WO2022184181A1

WO2022184181A1 - Method and system for improving wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of air conditioner on basis of power adjustment

Info

Publication number: WO2022184181A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/083057
Authority: WO
Inventors: 程绍江; 张锐钢; 王广; 时斌
Original assignee: 青岛海尔空调电子有限公司; 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司; 海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority date: 2021-03-01
Filing date: 2022-03-25
Publication date: 2022-09-09
Also published as: CN112944589A

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of air conditioners, particularly provides a method and system for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner on the basis of power adjustment, and aims to solve the problem that when an existing air conditioner outdoor unit is in wireless communication with an indoor unit, the bit error rate is too high due to a communication channel being occupied. To solve said problem, the method of the present invention comprises: detecting a communication bit error rate of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit; comparing the communication bit error rate with a set threshold; when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit preferably increasing a signal transmission power of a wireless communication module in multiple stages, until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold. In the method of the present invention, when it is detected that the bit error rate is too high, the outdoor unit notifies the indoor unit corresponding to the high bit error rate, and the indoor unit autonomously improves the signal transmission power of the wireless communication module thereof. The present solution does not require a shutdown and manual intervention, does not need re-networking, and has no any adverse effects on the user experience.

Description

Method and system for improving wireless communication quality of internal and external air conditioners based on power adjustment

technical field

The invention belongs to the technical field of air conditioners, and specifically provides a method and system for improving the wireless communication quality of internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment.

Background technique

In the current air conditioning system, the transmission of data and control signals between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit mainly adopts wired methods such as strong current communication, HomeBus communication, and RS485 communication. These methods require the installation of a large number of communication cables, which not only requires high hardware costs, but also requires labor-intensive installation. Compared with the wired communication method, in the wireless communication method, it is only necessary to install wireless communication modules in the internal unit and the external unit, and realize the transmission and exchange of data and control commands through wireless connection. Since no cables are used, wiring can be omitted. It is cumbersome and costly, and the installation structure can be simpler and more beautiful.

The wireless connection communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner is currently mass-produced by Zigbee. Zigbee, also known as "HomeRFLite" and "FireFly" technology in the past, is now collectively called Zigbee technology. It is mainly used for data transmission between various electronic devices with short distance, low power consumption and low transmission rate, as well as typical periodic Applications for intermittent data, intermittent data, and low latency data transfer. Taking the multi-connected air conditioner as an example, the communication line between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can be eliminated, and the Zigbee module can be directly used for data transmission, which greatly improves the installation efficiency and reduces labor costs. The Zigbee module must involve networking issues. The common practice in the industry is that once the Zigbee module is networked, the PADID/channel and other information parameters are fixed and no longer allowed to be changed. The power is fixed. If it is designed according to the standard upper limit, the power consumption of the unit will increase, which is not conducive to energy saving and emission reduction. Therefore, after the Zigbee module leaves the factory, the transmit power parameters are generally not adjusted.

Zigbee communication uses the 2.4G frequency band. However, with the promotion of smart homes, more and more users use the 2.4G frequency band, and there may be a problem that Wifi users occupy the Zigbee channel. The existing Zigbee networking module, once the networking is completed, the channel is not allowed to change, if there is a problem of Wifi occupying the channel, it cannot be solved automatically, the only way is to re-network. However, this method is not suitable for multi-connected air-conditioning units, because it involves after-sales personnel re-commissioning and networking verification of the unit, which is likely to cause complaints from users.

As an example, Chinese patent application CN106322662A discloses a wireless communication system and communication method for internal and external units of an air conditioner. The air-conditioning system includes internal and external units of an air conditioner, and each internal unit of an air conditioner includes an internal unit wireless communication module and an internal unit fault handling module. It includes an external unit wireless communication module, an external unit fault processing module and a network switching channel module; the external unit fault processing module controls the external unit wireless communication module to clear the air conditioner operation data in its own EEPROM after receiving the communication fault notification; After the fault handling module of the internal unit does not receive the data sent by the communication module of the external unit, it controls the wireless communication module of the internal unit connected to it to clear the air conditioner operation data in its own EEPROM; The outdoor unit of the air conditioner and all the indoor units of the air conditioner in the same system form a channel. It can be seen that in the solution of CN106322662A, after receiving the communication failure notification, the air conditioner outdoor unit controls the wireless communication module of the outdoor unit to clear the running data in its own EEPROM, so that the wireless communication modules of all the indoor units in the same system are in the same system. After the data sent by the wireless communication module of the external unit cannot be received within the first set time, control to clear the air conditioner operation data in its own EEPROM, and then re-establish the channel for the air conditioner external unit and all the air conditioner internal units in the same system. That is to say, the solution of CN106322662A also re-networks after a communication failure occurs. Although this solution does not require manual operation by after-sales personnel, the re-networking will still affect the user experience.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a new method to solve the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problem in the prior art, that is, in order to solve the problem that the existing air conditioner outdoor unit and indoor unit perform wireless communication, the bit error rate is too high because the channel is occupied, the first aspect of the present invention provides a A method for improving wireless communication quality of internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a communication bit error rate between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit; comparing the communication bit error rate with a set threshold; When the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold.

In a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned method for improving wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, "the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold". The steps specifically include: the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

In a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned method for improving wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, "the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold". The steps specifically include: the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

In a preferred embodiment of the above method for improving wireless communication quality between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, the air conditioner is a multi-connected air conditioner, and the multi-connected air conditioner includes at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit and Each indoor unit is provided with a wireless communication module; the step of “detecting the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit” specifically includes: detecting the difference between the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit and the wireless communication module on each indoor unit communication bit error rate.

In the above preferred embodiment of the method for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, "when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module, The step until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold” specifically includes: when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold and the duration exceeds a preset time, the indoor unit adjusts its wireless communication module signal transmission power until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for improving wireless communication quality between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment is provided, wherein the system includes: a detection module for detecting the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit A comparison module, which compares the communication error rate with a set threshold; a communication quality optimization module, when the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the communication quality optimization module orders the indoor unit Adjust the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

In the above preferred embodiment of the system for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to adjust the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than all set threshold.

In the above preferred embodiment of the system for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages until the communication error occurs. The code rate is less than the set threshold.

In a preferred embodiment of the system for improving wireless communication quality between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, the air conditioner is a multi-line air conditioner, and the multi-line air conditioner includes at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit and Each indoor unit is provided with a wireless communication module; the detection module detects the communication bit error rate between the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit and the wireless communication module on each indoor unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned system for improving wireless communication quality between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, "when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module, The step until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold” specifically includes: when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold and the duration exceeds a preset time, the indoor unit adjusts its wireless communication module signal transmission power until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

Those skilled in the art can understand that, according to the method of the present invention, when it is detected that the bit error rate is too high, the outdoor unit can notify the corresponding indoor unit with a high bit error rate, and the indoor unit autonomously increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module , neither downtime and manual intervention, nor re-networking, will cause any adverse impact on user experience. In addition, when an indoor unit with a high communication error rate receives a notification, it adjusts its own wireless signal transmission power step by step to ensure communication quality and minimize power consumption.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the main steps of the method for improving the wireless communication quality of the internal and external units of the air conditioner based on the power adjustment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the detailed steps on the outdoor unit side of the method of the present invention described in conjunction with the multi-line.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the detailed steps on the indoor unit side of the method of the present invention described in conjunction with the multi-connection.

Detailed ways

In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments These are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principle of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the main steps of the method for improving the wireless communication quality of internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the method for improving the wireless communication quality of the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioner based on the power adjustment of the present invention includes the following steps: S1, detecting the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; S2, comparing the detected communication bit error rate with the Set a threshold for comparison; S3, when the detected communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.

Preferably, when the detected communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold. More preferably, when the detected communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold. threshold.

The detection of the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the above step S1 may be performed in various ways, which are well known in the art, and will not be repeated here. As an example, the number of communication errors between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may be counted, and the corresponding communication bit error rate may be calculated on this basis.

In the above-mentioned step S2, the set threshold can be set by technicians according to the model and application scenario, and its size can accurately reflect the occupied channel, and try to avoid identifying the regular wireless signal fluctuation as the channel occupied. As an example, the set threshold may take a value in the range of 50%-80%.

It should be noted that, in practice, the above steps S1 and S2 are usually performed on the outdoor unit side, that is, the set threshold is stored on the outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit counts the frequency of communication errors between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and compares the value with the value. The set thresholds are compared. Of course, this is not limitative, and on the premise of changing the principle of the present invention, the above steps S1 and S2 can also be performed by other subjects. For example, in the case of an Internet of Things air conditioner, the set threshold may be stored on a cloud server, and step S2 may be performed by the cloud server. This adjustment to the executive body does not change the principle of the present invention, and therefore will also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Then analyze step S3, when the detected communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, it indicates that the current wireless communication channel between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is occupied, and the outdoor unit or the cloud server sends a notification to the indoor unit, commanding It improves the signal transmission power of its own wireless communication module. As described above, in order to reduce power consumption as much as possible, the indoor unit does not immediately raise the signal transmission power of the wireless communication module to a high level after receiving the command, but adopts a step-by-step, multiple, and small-scale increase. In this process, the outdoor unit detects and judges the relationship between the current communication bit error rate and the set threshold in real time. Once it is found that the current communication bit error rate is lower than the set threshold, the outdoor unit or the cloud server will Notify the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power, so as to minimize the power consumption on the premise of ensuring the communication quality.

The specific operation of the method of the present invention on the outdoor unit side will be described below in conjunction with the multi-connection based on Zigbee communication and referring to FIG. 2 . Specifically, the multi-connection of the present invention includes one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, and a wireless communication module is provided on the outdoor unit and each indoor unit. The step of “detecting the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit” in FIG. 1 specifically includes in the case of multiple connections: detecting the communication between the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit and the wireless communication module on each indoor unit bit error rate. In addition, the wireless communication modules on the above-mentioned outdoor unit and indoor unit are all Zigbee modules.

It should be noted that although the multi-line air conditioner described here only includes one outdoor unit, this is not limitative, and the technical solution of the present invention can be applied to a multi-line air conditioner including multiple outdoor units. When applied to a multi-connected air conditioner including multiple outdoor units, the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit may specifically refer to the wireless communication module on one of the outdoor units, or may refer to the wireless communication module on any outdoor unit in general, as long as It suffices to be able to perform bit error rate detection and to compare the detected bit error rate with a set threshold. In addition, although the wireless communication method described here is Zigbee, this is not limitative. Those skilled in the art can also apply it to other wireless communication air conditioners as required without changing the principle of the present invention. Changes to the wireless communication method do not deviate from the basic principles of the present invention, and therefore fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the multi-connected units are powered on first, and then the Zigbee modules on the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are networked with each other. The networking mode here can be any known wireless networking mode, which will not be described in detail. Next, the outdoor unit determines whether the detected communication bit error rate is higher than the set threshold (N%) and whether the duration of this state exceeds the preset time T1. If not, the Zigbee module on the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are currently continue to communicate over the channel. If the answer is yes, the outdoor unit determines which indoor unit has a communication error rate higher than the set threshold (N%) and the duration exceeds the preset time T1, and then the outdoor unit sends a notification to the corresponding indoor unit, commanding It increases the signal transmission power of the Zigbee module, and then the outdoor unit determines whether all the corresponding indoor units have responded to the notification. If so, the outdoor unit restarts the bit error rate statistics after T2 time, and starts timing at the same time, and then judges Whether it receives the response that the corresponding indoor unit has adjusted the power, if so, the current round of communication bit error rate adjustment ends. If the answer is no, the outdoor unit will re-send the power adjustment notification to the indoor unit that has not responded. If it still does not receive a response from one or some indoor units after T3 time, the outdoor unit will repeatedly send a notification of poor communication quality. Adjust the transmit power corresponding to the indoor unit. If all indoor units whose BER exceeds the limit have adjusted the signal transmission power and no indoor unit with BER exceeding the limit is detected, the current round of communication BER adjustment ends.

The specific operation of the method of the present invention on the indoor unit side will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 . In the example of FIG. 3 , it is assumed that the transmit power of the wireless communication module of the indoor unit can be adjusted in three different gears. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, after receiving the notification that the bit error rate is too high sent by the outdoor unit, the indoor unit first judges whether the transmit power of its wireless communication module is at the lowest gear (X1 gear), and if the result of the judgment is If yes, adjust the transmission power of the wireless communication module to the second-level gear (X2 gear) and reply to the outdoor unit to inform that the adjustment of the transmission power is completed. If the judgment result is no, it is further judged whether the transmission power of the wireless communication module is in the second-level gear (X2 gear), and if the judgment result is yes, the transmission power of the wireless communication module is adjusted to a higher third-level gear position (X3 position) and reply to the outdoor unit to inform the transmission power adjustment is completed. If the judgment result is no, it proves that the transmission power of the wireless communication module itself is at the highest level. At this time, it directly responds to the outdoor unit to inform that the transmission power adjustment is completed.

Another aspect of the present invention also provides a system for improving wireless communication quality between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment. The system includes a detection module, a comparison module and a communication quality optimization module, wherein the detection module is used to detect the connection between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The comparison module is used to compare the communication bit error rate with a set threshold value; the communication quality optimization module is used to order the indoor communication bit error rate when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold value The computer adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold. Specifically, the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold. More specifically, the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages, so as to minimize power consumption on the premise of ensuring communication quality.

Regarding the above system, it should be noted that the modules therein are just virtual function modules for explaining the technical solutions of the present invention more clearly, and these modules do not strictly correspond to physical devices in practical applications. As described above in conjunction with FIG. 1 , in practical applications, the operations of bit error rate detection and comparison are usually performed by an outdoor unit or a cloud server. In this case, the outdoor unit or cloud server corresponds to the above detection module and comparison module. In addition, if the command for power adjustment is sent by the wireless communication module of the outdoor unit, the wireless communication module of the outdoor unit corresponds to the above-mentioned communication quality optimization module. The change of the corresponding relationship between the virtual module and the physical device does not deviate from the basic principle of the present invention. Therefore, the technical solutions for making adjustments in these aspects will also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Those skilled in the art should be aware that the method steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two, in order to clearly illustrate the possibilities of electronic hardware and software. Interchangeability, the above description has generally described the components and steps of each example in terms of functionality. Whether these functions are performed in electronic hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may use different methods of implementing the described functionality for each particular application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the description and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe or indicate a specific order or sequence. order. It is to be understood that the data so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be practiced in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, however, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A method for improving the wireless communication quality of internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

Detect the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit;

comparing the communication bit error rate with a set threshold;

When the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold.
The method for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 1, characterized in that "the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set The steps of “setting the threshold” specifically include:

The indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.
The method for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 2, characterized in that "the indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication bit error rate is less than the set The steps of “setting the threshold” specifically include:

The indoor unit increases the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.
The method for improving the wireless communication quality of internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioner is a multi-line air conditioner, and the multi-line air conditioner includes at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit and each indoor unit are provided with a wireless communication module;

The steps of "detecting the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit" include:

The communication bit error rate between the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit and the wireless communication module on each indoor unit is detected.
The method for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 1, characterized in that "when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold" specifically includes:

When the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold and the duration exceeds a preset time, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold.
A system for improving wireless communication quality between internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment, wherein the system includes:

a detection module, which is used to detect the communication bit error rate between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit;

a comparison module, which compares the communication bit error rate with a set threshold;

Communication quality optimization module, when the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold, the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to adjust the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold. set threshold.
The system for improving wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 6, wherein the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error occurs. The code rate is less than the set threshold.
The system for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 7, wherein the communication quality optimization module instructs the indoor unit to increase the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module multiple times in stages until The communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold.
The system for improving wireless communication quality between internal and external units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the air conditioner is a multi-line air conditioner, and the multi-line air conditioner includes at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit and each indoor unit are provided with a wireless communication module;

The detection module detects the communication bit error rate between the wireless communication module on the outdoor unit and the wireless communication module on each indoor unit.
The system for improving the wireless communication quality of indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner based on power adjustment according to claim 6, characterized in that, "when the communication bit error rate is greater than the set threshold, the indoor unit adjusts the wireless communication module of the indoor unit. signal transmission power until the communication bit error rate is less than the set threshold" specifically includes:

When the communication error rate is greater than the set threshold and the duration exceeds a preset time, the indoor unit adjusts the signal transmission power of its wireless communication module until the communication error rate is less than the set threshold.