Central management device for air conditioning system and time correction method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a central management device of an air conditioning system and a time correction method. A system controller (40) as a central management device of an air conditioning system (1) connected to a remote controller (30) comprises a central built-in clock (41), a time correction timing setting unit (43) and a time correction processing unit (44). The remote controller (30) has a remote controller built-in clock (33) and a timer function based on the timing of the remote controller built-in clock. In the time correction timing setting unit (43), time correction timing information is set, and the time correction timing information is a time other than "0" or "5" in the unit digit in units of minutes as a timing for performing time correction processing of the built-in clock (33). When the time correction processing unit (44) determines that the time of the central built-in clock has reached the time indicated by the time correction timing information, it sends a correction instruction to the remote controller (30) to correct the timing of the remote controller built-in clock to the time of the central built-in clock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a central management device and a time adjustment method for an air conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] Large buildings such as commercial facilities and office buildings are equipped with a multi-type air conditioning system in which one outdoor unit is connected to a plurality of indoor units. Each indoor unit of this air conditioning system is connected to a remote controller, and a user can use the remote controller to operate the corresponding indoor unit.

[0003] Generally, a clock is built into the remote controller of the indoor unit and a timer function is installed, and the timer function is executed based on the time of the clock. For example, when a user performs a timer setting operation through the remote controller so that the corresponding indoor unit starts operating at a specified time, the remote controller monitors whether the time has arrived based on the time of the built-in clock, and when it is determined that the time has arrived, an operation start instruction is sent to the connected indoor unit.

[0004] The built-in clocks of multiple remote controllers in these air-conditioning systems perform timing operations separately, and gradually deviate from the correct time over time. In order to deal with this situation, there is a technology that performs time correction processing on these built-in clocks based on the standard time obtained from the outside at a predetermined period. For example, a central management device is set at the upper level of multiple air-conditioning systems, and the time of the internal clock of the central management device is used as the standard time to correct the built-in clocks of each air-conditioning system.

[0005] By periodically performing time adjustment processing on the remote controller in the air conditioning system, it is possible to avoid a large deviation in the time kept by these built-in clocks, and to appropriately execute the timer function and the like.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-265398 Summary of the invention

[0009] When the remote controller or the like in the air conditioning system is subjected to time adjustment processing as described above, if a delay occurs in the built-in clock to be adjusted, the time measurement is shifted to a later period by executing the time adjustment processing. Therefore, a blank period in which no measurement is performed occurs in the built-in clock.

[0010] Here, in the remote controller, when a timer related to a certain action is set with the time within the blank period as the execution time, the corresponding action cannot be executed because the time is not counted.

[0011] For example, when the built-in clock of the remote controller is 10 seconds behind the standard time and is counting 11:59:50, when the time adjustment instruction to 12:00 (00 seconds) is obtained through the time adjustment process, the time of the built-in clock is transferred to this time, and the period from immediately after 11:59:50 to 12:00 becomes a blank period. In this remote controller, when the timer is set to start operation at 12:00, depending on the method of creating the program for the timer operation, this time may become a blank period of the built-in clock and not be counted, and the operation start action cannot be performed.

[0012] Furthermore, when the timing of the built-in clock of the correction object is advanced, the timing time is transferred to the predetermined period by executing the time correction process. Therefore, a repeated period that is counted twice is generated in the built-in clock. Here, in the remote controller, when the time within the repeated period is used as the execution time and the timer related to a certain action is set, the action executed by the timer function when the time is counted for the first time, even if it is canceled by the user's operation or the like immediately afterwards, will be executed again by the timer function when the time is counted for the second time, which may cause inconvenience to the user.

[0013] For example, when the built-in clock of the remote controller is 20 seconds ahead of the standard time and is counting 12:00:20, when the time correction instruction to 12:00 (00 seconds) is obtained through the time correction process, the time of the built-in clock is transferred to this time, and the period from 12:00 to 12:00:20 becomes a repeat period. In this remote controller, when the timer is set to start operation at 12:00, when 12:00 is counted for the first time (before the time correction process), the operation of the corresponding indoor unit is started by the timer function. Immediately thereafter, even if the user operates the remote controller to stop the indoor unit, the time of the time correction process will be transferred from 12:00:20 to 12:00.

[0014] Therefore, when 12:00 is counted for the second time, there is a possibility that the operation of the air conditioner will be restarted by the timer function. In this case, the operation that the user does not want will be performed.

[0015] As a result, when the time set by the timer overlaps with the time corrected, there may occur a problem in which an action based on the timer setting is performed or not performed.

[0016] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a central management device and a time adjustment method for an air conditioning system, which can perform time adjustment processing on a clock built into the device while causing the device in the air conditioning system to operate appropriately.

[0017] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the central management device of the air-conditioning system of the present invention is characterized in that it is communicatively connected to a remote control having a built-in clock in the remote control and having a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote control, and the central management device of the air-conditioning system comprises: a central built-in clock for timing the time; a time correction timing setting unit, which is set with time correction timing information, in which a time other than "0" or "5" is shown as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the remote control; and a time correction processing unit, which, when it is determined that the time of the central built-in clock reaches the time shown by the time correction timing information set by the time correction timing setting unit, sends a correction instruction to the remote control to correct the timing of the built-in clock of the remote control to the corresponding time.

[0018] In addition, the time correction method of the air-conditioning system of the present invention is characterized in that a central management device is communicatively connected to a remote control having a built-in clock in the remote control and having a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote control, and has a central built-in clock for timing the time. The above-mentioned central management device is set with time correction timing information. In the time correction timing information, a time other than "0" or "5" is shown in the units digit in minutes as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the above-mentioned remote control. When it is determined that the time of the above-mentioned central built-in clock reaches the time shown by the set time correction timing information, a correction instruction is sent to the above-mentioned remote control to correct the timing time of the built-in clock of the above-mentioned remote control to the time of the above-mentioned central built-in clock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is an overall diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning system using a system controller as a central management device according to first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front view of a remote controller installed in an air conditioning system using the central management device according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the air-conditioning system using the system controller as the central management device according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state of adjustment of the timekeeping time when a time adjustment instruction is sent from the system controller as the central management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the time adjustment process of the built-in clock is executed in the remote controller.

[0023] Figure 5This is an explanatory diagram showing the correction state of the timekeeping time when a time correction instruction is sent from the system controller as the central management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the time correction process of the built-in clock is executed in the remote controller.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing the correction state of the timekeeping time when a time correction instruction is sent from the system controller as the central management device of the third embodiment of the present invention and the time correction process of the built-in clock is executed in the remote controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] 《First Implementation Method》

[0026] <Configuration of Air Conditioning System Using Central Management Device According to First Embodiment>

[0027] Reference Figure 1 The configuration of an air conditioning system using a central management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. The air conditioning system 1A of this embodiment includes: an outdoor unit 10 installed in a predetermined building; a plurality of indoor units (a first indoor unit 20a, a second indoor unit 20b, and a third indoor unit 20c) connected to the outdoor unit 10 via refrigerant piping and communication lines; a plurality of remote controllers (a first remote controller 30a, a second remote controller 30b, and a third remote controller 30c) respectively communicatively connected to the plurality of indoor units; and a system controller 40 as a central management device connected to the outdoor unit 10.

[0028] In the present embodiment, a case where three indoor units and three remote controllers are connected to the outdoor unit 10 is described, but more indoor units and more remote controllers may be connected.

[0029] In the present embodiment, when it is not necessary to specify which of the indoor units 20a, 20b, and 20c it is, it is described as the indoor unit 20. Similarly, when it is not necessary to specify which of the remote controllers 30a, 30b, and 30c it is, it is described as the remote controller 30.

[0030] The outdoor unit 10 includes an outdoor unit built-in clock 11, an outdoor-indoor communication unit 12, an outdoor-central communication unit 13, and an outdoor unit operation control unit 14. The outdoor-indoor communication unit 12 communicates with the indoor units 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively. The outdoor-central communication unit 13 communicates with the system controller 40. The outdoor unit operation control unit 14 controls the operation of the devices in the outdoor unit 10, including the time correction process of the outdoor unit built-in clock 11, based on the instruction sent from the system controller 40. In addition, when the outdoor unit operation control unit 14 receives an instruction sent from the system controller 40 to any indoor unit 20, it transmits the instruction to the corresponding indoor unit 20.

[0031] The first indoor unit 20a includes an indoor unit built-in clock 21, an indoor-remote controller communication unit 22, an indoor-outdoor communication unit 23, and an indoor unit operation control unit 24. The indoor-remote controller communication unit 22 communicates with the corresponding first remote controller 30a. The indoor-outdoor communication unit 23 communicates with the outdoor unit 10.

[0032] The indoor unit operation control unit 24 controls the operation of the equipment in the indoor unit 20a based on the instruction sent from the system controller 40 and transmitted by the outdoor unit 10 and the instruction sent from the connected first remote controller 30a. In addition, when the indoor unit operation control unit 24 receives the time adjustment instruction sent from the system controller 40, it transmits the instruction to the connected first remote controller 30a.

[0033] The second indoor unit 20b and the third indoor unit 20c have the same configuration as the first indoor unit 20a, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0034] The first remote controller 30 a includes a remote controller-indoor communication unit 31 , an operation input unit 32 , a remote controller built-in clock 33 , a timer setting unit 34 , a time adjustment execution unit 35 , and a display unit 36 ​​.

[0035] The remote controller-indoor communication unit 31 communicates with the corresponding indoor unit 20a. The operation input unit 32 inputs the operation information of the user and transmits it to the indoor unit 20a as needed.

[0036] The timer setting unit 34 is configured to set a timer for monitoring the arrival of a specified action related to the indoor unit 20a and the execution time of the action when operation information specifying the specified action and the execution time of the action is input from the operation input unit 32. Then, when it is determined that the time has arrived based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote controller, the arrival of the execution time of the action is notified to the operation input unit 32. As the timer setting content, there is the start or stop of the operation of the indoor unit 20a at a specified time, and a combination of the start and stop of the operation. Furthermore, in the setting of the start of the operation, the cooling, heating, dehumidification, ventilation mode, set temperature, set humidity, etc. of the operation to be started can be specified. Although not shown in the figure, a clock display unit is provided in the first remote controller 30a, and the user can recognize the current time. The user sets the timer time based on recognizing the displayed current time.

[0037] The time adjustment execution unit 35 performs time adjustment processing of the remote controller built-in clock 33 upon receiving a time adjustment instruction sent from the system controller 40. The display unit 36 ​​displays information generated based on the operation information input from the operation input unit 32 and information on the time currently being measured by the remote controller built-in clock 33.

[0038] The second remote controller 30b and the third remote controller 30c have the same configuration as the first remote controller 30a, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0039] Figure 2 The front view of the first remote controller 30a, the second remote controller 30b and the third remote controller 30c is shown. At the lower front part of these remote controllers 30, a "Run / Stop" button 321, a "Menu" button 322, an up arrow button 323, a down arrow button 324, and a "Cancel" button 325 are provided as an operation input unit 32, and a display unit 36 ​​composed of a monitor screen is provided above them.

[0040] The system controller 40 includes a controller internal clock 41 as a central internal clock, an operation input unit 42 , a time adjustment timing setting unit 43 , and a time adjustment processing unit 44 .

[0041] The operation input unit 42 is an operation unit for the manager to input information related to the group operation and the scheduled operation of the air conditioning system 1A. The time adjustment timing setting unit 43 sets time information indicating the timing for performing a preset time adjustment process as the time adjustment timing information.

[0042] The controller built-in clock 41 is a clock with higher timing accuracy than other built-in clocks in the air-conditioning system 1A, or is a clock designed to make its own timing consistent with the standard time by regularly obtaining standard time information from a standard clock such as the Internet, thereby making the timing accuracy higher than other built-in clocks.

[0043] The time correction processing unit 44, when determining that the time measured by the controller's built-in clock 41 reaches the time indicated by the time correction timing information set in the time correction timing setting unit 43, sends a time correction instruction to the equipment in the air-conditioning system 1A for correcting the measured time of each built-in clock to the measured time of the controller's built-in clock 41.

[0044] <Operation of Air Conditioning System According to First Embodiment>

[0045] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1A of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the user can operate the connected indoor unit 20 using the timer function of the remote controller 30. The sequence of the timer setting operation performed by the user through the remote controller 30 to operate the indoor unit 20 using the timer function will be described.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the display unit 36 ​​of the remote controller 30 normally displays information such as the installation location of the corresponding indoor unit 20 and the current set temperature. Then, when the user operates the "menu" button 322 of the remote controller 30, the display content of the display unit 36 ​​is switched to an operation menu screen showing a plurality of setting items related to the connected indoor unit 20. The setting items displayed on the operation menu screen include, for example, "wind direction setting", "damper operation setting", "timer setting" and the like.

[0047] Next, when the user operates the up arrow button 323 or the down arrow button 324 to select the setting item "timer setting" on the displayed operation menu screen, the display content of the display unit 36 ​​is switched to a timer setting screen showing the types of timers that can be set by the timer setting function. The types of timers to be set displayed on the timer setting screen include, for example, an "off timer" for stopping the operation of the indoor unit 20 at the indicated time, and an "on timer" for starting the operation of the indoor unit 20 at the indicated time.

[0048] Next, when the user operates the up arrow button 323 or the down arrow button 324 to select "ON TIMER" on the displayed timer setting screen, the display content of the display unit 36 ​​is switched to the ON TIMER setting screen for inputting information related to the setting of the ON TIMER. The ON TIMER setting screen includes information for inputting the time to start the operation of the indoor unit 20.

[0049] Next, when the user operates the up arrow button 323 or the down arrow button 324 to input a desired time on the displayed on-timer setting screen, the on-timer for starting the operation of the corresponding indoor unit 20 at that time is set in the timer setting unit 34 .

[0050] Normally, the value of the unit digit in minutes of the time designated in the timer setting operation of the indoor unit 20 is often "0" or "5". In the present embodiment, the time "12:00" is designated to set the on timer.

[0051] Next, refer to Figure 3 The timing chart of FIG. 1A illustrates the time adjustment process performed on the built-in clock of each device in the air-conditioning system 1A.

[0052] In this embodiment, time information indicating the timing of performing a preset time adjustment process is set in the time adjustment timing setting unit 43 (S1). The time adjustment timing information is settable in units of minutes, and the value of the units digit in units of minutes is set to a time other than "0" or "5".

[0053] In the time correction processing unit 44, the time measured by the controller built-in clock 41 is input as the standard time, and it is monitored whether the time of the controller built-in clock 41 is consistent with the time correction timing set in the time correction timing setting unit 43, that is, whether the time correction timing has arrived (S2).

[0054] When it is determined that the time adjustment timing has arrived (Yes in S2), the time adjustment processing unit 44 transmits a time adjustment instruction for adjusting the time kept by the built-in clock to the standard time from the central-outdoor communication unit 45 to the outdoor unit 10 (S3).

[0055] The time adjustment instruction sent from the system controller 40 is received by the outdoor-central communication unit 13 of the outdoor unit 10. Then, based on the received time adjustment instruction, the outdoor unit operation control unit 14 adjusts the outdoor unit built-in clock 11 to the corresponding standard time, and transmits the time adjustment instruction to the connected indoor units 20a to 20c from the outdoor-indoor communication unit 12 (S4).

[0056] The time adjustment instruction transmitted from the outdoor unit 10 is received by the indoor-outdoor communication unit 23 of each indoor unit 20a to 20c. Then, based on the received time adjustment instruction, the indoor unit operation control unit 24 adjusts the indoor unit built-in clock 21 to the corresponding standard time, and the indoor-remote control communication unit 22 sends the time adjustment instruction to the remote controllers 30a to 30c connected respectively (S5, S6 and S7).

[0057] The time adjustment instructions received from the indoor units 20a to 20c are received by the remote controller-indoor communication unit 31 of the remote controller 30a to 30c. Then, based on the received time adjustment instructions, the remote controller built-in clock 33 is adjusted to the corresponding standard time by the time adjustment execution unit 35.

[0058] By executing the processing in this way, when the deviation of the remote controller built-in clock 33 of the remote controller 30 is less than 1 minute, the time adjustment is performed without crossing the time when the value of the unit digit in the minute unit is "0" or "5" in the remote controller built-in clock 33. Therefore, in the timer setting related to the operation of the indoor unit 20, when the value of the unit digit in the minute unit is "0" or "5", the possibility that the time corresponds to the blank period or the overlapping period caused by the time adjustment processing is reduced.

[0059] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4For example, when the time correction timing is set to 11:56 and the remote controller built-in clock 33 has a delay of less than 1 minute, the remote controller 30 corrects the timekeeping time as indicated by arrow P1 through the time correction process. Similarly, when the built-in clock has a delay of less than 1 minute, when the time correction timing is set to 11:57, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P2, when the time correction timing is set to 11:58, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P3, when the time correction timing is set to 11:59, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P4, and when the time correction timing is set to 12:01, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P5.

[0060] Furthermore, when the time correction timing is set to 11:56, and the remote controller built-in clock 33 is advanced by less than 1 minute, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q1 by the time correction processing in the remote controller 30. Similarly, when the built-in clock is advanced by less than 1 minute, when the time correction timing is set to 11:57, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q2, when the time correction timing is set to 11:58, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q3, when the time correction timing is set to 11:59, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q4, and when the time correction timing is set to 12:01, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q5.

[0061] By executing the time adjustment as described above, the operation specified by the timer setting can be appropriately and reliably executed.

[0062] <<Second Implementation Method>>

[0063] The configuration of the air conditioning system 1B using the central management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that described in the first embodiment. Figure 1 The configuration of the air conditioning system 1A is the same as that of the air conditioning system 1A, and therefore detailed description of parts having the same functions will be omitted.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the time designated in the timer setting operation of the indoor unit 20 can be set in units of minutes, and any value of "0" to "59" can be input. In addition, the system controller 40 is configured so that the time correction timing information can be set in units of seconds. Then, in the time correction timing setting unit 43, a time indicating a value of "30" in units of seconds is set as the time correction timing information.

[0065] In the state where the time correction timing information is set in this way, the process is the same as that described in the first embodiment. When the time correction process is executed, if the deviation of the remote control built-in clock 33 of the remote control 30 is less than 30 seconds, the time correction will not be performed across the time when the value in seconds in the remote control built-in clock 33 is "0".

[0066] Therefore, in the timer setting related to the operation of the indoor unit 20, no matter which time is set in the value of "0" to "59" in units of minutes, the time does not correspond to the blank period or overlapping period caused by the time adjustment process.

[0067] Furthermore, refer to Figure 5 For example, when the time correction timing is set to 11:55:30 and the remote controller built-in clock 33 has a delay of less than 30 seconds, the remote controller 30 corrects the timekeeping time as indicated by arrow P11 through the time correction processing. Similarly, when the built-in clock has a delay of less than 30 seconds, when the time correction timing is set to 11:56:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P12, when the time correction timing is set to 11:57:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P13, when the time correction timing is set to 11:58:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P14, when the time correction timing is set to 11:59:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P15, and when the time correction timing is set to 12:00:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow P16.

[0068] Furthermore, when the time correction timing is set to 11:55:30 and the remote controller built-in clock 33 advances by less than 30 seconds, the remote controller 30 corrects the timekeeping time as indicated by arrow Q11 by the time correction processing. Similarly, when the built-in clock advances by less than 30 seconds, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q12 when the time correction timing is set to 11:56:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q13 when the time correction timing is set to 11:57:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q13, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q14 when the time correction timing is set to 11:58:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q14 when the time correction timing is set to 11:59:30, the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q15, and the timekeeping time is corrected as indicated by arrow Q16 when the time correction timing is set to 12:00:30.

[0069] By executing the time adjustment as described above, even when a minute time such as 11:58:00 is specified in the timer setting, the corresponding operation can be executed appropriately and reliably.

[0070] 《Third Implementation Method》

[0071] The configuration of the air conditioning system 1C using the central management device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to that described in the first embodiment. Figure 1 The configuration of the air conditioning system 1A is the same as that of the air conditioning system 1A, and therefore detailed description of parts having the same functions will be omitted.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the time designated in the timer setting operation of the indoor unit 20 can be set in units of minutes, and similarly to the first embodiment, the value of the units digit in units of minutes is often "0" or "5".

[0073] In addition, the system controller 40 is configured such that, similar to the second embodiment, the time correction timing information can be set in seconds, and in the time correction timing setting unit 43, a time is set as the time correction timing information, in which the value of the unit digit in minutes is "2" or "7" and the value in seconds is "30".

[0074] In the state where the time correction timing information is set in this way, the process is the same as that described in the first embodiment. When the time correction process is executed, if the deviation of the remote control built-in clock 33 of the remote control 30 is less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the time correction will not be performed across the time when the value of the unit digit in the remote control built-in clock 33 in units of minutes is "0" or "5".

[0075] Therefore, when a time with a value of "0" or "5" in the units digit of minutes is set in the timer setting related to the operation of the indoor unit 20, the possibility that the time corresponds to a blank period or an overlapping period caused by the time adjustment processing is further reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, refer to Figure 6 For example, when the time adjustment timing is set to 11:57:30 and the remote controller built-in clock 33 is delayed by less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the remote controller 30 adjusts the timekeeping time as indicated by arrow P21 through the time adjustment process.

[0077] Furthermore, when the time correction timing is set to 11:57:30 and the remote controller built-in clock 33 advances by less than 2:30, the remote controller 30 corrects the timekeeping time as indicated by arrow Q21 through the time correction processing.

[0078] By performing the time adjustment in this manner, the corresponding operation in the timer setting can be appropriately and reliably performed with high accuracy.

[0079] According to the first to third embodiments, the time adjustment process of the remote controller built-in clock 33 of each remote controller 30 is performed by avoiding the time at which there is a high possibility that a timer related to the operation of the indoor unit 20 is set. As a result, when the timer setting operation is performed in the remote controller 30, the possibility that the time specified by the timer setting corresponds to the blank period or overlapping period caused by the time adjustment process is reduced, and the situation in which the operation specified by the user cannot be properly executed can be avoided as much as possible.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example in which built-in clocks 11 and 21 are respectively provided in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is used for explanation. However, in a case where all timer settings and timer actions indicating run / stop are instructed from the remote controller 30, these built-in clocks 11 and 21 may not be provided, and only the remote controller built-in clock 33 of the remote controller 30 may be provided.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the system controller 40 as the central management device and the remote controller 30 are communicatively connected via the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 , but the connection method is not limited to this.

[0082] For example, the system controller 40 may be directly connected to all of the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 20, and the remote controller 30, or all of the devices, namely, the system controller 40, the remote controller 30, the outdoor unit 10, and the indoor unit 20, may be connected to each other on one bus so as to be communicable. Furthermore, the devices may be connected to each other so as to be communicable wirelessly.

[0083] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiment can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiment and its variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A central management device, provided in an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit provided in a predetermined building, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant piping and a communication line, and a remote controller communicatively connected to the indoor unit, the central management device being connected to the outdoor unit, characterized in that: The remote controller has a built-in clock and can operate the indoor unit by using a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote controller. The remote controller is connected to the indoor unit through the outdoor unit. The above-mentioned central management device has: The central built-in clock has a higher timekeeping accuracy than the built-in clock of the remote control mentioned above; a time correction timing setting unit in which time correction timing information is set, wherein the time correction timing information indicates a time other than "0" or "5" in the unit digit in units of minutes as a timing for performing time correction processing on the clock built into the remote controller; and The time correction processing unit, when determining that the time of the central built-in clock reaches the time indicated by the time correction timing information set by the time correction timing setting unit, sends a correction instruction to the remote controller to correct the timing time of the remote controller built-in clock to the time of the central built-in clock.

2. A central management device, installed in an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit installed in a predetermined building, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line, and a remote controller connected to the indoor unit for communication, the central management device being connected to the outdoor unit, characterized in that: The remote controller has a built-in clock and can operate the indoor unit by using a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote controller, and the remote controller is communicatively connected to the indoor unit via the outdoor unit. The above-mentioned central management device has: The central built-in clock has a higher timekeeping accuracy than the built-in clock of the remote control mentioned above; a time correction timing setting unit in which time correction timing information is set, in which a time "30" is shown in seconds as a timing for performing time correction processing on the built-in clock of the remote controller; and The time correction processing unit, when determining that the time of the central built-in clock reaches the time indicated by the time correction timing information set by the time correction timing setting unit, sends a correction instruction to the remote controller to correct the timing time of the remote controller built-in clock to the time of the central built-in clock.

3. The central management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The time correction timing setting unit is provided with time correction timing information, in which the time correction timing information shows the time when the value of the unit digit in minutes is "2" or "7" and the value of the unit digit in seconds is "30" as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the remote control.

4. The central management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The central built-in clock makes the time kept by itself consistent with the standard time information obtained from the outside.

5. A time correction method for an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit installed in a predetermined building, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line, a remote controller communicatively connected to the indoor unit, and a central management device connected to the outdoor unit, characterized in that: The remote controller has a built-in clock and can operate the indoor unit by using a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote controller. The remote controller is connected to the central management device via the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The central management device has a central built-in clock with higher time accuracy than the built-in clock of the remote controller. The central management device is set with time correction timing information, in which, as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the remote controller, a time other than "0" or "5" is shown in the unit digit in minutes. When the central management device determines that the time of the central built-in clock reaches the time indicated by the set time correction timing information, it sends a correction instruction to the remote controller to correct the timing time of the built-in clock of the remote controller to the time of the central built-in clock.

6. A time correction method for an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit installed in a predetermined building, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe and a communication line, a remote controller communicatively connected to the indoor unit, and a central management device connected to the outdoor unit, characterized in that: The remote controller has a built-in clock and can operate the indoor unit by using a timer function based on the timing of the built-in clock of the remote controller. The remote controller is connected to the central management device via the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The central management device has a central built-in clock with higher time accuracy than the built-in clock of the remote controller. The central management device is set with time correction timing information, in which a time value of "30" in seconds is shown as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the remote controller. When the central management device determines that the time of the central built-in clock has reached the time indicated by the set time correction timing information, it sends a correction instruction to the remote controller to correct the time of the remote controller built-in clock to the time of the central built-in clock.

7. The time correction method of the air conditioning system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The time correction timing information is set, in which the time in which the value of the unit digit in minutes is "2" or "7" and the value in seconds is "30" is shown as the timing for performing the time correction processing of the built-in clock of the above-mentioned remote control.

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