Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioner (10A) is provided with: an indoor unit operation value acquisition unit (23) that acquires an operation value that is a value obtained with the operation of the air conditioner (10A); a calculation unit (11) that calculates a comparison reference value on the basis of the operation value; an indoor unit determination unit (21) that determines, on the basis of the difference between the comparison reference value and the current operation value acquired by the indoor unit operation value acquisition unit (23), whether or not the operation value is a transmission target to be transmitted between the indoor unit (2) and the outdoor unit (1); and an outdoor unit communication unit (22) that, in accordance with the determination result of the indoor unit determination unit (21), transmits the operation value determined to be the transmission target between the indoor unit (2) and the outdoor unit (1), and does not transmit the operation value determined not to be the transmission target between the indoor unit (2) and the outdoor unit (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system in which communication is performed between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Background Art

[0002] To understand the status of an air conditioner, data representing the air conditioner's status is typically acquired within the air conditioner. This data is used for operational management purposes such as monitoring operating conditions, troubleshooting, and inspections. Furthermore, an increasing number of air conditioning systems are equipped with the ability to transmit this data to external devices, such as the cloud, for remote operational management. As the number of data items used for operational management increases, the amount of data transmitted to external devices also increases. For this purpose, a system is known that only transmits data when it is determined that the degree of change in the data being transmitted exceeds a certain range.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology: In a system in which an external device called a remote monitoring device collects data from each of a plurality of control and measuring devices via a network, if it is determined that the degree of change in the data to be sent exceeds a certain range, the requested data is replied; if the degree of change is within a certain range, the reply is a short data notification only of the acceptance of the request, thereby reducing the amount of data sent to the external device.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-235797

[0005] However, when applying this conventional technology to air conditioners, while the amount of data transmitted to external devices can be reduced as the number of data items required for operation management increases, the amount of data transmitted between the indoor and outdoor units increases. Since the indoor and outdoor units transmit not only operation management data but also air conditioner control data, the increase in operation management data may compromise the real-time nature of the air conditioner control data. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure is made in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to obtain an air conditioner that can reduce the amount of data sent between indoor and outdoor units even when the data items used for operation management increase, thereby reducing the impact on the transmission and reception of data used to control the air conditioner.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the air conditioner disclosed in the present invention comprises: an operation value acquisition unit, which acquires a value obtained as the air conditioner runs, namely, an operation value; a calculation unit, which calculates a comparison reference value based on the operation value; a determination unit, which determines whether the operation value is a sending object transmitted between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current operation value obtained by the operation value acquisition unit; and a communication unit, which transmits the operation value determined to be the sending object between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit according to the determination result of the determination unit, and does not transmit the operation value determined not to be the sending object between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioner can be provided that can reduce the amount of data transmitted between indoor and outdoor units even when the number of data items for operation management increases, thereby reducing the impact on the transmission and reception of data for controlling the air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 This diagram shows an example in which four indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.

[0011] Figure 3 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 Flowchart of the process of generating a comparison reference value performed by the outdoor unit shown.

[0012] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a method for calculating a comparison reference value.

[0013] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of a second example of the calculation method of the comparison reference value.

[0014] Figure 6 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 Flowchart showing the process of transmitting the indoor unit operating value to the outdoor unit by the indoor unit.

[0015] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 4.

[0018] Figure 10 Is used to illustrate the Figure 9 Flowchart showing the process of transmitting operating values ​​to the cloud by the indoor unit.

[0019] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 5.

[0020] Figure 12 Is used to illustrate Figure 11 Flowchart showing the process of transmitting outdoor unit operating values ​​in an air conditioner to the cloud.

[0021] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 6.

[0022] Figure 14 Is used to illustrate Figure 13 The timing diagram of the operation of the air conditioner is shown.

[0023] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing the detailed structure of the air conditioner according to the sixth embodiment.

[0024] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing dedicated hardware for realizing the functions of the air conditioners according to Embodiments 1 to 6.

[0025] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit for realizing the functions of the air conditioners according to Embodiments 1 to 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, the air conditioner and the air conditioning system involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings and the following description, the components marked with the same figure mark are components having the same or similar functions. In addition, sometimes the size of each component shown in the drawings is different from the actual size, and the size relationship between the components is different from the actual situation. The method of the components described below is an example and is not limited to the method described below. For example, sometimes all the components described in the specification may not be included. In particular, the combination of components is not limited to the combination shown in each embodiment, and the components described in one embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments.

[0027] Implementation Method 1

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1. The air conditioner 10A includes an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2. Figure 1 In the figure, only one outdoor unit 1 and one indoor unit 2 are shown, but a plurality of indoor units 2 may be connected to one outdoor unit 1 . Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing an example in which four indoor units 2-1 to 2-4 are connected to one outdoor unit 1. Figure 2As shown, when distinguishing each of the plurality of indoor units 2 , a dash may be added after a common reference numeral to indicate each indoor unit 2 with a different numeral.

[0029] return Figure 1 The outdoor unit 1 includes an indoor unit communication unit 12 for communicating with the indoor unit 2 and a calculation unit 11 for calculating a comparison reference value based on the operating value received from the indoor unit 2 .

[0030] The operating value is a value obtained as the air conditioner 10A operates. Hereinafter, the operating value obtained by the indoor unit 2 among the operating values ​​will be referred to as the indoor unit operating value, and the operating value obtained by the outdoor unit 1 will be referred to as the outdoor unit operating value. In Embodiment 1, the indoor unit operating value is obtained. The indoor unit operating value is information that includes at least one of indoor environmental information such as the temperature and humidity of the room in which the indoor unit 2 is installed, and operating information obtained by operating the air conditioner 10A. Environmental information is information obtained by sensors such as temperature sensors and humidity sensors, while operating information includes function setting values ​​such as the operating mode, set temperature, and set humidity, and operational setting information during operation of the air conditioner 10A. As described in detail later, the comparison reference value is a reference for determining whether the indoor unit operating value obtained by the indoor unit 2 is the target of transmission to the outdoor unit 1.

[0031] The indoor unit communication unit 12 includes a transmitter 121 for transmitting data to the indoor unit 2 and a receiver 122 for receiving data from the indoor unit 2. Specifically, the transmitter 121 transmits the comparison reference value calculated by the calculator 11 to the indoor unit 2, and the receiver 122 receives the indoor unit operation value from the indoor unit 2.

[0032] The indoor unit 2 includes: an indoor unit determination unit 21, which determines whether the current indoor unit operation value is the target of transmission to the outdoor unit 1 based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the indoor unit operation value; an outdoor unit communication unit 22, which communicates with the outdoor unit 1; and an indoor unit operation value acquisition unit 23, which acquires the indoor unit operation value.

[0033] The indoor unit determination unit 21 is a determination unit that, upon receiving a comparison reference value from the outdoor unit 1 via the outdoor unit communication unit 22 and an indoor unit operation value from the indoor unit operation value acquisition unit 23, determines whether the current indoor unit operation value is a transmission target for transmission between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current indoor unit operation value. For example, the indoor unit determination unit 21 compares the difference between the comparison reference value and the current indoor unit operation value with a first threshold value. If the difference is greater than the first threshold value, the indoor unit determination unit 21 determines that the current indoor unit operation value is a transmission target and transmits it to the outdoor unit 1. If the difference is less than the first threshold value, the indoor unit determination unit 21 determines that the current indoor unit operation value is not a transmission target and does not transmit it to the outdoor unit 1.

[0034] The outdoor unit communication unit 22 includes a receiving unit 221 for receiving data from the outdoor unit 1 and a transmitting unit 222 for transmitting data to the outdoor unit 1. Specifically, the receiving unit 221 receives a comparison reference value from the outdoor unit 1, and the transmitting unit 222 transmits the indoor unit operating value obtained by the indoor unit operating value obtaining unit 23 to the outdoor unit 1.

[0035] The indoor unit operation value acquisition unit 23 acquires the indoor unit operation value and outputs the acquired indoor unit operation value to the indoor unit determination unit 21 .

[0036] Figure 3 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 Flowchart showing the process of generating a comparison reference value by the outdoor unit 1. The outdoor unit 1 receives the indoor unit operating value from the indoor unit 2 using the receiving unit 122 of the indoor unit communication unit 12 (step S11). The calculation unit 11 of the outdoor unit 1 calculates the comparison reference value based on the received indoor unit operating value (step S12). The outdoor unit 1 transmits the calculated comparison reference value to the indoor unit 2 using the transmitting unit 121 of the indoor unit communication unit 12 (step S13).

[0037] Here, a method for calculating the comparison reference value by the calculation unit 11 will be described. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a first example of a comparative reference value calculation method. In this first example, the calculation unit 11 calculates a comparative reference value for each indoor unit 2 based on the indoor unit operating values ​​obtained for the target indoor unit 2. In this case, the comparative reference value is calculated for each of the multiple indoor units 2. For example, the calculation unit 11 calculates the comparative reference value using multiple operating values ​​obtained within a comparative reference value creation interval of a predetermined length of time from the present to the past. The comparative reference value can be, for example, the average, median, maximum, or minimum value of the multiple operating values.

[0038] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of the second example of the method for calculating the reference value. In the second example, the calculation unit 11 calculates the reference value based on the indoor unit operating values ​​obtained from the plurality of indoor units 2 connected to the outdoor unit 1. In this case, a value common to the plurality of indoor units 2 is calculated as the reference value. For example, the calculation unit 11 can calculate the average value, median value, maximum value, minimum value, etc. of the plurality of indoor unit operating values ​​obtained from the plurality of indoor units 2 as the reference value. In this case, although Figure 5 In the example, one operating value is shown for each indoor unit 2. However, the calculation unit 11 may calculate a comparative reference value for each of the plurality of indoor units 2 using a plurality of indoor unit operating values ​​acquired during the comparative reference value creation period. When the comparative reference value is created using the indoor unit operating values ​​of a plurality of indoor units 2, it is possible to determine the environmental information of the room in which each indoor unit 2 is installed.

[0039] Figure 6 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1 The flowchart of the process of transmitting the indoor unit operating value by the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1 is shown. The indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23 of the indoor unit 2 acquires the indoor unit operating value (step S21). The indoor unit determination unit 21 calculates the difference between the acquired indoor unit operating value and the comparison reference value (step S22).

[0040] The indoor unit determination unit 21 determines whether the calculated difference is greater than or equal to a first threshold value (step S23). If the difference is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (step S23: Yes), the indoor unit determination unit 21 transmits the acquired current indoor unit operating value to the outdoor unit 1 using the outdoor unit communication unit 22 (step S24). If the difference is less than the first threshold value (step S23: No), step S24 is omitted, and the current indoor unit operating value is not transmitted to the outdoor unit 1.

[0041] For example, in Figure 4 In the example shown, since the current indoor unit operation value falls within the first threshold range where the difference between the current indoor unit operation value and the comparison reference value is less than the first threshold, the current indoor unit operation value is not transmitted to the outdoor unit 1. Figure 5 In the example shown, the indoor unit operating values ​​of the indoor units 2-1 and 2-2 are not transmitted to the outdoor unit 1 because they are within the first threshold range, and the indoor unit operating values ​​of the indoor units 2-3 and 2-4 are transmitted to the outdoor unit 1 because they are outside the first threshold range.

[0042] Furthermore, when multiple types of operating values ​​are obtained, a comparison reference value is determined for each type of operating value. The indoor unit determination unit 21 calculates the difference between the current indoor unit operating value and the comparison reference value for each type of operating value and compares the difference with the first threshold value. It is also preferable that the first threshold value be set for each type of operating value. The first threshold value for each operating value is set within a range that does not affect control during the operation of the air conditioner 10A. For example, although the intake temperature is used for display on the remote control, if the temperature changes within the displayable resolution range, the display will not be affected even if it is not transmitted. Therefore, when the outdoor unit 1 averages the intake temperatures of the indoor unit 2 as a comparison reference value, the indoor unit 2 does not send the intake temperature data to the outdoor unit 1 if the difference between the current intake temperature and the comparison reference value is within the first threshold value, thereby reducing the communication load.

[0043] As described above, the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1 includes: an indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23 for acquiring an indoor unit operating value, which is an operating value obtained as the air conditioner 10A operates; a calculation unit 11 for calculating a comparison reference value based on the indoor unit operating value; an indoor unit determination unit 21 for determining whether the indoor unit operating value is a target for transmission between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1 based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current indoor unit operating value acquired by the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23; and an outdoor unit communication unit 22 for transmitting the indoor unit operating value determined to be a target for transmission between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1, specifically, from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1, based on the determination result of the indoor unit determination unit 21. In Embodiment 1, when the indoor unit operating value, which is the operating value acquired by the indoor unit 2, is transmitted to the outdoor unit 1, the target operating value is limited. Therefore, even when the number of data items for operation management increases, the amount of data transmitted between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the impact on the transmission and reception of data for controlling the air conditioner 10A.

[0044] Here, the operating value acquired by the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23 includes at least one of environmental information indicating the state of the measurement environment and operating information indicating the operating conditions of the air conditioner 10A.

[0045] Furthermore, the calculation unit 11 can use information based on at least one of the average, maximum, and minimum values ​​of multiple operating values ​​as a comparison reference value. For example, the calculation unit 11 can use any one of the average, maximum, and minimum values ​​of the multiple operating values ​​as the comparison reference value, or it can use a value calculated based on at least one of the average, maximum, and minimum values ​​of the multiple operating values ​​as the comparison reference value. Furthermore, the multiple operating values ​​used by the calculation unit 11 to calculate the comparison reference value can be operating values ​​obtained by a single indoor unit 2 or operating values ​​obtained by multiple indoor units 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the calculation unit 11 calculates the comparison reference value for each type of operation value when the indoor unit operation value acquisition unit 23 acquires a plurality of types of operation values. The first threshold value may also be set for each type of operation value.

[0047] For example, when the difference between the operating value and the comparison reference value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the indoor unit determination unit 21 determines that the operating value is a transmission target. The indoor unit determination unit 21 transmits only the operating value determined to be a transmission target to the outdoor unit 1, and does not transmit the operating value determined not to be a transmission target to the outdoor unit 1.

[0048] Implementation Method 2

[0049] Figure 7This figure shows the configuration of an air conditioner 10B according to Embodiment 2. Air conditioner 10B includes an outdoor unit 1B and an indoor unit 2. Components identical to those of air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The following description focuses primarily on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0050] The air conditioner 10B acquires operating values ​​not only from the indoor unit 2 but also from the outdoor unit 1B. When the operating values ​​acquired by the outdoor unit 1B, i.e., the outdoor unit operating values, are transmitted to the indoor unit 2, the operating values ​​transmitted to the indoor unit 2 are limited based on the difference between the operating values ​​and the comparison reference value. The specific configuration and operation are described below.

[0051] The outdoor unit 1B includes: a calculation unit 11B for calculating a comparison reference value; an indoor unit communication unit 12 for communicating with the indoor unit 2; an outdoor unit determination unit 13 for determining whether data is a target for transmission from the outdoor unit 1B to the indoor unit 2; and an outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit 14 for acquiring an outdoor unit operation value.

[0052] In addition to the functions of the calculation unit 11 of the outdoor unit 1, the calculation unit 11B also has a function of calculating, based on the outdoor unit operating value acquired by the outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14, a comparative reference value for determining whether the outdoor unit operating value is a target value to be transmitted from the outdoor unit 1B to the indoor unit 2. The detailed process by which the calculation unit 11B calculates the comparative reference value for the outdoor unit operating value is similar to the process for calculating the comparative reference value for the indoor unit operating value. The calculation unit 11B outputs the comparative reference value calculated for the outdoor unit operating value to the outdoor unit determination unit 13.

[0053] The outdoor unit determination unit 13 is a determination unit that, upon obtaining the comparison reference value from the calculation unit 11B and the outdoor unit operation value from the outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit 14, determines whether the current outdoor unit operation value is a transmission target for transmission between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operation value. For example, the outdoor unit determination unit 13 compares the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operation value with a first threshold value. If the difference is greater than the first threshold value, the outdoor unit determination unit 13 determines that the current outdoor unit operation value is a transmission target and transmits it to the indoor unit 2. If the difference is less than the first threshold value, the outdoor unit determination unit 13 determines that the current outdoor unit operation value is not a transmission target and does not transmit it to the indoor unit 2.

[0054] The outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14 acquires outdoor unit operating values ​​and outputs the acquired outdoor unit operating values ​​to the calculation unit 11B and the outdoor unit determination unit 13. The outdoor unit operating values ​​are values ​​acquired by the outdoor unit 1B as the air conditioner 10B operates. The outdoor unit operating values ​​include, for example, at least one of environmental information such as the temperature and humidity of the environment surrounding the outdoor unit 1B, and operational information acquired by operating the air conditioner 10B.

[0055] In addition, the process of generating the comparison reference value by the outdoor unit 1B is performed by using the Figure 3 In the described process, “indoor unit 2” is replaced by “outdoor unit 1B”, and “indoor unit operation value” is replaced by “outdoor unit operation value”, and detailed description is omitted.

[0056] In addition, the outdoor unit operation value transmission process from the outdoor unit 1B to the indoor unit 2 is also performed by using the Figure 6 In the described process, “indoor unit 2” is replaced by “outdoor unit 1B”, “indoor unit operation value” is replaced by “outdoor unit operation value”, and “outdoor unit 1” is replaced by “indoor unit 2”, and detailed description is omitted.

[0057] As described above, the air conditioner 10B according to Embodiment 2 includes: an outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14 for acquiring an outdoor unit operating value, which is an operating value obtained as the air conditioner 10B operates; a calculation unit 11B for calculating a comparison reference value based on the outdoor unit operating value; an outdoor unit determination unit 13 for determining whether the outdoor unit operating value is a target for transmission between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1B based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operating value acquired by the outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14; and an indoor unit communication unit 12 for transmitting the outdoor unit operating value determined to be a target for transmission between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1B, specifically, from the outdoor unit 1B to the indoor unit 2, based on the determination result of the outdoor unit determination unit 13. In Embodiment 2, when the outdoor unit operating value, which is the operating value acquired by the outdoor unit 1B, is transmitted to the indoor unit 2, the target operating value is limited. Therefore, even when the number of data items for operation management increases, the amount of data transmitted between the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 1B can be reduced, thereby reducing the impact on the transmission and reception of data for controlling the air conditioner 10B.

[0058] Implementation 3

[0059] Figure 8This diagram shows the configuration of an air conditioner 10C according to Embodiment 3. The air conditioner 10C includes an outdoor unit 1, an indoor unit 2C, and a threshold setting unit 3. In addition to the functions of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 3 further includes a function in which the value of a first threshold value can be externally set via the threshold setting unit 3. Components identical to those of the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The following description focuses on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0060] The threshold setting unit 3, for example, here is a remote control, and outputs the set first threshold value to the indoor unit determination unit 21C of the indoor unit 2C. The indoor unit determination unit 21C uses the first threshold value output by the threshold setting unit 3 to determine whether the operating value is the target of transmission. Furthermore, the threshold setting unit 3 is not limited to a remote control; it can also be a storage medium storing the first threshold value, or a communication device that outputs the first threshold value received via a network such as a cloud to the indoor unit 2C. By using the threshold setting unit 3 to change the first threshold value, the user can adjust the first threshold value to accommodate variations in the operating value due to, for example, time of day, season, or characteristics of the indoor environment.

[0061] Here, the threshold setting unit 3 is set to set the first threshold value used when determining whether or not the indoor unit 2C is the target of transmission to the outdoor unit 1. However, it may be set to, for example, Figure 7 The configuration of the air conditioner 10B shown in the figure adds a threshold setting unit 3. In addition to externally setting the first threshold value used when determining whether the operating value is a target for transmission from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 1B, the first threshold value used when determining whether the operating value is a target for transmission from the outdoor unit 1B to the indoor unit 2 is also set. In this case, the threshold setting unit 3 may be configured to directly output the set first threshold value to the outdoor unit 1B. If the threshold setting unit 3 is a remote controller capable of communicating with the indoor unit 2, the first threshold value may be notified to the outdoor unit 1B via the outdoor unit communication unit 22 of the indoor unit 2. The outdoor unit determination unit 13 can use the notified first threshold value to determine whether the operating value is a target for transmission.

[0062] As described above, the air conditioner 10C according to Embodiment 3 also achieves the same effects as the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in addition to the components of the air conditioner 10A, the air conditioner 10C further includes a threshold setting unit 3 that receives input of a first threshold value used by the indoor unit determination unit 21C, which serves as a determination unit. This allows the first threshold value used to determine whether the operating value meets the transmission target to be set from outside the air conditioner 10C. This allows the user to adjust the first threshold value to accommodate variations in the operating value, such as those caused by time of day, season, and indoor environmental characteristics.

[0063] Implementation 4

[0064] Figure 9 This diagram shows the configuration of an air conditioner 10D according to Embodiment 4. The air conditioner 10D includes an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2D. The indoor unit 2D can connect to the cloud 4. Components identical to those of the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted. The following description focuses on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0065] In addition to the configuration of the indoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1, the indoor unit 2D further includes a cloud transmitter 24 for transmitting operating values ​​to the cloud 4. The cloud 4 is an example of an external device of the air conditioner 10D, and the cloud transmitter 24 is an example of an external transmitter for transmitting operating values ​​to the external device.

[0066] The cloud transmission unit 24 transmits the indoor unit operating value obtained by the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23 to the cloud 4. At this time, the cloud transmission unit 24 calculates the difference between the previous indoor unit operating value (the indoor unit operating value previously transmitted to the cloud 4) and the latest indoor unit operating value (the current indoor unit operating value). Based on the calculated difference, the cloud transmission unit 24 determines whether to transmit the current indoor unit operating value to the cloud 4. Specifically, the cloud transmission unit 24 transmits the current indoor unit operating value to the cloud 4 if the difference between the current indoor unit operating value and the previous indoor unit operating value is greater than a second threshold value. If the difference is less than the second threshold value, the cloud transmission unit 24 does not transmit the current indoor unit operating value to the cloud 4.

[0067] The second threshold value is set to a range that does not affect the determination of the fault diagnosis and inspection items when each operating value is notified to the cloud 4 .

[0068] Figure 10 Is used to illustrate the Figure 9 The flowchart of the process of transmitting the operating value of the indoor unit 2D to the cloud 4 is shown. First, the cloud transmission unit 24 obtains the indoor unit operating value from the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23 (step S31). The indoor unit operating value obtained here corresponds to the current indoor unit operating value. The cloud transmission unit 24 calculates the difference between the previously stored indoor unit operating value and the current indoor unit operating value obtained in step S31 (step S32).

[0069] The cloud transmission unit 24 determines whether the difference calculated in step S32 is greater than the second threshold value (step S33). If the difference is greater than the second threshold value (step S33: Yes), the cloud transmission unit 24 transmits the current indoor unit operation value to the cloud 4 (step S34). In addition, the cloud transmission unit 24 stores the transmitted current indoor unit operation value (step S35). The indoor unit operation value stored here is used as the previous indoor unit operation value in the next execution. Figure 10 In addition, if the difference calculated in step S32 is less than the second threshold value (step S33: No), the processing of step S34 and step S35 is omitted. Figure 10 The sending process is completed.

[0070] also, Figure 10 The transmission process shown is executed every time the indoor unit operation value acquisition unit 23 acquires the indoor unit operation value. In addition, when multiple types of operation values ​​are acquired, Figure 10 The transmission process shown is executed for each type of operating value. That is, the difference between the previous indoor unit operating value and the current indoor unit operating value is calculated for each type of operating value, and whether to transmit to the cloud 4 is determined for each type of operating value.

[0071] As described above, the air conditioner 10D according to Embodiment 4 can also achieve the same effects as the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the air conditioner 10D further includes a cloud transmission unit 24, which determines whether to transmit the current operating value to the cloud 4, an external device, based on the difference between the current operating value and the previous operating value. Specifically, the cloud transmission unit 24 transmits the current indoor unit operating value to the cloud 4 if the difference between the current indoor unit operating value and the previous indoor unit operating value is greater than a second threshold value, and does not transmit the current indoor unit operating value to the cloud if the difference between the current indoor unit operating value and the previous indoor unit operating value is less than the second threshold value. This can also reduce the amount of communication with the cloud 4.

[0072] In addition, although the cloud transmission unit 24 is configured to have the function of transmitting indoor unit operating values ​​to the cloud 4 in the fourth embodiment, if the outdoor unit 1 has the function of obtaining outdoor unit operating values, the cloud transmission unit 24 may also transmit the outdoor unit operating values ​​received by the indoor unit 2D from the outdoor unit 1 to the cloud 4. In this case, the cloud transmission unit 24 may determine whether to transmit the outdoor unit operating values ​​to the cloud 4 based on whether the difference between each type of outdoor unit operating value is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0073] Implementation 5

[0074] Figure 11 This diagram shows the configuration of an air conditioner 10E according to Embodiment 5. The air conditioner 10E includes an outdoor unit 1E, an indoor unit 2E, and a transmission period setting unit 5. In Embodiment 5, a transmission period is set as the period during which operating values ​​are transmitted. Operating values ​​are not transmitted during periods other than the transmission period. Furthermore, an example of setting a transmission period for outdoor unit operating values ​​is described here.

[0075] The transmission period setting unit 5 has a function of setting the transmission period by, for example, using a remote control, a storage medium, or transmitting data indicating the transmission period via a network such as the cloud 4. The transmission period setting unit 5 outputs transmission period information indicating the set transmission period to the indoor unit determination unit 21E. In addition to the functions of the indoor unit determination unit 21, the indoor unit determination unit 21E also notifies the outdoor unit 1E of the transmission period information output by the transmission period setting unit 5 via the outdoor unit communication unit 22. While the transmission period setting unit 5 is shown here as having a function of communicating with the indoor unit 2E and outputting the transmission period information to the indoor unit 2E, the transmission period setting unit 5 may alternatively be configured to output the transmission period information directly to the outdoor unit 1E.

[0076] The outdoor unit 1E includes a calculation unit 11, an indoor unit communication unit 12, an outdoor unit determination unit 13E, and an outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit 14. The outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit 14 acquires outdoor unit operation values ​​and outputs the acquired outdoor unit operation values ​​to the outdoor unit determination unit 13E.

[0077] The outdoor unit determination unit 13E receives, via the indoor unit 2E, transmission period information indicating the transmission period set by the transmission period setting unit 5, and uses the received transmission period information to determine whether the outdoor unit operating value is a target for transmission to the indoor unit 2E. Specifically, if the outdoor unit determination unit 13E obtains the outdoor unit operating value within the transmission period, it determines that the current outdoor unit operating value is a target for transmission and transmits the current outdoor unit operating value to the indoor unit 2E using the indoor unit communication unit 12. If the current outdoor unit operating value is outside the transmission period, it determines that the current outdoor unit operating value is not a target for transmission and does not transmit it to the indoor unit 2E.

[0078] In addition to the functions of the indoor unit determination unit 21, the indoor unit determination unit 21E of the indoor unit 2E also has the functions of notifying the outdoor unit 1E of the transmission period information output by the transmission period setting unit 5, as described above, and outputting the outdoor unit operating values ​​received from the outdoor unit 1E via the outdoor unit communication unit 22 to the cloud transmission unit 24E. Furthermore, the cloud transmission unit 24E, in addition to the functions of the cloud transmission unit 24, also has the function of transmitting the outdoor unit operating values ​​to the cloud 4. Similarly, the cloud transmission unit 24E can also use the difference from the previous input operating value and the second threshold value to determine whether to transmit to the cloud 4 for all input operating values. However, here, the indoor unit operating values ​​are processed similarly to the cloud transmission unit 24, and all outdoor unit operating values ​​determined by the outdoor unit determination unit 13E to be transmission targets are transmitted to the cloud 4.

[0079] Furthermore, the transmission period can be set for operational values ​​whose importance varies depending on the season, such as defrost control data, or data used for comfortable sleep control, whose importance varies depending on the time of acquisition. This allows for arbitrary changes during the period during which the user wishes to collect operational values. For example, the transmission period can be set for several months, such as December to March, or for a daily time period, such as from 10 PM to 7 AM.

[0080] Figure 12 Is used to illustrate Figure 11 The flowchart of the process of transmitting the outdoor unit operating value in the air conditioner 10E to the cloud 4 is shown. The outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14 acquires the outdoor unit operating value (step S41). The outdoor unit operating value acquired here corresponds to the current outdoor unit operating value. After acquiring the current outdoor unit operating value acquired by the outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14, the outdoor unit determination unit 13E determines whether it is within the transmission period (step S42).

[0081] If the transmission period is within (step S42: Yes), the outdoor unit determination unit 13E determines that the current outdoor unit operation value is the transmission target and transmits the current outdoor unit operation value to the indoor unit 2E (step S43). When the cloud transmission unit 24E receives the outdoor unit operation value via the outdoor unit communication unit 22 and the indoor unit determination unit 21E, it transmits the outdoor unit operation value received from the outdoor unit 1E to the cloud 4 (step S44). If the transmission period is outside (step S42: No), the processing of steps S43 and S44 is omitted, and the outdoor unit operation value is not transmitted to the cloud 4. Figure 12 The process ends.

[0082] As described above, the air conditioner 10E according to Embodiment 5 can also achieve the same effects as the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the air conditioner 10E according to Embodiment 5 further includes a transmission period setting unit 5 that receives input of a period for collecting operating values. When multiple types of operating values ​​are acquired, the transmission period setting unit 5 can receive input of a period for collecting operating values ​​for each type of target operating value. The outdoor unit determination unit 13E, as a determination unit, determines that the outdoor unit operating value is not a target for transmission, regardless of the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operating value, when the value is outside the transmission period set by the transmission period setting unit 5. Furthermore, the outdoor unit determination unit 13E determines that the current outdoor unit operating value is a target for transmission, regardless of the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operating value, when the value is within the transmission period. However, when the value is within the transmission period, the determination of whether the value is a target for transmission may be made based on the difference between the comparison reference value and the current outdoor unit operating value.

[0083] The air conditioner 10E also includes a cloud transmission unit 24E, which is an external transmission unit that transmits the outdoor unit operating values ​​determined by the outdoor unit determination unit 13E (determination unit) as being transmission targets based on the transmission period information to the cloud 4 (external device). This allows the outdoor unit operating values ​​transmitted to the cloud 4 to be limited to those obtained within the transmission period, thereby reducing the amount of communication with the cloud 4.

[0084] Here, the transmission period setting unit 5 sets the transmission period for the outdoor unit operation value acquired in the outdoor unit 1E, but the transmission period can also be set similarly for the indoor unit operation value acquired in the indoor unit 2E.

[0085] Implementation Method 6

[0086] Figure 13 This diagram shows the configuration of an air conditioner 10F according to Embodiment 6. The air conditioner 10F is connected to a single outdoor unit 1F, with multiple indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 connected. The indoor units 2F are connected to the cloud 4, temporarily aggregate the indoor unit operating values ​​acquired by the indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 in the outdoor unit 1F, and transmit the aggregated operating values, or aggregated operating values, aggregated by the outdoor units 1F from the outdoor unit 1F to the cloud 4 via the indoor units 2F.

[0087] Figure 14 Is used to illustrate Figure 13 The timing diagram of the operation of the air conditioner 10F shown in the figure. First, each indoor unit 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 sends the operating value to the outdoor unit 1F (step S101). The outdoor unit 1F generates a comparison reference value based on the received operating value (step S102). The outdoor unit 1F sends the generated comparison reference value to the indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 respectively (step S103). The indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 use the received comparison reference value to determine whether the current operating value is a target for transmission. If it is determined to be a target for transmission, the operating value is sent to the outdoor unit 1F (step S104). The outdoor unit 1F aggregates the operating values ​​(step S105) and sends the generated aggregated operating value to the indoor unit 2F (step S106). The indoor unit 2F sends the aggregated operating value to the cloud 4 (step S107).

[0088] In addition, the processing of using the comparison reference value and the first threshold value to determine whether the operating value is the sending object described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, etc. can be performed on the operating value sent in step S104, or on the aggregated operating value sent from the outdoor unit 1F to the indoor unit 2F in step S106.

[0089] Figure 1510F is a diagram showing a detailed structure of an air conditioner 10F according to Embodiment 6. Figure 15 In the Figure 13 In the illustrated portion of the outdoor unit 1F and the indoor unit 2F of the air conditioner 10F, the indoor units 2-1 to 2-3 are omitted because they are the same as the indoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1.

[0090] The outdoor unit 1F includes a calculation unit 11B, an indoor unit communication unit 12, an outdoor unit determination unit 13F, and an outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit 14. The calculation unit 11B calculates reference values ​​for the indoor unit operation value and the outdoor unit operation value. The calculation unit 11B transmits the reference values ​​calculated for the indoor unit operation value to the indoor unit 2F using the indoor unit communication unit 12, and outputs the reference values ​​calculated for the outdoor unit operation value to the outdoor unit determination unit 13F.

[0091] The outdoor unit determination unit 13F includes a collection unit 131 that collects the operating values ​​received from the plurality of indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 to generate a collection of operating values. The outdoor unit determination unit 13F can generate the collection of operating values ​​based on the indoor unit operating values ​​received from the indoor units 2F, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 and the outdoor unit operating values ​​acquired by the outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14. The outdoor unit determination unit 13F transmits the collection of operating values ​​generated by the collection unit 131 to the indoor unit 2F using the indoor unit communication unit 12.

[0092] Upon receiving the aggregated operating values ​​from the outdoor unit 1F, the indoor unit determination unit 21F of the indoor unit 2F outputs the received aggregated operating values ​​to the cloud transmission unit 24. The cloud transmission unit 24 transmits the input aggregated operating values ​​to the cloud 4. The cloud transmission unit 24 can transmit all input aggregated operating values ​​to the cloud 4. Because the indoor unit determination unit 21F limits the indoor unit operating values ​​transmitted to the outdoor unit 1F, even if the cloud transmission unit 24 transmits all operating values ​​to the cloud 4, the indoor unit operating values ​​transmitted to the cloud 4 become part of the indoor unit operating values ​​acquired by the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23. This reduces the amount of communication with the cloud 4. Furthermore, if the outdoor unit determination unit 13F limits the amount of operating values ​​transmitted from the outdoor unit 1F to the indoor unit 2F, even if the cloud transmission unit 24 transmits all operating values ​​to the cloud 4, the amount of communication with the cloud 4 can be reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, as described in Embodiment 4, the cloud transmission unit 24 may use the previous operating value and the second threshold value to limit the operating value transmitted to the cloud 4. In this case, the communication volume to the cloud 4 can be further reduced.

[0094] Here, the hardware configuration for implementing the functions of the air conditioners 10A to 10F according to Embodiments 1 to 6 will be described. The functions of the calculation units 11 and 11B, the outdoor unit determination units 13, 13E, and 13F, the outdoor unit operating value acquisition unit 14, the indoor unit determination units 21, 21C, 21E, and 21F, the indoor unit operating value acquisition unit 23, and the cloud transmission units 24 and 24E are implemented by processing circuits. These processing circuits can be implemented as dedicated hardware or as control circuits using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0095] In the case where the above-mentioned processing circuit is implemented by dedicated hardware, these Figure 16 This is achieved by the processing circuit 90 shown. Figure 16 This diagram illustrates dedicated hardware for implementing the functions of air conditioners 10A to 10F according to Embodiments 1 to 6. Processing circuit 90 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0096] When the above-mentioned processing circuit is implemented by a control circuit using a CPU, the control circuit is, for example, Figure 17 The control circuit 91 has the structure shown. Figure 17 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit 91 for realizing the functions of the air conditioners 10A to 10F according to the first to sixth embodiments. Figure 17 As shown, the control circuit 91 includes a processor 92 and a memory 93. The processor 92 is a CPU, also known as a processing device, a computing device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Memory 93 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disc, a minidisc, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0097] When the aforementioned processing circuit is implemented by the control circuit 91, the processor 92 is implemented by reading and executing a program corresponding to the processing of each component stored in the memory 93. The memory 93 is also used as a temporary storage for each process executed by the processor 92. The program executed by the processor 92 may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium or via a communication channel such as the Internet.

[0098] The configuration shown in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may be combined with other known technologies, the embodiments may be combined with each other, and part of the configuration may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0099] For example, although the cloud sending units 24 and 24E are provided in the indoor units 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F in the above-mentioned embodiments 4 to 7, a communication device separate from the indoor units 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F may have the functions of the cloud sending units 24 and 24E.

[0100] Description of Reference Numerals

[0101] 1, 1B, 1E, 1F...outdoor unit; 2, 2-1 to 2-4, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F...indoor unit; 3...threshold value setting unit; 4...cloud; 5...transmission period setting unit; 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F...air conditioner; 11, 11B...calculation unit; 12...indoor unit communication unit; 13, 13E, 13F...outdoor unit determination unit; 14...outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit; 21, 21C, 21E, 21F...indoor unit determination unit; 22...outdoor unit communication unit; 23...indoor unit operation value acquisition unit; 24, 24E...cloud transmission unit; 90...processing circuit; 91...control circuit; 92...processor; 93...memory; 121, 222...transmission unit; 122, 221...reception unit; 131...aggregation unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, wherein: have: an operating value acquiring unit for acquiring an operating value which is a value obtained as the air conditioner operates; a calculation unit that calculates a comparison reference value based on the operating value; a determination unit that determines whether the operation value is a transmission target to be transmitted between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on a difference between the comparison reference value and the current operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition unit; as well as The communication unit transmits the operating value determined as a transmission target between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit according to a determination result of the determination unit, and does not transmit the operating value determined as not a transmission target between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The operating value includes at least one of environmental information obtained by measuring an environmental state and operating information indicating an operating condition of the air conditioner.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The comparison reference value is information based on at least one of an average value, a median value, a maximum value, and a minimum value of the plurality of operating values.

4. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The calculation unit calculates the comparison reference value for each type of the operating value.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The determination unit determines that the operating value is a transmission target when the difference between the operating value and the comparison reference value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein The device further includes a threshold setting unit that receives input of the first threshold used by the determination unit.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The system further includes a transmission period setting unit that receives an input of a period for collecting the operating values.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein The transmission period setting unit receives input of a period for collecting the operational value for each type of the target operational value.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The determination unit determines that the operating value is not to be transmitted, regardless of the size of the difference between the comparison reference value and the current operating value, when the operating value is outside the period for collecting the operating value set by the transmission period setting unit.

10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The system further includes an external transmission unit that determines whether to transmit the current operating value to an external device based on a difference between the current operating value and the previous operating value.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein The external sending unit sends the current operating value to the external device when the difference between the current operating value and the previous operating value is greater than the second threshold value, and does not send the current operating value to the external device when the difference between the current operating value and the previous operating value is less than the second threshold value.

12. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The system further includes an external transmission unit that transmits the operating value determined by the determination unit as a transmission target to an external device.

13. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The calculation unit collects the operating values ​​obtained in the indoor unit and the outdoor unit provided in the air conditioner, The external transmission unit transmits the collected operating values ​​to the external device.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The operation value acquisition unit includes an indoor unit operation value acquisition unit, which is provided in the indoor unit and acquires the operation value of the indoor unit. The determination unit includes an indoor unit determination unit provided in the indoor unit, and determining whether to transmit the operating value of the indoor unit to the outdoor unit using the comparison reference value calculated for the operating value of the indoor unit. The calculation unit is provided in the outdoor unit. The communication unit includes an outdoor unit communication unit that is provided in the indoor unit and transmits the operation value from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit according to a determination result of the determination unit.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein The outdoor unit is connected to a plurality of indoor units. The calculation unit calculates the comparison reference value based on the operation values ​​acquired in the plurality of indoor units.

16. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The operation value acquisition unit includes an outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit, the outdoor unit operation value acquisition unit being provided in the outdoor unit and acquiring the operation value of the outdoor unit. The determination unit includes an outdoor unit determination unit that is provided in the outdoor unit and determines whether the operation value of the outdoor unit is the transmission target using the comparison reference value calculated for the operation value of the outdoor unit.

17. An air conditioning system, The air conditioning system comprises: air conditioners; and an external device that collects, from the air conditioner, operating values ​​obtained as the air conditioner operates; in, The air conditioner comprises: an operating value acquiring unit for acquiring the operating value; a calculation unit that calculates a comparison reference value based on the operating value; a determination unit that determines whether the operation value is a transmission target to be transmitted between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on a difference between the comparison reference value and the current operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition unit; as well as The communication unit transmits the operating value determined as a transmission target between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit according to a determination result of the determination unit, and does not transmit the operating value determined as not a transmission target between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

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