Multi-connected air conditioning system and communication control method of multi-connected air conditioning system

Abstract

The application provides a multi-connected air conditioning system and a communication control method of the multi-connected air conditioning system, and relates to the technical field of air conditioners. The system comprises an outdoor unit, an indoor unit group comprising a plurality of parallel indoor units, and the outdoor unit comprises a first controller configured to identify the types of each indoor unit, and in the case where low-speed indoor units and high-speed indoor units exist simultaneously, at least one target high-speed indoor unit for serving as a fusion node is selected from the high-speed indoor units. The target high-speed indoor unit comprises a second controller configured to communicate data with the low-speed indoor units at a first communication rate and communicate data with the outdoor unit at a second communication rate. The problem that the compatibility of the system cannot be ensured and the communication rate of the multi-connected air conditioning system cannot be accelerated is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a multi-split air conditioning system and a communication control method for the multi-split air conditioning system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, air conditioning bus communication operates at a low speed, primarily involving outdoor units, indoor units, and the central controller. However, the data exchange efficiency between these devices is low, and this efficiency gradually decreases as the number of communicating devices on the communication bus increases. With the market demanding an increase in the number of indoor units, the communication pressure also increases, rendering the existing low-speed communication insufficient to meet the growing needs. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the communication speed of multi-split air conditioning systems.

[0003] In related technologies, for multi-split air conditioning systems that simultaneously include indoor units supporting high-speed communication and indoor units supporting low-speed communication, the inability to guarantee system compatibility leads to the inability to increase the communication speed of the multi-split air conditioning system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a multi-split air conditioning system and a communication control method for the multi-split air conditioning system, aiming to solve the problem that the system compatibility cannot be guaranteed, which in turn leads to the inability to increase the communication speed of the multi-split air conditioning system.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a multi-split air conditioning system, the system including: an outdoor unit;

[0007] Indoor unit, including multiple indoor units connected in parallel;

[0008] The outdoor unit includes a first controller, which is configured to:

[0009] Each indoor unit is identified by type; the types of indoor units include low-speed indoor units and high-speed indoor units.

[0010] When both low-speed and high-speed indoor units are identified, at least one target high-speed indoor unit is selected from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

[0011] The target high-speed indoor unit includes a second controller, which is configured to:

[0012] The system uses a first communication rate to communicate with the low-speed indoor unit and a second communication rate to communicate with the outdoor unit, wherein the first communication rate is lower than the second communication rate.

[0013] The technical solution provided in this application provides at least the following beneficial effects: First, by classifying indoor units into low-speed and high-speed types, it can better adapt to different environmental needs. When both low-speed and high-speed indoor units are identified, selecting at least one target high-speed indoor unit as the fusion node can achieve higher efficiency and performance. Second, by employing different communication rates, communication latency is reduced and data transmission speed is increased; therefore, using a faster communication rate allows for faster data transmission, thereby improving the overall efficiency and performance of the system. Finally, by optimizing system performance and efficiency, users can obtain a better comfort experience. Furthermore, due to the classification of indoor unit types and the optimization of communication rates, the system can better adapt to different environmental needs, thereby improving user satisfaction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first controller is further configured to:

[0015] By querying request messages based on broadcast communication rates, the ability of each indoor unit to support different communication modes can be obtained;

[0016] Based on each indoor unit's ability to support different communication modes, the indoor units are identified as types, including low-speed communication mode and high-speed communication mode.

[0017] In some embodiments, the outdoor unit further includes a first communication module, and the first controller is further configured to:

[0018] Generate a communication rate query request message and send the communication rate query request message to each indoor unit through the first communication module;

[0019] The first communication module receives communication rate query result messages from each indoor unit and parses the communication rate query result messages to obtain the communication rate supported by each indoor unit.

[0020] Based on the communication rate supported by each indoor unit, determine the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first controller is further configured to:

[0022] Determine the message feedback time required for each high-speed indoor unit to send a query result message based on the communication rate feedback;

[0023] Determine the number of low-speed indoor units, and based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the message feedback duration, select at least one target high-speed indoor unit from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first controller is further configured to:

[0025] Determine the number of target high-speed indoor units;

[0026] Based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the number of target high-speed indoor units, grouping operations are performed to obtain at least one communication group, wherein the communication group includes one target high-speed indoor unit and no more than a preset number of low-speed indoor units.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first controller is further configured to:

[0028] The first communication module receives the communication data fusion message sent by the target high-speed indoor unit and parses the communication data fusion message.

[0029] Based on the parsing results of the communication data fusion message, a feedback instruction message is generated and sent to the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second controller is further configured to:

[0031] Calculate the mode operating time of the communication group based on the number of low-speed indoor units included in the communication group.

[0032] In some embodiments, the target high-speed indoor unit further includes a second communication module, and the second controller is further configured to:

[0033] The communication data of all low-speed indoor units in the communication group is collected using the first communication rate, and the data is fused to generate a communication data fusion message.

[0034] The communication data is fused into a message using a second communication rate and sent to the outdoor unit through the second communication module.

[0035] The second communication rate is used, and feedback command messages sent by the outdoor unit are received through the second communication module;

[0036] The feedback command message is parsed and forwarded.

[0037] In some embodiments, the communication data includes configuration data and identification data, and the second controller is further configured to:

[0038] According to the preset message format, the configuration data and identification data of all low-speed indoor units in the communication group are merged to generate a communication data fusion message.

[0039] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system, applied to the aforementioned multi-split air conditioning system, the method comprising:

[0040] The outdoor unit identifies the type of each indoor unit; the indoor unit types include low-speed indoor units and high-speed indoor units.

[0041] When the outdoor unit detects the simultaneous presence of both low-speed and high-speed indoor units, it selects at least one target high-speed indoor unit from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

[0042] The high-speed indoor unit uses a first communication rate to communicate with the low-speed indoor unit and a second communication rate to communicate with the outdoor unit, wherein the first communication rate is lower than the second communication rate.

[0043] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on any of the aforementioned devices, cause the device to perform the communication control method of any of the aforementioned multi-split air conditioning systems.

[0044] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, the processor is connected to the memory, and when the chip is running, the processor executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the chip to execute any of the above-mentioned communication control methods for multi-split air conditioning systems.

[0045] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on any of the aforementioned devices, causes the device to execute any of the aforementioned communication control methods for multi-split air conditioning systems.

[0046] The beneficial effects of aspects two through five above can be referenced to any implementation method in aspect one, and will not be repeated here. Based on the implementation methods provided in the above aspects, this application can be further combined to provide more implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the multi-split air conditioning system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the outdoor unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a functional module diagram of the indoor unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a hierarchical structure of a multi-split air conditioning system after communication grouping in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another hierarchical structure of the multi-split air conditioning system after communication grouping in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of the steps of a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the format of the fused message in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a communication compatibility configuration in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 14 This is another schematic diagram of the communication compatibility configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Reference numerals: 100, Multi-split air conditioning system; 11, Outdoor unit; 12, Indoor unit; 13, First controller; 14, First communication module; 20, Target high-speed indoor unit; 21, Second controller; 22, Second communication module. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0064] 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 technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0065] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connected" should be interpreted broadly, for example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, when describing pipelines, the terms "connected" and "connected" as used in this application have the meaning of enabling conduction. The specific meaning needs to be understood in conjunction with the context.

[0066] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0067] As mentioned in the background section, existing multi-split air conditioning systems typically consist of indoor and outdoor units. The indoor units need to communicate to achieve functions such as temperature control and fan speed adjustment. The communication speed directly affects the system's response speed and control accuracy, making it crucial to the performance of the multi-split air conditioning system. If a multi-split air conditioning system has two types of indoor units, one an upgraded product supporting high-speed communication and the other an older product supporting only low-speed communication, then increasing the communication speed in such a system is not feasible due to the lack of compatibility between these two types of indoor units. Furthermore, due to compatibility issues, the high-speed and low-speed communication indoor units may not be able to exchange information effectively. This means that the overall system communication speed cannot be increased, as the overall system speed is limited by the slowest component. In other words, even if one indoor unit supports high-speed communication, if other indoor units only support low-speed communication, the overall system communication speed cannot be increased to the level of high-speed communication.

[0068] To address this problem, the inventors proposed the following technical concept: In a multi-split air conditioning system where the communication capabilities of the indoor units are unknown, the outdoor unit actively acquires the communication capabilities of the indoor units and creates a data fusion node. This data fusion node then interacts with both the outdoor and indoor units using different communication rates. This improves the overall communication rate of the multi-split air conditioning system without affecting the communication rate of the indoor units, which possess high-speed communication capabilities.

[0069] The specific solution of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a multi-split air conditioning system, provided as an example of an embodiment of this application. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 1 This application introduces a multi-split air conditioning system provided in its embodiments.

[0071] The multi-split air conditioning system 100 includes an outdoor unit 11 and indoor units 12. Each indoor unit in the indoor units 12 is connected to the outdoor unit 11 via refrigerant connection pipes. The outdoor unit 11 is typically installed outdoors and is used for heat exchange in the indoor environment.

[0072] like Figure 2 The outdoor unit 11 shown in the diagram includes a first controller 13 and a first communication module 14.

[0073] like Figure 3 The functional block diagram of the indoor unit shown in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: the high-speed indoor unit 20 includes a second controller 21 and a second communication module 22, wherein the second controller 21 and the second communication module 22 are connected.

[0074] In the embodiments shown in this application, the first controller and the second controller refer to devices that can generate operation control signals according to instruction opcodes and timing signals, instructing the multi-split air conditioning system to execute control commands. Exemplarily, the controller can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The controller can also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0075] This application provides a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system, such as... Figure 4 As shown, this method, applied to multi-split air conditioning systems, includes the following steps:

[0076] S101: The outdoor unit identifies the type of each indoor unit.

[0077] In multi-split air conditioning systems, indoor units typically need to communicate with outdoor units to coordinate temperature and airflow. This communication is achieved through the HomeBus protocol. Within the HomeBus protocol, there are two different speed standards: low-speed HomeBus communication and high-speed HomeBus communication. Therefore, indoor units can also be categorized into low-speed and high-speed indoor units.

[0078] Due to continuous technological advancements, high-speed indoor units are relatively new products, typically boasting higher communication speeds and better performance. Low-speed indoor units, on the other hand, are older products, usually employing older communication standards and exhibiting relatively slower speeds. Therefore, in multi-split air conditioning systems where the communication capabilities of indoor units are unknown, it is necessary to identify the type of the indoor units to ensure compatibility matching with the outdoor units.

[0079] In practical use, incompatibility of the HomeBus protocol between the indoor and outdoor units can lead to communication failures or slow speeds. Therefore, upgrading older, low-speed indoor units to newer, high-speed units can be considered for more efficient communication. Newer, high-speed indoor units are better suited to modern communication needs. By identifying and selecting the appropriate indoor unit type, the compatibility and communication efficiency of the entire multi-split air conditioning system can be improved.

[0080] S102: When the outdoor unit detects the simultaneous presence of both low-speed and high-speed indoor units, it selects at least one target high-speed indoor unit from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

[0081] In a multi-split air conditioning system with unknown indoor unit communication capabilities, if all indoor units are low-speed units supporting low-speed communication, the system will interact with data at low speed. If all indoor units are low-speed units supporting high-speed communication, the system will interact with data at high speed. If the indoor units include both low-speed and high-speed units, a high-speed indoor unit needs to be selected as the fusion node. In a multi-split air conditioning system, the fusion node is a node that merges, processes, transmits, and forwards data from different low-speed indoor units. In the air conditioning system, the fusion node can process data from different indoor units, merge it into a single unit, and then send it to the outdoor unit. The functions of the fusion node include:

[0082] Data fusion: Integrating data from different indoor units into a single whole.

[0083] Data transmission: The merged data is transmitted to the outdoor unit. This process requires an efficient and stable communication channel to ensure the quality and speed of data transmission.

[0084] Data forwarding: The merged data is forwarded to the devices that need to receive it. In an air conditioning system, the fusion node can forward data to different indoor units to ensure that their operating status and control commands are synchronized.

[0085] Data processing: In the fusion node, data can be processed, such as data filtering, data screening, and data classification, to improve the usability and effectiveness of the data.

[0086] Therefore, fusion nodes play a very important role in air conditioning systems. They can help achieve communication compatibility between high-speed and low-speed devices and improve the overall efficiency and stability of the air conditioning system.

[0087] S103: The high-speed indoor unit uses the first communication rate to communicate with the low-speed indoor unit and the second communication rate to communicate with the outdoor unit.

[0088] To achieve communication compatibility between high-speed and low-speed indoor units, two different communication modes can be employed. The first mode is used for data exchange between the high-speed and low-speed indoor units, while the second mode is used for data exchange between the high-speed and outdoor units. The communication rate of the second mode differs from that of the first mode, being higher. This design ensures that the communication efficiency between the high-speed and low-speed indoor units remains unaffected while simultaneously improving their communication speed. Specifically, the high-speed and low-speed indoor units use different communication rates to interact with the outdoor unit. The high-speed indoor unit uses the higher second communication rate and the lower first communication rate to interact with the low-speed indoor unit. This different communication rate design caters to the different needs of both high-speed and low-speed indoor units. High-speed indoor units typically require faster data transmission rates to respond more quickly to user operations or transmit more data. Low-speed indoor units, on the other hand, usually require slower rates because their transmission volume is smaller, such as uploading basic status information or temperature sensor data.

[0089] As an example, a multi-split air conditioning system includes two low-speed indoor units, one high-speed indoor unit, and one outdoor unit. The high-speed indoor unit acts as a data fusion node, interacting with the two low-speed indoor units using a first communication mode and with the outdoor unit using a second communication mode. In the first communication mode, the data interaction rate between the high-speed and low-speed indoor units is relatively low, but it does not affect the overall communication efficiency of the air conditioning system. In the second communication mode, the data interaction rate between the high-speed indoor unit and the outdoor unit is relatively high, ensuring the overall communication speed of the air conditioning system.

[0090] By employing different communication modes and rates, multi-split air conditioning systems can be compatible with devices of varying speeds and improve overall system efficiency. Furthermore, while using different communication modes, it is crucial to ensure data security and stability to guarantee the reliability and stability of the entire system.

[0091] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, S101 specifically includes:

[0092] S1011: Obtain the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes by broadcasting communication rate query request messages.

[0093] In a multi-split air conditioning system, to determine the different communication modes supported by each indoor unit, the outdoor unit needs to broadcast a communication rate query request message to obtain the support capabilities of each indoor unit. After sending the message, each indoor unit will provide feedback on its support capabilities, including supported communication modes, rates, and other parameters. By collecting feedback information from all indoor units, the outdoor unit can obtain the support capabilities of all indoor units in the system for different communication modes. By acquiring this information, the air conditioning system can achieve better communication compatibility and improve overall system efficiency. Because the system knows the communication capabilities of each indoor unit, it can adjust the communication mode and rate as needed, thus better adapting to different operating scenarios.

[0094] S1012: Identify the type of indoor unit based on its ability to support different communication modes.

[0095] Based on different communication modes and speeds, indoor units can be divided into two types: high-speed indoor units and low-speed indoor units. High-speed indoor units support higher communication speeds, allowing them to interact with outdoor units using the second communication mode, while also supporting the first communication mode for data interaction with low-speed indoor units. This type of indoor unit is typically used in larger rooms or public areas, such as offices, conference rooms, or restaurants. Low-speed indoor units typically use the first communication mode to interact with other indoor units. Due to their lower communication speed, they are suitable for smaller rooms or private spaces such as bedrooms.

[0096] Based on the type of indoor unit, they can be flexibly combined and used according to actual needs, thereby achieving communication compatibility between high-speed and low-speed devices.

[0097] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, S1011 specifically includes:

[0098] S10111: Generate a communication rate query request message and send the communication rate query request message to the indoor unit through the first communication module.

[0099] To achieve communication compatibility between high-speed and low-speed indoor units, it is necessary to obtain the communication rate support information of all indoor units. This can be achieved by sending communication rate query request messages to the indoor units.

[0100] In practical implementation, after the outdoor unit detects the power-on signal, it generates a communication rate query request message to obtain information about the indoor unit's support for different communication rates. The process of generating the communication rate query request message can be described as follows:

[0101] First, determine the message type. According to the communication protocol, determine the message type of the communication rate query request message, which is usually a predefined value or identifier. Next, add a message header. According to the communication protocol, add the message header section, including information such as the destination address, source address, and message length. The destination address is the address of the indoor unit, and the source address is the address of the outdoor unit. Next, add the data section. According to the communication protocol, add the message data section, including parameter information related to the communication rate query request. For example, it may include the query request command word, the starting address of the query, and the query length. Next, add a checksum section. To ensure the integrity of the message, a checksum section is added, usually a checksum or CRC code, used to check whether the message has been tampered with or has transmission errors. Finally, assemble the message. Assemble the message header, data section, and checksum section to generate a complete communication rate query request message.

[0102] As an example, assuming the indoor unit's address is "01", the outdoor unit's address is "10", the predefined communication rate query request message type is "02", the query's starting address is "0001", the query length is "02", and the checksum is "AB", then the process of generating the communication rate query request message can be as follows:

[0103] Determine message type: Set the message type to "02" to indicate a communication rate query request message.

[0104] Add a message header: Set the destination address to "01" to indicate that it is sent to the indoor unit; set the source address to "10" to indicate that it comes from the outdoor unit; set the message length to "06" to indicate that the total length of the message header and data is 6 bytes.

[0105] Add data section: Set the command word of the query request to "01" to query the communication rate of the indoor unit; set the starting address of the query to "0001" to start the query from the first node of the indoor unit; set the length of the query to "02" to query the communication rate of two nodes.

[0106] Add a checksum: Add the values ​​of all bytes in the header and data sections to get the hexadecimal number "37", then invert it to get the checksum "AB".

[0107] Assemble the message: Arrange the message header, data part and checksum part in sequence to assemble a complete message, and get the hexadecimal string "10 01 00 06 02 01 00 01 02 AB", where each space represents a byte interval.

[0108] After generating the communication rate query request message, the outdoor unit can broadcast the message to all indoor units in the multi-split air conditioning system through the first communication module.

[0109] S10112: Receive the communication rate query result message from each indoor unit through the first communication module, and parse the communication rate query result message to obtain the communication rate supported by each indoor unit.

[0110] During the active acquisition of the communication rates supported by the indoor unit, the outdoor unit needs to receive the communication rate query result message from the indoor unit through the first communication module, and parse it to obtain the communication rates supported by the indoor unit. Specifically, this process typically includes the following steps:

[0111] First, the outdoor unit needs to receive the communication rate query result message returned from the indoor unit. This process is typically achieved by the indoor unit responding to the communication rate query request message. When the indoor unit receives the communication rate query request message sent by the outdoor unit, it parses it and generates a corresponding communication rate query result message, which contains the communication rate information supported by the indoor unit. This response message is then sent back to the outdoor unit by the indoor unit and received by the outdoor unit.

[0112] Next, the outdoor unit needs to parse the received communication rate query result message to obtain the communication rate information supported by the indoor unit. This process is usually achieved by parsing the data portion of the response message, which contains information about the communication rates supported by the indoor unit, such as the maximum and minimum communication rates supported by the indoor unit.

[0113] It is important to note that during the parsing of the communication rate query result message, the outdoor unit needs to verify the message to ensure its integrity and correctness. This process is typically achieved by verifying the message header, data portion, and checksum. If the verification fails, it indicates that the message may have been tampered with or transmitted incorrectly, and the outdoor unit needs to discard the message and resend the communication rate query request message.

[0114] S10113: Determine the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes based on the communication rate supported by the indoor unit.

[0115] After obtaining the communication speeds supported by each indoor unit in a multi-split air conditioning system, its support capabilities for different communication modes can be determined based on these speeds. Different communication modes have different communication speed requirements; if the communication speed of an indoor unit is insufficient to support a certain communication mode, then that indoor unit cannot support that communication mode. Therefore, by understanding the communication speeds supported by the indoor units, their support capabilities for different communication modes can be determined.

[0116] For example, if the indoor unit supports a communication rate of 48000bps, it can support both high-speed and low-speed communication modes. However, if the indoor unit's communication rate is only 9600bps, it can only support low-speed communication mode and cannot support high-speed communication mode.

[0117] Therefore, when determining the indoor unit's support capability for different communication modes, it is necessary to analyze it in conjunction with the indoor unit's actual communication speed. Only when the indoor unit's communication speed meets the requirements of the communication mode can its support capability for that communication mode be determined.

[0118] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, S102 specifically includes:

[0119] S1021: Determine the message feedback time required for each high-speed indoor unit to send a message with the communication rate query result.

[0120] During communication, after the sender sends a message to the receiver, it needs to wait a certain amount of time to receive a reply message. This time is called the message feedback duration. In this application, the outdoor unit needs to broadcast a communication rate query request message to all indoor units and wait for all indoor units to return communication rate query result messages. Then, based on the returned results, the target high-speed indoor unit is determined. Since the locations and corresponding communication rates of the indoor and outdoor units may differ, the feedback time required for each indoor unit may also differ, resulting in varying overall process time. The message feedback duration required for each indoor unit to return a communication rate query result message can be determined using timestamps. The timestamp can be sent simultaneously with the communication rate query request message sent by the outdoor unit. Then, when the indoor unit returns a communication rate query result message, the indoor unit compares the received timestamp with the current timestamp to calculate the message feedback duration.

[0121] As an example, assume the current timestamp is T1. The outdoor unit sends a communication rate query request message, along with the current timestamp T1, to the indoor unit. Upon receiving the request message, the indoor unit processes it and then compares the received timestamp with the current timestamp T2 when sending the communication rate query result message, thus calculating the message feedback duration ΔT. The specific steps are as follows: the outdoor unit records the current timestamp T1; the outdoor unit sends a communication rate query request message, along with the current timestamp T1, to the indoor unit; the indoor unit receives the request message, processes it, and records the current timestamp T2.

[0122] The indoor unit generates a communication rate query result message based on the query results, compares the received timestamp with the current timestamp T2, and calculates the message feedback duration ΔT = T2 - T1. The indoor unit adds the calculated message feedback duration ΔT to the communication rate query result message and sends it to the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit obtains the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes based on the received communication rate query result message and records the message feedback duration of each indoor unit.

[0123] By following the steps above, the message feedback time required for each indoor unit to return the communication rate query result message can be determined using timestamps.

[0124] S1022: Determine the number of low-speed indoor units, and based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the message feedback duration, select at least one target high-speed indoor unit from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

[0125] After classifying the indoor units, different identification information can be added to different types of indoor units for differentiation, and the number of indoor units of different types can be counted based on the identification information.

[0126] As an example, an "L" label is added to the low-speed indoor unit. Simultaneously, the number of indoor units of different types can be counted based on the label information, such as counting the number of indoor units bearing the "L" label. If a multi-split air conditioning system contains both high-speed and low-speed indoor units, then all indoor units are scanned, and the number of indoor units with the "L" label is calculated. If three indoor units have the "L" label, then the number of low-speed indoor units is three.

[0127] After determining the number of low-speed indoor units and the message feedback duration of each high-speed indoor unit, the target high-speed indoor units can be screened. First, since a target high-speed indoor unit can be matched with a maximum of no more than a preset threshold number of low-speed indoor units, the minimum number of target high-speed indoor units needed can be determined based on the number of low-speed indoor units. Then, the selection is performed in ascending order of message feedback duration for each high-speed indoor unit to determine the target high-speed indoor units to be used as fusion nodes.

[0128] As an example, suppose there are currently 4 high-speed indoor units and 12 low-speed indoor units, with a preset threshold of 5. We need to determine the target high-speed indoor unit to be used as the fusion node. This can be done by following these steps:

[0129] First, determine the minimum number of target high-speed indoor units needed: Based on the threshold, each high-speed indoor unit can be matched with a maximum of 5 low-speed indoor units. Therefore, a minimum of 12 / 5 = 3 high-speed indoor units are needed to match all the low-speed indoor units. Then, filter by the feedback time of the high-speed indoor units: Based on the feedback time of each high-speed indoor unit, they can be sorted from fastest to slowest: High-speed indoor unit A: 50ms; High-speed indoor unit B: 60ms; High-speed indoor unit C: 70ms; High-speed indoor unit D: 80ms. Therefore, high-speed indoor units A, B, and C are determined as target high-speed indoor units.

[0130] S1023: Determine the number of target high-speed indoor units.

[0131] S1024: Based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the number of target high-speed indoor units, group them to obtain at least one communication group, wherein the communication group includes one target high-speed indoor unit and no more than a preset number of low-speed indoor units.

[0132] When communicating between indoor units, in order to improve the overall communication efficiency, the entire indoor unit system needs to be divided into multiple communication groups for data transmission and processing. After determining the number of target high-speed indoor units, the number of low-speed indoor units matched with each target high-speed indoor unit is determined by grouping all low-speed indoor units according to certain rules.

[0133] Continuing with the above embodiment, the target number of high-speed indoor units is 3 and the number of low-speed indoor units is 12. The low-speed indoor units can be divided into 3 groups. The number of low-speed indoor units in each group can be the same or different. This application does not limit this.

[0134] Taking an example where the number of low-speed indoor units in each group is not equal, the process begins with the target high-speed indoor unit, and then sequentially selects the low-speed indoor units that match it, until the number of matches reaches a threshold or all low-speed indoor units have been matched. For example, first select high-speed indoor unit A and match it with the 5 nearest low-speed indoor units. If the number of matched low-speed indoor units is less than the threshold, continue selecting high-speed indoor unit B and matching it with the 5 nearest low-speed indoor units, and so on, until the number of matches reaches the threshold or all low-speed indoor units have been matched. In this way, each target high-speed indoor unit is matched with a group of low-speed indoor units, while ensuring that each low-speed indoor unit matches at most one target high-speed indoor unit. The layered connection diagram after grouping is shown below. Figure 8 As shown. Taking the same number of low- and medium-speed indoor units in each group as an example, the schematic diagram of the layered connection after grouping is as follows. Figure 9 As shown.

[0135] After the communication groups are assigned, the entire interaction process of the multi-split air conditioning system can be converted into an interaction process between multiple communication groups and the outdoor unit, and the interaction process is as follows: Figure 10 As shown, it specifically includes:

[0136] S201: Receive the communication data fusion message sent by the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module, and parse the communication data fusion message;

[0137] S202: Based on the parsing results of the communication data fusion message, generate a feedback instruction message and send the feedback instruction message to the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module.

[0138] The outdoor unit needs to receive and parse the fusion communication data messages sent by the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module. The fusion communication data messages consist of two main parts: control commands and parameters collected by sensors. Control commands may include power on / off commands, temperature adjustment commands, and fan speed adjustment commands, used to control the operating status of the air conditioning system. Sensor-collected parameters may include information such as temperature and humidity, used to provide environmental monitoring data and assist the outdoor unit in making more accurate decisions. Therefore, parsing the fusion communication data messages allows the outdoor unit to understand the real-time status of the air-conditioned areas controlled by the target high-speed and low-speed indoor units, thereby enabling more accurate adjustment of the air conditioning system's operation.

[0139] As an example, the outdoor unit needs to receive and parse the communication data fusion message sent by the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module. The control command part of the message instructs the outdoor unit to adjust the indoor unit, such as adjusting the temperature and fan speed; the parameter part collected by the sensor provides relevant information about the indoor environment, such as the current temperature and humidity.

[0140] Meanwhile, the outdoor unit will parse the sensor parameters from the message to provide environmental monitoring data and assist the outdoor unit in making more accurate decisions. For example, when the outdoor unit receives temperature data from multiple indoor units, it will comprehensively analyze this data and make corresponding adjustment decisions to ensure reasonable control of the indoor temperature.

[0141] In some embodiments, the mode operating time of a communication group is calculated as follows: the mode operating time of each communication group is calculated based on the number of low-speed indoor units in each communication group.

[0142] In a multi-split air conditioning system, the number of low-speed and high-speed indoor units is a crucial factor affecting system performance. If there are many low-speed indoor units and few high-speed indoor units, the effect of using high-speed indoor units as fusion nodes will be insignificant. Therefore, the high-speed indoor unit for the fusion node needs to be determined based on the number of low-speed and high-speed indoor units in the system. After determining the high-speed indoor unit, the mode operating time needs to be considered. Mode operating time refers to the time interval required to switch from one operating mode to another in a multi-split air conditioning system. In this application, mode operating time refers to the time interval required to switch from high-speed mode to low-speed mode (or vice versa). This time interval needs to be set according to the number of indoor units to ensure that no data loss or communication failure occurs during switching.

[0143] As an example, let's define the mode's operating time as T, where T is dynamically adjusted based on the number of indoor units in the group. T = 40 – N 2; N: Number of low-speed indoor unit nodes in the group: N<6, in seconds. If there are 4 low-speed indoor units in communication group A, the working time of communication group A is 32 seconds, that is, communication group A switches communication modes every 32 seconds.

[0144] In some embodiments, the data communication process between the target high-speed indoor unit and other devices is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, it specifically includes:

[0145] S301: The communication data is merged into a message using the second communication rate and sent to the outdoor unit through the second communication module.

[0146] The duration of the data acquisition cycle for each communication group is equal to the working time of the above mode. During the data acquisition cycle, the target high-speed indoor unit, acting as the data fusion node, will collect data from all indoor units in the communication group. This data includes the sensor acquisition parameters and control commands of the indoor units, which need to be sent to the outdoor unit for data processing and decision-making. The target high-speed indoor unit will compare the data of the current data acquisition cycle with the data of the previous data acquisition cycle. If data updates occur, it will generate a communication data fusion message and upload it.

[0147] S302: Uses the second communication rate and receives feedback command messages sent by the outdoor unit through the second communication module.

[0148] The second communication rate, compared to the first, is a high-speed communication rate, capable of transmitting large amounts of data much faster than the low-speed rate. Therefore, using a high-speed communication rate can improve system efficiency when rapid processing and transmission of large amounts of data are required. After parsing the communication data fusion message, the outdoor unit sends a feedback command message to control the requesting indoor unit to perform the next operation, such as controlling the status of the indoor unit or switching operating modes.

[0149] S303: Parse the feedback command message and forward it.

[0150] The outdoor unit sends control commands to the fusion node by sending feedback command messages. The target high-speed indoor unit of the fusion node needs to parse and forward these messages so that the corresponding low-speed indoor unit can receive the control commands. Therefore, the fusion node needs to parse the control commands in the feedback command message and forward them accordingly. Parsing the feedback command message must follow the communication protocol, typically including message type, destination address, source address, message length, data portion, and checksum portion. Based on the message type, the fusion node can determine that the message is a feedback command message and, based on the destination address, determine which low-speed indoor unit the command is for. Then, the fusion node needs to parse the data portion of the message to obtain the specific content of the control command, such as temperature setting, fan speed setting, etc. Finally, the fusion node forwards the command based on the parsed information, sending it to the corresponding high-speed indoor unit to issue the control command.

[0151] According to the preset message format, the configuration data and identification data of all low-speed indoor units in the communication group are merged to generate a communication data fusion message.

[0152] Before merging, the message format needs to be defined, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the message mainly includes five parts: indoor unit number (A), item (B), item code (C), address (D), and content (E). The indoor unit number uniquely identifies each indoor unit; different indoor units will have different indoor unit numbers (A). The item refers to the type of specific configuration item, such as status information or temperature information. The item code represents the specific configuration or identification data; for example, the item code for status information can be 0x01, and the item code for temperature information can be 0x02. The address indicates the storage location of the configuration or identification data in the indoor unit. The content represents the specific set values, such as the supply air temperature and return air temperature.

[0153] As an example, let's continue with the above embodiment which includes 4 low-speed indoor units. Indoor unit number: 1, item: status information, item code: 0x01, address: 0x0001, content: power on;

[0154] Indoor unit number: 2, item: temperature information, item code: 0x02, address: 0x0002, content: 25℃;

[0155] Indoor unit number: 3, item: wind speed information, item code: 0x03, address: 0x0003, content: high wind;

[0156] Internal unit number: 4, item: status information, item code: 0x01, address: 0x0004, content: shutdown.

[0157] The four indoor units are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. The status information for the first indoor unit is coded 0x01, stored at address 0x0001, and indicates it is powered on. The temperature information for the second indoor unit is coded 0x02, stored at address 0x0002, and indicates 25°C. The fan speed information for the third indoor unit is coded 0x03, stored at address 0x0003, and indicates high fan speed. The status information for the last indoor unit is coded 0x01, stored at address 0x0004, and indicates it is powered off. These message formats are then integrated to generate a single communication data fusion message.

[0158] The following will combine Figure 13 and Figure 14 The overall application process of this invention is described below. First, after the outdoor unit receives the power-on signal or reset signal, it searches for all indoor units in the multi-split system using a low-speed communication mode. Then, it obtains the support capability of each indoor unit for high-speed HomeBus communication through broadcasting. If all indoor units have the support capability for high-speed HomeBus communication, high-speed communication is used. If there are indoor units that do not support high-speed HomeBus communication, the outdoor unit selects a fusion node from the indoor units that have the support capability for high-speed HomeBus communication. The fusion node then realizes data interaction to achieve the effect of communication compatibility.

[0159] This invention provides a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system. First, by classifying indoor units into low-speed and high-speed types, it can better adapt to different environmental needs. When both low-speed and high-speed indoor units are detected, selecting at least one target high-speed indoor unit as a fusion node can achieve higher efficiency and performance. Then, by employing different communication rates, communication latency is reduced and data transmission speed is increased. Therefore, using a faster communication rate allows for faster data transmission, thereby improving the overall efficiency and performance of the system. Finally, by optimizing system performance and efficiency, users can obtain a better comfort experience. Furthermore, due to the classification of indoor unit types and the optimization of communication rates, the system can better adapt to different environmental needs, thereby improving user satisfaction.

[0160] In some embodiments, the controller includes a processor, and optionally, also includes a memory and a communication interface connected to the processor. The processor, memory, and communication interface are connected via a bus.

[0161] A processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. A processor can also be any other device with processing capabilities, such as a circuit, device, or software module. A processor can also include multiple CPUs, and a processor can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0162] The memory can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions. It can also be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The memory can exist independently or be integrated with the processor. The memory may contain computer program code. The processor executes the computer program code stored in the memory to implement the communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system provided in this application embodiment.

[0163] A communication interface can be used to communicate with other devices or communication networks (such as Ethernet, radioaccess network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.). The communication interface can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0164] A bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc.

[0165] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed on the computer, the computer performs a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system as provided in the above embodiments.

[0166] This invention also provides a chip, including a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, and the processor is connected to the memory. When the chip is running, the processor executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip executes a communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system provided in this embodiment.

[0167] This invention also provides a computer program product that can be directly loaded into a memory and contains software code. After being loaded and executed by a computer, the computer program product can realize the communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system provided in the above embodiments.

[0168] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0169] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-split air conditioning system, the system comprising: Outdoor unit; Indoor unit, including multiple indoor units connected in parallel; The outdoor unit includes a first controller, characterized in that the first controller is configured to: Each indoor unit is identified by type; wherein, the type of indoor unit includes low-speed indoor unit and high-speed indoor unit; If both the low-speed indoor unit and the high-speed indoor unit are identified, at least one target high-speed indoor unit is selected from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node. The target high-speed indoor unit includes a second controller, which is configured to: The system uses a first communication rate to communicate with the low-speed indoor unit and a second communication rate to communicate with the outdoor unit, wherein the first communication rate is lower than the second communication rate. The fusion node is configured to fuse, process, transmit, and forward data from the low-speed indoor unit; The first controller is also configured to: By broadcasting communication rate query request messages, the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes can be obtained; Based on the indoor unit's ability to support different communication modes, the indoor unit is identified by type, wherein the communication modes include low-speed communication mode and high-speed communication mode; The outdoor unit further includes a first communication module, and the first controller is further configured to: Generate the communication rate query request message and send the communication rate query request message to each indoor unit through the first communication module; The first communication module receives communication rate query result messages from each indoor unit and parses the communication rate query result messages to obtain the communication rate supported by each indoor unit. Based on the communication rate supported by each indoor unit, determine the support capability of each indoor unit for different communication modes.

2. The multi-split air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first controller is also configured to: Determine the message feedback time required for each of the high-speed indoor units to send back the communication rate query result message; The number of low-speed indoor units is determined, and based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the message feedback duration, at least one target high-speed indoor unit is selected from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node.

3. The multi-split air conditioning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first controller is also configured to: Determine the number of the target high-speed indoor units; Based on the number of low-speed indoor units and the number of target high-speed indoor units, a grouping operation is performed to obtain at least one communication group, wherein the communication group includes one target high-speed indoor unit and no more than a preset number of low-speed indoor units.

4. The multi-split air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first controller is also configured to: The first communication module receives the communication data fusion message sent by the target high-speed indoor unit and parses the communication data fusion message. Based on the parsing result of the communication data fusion message, a feedback instruction message is generated and sent to the target high-speed indoor unit through the first communication module.

5. The multi-split air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second controller is also configured to: The mode operating time of the communication group is calculated based on the number of low-speed indoor units contained in the communication group.

6. The multi-split air conditioning system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The target high-speed indoor unit also includes a second communication module, and the second controller is further configured to: The communication data of all the low-speed indoor units in the communication group are collected using the first communication rate, and the data is fused to generate a communication data fusion message; The communication data is fused into a message using the second communication rate and sent to the outdoor unit through the second communication module. The second communication rate is used, and the feedback instruction message sent by the outdoor unit is received through the second communication module; The feedback instruction message is parsed and forwarded.

7. The multi-split air conditioning system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The communication data includes configuration data and identification data, and the second controller is further configured to: According to the preset message format, the configuration data and identification data of all the low-speed indoor units in the communication group are merged to generate the communication data fusion message.

8. A communication control method for a multi-split air conditioning system, characterized in that, The method, applied to any one of claims 1-7, comprises: The outdoor unit identifies the type of each indoor unit; wherein the indoor unit types include low-speed indoor units and high-speed indoor units; When the outdoor unit detects the simultaneous presence of the low-speed indoor unit and the high-speed indoor unit, it selects at least one target high-speed indoor unit from the high-speed indoor units to serve as a fusion node. The high-speed indoor unit communicates with the low-speed indoor unit at a first communication rate and with the outdoor unit at a second communication rate, wherein the first communication rate is lower than the second communication rate.

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