Processing method for mode conflict of multi-split air conditioner

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and discloses a multi-split air conditioner mode conflict processing method. The problems that in existing multi-split air conditioner mode conflict processing, a user cannot autonomously reserve conflict mode setting, the experience feeling is poor due to the fact that system mode switching operation is tedious, and energy consumption is increased and the operation effect is poor due to forced mode switching are solved. According to the scheme, when any indoor unit executes the starting or mode switching operation, if it is judged that only the indoor unit in the current air conditioning system operates, the indoor unit directly operates in the target mode; otherwise, judging according to a mode conflict judgment rule, and if the judgment result is that the target mode of the indoor unit conflicts with the current running mode of the air conditioning system, keeping the target mode of the indoor unit, but not running at present, and reporting a mode conflict fault; and if the judgment result is no conflict, the indoor unit operates normally in the target mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and specifically to a method for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioners. Background Technology

[0002] Multi-split central air conditioning systems, with their advantages of high efficiency, energy saving, flexible installation, and convenient control, have been widely used in various building scenarios such as residential, office, and commercial buildings. As users' requirements for living and usage comfort continue to increase, higher standards are being placed on the control precision, ease of operation, and user experience of multi-split central air conditioning systems. Among these, handling the conflict between the single-unit operation mode and the overall system operation mode in a multi-split air conditioning system is a key technical issue that directly affects the user experience.

[0003] Currently, the industry has established relatively unified standards for determining the operating modes and defining mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioning systems. Specifically, these standards include: upon initial power-on, the outdoor unit is in a mode-free standby state; the system operating mode is determined by the setting mode of the first indoor unit that is turned on without fan operation. If that indoor unit is set to cooling or dehumidification mode, the system operates in cooling mode; if it is set to heating mode, the system operates in heating mode. The system remains off only when all indoor units are in fan operation mode. The rules for determining mode conflicts are clearly defined as follows: when the system is in heating mode, setting an indoor unit to heating mode is not a conflict; setting it to cooling, dehumidification, or fan operation mode is considered a conflict. When the system is in cooling mode, setting an indoor unit to cooling, dehumidification, or fan operation mode is not a conflict; setting it to heating mode is considered a conflict.

[0004] However, there is no unified standard in the industry for handling mode conflicts, and different brands and types of multi-split air conditioners have significantly different handling methods. Currently, most multi-split air conditioners on the market use the following conflict handling solution: when the start-up setting mode of an indoor unit conflicts with the current system operating mode, the setting mode of that indoor unit is forcibly switched to the system operating mode, and the indoor unit is kept running.

[0005] This traditional processing method has the following drawbacks in practical use: (1) Users cannot retain conflict mode settings: When a user wants to switch an indoor unit to a mode that conflicts with the system operating mode, the indoor unit mode will be forcibly overwritten as the system mode, which will result in the user's personalized usage needs not being met.

[0006] (2) The system mode switching operation is cumbersome: If the user needs to change the overall system operation mode, he / she needs to shut down all the running indoor units one by one, and then turn them on one by one and set the target mode. This not only takes time, but also requires running back and forth between multiple rooms, resulting in extremely low operation efficiency and a very poor user experience.

[0007] (3) Increased energy consumption and poor operating performance: When the indoor unit is forced to switch modes and continues to operate under conflict mode, it will result in too many indoor units operating in the system, causing the air conditioning system to be overloaded in cooling or heating, which will reduce the operating efficiency of a single indoor unit, affect the temperature regulation effect, and increase energy consumption.

[0008] (4) System stability is affected: Forced mode switching may cause the operating parameters of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit to be mismatched. Long-term operation may easily cause system failure and shorten the service life of the equipment.

[0009] In summary, existing multi-split air conditioning mode conflict handling solutions suffer from problems such as cumbersome operation, poor user experience, high energy consumption, and insufficient operational stability. They are no longer able to meet the modern users' demands for convenience, personalization, and energy efficiency in air conditioning systems. There is an urgent need for a more reasonable, user-friendly, and efficient mode conflict handling method to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioners, which solves the problems of poor user experience caused by the inability of users to retain conflict mode settings, cumbersome system mode switching operations, and increased energy consumption and poor operating performance caused by forced mode switching in existing multi-split air conditioner mode conflict handling methods.

[0011] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A method for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioning systems, applicable to multi-split air conditioning systems comprising one or more outdoor units and multiple indoor units, wherein the system is initially in a mode-free standby state upon power-up, the method includes the following steps: a. Predefined mode conflict judgment rules: When the air conditioning system is in heating mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to heating mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode; when the air conditioning system is in cooling mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to heating mode. b. When any indoor unit performs a power-on or mode-switching operation, if it is determined that only that indoor unit is running in the current air conditioning system, then that indoor unit will directly run in the target mode; otherwise, proceed to step c. c. Make a judgment according to the mode conflict judgment rules defined in step a. If the judgment result is that the target mode of the indoor unit conflicts with the mode currently running in the air conditioning system, then the target mode of the indoor unit is maintained, but the indoor unit is not currently running and a mode conflict fault is reported; if the judgment result is that there is no conflict, then the indoor unit runs normally in the target mode.

[0012] Furthermore, the method also includes the following steps: d. If there is an indoor unit in operation and its operating mode is non-supply mode, the system will maintain the corresponding cooling or heating operating mode; if all currently operating indoor units are in supply mode, the system will be shut down.

[0013] Furthermore, in step c, the mode conflict fault indication is achieved by displaying fault codes, flashing indicator lights, or sounding a buzzer alarm on the indoor unit's display panel.

[0014] Furthermore, step b also includes: when the indoor unit is running directly in the target mode, the system synchronously runs in the corresponding matching mode: if the indoor unit is running in cooling or dehumidifying mode, the system runs in cooling mode; if the indoor unit is running in heating mode, the system runs in heating mode; if the indoor unit is running in fan mode, the system remains off.

[0015] Furthermore, in step d, if there is an indoor unit in operation and its operating mode is non-fan mode, the system maintains the corresponding cooling or heating operating mode, including: If any of the currently operating indoor units are in cooling or dehumidification mode, the system will maintain cooling mode; if any of the currently operating indoor units are in heating mode, the system will maintain heating mode.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) Optimize user operation experience and solve the pain point of cumbersome mode switching: This invention completely changes the logic of forcibly switching indoor unit modes in traditional mode conflict handling. It allows users to retain the target setting mode and power-on status when mode conflicts occur, only notifying them of the conflict status through fault prompts, thus meeting users' personalized mode setting needs. Simultaneously, when switching system operating modes, users do not need to shut down and restart all indoor units one by one. They only need to gradually switch the running indoor units to the target mode. Once the last running indoor unit has completed the switch, the system can synchronously update the operating mode, significantly reducing the need for users to travel back and forth between multiple rooms, simplifying the operation steps and improving efficiency.

[0017] (2) Avoid ineffective operation, reduce system energy consumption and improve operating efficiency: In traditional solutions, indoor units in conflict mode are forced to switch to system operation mode and remain running, resulting in an excessive number of indoor units operating within the system. This overloads the cooling or heating load, dispersing system output power, reducing the temperature regulation efficiency of individual indoor units, and increasing additional energy consumption due to ineffective operation. In this invention, indoor units in conflict mode maintain their set mode but do not participate in system operation; only indoor units with matched modes operate normally. This ensures that system output power is concentrated on effectively operating indoor units, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of cooling or heating while reducing ineffective energy consumption, achieving energy-efficient system operation.

[0018] (3) The logic design is user-friendly and adaptable to diverse usage scenarios: This invention designs differentiated processing logic for single-unit and multi-unit operation scenarios: when operating with a single unit, the mode can be switched directly without cumbersome operations; when operating with multiple units, it supports gradual switching and synchronous updates, adapting to the usage needs of different scenarios such as home and office. Meanwhile, the fault indication function informs users of conflicting conditions without affecting the normal operation of other indoor units. The overall design is more in line with users' actual usage habits and has wider applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioners according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This invention aims to provide a method for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioners, solving the problems of existing multi-split air conditioner mode conflict handling methods, such as users' inability to retain conflicting mode settings, cumbersome system mode switching operations leading to poor user experience, and increased energy consumption and poor operating performance caused by forced mode switching. Its core idea is to reconstruct the mode conflict handling logic of multi-split air conditioners with user needs at the core, abandoning the traditional solution of forcibly switching indoor unit modes, and adopting a user-friendly strategy of retaining settings and differentiated processing. This optimizes operational convenience, reduces energy consumption, and improves user experience without affecting the stable operation of the system. Specifically, this invention first adheres to the industry-standard definition of mode conflict (only indoor units heating during system heating do not conflict, and only indoor units heating during system cooling conflict); and then differentiates its conflict handling design: rules are formulated for scenarios with multiple indoor units operating and single indoor unit operating separately. When multiple units are operating, the conflicting indoor unit retains the user-set mode and on / off status but is paused, with the conflict only indicated by a fault message; when a single unit is operating, direct switching to the target mode is allowed, with the system updating synchronously without fault messages, avoiding unnecessary operational restrictions. Furthermore, this invention also features dynamic system mode adaptation: based on the setting of an indoor unit that is on and not in fan-only mode, the system automatically matches the operating mode without requiring the user to manually restart the system. This solution not only meets users' personalized mode setting needs and simplifies the system mode switching process, but also avoids unnecessary energy consumption and system overload by controlling the paused operation of indoor units with conflicting modes, ensuring operational performance and stability.

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] This embodiment takes the implementation of the present invention on a multi-split air conditioning system as an example. The multi-split air conditioning system includes one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units; wherein, the indoor units are slave units, and the outdoor unit and all indoor units are connected to the same communication bus.

[0023] Before implementing the solution, the mode conflict judgment rules are defined: when the air conditioning system is in heating mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to heating mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode; when the air conditioning system is in cooling mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to heating mode. The above-mentioned pattern conflict determination rules are consistent with existing technologies. By clarifying the pattern conflict determination rules, a unified judgment benchmark and operational premise are provided for pattern conflict handling, ensuring the consistency and standardization of subsequent conflict determination and handling logic, and avoiding confusion in handling logic caused by ambiguous definitions.

[0024] Based on the above-mentioned mode conflict determination rules, the process for handling mode conflicts in multi-split air conditioners provided in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1As shown, it includes the following steps: 1. When an indoor unit is turned on, if the set mode is air supply mode, proceed to step 2; if the set mode is non-air supply mode, proceed to step 3. In this step, the air supply mode is a special operating mode where only the indoor unit fan operates, without involving the outdoor unit compressor. This differs significantly from the operating logic of cooling, heating, and dehumidification, which require the participation of the outdoor unit. Therefore, classifying the start-up modes first allows for the development of targeted conflict judgment and handling rules, preventing confusion caused by mixing different modes and laying the foundation for accurate judgment later.

[0025] 2. If the air conditioning system is already turned on and running in heating mode, the indoor unit is not allowed to operate, but the indoor unit will remain in the fan supply mode. A mode conflict fault will be reported, and the system will exit. If the air conditioning system is turned off or is turned on and running in cooling mode, the indoor unit is allowed to run in fan supply mode. No mode conflict fault will be reported, and the system will exit. In this step, since the core objective of the system during heating is to raise the indoor temperature, the air supply mode only circulates indoor air and cannot assist in heating. It may also dilute the hot air due to air flow, affecting the heating effect. In addition, it meets the definition of conflict when the indoor unit is in air supply mode during system heating, so it must be prohibited from running and an error should be reported. At the same time, the unit should be kept on to meet the user's need to switch modes later.

[0026] When the system is shut down, there is no predetermined operating mode. The air supply mode does not involve the outdoor unit and will not cause any conflict, so it can operate normally. When the system is cooling, according to the definition, the air supply mode and the cooling mode do not conflict, and the air supply can promote the circulation of cold air and improve the uniformity of cooling, so it is allowed to operate normally.

[0027] 3. If the air conditioning system is off, proceed to step 4; otherwise, proceed to step 5. In this step, when the system is shut down, there is no existing operating mode. The non-air supply mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification) of the indoor unit will become the basis for determining the initial operating mode of the system and needs to be handled separately. When the system is already turned on, there is a predetermined operating mode. It is necessary to determine whether the newly turned-on indoor unit mode conflicts with the existing system mode.

[0028] 4. The setting mode of the indoor unit determines the system's operating mode: if the setting mode is cooling or dehumidification, the system will operate in cooling mode and exit; if the setting mode is heating, the system will operate in heating mode and exit. In this step, the core operating rules of the multi-split air conditioning system are followed, namely, the operating mode of the first indoor unit that is turned on in non-air supply mode determines the system's operating mode. When the indoor unit is in cooling or dehumidification mode, the system will operate in cooling mode; when the indoor unit is in heating mode, the system will operate in heating mode.

[0029] 5. If the air conditioning system is turned on and running in cooling mode, proceed to step 6; if the air conditioning system is turned on and running in heating mode, proceed to step 9. In this step, when the air conditioning system is already turned on, the core issue is whether the newly turned-on indoor unit mode conflicts with the existing system mode. The definition of conflict needs to be based on whether the system is currently in cooling or heating mode. Therefore, by diverting traffic according to the existing operating mode of the system, the conflict determination rules in the cooling mode and the conflict determination rules in the heating mode can be accurately matched.

[0030] 6. If the indoor unit is set to cooling or dehumidification mode, proceed to step 7; if the indoor unit is set to heating mode, proceed to step 8. In this step, when the system is in cooling mode, it is necessary to determine whether the newly started indoor unit mode is compatible according to the conflict definition. Cooling and dehumidification modes are not in conflict with cooling mode, while heating mode and cooling mode are in conflict. Therefore, the process proceeds to the next step according to the indoor unit's set mode.

[0031] 7. Allow the indoor unit to run without reporting a mode conflict fault, then exit; In this step, according to the definition, there is no conflict between the indoor unit being in cooling or dehumidification mode when the system is in cooling mode. Therefore, normal operation is allowed and no error message is required.

[0032] 8. Do not allow the indoor unit to operate, but keep the indoor unit in the set heating mode and on state. Report a mode conflict fault and exit. In this step, the system's cooling mode and the indoor unit's heating mode are fundamentally conflicting, therefore the indoor unit should not be operated. However, keeping the unit powered on and in the set mode allows users to avoid repeated power-on operations, and it will automatically respond after subsequent system mode switching; error messages clearly inform users of the cause of the conflict, increasing transparency in usage.

[0033] 9. If the indoor unit is set to cooling or dehumidification mode, proceed to step 10; if the indoor unit is set to heating mode, proceed to step 11. In this step, when the system is in heating mode, compatibility needs to be determined based on the conflict definition. Heating mode is consistent with the system's operating objective and falls into the non-conflict category; cooling and dehumidification modes have opposite requirements to heating mode and fall into the conflict category. The system will proceed to the next step of the decision-making process based on the indoor unit's set mode.

[0034] 10. Do not allow the indoor unit to operate, but keep the indoor unit in the set cooling or dehumidification mode and on state. Report a mode conflict fault and exit. In this step, the system's heating mode and the indoor unit's cooling / dehumidifying mode requirements are completely opposite; therefore, the indoor unit is not allowed to operate. Maintaining the unit's on and set mode allows users to quickly switch system modes later. Error messages inform users of the conflict, preventing them from mistakenly believing the equipment is faulty and improving the user experience.

[0035] 11. Allow the indoor unit to operate in heating mode without reporting a mode conflict fault, then exit.

[0036] In this step, according to the definition, there is no conflict between indoor units operating in heating mode under system heating mode. Running multiple indoor units in heating mode can expand the heating coverage area and improve the overall heating effect without interfering with the outdoor unit's heating circulation. This meets the system's operational goals and user needs, therefore normal operation is allowed without error reports.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and all such changes and alterations shall not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for handling mode conflicts in a multi-split air conditioning system, applicable to a multi-split air conditioning system comprising one or more outdoor units and multiple indoor units, wherein the system is initially in a mode-free standby state upon power-up, characterized in that... The processing method includes the following steps: a. Predefined mode conflict judgment rules: When the air conditioning system is in heating mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to heating mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode; when the air conditioning system is in cooling mode, there is no conflict if the indoor unit is set to cooling, dehumidification or ventilation mode, but there is a mode conflict if it is set to heating mode. b. When any indoor unit performs a power-on or mode-switching operation, if it is determined that only that indoor unit is running in the current air conditioning system, then that indoor unit will directly run in the target mode; otherwise, proceed to step c. c. Make a judgment according to the mode conflict judgment rules defined in step a. If the judgment result is that the target mode of the indoor unit conflicts with the mode currently running in the air conditioning system, then the target mode of the indoor unit is maintained, but the indoor unit is not currently running and a mode conflict fault is reported; if the judgment result is that there is no conflict, then the indoor unit runs normally in the target mode.

2. The method for handling mode conflicts in a multi-split air conditioner as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: d. If there is an indoor unit in operation and its operating mode is non-supply mode, the system will maintain the corresponding cooling or heating operating mode; if all currently operating indoor units are in supply mode, the system will be shut down.

3. The method for handling mode conflicts in a multi-split air conditioner as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In step c, the mode conflict fault indication is achieved by displaying fault codes, flashing indicator lights, or sounding a buzzer alarm on the indoor unit's display panel.

4. The method for handling mode conflicts in a multi-split air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Step b also includes: when the indoor unit is running directly in the target mode, the system synchronously runs in the corresponding matching mode: if the indoor unit is running in cooling or dehumidifying mode, the system runs in cooling mode; if the indoor unit is running in heating mode, the system runs in heating mode; if the indoor unit is running in fan mode, the system remains off.

5. The method for handling mode conflicts in a multi-split air conditioner as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In step d, if there is an indoor unit in operation and its operating mode is non-fan mode, the system maintains the corresponding cooling or heating operating mode, including: If any of the currently operating indoor units are in cooling or dehumidification mode, the system will maintain cooling mode; if any of the currently operating indoor units are in heating mode, the system will maintain heating mode.

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