Air conditioner, air conditioning system, and method for manufacturing an air conditioner

Abstract

An outdoor unit (10B) comprises: a communication circuit (130) that communicates with an indoor unit via a signal line (33) and a shared line (32); a power supply circuit (140) of which the input and output are electrically insulated from each other, that generates low-voltage communication power on the basis of power received from an external power supply, and supplies the low-voltage communication power to the communication circuit (130); and a shared line first connection unit (151) and a shared line second connection unit (152) that fix the connection destination of the shared line (32) to either the external power supply or the power supply circuit (140). The shared line first connection unit (151) and the shared line second connection unit (152) fix the connection destination of the shared line (32) to the external power supply in a first configuration, and fix the connection destination of the shared line (32) to the power supply circuit (140) in a second configuration. As a result, it is possible to handle both the first and second configurations, provide wiring between the outdoor unit (10B) and the indoor unit at low voltage and with electrical insulation from the external power supply, and prevent complexity in production management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, an air conditioning system, and a method for manufacturing an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] In an air conditioning system installed in an office building, a store, etc., a configuration in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are connected by a three-core cable including a power line, a common line, and a signal line (hereinafter referred to as "the first configuration") is widely adopted (for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is an air conditioning system in which external power supplies corresponding to the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are individually secured (hereinafter referred to as "the second configuration").

[0003] In the air conditioning system of the first configuration, the outdoor unit connects the power line and the common line to the L phase and the N phase of the external power supply, respectively, receives power from the external power supply, and supplies the power received from the external power supply to the indoor unit via the power line and the common line. At the same time, the communication power generated non-insulated from the external power supply is supplied to the indoor unit via the signal line and the common line. Also, in the air conditioning system of the second configuration, the outdoor unit connects the common line to the N phase of the external power supply, and supplies the communication power generated non-insulated from the external power supply to the indoor unit via the signal line and the common line.

[0004] Thus, in any configuration, a signal line and a common line are required for communication between air conditioners (outdoor unit, indoor unit). Since the common line is connected to the N phase of the external power supply, the voltage between the common line and the ground becomes a high voltage (for example, 100 VAC).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, in many markets, including Japan, the first configuration of air conditioning systems is preferred from the standpoint of ease of installation and cable costs. However, in some markets, such as North America, it is required that the wiring between air conditioners be low voltage (e.g., 24VAC) and insulated from external power sources. In such markets, the second configuration of air conditioning systems, which does not use power lines, is the premise. However, in conventional second configuration air conditioning systems, the shared lines are high voltage and not insulated from external power sources, which often results in high installation costs or leads to local contractors refusing to perform the installation work. This is one of the factors hindering the expansion of sales channels into these markets.

[0007] Furthermore, to avoid complicating production management of air conditioners, it is desirable to design air conditioners to be compatible with both the first and second configurations.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a new technology that can accommodate both the first and second configurations of air conditioners, and that allows for low-voltage wiring and isolation from external power sources between air conditioners in the second configuration.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide an air conditioner, an air conditioning system, and a method for manufacturing an air conditioner that are compatible with both the first and second configurations, and in the second configuration, allow for wiring between air conditioners at low voltage and isolated from external power sources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the air conditioner relating to this disclosure is An air conditioner configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least common lines and signal lines, A communication circuit that communicates with the other device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, the power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a common line connection destination fixing unit that fixes the connection destination of the common line to either the external power supply or the power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which power received from the external power supply is supplied to the other equipment, the shared line connection destination is fixed to the external power supply, and in a second configuration different from the first configuration, the shared line connection destination is fixed to the power supply circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, the invention supports both the first and second configurations, and in the second configuration, it is possible to wire the air conditioners together at a low voltage and isolated from the external power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the first configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the second configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the outdoor unit in the second configuration air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows the configuration of the indoor unit in the second configuration air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the procedure for the common line connection process in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the procedure for the power supply circuit connection step in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the first configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of the second configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the configuration of the outdoor unit in the second configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the procedure for the communication circuit connection process in Embodiment 2 [Figure 11]Figure showing an example of the first configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 12] Figure showing an example of the second configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 13] Figure showing the configuration of the outdoor unit in the air conditioning system of the second configuration according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 14] Figure showing the configuration of the indoor unit in the air conditioning system of the second configuration according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 15] Flowchart showing the procedure of the communication circuit connection process in Embodiment 3 [Figure 16] Flowchart showing the procedure of the power circuit connection and communication circuit connection process in Embodiment 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing the configurations of the air conditioning systems 1A and 1B according to Embodiment 1. The air conditioning systems 1A and 1B are systems for air conditioning buildings such as buildings and stores, for example. In FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1A includes an outdoor unit 10A, an indoor unit 20A, a connection line 30A connecting the outdoor unit 10A and the indoor unit 20A, and a power line 50 connecting the outdoor unit 10A to an external power source 40. The outdoor unit 10A is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure, and the indoor unit 20A is an example of another device according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1A is configured such that only the outdoor unit 10A is directly connected to the external power source 40, and the AC power received by the outdoor unit 10A from the external power source 40 is supplied to the indoor unit 20A. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be referred to as the first configuration.

[0015] The connecting cable 30A is an example of a cable according to this disclosure. The connecting cable 30A is a 3-core cable including a power line 31, a common line 32, and a signal line 33. The power line 50 is a 2-core cable including an L-phase line 51 and an N-phase line 52. The number of cores in the power line 50 is not limited to 2 cores; it may be 3 or more cores, and the number of cores should be appropriate according to whether the air conditioning system 1A is grounded or not and the configuration of the external power supply.

[0016] In Figure 2, the air conditioning system 1B comprises an outdoor unit 10B, an indoor unit 20B, a connecting line 30B connecting the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B, a power line 50 connecting the outdoor unit 10B to an external power supply 40, and a power line 70 connecting the indoor unit 20B to an external power supply 60. The outdoor unit 10B is an example of an air conditioner according to the disclosure, and the indoor unit 20B is an example of other equipment according to the disclosure. The air conditioning system 1B is configured such that the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B are individually directly connected to the external power supply 40 and the external power supply 60. Hereinafter, this configuration will be referred to as the second configuration.

[0017] The connecting line 30B is an example of a cable according to this disclosure. The connecting line 30B is a two-core cable including a common line 32 and a signal line 33. The connecting line 30B may also be a three-core cable including an unused power line. The power line 70 is a two-core cable including an L-phase line 71 and an N-phase line 72. The number of cores in the power line 70 is not limited to two; it may be three or more, and the number of cores should be appropriate according to whether the air conditioning system 1B is grounded and the configuration of the external power supply.

[0018] <Configuration of outdoor unit 10B in air conditioning system 1B> Figure 3 shows the configuration of the outdoor unit 10B according to Embodiment 1. The outdoor unit 10B includes a terminal 111 connected to the L-phase wire 51, a terminal 112 connected to the N-phase wire 52, an open terminal 113, a terminal 114 connected to the common wire 32, a terminal 115 connected to the signal wire 33, a filter circuit 120, a communication circuit 130, a power supply circuit 140, a first common wire connection part 151, a second common wire connection part 152, a first test terminal TP1 located on the external power supply 40 side of the first common wire connection part 151 and capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply 40, and a second test terminal TP2 located on the common wire 32 side of the first common wire connection part 151 and capable of measuring the potential of the common wire 32.

[0019] In addition, the outdoor unit 10B includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the outdoor unit 10B, and components necessary for air conditioning, such as a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, outdoor fan, expansion valve, and various sensors.

[0020] Furthermore, the outdoor unit 10A in the air conditioning system 1A has the same configuration as the outdoor unit 10B. However, in the outdoor unit 10A, terminal 113 is connected to the power line 31. In addition, the internal state of the shared line first connection part 151 and the shared line second connection part 152 differs between the outdoor unit 10A and the outdoor unit 10B. Details of the shared line first connection part 151 and the shared line second connection part 152 will be described later.

[0021] The filter circuit 120 is a circuit that prevents noise from the external power supply 40. The filter circuit 120 has input terminals 121 and 122 and output terminals 123 and 124. Terminal 121 is connected to terminal 111, and terminal 122 is connected to terminal 112. Terminal 123 is connected to terminal 113 and terminal 142 of the power supply circuit 140, and terminal 124 is connected to terminal 141 of the power supply circuit 140, terminal c of the first common line connection part 151, and terminal c of the second common line connection part 152. Terminals 121 and 123, and terminals 122 and 124 are electrically connected inside the filter circuit 120.

[0022] Communication circuit 130 is an example of a communication circuit according to this disclosure. Communication circuit 130 is a circuit composed of electronic components such as transistors and photocouplers (not shown) and a communication driver IC (Integrated Circuit), and communicates with the indoor unit 20B by forming a current loop between the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B via signal line 33 and common line 32. Communication circuit 130 is connected in series with signal line 33. Communication circuit 130 has an input terminal 131 and an output terminal 132. Terminal 131 is connected to terminal 144 of power supply circuit 140, and terminal 132 is connected to terminal 115.

[0023] The power supply circuit 140 is an example of a power supply circuit according to this disclosure. The power supply circuit 140 is an isolated power supply circuit in which the internal input and output are electrically isolated by reinforced insulation, and generates communication power, which is low voltage DC power, based on AC power received from an external power supply 40, and supplies the generated communication power to the communication circuit 130. The power supply circuit 140 includes input terminals 141 and 142 and output terminals 143 and 144. Terminal 141 is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, and terminal 142 is connected to terminal 123 of the filter circuit 120. In addition, terminal 143 is connected to terminal a of the common line second connection part 152, and terminal 144 is connected to terminal 131 of the communication circuit 130. The potential of terminal 143 becomes the reference potential of the communication power.

[0024] In addition to the power supply circuit 140, the outdoor unit 10B is equipped with a power supply circuit (not shown) that generates power to drive the control unit, compressor, outdoor fan and other actuators based on AC power received from an external power supply 40.

[0025] The first shared line connection section 151 and the second shared line connection section 152 are examples of shared line connection destination fixing sections according to this disclosure. The first shared line connection section 151 and the second shared line connection section 152 fix the connection destination of the shared line 32 to either the external power supply 40 or the power supply circuit 140. The first shared line connection section 151 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 114, terminal b is connected to terminal b of the second shared line connection section 152, and terminal c is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120. The second shared line connection section 152 also includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 143 of the power supply circuit 140, terminal b is connected to terminal b of the first shared line connection section 151, and terminal c is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120. The first shared line connection 151 and the second shared line connection 152 are, for example, composed of jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c, depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, in the outdoor unit 10B corresponding to the second configuration, terminals a of the first common line connection 151 and the second common line connection 152 are connected to terminal b. As a result, the connection destination of the common line 32 is fixed to the power supply circuit 140. On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 10A corresponding to the first configuration, terminals a of the first common line connection 151 and the second common line connection 152 are connected to terminal c. As a result, the connection destination of the common line 32 is fixed to the external power supply 40.

[0027] The second configuration described herein is based on the premise that the air conditioners can be wired together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply. However, in destinations where it is not necessary to wire the air conditioners together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply, the outdoor unit 10A corresponding to the first configuration may be installed in the same manner as the conventional second configuration. In this case, as in the conventional configuration, the common line 32 in the second configuration will be at high voltage and not isolated from the external power supply.

[0028] <Configuration of indoor unit 20B in air conditioning system 1B> Figure 4 shows the configuration of the indoor unit 20B according to Embodiment 1. The indoor unit 20B includes a terminal 211 connected to the L-phase line 71, a terminal 212 connected to the N-phase line 72, a terminal 213 connected to the common line 32, a terminal 214 connected to the signal line 33, a power supply circuit 220, a communication circuit 230, a first power supply circuit connection part 241, and a second power supply circuit connection part 242.

[0029] In addition, the indoor unit 20B includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the indoor unit 20B, and components necessary for air conditioning, such as an indoor heat exchanger, indoor fan, solenoid valve, and various sensors.

[0030] Indoor unit 20A in air conditioning system 1A has the same configuration as indoor unit 20B. However, in indoor unit 20A, terminal 212 is connected to power line 31, and terminal 211 is open. In addition, indoor unit 20A and indoor unit 20B differ in the internal state of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242. Details of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 will be described later.

[0031] The power supply circuit 220 is a circuit that generates power to drive the control unit, indoor fan, solenoid valve and other actuators based on AC power received from an external power supply 60 (external power supply 40 in the case of the indoor unit 20A). The power supply circuit 220 has input terminals 221 and 222 and output terminals (not shown). Terminal 221 is connected to terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241, and terminal 222 is connected to terminal a of the second power supply circuit connection part 242. The control unit, actuators and the like are connected to the output terminals (not shown) of the power supply circuit 220.

[0032] The communication circuit 230 is a circuit comprising electronic components such as transistors and photocouplers (not shown) and a communication driver IC, and communicates with the outdoor unit 10B by forming a current loop between the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B via the signal line 33 and the common line 32. The communication circuit 230 is connected in series with the signal line 33. The communication circuit 230 has an input terminal 231 and an output terminal 232. Terminal 231 is connected to terminal 214, and terminal 232 is connected to terminal 213.

[0033] The first power supply circuit connection section 241 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220, terminal b is connected to terminal 211, and terminal c is connected to terminal 212. The second power supply circuit connection section 242 also includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, terminal b is connected to terminal 212, and terminal c is connected to terminal 213. The first power supply circuit connection section 241 and the second power supply circuit connection section 242 are composed of, for example, jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, in the indoor unit 20B corresponding to the second configuration, terminal a of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 is connected to terminal b, while in the indoor unit 20A corresponding to the first configuration, terminal a of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 is connected to terminal c.

[0035] <Common Line Connection Process> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the common line connection process, which is the work performed by workers on the first common line connection point 151 and the second common line connection point 152 during the manufacturing process of outdoor units 10A and 10B.

[0036] (Step S1100) If the unit to be manufactured is an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10B (step S1100; Yes), the shared line connection process proceeds to step S1101. On the other hand, if the unit to be manufactured is not an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10A (step S1100; No), the shared line connection process proceeds to step S1103.

[0037] (Step S1101) The worker connects terminal a of the first common line connection section 151 to terminal b. The common line connection process then proceeds to step S1102. This results in a non-conductive connection between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2. The first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2 are examples of the first and second test terminals according to this disclosure.

[0038] (Step S1102) The worker connects terminal a of the second common line connection 152 to terminal b. After that, the common line connection process is completed. As a result, the common line 32 is connected to terminal 143 of the power supply circuit 140, and the connection destination of the common line 32 is fixed to the power supply circuit 140. In addition, in the air conditioning system 1B, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the common line 32.

[0039] (Step S1103) The worker connects terminal a of the first common line connection 151 to terminal c. The common line connection process then proceeds to step S1104. As a result, the common line 32 is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, and the common line 32 is configured to be connectable to the external power supply 40. In addition, electrical conductivity is established between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2.

[0040] (Step S1104) The worker connects terminal a of the second common line connection 152 to terminal c. After this, the common line connection process is completed. As a result, in the air conditioning system 1A, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the external power supply 40. Furthermore, the power supply circuit 140 becomes electrically non-isolated from the external power supply 40, with its input and output being non-isolated.

[0041] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c with respect to the first shared line connection part 151 and the second shared line connection part 152. For example, terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c may be connected by operating an operating unit (e.g., a DIP switch, rotary switch, etc.) provided on the outdoor unit. In this case, the work on the first shared line connection part 151 and the second shared line connection part 152 may be performed after the outdoor unit has been shipped.

[0042] <Power supply circuit connection process> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the power circuit connection process, which is the work performed by workers on the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 during the manufacturing process of indoor units 20A and 20B.

[0043] (Step S1200) If the unit to be manufactured is an indoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., indoor unit 20B (step S1200; Yes), the power supply circuit connection process proceeds to step S1201. On the other hand, if the unit to be manufactured is not an indoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., indoor unit 20A (step S1200; No), the power supply circuit connection process proceeds to step S1203.

[0044] (Step S1201) The worker connects terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241 to terminal b. The power supply circuit connection process then proceeds to step S1202. This connects terminal 211 to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220.

[0045] (Step S1202) The worker connects terminal a of the second power supply circuit connection part 242 to terminal b. After that, the power supply circuit connection process is completed. As a result, terminal 212 is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, and the power supply circuit 220 is configured to be connectable to the external power supply 60.

[0046] (Step S1203) The worker connects terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241 to terminal c. The power supply circuit connection process then proceeds to step S1204. This connects terminal 212 to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220.

[0047] (Step S1204) The worker connects terminal a of the second power circuit connection part 242 to terminal c. After that, the power circuit connection process is completed. As a result, terminal 213 and terminal 222 of the power circuit 220 are connected, and the power circuit 220 and the external power supply 40 can be connected via the outdoor unit 10A.

[0048] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminals a and b or terminals a and c in the first power circuit connection section 241 and the second power circuit connection section 242. For example, terminals a and b or terminals a and c may be connected by operating an operating section (e.g., a DIP switch, rotary switch, etc.) provided on the indoor unit. In this case, the work on the first power circuit connection section 241 and the second power circuit connection section 242 may be performed after the indoor unit has been shipped.

[0049] As described above, the outdoor units 10A and 10B according to Embodiment 1 are configured to be connectable to indoor units 20A and 20B via connection lines 30A and 30B that include at least a common line 32 and a signal line 33. They include a communication circuit 130 that communicates with the indoor units 20A and 20B via the signal line 33 and the common line 32, a power supply circuit 140 whose input and output are electrically isolated and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power supply 40 and supplies it to the communication circuit 130, and a first common line connection part 151 and a second common line connection part 152 that fix the connection destination of the common line 32 to either the external power supply 40 or the power supply circuit 140. In the first configuration, the first common line connection part 151 and the second common line connection part 152 fix the connection destination of the common line 32 to the external power supply 40, and in the second configuration, the connection destination of the common line 32 is fixed to the power supply circuit 140.

[0050] This allows for compatibility with both the first and second configurations, and in the second configuration, it enables wiring between the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B at a low voltage and isolated from the external power supply 40. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to manage production of multiple types of circuit boards with different power supply circuit patterns for each destination, thus preventing the complexity of production management.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first configuration, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the external power supply 40, so the communication power can be made non-isolated from the external power supply 40. This eliminates the need to individually implement the non-isolated power supply circuit required in the first configuration, thereby reducing the circuit board area and the cost of circuit components.

[0052] Furthermore, since the power supply circuit 140 is reinforced insulated from the external power supply 40, the wiring between the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B can be installed more safely.

[0053] Furthermore, the first common line connection 151 is provided with a first test terminal TP1 on the external power supply 40 side capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply 40, and a second test terminal TP2 on the common line 32 side of the first common line connection 151 capable of measuring the potential of the common line 32. In the first configuration, there is conductivity between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2, and in the second configuration, there is no conductivity between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2.

[0054] This makes it easy to check during the production stage that the wiring between the outdoor unit 10B and the indoor unit 20B is insulated from the external power supply 40 by confirming the continuity between the first inspection terminal TP1 and the second inspection terminal TP2.

[0055] (Variation 1) In the air conditioning system 1A, multiple indoor units having the same configuration as the indoor unit 20A may be connected to the outdoor unit 10A, or in the air conditioning system 1B, multiple indoor units having the same configuration as the indoor unit 20B may be connected to the outdoor unit 10B.

[0056] (Modification 2) The indoor unit may have the same configuration as the outdoor units 10A and 10B (see Figure 3), and the outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit may have the same configuration as the indoor units 20A and 20B (see Figure 4). In this case, the indoor unit becomes an example of the air conditioner according to this disclosure, and the outdoor unit becomes an example of other equipment according to this disclosure.

[0057] The technical concepts related to each of the above-described modifications may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like that are common to Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0059] Figures 7 and 8 show the configurations of the air conditioning systems 1C and 1D according to Embodiment 2. The air conditioning systems 1C and 1D are systems that provide air conditioning for buildings such as office buildings and shops. In Figure 7, the air conditioning system 1C includes an outdoor unit 10C, an indoor unit 20A, a connecting line 30A that connects the outdoor unit 10C and the indoor unit 20A, and a power line 50 that connects the outdoor unit 10C to an external power source 40. The outdoor unit 10C is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1C is an air conditioning system with the first configuration. The configuration of the air conditioning system 1C differs from the air conditioning system 1A according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes an outdoor unit 10C instead of an outdoor unit 10A, but the configurations of both are similar in other respects.

[0060] In Figure 8, the air conditioning system 1D comprises an outdoor unit 10D, an indoor unit 20B, a connecting line 30B connecting the outdoor unit 10D and the indoor unit 20B, a power line 50 connecting the outdoor unit 10D to an external power source 40, and a power line 70 connecting the indoor unit 20B to an external power source 60. The outdoor unit 10D is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1D is a second configuration air conditioning system. The configuration of the air conditioning system 1D differs from the air conditioning system 1B according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes an outdoor unit 10D instead of an outdoor unit 10B, but the configurations of both are similar in other respects.

[0061] <Configuration of outdoor unit 10D in air conditioning system 1D> Figure 9 shows the configuration of the outdoor unit 10D according to Embodiment 2. The outdoor unit 10D includes a terminal 111 connected to the L-phase wire 51, a terminal 112 connected to the N-phase wire 52, an open terminal 113, a terminal 114 connected to the common wire 32, a terminal 115 connected to the signal wire 33, a filter circuit 120, a communication circuit 130, a power supply circuit 140, a non-isolated power supply circuit 160, a first communication circuit connection part 171, a second communication circuit connection part 172, a first test terminal TP1 on the external power supply 40 side of the first communication circuit connection part 171 capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply 40, and a second test terminal TP2 on the common wire 32 side of the first communication circuit connection part 171 capable of measuring the potential of the common wire 32.

[0062] In addition, the outdoor unit 10D includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the outdoor unit 10D, and components necessary for air conditioning, such as a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, outdoor fan, expansion valve, and various sensors.

[0063] The outdoor unit 10C in the air conditioning system 1C has the same configuration as the outdoor unit 10D. However, in the outdoor unit 10C, terminal 113 is connected to the power line 31. In addition, the internal state of the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 differs between the outdoor unit 10C and the outdoor unit 10D. Details of the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 will be described later.

[0064] The filter circuit 120 is an example of a filter circuit according to the present disclosure. Similar to Embodiment 1, the filter circuit 120 is a circuit that prevents noise from the external power supply 40 and comprises input terminals 121 and 122 and output terminals 123 and 124. Terminal 121 is connected to terminal 111, and terminal 122 is connected to terminal 112. Terminal 123 is connected to terminal 113, terminal 142 of the power supply circuit 140, and terminal 162 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and terminal 124 is connected to terminal 141 of the power supply circuit 140, terminal 161 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and terminal c of the first connection part 171 of the communication circuit. Terminals 121 and 123, and terminals 122 and 124 are electrically connected inside the filter circuit 120.

[0065] The communication circuit 130, like in Embodiment 1, is a circuit composed of electronic components such as transistors and photocouplers (not shown) and a communication driver IC, and communicates with the indoor unit 20B by forming a current loop between the outdoor unit 10D and the indoor unit 20B via the signal line 33 and the common line 32. The communication circuit 130 is connected in series with the signal line 33. The communication circuit 130 has an input terminal 131 and an output terminal 132. Terminal 131 is connected to terminal a of the second communication circuit connection part 172, and terminal 132 is connected to terminal 115.

[0066] The power supply circuit 140 is an example of an isolated power supply circuit according to the present disclosure. Similar to Embodiment 1, the power supply circuit 140 is an isolated power supply circuit in which the internal input and output are electrically isolated by reinforced insulation, and generates communication power, which is low voltage DC power, based on AC power received from an external power supply 40, and supplies the generated communication power to the communication circuit 130. The power supply circuit 140 includes input terminals 141 and 142 and output terminals 143 and 144. Terminal 141 is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, and terminal 142 is connected to terminal 123 of the filter circuit 120. In addition, terminal 143 is connected to terminal b of the first connection part 171 of the communication circuit, and terminal 144 is connected to terminal b of the second connection part 172 of the communication circuit. The potential of terminal 143 becomes the reference potential of the communication power. Furthermore, the power supply circuit 140 is mounted on a dedicated circuit board, and this circuit board is mounted in a manner that allows it to be removed from the outdoor unit in the first configuration, i.e., from the outdoor unit 10C.

[0067] The non-isolated power supply circuit 160 is an example of a non-isolated power supply circuit according to this disclosure. The non-isolated power supply circuit 160 is a non-isolated power supply circuit in which the internal input and output are not electrically isolated. In the first configuration, it generates communication power, which is low-voltage DC power, based on AC power received from an external power supply 40, and supplies the generated communication power to the communication circuit 130. The non-isolated power supply circuit 160 includes input terminals 161 and 162, and output terminals 163 and 164. Terminal 161 is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, and terminal 162 is connected to terminal 123 of the filter circuit 120. In addition, terminal 163 is connected to terminal c of the first connection part 171 of the communication circuit, and terminal 164 is connected to terminal c of the second connection part 172 of the communication circuit. In the first configuration, the potential of terminal 163 becomes the reference potential of the communication power.

[0068] In addition to the power supply circuit 140 and the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, the outdoor unit 10D is also equipped with a power supply circuit (not shown) that generates power to drive the control unit, compressor, outdoor fan and other actuators based on AC power received from the external power supply 40.

[0069] The first communication circuit connection section 171 and the second communication circuit connection section 172 are examples of fixed communication power supply source sections according to this disclosure. The first communication circuit connection section 171 and the second communication circuit connection section 172 fix the power supply source for communication to either the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 or the power supply circuit 140. The first communication circuit connection section 171 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 114, terminal b is connected to terminal 143 of the power supply circuit 140, and terminal c is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120 and terminal 163 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160. The second communication circuit connection section 172 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 131 of the communication circuit 130, terminal b is connected to terminal 144 of the power supply circuit 140, and terminal c is connected to terminal 164 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160. The first communication circuit connection section 171 and the second communication circuit connection section 172 are, for example, composed of jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c, depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, in the outdoor unit 10D corresponding to the second configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 are connected to terminal b. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the power supply circuit 140. On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 10C corresponding to the first configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 are connected to terminal c. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0071] The second configuration described herein is based on the premise that the air conditioners can be wired together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply. However, in destinations where it is not necessary to wire the air conditioners together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply, the outdoor unit 10C corresponding to the first configuration may be installed in the same manner as the conventional second configuration. In this case, as in the conventional configuration, the common line 32 in the second configuration will be at high voltage and not isolated from the external power supply.

[0072] <Communication circuit connection process> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the communication circuit connection process, which is the process performed by workers on the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 during the manufacturing process of outdoor units 10C and 10D.

[0073] (Step S2100) If the product to be manufactured is an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10D (step S2100; Yes), the communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S2101. On the other hand, if the product to be manufactured is not an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10C (step S2100; No), the communication circuit line connection process proceeds to step S2103.

[0074] (Step S2101) The worker connects terminal a of the first connection section 171 of the communication circuit to terminal b. The communication circuit connection process then proceeds to step S2102. This results in a non-conductive connection between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2. In addition, in the air conditioning system 1D, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the common line 32.

[0075] (Step S2102) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection section 172 to terminal b. After that, the communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, the communication circuit 130 is connected to terminal 144 of the power supply circuit 140, and the power supply source for communication in the air conditioning system 1D is fixed to the power supply circuit 140.

[0076] (Step S2103) The worker connects terminal a of the first connection section 171 of the communication circuit to terminal c. The communication circuit connection process then proceeds to step S2104. This connects the common line 32 to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, creating a configuration where the common line 32 can be connected to the external power supply 40. Furthermore, conductivity is established between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2. Additionally, in the air conditioning system 1C, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the external power supply 40.

[0077] (Step S2104) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection section 172 to terminal c. After that, the communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, the communication circuit 130 is connected to terminal 164 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and the source of power for communication in the air conditioning system 1C is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0078] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c with respect to the first communication circuit connection section 171 and the second communication circuit connection section 172. For example, terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c may be connected by operating an operating section (e.g., a DIP switch, rotary switch, etc.) provided on the outdoor unit. In this case, the work on the first communication circuit connection section 171 and the second communication circuit connection section 172 may be performed after the outdoor unit has been shipped.

[0079] As described above, the outdoor units 10C and 10D according to Embodiment 2 are configured to be connectable to indoor units 20A and 20B via connecting lines 30A and 30B, which include at least a common line 32 and a signal line 33. They include a communication circuit 130 that communicates with indoor units 20A and 20B via the signal line 33 and the common line 32, and a non-isolated power supply circuit 160 whose input and output are not electrically isolated and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power supply 40 and supplies it to the communication circuit 130, and an external power supply circuit 160 whose input and output are electrically isolated and The system includes a power supply circuit 140 that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from a power supply 40 and supplies it to a communication circuit 130, and a first communication circuit connection part 171 and a second communication circuit connection part 172 that fix the source of the communication power to either a non-isolated power supply circuit 160 or a power supply circuit 140. In the first configuration, the first communication circuit connection part 171 and the second communication circuit connection part 172 fix the source of the communication power to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and in the second configuration, the source of the communication power is fixed to the power supply circuit 140.

[0080] This allows for compatibility with both the first and second configurations, and in the second configuration, it enables wiring between the outdoor unit 10D and the indoor unit 20B at a low voltage and isolated from the external power supply 40. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to manage production of multiple types of circuit boards with different power supply circuit patterns for each destination, thus preventing the complexity of production management.

[0081] Furthermore, since the power supply circuit 140 is mounted on a dedicated circuit board, and the circuit board is mounted in a removable manner, the cost of circuit components can be reduced by not mounting the power supply circuit 140 in destinations where it is not necessary to wire air conditioners at low voltage and insulated from external power sources.

[0082] Furthermore, since the power supply circuit 140 is reinforced insulated from the external power supply 40, the wiring between the outdoor unit 10D and the indoor unit 20B can be installed more safely.

[0083] Furthermore, the first connection section 171 of the communication circuit is provided with a first test terminal TP1 on the external power supply 40 side capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply 40, and a second test terminal TP2 on the common line 32 side of the second connection section 172 of the communication circuit is provided with a second test terminal TP2 capable of measuring the potential of the common line 32. In the first configuration, there is conductivity between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2, and in the second configuration, there is no conductivity between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2.

[0084] This makes it easy to check during the production stage that the wiring between the outdoor unit 10D and the indoor unit 20B is insulated from the external power supply 40 by confirming the continuity between the first inspection terminal TP1 and the second inspection terminal TP2.

[0085] Furthermore, it is equipped with a filter circuit 120 to prevent noise from the external power supply 40, and the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 and the power supply circuit 140 are connected to the filter circuit 120.

[0086] As a result, the filter circuits for the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 and the power supply circuit 140 are shared, eliminating the need to individually implement the filter circuits required for each power supply circuit, thereby reducing the circuit board area and the cost of circuit components.

[0087] (Variation 1) In the air conditioning system 1C, multiple indoor units having the same configuration as indoor unit 20A may be connected to the outdoor unit 10C, or in the air conditioning system 1D, multiple indoor units having the same configuration as indoor unit 20B may be connected to the outdoor unit 10D.

[0088] (Modification 2) The indoor unit may have the same configuration as the outdoor units 10C and 10D (see Figure 9), and the outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit may have the same configuration as the indoor units 20A and 20B (see Figure 4). In this case, the indoor unit becomes an example of the air conditioner according to this disclosure, and the outdoor unit becomes an example of other equipment according to this disclosure.

[0089] The technical concepts related to each of the above-described modifications may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0090] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like that are common to Embodiments 1 and 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0091] Figures 11 and 12 show the configurations of the air conditioning systems 1E and 1F according to Embodiment 3. The air conditioning systems 1E and 1F are systems that provide air conditioning for buildings such as office buildings and shops. In Figure 11, the air conditioning system 1E is an example of the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure and comprises an outdoor unit 10E, an indoor unit 20C, a connecting line 30A that connects the outdoor unit 10E and the indoor unit 20C, and a power line 50 that connects the outdoor unit 10E to an external power source 40. The outdoor unit 10E is an example of the first equipment according to the present disclosure, and the indoor unit 20C is an example of the second equipment according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1E is an air conditioning system with the first configuration.

[0092] In Figure 12, the air conditioning system 1F is an example of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure, and comprises an outdoor unit 10F, an indoor unit 20D, a connecting line 30B connecting the outdoor unit 10F and the indoor unit 20D, a power line 50 connecting the outdoor unit 10F to an external power source 40, and a power line 70 connecting the indoor unit 20D to an external power source 60. The outdoor unit 10F is an example of the first equipment according to the present disclosure, and the indoor unit 20D is an example of the second equipment according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1F is an air conditioning system with the second configuration.

[0093] <Configuration of the outdoor unit on the 10th floor within the air conditioning system on the 1st floor> Figure 13 shows the configuration of the outdoor unit 10F according to Embodiment 3. The outdoor unit 10F includes a terminal 111 connected to the L-phase wire 51, a terminal 112 connected to the N-phase wire 52, an open terminal 113, a terminal 114 connected to the common wire 32, a terminal 115 connected to the signal wire 33, a filter circuit 120, a communication circuit 130, a non-isolated power supply circuit 160, a first communication circuit connection part 173, a second communication circuit connection part 174, a first test terminal TP1 located on the external power supply 40 side of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply 40, and a second test terminal TP2 located on the common wire 32 side of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and capable of measuring the potential of the common wire 32.

[0094] In addition, the outdoor unit 10F includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the outdoor unit 10F, and components necessary for air conditioning, such as a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, outdoor fan, expansion valve, and various sensors.

[0095] The outdoor unit 10E in the air conditioning system 1E has the same configuration as the outdoor unit 10F. However, in the outdoor unit 10E, terminal 113 is connected to the power line 31. In addition, the internal state of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and the second communication circuit connection part 174 differs between the outdoor unit 10E and the outdoor unit 10F. Details of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and the second communication circuit connection part 174 will be described later.

[0096] The filter circuit 120, like in embodiments 1 and 2, is a circuit that prevents noise from the external power supply 40, and includes input terminals 121 and 122, and output terminals 123 and 124. Terminal 121 is connected to terminal 111, and terminal 122 is connected to terminal 112. Terminal 123 is connected to terminal 113 and terminal 162 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and terminal 124 is connected to terminal 161 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 and terminal c of the first communication circuit connection part 173. Terminals 121 and 123, and terminals 122 and 124 are electrically connected within the filter circuit 120.

[0097] The communication circuit 130, like embodiments 1 and 2, is a circuit composed of electronic components such as transistors and photocouplers (not shown) and a communication driver IC, and communicates with the indoor unit 20D by forming a current loop between the outdoor unit 10F and the indoor unit 20D via the signal line 33 and the common line 32. The communication circuit 130 is connected in series with the signal line 33. The communication circuit 130 has an input terminal 131 and an output terminal 132. Terminal 131 is connected to terminal a of the second connection part 174 of the communication circuit, and terminal 132 is connected to terminal 115.

[0098] The non-isolated power supply circuit 160, like in Embodiment 2, is a non-isolated power supply circuit in which the internal input and output are not electrically isolated. In the first configuration, it generates low-voltage DC power for communication based on AC power received from the external power supply 40, and supplies the generated communication power to the communication circuit 130. The non-isolated power supply circuit 160 includes input terminals 161 and 162, and output terminals 163 and 164. Terminal 161 is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, and terminal 162 is connected to terminal 123 of the filter circuit 120. Terminal 163 is connected to terminal c of the first connection part 173 of the communication circuit, and terminal 164 is connected to terminal c of the second connection part 174 of the communication circuit. In the first configuration, the potential of terminal 163 becomes the reference potential for the communication power.

[0099] In addition to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, the outdoor unit 10F is equipped with a power supply circuit (not shown) that generates power to drive the control unit, compressor, outdoor fan and other actuators based on AC power received from the external power supply 40.

[0100] The first communication circuit connection section 173 and the second communication circuit connection section 174 are examples of fixed power supply sections for communication according to this disclosure. The first communication circuit connection section 173 and the second communication circuit connection section 174 fix the power supply source for communication to either the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 or the isolated power supply circuit 250 described later. The first communication circuit connection section 173 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 114, terminal b is connected to terminal b of the second communication circuit connection section 174, and terminal c is connected to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120 and terminal 163 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160. The second communication circuit connection section 174 also includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 131 of the communication circuit 130, terminal b is connected to terminal b of the first communication circuit connection section 173, and terminal c is connected to terminal 164 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160. The first communication circuit connection section 173 and the second communication circuit connection section 174 are, for example, composed of jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c, depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0101] As shown in Figure 13, in the outdoor unit 10F corresponding to the second configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and the second communication circuit connection part 174 are connected to terminal b. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit 250, which will be described later. On the other hand, in the outdoor unit 10E corresponding to the first configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection part 173 and the second communication circuit connection part 174 are connected to terminal c. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0102] The second configuration described herein is based on the premise that the air conditioners can be wired together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply. However, in destinations where it is not necessary to wire the air conditioners together at low voltage and isolated from the external power supply, the outdoor unit 10E corresponding to the first configuration may be installed in the same manner as the conventional second configuration. In this case, as in the conventional configuration, the common line 32 in the second configuration will be at high voltage and not isolated from the external power supply.

[0103] <Configuration of indoor unit 20D in air conditioning system 1E> Figure 14 shows the configuration of the indoor unit 20D according to Embodiment 3. The indoor unit 20D includes a terminal 211 connected to the L-phase wire 71, a terminal 212 connected to the N-phase wire 72, a terminal 213 connected to the common wire 32, a terminal 214 connected to the signal wire 33, a power supply circuit 220, a communication circuit 230, a first power supply circuit connection part 241, a second power supply circuit connection part 242, an isolated power supply circuit 250, a first communication circuit connection part 261, and a second communication circuit connection part 262.

[0104] In addition, the indoor unit 20D includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the indoor unit 20D, and components necessary for air conditioning, such as an indoor heat exchanger, indoor fan, solenoid valve, and various sensors.

[0105] Indoor unit 20C in air conditioning system 1E has the same configuration as indoor unit 20D. However, in indoor unit 20C, terminal 212 is connected to power line 31, and terminal 211 is open. In addition, indoor unit 20C and indoor unit 20D differ in the internal state of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242, and the first communication circuit connection part 261 and the second communication circuit connection part 262. Details of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242, and the first communication circuit connection part 261 and the second communication circuit connection part 262 will be described later.

[0106] The power supply circuit 220, similar to Embodiment 1, is a circuit that generates power to drive the control unit, indoor fan, solenoid valve and other actuators based on AC power received from an external power supply 60 (external power supply 40 in the case of the indoor unit 20C). The power supply circuit 220 includes input terminals 221 and 222, and output terminals (not shown). Terminal 221 is connected to terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241 and terminal 252 of the isolated power supply circuit 250, and terminal 222 is connected to terminal a of the second power supply circuit connection part 242 and terminal 251 of the isolated power supply circuit 250. The control unit, actuators and the like are connected to the output terminals (not shown) of the power supply circuit 220.

[0107] The communication circuit 230, like in Embodiment 1, is a circuit composed of electronic components such as transistors and photocouplers (not shown) and a communication driver IC, and communicates with the outdoor unit 10F by forming a current loop between the outdoor unit 10F and the indoor unit 20D via the signal line 33 and the common line 32. The communication circuit 230 is connected in series with the signal line 33. The communication circuit 230 has an input terminal 231 and an output terminal 232. Terminal 231 is connected to terminal 214, and terminal 232 is connected to terminal a of the second connection part 262 of the communication circuit.

[0108] The isolated power supply circuit 250 is an example of an isolated power supply circuit according to this disclosure. The isolated power supply circuit 250 is an isolated power supply circuit in which the internal input and output are electrically isolated by reinforced insulation, and generates communication power, which is low voltage DC power, based on AC power received from an external power supply 60, and supplies the generated communication power to the communication circuit 230. The isolated power supply circuit 250 includes input terminals 251 and 252 and output terminals 253 and 254. Terminal 251 is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, and terminal 252 is connected to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220. In addition, terminal 253 is connected to terminal b of the second connection part 262 of the communication circuit, and terminal 254 is connected to terminal b of the first connection part 261 of the communication circuit. The potential of terminal 253 becomes the reference potential of the communication power. Furthermore, the isolated power supply circuit 250 is mounted on a dedicated circuit board, and this circuit board is mounted in a manner that allows it to be removed from the indoor unit in the first configuration, i.e., from the indoor unit 20C.

[0109] The first power supply circuit connection section 241 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220, terminal b is connected to terminal 211, and terminal c is connected to terminal 212. The second power supply circuit connection section 242 also includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, terminal b is connected to terminal 212, and terminal c is connected to terminal 213. The first power supply circuit connection section 241 and the second power supply circuit connection section 242 are composed of, for example, jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0110] As shown in Figure 14, in the indoor unit 20D corresponding to the second configuration, terminal a of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 is connected to terminal b, while in the indoor unit 20E corresponding to the first configuration, terminal a of the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242 is connected to terminal c.

[0111] The first communication circuit connection section 261 and the second communication circuit connection section 262 are examples of fixed communication power supply source sections according to this disclosure. The first communication circuit connection section 261 and the second communication circuit connection section 262 fix the power supply source for communication to either the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 or the isolated power supply circuit 250. The first communication circuit connection section 261 includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 213, terminal b is connected to terminal 254 of the isolated power supply circuit 250, and terminal c is connected to terminal c of the second communication circuit connection section 262. The second communication circuit connection section 262 also includes terminals a, b, and c. Terminal a is connected to terminal 232 of the communication circuit 230, terminal b is connected to terminal 253 of the isolated power supply circuit 250, and terminal c is connected to terminal c of the first communication circuit connection section 261. The first communication circuit connection section 261 and the second communication circuit connection section 262 are, for example, composed of jumpers, connectors, switches, relays, etc., and are circuits in which terminal a is connected to either terminal b or terminal c, depending on whether it is for the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0112] As shown in Figure 14, in the indoor unit 20D corresponding to the second configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection 261 and the second communication circuit connection 262 are connected to terminal b. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit 250. On the other hand, in the indoor unit 20C corresponding to the first configuration, terminals a of the first communication circuit connection 261 and the second communication circuit connection 262 are connected to terminal c. As a result, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0113] <Communication circuit connection process> Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the communication circuit connection process, which is the process performed by workers on the first communication circuit connection part 173 and the second communication circuit connection part 174 during the manufacturing process of the outdoor units 10E and 10F.

[0114] (Step S3100) If the unit to be manufactured is an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10F (step S3100; Yes), the communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3101. On the other hand, if the unit to be manufactured is not an outdoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., outdoor unit 10E (step S3100; No), the communication circuit line connection process proceeds to step S3103.

[0115] (Step S3101) The worker connects terminal a of the first connection section 173 of the communication circuit to terminal b. The communication circuit connection process then proceeds to step S3102. This results in a non-conductive connection between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2.

[0116] (Step S3102) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection section 174 to terminal b. After this, the communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, the power source for communication in the air conditioning system 1F is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit 250.

[0117] (Step S3103) The worker connects terminal a of the first connection section 173 of the communication circuit to terminal c. The communication circuit connection process then proceeds to step S3104. This connects the common line 32 to terminal 124 of the filter circuit 120, creating a configuration where the common line 32 can be connected to the external power supply 40. Additionally, electrical conductivity is established between the first test terminal TP1 and the second test terminal TP2.

[0118] (Step S3104) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection 174 to terminal c. After that, the communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, the communication circuit 130 is connected to terminal 164 of the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and the power source for communication in the air conditioning system 1E is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0119] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c with respect to the first communication circuit connection section 173 and the second communication circuit connection section 174. For example, terminal a to terminal b or terminal a to terminal c may be connected by operating an operating section (e.g., a DIP switch, rotary switch, etc.) provided on the outdoor unit. In this case, the work on the first communication circuit connection section 173 and the second communication circuit connection section 174 may be performed after the outdoor unit has been shipped.

[0120] <Power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process> Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the power circuit connection and communication circuit connection process, which includes a power circuit connection process, which is a process performed by workers on the first power circuit connection part 241 and the second power circuit connection part 242, and a communication circuit connection process, which is a process performed on the first communication circuit connection part 261 and the second communication circuit connection part 262, during the manufacturing process of indoor units 20C and 20D.

[0121] (Step S3200) If the unit to be manufactured is an indoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., indoor unit 20D (step S3200; Yes), the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3201. On the other hand, if the unit to be manufactured is not an indoor unit corresponding to the second configuration, i.e., indoor unit 20C (step S3200; No), the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3205.

[0122] (Step S3201) The worker connects terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241 to terminal b. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3202. This connects terminal 211 to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220.

[0123] (Step S3202) The operator connects terminal a of the second power supply circuit connection part 242 to terminal b. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3203. As a result, terminal 212 is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, and the power supply circuit 220 is configured to be connectable to the external power supply 60.

[0124] (Step S3203) The worker connects terminal a of the first communication circuit connection section 261 to terminal b. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3204.

[0125] (Step S3204) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection section 262 to terminal b. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, the communication circuit 230 is connected to terminal 253 of the isolated power supply circuit 250, and the power source for communication in the air conditioning system 1F is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit 250.

[0126] (Step S3205) The worker connects terminal a of the first power supply circuit connection part 241 to terminal c. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3206. This connects terminal 212 to terminal 221 of the power supply circuit 220.

[0127] (Step S3206) The worker connects terminal a of the second power supply circuit connection part 242 to terminal c. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3207. As a result, terminal 213 is connected to terminal 222 of the power supply circuit 220, and the power supply circuit 220 and the external power supply 40 can be connected via the outdoor unit 10E.

[0128] (Step S3207) The worker connects terminal a of the first communication circuit connection section 261 to terminal c. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process proceeds to step S3208.

[0129] (Step S3208) The worker connects terminal a of the second communication circuit connection section 262 to terminal c. After that, the power supply circuit connection and communication circuit connection process is completed. As a result, in the air conditioning system 1E, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160.

[0130] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminals a and b or terminals a and c in the first power circuit connection section 241 and the second power circuit connection section 242. For example, the connection may be made by operating an operating unit (e.g., a DIP switch, rotary switch, etc.) provided on the indoor unit. In this case, the work on the first power circuit connection section 241 and the second power circuit connection section 242 may be performed after the indoor unit has been shipped. Similarly, there are no limitations on the method of connecting terminals a and b or terminals a and c in the first communication circuit connection section 261 and the second communication circuit connection section 262. For example, the connection may be made by operating the above-mentioned operating unit. In this case, the work on the first communication circuit connection section 261 and the second communication circuit connection section 262 may be performed after the indoor unit has been shipped.

[0131] As described above, the air conditioning systems 1E and 1F according to Embodiment 3 are configured such that the outdoor units 10E and 10F and the indoor units 20C and 20D can be connected via connecting lines 30A and 30B that include at least a common line 32 and a signal line 33, and include communication circuits 130 and 230 that communicate between the outdoor units 10E and 10F and the indoor units 20C and 20D via the signal line 33 and the common line 32, and a non-isolated power supply circuit 160 whose input and output are not electrically isolated and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power supply 40 and supplies it to the communication circuits 130 and 230, and The system includes an isolated power supply circuit 250 that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power supply 60 and supplies it to communication circuits 130 and 230, and first communication circuit connection parts 173, 261 and second communication circuit connection parts 174, 262 that fix the source of the communication power to either the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 or the isolated power supply circuit 250, wherein in the first configuration, the source of the communication power is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit 160, and in the second configuration, the source of the communication power is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit 250.

[0132] This allows for compatibility with both the first and second configurations, and in the second configuration, it enables wiring between the outdoor unit 10F and the indoor unit 20D at a low voltage and isolated from the external power supply 40. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to manage production of multiple types of circuit boards with different power supply circuit patterns for each destination, thus preventing the complexity of production management.

[0133] Furthermore, the non-isolated power supply circuit 160 is installed in the outdoor units 10E and 10F, and the isolated power supply circuit 250 is installed in the indoor units 20C and 20D.

[0134] As a result, the outdoor units 10E and 10F do not need to implement an isolated power supply circuit, thus reducing the circuit board area of ​​the outdoor units 10E and 10F.

[0135] (Variation 1) In the air conditioning system 1E, multiple indoor units with the same configuration as indoor unit 20C may be connected to the outdoor unit 10E, or in the air conditioning system 1F, multiple indoor units with the same configuration as indoor unit 20D may be connected to the outdoor unit 10F.

[0136] (Modification 2) The indoor unit may have the same configuration as the outdoor units 10E and 10F (see Figure 13), and the outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit may have the same configuration as the indoor units 20C and 20D (see Figure 14). In this case, the indoor unit becomes an example of the first equipment according to this disclosure, and the outdoor unit becomes an example of the second equipment according to this disclosure.

[0137] The technical concepts related to each of the above-described modifications may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0138] This disclosure can be put into various forms and variations without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. And any variations made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0139] The various aspects of this disclosure are described below. (Note 1) An air conditioner configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least common lines and signal lines, A communication circuit that communicates with the other device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, the power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a common line connection destination fixing unit that fixes the connection destination of the common line to either the external power supply or the power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which power received from the external power supply is supplied to the other equipment, the shared line connection destination is fixed to the external power supply, and in a second configuration different from the first configuration, the shared line connection destination is fixed to the power supply circuit. Air conditioner. (Note 2) In the first configuration, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the external power supply. The air conditioner described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The power supply circuit is provided with enhanced insulation from the external power supply. The air conditioner described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) On the external power supply side of the shared line connection destination fixing part, there is a first test terminal capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply, The shared line connection destination fixing part further includes a second test terminal on the shared line side capable of measuring the potential of the shared line, In the first configuration, there is electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal, and in the second configuration, there is no electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal. An air conditioner as described in any one of the notes 1 to 3. (Note 5) An air conditioner configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least common lines and signal lines, A communication circuit that communicates with the other device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are not electrically isolated, and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, comprising an isolated power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from the external power supply and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a communication power supply fixing unit that fixes the source of the communication power supply to either the non-isolated power supply circuit or the isolated power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which the communication power supply fixed unit supplies power received from the external power supply to the other equipment, the communication power supply is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit. In a second configuration different from the first configuration, the communication power supply is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit. Air conditioner. (Note 6) The isolated power supply circuit is mounted on a dedicated circuit board, and the circuit board is mounted in a removable manner. The air conditioner described in Appendix 5. (Note 7) The isolated power supply circuit is reinforced insulated from the external power supply. Air conditioners as described in Appendix 5 or 6. (Note 8) On the external power supply side of the fixed power supply unit for communications, there is a first test terminal capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply, The aforementioned fixed power supply unit for communications is further provided with a second test terminal on the common line side capable of measuring the potential of the common line, In the first configuration, there is electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal, and in the second configuration, there is no electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal. An air conditioner as described in any one of the notes 5 to 7. (Note 9) The system further includes a filter circuit to prevent noise from the external power supply, The non-isolated power supply circuit and the isolated power supply circuit are connected to the filter circuit. An air conditioner as described in any one of the notes 5 through 8. (Note 10) An air conditioning system in which a first device and a second device are connected via a cable including at least a common line and a signal line, A communication circuit that performs communication between the first device and the second device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are not electrically isolated, and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, comprising an isolated power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from the external power supply and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a communication power supply fixing unit that fixes the source of the communication power supply to either the non-isolated power supply circuit or the isolated power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which the fixed power source for communication supplies power received from the external power source from the first device to the second device, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit. In a second configuration different from the first configuration, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit. Air conditioning system. (Note 11) The non-isolated power supply circuit is implemented in the first device, and the isolated power supply circuit is implemented in the second device. The air conditioning system described in Appendix 10. (Note 12) A method for manufacturing an air conditioner comprising: a communication circuit configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least a common line and a signal line, and communicating with the other equipment via the signal line and the common line; and a power supply circuit having an input and an output that are electrically isolated, which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; When the air conditioner is configured to use the power received from the external power source to supply power to the other equipment, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the external power source. When the air conditioner is configured to use a second configuration different from the first configuration, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the power supply circuit. This includes a shared line connection step. A method for manufacturing air conditioners.

[0140] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-097803, filed on 18 June 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of the same are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial applicability]

[0141] This disclosure can be suitably adopted in a system for providing air conditioning for buildings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Air conditioning system, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F Outdoor unit, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Indoor unit, 30A, 30B Connection line, 31 Power line, 32 Common line, 33 Signal line, 40, 60 External power supply, 50, 70 Power line, 51, 71 L-phase line, 52, 72 N-phase wire, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 121, 122, 123, 124, 131, 132, 141, 142, 143, 144, 161, 162, 163, 164, 211, 212, 213, 214, 221, 222, 231, 232, 251, 252, 253, 254, a, b, c terminals, 120 filter circuit, 130, 230 communication circuit, 140 power supply circuit, 151 common line first connection, 152 common line second connection, 160 non-isolated power supply circuit, 171, 173, 261 communication circuit first connection, 172, 174, 262 communication circuit second connection, 241 power supply circuit first connection, 242 Power supply circuit second connection point, 250 isolated power supply circuit, TP1 first test terminal, TP2 second test terminal

Claims

1. An air conditioner configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least common lines and signal lines, A communication circuit that communicates with the other device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, the power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a common line connection destination fixing unit that fixes the connection destination of the common line to either the external power supply or the power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which power received from the external power supply is supplied to the other equipment, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the external power supply, and in a second configuration different from the first configuration, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the power supply circuit. Air conditioner.

2. In the first configuration, the reference potential of the communication power is fixed to the potential of the external power supply. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. The power supply circuit is provided with enhanced insulation from the external power supply. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

4. On the external power supply side of the shared line connection destination fixing part, there is a first test terminal capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply, The shared line connection destination fixing part further comprises a second test terminal on the shared line side capable of measuring the potential of the shared line, In the first configuration, there is electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal, and in the second configuration, there is no electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An air conditioner configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least common lines and signal lines, A communication circuit that communicates with the other device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are not electrically isolated, and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, comprising an isolated power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from the external power supply and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a communication power supply fixing unit that fixes the source of the communication power supply to either the non-isolated power supply circuit or the isolated power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which the fixed power source for communication supplies power received from the external power source to the other equipment, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit. In a second configuration different from the first configuration, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit. Air conditioner.

6. The isolated power supply circuit is mounted on a dedicated circuit board, and the circuit board is mounted in a removable manner. The air conditioner according to claim 5.

7. The isolated power supply circuit is reinforced insulated from the external power supply. The air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6.

8. On the external power supply side of the fixed power supply unit for communications, there is a first test terminal capable of measuring the potential of the external power supply, The fixed power supply unit for communications further includes a second test terminal on the common line side capable of measuring the potential of the common line, In the first configuration, there is electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal, and in the second configuration, there is no electrical conductivity between the first test terminal and the second test terminal. The air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6.

9. The system further includes a filter circuit to prevent noise from the external power supply, The non-isolated power supply circuit and the isolated power supply circuit are connected to the filter circuit. The air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6.

10. An air conditioning system in which a first device and a second device are connected via a cable including at least a common line and a signal line, A communication circuit that performs communication between the first device and the second device via the signal line and the shared line, A power supply circuit in which the input and output are not electrically isolated, and which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; A power supply circuit in which the input and output are electrically isolated, comprising an isolated power supply circuit that generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from the external power supply and supplies it to the communication circuit, The system includes a communication power supply fixing unit that fixes the source of the communication power supply to either the non-isolated power supply circuit or the isolated power supply circuit, In a first configuration in which the fixed power source for communication supplies power received from the external power source from the first device to the second device, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit. In a second configuration different from the first configuration, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit. Air conditioning system.

11. The non-isolated power supply circuit is implemented in the first device, and the isolated power supply circuit is implemented in the second device. The air conditioning system according to claim 10.

12. A method for manufacturing an air conditioner comprising: a communication circuit configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least a common line and a signal line, and communicating with the other equipment via the signal line and the common line; and a power supply circuit having an input and an output that are electrically isolated, which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; When the air conditioner is configured to use the power received from the external power source to supply power to the other equipment, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the external power source. When the air conditioner is configured to use a second configuration different from the first configuration, the connection destination of the shared line is fixed to the power supply circuit. This includes a shared line connection step. A method for manufacturing air conditioners.

13. A method for manufacturing an air conditioner comprising: a communication circuit configured to be connectable to other equipment via a cable including at least a common line and a signal line, and communicating with the other equipment via the signal line and the common line; a non-isolated power supply circuit whose input and output are not electrically isolated, which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; and an isolated power supply circuit whose input and output are electrically isolated, which generates low-voltage communication power based on power received from an external power source and supplies it to the communication circuit; When the air conditioner is configured to use the power received from the external power source to supply power to the other equipment, the power source for communication is fixed to the non-isolated power supply circuit. When the air conditioner is configured to use the air conditioner to use a second configuration different from the first configuration, the power source for communication is fixed to the isolated power supply circuit. A method for manufacturing air conditioners.

Images