WO2016185603A1

WO2016185603A1 - Controller and air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2016185603A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/064623
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宗一郎 ▲徳▼久; 知哉南出
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2015-05-21
Filing date: 2015-05-21
Publication date: 2016-11-24

Abstract

A controller that has a plurality of functions related to the control of the operation of a device to be controlled and that is hierarchically network-connected to another controller comprises: a storage unit that stores the plurality of functions, the categories of the plurality of functions, and operation permission/inhibition for each category; a communication unit that receives from the other controller an operation permission/inhibition change command indicating a change of operation permission/inhibition; a determination unit that determines whether to change the operation permission/inhibition in accordance with the operation permission/inhibition change command; and an operation permission/inhibition change unit that, if the determination unit determines that the operation permission/inhibition is to be changed, changes the operation permission/inhibition stored in the storage unit for each category.

Description

Controller and air conditioning system

The present invention relates to a controller connected to other controllers in multiple layers and an air conditioning system including the controller.

Conventionally, in a centralized management system used in a building air conditioner or the like, a plurality of controllers connected to a network in multiple layers are provided, and operation commands having different priorities are transmitted to a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner. It has been known. In a conventional centralized management system, as a method for preventing confusion when controller commands in each hierarchy compete, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses the strength of a command when prohibiting control by a controller in a lower hierarchy. It is described that the control by the controller in the lower hierarchy is prohibited only when the prescribed prohibition strength is exceeded.

Japanese Patent No. 2552022

Here, in the conventional centralized management system, when the number of devices or the number of functions of each device increases, the number of communication commands in the centralized management system increases, and communication traffic becomes congested. Further, since the number of functions that can be controlled by the controller increases, setting work for restricting the operation of another controller by the user becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a controller and an air conditioning system that can realize reduction of communication traffic and simplification of setting work.

The controller according to the present invention has a plurality of functions related to the control of the operation of the controlled device, and is a controller that is network-connected to other controllers in multiple layers. A storage unit that stores operation availability for each classification, a communication unit that receives an operation enable / disable change command for instructing change of operation enable / disable from another controller, and whether to change operation enable / disable according to the operation enable / disable change command And an operation availability change unit that changes the operation availability stored in the storage unit for each classification when it is determined by the determination unit to change the operation availability.

An air conditioning system according to the present invention is an air conditioning system that includes an upper controller, a lower controller, and an air conditioner controlled by the upper controller and the lower controller, and the lower controller relates to control of the operation of the air conditioner. A storage unit that stores a plurality of functions, a classification of the plurality of functions, and operation availability for each classification, a communication unit that receives an operation availability change command instructing change of operation availability from a host controller, and an operation availability change command A determination unit that determines whether or not to change the operation availability according to the method, and an operation availability change unit that changes the operation availability stored in the storage unit for each classification when the determination unit determines to change the operation availability. The upper controller includes an information collection unit that collects information on a plurality of functions of the lower controller, and a lower controller. And a communication unit that transmits an operation permission change command in La.

According to the controller and the air conditioning system of the present invention, a plurality of function classifications related to the operation of the controlled device and the operation availability for each classification are stored, and the operation availability is changed for each classification, so that the operation availability change time can be changed. Communication traffic can be reduced because the amount of communication need only be the number of classifications. Further, by classifying the functions, the number of setting items of the controller is reduced, and the complexity of the user's setting operation is reduced.

It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a lower centralized controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the initial classification of the function which the high-order centralized controller of Embodiment 1, a low-order centralized controller, and a local remote control have, and the classification initial value of each function. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of classification information stored in a storage unit of a lower centralized controller according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of classification information stored in a storage unit of a local remote controller according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a table showing correspondence between classification numbers and classification names in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not the basic function of the hand remote controller in the first embodiment can be operated. 5 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not the operation of the automatic control function of the local remote controller in the first embodiment is changed for each classification. 6 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not the operation of the automatic control function of the hand remote controller in the first embodiment is changed for each function. 6 is a diagram showing a communication procedure when changing the availability of operation in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of determination processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a lower centralized controller according to a second embodiment. 12 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit when the classification of the local remote controller is changed in the lower-level centralized controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when a classification is changed in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of determination processing in the second embodiment.

Embodiments of a controller and an air conditioning system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an upper centralized controller 1 that controls the entire air conditioning system 100, a plurality of lower centralized controllers 2 connected to the upper centralized controller 1, and each lower centralized controller. 2, a plurality of air conditioners 3 connected to 2, and a plurality of hand remote controllers 4 connected to each air conditioner 3. In addition, the number of the low-order centralized controller 2, the air conditioner 3, and the local remote controller 4 with which the air-conditioning system 100 is provided is not limited to the example of FIG. 1, It can be made into arbitrary numbers.

The upper centralized controller 1 manages the entire building and controls the operation of all the air conditioners 3. The lower centralized controller 2 is installed for each floor or tenant, for example, and controls the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 3 installed on the floor or tenant.

The air conditioner 3 includes an outdoor unit 31 and a plurality of indoor units 32, and the operation of each indoor unit 32 is controlled by the local remote controller 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the air conditioner 3 includes one outdoor unit 31 and two indoor units 32, but the number of the outdoor units 31 and indoor units 32 is limited to this. It is not a thing. The air conditioner 3 has a refrigerant circuit composed of the outdoor unit 31 and the indoor unit 32, and performs indoor air conditioning (heating or cooling).

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, the air conditioner 3 and the local remote controller 4 are connected by a communication line 5. As a result, the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 constitute a control group that is network-connected in multiple layers, and can control whether the functions of other controllers are operational. In the following description, the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 may be simply referred to as “controller”.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the lower centralized controller 2 in the present embodiment. The upper centralized controller 1 and the local remote controller 4 have the same configuration as the lower centralized controller 2, and here, the lower centralized controller 2 will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower centralized controller 2 includes a communication unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24. The control unit 24 includes an information collection unit 41, a command generation unit 42, a determination unit 43, and a setting change unit 44. Further, the command generation unit 42 includes an operation command unit 421 and an operation availability command unit 422, and the setting change unit 44 includes an operation availability change unit 441 and a prohibited strength change unit 442.

The communication unit 21 is connected to the upper centralized controller 1, the air conditioner 3, and the local remote controller 4 through the communication line 5, and transmits / receives data to / from the upper centralized controller 1, the air conditioner 3, and the local remote controller 4. The operation display unit 22 includes, for example, a touch panel, and displays a setting screen related to the operation of the air conditioner 3 and a setting screen related to whether or not the functions of other controllers are operable, and an operation input from the user to the setting screen. Accept. In another embodiment, a display unit (for example, a display) that displays a setting screen or the like and an operation unit (for example, various buttons) operated by the user may be configured separately.

The storage unit 23 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores various data and programs used for controlling the lower centralized controller 2. Specifically, the storage unit 23 stores classification information related to the functions of the lower centralized controller 2. The classification information includes the name of the function of the lower centralized controller 2, the number of each function, the classification number of the classification to which each function belongs, the operation availability Dk and prohibition strength Hk for each function, and the operation availability Db for each classification. And forbidden strength Hb.

The functions of the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2 and the local remote controller 4 are classified into three types: basic functions, automatic control functions, and other settings. The basic functions include operation / stop of the air conditioner 3, setting of the operation mode and set temperature. The automatic control function includes an automatic operation / stop function by a human sensor and a night setback function for keeping the room temperature within a certain range. Other settings include device operations other than basic functions, screen transition enable / disable settings, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of initial classification of functions and initial classification values of each function of the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, since the basic functions are frequently used, they are collectively classified as “always permitted”. In addition, since other settings vary depending on the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4, they are collectively classified as “always permitted”.

The “always permitted” and “always prohibited” classifications are classifications for realizing a requirement that a specific function always be moved or prohibited. In this embodiment, the basic function and other settings are prohibited or switched between these two types of classification. By not providing the lower centralized controller 2 with a mechanism for changing whether or not “always permitted” and “always prohibited” operations are allowed, the availability of these two types of classifications can be set to a fixed value.

On the other hand, the automatic control function is classified into five types: “timer”, “energy saving”, “comfort”, “protection”, and “emergency”. The classification of the automatic control function can be changed by the user. For example, if there is a function that the administrator always wants to permit or prohibit, the classification of the function can be changed to “always permit” or “always prohibit”. In the present embodiment, description will be made with eight classifications, but some undefined classifications may be prepared, and the number of classifications may be increased for a controller with many functions. In this embodiment, one function belongs to only one category, but one function may belong to a plurality of categories. In this case, when determining whether or not a function can be operated, if there is only one classification of prohibition, a condition such as prohibiting the operation of the function may be provided.

Also, in order to respond to the desire to return the changed function classification to the initial value, a classification "initialization of classification" is provided. When the classification is set to “initialization of classification”, the classification of the function is assigned to the initial classification value of the function shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show examples of classification information stored in the lower centralized controller 2 and the local remote controller 4. Note that the number of functions of the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 varies depending on the model, and all have 18 or more functions. Is illustrated and described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of classification information stored in the storage unit 23 of the lower centralized controller 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower-level centralized controller 2 has six automatic controls of “weekly schedule”, “current day schedule”, “operation mode restriction”, “night setback”, “system changeover”, and “emergency stop”. It has a function. Each function is assigned a function number and a classification number, and an operation propriety Dk and a prohibition strength Hk are set. In addition, for each of the classification numbers 0 to 7, the operation availability Db and the prohibition strength Hb for each classification are set.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the classification information stored in the storage unit of the local remote controller 4 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the local remote controller 4 has five types of “weekly schedule”, “time-forgetting prevention timer”, “automatic temperature recovery”, “illuminance sensor absence stop control”, and “human sensor sensor wind blowing control”. Has automatic control function. Each function is assigned a function number and a classification number, and an operation propriety Dk and a prohibition strength Hk are set. In addition, for each of the classification numbers 0 to 7, the operation availability Db and the prohibition strength Hb for each classification are set.

FIG. 6 is a table showing the correspondence between classification numbers and classification names in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, classification number 0 is “always permitted”, classification number 1 is “always prohibited”, classification number 2 is “timer”, classification number 3 is “energy saving”, classification The number 4 is “comfort”, the classification number 5 is “protection”, the classification number 6 is “emergency”, and the classification number 7 is “initialization of classification”. The table indicating the correspondence between the classification numbers and the classification names shown in FIG. 6 is also stored in the storage unit 23.

The operation availability Dk and Db are information indicating whether the operation of each function by the lower centralized controller 2 is permitted or prohibited. The operation availability Dk is changed by an operation availability change command from another controller. The prohibition strengths Hk and Hb indicate the strength of whether or not the operation is possible. The prohibition strengths Hk and Hb are also changed by an operation availability change command from another controller.

2, the control unit 24 is configured by a microcomputer or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and controls each unit of the lower centralized controller 2. The information collection unit 41, the command generation unit 42, the determination unit 43, and the setting change unit 44 included in the control unit 24 are stored in a memory or a CD-ROM by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 24 as a functional unit realized by software. This is realized by executing a program stored in a recording medium (not shown) such as a ROM. Or each said part may be implement | achieved by electronic circuits, such as ASIC (Application specific IC) or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The control unit 24 transmits a command to the upper centralized controller 1, the air conditioner 3, or the local remote controller 4 through the communication unit 21 in accordance with the operation content input through the operation display unit 22, and the communication unit 21. Processing such as setting change of the own device is performed in accordance with a command received via.

The information collecting unit 41 collects the classification information from the upper centralized controller 1 and the hand remote controller 4 and transmits the classification information of the lower centralized controller 2 to the upper centralized controller 1 and the hand remote controller 4. Here, a general centralized management system for building air conditioners includes one or a plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units, and a controller that centrally manages these units. When any of these component devices is replaced with a new type device, the functions of the respective component devices may not match. In this case, in order to utilize a new function, the control program for each component device must be reorganized significantly, which is very expensive. In addition, even a component device to which a new function is added cannot use the function. Further, since the production cost generally increases as the capacity of the storage unit 23 increases, the classification information for all the functions of the controller included in the air conditioning system 100 in advance is excluded, except for some models that have a margin in the storage unit 23. It is difficult to store in the storage unit 23.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 23 stores the classification information of the own device (the lower centralized controller 2), and the classification information of the other controllers (the upper centralized controller 1 and the local remote controller 4) is necessary. Depending on the controller. As a result, the lower-level centralized controller 2 can grasp the functions of other controllers and change operation availability. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the low-level centralized controller 2 does not have the “forget-off prevention timer” and “temperature automatic return function” of the local remote controller 4, but the information collecting unit 41. By collecting the classification information from the hand remote controller 4, it is possible to change whether the two functions of the hand remote controller 4 are operable.

Specifically, the information collection unit 41 transmits a monitor command via the communication unit 21 when the operation display unit 22 is instructed to change the operation availability of other controllers. The monitor command is a command for requesting classification information of the host centralized controller 1 or the local remote controller 4. At this time, the information collection unit 41 also acquires the function name and the classification name corresponding to the function number and the classification number via the communication unit 21. Here, it is possible to change the operation availability based on the function number and classification number without acquiring the function name and classification name. In this case, the user refers to the meaning of the function number and classification number in the manual etc. It is inconvenient because it is necessary to do. Therefore, the function name corresponding to the function number and the classification name corresponding to the classification number are acquired and displayed on the operation display unit 22 so that the user can easily change the operation availability. The classification information acquired by the information collecting unit 41 may be stored in the storage unit 23 or may be discarded when it is no longer needed for display on the operation display unit 22.

Further, when the information collection unit 41 receives a monitor command from another controller via the communication unit 21, the information collection unit 41 reads out the classification information of the own device stored in the storage unit 23 and transmits the monitor command transmission source as a monitor response. Send to. The monitor command does not include the prohibition strength H and the command strength S.

The command generation unit 42 generates various commands according to the operation content input via the operation display unit 22 and transmits the generated commands to the upper centralized controller 1, the air conditioner 3, or the local remote controller 4 via the communication unit 21. Specifically, when an instruction (for example, operation / stop, operation mode, set temperature, etc.) regarding the operation of the air conditioner 3 is input via the operation display unit 22, the operation command unit 421 is based on the input content. An operation command is generated and transmitted to the air conditioner 3 via the communication unit 21.

In addition, when an instruction to change the operation availability of another controller is input via the operation display unit 22, the operation enable / disable command unit 422 generates an operation enable / disable change command according to the input content, Send to. The operation availability change command has a role of transmitting the classification number and the operation availability for the classification number. Further, the operation availability change command includes a prohibition strength H and a command strength S. The prohibition strength H and the command strength S included in the operation allowance change command are set according to the hierarchy of each controller and the content of the command. The command strength S indicates the priority of the operation enable / disable change command. In this embodiment, the command strength S of the upper centralized controller 1 is set to 5, and the command strength S of the lower centralized controller 2 is set to 3. The command intensity S of the local remote controller 4 is set to 1. The prohibition strength H is set to 5 when the higher-level centralized controller 1 sets “prohibited” as to whether or not the operation of other controllers is classified or functions, and the prohibition strength H is set to 1 when “permitted”. . The prohibition strength H when the lower centralized controller 2 sets “prohibition” as to whether or not the operation of another controller's classification or function is “prohibited” is set to 1, and the prohibition strength H when it is set to “permit” is set to 1. . In addition, the prohibition strength H is set to 1 when the local remote controller 4 sets “prohibited” and “permitted” as to whether or not the operation of other controller classifications or functions is permitted.

7 to 9 are examples of screens displayed on the operation display unit 22 when the lower centralized controller 2 changes whether the hand remote controller 4 can be operated. 7 to 9 are generated and displayed based on the classification information collected by the information collecting unit 41. FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not basic functions of the local remote controller 4 can be operated. The screen of FIG. 7 is displayed by pressing an operation enable / disable setting button on the menu screen, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation display unit 22 displays a plurality of icons 220 each corresponding to a basic function, an OK button 221, a cancel button 222, and a vertical movement button 223. When the user presses an icon 220 of any basic function, the operation availability of the function is switched to “prohibited” or “permitted”. Then, a prohibition mark is displayed on the icon 220 of the basic function that is “prohibited”. When the OK button 221 is pressed, an operation availability change command for the function changed to “prohibited” or “permitted” by the operation availability command unit 422 is generated and transmitted to the local remote controller 4 via the communication unit 21. The

Further, when the up / down movement button 223 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 7, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not the automatic control function of the local remote controller 4 can be operated for each classification. As shown in FIG. 8, the operation display unit 22 includes a plurality of icons 224, an OK button 221, a cancel button 222, an up / down movement button 223, and a function setting button 225 respectively corresponding to the automatic control function classification. Is displayed. When the icon 224 of any category is pressed by the user, the operation availability of the category is switched to “prohibited” or “permitted”. A prohibition mark is displayed on the icon 220 of the classification “prohibited”. When the OK button 221 is pressed, an operation availability change command for the classification changed to “prohibited” or “permitted” by the operation availability command unit 422 is generated and transmitted to the local remote controller 4 via the communication unit 21. The

When the function setting button 225 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 8, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for changing whether or not the automatic control function of the local remote controller 4 can be operated for each function. As shown in FIG. 9, the operation display unit 22 displays a list 226 of each function of the automatic control function, an operation availability setting unit 227 corresponding to each function, a setting save button 228, and a vertical movement button 223. Is done. When the user selects the “permitted” or “prohibited” check mark of the operation availability setting unit 227 corresponding to any function, the operation availability of the function is set to “prohibited” or “permitted”. When the setting save button 228 is pressed, an operation availability change command for the function changed to “prohibited” or “permitted” by the operation availability command unit 422 is generated and transmitted to the local remote controller 4 via the communication unit 21. Is done.

Here, for example, when it is desired to prohibit the operation of the function related to the timer of the hand remote controller 4 or when the operation enable / disable is changed for each function as in the past, the nine functions classified into the timers shown in FIG. It was necessary to set “prohibited” to the operation availability on each of the 9 screens. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to operate the icon 224 corresponding to the classification “timer” shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 2, the determination unit 43 refers to whether or not the function stored in the storage unit 23 is operational, and determines whether or not to transmit an operation command from the operation command unit 421 to the air conditioner 3. . Specifically, when the function operation availability is “permitted”, an operation command is transmitted from the operation command unit 421 to the air conditioner 3, and when “prohibited”, the operation command is transmitted to the air conditioner 3. The operation command from the unit 421 is not transmitted.

Further, the determination unit 43 determines whether or not to change the operation availability stored in the storage unit 23 based on the operation availability change command received from another controller via the communication unit 21. Specifically, the determination unit 43 prohibits the instruction strength S included in the operation availability change command received via the communication unit 21 and the classification that is the target of the operation availability change command stored in the storage unit 23. The strength Hb is compared. Then, when the command strength S included in the operation availability change command is equal to or greater than the stored prohibition strength Hb, it is determined that the operation availability is changed. If the command strength S included in the operation permission change command is smaller than the stored prohibition strength Hb, a response notifying that the operation permission change is not possible is transmitted to the source of the operation permission change command.

The setting change unit 44 changes the operation availability stored in the storage unit 23 when the determination unit 43 determines to change the operation availability. Specifically, when it is determined by the determination unit 43 to change the operation availability, the operation availability change unit 441 sets the operation availability Db of the classification that is the target of the operation availability change command to “prohibit”. ”Or“ Allow ”. In addition, the operation availability Dk1 to Dkn of the functions included in the classification is changed to “prohibited” or “permitted” according to the operation availability change command. In addition, when the determination unit 43 determines that the operation allowance is changed, the prohibition strength changing unit 442 changes the prohibition strength Hb of the classification that is the target of the operation enable / disable change command to the prohibition strength H included in the operation enable / disable change command. change. Then, the prohibited strengths Hk1 to Hkn of the functions included in the classification subject to the operation permission change command are changed to the prohibited strength H.

Next, the flow of changing the availability of operation in the air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when changing the availability of operation in the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, the communication between the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, the local remote controller 4, and the air conditioner 3 will be described as an example. In the initial setting, the operation availability Db of the classification “timer” is set to “permitted”, and the prohibition strength Hb is set to 1. Similarly, “weekly schedule”, “forgotten-off timer” and “temperature automatic return” operation propriety Dk1 to Dk3 belonging to the classification “timer” are also set to “permitted”, and the prohibition strengths Hk1 to Hk3 of the respective functions are respectively set Set to 1. That is, at the time of initial setting, the local remote controller 4 is in a state where the “weekly schedule” function can be operated.

Also, it is assumed that a schedule of driving at 7:30 and stopping at 17:00 is set in the “weekly schedule” of the local remote controller 4 in advance. Therefore, at the timing of 7:30, the local remote controller 4 transmits an operation command for operating the air conditioner 3 according to the weekly schedule to the air conditioner 3 (S1). And the air conditioner 3 which received the operation command from the local remote control 4 starts an operation | movement according to an operation command, and transmits a completion response to the local remote control 4 (S2).

After that, the lower centralized controller 2 transmits a monitor command to the local remote controller 4 (S3). The local remote controller 4 that has received the monitor command transmits a monitor response including the classification information to the lower centralized controller 2 (S4). Thereby, the lower-level centralized controller 2 can acquire the classification information of the local remote controller 4. Then, the lower centralized controller 2 transmits an operation enable / disable change command for setting the operation enable / disable of the classification number 2 (timer) to “prohibited” to the local remote controller 4 (S5). The command strength S and the prohibition strength H of this operation propriety change command are both 3.

When the local remote controller 4 receives the operation enable / disable change command from the lower centralized controller 2, the local remote controller 4 performs a determination process (S6). FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the determination process in the present embodiment. In this process, first, the prohibition strength Hb of the classification number 2 (timer) operation availability is compared with the command strength S included in the operation availability change command, and it is determined whether or not the command strength S is greater than or equal to the prohibition strength Hb. (S101). When the command intensity S is equal to or greater than the prohibition intensity Hb (S101: YES), the operation availability Db of the classification number 2 stored in the storage unit 23 is changed to “prohibition” (S102). Then, the prohibition strength Hb of the classification number 2 indicating whether the operation is possible is changed to a prohibition strength H (that is, 3) included in the operation enable / disable change command (S103).

Next, the operation availability Dk1 to Dk3 of the function belonging to the classification number 2 (timer) is changed to “prohibited” (S104). Then, the prohibition strengths Hk1 to Hk3 of the functions belonging to the classification number 2 (timer) are also changed to the prohibition strength H (that is, 3) included in the operation enable / disable change command (S105). After that, a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2 (S106), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the command intensity S is less than the prohibition intensity Hb (S101: NO), an unacceptable response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2 to notify that the change is impossible (S107), and the operation availability is changed. This processing ends without being performed.

Returning to FIG. 10, since the command strength S is greater than or equal to the prohibition strength Hb for the operation enable / disable change command in step S5, the operation enable / disable of the classification number 2 (timer) is changed to “prohibited”, and the local remote controller 4 A completion response is made to the lower centralized controller 2 (S106). As a result, since the operation of the weekly schedule is prohibited in the local remote controller 4, no operation command is transmitted even at 17:00.

Thereafter, the lower-level centralized controller 2 transmits an operation availability change command for setting the operation availability of the classification number 2 (timer) to “permitted” to the local remote controller 4 (S7). When receiving the operation enable / disable change command from the lower centralized controller 2, the local remote controller 4 performs a determination process shown in FIG. 11 (S6). Since the command strength S in this case is equal to or higher than the prohibition strength Hb, the operation permission / inhibition of the classification number 2 (timer) is changed to “permitted”, and a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2 (S106).

Then, the host central controller 1 transmits a monitor command to the local remote controller 4 (S8). The local remote controller 4 that has received the monitor command transmits a monitor response including the classification information to the host controller 1 (S9). Thereby, the high-order centralized controller 1 can acquire the classification information of the local remote controller 4. Then, the upper centralized controller 1 transmits an operation enable / disable change command for setting the operation enable / disable of the classification number 2 (timer) to the local remote controller 4 (S10). The command strength S and the prohibition strength H of this operation propriety change command are both 5.

The local remote controller 4 that has received the operation enable / disable change command from the upper centralized controller 1 performs the determination process shown in FIG. 11 (S6). Since the command strength S in this case is equal to or greater than the prohibition strength Hb, whether the operation of the classification number 2 (timer) is permitted is changed to “prohibited”, and a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the upper centralized controller 1 (S106).

After that, the lower-level centralized controller 2 transmits an operation availability change command for setting the operation availability of the classification number 2 (timer) to “permitted” to the local remote controller 4 (S11). The local remote controller 4 that has received the operation enable / disable change command from the lower centralized controller 2 performs the determination process shown in FIG. 11 (S6). In this case, since the command strength S is less than the prohibition strength Hb, whether or not the classification number 2 (timer) can be operated is not changed, and an improper response is made from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2 (S107).

As described above, when changing whether the operation of a plurality of functions of a controller is collectively prohibited or permitted, conventionally, it has been necessary to transmit communication for the number of functions. Since only a few minutes of communication need be transmitted, communication traffic can be reduced. Further, by classifying the functions, the number of setting items of the controller is reduced, and the complexity of the user's setting operation is reduced.

Further, the storage unit 23 stores the prohibition strength Hb for each classification, the operation availability change command includes the prohibition strength H and the command strength S, and the determination unit 43 includes the operation availability change command. By comparing the command strength S included and the classification prohibition strength Hb stored in the storage unit 23 and determining that the operation availability is changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a command from each layer is determined. Confusion caused by can be suppressed.

Further, when the determination unit 43 determines to change the operation propriety, the prohibition strength changing unit 442 further changes the classification prohibition strength Hb stored in the storage unit 23 to the prohibition strength H included in the operation enable / disable change command. By providing, confusion due to commands from each layer can be suppressed.

In addition, an information collection unit 41 that collects information on a plurality of functions possessed by other controllers, a display unit that displays information on a plurality of functions possessed by other controllers collected by the information collection unit 41, and functions of other controllers By providing the operation display unit 22 that functions as an operation unit operated to instruct to change the operation availability, even if the number of functions of a specific controller increases, other controllers that do not have an increased function can Function prohibition or permission can be changed, and there is no need to develop a separate communication command.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the controller can change the classification of other controllers. About the other structure of the air conditioning system 100 and a controller, it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and attaches | subjects the same code | symbol.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lower centralized controller 2A in the present embodiment. The upper centralized controller 1 and the local remote controller 4 also have the same configuration as the lower centralized controller 2A, and here, the lower centralized controller 2A will be described as a representative. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the command generation unit 42 </ b> A of the lower centralized controller 2 </ b> A includes a classification change command unit 423 in addition to the operation command unit 421 and the operation enable / disable command unit 422. The setting changing unit 44A includes a classification changing unit 443 in addition to the operation availability changing unit 441 and the prohibited strength changing unit 442.

When a command for changing the function classification of another controller is input via the operation display unit 22, the class change command unit 423 generates a class change command according to the input content and transmits it to the other controller. To do. The classification change command is a command for changing the classification to which the function belongs, and has a role of transmitting the function number of the function to be classified and the classification number after the change. The classification change command includes a command strength S and a prohibition strength H. The prohibition strength H and the command strength S included in the classification change command are set according to the hierarchy of each controller and the classification to be changed. In the present embodiment, the command strength S of the upper centralized controller 1 is set to 5, the command strength S of the lower centralized controller 2 is set to 3, and the command strength S of the local remote controller 4 is set to 1. The prohibition strength H is set to the prohibition strength of the classification after the change.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 22 when the classification of the local remote controller 4 is changed in the lower centralized controller 2 of the present embodiment. The screen of FIG. 13 is generated based on the classification information collected by the information collection unit 41, and is displayed, for example, by pressing a classification change button on the menu screen. As shown in FIG. 13, the operation display unit 22 displays a list 229 of functions of the remote controller 4, a classification setting unit 230 corresponding to each function, a setting save button 228, and an up / down movement button 223. The When the user operates the classification setting unit 230 corresponding to any function, the classification of the function is changed. Then, when the setting save button 228 is pressed, a classification change command for the function whose classification is changed by the classification change command unit 423 is generated and transmitted to the local remote controller 4 via the communication unit 21.

Returning to FIG. 12, the determination unit 43 determines whether or not to change the classification of the function stored in the storage unit 23 based on the classification change command received from another controller via the communication unit 21. Specifically, the determination unit 43 includes the command strength S included in the classification change command received via the communication unit 21 and the classification to which the function that is the target of the classification change command stored in the storage unit 23 belongs. The prohibited strength Hb is compared. Then, when the command strength S included in the classification change command is equal to or greater than the stored prohibited strength Hb, it is determined that the classification is to be changed. When the command strength S included in the classification change command is smaller than the stored prohibition strength Hb, a response notifying that the classification cannot be changed is transmitted to the transmission source of the classification change command.

If the determination unit 43 determines to change the classification, the classification change unit 443 changes the classification of the function that is the target of the classification change command according to the classification change command. Further, when the classification of the function is changed by the classification changing unit 443, the operation availability changing unit 441 changes the operation availability Dk of the function according to the classification operation availability Db. In addition, when the classification of the function is changed by the classification changing unit 443, the prohibited intensity changing unit 442 changes the prohibited intensity Hk of the function to the prohibited intensity H included in the classification change command.

For example, if the classification “timer” is enabled / disabled and the classification “energy saving” is enabled / disabled, the classification of the weekly schedule belonging to “timer” is changed to “energy saving” by the classification change command. In such a case, the operation availability changing unit 441 changes the operation availability of the weekly schedule function from “prohibited” to “permitted”. In this state, when the classification change command for further changing the classification of the weekly schedule to “initialization of classification” is received and the determination unit 43 determines to change the classification, the classification change unit 443 changes the classification of the weekly schedule function to the initial classification. The value is changed to “timer”, and the operation availability changing unit 441 changes the operation availability of the weekly schedule function from “permitted” to “prohibited”.

Next, the function classification change flow in the air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a communication procedure at the time of classification change in the present embodiment. In FIG. 14, communication between the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2A, the local remote controller 4, and the air conditioner 3 will be described as an example. FIG. 14 illustrates a communication procedure when the classification of the illuminance sensor absence stop function (function number 30) in the local remote controller 4 is changed. In FIG. 14, the description of the monitor command and the monitor response is omitted, but the monitor command and the monitor response similar to those in the first embodiment are performed, and the upper remote controller 1 and the lower centralized controller 2 </ b> A have the local remote controller 4. The function classification can be changed. The classification of the illuminance sensor absence stop function at the start of communication is “energy saving (classification number 3)”, the operation propriety is “permitted”, and the prohibited strength Hb is 1.

First, a classification change command for changing the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) to the classification number 4 (comfortable) is transmitted from the lower centralized controller 2A to the local remote controller 4 (S21). The command strength S of this classification change command is 3, and the prohibition strength H is 3, which is the prohibition strength Hb of the classification (comfort) to be changed.

When the local remote controller 4 receives the classification change command from the lower centralized controller 2A, it performs a determination process (S22). FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the determination process in the present embodiment. In this process, the prohibited strength Hb of the classification to which the function to be changed belongs is compared with the command strength S included in the classification change command, and it is determined whether or not the command strength S is equal to or higher than the prohibited strength Hb (S201). ). If the command strength S is equal to or greater than the prohibited strength Hb (S201: YES), the function classification is changed (S202). Here, in the case of the classification information in FIG. 4, the prohibited intensity Hb of the classification “energy saving” to which the illuminance sensor absence stop function to be changed belongs is 1, and the instruction intensity S included in the classification change instruction is 3. The classification of the illumination sensor absence stop function is changed from classification number 3 (energy saving) to classification number 4 (comfort).

Then, the operation availability Dk of the function is changed to the operation availability Db of the classification after the change (S203). Specifically, in the case of the classification information in FIG. 4, the operation availability Dk of the illuminance sensor absence stop function is changed from “permitted” to “prohibited”. The function prohibition strength Hk is also changed to the prohibition strength H (that is, 3) included in the classification change command (S204). Thereafter, a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A (S205), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the command strength S is less than the prohibition strength Hb (S201: NO), an unacceptable response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A notifying that the change is impossible (S206), and the classification is not changed. This processing is terminated.

Returning to FIG. 14, for the classification change command in step S21, since the command intensity S is equal to or greater than the prohibition intensity Hb, the classification of function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) is changed to classification number 4 (comfortable). Then, a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A (S205). Thereby, in the local remote controller 4, since the operation of the illuminance sensor absence stop function is changed to “prohibited”, the illuminance sensor is detected from the local remote controller 4 to the air conditioner 3 even if the presence or absence is detected by the illuminance sensor. An operation command related to absence stop is not transmitted.

Then, the upper centralized controller 1 transmits a classification change command for changing the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) to the classification number 0 (always permitted) to the local remote controller 4 (S23). The command strength S of this classification change command is 5, and the prohibition strength H is 1, which is the prohibition strength Hb of the classification to be changed (always permitted).

The local remote controller 4 that has received the classification change command from the upper centralized controller 1 performs the determination process shown in FIG. 15 (S22). Since the command intensity S in this case is equal to or greater than the prohibition intensity Hb, the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) is changed to the classification number 0 (always permitted), and the operation availability Dk is set to “permitted”. The prohibition strength Hk is changed to 1, and a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A (S205). Thereby, in the local remote controller 4, since the operation of the illuminance sensor absence stop function has been changed to “permitted”, an operation command is transmitted to the air conditioner 3 in order to notify the air conditioner 3 of the detected absence state. (S24). The air conditioner 3 that has received the operation command stops operation and transmits a completion response to the local remote controller 4 (S25).

Thereafter, the lower centralized controller 2A transmits a classification change command for changing the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) to the classification number 1 (always prohibited) to the local remote controller 4 (S26). The command strength S of this classification change command is 3, and the prohibited strength H is 3 which is the prohibited strength Hb of the classification to be changed (always prohibited).

The local remote controller 4 that has received the classification change command from the lower centralized controller 2A performs the determination process shown in FIG. 15 (S22). Since the command strength S in this case is equal to or higher than the prohibition strength Hb, the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) is changed to the classification number 1 (always prohibited), and the operation availability Dk is set to “prohibited”. The prohibition strength Hk is changed to 3, and a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A (S205). Thereby, in the local remote controller 4, since the operation of the illuminance sensor absence stop function has been changed to “prohibited”, even if the occupancy is detected by the illuminance sensor, the illuminance sensor absence stop from the local remote controller 4 to the air conditioner 3 The operation command related to is not transmitted.

Thereafter, the host central controller 1 transmits a classification change command for changing the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) to the classification number 7 (initialization of classification) to the local remote controller 4 (S27). The command strength S of this classification change command is 5, and the prohibition strength H is 1, which is the prohibition strength Hb of the classification to be changed (classification initialization).

The local remote controller 4 that has received the classification change command from the upper centralized controller 1 performs the determination process shown in FIG. 15 (S22). Since the command strength S in this case is equal to or greater than the prohibition strength Hb, the classification of the function number 30 (illuminance sensor absence stop function) is changed to “energy saving (classification number 3)” as the classification initial value, and the operation availability Dk Is “permitted”, the prohibition strength Hk is changed to 1, and a completion response is sent from the local remote controller 4 to the lower centralized controller 2A (S205). Thereby, in the local remote controller 4, since the operation of the illuminance sensor absence stop function has been changed to “permitted”, an operation command is sent to the air conditioner 3 in order to notify the air conditioner 3 of the detected occupancy state. It is transmitted (S28). The air conditioner 3 that has received the operation command starts operation and transmits a completion response to the local remote controller 4 (S29).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the classification of functions of other controllers, and it is possible to change the operation availability in the classification according to the user's intention. In addition, when the classification is changed, the operation availability is automatically changed to the classification operation availability after the change, so that it is not necessary to change the operation availability for each function, and the operation can be simplified.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it is determined whether or not the operation is possible based on the prohibition strength. In this embodiment, the case where the classification prohibition strength is an even number is “permitted”, and the case where the classification is an odd number other than “1” is “prohibited”. As a result, since it is possible to determine whether or not the operation is possible from the prohibited intensity of classification, it is not necessary to store the operation availability Db for each classification and the operation availability Dk for each function in the storage unit 23, and the capacity of the storage unit 23 can be reduced. . Further, the operation availability changing unit 441 in the control unit 24 can also be omitted. Other configurations of the air conditioning system 100 and the controller in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the prohibition strength set in the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 is an odd value. The function prohibition strength is divided into even and odd numbers, and even numbers are used as “permitted” and odd numbers are used as “prohibited”. Specifically, the operation strength change command when changing the operation availability to “prohibited” is set to the prohibition strength (odd number) set for the device, and the operation when the operation availability is changed to “permission”. The prohibition strength of the permission change command is set to a value (even number) obtained by subtracting 1 from the prohibition strength set in the own device.

Also, when the prohibition strength is H = 1, it is treated as a special value as a release command. For example, in the centralized controller 1, in the operation permission change command for setting the operation availability to “prohibited”, the command strength S = 5 and the prohibition strength H = 5 are set, and the operation permission change command for setting the operation availability to “permitted”. Is set to command strength S = 5 and prohibition strength H = 4, and when issuing a release command, command strength S = 5 and prohibition strength H = 1. And the determination part 43 enables transmission of an operation command only when the prohibition strength is an even number or 1.

As a setting method of the operation allowance “cancellation”, for example, as in the operation enable / disable setting unit 227 corresponding to the “night setback” function shown in FIG. 9, both “prohibited” and “permitted” are checked. Alternatively, a state in which nothing is selected may be set as “release”. As a result, three states of “prohibited”, “permitted”, and “cancelled” can be operated on the screen, and the prohibition strength (prohibited (H = 3, 4, 7,...), Permitted (H = 2, 4, 6...) And release (H = 1)) operation enable / disable commands can be transmitted.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the prohibition strength of the operation permission / inhibition command when the operation permission / inhibition is “permitted” is 1 regardless of the level of the controller, but as in the present embodiment. By setting a status other than prohibition and permission, and setting the prohibition strength in the case of “permit” according to the level of the controller, a “prohibition” command is received from a controller with a prohibition strength lower than that of the device itself. Can maintain the permission state.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the classification change command unit 423 and the classification change unit 443 of the second embodiment are included, if the function classification is changed, the classification prohibition strength after the change is increased as in the second embodiment. Take over the action. In the present embodiment, the prohibition strength in the classification change command of the classification change command unit 423 is set to an odd number or an even number depending on whether or not the classification operation to be changed is possible.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this, and can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the controlled devices controlled by the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2, and the local remote controller 4 are not limited to air conditioners, and the present invention can be applied to various devices such as a water heater. .

In the above embodiment, the case where the upper centralized controller 1, the lower centralized controller 2 and the local remote controller 4 have the same configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an additional controller is added to each controller. A configuration may be provided. Further, the uppermost higher-level centralized controller 1 may be configured not to include the setting changing unit 44, and the lowermost handheld remote controller 4 may be configured not to include the information collecting unit 41 and the command generating unit 42.

Further, the function name and the classification name collected in the information collecting unit 41 may be updated by a method other than communication. For example, a function name setting screen may be provided, and the user may input the function name and store it in the storage unit 23. Alternatively, a dictionary of function names may be stored in advance in an updatable external storage device (not shown), and the dictionary may be updated as necessary. Alternatively, the software itself may be updated. As described above, since there are a plurality of means for obtaining the function name and the classification name, the function name dictionary can be updated by an optimum method depending on the configuration of the controller.

Further, as a method of reducing the capacity of the storage unit 23, in addition to the method described in the third embodiment, for example, the classification prohibition strength Hb = 1 is set to “permitted” and Hb> 1 is set to “prohibited”. May be determined from the prohibited intensity of classification. Also in this case, it is not necessary to store the operation availability, and the capacity of the storage unit 23 can be reduced.

1 upper centralized controller, 2A lower centralized controller, 3 air conditioner, 4 local remote controller, 5 communication line, 21 communication unit, 22 operation display unit, 23 storage unit, 24 control unit, 31 outdoor unit, 32 indoor unit, 41 information collection unit, 42 command generation unit, 42A command generation unit, 43 determination unit, 44, 44A setting change unit, 100 air conditioning system, 220, 224 icon, 221 OK button, 222 cancel button, 223 up / down movement button, 225 function Setting button, 226, 229 list, 227 operation availability setting unit, 228 setting save button, 230 classification setting unit, 421 operation command unit, 422 operation availability command unit, 423 classification change command unit, 441 operation availability change unit, 442 prohibited strength Change part, 443 classification change part.

Claims

A controller having a plurality of functions related to control of the operation of the controlled device and connected to other controllers in a multi-level network,
A storage unit that stores the plurality of functions, a classification of the plurality of functions, and operation availability for each of the classifications;
A communication unit that receives an operation enable / disable change command that instructs to change the operation enable / disable from the other controller;
A determination unit for determining whether to change the operation availability according to the operation availability change instruction;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the operation availability is changed, an operation availability change unit that changes the operation availability stored in the storage unit for each classification;
Controller with.
The operation enable / disable change command includes a command strength indicating a priority of the operation enable / disable change command, and a prohibition strength,
The storage unit stores the prohibited strength for each classification,
The operation enable / disable change command includes a prohibition strength and a command strength,
The determination unit compares the command intensity included in the operation availability change command with the prohibited intensity of the classification stored in the storage unit, and changes the operation availability when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.
And a prohibition strength changing unit that changes the prohibition strength of the classification stored in the storage unit to a prohibition strength included in the operation enable / disable change command when the determination unit determines to change the operation permission / inhibition. Item 3. The controller according to item 2.
The operation enable / disable change command includes a command strength indicating a priority of the operation enable / disable change command, and a prohibition strength,
The controller according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a prohibition strength for each category as the operation availability for each category.
The controller according to claim 4, wherein the prohibition strength is different depending on a hierarchy of the controller and availability of the operation.
The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an information collection unit that collects information related to a plurality of functions of the other controller.
A display unit for displaying information on a plurality of functions of the other controller collected by the information collecting unit;
The controller according to claim 6, further comprising: an operation unit that is operated to instruct a change in operation of the function of the other controller.
The communication unit further receives a classification change command for instructing a change in the classification of the function from the other controller,
The determination unit determines whether to change the classification of the function according to the classification change command,
The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a classification changing unit that changes the classification of the function stored in the storage unit when the determination unit determines to change the classification of the function. .
When the classification of the function is changed by the classification change unit, the operation availability change unit changes the operation availability of the function stored in the storage unit to the classification operation availability after the change. The controller according to claim 8.
An air conditioning system comprising an upper controller, a lower controller, and an air conditioner controlled by the upper controller and the lower controller,
The lower controller is
A plurality of functions related to the control of the operation of the air conditioner, a classification of the plurality of functions, and a storage unit that stores operation availability for each of the classifications;
A communication unit that receives an operation enable / disable change command that instructs to change the operation enable / disable from the host controller;
A determination unit for determining whether to change the operation availability according to the operation availability change instruction;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the operation availability is changed, an operation availability change unit that changes the operation availability stored in the storage unit for each classification;
With
The host controller is
An information collection unit that collects information on a plurality of functions of the lower-level controller;
A communication unit for transmitting the operation enable / disable change command to the lower controller;
Air conditioning system equipped with.