COMMUNICATION METHOD, REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING RELATED SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION NODE

Abstract

To provide a communication method, a refrigeration air conditioning-related system, and communication nodes.SOLUTION: A communication method communicates a message related to refrigeration air conditioning-related units between a plurality of communication nodes. A first communication node generates a message including data indicating a value related to an operation or a state in a plurality of kinds of the refrigeration air conditioning-related units, and a data tag indicating an attribute of the data, and sends the generated message to a second communication node.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method, a refrigeration and air conditioning related system, and a communication node. [Background technology]

[0002] In a large-scale refrigeration and air conditioning system, for example, a network for communication is constructed by connecting multiple outdoor units to one central control device, and connecting multiple indoor units to each outdoor unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Various data is transmitted and received between multiple devices including the central control device, outdoor units, and indoor units, and centralized control and cooperative operation of each device are realized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-20092 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication method, a refrigeration and air conditioning related system, and a communication node that enable common processing even if models are different. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for communicating messages related to refrigeration and air conditioning related units between multiple communication nodes, in which a first communication node generates a message including data indicating values ​​related to the operation or status of multiple types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units and a data tag indicating attributes of the data, and transmits the generated message to a second communication node.

[0006] In a communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the data tag is commonly used for a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units.

[0007] In a communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first communication node and the second communication node are each one of an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a centralized control device, an air conditioner, a ventilator, a total heat exchanger, a refrigeration unit, and a refrigeration / freezing device.

[0008] In a communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the data tag is defined independently for a message transmitted and received between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and a message transmitted and received between the centralized control device and the indoor unit.

[0009] In a communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the data tag is defined independently for refrigerant control and for centralized control of a plurality of refrigeration and air conditioning related units.

[0010] In a communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, if a data tag included in a received message is unknown, the second communication node does not perform processing based on data associated with the data tag.

[0011] A refrigeration and air conditioning related system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigeration and air conditioning related system in which messages related to refrigeration and air conditioning related units are communicated between a plurality of communication nodes, wherein a first communication node includes a control unit and a communication unit, the control unit generates a message including data indicating values ​​related to the operation or status of a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units and a data tag indicating attributes of the data, and the communication unit transmits the generated message to a second communication node.

[0012] A communication node according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication node in a refrigeration and air conditioning related system, and is equipped with a control unit and a communication unit, wherein the control unit generates a message including data indicating values ​​related to the operation or status of multiple types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units and a data tag indicating attributes of the data, and the communication unit transmits the generated message to other communication nodes. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, processing can be standardized even if models differ. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a refrigeration and air conditioning related system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the outdoor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an indoor unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a centralized control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a relay device. [Figure 6] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the format of a message (telegram) transmitted and received between devices. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a message when a start / stop command is issued from the centralized control device to the indoor units. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a message when the outdoor unit acquires information on a thermo ON state from the indoor unit. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for sending a message. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, a refrigeration and air conditioning system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present technology is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0016] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a refrigeration and air conditioning related system according to an embodiment. A refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 according to an embodiment is a system for transmitting and receiving messages related to refrigeration and air conditioning related units between multiple communication nodes. A first communication node included in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 generates a message including data indicating values ​​related to the operation or status of multiple types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units and a data tag indicating attributes of the data, and transmits the generated message to a second communication node.

[0017] 1 are a central control device 10, an outdoor unit 30, an indoor unit 50, and a relay device 70. The refrigeration and air conditioning related units are not limited to the above, and may include an air conditioner, a ventilator, a total heat exchanger, a refrigerator, and a refrigeration and freezing device. The refrigeration and air conditioning related units may further include a service checker, a remote control, a communication device, a control device, etc.

[0018] In this embodiment, the communication node is the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit itself. Alternatively, the communication node may be a communication device built into the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit or connected to the outside, or may be a communication device provided in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 independently of the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit. In the following description, the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit and the communication device functioning as a communication node are also simply referred to as devices.

[0019] In the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one central control device 10 and multiple outdoor units 30 are connected via a transmission line. In this embodiment, multiple devices are connected in a daisy chain system. That is, a first outdoor unit 30 is connected to the central control device 10 via a first transmission line, a second outdoor unit 30 is connected to the first outdoor unit 30 via a second transmission line, and a third outdoor unit 30 is connected to the second outdoor unit 30 via a third transmission line. Here, the multiple transmission lines connecting the central control device 10 and the multiple outdoor units 30 are electrically conductive. For this reason, for example, a message transmitted by the central control device 10 can be received by all the outdoor units 30 connected in the daisy chain system, and a message transmitted by any one outdoor unit 30 can be received by the central control device 10 and all the other outdoor units 30.

[0020] In addition, in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1, multiple indoor units 50 are connected to each outdoor unit 30 in a daisy chain manner via transmission lines. That is, a first indoor unit 50 is connected to one outdoor unit 30 via a first transmission line, and a second indoor unit 50 is connected to the first indoor unit 50 via a second transmission line. The multiple transmission lines connecting the outdoor unit 30 and the multiple indoor units 50 are electrically connected, and a message sent by any one of the devices can be received by all the devices connected in the daisy chain manner.

[0021] Each outdoor unit 30 is connected to a transmission line for communicating with the centralized control device 10 and other outdoor units 30, and a transmission line for communicating with the indoor units 50. In this embodiment, these two transmission lines are electrically connected inside the outdoor units 30. Therefore, for example, the centralized control device 10 can communicate with the indoor units 50 via the outdoor units 30. In addition, the indoor unit 50 connected to the first outdoor unit 30 can communicate with the other indoor units 50 connected to the second outdoor unit 30 via the first outdoor unit 30 and the second outdoor unit 30. Note that the transmission line for communicating with the centralized control device 10 and other outdoor units 30 and the transmission line for communicating with the indoor units 50 may be electrically disconnected within the outdoor unit 30.

[0022] The refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 may also include a relay device 70. For example, when the distance between two devices that should be directly connected via a transmission line is long and the length of the transmission line exceeds a predetermined length, a relay device 70 is provided between these devices. The refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 has two relay devices 70 connected between two indoor units 50, 50. That is, the relay device 70 is connected to the first indoor unit 50 via a first transmission line, and the second indoor unit 50 is connected to this relay device 70 via a second transmission line.

[0023] The relay device 70 may be provided anywhere in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1. For example, the relay device 70 may be provided between the central control device 10 and the outdoor unit 30, between the two outdoor units 30, 30, or between the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 50. The relay device 70 may also be provided between various devices other than the central control device 10, the outdoor unit 30, and the indoor unit 50. Note that the relay device 70 is not essential, and the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 may be constructed without including the relay device 70.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the outdoor unit 30. The outdoor unit 30 includes, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and connection terminals 34 to 36. The control unit 31 is configured with, for example, an arithmetic processing device such as a microcomputer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 31 performs various processes by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 32. The control unit 31 performs various control processes such as control of the operation of each part of the outdoor unit 30 and control of communications with the centralized control device 10, other outdoor units 30, and indoor units 50, etc. The control unit 31 includes a built-in clock that outputs time information, a timer for measuring elapsed time, etc.

[0025] The storage unit 32 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The storage unit 32 stores various programs executed by the control unit 31 and various information required for the control processing of the control unit 31. The various programs are stored in the non-volatile memory. The various information may be stored only in the volatile memory, or may be stored in the volatile memory and then copied to the non-volatile memory and stored therein.

[0026] The communication unit 33 is configured by, for example, a transceiver IC (Integrated Circuit). The communication unit 33 communicates with the centralized control device 10, the other outdoor units 30, and the indoor unit 50 via a transmission line connected to a plurality of connection terminals 34 to 36 provided in the outdoor unit 30. The communication unit 33 transmits and receives messages by, for example, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method. Specifically, the communication unit 33 performs multi-carrier transmission using a frequency band of 2 to 28 MHz. The communication unit 33 transmits the message to be transmitted by acquiring the message to be transmitted from the control unit 31, converting it into a modulated signal, and outputting the converted modulated signal onto the transmission line. The communication unit 33 also receives the message by acquiring the modulated signal on the transmission line and demodulating it. The received message is output to the control unit 31.

[0027] The three connection terminals 34-36 are configured using electronic components such as connectors or sockets, and a transmission line for communication is detachably connected to them. In the outdoor unit 30 according to this embodiment, the three connection terminals 34-36 are electrically connected to each other via, for example, a wiring pattern on a circuit board, and are also electrically connected to the communication unit 33. Therefore, a signal input from any of the connection terminals 34-36 is output from the other connection terminals 34-36 and input to the communication unit 33. Furthermore, a signal output from the communication unit 33 is output from the connection terminals 34-36. In this embodiment, the three connection terminals 34-36 are directly connected to each other via a wiring pattern or the like, but for example, a filter circuit or the like may be provided between the connection terminals 34-36. The number of connection terminals provided in the outdoor unit 30 may be two or less, or four or more.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the indoor unit 50. The indoor unit 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, and two connection terminals 54, 55. The control unit 51 is configured with an arithmetic processing device such as a microcomputer or a CPU. The control unit 51 performs various control processes such as controlling the operation of each unit of the indoor unit 50 and controlling communications with the centralized control device 10, the outdoor unit 30, and other indoor units 50. The control unit 51 incorporates a clock that outputs time information, a timer for measuring elapsed time, and the like.

[0029] The storage unit 52 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and a volatile memory such as a DRAM or an SRAM. The storage unit 52 stores various programs executed by the control unit 51 and various information required for the control processing of the control unit 51. The various programs are stored in the non-volatile memory. The various information may be stored only in the volatile memory, or may be stored in the volatile memory and then copied to the non-volatile memory and stored therein.

[0030] The communication unit 53 is configured by, for example, a transceiver IC. The communication unit 53 has the same function as the communication unit 33 of the outdoor unit 30, and the same or similar IC as that used for the communication unit 33 of the outdoor unit 30 may be used. The communication unit 53 communicates with the centralized control device 10, the outdoor unit 30, and other indoor units 50, etc., via a transmission line connected to connection terminals 54, 55 provided in the indoor unit 50. The communication unit 53 transmits a message to be transmitted by acquiring a message to be transmitted from the control unit 51, converting it into a modulated signal, and outputting the converted modulated signal onto the transmission line. The communication unit 53 also receives a message by acquiring and demodulating the modulated signal on the transmission line. The received message is output to the control unit 51.

[0031] The two connection terminals 54, 55 are configured using electronic components such as connectors or sockets, and a transmission line for communication is detachably connected to the connection terminals 54, 55. The connection terminals 54, 55 are electrically conductive, for example, via a wiring pattern on a circuit board, and are electrically connected to the communication unit 53. The number of connection terminals included in the indoor unit 50 may be one, or three or more.

[0032] 4 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the centralized control device 10. The centralized control device 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a connection terminal 16. The control unit 11 is configured with an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU. The control unit 11 performs various control processes such as controlling the operation of each unit of the centralized control device 10 and controlling communication with the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 50, etc. The control unit 11 has built-in devices such as a clock that outputs time information and a timer for measuring elapsed time.

[0033] The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (or a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk), and a volatile memory such as a DRAM or an SRAM. The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the control unit 11 and various information required for the control processing of the control unit 11. The various programs are stored in the non-volatile memory. The various information may be stored only in the volatile memory, or may be stored in the volatile memory and then copied to the non-volatile memory and stored therein.

[0034] The communication unit 13 is configured by, for example, a transceiver IC. The communication unit 13 has the same functions as the communication unit 33 of the outdoor unit 30 and the communication unit 53 of the indoor unit 50, and the same or similar ICs as those used for the communication unit 33 of the outdoor unit 30 and the communication unit 53 of the indoor unit 50 can be used. The communication unit 13 communicates with the outdoor unit 30, the indoor unit 50, etc. through a transmission line connected to a connection terminal 16 provided in the centralized control device 10. The communication unit 13 transmits the message by acquiring a message to be transmitted from the control unit 11, converting it into a modulated signal, and outputting the converted modulated signal onto the transmission line. The communication unit 13 also receives a message by acquiring and demodulating the modulated signal on the transmission line. The received message is output to the control unit 11.

[0035] The display unit 14 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various images and characters, etc., according to the control of the control unit 11. The operation unit 15 accepts user operations and notifies the control unit 11 of the accepted operations. For example, the operation unit 15 accepts user operations through input devices such as mechanical buttons or a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 14. For example, the operation unit 15 may be input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and these input devices may be configured to be removable from the centralized control device 10. The connection terminal 16 is configured using electronic components such as a connector or a socket, and a transmission line for communication is detachably connected to the connection terminal 16. The connection terminal 16 is electrically connected to the communication unit 13, for example, via a wiring pattern on a circuit board. The centralized control device 10 may have two or more connection terminals.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the relay device 70. The relay device 70 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a communication unit 71 and two connection terminals 72 and 73. The communication unit 71 is configured using, for example, a transceiver IC. The communication unit 71 has the same functions as the communication unit 33 of the outdoor unit 30, the communication unit 53 of the indoor unit 50, and the communication unit 13 of the centralized control device 10, and may use the same or similar IC as the IC used therefor. The communication unit 71 communicates with the centralized control device 10, the outdoor unit 30, the indoor unit 50, and the like via a transmission line connected to the connection terminals 72 and 73 of the relay device 70.

[0037] The two connection terminals 72, 73 are configured using electronic components such as connectors or sockets, and a transmission line for communication is detachably connected to the connection terminals 72, 73. The connection terminals 72, 73 are electrically connected to each other via a wiring pattern on a circuit board, for example, and are electrically connected to the communication unit 71. The number of connection terminals included in the relay device 70 may be one or three or more.

[0038] In the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1, multiple devices such as a central control device 10, outdoor units 30, indoor units 50, and relay devices 70 are connected in a daisy chain manner via transmission lines, and perform multi-carrier communication using the OFDM modulation method. The multiple transmission lines connecting the multiple devices are electrically connected, and a message sent by one device can be received by all the other devices.

[0039] In this embodiment, the devices are connected in a daisy chain manner, but the connection is not limited to the daisy chain manner and may be a bus manner, a star manner, or another connection manner.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the format of messages (telegrams) transmitted and received between devices. The communication protocols used in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1 according to the embodiment are as follows: PLC and Ethernet (registered trademark) are used in the physical and data link layer; IPv6 is used in the network layer; UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) are used in the transport layer; and REST API (REST: Representational State Transfer, API: Application Programming Interface) using HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) or the like is used in the application layer.

[0041] IPv6 is suitable for the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1. Various devices connected to each other in an interoperable manner can be identified by a common IP address and can communicate with each other.

[0042] UDP is suitable for the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1. Even if a large number of indoor units 50 are connected to the outdoor unit 30, UDP does not put a strain on the memory of the outdoor unit 30 because it does not establish a connection as in the case of TCP.

[0043] The REST API is suitable for the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1. Because it uses binary format messages, it allows for lighter communication than HTTP. It can match requests and responses, and can resend messages if a request fails.

[0044] Messages transmitted and received between devices are encoded in a key-value format such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), Messagepack, or CBOR (Concise Binary Object Representation). Binary key-value formats such as Messagepack and CBOR are suitable for the refrigeration and air conditioning related system 1. Messagepack and CBOR are binary formats that provide a small encoding size, so they can be used without putting pressure on memory.

[0045] In an embodiment, when a message is sent from a first communication node to a second communication node, the first communication node, which is the sender, generates a message including data indicating values ​​related to the operation or status of multiple types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units and a data tag indicating attributes of the data, and sends the generated message to the second node, which is the destination.

[0046] In this embodiment, the data tag is used in common for a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units. However, if all data tags are to be made common among all types of units, it would take a long time to consider the definition of the data tag. For this reason, the data tag may be defined independently for messages transmitted and received between the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 50 and for messages transmitted and received between the centralized control device 10 and the indoor unit 50. Furthermore, the data tag may be defined independently for each purpose, such as for refrigerant control and for centralized control of a plurality of refrigeration and air conditioning related units.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a message when a start / stop command is issued from the centralized control device 10 to the indoor units 50. In the example of Fig. 7, the indoor unit 50A is a ceiling cassette type indoor unit, and the indoor unit 50B is a wall-mounted type indoor unit. The indoor units 50A and 50B are examples of refrigeration and air conditioning related units of different models. The refrigeration and air conditioning related units to which a start / stop command is issued from the centralized control device 10 are not limited to the indoor units 50A and 50B, but may be air conditioners, ventilators, total heat exchangers, refrigerators, refrigeration and freezing equipment, etc.

[0048] When controlling the on / off of the indoor units 50A, 50B from the centralized control device 10, the centralized control device 10 generates a message including a data tag representing on / off, a value, and a method, and transmits the generated message in a key-value format using the REST API. In the example of FIG. 7, "001" is specified as the data tag representing on / off. Also, "true (=operation)" is specified as the value. When instructing to stop, "false (=stop)" is specified as the value. "SET" is specified as the method. The "SET" method represents an operation to update the other party's data. In this embodiment, the "SET" method is described in association with "POST" of the REST API.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a message when the outdoor unit 30 acquires information on the thermo ON state from the indoor unit 50. In the example of Fig. 8, the indoor unit 50A is a ceiling cassette type indoor unit, and the indoor unit 50B is a wall-mounted type indoor unit. The indoor units 50A and 50B are examples of refrigeration and air conditioning related units of different models.

[0050] When the outdoor unit 30 obtains information on the thermo ON state from the indoor units 50A, 50B, it generates a message including a data tag representing the thermo ON state and a method, and transmits the generated message in a key-value format via the REST API. In the example of FIG. 8, "002" is specified as the data tag for the thermo ON state. The thermo ON state represents a state in which the temperature is regulated such that the set temperature and the room temperature are different. "GET" is specified as the method. The "GET" method represents an operation to obtain data from the other party.

[0051] The indoor units 50A and 50B that have received the above message generate a message including the above data tag, value, and method, and transmit the generated message in a key-value format by the REST API. In the example of FIG. 8, the value "true" is specified in the message from the indoor unit 50A, and the value "false" is specified in the message from the indoor unit 50B. "RES" is specified in the method. The "RES" method indicates a response. In this embodiment, the "RES" method is described in association with each "Response Code" of the REST API. By returning the above message as a response, the indoor unit 50A can notify the outdoor unit 30 of a state in which the temperature is being controlled with a deviation between the set temperature and the room temperature, and the indoor unit 50B can notify the outdoor unit 30 of a state in which the temperature is being controlled without a deviation between the set temperature and the room temperature.

[0052] 7 and 8, an example has been described in which different data tags are set for data exchange at the time of a start / stop command and data exchange at the time of a request to acquire a thermo ON state and a response thereto, but the data tag is not limited to this and can be defined for data exchange in any process or use (application). For example, a different data tag may be set for data exchange in refrigerant control from the outdoor unit 30 to the indoor unit 50, and yet another data tag may be set for data exchange in centralized control from the centralized control device 10 to the indoor unit 50.

[0053] Fig. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the message transmission procedure. Fig. 9 shows the transmission procedure when transmitting a message from a first communication node to a second communication node. Below, a specific description will be given of a case where the first communication node is the centralized control device 10 and the second communication node is the indoor unit 50, but the first communication node and the second communication node are not limited to the centralized control device 10 and the indoor unit 50, respectively. In other words, the first communication node and the second communication node may be any one of the centralized control device 10, the outdoor unit 30, the indoor unit 50, the air conditioner, the ventilator, the total heat exchanger, the refrigerator, and the freezing and refrigeration equipment, respectively.

[0054] The control unit 11 of the centralized control device 10 judges whether or not to send a message to the indoor units 50 (step S101). For example, the control unit 11 judges to send a message when it receives an instruction to send a message via the operation unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may judge to send a message when it detects some kind of event. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may refer to the output of a clock or timer and judge that it is a predetermined transmission timing, and then judge to send a message. When it is judged not to send a message (S101: NO), the control unit 11 waits until it is the timing to send a message.

[0055] When it is determined that a message is to be transmitted (S101: YES), the control unit 11 specifies a data tag (step S102). The data tag is set according to the process or the purpose (application), and the relationship between the two is stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 reads out the corresponding data tag from the storage unit 12 according to the process or the purpose (application), and specifies it as a data tag to be included in the message. Specifically, which application the message is for is specified by URI (Uniform Resource Identifiers) in the REST API. For example, for centralized monitoring, it is specified as " / central_control", and for refrigerant control, it is specified as " / refrigerant_control". In this embodiment, since the data tag is defined for each process or purpose, for example, even if the data tag has the same value of "1", it may represent set temperature information if the URI is centralized monitoring, or the opening degree of the expansion valve if the URI is refrigerant control.

[0056] Next, the control unit 11 specifies a value (step S103). The value is set according to the operation or state of the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit. For example, when the control unit 11 specifies a data tag for on / off in step S102, the control unit 11 specifies "true (=operating)" or "false (=stopped)" as the value. Note that the value is not necessarily specified, and may be specified as necessary.

[0057] Next, the control unit 11 specifies a method (step S104). The method uses the definition of the REST API, and includes the above-mentioned "SET", "GET", and "RES", as well as "INF" which indicates an operation of notifying the other party of its own data. In step S104, the control unit 11 describes the method in association with the definition in the REST API according to the data operation. Specifically, the control unit 11 describes "SET" in association with "POST", "GET" in association with "GET", "INF" in association with "PUT", and "RES" in association with each "Response Code". Alternatively, the control unit 11 may associate "SET" with "PUT" and "INF" with "POST". Also, the control unit 11 may consider an operation of notifying the other party of its own data as an operation of updating its own data held by the other party, and may associate both "SET" and "INF" with "SET".

[0058] The control unit 11 generates a message including the specified data tag, value, and method (step S105). The control unit 11 transmits the generated message to the destination indoor unit 50 in a key-value format by REST API through the communication unit 13 (step S106). In the example of FIG. 9, the destination is one indoor unit 50, but the destination indoor unit 50 may be multiple units, and the destination may be multiple types of devices including the indoor unit 50. The message transmitted through the communication unit 13 reaches the destination indoor unit 50 via the outdoor unit 30 and other indoor units 50.

[0059] The indoor unit 50 receives the message transmitted from the central control device 10 at the communication unit 53 (step S107). The message received at the communication unit 53 is output to the control unit 51.

[0060] The control unit 51 of the indoor unit 50 refers to the data tag included in the received message and determines whether or not the data tag is known (step S108). If it is determined that the data tag is known (S108: YES), the control unit 51 executes the process specified by the message (data tag, value, and method) (step S109). The processes specified by the message include a process of returning data, a process of storing data in the storage unit 52, a process of updating data stored in the storage unit 52, and the like. When the control unit 51 executes a process of returning data, it only has to generate a message including the data tag, value, and method in the same manner as in steps S102 to S106, and transmit the generated message to the centralized control device 10.

[0061] In step S108, if it is determined that the data tag included in the received message is unknown (S108: NO), the control unit 51 ends the processing according to this flowchart without performing any processing based on the data accompanying the data tag.

[0062] In this embodiment, regardless of the model, the processing when issuing a start / stop command, the processing when requesting to obtain the thermo ON status and the processing when responding to that request can be standardized using the messages described above, thereby reducing development man-hours.

[0063] In a refrigeration and air conditioning system, for example, a new outdoor unit may be connected to an old indoor unit. If the product versions of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are different, or if the versions of applications installed in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are different, the indoor unit may receive an unknown data tag from the outdoor unit. Conversely, the outdoor unit may receive an unknown data tag from the indoor unit. If the indoor unit or the outdoor unit returns a processing impossible response when receiving an unknown data tag, responses to SET and INF requests that did not require responses are generated, which may cause the communication bandwidth to become congested.

[0064] In this embodiment, as explained in the process of step S108, if it is determined that the data tag included in the received message is unknown, the process based on the data attached to the data tag is not executed (the data tag is ignored), so that compatibility between old and new can be achieved without increasing the communication band. Also, since it is possible to eliminate the risk of performing an unintended operation when an unknown data tag is received, it is possible to arbitrarily set data tags for new processes or uses, and development efficiency can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, data tags can be defined independently for each purpose, such as for refrigerant control and for centralized control of multiple refrigeration and air conditioning related units, so there is no need to consider unnecessarily standardizing processes, and the amount of work required for defining the data tags themselves can be reduced. For example, applications need to be updated when the accuracy of the data handled by air conditioners (indoor and outdoor units) improves and control is now performed using data including decimal points instead of integer data, which was previously used. Even in such cases, the scope of influence can be limited to the air conditioner by defining the data tag for the air conditioner independently from the data tag for centralized control.

[0066] In this embodiment, the tag of the data to be acquired is transmitted, and a response is returned in the form of a set of data tag and value. In the case of data setting, a set of data tag and value is transmitted.

[0067] This makes it possible to request data items from devices at a necessary and sufficient frequency according to the applications activated for each central control device or when a refrigeration and air conditioning-related system is introduced to a customer. Even if more frequent data becomes necessary due to future function expansion, it can be deployed to existing equipment. Furthermore, by publishing data that may be required in the future as an interface, it is possible to prepare for the future without wasting current bandwidth.

[0068] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. In addition, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any and all combinations regardless of the citation format. Furthermore, the claims use a format in which a claim cites two or more other claims (multiple claim format), but this is not limited to this. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that cites at least one multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Refrigeration and air conditioning related systems 10 Centralized control device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13. Communications Department 14 Display section 15 Control section 16 Connection terminal 30 Outdoor unit 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Communications Department 34~36 Connection terminals 50 Indoor unit 51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Communications Department 54~55 Connection terminals

Claims

1. A communication method for communicating messages related to refrigeration and air conditioning related units among a plurality of communication nodes, comprising the steps of: The first communication node generating a message including an identifier for identifying a process or a message use in a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units, data indicating a value related to an operation or a state in the refrigeration and air conditioning related units, and a data tag indicating an attribute of the data; Sending the generated message to a second communication node; the plurality of communication nodes include an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a central control device; The data tag is defined independently for a message transmitted between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and a message transmitted between the central control device and the indoor unit by distinguishing the data tag by the identifier, or is defined independently for a refrigerant control and a central control of a plurality of refrigeration and air conditioning related units; When the second communication node receives a message containing an unknown data tag, the second communication node does not execute a process based on data associated with the data tag. Communication methods.

2. The data tag is characterized in that it can be commonly used for a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units. The communication method according to claim 1 .

3. Each of the first communication node and the second communication node further includes any one of an air conditioner, a ventilator, a total heat exchanger, a refrigerator, and a refrigeration and freezing device. The communication method according to claim 1 .

4. A refrigeration and air conditioning related system that communicates messages related to refrigeration and air conditioning related units among a plurality of communication nodes, The first communication node A control unit; Communications Department and Equipped with The control unit generates a message including an identifier for identifying a process or a message use in a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units, data indicating a value related to an operation or a state of the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit, and a data tag indicating an attribute of the data; The communication unit transmits the generated message to a second communication node; the plurality of communication nodes include an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a central control device; The data tag is defined independently for a message transmitted between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and a message transmitted between the central control device and the indoor unit by distinguishing the data tag by the identifier, or is defined independently for a refrigerant control and a central control of a plurality of refrigeration and air conditioning related units; When the second communication node receives a message containing an unknown data tag, the second communication node does not execute a process based on data associated with the data tag. Refrigeration and air conditioning related systems.

5. A communication node in a refrigeration and air conditioning related system, A control unit; Communications Department and Equipped with The control unit generates a message including an identifier for identifying a process or a message use in a plurality of types of refrigeration and air conditioning related units, data indicating a value related to an operation or a state of the refrigeration and air conditioning related unit, and a data tag indicating an attribute of the data; The communication unit transmits the generated message to another communication node; The communication node in the refrigeration and air conditioning related system includes an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a central control device, The data tag is defined independently for a message transmitted between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and a message transmitted between the central control device and the indoor unit by distinguishing the data tag by the identifier, or is defined independently for a refrigerant control and a central control of a plurality of refrigeration and air conditioning related units; When the data tag included in the received message is unknown to the other communication node, the other communication node does not execute a process based on the data associated with the data tag. Communication node.

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