the first refrigerant pipes may be out of phase with each other. Outputs a signal and a second refrigerant pipe signal.

The first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal are derived from the coil of the second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 when the first conversion signal A and the first conversion signal B are input to the coil of the first indoor conversion unit 321. It is output to the second indoor transmission and reception unit 330 side through the wires at both ends of the coil.

When the second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 receives the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal from the second indoor conversion unit 322, the conductive wire 331 connected to the first refrigerant pipe signal with the third connection part 341. ) And a second refrigerant pipe signal to the conductive line 332 connected to the first connector 340.

In FIG. 7, the second outdoor unit communication unit 380 receives the first refrigerant pipe signal from the conductive wire 382 connected to the fourth connector 391 and the second refrigerant pipe from the conductive wire 381 connected to the second connector 390. The signal is received and transmitted to the outdoor unit generator 370.

The outdoor air generation unit 370 includes a first outdoor air conversion unit 371 and a second outdoor air conversion unit 372.

The second outdoor unit converter 372 receives the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal received by the second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 380 and outputs a second converted signal. The second outdoor unit converter 372 includes a transformer.

In the second converted signal, the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal are input to both ends of the coil of the second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 380 and connected to one end of the coil of the first outdoor air converter 371 by electromagnetic induction. The signal output to the conductive line 375 is referred to. The second converted signal preferably has a value obtained by inverting one of the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal and adding the other one.

The first outdoor unit converter 371 receives the second converted signal, outputs a second transmission signal, and transmits the second transmission signal to the first outdoor unit transmitter / receiver 360. The first outdoor unit converter 371 demodulates the second converted signal and outputs a second transmission signal.

The first outdoor transmitter / receiver 360 outputs the second transmission signal to the conductive wire 361 connected to the outdoor unit controller 41 so that the second transmission signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 41.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the outdoor unit controller 41 of FIG. 3 transmits information to the indoor unit controller 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The first outdoor air transmitter / receiver 350 receives a third transmission signal from the outdoor air controller 41 through the lead 361 connected to the outdoor air controller 41, and transmits the third transmission signal to the first outdoor air converter 371.

The first outdoor unit converter 371 receives the third transmission signal and outputs a first inverse converted signal A and a first inverse converted signal B. The first inverse converted signal A and the first inverse converted signal B are signals that can be transmitted through the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner and are generated by modulating the third transmission signal by the first outdoor unit converter 371. The first inverse transform signal A and the first inverse transform signal B have opposite phases to each other for transmission through a differential scheme.

The second outdoor unit converter 372 receives the first inverse converted signal A and the first inverse converted signal B through two different conductive wires 373 and 374, respectively, and receives the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal and the second reverse refrigerant pipe signal, respectively. The outdoor air transmitter 380 outputs the wires connected to both ends of the coil. The first reverse refrigerant pipe signal and the second reverse refrigerant pipe signal are generated by the transformer by the first reverse conversion signal A and the first reverse conversion signal B.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 380 outputs the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal to the conductive wire 382 connected to the fourth connection part 391 and outputs the second reverse refrigerant pipe signal to the conductive wire connected to the second connection part 390. .

In FIG. 6, the second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 330 receives the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal through the conductive wire 331 connected to the third connector 341 and receives the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal through the conductive wire 332 connected to the first connector 340. The two reverse refrigerant pipe signals are received and transferred to the second indoor converter 322.

The second indoor conversion unit 322 generates a second reverse conversion signal when the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal and the second reverse refrigerant pipe signal are input from the second indoor transmission / reception unit 330 to generate the first indoor conversion unit 321. Output to the conductive wire 325 connected with.

The second reverse conversion signal is a wire connected to the first indoor conversion unit 321 by electromagnetic induction when the first reverse refrigerant pipe signal and the second reverse refrigerant pipe signal are input to both ends of the coil of the second indoor transmission / reception unit 330. The signal output to 325 is referred to. The second inverse transform signal preferably has a value obtained by inverting one of the first inverse refrigerant tube signal and the second inverse refrigerant tube signal and adding the other one.

When the first indoor conversion unit 321 receives the second inverse transform signal through the wire 325 connected to the second indoor conversion unit 322, the first indoor conversion unit 321 generates a fourth transmission signal and transmits it to the first indoor transmission / reception unit 310. do.

The first indoor transmission / reception unit 310 transmits the fourth transmission signal to the indoor unit control unit 40 through the communication path 311 with the indoor unit control unit 40 when the first indoor conversion unit 321 generates the fourth transmission signal. send.

As such, when the communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner of the present invention includes a transformer, the channel of the indoor unit controller 40 or the outdoor unit controller 41 and the channel of the refrigerant tubes 20 and 21 may be separated. That is, the exchange of electrical signals between the two channels may be made through a transformer instead of directly.

Therefore, when an unexpected high voltage or current is formed at the refrigerant pipes 20 and 21, it may be blocked by a transformer so that the first indoor conversion units 221 and 321 or the first outdoor air conversion units 271 and 371 may not be affected. have.

The first to fourth connectors 240, 290, 340, 341, 390, and 391 may transmit or receive electrical signals to or from the coolant tubes by various connection methods.

This connection may be by direct electrical contact. In this case, each of the connecting parts is stripped of one end of the electric wire, and the stripped part is directly contacted with the refrigerant pipe through soldering or the like.

In addition, the connection method may be due to an electromagnetic coupling (Magnetic Coupling). To this end, the conductive wire and the refrigerant pipe connected to the indoor unit communication unit 200 or 300 or the outdoor unit communication unit 250 and 350 are coupled using a coupling core to exchange electrical signals between the conductive wire and the refrigerant tube by an electromagnetic induction method. Can be.

In the case of using such a coupling core, the channel is effectively separated between the refrigerant pipes 20 and 21 and the indoor unit communication unit 200 and 300 or the refrigerant pipes 20 and 21 and the outdoor unit communication unit 250 and 350 without cutting any wires. And the like may be blocked.

The first to fourth connectors 240, 290, 340, 341, 390 and 391 may be freely implemented by the user or designer of the present invention by any other method as described above, provided that the electrical signals are exchangeable between the electric conductor and the refrigerant pipe.

In the communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner of the present invention, the indoor unit communication unit (200, 300) may be located inside the indoor unit (10) or may be located outside. The outdoor unit communication unit 250 and 350 may also be located inside or outside the outdoor unit 11.

When the indoor unit communication unit 200, 300 is located in the indoor unit 10, the indoor unit communication unit 200, 300 may be mounted on the same board as the indoor unit control unit 40, or may be mounted on a separate board.

Even when the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 are located in the outdoor unit 11, the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 may be mounted on the same board as the outdoor unit control unit 41 or may be mounted on separate boards.

14 is a view showing the structure of a conventional system air conditioner. In FIG. 14, the system air conditioner includes outdoor units 1410, 1420, 1430, and an indoor unit 1440. The outdoor units 1410, 1420, and 1430 are connected to the indoor unit 1440 through the refrigerant tube 1401, and the communication system of the present invention transmits a communication signal through the refrigerant tube 1401.

However, in general, each outdoor unit 1410, 1420, 1430 or indoor unit 1440 is connected to the ground line 1400 and is grounded. The ground wire 1400 may also be connected to other electronic devices 1450 in addition to the air conditioner.

A general purpose of the grounding line 1400 is to prevent a possible accident by causing a current to flow through the grounding line 1400 when a voltage such as a commercial power source is applied to an enclosure of an air conditioner or various electronic devices.

However, when several electronic devices are connected to one ground wire 1400 as shown in FIG. 14, various electronic signals flow from each electronic device through the ground wire 1400 and the indoor unit 1440 or the outdoor units 1410, 1420, and 1430. It may be delivered to the refrigerant pipe 1401.

These signals may correspond to noise in terms of the communication system of the present invention. Such noises may reduce the quality of communication using the refrigerant pipe of the present invention or interfere with normal communication.

Therefore, the communication line between the ground wire 1400 and the refrigerant pipe 1401 is separated to block the inflow of noise from the ground wire 1400 into the refrigerant pipe 1401 and the ground wire 1400 performs its original function. There is a need for an implementation of the technique.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a structure of an air conditioner to which the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 of the present invention are mounted. In FIG. 15, the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 are mounted at the ground line 1400 of the outdoor unit 1410, 1420, 1430, or the indoor unit 1440.

The signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 block high frequency signals to block various noises that may be transmitted through the ground line 1400 such that the noises do not flow through the refrigerant pipe 1401. Such a high frequency signal refers to a signal having a high frequency that affects communication using the refrigerant pipe of the present invention, and preferably a signal having a high frequency of 1 MHz or more.

In addition, the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 preferably pass low-frequency signals. This is to allow the ground wire 1400 to implement the original function of the ground wire 1400 such that current flows through the ground wire 1400 when an abnormal voltage is applied to the housing of the electronic device. The low frequency signal is preferably a frequency of 1 MHz or less, and the commercial frequency (60 Hz) will be the most representative example.

The signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 may have a structure that is cut between the existing ground wire 1400 and mounted between the cut ground wires 1400, and does not cut the existing ground wire 1400. It may also be a non-cutting structure mounted externally.

In the case of the non-cutting structure, the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 may use ferrite cores. In this case, the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 may be tubular with a ferrite core, and the ground wire 1400 may pass through or block the tubular signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540. The device 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540 may be wound several times and then penetrated. Since the ferrite core is generally a widely used material, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the signal blocking devices 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 are used, an unnecessary high frequency noise signal flowing from the outdoor unit 1410, 1420, 1430, the indoor unit 1440, or various other electronic devices 1450 may be connected to the ground line 1400. It can be prevented from being transmitted to the refrigerant pipe 1401 through.

As a result, a communication channel called the refrigerant pipe 1401 is separated from the ground line 1400 through the shielding effect of the high frequency noise signal, thereby improving communication performance in the communication system using the refrigerant pipe of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the electrical connection between the indoor unit controller 40, the indoor unit communication unit 200, 300, the outdoor unit communication unit 250, 350, and the outdoor unit control unit 41 in the embodiment in which data is transmitted from the indoor unit controller 40 to the outdoor unit controller 41 of the present invention. A flow chart showing the flow of signals. Hereinafter, a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The indoor unit controller 40 transmits the first transmission signal to the indoor unit communication units 200 and 300 (S81). The first transmission signal refers to a signal that the indoor unit controller 40 that controls the operation of the indoor unit 10 transmits to the outdoor unit controller 41 that the indoor unit controller 40 controls the operation of the outdoor unit 11.

The indoor unit communication unit 200 or 300 generates a refrigerant tube signal so that the refrigerant tube signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 through the refrigerant tube of the air conditioner (S82). The refrigerant pipe signal refers to a signal that can be transmitted using the refrigerant pipes 20 and 21.

The outdoor unit communication unit 250 or 350 receives the refrigerant tube signal transmitted through the refrigerant tube to generate the second transmission signal, and transmits the second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller 41 (S83). The second transmission signal is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 41 and refers to a signal generated by the outdoor unit generator 270 by demodulating the refrigerant pipe signal.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in the indoor unit communication unit 200 and 300 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8.

The first indoor transmission / reception unit 210 or 310 receives the first transmission signal from the indoor unit controller 40 (S91). The indoor generators 220 and 320 generate a refrigerant pipe signal when the first indoor transmitter / receiver 210 or 310 receives the first transmission signal (S92).

When the indoor unit generation units 220 and 320 generate the refrigerant pipe signal, the second indoor transmission and reception unit 230 and 330 output the refrigerant pipe signal such that the refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit communication unit 250 and 350 through the refrigerant pipe (S93).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

The second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280, 380 receives a refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe (S101). When the outdoor air generators 270 and 370 receive the refrigerant pipe signal from the second outdoor air receiver 280 and 380, the outdoor air generators 270 and 370 receive the refrigerant pipe signal and generate a second transmission signal (S102). When the outdoor unit generators 270 and 370 generate the second transmission signal, the first outdoor air transmitter / receiver 260 or 360 transmits the second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller 41 (S103).

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which data is transmitted from an outdoor unit controller 41 to an indoor unit controller 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, between an indoor unit controller 40, an indoor unit communication unit 200, 300, an outdoor unit communication unit 250, 350, and an outdoor unit control unit 41. A flow chart showing the flow of electrical signals.

The outdoor unit controller 41 transmits a third transmission signal to the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 (S110). The third transmission signal refers to a signal that the outdoor unit controller 41 controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 11 transmits to the indoor unit controller 40 controlling the operation of the indoor unit 10.

The outdoor unit communication unit 250, 350 generates the reverse refrigerant tube signal to transmit the reverse refrigerant tube signal to the indoor unit communication unit 200, 300 through the refrigerant tube of the air conditioner (S111). The reverse refrigerant pipe signal is a signal that can be transmitted using the refrigerant pipe and refers to a signal generated as a result of modulating the third transmission signal by the outdoor air generation unit 270.

The indoor unit communication unit 250 or 350 receives the reverse refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe to generate a fourth transmission signal, and transmits the fourth transmission signal to the indoor unit controller 41 (S112). The fourth transmission signal is a signal that can be transmitted to the indoor unit controller 40 and refers to a signal generated by the indoor unit generation unit 220 by demodulating the reverse refrigerant pipe signal. The fourth transmission signal is preferably the same signal as the third transmission signal generated by the outdoor unit controller 41.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in the outdoor unit communication units 250 and 350 in the embodiment of FIG. 11.

The first outdoor air transmitter and receiver 260 and 360 receive a third transmission signal from the outdoor unit controller 41 (S121). The outdoor air generators 270 and 370 generate the reverse refrigerant pipe signal when the first outdoor air receivers 260 and 360 receive the third transmission signal (S122). When the outdoor unit generators 260 and 360 generate the reverse refrigerant pipe signal, the second outdoor air transmitter / receiver 280 and 380 outputs the reverse refrigerant pipe signal such that the reverse refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted to the indoor unit communication unit 200 and 300 through the refrigerant pipe ( S123).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in the indoor unit communication unit 200 or 300 in the embodiment of FIG. 11.

The second indoor transmission and reception unit 230 and 330 receive the reverse refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe (S131). When the indoor indoor generators 220 and 320 receive the reverse refrigerant pipe signal by the second indoor transmitter / receiver 230 and 330, the indoor air generators 220 and 320 generate the fourth transmission signal by receiving the reverse refrigerant pipe signal (S132). The first indoor transmission / reception unit 210 or 310 transmits the fourth transmission signal to the indoor unit controller 40 when the indoor generation unit 220 or 320 generates the fourth transmission signal (S133).

The method of the present invention can also be embodied in computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, which are also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). It also includes. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The technical scope of the present invention described above through the embodiments is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is evident to those who have knowledge. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the scope of the invention described above the claims of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a conventional communication method.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of electrical signals between an indoor unit controller, an indoor unit communication unit, an outdoor unit communication unit, and an outdoor unit control unit in one embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in an indoor unit communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in an outdoor unit communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of electrical signals between an indoor unit controller, an indoor unit communication unit, an outdoor unit communication unit, and an outdoor unit control unit in an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in an indoor unit communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner in an outdoor unit communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a structural diagram showing the structure of a conventional system air conditioner.

Figure 15 is a structural diagram showing the structure of an air conditioner equipped with a signal blocking device of the present invention.

Claims (10)

Means for receiving from the indoor unit controller a first transmission signal, which is a signal to be transmitted to an outdoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, by the indoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; Means for receiving the first transmission signal and generating a first coolant tube signal and a second coolant tube signal which are signals that can be transmitted using a coolant tube through which the coolant of the air conditioner can flow, but the phases of which are opposite to each other; And The outdoor unit communication unit which is electrically connected to the outdoor unit controller and receives a signal from the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal, and communicates using the refrigerant pipe, the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant. The first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal are configured to generate a second transmission signal, which is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller by receiving the tube signal, and to transmit the second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller. Means for outputting the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal to be transmitted through the refrigerant pipe;  The coolant pipe includes a first coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows into the indoor unit and a second coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows out from the indoor unit, The first refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe portion And the second refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit. An indoor unit communication unit that is electrically connected to an indoor unit control unit that controls the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, may transmit and receive signals, and the indoor unit communication unit capable of communicating by using a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant of the air conditioner may flow is provided from the indoor unit control unit. Means for receiving a first transmission signal, which is a signal to be transmitted to an outdoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit, and outputting the first transmission signal and a second refrigerant pipe signal of opposite phases transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; ; Means for receiving the received first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal and generating a second transmission signal which is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller; And Means for transferring the generated second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller; The coolant pipe includes a first coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows into the indoor unit and a second coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows out from the indoor unit, The first refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe portion And the second refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit. delete delete delete Receiving, from the indoor unit controller, a indoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the first transmission signal being a signal to be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner; Generating a first refrigerant pipe signal and a second refrigerant pipe signal that are received in the first transmission signal and become a signal that can be transmitted using a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant of the air conditioner can flow, but the phases of which are opposite to each other; And The outdoor unit communication unit which is electrically connected to the outdoor unit controller and receives a signal from the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal, and communicates using the refrigerant pipe, the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant. The first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal to the outdoor unit communication unit transmit the refrigerant pipe to the outdoor unit communication unit so as to generate a second transmission signal that is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller by receiving the tube signal. And outputting the first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal to be transmitted through The coolant pipe includes a first coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows into the indoor unit and a second coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows out from the indoor unit, The first refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe portion And the second refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit. An indoor unit communication unit that is electrically connected to an indoor unit control unit that controls the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, may transmit and receive signals, and the indoor unit communication unit capable of communicating by using a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant of the air conditioner may flow is provided from the indoor unit control unit. Receiving a first refrigerant pipe signal and a second refrigerant pipe signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe by receiving and outputting a first transmission signal, which is a signal to be transmitted to an outdoor unit controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit; Receiving the received first refrigerant pipe signal and the second refrigerant pipe signal and generating a second transmission signal which is a signal that can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller; And And transmitting the generated second transmission signal to the outdoor unit controller. The coolant pipe includes a first coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows into the indoor unit and a second coolant pipe part through which the coolant flows out from the indoor unit, The first refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the first refrigerant pipe portion And the second refrigerant pipe signal is transmitted through the second refrigerant pipe unit. delete delete A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a communication method using a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner according to claim 6 or 7.

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