Air conditioning monitoring system

Abstract

The present application provides an air conditioning monitoring system, including: a cloud monitoring platform; a local monitoring platform; a converter, used to collect communication telegrams between indoor and outdoor units, and having: a first USB port, which is used to communicate and connect with the local monitoring platform; a wireless communication module, which is wirelessly connected to the cloud monitoring platform; a second USB port, which is used to connect to an external power supply, and is used selectively with the first USB port; when using the first USB port, the converter sends the communication telegram to the local monitoring platform, which is parsed and output by the local monitoring platform, and the local monitoring platform can send control instructions to the converter; when using the second USB port, the converter sends the communication telegram to the cloud monitoring platform, and the cloud monitoring platform can send control instructions to the converter.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 27, 2020, with application number 202011357281.8 and application name "Air Conditioning Monitoring System", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to an air conditioning monitoring system. Background Art

[0004] With the development of intelligent air-conditioning, the demand for intelligent monitoring and remote diagnosis of air-conditioning units is becoming more and more urgent. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioning monitoring system, comprising:

[0006] Cloud monitoring platform;

[0007] Local monitoring platform;

[0008] The converter communicates with the air conditioner communication bus and is used to collect communication messages between the indoor and outdoor units. It has:

[0009] A first USB port, which is used for communication connection with the local monitoring platform;

[0010] A wireless communication module, which is wirelessly connected to the cloud monitoring platform;

[0011] a second USB port, which is used to connect to an external power source and is used alternatively with the first USB port;

[0012] When the first USB port is in use, the converter sends a communication message to the local monitoring platform, which is parsed and output by the local monitoring platform, and the local monitoring platform can send a control instruction to the converter;

[0013] When the second USB port is in use, the converter sends a communication message to the cloud monitoring platform, and the cloud monitoring platform can send a control instruction to the converter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of the air conditioning monitoring system proposed in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0018] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood in specific circumstances. In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0019] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. Throughout this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0020] The basic operating principle of air conditioner

[0021] The refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner consists of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle includes a series of processes involving compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation, and supplies refrigerant to the air that has been conditioned and heat exchanged.

[0022] The compressor compresses the refrigerant into high-temperature, high-pressure gas and discharges it. The discharged refrigerant flows into the condenser, which condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, releasing heat into the surrounding environment.

[0023] The expansion valve expands the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser into a lower-temperature, low-pressure liquid. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve and returns the lower-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas to the compressor. The evaporator achieves cooling by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation to exchange heat with the material being cooled. Throughout this cycle, the air conditioner regulates the temperature of the indoor space.

[0024] The air conditioner outdoor unit refers to a portion including a compressor of a refrigeration cycle and includes an outdoor heat exchanger, the air conditioner indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve may be provided in the air conditioner indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

[0025] The indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger function as a condenser or an evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the air conditioner functions as a heater in heating mode, and when the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the air conditioner functions as a cooler in cooling mode.

[0026] The air conditioner in this application is described by taking a multi-split air conditioner as an example.

[0027] The multi-split air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit communicatively connected to the outdoor unit.

[0028] converter

[0029] See also Figure 1 , converter 1 communicates with the air conditioning communication bus (e.g., HBS (Home Bus System) bus) between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as the indoor and outdoor units), and is mainly responsible for collecting communication messages (e.g., unit operation data) between the indoor and outdoor units, while supporting the issuance of control commands to the indoor and outdoor units.

[0030] The converter 1 may adopt a USB Type C interface and may be powered by a PC, a USB power adapter connected to an external power source, a mobile power source such as a power bank, or the like via a USB cable.

[0031] According to the USB 2.0 technical specification, the design power parameters of the converter 1 as a USB slave device are 5V and 500mA, that is, it can only obtain no more than 500mA@5V power from the external device (such as a PC).

[0032] In order to utilize the converter 1 to meet both local monitoring and remote monitoring requirements, the converter 1 has both a wireless communication module (such as a WiFi module) and a USB communication port. In this way, the converter 1 needs to support the operation of its own MCU (Microcontroller Unit), USB communication, WiFi / LAN communication and other basic peripherals.

[0033] The peak power consumption required for MCU operation, USB communication and other basic peripheral operations is less than 500mA@5V; the peak power consumption required for MCU operation, WiFi / LAN communication and other basic peripheral operations is less than 500mA@5V; the peak power consumption required for MCU operation, USB communication, WiFi / LAN communication and other basic peripheral operations is greater than 500mA@5V.

[0034] Therefore, the converter 1 switches between USB communication and wireless communication, and for this purpose, a first USB port (referred to as USB1 port) and a second USB port (referred to as USB2 port) are provided.

[0035] By switching the power supply of USB1 port and USB2 port, power supply during USB communication or wireless communication is achieved.

[0036] Specifically, during use, either USB1 or USB2 is used, that is, when USB1 is used, USB2 is idle; when USB2 is used, USB1 is idle.

[0037] The USB1 port is used for communication connection with the local monitoring platform 2 (such as a PC). The local monitoring platform 2 uses the USB1 port to supply power to the converter 1 and realizes USB communication between the converter 1 and the local monitoring platform 2 through the USB1 port.

[0038] At this time, the wireless communication function of the converter 1 is disabled, that is, the converter 1 will not communicate with the remote cloud monitoring platform 3 through the wireless communication module.

[0039] The USB2 port is used to connect an external power source (such as a mobile power supply, AC power (such as connected via a USB power adapter), etc.) to power the converter 1 and simultaneously activate the wireless communication function. In this way, the converter 1 communicates wirelessly with the cloud monitoring platform 3 through the wireless communication module.

[0040] Since the USB1 port is not used, the USB communication function of the converter 1 is disabled at this time.

[0041] In this application, converter 1 uses TI's power multiplexing chip TPS2121 to achieve seamless switching of power input between USB1 port and USB2 port.

[0042] When USB1 is plugged into the local monitoring platform 2 (and USB2 is not plugged in at this time), the 5V power supply of USB1 is switched to enable the MCU of converter 1 to run, USB communication and other basic peripherals to run.

[0043] When the USB2 port is plugged into an external power source (and USB1 is not plugged in), it switches to the 5V power supply of USB2, allowing the MCU of converter 1, WiFi / LAN communication, and other basic peripherals to operate.

[0044] Converter 1 has three modes: stop mode, code capture mode and centralized control mode.

[0045] In stop mode, converter 1 does not operate and does not perform any action.

[0046] In the code capture mode, converter 1 passively receives all communication telegrams between the indoor and outdoor units and does not send any telegrams to the air conditioner communication bus. Only after passive reception, it sends all communication telegrams to the local monitoring platform 2 when using the USB1 port, or to the cloud monitoring platform 3 when using the USB2 port.

[0047] In the centralized control mode, the converter 1 will actively send a demand communication message to the indoor and outdoor units, requesting the indoor and outdoor units to feedback the current operating status parameters, and also supports sending control instructions to the indoor and outdoor units to control the operating status of the indoor and outdoor units.

[0048] Local monitoring system

[0049] When USB1 is used instead of USB2, the 5V power supply of USB1 is switched to, the MCU of converter 1 runs, USB communication and other basic peripherals run, and the WiFi / LAN function is disabled. At this time, converter 1 only forms a local monitoring system with local monitoring platform 2.

[0050] Under normal circumstances, converter 1 is in code capture mode, passively receiving all communication messages between the indoor and outdoor units from the air conditioner communication bus.

[0051] The local monitoring platform 2 can send control instructions to the converter 1, triggering the converter 1 to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode, and actively send the required communication message to the air conditioning communication bus.

[0052] After receiving the demand communication message, the indoor and outdoor units will feedback the communication message of relevant operating status data to the converter 1 through the air conditioning communication bus according to the demand communication message. Thereafter, the converter 1 will send the communication message to the local monitoring platform 2 via USB communication.

[0053] In order to ensure reliable transmission of communication telegrams, the converter 1 performs USB encryption on the communication telegrams at its USB1 port, and then sends the USB encrypted telegrams to the local monitoring platform 2.

[0054] After reaching the USB port of the local monitoring platform 2, USB decryption is performed to form plain text of the communication data.

[0055] Thereafter, the local monitoring platform 2 calls the internal dynamic database to parse the communication data plain text and maps it to the unit parameter parsing table. At this time, the unit operating parameters can be obtained according to the corresponding unit parameter parsing table.

[0056] The local monitoring platform 2 can output the unit operating parameters, for example, visually output the unit operating parameters on the main interface of the local monitoring platform 2, so that the user can intuitively view the unit operating status and realize local real-time monitoring of the unit.

[0057] Of course, the unit operating parameters can also be output in text form.

[0058] The communication telegrams between the internal and external units can be directly transmitted to the local monitoring platform 2 only through the converter 1, which shortens the transmission process of the communication telegrams, reduces the interference of the transmission process on the communication telegrams, and maintains the stability of the communication telegram transmission and the reliability of the telegram data.

[0059] Furthermore, the analysis and processing of the USB encrypted message sent by the converter 1 are all implemented by the local monitoring platform 2, which has a fast processing speed and improves processing efficiency, thereby realizing local and efficient monitoring.

[0060] In some embodiments, the local monitoring platform 2 can send control instructions to the converter 1 according to a private protocol, and then the MCU in the converter 1 processes the instructions to control the internal and external units, thereby realizing local control of the unit.

[0061] Such control instructions include control instructions from the local monitoring platform 2 for triggering the converter 1 to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode, and control instructions sent from the local monitoring platform 2 to the converter 1 and processed by the MCU of the converter 1 to control the actions of the internal and external units.

[0062] Remote monitoring system

[0063] When using USB2 instead of USB1, switch to the 5V power supply of USB2, the MCU of converter 1 runs, WiFi / LAN communication and other basic peripherals run. At this time, converter 1 only forms a remote monitoring system with cloud monitoring platform 3.

[0064] Under normal circumstances, converter 1 is in code capture mode, passively receiving all communication messages between the indoor and outdoor units from the air conditioner communication bus.

[0065] All communication messages are uploaded to the cloud monitoring platform 3 through the wireless communication module, analyzed and processed by the cloud monitoring platform 3, and displayed on the interface of the cloud monitoring platform 3, thereby realizing remote monitoring of the unit operation status.

[0066] The cloud monitoring platform 3 can send control instructions to the converter 1 through the wireless communication module, triggering the converter 1 to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode, and actively send demand communication telegrams to the air conditioning communication bus.

[0067] After the indoor and outdoor units receive the demand communication message, they will feedback the communication message of relevant operating status data to the converter 1 through the air conditioning communication bus according to the demand communication message. Thereafter, the converter 1 will send the communication message to the cloud monitoring platform 3 through wireless communication to realize remote real-time monitoring of the unit.

[0068] The cloud monitoring platform 3 will also send control instructions to the converter 1, which will then be processed by the MCU of the converter 1 to control the actions of the internal and external units to change their operating states and realize remote control of the unit.

[0069] A WEB control interface is opened on the cloud monitoring platform 3 side to receive the communication telegrams reported by the converter 1 and perform logical analysis and processing so that visual output can be performed on the main interface of the WEB control interface, making it convenient for users to intuitively view the unit operation status and realize remote real-time monitoring of the unit.

[0070] And control instructions are sent to the converter 1 through the WEB control interface.

[0071] Such control instructions include control instructions used by the cloud monitoring platform 3 to trigger the converter 1 to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode, and control instructions sent by the cloud monitoring platform 3 to the converter 1 and processed by the MCU of the converter 1 to control the actions of the internal and external units.

[0072] On the WEB control interface, the accessible cloud resources vary depending on the user level, and the control permissions are also different.

[0073] Specifically, when a user registers an account from the WEB control interface, the background will automatically identify the user level based on the account registration information filled in and activate the account before it becomes effective.

[0074] The user accesses the WEB login interface through the public network, enters the account number and password, and is allowed to enter the WEB control interface. The backend of the cloud monitoring platform 3 will feedback the detection data within the scope of its authority to the user, so that the relevant unit operation data can be read.

[0075] The unit operation data mainly includes the main operating parameters of the air-conditioning unit (such as compressor frequency, real-time current value, indoor unit operating parameters, outdoor unit operating parameters, etc.).

[0076] Different user levels have different permissions to improve the intelligence of the entire monitoring system and increase user convenience.

[0077] This permission includes at least query permission and control permission.

[0078] For example, users can be divided into three levels: level one, level two, and level three, and the three levels have different permissions, as explained below.

[0079] A first-level user, such as the company's head office or overseas offices, has viewing rights for all projects. Taking converter 1 as a unit, this user can query the unit operating data of each air-conditioning unit connected to converter 1. However, a first-level user does not have control authority, only query authority.

[0080] Secondary users are mainly assigned to sales branches and dealers. This user has the authority to monitor only the projects they have installed. This is mainly to monitor the real-time status of the air-conditioning units under the project and promptly discover the reasons for the unit's shutdown or failure. They also only have query authority and no control authority.

[0081] Level 3 users are mainly assigned to direct project managers. This user can only view the operating data of all units under his or her own engineering project and also has control authority.

[0082] If a third-level user has multiple projects, the third-level user can also set up project leader accounts. Each project leader account can view the operating data of the units under its own project, and at the same time can only control the actions of the units under its own project.

[0083] It should be noted that the engineering project described in this article refers to an air-conditioning unit system connected under a converter 1.

[0084] Of course, multiple engineering projects can be set up, corresponding to multiple converters communicating with the cloud monitoring platform 3. At this time, the multiple converters in use should be numbered so that the cloud monitoring platform 3 background can identify them.

[0085] The device number of each converter is associated with its corresponding user account and project information, so that after logging into the user account, the operating data of the air-conditioning units under each converter that are within the scope of authority and related to the project information can be queried.

[0086] Through hierarchical management, it can better serve industrial construction projects or smart home projects. Managers can view the usage status and operation data of the air-conditioning units without going through the direct users of the air-conditioning units, which facilitates the intelligent management and remote centralized monitoring of the project.

[0087] In addition, the cloud monitoring platform 3 provides fault early warning analysis of the unit operation status based on the unit operation data, and issues a shutdown warning before the unit fails and shuts down.

[0088] In addition, when a project leader is set up, the cloud monitoring platform 3 will proactively push the fault warning information to the contact information reserved by the relevant leader (such as the second-level user, the third-level user), so as to facilitate rapid response to the fault and timely stop loss.

[0089] The cloud monitoring platform 3 can also provide energy consumption trend analysis of the unit based on the actual operation of the unit, push it to the relevant project leader and give reasonable usage suggestions, so as to achieve more intelligent monitoring of the air-conditioning unit.

[0090] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for a person skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or to replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions claimed to be protected by the present application.

Claims

1. An air conditioning monitoring system, characterized in that: include: Cloud monitoring platform; Local monitoring platform; The converter communicates with the air conditioner communication bus and is used to collect communication messages between the indoor and outdoor units. It has: A first USB port, which is used for communication connection with the local monitoring platform; A wireless communication module, which is wirelessly connected to the cloud monitoring platform; a second USB port, which is used to connect to an external power source and is used alternatively with the first USB port; When the first USB port is in use, the converter sends a communication message to the local monitoring platform, which is parsed and output by the local monitoring platform, and the local monitoring platform can send a control instruction to the converter; When the second USB port is used, the converter sends a communication message to the cloud monitoring platform, and the cloud monitoring platform can send a control instruction to the converter; The converter supports sending control instructions to the indoor unit.

2. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The converter has a stop mode, a centralized control mode and a code capture mode; In the stop mode, the converter stops operating; In the centralized control mode, the converter actively sends a demand communication message to the unit, obtains the operating status of the unit, and can send control instructions to the unit; In the code capture mode, the converter passively receives all communication telegrams transmitted by the unit and reports all communication telegrams to the cloud monitoring platform or the local monitoring platform.

3. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first USB port is in use, the local monitoring platform sends a control instruction to the converter, triggering the converter to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode.

4. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: When the second USB port is in use, the cloud monitoring platform sends a control instruction to the converter, triggering the converter to enter the centralized control mode from the code capture mode.

5. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The converter sends a USB encrypted communication message to the local monitoring platform; The local monitoring platform parses the USB encrypted communication message and outputs the communication data in plain text; The dynamic database in the local monitoring platform is called to parse the communication data plain text and output the unit operation parameters.

6. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cloud monitoring platform opens a WEB control interface for receiving the communication telegrams reported by the converter and performing logic analysis and processing, and issuing control instructions to the converter.

7. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 6, characterized in that: Users are managed in different levels according to their registered accounts, and users of different levels have different permissions on the WEB control interface.

8. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The permissions include at least query permissions and control permissions.

9. The air conditioning monitoring system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cloud monitoring platform provides fault early warning analysis of the unit's operating conditions and issues a shutdown warning before the unit shuts down due to a fault.

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