WO2021106217A1

WO2021106217A1 - System controller

Info

Publication number: WO2021106217A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/046870
Authority: WO
Inventors: 鈴木　正明
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2019-11-29
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Also published as: JPWO2021106217A1

Abstract

A system controller, according to the present invention, controls air conditioning equipment and comprises a timer, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The timer measures or updates a time. The communication unit communicates with another system controller. The storage unit stores information corresponding to a priority order for the system controller. According to the information corresponding to the priority order, the control unit switches the system controller to a master side which transmits time information to another system controller, or to a sub side which, on the basis of time information received from the other system controller, causes a timer to update the time measured by the timer.

Description

System controller

The present invention relates to a system controller that controls air conditioning equipment.

Conventionally, controllers such as remote controllers that control various devices and acquire data from various devices have performed processing according to the time for various devices by setting the time. For example, the controller acquires trend data of various devices based on a set time, and controls various devices according to a schedule. In many cases, the time is set by inputting to the controller by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-171581

However, in recent years, systems such as air conditioning systems installed in buildings have become larger and more complicated, and controllers for controlling various devices have been used more and more. Along with this, the time and effort required for the user or operator to set the time in the controller is increasing. In addition, due to an error in the time setting for the controller, the time set in multiple controllers may not match, the device controlled by the controller may operate at an unexpected timing, or the data from the device may be incorrect. Is often caused. In addition, there is a problem that processing that requires synchronization cannot be performed properly because the set times of a plurality of controllers do not match. For these reasons, the continuity of the system may not be guaranteed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system controller that reduces the time and effort required for the user to set the time and further ensures the continuity of the system. ..

The system controller according to the present invention is a system controller that controls the air conditioning equipment, and is a time measuring unit that measures or updates the time, a communication unit that communicates with another system controller that controls the air conditioning equipment, and the system controller. A storage unit that stores information corresponding to the priority order, and a master side that transmits time information to the other system controller according to the information corresponding to the priority order, or the time received from the other system controller. A control unit for switching the system controller to the sub side for updating the time measured by the time measuring unit based on the information to the time measuring unit is provided.

The system controller according to the present invention includes a time measuring unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The timekeeping section measures or updates the time. The communication unit communicates with other system controllers. The storage unit stores information corresponding to the priority of the system controller. The control unit measures the time measured by the timekeeping unit based on the time information received from the master side that sends the time information to another system controller or from the other system controller according to the information corresponding to the priority. Switch the system controller to the sub side to be updated to. As a result, the time set in the plurality of system controllers in the system can be automatically adjusted to the time measured or updated by the timekeeping unit in the system controller having a higher priority. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of setting the time by the user, and the continuity of the system becomes more reliable.

It is a figure which illustrates the air-conditioning equipment system including the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting process by a conventional system controller. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting of the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the functional block included in the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the time setting process by the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process by the system controller on the master side which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the case where a plurality of system controllers send and receive time information at the same time. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the setting process of the system controller to the master side or the sub side when the system controller of the master side is removed. It is a figure which shows an example of the time setting process of a system controller when a system controller is newly added to an air-conditioning equipment system in operation. It is a figure which illustrates the air-conditioning system including the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting of the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the time setting process by the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process by the system controller on the master side which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure which illustrates the air-conditioning system which includes the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting of the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting of the system controller in the air-conditioning equipment system in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the time setting process by the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process by the system controller on the master side which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a figure which illustrates the air-conditioning system including the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the functional block included in the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which illustrates the time setting of the system controller which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described based on the drawings. In the drawings below, the size relationship of each component may differ from the actual one.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning equipment system including a system controller according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning equipment system 1 has a plurality of air conditioners 2 and a plurality of system controllers 3 for controlling the air conditioners 2. In FIG. 1, the system controller is described as SC (SC: System Controller). Further, the plurality of system controllers 3 include a system controller 3A, a system controller 3B, and a system controller 3C. The system controllers in the following embodiments, such as the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C, may be collectively referred to as the system controller 3.

The air conditioner 2 has one or more outdoor units 20, one or more indoor units 21, and one or more remote controllers 22. In FIG. 1, the remote controller is described as RC (RC: Remote Controller). The outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 21 are connected by a refrigerant circuit (not shown) that circulates a refrigerant. The outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the air-conditioned space and exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant. The indoor unit 21 exchanges heat between the refrigerant heat exchanged by the outdoor unit 20 and the air in the air-conditioned space to air-condition the air-conditioned space. The remote controller 22 communicates with the indoor unit 21 and controls the air conditioner 2.

The system controller 3 according to the first embodiment measures the time. However, the system controller 3 may acquire information indicating the time via the communication network. In the following, information indicating the time may be described as time information. One of the plurality of system controllers 3 transmits the time information indicating the measured time or the time information indicating the acquired time to the other system controllers 3 for reflection. The system controller 3 that transmits the time information in this way and reflects it on the other system controller 3 is set as the master side. It is assumed that the time information transmitted by the system controller 3 on the master side in the first embodiment is information indicating the time measured by the system controller 3 on the master side.

A system controller 3 that receives time information from the master system controller 3 and reflects the time information, that is, a system controller 3 that updates the measured time based on the time information received from the master side. It is on the sub side. The time measured by all system controllers 3 by setting one of the plurality of system controllers 3 as the master side and the other as the sub side and setting the current time measured by the master side as the current time by all system controllers 3. Will match, and you will be able to perform qualified synchronization processing. In the first embodiment, each system controller 3 can be switched from the master side to the sub side, and can be switched from the sub side to the master side. Here, in the conventional system controller, the operator sets either the master side or the sub side, and cannot automatically switch from the master side to the sub side or from the sub side to the master side. there were. Hereinafter, a conventional system controller will be described in order to facilitate understanding of the settings of the system controller 3 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting process by the conventional system controller. In the conventional system controller, the master side system controller and the sub side system controller are defined in advance by the operator. The system controller on the master side transmits time information to the system controller on the sub side at a predetermined time cycle. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cycle is 24 hours, and the system controller on the master side transmits time information to the system controller on the sub side at a scheduled time every day. In step S1, the master system controller transmits the time information to the plurality of sub system controllers, and 24 hours later, the time information is transmitted again in step S2, and such processing is repeated thereafter. Each time the system controller on the sub side receives the time information, the measured time is updated based on the received time information. As a result, all the system controllers and the air conditioner controlled by each system controller can perform processing in synchronization with each other.

Here, if the configuration of the air conditioning equipment system or the system including the air conditioning equipment system is complicated, an error occurs when the operator sets each of the plurality of conventional system controllers to the master side or the sub side. there is a possibility. For example, when there are innumerable system controllers and the communication network of the system controllers is complicated, it is possible that two or more system controllers among a plurality of system controllers in one communication network are set on the master side. There is also sex. Then, there is a possibility that two or more master-side system controllers may transmit time information indicating the measured time to the sub-side system controller. If these time information match, there is no problem, but if they do not match, the time set in the sub-side system controller is the time set in each of the two or more master-side system controllers. Depending on the advance and lag with each other, they will move forward and backward. As a result, the time set for the device to be controlled by the system controller also advances or returns. Therefore, problems such as recording processing using time, control processing, and calculation processing such as log creation, trend data creation, schedule-based control, and operation time integration processing are not executed accurately. There is a risk.

On the other hand, the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment automatically operates the system controller 3 on the master side in the air conditioning equipment system 1 even if the configuration of the air conditioning equipment system 1 or the air conditioning equipment system 1 is complicated. It is decided to be one. As a result, the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment reduces the trouble and error of the operator's setting, suppresses the above-mentioned trouble, and secures the continuity of the system including the air conditioning equipment. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment for realizing the automatic determination function of the system controller 3 on the master side will be described.

The plurality of system controllers 3 according to the first embodiment are on the sub side at the time of startup. Each system controller 3 is given a different set time, and if time information is not received from another system controller 3 before the set time elapses, the system controller 3 moves to the master side. It switches to. Then, the system controller 3 switched to the master side transmits the time information indicating the measured time to the other system controllers 3. The other system controller 3 that has received the time information remains on the sub side, and sets the time based on the received time information. The system controller 3 on the master side transmits time information to the system controller 3 on the sub side every time the set time elapses.

Here, priorities are assigned to each of the plurality of system controllers 3. The system controller 3 becomes the master side or the sub side according to the priority. In the first embodiment, the system controller 3 having the highest priority is set to be the master side. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the set time is set according to the priority. The setting time of the system controller 3 having the highest priority is set shorter than the setting time of the other system controllers 3. Hereinafter, the set time will be described in detail.

The set time is represented by the sum of the set cycle time, the grace time, and the master-slave setting time. The set cycle time is also used in the conventional system controller, and the system controller on the master side sets the set cycle in order to match the time set for each of all the devices in the air conditioner system. This is the time provided for transmitting the time information to the system controller on the sub side each time the time elapses. The set cycle time is a time common to all the system controllers 3 included in the air conditioning equipment system 1 in the first embodiment. In the air-conditioning equipment system 1 in which the time is set at a specific time every day, the set cycle time is 24 hours. Alternatively, in the air conditioning equipment system 1 in which the time is set at a specific time every hour, the set cycle time is one hour. The set cycle time may be appropriately set to an arbitrary length according to the system, the system controller 3, and the like.

The grace time is a time given in consideration of the variation in time obtained by the timekeeping function of each system controller 3, the variation in time required for transmitting and receiving information such as time information, and the like. The grace time is, for example, 6 seconds, but is not limited to this.

The master-slave setting time is the time associated with the priority of the system controller 3. The higher the priority of the system controller 3, the shorter the master-slave setting time is given. In the first embodiment, the master-slave setting time is allocated based on the identification number uniquely assigned to each system controller 3, such as the address of each system controller 3. Hereinafter, a method of setting the master-slave setting time according to the address of the system controller 3 will be described.

When the number that can be set as the address of the system controller 3 is a number from 201 to 250, the master-slave setting time may be set as, for example, "(address-200) x 5 seconds". Good. In this case, the master-slave setting time of each system controller 3 is different from each other and does not overlap. Further, in this case, the setting time of the system controller 3 having the smallest address is the shortest, and the priority of the system controller 3 is the highest. Note that the address number and 200 subtracted from the address are examples and are not limited thereto. Further, the difference of 5 seconds for each address in the master-slave setting time takes into consideration the variation in the performance of the timekeeping function or the communication function of each system controller 3 when the setting cycle time is, for example, 24 hours. , Not limited to this. For example, the difference between the master-slave setting times of the two system controllers 3 at adjacent addresses may be less than 5 seconds or longer than 5 seconds. Furthermore, the above formula for calculating the master-slave setting time is an example, and a time difference that does not overlap is provided in each system controller 3 based on the identification number assigned to the system controller 3 such as an eigenvalue in the network such as an address. If possible, other mathematical formulas may be used to calculate the master-slave setting time.

The set time of each system controller 3 differs depending on the master-slave setting time, and the system controller 3 whose set time elapses earliest from the time of startup is switched to the system controller 3 on the master side. Then, the system controller 3 that has received the time information from the system controller 3 on the master side counts down the set time again from the beginning while remaining on the sub side. Further, the system controller 3 on the sub side sets the time based on the time information from the system controller 3 on the master side.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting of the system controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the time setting process in the air conditioning equipment system 1 shown in FIG. 1 when the priority of the system controller 3A is the highest, the setting cycle time is 24 hours, the grace time is 6 seconds, and the adjacent addresses. The time setting process when the difference between the master-slave setting time of the two system controllers 3 is 5 seconds is shown. In this example, the master-slave setting time is determined from the above-mentioned formula "(address-200) x 5 seconds", the address of the system controller 3A is 201, the address of the system controller 3B is 202, and the address of the system controller 3C. It is set to 203. Therefore, the set time of the system controller 3A is the sum of 24 hours, 6 seconds, and 5 seconds, that is, 24 hours and 11 seconds, and the set time of the system controller 3B is the sum of 24 hours, 6 seconds, and 10 seconds, that is, It is 24 hours and 16 seconds, and the set time of the system controller 3C is the sum of 24 hours, 6 seconds, and 15 seconds, that is, 24 hours and 21 seconds.

In FIG. 3, when the air conditioning equipment system 1 is started, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C are started as the sub side. At startup, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C start the timer and start the countdown of the set time. In step S10, when 24 hours and 11 seconds have passed from the start-up, the system controller 3A switches to the master side and transmits the time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C. Further, the system controller 3A restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds. That is, the system controller 3A starts counting down the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds of the set time from the beginning again. In the following, restarting the timer means counting down the set time from the beginning again.

The system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. Let me. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. Let me.

When 24 hours and 11 seconds have passed again from the time point in step S10, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C in step S11. Further, the system controller 3A restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds. The system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. Let me. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. Let me. When 24 hours and 11 seconds have elapsed again from the time point in step S11, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C execute the same processing as described above in step S12, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.

In this way, in the first embodiment, by automatically setting one system controller 3 in the plurality of system controllers 3 as a master, the above-mentioned trouble and mistake of setting the operator can be reduced, and the time can be reduced. The occurrence of defects in various processes using the above will be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional block included in the system controller according to the first embodiment. The system controller 3 according to the first embodiment includes a communication unit 30, a timing unit 31, a timer unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 34. The communication unit 30 transmits / receives information such as time information to / from another system controller 3. Further, the communication unit 30 communicates with the air conditioner 2 and transmits time information, control information necessary for controlling the air conditioner 2, and the like to the air conditioner 2. Further, the communication unit 30 receives information from the air conditioner 2 indicating, for example, the temperature and humidity of the air-conditioned space, which is necessary for the control.

The timekeeping unit 31 measures the current time. Further, the timekeeping unit 31 updates the measured time according to an instruction from the control unit 34. The timer unit 32 counts down the set time when the system controller 3 transmits / receives time information. The storage unit 33 stores information indicating whether the system controller 3 is on the master side or the sub side. Further, the storage unit 33 stores the set time. The storage unit 33 may store the set cycle time, the grace time, and the master-slave setting time instead of the set time. Further, the storage unit 33 may store the time at which the time information is transmitted.

The control unit 34 controls the communication unit 30, the timekeeping unit 31, and the timer unit 32. The control unit 34 calculates the master-slave setting time and the set time according to the address of the system controller 3, and stores at least one of them in the storage unit 33. Further, the control unit 34 controls the timekeeping unit 31 so as to measure the current time.

If the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time before the communication unit 30 receives the time information, the control unit 34 indicates to the other system controller 3 the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31. The communication unit 30 is controlled so as to transmit the time information. At this time, when the information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side is stored in the storage unit 33, the control unit 34 stores the information and the information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side. Rewrite to. The control unit 34 does not perform the above rewriting when the storage unit 33 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the other system controller 3, the control unit 34 updates the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31 to the time indicated by the received time information. To control. In the following, the control process of the control unit 34 for updating the time measured by the timekeeping unit 31 is also described as the time update process.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from another system controller 3, the control unit 34 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side in the storage unit 33. The information is rewritten into information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side. The control unit 34 does not perform the above rewriting when the storage unit 33 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side. The control unit 34 controls the timer unit 32 so as to start the countdown of the set time when the communication unit 30 transmits / receives time information.

The communication unit 30, the timing unit 31, the timer unit 32, the storage unit 33, and the control unit 34 of the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment are, for example, processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). , ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can be configured by a communication interface circuit or the like. The function of the communication unit 30 can be realized by the communication interface circuit. The function of the storage unit 33 can be realized by the memory. Each function of the timekeeping unit 31 and the timer unit 32 can be realized by a processor having a clock function. The function of the control unit 34 can be realized by the processor reading and executing various programs and data stored in the memory. It should be noted that all or part of the functions of the system controller 3 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

Hereinafter, the time setting process by the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a time setting process by the system controller according to the first embodiment. In step S20, the system controller 3 is activated as the sub side. At this time, the control unit 34 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side in the storage unit 33.

In step S21 following step S20, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time. In step S22, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3 before the end of the countdown of the set time. That is, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3 while acquiring the countdown result of the set time from the timer unit 32. When the time information is received from another system controller 3 (step S22: YES), the control unit 34 updates the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31 based on the time information in step S23. After the process of step S23, the control unit 34 returns the process of the system controller 3 to step S21, and causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning.

When the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the other system controller 3 in step S22 (step S22: NO) and the timer unit 32 has not completed the countdown of the set time in step S24 (step S24: NO). ), The system controller 3 keeps the process in step S22. When the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time in step S24 (step S24: YES), the control unit 34 stores information in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side. Is rewritten with information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side.

In step S26, the system controller 3 executes the process as the master side. Hereinafter, the processing of the system controller 3 on the master side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the system controller on the master side according to the first embodiment. The processes of steps S30 to S32 shown in FIG. 6 are the processes in step S26 shown in FIG. In step S30, the control unit 34 of the system controller 3 on the master side controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit time information to another system controller 3. At this time, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning.

In step S31, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the timer unit 32 has completed the countdown of the set time while the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the other system controller 3. That is, the control unit 34 monitors and determines whether or not the timer unit 32 has completed the countdown of the set time while monitoring whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3.

In step S31, if the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time without receiving the time information from the other system controller 3 (step S31: YES), the control unit 34 steps the process. Return to S30. In the state where the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time in step S31 (step S31: NO), when the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the other system controller 3 in step S32 (step S32: YES). , The control unit 34 returns the process to step S20. In step S20 in this case, the control unit 34 indicates that the information stored in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side indicates that the system controller 3 is on the sub side. Rewrite to information.

When the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time in step S31 (step S31: NO) and the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the other system controller 3 in step S32 (step S32: NO). ), The control unit 34 returns the process to step S31.

By the way, in the first embodiment, the shortest setting time is given to the system controller 3 having the highest priority. Therefore, when the countdown of the set time is started from step S21 shown in FIG. 5, the system controller 3 having the highest priority is set in step S24 without receiving the time information from the other system controller 3 in step S22. The time countdown ends, and in step S25, the time is switched to the master side. On the other hand, the other system controller 3 having the highest priority is given a setting time longer than the setting time of the system controller 3 having the highest priority. Therefore, the other system controller 3 receives the time information by the process in step S30 by the system controller 3 switched to the master side before the end of the countdown of the set time in step S22. Then, the other system controller 3 sets the time based on the time information in step S23, and stays on the sub side. As a result, the system controller 3 on the master side is always determined to be one, and the air conditioning equipment system 1 can execute appropriate processing using the time.

Here, before the system controller 3 having the highest priority receives the time information from the system controller 3 having the highest priority due to extra time required for sending and receiving the time information, steps S25 and step S25 in FIG. 5 and As shown in step S10 and the like in FIG. 3, the possibility of switching to the master side cannot be denied. Hereinafter, the processing of the system controller 3 in such a case will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a plurality of system controllers simultaneously send and receive time information. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the system controller 3 communicates in the full-duplex communication method. The full-duplex communication method is a communication method that enables simultaneous execution of information transmission processing and reception processing. FIG. 7 shows the case where the system controller 3A has the highest priority in the air conditioning equipment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, and each system controller 3 has a setting cycle time of 24 hours, a grace time of 6 seconds, and a master-slave setting. The process when the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B are on the master side when the time difference is 5 seconds is shown. For ease of understanding, the description of the system controller 3C is omitted in FIG. Here, the set time of the system controller 3A is 24 hours and 11 seconds as in the case shown in FIG. 3, and the set time of the system controller 3B is 24 hours and 16 seconds as in the case shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, when the air conditioning equipment system 1 is started, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the like are started as the sub side. At this time, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the like start the timer. In step S40, when 24 hours and 11 seconds have passed from the start-up, the system controller 3A switches to the master side, restarts the timer for 24 hours and 11 seconds, and transmits the time information to the system controller 3B. In step S41, the system controller 3B switches to the master side when 24 hours and 16 seconds have elapsed from the start without receiving the time information. Then, the system controller 3B restarts the timer for 24 hours and 16 seconds, and transmits the time information to the system controller 3A.

In step S42, the system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A. As a result, the system controller 3B is switched to the sub side. After that, the system controller 3B executes the process as the sub side. Further, in step S43, the system controller 3A receives the time information from the system controller 3B. As a result, the system controller 3A is switched to the sub side. After that, the system controller 3A executes the process as the sub side.

Here, the state in which the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B are on the sub side and the timer is started again is the same as the state in which the system controller 3 is started as the sub side and the timer is started in FIG. Therefore, even in the case shown in FIG. 7, by appropriately setting the master-slave setting time with respect to the grace time, the system controller 3A having the highest priority and the shortest setting time is the same as in the case shown in FIG. The countdown of the set time will be completed first, and it will be decided as the master side. As a result, the same time setting is performed in all the system controllers 3, and appropriate synchronization processing can be realized.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which a plurality of system controllers 3 are on the master side when the system controller 3 performs full-duplex communication. However, there may be a case where the communication method of the system controller 3 is a half-duplex communication method in which information transmission and reception cannot be executed at the same time. In this case, while the system controller 3 is receiving the time information from the other system controller 3, the system controller 3 cannot transmit the time information to the other system controller 3, and transmits the time information to the other system controller 3. While it is, the time information cannot be received from the other system controller 3. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 7, while the system controller 3A is transmitting the time information to the system controller 3B, the system controller 3B cannot transmit the time information to the system controller 3A. In this way, even if the plurality of system controllers 3 finish counting down the set time without receiving the time information, only one system controller 3 can transmit the time information to the other system controllers 3. Therefore, only the one system controller 3 is on the master side, and the other system controller 3 is on the sub side. As a result, the same time setting is performed in all the system controllers 3, and appropriate synchronization processing can be realized.

In the first embodiment, the case where the system controller 3 having the highest priority is automatically determined on the master side is shown. Here, when the system controller 3 on the master side is removed from the air conditioner system 1, or when the system controller 3 on the master side does not operate due to a failure, how is the master in the air conditioner system 1 according to the first embodiment? Whether or not the system controller 3 on the side is uniquely determined will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the setting process of the system controller on the master side or the sub side when the system controller on the master side is removed. FIG. 8 shows a case where the system controller 3A is operating as the master side and the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C are operating as the sub side in the air conditioning equipment system 1 shown in FIG. Further, also in FIG. 8, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 3, the setting time of the system controller 3A is 24 hours and 11 seconds, the setting time of the system controller 3B is 24 hours and 16 seconds, and the setting time of the system controller 3C is 24 hours. It is assumed that it is 21 seconds.

In step S50, when the system controller 3A finishes the countdown of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds, the system controller 3A restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds. Further, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C. The system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. Let me. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. Let me.

In step S51, the system controller 3A is removed before the lapse of 24 hours and 11 seconds of the set time. Therefore, the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C do not receive the time information when 24 hours and 11 seconds have elapsed from the time when the timer is reset. In step S52, when 24 hours and 16 seconds have elapsed from the time of resetting the timer, the system controller 3B that has not received the time information from the other system controller 3 switches to the master side. Then, the system controller 3B transmits the time information to the system controller 3C. In addition, the system controller 3B restarts the timer with a set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3B before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. Let me.

When 24 hours and 16 seconds have passed again from the time point in step S52, the system controller 3B transmits the time information to the system controller 3C in step S53 and restarts the timer with the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3B, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer with the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. After that, the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C repeat the same processing as the processing in step S53.

In this way, even if the system controller 3 on the master side is removed or does not operate, only the system controller 3 having the next highest priority becomes the new master side. As a result, the same time setting is performed in all the system controllers 3, and appropriate synchronization processing can be realized.

In the first embodiment, even when the system controller 3 on the master side is removed or does not operate, the system controller 3 having the next highest priority automatically becomes the master side, but the system controller 3 is newly added. There is also a suspicion that the system controller 3 on the master side may not be fixed to one when the above is added. For example, if the set time of the newly added system controller 3 is equal to the set time of the system controller 3 on the master side that is already operating in the air conditioning equipment system 1, the newly added system controller 3 and the master side Since the timing at which the set time elapses after each system controller 3 resets the timer is the same, there is a possibility that the system controller 3 on the master side cannot be determined as one unit. However, in the first embodiment, the set times of all the system controllers 3 included in the air conditioning equipment system 1 are different. As a result, even if a new system controller 3 is added, the number of system controllers 3 on the master side is fixed to one, so that the time is uniquely determined in the air conditioning equipment system 1. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the time setting process of the system controller when a new system controller is added to the operating air conditioning equipment system. FIG. 9 is a process in the air conditioning equipment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, in which the system controller 3A is operating as the master side and the system controller 3C is operating as the sub side, and the system controller 3B is newly added. Indicates processing. In FIG. 9, as in the case shown in FIG. 3, the setting time of the system controller 3A is 24 hours and 11 seconds, the setting time of the system controller 3B is 24 hours and 16 seconds, and the setting time of the system controller 3C is 24 hours and 21 seconds. Suppose that

In step S60, the air conditioning equipment system controller 3B is added during the operation of the system controller 3A and the system controller 3C. In step S61, when the system controller 3A finishes the countdown of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds, the system controller 3A restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds. Further, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C. The system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. Let me. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. Let me.

When 24 hours and 11 seconds have passed from the time point in step S61, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C in step S62, and restarts the timer with the set time of 24 hours and 11 seconds. The system controller 3B receives the time information from the system controller 3A before the elapse of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer of the set time of 24 hours and 16 seconds. Let me. The system controller 3C receives the time information from the system controller 3B, sets the time based on the received time information, and restarts the timer with the set time of 24 hours and 21 seconds. After that, the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C repeat the same processing as the processing in step S62.

In this way, even when the system controller 3 is newly added in the air conditioning equipment system 1, by making the set time of the system controller 3 different according to the priority, only the system controller 3 having the highest priority can be used. Become the master side. As a result, the same time setting is performed in all the system controllers 3, and appropriate synchronization processing can be realized.

The system controller 3 according to the first embodiment includes a timing unit 31, a communication unit 30, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 34. The timekeeping unit 31 measures or updates the time. The communication unit 30 communicates with another system controller 3. The storage unit 33 stores information corresponding to the priority order of the system controller 3. The control unit 34 measures the time information based on the time information received from the master side that transmits the time information to the other system controller 3 or the other system controller 3 according to the information corresponding to the priority order. The system controller 3 is switched to the sub side where the time is updated by the time measuring unit 31. As a result, the time set in the plurality of system controllers 3 in the air conditioning equipment system 1 can be automatically adjusted to the time measured or updated by the time measuring unit 31 in the system controller 3 having a high priority. .. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of setting the time by the user and to further ensure the continuity of the system.

The control unit 34 in the first embodiment is started as a sub side when the system controller 3 is started. As a result, unnecessary transmission / reception of time information is eliminated between the plurality of system controllers 3. Then, since the time information is transmitted only from the system controller 3 on the master side based on the priority, the time in the air conditioning equipment system 1 is automatically and more uniquely determined. Therefore, the continuity of the system becomes more reliable.

The control unit 34 in the first embodiment controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit the time information to another system controller 3 at each set time when the system controller 3 is on the master side. Further, when the system controller 3 is on the sub side, the control unit 34 sets the system controller 3 on the master side when the set time elapses without the communication unit 30 receiving the time information from the other system controller 3. Switch to. As a result, the system controller 3 on the master side based on the priority order can reflect the time measured by the time measuring unit 31 on the other system controller 3 for each set time. Further, when the time information is not exchanged in the air conditioning equipment system 1, the system controller 3 on the sub side switches to the master side when the set time elapses, so that the timekeeping unit 31 is transferred to the other system controller 3. Will be able to reflect the time measured by. Therefore, the time in the air conditioning equipment system 1 can be determined more uniquely for each set time. Therefore, the continuity of the system becomes more reliable.

The system controller 3 according to the first embodiment further includes a timer unit 32 that counts down the set time. When the control unit 34 causes the time measuring unit 31 to update the time measured by the time measuring unit 31 based on the time information received from the other system controller 3, or when the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time. , The timer unit 32 is controlled so that the countdown of the set time is started again from the beginning. By providing the timer unit 32, the set time can be measured accurately. Further, when the time is updated based on the time information from the other system controller 3, the countdown of the set time is restarted from the beginning to suppress the situation where the system controller 3 on the sub side is easily switched to the master side. be able to. As a result, the time information is suppressed from being unnecessarily transmitted and received in the air-conditioning equipment system 1, and the time in the air-conditioning equipment system 1 can be determined more uniquely. Therefore, the continuity of the system becomes more reliable.

The priority of the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment is different from the priority of the other system controllers 3, and the information corresponding to the priority is the information indicating the length of the set time, and the higher the priority, the higher the priority. The setting time is short. As a result, the setting time of the system controller 3 having a high priority becomes short. Therefore, the system controller 3 having the shortest set time and the highest priority can be surely set to the master side as the set time elapses, so that the time in the air conditioning equipment system 1 can be uniquely determined. Therefore, the continuity of the system is ensured.

The control unit 34 in the first embodiment calculates the set time using the identification number for identifying the system controller 3, and stores the calculated set time in the storage unit 33. As a result, since the calculation of the set time is automatically performed by the control unit 34, the priority order and the set time of the system controller 3 are automatically determined, the labor for setting is reduced, and the convenience is improved.

In the first embodiment, the identification number is an address for the system controller 3 to communicate. As a result, even if the user does not give the identification number to the system controller 3, the setting time of the system controller 3 is uniquely determined, the time and effort for setting is reduced, and the convenience is improved.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the other system controller 3 before the lapse of the set time, the control unit 34 in the first embodiment is based on the time information received from the other system controller 3. The time measured by the time measuring unit 31 is updated by the time measuring unit 31. As a result, the system controller 3 whose setting time is not the shortest and whose priority is not the highest is switched to the sub side. Then, based on the time information received from the master-side system controller 3 having the highest priority, the plurality of sub-side system controllers 3 in the air-conditioning equipment system 1 uniformly update the time, so that the air-conditioning equipment The time in system 1 is uniquely determined. Therefore, the continuity of the system is ensured.

Embodiment 2.
In the first embodiment, the time setting process by the plurality of system controllers 3 within the range of only the air conditioning equipment system 1 has been described. When the device in the air-conditioning system 1 performs synchronous processing only with the device included in the air-conditioning system 1, as shown in the first embodiment, a plurality of system controllers 3 only in the air-conditioning system 1 It suffices to measure the time when they match. However, the air-conditioning equipment system 1 may need to operate according to a higher-level system for overall management of the building in which the air-conditioning equipment system 1 is installed. For that purpose, the time set in the air-conditioning equipment system 1 must match the time set in the higher-level system, and if not, the log of the air-conditioning equipment system 1 is recorded on the higher-level system side. Problems such as not being able to acquire accurately and not being able to control based on the schedule occur. The system controller 3 according to the second embodiment matches the time with the host system so that the control process and the monitoring process of the host system are appropriately performed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning system including a system controller according to the second embodiment. The air-conditioning system 10 in the second embodiment corresponds to a system in which one or more air-conditioning equipment systems 1 in the first embodiment and a higher-level system 4 are combined. The host system 4 includes one or more host devices for controlling or monitoring the entire building. When there is one higher-level device included in the higher-level system 4, the higher-level system 4 corresponds to the higher-level device. The system controller 3D in FIG. 10 corresponds to the system controller 3 according to the first embodiment, but is included in the air conditioning equipment system 1 different from the system controller 3A, the system controller 3B, and the system controller 3C.

Unless otherwise specified, the system controller 3 in the second embodiment, each component included therein, the air conditioner 2, the air conditioning equipment system 1 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given, and the differences will be described below. The system controller 3 according to the second embodiment adjusts the time to be measured to the time measured by the host system 4. The reason for this is that the air conditioner system 1 is a part of the equipment in the building, and the time in the air conditioner system 1 is not usually assigned as the time reference of the entire building. The number of air conditioner systems 1 in the entire building is not limited to one, and if the time in the air conditioner system 1 is assigned as the time reference for the entire building, it cannot be denied that the time may not be consistent in the entire building. Further, in order to monitor and control all the systems in the building, it is easier and quicker to set the time of the entire building by using the time in the upper system 4 capable of communicating with all the systems as the reference of the time of the entire building. It becomes a thing. Therefore, the system controller 3 sets the time according to the time in the host system 4.

In the second embodiment, at least one of the plurality of system controllers 3 in the air conditioning equipment system 1 communicates with the host system 4. Then, the system controller 3 that communicates with the host system 4 receives time information indicating the time measured by the host system 4 from the host system 4. Then, the system controller 3 becomes the master side and performs processing to update the time in the other system controller 3 based on the time information received from the host system 4. In the case shown in FIG. 10, in the air conditioning equipment system 1 including the system controller 3A, the system controller 3A communicates with the host system 4, becomes the master side, and the time indicated by the time information from the host system 4. Is reflected in the air conditioning equipment system 1.

For the above processing, the communication unit 30 of the system controller 3 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is higher when the system controller 3 is physically connected to the higher system 4 by a network. Communicate with the host device in system 4. Then, the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4. The storage unit 33 in the second embodiment stores information corresponding to each priority of the system controller 3 and the higher-level system 4. In the first embodiment, the information corresponding to the priority is the set time of the system controller 3. In the second embodiment, the information corresponding to each priority of the system controller 3 and the higher system 4 is information for identifying the higher system 4, for example, the address of the higher system 4 or the higher device in the higher system 4. It contains information such as an address. In the following, the information for identifying the higher system 4 will be the address of the higher system 4. Further, the information corresponding to each priority of the system controller 3 and the upper system 4 includes information such as an address for identifying the system controller 3, and the address of the upper system 4 is higher than the address of the system controller 3 and the like. Contains information that indicates that a high priority has been given. In the second embodiment, the priority order of the system controller 3 and the set time may or may not be associated with each other. Further, the set time of each system controller 3 may be different from each other or may be the same. Therefore, the set time in the second embodiment may or may not include the master-slave setting time.

In addition to the set time of the system controller 3, the storage unit 33 stores the upper set time that counts down from the time when the time information is received from the upper system 4 to the reception of the time information from the next higher system 4. The timer unit 32 counts down the upper set time. The upper set time may be the same as or different from the set time, but is determined by the timing of transmitting the time information of the upper system 4, the timing of setting the time of the air conditioning equipment system 1, and the like. The upper set time in the second embodiment is the sum of the set cycle time and the grace time described above.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 when the system controller 3 is operating on the sub side, the control unit 34 masters information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side in the storage unit 33. The information indicating that it is on the side is rewritten, and the system controller 3 is switched to the master side. Then, the control unit 34 controls the timer unit 32 so as to count down the upper set time. Further, the control unit 34 controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit the time information received from the host system 4 to another system controller 3. In the second embodiment, not only the address of the source system controller 3 but also the address of the original source higher-level system 4 may or may not be added to the time information. It may be a thing.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information, the control unit 34 may update the time measured by the timekeeping unit 31 based on the priority indicated by the address of the source of the time information. For example, when the communication unit 30 receives the time information with the host system 4 as the original transmission source, the control unit 34 causes the timekeeping unit 31 to update the time based on the time information. However, the control unit 34 has a time shorter than the set time and within a predetermined time after the time counting unit 31 updates the time based on the time information with the host system 4 as the original source. When receiving time information from the system controller 3 of the above system that does not use the host system 4 as the original source, the time measuring unit 31 may not be required to update the time based on the time information. That is, the control unit 34 may give priority to the time information by the address added to the time information, or may give a higher priority to the time information to which the address of the upper system 4 is added. .. Then, the control unit 34 may control the timekeeping unit 31 so that the setting based on the time information of high priority is performed. Specifically, after the time measuring unit 31 sets the time according to the instruction from the control unit 34, the other system controller 3 or the higher-level system 4 is set within a time shorter than the set time and within a predetermined time. When the time information to be the transmission source is received and the priority of the received time information is higher than the priority of the time information used in the time setting, the control unit 34 sends the time to the time counting unit 31. In other cases, the time may not be updated.

The control unit 34 controls the timer unit 32 so as to start the countdown of the upper set time when the system controller 3 is switched to the master side. When the system controller 3 is operating on the master side and the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the upper set time, the control unit 34 provides information indicating that it is the master side in the storage unit 33 on the sub side. It is rewritten with the information indicating that, and the system controller 3 is switched to the sub side. When the system controller 3 is on the master side, the control unit 34 does not shift the system controller 3 to the sub side even if it receives time information from another system controller 3 before the elapse of the upper set time, and also clocks. The unit 31 is not allowed to update the time based on the time information.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting of the system controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the time setting process in the air conditioning equipment system 1 including the system controller 3A, which is the air conditioning equipment system 1 included in the air conditioning system 10 shown in FIG. Here, the case where the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B are on the sub side and the system controller 3C is on the master side and the initial operation is performed is shown.

When the system controller 3C finishes the countdown of the set time in step S70, it starts the countdown of the set time again and transmits the time information to the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B. The system controller 3A and the system controller 3B receive the time information from the system controller 3C before the lapse of the set time, set the time based on the received time information, and restart the countdown of the set time.

In step S71, the system controller 3A receives the time information from the host system 4. As a result, the system controller 3A switches to the master side and transmits time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C. Then, the system controller 3A starts the countdown of the upper set time. Further, the system controller 3A sets the time based on the received time information. At this time, the system controller 3A may set the time according to the priority of the time information. For example, when the system controller 3A receives the time information, sets the time according to the time information, and then receives another time information within a predetermined time, the priority of the other time information is set. If the priority is higher than the time information used for setting the time, the time information may be performed based on the other time information, and if not, the time may not be updated. In the case of FIG. 11, the priority of the time information from the system controller 3C received by the system controller 3A in step S70 is lower than the priority of the time information from the host system 4. Therefore, in step S71, the system controller 3A updates the time information.

The system controller 3C changes to the sub side. The system controller 3C may change to the sub side according to the priority of the received time information. For example, the system controller 3C may change to the sub side when receiving time information whose source is a device or system having a priority higher than that of the system controller 3C. The following processing may be performed for the migration from the master side to the sub side of the system controller 3A connected to the host system 4 instead of the system controller 3C. When the system controller 3A transmits the time information indicating the time measured by the system controller 3A to another system controller 3, and the time information is received from the system controller B or the system controller 3C, the system The controller 3A is on the sub side. However, when the system controller 3A transmits the time information received from the host system 4 to another system controller 3, and the time information is received from the system controller B or the system controller 3C, the system controller 3A May not change to the sub side until the countdown of the upper set time is completed.

In step S71, the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C set the time based on the received time information, and restart the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3B and the system controller 3C may update the time information according to the priority of the time information. Further, the system controller 3C may change to the sub side when the countdown of the upper set time is completed and set the time based on the time information from the system controller 3A.

In step S72, the system controller 3A transmits time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C when the countdown of the set time started in step S70 is completed. Subsequent processing by the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C is the same as that in step S71. Further, after step S72, the processes of step S71 and step S72 are alternately repeated.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the time setting process by the system controller according to the second embodiment. In step S80, the system controller 3 is activated as the sub side. At this time, the control unit 34 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side in the storage unit 33.

In step S81 following step S80, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time. In step S82, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3 before the end of the countdown of the set time. The control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3 while acquiring the countdown result of the set time from the timer unit 32. When the time information is received from the other system controller 3 (step S82: YES), the control unit 34 updates the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31 based on the time information in step S83. In step S83, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the current time was updated immediately before, the control unit 34 may perform the time setting process according to the priority of the time information. .. That is, in step S83, the control unit 34 does not update the time when the priority of the time information used when setting the time immediately before is higher than the priority of the time information received in step S82. If the priority of the time information used when setting the time immediately before is equal to or lower than the priority of the time information received in step S82, the time may be updated. After the process of step S83, the control unit 34 returns the process of the system controller 3 to step S81, and causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning.

In step S84, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the host system 4 before the end of the countdown of the set time. While acquiring the countdown result of the set time from the timer unit 32, the control unit 34 determines in step S82 whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the other system controller 3, and in step S84. , The communication unit 30 determines whether or not the time information has been received from the host system 4. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 (step S84: YES) while the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the other system controller 3 (step S82: NO), the control unit 34 processes. To step S86. In step S86, the control unit 34 rewrites the information stored in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side to the information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side, and the master Switch to the side.

In a state where the time information is not received from the other system controller 3 (step S82: NO) and the time information is not received from the host system 4 (step S84: NO), the control unit 34 counts down the set time in step S85. If it is determined that is not completed (step S85: NO), the system controller 3 stops the process in step S82. When the control unit 34 determines in step S85 that the countdown of the set time has been completed (step S85: YES), the control unit 34 shifts the process to step S86. In step S86, the control unit 34 performs a switching process from the sub side to the master side. In step S87, the control unit 34 controls the timer unit 32 so as to start the countdown of the upper set time.

In step S88, the system controller 3 executes the process as the master side. Hereinafter, the processing of the system controller 3 on the master side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the system controller on the master side according to the second embodiment. The processes of steps S90 to S95 shown in FIG. 13 are the processes in step S88 shown in FIG. In step S90, the control unit 34 of the system controller 3 on the master side controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit time information to another system controller 3.

In step S91, in the control unit 34, has the timer unit 32 completed the countdown of the set time while the communication unit 30 has not received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the host system 4? Judge whether or not. That is, the control unit 34 monitors whether the communication unit 30 has received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the host system 4, and the timer unit 32 counts down the set time. Monitor and determine if it has finished.

In step S91, when the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time without receiving the time information from the other system controller 3 and the time information from the host system 4 as well ( Step S91: YES), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S90. At this time, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning. When the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time in step S91 (step S91: NO) and the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 in step S92 (step S92: YES), the control The unit 34 shifts the process to step S93. In step S93, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the upper set time again from the beginning. Further, the control unit 34 updates the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31 based on the time information from the host system 4. After the process of step S93, the control unit 34 returns the process to step S90.

In step S91, the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time (step S91: NO), in step S92, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the host system 4 (step S92: NO), and communicates in step S94. If the unit 30 has not received the time information from the other system controller 3 (step S94: NO), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S91. In step S91, in the state where the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time (step S91: NO), in step S92, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the host system 4 (step S92: NO), and in step S94. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the other system controller 3 (step S94: YES), the control unit 34 shifts the process to step S95.

In step S95, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the countdown of the upper set time started by the timer unit 32 in step S87 or step S93 has been completed. If the timer unit 32 has not completed the countdown of the upper set time (step S95: NO), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S91. When the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the upper set time (step S95: YES), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S80. In step S80 after the transition from step S95, the control unit 34 indicates that the system controller 3 is the sub side of the information stored in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is the master side. Rewrite to information.

The communication unit 30 in the second embodiment is equipment in a building provided with air-conditioning equipment, and communicates with a higher-level system 4 that controls the equipment including the air-conditioning equipment. The storage unit 33 stores information corresponding to the priority of the higher system 4 and which has the highest priority of the higher system 4. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information indicating the time from the higher system 4, the control unit 34 controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit the time information from the higher system 4 to another system controller 3. .. Further, the control unit 34 controls the time counting unit 31 so as to update the time measured by the timing unit 31 based on the time information from the host system 4. If the system controller 3 is on the sub side until the time information is received from the host system 4, the control unit 34 switches the system controller 3 to the master side. As a result, each system controller 3 can set the time according to the time in the upper system 4 that controls the entire equipment in the building, and the upper system 4 uses the air conditioning equipment system 1 as the entire equipment. It will be possible to control in synchronization, and it will be possible to improve the continuity of the system throughout the building.

In the control unit 34 according to the second embodiment, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the upper system 4 between the time when the system controller 3 is switched to the master side and the time when the predetermined higher set time elapses. When the time information is received from another system controller 3, the system controller 3 is switched to the sub side. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 between the time when the system controller 3 is switched to the master side and the time when the host set time elapses, the control unit 34 sets the system controller 3 on the master side. Keep in the state of. As a result, the control unit 34 can set only the system controller 3 that communicates with the higher system 4 as the master side by determining the presence / absence of time information from the higher system 4 for each higher set time. Therefore, each system controller 3 can automatically set the time according to the time in the host system 4. Therefore, the host system 4 can control the air conditioning equipment system 1 in synchronization with the entire equipment, and can improve the continuity of the system in the entire building.

Embodiment 3.
The system controller 3 according to the second embodiment unifies the times measured by all the system controllers 3 and the air conditioner 2 in the air conditioning equipment system 1 when the air conditioning equipment system 1 is connected to the host system 4. Not only can it be done, but it is also possible to have consistency between the time concerned and the time set for the entire building. However, the system that monitors and controls the air conditioning equipment system 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned higher-level system 4 such as the central monitoring system that monitors and controls the entire building. For example, the air conditioning equipment system 1 may be connected to an air conditioning management system for monitoring and controlling only the air conditioning equipment. When the air conditioning equipment system 1 is connected to the air conditioning management system instead of being connected to the host system 4, the host system 4 in the second embodiment is replaced with the air conditioning management system in the building. Time consistency can be achieved in all air conditioning equipment systems 1. However, when the air conditioning equipment system 1 is connected to the air conditioning management system and the host system 4, the system controller 3 according to the second embodiment air-conditions the time in either the air conditioning management system or the host system 4. It cannot be determined whether to reflect it in the equipment system 1.

The system controller 3 according to the third embodiment is intended to ensure time consistency in the air conditioning equipment system 1 even when the air conditioning equipment system 1 is connected to a plurality of types of systems that monitor and control the air conditioning equipment. is there. In addition, the system controller 3 according to the third embodiment is the highest-level system, and by reflecting the time in the higher-level system 4 that monitors and controls the entire building in the air-conditioning equipment system 1, the time in the entire building is set. It is intended for consistency. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given. Unless otherwise specified, the system controller 3 in the third embodiment, each component included therein, the air conditioner 2, the air conditioning equipment system 1, the higher-level system 4, and the like are the respective embodiments. Since it is the same as that in 2, the same reference numerals are given, and the differences will be described below.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning system including a system controller according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 100 in the third embodiment includes one or more air conditioning equipment systems 1, a higher-level system 4, and an air conditioning management system 5. The host system 4 is connected to the air conditioning management system 5, and the air conditioning equipment system 1 is connected to the air conditioning management system 5. In the third embodiment, at least one system controller 3 in the air conditioning equipment system 1 also belongs to the air conditioning management system 5. In the case shown in FIG. 14, for example, the system controller 3A belongs to the air conditioning equipment system 1 and the air conditioning management system 5. Similarly, the system controller 3D belongs to the other air conditioning equipment system 1 and the air conditioning management system 5, and the system controller 3E further belongs to the other air conditioning equipment system 1 and the air conditioning management system 5. The system controller 3A and the system controller 3D are connected to the host system 4. The air conditioning management system 5 includes a management terminal 6 that gives a command to the system controller 3 and collects data from the system controller 3. The system controller 3A, the system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, the management terminal 6, and the like in the air conditioning management system 5 are connected to each other. The devices such as the system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 are examples of management devices.

The system controller 3 according to the third embodiment adjusts the time to be measured to the time measured by the host system 4. When the system controller 3 included in the air-conditioning management system 5 and connected to the host system 4 receives time information from the host system 4, the system controller 3 is similar to the case of the second embodiment described above. The time setting based on the time information is reflected in the air conditioner system 1 to which the member belongs. In the case of FIG. 14, for example, when the system controller 3A receives the time information from the host system 4, the system controller 3B, the system controller 3C, and the like reflect the time setting based on the time information. The system controller 3 included in the air conditioning management system 5 and not connected to the host system 4 receives the time information from the other system controller 3 that has received the time information from the host system 4, and the time is based on the time information. Set. In the case of FIG. 14, the system controller 3E, the management terminal 6, and the like receive the time information from the system controller 3A or the system controller 3D that received the time information from the host system 4, and set the time based on the time information. Make settings.

As described above, since the time in the air conditioning management system 5 and the air conditioning equipment system 1 is set by the time information with the upper system 4 as the original transmission source, the priority of the upper system 4 in the third embodiment is set. Is the highest, and the priority of the time information with the higher system 4 as the original source is the highest. On the other hand, assuming that the priority of the system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 is higher than the priority of the system controller 3 in the air conditioning equipment system 1, the system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 It is assumed that the priority of the time information having any of the above as the original transmission source is higher than the priority of the time information having the system controller 3 as the original transmission source in the air conditioning equipment system 1. Hereinafter, the time setting process in the air conditioning management system 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting of the system controller according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 shows the time setting process in the air conditioning management system 5 included in the air conditioning system 100 shown in FIG. The system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 are on the sub side at the time of startup. The system controller 3 starts counting down the set time upon activation.

In step S100, the system controller 3A receives the time information from the host system 4. As a result, the system controller 3A switches to the master side and transmits time information to the system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6. Then, the system controller 3A starts the countdown of the upper set time. The system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6 set the time based on the received time information. Further, the system controller 3D and the system controller 3E restart the countdown of the set time.

In step S101, when the countdown of the set time started at the time of startup is completed, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6. Further, the system controller 3A restarts the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6 set the time based on the received time information. Further, the system controller 3D and the system controller 3E restart the countdown of the set time.

In step S102, the system controller 3A receives the time information from the host system 4 before the end of the countdown of the host set time, and transmits the time information to the system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6. Then, the system controller 3A starts the countdown of the upper set time. The system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6 set the time based on the received time information. Further, the system controller 3D and the system controller 3E restart the countdown of the set time.

When the countdown of the set time started in step S101 is completed, the system controller 3A transmits the time information to the system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6 in step S103. Further, the system controller 3A restarts the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3D, the system controller 3E, and the management terminal 6 set the time based on the received time information. Further, the system controller 3D and the system controller 3E restart the countdown of the set time. Subsequent processing of the air conditioning management system 5 and the higher-level system 4 alternately repeats the processing of step S102 and step S103.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the system controller 3 connected to the host system 4 in the air conditioning management system 5 becomes the master side, receives time information from the host system 4, and sets the time based on the time information. Is reflected in the air conditioning management system 5, so that the time of the air conditioning management system 5 is kept the same as the time of the entire building and is uniquely determined.

Next, the time setting process of the air conditioning equipment system 1 in the air conditioning system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting of the system controller in the air conditioning equipment system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the time setting process in the air conditioning equipment system 1 including the system controller 3A, which is the air conditioning equipment system 1 included in the air conditioning system 100 shown in FIG. Here, the case where the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B are on the sub side and the system controller 3C is on the master side and the initial operation is performed is shown.

When the system controller 3C finishes the countdown of the set time in step S110, it starts the countdown of the set time again and transmits the time information to the system controller 3A and the system controller 3B. The system controller 3A and the system controller 3B receive the time information from the system controller 3C before the lapse of the set time, set the time based on the received time information, and restart the countdown of the set time.

In step S111, the system controller 3A receives time information from the host system 4 or another device in the air conditioning management system 5. As a result, the system controller 3A switches to the master side and transmits time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C. If the priority of the system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 is equal to the priority of the system controller 3 in the air conditioning equipment system 1, the system controller 3A does not have to be switched to the master side. The system controller 3A, which has become the master side in step S111, starts the countdown of the upper set time. Further, the system controller 3A sets the time based on the received time information. At this time, the system controller 3A may set the time according to the priority of the time information. For example, when the system controller 3A receives the time information, sets the time according to the time information, and then receives another time information within a predetermined time, the priority of the other time information is set. If the priority is higher than the time information used for setting the time, the time information may be performed based on the other time information, and if not, the time may not be updated. In the case of FIG. 16, the priority of the time information from the system controller 3C received by the system controller 3A in step S110 is lower than the priority of the time information from the host system 4, and the priority of the time information from the air conditioning management system 5 It is less than the degree. Therefore, in step S111, the system controller 3A updates the time information.

The system controller 3C changes to the sub side. The system controller 3C may change to the sub side according to the priority of the received time information. For example, the system controller 3C may change to the sub side when receiving time information whose source is a device or system having a priority higher than that of the system controller 3C. The following processing may be performed for the migration from the master side to the sub side of the system controller 3A connected to the host system 4 instead of the system controller 3C. When the system controller 3A transmits the time information indicating the time measured by the system controller 3A to another system controller 3, and the time information is received from the system controller B or the system controller 3C, the system The controller 3A is on the sub side. However, when the system controller 3A transmits the time information received from the host system 4 or the air conditioning management system 5 to another system controller 3, and the time information is received from the system controller B or the system controller 3C. The system controller 3A may not change to the sub side until the countdown of the upper set time is completed.

In step S111, the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C set the time based on the received time information, and restart the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3B and the system controller 3C may set the time according to the priority of the time information.

In step S112, the system controller 3A transmits time information to the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C when the countdown of the set time started in step S110 is completed. Subsequent processing by the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C is the same as that in step S111. Further, after step S112, the processes of step S111 and step S112 are alternately repeated.

In this way, the time in the air conditioning equipment system 1 is uniquely determined by the time setting based on the time information having a higher priority, and as a result, the sameness as the time in the entire building is maintained. ..

Hereinafter, the time setting process of the system controller 3 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a time setting process by the system controller according to the third embodiment. In step S120, the system controller 3 is activated as the sub side. At this time, the control unit 34 stores information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side in the storage unit 33.

In step S121 following step S120, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time. In step S122, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 and the like before the end of the countdown of the set time. Whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 while the control unit 34 acquires the countdown result of the set time from the timer unit 32. To judge. When the time information is received from another system controller 3 or the management terminal 6 (step S122: YES), the control unit 34 in step S123 determines the current time measured by the timekeeping unit 31 based on the time information. To update. In step S123, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the current time was updated immediately before, the control unit 34 may perform the time setting process according to the priority of the time information. .. That is, in step S123, the control unit 34 does not update the time when the priority of the time information used when setting the time immediately before is higher than the priority of the time information received in step S122. If the priority of the time information used when setting the time immediately before is equal to or lower than the priority of the time information received in step S122, the time may be updated. After the process of step S123, the control unit 34 returns the process of the system controller 3 to step S121, and causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning.

In step S124, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from the host system 4 before the end of the countdown of the set time. While the control unit 34 acquires the countdown result of the set time from the timer unit 32, in step S122, the communication unit 30 receives the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6. In addition to determining whether or not the time information has been received, in step S124, the communication unit 30 determines whether or not the time information has been received from the host system 4. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 in a state where the time information is not received from the other system controller 3 and the time information is not received from the management terminal 6 (step S122: NO). (Step S124: YES), the control unit 34 shifts the process to step S126. In step S126, the control unit 34 rewrites the information stored in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is on the sub side to the information indicating that the system controller 3 is on the master side, and the master Switch to the side.

In a state where the time information is not received from the other system controller 3, the time information is not received from the management terminal 6 (step S122: NO), and the time information is not received from the host system 4 (step S124: NO). When the control unit 34 determines in step S125 that the countdown of the set time has not been completed (step S125: NO), the system controller 3 keeps the process in step S122. When the control unit 34 determines in step S125 that the countdown of the set time has been completed (step S125: YES), the control unit 34 shifts the process to step S126. In step S126, the control unit 34 performs a switching process from the sub side to the master side. In step S127, the control unit 34 controls the timer unit 32 so as to start the countdown of the upper set time.

In step S128, the system controller 3 executes processing as the master side. Hereinafter, the processing of the system controller 3 on the master side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the system controller on the master side according to the third embodiment. The processes of steps S130 to S135 shown in FIG. 18 are the processes in step S128 shown in FIG. In step S130, the control unit 34 of the system controller 3 on the master side controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit the time information to the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6.

In step S131, in the control unit 34, the timer unit 32 sets the time in a state where the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3, the host system 4, the management terminal 6, and the like. Judges whether or not the countdown of is completed. That is, the control unit 34 monitors whether or not the communication unit 30 has received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3, the host system 4, the management terminal 6, and the like, while monitoring the timer unit. It monitors and determines whether or not 32 has completed the countdown of the set time.

In step S131, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the other system controller 3, does not receive the time information from the management terminal 6 or the like, and does not receive the time information from the host system 4 as well. When the unit 32 finishes the countdown of the set time (step S131: YES), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S130. At this time, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the set time again from the beginning. When the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time in step S131 (step S131: NO) and the communication unit 30 receives the time information from the host system 4 in step S132 (step S132: YES), the control is performed. The unit 34 shifts the process to step S133. In step S133, the control unit 34 causes the timer unit 32 to start the countdown of the upper set time again from the beginning. Further, the control unit 34 updates the current time measured by the time measuring unit 31 based on the time information from the host system 4. After the process of step S133, the control unit 34 returns the process to step S130.

In step S131, the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time (step S131: NO), and in step S132, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the host system 4 (step S132: NO), and communicates in step S134. If the unit 30 has not received the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 (step S134: NO), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S131. In step S131, in a state where the timer unit 32 does not end the countdown of the set time (step S131: NO), in step S132, the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information from the host system 4 (step S132: NO), and in step S134. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from at least one of the other system controller 3 and the management terminal 6 (step S134: YES), the control unit 34 shifts the process to step S135.

In step S123, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the countdown of the upper set time started by the timer unit 32 in step S127 or step S133 has been completed. If the timer unit 32 has not completed the countdown of the upper set time (step S135: NO), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S131. When the timer unit 32 finishes the countdown of the upper set time (step S135: YES), the control unit 34 returns the process to step S120. In step S120 after the transition from step S125, the control unit 34 indicates that the system controller 3 is the sub side of the information stored in the storage unit 33 indicating that the system controller 3 is the master side. Rewrite to information.

The communication unit 30 in the third embodiment communicates with a management device such as a system controller 3 and a management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5 for controlling the air conditioning equipment. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information indicating the time from the higher system 4, the control unit 34 controls the communication unit 30 so as to transmit the time information from the higher system 4 to the management device. As a result, the time in the air conditioning management system 5 is automatically set to the time in the host system 4 by the system controller 3 on the master side that communicates with the host system 4. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of setting the time in the air conditioning management system 5, and by matching the time in the air conditioning management system 5 with the time in the higher system 4, the continuity of the control processing of the air conditioning management system 5 by the higher system 4 Is improved.

The storage unit 33 in the third embodiment is information corresponding to the priority of the management device in the air conditioning management system 5, and the priority of the management device is not included in the air conditioning management system 5. And stores information that is higher than the priority of the other system controller 3. When the communication unit 30 does not receive the time information indicating the time from the host system 4, and the control unit 34 receives the time information indicating the time from the management device, the control unit 34 receives the time information from the management device. The communication unit 30 is controlled so as to transmit information to another system controller 3. Further, the control unit 34 controls the timekeeping unit 31 so as to update the time measured by the timekeeping unit 31 based on the time information from the management device. As a result, the time in the air conditioning equipment system 1 is automatically set to the time in the air conditioning management system 5 having a higher priority even when the host system 4 does not operate. Therefore, the continuity of the air conditioning equipment system 1 is further improved.

When the communication unit 30 receives the time information, the control unit 34 in the third embodiment controls the time counting unit 31 according to the priority of the transmission source of the time information. As a result, the system controller 3 that has received the time information can set the time based on the time information having a higher priority, and the time in the air conditioner system 1 can be determined more uniquely. The continuity of system 1 is improved.

In the control unit 34 according to the third embodiment, when the communication unit 30 receives the time information between the time when the time measuring unit 31 updates the time and the time when a predetermined time shorter than the set time elapses. When the priority of the source of the time information is equal to or higher than the priority of the source of the time information used in updating the time by the time measuring unit 31, the communication unit 30 is based on the time information received. The clock unit 31 is controlled so as to update the measured time. As a result, the system controller 3 that has received the time information can set the time based on the time information having a higher priority, and the time in the air conditioner system 1 can be determined more uniquely. The continuity of system 1 is improved.

Embodiment 4.
In the above embodiment, the operator may not always be able to set the time directly to the system controller 3. The system controller 3'according to the fourth embodiment can be operated by an operator. Among the components included in the system controller 3'according to the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be described for the components. However, the description of the same part will be omitted. Further, since the air conditioning system 100'according to the fourth embodiment corresponds to the system controller 3 of the air conditioning system 100 in the third embodiment replaced with the system controller 3', the differences will be described below. The description of the same part will be omitted. The air conditioning system 100'in the fourth embodiment may be the air conditioning system 10 in the second embodiment in which the system controller 3 is replaced with the system controller 3'.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning system including a system controller according to the fourth embodiment. The air conditioning system 100'in the fourth embodiment includes an air conditioning equipment system 1', an air conditioning management system 5', and a host system 4. The air-conditioning equipment system 1'corresponds to the air-conditioning equipment system 1 in the above embodiment in which the system controller 3 is replaced with the system controller 3'. The air conditioning management system 5'corresponds to the air conditioning management system 5 in the above embodiment in which the system controller 3 is replaced with the system controller 3'. The system controller 3A'in FIG. 19 corresponds to the system controller 3A in the above embodiment, the system controller 3B'corresponds to the system controller 3B in the above embodiment, and the system controller 3C'corresponds to the above embodiment. Corresponds to the system controller 3C in the form. Similarly, the system controller 3D'corresponds to the system controller 3D in the above embodiment, and the system controller 3E'corresponds to the system controller 3E in the above embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional block included in the system controller according to the fourth embodiment. In the system controller 3'according to the embodiment, an operation unit 35 is further added to the components in the system controller 3 according to the embodiment. The operation unit 35 receives input such as time information from the operator.

In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the timing unit 31 and the operation unit 35 of the system controller 3'are also prioritized, and the priority of the timing unit 31 is the first priority of the system controller 3'and the operation unit 35. Is the second priority of the system controller 3'. It is assumed that the second priority is equal to or higher than the first priority. Further, in the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the time information indicating the time measured by the time measuring unit 31 and the time information input to the operation unit 35 are also prioritized, and the time indicating the time measured by the measuring unit 31 is provided. The information is the first time information by the system controller 3', and the time information input to the operation unit 35 is the second time information by the system controller 3'. It is assumed that the priority of the second time information is higher than or higher than the priority of the first time information. It is assumed that the second priority is lower than the priority of the upper system 4 and lower than the priority of the air conditioning management system 5'. Further, it is assumed that the second priority is lower than the priority of the time information with the host system 4 as the transmission source and lower than the priority of the time information with the air conditioning management system 5'as the transmission source. Hereinafter, the time setting process by the system controller 3'in the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram illustrating the time setting of the system controller according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 shows the time setting process in the air conditioning equipment system 1'including the system controller 3A', which is the air conditioning equipment system 1'included in the air conditioning system 100'shown in FIG. 20. Here, the case where the system controller 3A'is the master side and the system controller 3B' and the system controller 3C'are the sub side is used to perform the initial operation. It is assumed that the system controller 3A'on the master side sets the time of the air conditioning equipment system 1'based on the first time information.

In step S140, the system controller 3C'accepts the input of time information via the operation unit 35. Since the time information is the second time information and has a higher priority than the first time information, the system controller 3'is on the master side. The system controller 3C'transmits the time information received by the operation unit 35 to the system controller 3A' and the system controller 3B', and starts the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3A'and the system controller 3B'set the time based on the received time information, and restart the countdown of the set time. The system controller 3A'and the system controller 3B' update the time set based on the first time information based on the second time information.

In step S141, the system controller 3A'receives time information from the host system 4 or another device in the air conditioning management system 5'. Since the priority of the time information is equal to or higher than the priority of the second time information received in step S140, the system controller 3A'switches to the master side and sets the time based on the time information received in step S141. Do. Further, in step S141, the system controller 3A'transmits time information to the system controller 3B' and the system controller 3C'. Then, the system controller 3A'starts the countdown of the upper set time.

Since the priority of the time information received from the system controller 3A'is higher than the priority of the second time information, the system controller 3C'changes to the sub side, updates the time, and restarts the countdown of the set time. To do. The system controller 3B'also updates the time and restarts the countdown of the set time for the same reason.

In step S142, the system controller 3A'transmits time information to the system controller 3B'and the system controller 3C' when the countdown of the set time started in step S140 is completed. Subsequent processing by the system controller 3B and the system controller 3C is the same as that in step S141. Further, after step S142, the processes of step S141 and step S142 are alternately repeated.

However, in the repeated step S141, if the system controller 3A'receives the time information from the air conditioning management system 5'within a predetermined time after receiving the time information from the host system 4, the system controller 3A' 'May not set the time based on the time information from the air conditioning management system 5'. Then, the system controller 3A'may not transmit the time information from the air conditioning management system 5'to another system controller 3'.

Since the processing of the system controller 3'for the other system controller 3'and the management terminal 6 in the air conditioning management system 5'is the same as the content in the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. The explanation is omitted. Further, since the time setting process of the system controller 3'according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the content in the third embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the description thereof will be omitted.

The system controller 3'according to the fourth embodiment further includes an operation unit 35 that receives input of time information. Priority is set for each of the timekeeping unit 31 and the operation unit 35. The storage unit 33 stores the priority of the operation unit 35 as the priority of the timekeeping unit 31 or higher. When the communication unit 30 receives the time information from another system controller 3 in which the time information is input via the operation unit 35, the control unit 34 clocks according to the priority of the operation unit 35. The unit 31 is controlled. As a result, the operator can set the time of the system controller 3'via the operation unit 35, and the time of the system controller 3'is set according to the priority. Therefore, the operability of the system controller 3 is improved. Further, when the system controller 3 receives the time information from another system controller 3 for which the time information is input via the operation unit 35, the time is set according to the priority of the operation unit 35. Therefore, the continuity of the air conditioning equipment system 1'is also maintained.

1, 1'air conditioning equipment system, 2 air conditioner, 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3', 3A', 3B', 3C', 3D', 3E'system controller, 4 upper system, 5 5, 5'air conditioning management system, 6

management terminal

10, 100, 100' air conditioning system, 20 outdoor unit, 21 indoor unit, 22 remote controller, 30 communication unit, 31 timing unit, 32 timer unit, 33 storage unit, 34 Control unit, 35 operation unit.

Claims

A system controller that controls air conditioning equipment
A timekeeping unit that measures or updates the time,
A communication unit that communicates with other system controllers that control the air conditioning equipment,
A storage unit that stores information corresponding to the priority of the system controller,
The time measured by the timekeeping unit based on the time information received from the master side that transmits the time information to the other system controller or the time information received from the other system controller according to the information corresponding to the priority. A control unit that switches the system controller to the sub side that is updated by the timekeeping unit,
A system controller.
The control unit
The system controller according to claim 1, wherein when the system controller is started, it is started as the sub side.
The control unit
When the system controller is on the master side, the communication unit is controlled so as to transmit the time information to the other system controller every set time.
When the system controller is on the sub side and the set time elapses without the communication unit receiving the time information from the other system controller, the system controller is moved to the master side. The system controller according to claim 1 or 2, which is switched.
Further equipped with a timer unit that counts down the set time,
The control unit
When the time measured by the time unit is updated by the time unit based on the time information received from the other system controller, or when the timer unit ends the countdown of the set time, the time is described. The system controller according to claim 3, wherein the timer unit is controlled so that the countdown of the set time is restarted from the beginning.
The priority of the system controller is different from the priority of the other system controller, and the information corresponding to the priority is information indicating the length of the set time, and the higher the priority, the more the priority. The system controller according to claim 4, wherein the setting time is short.
The control unit
The system controller according to claim 5, wherein the set time is calculated using an identification number for identifying the system controller, and the calculated set time is stored in the storage unit.
The system controller according to claim 6, wherein the identification number is an address for the system controller to communicate with.
The control unit
When the communication unit receives the time information from the other system controller before the lapse of the set time, the time measured by the timekeeping unit based on the time information received from the other system controller. The system controller according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the timekeeping unit updates the system.
The communication unit
Equipment in a building where the air conditioning equipment is installed, which communicates with the host system that controls the equipment including the air conditioning equipment.
The storage unit
Information corresponding to the priority of the higher system, which has the highest priority of the higher system, is stored.
The control unit
When the communication unit receives the time information from the higher-level system, the communication unit is controlled so as to transmit the time information from the higher-level system to the other system controller, and the time measurement unit measures the measurement. If the time measuring unit is controlled so as to update the time based on the time information from the higher system, and the system controller is on the sub side at the time of receiving the time information from the higher system, the system The system controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller is switched to the master side.
The control unit
Between the time when the system controller is switched to the master side and the time when a predetermined higher set time elapses, the communication unit does not receive the time information from the higher system and receives the time information from the other system controller. When the time information is received, the system controller is switched to the sub side, and the system controller is switched to the sub side.
When the communication unit receives the time information from the higher-level system between the time when the system controller is switched to the master side and the time when the higher-level set time elapses, the system controller is in the state of the master side. The system controller according to claim 9, which is maintained as it is.
The communication unit
Communicate with the management device in the air conditioning management system for controlling the air conditioning equipment,
The control unit
9. or 10. The communication unit controls the communication unit so as to transmit the time information from the higher-level system to the management device when the communication unit receives the time information from the higher-level system. Described system controller.
The storage unit
Information corresponding to the priority of the management device, in which the priority of the management device is equal to or higher than the priority of the system controller and the other system controllers not included in the air conditioning management system. Remember,
The control unit
When the communication unit does not receive the time information from the host system and receives the time information from the management device, the time information from the management device is transmitted to the other system controller. The system controller according to claim 11, wherein the system controller controls the communication unit and controls the time measurement unit so as to update the time measured by the time measurement unit based on the time information from the management device.
The control unit
The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, which controls the timekeeping unit according to the priority of the source of the time information when the communication unit receives the time information. controller.
The control unit
When the communication unit receives the time information between the time when the timekeeping unit updates the time and the time when a predetermined time elapses, the priority of the transmission source of the time information is set as described above. When the priority of the source of the time information used in updating the time by the timekeeping unit or higher, the timekeeping unit updates the measured time based on the time information received by the communication unit. 13. The system controller according to claim 13.
It also has an operation unit that accepts input of time information.
Priorities are set for each of the timekeeping unit and the operation unit.
The storage unit
The priority of the operation unit is stored as the priority of the timekeeping unit or higher.
The control unit
When the communication unit receives the time information from the other system controller to which the time information is input via the operation unit, the time counting unit is set according to the priority of the operation unit. The system controller according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is controlled.