KR102131805B1 - Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system, air conditioning controller and air conditioning system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system which comprises the steps of: determining whether a communication failure has occurred; recovering a communication failure using a recovery signal; and determining whether the communication failure is recovered and repeating the attempt to recover the communication failure using a recovery signal other than the recovery signal used when the communication failure is not recovered. According to the present invention, a process of determining whether a communication failure occurs, attempting to recover the communication failure, and determining whether the communication failure is recovered may be automatically performed by an air conditioning controller.

Description

Air conditioning system communication failure recovery method, air conditioning controller and air conditioning system using the same{METHOD FOR RESTORING COMMUNICATION FAILURE OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLLER AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a method for recovering a communication failure of an air conditioning system, an air conditioning controller and an air conditioning system using the same, and more particularly, to a method for recovering a communication failure between an air conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioning controller installed in an air conditioning space and an air conditioning controller and an air conditioning system using the same .

The air conditioner is a device for controlling air temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and/or airflow distribution, and may include an air conditioning indoor unit, an air conditioning outdoor unit, and an air conditioning controller that controls their air conditioning. An air conditioning system including a plurality of air conditioners may be configured, and the air conditioning system may also include a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units.

The air conditioning controller controls the operation of the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit and monitors the status of the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit. The air conditioning controller is connected to the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit through a communication cable for transmitting and receiving signals and data in controlling the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit. However, when a communication failure occurs between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit, it is necessary to promptly recover it to control the normal air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit.

As a conventional technique for recovering a communication failure of an air conditioner, an air conditioner using a recovery signal for re-executing a control program or performing a power failure compensation is disclosed in the publication of Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0032196.

Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-308253 discloses a recovery method for resetting communication between an air conditioner and a centralized management device to an initial state.

However, in the case of these prior arts, if a communication failure is not recovered even after one attempt to recover the communication failure, a visit service by a professional technician is required for maintenance check. Therefore, the air conditioner user has the inconvenience of waiting until the communication obstacle problem is solved through the travel service of a professional technician, and the air conditioner maker has a problem of cost expenditure according to the warranty service.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0032196 (2013.04.01.) Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-308253 (2005.11.04.)

An object of the present invention is to solve a problem in the prior art in which a communication failure problem has been solved by a travel service by a professional technician when the communication failure is not recovered after one attempt to recover the communication failure.

An object of the present invention is to solve a problem in the prior art, which is a method for restoring a communication failure, and is limited to communication reset, re-execution of a control program, or power outage compensation, so that the communication failure recovery method has not been performed in various ways.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art in which the user directly determines whether or not a communication failure has occurred, and the user has to issue a repair command to solve the problem.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problems, other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description, will be more clearly understood by embodiments of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that the objects and advantages of the invention can be realized by means of the appended claims and combinations thereof.

The method for recovering communication failure of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is performed by an air conditioning controller, and the air conditioning controller generates between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit by using a plurality of recovery signals step by step. To recover the communication failure of the air conditioning system.

In the method of recovering communication failure in the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, determining whether a communication failure has occurred (first step), restoring a communication failure (second step), and determining whether to recover from a communication failure It is configured to include a step (step 3) and a processing step (step 4) when the communication failure is not recovered.

The communication failure recovery method of the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second step and a third step until the communication failure is recovered, in which case the air conditioning controller recovers a plurality of steps in the repeated second step. Signals can be used in stages to perform various communication method recovery methods.

In addition, in the method for recovering communication failure in the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, determining whether a communication failure has occurred, and if it is determined that a communication failure has occurred, recovering a communication failure using at least one of a plurality of recovery signals And determining whether the communication failure has been resolved by the recovery signal, and if the communication failure is not recovered, repeating an attempt to recover the communication failure using a recovery signal other than the used recovery signal.

Here, the recovery signal includes a signal for initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning unit, a power failure compensation signal, a signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning controller, a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system, and a digital output of the air conditioning controller (Digital Output, DO) signal.

In addition, in the method for recovering communication failure in the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that a communication failure has occurred, displaying the occurrence of a communication failure through the display device, and when recovering the communication failure, communicating through the display device It may further include at least one of the steps indicating that the failure is being recovered.

In addition, the DO signal may include at least one of a DO signal that initializes the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit and a DO signal that initializes the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit.

In addition, the step of recovering a communication failure using the recovery signal may include transmitting a DO signal that initializes the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit and transmitting power failure compensation data to the air conditioning indoor unit.

In addition, the step of restoring the communication failure using the recovery signal may include transmitting a DO signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit and transmitting a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system.

Further, the DO signal of the air conditioning controller may be transmitted through a DO cable that directly connects between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit or a DO cable that connects a dry contact between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit.

In addition, the communication fault recovery method of the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes the step of releasing control of the air conditioning indoor unit of the air conditioning controller and indicating that the communication is in a communication fault state when the communication fault is not recovered. can do.

In addition, in the communication failure recovery method of the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, if the communication failure is not recovered, reset the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit and reboot the air conditioning system and release control of the air conditioning indoor unit of the air conditioning controller and display It may further include the step of indicating that the communication failure state through the device.

The method for recovering communication failure in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes determining whether a communication failure has occurred, and if it is determined that a communication failure has occurred, initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller and the indoor unit and transmitting a power failure compensation signal. Step, if it is determined that the communication failure has not been recovered, reset the control unit of the air conditioning controller and reboot the air conditioning system, and then, if it is determined that the communication failure has not been recovered, use the digital output (DO) signal of the air conditioning controller Initializing the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit and transmitting power failure compensation data to the air conditioning indoor unit, and if it is determined that the communication failure has not been recovered, reset the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit using the DO signal and reboot the air conditioning system. It can contain.

An air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first digital input/output processing unit that generates a digital input signal and processes a digital output (DO) signal. An air conditioning controller including an indoor unit and a DO output unit for generating a DO signal, and the air conditioning controller includes a signal for initializing a communication port between the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning controller, a power failure compensation signal, and a signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning controller And a communication failure recovery module that recovers a communication failure occurring between the air conditioning indoor unit and the controller using at least one of a signal to reboot the system and a DO signal transmitted from the DO output unit.

In addition, the air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, interlocks the contact between the air conditioning indoor unit and the external device, further includes a dry contact (Dry Contact) having a second digital input and output processing unit, the air conditioning processor, The DO signal of the controller may be transmitted through a DO cable connecting the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit directly or through a DO cable connecting a dry contact between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit.

Further, the DO signal may include at least one of a DO signal for initializing the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit, information compensation data transmitted to the air conditioning indoor unit, a DO signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit, and a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system. .

In addition, the air conditioning controller may further include a communication failure determination module for determining whether a communication failure has occurred or not.

In addition, the air conditioning controller may further include a communication failure notification module that displays each state through a display device when a communication failure occurs, when a communication failure is restored, and when the communication failure is not recovered.

In addition, the air conditioning controller may release the transmission connection to the air conditioning indoor unit when the communication failure is not recovered.

In addition, the communication failure notification module may display information on the temperature of the air conditioning space and the inspection service together through a display device when the communication failure is not recovered.

The air conditioner controller according to an embodiment of the present invention is a communication unit in charge of two-way communication necessary for controlling the operation of the indoor unit and displaying the operation information of the indoor unit of the remote controller and the outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit, and commands required for operation control of the indoor unit and display of operation information. It includes a processor (processor) for performing the operation required to generate, the processor, to determine whether the communication failure and communication failure recovery, and to recover the communication failure in the event of a communication failure, the communication port between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit Communication failure is recovered using at least one of an initialization signal, a power failure compensation signal, a processor initialization signal of the controller, a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system, and a digital output (DO) signal of the air conditioning controller.

Further, the processor may display each state through a display device when a communication failure occurs, when a communication failure is restored, and when a communication failure is not recovered.

According to the present invention, the process of determining whether a communication failure has occurred, attempting to recover from a communication failure, and determining whether to recover from a communication failure can be automatically performed by the air conditioning controller.

In addition, attempts to recover from communication failures can be step-by-step expanded to specific parts, devices, and entire systems in order of speed.

In addition, it is possible to check whether or not communication failure is detected through a display device, and whether it is difficult to recover itself, and to quickly determine when it is difficult to repair itself, and to prevent additional failures by displaying it, and to provide necessary information for system inspection. You can speed up the inspection period.

1 is an exemplary diagram required for a description of an air conditioning system including an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary view of an air conditioning system including a dry contact according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of an air conditioning system in which components related to digital input/output are depicted in a communication failure recovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a part of a flowchart of a method for restoring communication failure in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a part of a flow chart of a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a part of a flow chart of a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a part of a flow chart of a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a part of a flowchart of a method for recovering communication failure in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is an exemplary view of an air conditioning controller display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the communication failure recovery method of the air conditioning system, the air conditioning controller and air conditioning system using the same.

The same reference numerals in each drawing denote the same members. In addition, specific structural or functional descriptions for one embodiment of the present invention are exemplified for the purpose of explaining an embodiment according to the present invention, and unless defined otherwise, all used herein including technical or scientific terms. The terms have the same meaning as generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies, and should not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined herein. It is desirable not to.

In the present invention, the'air conditioner' is a plurality of air conditioning indoor units, one or more air conditioning outdoor units interworking with them, a wired air conditioning controller that controls the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit corresponding to the air conditioning indoor unit, and a wireless air conditioning controller corresponding thereto, that is, The concept includes a remote controller, and the'air conditioning system' is used as a concept including one or more air conditioners, an external device interworking therewith, a dry contact required for interworking, a central controller, a user terminal, and a network.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device having a function of controlling the state of air, and includes an air conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioning outdoor unit. A device dedicated to cooling, called an air-con, is included in the scope of the air conditioner, and a heat pump capable of cooling and heating and having a hot water supply function depending on whether or not the equipment is included in the scope of the air conditioner. The meaning of the heat pump is related to the action of absorbing heat in the low temperature range, for example, heat and waste heat of the ground water, and pumping up the high temperature range.

A heat pump is an air conditioner that performs a function of converting an energy state by pumping low-temperature and low-density thermal energy to a high-temperature and high-density thermal energy state. The heat pump performs cooling, heating, and hot water supply using heat generated in the process of converting low temperature to high temperature or high temperature to low temperature.

Hereinafter, an air conditioning system 1000 including an air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that realizes air conditioning, such as cooling or heating, in a target space included in buildings such as houses, buildings, factories, and public facilities. That is, the air conditioning system 1000 may be applied to a target space in which a plurality of air conditioning indoor units are required and a facility in which a plurality of target spaces are formed.

1 is an exemplary diagram required for a description of an air conditioning system including an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners 100 controlling a state of air, a central controller 103 controlling a plurality of air conditioners 100, and a central controller It includes a user terminal 200 for controlling a plurality of air conditioners 100 by connecting to (103) and a network 300 for connecting them to each other.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 100 is defined as a set of various components of the air conditioning system 1000. Specifically, the air conditioner 100 controls the air conditioner indoor unit 101 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 102, which are connected to each other through a refrigerant circuit and a control circuit, controls them, inputs control commands accordingly, and displays an air conditioner controller that displays control results and various operation information. 110 and a corresponding remote controller 120 as a component.

The air conditioner 100 serves to control the air condition in the target space. For example, the air conditioner 100 performs temperature control through cooling or heating, controls the humidity of air using a dehumidifying or humidifying function, and filters out dust and gas in the air using an air cleaning function.

The central controller 103 is connected to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the air conditioning outdoor unit 102 of a plurality of air conditioners 100 to control and monitor its operation. In addition, the central controller 103 sets the operation schedule of the air conditioner 100 and controls the air conditioner indoor unit 101 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 102 to operate according to the set schedule. The central controller 103 may be composed of a single device or a plurality of devices, and the plurality of devices include a hub, a central power meter, an ACP (advance control platform), and a management server equipped with a management program.

The user terminal 200 may access the central controller 103 using wired and wireless communication, and use an air conditioner control service and monitoring service provided by the central controller 103 using a web or application. Therefore, the user terminal 200 serves to control and monitor the air conditioner using the central controller 103 at a remote location away from the air conditioning space. The user terminal 200 may be embodied as a personal mobile communication device including a PC, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, and a smart phone.

The network 300 serves to connect the air conditioner 100, the central controller 103 and the user terminal 200 for central control and control by external access.

The network 300 includes serial communication, for example, RS-485, LAN, Internet, and power line. As an embodiment, the central controller 103 based on the Ethernet communication standard uses the air conditioner 100, that is, the air conditioner indoor unit 101 and the air conditioner outdoor unit using a protocol converter that converts the RS-485 communication standard and the Ethernet communication standard to each other. 102) can be integrated and controlled.

In addition, between the central controller 103 and the air conditioner 100 may be connected through a network 300, such as BACnet (Building Automation Control Networks), in this case, a gateway, etc. may be further provided.

2 is an exemplary view of an air conditioning system including a dry contact according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an air conditioning indoor unit 101, an air conditioning controller 110, and a dry contact 150 connected to each other through a digital output (DO) cable are depicted. That is, the air conditioning controller 110 may be directly connected to the indoor unit through the DO cable 15. Further, the air conditioning controller 110 may be connected to the dry contact 150 through the DO cable 14, and again, the dry contact 150 may be connected to the indoor unit through the DO cable. The air conditioning controller 110 is also connected to the indoor unit through the communication cable 12. Therefore, the air conditioning controller 110 may be electrically connected to the indoor unit through a total of three cables.

The dry contact 150 is an external contact controller of the air conditioner. Non-voltage relay contacts can be implemented through dry contact. The dry contact 150 is an external contact control PCB that is connected to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and enables to check and control the status of the air conditioning indoor unit 101. Key tags and external contacts of accommodations such as hotels And controls the air conditioning indoor unit.

The dry contact 150 may be additionally installed in an air-conditioning indoor unit installed in an unmanned ATM, lecture room, gymnasium, etc. in conjunction with a motion detection sensor.

In addition, when the fire occurs, the dry contact 150 may interlock with the fire alarm sensor to automatically stop the indoor unit, thereby reducing fire damage.

In addition, the dry contact 150 controls on/off of the indoor unit according to on/off of the light in conjunction with the lighting sensor. In addition, the dry contact 150 can be applied in various ways to special site and contact application control.

The dry contact 150 includes a dry contact for contact and a dry contact for communication. For example, a dry contact for a contact used in an actual facility, the number of contacts is 1 or 2, and the power source may be operated at AC 220V, no voltage or DC 5 to 12V. For example, the dry contact for communication used in actual facilities enables interworking between indoor units and external devices using the Modbus protocol. Up to 8 indoor units are connected through a dry contact for communication, and on/off control, temperature control, mode control, and wind direction setting are possible.

3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the indoor unit 101 is an indoor unit control unit 131, an indoor unit communication unit 132, an indoor unit refrigerant circuit 141, a sensor 142, and an indoor unit fan 143 as its components. And a digital input/output processing unit 133.

The indoor unit control unit 131 controls the operation of the indoor unit communication unit 132, various solenoid valves of the indoor unit refrigerant circuit 141, the sensor 142, the indoor unit fan 143, and the digital input/output processing unit 133.

The indoor unit communication unit 132 performs two-way communication with the communication unit 112 of the air conditioning controller 110 and the communication unit 122 of the remote controller 120.

The indoor unit refrigerant circuit 141 includes various solenoid valves, refrigerant pipes, and indoor heat exchangers 184.

The sensor 142 includes an indoor unit internal sensor and an external sensor. For example, the sensor 142 includes a heater overheating prevention temperature sensor, an indoor piping temperature sensor, and a suction air temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor (thermistor) refers to a semiconductor whose resistance value changes with a change in temperature, and is mainly used for electronic displays. When the temperature increases, the resistance value decreases, and when the temperature decreases, the resistance value increases.

The temperature sensor controls the compressor and the fan by sensing the air temperature and piping temperature of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the indoor unit. The temperature sensor controls the compressor and the fan 143 by detecting defrost, low temperature and overload by sensing the temperature of each part.

The indoor unit fan 143 acts as an indoor unit heat exchanger to discharge air of cooling or heating.

The digital input/output processing unit 133 corresponds to a module that processes digital input/output signals. When a dry contact 150 that controls interlocking with an external device is additionally installed, the dry contact 150 is connected to an external device and receives a sensing signal from an external device, for example, a key switch device. , It serves to deliver it to the indoor unit. Various controls are possible, including on/off control of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 according to the sensing signal of the external device.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, without relaying the dry contact 150, the air conditioning controller 110 may be connected to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 through a digital output (DO) cable.

The digital input/output processing unit 133 processes a digital output (DO) signal received from the air conditioning controller 110 through a DO cable. The DO signal may include a communication failure recovery signal. Accordingly, the air conditioning controller 110 transmits the DO signal corresponding to the multiple signals of communication failure to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 through the DO cables 14 and 15, and thus occurs between the air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101. Communication failure can be recovered.

4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the air conditioning controller 110 includes a control unit 111, a communication unit 112, an input device 113, a display device 114, and a digital output output unit 115.

The air conditioning controller 110 is directly connected to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 corresponding thereto through various cables including a communication cable, and through the connection with the air conditioning indoor unit 101, the air conditioning outdoor unit 102, the remote controller 120, It is connected to the central controller 103 and the user terminal 200 to communicate with them.

One controller 110 may control a plurality of air conditioner indoor units 101 and one or more air conditioner outdoor units 102 connected thereto through designation of the air conditioner indoor unit 101. That is, the air conditioning controller 110 generates a control signal through the input device 113, for example, a key input, and transmits the generated control signal to one or more air conditioning indoor units 101 corresponding thereto and the air conditioning outdoor unit 102 interworking with the generated control signals. It transmits, and displays the control result, operation information, and status information according to the result using the display device 114. In addition, the configuration related to the air conditioning controller 110 may be applied to the central controller 103 and the remote controller 120 in the same or similar manner.

The control unit 111 of the air conditioning controller 110 includes a communication failure determination module 116, a communication failure notification module 117, and a communication failure recovery module 118.

The communication unit 112 of the air conditioning controller 110 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the air conditioning outdoor unit 102 according to a user input, and from these, as a result of the control, the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the air conditioning outdoor unit 102 It serves to receive driving information and status information.

The input device 113 receives a driving command for driving the air conditioning indoor unit 101 from a user, for example, power on/off, temperature setting, operation mode change, and the like. The input device 113 may be implemented in the form of a physical key, a touch input of a pressure type or a capacitive type on a display device.

The control unit 111 controls the operation of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 according to a user input. In addition, the control unit 111 receives data related to driving from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 using the communication unit 112 and displays it using the display device 114.

When the communication connection with the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is normal, the control unit 111 generates a control signal according to the received driving command. The communication unit 112 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and receives driving information and status information of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 according to a driving command. Hereinafter, a module of the controller 111 for handling a communication failure will be described.

The communication obstacle determination module 116 serves to determine the presence or absence of data transmitted from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 to determine whether or not a communication failure occurs between the air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101. The air conditioning controller 110 transmits a signal necessary for the control of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 on one side to the air conditioning indoor unit 101, receives data related to the operation of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 on the other side, and displays it. The air conditioning indoor unit 101 can be monitored.

Data related to the operation required for monitoring the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is transmitted from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 to the air conditioning controller 110 according to a predetermined cycle through a communication cable. Accordingly, when the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is not controlled according to the control signal of the air conditioning controller 110 or data related to driving is not received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 for a predetermined period, the communication failure determination module 116 performs air conditioning It is determined that a communication failure has occurred between the controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101.

The communication failure notification module 117 serves to display various information related to the occurrence of a communication failure using the display device 114 of the air conditioning controller 110. When it is determined that a communication failure has occurred, the communication failure notification module 117 displays a communication failure occurrence, and while recovering the communication failure, the communication failure recovery may be displayed using the display device 114. In addition, despite the various communication failure recovery attempts, the communication failure notification module 117 indicates that the communication failure is in progress due to a hardware defect, displays the indoor temperature, or displays the room temperature or a telephone number and air conditioner necessary for service check. The model name of can be displayed using the display device 114.

The communication failure recovery module 118 serves to generate various recovery signals for recovering a communication failure and transmit them to the indoor unit. The air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101 may be connected to each other through a communication cable and a DO cable. In addition, when a problem occurs in the communication cable 12, recovery of a communication failure through the communication cable 12 may not be possible. Accordingly, the communication failure recovery module 118 can diversify attempts to recover from the communication failure by generating and transmitting various recovery signals suitable for transmission through the communication cable and the DO cable.

The air conditioning controller 110 may further include a storage unit that stores data to be displayed according to a communication state, data to be transmitted and received with the air conditioning indoor unit 101 according to a driving command, and an error code, for example, a memory 192. .

The input device 113 serves to receive an input for generating a control signal from a user. The input device 113 may be implemented using at least one of a physical key and a touch screen.

The display device 114 serves to display control information according to an input through the input device, driving information and status information of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the air conditioning outdoor unit 102. The display device 114 may be implemented as an LCD or LED monitor.

5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 111 replaces the communication failure determination module 116, the communication failure notification module 117, and the communication failure recovery module 118 depicted as components of the control unit 111 of FIG. 4. , May include a processor 191 and a memory 192. The control unit 111 may be implemented in the form of a control board including a micro-computer serving as the processor 191, a memory storing various control programs, and various circuits, that is, a PCB.

Although not shown in the drawing, the indoor unit control unit 131 may also be implemented with a processor and a memory. The processor of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is set to control the operation of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 based on information about the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and detection information collected using various sensors 142. The processor controls the operation of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 using information on the air conditioning indoor unit 101, human body detection information, and air condition information.

The memory 192 stores logic codes composed of a set of instructions capable of executing a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention in addition to information about the air conditioning indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 do.

Specifically, logic codes composed of a set of instructions necessary to execute a communication failure recovery method of the air conditioning system are mounted on the memory 192, and the processor 191 performs various operation operations in the logic codes mounted on the memory 192. By doing so, it generates and transmits a signal to recover the communication failure according to the command. Here, the processor 191 is a concept including various microprocessors and a central processing unit (CPU), and may be implemented in the form of, for example, an embedded system.

6 is a block diagram of an air conditioning system in which components related to digital input/output are depicted in a communication failure recovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dry contact 150 including the components related to digital input/output, the air conditioning indoor unit 101 and the air conditioning controller 110 are depicted in a block diagram.

The digital output output unit 115 of the air conditioning controller 110 serves to generate a DO signal necessary for recovery of a communication failure. The generated DO signal passes through the dry contact 150 through the DO cable, or is directly transmitted to the air conditioning indoor unit 101. The digital input/output processing unit 133 of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 processes the transmitted DO signal, and through the processing process, the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is initialized and blackout compensation is performed, or the air conditioning indoor unit 101 The processor is initialized and the air conditioning system can be rebooted.

Hereinafter, a method for recovering communication failure in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

7 to 11 are part of a flow chart of a communication failure recovery method of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a communication fault recovery method (S100) of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of recovering a communication fault occurring between the air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101. . The communication failure recovery method (S100) of the air conditioning system is performed by the air conditioning controller 110.

The communication fault recovery method (S100) of the air conditioning system includes: determining whether there is a communication fault as a first step, restoring a communication fault as a second step, determining whether to recover a communication fault as a third step, and Step 4 includes processing in a communication failure unrecovered state, and using the display device to display each state, for example, a communication fault occurrence state, a communication fault recovery state, and a communication fault unrecovered state. It may be configured to further include.

In addition, when it is determined that the communication failure is not recovered in the third step, the air conditioning controller 110 repeatedly performs the second and third steps according to another communication failure recovery method until the communication failure is recovered.

Here, the second step of restoring the communication failure is to include at least one of the communication failure recovery method (A) through a communication cable and the communication failure recovery method (B) through a digital output (Digital Output, DO) cable. Can be configured.

The communication fault recovery method (A) through a communication cable is a step (A2) of initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101 (A1) and transmitting a power failure compensation signal (A2), and a control unit of the air conditioning controller. It may be configured to include at least one of the step (A4) of initializing (A3) and rebooting the air conditioning system.

Steps A1 and A2 are depicted in FIG. 7, and steps A3 and A4 are depicted in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 7, the air conditioning controller 110 may determine whether a communication failure has occurred through whether there is data received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 (S111 ). In the present invention, it is assumed that a communication failure occurs when there is no data received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 for 3 minutes.

Next, the air conditioning controller 110 attempts to reset the communication port as the first communication failure recovery method (S112), and immediately transmits a power failure compensation signal to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 (S113). When power is supplied again after the power supplied to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 is cut off due to a power failure, the air conditioning indoor unit 101 includes a power failure compensation circuit to maintain an operation state before a power failure. After the communication port is initialized, a power failure compensation signal is transmitted to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 to return to a state before a communication failure occurs.

Next, the air conditioning controller 110 determines whether the communication failure has been restored by the power failure compensation signal (S114). If data is received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 within 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 determines that the communication failure has been recovered. If there is no data received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 for 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 attempts to recover a communication failure in the next step.

The next step for recovering from a communication failure may be any one of #1 to #3, and it is assumed that one embodiment leads to #1.

Referring to FIG. 8, the air conditioning controller 110 initializes the controller 111 of the air conditioning controller 110, that is, the processor 191 as a second communication failure recovery method, and reboots the entire air conditioning system (S121).

Next, the air conditioning controller 110 determines whether the communication failure has been restored by initializing the processor 191 in step S121 and rebooting the air conditioning system (S122). If data is received from the indoor unit 101 within 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 determines that communication failure has been restored. If there is no data received from the indoor unit 101 for 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 attempts to recover a communication failure in the next step.

9 and 10, the communication fault recovery method (B) through the DO cable initializes the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 by using the digital output (DO) signal of the air conditioning controller 110, (B1) Step (B2) of transmitting the power failure compensation data and the controller 131 of the air conditioning indoor unit 101, that is, using the DO signal, reset (reset) the processor 191 (B3) and reboot the air conditioning system It may be configured to include at least one of (B4).

After the step of FIG. 8, the next step for recovering from communication failure may be either #2 or #3, and it is assumed that it is continued to #2 as an embodiment. Steps B1 (S132) and B2 (S133) are depicted in FIG. 9, and steps B3 and B4 (S142) are depicted in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 9, the air conditioning controller 110 generates a DO signal as a third communication failure recovery method (S131), initializes the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit 101 using it (S132), and the air conditioning indoor unit 101 The electrostatic compensation data is transmitted to (S133). In FIG. 7, the communication port through the communication cable is superimposed, whereas the air conditioning controller 110 communicates directly to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 through the DO cable or through the dry contact 150 to the air conditioning indoor unit 101. DO signal for initialization and electrostatic compensation data are transmitted.

Next, the air conditioning controller 110 determines whether the communication failure has been restored by initializing the indoor unit communication port using the DO signal in step S132 and transmitting the power failure compensation data (S134). If data is received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 within 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 determines that the communication failure has been restored. If there is no data received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 for 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 attempts to recover a communication failure in the next step.

Referring to FIG. 10, the air conditioning controller 110 generates a DO signal as a fourth communication failure recovery method (S141), and initializes the air conditioning indoor unit 101 control unit 111, that is, the processor 191 using the DO signal (S141). S142), the air conditioning system is rebooted (S133). In FIG. 8, the processor 191 of the controller through the communication cable is super-inverse, whereas the air conditioning controller 110 is provided through the DO cable, either directly to the indoor unit 101 or through the air conditioning indoor unit 101 through the dry contact 150. The controller 131 transmits a DO signal for initializing the processor and a DO signal for rebooting the air conditioning system.

Next, the air conditioning controller 110 determines whether communication failure has been restored by initializing the air conditioning indoor unit 101 processor using the DO signal in step S132 and rebooting the air conditioning system (S143). If data is received from the air conditioning indoor unit 101 within 3 minutes, the air conditioning controller 110 determines that the communication failure has been recovered. If there is no data received from the air conditioner indoor unit 101 for 3 minutes, the air conditioner controller 110 performs a fourth step required in a situation where a communication failure cannot be recovered.

The fourth step is a step performed by the air conditioning controller 110 in a situation where communication failure cannot be recovered. If the communication failure is not recovered, for example, if there is a hardware defect, such as defective communication cable or damage to the PCB of the air conditioner indoor unit 101 or the air conditioner controller 110, the air conditioner controller 110 performs the fourth step do.

Referring to FIG. 11, the fourth step of the communication failure recovery method (S100) is depicted. The fourth step may include steps S151 to S154.

The air conditioning controller 110 may reset the air conditioning indoor unit 101 processor and reboot the entire air conditioning system (S151).

The air conditioning controller 110 may block the connection between the air conditioning controller 110 and the air conditioning indoor unit 101, that is, release the transmission from the air conditioning controller 110 to the air conditioning indoor unit 101 (S152).

The air conditioning controller 110 may display the indoor temperature using the display device 114 (S153) and display a service guide phrase (S154).

12 is an exemplary view of an air conditioning controller display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the communication failure is not recovered, the air conditioning controller 110 may indicate that the communication failure is in use using the display device 114. In this case, an error code may be displayed together. The air conditioning controller 110 may display information on the temperature and inspection service of the air conditioning space together with the above indications, for example, a telephone number.

As described above, when the numbers 1 to 4 shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 are connected to each other, a flowchart corresponding to a series of embodiments is completed.

7 to 10 are flowcharts respectively corresponding to steps A1 and A2, A3 and A4, B1 and B2, and B3 and B4 among the second steps described above. That is, an embodiment in which all of the steps A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 are included among various embodiments of a method for recovering communication failure of an air conditioning system may be configured.

As described above, according to various embodiments of the present invention, a process of determining whether a communication failure has occurred, attempting to recover from a communication failure, and determining whether to recover from a communication failure may be automatically performed by the air conditioning controller.

In addition, attempts to recover from communication failures can be step-by-step expanded to specific parts, devices, and entire systems in order of speed.

In addition, it is possible to check whether or not communication failure is detected through a display device, and whether it is difficult to recover itself, and to quickly determine when it is difficult to repair itself, and to prevent additional failures by displaying it, and to provide necessary information for system inspection. You can speed up the inspection period.

100: air conditioner, 101: air conditioning indoor unit
102: air conditioning outdoor unit, 103: central controller
200: user terminal, 300: network
110: air conditioning controller, 111: control unit
112: communication unit, 113: input device
114: display device, 115: Digital output output
116: communication failure determination module, 117: communication failure notification module
118: communication failure recovery module, 131: indoor unit control
132: indoor unit communication unit, 133: Digital input / output processing unit
141: indoor unit refrigerant circuit, 142: sensor
143: indoor fan, 150: dry contact
191: processor, 192: memory

Claims (18)

As a method for recovering communication failure of an air conditioning system that occurs between an air conditioning controller and an air conditioning indoor unit performed by an air conditioning controller,
Determining whether the communication failure has occurred;
Recovering the communication failure through a communication cable directly connecting the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit using at least one of a plurality of recovery signals when it is determined that the communication failure has occurred; And
It is determined whether the communication failure is resolved by the recovery signal, and if the communication failure is not recovered, a dry contact for controlling the external contact of the air conditioning indoor unit using a recovery signal other than the used recovery signal (Dry Contact) Repeating the attempt to recover from a communication failure through,
The recovery signal,
A signal for initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit and a power failure compensation signal;
A signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning controller and a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system; And
It includes a digital output (DO) signal of the air conditioning controller,
The DO signal of the air conditioning controller,
Is transmitted through a digital output cable connecting the dry contact (Dry Contact) between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. According to claim 1,
If it is determined that the communication failure has occurred, displaying the occurrence of the communication failure using a display device; And
When recovering the communication failure, further comprising at least one of the steps of indicating that the communication failure is being recovered using the display device,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. According to claim 1,
The DO signal,
A DO signal for initializing the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit; And
At least one of the DO signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. The method of claim 3,
Recovering the communication failure using the recovery signal,
Transmitting a DO signal for initializing the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit, and transmitting the electrostatic compensation data to the air conditioning indoor unit,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. The method of claim 3,
Recovering the communication failure using the recovery signal,
Transmitting a DO signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit, and transmitting a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. delete According to claim 1,
If the communication failure is not recovered,
Further comprising the step of releasing the control of the air conditioning indoor unit of the air conditioning controller, and using the display device to indicate that the communication is in trouble,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. According to claim 1,
If the communication failure is not recovered,
Initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit and rebooting the air conditioning system; And
Further comprising the step of releasing the control of the air conditioning indoor unit of the air conditioning controller, and using the display device to indicate that the communication is in trouble,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. As a method for recovering communication failure of an air conditioning system that occurs between an air conditioning controller and an air conditioning indoor unit performed by an air conditioning controller,
Determining whether the communication failure has occurred;
If it is determined that the communication failure has occurred, initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit through a communication cable directly connecting the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit, and transmitting a power failure compensation signal;
Then, if it is determined that the communication failure has not been restored, initializing the control unit of the air conditioning controller through the communication cable and rebooting the air conditioning system;
Thereafter, when it is determined that the communication failure is not recovered, the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit is connected through a dry contact for controlling the external contact of the air conditioning indoor unit using a digital output (DO) signal of the air conditioning controller. Initializing and transmitting power failure compensation data to the air conditioning indoor unit; And
After that, if it is determined that the communication failure has not been restored, including the step of initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit using the DO signal and rebooting the air conditioning system,
The DO signal of the air conditioning controller,
Is transmitted through a digital output cable connecting the dry contact (Dry Contact) between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit,
Method for restoring communication failure of air conditioning system. As an air conditioning system,
A first digital input/output processing unit that generates a digital input signal and processes a digital output (DO) signal of a dry contact for controlling an external contact of an air conditioning indoor unit Air conditioning indoor unit provided; And
And an air conditioning controller equipped with a DO output unit for generating the DO signal,
The air conditioning controller,
A signal for initializing a communication port between the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning controller and a power failure compensation signal;
A signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning controller and a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system; And
A communication failure recovery module for recovering a communication failure occurring between the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning controller using at least one of the DO signals transmitted from the DO output unit,
The air conditioning controller,
Transmitting a DO signal of the air conditioning controller to the air conditioning indoor unit through a digital output cable connecting the dry contact between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising the dry contact (Dry Contact) having a second digital input and output processing unit for interlocking the contact point between the air conditioning indoor unit and an external device,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 10,
The DO signal,
A DO signal for initializing the communication port of the air conditioning indoor unit;
Information compensation data transmitted to the air conditioning indoor unit;
DO signal for initializing the control unit of the air conditioning indoor unit; And
At least one of the signals to reboot the air conditioning system,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 10,
The air conditioning controller,
Further comprising a communication failure determination module for determining whether the occurrence and recovery of the communication failure,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 10,
The air conditioning controller,
Further comprising a communication failure notification module for displaying each state using a display device when a communication failure occurs, when the communication failure is restored and when the communication failure is not recovered,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 14,
The air conditioning controller,
When the communication failure is not recovered, release the transmission connection to the air conditioning indoor unit,
Air conditioning system. The method of claim 14,
The communication failure notification module,
When communication failure is not recovered, the display device is used to display information about the air conditioning space's temperature and inspection service.
Air conditioning system. As an air conditioning controller,
A communication unit in charge of two-way communication necessary for driving control of the air conditioning indoor unit and display of operation information of the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit connected to the air conditioning indoor unit of a remote controller; And
It includes a processor (processor) for performing the operation necessary to generate the commands necessary for the operation control and the display of the driving information of the air conditioning indoor unit,
The processor,
Determines whether communication failure and communication failure are restored,
In order to restore a communication failure in the event of a communication failure, a signal for initializing a communication port between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning unit, a power failure compensation signal, a processor initialization signal for the controller and a signal for rebooting the air conditioning system, and a digital output of the air conditioning controller ( Digital Output, DO) recovers the communication failure using at least one of the signals,
Transmitting the DO signal of the air conditioning controller to the air conditioning indoor unit through a DO cable connecting a dry contact for external contact control between the air conditioning controller and the air conditioning indoor unit,
Air conditioning controller. The method of claim 17,
The processor,
When a communication failure occurs, when a communication failure is restored, and when a communication failure is not recovered, each state is displayed using a display device.
Air conditioning controller.

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