KR20100030110A - Method of debuging softwere for air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for debugging of an air-conditioner is provided to perform analysis about a data created among operation by connecting a terminal to an operating unit and receiving a variable and to enable an effective debugging by immediately confirming the debugging result. CONSTITUTION: A method for debugging of an air-conditioner comprises the following steps: connecting(S300) a terminal for debugging to a unit; setting(S310) a debugging mode; informing(S320) the set debugging mode to the unit; and debugging(S330) the data received from the operating unit. A readjusted data is transmitted to the unit and connection with the terminal is canceled in the debugging completion. A notice about the set debugging mode transmitted again to the unit when response is not received from the unit. An error is outputted when the response is not received after transmitting the notice about the set debugging mode over a reference count.

Description

Method of debuging softwere for air-conditioner

The present invention relates to a data debugging method of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a data debugging method of an air conditioner for analyzing causes and debugging of a variable of an operating unit.

The air conditioner is installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment for humans by discharging cold air into the room to adjust the indoor temperature and purifying the indoor air to create a comfortable indoor environment. In general, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit which is configured as a heat exchanger and installed indoors, and an outdoor unit which is configured as a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner is separated and controlled by an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger, and is operated by controlling power supplied to the compressor or the heat exchanger. In addition, the air conditioner may be connected to at least one indoor unit to the outdoor unit, the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit according to the requested operating state, the operation is operated in the cooling or heating mode.

The air conditioner is equipped with software and control data, respectively, for driving the configuration provided. For example, in the case of an outdoor unit, the control unit for driving and controlling the compressor is provided with compressor control software and control data, and the software and control data for controlling the heat exchanger and the indoor fan are also provided, respectively.

If an error occurs in the software or control data installed in the air conditioner, and the correction is to be made, the debugging mode is set and corrected. Or, when an error occurs after updating, the error is solved through debugging.

However, since debugging is often performed while the unit is in a stopped state, it is difficult to find the cause of an error that occurs during actual operation. Even if it is corrected, it is necessary to restart the unit to check the problem. In addition, the unit may not only malfunction but also become damaged. As a result, a more effective debugging method is required.

An object of the present invention is to detect and correct an error by receiving a variable of the unit by setting the debugging mode while the unit is operating in debugging when an error occurs in the software or control data of the unit included in the air conditioner. The present invention provides a data debugging method of an air conditioner that easily detects and corrects an error.

In the data debugging method of the air conditioner according to the present invention, when a terminal for debugging is connected to a unit, setting a debugging mode, and notifying the unit of the debugging mode setting, analyzing data received from the unit in operation. Debugging, and transmitting the modified data to the unit and releasing the connection upon completion of debugging.

In addition, in the data debugging method of the air conditioner according to the present invention, receiving a notification of setting a debugging mode from a terminal connected to a unit, setting a debugging mode, and transmitting data generated during operation to the terminal. And receiving and storing the modified data from the terminal, and releasing the connection of the terminal and ending the debugging mode.

In the data debugging method of the air conditioner according to the present invention configured as described above, the terminal is connected to a unit in a running state and receives a variable, thereby analyzing the data generated during the operation, thereby detecting an error and causing the error. It is easy to find and modify, and the debugging results can be immediately checked for effective debugging. In addition, the present invention, while debugging, the unit is operated, but communication with other units is cut off, thus preventing the overload of the traffic amount according to the debugging mode setting, and it is possible to determine whether the debugging mode itself is abnormal, so that the user facilitates the debugging progress. You can check it.

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

1 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, the main body 2 can be applied to any case such as a stand-type air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, or a ceiling-type air conditioner. A system air conditioner connected to an example will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of units such as an indoor unit for discharging cold air into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. In addition, the air conditioner may further include a local controller R1 connected to the indoor unit to input an operation command to the indoor unit, and a remote controller RC connected to a plurality of units to control and monitor the operation thereof.

Here, the unit included in the air conditioner may include an indoor unit (I) and an outdoor unit (O), and may further include a unit such as an air cleaning unit, a ventilation unit, a humidification unit, a dehumidification unit, a heater, and such a unit. Is connected to the remote controller (RC) can be integrated control. Hereinafter, the indoor unit (I) and the outdoor unit (O) will be described as an example, but may also be applied to the case where the above units are connected. At this time, the number of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is not limited to the drawing.

The outdoor unit (O) selects a compressor for receiving and compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging refrigerant and outdoor air, an accumulator for extracting gas refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant, and supplying the refrigerant to the compressor, and a refrigerant flow path for heating operation. It includes a four-way valve. In addition, a high pressure pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a low pressure pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the compressor. In addition, a plurality of sensors, valves and oil recovery device, etc. are further included, but the description of the other components will be omitted below.

The indoor unit (I) includes an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit (O), and a plurality of sensors.

At least one indoor unit (I) may be provided in one room, and the one or more outdoor units (O) are driven by a request of at least one of the plurality of indoor units (I), and correspond to the driven indoor unit (I). As the heating capacity is variable, the number of operations of the outdoor unit O and the number of operations of the compressor installed in the outdoor unit O are variable. Here, the number of outdoor units may vary depending on the cooling and heating capacity according to the number of indoor units and the capacity of the compressor provided.

The outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I are connected through a refrigerant pipe to perform cooling or heating operation according to the flow of the refrigerant according to the flow of the refrigerant between the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I, and predetermined communication Send and receive data with each other according to the method.

The remote controller RC is connected to the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O, and transmits and receives data according to a predetermined communication method, thereby monitoring the operation of the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O and responding to an input user command. By generating a control command and transmitting the control command to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are controlled to perform a predetermined operation. Here, the remote controller RC has a converter or a gateway for converting data of different protocols. At this time, a plurality of remote controllers (RC) may be connected to the indoor unit (I) and the outdoor unit (O), the plurality of remote controllers (RC) are connected to each other according to a predetermined communication method, transmitting and receiving data and indoor and outdoor units Share data under control.

The local controller is connected to the indoor unit I, displays the operating state of the connected indoor unit I, and transmits a control command corresponding to the input data to the indoor unit I. In this case, the local controller may be connected to the indoor unit by wire or wirelessly, and one-way or two-way communication may be performed according to a communication method.

As described above, the plurality of units including the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and the remote controller RC are each equipped with software for performing a predetermined operation for each control unit, and control data for driving are stored. Such driving software is upgraded to add a new function or to solve an error when an error occurs. When operation of a cause due to an error is required, the driving software is connected to analyze the operation data.

The terminal 100 for debugging directly or indirectly connects to a unit such as an indoor unit or an outdoor unit and analyzes data received from the unit, thereby finding the cause of the error, and correcting and debugging the same.

The terminal 100 requests the setting of the debugging mode when the unit is connected, and when the unit is set to the debugging mode, the terminal 100 receives and analyzes the variables from the unit and debugs them. At this time, the unit sets the debugging mode according to the request of the terminal 100 while maintaining the operation without stopping the operation, and transmits the designated variable to the terminal 100 when the debugging mode is set. The unit stops communication with other units, remote controllers and local controllers in the debugging mode, and resumes the communication when the debugging mode is released.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an interface unit 130 to which a cable for connection with a unit is connected, a data unit 140 storing data for a unit, and a debugging control unit 120 for debugging software replied to the unit when the unit is connected ), An output unit 150 to which information received from the unit is output, and an input unit 160 to which data is input.

The interface unit 130 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the terminal. In particular, the interface unit 130 may be connected to a unit such as an outdoor unit or an indoor unit, and may also be connected to a unit such as a humidifying unit, a dehumidifying unit, a heater, and a ventilation unit.

The interface unit 130 may receive data from the connected unit or receive power and transmit the data to each component in the terminal 100, and may transmit the data in the terminal 100 to the connected unit. In addition, the interface unit 130 serves as an interface to transmit data stored in the terminal to another computer.

The data unit 140 includes a debugging program for debugging a unit connected through the interface unit 170, and a control data storage unit 142 including analysis data for analyzing data of a unit received through the interface unit 170. ), An air conditioner data storage unit 141 including information on the connected unit.

The air conditioner data storage unit 141 stores air conditioner data such as a model name of a connected unit, a type of unit, a basic process, etc., and the control data storage unit 142 is based on information of a unit stored in the air conditioner data storage unit 141. The debugging program suitable for the unit to be executed is stored, and the data for debugging is stored.

The output unit 150 includes at least one of a display unit for displaying letters, numbers, special characters, images, etc., a speaker for outputting sound, and a lamp for being lit or flashing to output status information.

The input unit 160 includes a plurality of input keys and applies data corresponding to an input key operation to the controller 110. In some cases, the touch input means may also be included in the input unit 160.

The controller 110 controls the overall operation according to the driving of the terminal. The controller 110 controls the connection of the unit through the interface unit 130, controls the data input through the input unit 160 and the interface unit 130, and controls the driving of the output unit 150. In addition, the controller 110 allows the predetermined data to be stored in the data unit 140 and calls the data stored in the data unit 140.

In particular, when the control unit 110 is connected to the unit through the interface unit 130, depending on the connection state, when the connection is completed, the debugging control unit 120 is called to perform debugging for the unit. When the debugging by the debugging control unit 120 is completed, the control unit 110 transmits a signal according to the release of the connection to the unit, so that the connection through the interface unit 130 is released.

The control unit 110 controls the input and output of the data generated during the debugging of the unit by the debugging control unit 120, and continuously detects the connection state through the interface unit 130 to debug when an error occurs in the connection The controller 120 transmits the guide message to the controller 120 and outputs the guide message accordingly.

When the connection to the unit is completed, the debugging control unit 120 sets the debugging mode, and transmits the data according to the debugging mode setting to the unit through the interface unit 130, so that the notification of the debugging mode setting is transmitted. .

Here, the debugging control unit 120 waits until the response is received from the unit after transmitting the notification for the debugging mode, if the response is not received after waiting for a predetermined time, count the number of notifications and restart the notification. send.

In response to the notification according to the debugging setting transmitted to the unit, when a response according to the debugging setting is received from the unit, the debugging control unit 120 confirms that the debugging setting is completed, and then analyzes the data received from the unit and transmits the data to the unit. Analyze and correct errors in the installed software or control data.

At this time, as the data value of the variable specified in the operating unit is received, the debugging control unit 120 checks the data generated in the process of operating the unit to determine whether there is more than that, and if there is data outside the normal range It is determined that an error has occurred and displayed. Here, the controller 110 controls the input unit 160 and the output unit 150 to display the data received from the unit through the output unit 150, the data input through the input unit 160 is the debugging control unit ( 120).

When the debugging operation is performed by the user, since the user command is input to the terminal as the input unit 160 is operated, the debugging control unit 120 modifies the software or control data of the unit according to the input data. The debugging control unit 120 transmits the modified data to the unit and ends debugging. When the debugging is completed by the debugging control unit 120, the controller 110 releases the debugging mode and disconnects the unit through the interface unit.

On the other hand, the debugging control unit 120 determines that there is a problem with the cable or the unit, if the response is not received from the unit three or more times the notification is terminated debugging and the control unit 110 to output a guide message according to the error occurrence Signal). Accordingly, the controller 110 terminates the connection and causes an error message to be displayed through the output unit 150.

At this time, the control unit and the debugging control unit includes a storage means capable of storing the data therein, the software required to perform a predetermined process is stored, the necessary data is called and stored during the execution of the software, or the data generated during the process is stored, A buffer or flash memory may be used.

On the other hand, the unit includes a connection means connected to the terminal 100, a communication module for communication with other units, a control module, a data module, a drive module for a predetermined operation.

For example, if the unit is an indoor unit, it includes a heat exchanger, an indoor fan, an expansion valve, and a control module and a driving module for controlling such a configuration. Driving means such as an apparatus is further included, and in the case of an indoor unit, an expansion valve, a heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and the like may be provided, and each driving means is controlled by a control module and a driving module.

When the terminal 100 is connected and a notification according to the debugging mode setting is received from the terminal 100, the unit sets the unit to the debugging mode and prepares data input from the terminal 100 and data output to the terminal. . After setting the debugging mode, the unit transmits the variable data to the terminal 100 with respect to a predetermined variable.

At this time, when the debugging mode is set, the unit maintains the operation being performed but stops communication with another unit. The unit transmits data generated during operation, or data changed during operation, to the terminal 100 and stores the modified data received from the terminal 100 so that the loaded software is changed. However, if the data can be changed during operation, change it immediately so that debugging is reflected, but the data or software in use can be applied at the next operation.

When the debugging mode is terminated by the terminal 100, the unit releases the debugging mode and resumes communication with another suspended unit.

Looking at the operation according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a unit and a terminal of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the debugging terminal 100 equipped with a program for debugging the unit is connected to the unit by wire or wirelessly (S300). The terminal 100 is connected to the unit through the interface unit to receive data. The terminal sets a debugging mode for the unit (S310), and notifies the debugging mode to the unit (S320).

When the unit in operation according to the predetermined operation command is connected to the terminal 100 and receives a notification about the debugging mode, the unit sets the debugging mode to the unit (S360). At this time, the unit stops communication with other devices, such as other outdoor units, other indoor units, remote controllers and the like (S380). However, the operation in progress is not stopped but continues to be maintained. When the debugging mode setting is completed, the response according to the debugging mode setting is transmitted to the terminal.

The unit transmits data of a predetermined variable to the terminal 100 during operation.

The terminal 100 analyzes variable data received from the unit to determine an operation state of the unit and analyzes whether there is an error. At this time, the terminal 100 analyzes the cause of the error according to the change of the data, and corrects the error of the unit in response to the data input through the input unit (S330).

The modified data is transmitted to the unit through the interface unit, and the unit stores the modified data (S390). The terminal 100 performs debugging using the variable received from the unit until the debugging is completed (S340).

When debugging is completed, the terminal 100 releases the debugging mode, and transmits another message to the unit in releasing the debugging mode. Accordingly, the unit terminates the debugging mode and resumes communication with the other unit (S420). When the terminal 100 is disconnected from the unit, debugging is completed.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method according to a debugging setup failure according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, when an error occurs in data transmission with the unit while the terminal accesses the unit and performs debugging, the operation is performed as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the terminal 100 accesses the unit (S450), the debugging mode is set (S460), and the unit is notified of the debugging mode setting (S470).

After notifying the debugging mode setting to the unit, the terminal 100 waits for a response to be received, and counts a time until the response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time (S480), the terminal 100 determines that the debugging mode is set in the unit, receives and analyzes variable data from the unit, and debugs the software or control data mounted in the unit based on this. Try. At this time, the information on the received variable is displayed on the output unit of the terminal (S520).

The terminal 100 corrects an error included in software or control data in response to the data input through the input unit (S530). The modified data is transmitted from the terminal 100 to the unit, and the unit recovers the error by storing the modified data.

On the other hand, if the terminal 100 does not receive a response from the unit within a predetermined time (S480), it increases the non-response count by 1 and resends the notification for setting the debugging mode. When retransmitting the notification, the terminal 100 retransmits the notification for the debugging mode when the number of retransmissions, that is, the non-response count is three or more times (S490).

When the notification is retransmitted three or more times (S490), the terminal 100 rechecks whether the unit is normally connected, and checks whether the communication line or cable is abnormal or whether it is itself abnormal (S500). At this time, in addition to the self-check on whether the connection outputs a guide message through the output to the user to check.

The terminal 100 displays a message indicating that an error has occurred in the debugging mode to the output unit (S510).

As described above, the data debugging method of the air conditioner according to the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and the application is within the scope of the technical idea. Can be.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing a terminal configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a unit and a terminal of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method according to a debugging setup failure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

100: terminal

110: control unit 120: debugging control unit

130: interface unit 140: data unit

150: output unit 160: input unit

I: Indoor unit O: Outdoor unit

R1: Local Controller RC: Remote Controller

Claims (7)

When the terminal for debugging is connected to the unit, setting a debugging mode and notifying the unit of the debugging mode setting; Analyzing and debugging data received from the unit in operation; And And transmitting the modified data to the unit and releasing the connection when the debugging is completed. The method of claim 1, Sending a notification of the debugging mode setting to the unit, and resending the notification of the debugging mode setting if a response is not received from the unit within a predetermined time. The method of claim 2, And transmitting an error for setting the debugging mode more than a reference number of times, and outputting an error if a response is not received. Receiving a notification of a debugging mode setting from a terminal connected to the unit, and setting a debugging mode; During operation, transmitting the generated data to the terminal; Receiving and storing the modified data from the terminal; And Disconnecting the terminal and ending the debugging mode; Data debugging method of an air conditioner comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein When the debugging mode is set, the data debugging method of the air conditioner further comprising the step of stopping communication with the unit other than the terminal. The method of claim 5, wherein And resuming communication with another unit when the debugging mode is terminated. The method of claim 4, wherein And the unit maintains a normal operation when the debugging mode is set.

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