Outdoor unit, outdoor unit control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an outdoor unit, an outdoor unit control method, and a program that can perform address setting for an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting for an air conditioning device of another refrigerant system.SOLUTION: An outdoor unit in the present disclosure is capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk. The outdoor unit includes a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication with an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit. The communication control unit is capable of communicating with an air conditioning device of another refrigerant system different from the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address for the indoor unit during automatic address setting, the communication control unit cuts off communication with the air conditioning device of the other refrigerant system and sets the address for the indoor unit by the second communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit, an outdoor unit control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a communication network is constructed using HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) in a system having outdoor units and indoor units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-122850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit, an outdoor unit control method, and a program that can set addresses for indoor units in the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting for air conditioning equipment in a different refrigerant system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The outdoor unit of the present disclosure is an outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, and is equipped with an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit, and a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication, and the communication control unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address in the indoor unit during automatic address setting, it cuts off communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and sets an address in the indoor unit using the second communication.

[0006] Furthermore, the method for controlling an outdoor unit in the present disclosure is a method for controlling an outdoor unit that is capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, and is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address to an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit in automatic address setting, communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is cut off and an address is set to the indoor unit using the second communication.

[0007] Furthermore, the program disclosed herein causes a processor of an outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, to function as a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication with an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit, and the communication control unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address in the indoor unit during automatic address setting, it cuts off communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and sets an address in the indoor unit using the second communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The outdoor unit, outdoor unit control method, and program disclosed herein block communication with air conditioners of other refrigerant systems, and then sets addresses through communication that is less likely to cause crosstalk. This makes it possible to set addresses for indoor units of the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting for air conditioners of other refrigerant systems. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system of an outdoor unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] Flowchart showing the operation of the outdoor unit in the first embodiment [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of air conditioning equipment in automatic address setting according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of air conditioning equipment in automatic address setting according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the operation of the outdoor unit in the second embodiment [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning system according to the fourth embodiment [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows an example of a logical topology diagram and an electrical connection topology diagram according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 shows an example of a logical topology diagram and an electrical connection topology diagram according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system for an outdoor unit according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived the present disclosure, there was a technology in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit communicated via a communication network established using HD-PLC. Incidentally, when installing the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in a facility, addresses were assigned between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit using the same refrigerant system. However, when the communication method between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is a communication method prone to crosstalk, such as HD-PLC described in Patent Document 1, if the communication line of the refrigerant system for which the address is assigned is located close to the communication line of another refrigerant system, the crosstalk could result in an address being assigned erroneously to an air conditioning device using a different refrigerant system that was not the intended address assignment target. The inventors discovered a problem in this regard, which led to the formation of the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to solve this problem. Therefore, the present disclosure provides an outdoor unit, a control method for the outdoor unit, and a program that can set addresses for indoor units in the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting for air conditioning equipment in other refrigerant systems.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Air conditioning system configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000. As shown in FIG. The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that conditions the air in a space to be conditioned. The air conditioning system 1000 is applied to facilities such as buildings and schools. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the air conditioning system 1000 is applied to a three-story facility H, but the facility to which the air conditioning system 1000 is applied is not limited to the three-story facility H, and may be any facility.

[0013] The air conditioning system 1000 of this embodiment has three refrigerant systems RS: refrigerant systems RS1, RS2, and RS3. Refrigerant system RS1 is a refrigerant system made up of outdoor unit 1A and indoor units 2A, 2B, and 2C. That is, the outdoor unit 1A and the indoor units 2A, 2B, and 2C belong to refrigerant system RS1. The outdoor unit 1A is installed outdoors in facility H, and the indoor units 2A, 2B, and 2C are installed on the third floor of facility H. The outdoor unit 1A communicates with the indoor units 2A, 2B, and 2C via communication line L1. Refrigerant system RS2 is a refrigerant system made up of outdoor unit 1B and indoor units 2D, 2E, and 2F. That is, outdoor unit 1B and indoor units 2D, 2E, and 2F belong to refrigerant system RS2. Outdoor unit 1B is installed outdoors in facility H, and indoor units 2D, 2E, and 2F are installed on the second floor of facility H. Outdoor unit 1B communicates with indoor units 2D, 2E, and 2F via communication line L2. Refrigerant system RS3 is a refrigerant system made up of outdoor unit 1C and indoor units 2G, 2H, and 2I. That is, outdoor unit 1C and indoor units 2G, 2H, and 2I belong to refrigerant system RS3. Outdoor unit 1C is installed outdoors in facility H, and indoor units 2G, 2H, and 2I are installed on the first floor of facility H. Outdoor unit 1C communicates with indoor units 2G, 2H, and 2I via communication line L3.

[0014] Hereinafter, when the outdoor units 1A to 1C are not to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to as "outdoor unit 1" by adding the reference number "1." Furthermore, hereinafter, when the indoor units 2A to 2I are not to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to as "indoor units 2" with the reference numeral "2" added. Furthermore, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, the reference numeral "3" will be added and they will be referred to as "air conditioners 3."

[0015] The air conditioning system 1000 of this embodiment is equipped with a centralized control device 4. The centralized control device 4 is a device that centrally controls the air conditioning equipment 3 installed in the facility H. The centralized control device 4 can also be called a control device because it also controls the air conditioning equipment 3. In this embodiment, the centralized control device 4 is installed on the first floor of the facility H. The centralized control device 4 communicates with each outdoor unit 1 via a communication line L4.

[0016] The outdoor unit 1, the indoor unit 2, and the centralized control device 4 are capable of first communication according to a first communication method and second communication according to a second communication method different from the second communication method. The first communication method is a communication method with a higher communication speed than the second communication method. Furthermore, the first communication method is a communication method with a higher probability of crosstalk occurring than the second communication method because the first communication method is a communication method with a higher signal speed, which makes it easier to radiate and allows communication even with weak signals. An example of the first communication method is HD-PLC. The second communication method is a communication method having a lower communication speed than the first communication method and being less susceptible to crosstalk than the first communication method, or being a communication method in which crosstalk does not occur at all. For example, the second communication method is HBS (Home Bus System). HBS is a method that employs AMI (Alternate Mark Inversion) coded signals for transmitting digital signals on a transmission path.

[0017] In each refrigerant system RS, automatic address setting is performed on the air conditioning equipment 3 by a serviceman P at a predetermined timing, such as when the refrigerant system RS is installed or when the facility H is constructed. The addresses set in this automatic address setting are addresses used to identify which outdoor units 1 and which indoor units 2 belong to the same refrigerant system RS. The addresses set in this address setting are managed and used by the centralized management device 4. In the automatic address setting, first the outdoor unit 1 sets its own address, and then the outdoor unit 1 sets addresses for the indoor units 2 in the same refrigerant system as itself. The serviceman P is an example of a "user."

[0018] Here, when automatic address setting is performed by the second communication, the following concerns arise in address setting for the indoor unit 2. This concern will be explained by taking as an example a case where automatic address setting is performed in the refrigerant system RS1. When automatic address setting is performed in refrigerant system RS1, communication is carried out between outdoor unit 1A and indoor units 2A, 2B, and 2C via communication line L1. If communication line L1 and communication line L2 are grouped together and located close to each other, crosstalk may cause signals transmitted and received over communication line L1 to propagate to communication line L2. As a result, when setting an address for indoor unit 2 in refrigerant system RS1, there is a risk that addresses may be mistakenly set for indoor units 2D, 2E, and 2F, which are not actually targets for address setting.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a configuration to be described later, and the outdoor unit 1 performs an operation to be described later, thereby eliminating the above concerns. Details of the outdoor unit 1 will be described below.

[0020] [1-1-2.Outdoor unit configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the outdoor unit 1. As shown in FIG. Since the outdoor units 1A, 1B, and 1C of this embodiment have the same configuration, FIG. 2 specifically shows the configuration of the outdoor unit 1A as a representative of the outdoor units 1A, 1B, and 1C.

[0021] The outdoor unit 1 includes a control device 10, a communication unit 11, a separator 12, and an alarm unit 13. Although not shown, the outdoor unit 1 also includes devices related to air conditioning such as a compressor, a heat exchanger, and a blower fan.

[0022] Before describing the control device 10, the communication unit 11, the separator 12, and the notification unit 13 will be described. The communication unit 11 communicates with the centralized control device 4 and the indoor units 2 in the same refrigerant system RS. The communication unit 11 includes a first communication unit 111 and a second communication unit 112. The first communication unit 111 includes communication hardware conforming to a first communication method, such as a communication circuit. The first communication unit 111 performs first communication with the centralized management device 4 in accordance with the control of the control device 10. The first communication unit 111 also performs first communication with indoor units 2 in the same refrigerant system RS in accordance with the control of the control device 10. The second communication unit 112 includes communication hardware such as a communication circuit that complies with the first communication method. The second communication unit 112 performs second communication with the centralized management device 4 under the control of the control device 10. The second communication unit 112 also performs second communication with indoor units 2 in the same refrigerant system RS under the control of the control device 10.

[0023] The separator 12 is a device, such as a relay, that cuts off communication with the centralized control device 4 and communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of other refrigerant systems RS. In this embodiment, a mechanical relay is used as the separator 12, but the separator 12 may also be configured with a semiconductor relay such as a PhotoMOS relay or a MOSFET relay. The separator 12 switches its own state between a cutoff state and a non-cutoff state under the control of the control device 10. Here, the cutoff state is a state in which communication with the centralized control device 4 and communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of other refrigerant systems RS is cut off. Furthermore, the non-cutoff state is a state in which communication with the centralized control device 4 and communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of other refrigerant systems RS is not cut off.

[0024] The notification unit 13 notifies predetermined content under the control of the control device 10. The notification unit 13 is configured, for example, with an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and notifies predetermined content by turning on the LED under the control of the control device 10. Note that the specific configuration of the notification unit 13 is not limited to an LED, and may be a buzzer, a speaker, or a light other than an LED. Note that the content notified by the notification unit 13 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0025] The control device 10 is a device that controls each part of the outdoor unit 1. The control device 10 includes a processor 100 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a memory 120, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors, and controls each part of the outdoor unit 1. Although not shown in the figure, this interface circuit included in the control device 10 is connected to various devices included in the outdoor unit 1, such as a compressor, a blower fan, and various sensors.

[0026] The memory 120 is a memory that stores programs and data. The memory 120 stores a control program 121 and data to be processed by the processor 100. The memory 120 has a non-volatile storage area. The memory 120 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the processor 100. The memory 120 is constituted by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0027] The processor 100 functions as a communication control unit 101 and a reception unit 102 by reading and executing a control program 121 stored in the memory 120 .

[0028] The communication control unit 101 performs first communication with the centralized control device 4 via the first communication unit 111. The communication control unit 101 performs first communication or second communication with the indoor units 2 of the same refrigerant system RS via the first communication unit 111 or the second communication unit 112.

[0029] The communication control unit 101 controls the state of the separator 12 . Specifically, when the state of separator 12 is the non-blocking state, communication control unit 101 outputs to separator 12 a first signal that puts separator 12 into the blocking state, thereby switching the state of separator 12 from the non-blocking state to the blocking state. Also, when the state of separator 12 is the blocking state, communication control unit 101 outputs to separator 12 a second signal that puts separator 12 into the non-blocking state, thereby switching the state of separator 12 from the blocking state to the non-blocking state.

[0030] The communication control unit 101 notifies predetermined content through the notification unit 13.

[0031] The reception unit 102 receives instructions from the service technician P. For example, the reception unit 102 receives instructions from the service technician P via an operation panel (not shown) provided at a predetermined position on the outdoor unit 1. Furthermore, for example, the reception unit 102 receives instructions from the service technician P via a device (not shown) that can communicate with a terminal used by the service technician P.

[0032] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the outdoor unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the outdoor unit 1. The operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 3 is an operation related to automatic address setting. At the start of the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the separator 12 is in the non-shutoff state.

[0033] The communication control unit 101 determines whether the receiving unit 102 has received an instruction to start automatic address configuration (step SA1).

[0034] If communication control unit 101 determines that reception unit 102 has not received an instruction to start automatic address configuration (step SA1: NO), communication control unit 101 performs the process of step SA1 again.

[0035] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 101 determines that the receiving unit 102 has received an instruction to start automatic address setting (step SA1: YES), it outputs a first signal to the separator 12, thereby transitioning the state of the separator 12 to a disconnected state (step SA2).

[0036] Next, the communication control unit 101 starts automatic address setting via the second communication unit 112 (step SA3). That is, in step SA3, the communication control unit 101 starts automatic address setting by the second communication. In the automatic address setting in step SA3, first, an address is set for the outdoor unit 1, which is itself, and then an address is set for the indoor unit 2 in the same refrigerant system RS.

[0037] Next, the communication control unit 101 determines whether the automatic address setting by the second communication has ended (step SA4). For example, in the automatic address setting, if an address has not been set, the communication control unit 101 transmits a command to the indoor units 2 requesting a response, and if there is no response from any of the indoor units 2 within a predetermined period after transmitting the command, the communication control unit 101 makes a positive determination in step SA4.

[0038] If the communication control unit 101 determines that the automatic address configuration has not ended (step SA4: NO), it continues the automatic address configuration and performs the determination in step SA4 again.

[0039] On the other hand, if communication control unit 101 determines that the automatic address configuration has ended (step SA4: YES), communication control unit 101 notifies, via notification unit 13, that the automatic address configuration has ended (step SA5).

[0040] Next, the communication control unit 101 determines whether the receiving unit 102 has received an instruction to transition the state of the outdoor unit 1 to the normal state (step SA6). The normal state is the state of the outdoor unit 1 when the separator 12 is in the non-shutoff state. The outdoor unit 1 also has an automatic address setting state, which is paired with the normal state. The automatic address setting state is the state of the outdoor unit 1 when the separator 12 is in the shutoff state. Therefore, the state of the outdoor unit 1 from step SA2 to step SA6, which will be described later, is the automatic address setting state.

[0041] If the communication control unit 101 determines that the receiving unit 102 has not received an instruction to transition the state of the outdoor unit 1 to the normal state (step SA6: NO), the communication control unit 101 performs the determination of step SA6 again.

[0042] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 101 determines that the receiving unit 102 has received an instruction to transition the state of the outdoor unit 1 to the normal state (step SA6: YES), it outputs a second signal to the separator 12, thereby transitioning the state of the separator 12 to the non-interrupted state (step SA7).

[0043] Next, the communication control section 101 starts the first communication between the centralized control device 4 and the indoor unit 2 (step SA8).

[0044] The state of the air conditioner 3 during automatic address setting will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the air conditioner 3 during automatic address setting.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which automatic address setting is performed in the air conditioner 3 of the refrigerant system RS1.

[0046] Also, in Figure 4, when a block is shown with the words "first communication," it indicates that the communication method of the corresponding air conditioning equipment 3 is set to the first communication method, and when a block is shown with the words "second communication," it indicates that the communication method of the corresponding air conditioning equipment 3 is set to the second communication method.

[0047] State J1 shown in Fig. 4 indicates a case where the air conditioner 3 of the refrigerant system RS1 is in an initial state. The initial state is a state where the refrigerant system RS1 is installed in the facility H and the air conditioner 3 is turned on for the first time. In the initial state of the outdoor unit 1, the separator 12 is in an unblocked state. Therefore, in state J1 shown in Fig. 4, the separator 12 provided in the outdoor unit 1A is in an unblocked state.

[0048] Note that state J1 shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the first communication and the second communication are active for any of the air conditioners 3.

[0049] In state J1, when serviceman P instructs the outdoor unit 1A to start automatic address setting, the outdoor unit 1A switches the state of its own separator 12 from the open state to the closed state. After this switching, the outdoor unit 1A performs automatic address setting for the air conditioning equipment 3 in the refrigerant system RS1. More specifically, in the automatic address setting, the outdoor unit 1A first sets an address for itself and sets the communication method to the second communication method. Note that the communication method is set by setting a setting value indicating the communication method to be executed in the setting data for the outdoor unit 1A stored in the memory 120. Then, after setting its own communication method to the second communication method, the outdoor unit 1A notifies each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS1 by the second communication that it will start the second communication, and sets addresses for each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS1 by the second communication.

[0050] The above operation of the outdoor unit 1A causes the state of the air conditioners 3 in the refrigerant system RS1 to change from state J1 in Fig. 4 to state J2 in Fig. 4. State J2 in Fig. 4 indicates that the separator 12 in the outdoor unit 1A is in a shut-off state. State J2 in Fig. 4 also indicates that the communication method of each air conditioner 3 in the refrigerant system RS1 is set to the second communication method.

[0051] In state J2, when the serviceman P instructs the outdoor unit 1A to transition to the normal state, the outdoor unit 1A switches the state of its separator 12 from the shutoff state to the non-shutoff state. The outdoor unit 1A then sets its own communication method to the first communication method, notifies each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS1 that it is starting the first communication, and starts the first communication with the centralized control device 4 and each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS1. This causes the state of the air conditioners 3 in the refrigerant system RS1 to transition from state J2 to state J3 in FIG. 4. State J3 shown in FIG. 4 indicates that the separator 12 of the outdoor unit 1A is in the non-shutoff state. State J3 shown in FIG. 4 also indicates that the communication method of each air conditioner 3 in the refrigerant system RS1 is set to the first communication method.

[0052] As explained above with reference to Fig. 4, when the outdoor unit 1A sets an address for an indoor unit 2 in the same refrigerant system as the refrigerant system RS1 to which the outdoor unit 1A belongs, the outdoor unit 1A sets the address using the second communication method, which is less likely to cause crosstalk. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous address setting for an indoor unit 2 in another refrigerant system RS, even if the communication line L1 of the refrigerant system RS1 for which address setting is performed and the communication lines of other refrigerant systems RS (refrigerant systems RS2 and RS3 in the case of Fig. 4) are located in close proximity. Furthermore, when setting an address for an indoor unit 2 of the refrigerant system RS1, the outdoor unit 1A cuts off communication with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS by setting the separator 12 to the cut-off state. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous address setting for an indoor unit 2 of another refrigerant system RS.

[0053] As explained above, in automatic address setting, the separator 12 is set to the shut-off state, and the first communication is used for communication between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the service person P can perform automatic address setting in parallel for multiple refrigerant systems RS.

[0054] A case where automatic address setting is performed in parallel in a plurality of refrigerant systems RS will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state of the air conditioner 3 during automatic address setting.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which automatic address setting is performed in the air conditioners 3 of the refrigerant systems RS1 and RS2.

[0056] Also, in Figure 5, when a block is shown with the words "first communication," it indicates that the communication method of the corresponding air conditioning equipment 3 is set to the first communication method, and when a block is shown with the words "second communication," it indicates that the communication method of the corresponding air conditioning equipment 3 is set to the second communication method.

[0057] 5 shows a state J4 in which the serviceman P has instructed the outdoor units 1A and 1B to start automatic address setting. Therefore, in state J4, the separators 12 of the outdoor units 1A and 1B are in the shut-off state. Also, in state J4, the communication method of each of the air conditioners 3 in the refrigerant systems RS1 and RS2 is set to the second communication method.

[0058] As shown in state J4, in automatic address setting, the separator 12 is in the shutoff state, so in automatic address setting in refrigerant system RS1, the outdoor unit 1A does not communicate with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS, and in automatic address setting in refrigerant system RS2, the outdoor unit 1B does not communicate with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS. Therefore, in address setting for the outdoor unit 1, the outdoor units 1A and 1B can set the address only for the indoor units 2 of the refrigerant system RS to which they belong. Furthermore, because the outdoor units 1A and 1B set the address using the second communication method, which is less likely to cause crosstalk, it is possible to prevent erroneous address setting for an indoor unit 2 of another refrigerant system RS, even if the communication lines L1 and L2 are located close to each other.

[0059] In state J4, when the serviceman P instructs the outdoor unit 1A to transition to the normal state, the outdoor unit 1A switches the state of its separator 12 from the shutoff state to the non-shutoff state. The outdoor unit 1A then sets its own communication method to the first communication method and notifies each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS1 that it is starting first communication, thereby starting first communication with the centralized control device 4 and the indoor units 2 in the refrigerant system RS1. This causes the air conditioners 3 in the refrigerant systems RS1 and RS2 to transition from state J4 to state J5. State J5 shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the separator 12 in the outdoor unit 1A is in the non-shutoff state. State J5 shown in FIG. 5 also indicates that the communication method of each air conditioner 3 in the refrigerant system RS1 is set to the first communication method. State J5 shown in FIG. 5 also indicates that the separator 12 in the outdoor unit 1B is in the shutoff state. Moreover, state J5 shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the communication method of each air conditioner 3 in the refrigerant system RS2 is set to the second communication method.

[0060] In state J5, when the serviceman P instructs the outdoor unit 1B to transition to the normal state, the outdoor unit 1B switches the state of its separator 12 from the shutoff state to the non-shutoff state. The outdoor unit 1B then sets its own communication method to the first communication method, notifies each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS2 that it is starting the first communication, and starts the first communication with the centralized control device 4 and each indoor unit 2 in the refrigerant system RS2. This causes the air conditioners 3 in the refrigerant systems RS1 and RS2 to transition from state J5 to state J6. State J6 shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the separators 12 of the outdoor units 1A and 1B are in the non-shutoff state. State J5 shown in FIG. 5 also indicates that the communication method of each air conditioner 3 in the refrigerant systems RS1 and RS2 is set to the second communication method.

[0061] As explained above with reference to Fig. 5, the outdoor unit 1 can set addresses for the indoor units 2 only for the indoor units 2 of the refrigerant system RS to which the outdoor unit 1 belongs. Furthermore, because the addresses are set using communication that is less likely to cause crosstalk, even when communication lines for different refrigerant systems are located close to each other, the outdoor unit 1 can prevent erroneous address setting for indoor units 2 of other refrigerant systems RS. Therefore, the service technician P can perform automatic address setting in parallel for multiple refrigerant systems RS. Conventionally, when setting addresses for multiple refrigerant systems RS, a service technician P would set the addresses by turning the power of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 on and off for each refrigerant system RS. Also, conventionally, when setting automatic addresses for multiple refrigerant systems RS, a service technician P would set the addresses for each refrigerant system RS by utilizing the temperature change of the indoor unit 2 during cooling or heating. Both conventional methods required setting the addresses for each refrigerant system RS, and the latter method in particular required utilizing temperature changes, making address setting for multiple refrigerant systems RS time-consuming. However, in this embodiment, addresses can be set in parallel for multiple refrigerant systems RS, which significantly reduces the time required to set addresses for multiple refrigerant systems RS.

[0062] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As explained above, the outdoor unit 1 is capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method which has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk. The outdoor unit 1 is equipped with a communication control unit 101 which performs the first communication or the second communication with the indoor unit 2 which is in the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit 1. The communication control unit 101 is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment 3 of a refrigerant system RS different from the refrigerant system RS to which the outdoor unit 1 belongs. When setting an address in the indoor unit 2 using automatic address setting, the communication control unit 101 cuts off communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of the other refrigerant system RS and sets the address using the second communication.

[0063] According to this, after communication with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS is cut off, address setting is performed by communication that is less likely to cause crosstalk. Therefore, addresses can be set to indoor units 2 of the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting to air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS.

[0064] After the automatic address setting is completed, the communication control unit 101 releases the interruption of communication with the air conditioner 3 and performs the first communication with the indoor unit 2.

[0065] According to this, after automatic address setting is completed, communication can be performed with indoor units 2 of the same refrigerant system and air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS at a communication speed faster than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0066] The outdoor unit 1 includes a notification unit 13 and a reception unit 102 that receives instructions from a serviceman P. When the automatic address setting is completed, the communication control unit 101 notifies the user that the automatic address setting has been completed via the notification unit 13. After the notification by the notification unit 13, when the reception unit 102 receives an instruction to transition to a state in which first communication is performed, the communication control unit 101 cancels the interruption of communication with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS and performs first communication with the indoor unit 2.

[0067] According to this, the notification unit 13 notifies that the automatic address setting has ended, so there is a high possibility that the timing for receiving a transition instruction from the serviceman P will be the timing after the automatic address setting has ended. Therefore, after the appropriate timing after the automatic address setting has ended, communication can be made with indoor units of the same refrigerant system and air conditioning equipment of other refrigerant systems at a communication speed faster than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0068] The outdoor unit 1 is provided with a separator 12 that turns on and off the disconnection of communication connections with air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS. The communication control unit 101 cuts off communication with the air conditioners 3 of other refrigerant systems RS by setting the separator 12 to a disconnection state.

[0069] According to this, the communication connection to the air conditioners 3 of the other refrigerant systems RS is physically cut off, so that it is possible to further prevent addresses from being set erroneously to the indoor units 2 of the other refrigerant systems RS.

[0070] The control method for the outdoor unit 1 allows communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of a refrigerant system RS other than the refrigerant system RS to which the outdoor unit 1 belongs. In the control method for the outdoor unit 1, when setting an address for an indoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit 1 in automatic address setting, communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of the other refrigerant system RS is cut off, and address setting is performed by second communication.

[0071] This provides the same effects as the outdoor unit 1 described above.

[0072] The control program 121 causes the processor 100 of the outdoor unit 1 to function as a communication control unit 101 that performs first communication or second communication with the indoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit 1. The communication control unit 101 is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment 3 of a refrigerant system RS different from the refrigerant system RS to which the outdoor unit 1 belongs. When setting an address in the indoor unit 2 using automatic address setting, the communication control unit 101 cuts off communication with air conditioning equipment 3 of the other refrigerant system RS and sets the address using the first communication.

[0073] This provides the same effects as the outdoor unit 1 described above.

[0074] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. [2-1.Configuration] The configuration of each part of the air conditioning system 1000 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0075] [2-2. Operation] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the operation of the outdoor unit 1 in automatic address setting. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the outdoor unit 1 according to embodiment 2. In the explanation of Fig. 6, steps that are the same as those in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0076] When the automatic address setting starts, the communication control unit 101 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the separator 12 was switched to the disconnected state (step SB1). Here, the predetermined period is set to a period during which the automatic address setting can be considered to have been properly completed, for example, 30 minutes. Note that this predetermined period is not limited to the example of 30 minutes, and may be less than 30 minutes or more than 30 minutes. This predetermined period is set in advance by prior testing, simulation, etc.

[0077] If the communication control unit 101 determines that the predetermined period has not elapsed since the separator 12 was put into the disconnected state (step SB1: NO), the communication control unit 101 performs the determination of step SB1 again.

[0078] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 101 determines that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the separator 12 was switched to the disconnected state (step SB1: YES), it outputs a second signal to the separator 12, thereby transitioning the state of the separator 12 to the non-disconnected state (step SA7), and starts second communication between the centralized management device 4 and the indoor unit 2 (step SA8).

[0079] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As explained above, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the communication control unit 101 started to cut off communication with the air conditioning equipment 3, it determines that the automatic address setting has ended, cancels the cut-off of communication with the air conditioning equipment 3 of the other refrigerant system RS, and performs the first communication with the indoor unit 2.

[0080] According to this, after the appropriate timing when automatic address setting is completed, communication can be automatically established with indoor units of the same refrigerant system and air conditioning equipment of other refrigerant systems at a communication speed faster than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0081] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. [3-1.Configuration] The configuration of each part of the air conditioning system 1000 in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0082] [3-2. Operation] The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the operation of the outdoor unit 1 in automatic address setting. The differences from the second embodiment will be described below. More specifically, when the communication control unit 101 starts automatic address configuration, it determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of automatic address configuration. Here, the predetermined period is set to a period of time during which automatic address configuration can be considered to have been properly completed, e.g., 30 minutes. Note that this predetermined period is not limited to the example of 30 minutes, and may be shorter or longer than 30 minutes. This predetermined period of time is set in advance through prior testing, simulation, or the like. When the communication control unit 101 determines that the predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of automatic address configuration, it outputs a second signal to the separator 12, thereby transitioning the state of the separator 12 to the non-interrupted state and starting second communication between the centralized management device 4 and the indoor units 2.

[0083] [3-3. Effects, etc.] As explained above, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of automatic address setting, the communication control unit 101 determines that the automatic address setting has ended, cancels the interruption of communication with the air conditioning equipment 3 of the other refrigerant system RS, and performs the first communication with the indoor unit 2.

[0084] This provides the same effects as those of the second embodiment described above.

[0085] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. [4-1.Configuration] The configuration of each part of the air conditioning system 1000 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0086] [4-2. Operation] The following describes the differences between the operation of the fourth embodiment and the above-described embodiments. When communication is performed using the first communication method, a logical topology diagram is automatically constructed in the air conditioning system 1000 after automatic address configuration. In this embodiment, the logical topology diagram is a diagram showing a logical topology showing how devices are connected to a device functioning as a master device. The master device is a device that relays communication between other devices in the same communication network.

[0087] After the logical topology diagram is constructed, if a new air conditioner 3 appears in the air conditioning system 1000, the air conditioning system 1000 performs the operation described in FIG.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning system 1000. In the explanation of FIG. 7, a case where the outdoor unit 1 is the master device will be exemplified.

[0089] The communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, acquires the address of the air conditioner 3 that is to be connected to the newly introduced air conditioner 3 in the logical topology (step SC1).

[0090] Next, the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines whether or not the air conditioner 3 whose address was acquired belongs to the refrigerant system RS, based on the address acquired in step SC1 (step SC2). Note that the address acquired in step SC1 includes the address of the refrigerant system RS to which the air conditioner 3 belongs, so the determination in step SC2 can be made.

[0091] If the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines that the air conditioner 3 whose address it has acquired does not belong to the refrigerant system RS (step SC2: NO), the air conditioning system 1000 performs automatic address setting for all refrigerant systems RS (step SC3). In step SC3, the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, performs automatic address setting for the refrigerant system RS to which it belongs, and sends instructions to the other outdoor units 1 to perform automatic address setting. The processing of step SC3 is performed when a new air conditioner 3 is connected to the centralized control device 4.

[0092] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines that the air conditioner 3 whose address has been acquired belongs to the refrigerant system RS (step SC2: YES), the air conditioning system 1000 performs automatic address setting on the refrigerant system RS to which the air conditioner 3 whose address has been acquired belongs (step SC4). In step SC4, if the refrigerant system RS to which the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, is the target of automatic address setting, the communication control unit 101 performs automatic address setting on the refrigerant system RS to which the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, is the target of automatic address setting. On the other hand, if the refrigerant system RS to which the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, is not the target of automatic address setting, the communication control unit 101 sends an instruction to perform automatic address setting to the outdoor units 1 that belong to the refrigerant system RS that is the target of automatic address setting. Note that in step SC4, air conditioning may be performed on the refrigerant system RS that is not the target of automatic address setting.

[0093] Next, the communication control section 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines whether or not automatic address setting of the newly installed air conditioner 3 has been completed (step SC5).

[0094] If the communication control section 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines that the automatic address setting of the newly installed air conditioner 3 has been completed (step SC5: YES), it ends this process.

[0095] On the other hand, if the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, determines that automatic address setting for the newly introduced air conditioner 3 has not been completed (step SC5: NO), the air conditioning system 1000 performs automatic address setting for all refrigerant systems RS (step SC6). In step SC6, the communication control unit 101 of the outdoor unit 1, which is the master device, performs automatic address setting for the refrigerant system RS to which it belongs, and sends instructions to the other outdoor units 1 to perform automatic address setting. Note that the processing of step SC6 is actually performed when the newly introduced air conditioner 3 is not connected to the refrigerant system RS for which automatic address setting has been performed.

[0096] In step SC6, automatic address setting may be performed on refrigerant systems RS excluding the refrigerant system RS for which automatic address setting was completed in step SC4. This allows air conditioning to be performed in the refrigerant system RS that is not the target, even while automatic address setting is being performed on the other refrigerant systems RS.

[0097] Next, the situations where a positive determination is made in step SC5 and the situations where a negative determination is made in step SC5 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of a logical topology diagram and an electrical connection topology diagram. The electrical connection topology diagram is a topology diagram that shows how electrical connections are actually made.

[0098] 8 and 9 illustrate an example in which the outdoor unit 1A operates as the master device. Also, in Fig. 8 and 9, an example in which an outdoor unit 2J is newly introduced as air conditioning equipment 3 is illustrated.

[0099] As is clear from a comparison of the logical topology diagram CH1 and the electrical connection topology diagram CH2 shown in Figure 8, in the logical topology diagram CH1, the outdoor unit 2J has newly appeared in the refrigerant system RS2, and in the electrical connection topology diagram CH2, the outdoor unit 2J has newly been connected to the refrigerant system RS2. In other words, in both the logical topology diagram CH1 and the electrical connection topology diagram CH2, the outdoor unit 2J has been newly added to the same refrigerant system RS2. In the case of Figure 8, a positive determination is made in step SC5.

[0100] As is clear from a comparison of the logical topology diagram CH3 and electrical connection topology diagram CH4 shown in Figure 9, in the logical topology diagram CH3, outdoor unit 2J has newly appeared in refrigerant system RS2, while in the electrical connection topology diagram CH4, outdoor unit 2J has newly been connected to refrigerant system RS1. In other words, the refrigerant system RS to which outdoor unit 2J has been newly added differs between the logical topology diagram CH3 and the electrical connection topology diagram CH4. Therefore, in the case of Figure 9, a negative determination is made in step SC5 and automatic address setting is performed for all refrigerant systems RS.

[0101] [4-3. Operation] According to the fourth embodiment described above, if new air conditioners 3 are added to the air conditioning system 1000 after automatic address setting has been performed, automatic address setting is performed again in the refrigerant system RS to which the newly added air conditioners 3 belong. This allows address setting to be completed more quickly than if automatic address setting were to be performed again for all refrigerant systems RS.

[0102] (Embodiment 5) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. [5-1.Configuration] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the outdoor unit 1 in the fifth embodiment. 10 and 2, in this embodiment, separator 12 is installed between outdoor unit 1 and indoor unit 2. More specifically, separator 12 is installed so that outdoor unit 1 and indoor unit 2 can perform second communication even in a cutoff state.

[0103] [5-2. Operation] The operation in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0104] [5-3. Effects, etc.] According to the fifth embodiment, the outdoor units 1 and the centralized control device 4 can communicate with each other even during automatic address setting, and therefore the progress of the automatic address setting and any errors that occur during the automatic address setting can be notified to the centralized control device 4 via the first communication. Furthermore, the centralized control device 4 can control the outdoor units 1 even during automatic address setting. As a result, for example, the outdoor unit 1 belonging to refrigerant system RS1 notifies the centralized control device 4 by first communication that automatic address setting for refrigerant system RS1 has been completed. Next, the centralized control device 4, which has been notified that automatic address setting for refrigerant system RS1 has been completed, receives notifications that automatic address setting has been completed from all other outdoor units 1 belonging to refrigerant systems RS, specifically, refrigerant systems RS2 and RS3, and then sends an instruction to each outdoor unit 1 to transition each separator 12 to the non-shutoff state. Next, each outdoor unit 1 transitions each separator 12 to the non-shutoff state, enabling first communication between the centralized control device 4 and the indoor units 2. Furthermore, for example, if the centralized control device 4 receives automatic address setting error information from the outdoor unit 1 via the first communication during automatic address setting, it can use the first communication to send an instruction to the outdoor unit 1 to interrupt the automatic address setting. Furthermore, even if the refrigerant system RS includes indoor units 2 that are compatible with the second communication method but not the first communication method, the outdoor unit 1 can control each indoor unit 2 of the refrigerant system RS to which it belongs using the second communication method while keeping the separator 12 in a shutoff state. When the centralized control device 4 and the outdoor units 1 communicate using the first communication method and the outdoor units 1 and the indoor units 2 communicate using the second communication method, the outdoor unit 1 converts the communication between the centralized control device 4 and the indoor units 2 into one another's communication method.

[0105] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be described below as examples.

[0106] In the above-described first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments, the number of indoor units 2 installed on each floor is three, but the number of indoor units 2 installed on each floor may be two or less or four or more. Furthermore, the number of indoor units 2 may differ for each floor.

[0107] In the above-described embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, examples have been given of cases in which each refrigerant system RS has one outdoor unit 1, but the number of outdoor units 1 that each refrigerant system RS has is not limited to one and may be multiple.

[0108] In other embodiments related to the second and third embodiments described above, the outdoor unit 1 does not have to be equipped with the notification section 13.

[0109] In the above-described first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments, the air conditioning system 1000 is configured to include the centralized control device 4, but in other embodiments, the air conditioning system 1000 does not have to include the centralized control device 4.

[0110] In the above-described first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments, the address set by the automatic address setting is an address used to identify which outdoor unit 1 and which indoor unit 2 belong to the same refrigerant system RS. In other embodiments, the address set by the automatic address setting may be another address such as a network address.

[0111] In the above-described fourth embodiment, automatic address setting can be performed for the refrigerant system RS to which the newly introduced air conditioning equipment 3 belongs, but if a new air conditioning equipment 3 appears in the air conditioning system 1000, automatic address setting can also be performed for all refrigerant systems RS.

[0112] The processor 100 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. The processor 100 may be hardware programmed to implement corresponding functional units. That is, the processor 100 may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0113] The configuration of the outdoor unit 1 shown in Fig. 2 is one example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is also possible to configure the system so that a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of each unit. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented by software.

[0114] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7 are divided according to the main processing content to make the operations easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operations may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope that does not interfere with the purpose of this disclosure.

[0115] The control program 121 of the above-described embodiment can also be non-temporarily recorded on a recording medium that is readable by the processor 100, for example. The recording medium can be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Alternatively, the control program 121 can be stored in a server or the like, and the outdoor unit 1 can download the control program 121 from the server to achieve the above-described operation.

[0116] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0117] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0118] (Technology 1) An outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, the outdoor unit comprising: an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit; and a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication, wherein the communication control unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system different from that to which the outdoor unit belongs; and when setting an address in the indoor unit during automatic address setting, the outdoor unit cuts off communication with air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and sets an address in the indoor unit using the second communication. This allows addresses to be set for indoor units in the same refrigerant system while preventing erroneous address setting for air conditioning equipment in other refrigerant systems, after communication with air conditioning equipment in other refrigerant systems is blocked.

[0119] (Technology 2) The outdoor unit according to Technology 1, wherein the communication control unit, after the automatic address setting is completed, cancels the interruption of communication with the air conditioner and performs the first communication with the indoor unit. According to this, after automatic address setting is completed, communication can be performed with indoor units of the same refrigerant system and air conditioners of other refrigerant systems at a communication speed higher than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0120] (Technology 3) An outdoor unit according to Technology 2, which includes an alarm unit and a reception unit that receives instructions from a user, and wherein when the automatic address setting is completed, the communication control unit causes the alarm unit to notify that the automatic address setting has been completed, and when the reception unit receives an instruction to transition to a state in which the first communication is performed after the alarm unit has notified, the outdoor unit cancels the interruption of communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and performs the first communication with the indoor unit. In this way, since the notification unit notifies that address setting has been completed, it is highly likely that the timing for accepting a transition instruction from the user will be the timing after automatic address setting has been completed. Therefore, after the appropriate timing after automatic address setting has been completed, communication with indoor units of the same refrigerant system and air conditioning equipment of other refrigerant systems can be performed at a faster communication speed than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0121] (Technology 4) In the outdoor unit described in Technology 2, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of communication cutoff with the air conditioning equipment, the communication control unit determines that the automatic address setting has ended, cancels the cutoff of communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system, and performs the first communication with the indoor unit. According to this, after the appropriate timing when automatic address setting is completed, communication can be automatically established with indoor units of the same refrigerant system and air conditioning equipment of other refrigerant systems at a communication speed faster than the communication speed during automatic address setting.

[0122] (Technology 5) In the outdoor unit described in Technology 2, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the automatic address setting, the communication control unit determines that the automatic address setting has ended, unblocks communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system, and performs the first communication with the indoor unit. This provides the same effects as the outdoor unit described in the fourth technique.

[0123] (Technology 6) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, further comprising a separator that turns on and off the cutoff of communication connection to the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system, and the communication control unit cuts off communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system by setting the separator to a cutoff state. This physically blocks communication connections to air conditioning equipment in other refrigerant systems, further reducing the risk of erroneously setting addresses to indoor units in other refrigerant systems.

[0124] (Technology 7) A method for controlling an outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a slower communication speed than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, wherein the outdoor unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system different from that to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address to an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit in automatic address setting, the method cuts off communication with air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and sets an address to the indoor unit using the second communication. This provides the same effects as the outdoor unit described in the first technique.

[0125] (Technology 8) A program that causes a processor of an outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a communication speed slower than the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, to function as a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication with an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit, wherein the communication control unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, and when setting an address in the indoor unit during automatic address setting, cuts off communication with air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system and sets an address in the indoor unit using the second communication. This provides the same effects as the outdoor unit described in the first technique. [Industrial Applicability]

[0126] As described above, the outdoor unit, the control method for the outdoor unit, and the program according to the present invention can be used to set addresses for indoor units in the same refrigerant system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1, 1A~1C outdoor unit 2, 2A~2I indoor unit 3 Air conditioning equipment 4 Centralized control device 10 Control device 11 Communications Department 12 Separator 13. Information Department 100 processors 101 Communication control unit 102 Reception 111 First Communications Department 112 Second Communications Department 120 memory 121 Control Program (Program) 1000 Air Conditioning System H Facility J1~J7 status L1~L4 communication lines P Serviceman (user) RS, RS1~RS3 Refrigerant system

Claims

1. An outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a communication speed slower than that of the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, an indoor unit in the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit, and a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication; The communication control unit The outdoor unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, When setting an address in the indoor unit in automatic address setting, communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is cut off, and the address is set in the indoor unit by the second communication. outdoor unit.

2. The communication control unit After the automatic address setting is completed, the interruption of communication with the air conditioning equipment is resolved, and the first communication is performed with the indoor unit. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 .

3. The notification department, a reception unit that receives an instruction from a user, The communication control unit When the automatic address setting is completed, the notification unit notifies the completion of the automatic address setting, When the receiving unit receives an instruction to transition to a state in which the first communication is performed after the notification by the notification unit, the interruption of communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is canceled, and the first communication is performed with the indoor unit. The outdoor unit according to claim 2 .

4. The communication control unit When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the cutoff of communication with the air conditioning equipment, the automatic address setting is deemed to have ended, the cutoff of communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is canceled, and the first communication is performed with the indoor unit. The outdoor unit according to claim 2.

5. The communication control unit When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the automatic address setting, the automatic address setting is deemed to have ended, the interruption of communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is resolved, and the first communication is performed with the indoor unit. The outdoor unit according to claim 2 .

6. a separator that turns on and off the cutoff of communication connection to the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system, The communication control unit By setting the separator to a shut-off state, communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is shut off. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for controlling an outdoor unit that is capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a communication speed slower than that of the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk, The outdoor unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, When an address is set to an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit in automatic address setting, communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is cut off, and an address is set to the indoor unit by the second communication. How to control the outdoor unit.

8. a processor of an outdoor unit capable of first communication using a first communication method and second communication using a second communication method that has a communication speed slower than that of the first communication method but is less likely to cause crosstalk; a communication control unit that performs the first communication or the second communication with an indoor unit in the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit; The communication control unit The outdoor unit is capable of communicating with air conditioning equipment of a refrigerant system other than the refrigerant system to which the outdoor unit belongs, When setting an address in the indoor unit in automatic address setting, communication with the air conditioning equipment of the other refrigerant system is cut off, and the address is set in the indoor unit by the second communication. program.

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