JPH0271039A - Air conditioner control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an operation/stop state display lamp from undesirably lighting-on or lighting-off by operating an operation switch by a centralized controller, reading second identification information for identifying a master machine as a pair with first identification information corresponding to an indoor machine to be operated, and sending no operation command of the switch when the indoor machine is of a slave machine. CONSTITUTION:Whether an individual operation key 35 is operated or not is detected, whether the key 35 such as a unit number Ui is 'non-connection' i.e., Ui=0 or not is judged. If this judgement is yes, whether an indoor machine 12 of unit number Ui is of a master machine 19 or not is judged. If the machine 12 is judged to be a master machine, whether a state display lamp 36 corresponding to the unit number Ui displays the operation or not is judged. If it displays the operation, it is switched to its stop by the operation of the key 35, and the lamp 36 is put out. If the number Ui is 'connection', i.e., Ui=1, the unit number is incrementally increased by +1, and whether the key 35 corresponding to the number is operated is discriminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner control system that is suitably used when controlling a large number of indoor units with a single centralized control device.

Conventional Technology In factories, buildings, etc., a plurality of indoor units are placed in each room or location, and a technique is used in which a central control device is used to commonly control these indoor units. As 19 of Technique 14:i, a so-called centralized control method is used in which the individual operations of each indoor unit are centrally controlled using an ear device. For example, there is also a group control method in which multiple indoor units are connected in series, only one of them is equipped with a remote control device and serves as a master unit, and all the indoor units connected in series are controlled in a common manner. It is used.

When both of these methods are used in combination, centralized control 'A' allows not only the parent unit but also the slave units to individually specify this and transmit commands. 62-280538 is cited as an example of such a 6'' (unexplored example). In this conventional example, when the transmitting side (unit A) transmits data, it transmits the same data twice. data received l
! III (Unit B) checks whether the data sent twice match or not, and sends out the result as a confirmation signal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart briefly showing the operation of such a conventional example. At step a1 in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned central control device instructs the preferred indoor unit to start/stop, and at step a2, the command is transmitted to the indoor unit. In step a3, the indoor unit that has received the command executes the command together with the unit that returns a confirmation signal. In step a4, in response to such a confirmation signal, the operation/stop indicator lights installed in the central control device in the number corresponding to the indoor units concerned are turned on/off.

That is, when the confirmation signal indicates the start of operation, the indicator light is lit, and when f% indicates the stop, the indicator light is turned off.

Such a confirmation signal is given from the above-mentioned parent device 7. On the other hand, in order to avoid conflicts with the group control method using the remote control (?) device connected to the Mi machine in the slave machine, the central control device transmits such start/stop commands to the slave machine. The so-called air movement (
Commands regarding % are configured to be rejected. When such an operation command is given to the slave unit, the slave unit returns a confirmation signal indicating that the command is incompatible. The indicator light of the central control unit is activated by such a confirmation signal ii! i will be lit.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the prior art as described above, the central control device is
When an operation command related to air conditioning operation is transmitted to q and the target indoor unit is a slave unit, the central control (installed on the ear device) 1 turn/stop indicator light will blink. However, there is a problem in that the operator cannot confirm whether the indoor unit is running or stopped. 6 In addition, such turning on/off of the running/stopping indicator light is based on the confirmation signal for the operating command. Since the display mode is switched after waiting, there is a problem in that when there are a relatively large number of indoor units, responsiveness is relatively poor and prompt confirmation is difficult.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and provide an air conditioner control system with excellent operability.

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, remote control devices 16 to 18 are provided in at least 1' of a plurality of indoor units 12 to serve as a master unit 19, and ff1fi
The indoor unit 12 connected to the base unit 19 serves as the slave unit 20 and
In the control method of the air conditioner, in which the air conditioning operation (t is controlled by 1 and each parent v119 is individually connected to the central control device 21), the central control (t is controlled by 1) in the same manner as 9. A run/stop operation switch 35 and a stop status indicator light 36 are provided for each indoor unit 12. 19
A storage means 48 is provided for storing a pair of second identification information for identifying the slave unit 20 and the slave unit 20, and when the start/stop operation switch 35 is operated, the second identification information corresponding to the indoor unit 12 to be operated is stored. This is a control method for an air conditioner characterized in that the operation command is read out and not sent to the slave unit 20.

In the present invention, if the second identification information read when operating the run/stop operation switch 35 is of the base unit 19, the run/stop state indicator light 36 may be turned on/off immediately.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the start/stop operation ('IE switch 35 is operated and the base unit 19 is switched to the dynamic fV state M,
When the central control device 21 receives this information, the central control device 21 may determine the on/off state of the on/off state indicator light 36.

According to the present invention, the central control (the ear device 21 is connected to each indoor unit 12)
A plurality of operation/stop operations (including an F switch 35 and an operation/stop state indicator light 36 for each room, and first identification information for mutually identifying each room b1) 2, the main unit 19 and the slave unit 20 The storage means 48 stores a pair with second identification information that identifies the , the central control device 21 is operated indoor v112
reads the second identification information paired with the first identification information corresponding to the first identification information, and prevents the indoor unit 12 from transmitting an operation command generated in conjunction with the operation of the operation switch 35 when the indoor unit 12 is j% of the slave unit 20. did. This can prevent the operation command from being sent to the handset 20, and can also prevent the operation/stop state indicator light 36 from blinking undesirably.

Further, in the present invention, the indoor unit 12 to be operated is the main unit 19
In this case, the running/stopping state indicator light 36 is immediately turned on/off. As a result, the operation/stop state indicator lamp 36 can be turned on/off quickly.

Further, in the present invention, when the run/stop operation switch 48 is operated, the parent fi 19 sends out the operating state information after switching, and when the ear device 1af 21 receives this information, the above-mentioned run/stop status The lighting/extinguishing notification of the indicator lamp 36 is confirmed.This makes it possible to prevent undesired lighting/extinguishing operations of the status indicator lamp 36.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner 11 has a plurality of indoor units 12 (10 in this embodiment), and these indoor units 12 are, for example, 6 white, 3 white, 1
The tables are divided into three groups 13.14.15 respectively. Each single indoor unit 12 in each of the glues 113 to 15 includes a remote stone operating device (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) 1.
6°17.18 are connected respectively. The indoor unit 12 to which the remote controllers 16 to 18 are connected is hereinafter referred to as the base unit 1.
It is called 9. In each group 13 to 15, an indoor unit 12 different from the master unit 19 is referred to as a slave unit 20.

Each indoor unit 12 has a series of numbers uo, u1 .・・U
9 is divisible. This dividing work is done for each indoor unit.
This number is hereinafter referred to as a unit number. On the other hand, the indoor units 12 divided into groups 13 to 15 have a series of numbers G O, G 1 '+ ・
・is given. Such a number will hereinafter be referred to as a group number. In this example.

1MJI! 19 is given the group number GO. The method of assigning group numbers to the remaining handsets 20 is arbitrary.

As shown in FIG. 1, indoor units 12 in the same group
are connected in series with each other, and the parent t8 of each group 13-15
18 are individually connected to the central control device 21. In this embodiment, for a plurality of indoor units 12 as shown in the first diagram, a common movement (%) for each group 13 to 15 is transmitted to the indoor units 12 in groups 13 to 15 using remote controllers 16 to 18. In addition to performing group control, the central control device 21 also performs individual centralized control for each group.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the central control device 21. The central control device 21 has a function (hereinafter referred to as a "likelitimer function") that can set a start time and an end time, for example, for one week, and displays time data set under this function. A likelitimer display unit 22 is provided.

It also includes a group number display section 23 connected to the central control device 21 that displays a serial number incremented by one inch for each group, and a group number selection button 24 that updates the displayed group number by pressing the button. .

The setting of the above-mentioned Likely Timer function is possible for each group, and there is a Likely Timer operation section 25 for performing such setting operations, and an operation operation for operating each indoor unit 12 in a predetermined dynamic mode. A driving operation code key 25 for inputting codes, an inspection key 27, and an abnormality code memory clear key 28 are provided.

There are also two temperature setting keys for setting the operating temperature of each indoor unit 12, a trial run key 30, a dynamic FT key 31 for switching the operation mode between air conditioning mode IY and ventilation mode, and a filter sign reset key. - A key 32 is arranged.

Also, with these various keys, for example, group 1
An operating state display section 33 that displays dynamic f% states such as driving operation coats and set temperatures set between 3 and 15 days ago, and a filter sign display section 3 tl are provided.

For example, 16 individual operation keys 35 corresponding to up to 16 indoor units 12 can be connected to the central control 3uii 21, and each indoor unit 12 can be operated individually. A status indicator light 36 is provided which is an operation 5' stop state indicator light that indicates when the light is off. The individual setting unit 37 is used to set the operating behavior in such individual operation of the indoor units 12F#, and the batch operation is used to start/stop all the indoor units 12 connected to the central control device 21 at once. A key 38 and three -batch stop keys are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the central control device 21. As shown in FIG. The central control device 21 includes a transmission control section 40 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the indoor unit 2, and transmits/receives data via the transmitting/receiving section 41. Such a transmission control unit 40 is controlled by a central system (1 unit 42) including, for example, a microprocessor.
A key manual section 43 such as the various operation keys shown in FIG. 2 and a DIR switch input section 44 provided in the individual setting section 37 and the like are connected to the central control section 42.

The central control unit 42 also controls an LED control unit 45 that turns on/off LEDs (light emitting diodes) such as the filter screen display unit 34 and the status indicator light 36.
, group number display section 23 and operation status display section 33
Liquid crystal display device f such as: liquid crystal display control unit 4 that controls the front display
6.47 is connected.

In addition, the above-mentioned light input from the key human power section 613 etc.
E to store time data etc. related to Kuritaimer.
A storage section 48 consisting of an EP ROM (readable/writable - on-memory) or the like is connected.

On the other hand, the centralized control (ear device 21) is provided with four separate timer control sections for the likelitimer, and these four timer control sections also have the likelitimer operation section 2.
a key manual section 50 consisting of various operation keys such as 5;
The storage unit 48 that stores the timer data and the like is connected to, for example, a storage unit 51 having the same configuration. Also, a likelitimer display section 22 realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like.
A liquid crystal display control unit 52 is connected to the display unit.

Further, a clock signal generating section 53 that generates a clock signal that defines the operation of such a timer control section 49, etc.;
An internal power supply 54 for supplying backup power in case of a power outage is connected to this tarok signal generating section 53.

When the air conditioner 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. Group number Qj is set in the same manner.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of storing the pair of unit number Ui and group number Qj in the central control device 21, and 5I2I is a diagram showing the contents of the table 48a configured in the storage section 18.

In the fourth (21st step b1), the centralized control 311 old E1 specifies the indoor units 12, for example, in the order of unit numbers Ui by polling.In step b2, the indoor units 12 specified by polling The unit number (Ji and group number Gj) are sent back to the central control device 21. In step 1]3, the central control device 21 sends the unit numbers (Ji and group number Gj) in the order of the unit numbers Ui, depending on the presence or absence of connection and the content of the reply in step b2. A table of data regarding parent v%/child machine group etc. is configured as shown in FIG.

Figure 5 57) In the unit number column 18b, the unit number U i if) is ``1'' if connected in 4.8c, and ``0'' if ``unconnected''. ”
is given. In addition, in the "base unit, / slave unit" column 18 (l, if the base unit is 19, rl is given as 4, and if the slave unit is 20, "0" is given. fe
e-) (Types of messages that can be reversed are possible message column, 48
It is stored in e. All indoor units 12 in step b.1
It is determined by 1'+1 whether the polling for 1- has been completed, and if it has been completed, the process proceeds to the polling process.

Figure 6 shows the book' (flowchart 1 to
There is. Step 6 (see also 2I).

cl detects whether the individual operation key 35 shown in FIG. It is determined whether Ui=O). This judgment is 11 points. If it is 6, 9 and 4 are step c.
3, the indoor unit 12 with the unit number Ul is the main unit 1.
9 or not. This judgment is shown in Table 4 above.
8a.

When it is determined that the indoor unit 12 is the main unit 19, Yukoro moves to step c4 and sets the unit number Ui.
It is determined whether the indicator light 36 corresponding to the indicator light 36 is a driving indicator. If it is an operation display, it is switched to stop by operating the individual operation key 35 (-), and therefore the indicator light 36 is turned off in step c5. This post-processing returns to step C1. If the judgment in step c2 is negative, the process moves to step c6, where, for example, the unit number is incremented by +1 and it is determined by 'I'1 whether or not the individual operation key 35 corresponding to this unit number has been operated. Similar processing is repeated thereafter. on the other hand,
If the judgment in step C4 b) is negative, the process moves to step c7, and the status indicator lamp 36 is turned on.

If the determination in step C4 is negative, the process moves to step C8, where it is determined whether data representing the operating state from the indoor unit 12 can be obtained.

That is, step c5. The operation of immediately turning on/off the status indicator light 36 with reference to the table 48a as described in c7 is not performed. In other words, the lighting/extinguishing of the status indicator lamp 36 corresponding to the child (item 20) depends only on the operating condition 1 display data from the indoor unit 12.If the judgment in step (8) is affirmative, step (9) The coal seam indicator light 36 is turned on, and if the answer is negative, step c10
The light is turned off.

This process returns to step C1.

In this way, the lighting/extinguishing of the status indicator lamp 36 is controlled corresponding to the master unit 19 and slave unit 19 of the indoor unit 12. On the other hand, in a normal situation where the individual operation key 35 is not operated, the determination in step C1f is negative, and the center side (1 part 42) receives the operation state display data from the indoor unit 12.

This received data and the transmitting indoor unit 12 are connected to the base unit 19.
It is determined in step ell whether or not this is the case.

If this determination is negative, the process immediately moves to step C8, and the same process as described above is performed. If the judgment in step all is affirmative, the corresponding unit number Ui
It is determined whether or not the status rr3F<unlit 36's ON 2/OFF status 1 matches the driving status display data from the corresponding indoor unit 12.

If not, the process returns to step (1) and returns the same process 8. Only when the judgment in step c12 is positive, the process moves to step (8) and changes the driving status indicator light 36 according to the driving status display data. The lighting state will be confirmed.

As described above, according to Honjitsu Zetsuro, when the individual operation key 35 is operated, if the indoor unit 12 corresponding to the operated individual operation key 35 is the slave unit 20, the operation is not accepted. Corresponding condition! The indicator light 36 indicates the operating status from the slave unit 20.
! t, the lighting/unlighting state is switched according to the display data. Furthermore, if the indoor unit 12 corresponding to the operated individual operation key 35 is the master unit 19, the display state of the status indicator light 36 is immediately changed, and in this way, the usability of the central control device 21 is greatly improved. will be improved.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, when the central control device 21 operates the start/stop operation step (35) corresponding to the indoor unit 12 and χ, the central control device 21 Manipulation 1
Mi χ・t5! The first identification information corresponding to the indoor unit 12 and the second identification information corresponding to the month are read, and the indoor unit 12 is identified as the slave unit 2.
In the case of 0, the operation command generated in conjunction with the operation of the operation switch 35 is not sent. This can prevent the operation command from being sent to the slave V%20, and can also prevent the operation 7/' stop state indicator light 3G from undesirably turning on or off.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

112I is a system diagram of the air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention, 2I2I is a front view of the central control device 21, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the central control device 21, and 4th
5 is a diagram showing the storage mode of table 48a, FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining movables of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a typical conventional Flowchart I shows an example. 11...Air conditioner, 12...Indoor unit, 13-15...
Group, 19. Master unit, 20. Slave unit, 21. Central control device, 35. Individual operation key, 36. Deaf person, no lights.
40 ・Transmission system (1 part, 12 ・Central system (1 part, 4
8...Storage section, 48a/table

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) At least one of the plurality of indoor units 12 is provided with remote control devices 16 to 18 to function as a master unit 19, and the indoor unit 12 connected to the master unit 19 is operated as a slave unit 20 in the same manner as the master unit 19. In the control method of an air conditioner in which the air conditioning operation is controlled by each indoor unit 12 and each parent unit 19 is individually connected to a central control device 21, the central control device 21 has a plurality of operation/control functions for each indoor unit 12.
A stop operation switch 35 and an operation/stop state indicator light 36 are provided, and first identification information for mutually identifying each indoor unit 12 and second identification information for identifying the base unit 19 and slave unit 20 are provided. A storage means 48 is provided for storing the pairs, and when the operation/stop operation switch 35 is operated, the indoor unit 12 to be operated is
A control method for an air conditioner, characterized in that the second identification information corresponding to the second identification information is read out, and in the case of the slave device 20, an operation command is not sent. (2) An air conditioner characterized in that when the second identification information read when operating the run/stop operation switch 35 is the base unit 19, the run/stop state indicator light 36 is immediately turned on/off. control method. (3) Base unit 1 with run/stop operation switch 35 operated
9 sends out operating state information after switching, and when the central control device 21 receives this information, it determines the on/off state of the running/stopping state indicator light 36. Air conditioner control method.