WO2021181670A1

WO2021181670A1 - Air conditioning system, air conditioning device, communication method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2021181670A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/011166
Authority: WO
Inventors: 遠藤　弘明
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-03-13
Filing date: 2020-03-13
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: JPWO2021181670A1; JP7258219B2

Abstract

An air conditioning system (1) includes a plurality of air conditioning devices connected in daisy chain so as to be capable of communicating with each other. Each of the air conditioning devices among the plurality of air conditioning devices comprises: a transfer unit that transfers a frame; an assessment unit that, when the transfer unit transfers a frame transmitted from a first air conditioning device to a second air conditioning device, makes an assessment as to whether the frame is to be cached, on the basis of a predetermined condition; a cache unit that caches the frame when it has been assessed by the assessment unit that the frame is to be cached; and a re-sending unit that re-sends the cached frame to the second air conditioning device if a transfer means has not transferred a response frame for the frame within a predetermined period from when the cached frame was transferred. The predetermined condition is established so that the number of air conditioning devices caching frames is equal to or greater than 2.

Description

Air conditioning system, air conditioning equipment, communication methods and programs

This disclosure relates to air conditioning systems, air conditioning equipment, communication methods and programs.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for connecting a plurality of air conditioners such as an outdoor unit and a centralized remote controller so as to be able to communicate with each other by a daisy chain.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-20092

In a plurality of air conditioners connected by a daisy chain, when a frame is transmitted from one air conditioner to another, the frame may be transmitted via a plurality of communication lines connecting each air conditioner. When the frame does not reach the transmission destination due to a communication failure, the source air conditioner attempts to retransmit the frame. Since the frame to be retransmitted can also be transmitted via a plurality of communication lines, frequent retransmissions occur when a communication failure occurs, and there is a risk that traffic will locally increase on the plurality of communication lines.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning system or the like that suppresses an increase in traffic at the time of frame retransmission in a plurality of air conditioning devices connected by a daisy chain.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure is
Equipped with multiple air conditioners connected to each other by daisy chain
Each air conditioner of the plurality of air conditioners
Transfer means to transfer frames and
When the transfer means transfers a frame transmitted from the first air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners to the second air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners, whether or not to cache the frame is determined. Judgment means for determining based on predetermined conditions and
When it is determined by the determination means that the frame is cached, the cache means for caching the frame and the cache means.
When the transfer means does not transfer the response frame to the frame within a predetermined period after the cached frame is transferred, the retransmission means for retransmitting the cached frame to the second air conditioner.
With
The predetermined conditions are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more.

According to the present disclosure, in a plurality of air conditioners connected by a daisy chain, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic at the time of frame retransmission.

The figure which shows the structure of the air-conditioning system which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the frame which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows the functional structure of the centralized remote control which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows an example of the cache condition set by the initial setting part of the centralized remote controller and the initial setting part of an outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows another example of the cache condition set by the initial setting part of the centralized remote controller and the initial setting part of an outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows an example of the data which is stored by the cache part of the centralized remote controller and the cache part of an outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows the functional structure of the outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows the functional structure of the indoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. The figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the centralized remote controller and the outdoor unit which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. A flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of frame transfer by the outdoor unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. A flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of frame transfer by the centralized remote controller according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. A flowchart showing an example of a frame retransmission operation by the centralized remote controller and the outdoor unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the air conditioning system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment)
The air conditioning system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioning system 1 includes a centralized remote controller 10, a plurality of outdoor units 20, and a plurality of indoor units 30. The centralized remote controller 10 and each outdoor unit 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by a daisy chain by a communication line L. The outdoor unit 20 is communicably connected to the indoor unit 30 under the control of the outdoor unit 20 by a bus connection by the transmission bus B. Although the details will be described later, according to the air conditioning system 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic when it is necessary to retransmit the frames transmitted by the centralized remote controller 10, each outdoor unit 20, and each indoor unit 30. The air conditioning system 1 is an example of the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure. The communication line L is an example of the first communication line according to the present disclosure. The transmission bus B is an example of the second communication line according to the present disclosure.

Note that FIG. 1 shows four outdoor units 20. Hereinafter, when distinguishing each outdoor unit 20, each of the outdoor units 20 will be described as an outdoor unit 20a, an outdoor unit 20b, an outdoor unit 20c, and an outdoor unit 20d, as shown in FIG.

Next, each configuration of the air conditioning system 1 will be roughly described.

The centralized remote controller 10 communicates with each outdoor unit 20 and each indoor unit 30 to control each outdoor unit 20 and each indoor unit 30. The centralized remote controller 10 is, for example, a centralized remote controller installed in a management room of an office building and controlling an outdoor unit 20 and an indoor unit 30 installed in the office building. As described above, since the centralized remote controller 10 and each outdoor unit 20 are connected by a daisy chain, the centralized remote controller 10 not only communicates with the directly connected outdoor unit 20, but also the outdoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 20 which are not directly connected. It also indirectly communicates with the indoor unit 30 via another outdoor unit 20.

Regarding control, specifically, the centralized remote controller 10 controls the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 by transmitting a frame to the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30. The frame contains, for example, data indicating a command. The command is a command for executing an operation related to air conditioning control, such as a set temperature change command and a state acquisition command.

Since the centralized remote controller 10 is an air-conditioning device that controls the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30, the centralized remote controller 10 is also included in the air-conditioning device. In the following, the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 may be collectively referred to as “air conditioner”. The centralized remote controller 10 is an example of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

The outdoor unit 20 communicates with the centralized remote controller 10 and another outdoor unit 20. In particular, the outdoor unit 20 receives a frame from the centralized remote controller 10 and executes an operation according to the received frame. Further, the outdoor unit 20 communicates with the indoor unit 30 under control. In particular, when the outdoor unit 20 receives a frame whose destination is the indoor unit 30 under control, the outdoor unit 20 transfers the frame to the indoor unit 30 under control. Further, as will be described in detail later, when the frame is transferred, the outdoor unit 20 caches the frame and resends the frame to the indoor unit 30 as needed. Since the outdoor unit 20 retransmits instead of the source of the frame, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic on each communication line L. The outdoor unit 20 is, for example, an outdoor unit installed on the roof of an office building. The outdoor unit 20 is an example of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The frame retransmitted to the indoor unit 30 is an example of the second frame according to the present disclosure.

The indoor unit 30 communicates with the outdoor unit 20. In particular, the indoor unit 30 receives a frame from the outdoor unit 20 and executes an operation according to the received frame. The indoor unit 30 is, for example, an indoor unit installed in an indoor space of an office building. The indoor unit 30 is an example of the fourth air conditioner according to the present disclosure. Further, the outdoor unit 20 connected to the indoor unit 30 is an example of the third air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

Next, the transfer and retransmission of the frame by the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 will be schematically described. However, the description of the outdoor unit 20 transferring the frame destined for the indoor unit 30 under its control will be omitted because it has been described above.

When the centralized remote controller 10 receives a frame not destined for itself from one of the two air conditioners directly connected by the daisy chain, the centralized remote controller 10 transfers the received frame to the other connected air conditioner. Similarly, when the outdoor unit 20 receives a frame not destined for the indoor unit 30 under its control or itself from one of the two air conditioners directly connected by the daisy chain, the outdoor unit 20 receives the frame. Transfer the frame to another connected air conditioner. In this case, the air-conditioning device that is the source of the frame is an example of the first air-conditioning device according to the present disclosure, and the air-conditioning device that is the destination of the frame is an example of the second air-conditioning device according to the present disclosure. Is.

Although the details will be described later, the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 cache the frame to be transferred when the predetermined conditions are satisfied at the time of the above frame transfer. Then, when the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 do not transfer the response frame for the frame for a certain period of time after transferring the cached frame, the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 retransmit the cached frame to the destination. This is because there is a high possibility that the transferred frame has not reached the destination normally when there is no response for a certain period of time or longer. Further, when the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 transfer the response frame to the cached frame, the cached frame is deleted. This is because the cached frame has reached the destination normally when there is a response.

The above-mentioned "predetermined conditions" are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more. Hereinafter, the "predetermined condition" is referred to as a "cache condition".

Due to this operation, according to the air-conditioning system 1, another air-conditioning device retransmits the frame instead of the transmission source, so that the number of communication lines L through which the frame passes is reduced as compared with the case where the transmission source retransmits the frame. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic at the time of retransmission. Further, since the number of air-conditioning devices that cache the frame is not two or more, the two or more air-conditioning devices do not retransmit the frame, and the traffic does not increase.

For example, in FIG. 1, consider a case where a frame is transmitted from the outdoor unit 20a to the outdoor unit 20d, and the outdoor unit 20b caches the frame. In this case, when it becomes necessary to retransmit the frame for some reason, the outdoor unit 20b retransmits the frame instead of the outdoor unit 20a. Therefore, unlike the case where the outdoor unit 20a retransmits the frame, the amount of communication on the communication line L connecting the outdoor unit 20a and the centralized remote controller 10 and the communication line L connecting the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20b does not increase. .. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic at the time of retransmission. Further, since the number of air-conditioning devices that cache the frame is not two or more, the two or more air-conditioning devices do not retransmit the frame, and the traffic does not increase.

Next, an example of the structure of the frame transmitted by each device in the air conditioning system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The frame FR includes a header HD and a data DT. The header HD includes a preamble field F0, a destination address field F1, a source address field F2, a frame type field F3, a frame ID field F4, and a data size field F5. The data DT includes data to be transmitted. The data to be transmitted is, for example, data indicating a command.

The preamble field F0 is a field indicating the start of the frame FR. The preamble field F0 is, for example, a bit string unique to the communication protocol used in the air conditioning system 1. Each device of the air conditioning system 1 processes the bit string as a frame FR, for example, when the head portion of the received bit string matches the preamble field F0.

The destination address field F1 is a field indicating the destination address of the frame FR. Similarly, the source address field F2 is a field indicating the source address of the frame FR.

The frame type field F3 is a field indicating the type of the frame FR. The types of frame FR include the following.
(I) Frames that are required to respond when received. Hereinafter, this frame is referred to as a "request frame".
(Ii) A response frame for a request frame.

An example of a request frame is a frame containing data indicating a set temperature change command. The device that has received the frame needs to reply to the sender with a frame indicating whether or not the set temperature has been changed successfully.

The frame ID field F4 is a field indicating a frame ID (identifier) that uniquely identifies a frame transmitted by the source of the frame FR. However, when the frame FR is a response frame to the request frame, the frame ID field F4 indicates the same frame ID as the frame ID indicated by the frame ID field F4 of the received frame.

For each field of the frame FR that is the response frame, the source address of the request frame is the destination address, the own address that received the request frame is the source address, the frame type is the response frame, and the frame ID is the request frame. By making it the same as the frame ID, it can be shown that the frame FR is a response frame for the request frame.

The data size field F5 is a field indicating the data size of the data DT of the frame FR. The data size indicated by the data size field F5 allows the device that has received the frame FR to identify how much of the received bit string is one frame FR.

In addition to the above, the header HD may include, for example, a field indicating a checksum for confirming whether or not an error has occurred in the frame FR.

Next, the functional configuration of the centralized remote controller 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The centralized remote controller 10 includes a control unit 100, a first communication unit 110, a second communication unit 120, a storage unit 130, a display unit 140, and an operation unit 150.

The control unit 100 controls the centralized remote controller 10 in an integrated manner. The control unit 100 includes an initial setting unit 101, a transfer unit 102, a determination unit 103, a cache unit 104, a retransmission unit 105, and a cache deletion unit 106. Details of each function of the control unit 100 will be described later.

Further, when the first communication unit 110 or the second communication unit 120, which will be described later, receives a frame destined for the centralized remote controller 10 itself, the control unit 100 performs processing according to the content indicated by the frame. For example, when the received frame indicates the state of the outdoor unit 20, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 140, which will be described later, to display information indicating the state.

The first communication unit 110 communicates with the outdoor unit 20 connected via the communication line L. The first communication unit 110 is, for example, a wired communication interface to which a communication line L can be connected. The second communication unit 120 has the same function as the first communication unit 110. When the centralized remote controller 10 includes the first communication unit 110 and the second communication unit 120, the centralized remote controller 10 and each outdoor unit 20 can be communicably connected by a daisy chain.

The storage unit 130 stores information on initial settings set by the initial setting unit 101, which will be described later, and data on frames cached by the cache unit 104.

The display unit 140 displays information related to the management of the air conditioning system 1. The display unit 140 displays, for example, the set temperature of each indoor unit 30 and the room temperature of the room in which each indoor unit 30 is installed. The display unit 140 is, for example, a touch screen integrated with the operation unit 150 described later.

The operation unit 150 accepts the user's operation. For example, the operation unit 150 accepts an operation of changing the set temperature. The operation unit 150 is, for example, a touch screen integrated with the display unit 140.

The initial setting unit 101 performs initial settings related to the centralized remote controller 10 itself when the centralized remote controller 10 is activated, and saves information related to the initial settings in the storage unit 130. At the time of initial setting, the initial setting unit 101 determines, for example, the own address of the centralized remote controller 10, advertises the determined own address to another device, acquires the address of the other device, and specifies the network configuration of the air conditioning system 1. , Set cache conditions, etc.

Explain the setting of cache conditions. As described above, the cache condition is set so that when each air-conditioning device transfers a frame in the air-conditioning system 1, two or more air-conditioning devices do not cache the frame. For example, the cache condition is determined so that only one air conditioner caches the frame or none of the air conditioners caches the frame based on the destination of the frame.

An example of cache conditions will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a cache condition represented by a table showing which air conditioner caches the frame for each destination of the frame. It is assumed that each air-conditioning device has already specified that the network configuration of the air-conditioning system 1 is configured by the connection relationship shown in FIG. Further, the order of the destinations shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the connection order of each air conditioner shown in FIG. 1, in the order of the outdoor unit 20a, the centralized remote controller 10, the outdoor unit 20b, the outdoor unit 20c, and the outdoor unit 20d from the left. .. That is, the order of the destinations shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the network configuration shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the line of "air conditioner for caching" is the line of "destination" shifted to "two right". However, the left and right ends are treated as if they were looping. In other words, each air conditioner caches frames destined for its "two right" air conditioners in the network configuration shown in FIG. For example, the outdoor unit 20d caches a frame destined for the centralized remote controller 10 which is its own "two right" air conditioners. Since the left and right ends are treated as being looped, the "one right" of the outdoor unit 20d is the outdoor unit 20a, and the "one right" of the outdoor unit 20a is the centralized remote controller 10.

Therefore, by setting the cache condition so that each air conditioner caches the frame destined for its own "two right" air conditioners, two or more air conditioners cache the same frame in the air conditioner system 1. It is possible to prevent it from happening.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the outdoor unit 20a and the outdoor unit 20d belonging to the terminal do not actually cache the frame. This is because frames not destined for themselves are not forwarded to the end. Therefore, instead of the example shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 5, another air conditioner may cache the frame instead of the air conditioner belonging to the terminal. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 20c and the centralized remote controller 10 shown in italics cache the frame in place of the outdoor unit 20d and the outdoor unit 20a. In this case, one air conditioner caches frames for two destinations, but two or more air conditioners do not cache the same frame.

Note that not all frames are cached in either FIG. 4 or FIG. For example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame addressed to the outdoor unit 20a is cached by the outdoor unit 20c, but the frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 20b to the outdoor unit 20a is not transferred to the outdoor unit 20c. Not cached. Also, of course, frames destined for adjacent air conditioners are not cached. Therefore, the number of air conditioners that cache a certain frame may be 1 or 0.

Refer to Fig. 3 again. When the frame received by the first communication unit 110 is not destined for the centralized remote controller 10 itself, the transfer unit 102 transfers the received frame to the outdoor unit 20 connected to the second communication unit 120. Similarly, when the frame received by the second communication unit 120 is not destined for the centralized remote controller 10 itself, the transfer unit 102 transfers the received frame to the outdoor unit 20 connected to the first communication unit 110. do. With such communication control, communication by daisy chain connection is realized. The transfer unit 102 is an example of the transfer means according to the present disclosure.

The determination unit 103 determines whether or not the transfer target frame to be transferred by the transfer unit 102 should be cached based on the cache condition set by the initial setting unit 101 and stored in the storage unit 130. For example, when the cache condition is as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not the transfer target frame should be cached based on the destination of the transfer target frame and the cache condition. However, the determination unit 103 determines that the transfer target frame is not cached when the transfer target frame is not a frame that requires a response (that is, when the transfer target frame is not a request frame). The determination unit 103 is an example of the determination means according to the present disclosure.

The cache unit 104 caches the transfer target frame by storing the transfer target frame determined by the determination unit 103 to be cached in the storage unit 130. Further, when the transfer target frame is cached, the cache unit 104 stores, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer time at which the transfer target frame is transferred and the number of retransmissions together in the storage unit 130. However, the number of retransmissions when the cache unit 104 caches the transfer target frame is 0. The transfer time and the number of retransmissions are updated by the retransmission unit 105 described later. The cache unit 104 is an example of the cache means according to the present disclosure.

When there is a frame cached in the storage unit 130 for a certain period of time from the transfer time, the retransmission unit 105 retransmits the frame to the destination. Further, when the frame is retransmitted, the retransmission unit 105 updates the transfer time at the current time, increments the number of retransmissions by 1, and updates. When the number of retransmissions updated by the retransmission unit 105 is a certain number or more, the cache deletion unit 106, which will be described later, deletes the frame from the storage unit 130. The retransmission unit 105 is an example of the retransmission means according to the present disclosure.

The above "fixed period" is, for example, 3 seconds. Further, the above-mentioned "fixed number of times" is, for example, four times. In this case, the cached frame is deleted about 3 × 4 = 12 seconds after the first transfer. In this case, each device is set to retransmit a frame whose source is itself after about 12 seconds have elapsed from the transmission of the frame. This is because if the device attempts to retransmit before the elapse of 12 seconds, two identical frames will be transmitted, which may lead to an increase in traffic.

The cache deletion unit 106 deletes the cached frame when the transfer target frame transferred by the transfer unit 102 is a response frame to the frame cached in the storage unit 130. Further, the cache deletion unit 106 deletes the cached frame when the number of retransmissions of the cached frame is a certain number or more.

Next, the functional configuration of the outdoor unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. However, since the functional configuration of the outdoor unit 20 has many points in common with the functional configuration of FIG. 3, different points will be described.

The outdoor unit 20 includes a control unit 200, a first communication unit 210, a second communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, a third communication unit 240, and a main unit 250. The functions of the first communication unit 210, the second communication unit 220, and the storage unit 230 are the same as those of the first communication unit 110, the second communication unit 120, and the storage unit 130 of the centralized remote controller 10, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

The third communication unit 240 communicates with the indoor unit 30 under the control of the outdoor unit 20 connected via the transmission bus B. The third communication unit 240 is, for example, a wired communication interface to which the transmission bus B can be connected.

The main unit 250 includes equipment necessary for air conditioning, such as a compressor, valves, fans, and temperature sensors. When the main unit 250 is controlled by the control unit 200, the outdoor unit 20 can perform air conditioning in cooperation with the indoor unit 30.

The control unit 200 controls the outdoor unit 20 in an integrated manner. In particular, the control unit 200 controls the main unit 250 and the indoor unit 30 under control in response to a command indicated by a frame received from the centralized remote controller 10. The control unit 200 controls the indoor unit 30 under control by communication via the third communication unit 240. The control unit 200 includes an initial setting unit 201, a transfer unit 202, a determination unit 203, a cache unit 204, a retransmission unit 205, and a cache deletion unit 206.

The functions of the initial setting unit 201, the cache unit 204, the retransmission unit 205, and the cache deletion unit 206 are the same as those of the initial setting unit 101, the cache unit 104, the retransmission unit 105, and the cache deletion unit 106 of the centralized remote controller 10, so the description thereof is omitted. do.

The function of the transfer unit 202 is almost the same as that of the transfer unit 102 of the centralized remote controller 10, but the transfer unit 202 further has the following functions. When the frame received by the first communication unit 210 or the second communication unit 220 is destined for the indoor unit 30 under the control of the outdoor unit 20 itself, the transfer unit 202 sends the received frame to the third communication. Transfer to the indoor unit 30 connected to the unit 240. Further, when the frame received by the third communication unit 240 is not destined for the outdoor unit 20 itself, the transfer unit 202 may send the received frame to the first communication unit 210 or the second communication unit according to the destination. Transfer to the air conditioner connected to 220.

The function of the determination unit 203 is generally the same as that of the determination unit 103 of the centralized remote controller 10, but the determination unit 203 further indicates that the destination of the transfer target frame is the indoor unit 30 under the control of the outdoor unit 20 itself. It is determined that the transfer target frame is cached regardless of the cache condition. However, when the transfer target frame is not a frame that requires a response (that is, when the transfer target frame is not a request frame), the determination unit 203 does not cache the transfer target frame.

Next, the functional configuration of the indoor unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The indoor unit 30 includes a control unit 300, a communication unit 310, and a main unit 320.

The control unit 300 controls the indoor unit 30 in an integrated manner. In particular, the control unit 300 controls the main unit 320 based on the content indicated by the frame received from the outdoor unit 20.

The communication unit 310 communicates with the outdoor unit 20 and the other indoor unit 30 via the transmission bus B. The communication unit 310 is, for example, a wired communication interface to which the transmission bus B can be connected.

The main unit 320 includes equipment necessary for air conditioning, such as a fan, a louver, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. When the main unit 320 is controlled by the control unit 300, the indoor unit 30 can perform air conditioning in cooperation with the outdoor unit 20.

Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 shown in FIG. 9 are realized by a computer such as a personal computer or a microcontroller.

The centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, an interface 1003, and a secondary storage device 1004, which are connected to each other via a bus 1000.

The processor 1001 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When the processor 1001 reads the operation program stored in the secondary storage device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes it, each function of the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 is realized.

The memory 1002 is, for example, a main storage device composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 1002 stores an operation program read from the secondary storage device 1004 by the processor 1001. Further, the memory 1002 functions as a work memory when the processor 1001 executes an operation program. The function of each storage unit is realized by the memory 1002.

Interface 1003 is an I / O (Input / Output) interface such as a serial port, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, and a network interface. The interface 1003 realizes the functions of each communication unit.

The secondary storage device 1004 is, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The secondary storage device 1004 stores an operation program executed by the processor 1001.

Next, an example of processing at the time of frame transfer by the outdoor unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation shown in FIG. 10 is executed when the first communication unit 210, the second communication unit 220, or the third communication unit 240 receives a transfer target frame which is a frame not destined for the outdoor unit 20 itself. It is assumed that the initial setting by the initial setting unit 201 of the control unit 200 of the outdoor unit 20 has already been performed before the operation shown in FIG. 10 is performed.

The determination unit 203 of the control unit 200 of the outdoor unit 20 determines whether or not the transfer target frame is a request frame (step S101).

When the transfer target frame is a request frame (step S101: Yes), the determination unit 203 determines whether or not the destination of the transfer target frame is the indoor unit 30 connected to the outdoor unit 20 itself (step S102). ..

When the destination of the transfer target frame is the indoor unit 30 connected to the outdoor unit 20 itself (step S102: Yes), the determination unit 203 determines that the transfer target frame is cached, and the cache unit 204 of the control unit 200 is concerned. The transfer target frame is cached (step S104).

When the destination of the transfer target frame is not the indoor unit 30 connected to the outdoor unit 20 itself (step S102: No), the determination unit 203 determines whether or not the transfer target frame satisfies the cache condition (step S103). ..

When the transfer target frame satisfies the cache condition (step S103: Yes), the determination unit 203 determines that the transfer target frame is cached, and the cache unit 204 caches the transfer target frame (step S104).

After the operation of step S104, the transfer unit 202 of the control unit 200 transfers the transfer target frame (step S105). Then, the control unit 200 ends the process at the time of frame transfer.

When the transfer target frame does not satisfy the cache condition (step S103: No), the determination unit 203 determines that the transfer target frame is not cached, and the transfer target frame is not cached, and the transfer unit 202 is the transfer target. The frame is transferred (step S105). Then, the control unit 200 ends the process at the time of frame transfer.

When the transfer target frame is not a request frame (step S101: No), the cache deletion unit 206 of the control unit 200 refers to the frame cached in the storage unit 230, and the transfer target frame responds to the cached frame. It is determined whether or not it is a frame (step S106). Further, in this case, the determination unit 203 determines that the transfer target frame is not cached.

When the transfer target frame is not a response frame for the cached frame (step S106: No), the transfer unit 202 transfers the transfer target frame (step S105). Then, the control unit 200 ends the process at the time of frame transfer.

When the transfer target frame is a response frame for the cached frame (step S106: Yes), the cache deletion unit 206 deletes the cached frame (step S107). After that, the transfer unit 202 transfers the transfer target frame (step S105). Then, the control unit 200 ends the process at the time of frame transfer.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, an example of processing at the time of frame transfer by the centralized remote controller 10 will be described in comparison with the case of the outdoor unit 20 shown in FIG. The operation shown in FIG. 11 is executed when the first communication unit 110 or the second communication unit 120 receives a transfer target frame which is a frame whose destination is not the centralized remote controller 10 itself. It is assumed that the initial setting by the initial setting unit 101 of the control unit 100 of the centralized remote controller 10 has already been performed before the operation shown in FIG. 11 is performed.

Of the operations shown in FIG. 11, steps S201 and S203 to S207 are the same as steps S101 and S103 to S107 shown in FIG. Then, in FIG. 11, step S202 is a missing number, and the operation corresponding to step S102 shown in FIG. 10 does not exist in FIG. This is because the indoor unit 30 is not connected to the centralized remote controller 10.

Therefore, an example of the processing at the time of frame transfer by the centralized remote controller 10 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the example of the processing at the time of frame transfer by the outdoor unit 20 shown in FIG. 10 except for the operation related to the indoor unit 30.

Each outdoor unit 20 executes the process at the time of frame transfer shown in FIG. 10, and the centralized remote controller 10 executes the process at the time of frame transfer shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 1, two or more air conditioning devices are the same. The frame can be cached appropriately without caching the frame, and the cached frame can be deleted when the response frame for the cached frame is transferred.

Next, an example of the frame retransmission operation by the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. However, since the operation of frame retransmission by the outdoor unit 20 is exactly the same as that of the centralized remote controller 10, an example of the frame retransmission operation by the centralized remote controller 10 will be described below.

The operation shown in FIG. 12 is started, for example, after the initial setting by the initial setting unit 101 of the control unit 100 of the centralized remote controller 10 is performed. Further, the operation shown in FIG. 12 is executed in parallel with the process at the time of frame transfer shown in FIG.

The retransmission unit 105 of the control unit 100 of the centralized remote controller 10 determines whether or not there is a cached frame in the storage unit 130 (step S301). When there is no cached frame (step S301: No), the retransmission unit 105 repeats the operation from step S301.

When there is a cached frame (step S301: Yes), the retransmission unit 105 determines whether or not there is a cached frame for which a certain time has passed from the transfer time (step S302). When there is no cached frame for which a certain time has passed from the transfer time (step S302: No), the retransmission unit 105 repeats the operation from step S301.

As described above, since the operation shown in FIG. 12 is executed in parallel with the processing at the time of frame transfer shown in FIG. 11, the operation of step S207 shown in FIG. 11 is performed while the operations of steps S301 to S302 are repeated. It is possible that the cached frame will be deleted by. Specifically, when the response frame for the cached frame is transferred before a certain time elapses from the transfer time of the cached frame, the cached frame is deleted. By these operations, it is possible to prevent the cached frame from being unnecessarily resent when the cached frame reaches the destination normally and the destination device responds.

When there is a cached frame for which a certain time has passed from the transfer time (step S302: Yes), the retransmission unit 105 retransmits the cached frame (step S303). The retransmission unit 105 updates the transfer time and the number of retransmissions of the cached frame (step S304).

The cache deletion unit 106 of the control unit 100 determines whether or not the number of retransmissions of the cached frame is a certain number or more (step S305). When the number of retransmissions of the cached frame is not more than a certain number of times (step S305: No), the control unit 100 repeats the operation from step S301.

When the number of retransmissions of the cached frame is a certain number or more (step S305: Yes), the cache deletion unit 106 deletes the cached frame from the storage unit 130 (step S306). Then, the control unit 100 repeats the operation from step S301.

The air conditioning system 1 according to the embodiment has been described above. According to the air conditioning system 1, the centralized remote controller 10 and each outdoor unit 20 cache the frame based on the cache condition at the time of transferring the frame, and retransmit the frame in place of the transmission source as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic at the time of retransmission as compared with the case where the source retransmits. Further, since the cache condition is set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more, the frame is not retransmitted by two or more air conditioners, and the traffic does not increase.

(Modification example 1)
In the embodiment, an example in which the cache condition is determined based on the connection order of each air conditioner is described, but the cache condition may be determined based on the order of the address of each air conditioner instead of the connection order. ..

In this case, each air conditioner sets a cache condition so as to cache a frame destined for the air conditioner having an address order two lower than its own address order, for example.

Alternatively, each air-conditioning device obtains a value obtained by adding 1 to the remainder when the address of the destination of the frame is divided by 5, which is the total number of the centralized remote controller 10 of the air-conditioning system 1 and each outdoor unit 20, and the obtained value. The cache condition may be set so that the frame is cached when it matches its own address order. The address ranking is 1st to 5th, and the value obtained by adding 1 to the above remainder is 1 to 5. Therefore, each air conditioner sets the cache condition as described above, so that one frame is 2 or more. Air conditioning equipment does not cache.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, the example in which the cache condition is determined based on the destination of the frame has been described, but the cache condition may be determined based on both the destination of the frame and the source of the frame. For example, the cache condition may be set so that the air conditioner located "intermediate" between the source of the frame and the destination of the frame caches the frame. By defining the cache conditions in this way, for example, the centralized remote controller 10 caches the frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 20b to the outdoor unit 20a, and the outdoor unit 20b caches the frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 20d to the outdoor unit 20a. do.

When the cache condition is set in this way, the number of uncached frames can be reduced compared to the case where the cache condition is set based only on the destination. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the frame destined for the outdoor unit 20a is cached by the outdoor unit 20c, but the frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 20b to the outdoor unit 20a does not reach the outdoor unit 20c. Therefore, the frame is not cached. On the other hand, in the above example, the centralized remote controller 10 caches the frame.

(Other variants)
In the embodiment and the above-described first modification, the cache condition is determined based on the destination of the frame. Instead of this, the cache condition may be determined based on the source of the frame.

In addition, even if the frame to be transferred satisfies the cache condition, each air conditioner may have an inconvenience when caching the frame, such as when the free space of its own storage unit is small or when its own processing load is heavy. May not cache the transfer target frame.

Further, a field indicating the priority may be provided in the header of the frame, and each air conditioner may not cache the frame having a low priority. Alternatively, each air conditioner caches frames with low priority when there is no inconvenience in caching frames, such as when there is sufficient free space in its own storage unit or when its processing load is small, and the frames are cached. Frames with low priority may not be cached only when it is inconvenient to cache them.

In the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9, the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are provided with the secondary storage device 1004. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the secondary storage device 1004 is provided outside the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20, and the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 and the secondary storage device 1004 are connected via the interface 1003. May be good. In this form, removable media such as a USB flash drive and a memory card can also be used as the secondary storage device 1004.

Further, instead of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9, the centralized remote control 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are configured by a dedicated circuit using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like. You may. Further, in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9, some of the functions of the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20 may be realized by, for example, a dedicated circuit connected to the interface 1003.

The programs used in the centralized remote control 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a USB flash drive, a memory card, or an HDD. It is possible to distribute it. Then, by installing such a program on a specific or general-purpose computer, the computer can function as the centralized remote controller 10 and the outdoor unit 20.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned program may be stored in a storage device of another server on the Internet so that the above-mentioned program can be downloaded from the server.

The present disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present disclosure, and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the scope of claims, not by the embodiment. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the equivalent meaning of disclosure are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

1 air conditioning system, 10 centralized remote control, 20, 20a-20d outdoor unit, 30 indoor unit, 100 control unit, 101 initial setting unit, 102 transfer unit, 103 judgment unit, 104 cache unit, 105 retransmission unit, 106 cache deletion unit, 110 1st communication unit, 120 2nd communication unit, 130 storage unit, 140 display unit, 150 operation unit, 200 control unit, 201 initial setting unit, 202 transfer unit, 203 judgment unit, 204 cache unit, 205 retransmission unit, 206 Cache deletion unit, 210 1st communication unit, 220 2nd communication unit, 230 storage unit, 240 3rd communication unit, 250 main unit, 300 control unit, 310 communication unit, 320 main unit, 1000 bus, 1001 processor, 1002 memory , 1003 interface, 1004 secondary storage, B transmission bus, DT data, F0 preamble field, F1 destination address field, F2 source address field, F3 frame type field, F4 frame ID field, F5 data size field, FR frame, HD header, L communication line.

Claims

Equipped with multiple air conditioners connected to each other by daisy chain
Each air conditioner of the plurality of air conditioners
Transfer means to transfer frames and
When the transfer means transfers a frame transmitted from the first air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners to the second air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners, whether or not to cache the frame is determined. Judgment means for determining based on predetermined conditions and
When it is determined by the determination means that the frame is cached, the cache means for caching the frame and the cache means.
When the transfer means does not transfer the response frame to the frame within a predetermined period after the cached frame is transferred, the retransmission means for retransmitting the cached frame to the second air conditioner.
With
The predetermined conditions are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more.
Air conditioning system.
Further provided with a fourth air-conditioning device communicably connected to the third air-conditioning device included in the plurality of air-conditioning devices by a second communication line different from the first communication line used for connecting the daisy chain. ,
The third air-conditioning device determining means further determines the third when the transfer means of the third air-conditioning device transfers a second frame transmitted from the first air-conditioning device to the fourth air-conditioning device. Judging that 2 frames will be cached,
In the retransmission means of the third air conditioner, the transfer means of the third air conditioner further transmits a response frame to the second frame within a predetermined period after the cached second frame is transferred. When not transferred, the cached second frame is retransmitted to the fourth air conditioner.
The air conditioning system according to claim 1.
The determination means determines that the frame is not cached when the frame transferred by the transfer means is not a frame that requires a response.
The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.
The predetermined conditions are determined based on the destination or source of the frame transferred by the transfer means.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The predetermined conditions are determined based on the destination and the source of the frame transferred by the transfer means.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The predetermined conditions are determined based on the connection order of the plurality of air conditioners.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
An air conditioner that is connected to other air conditioners by a daisy chain.
Transfer means to transfer frames and
The transfer means transfers a frame transmitted from a first air conditioner included in a plurality of air conditioners connected to each other by a daisy chain to a second air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners. When, a determination means for determining whether or not to cache the frame based on a predetermined condition, and
When it is determined by the determination means that the frame is cached, the cache means for caching the frame and the cache means.
When the transfer means does not transfer the response frame to the frame within a predetermined period after the cached frame is transferred, the retransmission means for retransmitting the cached frame to the second air conditioner.
With
The predetermined conditions are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more.
Air conditioning equipment.
It is a communication method in an air conditioner included in a plurality of air conditioners connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by a daisy chain.
Transfer frames and
When transferring a frame transmitted from the first air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners to the second air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners, it is predetermined whether or not to cache the frame. Judgment based on conditions,
When it is determined that the frame is cached, the frame is cached and the frame is cached.
When the response frame for the frame is not transferred within a predetermined period after the cached frame is transferred, the cached frame is retransmitted to the second air conditioner.
The predetermined conditions are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more.
Communication method.
A computer equipped with an air conditioner that is connected to another air conditioner by a daisy chain.
Transfer means for transferring frames,
The transfer means transfers a frame transmitted from a first air conditioner included in a plurality of air conditioners connected to each other by a daisy chain to a second air conditioner included in the plurality of air conditioners. When, a determination means for determining whether or not to cache the frame based on a predetermined condition,
A cache means that caches the frame when it is determined by the determination means that the frame is cached.
A retransmission means for retransmitting the cached frame to the second air conditioner when the transfer means does not transfer a response frame to the frame within a predetermined period after the cached frame is transferred.
To function as
The predetermined conditions are set so that the number of air conditioners that cache the frame is not two or more.
program.