FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“ADDRESS SETTING DEVICE, AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND
ADDRESS SETTING METHOD”
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., of 16-5, Konan 2-
chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088215, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the
invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
- 2 -
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
ADDRESS SETTING DEVICE, AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AND
ADDRESS SETTING METHOD
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an address setting
device, an air-conditioning system, and an address setting
method.
Background Art
[0002]
As a system in which plural devices are connected to
each other through a communication medium, for example, as
shown in a schematic view of Fig. 8, an air-conditioning
system (multi air-conditioner) 100 in which one outdoor
unit 101 and plural indoor units 102 are connected to each
other through refrigerant pipes and a communication medium
(communication network) 104 has been developed. The
indoor unit 102 shown in Fig. 8 may be controlled using a
remote controller 106.
[0003]
In such an air-conditioning system, PTL 1 discloses
a technique that recognizes respective refrigerant
- 3 -
specifications, capacity rankings or device types using
communication means when supplying power to a device and
determines whether an outdoor unit is connectable to
determine a connection abnormality before starting an
operation of the air-conditioning system.
[0004]
Here, in order to allow transmission and reception
of information through the communication medium 104, it is
necessary to set an address with respect to each indoor
unit 102.
In the related art, in address setting, in a case
where only one refrigerant pipe system is provided as
shown in Fig. 8, an address of the outdoor unit 101 is
fixed and addresses of the indoor units 102 in the network
are automatically numbered to perform automatic address
setting. In the example of Fig. 8, a numeral in a
rectangular box indicating the outdoor unit 101 is a
number (address) of the outdoor unit 101. Further, an
upper left numeral among numerals in a circle indicating
each indoor unit 102 is a number of the outdoor unit 101
connected thereto, and a lower right numeral is a number
of the indoor unit 102 for which the order of
communication with the outdoor unit 101 is fixedly set. A
combination of the upper left numeral and the lower right
numeral is set as an address for each indoor unit 102.
- 4 -
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0005]
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2006-78043
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006]
On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, if two or
more refrigerant pipe systems are provided, there is a
case where plural outdoor units 101 are connected to one
indoor unit 102 through a communication medium 104. In
such a case, since addresses of the outdoor units 101 with
respect to the indoor unit 102 cannot be fixed, it is
difficult to automatically perform address setting. Thus,
for example, address setting is performed using a method
for manually inputting information relating to connection
between the outdoor units 101 and the indoor unit 102.
However, in the manual address setting, there is a
concern that an artificial mistake may occur.
[0007]
Further, even in a case where automatic address
setting is possible, in a case where an address is given
to the indoor unit 102 according to a fixed communication
order, an address of the indoor unit 102 may be changed
- 5 -
whenever a power source of an air-conditioning system is
turned off. As a result, for example, since an address of
a certain indoor unit 102 may become 1, or may become 10,
a manager of the air-conditioning system 100 cannot easily
recognize an address given to each indoor unit 102.
[0008]
In addition, in a case where an installer and a user
of an air-conditioning system are different from each
other, there is a case where a rate structure for charging
an electric bill with respect to the air-conditioning
system (indoor unit 102) to the user is used. In such a
case, in order to conveniently and accurately perform
billing, it is preferable that an address of the indoor
unit 102 is fixed. Thus, for example, the address of the
indoor unit 102 is set not to be changed using a physical
switch such as a DIP switch.
Furthermore, when checking for the presence or
absence of a mistake in execution of a trial run of the
air-conditioning system, in order to reliably check an
indoor unit 102 where a problem occurs, there is a case
where an address of the indoor unit 102 is fixed only in
the trial run.
[0009]
As described above, it is preferable to
automatically set an address with respect to the indoor
- 6 -
unit 102 of the air-conditioning system 100, but there are
cases where it is difficult to automatically set a unique
address, and in such cases, address setting is performed
through a separate manual operation or the like.
[0010]
Furthermore, there is a case where details of a
specification of the indoor unit 102 are not clear to a
control device, such as a case where a manufacturer of the
indoor unit 102 and a manufacturer of a control device of
the air-conditioning system 100 are different from each
other, for example. In such a case, it is necessary that
the control device separately receives information
relating to the specification from the indoor unit 102.
[0011]
The invention has been made in consideration of the
above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to
provide an address setting device, an air-conditioning
system, and an address setting method capable of uniquely
determine addresses of plural devices.
Solution to Problem
[0012]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an
address setting device, an air-conditioning system, and an
address setting method of the invention employ the
following means.
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[0013]
According to a first aspect of the invention, there
is provided an address setting device of a system in which
plural devices are connected to each other through a
communication medium and transmission and reception of
information is performed between the devices, including:
setting means for setting an address of each device so as
to include a value indicating a specification of each
device.
[0014]
This configuration relates to an address setting
device of a system in which plural devices are connected
to each other through a communication medium and
transmission and reception of information is performed
between the devices.
Here, the devices are plural indoor units that form
an air-conditioning system, for example. Further, the
address refers to a unique identification number allocated
for performing communication with other devices, and is
configured by numerals, alphabetic characters, a
combination of numerals and alphabetic characters, or the
like, for example.
[0015]
Here, the value indicating the specification of the
device is stored in advance for each device, for example,
- 8 -
and is not changed if the specification of the device is
not changed. Thus, an address for each device is set by
setting means so as to include the value indicating the
specification of the device.
Thus, according to this configuration, since the
value indicating the specification of the device is
included in the address of each device, it is possible to
uniquely determine the address of each device. Further,
in this configuration, the specification of the device is
transmitted to another device as the address thereof.
Thus, the device can cause another device to recognize the
specification thereof without separately transmitting
information indicating the specification thereof to the
other device.
[0016]
In the first aspect of the invention, the setting
means may perform a trial run of the system, and may set
an address for each device of which an operation is
confirmed.
[0017]
According to this configuration, since operation
confirmation and address setting of the device are
performed at the same time, it is possible to uniquely
determine an address of each device with high efficiency.
[0018]
- 9 -
In the first aspect of the invention, the system may
be an air-conditioning system that includes one or plural
indoor units and plural outdoor units as the devices, and
the setting means may set, in a case where each outdoor
unit is operated and an expansion valve of each indoor
unit reaches a predetermined opening degree, a combination
of a number of the outdoor unit which is operated and a
value indicating a specification of the indoor unit as the
address of the indoor unit of which the operation is
confirmed.
[0019]
According to this configuration, since operation
confirmation and address setting of an indoor unit
connected to an outdoor unit are performed at the same
time in a refrigerant pipe, it is possible to uniquely
determine an address of each indoor unit with high
efficiency.
[0020]
In the first aspect of the invention, the system may
be an air-conditioning system that includes one or plural
outdoor units and plural indoor units as the device, and
the setting means may read a specification of each indoor
unit stored in the indoor unit to set an address of each
indoor unit.
[0021]
- 10 -
According to this configuration, since an address of
each indoor unit is set based on a specification of the
indoor unit stored in advance, it is possible to uniquely
and easily determine the address of each indoor unit.
[0022]
In the first aspect of the invention, the address
may be rewritable to an arbitrary value.
[0023]
According to this configuration, it is possible to
enhance convenience for address setting of a device.
[0024]
According to a second aspect of the invention, there
is provided an air-conditioning system including: one or
plural outdoor units and plural indoor units; and the
address setting device according to any one of claims 1 to
5 that sets an address of each indoor unit so as to
include a value indicating a specification of the indoor
unit which is a device.
[0025]
According to a third aspect of the invention, there
is provided an address setting method of a system in which
plural devices are connected to each other through a
communication medium and transmission and reception of
information is performed between the devices, including: a
first process of reading a value indicating a
- 11 -
specification of each device from storage means; and a
second process of setting an address of each device so as
to include the value indicating the specification of the
device.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0026]
According to the invention, it is possible to
achieve an effect capable of uniquely determining
addresses of plural devices.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0027]
Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant
system of an air-conditioning system according to an
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical
configuration of an air-conditioning system according to
an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to
address setting in an indoor-unit local controller
according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an example
of an indoor unit address according to an embodiment of
the invention.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a trial
- 12 -
run process according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a
device authentication process according to an embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a
device authentication process according to an embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an example
of an air-conditioning system.
Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an example
of an air-conditioning system.
Description of Embodiments
[0028]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an address setting
device, an air-conditioning system, and an address setting
method according to the invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029]
In this embodiment, a system in which plural devices
are connected to each other through a communication medium
and transmission and reception of information is performed
between the devices is shown as an example of an airconditioning
system. That is, the devices refer to an
indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a control device that
- 13 -
form the air-conditioning system, and the information
refers to measurement results of various sensors, control
signals, or the like.
Further, the air-conditioning system according to
this embodiment is provided in a large commercial facility,
a building, or the like, for example.
[0030]
Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant
system of an air-conditioning system 1 according to this
embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the air-conditioning
system 1 includes one outdoor unit B, and plural indoor
units A1 and A2 connected to the outdoor unit B through a
common refrigerant pipe 10. In Fig. 1, for ease of
description, a configuration in which two indoor units A1
and A2 are connected to one outdoor unit B is shown, but
the number of installed outdoors B and the number of
connected indoor units A1 and A2 are not limited.
[0031]
The outdoor unit B includes, for example, a
compressor 11 that compresses a refrigerant for
transmission, a four-way valve 12 that switches a
circulation direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat
exchanger 13 that performs heat exchange between the
refrigerant and outside air, an outdoor fan 15, an
accumulator 16 provided in a suction side pipe of the
- 14 -
compressor 11, for example, to perform gas-liquid
separation from the refrigerant, and the like. Further,
various sensors 20 (see Fig. 2) such as a pressure sensor
21 that measures a refrigerant pressure (a high pressure
sensor 21_1 and a low pressure sensor 21_2) or a
temperature sensor 24 that measures a temperature of the
refrigerant or the like are provided in the outdoor unit B.
The high pressure sensor 21_1 measures a pressure of a
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11, and the low
pressure sensor 21_2 measures a pressure of a refrigerant
sent to the compressor 11.
[0032]
Each of the indoor units A1 and A2 includes an
indoor heat exchanger 31, an indoor fan 32, an indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 which is an electronic expansion valve,
for example, and the like. Each of two indoor units A1
and A2 is connected to each refrigerant pipe 10 branched
from a header 22 and a distributor 23 in the outdoor unit
B.
An indoor-unit temperature sensor 35_1 measures an
inlet refrigerant temperature in the indoor heat exchanger
31, an indoor-unit temperature sensor 35_2 measures an
intermediate refrigerant temperature in the indoor heat
exchanger 31, and an indoor-unit temperature sensor 35_3
measures an outlet refrigerant temperature in the indoor
- 15 -
heat exchanger 31.
[0033]
As an example, the indoor units A1 and A2 or the
outdoor unit B may be manufactured by a manufacturer
different from that of a control device 3 (which will be
described later) as long as they satisfy their
specifications.
[0034]
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical
configuration of the air-conditioning system 1 according
to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, a
configuration in which the indoor units A1 and A2, the
outdoor unit B, and the control device 3 are connected to
one another through a common bus 5 and information
exchange is possible therebetween is used. The common bus
5 is an example of a communication medium, and
communication may be performed in a wireless or wired
manner.
The control device 3 is connected to a maintenance
and inspection device 6 that performs maintenance and
inspection through a communication medium 7, and is
configured to periodically transmit working data or to
rapidly notify, when an abnormality occurs, information
indicating that the abnormality occurs.
[0035]
- 16 -
Here, in an air-conditioning system in the related
art, a control device is individually provided inside each
indoor unit and each outdoor unit. On the other hand, in
the present embodiment, indoor-unit control units 41 and
42, and an outdoor unit control unit 43 are provided
independently of the indoor units A1 and A2, and the
outdoor unit B. Specifically, the indoor-unit control
unit 41 that controls the indoor unit A1, the indoor-unit
control unit 42 that controls the indoor unit A2, and the
outdoor unit control unit 43 that controls the outdoor
unit B are respectively mounted in the control device 3 as
virtualized control units. Further, when performing a
trial run of the air-conditioning system 1, the control
device 3 includes a trial run control unit 44 that
controls the indoor unit A1 and the outdoor unit B
according to a predetermined processing order.
Specifically, the indoor-unit control unit 41 that
controls the indoor unit A1, the indoor-unit control unit
42 that controls the indoor unit A2, the outdoor unit
control unit 43 that controls the outdoor unit B, and the
trial run control unit 44 are respectively mounted in the
control device 3 as virtualized control units.
[0036]
That is, the indoor-unit control units 41 and 42,
and the outdoor unit control unit 43 are collectively
- 17 -
provided in the control device 3 having one piece of
hardware, and are able to be independently operated on the
hardware included in the control device 3. The control
device 3 includes a master control unit 40 that causes the
indoor-unit control units 41 and 42, and the outdoor unit
control unit 43 to be virtually present in the control
device.
[0037]
In the control device 3, the indoor-unit control
units 41 and 42, and the outdoor unit control unit 43 are
configured to perform information exchange therebetween.
Further, the indoor-unit control units 41 and 42, and the
outdoor unit control unit 43 may perform autonomous
distributed controls for realizing independent autonomous
distributed controls while sharing information. Here, the
autonomous distributed control refers to a control for
receiving information from the sensors 20 or the other
control units (for example, if a concerned control unit is
the indoor-unit control unit 41, the indoor-unit control
unit 42 and the outdoor unit control unit 43 correspond to
the other control units) and causing a predetermined
application to give a control command to a corresponding
unit among the indoor units A1 and A2 and the outdoor unit
B (for example, if the concerned control unit is the
indoor-unit control unit 41, the indoor unit A1 is a
- 18 -
corresponding unit) according to a control rule using the
information as an input.
[0038]
In the indoor unit A1, indoor-unit local controllers
52 which are respectively provided corresponding to
various devices 51 such as the indoor fan 32 and the
indoor-unit expansion valve 33 (see Fig. 1) are connected
to the common bus 5 through a gateway (communication
means) 53. Although not shown, the indoor unit A2 has the
same configuration as that of the indoor unit A1.
In the outdoor unit B, outdoor-unit local
controllers 62 which are respectively provided
corresponding to various devices 61 such as the compressor
11, the four-way valve 12 and the outdoor fan 13 (see Fig.
1) are connected to the common bus 5 through a gateway
(communication means) 63.
[0039]
The gateways 53 and 63 are groups of functions
including a communication driver, an address storage area,
a device attribute storage area, a component device
information storage area, an OS, and a communication frame
work, for example.
The address storage area refers to a storage area
for storing an address which is a unique identification
number allocated for communication with the control device
- 19 -
3 or the like. Details about an address setting method
will be described later.
Further, the device attribute storage area refers to
a storage area for storing attribute information of the
indoor units and the outdoor unit and attribute
information of the devices 51 and 61 that belong thereto,
and for example, information such as information (for
example, the number of fans, full pulse of a valve, or the
like) indicating whether a concerned unit is an indoor
unit or an outdoor unit, information about a capacity
thereof and mounted sensors (for example, a temperature
sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like), or device
information (for example, the number of fan taps, a full
pulse of a value, or the like) is stored therein.
[0040]
Further, the sensors 20 (for example, a pressure
sensor that measures a refrigerant pressure, a temperature
sensor that measures a refrigerant temperature, and the
like) installed in the outdoor unit B and the indoor units
A1 and A2 are respectively connected to the common bus 5
through an AD board 71. Here, in a case where a
measurement accuracy of the sensors 20 is low, a node
having a correction function for correcting a measurement
value may be provided between the AD board 71 and the
sensors 20. By providing the correction function in this
- 20 -
way, it is possible to use a sensor of which the
measurement accuracy is not so high at a low price as the
sensors 20.
[0041]
In such an air-conditioning system 1, for example,
the indoor-unit control units 41 and 42 of the control
device 3 acquire measurement data or control information
from the sensors 20, the indoor-unit local controller 52,
and the outdoor-unit local controller 62 through the
common bus 5, and execute a predetermined indoor-unit
control program based on the measurement data and output a
control command to various devices (for example, the
indoor fan 32, the indoor-unit expansion valve 33, or the
like) provided in the indoor units A1 and A2. The control
commands are transmitted to the indoor-unit local
controller 52 through the common bus 5 and the gateway 53.
The indoor-unit local controller 52 drives each
corresponding device based on the received control command.
Thus, the control of the indoor units A1 and A2 is
realized based on the control commands.
[0042]
Similarly, the outdoor unit control unit 43 of the
control device 3 acquires measurement data or control
information from the sensors 20, the indoor-unit local
controller 52, the outdoor-unit local controller 62
- 21 -
through the common bus 5, and executes a predetermined
outdoor unit control program based on the measurement data,
and outputs a control command to various devices (for
example, the compressor 11, the four-way valve 12, the
outdoor heat exchanger 13, the outdoor fan 15, or the
like) provided in the outdoor unit B. The control command
is transmitted to the outdoor-unit local controller 62
through the common bus 5 and the gateway 63. The outdoorunit
local controller 62 drives each corresponding device
based on the received control command.
[0043]
The indoor units A1 and A2, and the outdoor unit B
may be subjected to an autonomous distributed control by
the indoor-unit control units 41 and 42, and the outdoor
unit control unit 43, respectively. In this case, a
control rule is set between the indoor units A1 and A2,
and the outdoor unit B, and the indoor units A1 and A2,
and the outdoor unit B are respectively controlled
according to the control rule. For example, in the case
of a refrigerant pressure, in a case where the refrigerant
pressure acquired from the sensors 20 is within a
predetermined first allowable variation range, the indoor
units A1 and A2 determine control commands for matching a
set temperature or a set air flow set by a user or the
like and an actual temperature or an actual air flow, and
- 22 -
output the control commands to the indoor units A1 and A2
through the common bus 5, respectively. Here, the indoorunit
control units 41 and 42 may cooperate to perform
information exchange to determine respective control
commands. Further, the outdoor unit control unit 43
determines an output command of the air-conditioning
system 1 for maintaining the refrigerant pressure within a
predetermined second allowable variation range, for
example, a control command relating to a rotation speed of
the compressor 11, a rotation speed of the outdoor fan 15,
or the like, and transmits the output command or control
command to the outdoor unit B through the common bus 5.
For example, by setting the first allowable
variation range to be larger than the second allowable
variation range, the outdoor unit control unit 43 may
grasp output change information of the indoor units A1 and
A2, and may determine a behavior of the outdoor unit B.
[0044]
Each of the control device 3, the indoor-unit local
controller 52, and the outdoor-unit local controller 62
includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access
memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a computerreadable
storage medium, and the like, for example.
Further, a series of processes for realizing various
functions is stored in a storage medium or the like in the
- 23 -
form of a program, for example, and the CPU reads the
program into the RAM or the like to execute information
processing and calculation operations, to thereby realize
the various functions. The program may be installed in
advance in the ROM or another storage medium, may be
provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable
storage medium, or may be distributed through a
communication medium in a wired manner or a wireless
manner, for example. The computer-readable storage medium
refers to a magnetic disc, a magneto-optical disc, a CDROM,
a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like.
[0045]
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to
address setting in the indoor-unit local controller 52
according to an embodiment. In the following description,
in a case where the indoor units A1 and A2 are
distinguished from each other, “1” or “2” is added to
reference sign “A”, and in a case where the indoor units
A1 and A2 are not distinguished from each other, “1” or
“2” is not added thereto.
[0046]
The indoor-unit local controller 52 includes an
address setting unit 70.
The address setting unit 70 sets an address for each
indoor unit A so that the address includes a value
- 24 -
indicating a specification of the indoor unit A
(hereinafter, referred to as “indoor unit specification
information”). The address is configured by numerals,
alphabetic characters, a combination of numerals and
alphabetic characters, or the like.
[0047]
The indoor unit specification information refers to
an indoor unit capacity, an indoor unit type, the number
of temperature sensors, a specification of the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33, the number of fan taps, or the like,
for example. The specification of the indoor unit A is
stored in a device attribute storage area 72 of the abovedescribed
gateway 53 according to a predetermined format
in a manufacturing step of the indoor unit A.
That is, the address setting unit 70 reads the
indoor unit specification information stored in the device
attribute storage area 72 to set the address of the indoor
unit A, and stores the set address (hereinafter, referred
to as “setting address”) in an address storage area 74 of
the gateway 53.
[0048]
Fig. 4 shows an example of the address of the indoor
unit A set by the address setting unit 70.
The address shown in Fig. 4 represents an indoor
unit capacity, an indoor unit type, the number of
- 25 -
temperature sensors, an expansion valve specification, the
number of fan taps, the presence or absence of an option,
an identification number (address) of the outdoor unit B
to be connected, and an identification number of the
indoor unit A, in the order from the left end.
A case where the identification number of the indoor
unit A is given refers to a case where another indoor unit
A having the same specification is connected to the same
outdoor unit B. In such a case, for example, the
identification numbers of the indoor units A are given in
an ascending order in the order that the setting addresses
are given, or predetermined identification numbers may be
given. On the other hand, in a case where another indoor
unit A having the same specification is not present, the
identification number of the indoor unit A may not be
given to the setting address.
[0049]
In this way, the address of each indoor unit A is
set by the address setting unit 70 so as to include the
indoor unit specification information. The indoor unit
specification information is not changed if the
specification of the indoor unit A is not changed. Thus,
the indoor-unit local controller 52 causes the indoor unit
specification information to be included in the address of
the indoor unit A, to thereby make it possible to uniquely
- 26 -
determine the address of the indoor unit A.
Further, since the indoor unit specification
information is information stored in the indoor-unit local
controller 52, an artificial mistake due to manual address
setting as in the related art is prevented.
[0050]
Furthermore, the specification of the indoor unit A
is transmitted to other devices such as the control device
3 or the outdoor unit B as an address. Thus, the indoor
unit A may cause other devices such as the control device
3 or the outdoor unit B to recognize the indoor unit
specification information thereof without separately
transmitting the indoor unit specification information to
the other devices.
For example, the control device 3 may recognize the
specification of the indoor unit A by recognizing the
address without accessing the indoor-unit local controller
52 in order to recognize the specification of the indoor
unit A. Thus, for example, even in a case where details
about the specification of the indoor unit A are not clear
to the control device 3, for example, even in a case where
a manufacturer of the indoor unit A and a manufacturer of
the control device 3 are different from each other, the
control device 3 may easily recognize the indoor unit
specification information from the indoor unit A by merely
- 27 -
confirming the address.
[0051]
In this way, since the indoor unit specification
information of the indoor unit A is transmitted together
with the address in a batch, it is not necessary to
separately perform transmission and reception of the
indoor unit specification information, and thus, a
communication load of the common bus 5 is reduced.
For example, in the air-conditioning system 1 that
includes several tens of indoor units A to 100 or more
indoor units A, a communication traffic volume through the
common bus 5 becomes enormous. Thus, if a configuration
in which the indoor unit specification information is
recognizable by setting addresses of the indoor units A is
used, a communication load is reduced.
[0052]
A switch that enables various settings (including
address setting) in a manual manner, or the like, may be
provided in the indoor-unit local controller 52.
[0053]
Further, in this embodiment, a trial run of the airconditioning
system 1 is performed, and an address is set
for each indoor unit A of which an operation is confirmed.
Accordingly, since the operation confirmation of the
indoor unit A and the address setting are performed at the
- 28 -
same time, the address for each indoor unit A is uniquely
determined with high efficiency.
In addition, for example, in a system in which
multiple (for example, 10 or more) devices are connected
to a network, it may be considered that the multiple
devices are divided into plural groups and a trial run is
performed for each group. Further, an address may be
associated with each group.
For example, the grouping may be performed for each
same refrigerant pipe system to be managed in pipe
installation in the air-conditioning system 1, that is,
for each group of the indoor units A connected to one
outdoor unit B.
[0054]
Fig. 5 is a flowchart indicating a flow of a trial
run process according to the present embodiment. The
trial run process is executed by the trial run control
unit 44 included in the control device 3.
[0055]
First, in step 100, an initial command for setting a
temporary address for an indoor unit A is output to the
indoor-unit local controller 52 provided in each indoor
unit A. As the temporary addresses, for example,
numerical values starting from “0” are sequentially
allocated to the respective indoor units A. In the
- 29 -
outdoor unit B, numerical values starting from “0” are
sequentially allocated to the respective indoor units A as
unique addresses.
In the next step 102, a device authentication
process of simultaneously performing confirmation of
connection between the indoor unit A and the outdoor unit
B and address setting of the indoor unit A is executed.
[0056]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the
device authentication process according to the present
embodiment. The device authentication process shown in
Fig. 6 is an example of a process performed by operating
the outdoor unit B for cooling in a case where an outside
air temperature is 20C or higher, for example.
[0057]
First, in step 200, a predetermined outdoor unit B
is operated for cooling. The predetermined outdoor unit B
refers to an outdoor unit B having the smallest address
among outdoor units B which are not yet operated in the
device authentication process. The outdoor units B are
operated one by one by operating the compressor 11 at a
predetermined rotation speed (for example, 50 rps). In a
case where the compressor 11 is not an inverter type, the
compressor 11 is operated at a constant speed (power
source frequency).
- 30 -
[0058]
In the next step 202, one indoor unit A having the
smallest temporary address is operated. Here, a
predetermined pulse command is input to the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33, and accordingly, the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33 is opened.
[0059]
In the next step 204, it is determined whether a
measurement result of the indoor-unit temperature sensor
35_1 included in the operated indoor unit A is equal to or
smaller than a predetermined temperature. In a case where
the determination is affirmative, the procedure proceeds
to step 212, and in a case where the determination is
negative, the procedure proceeds to step 206.
In step 204, as an example, in a case where the
measurement result of the indoor-unit temperature sensor
35_1 is lower than that before the device authentication
process is started by 10C or smaller, the affirmative
determination is made.
Further, instead of the indoor-unit temperature
sensor 35_1, a measurement result of the indoor-unit
temperature sensor 35_2 or the indoor-unit temperature
sensor 35_3 may be used. In addition, in step 204, by
comparing the measurement results of the indoor-unit
temperature sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3, the presence or
- 31 -
absence of disconnection of the indoor-unit temperature
sensors 35_1, 35_2, and 35_3 may be detected at the same
time.
[0060]
In a case where the affirmative determination is
made in step 204, this indicates that the outdoor unit B
which enters an operation state in step 200 and the indoor
unit A which enters an operation state in step 202 are
connected to each other through the refrigerant pipe 10.
On the other hand, in a case where the negative
determination is made in step 204, this indicates that
there is a possibility that the outdoor unit B which
enters the operation state in step 200 and the indoor unit
A which enters the operation state in step 202 are not
connected to each other through the refrigerant pipe 10.
[0061]
In step 206 performed in a case where the negative
determination is made in step 204, a pulse command for
full-closing is input to the indoor-unit expansion valve
33.
[0062]
In the next step 208, it is determined whether a
measurement result of the low pressure sensor 21_2 is
equal to or smaller than a predetermined pressure. In a
case where the determination is affirmative, the procedure
- 32 -
proceeds to step 214, and in a case where the
determination is negative, the procedure proceeds to step
210.
In step 208, as an example, in a case where the
measurement result of the low pressure sensor 21_2 is
equal to or smaller than 0.30 MPa, the affirmative
determination is made.
[0063]
In a case where the affirmative determination is
made in step 208, this indicates that the outdoor unit B
which enters the operation state in step 200 and the
indoor unit A which enters the operation state in step 202
are connected to each other through the refrigerant pipe
10. On the other hand, in a case where the negative
determination is made in step 208, this indicates the
outdoor unit B which enters the operation state in step
200 and the indoor unit A which enters the operation state
in step 202 are not connected to each other through the
refrigerant pipe 10.
[0064]
In the next step 210, since the connection between
the indoor unit A and the outdoor unit B for which the
negative determination is made in step 208 is not fixed, a
holding process for storing the temporary address of the
indoor unit A in a storage unit (not shown) of the control
- 33 -
device 3 is performed, and then, the procedure returns to
step 202.
In a case where the procedure returns to step 202,
indoor units A which are not operated are operated one by
one in an ascending order of temporary addresses.
Further, even in the case of an indoor unit A of
which the connection is not fixed, in a case where the
connection to the outdoor unit B is confirmed later, the
temporary address of the indoor unit A is deleted from the
storage unit of the control device 3.
[0065]
In step 212 performed in a case where the
affirmative determination is made in step 204, a pulse
command for full-closing is input to the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33.
[0066]
In the next step 214, the address of the indoor unit
A which enters the operation state in step 202 is set by
the address setting unit 70. Specifically, the address
setting unit 70 reads indoor unit specification
information from the device attribute storage area 72 and
adds an address or the like of the outdoor unit B
connected thereto, to thereby set the address.
Thus, the address of the indoor unit A is set in
association with the outdoor unit B to be connected.
- 34 -
[0067]
In this way, in a case where the outdoor unit B is
operated and the indoor-unit expansion valve 33 reaches a
predetermined opening degree, the address setting unit 70
sets the address of the indoor unit A of which the
operation is confirmed by combining indoor unit
specification information thereof, a number (address) of
the outdoor unit B which is operated, and the like.
Thus, the operation confirmation of the indoor unit
A connected to the outdoor unit B through the refrigerant
pipe 10 and the address setting thereof are performed at
the same time, and thus, the address for each indoor unit
A is uniquely determined with high efficiency.
[0068]
In the next step 216, it is determined whether
confirmation of connection to the outdoor unit B which
enters the operation state in step 200 is terminated with
respect to all indoor units A. In a case where the
determination is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to
step 218. On the other hand, in a case where the
determination is negative, the procedure returns to step
202.
[0069]
In step 218, it is determined whether all the indoor
units A enter the operation state and the confirmation of
- 35 -
the connection to the outdoor unit B is terminated. In a
case where the determination is affirmative, the procedure
proceeds to step 220. On the other hand, in a case where
the determination is negative, the procedure returns to
step 200.
In a case where the procedure returns to step 200,
outdoor units B which are not operated are operated one by
one in an ascending order of addresses.
[0070]
In step 220, it is determined whether there is an
indoor unit A of which the connection is not fixed. In a
case where the determination is affirmative, the procedure
proceeds to step 222, and in a case where the
determination is negative, the device authentication
process is terminated.
[0071]
In step 222, a notification process of displaying a
temporary address of the indoor unit A of which the
connection is not fixed on a monitor of the control device
3 is performed, for example, and then, the device
authentication process is terminated.
[0072]
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a
device authentication process performed when an outside
air temperature is lower than 20C, for example, and the
- 36 -
outdoor unit B is operated for heating. In Fig. 7, the
same reference numerals as in Fig. 6 are given to the same
steps as in Fig. 6, and repetitive description will not be
partially or entirely made.
[0073]
In step 200’, a predetermined outdoor unit B is
operated for heating.
[0074]
In the next step 202, one indoor unit A having the
smallest temporary address is operated, and in the next
step 204’, it is determined whether a measurement result
of the indoor-unit temperature sensor 35_1 exceeds a
predetermined temperature. In a case where the
determination is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to
step 212’. On the other hand, in a case where the
determination is negative, the procedure proceeds to step
206’.
In step 204’, as an example, in a case where the
measurement result of the indoor-unit temperature sensor
35_1 exceeds 10C compared with that before the device
authentication process is started, the affirmative
determination is made.
[0075]
In step 206’, a pulse command for full-opening is
input to the indoor-unit expansion valve 33.
- 37 -
[0076]
In the next step 208’, it is determined whether a
variation of measurement results of the high pressure
sensor 21_1 exceeds a predetermined pressure. In a case
where the determination is affirmative, the procedure
proceeds to step 214, and in a case where the
determination is negative, the procedure proceeds to step
210.
In step 208’, as an example, in a case where the
variation of the measurement results of the high pressure
sensor 21_1 is equal to or smaller than 0.30 MPa, the
affirmative determination is made.
[0077]
In a case where the affirmative determination is
made in step 208’, this indicates that the outdoor unit B
which enters the operation state in step 200’ and the
indoor unit A which enters the operation state in step 202
are connected to each other through the refrigerant pipe
10. On the other hand, in a case where the negative
determination is made in step 208’, this indicates the
outdoor unit B which enters the operation state in step
200’ and the indoor unit A which enters the operation
state in step 202 are not connected to each other through
the refrigerant pipe 10.
[0078]
- 38 -
In the next step 210, a holding process of storing a
temporary address of the indoor unit A for which the
negative determination is made in step 208’ in the storage
unit (not shown) of the control device 3 as an indoor unit
of which the connection to the outdoor unit B is not fixed,
and then, the procedure returns to step 202.
[0079]
In step 212 performed in a case where the
affirmative determination is made in step 204’, a pulse
command for full-opening is input to the indoor-unit
expansion valve 33.
[0080]
In the next step 214, the address of the indoor unit
A which enters the operation state in step 202 is set by
the address setting unit 70. Further, it is determined
whether connection confirmation is terminated with respect
to all the indoor units A and all the outdoor units B in
steps 216 and 218, and then, the device authentication
process is terminated.
[0081]
Next, rewriting of a setting address will be
described.
In this embodiment, a setting address may be
rewritten into an arbitrary value through a predetermined
device.
- 39 -
[0082]
An example of a setting address rewriting procedure
is as follows.
[0083]
In this embodiment, an operator (service man) can
rewrite a setting address stored in an indoor unit A by
connecting a predetermined mobile terminal apparatus to an
external connection terminal provided in an outdoor unit B.
Since the mobile terminal apparatus is able to read indoor
unit specification information from the indoor unit A and
to display the read indoor unit specification information,
the operator can determine an inappropriate functional
part or the like by confirming the read indoor unit
specification information.
Thus, for example, an owner of a building that is
provided with the air-conditioning system 1 can rewrite a
setting address into an arbitrary value for the purpose of
changing a management method, for example.
[0084]
Further, in a case where a mobile terminal apparatus
is connected to the outdoor-unit local controller 62,
authentication is performed with respect to the mobile
terminal apparatus. Only when the authentication is
satisfied, menu images for selecting an operation capable
of being performed in the mobile terminal apparatus are
- 40 -
displayed on a screen.
In a case where the air-conditioning system 1 can be
connected to a server of an external network, for example,
the authentication is performed by collating
authentication information stored in the server with
authentication information stored in the mobile terminal
apparatus.
As the menu images, selection images for rewriting
of indoor unit specification information or a setting
address of the indoor unit A, failure diagnosis thereof,
device authentication thereof, or the like are displayed,
for example.
Thus, rewriting of a setting address or the like
which is not intended by an operator is prevented.
[0085]
Further, in a case where rewriting is to be
performed in excess of an allowable value with respect to
the indoor unit specification information or the setting
address of the indoor unit A, the control device 3 detects
this situation, and sends an error message (alarm) to the
mobile terminal apparatus.
In this way, since the control device 3 displays an
alarm in a case where rewriting exceeding an allowable
value occurs, it is possible to prevent an erroneous input
for rewriting from an operator.
- 41 -
[0086]
Further, if a mobile terminal apparatus is connected
to the outdoor-unit local controller 62, indoor unit
specification information before change is stored in the
mobile terminal apparatus, and in a case where the indoor
unit specification information is changed, the indoor unit
specification information before and the indoor unit
specification information after change are displayed on a
screen of the mobile terminal apparatus for comparison.
In addition, a confirmation button is also displayed on
the screen, and starting of the air-conditioning system 1
is not allowed as long as the confirmation button is not
clicked by an operator.
[0087]
In this way, since the operator confirms input
information, in a case where an error occurs, it is
possible to recognize whether the error is based on an
input mistake of the operator.
[0088]
As described above, in the air-conditioning system 1
according to this embodiment, the plural outdoor units B,
the plural indoor units A, and the control device 3 are
connected to one another through the common bus 5, and
performs transmission and reception of information.
Further, an address of the indoor unit A is set to include
- 42 -
air-conditioner specification information which is a value
indicating a specification of the indoor unit A using the
address setting unit 70 included in the indoor-unit local
controller 52.
Thus, an address for each of the plural indoor units
A can be uniquely determined.
[0089]
Hereinbefore, the invention has been described with
reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, but a
technical scope of the invention is not limited to the
scope disclosed in the above-described embodiments.
Various modifications or improvements may be added to the
above-described embodiments in a range without departing
from the concept of the invention, and embodiments in
which the modifications or improvements are added are also
included in the technical scope of the invention. Further,
the above-mentioned embodiments may be appropriately
combined with each other.
[0090]
For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a
configuration in which a system in which plural devices
are connected to each other by a communication medium is
used as the air-conditioning system 1 is shown, but the
invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration in
which the system is used as another system may be used.
- 43 -
As another system, for example, a system in which a
battery type forklift that is operated in a storeroom
managed by an automatic system is used as the abovedescribed
device, a system in which a machine tool in a
line managed in a factory is used as the above-described
device, a system in which plural heat source devices
(electric turbo refrigerators) managed in district
conditioning or a factory are used as the above-described
devices, a wind farm in which plural wind power generation
devices are used as the above-described devices, or a
system in which plural lithium batteries are provided and
a battery management unit (BMU) of each lithium battery is
used as the above-described device, or the like.
[0091]
Further, in the above-described embodiments, a
configuration in which the address setting unit 70 is
provided in the indoor-unit local controller 52 of the
indoor unit A is shown, but the invention is not limited
thereto, and a configuration in which the address setting
unit 70 is provided in the control device 3, indoor unit
specification information is read from the device
attribute storage area 72 of each indoor unit A through
the common bus 5, and an address of each indoor unit A is
set may be used.
[0092]
- 44 -
Furthermore, the flows of the trial run process and
the device authentication process described in the abovedescribed
embodiment are exemplary, and thus, deletion of
an unnecessary step, addition of a new step, or change of
processing orders may be performed in a range without
departing from the concept of the invention.
Reference Signs List
[0093]
A indoor unit
B outdoor unit
1 air-conditioning system
5 common bus
52 indoor-unit local controller
70 address setting unit
72 device attribute storage area
- 45 -
Claims
[Claim 1]
An address setting device of a system in which a
plurality of devices are connected to each other through a
communication medium and transmission and reception of
information is performed between the devices, comprising:
setting means for setting an address of each device
so as to include a value indicating a specification of
each device.
[Claim 2]
The address setting device according to claim 1,
wherein the setting means performs a trial run of
the system, and sets an address for each device of which
an operation is confirmed.
[Claim 3]
The address setting device according to claim 2,
wherein the system is an air-conditioning system
that includes one or a plurality of indoor units and a
plurality of outdoor units as the devices, and
wherein the setting means sets, in a case where each
outdoor unit is operated and an expansion valve of each
indoor unit reaches a predetermined opening degree, a
- 46 -
combination of a number of the outdoor unit which is
operated and a value indicating a specification of the
indoor unit as the address of the indoor unit of which the
operation is confirmed.
[Claim 4]
The address setting device according to any one of
claims 1 to 3,
wherein the system is an air-conditioning system
that includes one or a plurality of outdoor units and a
plurality of indoor units as the device, and
wherein the setting means reads a specification of
each indoor unit stored in the indoor unit to set an
address of each indoor unit.
[Claim 5]
The address setting device according to any one of
claims 1 to 4,
wherein the address is rewritable to an arbitrary
value.
[Claim 6]
An air-conditioning system comprising:
one or a plurality of outdoor units; and
a plurality of indoor units; and
- 47 -
the address setting device according to any one of
claims 1 to 5 that sets an address of each indoor unit so
as to include a value indicating a specification of the
indoor unit which is a device.
[Claim 7]
An address setting method of a system in which a
plurality of devices are connected to each other through a
communication medium and transmission and reception of
information is performed between the devices, comprising:
a first process of reading a value indicating a
specification of each device from storage means; and
a second process of setting an address of each
device so as to include the value indicating the
specification of the device.