WO2016017051A1

WO2016017051A1 - Air-conditioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2016017051A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/002066
Authority: WO
Inventors: 井上　真
Original assignee: ダイキン工業株式会社
Priority date: 2014-07-31
Filing date: 2015-04-14
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: CN106662357A; JP6365078B2; JP2016033445A; CN106662357B

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to ensure that when the temperature control operation mode of an arbitrary indoor unit is switched, the temperature control operation mode of other indoor units in operation is not switched. Each of the plurality of indoor units (40) belongs to control groups A, C, or D and can execute cooling or heating operation. An air-conditioning controller (60) is allocated to each control group. A switching control unit (37a) permits or prohibits the performance of a cooling/heating switching operation by each air-conditioning controller (60), said cooling/heating switching tasks being tasks in which the temperature control operation mode is switched on a per-control group basis. When there are two or more control groups in the operation state of being in a "temperature control operation" in particular, the switching control unit (37a) prohibits all the air-conditioning controllers (60) from executing the cooling/heating switching tasks.

Description

Air conditioning system

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of air conditioning controllers.

The air conditioning system includes a type having one indoor unit and a type having a plurality of indoor units. As disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a type of air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units has a configuration in which a plurality of air conditioning controllers are provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of indoor units. is there. The plurality of indoor units belong to the same refrigerant system as one outdoor unit.

JP-A-1-181030 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-208792

In an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units, the indoor units are installed in various air-conditioning target spaces such as a living room and a bathroom. Depending on the environmental conditions of the air-conditioning target space, there may be a need to switch the type of temperature control operation for adjusting the temperature in the air-conditioning target space from, for example, a cooling operation to a heating operation.

However, in an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units, the cooling operation and the heating operation cannot be mixed and executed so that the cooling operation is performed in an arbitrary indoor unit and the heating operation is performed in another indoor unit. . For this reason, when the operation type of any indoor unit that is in operation (that is, the type of temperature control operation) is switched, the operation types of other indoor units that are in operation are also automatically switched. In this case, for the user who is in the air-conditioning target space of another indoor unit, the driving type is arbitrarily switched although he / she does not want it, and the convenience for the user is impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and the object thereof is to prevent switching to the operation type of another indoor unit that is being operated when the operation type of any indoor unit is switched. That is.

In the first aspect of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit (30) and the outdoor unit (30) belong to the same refrigerant system as each other, and each belong to any one of a plurality of control systems. A plurality of indoor units (40) that can be controlled as a temperature control operation, and a plurality of air conditioning controllers that are provided for each of the plurality of control systems and that control the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control system (60) and a cooling / heating switching operation for switching the type of temperature control operation of the indoor unit (40) to the cooling operation or the heating operation for each control system is permitted to each of the plurality of air conditioning controllers (60). Or a switching operation control unit (37a) that is prohibited, and the switching operation control unit (37a) has at least two control systems to which the indoor unit (40) that is executing the temperature control operation belongs. , All the above air conditioning The air conditioning system is characterized in that the controller (60) prohibits the cooling / heating switching operation.

Here, the plurality of indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) belong to any one of the plurality of control systems A, C, and D, and the air conditioning controllers (60a) correspond to the control systems A, C, and D, respectively. , 60c, 60d). The air conditioning system (10) cannot execute both the cooling operation and the heating operation. In such an air conditioning system (10), when there are two or more control systems to which the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) performing the temperature control operation belong among the plurality of control systems A, C, D. The cooling / heating switching operation of all the air conditioning controllers (60) is prohibited. That is, if the operation state of two or more control systems is “temperature control operation”, none of the air conditioning controllers (60) accepts switching of the operation type (that is, the type of temperature control operation) by the user. Therefore, when the operation type of any control system that is operating is switched via an arbitrary air conditioning controller (60), the operation type of another control system that is operating is switched in conjunction. Can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the switching operation control unit (37a) includes a single control system to which the indoor unit (40) performing the temperature control operation belongs. The air conditioning system is characterized in that the cooling / heating switching operation is permitted only to the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the control system.

Thereby, the user can freely switch the operation type of the one control system only through the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the one control system whose operation state is “temperature control operation”.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the switching operation control unit (37a) is configured such that all the indoor units (40) each stop operation and perform a blowing operation. In either case, the air conditioning system is characterized in that all the air conditioning controllers (60) are allowed to perform the cooling / heating switching operation.

As a result, when the operation state of any of the control systems A, C, and D is “operation stop” or “fan operation”, the user corresponds to the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to each unit of the control systems A, C, and D. The operation type of the temperature control operation can be switched freely via the.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, a notification unit that notifies information (inf1) related to the air conditioning controller (60) in which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited. (61), It is an air conditioning system characterized by the above-mentioned.

Thereby, the user can grasp the presence of the air conditioning controller (60) in which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited. Therefore, the user uses the air conditioning controller (60) in which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited, and the user tries to perform the cooling / heating switching operation or the cooling / heating switching operation is not accepted, so that the air conditioning system (10) is broken. It is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous determination.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, an abnormality grasping unit (37b) that grasps whether or not there is an abnormality related to each of the control systems, and includes at least one When the abnormality grasping part (37b) grasps that an abnormality has occurred with respect to the control system, the switching operation control part (37a) performs the first control in which an abnormality has occurred in all the control systems. The air conditioning system is characterized in that the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the remaining second control system excluding the system is permitted or prohibited to perform the cooling / heating switching operation.

Here, when an abnormality occurs in an arbitrary control system, the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to a control system other than the control system in which the abnormality occurs (that is, the second control system) permits the cooling / heating switching operation and Candidate for ban. That is, the cooling / heating switching operation is performed with the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the normal control system as a candidate without being affected by the control system in which the abnormality has occurred.

According to the aspect of the present disclosure, when the operation type of an arbitrary control system that is operating is switched via an arbitrary air conditioning controller (60), the operation types of other control systems that are operating are linked. Can be prevented from being switched.

Further, according to the second aspect, the user can select the operation type of the one control system only through the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the one control system whose operation state is “temperature control operation”. You can switch freely.

Further, according to the third aspect, when the operation state of any of the control systems A, C, and D is “operation stop” or “air blowing operation”, the user can control the control systems A, C, and D for each unit. The operation type of the temperature control operation can be freely switched through the corresponding air conditioning controller (60).

Further, according to the fourth aspect, the user uses the air conditioning controller (60), for which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited, to wastefully use the cooling / heating switching operation or the cooling / heating switching operation is not accepted. It is possible to prevent the user from erroneously determining that the system (10) is out of order.

Further, according to the fifth aspect, the cooling / heating switching operation is performed by using the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the normal control system as a candidate without being affected by the control system in which the abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning system. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram including one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units. FIG. 3 is an external view of the air conditioning controller. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the transition of the operation state of each control group, the operation type of the temperature control operation, and the presence / absence of the cooling / heating selection right. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the control operation of the air conditioning system when an abnormality relating to the control group D occurs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are essentially preferable examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its application, or its use.

<Embodiment>
<Configuration of air conditioning system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system (10) according to the present embodiment mainly includes one outdoor unit (30), a plurality of indoor units (40), and a plurality of air conditioning controllers (60). .

The outdoor unit (30) is installed outside the building. The plurality of indoor units (40) are installed on the ceiling or the like of the air conditioning target space in the building. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of indoor units (40) belong to the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit (30), and constitute a refrigerant circuit (20) together with the outdoor unit (30). The plurality of indoor units (40) can adjust the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning target space to the set temperature by performing the cooling operation or the heating operation as a temperature control operation. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the indoor units (40) is also electrically connected to the outdoor unit (30) via the electrical wiring (11, 12, 13, 14).

Particularly, each of the plurality of indoor units (40) according to the present embodiment belongs to one of a plurality of control groups (corresponding to control systems) A, C, and D. The control groups A, C, and D define a range to be controlled by one air conditioning controller (60), and one control group can be regarded as one control system. Which indoor unit (40) belongs to which control group A, C, D is appropriately set according to the air-conditioning target space in which the individual indoor unit (40) is installed.

In addition, the air conditioning system (10) has a configuration in which cooling operation and heating operation cannot be performed together. Therefore, even if operation control is performed for each unit of the control groups A, C, and D, it is not permitted to vary the type of temperature control operation for each control group A, C, and D. For example, the indoor unit (40) belonging to the control group A and the indoor unit (40) belonging to the control group C both perform the cooling operation or both perform the heating operation.

Each of the plurality of air conditioning controllers (60) is attached to the wall surface of the air conditioning target space. Each air conditioning controller (60) is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of control groups A, C, D, and the indoor units (40) and electrical wiring (15, 16, 17 belonging to the corresponding control group A, C, D) , 18). When the air conditioning controller (60) receives an operation instruction or the like from the user, the air conditioner controller (60) remotely controls the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control groups A, C, and D based on the operation instruction.

Specifically, in FIG. 1, the air conditioning controller (60a) is connected to two indoor units (40a, 40b) belonging to the control group A via electrical wiring (15, 16), and these indoor units (40a, 40a, 40b) is remotely controlled. The air conditioning controller (60c) is connected to one indoor unit (40c) belonging to the control group C via the electric wiring (17), and remotely controls the indoor unit (40c). The air conditioning controller (60d) is connected to one indoor unit (40d) belonging to the control group D via the electrical wiring (18), and remotely controls the indoor unit (40d).

In the following, the sign “indoor unit (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d)” is used only when it is necessary to specify the individual indoor unit (40). Further, only when it is necessary to specify the individual air conditioning controller (60), the sign of “air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d)” is used.

<Configuration of outdoor unit and indoor unit>
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of indoor units (40) are connected in parallel to one outdoor unit (30) by refrigerant pipes (22, 24), whereby one refrigerant system, that is, a refrigerant circuit ( 20) is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outdoor unit (30) mainly includes an outdoor casing (31), a compressor (32), a four-way switching valve (33), an outdoor heat exchanger (34), an expansion valve (35). ), An outdoor fan (36) and an outdoor control unit (37).

The outdoor casing (31) has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a compressor (32), a four-way switching valve (33), an outdoor heat exchanger (34), an expansion valve (35), an outdoor fan ( 36) and the outdoor control unit (37). The compressor (32) compresses the refrigerant. The four-way switching valve (33) switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (20) as indicated by a solid line or a broken line in FIG. 2 when switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger (34) functions as a refrigerant radiator during cooling operation and functions as a refrigerant evaporator during heating operation, thereby exchanging heat between the outside air and the refrigerant. The expansion valve (35) is a throttle valve that depressurizes the refrigerant, and adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (20). The outdoor fan (36) supplies outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger (34). The outdoor control unit (37) is a microcomputer configured with a CPU, a memory, and the like, and performs drive control of the compressor (32) and the outdoor fan (36).

In addition, the outdoor control unit (37) according to the present embodiment also performs control for permitting or prohibiting switching of the operation type of the temperature control operation for each air conditioning controller (60). This control will be described in detail in “<Cooling / heating option grant operation>”.

The multiple indoor units (40) all have the same configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each indoor unit (40) mainly includes an indoor casing (41), an indoor heat exchanger (42), an indoor fan (43), and an indoor control unit (45).

The indoor casing (41) has a box-like shape, and houses an indoor heat exchanger (42), an indoor fan (43), and an indoor control unit (45). A suction port and a blowout port are formed on the lower surface of the indoor casing (41). Although not shown, the suction port is covered with a suction grille, and horizontal blades are rotatably provided in the vicinity of the blowout port. The indoor heat exchanger (42) functions as a refrigerant evaporator during the cooling operation and functions as a refrigerant radiator during the heating operation, thereby exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air in the air-conditioning target space. The indoor fan (43) is an air flow in which the air in the air-conditioning target space is sucked into the indoor casing (41) from the suction port and the air after heat exchange is blown out to the air-conditioning target space through the blow-out port, Form. The indoor control unit (45) is a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, and performs drive control of the indoor fan (43). The indoor control unit (45) is connected to the corresponding air conditioning controller (60) in a communicable manner.

<Configuration of air conditioning controller>
The plurality of air conditioning controllers (60) all have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, each air conditioning controller (60) mainly includes a display unit (61) (corresponding to a notification unit) and an input button group (62).

The display unit (61) displays information currently set for the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control groups A, C, and D. Examples of the information include presence / absence of temperature control operation and air blowing operation, air volume, set temperature, and the like.

The input button group (62) is used to make a setting desired by the user for the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control groups A, C, and D. The input button group (62) includes a button for turning on and off the operation of the indoor unit (40), a button for switching the operation type of the temperature control operation and switching to the air blowing operation, and a button for changing the air volume and direction. And a button for raising and lowering the set temperature.

<Granting operation of cooling / heating choice>
As described above, each air conditioning controller (60) has a function of changing the operation type of the temperature control operation of the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control groups A, C, and D. On the other hand, the air conditioning system (10) cannot perform both cooling operation and heating operation.

Therefore, the air conditioning system (10) has a configuration that permits or prohibits switching of the operation type (the operation type of the temperature control operation, the same applies hereinafter) via the air conditioning controller (60) according to various conditions. ing. Each air-conditioning controller (60) is in a state in which switching of the operation type is permitted if the right to cool / warm selection right is granted, and conversely, if the right to cool / warm selection is not granted, This means that the operation type switching is prohibited.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation to give the cooling / heating selection right to each air conditioning controller (60) is executed by the outdoor control unit (37) of the outdoor unit (30) functioning as a switching operation control unit (37a). The In other words, the operation types of the indoor units (40) belonging to each control group A, C, D are switched to cooling operation or heating operation for each control group A, C, D unit in principle, but the switching operation control unit (37a ) Permits or prohibits the cooling / heating switching operation for each of the plurality of air conditioning controllers (60).

In FIG. 1, the operation types of the indoor units (40a, 40b) belonging to the control group A are switched through the air conditioning controller (60a) in principle. The operation type of the indoor unit (40c) belonging to the control group C is basically switched via the air conditioning controller (60c), and the operation type of the indoor unit (40d) belonging to the control group D is as a rule the air conditioning controller (60d). Can be switched through. Then, when the switching operation control unit (37a) gives the cooling / heating selection right to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d), the user can control each air conditioning controller ( The cooling operation or the heating operation can be selected for each of the control groups A, C, D via 60a, 60c, 60d). If the switching operation control unit (37a) grants the cooling / heating selection right only to the air conditioning controller (60a), the user selects cooling operation or heating operation for the control group A via the air conditioning controller (60a). However, for the other control groups C and D, the cooling operation or the heating operation cannot be selected via the air conditioning controller (60c, 60d).

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, it will be described in detail which control group is given the cooling / heating selection right.

As shown in the state (I) of FIG. 4, when all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) in the air conditioning system (10) are stopped, the switching operation control unit (37a) A cooling / heating selection right is given to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d). That is, while all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) are stopped, the user can freely switch the operation type for each of the control groups A, C, and D.

Although not shown in the figure, all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) are performing the air blowing operation, or all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) are stopped and blown. Even in any state during execution of the operation, the switching operation control unit (37a) gives a cooling / heating selection right to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d). That is, if all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) are not in the temperature control operation, the switching operation control unit (37a) is connected to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d). The right to cool / warm is given.

As shown in the state (II) of FIG. 4, when there is one control group to which the indoor unit (40) that is executing the temperature control operation belongs, the switching operation control unit (37a) corresponds to the control group. The cooling / heating selection right is given only to the air conditioning controller (60). For example, when the indoor units (40a, 40b) belonging to the control group A are executing the temperature control operation, the indoor units (40c, 40d) belonging to the other control groups C, D are switched off. The operation control unit (37a) gives the cooling / heating selection right only to the air conditioning controller (60a) corresponding to the control group A, and the cooling / heating selection right to the air conditioning controllers (60c, 60d) corresponding to the other control groups C and D. Is not granted. In this case, the user can freely switch the operation type in the control group A, but cannot freely switch the operation type in the other control groups C and D.

As shown in the state (III) of FIG. 4, when there are at least two control groups to which the indoor unit (40) performing the temperature control operation belongs, the switching operation control unit (37a) includes all the air conditioning controllers (60 ) Is not given the option of cooling / heating. That is, when there are two or more control groups whose operation state is “temperature control operation” (in the state (III) of FIG. 4, all control groups A, C, and D are “temperature control operation”), which control group Regardless of whether the operation state of A, C, or D is “temperature adjustment operation”, “air blowing operation”, or “operation stop”, all air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) are prohibited from performing the cooling / heating switching operation. . In this case, the user can switch the operation state of each control group A, C, D (“operation stop”, “temperature adjustment operation” or “air blowing operation”), but each control group A, C, The operation type of the temperature control operation in D cannot be switched freely.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the display unit (61) of the air conditioning controller (60) to which the right to cool / warm selection is not granted indicates that the cool / warm switching operation is prohibited. Information (inf1) ”regarding the air conditioning controller (60) being displayed. The target for displaying the information (inf1) is the air conditioning controller (60c, 60d) in the state (II) of FIG. 4, and all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) in the state (III) of FIG. .

Next, using FIG. 4, focusing on state transition, the operation flow of the air conditioning system (10) will be described.

First, as shown in the state (I) of FIG. 4, all the indoor units (40) are in a stopped state, and the cooling / heating option is granted to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d). Suppose that

In the state (I), when the operation state of the control group A is changed from “operation stop” to “temperature control operation” by the user via the air conditioning controller (60a) (state (II)), it belongs to the control group A The indoor units (40a, 40b) start operation with the operation type “cooling” of the temperature control operation already set. At the same time, at least one of the indoor control units (45) in the indoor units (40a, 40b) sends the operation start information indicating that the operation has started via the electric wiring (11, 12) to the outdoor unit (30). Send to. The switching operation control part (37a) of the outdoor unit (30) that has received this operation start information maintains the state of “with / without” the right / left selection right of the air conditioning controller (60a) corresponding to the operating control group A, Withdraw the cooling / heating selection right of the air conditioning controllers (60c, 60d) corresponding to the other control groups C, D. In other words, in the state (II), only the air conditioning controller (60) whose temperature control operation has been started first in the state (I) is given the cooling / heating selection right.

Then, in the transition from the state (I) to the state (II), the control group A in which the operation state is switched to “temperature control operation” and the control groups C and D in which the operation state remains “stop”. When the operation types are different, the operation types of the control groups C and D whose operation state remains “operation stopped” are automatically changed to the operation types of the control group A (for example, the control group C in FIG. 4). ). That is, the operation type of the control group C that was “heating” in the state (I) of FIG. 4 is automatically changed to the operation type “cooling” of the control group A. In the state (II) of FIG. 4, when the operation type of the control group A is further switched during the operation of the air conditioning controller (60a) to which only the cooling / heating selection right is given, not only the control group A For the other control groups C and D, the operation types are changed all at once in conjunction with the switching. These are because the air conditioning system (10) cannot be operated by mixing the cooling operation and the heating operation.

Furthermore, in the state (II), when the operation state of the control groups C and D is changed from “operation stop” to “temperature adjustment operation” via the air conditioning controller (60c, 60d) to which the right to select cooling / heating is not given. (State (III)), the indoor units (40c, 40d) belonging to the control groups C and D start operation with the same operation type as the control group A. At the same time, the indoor control unit (45) in each indoor unit (40c, 40d) transmits operation start information to the outdoor unit (30) via the electrical wiring (11, 12, 13, 14). The switching operation control unit (37a) of the outdoor unit (30) that has received this operation start information determines that the number of control groups whose operation state is “temperature control operation” has become two or more, and the air conditioning controller (60a) Withdraw from the option of cooling and heating. Thereby, the cooling / heating selection right of all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) is in a state of “none”.

When it is desired to change the operation type of the temperature control operation of any one of the control groups A, C, and D in the state (III), the user displays all the operation states in the control group that is not the target to be changed. The operation is switched to “stop operation” or “fan operation” via the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to. For example, when it is desired to change the operation type of the control group A, the user switches the operation state of the control groups C and D to “operation stop” or “fan operation” via the air conditioning controller (60c, 60d). Along with this, each indoor control unit (45) of the indoor unit (40) whose operation has been stopped transmits temperature control operation stop information indicating that the operation has been stopped or during the air blowing operation to the outdoor unit (30).

The switching operation control unit (37a) of the outdoor unit (30) that has received the temperature control operation stop information has a control group in which the operation state is switched from “temperature control operation” to “operation stop” or “air blowing operation”, and In addition, each control group whose operation state is still “temperature control operation” is grasped. When grasping that the number of control groups in which the operation state remains “temperature control operation” has become one, the switching operation control unit (37a) controls the control group in which the operation state remains “temperature control operation”. The cooling / heating selection right is given only to the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to. That is, the state of the air conditioning system (10) transitions from the state (III) to the state (II). Thereby, the user can change the operation type of the desired control group via the air conditioning controller (60) to which the cooling / heating selection right is given.

In the state (II), when all the indoor units (40) are stopped or blown, the indoor units (40) that have stopped operating and the indoor units (40) that have been newly switched to blow mode The indoor control unit (45) transmits temperature control operation stop information to the outdoor unit (30). The switching operation control unit (37a) of the outdoor unit (30) that has received the temperature control operation stop information indicates that each of the control groups A, C, and D is in one of the operation states “operation stop” and “air blowing operation”. If it grasps | ascertains, the cooling / heating selection right will be provided with respect to all the air-conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d). That is, the state of the air conditioning system (10) transitions from the state (II) to the state (I).

Although not shown, the state transition of the air conditioning system (10) includes a transition from the state (I) to the state (III) and a transition from the state (III) to the state (I). During the transition from state (I) to state (III), the switching operation control unit (37a) selects the cooling / heating that was given in state (I) to all air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) Withdraw all rights at once. At the time of transition from the state (III) to the state (I), the switching operation control unit (37a) simultaneously gives the cooling / heating selection right to all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d).

For example, the indoor unit (40) installed in the living room is cooled during the daytime, but the indoor unit (40) installed in the bathroom is heated during the nighttime. It is possible to respond sufficiently to the needs of switching the operation type of temperature control operation frequently for each unit or time zone of the air conditioning target space, such as when drying the bathroom by driving. Yes.

<Granting operation of cooling / heating choice when an abnormality occurs>
In the air conditioning system (10) described above, for example, communication between the indoor unit (40) and the air conditioning controller (60) is interrupted, or there is some abnormality in at least one of the indoor unit (40) and the air conditioning controller (60). It is possible that it will occur. When such an abnormality occurs, the switching operation control unit (37a) removes the air conditioning controller (60) associated with the control group in which the abnormality has occurred from the candidate for granting the cooling / heating option, and the air conditioning controllers corresponding to the remaining control groups. In the controller (60), the cooling / heating option is given.

Hereinafter, the operation of granting the right to cool option when an abnormality occurs will be described in detail.

First, when the indoor control unit (45) of each indoor unit (40) receives information from the corresponding air conditioning controller (60) that an abnormality has occurred in the controller (60), the control group A, C to which it belongs. , D is transmitted to the outdoor unit (30). In addition, when the indoor control unit (45) makes a response request to the corresponding air conditioning controller (60) but does not respond, an abnormality that affects communication occurs in the controller (60). Or the electrical wiring (15, 16, 17, 18) is determined to be disconnected. Even in such a case, the indoor control unit (45) transmits abnormality occurrence information to the outdoor unit (30).

Also, the indoor control unit (45) transmits abnormality occurrence information to the outdoor unit (30) even if any abnormality occurs in its own indoor unit (40).

On the other hand, the outdoor control part (37) of the outdoor unit (30) can also function as an abnormality grasping part (37b). The abnormality grasping unit (37b) grasps whether or not there is an abnormality related to each control group A, C, D based on the abnormality occurrence information received from each indoor unit (40). In addition, the abnormality grasping unit (37b) makes a response request to each indoor unit (40), but if there is no response, an abnormality that affects communication occurs in the indoor unit (40). Or the electrical wiring (12, 13, 14) may be determined to be disconnected. Even in such a case, it is desirable that the abnormality grasping unit (37b) determines that an abnormality has occurred with respect to the control group to which the indoor unit (40) belongs.

When the abnormality grasping part (37b) grasps that an abnormality has occurred with respect to at least one control group, the switching operation control part (37a) causes an abnormality among all the control groups A, C, and D. The cooling / heating switching operation is permitted or prohibited for the remaining second control groups other than the first control group.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the abnormality grasping unit (37b) grasps that an abnormality relating to the control group D has occurred. In this case, the switching operation control unit (37a) sets the control group D as the first control group, and the remaining control groups A and C excluding the control group D from all the control groups A, C, and D as the second control group. To do. The switching operation control unit (37a) uses the second control group (ie, control groups A and C) as candidates for granting the cooling / heating selection right, and the control groups A and C are in any of the states (I) to (III) in FIG. Understand whether or not

When each of the operation states of the control groups A and C is “operation stop” or “air blowing operation” (state (I)), the switching operation control unit (37a) selects cooling / heating for both air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c). Grant rights. When the operation state of either one of the control groups A and C is “temperature control operation” (state (II)), the switching operation control unit (37a) controls the control groups A and C that are “temperature control operation”. Only the air-conditioning controller (60a, 60c) corresponding to is granted a cooling / heating selection right. When the operation states of the control groups A and C are both “temperature control operation” (state (III)), the switching operation control unit (37a) has the right to select either the air conditioning controller (60a, 60c). Do not grant.

Note that the indoor unit (40) belonging to the first control group (that is, the control group in which the abnormality occurred) immediately stops operation, and the corresponding air conditioning controller (60) is pressed by the input button group (62). Also, the setting input is not accepted. At this time, a screen that prompts the user to contact the service center may be displayed on the display unit (61) of the air conditioning controller (60).

<Effect>
As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) according to the present embodiment belong to any one of the plurality of control groups A, C, D, and each control group A, C, Corresponding to D, air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) are provided. The air conditioning system (10) cannot execute both the cooling operation and the heating operation. In such an air conditioning system (10), as shown in the state (III) of FIG. 4, among the plurality of control groups A, C, and D, there are two or more control groups whose operation state is “temperature control operation”. In this case, the cooling / heating switching operation of all the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) is prohibited. Thus, if the operation state of two or more control groups is “temperature control operation”, none of the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c, 60d) accepts switching of the operation type by the user. Therefore, when the operation type of an arbitrary control group is switched via an arbitrary air-conditioning controller (60) in operation, the operation state of another control group in operation is switched in conjunction with it. Can be prevented.

Further, as shown in the state (II) of FIG. 4, the switching operation control unit (37a) is assigned to the control group A when there is one control group (for example, control group A) whose operation state is “temperature control operation”. The cooling / heating switching operation is permitted only for the corresponding air conditioning controller (60a). Thereby, the user can freely switch the operation type of the control group A via the air conditioning controller (60a).

Further, as shown in the state (I) of FIG. 4, the switching operation control unit (37a) is configured so that all the indoor units (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) The air conditioning controller (60a, 60c, 60d) is allowed to switch between cooling and heating. Thereby, when the operation state of any control group A, C, D is “operation stop”, the user can control the temperature for each unit of the control group A, C, D via the corresponding air conditioning controller (60). The operation type of operation can be switched freely.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the information (inf1) indicating that the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited is displayed on the display unit (61) of the air conditioning controller (60) where the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain presence of the air-conditioning controller (60) in which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited. Therefore, the user uses the air conditioning controller (60) in which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited, and the user tries to perform the cooling / heating switching operation or the cooling / heating switching operation is not accepted, so that the air conditioning system (10) is broken. It is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous determination.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when an abnormality has occurred with respect to at least one control group (for example, control group D) (first control system), the switching operation control unit (37a) Allow the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c) corresponding to the remaining second control systems other than the first control system among C and D to permit or prohibit the cooling / heating switching operation. That is, the cooling / heating switching operation is performed with the air conditioning controllers (60a, 60c) corresponding to the normal control groups A and C as candidates without being affected by the control group D in which an abnormality has occurred.
<< Other Embodiments >>
About the said embodiment, it is good also as the following structures.

The operation for giving the cooling / heating selection right may be performed not by the outdoor control unit (37) of the outdoor unit (30) but by the indoor control unit (45) of an arbitrary indoor unit (40). In this case, the indoor control unit (45) of each indoor unit (40) determines whether or not it is operating, and whether or not the air conditioning controller (60) connected to itself is given a cooling / heating selection right. The included information may be transmitted to other indoor units (40) via the electrical wiring (15 to 18). And the indoor control part (45) of each indoor unit (40) is based on the said information received from the other indoor unit (40), and is given control of granting a cooling / heating selection right for the air conditioning controller (60) connected to itself. May be performed.

In addition, the operation of granting the cooling / heating selection right may be performed by a management server that comprehensively manages the outdoor unit (30) and all the indoor units (40).

The information (inf1) regarding the air conditioning controller (60) for which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited may not be displayed on the display unit (61) of the air conditioning controller (60) itself for which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited. For example, the entire air conditioning system (10) is displayed on the display unit of the management server that centrally manages the outdoor unit (30) and all the indoor units (40) or a display device provided separately from the air conditioning controller (60). The information (inf1) may be displayed collectively.

Further, the information (inf1) regarding the air conditioning controller (60) for which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited may be notified not by the display means but by the sound output means, or by the combination of the display means and the sound output means. May be.

It is not essential that the above information (inf1) is notified.

In addition, the air conditioning system (10) is indispensable to adopt the state (III) of FIG. 4, but it is not necessarily essential to adopt the state (I) and the state (II) of FIG.

In addition, the above-mentioned <Operation for granting cooling / heating option when an abnormality occurs> is not essential.

The air conditioning system (10) may be a system using a heat pump.

Also, the indoor unit (40) is not limited to the type installed on the ceiling, and may be any type.

Further, the number of outdoor units (30), the number of indoor units (40), and the number of air conditioning controllers (60) are not limited to those in FIG.

As described above, the present invention is useful for an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of air conditioning controllers.

10 Air conditioning system
30 outdoor unit
37a Switching operation controller
37b Abnormality grasping part
40 Indoor unit
60 Air conditioning controller
61 Display section (notification section)
A, C, D Control group (control system)

Claims

Outdoor unit (30),
A plurality of indoor units (40) that belong to the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit (30) and belong to any one of a plurality of control systems, and that can perform a cooling operation or a heating operation as a temperature control operation; ,
A plurality of air conditioning controllers (60) that are provided for each of the plurality of control systems and that control the indoor units (40) belonging to the corresponding control systems;
Switching operation for allowing or prohibiting each of the plurality of air conditioning controllers (60) to perform a cooling / heating switching operation for switching the type of the temperature control operation of the indoor unit (40) to the cooling operation or the heating operation for each control system. A control unit (37a),
With
When there are at least two control systems to which the indoor unit (40) performing the temperature control operation belongs, the switching operation control unit (37a) performs the cooling / heating switching for all the air conditioning controllers (60). An air conditioning system characterized by prohibiting operation.
In claim 1,
When there is one control system to which the indoor unit (40) that is executing the temperature control operation belongs, the switching operation control unit (37a) controls the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the control system. An air conditioning system characterized by allowing the above-described cooling / heating switching operation only.
In claim 1 or claim 2,
The switching operation control unit (37a) performs the cooling / heating switching operation for all the air conditioning controllers (60) when any of the indoor units (40) is stopped and is in operation. An air conditioning system characterized by allowing it.
In any one of Claims 1-3,
An informing unit (61) for informing information (inf1) relating to the air conditioning controller (60) for which the cooling / heating switching operation is prohibited;
An air conditioning system further comprising:
In any one of Claims 1-4,
An abnormality grasping unit (37b) for grasping whether or not there is an abnormality related to each of the above control systems,
Further comprising
When the abnormality grasping unit (37b) grasps that an abnormality has occurred with respect to at least one of the control systems, the switching operation control unit (37a) has an abnormality among all the control systems. An air conditioning system, wherein the air conditioning controller (60) corresponding to the remaining second control system other than the first control system is allowed or prohibited to perform the cooling / heating switching operation.