WO2023242993A1

WO2023242993A1 - Air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2023242993A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/023954
Authority: WO
Inventors: 弘晃小竹; 弘明遠藤
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2022-06-15
Filing date: 2022-06-15
Publication date: 2023-12-21

Abstract

An air conditioner comprises: a notification necessity determination unit (241) that determines the necessity of issuing a notification to a remote controller (4) on the basis of the signal level of a communication frame received from another air conditioner, communication group information set in the other air conditioner, and communication group information set in the air conditioner itself; and a notification information transmission unit (242) that, if it has been determined by the notification necessity determination unit (241) that issuing a notification to the remote controller (4) is necessary, generates and transmits, to the remote controller (4), notification information including information related to the other air conditioner, information related to the air conditioner itself, and information related to the signal level. The remote controller (4) issues a notification based on the notification information to a user upon receiving the notification information from any air conditioner.

Description

air conditioning system

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system.

In recent years, there has been a trend in air conditioning systems to require faster communication speeds in order to achieve advanced control, analyze failures of air conditioners using sensor data provided by air conditioners, and provide services such as prediction of signs of failure.

In order to speed up communication in air conditioning systems, adoption of a communication method using high frequency signals of several MHz to several tens of MHz, as in Patent Document 1, is being considered.

In conventional air conditioning systems, one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units connected to the same refrigerant pipe constitute one refrigerant system, and each refrigerant system has the same communication line (hereinafter referred to as "internal/internal communication line"). Communication between each air conditioner (outdoor unit, indoor unit) is performed via the .

In such an air conditioning system, if a communication method using high-frequency signals is adopted for communication between the internal and external communication lines, there is a possibility that crosstalk (also called crosstalk) may occur between the internal and external communication lines in different refrigerant systems. There is. When crosstalk occurs, there is a problem in that the outdoor unit cannot correctly recognize the indoor unit in its own refrigerant system, causing problems in air conditioning control.

Patent No. 6702471

As a countermeasure for the above-mentioned crosstalk, for example, at the time of construction, the builder may set communication group information such as a number indicating that they are in the same communication group for the outdoor units and indoor units of the same refrigerant system. In this case, each air conditioner stores the set communication group information in the communication frame to be transmitted, and if it receives a communication frame in which communication group information different from its own communication group information is stored, the air conditioner Discard the frame without performing any processing on it. By doing so, normal air conditioning control is possible even when crosstalk occurs.

However, there is a possibility that the installer may make a mistake in setting the communication group information, and the reality is that there is a need for new technology to be proposed to deal with such cases.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an air conditioning system that can notify a user such as a builder of significant information regarding incorrect settings of communication group information.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes:
An air conditioning system comprising two or more refrigerant systems in which a plurality of air conditioners are connected via refrigerant piping and communication lines, and in which communication between each air conditioner via the communication lines is performed using high frequency signals,
Equipped with notification means,
Each of the air conditioners is
Signal level determining means for determining the signal level of a communication frame received from another air conditioner;
Based on the signal level determined by the signal level determining means, the communication group information set for the other air conditioner, and the communication group information set for the air conditioner itself, the notification requirement is sent to the notification means. notification necessity determining means for determining whether notification is required;
When the notification necessity determining means determines that it is necessary to notify the notification means, generating notification information including information regarding the other air conditioner, information regarding itself, and information regarding the signal level. comprising a notification information transmitting means for transmitting to the notification means,
Upon receiving the notification information from any of the air conditioners, the notification means notifies the user based on the notification information.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to notify users of significant information regarding misconfiguration of communication group information.

A diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system in an embodiment Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the outdoor unit in the embodiment Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor unit in the embodiment Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the remote control in the embodiment Block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control circuit included in the outdoor unit in the embodiment Block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control circuit included in the indoor unit in the embodiment Flowchart showing the procedure of connection confirmation processing in the embodiment Flowchart showing the procedure of processing when receiving a connection confirmation command in the embodiment A diagram showing an example of a system configuration diagram displayed by a remote control in a modification of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 is an example of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 is a system that performs air conditioning of buildings such as buildings and stores, and includes a plurality of refrigerant systems (A, B) and a remote control 4.

<Refrigerant system A>
Refrigerant system A is an example of a refrigerant system according to the present disclosure. The refrigerant system A includes an outdoor unit 2a, an indoor unit 3a, and an indoor unit 3b. The outdoor unit 2a, the indoor unit 3a, and the indoor unit 3b are connected to an internal/external communication line 5a, and are also connected via a first refrigerant pipe (not shown) for circulating refrigerant. The internal/external communication line 5a is an example of a communication line according to the present disclosure.

<Refrigerant system B>
Refrigerant system B is an example of a refrigerant system according to the present disclosure. Refrigerant system B includes an outdoor unit 2b, an indoor unit 3c, and an indoor unit 3d. The outdoor unit 2b, the indoor unit 3c, and the indoor unit 3d are connected to the internal/external communication line 5b, and are also connected via a second refrigerant pipe (not shown) that is different from the first refrigerant pipe.

Hereinafter, explanations that are common to the

outdoor units

2a and 2b will be referred to as outdoor unit 2 without specifying each individual, and explanations that are common to indoor units 3a to 3d will be referred to as indoor unit 3 without specifying each individual. The explanation common to the internal and

external communication lines

5a and 5b will be expressed as the internal and external communication line 5 without specifically specifying each one.

<Hardware configuration of outdoor unit 2>
The outdoor unit 2 is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 2 includes a communication group setting reception section 20, a communication address setting reception section 21, a signal level analysis circuit 22, a communication interface 23, and a control circuit 24 as a hardware configuration. Be prepared. In addition, the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a compressor, a fan, actuators such as an electronic expansion valve, and sensors such as an outside air temperature sensor, just like a general outdoor unit, but these configurations are not illustrated or explained. Omitted. The communication group setting accepting unit 20 is configured to include, for example, a dip switch, a rotary switch, etc., and accepts setting of a communication group number from a user such as a builder or a system administrator. The communication group number is an example of communication group information according to the present disclosure.

A unique communication group number is assigned to each refrigerant system, and each air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) has a communication group number set by the user that corresponds to the refrigerant system to which it belongs. In this embodiment, each air conditioner belonging to refrigerant system A is set to "1" and each air conditioner belonging to refrigerant system B is set to "2" as the communication group number. Each air conditioner determines whether the communication partner air conditioner belongs to the same refrigerant system as the air conditioner itself, based on the communication group number.

The communication address setting reception unit 21 is configured to include, for example, a dip switch, a rotary switch, etc., and accepts communication address settings from the user. The communication address is an address that indicates itself in communication via the internal/external communication line 5, and is set to be different from each other within the same refrigerant system for each air conditioner.

The signal level analysis circuit 22 is an example of a signal level determination means according to the present disclosure. Although not shown, the signal level analysis circuit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an auxiliary storage device, and the like. The auxiliary storage device includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and the like.

The signal level analysis circuit 22 analyzes the signal when a communication frame from another air conditioner is received by the communication interface 23, and determines the signal level (amplitude). The signal level analysis circuit 22 notifies the control circuit 24 of the determined signal level. In this embodiment, the signal level analysis circuit 22 uses a plurality of predetermined level determination thresholds to determine which of three levels (levels 1 to 3) the signal level is.

The communication interface 23 is an interface for communicating with each indoor unit 3 via the internal/external communication line 5. In this embodiment, communication is performed between each air conditioner via the internal/external communication line 5 using a communication method using high frequency signals of several MHz to several tens of MHz. Therefore, the communication interface 23 can also receive communication frames from air conditioners belonging to other refrigerant systems due to crosstalk (also called crosstalk). For example, a communication signal between the indoor unit 3a and the outdoor unit 2a communicated via the internal/external communication line 5a of the refrigerant system A is superimposed on the internal/external communication line 5b of the refrigerant system B due to crosstalk, and the outdoor unit 2b is It is possible to receive communication frames between the unit 3a and the outdoor unit 2a.

The control circuit 24 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, auxiliary storage device, etc., all of which are not shown, and controls the outdoor unit 2 in an integrated manner. The auxiliary storage device includes a readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device stores an outdoor unit program, which is a program for executing connection confirmation processing and air conditioning control, which will be described later, and data used when executing the outdoor unit program.

The outdoor unit 2 can acquire the above outdoor unit program or an update program for updating the outdoor unit program from another device such as a cloud server through communication. Additionally, these programs can be used on CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), magneto-optical discs, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories, HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), and SSDs (Solid State Drives). It is also possible to store and distribute it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a memory card. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the outdoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 2 may read and acquire the outdoor unit program or update program from the recording medium.

<Hardware configuration of indoor unit 3>
The indoor unit 3 is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 3 has a hardware configuration including an internal/external communication interface 30, a signal level analysis circuit 31, a communication group setting reception section 32, a communication address setting reception section 33, and a remote control communication interface 34. and a control circuit 35. In addition, the indoor unit 3 includes an actuator such as a fan and a sensor such as an indoor temperature sensor, like a general indoor unit, but illustration and description of these components will be omitted. The internal/external communication interface 30 is an interface for communicating with the outdoor unit 2 via the internal/external communication line 5. Similarly to the communication interface 23 of the outdoor unit 2 described above, the internal/external communication interface 30 can also receive communication frames from air conditioners belonging to other refrigerant systems.

The signal level analysis circuit 31 is an example of a signal level determination means according to the present disclosure. The signal level analysis circuit 31 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, auxiliary storage device, etc., although none are shown. The auxiliary storage device includes a readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM and a flash memory. The signal level analysis circuit 31 analyzes a signal when a communication frame from another air conditioner is received by the internal/external communication interface 30, and determines the signal level (amplitude). The signal level analysis circuit 31 notifies the control circuit 35 of the determined signal level. In this embodiment, the signal level analysis circuit 31 uses a plurality of predetermined level determination thresholds to determine which of three levels (levels 1 to 3) the signal level is.

The communication group setting reception unit 32 is configured to include, for example, a dip switch, a rotary switch, etc., and accepts the setting of a communication group number from the user. The communication address setting reception unit 33 is configured to include, for example, a dip switch, a rotary switch, etc., and receives communication address settings from the user.

The remote control communication interface 34 is an interface for communicating with the remote control 4 via the remote control communication line 6. The control circuit 35 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an auxiliary storage device, etc., although none are shown, and controls the indoor unit 3 in an integrated manner. The auxiliary storage device includes a readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device stores an indoor unit program, which is a program for executing processing upon receiving a connection confirmation command and controlling air conditioning, which will be described later, and data used when executing the indoor unit program.

The indoor unit 3 can acquire the above-mentioned indoor unit program or an update program for updating the indoor unit program from another device such as a cloud server through communication. Further, these programs can also be stored and distributed in computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical disks, USB memories, HDDs, SSDs, and memory cards. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the indoor unit 3, the indoor unit 3 may read and acquire the indoor unit program or update program from the recording medium.

<Hardware configuration of remote control 4>
The remote control 4 is an example of a notification means according to the present disclosure. The remote control 4 is an air conditioning remote controller, and is connected to one indoor unit 3 in each refrigerant system via a remote control communication line 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the remote controller 4 includes a communication interface 40, a display 41, an operation reception section 42, and a control circuit 43 as a hardware configuration. The communication interface 40 is an interface for communicating with the indoor unit 3 via the remote control communication line 6. In this embodiment, the remote controller 4 is communicably connected to the indoor unit 3a of the refrigerant system A and the indoor unit 3c of the refrigerant system B via the remote control communication line 6.

In the refrigerant system A, communication between the remote control 4 and the outdoor unit 2a and indoor unit 3b is performed via the indoor unit 3a. Furthermore, in the refrigerant system B, communication between the remote controller 4, the outdoor unit 2b, and the indoor unit 3d is performed via the indoor unit 3c.

The display 41 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display 41 displays various screens under the control of the control circuit 43. For example, the display 41 allows users of the building to perform operations related to air conditioning, such as switching start/stop of operation, switching operation modes such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation, and changing set temperature, set humidity, wind speed, etc. Display the air conditioning operation screen, etc. for accepting the request. In addition, when the display 41 receives notification information, which will be described later, from any of the air conditioners when the air conditioning system 1 is activated, the display 41 displays information based on the notification information to users such as installers and system administrators. Display the notification screen.

The operation reception unit 42 is configured to include one or more input devices such as push buttons, touch panels, touch pads, etc., and receives input operations from users of the building, constructors, system administrators, etc. A signal related to the input operation is output to the control circuit 43.

The control circuit 43 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, auxiliary storage device, etc., although none are shown, and controls the remote control 4 in an integrated manner. The auxiliary storage device includes a readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device stores a remote control program related to the operation of the remote control 4 and data used when executing the remote control program.

The remote control 4 can acquire the above-mentioned remote control program or an update program for updating the remote control program from a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer) through communication. Further, these programs can also be stored and distributed in computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical disks, USB memories, HDDs, SSDs, and memory cards. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the remote controller 4, the remote controller 4 may read and acquire the remote control program or update program from the recording medium.

<Functional configuration of control circuit 24 of outdoor unit 2>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control circuit 24 included in the outdoor unit 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 24 includes a signal level acquisition section 240, a notification necessity determination section 241, and a notification information transmission section 242 as characteristic functions according to the present disclosure. These functional units are realized by the CPU of the control circuit 24 executing the above-mentioned outdoor unit program stored in the auxiliary storage device. In addition, the control circuit 24 has other functions for controlling general operations of the outdoor unit 2, but a description of these functions will be omitted.

The signal level acquisition unit 240 acquires the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 22 from the signal level analysis circuit 22. The signal level acquisition unit 240 notifies the notification necessity determination unit 241 of the acquired signal level.

The notification necessity determination unit 241 is an example of a notification necessity determination unit according to the present disclosure. The notification necessity determination unit 241 uses the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 22, the communication group number set in another air conditioner, that is, the air conditioner that is the transmission source of the received communication frame, and the own ( That is, based on the communication group number set in the outdoor unit 2) including the control circuit 24, it is determined whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary.

Specifically, the notification necessity determining unit 241 compares the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 22 with a predetermined threshold value to determine the magnitude of the signal level. Normally, the signal level superimposed on the internal/external communication line 5 due to crosstalk is lower than the signal level on the original internal/external communication line 5. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the notification necessity determining unit 241 determines that the signal level is low (that is, the possibility of crosstalk) when the signal level is equal to or lower than level 2 (an example of the first threshold according to the present disclosure). ), if the signal level is level 3 or higher (an example of the second threshold according to the present disclosure), it is determined that the signal level is high (that is, it is determined that the possibility of crosstalk is extremely low). means.).

The notification necessity determination unit 241 also determines whether the communication group number stored in the received communication frame, that is, the communication group number set in the air conditioner that is the source of the received communication frame, and the communication group number set in itself. It is determined whether or not the communication group number matches the current communication group number. The notification necessity determining unit 241 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary when both communication group numbers match and the signal level is low. Further, the notification necessity determining unit 241 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary when the communication group numbers of both parties do not match and the signal level is high. If both communication group numbers match and the signal level is high, or if both communication group numbers do not match and the signal level is low, the notification necessity determination unit 241 It is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

The notification information transmitting unit 242 is an example of a notification information transmitting means according to the present disclosure. The notification information transmitting unit 242 generates notification information when the notification necessity determining unit 241 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. The notification information includes information about the other air conditioner, that is, the air conditioner that is the source of the received communication frame, information about itself (that is, the outdoor unit 2), and information about the signal level. . Specifically, the notification information includes both communication group numbers and communication addresses, and the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 22.

The notification information transmitting unit 242 transmits the generated notification information to the remote control 4 via the communication interface 23. In this case, the notification information transmitting unit 242 broadcasts the communication frame storing the information indicating that the remote controller 4 is addressed and the notification information via the communication interface 23 (that is, via the internal/external communication line 5). Then, the indoor unit 3 (indoor unit 3 a or indoor unit 3 c) connected to the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit 2 and the remote control communication line 6 transmits the communication frame received via the indoor/outdoor communication line 5 to the remote control communication interface 34 . (that is, via the remote control communication line 6).

Alternatively, if the indoor unit 3 connected to the remote control communication line 6 has previously notified the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system of its own communication address and that it will be connected to the remote control communication line 6. Then, the notification information transmitting unit 242 transmits the communication frame storing the notification information to the indoor unit 3 by unicast via the internal/external communication line 5, and the indoor unit 3 transmits the received communication frame to the remote control communication line. The data may also be transferred to the remote control 4 via the remote control 6.

When the remote control 4 receives the notification information transmitted from any of the outdoor units 2, it notifies the user based on the received notification information. For example, if the signal level is level 1 even though the communication group numbers of both sides match, or if the signal level is level 3 even though the communication group numbers of both sides do not match, The remote controller 4 displays on the display 41 a notification screen containing a message such as "The setting of the communication group number of the air conditioner **** or the air conditioner **** is likely to be incorrect." “＊＊＊” indicates a communication address.

Furthermore, the signal level on the internal and external communication lines 5 tends to decrease as the communication distance (i.e., wiring length) increases and the number of connected air conditioners increases. However, if the signal level is level 2, the remote controller 4 will ask the following message: ``Is the wiring length between the air conditioner *** and the air conditioner *** more than XX m? Is the number of connected indoor units more than YY? A notification screen including a message such as "?" may be displayed on the display 41. Note that if the remote controller 4 holds information that associates the communication address with the name of the air conditioner, the name corresponding to the communication address may be displayed on the display 41.

<Functional configuration of control circuit 35 of indoor unit 3>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control circuit 35 included in the indoor unit 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 35 includes a signal level acquisition section 350, a notification necessity determination section 351, and a notification information transmission section 352 as characteristic functions according to the present disclosure. These functional units are realized by the CPU of the control circuit 35 executing the above-mentioned indoor unit program stored in the auxiliary storage device. In addition, the control circuit 35 has other functions for controlling general operations of the indoor unit 3, but the description of these functions will be omitted.

The signal level acquisition unit 350 acquires the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 31 from the signal level analysis circuit 31. The signal level acquisition unit 350 notifies the notification necessity determination unit 351 of the acquired signal level.

The notification necessity determination unit 351 is an example of a notification necessity determination unit according to the present disclosure. The notification necessity determination unit 351 uses the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 31, the communication group number set in another air conditioner, that is, the air conditioner that is the transmission source of the received communication frame, and the own ( That is, based on the communication group number set in the indoor unit 3) including the control circuit 35, it is determined whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. The method by which the notification necessity determination unit 351 determines whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary is the same as the method by the notification necessity determination unit 241 described above.

The notification information transmitting unit 352 is an example of a notification information transmitting means according to the present disclosure. The notification information transmitting unit 352 generates notification information when the notification necessity determining unit 351 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. The notification information generated here includes information about the other air conditioner, that is, the air conditioner that is the source of the received communication frame, information about itself (that is, the indoor unit 3), and information about the signal level. It is included. Specifically, the notification information includes both communication group numbers and communication addresses, and the signal level determined by the signal level analysis circuit 31.

The notification information transmitter 352 transmits the generated notification information to the remote controller 4. For example, when the indoor unit 3 is connected to the remote control communication line 6 (that is, when the indoor unit 3 is the

indoor unit

3a or 3c), the notification information transmitter 352 stores the generated notification information. The received communication frame is directly transmitted to the remote control 4 via the remote control communication interface 34 (that is, via the remote control communication line 6).

On the other hand, if the indoor unit 3 is not connected to the remote control communication line 6, the notification information transmitting unit 352 transmits the communication frame in which the information indicating that the indoor unit 3 is addressed to the remote control 4 and the notification information are stored to the internal and external communication interface 30. (that is, via the internal/external communication line 5), and the indoor unit 3 (indoor unit 3a or indoor unit 3c) connected to the same refrigerant system as the indoor unit 3 and the remote control communication line 6 is connected to the internal/external communication line 5. The communication frame received via the communication line 5 may be transferred to the remote controller 4 via the remote control communication line 6.

Alternatively, if the indoor unit 3 connected to the remote control communication line 6 has previously notified the indoor units 3 of the same refrigerant system of its own communication address and that it will be connected to the remote control communication line 6. Then, the notification information transmitting unit 352 transmits a communication frame in which notification information is stored to the indoor unit 3 by unicast via the internal/external communication line 5, and the indoor unit 3 transmits the received communication frame to the remote control communication line. The data may also be transferred to the remote control 4 via the remote control 6.

When the remote controller 4 receives notification information from any of the indoor units 3, it notifies the user based on the received notification information. The specific mode of notification is as described above.

<Connection confirmation process>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a connection confirmation process executed by the outdoor unit 2 when the air conditioning system 1 is started.

(Step S100)
The outdoor unit 2 broadcasts a communication frame indicating a connection confirmation command via the internal/external communication line 5. The connection confirmation command stores the communication group number and communication address set for itself. After that, the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S101.

(Step S101)
The outdoor unit 2 determines whether or not it has received a communication frame indicating a response to the connection confirmation command from any of the indoor units 3. When the communication frame is received (step S101; YES), the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S102. On the other hand, if the communication frame has not been received (step S101; NO), the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S105.

(Step S102)
The outdoor unit 2 analyzes the signal when receiving the communication frame and acquires the signal level. After that, the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S103.

(Step S103)
The outdoor unit 2 determines whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary based on the acquired signal level, the communication group number included in the received communication frame, and the communication group number set for itself. . For example, the communication group number included in the received communication frame and the communication group number set for itself match (e.g., both are "1"), and the signal level is low (e.g., level 1 or 2). In this case, the outdoor unit 2 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if both communication group numbers match and the signal level is high (ie, level 3), the outdoor unit 2 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

Furthermore, if the communication group numbers of both parties are different, for example, the communication group number included in the received communication frame is "2" and the communication group number set for itself is "1", and the signal level is If it is larger, the outdoor unit 2 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if both communication group numbers are different and the signal level is low, the outdoor unit 2 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

If it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary (step S103; YES), the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary (step S103; NO), the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S105.

(Step S104)
The outdoor unit 2 generates notification information including both communication group numbers, communication addresses, and signal levels. Then, the outdoor unit 2 transmits a communication frame in which the generated notification information is stored to the remote controller 4. After that, the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S105.

(Step S105)
The outdoor unit 2 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since broadcasting the communication frame indicating the connection confirmation command. If a certain period of time has elapsed (step S105; YES), the process of the outdoor unit 2 transitions to step S106. On the other hand, if the certain period of time has not elapsed (step S105; NO), the process of the outdoor unit 2 returns to step S101.

(Step S106)
The outdoor unit 2 stores information such as the communication address of the indoor unit 3 to which the same communication group number as the outdoor unit 2 is set, that is, the indoor unit 3 connected to itself, in the auxiliary storage device of the control circuit 24 . After that, the outdoor unit 2 ends the connection confirmation process.

<Processing when connection confirmation command is received>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for processing when a connection confirmation command is received. When the indoor unit 3 receives the communication frame indicating the connection confirmation command from the outdoor unit 2, it executes the following connection confirmation command reception process.

(Step S200)
The indoor unit 3 transmits a communication frame indicating a response to the connection confirmation command to the outdoor unit 2. A communication group number and a communication address set for the communication frame are stored in the communication frame. After that, the process of the indoor unit 3 transitions to step S201.

(Step S201)
The indoor unit 3 analyzes the signal when receiving the communication frame indicating the connection confirmation command and acquires the signal level. After that, the process of the indoor unit 3 transitions to step S202.

(Step S202)
The indoor unit 3 determines whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary based on the acquired signal level, the communication group number included in the received communication frame, and the communication group number set for itself. . For example, if the communication group number included in the received communication frame matches the communication group number set for itself and the signal level is low, the indoor unit 3 needs to notify the remote controller 4. It is determined that On the other hand, if both communication group numbers match and the signal level is high, the indoor unit 3 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

Furthermore, for example, if the communication group number included in the received communication frame is different from the communication group number set for itself and the signal level is high, the indoor unit 3 needs to notify the remote controller 4. It is determined that there is. On the other hand, if both communication group numbers are different and the signal level is low, the indoor unit 3 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

If it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary (step S202; YES), the process of the indoor unit 3 transitions to step S203. On the other hand, if it is determined that the notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary (step S202; NO), the indoor unit 3 ends the connection confirmation command reception process.

(Step S203)
The indoor unit 3 generates notification information including both communication group numbers, communication addresses, and signal levels. Then, the indoor unit 3 transmits a communication frame in which the generated notification information is stored to the remote controller 4. Thereafter, the indoor unit 3 ends the connection confirmation command reception process.

As explained above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment, the air conditioners (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) determine the signal level when receiving a communication frame from another air conditioner and the other air conditioner. Based on the communication group number set for the air conditioner and the communication group number set for itself, it is determined whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary, in other words, whether there is a possibility of incorrect setting. When the air conditioner needs to notify, it transmits notification information including the communication group number and communication address of both parties, and the signal level to the remote controller 4.

When the remote controller 4 receives the notification information transmitted from any of the air conditioners, the remote controller 4 notifies the user by displaying on the display 41 a notification screen including a message based on the received notification information. In this way, according to the air conditioning system 1 in this embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of significant information regarding the incorrect setting of the communication group number.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, the air conditioning system 1 includes two refrigerant systems, but the air conditioning system 1 may include three or more refrigerant systems. Further, the number of indoor units 3 included in each refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 1 is not limited, and may be one or three or more.

(Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, the air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) determines which of the three signal levels (levels 1 to 3) the signal level is, but more level determination thresholds are used. may be used to determine further subdivided signal levels (eg, 10 levels, etc.).

(Modification 3)
The remote control 4 can notify the user in various ways. For example, instead of displaying the notification screen on the display 41, or in addition to displaying the notification screen, the remote control 4 may cause an LED (not shown) to emit light in a predetermined manner, or may output audio via a speaker (not shown). The user may be notified by outputting or the like.

(Modification 4)
When the outdoor unit 2 receives a communication frame indicating a response to the connection confirmation command from the indoor unit 3, if the communication group number of the indoor unit 3 and its own communication group number are different, the outdoor unit 2 sends a notification to the remote controller 4. The communication frame may be discarded without determining whether or not the communication frame is received. Similarly, when the indoor unit 3 receives a communication frame indicating a connection confirmation command from the outdoor unit 2, if the communication group number of the outdoor unit 2 and its own communication group number are different, the indoor unit 3 responds to the outdoor unit 2. The communication frame may be discarded without returning or without determining whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary.

Even in this case, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 can notify the remote controller 4 of a situation where the communication group numbers match but the signal level is low, that is, a situation where there is a possibility of incorrect settings. It becomes possible to notify the user of significant information regarding incorrect settings.

(Modification 5)
In the above embodiment, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 analyze the signal at the time of reception of the communication frame to obtain the signal level (amplitude), and use the obtained signal level to notify the remote controller 4 whether or not it is necessary. However, it is also possible to obtain an index that can determine the difference in signal level, such as an S/N ratio (signal-to-noise ratio), and use this index to determine whether or not to notify the remote controller 4. good.

(Modification 6)
The air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) itself may notify the user of information regarding the incorrect setting of the communication group number. In this case, for example, the air conditioner notifies the user via its own liquid crystal display, LED, speaker, etc.

(Modification 7)
The air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) transmits notification information to a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a cloud server, etc., and the terminal device, cloud server, etc., as an example of the notification means according to the present disclosure, A notification may be made based on the received notification information. In this case, the terminal device, cloud server, etc. display, for example, the same notification screen as the remote control 4 in the above embodiment.

(Modification 8)
In the above embodiment, the air conditioners (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) use a plurality of predetermined level determination thresholds to determine which of three levels (levels 1 to 3) the signal level is. However, the level determination threshold may be determined based on system information such as the wiring length of the internal and external communication lines 5, the number of indoor units 3, and the line type of the internal and external communication lines 5, which are input by the builder at the time of construction. In this case, the air conditioner maintains a table that associates system information with level judgment thresholds, and refers to the table from the system information input by the user to make multiple level judgments used in signal level judgment. Determine the threshold.

By doing this, it is possible to use a more appropriate level determination threshold that matches the characteristics of the air conditioning system 1, so for example, the range of signal levels determined to be level 2 can be reduced, and It becomes possible to separate the signal level range from the signal level range due to crosstalk. Therefore, the accuracy of information notified to the user is improved. Note that the air conditioner may also determine the threshold value used to determine the magnitude of the signal level based on the system information, similar to the level determination threshold value.

For example, the user inputs the above system information via a user interface such as a dip switch or rotary switch included in the air conditioner. The user interface is an example of a system information input receiving means according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, for example, if the air conditioner is equipped with a wireless communication interface, system information may be input to the air conditioner through communication between the air conditioner and a terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or notebook PC. Alternatively, the system information may be input to the air conditioner through communication between the air conditioner and the cloud server.

(Modification 9)
In the above embodiment, the air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) transmits notification information to the remote controller 4 only when it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. The notification information may be transmitted to the remote controller 4 without determining whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. In this case, the remote controller 4 determines whether notification to the user is necessary based on the notification information received from each air conditioner, and if it is determined that notification to the user is necessary, the remote controller 4 sends each notification information received to the user. We will make announcements based on the following. For example, the remote controller 4 may display a system configuration diagram as shown in FIG. 9 on the display 41. This allows the user to visually determine which air conditioner has a high probability of having its communication group number set incorrectly.

(Modification 10)
Similar to Modification 9, the air conditioner may transmit notification information to the remote controller 4 without determining whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary. In this case, the remote control 4 checks the relationship between the communication group number and signal level between each air conditioner based on the notification information received from each air conditioner, and selects the air conditioner for which the communication group number is likely to have been set incorrectly. The information regarding the identified air conditioner may be notified to the user. This allows users, such as builders and system administrators, to check the settings of air conditioners that are likely to have incorrect settings, thereby reducing the user's workload.

Further, the remote controller 4 may reset the communication group number of the air conditioner that is likely to have been set incorrectly. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each air conditioner belonging to refrigerant system A is set to "1" and each air conditioner belonging to refrigerant system B is set to "2" as the communication group number. In the correct case, if the communication group number "2" is incorrectly set to the indoor unit 3b by the installer, the remote control 4 will transmit the communication group number "2" to the outdoor unit 2a, which is the source of the communication frame with the high signal level received by the indoor unit 3b. "1", which is the same communication group number as , is reset to the indoor unit 3b. This eliminates the need for users such as builders and system administrators to correct incorrect settings, greatly reducing the workload. In this case, before resetting the communication group number, the remote controller 4 inquires of the user whether it is okay to perform the resetting, and only if the user gives permission, resetting the communication group number for the air conditioner. Settings may also be implemented.

(Modification 11)
In the above embodiment, the communication address setting for the air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) is performed by the installer via the communication address setting reception unit 21 or the communication address setting reception unit 33. A communication address may be automatically set for each air conditioner when the system 1 is started. The automatic setting of a communication address by the air conditioning system 1 in this modification will be described below.

When the air conditioning system 1 is started, the outdoor unit 2 broadcasts a communication frame indicating a connection confirmation command, as in the first embodiment. The indoor unit 3 that has received the communication frame transmits a communication frame indicating a response to the connection confirmation command to the outdoor unit 2 using the temporary communication address. The outdoor unit 2 determines the signal level of the communication frame indicating the response to the connection confirmation command received from each indoor unit 3, and sends a signal level to the indoor units 3 within the normal signal level range to notify the official communication address. Sends a communication frame indicating a communication address setting command. The official communication address assigned to the indoor unit 3 is stored in the communication address setting command.

The indoor unit 3 that has received the communication frame indicating the communication address setting command sets the communication address assigned to itself stored in the communication address setting command as its own communication address. On the other hand, the outdoor unit 2 does not transmit the communication frame indicating the communication address setting command to the indoor unit 3 within the signal level range where there is a possibility of crosstalk. In this way, since the communication address is automatically set when the air conditioning system 1 is started, the communication address setting work at the time of construction becomes unnecessary.

(Modification 12)
In the above embodiment, each air conditioner (outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3) has a communication group number set by the user that corresponds to the refrigerant system to which it belongs, but instead of setting the communication group number, Alternatively, device-specific information that allows a user to uniquely identify an air conditioner to be communicated with may be set in each air conditioner as a whitelist. The device specific information is, for example, a serial number. In the configuration according to this modification, in the connection confirmation process (see FIG. 7), the outdoor unit 2 sends a communication frame indicating a connection confirmation command in which its own device-specific information and communication address are stored via the internal and external communication line 5. Broadcast transmission is performed (step S100).

When the outdoor unit 2 receives a communication frame indicating a response to the connection confirmation command from the indoor unit 3 (step S101; YES), the outdoor unit 2 analyzes the signal at the time of reception of the communication frame to obtain the signal level (step S102). ), to the remote controller 4 based on the acquired signal level, the device-specific information of the indoor unit 3 that is the source of the communication frame included in the received communication frame, and the white list set for itself. It is determined whether notification is necessary (step S103). For example, if the indoor unit 3 is included in the communication target and the signal level is low (that is, level 1 or 2), the outdoor unit 2 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if the indoor unit 3 is included in the communication target and the signal level is high (that is, level 3), the outdoor unit 2 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

Further, for example, if the indoor unit 3 is not included in the communication target and the signal level is high, the outdoor unit 2 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if the indoor unit 3 is not included in the communication target and the signal level is low, the outdoor unit 2 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary. If it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary (step S103; YES), the outdoor unit 2 stores the device-specific information and communication address of the indoor unit 3, its own device-specific information and communication address, and the indoor unit 3. Notification information including information indicating whether the device 3 is a communication target and a signal level is generated, and a communication frame in which the generated notification information is stored is transmitted to the remote control 4 (step S104).

When the remote controller 4 receives notification information from the outdoor unit 2, it notifies the user based on the received notification information. For example, if the signal level is level 1 even though it is the indoor unit 3 that is the communication target, or if the signal level is level 3 even though it is not the indoor unit 3 that is the communication target, the remote control 4 will A notification screen containing a message such as "It is highly likely that the settings of the air conditioner **** or the white list of the air conditioner **** is incorrect" is displayed on the display 41. “＊＊＊” indicates a communication address.

Also, for example, if the signal level is level 2 even though it is the indoor unit 3 to be communicated with, the remote control 4 will display the message "Is the wiring length between the air conditioner *** and the air conditioner *** longer than XX m?" ? Is the number of connected indoor units greater than or equal to YY units?'' A notification screen may be displayed on the display 41.

In addition, in the configuration according to this modification, in the connection confirmation command reception process (see FIG. 8), when the indoor unit 3 receives a communication frame indicating the connection confirmation command from the outdoor unit 2, the indoor unit 3 indicates a response to the connection confirmation command. A communication frame is transmitted to the outdoor unit 2 (step S200). The communication frame stores its own device-specific information and communication address. In addition, the indoor unit 3 analyzes the signal at the time of reception of the communication frame indicating the connection confirmation command to obtain the signal level (step S201), and uses the obtained signal level and the corresponding Based on the device-specific information of the outdoor unit 2 that is the transmission source of the communication frame and the white list set for itself, it is determined whether notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary (step S202).

For example, if the outdoor unit 2 is included in the communication target and the signal level is low, the indoor unit 3 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if the outdoor unit 2 is included in the communication target and the signal level is high, the indoor unit 3 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary. Further, for example, if the outdoor unit 2 is not included in the communication target and the signal level is high, the indoor unit 3 determines that it is necessary to notify the remote controller 4. On the other hand, if the outdoor unit 2 is not included in the communication target and the signal level is low, the indoor unit 3 determines that notification to the remote controller 4 is not necessary.

If it is determined that notification to the remote controller 4 is necessary (step S202; YES), the indoor unit 3 stores the device-specific information and communication address of the outdoor unit 2, its own device-specific information and communication address, and the outdoor unit 2. Notification information including information indicating whether the device 2 is a communication target and a signal level is generated, and a communication frame in which the generated notification information is stored is transmitted to the remote control 4 (step S203). When the remote control 4 receives the notification information from the indoor unit 3, it notifies the user based on the received notification information.

As described above, according to this modification, it is possible to notify the user of significant information regarding incorrect settings of the whitelist.

(Modification 13)
All or part of the functional units (see FIG. 5) of the control circuit 24 of the outdoor unit 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 6) of the control circuit 35 of the indoor unit 3 may be realized by dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

The technical ideas related to each of the above-mentioned modifications may be realized individually, or may be realized in combination as appropriate.

Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Further, the embodiments described above are for explaining the present disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure can be suitably employed in an air conditioning system that includes a plurality of refrigerant systems.

1 Air conditioning system, 2, 2a, 2b outdoor unit, 3, 3a to 3d indoor unit, 4 remote control, 5, 5a, 5b internal and external communication line, 6 remote control communication line, 20, 32 communication group setting reception unit, 21, 33 Communication address setting reception unit, 22, 31 Signal level analysis circuit, 23, 40 Communication interface, 24, 35, 43 Control circuit, 30 Internal and external communication interface, 34 Remote control communication interface, 41 Display, 42 Operation reception unit, 240, 350 Signal Level acquisition unit, 241, 351 Notification necessity determination unit, 242, 352 Notification information transmission unit

Claims

An air conditioning system comprising two or more refrigerant systems in which a plurality of air conditioners are connected via refrigerant piping and communication lines, and in which communication between each air conditioner via the communication lines is performed using high frequency signals,
Equipped with notification means,
Each of the air conditioners is
Signal level determining means for determining the signal level of a communication frame received from another air conditioner;
Based on the signal level determined by the signal level determining means, the communication group information set for the other air conditioner, and the communication group information set for the air conditioner itself, the notification requirement is sent to the notification means. notification necessity determining means for determining whether notification is required;
When the notification necessity determining means determines that it is necessary to notify the notification means, generating notification information including information regarding the other air conditioner, information regarding itself, and information regarding the signal level. comprising a notification information transmitting means for transmitting to the notification means,
In the air conditioning system, the notification means, upon receiving the notification information from one of the air conditioners, notifies the user based on the notification information.
The notification necessity determining means is configured to determine whether the communication group information set for the other air conditioner matches the communication group information set for itself, and the signal level is less than or equal to a predetermined first threshold. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein in this case, it is determined that it is necessary to notify the notification means.
The notification necessity determining means is configured to determine whether the communication group information set for the other air conditioner is different from the communication group information set for itself, and the signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined second threshold. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioning system determines that it is necessary to notify the notification means if the notification is made.
further comprising system information input receiving means for receiving input of system information including at least one of the wiring length of the communication line, the number of indoor units, and the line type of the communication line,
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal level determination means determines the signal level using a level determination threshold determined based on the inputted system information.
An air conditioning system comprising two or more refrigerant systems in which a plurality of air conditioners are connected via refrigerant piping and communication lines, and in which communication between each air conditioner via the communication lines is performed using high frequency signals,
Equipped with notification means,
Each of the air conditioners is
Signal level determining means for determining the signal level of a communication frame received from another air conditioner;
Generate notification information including communication group information set for the other air conditioner, communication group information set for the air conditioner itself, and the signal level determined by the signal level determination means, and transmit it to the notification means. comprising a notification information transmitting means to
The notification means determines whether notification to the user is necessary based on the notification information received from each air conditioner, and if it is determined that notification to the user is necessary, the notification means sends a notification to the user based on the notification information. An air conditioning system that provides notifications.
The notification means identifies an air conditioner in which the communication group information is likely to have been set incorrectly based on the notification information received from each air conditioner, and notifies the user of information regarding the identified air conditioner. The air conditioning system according to claim 5.
The air conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the notification means resets communication group information for the specified air conditioner.