WO2024070492A1 - Air conditioning system, and method for controlling air conditioning system - Google Patents

Air conditioning system, and method for controlling air conditioning system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024070492A1
WO2024070492A1 PCT/JP2023/031974 JP2023031974W WO2024070492A1 WO 2024070492 A1 WO2024070492 A1 WO 2024070492A1 JP 2023031974 W JP2023031974 W JP 2023031974W WO 2024070492 A1 WO2024070492 A1 WO 2024070492A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
indoor
signal
operation signal
indoor unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2023/031974
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
丈幸 是澤
臣悟 大野
和也 縄田
啓介 増田
Original Assignee
三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社 filed Critical 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社
Publication of WO2024070492A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024070492A1/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
    • F24F1/20—Electric components for separate outdoor units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/54—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/56—Remote control
    • F24F11/58—Remote control using Internet communication
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/88—Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system and a method for controlling an air conditioning system.
  • This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-156108 filed on September 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • each indoor unit needs to be remotely controlled, it is possible to equip each of the multiple indoor units with a wireless communication unit capable of communicating via wireless LAN or the like.
  • equipping each of the multiple indoor units with a wireless communication unit increases the number of parts in the indoor units, leading to higher costs.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system that includes multiple indoor units and a remote control unit (remote control) that is connected to the multiple indoor units by wires and transmits and receives signals between the indoor units.
  • the remote control unit is capable of wireless communication with an information processing device by a wireless communication unit installed inside.
  • the remote control unit is connected to the multiple indoor units by wires.
  • the operation of the multiple indoor units is controlled by information transmitted from the information processing device to the wireless communication unit of the remote control unit.
  • the present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning system and a control method for an air conditioning system that can remotely control multiple indoor units with a simple configuration.
  • the air conditioning system is an air conditioning system comprising one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, the indoor units comprising a first indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a first signal line and a second indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a second signal line, the first indoor unit comprising a wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly receiving an operation signal transmitted from an external communication terminal for operating each of the multiple indoor units, and a signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit via the first signal line when the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit is an operation signal for the second indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises an outdoor unit signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the second indoor unit.
  • the method of controlling an air conditioning system includes the steps of receiving, by wireless communication at the first indoor unit, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal; if the received operation signal is an operation signal for the second indoor unit, transferring the operation signal from the first indoor unit to the outdoor unit via the first signal line; and transferring the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the outdoor unit from the outdoor unit to the second indoor unit via the second signal line.
  • the air conditioning system and control method for the air conditioning system disclosed herein allow multiple indoor units to be remotely controlled with a simple configuration.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit constituting the air conditioning system.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an outdoor unit control device for an outdoor unit constituting the air conditioning system.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit constituting the air conditioning system.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit in a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing in an outdoor unit control device and an indoor unit control device of a second indoor unit in a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the air conditioning system 1 includes one outdoor unit 2 and a plurality of indoor units 3 .
  • the outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the building.
  • the outdoor unit 2 is connected to multiple indoor units 3 via connection pipes (not shown).
  • the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a compressor, a condenser, a fan, an expansion valve, and a switching valve (all not shown).
  • the compressor, condenser, fan, expansion valve, and switching valve are provided on a refrigerant circuit (not shown).
  • the compressor compresses the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipes that make up the refrigerant circuit.
  • the condenser exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipes.
  • the fan sends outside air toward the condenser.
  • the expansion valve expands the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser.
  • the switching valve switches the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to switch between cooling operation and heating operation.
  • the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with an outdoor unit control device 21 that controls the operation of each part of the outdoor unit 2.
  • the multiple indoor units 3 are each installed in a room of the building. Each indoor unit 3 performs cooling operation, heating operation, etc. to condition the room's air. Each indoor unit 3 is equipped with an evaporator (not shown), an indoor temperature sensor (not shown), and an indoor unit control device 31. The evaporator of each indoor unit 3 is connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a connecting pipe. The connecting pipe forms part of the refrigerant circuit (not shown). The indoor temperature sensor detects the temperature in the room in which the indoor unit 3 is installed.
  • the outdoor unit 2 and each of the multiple indoor units 3 are electrically connected via a signal line 5.
  • the signal line 5 is used for signal communication between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor units 3.
  • the multiple indoor units 3 include one first indoor unit 3A and one or more second indoor units 3B to 3D. In this embodiment, for example, three second indoor units 3B to 3D are provided.
  • the first indoor unit 3A is equipped with a wireless communication unit 30.
  • the wireless communication unit 30 is capable of receiving operation signals transmitted from an external communication terminal 100 via wireless communication.
  • Examples of the external communication terminal 100 include a smartphone, a portable communication terminal such as a tablet, a personal computer, etc., used by a user of the air conditioning system 1.
  • the wireless communication unit 30 is capable of wireless communication with an access point 8, such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router, provided in the building in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed.
  • the external communication terminal 100 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 30 via a network 200, such as a public wireless communication network, and the access point 8, to transmit operation signals for the multiple indoor units 3 (the first indoor unit 3A and the second indoor units 3B to 3D).
  • the operation signal from the external communication terminal 100 includes indoor unit identification information for identifying one of the multiple indoor units 3 to be operated, and information indicating the operation content of the indoor unit 3.
  • Examples of the operation content of the indoor unit 3 include starting and stopping the indoor unit 3, setting the set temperature, switching between cooling and heating operation, setting the timer, etc.
  • the external communication terminal 100 may communicate operation signals to the wireless communication unit 30 via a wireless LAN rather than via a public wireless communication network.
  • the wireless communication unit 30 may be able to directly access the network 200, such as a public wireless communication network, without going through the access point 8.
  • the indoor unit control device 31A of the first indoor unit 3A can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer.
  • the indoor unit control device 31A is configured by a control board equipped with a microcomputer.
  • the indoor unit control device 31A is equipped with an operation signal receiving unit 32, a signal discrimination unit 33, a first indoor unit operation control unit 34, and a signal transfer unit 35 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
  • the operation signal receiving unit 32 receives an operation signal from the external communication terminal 100 received by the wireless communication unit 30.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal based on indoor unit identification information for identifying one indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation, which is included in the operation signal.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates whether the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A or the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
  • the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal when the operation signal is determined to be an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A based on the result of the discrimination in the signal discrimination unit 33.
  • the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the indoor unit 3 so that the indoor temperature approaches the set temperature based on the set temperature set from outside and the indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature sensor (not shown).
  • the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 also transmits data on the set temperature set in the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor (not shown) to the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 via the signal line 5.
  • the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 (see FIG. 1).
  • the first signal line 51 is the signal line 5 that connects the first indoor unit 3A and the outdoor unit 2.
  • the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer or a CPU, and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer.
  • the outdoor unit control device 21 is configured by a control board on which a microcomputer is mounted.
  • the outdoor unit control device 21 includes an outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22, an outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, an outdoor unit operation control unit 24, and an outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
  • the outdoor unit operation signal receiver 22 receives the operation signal transferred from the first indoor unit 3A via the first signal line 51.
  • the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal received by the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22.
  • the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates (identifies) which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  • the outdoor unit operation control unit 24 controls the compressor rotation speed, fan rotation speed, etc. as necessary based on the set temperature and indoor temperature data received from the indoor unit control devices 31 of multiple indoor units 3 (first indoor unit 3A, second indoor units 3B to 3D).
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor units 3B-3D identified based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal. Based on the discrimination result in the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to any one of the multiple second indoor units 3B-3D that is the operation target of the operation signal via the second signal line 52.
  • the second signal line 52 is the signal line 5 that connects each of the second indoor units 3B-3D to the outdoor unit 2.
  • the second indoor units 3B to 3D each include an indoor unit control device 31B.
  • the indoor unit control device 31B can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer or a CPU, and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer.
  • the indoor unit control device 31B is configured by a control board equipped with a microcomputer.
  • the indoor unit control device 31B includes a second operation signal receiving unit 42 and a second indoor unit operation control unit 44 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
  • the second operation signal receiving unit 42 receives the operation signal transferred via the second signal line 52 from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2, which will be described later.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of each of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal received by the second operation signal receiving unit 42.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls each of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the set temperature set from outside and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor so that the indoor temperature approaches the set temperature.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 also transmits data on the set temperature set in the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor (not shown) to the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 via the signal line 5.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 to be operated in the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates whether the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A or the second indoor units 3B to 3D (step S12).
  • step S12 If it is determined in step S12 that the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A (step S12; Yes), the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal (step S13).
  • step S12 If it is determined in step S12 that the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the second indoor unit 3B to 3D (step S12; No), the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32 to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 (step S14).
  • the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 receives the operation signal from the first indoor unit 3A (step S21).
  • the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 passes the received operation signal to the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23.
  • the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal received by the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 (step S22).
  • the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 identifies which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor units 3B to 3D identified in step S22 (step S23). Based on the discrimination result in the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal via the second signal line 52 to one of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D that is the operation target of the operation signal.
  • the second operation signal receiver 42 of the indoor unit control device 31B receives the operation signal (step S31).
  • the second operation signal receiver 42 passes the received operation signal to the second indoor unit operation control unit 44.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 (step S32).
  • the wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A receives an operation signal transmitted from the external communication terminal 100 and directed to operate each of the multiple indoor units 3. If the received operation signal is directed to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2 transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
  • the second indoor units 3B to 3D that receive the transferred operation signal execute an operation corresponding to the operation signal. In this way, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2.
  • each of the multiple indoor units 3 and the outdoor unit 2 are originally connected by a signal line 5 for signal exchange.
  • the need to add new wiring is reduced by using this signal line 5 as the first signal line 51 and the second signal line 52. Therefore, it becomes possible to remotely control a plurality of indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A also discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is to be operated by the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30. If, based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33, the operation signal is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. In this way, if the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2.
  • the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 can control the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the received operation signal.
  • the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 identifies the second indoor unit 3B-3D to be operated by the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the identified second indoor unit 3B-3D.
  • the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 40 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. Therefore, it is possible to remotely control multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
  • the air conditioning system 1 and the control method for the air conditioning system 1 described in the embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.
  • An air conditioning system 1 is an air conditioning system 1 comprising one outdoor unit 2 and a plurality of indoor units 3, the indoor unit 3 comprising a first indoor unit 3A connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a first signal line 51, and second indoor units 3B to 3D connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a second signal line 52, the first indoor unit 3A comprising a wireless communication unit 30 capable of receiving, via wireless communication, an operation signal intended to operate each of the plurality of indoor units 3, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal 100, and a signal transfer unit 35 which transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 when the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 is the operation signal for the second indoor units 3B to 3D, and the outdoor unit 2 comprises an outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 which transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
  • the external communication terminal 100 include a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, a personal computer, and the like.
  • This air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 30 in the first indoor unit 3A.
  • the wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A receives an operation signal transmitted from an external communication terminal 100 and directed to operate each of the multiple indoor units 3. If the received operation signal is an operation signal directed to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2 transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
  • the second indoor units 3B to 3D which receive the transferred operation signal, perform an operation according to the operation signal.
  • the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2.
  • each of the multiple indoor units 3 and the outdoor unit 2 are originally connected by a signal line 5 for signal exchange.
  • This signal line 5 also serves as the first signal line 51 and the second signal line 52, reducing the need to add new signal lines. Therefore, it is possible to remotely control the multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
  • the air conditioning system 1 according to the second aspect is the air conditioning system 1 according to (1), in which the first indoor unit 3A further includes a signal discrimination unit 33 that discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30, and the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 when the operation signal is for the second indoor unit 3B to 3D based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33.
  • the signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is to be operated by the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30. If, based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33, the operation signal is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. In this way, the operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D can be transferred from the first indoor unit 3A via the outdoor unit 2 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
  • the air conditioning system 1 according to the third aspect is the air conditioning system 1 according to (2), and the first indoor unit 3A further includes a first indoor unit operation control unit 34 that controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal when the operation signal is an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33.
  • the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 can control the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal.
  • the air conditioning system 1 according to the fourth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems 1 according to (1) to (3), and the second indoor units 3B to 3D are equipped with a second indoor unit operation control unit 44 that controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25.
  • the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 can control the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25.
  • the air conditioning system 1 according to the fifth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems 1 according to (1) to (4), and includes a plurality of the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal includes indoor unit identification information that identifies one of the plurality of indoor units 3, and the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor unit 3B to 3D that is identified based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  • the operation signal includes indoor unit identification information that identifies one of the multiple indoor units 3.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 identifies the second indoor unit 3B-3D that is to be operated by the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  • the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the identified second indoor unit 3B-3D.
  • the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B-3D via the outdoor unit 2.
  • the control method for the air conditioning system 1 according to the sixth aspect is any one of the control methods for the air conditioning system 1 according to (1) to (5), and includes step S11 in which the first indoor unit 3A receives, via wireless communication, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units 3, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal 100; step S14 in which, if the received operation signal is an operation signal for the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal is transferred from the first indoor unit 3A to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51; and step S23 in which the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the outdoor unit 2 is transferred from the outdoor unit 2 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the second signal line 52.
  • the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. This makes it possible to remotely operate multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
  • multiple indoor units can be remotely controlled with a simple configuration.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Abstract

This air conditioning system comprises one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, wherein: the indoor units comprise a first indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via first signal line, and a second indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a second signal line; the first indoor unit is provided with a wireless communication unit capable of receiving, by wireless communication, operation signals which are transmitted from an external communication terminal and which have the plurality of indoor units, respectively, as operation targets, and a signal forwarding unit which, if the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit is the operation signal having the second indoor unit as the operation target, forwards the operation signal to the outdoor unit via the first signal line; and the outdoor unit is provided with an outdoor unit signal forwarding unit which forwards the operation signal forward from the signal forwarding unit to the second indoor unit.

Description

空気調和システム、空気調和システムの制御方法Air conditioning system and method for controlling air conditioning system
　本開示は、空気調和システム、空気調和システムの制御方法に関する。
　本願は、２０２２年９月２９日に、日本に出願された特願２０２２－１５６１０８号に基づき優先権を主張し、その内容をここに援用する。 The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system and a method for controlling an air conditioning system.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-156108 filed on September 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
　一台の室外機に対し、複数の室内機が接続された空気調和システムにおいて、各室内機を遠隔操作する場合、複数の室内機のそれぞれに、無線ＬＡＮ等により通信可能な無線通信部を備えることが考えられる。しかし、複数の室内機のそれぞれに無線通信部を備えると、室内機の部品点数が増え、高コスト化に繋がる。 In an air conditioning system in which multiple indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, when each indoor unit needs to be remotely controlled, it is possible to equip each of the multiple indoor units with a wireless communication unit capable of communicating via wireless LAN or the like. However, equipping each of the multiple indoor units with a wireless communication unit increases the number of parts in the indoor units, leading to higher costs.
　これに対し、例えば、特許文献１には、複数の室内機と、複数の室内機と有線で接続されて、室内機との間で信号を送受信する遠隔操作部（リモコン）と、を備えた空気調和システムが開示されている。この空気調和システムにおいて、遠隔操作部は、内部に設置された無線通信部により、情報処理装置との間で無線通信可能とされている。遠隔操作部は、複数の室内機と有線で接続されている。このような空気調和システムでは、情報処理装置から遠隔操作部の無線通信部に伝達された情報により、複数の室内機の動作を制御する。 In response to this, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system that includes multiple indoor units and a remote control unit (remote control) that is connected to the multiple indoor units by wires and transmits and receives signals between the indoor units. In this air conditioning system, the remote control unit is capable of wireless communication with an information processing device by a wireless communication unit installed inside. The remote control unit is connected to the multiple indoor units by wires. In such an air conditioning system, the operation of the multiple indoor units is controlled by information transmitted from the information processing device to the wireless communication unit of the remote control unit.
日本国特開２０２０－５１６６８号公報Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-51668
　しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の構成では、遠隔操作部を、複数の室内機と有線で接続する必要がある。このため、空気調和システムの構成が複雑化し、遠隔操作部と複数の室内機のそれぞれとを有線で接続する手間、及びコストが掛かるという問題があった。 However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the remote control unit needs to be connected to multiple indoor units by wires. This makes the configuration of the air conditioning system complicated, and there is a problem in that it is time-consuming and costly to connect the remote control unit to each of the multiple indoor units by wires.
　本開示は、上記課題を解決するためになされたものであって、複数の室内機を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することができる空気調和システム、空気調和システムの制御方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning system and a control method for an air conditioning system that can remotely control multiple indoor units with a simple configuration.
　上記課題を解決するために、本開示に係る空気調和システムは、一台の室外機と、複数の室内機と、を備える空気調和システムであって、前記室内機は、前記室外機に対して第一の信号線を介して接続された第一の室内機と、前記室外機に対して第二の信号線を介して接続された第二の室内機と、を備え、前記第一の室内機は、外部の通信端末から送信される、複数の前記室内機の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により受信可能な無線通信部と、前記無線通信部で受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機に対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線を介して前記室外機に転送する信号転送部と、を備え、前記室外機は、前記信号転送部から転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の室内機に転送する室外機信号転送部を備える。 In order to solve the above problem, the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure is an air conditioning system comprising one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, the indoor units comprising a first indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a first signal line and a second indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a second signal line, the first indoor unit comprising a wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly receiving an operation signal transmitted from an external communication terminal for operating each of the multiple indoor units, and a signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit via the first signal line when the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit is an operation signal for the second indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises an outdoor unit signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the second indoor unit.
　本開示に係る空気調和システムの制御方法は、空気調和システムの制御方法であって、外部の通信端末から送信される、複数の前記室内機の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により、前記第一の室内機で受信するステップと、受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機に対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線を介して前記第一の室内機から前記室外機に転送するステップと、前記信号転送部から前記室外機に転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の信号線を介して前記室外機から前記第二の室内機に転送するステップと、を含む。 The method of controlling an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes the steps of receiving, by wireless communication at the first indoor unit, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal; if the received operation signal is an operation signal for the second indoor unit, transferring the operation signal from the first indoor unit to the outdoor unit via the first signal line; and transferring the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the outdoor unit from the outdoor unit to the second indoor unit via the second signal line.
　本開示の空気調和システム、空気調和システムの制御方法によれば、複数の室内機を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することができる。 The air conditioning system and control method for the air conditioning system disclosed herein allow multiple indoor units to be remotely controlled with a simple configuration.
本開示の実施形態に係る空気調和システムの全体構成を示す図である。1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 上記空気調和システムを構成する第一の室内機の室内機制御装置の機能構成を示すブロック図である。3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit constituting the air conditioning system. FIG. 上記空気調和システムを構成する室外機の室外機制御装置の機能構成を示すブロック図である。3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an outdoor unit control device for an outdoor unit constituting the air conditioning system. FIG. 上記空気調和システムを構成する第一の室内機の室内機制御装置の機能構成を示すブロック図である。3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit constituting the air conditioning system. FIG. 本開示の実施形態に係る空気調和システムの制御方法において、第一の室内機の室内機制御装置における処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in an indoor unit control device of a first indoor unit in a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 本開示の実施形態に係る空気調和システムの制御方法において、室外機製制御装置、及び第二の室内機の室内機制御装置における処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing in an outdoor unit control device and an indoor unit control device of a second indoor unit in a control method for an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
　以下、添付図面を参照して、本開示による空気調和システム、空気調和システムの制御方法を実施するための形態を説明する。しかし、本開示はこの実施形態のみに限定されるものではない。
（空気調和システムの構成）
　図１に示すように、空気調和システム１は、一台の室外機２と、複数の室内機３と、を備えている。 Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out an air conditioning system and a control method for an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment.
(Configuration of air conditioning system)
As shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioning system 1 includes one outdoor unit 2 and a plurality of indoor units 3 .
　室外機２は、建物の室外に設置されている。室外機２は、複数の室内機３に対し、接続配管（図示無し）を介して接続されている。室外機２は、圧縮機と、コンデンサと、ファンと、膨張弁と、切換弁（いずれも図示無し）と、を備えている。圧縮機、コンデンサ、ファン、膨張弁、及び切換弁は、冷媒回路（図示無し）上に設けられている。圧縮機は、冷媒回路を構成する冷媒配管内を流れる冷媒を圧縮する。コンデンサは、室外の空気と、冷媒配管内を流れる冷媒との間で熱交換を行う。ファンは、コンデンサに向かって外部の空気を送る。膨張弁は、コンデンサを経た冷媒を膨張させる。切換弁は、冷媒回路における冷媒の流れを切り換え、冷房運転と暖房運転との切替を行う。室外機２は、室外機２の各部の動作を制御する室外機制御装置２１を備えている。 The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the building. The outdoor unit 2 is connected to multiple indoor units 3 via connection pipes (not shown). The outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a compressor, a condenser, a fan, an expansion valve, and a switching valve (all not shown). The compressor, condenser, fan, expansion valve, and switching valve are provided on a refrigerant circuit (not shown). The compressor compresses the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipes that make up the refrigerant circuit. The condenser exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipes. The fan sends outside air toward the condenser. The expansion valve expands the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser. The switching valve switches the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to switch between cooling operation and heating operation. The outdoor unit 2 is equipped with an outdoor unit control device 21 that controls the operation of each part of the outdoor unit 2.
　複数の室内機３は、それぞれ、建物の室内に設置されている。各室内機３は、冷房運転、暖房運転等を行うことで、室内の空気調和を図る。各室内機３は、エバポレータ（図示せず）と、室内温度センサ（図示せず）と、室内機制御装置３１と、を備えている。各室内機３のエバポレータは、接続配管を介して室外機２に接続されている。接続配管は、冷媒回路（図示無し）の一部を構成する。室内温度センサは、室内機３が設置された室内の温度を検出する。 The multiple indoor units 3 are each installed in a room of the building. Each indoor unit 3 performs cooling operation, heating operation, etc. to condition the room's air. Each indoor unit 3 is equipped with an evaporator (not shown), an indoor temperature sensor (not shown), and an indoor unit control device 31. The evaporator of each indoor unit 3 is connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a connecting pipe. The connecting pipe forms part of the refrigerant circuit (not shown). The indoor temperature sensor detects the temperature in the room in which the indoor unit 3 is installed.
　室外機２と、複数の室内機３の各々とは、信号線５を介して電気的に接続されている。信号線５は、室外機２と室内機３との間における信号通信に用いられている。 The outdoor unit 2 and each of the multiple indoor units 3 are electrically connected via a signal line 5. The signal line 5 is used for signal communication between the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor units 3.
　複数の室内機３は、一台の第一の室内機３Ａと、一台以上の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄと、を備えている。本実施形態において、例えば三台の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄが備えられている。 The multiple indoor units 3 include one first indoor unit 3A and one or more second indoor units 3B to 3D. In this embodiment, for example, three second indoor units 3B to 3D are provided.
　第一の室内機３Ａは、無線通信部３０を備えている。無線通信部３０は、外部の通信端末１００から送信される操作信号を、無線通信により受信可能である。外部の通信端末１００としては、例えば、空気調和システム１のユーザが使用するスマートフォン、タブレット等の携帯型通信端末、パーソナルコンピュータ等が例示できる。 The first indoor unit 3A is equipped with a wireless communication unit 30. The wireless communication unit 30 is capable of receiving operation signals transmitted from an external communication terminal 100 via wireless communication. Examples of the external communication terminal 100 include a smartphone, a portable communication terminal such as a tablet, a personal computer, etc., used by a user of the air conditioning system 1.
　無線通信部３０は、例えば、空気調和システム１が設置された建物に備えられた無線ＬＡＮ（Ｌｏｃａｌ　Ａｒｅａ　Ｎｅｔｗｏｒｋ）ルータ等のアクセスポイント８との間で、無線通信可能とされている。外部の通信端末１００は、公衆無線通信網等のネットワーク２００、及びアクセスポイント８を介し、無線通信部３０との間で、複数の室内機３（第一の室内機３Ａ、及び第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄ）に対する操作信号を、無線通信により通信可能である。 The wireless communication unit 30 is capable of wireless communication with an access point 8, such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router, provided in the building in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed. The external communication terminal 100 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 30 via a network 200, such as a public wireless communication network, and the access point 8, to transmit operation signals for the multiple indoor units 3 (the first indoor unit 3A and the second indoor units 3B to 3D).
　外部の通信端末１００からの操作信号には、複数の室内機３のうち、操作対象となる一つの室内機３を特定するための室内機特定情報と、室内機３の操作内容を示す情報とが含まれている。室内機３の操作内容としては、室内機３の起動、停止、設定温度の設定、冷房運転と暖房運転との切り換え、タイマーの設定等が例示できる。 The operation signal from the external communication terminal 100 includes indoor unit identification information for identifying one of the multiple indoor units 3 to be operated, and information indicating the operation content of the indoor unit 3. Examples of the operation content of the indoor unit 3 include starting and stopping the indoor unit 3, setting the set temperature, switching between cooling and heating operation, setting the timer, etc.
　なお、外部の通信端末１００は、空気調和システム１が設置された建物内においては、公衆無線通信網を介さず、無線ＬＡＮを介して、操作信号を無線通信部３０に通信するようにしてもよい。また、無線通信部３０は、アクセスポイント８を介さず、公衆無線通信網等のネットワーク２００に、直接アクセス可能としてもよい。 In addition, in the building in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed, the external communication terminal 100 may communicate operation signals to the wireless communication unit 30 via a wireless LAN rather than via a public wireless communication network. Also, the wireless communication unit 30 may be able to directly access the network 200, such as a public wireless communication network, without going through the access point 8.
（第一の室内機の室内機制御装置の構成）
　第一の室内機３Ａの室内機制御装置３１Ａは、マイクロコンピュータ、ＣＰＵ（Ｃｅｎｔｒａｌ　Ｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｉｎｇ　Ｕｎｉｔ）等のコンピュータと、コンピュータの周辺回路や周辺装置等のハードウェアを用いて構成することができる。本実施形態では、室内機制御装置３１Ａは、マイクロコンピュータが搭載された制御基板により構成されている。図２に示すように、室内機制御装置３１Ａは、ハードウェアと、コンピュータが実行するプログラム等のソフトウェアとの組み合わせから構成される機能的構成として、操作信号受信部３２と、信号判別部３３と、第一室内機動作制御部３４と、信号転送部３５と、を備えている。 (Configuration of indoor unit control device of first indoor unit)
The indoor unit control device 31A of the first indoor unit 3A can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer. In this embodiment, the indoor unit control device 31A is configured by a control board equipped with a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit control device 31A is equipped with an operation signal receiving unit 32, a signal discrimination unit 33, a first indoor unit operation control unit 34, and a signal transfer unit 35 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
　操作信号受信部３２は、無線通信部３０で受信した、外部の通信端末１００からの操作信号を受け取る。 The operation signal receiving unit 32 receives an operation signal from the external communication terminal 100 received by the wireless communication unit 30.
　信号判別部３３は、操作信号受信部３２で受け取った操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３を判別する。信号判別部３３は、操作信号に含まれる、操作対象となる一つの室内機３を特定するための室内機特定情報に基づいて、操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３を判別する。信号判別部３３は、操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３が、第一の室内機３Ａであるか、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄであるかを判別する。 The signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32. The signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal based on indoor unit identification information for identifying one indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation, which is included in the operation signal. The signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates whether the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A or the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
　第一室内機動作制御部３４は、信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号が、第一の室内機３Ａを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、操作信号に基づいて第一の室内機３Ａの動作を制御する。第一室内機動作制御部３４は、外部から設定された設定温度と、室内温度センサ（図示せず）で検出された室内の温度とに基づいて、室内の温度が設定温度に近づくように、室内機３を制御する。また、第一室内機動作制御部３４は、第一室内機動作制御部３４に設定された設定温度、及び室内温度センサ（図示せず）で検出された室内の温度のデータを、信号線５を介して、室外機２の室外機制御装置２１に送信する。 The first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal when the operation signal is determined to be an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A based on the result of the discrimination in the signal discrimination unit 33. The first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the indoor unit 3 so that the indoor temperature approaches the set temperature based on the set temperature set from outside and the indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature sensor (not shown). The first indoor unit operation control unit 34 also transmits data on the set temperature set in the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor (not shown) to the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 via the signal line 5.
　信号転送部３５は、信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに対する操作信号であった場合に、操作信号を、第一の信号線５１（図１参照）を介して室外機２に転送する。ここで、第一の信号線５１は、第一の室内機３Ａと室外機２とを接続する信号線５である。 If the operation signal is determined to be an operation signal for the second indoor unit 3B-3D based on the result of the determination in the signal determination unit 33, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 (see FIG. 1). Here, the first signal line 51 is the signal line 5 that connects the first indoor unit 3A and the outdoor unit 2.
（室外機の室外機制御装置の構成）
　室外機２の室外機制御装置２１は、マイクロコンピュータ、ＣＰＵ等のコンピュータと、コンピュータの周辺回路や周辺装置等のハードウェアを用いて構成することができる。本実施形態では、室外機制御装置２１は、マイクロコンピュータが搭載された制御基板により構成されている。図３に示すように、室外機制御装置２１は、ハードウェアと、コンピュータが実行するプログラム等のソフトウェアとの組み合わせから構成される機能的構成として、室外機操作信号受信部２２と、室外機信号判別部２３と、室外機動作制御部２４と、室外機信号転送部２５と、を備えている。 (Configuration of outdoor unit control device of outdoor unit)
The outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer or a CPU, and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer. In this embodiment, the outdoor unit control device 21 is configured by a control board on which a microcomputer is mounted. As shown in Fig. 3, the outdoor unit control device 21 includes an outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22, an outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, an outdoor unit operation control unit 24, and an outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
　室外機操作信号受信部２２は、第一の信号線５１を介して第一の室内機３Ａから転送された操作信号を受信する。 The outdoor unit operation signal receiver 22 receives the operation signal transferred from the first indoor unit 3A via the first signal line 51.
　室外機信号判別部２３は、室外機操作信号受信部２２で受け取った操作信号の操作対象が、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれであるかを判別する。室外機信号判別部２３は、操作信号に含まれる室内機特定情報に基づいて、操作信号の操作対象が、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれであるかを判別（特定）する。 The outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal received by the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22. The outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates (identifies) which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
　室外機動作制御部２４は、複数の室内機３（第一の室内機３Ａ、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄ）の室内機制御装置３１から受信した、設定温度、及び室内の温度のデータに基づき、必要に応じ、圧縮機の回転数、ファンの回転数等を制御する。 The outdoor unit operation control unit 24 controls the compressor rotation speed, fan rotation speed, etc. as necessary based on the set temperature and indoor temperature data received from the indoor unit control devices 31 of multiple indoor units 3 (first indoor unit 3A, second indoor units 3B to 3D).
　室外機信号転送部２５は、操作信号に含まれる室内機特定情報に基づいて特定される第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに、操作信号を転送する。室外機信号転送部２５は、室外機信号判別部２３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号の操作対象となる、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれ一つに、第二の信号線５２を介して転送する。ここで、第二の信号線５２は、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの各々と室外機２とを接続する信号線５である。 The outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor units 3B-3D identified based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal. Based on the discrimination result in the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to any one of the multiple second indoor units 3B-3D that is the operation target of the operation signal via the second signal line 52. Here, the second signal line 52 is the signal line 5 that connects each of the second indoor units 3B-3D to the outdoor unit 2.
（第二の室内機の室内機制御装置の構成）
　第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄは、それぞれ、室内機制御装置３１Ｂを備えている。室内機制御装置３１Ｂは、マイクロコンピュータ、ＣＰＵ等のコンピュータと、コンピュータの周辺回路や周辺装置等のハードウェアを用いて構成することができる。本実施形態では、室内機制御装置３１Ｂは、マイクロコンピュータが搭載された制御基板により構成されている。図４に示すように、室内機制御装置３１Ｂは、ハードウェアと、コンピュータが実行するプログラム等のソフトウェアとの組み合わせから構成される機能的構成として、第二操作信号受信部４２と、第二室内機動作制御部４４と、を備えている。 (Configuration of the indoor unit control device of the second indoor unit)
The second indoor units 3B to 3D each include an indoor unit control device 31B. The indoor unit control device 31B can be configured using a computer such as a microcomputer or a CPU, and hardware such as peripheral circuits and devices of the computer. In this embodiment, the indoor unit control device 31B is configured by a control board equipped with a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit control device 31B includes a second operation signal receiving unit 42 and a second indoor unit operation control unit 44 as a functional configuration configured by a combination of hardware and software such as a program executed by the computer.
　第二操作信号受信部４２は、後述する室外機２の室外機信号転送部２５から、第二の信号線５２を介して転送された操作信号を受け取る。 The second operation signal receiving unit 42 receives the operation signal transferred via the second signal line 52 from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2, which will be described later.
　第二室内機動作制御部４４は、室外機信号転送部２５から転送された操作信号に基づいて、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの動作を制御する。第二室内機動作制御部４４は、第二操作信号受信部４２で受け取った操作信号に基づいて第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの各々の動作を制御する。第二室内機動作制御部４４は、外部から設定された設定温度と、室内温度センサで検出された室内の温度とに基づいて、室内の温度が設定温度に近づくように、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの各々を制御する。また、第二室内機動作制御部４４は、第二室内機動作制御部４４に設定された設定温度、及び室内温度センサ（図示せず）で検出された室内の温度のデータを、信号線５を介して、室外機２の室外機制御装置２１に送信する。 The second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25. The second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of each of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal received by the second operation signal receiving unit 42. The second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls each of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the set temperature set from outside and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor so that the indoor temperature approaches the set temperature. The second indoor unit operation control unit 44 also transmits data on the set temperature set in the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor (not shown) to the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2 via the signal line 5.
（空気調和システムの制御方法の手順）
　図５に示すように、外部の通信端末１００から、ネットワーク２００、アクセスポイント８を介して操作信号が送信された場合、第一の室内機３Ａの操作信号受信部３２で、操作信号を受信する（ステップＳ１１）。操作信号受信部３２は、受信した操作信号を、信号判別部３３に受け渡す。 (Procedure for controlling air conditioning systems)
5, when an operation signal is transmitted from the external communication terminal 100 via the network 200 and the access point 8, the operation signal is received by the operation signal receiving unit 32 of the first indoor unit 3A (step S11). The operation signal receiving unit 32 passes the received operation signal to the signal determining unit 33.
　信号判別部３３では、操作信号受信部３２で受け取った操作信号において、操作対象となる室内機３を判別する。信号判別部３３は、操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３が、第一の室内機３Ａであるか、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄであるかを判別する（ステップＳ１２）。 The signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates the indoor unit 3 to be operated in the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32. The signal discrimination unit 33 discriminates whether the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A or the second indoor units 3B to 3D (step S12).
　ステップＳ１２において、操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３が、第一の室内機３Ａである、と判定された場合（ステップＳ１２；Ｙｅｓ）、第一室内機動作制御部３４は、操作信号に基づいて第一の室内機３Ａの動作を制御する（ステップＳ１３）。 If it is determined in step S12 that the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the first indoor unit 3A (step S12; Yes), the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal (step S13).
　ステップＳ１２において、操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄである、と判定された場合（ステップＳ１２；Ｎｏ）、信号転送部３５は、操作信号受信部３２で受け取った操作信号を、第一の信号線５１を介して室外機２に転送する（ステップＳ１４）。 If it is determined in step S12 that the indoor unit 3 to be operated by the operation signal is the second indoor unit 3B to 3D (step S12; No), the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 32 to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 (step S14).
　図６に示すように、第一の室内機３Ａの信号転送部３５から操作信号が転送された場合、室外機２の室外機制御装置２１では、室外機操作信号受信部２２が、第一の室内機３Ａからの操作信号を受信する（ステップＳ２１）。室外機操作信号受信部２２は、受信した操作信号を、室外機信号判別部２３に受け渡す。 As shown in Figure 6, when an operation signal is transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 of the first indoor unit 3A, in the outdoor unit control device 21 of the outdoor unit 2, the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 receives the operation signal from the first indoor unit 3A (step S21). The outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 passes the received operation signal to the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23.
　次いで、室外機信号判別部２３では、室外機操作信号受信部２２で受け取った操作信号の操作対象が、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれであるかを判別する（ステップＳ２２）。室外機信号判別部２３は、操作信号に含まれる室内機特定情報に基づいて、操作信号の操作対象が、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれであるかを特定する。 Then, the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 discriminates which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal received by the outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 22 (step S22). The outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 identifies which of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D is the operation target of the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
　続いて、室外機信号転送部２５では、ステップＳ２２で特定された第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに、操作信号を転送する（ステップＳ２３）。室外機信号転送部２５は、室外機信号判別部２３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号の操作対象となる、複数の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのいずれ一つに、第二の信号線５２を介して操作信号を転送する。 Then, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor units 3B to 3D identified in step S22 (step S23). Based on the discrimination result in the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal via the second signal line 52 to one of the multiple second indoor units 3B to 3D that is the operation target of the operation signal.
　ステップＳ２３で操作信号が転送された第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄのうちの一つにおいては、室内機制御装置３１Ｂの第二操作信号受信部４２で操作信号を受け取る（ステップＳ３１）。第二操作信号受信部４２は、受信した操作信号を、第二室内機動作制御部４４に受け渡す。 In one of the second indoor units 3B to 3D to which the operation signal was transferred in step S23, the second operation signal receiver 42 of the indoor unit control device 31B receives the operation signal (step S31). The second operation signal receiver 42 passes the received operation signal to the second indoor unit operation control unit 44.
　第二室内機動作制御部４４では、室外機信号転送部２５から転送された操作信号に基づいて、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの動作を制御する（ステップＳ３２）。 The second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 (step S32).
（作用効果）
　上記構成の空気調和システム１では、第一の室内機３Ａの無線通信部３０で、外部の通信端末１００から送信された、複数の室内機３の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を受信する。受信された操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合、信号転送部３５は、操作信号を、第一の信号線５１を介して室外機２に転送する。室外機２の室外機信号転送部２５は、信号転送部３５から転送された操作信号を、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送する。転送された操作信号を受け取った第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄは、操作信号に応じた動作を実行する。このようにして、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。これにより、複数の室内機３を備える場合であっても、全ての室内機３に無線通信部３０を備える必要がない。また、さらに、複数の室内機３の各々と室外機２とは、元々、信号のやりとりのための信号線５により接続されている。この信号線５を、第一の信号線５１、第二の信号線５２として用いることで、新たに配線を追加する必要も抑えられる。したがって、複数の室内機３を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することが可能となる。 (Action and Effect)
In the air conditioning system 1 having the above configuration, the wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A receives an operation signal transmitted from the external communication terminal 100 and directed to operate each of the multiple indoor units 3. If the received operation signal is directed to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. The outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2 transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D. The second indoor units 3B to 3D that receive the transferred operation signal execute an operation corresponding to the operation signal. In this way, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. As a result, even when multiple indoor units 3 are provided, it is not necessary to provide the wireless communication unit 30 in all indoor units 3. Furthermore, each of the multiple indoor units 3 and the outdoor unit 2 are originally connected by a signal line 5 for signal exchange. The need to add new wiring is reduced by using this signal line 5 as the first signal line 51 and the second signal line 52. Therefore, it becomes possible to remotely control a plurality of indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
　また、第一の室内機３Ａの信号判別部３３は、無線通信部３０で受信された操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３を判別する。信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、信号転送部３５が、操作信号を、第一の信号線５１を介して室外機２に転送する。このようにして、第一の室内機３Ａの無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。 The signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A also discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is to be operated by the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30. If, based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33, the operation signal is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. In this way, if the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2.
　また、第一の室内機３Ａの信号判別部３３において、無線通信部３０で受信された操作信号が、第一の室内機３Ａを操作対象とする操作信号であると判別された場合、第一室内機動作制御部３４により、操作信号に基づいて第一の室内機３Ａの動作を制御することができる。 In addition, if the signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A discriminates that the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 is an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A, the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 can control the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal.
　さらに、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄでは、室外機信号転送部２５から転送された操作信号を受け取ると、受け取った操作信号に基づいて、第二室内機動作制御部４４が第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの動作を制御する。 Furthermore, in the second indoor units 3B to 3D, when the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 is received, the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the received operation signal.
　また、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを複数備えている場合、室外機信号判別部２３が、操作信号に含まれる室内機特定情報に基づいて、操作信号による操作対象となる第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを特定する。室外機信号転送部２５は、特定された第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに、操作信号を転送する。これにより、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄが複数備えられている場合であっても、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。 Furthermore, if there are multiple second indoor units 3B-3D, the outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 23 identifies the second indoor unit 3B-3D to be operated by the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal. The outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the identified second indoor unit 3B-3D. As a result, even if there are multiple second indoor units 3B-3D, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B-3D via the outdoor unit 2.
　上記構成の空気調和システム１の制御方法では、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部４０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。したがって、複数の室内機３を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することが可能となる。 In the control method for the air conditioning system 1 configured as above, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 40 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. Therefore, it is possible to remotely control multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
（その他の実施形態）
　以上、本開示の実施の形態について図面を参照して詳述したが、具体的な構成はこの実施の形態に限られるものではなく、本開示の要旨を逸脱しない範囲の設計変更等も含まれる。
　なお、上記実施形態では、三台の第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを備える構成としたが、これに限るものではなく、第二の室内機は、一台、二台、あるいは四台以上であってもよい。 Other Embodiments
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.
In the above embodiment, the configuration is provided with three second indoor units 3B to 3D, but this is not limited to this, and the number of second indoor units may be one, two, or four or more.
＜付記＞
　実施形態に記載の空気調和システム１、空気調和システム１の制御方法は、例えば以下のように把握される。 <Additional Notes>
The air conditioning system 1 and the control method for the air conditioning system 1 described in the embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.
（１）第１の態様に係る空気調和システム１は、一台の室外機２と、複数の室内機３と、を備える空気調和システム１であって、前記室内機３は、前記室外機２に対して第一の信号線５１を介して接続された第一の室内機３Ａと、前記室外機２に対して第二の信号線５２を介して接続された第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄと、を備え、前記第一の室内機３Ａは、外部の通信端末１００から送信される、複数の前記室内機３の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により受信可能な無線通信部３０と、前記無線通信部３０で受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線５１を介して前記室外機２に転送する信号転送部３５と、を備え、前記室外機２は、前記信号転送部３５から転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送する室外機信号転送部２５を備える。
　外部の通信端末１００としては、例えば、スマートフォン、タブレット等の携帯型通信端末、パーソナルコンピュータ等が例示できる。 (1) An air conditioning system 1 according to a first aspect is an air conditioning system 1 comprising one outdoor unit 2 and a plurality of indoor units 3, the indoor unit 3 comprising a first indoor unit 3A connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a first signal line 51, and second indoor units 3B to 3D connected to the outdoor unit 2 via a second signal line 52, the first indoor unit 3A comprising a wireless communication unit 30 capable of receiving, via wireless communication, an operation signal intended to operate each of the plurality of indoor units 3, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal 100, and a signal transfer unit 35 which transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 when the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 is the operation signal for the second indoor units 3B to 3D, and the outdoor unit 2 comprises an outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 which transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
Examples of the external communication terminal 100 include a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, a personal computer, and the like.
　この空気調和システム１は、第一の室内機３Ａに無線通信部３０を備えている。第一の室内機３Ａの無線通信部３０は、外部の通信端末１００から送信された、複数の室内機３の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を受信する。受信された操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合、信号転送部３５は、操作信号を、第一の信号線５１を介して室外機２に転送する。室外機２の室外機信号転送部２５は、信号転送部３５から転送された操作信号を、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送する。転送された操作信号を受け取った第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄは、操作信号に応じた動作を実行する。このようにして、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。これにより、複数の室内機３を備える場合であっても、全ての室内機３に無線通信部３０を備える必要がない。また、複数の室内機３の各々と室外機２とは、元々、信号のやりとりのための信号線５により接続されている。この信号線５が、第一の信号線５１、第二の信号線５２を兼ねることで、新たに信号線を追加する必要も抑えられる。したがって、複数の室内機３を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することが可能となる。 This air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 30 in the first indoor unit 3A. The wireless communication unit 30 of the first indoor unit 3A receives an operation signal transmitted from an external communication terminal 100 and directed to operate each of the multiple indoor units 3. If the received operation signal is an operation signal directed to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. The outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 of the outdoor unit 2 transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D. The second indoor units 3B to 3D, which receive the transferred operation signal, perform an operation according to the operation signal. In this way, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. As a result, even when multiple indoor units 3 are provided, it is not necessary to provide a wireless communication unit 30 in all indoor units 3. In addition, each of the multiple indoor units 3 and the outdoor unit 2 are originally connected by a signal line 5 for signal exchange. This signal line 5 also serves as the first signal line 51 and the second signal line 52, reducing the need to add new signal lines. Therefore, it is possible to remotely control the multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
（２）第２の態様に係る空気調和システム１は、（１）の空気調和システム１であって、前記第一の室内機３Ａは、前記無線通信部３０で受信された前記操作信号の操作対象となる前記室内機３を判別する信号判別部３３を更に備え、前記信号転送部３５は、前記信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線５１を介して前記室外機２に転送する。 (2) The air conditioning system 1 according to the second aspect is the air conditioning system 1 according to (1), in which the first indoor unit 3A further includes a signal discrimination unit 33 that discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is the target of operation of the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30, and the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51 when the operation signal is for the second indoor unit 3B to 3D based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33.
　これにより、第一の室内機３Ａの信号判別部３３は、無線通信部３０で受信された操作信号の操作対象となる室内機３を判別する。信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、操作信号が、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、信号転送部３５が、操作信号を、第一の信号線５１を介して室外機２に転送する。このようにして、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを操作対象とする操作信号を、第一の室内機３Ａから室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。 As a result, the signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A discriminates the indoor unit 3 that is to be operated by the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30. If, based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33, the operation signal is an operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the signal transfer unit 35 transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51. In this way, the operation signal that is to operate the second indoor units 3B to 3D can be transferred from the first indoor unit 3A via the outdoor unit 2 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D.
（３）第３の態様に係る空気調和システム１は、（２）の空気調和システム１であって、前記第一の室内機３Ａは、前記信号判別部３３における判別結果に基づき、前記操作信号が、前記第一の室内機３Ａを操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号に基づいて前記第一の室内機３Ａの動作を制御する第一室内機動作制御部３４、を更に備える。 (3) The air conditioning system 1 according to the third aspect is the air conditioning system 1 according to (2), and the first indoor unit 3A further includes a first indoor unit operation control unit 34 that controls the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal when the operation signal is an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A based on the discrimination result in the signal discrimination unit 33.
　これにより、第一の室内機３Ａの信号判別部３３において、無線通信部３０で受信された操作信号が、第一の室内機３Ａを操作対象とする操作信号であると判別された場合に、第一室内機動作制御部３４により、操作信号に基づいて第一の室内機３Ａの動作を制御することができる。 As a result, when the signal discrimination unit 33 of the first indoor unit 3A discriminates that the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 is an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit 3A, the first indoor unit operation control unit 34 can control the operation of the first indoor unit 3A based on the operation signal.
（４）第４の態様に係る空気調和システム１は、（１）から（３）の何れか一つの空気調和システム１であって、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄは、前記室外機信号転送部２５から転送された前記操作信号に基づいて、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの動作を制御する、第二室内機動作制御部４４を備える。 (4) The air conditioning system 1 according to the fourth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems 1 according to (1) to (3), and the second indoor units 3B to 3D are equipped with a second indoor unit operation control unit 44 that controls the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25.
　これにより、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄでは、室外機信号転送部２５から転送された操作信号に基づいて、第二室内機動作制御部４４により、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄの動作を制御することができる。 As a result, in the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the second indoor unit operation control unit 44 can control the operation of the second indoor units 3B to 3D based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25.
（５）第５の態様に係る空気調和システム１は、（１）から（４）の何れか一つの空気調和システム１であって、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを複数備え、前記操作信号は、複数の前記室内機３のうちの一つを特定する室内機特定情報を含み、前記室外機信号転送部２５は、前記操作信号に含まれる前記室内機特定情報に基づいて特定される前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに、前記操作信号を転送する。 (5) The air conditioning system 1 according to the fifth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems 1 according to (1) to (4), and includes a plurality of the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal includes indoor unit identification information that identifies one of the plurality of indoor units 3, and the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the second indoor unit 3B to 3D that is identified based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
　これにより、操作信号は、複数の前記室内機３のうちの一つを特定する室内機特定情報を含んでいる。第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを複数備えている場合、室外機信号転送部２５は、前記操作信号に含まれる前記室内機特定情報に基づいて、操作信号による操作対象となる第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄを特定する。室外機信号転送部２５は、特定された前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに、操作信号を転送する。これにより、第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄが複数備えられている場合であっても、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。 As a result, the operation signal includes indoor unit identification information that identifies one of the multiple indoor units 3. When multiple second indoor units 3B-3D are provided, the outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 identifies the second indoor unit 3B-3D that is to be operated by the operation signal based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal. The outdoor unit signal transfer unit 25 transfers the operation signal to the identified second indoor unit 3B-3D. As a result, even when multiple second indoor units 3B-3D are provided, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B-3D via the outdoor unit 2.
（６）第６の態様に係る空気調和システム１の制御方法は、（１）から（５）の何れか一つの空気調和システム１の制御方法であって、外部の通信端末１００から送信される、複数の前記室内機３の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により、前記第一の室内機３Ａで受信するステップＳ１１と、受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線５１を介して前記第一の室内機３Ａから前記室外機２に転送するステップＳ１４と、前記信号転送部３５から前記室外機２に転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の信号線５２を介して前記室外機２から前記第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送するステップＳ２３と、を含む。 (6) The control method for the air conditioning system 1 according to the sixth aspect is any one of the control methods for the air conditioning system 1 according to (1) to (5), and includes step S11 in which the first indoor unit 3A receives, via wireless communication, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units 3, which is transmitted from an external communication terminal 100; step S14 in which, if the received operation signal is an operation signal for the second indoor units 3B to 3D, the operation signal is transferred from the first indoor unit 3A to the outdoor unit 2 via the first signal line 51; and step S23 in which the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit 35 to the outdoor unit 2 is transferred from the outdoor unit 2 to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the second signal line 52.
　これにより、第一の室内機３Ａに備えられた無線通信部３０で受信した操作信号を、室外機２を介して第二の室内機３Ｂ～３Ｄに転送することができる。したがって、複数の室内機３を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することが可能となる。 As a result, the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit 30 provided in the first indoor unit 3A can be transferred to the second indoor units 3B to 3D via the outdoor unit 2. This makes it possible to remotely operate multiple indoor units 3 with a simple configuration.
　上述した一態様によれば、複数の室内機を、簡易な構成で遠隔操作することができる。 According to one aspect described above, multiple indoor units can be remotely controlled with a simple configuration.
１…空気調和システム
２…室外機
３…室内機
３Ａ…第一の室内機
３Ｂ～３Ｄ…第二の室内機
５…信号線
５１…第一の信号線
５２…第二の信号線
８…アクセスポイント
２１…室外機制御装置
２２…室外機操作信号受信部
２３…室外機信号判別部
２４…室外機動作制御部
２５…室外機信号転送部
３０…無線通信部
３１、３１Ａ、３１Ｂ…室内機制御装置
３２…操作信号受信部
３３…信号判別部
３４…第一室内機動作制御部
３５…信号転送部
４２…第二操作信号受信部
４４…第二室内機動作制御部
１００…通信端末
２００…ネットワーク DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Air conditioning system 2...Outdoor unit 3...Indoor unit 3A...First indoor unit 3B to 3D...Second indoor unit 5...Signal line 51...First signal line 52...Second signal line 8...Access point 21...Outdoor unit control device 22...Outdoor unit operation signal receiving unit 23...Outdoor unit signal discrimination unit 24...Outdoor unit operation control unit 25...Outdoor unit signal transfer unit 30... Wireless communication unit 31, 31A, 31B...Indoor unit control device 32...Operation signal receiving unit 33...Signal discrimination unit 34...First indoor unit operation control unit 35...Signal transfer unit 42...Second operation signal receiving unit 44...Second indoor unit operation control unit 100...Communication terminal 200...Network

Claims (6)

  1. 　一台の室外機と、複数の室内機と、を備える空気調和システムであって、
    　前記室内機は、
    　前記室外機に対して第一の信号線を介して接続された第一の室内機と、
    　前記室外機に対して第二の信号線を介して接続された第二の室内機と、を備え、
    　前記第一の室内機は、
    　外部の通信端末から送信される、複数の前記室内機の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により受信可能な無線通信部と、
    　前記無線通信部で受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機に対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線を介して前記室外機に転送する信号転送部と、を備え、
    　前記室外機は、
    　前記信号転送部から転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の室内機に転送する室外機信号転送部を備える
    　空気調和システム。     An air conditioning system having one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units,
    The indoor unit includes:
    a first indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a first signal line;
    a second indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a second signal line,
    The first indoor unit is
    a wireless communication unit capable of receiving, via wireless communication, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units, the operation signal being transmitted from an external communication terminal;
    a signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit via the first signal line when the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit is the operation signal for the second indoor unit,
    The outdoor unit includes:
    an outdoor unit signal transfer unit that transfers the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the second indoor unit.
  2. 　前記第一の室内機は、
    　前記無線通信部で受信された前記操作信号の操作対象となる前記室内機を判別する信号判別部を更に備え、
    　前記信号転送部は、前記信号判別部における判別結果に基づき、前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機に対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線を介して前記室外機に転送する
    　請求項１に記載の空気調和システム。     The first indoor unit is
    A signal discrimination unit that discriminates the indoor unit that is to be operated by the operation signal received by the wireless communication unit,
    The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the signal transfer unit transfers the operation signal to the outdoor unit via the first signal line when the operation signal is for the second indoor unit based on a discrimination result by the signal discrimination unit.
  3. 　前記第一の室内機は、
    　前記信号判別部における判別結果に基づき、前記操作信号が、前記第一の室内機を操作対象とする操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号に基づいて前記第一の室内機の動作を制御する第一室内機動作制御部、を更に備える
    　請求項２に記載の空気調和システム。     The first indoor unit is
    The air conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising a first indoor unit operation control unit that, when the operation signal is an operation signal for operating the first indoor unit based on a discrimination result by the signal discrimination unit, controls operation of the first indoor unit based on the operation signal.
  4. 　前記第二の室内機は、
    　前記室外機信号転送部から転送された前記操作信号に基づいて、前記第二の室内機の動作を制御する、第二室内機動作制御部を備える
    　請求項１または２に記載の空気調和システム。     The second indoor unit is
    The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second indoor unit operation control unit that controls an operation of the second indoor unit based on the operation signal transferred from the outdoor unit signal transfer unit.
  5. 　前記第二の室内機を複数備え、
    　前記操作信号は、複数の前記室内機のうちの一つを特定する室内機特定情報を含み、
    　前記室外機信号転送部は、前記操作信号に含まれる前記室内機特定情報に基づいて特定される前記第二の室内機に、前記操作信号を転送する
    　請求項１または２に記載の空気調和システム。     The second indoor unit is provided in plurality,
    the operation signal includes indoor unit identification information that identifies one of the plurality of indoor units,
    The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outdoor unit signal transfer section transfers the operation signal to the second indoor unit identified based on the indoor unit identification information included in the operation signal.
  6. 　請求項１または２に記載の空気調和システムの制御方法であって、
    　外部の通信端末から送信される、複数の前記室内機の各々を操作対象とする操作信号を、無線通信により、前記第一の室内機で受信するステップと、
    　受信された前記操作信号が、前記第二の室内機に対する前記操作信号であった場合に、前記操作信号を、前記第一の信号線を介して前記第一の室内機から前記室外機に転送するステップと、
    　前記信号転送部から前記室外機に転送された前記操作信号を、前記第二の信号線を介して前記室外機から前記第二の室内機に転送するステップと、を含む
    空気調和システムの制御方法。     A method for controlling an air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:
    receiving, by wireless communication, at the first indoor unit, an operation signal for operating each of the indoor units, the operation signal being transmitted from an external communication terminal;
    When the received operation signal is the operation signal for the second indoor unit, transferring the operation signal from the first indoor unit to the outdoor unit via the first signal line;
    and transferring the operation signal transferred from the signal transfer unit to the outdoor unit from the outdoor unit to the second indoor unit via the second signal line.
PCT/JP2023/031974 2022-09-29 2023-08-31 Air conditioning system, and method for controlling air conditioning system WO2024070492A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2022156108A JP2024049710A (en) 2022-09-29 2022-09-29 Air conditioning system and method for controlling air conditioning system
JP2022-156108 2022-09-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024070492A1 true WO2024070492A1 (en) 2024-04-04

Family

ID=90477335

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2023/031974 WO2024070492A1 (en) 2022-09-29 2023-08-31 Air conditioning system, and method for controlling air conditioning system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2024049710A (en)
WO (1) WO2024070492A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130298576A1 (en) * 2011-01-21 2013-11-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner and communication apparatus and method thereof
KR20140132887A (en) * 2013-05-08 2014-11-19 엘지전자 주식회사 Air conditioner and method
WO2022168278A1 (en) * 2021-02-05 2022-08-11 三菱電機株式会社 Air conditioner system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130298576A1 (en) * 2011-01-21 2013-11-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner and communication apparatus and method thereof
KR20140132887A (en) * 2013-05-08 2014-11-19 엘지전자 주식회사 Air conditioner and method
WO2022168278A1 (en) * 2021-02-05 2022-08-11 三菱電機株式会社 Air conditioner system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2024049710A (en) 2024-04-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7721558B2 (en) Multi-air conditioner and group-unit control method thereof
EP1936294B1 (en) Air conditioning system
KR100359806B1 (en) Multi airconditioner
US20060090483A1 (en) Communication system of a multi-type air-conditioner and method thereof
WO2024070492A1 (en) Air conditioning system, and method for controlling air conditioning system
KR101348593B1 (en) Communication system between indoor unit and outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system
JP7057531B2 (en) Air conditioning system
AU2018441289B2 (en) Air-conditioning system
JP2004293810A (en) Air conditioning system
KR101275561B1 (en) Air-conditioner system in the base station and its control method for the same
US7373783B2 (en) Outdoor unit of air conditioner and controlling method for the same
JP2001041534A (en) Air conditioning system
JPH1144447A (en) Air conditioning control system
KR102000070B1 (en) Control method of air-conditioner system
JP3402667B2 (en) Air conditioner
JP4107876B2 (en) Air conditioning system
US11954054B2 (en) Communication system, slave unit used for communication system, and communication method
US11585556B2 (en) Network system
US20230283932A1 (en) Air treatment apparatus
JP2005249337A (en) Freezing air conditioning system and its control method
JP2000304330A (en) Air conditioning system and operating mode switching method therefor
AU2021428799A1 (en) Update device, indoor and outdoor unit, update system, update method, and programme
JP2001215045A (en) Air conditioner
JP2002310486A (en) Indoor machine address setting method for air- conditioning system and air-conditioning system
JPH0712392A (en) Air conditioner