Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioner is an air conditioner that performs air conditioning of an area to be air-conditioned. The air conditioner includes: a control unit including a plurality of control function units that performs the air conditioning; and a function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from type name information that is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner. The control unit enables the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled by the function setting unit. The air conditioner has an effect of achieving reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with a simple structure and being capable of control of a plurality of different models.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT / JP2023 / 003597 filed on Feb. 3, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system in which a control board can be used in common by a plurality of different models of air conditioners.BACKGROUND

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes that, in an air conditioner, a capacity control operating program for executing capacity control of an inverter compressor and a constant-speed operating program for executing constant-speed control of a constant-speed compressor are stored in an operating program storage unit, and from the capacity control operating program and the constant-speed operating program, the operating program to be used is selected and executed on the basis of a combination of information related to the type of the compressor stored in a model information storage unit and a state of a jumper.Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-115665

[0005] According to the technique of Patent Literature 1 above, in order for a control program to be shared by a plurality of models of air conditioners, one control program is used in which a plurality of operating functions corresponding to the models is aggregated. However, in the technique of Patent Literature 1 above, in order for a desired operating program to be selected from the one control program in which the plurality of operating functions is aggregated, it is necessary to mount function setting components such as the jumper and a dip switch on a control board, which makes the structure complicated and has caused a problem that the control board and the air conditioner increase in size and that the possibility of failure increases.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that achieves reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with a simple structure and is capable of control of a plurality of different models.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem and achieve the object, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is an air conditioner that performs air conditioning of an area to be air-conditioned. The air conditioner includes: a control unit including a plurality of control function units that performs the air conditioning; and a function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from type name information that is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner. The control unit enables the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled by the function setting unit.

[0008] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure has an effect of achieving reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with the simple structure and being capable of control of the plurality of different models.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of type name information of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a function setting list in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in a second embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit and setting a control constant of the air conditioner in the second embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network server according to the third embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote monitoring device according to the third embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a central controller according to the third embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which each function of the control units according to the first, second, and third embodiments is implemented by hardware.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which each function of the control units according to the first, second, and third embodiments is implemented by software.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an air conditioner and an air conditioning system according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.First Embodiment

[0026] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment includes an indoor unit 11 installed in a room, an outdoor unit 13 installed outside the room, a refrigerant pipe 17 for circulating a refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13, and a remote control device (remote controller) 15 that transmits a control instruction command for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 13 can communicate with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line not illustrated. Hereinafter, the remote control device may be referred to as a remote controller.

[0027] The air conditioner 10 forms one complete refrigeration cycle by the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13. The air conditioner 10 uses the refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 through the refrigerant pipe 17 to perform heat transfer between air in the room, which is a space to be air-conditioned, and air outside the room, thereby achieving air conditioning in the room. That is, the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 are connected by the refrigerant pipe 17, and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 17 undergoes a change in pressure by a compressor included in the outdoor unit 13, thereby absorbing and releasing heat to perform air conditioning.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The indoor unit 11 includes an indoor unit air conditioning unit 111, an indoor unit sensor 112, an indoor unit storage unit 113, an indoor unit communication unit 114, an indoor unit sensor input unit 115, an indoor unit external output unit 116, an indoor unit external input / output unit 117, and an indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit storage unit 113, the indoor unit communication unit 114, the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, the indoor unit external output unit 116, the indoor unit external input / output unit 117, and the indoor unit control unit 118 are implemented on an indoor unit control board 119 that is one control board for the indoor unit 11.

[0029] The indoor unit air conditioning unit 111 has an air conditioning function of an indoor unit of a typical air conditioner, and performs air conditioning in a room that is an area to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit air conditioning unit 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not illustrated) that performs heat exchange between the air taken into the indoor unit 11 and the refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit, a blower fan (not illustrated) that sends the conditioned air obtained after heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit 11 into the room, a wind direction adjusting unit (not illustrated) that adjusts a direction in which the conditioned air is sent from the indoor unit 11, and the like. The air taken into the indoor unit 11 is indoor air in the room in which the indoor unit 11 is installed.

[0030] The indoor unit sensor 112 is a sensor that detects a state of the air conditioner 10 and a state of a use environment of the air conditioner 10 in order to control the air conditioner 10. The indoor unit sensor 112 includes, for example, an indoor temperature sensor that detects a temperature in the room, an in-room sensor that detects a person in the room, and a position sensor that detects a position of each motor provided in the indoor unit 11.

[0031] The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a storage unit that stores various control setting values, control programs, and the like for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 including the outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0032] The indoor unit communication unit 114 communicates with an external device of the indoor unit 11. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 114 communicates with a communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11, such as a remote controller communication unit 154, which is described later, of the remote controller 15 and an outdoor unit communication unit 134, which is described later, of the outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit communication unit 114 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11 to the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117. The indoor unit communication unit 114 transmits information received from the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117 to the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11.

[0033] A method of communication between the communication unit of the external device and the indoor unit communication unit 114 may be wired communication or wireless communication using infrared communication, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0034] The indoor unit sensor input unit 115 receives, from the indoor unit sensor 112, sensor information that is a result of detection by the indoor unit sensor 112. The indoor unit sensor input unit 115 transmits the sensor information received to the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117.

[0035] The indoor unit external output unit 116 performs processing of outputting a control command to an actuator (not illustrated) provided in the indoor unit 11. That is, the indoor unit external output unit 116 receives the control command for the actuator provided in the indoor unit 11 from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the control command received to the actuator provided in the indoor unit 11.

[0036] The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 has a function as an interface between the indoor unit control unit 118 and the indoor unit communication unit 114, the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, and the indoor unit external output unit 116. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives the sensor information transmitted from the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, and transmits the sensor information to the indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various information transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 114, and transmits the various information to the indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various information transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the various information to the indoor unit communication unit 114. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various control information transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the various control information to the indoor unit communication unit 114 or the indoor unit external output unit 116.

[0037] The indoor unit control unit 118 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operations of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The outdoor unit 13 includes an outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131, an outdoor unit sensor 132, an outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit communication unit 134, an outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, an outdoor unit external output unit 136, an outdoor unit external input / output unit 137, an outdoor unit control unit 138, and a function setting unit 139. The outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit communication unit 134, the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, the outdoor unit external output unit 136, the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137, the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the function setting unit 139 are implemented on an outdoor unit control board 140 that is one control board for the outdoor unit 13.

[0039] The outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131 has an air conditioning function of an outdoor unit of a typical air conditioner, and performs air conditioning in the room that is the area to be air-conditioned. The outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131 includes an outdoor heat exchanger (not illustrated) that performs heat exchange between air taken into the outdoor unit 13 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant pressure switch, a refrigerant flow rate adjusting electromagnetic valve, a fan motor, a compressor, and an actuator such as a motor of the compressor. The air taken into the outdoor unit 13 is outside air that is outdoor air around the outdoor unit 13.

[0040] The outdoor unit sensor 132 is a sensor that detects a state of the air conditioner 10 and a state of the use environment of the air conditioner 10 in order to control the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit sensor 132 includes, for example, an outdoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the outside air as the outdoor air, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the compressor included in the outdoor unit 13, a position sensor that detects the position of each motor provided in the outdoor unit 13, and a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed or the like of each motor provided in the outdoor unit 13.

[0041] The outdoor unit storage unit 133 is a storage unit that stores information such as various control setting values and programs for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 13. The outdoor unit storage unit 133 stores type name information, system information, control information, anomaly occurrence information, a function setting list, and a control program. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit that stores the function setting list. The outdoor unit storage unit 133 is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0042] Moreover, in order for the outdoor unit control board 140 including the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the outdoor units 13, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units.

[0043] The type name information is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner 10, and is information specific to the model of the air conditioner 10. The type name information is unique and different between the models even for products of the same series, for example, and includes information specifying control functions used in the individual air conditioners 10. That is, it can be said that the type name information includes information that specifies the control program for controlling the air conditioner 10 from the individual control programs for the operation control of the corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units stored in the air conditioner 10.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the type name information in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 4 also illustrates descriptions of information included in the type name information, that is, information that can be read from the type name information. The type name information includes, for example, information on the class of inverter control of the compressor of the outdoor unit 13, class information of the unit type of the air conditioner 10, information on the class of the refrigerant used by the air conditioner 10, information on the performance range of the air conditioner 10, information on the power class of the air conditioner 10, and the like.

[0045] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the type name information is configured by a character string in which alphabets and numbers are combined. For example, in “PUZ-ZRMP56SKA12” that is the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4, the character “Z” indicates the information on the class of inverter control of the compressor of the outdoor unit 13. The characters “ZR” indicate the class information of the unit type of the air conditioner 10. The character “M” indicates the information on the class of the refrigerant used by the air conditioner 10. The characters “P56” indicate the information on the performance range of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. The character “S” indicates the information on the power class of the air conditioner 10. Note that the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example, and the type name information may include other information related to the air conditioner 10.

[0046] The system information is information indicating a system configuration of the air conditioner 10. The control information is information on a control history of the air conditioner 10. The anomaly occurrence information is information related to anomaly that has occurred in the air conditioner 10.

[0047] The function setting list includes association information between the information included in the type name information and a function to be enabled as a function to be actually used among a plurality of the control functions that can be executed by the air conditioner 10, that is, association information between the information included in the type name information and a control function unit to be enabled as a control function unit to be actually used among a plurality of the control function units that can be executed by the air conditioner 10. That is, the function setting list can be said to be control function correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control functions that can be executed by the air conditioner 10, and can be said to be control function unit correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control function units that can be executed by the air conditioner 10. In addition, the function setting list can be said to include information for specifying the control function unit to be enabled from the type name information of the air conditioner 10, such as information by which an “A” control unit that performs “A” control is enabled when the inverter control class is “A”.

[0048] Therefore, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the function setting list. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit of the control function unit correspondence information for storing the control function unit correspondence information.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the function setting list in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. In the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, regarding the inverter control, the “A” control unit as the control function unit that performs “A” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “A”. A “B” control unit as the control function unit that performs “B” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “B”. A “C” control unit as the control function unit that performs “C” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “C”. That is, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “A” control unit that performs “A” control is associated with the inverter control class of “A”. Likewise, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “B” control unit that performs “B” control is associated with the inverter control class of “B”. Also, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “C” control unit that performs “C” control is associated with the inverter control class of “C”.

[0050] Moreover, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the unit type, a “D” control unit as the control function unit that performs “D” control corresponds to the unit type class of “D”. An “E” control unit as the control function unit that performs “E” control corresponds to the unit type class of “E”. An “F” control unit as the control function unit that performs “F” control corresponds to the unit type class of “F”. Furthermore, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the refrigerant class, a “G” control unit as the control function unit that performs “G” control corresponds to the refrigerant class of “G”. An “H” control unit as the control function unit that performs “H” control corresponds to the refrigerant class of “H”.

[0051] Moreover, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the performance range, an “I” control unit that performs “I” control corresponds to the performance range of “I”. Furthermore, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the power class, a “J” control unit that performs “J” control corresponds to the power class of “J”. A “K” control unit that performs “K” control corresponds to the power class of “K”. Note that the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example, and the format of the function setting list is not limited as long as the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control function executable by the air conditioner 10 can be known therefrom.

[0052] With the use of the function setting list as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control function unit to be enabled in the air conditioner 10 can be specified from the information included in the type name information.

[0053] Note that the first embodiment describes the case where the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the function setting list, but the storage unit that stores the function setting list is not limited to the outdoor unit storage unit 133. The storage unit that stores the function setting list may be a storage unit provided independently of the outdoor unit storage unit 133 in the outdoor unit control board 140. In this case as well, the storage unit that stores the function setting list is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0054] The outdoor unit communication unit 134 communicates with an external device of the outdoor unit 13. That is, the outdoor unit communication unit 134 communicates with a communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13, such as the indoor unit communication unit 114 of the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit communication unit 134 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13 to the function setting unit 139 or the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137. The outdoor unit communication unit 134 transmits information received from the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 to the communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13.

[0055] A method of communication between the communication unit of the external device and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wired communication or wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like.

[0056] The outdoor unit sensor input unit 135 receives, from the outdoor unit sensor 132, sensor information that is a result of detection by the outdoor unit sensor 132. The outdoor unit sensor input unit 135 transmits the sensor information received to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137.

[0057] The outdoor unit external output unit 136 performs processing of outputting a control command to the actuator, which is provided in the outdoor unit 13, of an expansion valve, an electromagnetic valve, and the like of the outdoor unit 13. That is, the outdoor unit external output unit 136 receives the control command for the actuator provided in the outdoor unit 13 from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the control command received to the actuator provided in the outdoor unit 13.

[0058] The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 has a function as an interface between the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134, the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, and the outdoor unit external output unit 136. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives the sensor information transmitted from the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, and transmits the sensor information to the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various information transmitted from the outdoor unit communication unit 134, and transmits the various information to the outdoor unit control unit 138 or the function setting unit 139. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various information transmitted from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the various information to the outdoor unit communication unit 134. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various control information transmitted from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the various control information to the outdoor unit communication unit 134 or the outdoor unit external output unit 136.

[0059] The outdoor unit control unit 138 is a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operation of the outdoor unit 13 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit control unit 138 has a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units. As a result, the outdoor unit control unit 138 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the outdoor units. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0060] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes an “A” control unit 138A, a “B” control unit 138B, a “C” control unit 138C, a “D” control unit 138D, an “E” control unit 138E, and an “F” control unit 138F that are the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only six of the control units for the sake of illustration.

[0061] The control function units are packaged for individual control classes and each include a control parameter setting function, a control determination function, and an operation instruction function. That is, the control function units are implemented by the control programs created for the individual control classes. The control function units can be individually enabled or disabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0062] Here, enabling is to set the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be usable, that is, to set the control function of the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be usable in order to be actually used for controlling air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the outdoor unit 13, and is to enable use of a corresponding one of the control programs created for the individual control classes.

[0063] The function setting unit 139 determines the control function unit to be set usable in the outdoor unit control unit 138 among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the function setting list, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. That is, the function setting unit 139 determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function to be enabled among the plurality of the control functions included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the function setting list, the control function unit corresponding to the information related to the air conditioner 10 included in the type name information as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0064] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, enabling information that is information of the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled, and is information specifying the control function unit to be enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the enabling information transmitted from the function setting unit 139 and enables the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. As the enabling information, for example, a set value individually determined in advance for each of the control function units can be used. Upon receiving information of the set value as the enabling information, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function unit corresponding to the set value. That is, the function setting unit 139 specifies, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and causes the outdoor unit control unit 138 to enable the control function unit specified.

[0065] Therefore, the function setting unit 139 has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the remote controller 15 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The remote controller 15 includes a remote controller operation unit 151, a remote controller display unit 152, a remote controller storage unit 153, the remote controller communication unit 154, and a remote controller control unit 155.

[0067] The remote controller operation unit 151 accepts a setting operation related to air conditioning of the air conditioner 10. Upon accepting an operation from a user, the remote controller operation unit 151 transmits information corresponding to the user's operation to the remote controller control unit 155 as an operation signal.

[0068] The remote controller display unit 152, which is a display unit that displays various information, displays information and states necessary for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as a set temperature and an operating mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches the display to a screen corresponding to an operation on the remote controller operation unit 151.

[0069] The remote controller storage unit 153 stores various information necessary for air conditioning processing in the air conditioner 10 and stores, temporarily or for a long term, settings to be displayed on the remote controller display unit 152 and image data related to the settings.

[0070] The remote controller communication unit 154 can perform bidirectional communication of information with the indoor unit communication unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 of the outdoor unit 13. Note that the communication between the remote controller communication unit 154 and each of the indoor unit communication unit 114 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0071] The remote controller control unit 155 controls the remote controller 15 on the basis of the operation signal output from the remote controller operation unit 151.

[0072] Next, the operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] In step S110, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S120.

[0074] In step S120, the function setting list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, the function setting list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10.

[0075] Then, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information and the function setting list, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information and the function setting list, and is ready to be used. Note that the order of step S110 and step S120 may be reversed. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S130.

[0076] In step S130, the air conditioner 10 is turned on power. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S140.

[0077] In step S140, the type name information is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 of the outdoor unit 13 reads and acquires the type name information stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S150.

[0078] In step S150, the type name information is analyzed. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 analyzes the type name information that has been read, and acquires information included in the type name information related to the air conditioner 10. For example, in a case of analyzing the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4, the function setting unit 139 acquires information including the control class of the inverter control, a slim ZR model as the unit type, an R32 refrigerant as the refrigerant class, 56 kW as the performance range, and single-phase 200 V as the power class. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S160.

[0079] In step S160, the function setting list is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 reads and acquires the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S170.

[0080] In step S170, on the basis of the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled is determined. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150 with the function setting list acquired in step S160, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the function setting list, the control function unit corresponding to the information related to the air conditioner 10 included in the type name information as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0081] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the enabling information that is the information of the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the enabling information transmitted from the function setting unit 139. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S180.

[0082] In step S180, the control function unit corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 is enabled. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 performs setting for enabling the control function unit corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function unit indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0083] That is, among the plurality of the control functions included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Enabling the control function unit indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138 can be said as enabling use of the control program for implementing the function of the control function unit indicated by the enabling information among the control programs created for the individual control classes. Note that, at the time the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory, all the control function units are disabled.

[0084] After that, in the air conditioner 10, air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Here, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, the outdoor unit control unit 138 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0085] Specifically, the remote controller 15 transmits a start command to the indoor unit control unit 118 of the indoor unit 11. Upon receiving the start command, the indoor unit control unit 118 starts the operation of the indoor unit 11 and transmits a start command to the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the start command transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and then starts the operation of the outdoor unit 13. After that, in the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, the outdoor unit control unit 138 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0086] Note that, among the processings described above, the processings after step S130 are performed at the time of first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory and installed at the installation site, or at the time of first power-on after the outdoor unit control board 140 is initialized.

[0087] The air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment described above can implement the air conditioner that performs air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned, the air conditioner including: the control unit including the plurality of the control function units that performs the air conditioning; and the function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from the type name information that is the information indicating the type name of the air conditioner, in which the control unit enables the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled by the function setting unit.

[0088] As described above, in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment, the type name information and the function setting list are stored in advance in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. The function setting unit 139 has the function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled. At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the type name information and the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0089] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 with a simple structure without implementing, on the outdoor unit control board 140, a function setting component for setting the control function of the outdoor unit control unit 138 corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Here, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is generally a component implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140 for holding the control information, and thus there is no increase in the number of components implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0090] The air conditioner 10 not requiring the function setting component has a small number of components implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140 and thus can reduce the board size of the outdoor unit control board 140 by avoiding enlargement of the outdoor unit control board 140 and can also reduce the risk of failure of the outdoor unit control board 140, thereby being able to achieve reduction in size and stabilization of quality of the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0091] Moreover, the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 can be used as the outdoor unit in which the outdoor unit control board 140 is used in common by the plurality of different models of the outdoor units, so that it is not necessary to manufacture a plurality of types of outdoor units and is possible to reduce the cost of a plurality of models of air conditioners. That is, the air conditioner 10 includes the outdoor unit control board 140 that can be shared by the plurality of different models of the outdoor units, and at the same time can reduce the cost of the plurality of models of the air conditioners.

[0092] In the manufacturing factory of the air conditioner 10, the work of implementing the function setting component on the outdoor unit control board 140 and the work of setting the function setting component are unnecessary, whereby the air conditioner 10 can be easily manufactured. Also, at the time of installing the air conditioner 10, an installation worker does not need to set and check the function setting component, which makes the installation work of the air conditioner 10 easy. In addition, a user can enjoy the air conditioner 10 of high quality achieving reduction in size and stabilization of quality without failure of the air conditioner 10 due to malfunction of the function setting component.

[0093] Furthermore, the above description has described the case where, among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138 on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13, the control function unit actually used in controlling the air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the outdoor unit 13 is enabled, but the processing described above may be applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, when the processing described above is applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, the control function unit actually used in controlling the air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the indoor unit 11 can be enabled.

[0094] In this case, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of enabling the control function unit in the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0095] That is, in order for the indoor unit control board 119 including the indoor unit control unit 118 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the indoor units, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. In addition, the type name information and a function setting list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described function setting list are stored in advance in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11.

[0096] Moreover, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. As a result, the indoor unit control unit 118 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the indoor units. That is, the indoor unit control unit 118 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0097] Moreover, the indoor unit control board 119 includes a function setting unit for the indoor unit corresponding to the function setting unit 139 described above. The function setting unit for the indoor unit has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, and a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0098] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118.

[0099] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 with a simple structure without implementing, on the indoor unit control board 119, a function setting component for setting the control function of the indoor unit control unit 118 corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Here, the indoor unit storage unit 113 is generally a component implemented on the indoor unit control board 119 for holding the control information, and thus there is no increase in the number of components implemented on the indoor unit control board 119.

[0100] Moreover, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118 described above, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0101] Regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit 139, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. Similarly, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit 139, the indoor unit control unit 118 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information.

[0102] Alternatively, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. Similarly, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the indoor unit control unit 118 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information.

[0103] As described above, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment achieves reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with a simple structure and is capable of control of the plurality of different models.Second Embodiment

[0104] A second embodiment will describe a case where, regarding other functions included in the air conditioner 10, a control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 is specified by the function setting unit 139. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0105] FIG. 8 focuses on the “A” control unit 138A among a plurality of control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and illustrates control constants used in the “A” control unit 138A. Note that, although not illustrated, other control function units such as the “B” control unit 138B and the “C” control unit 138C also use corresponding control constants to be used therein.

[0106] In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 stores a control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit that stores the control constant list.

[0107] The control constant list includes association information between information included in the type name information and the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138. That is, the control constant list can be said to be control constant correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control constants to be used for control in the control function enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0108] Therefore, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the control constant list. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit of the control constant correspondence information for storing the control constant correspondence information.

[0109] In the control constant list, for example, regarding inverter control, a control constant α, a control constant β, and a control constant γ to be used in the “A” control unit that performs “A” control are held in association with the inverter control class of “A”. Also, in the control constant list, regarding inverter control, control constants such as a control constant δ, a control constant ε, and a control constant ζ (not illustrated) to be used in the “B” control unit that performs “B” control are held in association with the inverter control class of “B”. Moreover, in the control constant list, for each of the control function units of the “C” control unit to the “K” control unit, control constants to be used in the control function unit are similarly stored.

[0110] In the second embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the function setting list, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the control constant list, thereby determining the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled. The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the enabling information that is information of the control function unit determined as the function to be enabled, and control constant information that is information of the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0111] Moreover, in the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 can transmit a control constant not held in the control constant list from the outdoor unit communication unit 134 to the function setting unit 139 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137. An installation worker of the air conditioner 10 transmits the control constant not held in the control constant list from a communication device such as a mobile terminal to the function setting unit 139 for each control function unit. The function setting unit 139 transmits the control constant, which is not held in the control constant list and is transmitted from the communication device such as the mobile terminal to the function setting unit 139, to the outdoor unit control unit 138 as constant change command information indicating that the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled are changed from the control constants held in the control constant list.

[0112] As a result, in the air conditioner 10, the control constant not held in the control constant list can be set in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function units can each perform control using the control constant not held in the control constant list.

[0113] Next, the operation of the air conditioner 10 in the second embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant of the air conditioner 10 in the second embodiment.

[0114] First, as in the case of the first embodiment, step S110 and step S120 are performed. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S210.

[0115] In step S210, the control constant list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the control constant list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10.

[0116] Then, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list, and is ready to be used. Note that step S110, step S120, and step S210 may be in any order. After that, step S130 to step S180 are performed, and the procedure proceeds to step S220.

[0117] In step S220, the control constant list is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit139 reads and acquires the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S230.

[0118] In step S230, on the basis of the control constant list, the control constant is determined. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150 with the control constant list acquired in step S220, thereby determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, that is, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled in step S170. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the control constant list, the control constant corresponding to the information included in the type name information related to the air conditioner 10 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit that is enabled in relation to the information related to the air conditioner 10. The control constant is determined for each information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150, that is, for each control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0119] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the control constant information that is the information of the control constant determined as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the control constant information transmitted from the function setting unit 139. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S240.

[0120] In step S240, the control constant is set. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, in the control function unit enabled, the control constant that is determined in step S230 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The control constant is set for each control function unit. Setting the control constant, which is determined as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled, in the control function unit enabled can be said as applying the control constant to the control program for implementing the function of the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S250.

[0121] In step S250, whether or not the constant change command information has been received is determined. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines whether or not the constant change command information has been received.

[0122] The constant change command information is command information that gives an instruction to set a control constant not held in the control constant list as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled. That is, the constant change command information is the command information that gives an instruction to set not the control constant determined in step S230 but a control constant not held in the control constant list as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The constant change command information includes information of a command value of the control constant that is not held in the control constant list and is to be set in the control function unit as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. When receiving the constant change command information from a communication device such as a mobile terminal that is an external device of the outdoor unit 13, the outdoor unit control unit 138 stores the constant change command information in the outdoor unit storage unit 133.

[0123] In a case where the constant change command information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has been received. In a case where the constant change command information is not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has not been received.

[0124] In the case where the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has not been received, “No” is selected in step S250, and the series of processing for enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant is ended. In the case where the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has been received, “Yes” is selected in step S250, and the procedure proceeds to step S260.

[0125] In step S260, the control constant is set to the command value. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets the command value of the control constant included in the constant change command information as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 changes the setting of the control constant by changing the control constant, which is set in step S240 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled, to the command value of the control constant included in the constant change command information. The change of the setting of the control constant is made for each control function unit enabled. After the above processing, the series of processing for enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant is ended.

[0126] After that, in the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Here, the outdoor unit control unit 138 uses the control constant set in step S240 or step S260, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, thereby controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0127] For example, in the case of models of air conditioners that are products of the same series and have different horsepower, when compressor frequencies are different although the control is the same for the same series of products at the time of cooling, the horsepower can be read from the type name to specify an appropriate operating frequency. The horsepower in this case corresponds to the performance range.

[0128] Moreover, in a case where a control constant other than the control constants held in the control constant list is to be used for the air conditioner 10, the control constant can be specified from the outdoor unit communication unit 134 to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 so that the air conditioning control function of the air conditioner 10 can be tuned as desired by a customer.

[0129] As described above, in the air conditioner 10 of the second embodiment, the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list are stored in advance in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. The function setting unit 139 has the function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled, the function of determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, and the function of setting the control constant, which has been determined on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, in the control function unit enabled.

[0130] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the type name information and the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0131] Also, at the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. Then, the function setting unit 139 sets the control constant determined in the control function unit enabled.

[0132] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control constant by automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function of the air conditioner 10 at the time of installation.

[0133] An installation worker does not need to set the control constant at the time of installing the air conditioner 10, which makes the installation work of the air conditioner 10 easy.

[0134] Moreover, the air conditioner 10 specifies the control constant from a communication device such as a mobile terminal to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit communication unit 134 and the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 to be able to perform more detailed setting of the air conditioning control function, and thus the quality of the air conditioner 10 is improved.

[0135] Furthermore, the above description has described the case where, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 in the outdoor unit control unit 138 on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit is automatically set, but the above processing may be applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, when the above processing is applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, as described in the first embodiment above, it is possible to automatically set, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 in the indoor unit control unit 118, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit.

[0136] In this case, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of enabling the control function unit in the outdoor unit control board 140. Furthermore, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 on the outdoor unit control board 140, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit.

[0137] That is, in order for the indoor unit control board 119 including the indoor unit control unit 118 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the indoor units, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. Moreover, the type name information, a function setting list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described function setting list, and a control constant list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described control constant list are stored in advance in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11.

[0138] Moreover, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. As a result, the indoor unit control unit 118 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the indoor units. That is, the indoor unit control unit 118 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0139] Moreover, the function setting unit for the indoor unit has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled, a function of determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, and a function of setting the control constant, which has been determined on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, in the control function unit enabled.

[0140] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118.

[0141] Also, at the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the control constant list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit sets the determined control constant in the control function unit enabled.

[0142] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control constant by automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function of the air conditioner 10 at the time of installation.

[0143] Moreover, as described in the first embodiment above, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0144] Moreover, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control constant may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control constant may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0145] Regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit 139, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information. Similarly, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit 139, the indoor unit control unit 118 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information.

[0146] Alternatively, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information. Similarly, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the indoor unit control unit 118 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information.Third Embodiment

[0147] A third embodiment will describe a case where the air conditioner 10 receives specification information and a control constant of a control function unit to be enabled from a server via a general-purpose network. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment includes an air conditioner 10a, an air conditioner 10b, a network server 300, a remote monitoring device 401, a remote monitoring device 402, and a central controller 500.

[0148] Note that in the following description, the air conditioner 10a and the air conditioner 10b may be generically referred to as the air conditioner 10 when not distinguished from each other.

[0149] The components of the air conditioning system 200 above can exchange information with one another. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may be wireless communication or wired communication. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may also be communication via the Internet (not illustrated). Note that although the configuration of the air conditioner 10 of the air conditioning system 200 is not limited, here, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the air conditioner 10 includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a remote controller.

[0150] The air conditioner 10a includes an outdoor unit 13a, two of the indoor units 11, and two of the remote controllers 15. That is, in the air conditioner 10a, the two indoor units 11 are connected to the outdoor unit 13a, and the remote controllers 15 dedicated to corresponding ones of the indoor units 11 are provided. The air conditioner 10a basically includes the configurations and functions of the air conditioner 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above. Meanwhile, the air conditioner 10a includes the outdoor unit 13a instead of the outdoor unit 13.

[0151] In addition to having the functions of the outdoor unit 13 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above, the outdoor unit 13a can receive the function setting list and the control constant list from the network server 300 and store or update the lists. In the outdoor unit 13a, on the basis of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 and stored, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment above, the function setting unit 139 can determine the control function unit to be enabled on the basis of the function setting list and determine the control constant on the basis of the control constant list.

[0152] The air conditioner 10b includes the outdoor unit 13a, the indoor unit 11, and the remote controller 15. That is, in the air conditioner 10b, one unit of the indoor unit 11 is connected to the outdoor unit 13a, and the remote controller 15 dedicated to the indoor unit 11 is provided. The air conditioner 10b includes configurations and functions similar to those of the air conditioner 10a except for including one unit of each of the indoor unit 11 and the remote controller 15. That is, the air conditioner 10b also basically includes the configurations and functions of the air conditioner 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above. Moreover, the air conditioner 10b also includes the outdoor unit 13a instead of the outdoor unit 13.

[0153] The network server 300 can communicate with the air conditioner 10, and has a function as a database that stores operating information and system information related to the air conditioner 10, and a function that stores information of the function setting list and the control constant list described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10. The network server 300 can be accessed, for example, by a designer of a manufacturer of the air conditioner 10 via the Internet (not illustrated). As a result, the designer of the manufacturer can check various information such as the operating information and the system information of a plurality of the air conditioners 10 installed nationwide without going to the sites where the air conditioners 10 are installed. As the network server 300, a cloud server or a physical server can be used.

[0154] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network server 300 according to the third embodiment. The network server 300 includes a server communication unit 301, a server storage unit 302, and a server control unit 303. The components of the network server 300 above can exchange information with one another.

[0155] The server communication unit 301 can communicate with a monitoring communication unit 414 (to be described) of each of the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402. The server communication unit 301 and the monitoring communication unit 414 of each of the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402 can communicate with each other via the Internet, for example. The server communication unit 301 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10.

[0156] The server storage unit 302 has the function as the database that stores the operating information of the air conditioner 10 and the system information of the air conditioner 10, and the function that stores the function setting list and the control constant list.

[0157] Therefore, the server storage unit 302 has a function as a storage unit of the control function unit correspondence information for storing the control function unit correspondence information. Moreover, the server storage unit 302 has a function as a storage unit of the control constant correspondence information for storing the control constant correspondence information. In addition, the server storage unit 302 stores various information used for control of the network server 300.

[0158] The server control unit 303 controls the overall processing of the network server 300. Moreover, the server control unit 303 performs control to acquire the operating information of the air conditioner 10 from the air conditioner 10 and store the operating information in the Server storage unit 302. In addition, the server control unit 303 performs control to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list stored in the server storage unit 302 to the air conditioner 10 via the Internet.

[0159] That is, the server control unit 303 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402 via the server communication unit 301. The remote monitoring device 401 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500. The remote monitoring device 402 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b.

[0160] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the remote monitoring device 401 according to the third embodiment. The remote monitoring device 401 is disposed in a monitoring center distant from the air conditioner 10a, and is connected to the central controller 500 and the network server 300 to be able to transmit / receive information to / from the central controller 500 and the network server 300. The remote monitoring device 401 is connected to the central controller 500 to be able to monitor the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500 and also control the air conditioner 10a from the remote monitoring device 401 by remote operation via the central controller 500. Moreover, the remote monitoring device 401 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500.

[0161] The remote monitoring device 401 includes a monitoring operation unit 411, a monitoring display unit 412, a monitoring storage unit 413, the monitoring communication unit 414, and a monitoring control unit 415.

[0162] The monitoring operation unit 411 accepts a setting operation related to monitoring of the air conditioner 10 and a setting operation related to control of the air conditioner 10. Upon accepting an operation from a monitoring worker, the monitoring operation unit 411 outputs information corresponding to the operation of the monitoring worker to the monitoring control unit 415 as an operation signal.

[0163] The monitoring display unit 412 as a display unit that displays various information displays information and a state necessary for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as a set temperature and an operating mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches the display to a screen corresponding to the operation on the monitoring operation unit 411.

[0164] The monitoring storage unit 413 stores various information used for control of the air conditioner 10 and stores, temporarily or for a long term, settings to be displayed on the monitoring display unit 412 and image data related to the settings.

[0165] The monitoring communication unit 414 can bidirectionally communicate information with the server communication unit 301 of the network server 300 and a controller communication unit 502 of the central controller 500. Note that the communication between the monitoring communication unit 414 and each of the server communication unit 301 and the controller communication unit 502 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0166] The monitoring control unit 415 performs overall control of the remote monitoring device 401. The monitoring control unit 415 controls the central controller 500 on the basis of the operation signal output from the monitoring operation unit 411. The monitoring control unit 415 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the monitoring storage unit 413. The monitoring control unit 415 also controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10.

[0167] The remote monitoring device 402 is disposed in a monitoring center distant from the air conditioner 10b, and is connected to the network server 300 and the air conditioner 10b to be able to transmit / receive information to / from the network server 300 and the air conditioner 10b. The remote monitoring device 402 is connected to the air conditioner 10b to be able to monitor the air conditioner 10b and also control the air conditioner 10b by remote operation from the remote monitoring device 402.

[0168] The remote monitoring device 402 includes configurations and functions similar to those of the remote monitoring device 401 except that the subject of monitoring and control is not the air conditioner 10a but the air conditioner 10b. Note that the remote monitoring device 402 also functions as the central controller 500. The remote monitoring device 402 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b.

[0169] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the central controller 500 according to the third embodiment. The central controller 500 serves as an interface that connects the remote monitoring device 401 and the network server 300 to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, can control the operation and stopping of the air conditioner 10a, and can set operating conditions such as the operating mode and the set temperature to the air conditioner 10a. The central controller 500 is connected to the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, and can transmit / receive information to / from the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a.

[0170] The central controller 500 can monitor the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401, and can also control the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401. In addition, the central controller 500 acquires operating information of the air conditioner 10a, such as a state of the air conditioner 10a and a state of the use environment of the air conditioner 10a, from the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, and transmits the acquired information to the remote monitoring device 401.

[0171] The central controller 500 includes a controller storage unit 501, the controller communication unit 502, and a controller control unit 503.

[0172] The controller storage unit 501 stores various information used for monitoring and control of the air conditioner 10a.

[0173] The controller communication unit 502 can bidirectionally communicate information with the monitoring communication unit 414 of the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a. Note that the communication between the controller communication unit 502 and each of the monitoring communication unit 414 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0174] The controller control unit 503 performs overall control of the central controller 500. The controller control unit 503 performs control related to monitoring and control of the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401. The controller control unit 503 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the controller storage unit 501. The controller control unit 503 also controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a.

[0175] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit of the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment.

[0176] In step S110, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S310.

[0177] Here, in the air conditioning system 200, unlike the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the function setting list and the control constant list are not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory. That is, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the type name information being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and the function setting list and the control constant list not being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the type name information being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and the function setting list and the control constant list not being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and is ready to be used. After the air conditioner 10 is installed, the air conditioner 10 is connected to the network server 300.

[0178] In step S310, the function setting list and the control constant list are stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. Specifically, a worker such as a monitoring worker stores the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the Server storage unit 302 of the network server 300.

[0179] A method of inputting the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the network server 300 is not limited. The worker can, for example, transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the network server 300 by communication from an external device of the network server 300 such as a terminal device and a storage medium. The server control unit 303 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the external device of the network server 300, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the server storage unit 302. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S320.

[0180] In step S320, the air conditioner 10 receives the function setting list and the control constant list from the network server 300. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300.

[0181] The server control unit 303 of the network server 300 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 401 and the central controller 500. The outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 402. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S330.

[0182] In step S330, in the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list are stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the air conditioner 10 controls to store, in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 in step S320. As a result, in the air conditioner 10, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list can be stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 without the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the information of the function setting list and the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory.

[0183] That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 acquires the function setting list, which is the control function unit correspondence information, from the network server 300 as the external device of the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network, and controls to store the function setting list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 as a storage unit that stores the control function unit correspondence information. Moreover, the outdoor unit control unit 138 acquires the control constant list, which is the control constant correspondence information, from the network server 300 as the external device of the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network, and controls to store the control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 as a storage unit that stores the control constant correspondence information.

[0184] After that, step S130 to step S180 and step S220 to step S240 are performed similarly to the cases of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above.

[0185] As described above, in the air conditioning system 200, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can store the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, the air conditioner 10 can be easily manufactured.

[0186] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, the function setting list and the control constant list can be set in the outdoor unit 13a from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network so that, for example, the function setting list and the control constant list suitable for conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed can be set in the air conditioner 10 after the air conditioner 10 is manufactured. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and is suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

[0187] Note that the above description has described the case where the function setting list and the control constant list are not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, but the function setting list and the control constant list may be stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory. In this case, first, the processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the second embodiment is performed, and the air conditioner 10 is used. After that, the processing from step S310 to step S240 illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above is performed.

[0188] In this case, in step S310, information of the function setting list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in step S120, is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. Also, in step S310, information of the control constant list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in step S210, is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300.

[0189] In step S320, in the air conditioner 10, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 receives the function setting list and the control constant list stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the information of the function setting list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and the information of the control constant list whose contents are different from those of the information of the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133.

[0190] In step S330, in the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 are stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the air conditioner 10 controls to store, in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 in step S320.

[0191] Here, the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is updated with the function setting list received from the network server 300. Similarly, the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is updated with the control constant list received from the network server 300.

[0192] After that, the processing from step s130 to step S240 illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above is performed.

[0193] The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment described above can implement the air conditioning system including: the air conditioner including: the control unit including the plurality of the control function units that performs air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned; and the function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from the type name information that is the information indicating the type name of the air conditioner; and the server capable of communicating with the air conditioner and including the server storage unit that stores the control function unit correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the type name information and the control function unit to be enabled, in which the function setting unit determines the control function unit to be enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control function unit correspondence information.

[0194] As described above, in the air conditioning system 200, in the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 not storing the function setting list and the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, the function setting list and the control constant list can be set from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network. Also, in the air conditioning system 200, in the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 not storing at least either the function setting list or the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list can be set from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network.

[0195] Thus, the air conditioning system 200 can set, in the outdoor unit 13a, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list having different individual contents for each of a plurality of the air conditioners 10 manufactured under the same conditions. Therefore, for example, the function setting list and the control constant list suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed can be set in the air conditioner 10 after the air conditioner 10 is manufactured. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and is suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

[0196] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can update the function setting list and the control constant list that are stored with the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300. Also, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can update at least either the function setting list or the control constant list. Therefore, the air conditioning system 200 can have a higher degree of freedom in changing the control of the air conditioner 10. Note that the information to be updated may be at least either the function setting list or the control constant list received from the network server 300.

[0197] In the air conditioning system 200, for example, a service person of a manufacturer can change at least either the function setting list or the control constant list without visiting the place where the air conditioner 10 is installed. In the air conditioning system 200, the network server 300 can be connected to a plurality of the air conditioners 10 installed all over the country. As a result, in the air conditioning system 200, the function setting list and the control constant list can be changed in each of the plurality of systems of the air conditioners 10, and the function setting list and the control constant list can be changed by collective operation in any of the air conditioners 10.

[0198] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, in a case where relocation or the like results in a change in the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed and a change in the use environment or the like of the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list more suitable for the new use conditions of the air conditioner 10 can be set again in the air conditioner 10. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed, thereby being able to stabilize the quality of the air conditioner 10 and enhance the availability of the control of the air conditioner 10.

[0199] Moreover, the information stored in the network server 300 is not limited to the function setting list and the control constant list. For example, a control program for controlling the air conditioner 10 may be stored in the server storage unit 302. As a result, the server control unit 303 can transmit the control program from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10.

[0200] For example, in a case where a user of a house or an office in which the air conditioner 10 has been installed requests a change in the control for improving the quality of the air conditioner 10, a new control program with improved quality satisfying the request of the user is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300, and the new control program is transmitted from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control. The control program here is a control program that implements a control function unit. The air conditioner 10 receives and acquires the new control program transmitted from the network server 300, and executes the new control program to implement a new control function unit. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can respond to the user's request to change the control of the air conditioner 10.

[0201] Moreover, in a case where more detailed control settings are required, the control constant list is also reviewed, and a new control constant list is stored in the network server 300 and transmitted from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control. This enables more detailed control settings in the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control.

[0202] That is, in the air conditioning system 200, the Server storage unit 302 of the network server 300 can store a program by which the air conditioner 10 implements the control function unit, and transmit the program to the air conditioner 10. Then, the air conditioner 10 acquires the program for implementing the control function unit from the network server 300 and executes the program to be able to implement the control function unit.

[0203] Note that although the configuration has been illustrated above as an example in which the function setting list and the control constant list are set in the air conditioner 10 from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 401 and the central controller 500, the method of setting the function setting list and the control constant list in the air conditioner 10 is not limited thereto.

[0204] As described above, the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment has effects similar to those of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0205] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, a function setting list, the control constant list, and the control program can be remotely updated in the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, for individual handling of the quality of the air conditioner 10, it is possible to save time for a service person to go to the place where the air conditioner 10 is installed and perform work, so that a user can receive more prompt service.

[0206] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, information such as operating data of the air conditioner 10 in operation can be stored in the network server 300 via the central controller 500. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, analyzing the information such as the operating data of the air conditioner 10 can determine the control constant of higher quality.

[0207] Moreover, the above description has described the case where the central controller 500 or the remote monitoring device 402 is connected to the outdoor unit 13a, but the central controller 500 or the remote monitoring device 402 may be connected to the indoor unit 11. That is, by applying the above processing to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list, which is not stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, can be set in the indoor unit storage unit 113 from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network.

[0208] Then, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control function unit is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control constant used for control in the control function unit is automatically set in the control function unit enabled. In this case as well, the effects described in the third embodiment above can be obtained.

[0209] Next, a hardware configuration of each of control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments will be described. The control unit 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments corresponds to each of the indoor unit control unit 118 in the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10, the remote controller control unit 155 in the remote controller 15 of the air conditioner 10, the Server control unit 303 of the network server 300, the monitoring control unit 415 of the remote monitoring device 401, and the controller control unit 503 of the central controller 500. The functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be dedicated hardware or a processing device that executes a program stored in a storage device.

[0210] In a case where the processing circuitry is the dedicated hardware, the processing circuitry corresponds to a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination thereof. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by hardware. Processing circuitry 81 incorporates a logic circuit 81a that implements the functions of the control unit 80.

[0211] In a case where the processing circuitry 81 is the processing device, the functions of the control unit 80 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0212] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by software. The processing circuitry 81 includes a processor 811 that executes a program 81b, a random access memory 812 used as a work area by the processor 811, and a storage device 813 that stores the program 81b. The processor 811 expands the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 in the random access memory 812 and executes the program 81b, whereby the functions of the control unit 80 are implemented. The software or firmware is described in a program language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 includes a central processing unit, but is not limited thereto. The storage device 813 can use a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)). The semiconductor memory may be a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory. Besides the semiconductor memory, the storage device 813 can use a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Note that the processor 811 may output data such as a calculation result to the storage device 813 and store the data therein, or may store the data in an auxiliary storage device (not illustrated) via the random access memory 812. When the processor 811, the random access memory 812, and the storage device 813 are integrated on one chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be implemented by a microcomputer.

[0213] The processing circuitry 81 reads and executes the program 81b stored in the storage device 813, thereby implementing the functions of the control unit 80. It can also be said that the program 81b causes a computer to execute procedures and methods for implementing the functions of the control unit 80.

[0214] Note that the processing circuitry 81 may implement some of the functions of the control unit 80 by the dedicated hardware and implement some of the functions of the control unit 80 by the software or firmware.

[0215] As described above, the processing circuitry 81 can implement the aforementioned functions by the hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0216] The program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in the first, second, and third embodiments causes the processing circuitry 81 to execute the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138. The program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes a program individually packaged, for each of the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, for implementing the function of the control function unit.

[0217] In addition, the program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in the first, second, and third embodiments includes a program, for each of the plurality of the control function units, for executing a step of enabling the control function unit and a program, for each of the plurality of the control function units, for executing a step of disabling the control function unit.

[0218] The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments each merely illustrate an example so that another known technique can be combined, the embodiments can be combined together, or the configurations can be partially omitted and / or modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

first embodiment

[0026]FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment includes an indoor unit 11 installed in a room, an outdoor unit 13 installed outside the room, a refrigerant pipe 17 for circulating a refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13, and a remote control device (remote controller) 15 that transmits a control instruction command for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 13 can communicate with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line not illustrated. Hereinafter, the remote control device may be referred to as a remote controller.

[0027]The air conditioner 10 forms one complete refrigeration cycle by the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13. The air conditioner 10 uses the refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 through the refrige...

second embodiment

[0104]A second embodiment will describe a case where, regarding other functions included in the air conditioner 10, a control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 is specified by the function setting unit 139. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0105]FIG. 8 focuses on the “A” control unit 138A among a plurality of control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and illustrates control constants used in the “A” control unit 138A. Note that, although not illustrated, other control function units such as the “B” control unit 138B and the “C” control unit 138C also use corresponding control constants to be used therein.

[0106]In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 stores a control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 h...

third embodiment

[0147]A third embodiment will describe a case where the air conditioner 10 receives specification information and a control constant of a control function unit to be enabled from a server via a general-purpose network. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment includes an air conditioner 10a, an air conditioner 10b, a network server 300, a remote monitoring device 401, a remote monitoring device 402, and a central controller 500.

[0148]Note that in the following description, the air conditioner 10a and the air conditioner 10b may be generically referred to as the air conditioner 10 when not distinguished from each other.

[0149]The components of the air conditioning system 200 above can exchange information with one another. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may be wireless communication o...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT / JP2023 / 003597 filed on Feb. 3, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system in which a control board can be used in common by a plurality of different models of air conditioners.BACKGROUND

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes that, in an air conditioner, a capacity control operating program for executing capacity control of an inverter compressor and a constant-speed operating program for executing constant-speed control of a constant-speed compressor are stored in an operating program storage unit, and from the capacity control operating program and the constant-speed operating program, the operating program to be used is selected and executed on the basis of a combination of information related to the type of the compressor stored in a model information storage unit and a state of a jumper.Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-115665

[0005] According to the technique of Patent Literature 1 above, in order for a control program to be shared by a plurality of models of air conditioners, one control program is used in which a plurality of operating functions corresponding to the models is aggregated. However, in the technique of Patent Literature 1 above, in order for a desired operating program to be selected from the one control program in which the plurality of operating functions is aggregated, it is necessary to mount function setting components such as the jumper and a dip switch on a control board, which makes the structure complicated and has caused a problem that the control board and the air conditioner increase in size and that the possibility of failure increases.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that achieves reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with a simple structure and is capable of control of a plurality of different models.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem and achieve the object, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is an air conditioner that performs air conditioning of an area to be air-conditioned. The air conditioner includes: a control unit including a plurality of control function units that performs the air conditioning; and a function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from type name information that is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner. The control unit enables the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled by the function setting unit.

[0008] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure has an effect of achieving reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with the simple structure and being capable of control of the plurality of different models.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of type name information of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a function setting list in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in a second embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit and setting a control constant of the air conditioner in the second embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network server according to the third embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote monitoring device according to the third embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a central controller according to the third embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling a control function unit of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which each function of the control units according to the first, second, and third embodiments is implemented by hardware.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which each function of the control units according to the first, second, and third embodiments is implemented by software.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an air conditioner and an air conditioning system according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.First Embodiment

[0026] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment includes an indoor unit 11 installed in a room, an outdoor unit 13 installed outside the room, a refrigerant pipe 17 for circulating a refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13, and a remote control device (remote controller) 15 that transmits a control instruction command for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 13 can communicate with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line not illustrated. Hereinafter, the remote control device may be referred to as a remote controller.

[0027] The air conditioner 10 forms one complete refrigeration cycle by the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13. The air conditioner 10 uses the refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 through the refrigerant pipe 17 to perform heat transfer between air in the room, which is a space to be air-conditioned, and air outside the room, thereby achieving air conditioning in the room. That is, the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 are connected by the refrigerant pipe 17, and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 17 undergoes a change in pressure by a compressor included in the outdoor unit 13, thereby absorbing and releasing heat to perform air conditioning.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The indoor unit 11 includes an indoor unit air conditioning unit 111, an indoor unit sensor 112, an indoor unit storage unit 113, an indoor unit communication unit 114, an indoor unit sensor input unit 115, an indoor unit external output unit 116, an indoor unit external input / output unit 117, and an indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit storage unit 113, the indoor unit communication unit 114, the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, the indoor unit external output unit 116, the indoor unit external input / output unit 117, and the indoor unit control unit 118 are implemented on an indoor unit control board 119 that is one control board for the indoor unit 11.

[0029] The indoor unit air conditioning unit 111 has an air conditioning function of an indoor unit of a typical air conditioner, and performs air conditioning in a room that is an area to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit air conditioning unit 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not illustrated) that performs heat exchange between the air taken into the indoor unit 11 and the refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit, a blower fan (not illustrated) that sends the conditioned air obtained after heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit 11 into the room, a wind direction adjusting unit (not illustrated) that adjusts a direction in which the conditioned air is sent from the indoor unit 11, and the like. The air taken into the indoor unit 11 is indoor air in the room in which the indoor unit 11 is installed.

[0030] The indoor unit sensor 112 is a sensor that detects a state of the air conditioner 10 and a state of a use environment of the air conditioner 10 in order to control the air conditioner 10. The indoor unit sensor 112 includes, for example, an indoor temperature sensor that detects a temperature in the room, an in-room sensor that detects a person in the room, and a position sensor that detects a position of each motor provided in the indoor unit 11.

[0031] The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a storage unit that stores various control setting values, control programs, and the like for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 including the outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0032] The indoor unit communication unit 114 communicates with an external device of the indoor unit 11. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 114 communicates with a communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11, such as a remote controller communication unit 154, which is described later, of the remote controller 15 and an outdoor unit communication unit 134, which is described later, of the outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit communication unit 114 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11 to the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117. The indoor unit communication unit 114 transmits information received from the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117 to the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 11.

[0033] A method of communication between the communication unit of the external device and the indoor unit communication unit 114 may be wired communication or wireless communication using infrared communication, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0034] The indoor unit sensor input unit 115 receives, from the indoor unit sensor 112, sensor information that is a result of detection by the indoor unit sensor 112. The indoor unit sensor input unit 115 transmits the sensor information received to the indoor unit control unit 118 via the indoor unit external input / output unit 117.

[0035] The indoor unit external output unit 116 performs processing of outputting a control command to an actuator (not illustrated) provided in the indoor unit 11. That is, the indoor unit external output unit 116 receives the control command for the actuator provided in the indoor unit 11 from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the control command received to the actuator provided in the indoor unit 11.

[0036] The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 has a function as an interface between the indoor unit control unit 118 and the indoor unit communication unit 114, the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, and the indoor unit external output unit 116. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives the sensor information transmitted from the indoor unit sensor input unit 115, and transmits the sensor information to the indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various information transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 114, and transmits the various information to the indoor unit control unit 118. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various information transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the various information to the indoor unit communication unit 114. The indoor unit external input / output unit 117 receives various control information transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and transmits the various control information to the indoor unit communication unit 114 or the indoor unit external output unit 116.

[0037] The indoor unit control unit 118 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operations of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The outdoor unit 13 includes an outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131, an outdoor unit sensor 132, an outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit communication unit 134, an outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, an outdoor unit external output unit 136, an outdoor unit external input / output unit 137, an outdoor unit control unit 138, and a function setting unit 139. The outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit communication unit 134, the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, the outdoor unit external output unit 136, the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137, the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the function setting unit 139 are implemented on an outdoor unit control board 140 that is one control board for the outdoor unit 13.

[0039] The outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131 has an air conditioning function of an outdoor unit of a typical air conditioner, and performs air conditioning in the room that is the area to be air-conditioned. The outdoor unit air conditioning unit 131 includes an outdoor heat exchanger (not illustrated) that performs heat exchange between air taken into the outdoor unit 13 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant pressure switch, a refrigerant flow rate adjusting electromagnetic valve, a fan motor, a compressor, and an actuator such as a motor of the compressor. The air taken into the outdoor unit 13 is outside air that is outdoor air around the outdoor unit 13.

[0040] The outdoor unit sensor 132 is a sensor that detects a state of the air conditioner 10 and a state of the use environment of the air conditioner 10 in order to control the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit sensor 132 includes, for example, an outdoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the outside air as the outdoor air, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the compressor included in the outdoor unit 13, a position sensor that detects the position of each motor provided in the outdoor unit 13, and a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed or the like of each motor provided in the outdoor unit 13.

[0041] The outdoor unit storage unit 133 is a storage unit that stores information such as various control setting values and programs for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 13. The outdoor unit storage unit 133 stores type name information, system information, control information, anomaly occurrence information, a function setting list, and a control program. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit that stores the function setting list. The outdoor unit storage unit 133 is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0042] Moreover, in order for the outdoor unit control board 140 including the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the outdoor units 13, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units.

[0043] The type name information is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner 10, and is information specific to the model of the air conditioner 10. The type name information is unique and different between the models even for products of the same series, for example, and includes information specifying control functions used in the individual air conditioners 10. That is, it can be said that the type name information includes information that specifies the control program for controlling the air conditioner 10 from the individual control programs for the operation control of the corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units stored in the air conditioner 10.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the type name information in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 4 also illustrates descriptions of information included in the type name information, that is, information that can be read from the type name information. The type name information includes, for example, information on the class of inverter control of the compressor of the outdoor unit 13, class information of the unit type of the air conditioner 10, information on the class of the refrigerant used by the air conditioner 10, information on the performance range of the air conditioner 10, information on the power class of the air conditioner 10, and the like.

[0045] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the type name information is configured by a character string in which alphabets and numbers are combined. For example, in “PUZ-ZRMP56SKA12” that is the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4, the character “Z” indicates the information on the class of inverter control of the compressor of the outdoor unit 13. The characters “ZR” indicate the class information of the unit type of the air conditioner 10. The character “M” indicates the information on the class of the refrigerant used by the air conditioner 10. The characters “P56” indicate the information on the performance range of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. The character “S” indicates the information on the power class of the air conditioner 10. Note that the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example, and the type name information may include other information related to the air conditioner 10.

[0046] The system information is information indicating a system configuration of the air conditioner 10. The control information is information on a control history of the air conditioner 10. The anomaly occurrence information is information related to anomaly that has occurred in the air conditioner 10.

[0047] The function setting list includes association information between the information included in the type name information and a function to be enabled as a function to be actually used among a plurality of the control functions that can be executed by the air conditioner 10, that is, association information between the information included in the type name information and a control function unit to be enabled as a control function unit to be actually used among a plurality of the control function units that can be executed by the air conditioner 10. That is, the function setting list can be said to be control function correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control functions that can be executed by the air conditioner 10, and can be said to be control function unit correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control function units that can be executed by the air conditioner 10. In addition, the function setting list can be said to include information for specifying the control function unit to be enabled from the type name information of the air conditioner 10, such as information by which an “A” control unit that performs “A” control is enabled when the inverter control class is “A”.

[0048] Therefore, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the function setting list. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit of the control function unit correspondence information for storing the control function unit correspondence information.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the function setting list in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. In the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, regarding the inverter control, the “A” control unit as the control function unit that performs “A” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “A”. A “B” control unit as the control function unit that performs “B” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “B”. A “C” control unit as the control function unit that performs “C” control corresponds to the inverter control class of “C”. That is, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “A” control unit that performs “A” control is associated with the inverter control class of “A”. Likewise, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “B” control unit that performs “B” control is associated with the inverter control class of “B”. Also, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, the “C” control unit that performs “C” control is associated with the inverter control class of “C”.

[0050] Moreover, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the unit type, a “D” control unit as the control function unit that performs “D” control corresponds to the unit type class of “D”. An “E” control unit as the control function unit that performs “E” control corresponds to the unit type class of “E”. An “F” control unit as the control function unit that performs “F” control corresponds to the unit type class of “F”. Furthermore, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the refrigerant class, a “G” control unit as the control function unit that performs “G” control corresponds to the refrigerant class of “G”. An “H” control unit as the control function unit that performs “H” control corresponds to the refrigerant class of “H”.

[0051] Moreover, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the performance range, an “I” control unit that performs “I” control corresponds to the performance range of “I”. Furthermore, in the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5, regarding the power class, a “J” control unit that performs “J” control corresponds to the power class of “J”. A “K” control unit that performs “K” control corresponds to the power class of “K”. Note that the function setting list illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example, and the format of the function setting list is not limited as long as the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control function executable by the air conditioner 10 can be known therefrom.

[0052] With the use of the function setting list as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control function unit to be enabled in the air conditioner 10 can be specified from the information included in the type name information.

[0053] Note that the first embodiment describes the case where the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the function setting list, but the storage unit that stores the function setting list is not limited to the outdoor unit storage unit 133. The storage unit that stores the function setting list may be a storage unit provided independently of the outdoor unit storage unit 133 in the outdoor unit control board 140. In this case as well, the storage unit that stores the function setting list is a non-volatile storage unit, and includes a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0054] The outdoor unit communication unit 134 communicates with an external device of the outdoor unit 13. That is, the outdoor unit communication unit 134 communicates with a communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13, such as the indoor unit communication unit 114 of the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit communication unit 134 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13 to the function setting unit 139 or the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137. The outdoor unit communication unit 134 transmits information received from the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 to the communication unit of the external device of the outdoor unit 13.

[0055] A method of communication between the communication unit of the external device and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wired communication or wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like.

[0056] The outdoor unit sensor input unit 135 receives, from the outdoor unit sensor 132, sensor information that is a result of detection by the outdoor unit sensor 132. The outdoor unit sensor input unit 135 transmits the sensor information received to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137.

[0057] The outdoor unit external output unit 136 performs processing of outputting a control command to the actuator, which is provided in the outdoor unit 13, of an expansion valve, an electromagnetic valve, and the like of the outdoor unit 13. That is, the outdoor unit external output unit 136 receives the control command for the actuator provided in the outdoor unit 13 from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the control command received to the actuator provided in the outdoor unit 13.

[0058] The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 has a function as an interface between the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134, the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, and the outdoor unit external output unit 136. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives the sensor information transmitted from the outdoor unit sensor input unit 135, and transmits the sensor information to the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various information transmitted from the outdoor unit communication unit 134, and transmits the various information to the outdoor unit control unit 138 or the function setting unit 139. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various information transmitted from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the various information to the outdoor unit communication unit 134. The outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 receives various control information transmitted from the outdoor unit control unit 138, and transmits the various control information to the outdoor unit communication unit 134 or the outdoor unit external output unit 136.

[0059] The outdoor unit control unit 138 is a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operation of the outdoor unit 13 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit control unit 138 has a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the outdoor units. As a result, the outdoor unit control unit 138 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the outdoor units. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0060] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes an “A” control unit 138A, a “B” control unit 138B, a “C” control unit 138C, a “D” control unit 138D, an “E” control unit 138E, and an “F” control unit 138F that are the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only six of the control units for the sake of illustration.

[0061] The control function units are packaged for individual control classes and each include a control parameter setting function, a control determination function, and an operation instruction function. That is, the control function units are implemented by the control programs created for the individual control classes. The control function units can be individually enabled or disabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0062] Here, enabling is to set the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be usable, that is, to set the control function of the outdoor unit control unit 138 to be usable in order to be actually used for controlling air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the outdoor unit 13, and is to enable use of a corresponding one of the control programs created for the individual control classes.

[0063] The function setting unit 139 determines the control function unit to be set usable in the outdoor unit control unit 138 among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the function setting list, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. That is, the function setting unit 139 determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function to be enabled among the plurality of the control functions included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the function setting list, the control function unit corresponding to the information related to the air conditioner 10 included in the type name information as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0064] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, enabling information that is information of the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled, and is information specifying the control function unit to be enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the enabling information transmitted from the function setting unit 139 and enables the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. As the enabling information, for example, a set value individually determined in advance for each of the control function units can be used. Upon receiving information of the set value as the enabling information, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function unit corresponding to the set value. That is, the function setting unit 139 specifies, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and causes the outdoor unit control unit 138 to enable the control function unit specified.

[0065] Therefore, the function setting unit 139 has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the remote controller 15 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The remote controller 15 includes a remote controller operation unit 151, a remote controller display unit 152, a remote controller storage unit 153, the remote controller communication unit 154, and a remote controller control unit 155.

[0067] The remote controller operation unit 151 accepts a setting operation related to air conditioning of the air conditioner 10. Upon accepting an operation from a user, the remote controller operation unit 151 transmits information corresponding to the user's operation to the remote controller control unit 155 as an operation signal.

[0068] The remote controller display unit 152, which is a display unit that displays various information, displays information and states necessary for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as a set temperature and an operating mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches the display to a screen corresponding to an operation on the remote controller operation unit 151.

[0069] The remote controller storage unit 153 stores various information necessary for air conditioning processing in the air conditioner 10 and stores, temporarily or for a long term, settings to be displayed on the remote controller display unit 152 and image data related to the settings.

[0070] The remote controller communication unit 154 can perform bidirectional communication of information with the indoor unit communication unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 of the outdoor unit 13. Note that the communication between the remote controller communication unit 154 and each of the indoor unit communication unit 114 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0071] The remote controller control unit 155 controls the remote controller 15 on the basis of the operation signal output from the remote controller operation unit 151.

[0072] Next, the operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] In step S110, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S120.

[0074] In step S120, the function setting list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, the function setting list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10.

[0075] Then, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information and the function setting list, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information and the function setting list, and is ready to be used. Note that the order of step S110 and step S120 may be reversed. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S130.

[0076] In step S130, the air conditioner 10 is turned on power. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S140.

[0077] In step S140, the type name information is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 of the outdoor unit 13 reads and acquires the type name information stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S150.

[0078] In step S150, the type name information is analyzed. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 analyzes the type name information that has been read, and acquires information included in the type name information related to the air conditioner 10. For example, in a case of analyzing the type name information illustrated in FIG. 4, the function setting unit 139 acquires information including the control class of the inverter control, a slim ZR model as the unit type, an R32 refrigerant as the refrigerant class, 56 kW as the performance range, and single-phase 200 V as the power class. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S160.

[0079] In step S160, the function setting list is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 reads and acquires the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S170.

[0080] In step S170, on the basis of the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled is determined. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150 with the function setting list acquired in step S160, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the function setting list, the control function unit corresponding to the information related to the air conditioner 10 included in the type name information as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0081] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the enabling information that is the information of the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the enabling information transmitted from the function setting unit 139. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S180.

[0082] In step S180, the control function unit corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 is enabled. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 performs setting for enabling the control function unit corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function unit indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0083] That is, among the plurality of the control functions included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables the control function indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Enabling the control function unit indicated by the enabling information in the outdoor unit control unit 138 can be said as enabling use of the control program for implementing the function of the control function unit indicated by the enabling information among the control programs created for the individual control classes. Note that, at the time the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory, all the control function units are disabled.

[0084] After that, in the air conditioner 10, air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Here, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, the outdoor unit control unit 138 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0085] Specifically, the remote controller 15 transmits a start command to the indoor unit control unit 118 of the indoor unit 11. Upon receiving the start command, the indoor unit control unit 118 starts the operation of the indoor unit 11 and transmits a start command to the outdoor unit control unit 138. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the start command transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 118, and then starts the operation of the outdoor unit 13. After that, in the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, the outdoor unit control unit 138 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0086] Note that, among the processings described above, the processings after step S130 are performed at the time of first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory and installed at the installation site, or at the time of first power-on after the outdoor unit control board 140 is initialized.

[0087] The air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment described above can implement the air conditioner that performs air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned, the air conditioner including: the control unit including the plurality of the control function units that performs the air conditioning; and the function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from the type name information that is the information indicating the type name of the air conditioner, in which the control unit enables the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled by the function setting unit.

[0088] As described above, in the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment, the type name information and the function setting list are stored in advance in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. The function setting unit 139 has the function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled. At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the type name information and the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0089] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 with a simple structure without implementing, on the outdoor unit control board 140, a function setting component for setting the control function of the outdoor unit control unit 138 corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Here, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is generally a component implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140 for holding the control information, and thus there is no increase in the number of components implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0090] The air conditioner 10 not requiring the function setting component has a small number of components implemented on the outdoor unit control board 140 and thus can reduce the board size of the outdoor unit control board 140 by avoiding enlargement of the outdoor unit control board 140 and can also reduce the risk of failure of the outdoor unit control board 140, thereby being able to achieve reduction in size and stabilization of quality of the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0091] Moreover, the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 can be used as the outdoor unit in which the outdoor unit control board 140 is used in common by the plurality of different models of the outdoor units, so that it is not necessary to manufacture a plurality of types of outdoor units and is possible to reduce the cost of a plurality of models of air conditioners. That is, the air conditioner 10 includes the outdoor unit control board 140 that can be shared by the plurality of different models of the outdoor units, and at the same time can reduce the cost of the plurality of models of the air conditioners.

[0092] In the manufacturing factory of the air conditioner 10, the work of implementing the function setting component on the outdoor unit control board 140 and the work of setting the function setting component are unnecessary, whereby the air conditioner 10 can be easily manufactured. Also, at the time of installing the air conditioner 10, an installation worker does not need to set and check the function setting component, which makes the installation work of the air conditioner 10 easy. In addition, a user can enjoy the air conditioner 10 of high quality achieving reduction in size and stabilization of quality without failure of the air conditioner 10 due to malfunction of the function setting component.

[0093] Furthermore, the above description has described the case where, among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138 on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13, the control function unit actually used in controlling the air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the outdoor unit 13 is enabled, but the processing described above may be applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, when the processing described above is applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, the control function unit actually used in controlling the air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned by the indoor unit 11 can be enabled.

[0094] In this case, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of enabling the control function unit in the outdoor unit control board 140.

[0095] That is, in order for the indoor unit control board 119 including the indoor unit control unit 118 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the indoor units, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. In addition, the type name information and a function setting list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described function setting list are stored in advance in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11.

[0096] Moreover, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. As a result, the indoor unit control unit 118 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the indoor units. That is, the indoor unit control unit 118 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0097] Moreover, the indoor unit control board 119 includes a function setting unit for the indoor unit corresponding to the function setting unit 139 described above. The function setting unit for the indoor unit has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, and a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0098] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118.

[0099] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10 with a simple structure without implementing, on the indoor unit control board 119, a function setting component for setting the control function of the indoor unit control unit 118 corresponding to the model of the air conditioner 10. Here, the indoor unit storage unit 113 is generally a component implemented on the indoor unit control board 119 for holding the control information, and thus there is no increase in the number of components implemented on the indoor unit control board 119.

[0100] Moreover, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118 described above, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0101] Regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit 139, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. Similarly, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit 139, the indoor unit control unit 118 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information.

[0102] Alternatively, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit 138 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. Similarly, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the indoor unit control unit 118 enables, on the basis of the enabling information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control function unit indicated by the enabling information.

[0103] As described above, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment achieves reduction in the occurrence of failure, reduction in size, and stabilization of quality with a simple structure and is capable of control of the plurality of different models.Second Embodiment

[0104] A second embodiment will describe a case where, regarding other functions included in the air conditioner 10, a control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 is specified by the function setting unit 139. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0105] FIG. 8 focuses on the “A” control unit 138A among a plurality of control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and illustrates control constants used in the “A” control unit 138A. Note that, although not illustrated, other control function units such as the “B” control unit 138B and the “C” control unit 138C also use corresponding control constants to be used therein.

[0106] In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 stores a control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit that stores the control constant list.

[0107] The control constant list includes association information between information included in the type name information and the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138. That is, the control constant list can be said to be control constant correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the information included in the type name information and the control constants to be used for control in the control function enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0108] Therefore, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has the function as the storage unit that stores the control constant list. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 has a function as a storage unit of the control constant correspondence information for storing the control constant correspondence information.

[0109] In the control constant list, for example, regarding inverter control, a control constant α, a control constant β, and a control constant γ to be used in the “A” control unit that performs “A” control are held in association with the inverter control class of “A”. Also, in the control constant list, regarding inverter control, control constants such as a control constant δ, a control constant ε, and a control constant ζ (not illustrated) to be used in the “B” control unit that performs “B” control are held in association with the inverter control class of “B”. Moreover, in the control constant list, for each of the control function units of the “C” control unit to the “K” control unit, control constants to be used in the control function unit are similarly stored.

[0110] In the second embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the function setting list, thereby determining the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information with the control constant list, thereby determining the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled. The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the enabling information that is information of the control function unit determined as the function to be enabled, and control constant information that is information of the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled.

[0111] Moreover, in the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 can transmit a control constant not held in the control constant list from the outdoor unit communication unit 134 to the function setting unit 139 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137. An installation worker of the air conditioner 10 transmits the control constant not held in the control constant list from a communication device such as a mobile terminal to the function setting unit 139 for each control function unit. The function setting unit 139 transmits the control constant, which is not held in the control constant list and is transmitted from the communication device such as the mobile terminal to the function setting unit 139, to the outdoor unit control unit 138 as constant change command information indicating that the control constants to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled are changed from the control constants held in the control constant list.

[0112] As a result, in the air conditioner 10, the control constant not held in the control constant list can be set in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function units can each perform control using the control constant not held in the control constant list.

[0113] Next, the operation of the air conditioner 10 in the second embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant of the air conditioner 10 in the second embodiment.

[0114] First, as in the case of the first embodiment, step S110 and step S120 are performed. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S210.

[0115] In step S210, the control constant list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the control constant list is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10.

[0116] Then, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list, and is ready to be used. Note that step S110, step S120, and step S210 may be in any order. After that, step S130 to step S180 are performed, and the procedure proceeds to step S220.

[0117] In step S220, the control constant list is read from the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. Specifically, the function setting unit139 reads and acquires the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S230.

[0118] In step S230, on the basis of the control constant list, the control constant is determined. Specifically, the function setting unit 139 compares the information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150 with the control constant list acquired in step S220, thereby determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, that is, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled in step S170. The function setting unit 139 determines, in the control constant list, the control constant corresponding to the information included in the type name information related to the air conditioner 10 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit that is enabled in relation to the information related to the air conditioner 10. The control constant is determined for each information related to the air conditioner 10 acquired from the type name information in step S150, that is, for each control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled.

[0119] The function setting unit 139 transmits, to the outdoor unit control unit 138, the control constant information that is the information of the control constant determined as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the control constant information transmitted from the function setting unit 139. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S240.

[0120] In step S240, the control constant is set. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, in the control function unit enabled, the control constant that is determined in step S230 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The control constant is set for each control function unit. Setting the control constant, which is determined as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled, in the control function unit enabled can be said as applying the control constant to the control program for implementing the function of the control function unit indicated by the enabling information. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S250.

[0121] In step S250, whether or not the constant change command information has been received is determined. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines whether or not the constant change command information has been received.

[0122] The constant change command information is command information that gives an instruction to set a control constant not held in the control constant list as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit determined to be enabled. That is, the constant change command information is the command information that gives an instruction to set not the control constant determined in step S230 but a control constant not held in the control constant list as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. The constant change command information includes information of a command value of the control constant that is not held in the control constant list and is to be set in the control function unit as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. When receiving the constant change command information from a communication device such as a mobile terminal that is an external device of the outdoor unit 13, the outdoor unit control unit 138 stores the constant change command information in the outdoor unit storage unit 133.

[0123] In a case where the constant change command information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has been received. In a case where the constant change command information is not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has not been received.

[0124] In the case where the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has not been received, “No” is selected in step S250, and the series of processing for enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant is ended. In the case where the outdoor unit control unit 138 determines that the constant change command information has been received, “Yes” is selected in step S250, and the procedure proceeds to step S260.

[0125] In step S260, the control constant is set to the command value. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets the command value of the control constant included in the constant change command information as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 changes the setting of the control constant by changing the control constant, which is set in step S240 as the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled, to the command value of the control constant included in the constant change command information. The change of the setting of the control constant is made for each control function unit enabled. After the above processing, the series of processing for enabling the control function unit and setting the control constant is ended.

[0126] After that, in the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15 is performed by the indoor unit control unit 118 and the outdoor unit control unit 138. Here, the outdoor unit control unit 138 uses the control constant set in step S240 or step S260, by the control of the control function unit enabled in step S180, thereby controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 in accordance with the control command transmitted from the remote controller 15.

[0127] For example, in the case of models of air conditioners that are products of the same series and have different horsepower, when compressor frequencies are different although the control is the same for the same series of products at the time of cooling, the horsepower can be read from the type name to specify an appropriate operating frequency. The horsepower in this case corresponds to the performance range.

[0128] Moreover, in a case where a control constant other than the control constants held in the control constant list is to be used for the air conditioner 10, the control constant can be specified from the outdoor unit communication unit 134 to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 so that the air conditioning control function of the air conditioner 10 can be tuned as desired by a customer.

[0129] As described above, in the air conditioner 10 of the second embodiment, the type name information, the function setting list, and the control constant list are stored in advance in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13. The function setting unit 139 has the function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, the function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled, the function of determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, and the function of setting the control constant, which has been determined on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, in the control function unit enabled.

[0130] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the type name information and the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138. Then, the function setting unit 139 specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the outdoor unit control unit 138, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138.

[0131] Also, at the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit 139 reads the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. Then, the function setting unit 139 sets the control constant determined in the control function unit enabled.

[0132] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control constant by automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function of the air conditioner 10 at the time of installation.

[0133] An installation worker does not need to set the control constant at the time of installing the air conditioner 10, which makes the installation work of the air conditioner 10 easy.

[0134] Moreover, the air conditioner 10 specifies the control constant from a communication device such as a mobile terminal to the outdoor unit control unit 138 via the outdoor unit communication unit 134 and the outdoor unit external input / output unit 137 to be able to perform more detailed setting of the air conditioning control function, and thus the quality of the air conditioner 10 is improved.

[0135] Furthermore, the above description has described the case where, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 in the outdoor unit control unit 138 on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit is automatically set, but the above processing may be applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, when the above processing is applied to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, as described in the first embodiment above, it is possible to automatically set, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 in the indoor unit control unit 118, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit.

[0136] In this case, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of enabling the control function unit in the outdoor unit control board 140. Furthermore, the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11 has a function similar to the above-described function related to the processing of automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10 on the outdoor unit control board 140, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit.

[0137] That is, in order for the indoor unit control board 119 including the indoor unit control unit 118 to be used in common by a plurality of different models of the indoor units, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores individual control programs for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. Moreover, the type name information, a function setting list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described function setting list, and a control constant list for the indoor unit corresponding to the above-described control constant list are stored in advance in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11.

[0138] Moreover, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of control functions for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, that is, a plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the indoor unit control unit 118 includes a plurality of individual control function units for the operation control of corresponding ones of the plurality of different models of the indoor units. As a result, the indoor unit control unit 118 can perform the operation control on the plurality of different models of the indoor units. That is, the indoor unit control unit 118 can be said to be a control group in which the plurality of control function units for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10 is gathered.

[0139] Moreover, the function setting unit for the indoor unit has a function of determining, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118, a function of enabling the control function unit determined to be enabled, a function of determining the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, and a function of setting the control constant, which has been determined on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, in the control function unit enabled.

[0140] At the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the function setting list for the indoor unit, the control function unit to be enabled among the plurality of the control function units included in the indoor unit control unit 118. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit specifies the control function unit to be enabled to the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control function unit determined as the control function unit to be enabled is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118.

[0141] Also, at the time of the first power-on after the air conditioner 10 is installed, the function setting unit for the indoor unit reads the control constant list for the indoor unit stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 and determines, on the basis of the type name information and the control constant list for the indoor unit, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled. Then, the function setting unit for the indoor unit sets the determined control constant in the control function unit enabled.

[0142] As a result, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control constant by automatically setting, in the control function unit enabled for the model of the air conditioner 10, the control constant to be used for control in the control function unit. Therefore, the air conditioner 10 can easily set the control function of the air conditioner 10 at the time of installation.

[0143] Moreover, as described in the first embodiment above, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of enabling the control function unit of the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of enabling the control function unit of the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control function unit to be enabled may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0144] Moreover, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control constant may be collectively performed on the outdoor unit control board 140 of the outdoor unit 13 or the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11. That is, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, the processing of determining the control constant may be collectively performed by the function setting unit 139 or the function setting unit for the indoor unit.

[0145] Regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit 139, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information. Similarly, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit 139, the indoor unit control unit 118 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit 139, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information.

[0146] Alternatively, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in a case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit 138 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the outdoor unit control unit 138 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information. Similarly, regarding the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the outdoor unit control unit 138 and the processing of setting the control constant in the control function unit enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, in the case where the processing of determining the control constant is performed by the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the indoor unit control unit 118 sets, on the basis of the constant change command information for the indoor unit control unit 118 transmitted from the function setting unit for the indoor unit, the control constant indicated by the constant change command information.Third Embodiment

[0147] A third embodiment will describe a case where the air conditioner 10 receives specification information and a control constant of a control function unit to be enabled from a server via a general-purpose network. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment includes an air conditioner 10a, an air conditioner 10b, a network server 300, a remote monitoring device 401, a remote monitoring device 402, and a central controller 500.

[0148] Note that in the following description, the air conditioner 10a and the air conditioner 10b may be generically referred to as the air conditioner 10 when not distinguished from each other.

[0149] The components of the air conditioning system 200 above can exchange information with one another. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may be wireless communication or wired communication. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may also be communication via the Internet (not illustrated). Note that although the configuration of the air conditioner 10 of the air conditioning system 200 is not limited, here, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the air conditioner 10 includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a remote controller.

[0150] The air conditioner 10a includes an outdoor unit 13a, two of the indoor units 11, and two of the remote controllers 15. That is, in the air conditioner 10a, the two indoor units 11 are connected to the outdoor unit 13a, and the remote controllers 15 dedicated to corresponding ones of the indoor units 11 are provided. The air conditioner 10a basically includes the configurations and functions of the air conditioner 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above. Meanwhile, the air conditioner 10a includes the outdoor unit 13a instead of the outdoor unit 13.

[0151] In addition to having the functions of the outdoor unit 13 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above, the outdoor unit 13a can receive the function setting list and the control constant list from the network server 300 and store or update the lists. In the outdoor unit 13a, on the basis of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 and stored, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment above, the function setting unit 139 can determine the control function unit to be enabled on the basis of the function setting list and determine the control constant on the basis of the control constant list.

[0152] The air conditioner 10b includes the outdoor unit 13a, the indoor unit 11, and the remote controller 15. That is, in the air conditioner 10b, one unit of the indoor unit 11 is connected to the outdoor unit 13a, and the remote controller 15 dedicated to the indoor unit 11 is provided. The air conditioner 10b includes configurations and functions similar to those of the air conditioner 10a except for including one unit of each of the indoor unit 11 and the remote controller 15. That is, the air conditioner 10b also basically includes the configurations and functions of the air conditioner 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment above. Moreover, the air conditioner 10b also includes the outdoor unit 13a instead of the outdoor unit 13.

[0153] The network server 300 can communicate with the air conditioner 10, and has a function as a database that stores operating information and system information related to the air conditioner 10, and a function that stores information of the function setting list and the control constant list described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10. The network server 300 can be accessed, for example, by a designer of a manufacturer of the air conditioner 10 via the Internet (not illustrated). As a result, the designer of the manufacturer can check various information such as the operating information and the system information of a plurality of the air conditioners 10 installed nationwide without going to the sites where the air conditioners 10 are installed. As the network server 300, a cloud server or a physical server can be used.

[0154] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network server 300 according to the third embodiment. The network server 300 includes a server communication unit 301, a server storage unit 302, and a server control unit 303. The components of the network server 300 above can exchange information with one another.

[0155] The server communication unit 301 can communicate with a monitoring communication unit 414 (to be described) of each of the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402. The server communication unit 301 and the monitoring communication unit 414 of each of the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402 can communicate with each other via the Internet, for example. The server communication unit 301 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10.

[0156] The server storage unit 302 has the function as the database that stores the operating information of the air conditioner 10 and the system information of the air conditioner 10, and the function that stores the function setting list and the control constant list.

[0157] Therefore, the server storage unit 302 has a function as a storage unit of the control function unit correspondence information for storing the control function unit correspondence information. Moreover, the server storage unit 302 has a function as a storage unit of the control constant correspondence information for storing the control constant correspondence information. In addition, the server storage unit 302 stores various information used for control of the network server 300.

[0158] The server control unit 303 controls the overall processing of the network server 300. Moreover, the server control unit 303 performs control to acquire the operating information of the air conditioner 10 from the air conditioner 10 and store the operating information in the Server storage unit 302. In addition, the server control unit 303 performs control to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list stored in the server storage unit 302 to the air conditioner 10 via the Internet.

[0159] That is, the server control unit 303 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the remote monitoring device 401 and the remote monitoring device 402 via the server communication unit 301. The remote monitoring device 401 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500. The remote monitoring device 402 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b.

[0160] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the remote monitoring device 401 according to the third embodiment. The remote monitoring device 401 is disposed in a monitoring center distant from the air conditioner 10a, and is connected to the central controller 500 and the network server 300 to be able to transmit / receive information to / from the central controller 500 and the network server 300. The remote monitoring device 401 is connected to the central controller 500 to be able to monitor the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500 and also control the air conditioner 10a from the remote monitoring device 401 by remote operation via the central controller 500. Moreover, the remote monitoring device 401 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a via the central controller 500.

[0161] The remote monitoring device 401 includes a monitoring operation unit 411, a monitoring display unit 412, a monitoring storage unit 413, the monitoring communication unit 414, and a monitoring control unit 415.

[0162] The monitoring operation unit 411 accepts a setting operation related to monitoring of the air conditioner 10 and a setting operation related to control of the air conditioner 10. Upon accepting an operation from a monitoring worker, the monitoring operation unit 411 outputs information corresponding to the operation of the monitoring worker to the monitoring control unit 415 as an operation signal.

[0163] The monitoring display unit 412 as a display unit that displays various information displays information and a state necessary for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as a set temperature and an operating mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches the display to a screen corresponding to the operation on the monitoring operation unit 411.

[0164] The monitoring storage unit 413 stores various information used for control of the air conditioner 10 and stores, temporarily or for a long term, settings to be displayed on the monitoring display unit 412 and image data related to the settings.

[0165] The monitoring communication unit 414 can bidirectionally communicate information with the server communication unit 301 of the network server 300 and a controller communication unit 502 of the central controller 500. Note that the communication between the monitoring communication unit 414 and each of the server communication unit 301 and the controller communication unit 502 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0166] The monitoring control unit 415 performs overall control of the remote monitoring device 401. The monitoring control unit 415 controls the central controller 500 on the basis of the operation signal output from the monitoring operation unit 411. The monitoring control unit 415 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the monitoring storage unit 413. The monitoring control unit 415 also controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10.

[0167] The remote monitoring device 402 is disposed in a monitoring center distant from the air conditioner 10b, and is connected to the network server 300 and the air conditioner 10b to be able to transmit / receive information to / from the network server 300 and the air conditioner 10b. The remote monitoring device 402 is connected to the air conditioner 10b to be able to monitor the air conditioner 10b and also control the air conditioner 10b by remote operation from the remote monitoring device 402.

[0168] The remote monitoring device 402 includes configurations and functions similar to those of the remote monitoring device 401 except that the subject of monitoring and control is not the air conditioner 10a but the air conditioner 10b. Note that the remote monitoring device 402 also functions as the central controller 500. The remote monitoring device 402 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300, and controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b.

[0169] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the central controller 500 according to the third embodiment. The central controller 500 serves as an interface that connects the remote monitoring device 401 and the network server 300 to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, can control the operation and stopping of the air conditioner 10a, and can set operating conditions such as the operating mode and the set temperature to the air conditioner 10a. The central controller 500 is connected to the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, and can transmit / receive information to / from the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a.

[0170] The central controller 500 can monitor the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401, and can also control the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401. In addition, the central controller 500 acquires operating information of the air conditioner 10a, such as a state of the air conditioner 10a and a state of the use environment of the air conditioner 10a, from the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a, and transmits the acquired information to the remote monitoring device 401.

[0171] The central controller 500 includes a controller storage unit 501, the controller communication unit 502, and a controller control unit 503.

[0172] The controller storage unit 501 stores various information used for monitoring and control of the air conditioner 10a.

[0173] The controller communication unit 502 can bidirectionally communicate information with the monitoring communication unit 414 of the remote monitoring device 401 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a. Note that the communication between the controller communication unit 502 and each of the monitoring communication unit 414 and the outdoor unit communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0174] The controller control unit 503 performs overall control of the central controller 500. The controller control unit 503 performs control related to monitoring and control of the air conditioner 10a in accordance with a control command transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401. The controller control unit 503 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the remote monitoring device 401, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the controller storage unit 501. The controller control unit 503 also controls to transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a.

[0175] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment will be described according to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is the flowchart illustrating a procedure related to enabling the control function unit of the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment.

[0176] In step S110, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in a factory, the type name information is stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S310.

[0177] Here, in the air conditioning system 200, unlike the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the function setting list and the control constant list are not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory. That is, the air conditioner 10 is shipped from the factory with the type name information being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and the function setting list and the control constant list not being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and is installed at an installation site such as a user's home or an office. The air conditioner 10 is installed at the installation site with the type name information being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 and the function setting list and the control constant list not being stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and is ready to be used. After the air conditioner 10 is installed, the air conditioner 10 is connected to the network server 300.

[0178] In step S310, the function setting list and the control constant list are stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. Specifically, a worker such as a monitoring worker stores the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the Server storage unit 302 of the network server 300.

[0179] A method of inputting the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the network server 300 is not limited. The worker can, for example, transmit the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the network server 300 by communication from an external device of the network server 300 such as a terminal device and a storage medium. The server control unit 303 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the external device of the network server 300, and controls to store the information of the function setting list and the control constant list in the server storage unit 302. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S320.

[0180] In step S320, the air conditioner 10 receives the function setting list and the control constant list from the network server 300. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300.

[0181] The server control unit 303 of the network server 300 transmits the information of the function setting list and the control constant list to the air conditioner 10. The outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10a receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 401 and the central controller 500. The outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10b receives the information of the function setting list and the control constant list transmitted from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 402. After that, the procedure proceeds to step S330.

[0182] In step S330, in the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list are stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the air conditioner 10 controls to store, in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 in step S320. As a result, in the air conditioner 10, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list can be stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 without the outdoor unit storage unit 133 storing the information of the function setting list and the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory.

[0183] That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 acquires the function setting list, which is the control function unit correspondence information, from the network server 300 as the external device of the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network, and controls to store the function setting list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 as a storage unit that stores the control function unit correspondence information. Moreover, the outdoor unit control unit 138 acquires the control constant list, which is the control constant correspondence information, from the network server 300 as the external device of the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network, and controls to store the control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 as a storage unit that stores the control constant correspondence information.

[0184] After that, step S130 to step S180 and step S220 to step S240 are performed similarly to the cases of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above.

[0185] As described above, in the air conditioning system 200, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can store the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, the air conditioner 10 can be easily manufactured.

[0186] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, the function setting list and the control constant list can be set in the outdoor unit 13a from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network so that, for example, the function setting list and the control constant list suitable for conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed can be set in the air conditioner 10 after the air conditioner 10 is manufactured. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and is suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

[0187] Note that the above description has described the case where the function setting list and the control constant list are not stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the air conditioner 10 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, but the function setting list and the control constant list may be stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory. In this case, first, the processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the second embodiment is performed, and the air conditioner 10 is used. After that, the processing from step S310 to step S240 illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above is performed.

[0188] In this case, in step S310, information of the function setting list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in step S120, is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. Also, in step S310, information of the control constant list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in step S210, is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300.

[0189] In step S320, in the air conditioner 10, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 receives the function setting list and the control constant list stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300. That is, the outdoor unit control unit 138 receives the information of the function setting list, the contents of which are different from those of the information of the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, and the information of the control constant list whose contents are different from those of the information of the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133.

[0190] In step S330, in the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 are stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. Specifically, the outdoor unit control unit 138 of the air conditioner 10 controls to store, in the outdoor unit storage unit 133, the information of the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300 in step S320.

[0191] Here, the function setting list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is updated with the function setting list received from the network server 300. Similarly, the control constant list stored in the outdoor unit storage unit 133 is updated with the control constant list received from the network server 300.

[0192] After that, the processing from step s130 to step S240 illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above is performed.

[0193] The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment described above can implement the air conditioning system including: the air conditioner including: the control unit including the plurality of the control function units that performs air conditioning of the area to be air-conditioned; and the function setting unit that determines, among the plurality of the control function units, the control function unit to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from the type name information that is the information indicating the type name of the air conditioner; and the server capable of communicating with the air conditioner and including the server storage unit that stores the control function unit correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the type name information and the control function unit to be enabled, in which the function setting unit determines the control function unit to be enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control function unit correspondence information.

[0194] As described above, in the air conditioning system 200, in the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 not storing the function setting list and the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, the function setting list and the control constant list can be set from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network. Also, in the air conditioning system 200, in the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 not storing at least either the function setting list or the control constant list at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list can be set from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network.

[0195] Thus, the air conditioning system 200 can set, in the outdoor unit 13a, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list having different individual contents for each of a plurality of the air conditioners 10 manufactured under the same conditions. Therefore, for example, the function setting list and the control constant list suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed can be set in the air conditioner 10 after the air conditioner 10 is manufactured. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and is suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

[0196] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can update the function setting list and the control constant list that are stored with the function setting list and the control constant list received from the network server 300. Also, the outdoor unit 13a of the air conditioner 10 can update at least either the function setting list or the control constant list. Therefore, the air conditioning system 200 can have a higher degree of freedom in changing the control of the air conditioner 10. Note that the information to be updated may be at least either the function setting list or the control constant list received from the network server 300.

[0197] In the air conditioning system 200, for example, a service person of a manufacturer can change at least either the function setting list or the control constant list without visiting the place where the air conditioner 10 is installed. In the air conditioning system 200, the network server 300 can be connected to a plurality of the air conditioners 10 installed all over the country. As a result, in the air conditioning system 200, the function setting list and the control constant list can be changed in each of the plurality of systems of the air conditioners 10, and the function setting list and the control constant list can be changed by collective operation in any of the air conditioners 10.

[0198] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, in a case where relocation or the like results in a change in the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed and a change in the use environment or the like of the air conditioner 10, the function setting list and the control constant list more suitable for the new use conditions of the air conditioner 10 can be set again in the air conditioner 10. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can perform, on the air conditioner 10, the operation control that is of higher quality and suitable for the conditions such as the region where the air conditioner 10 is installed, thereby being able to stabilize the quality of the air conditioner 10 and enhance the availability of the control of the air conditioner 10.

[0199] Moreover, the information stored in the network server 300 is not limited to the function setting list and the control constant list. For example, a control program for controlling the air conditioner 10 may be stored in the server storage unit 302. As a result, the server control unit 303 can transmit the control program from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10.

[0200] For example, in a case where a user of a house or an office in which the air conditioner 10 has been installed requests a change in the control for improving the quality of the air conditioner 10, a new control program with improved quality satisfying the request of the user is stored in the server storage unit 302 of the network server 300, and the new control program is transmitted from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control. The control program here is a control program that implements a control function unit. The air conditioner 10 receives and acquires the new control program transmitted from the network server 300, and executes the new control program to implement a new control function unit. As a result, the air conditioning system 200 can respond to the user's request to change the control of the air conditioner 10.

[0201] Moreover, in a case where more detailed control settings are required, the control constant list is also reviewed, and a new control constant list is stored in the network server 300 and transmitted from the network server 300 to the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control. This enables more detailed control settings in the air conditioner 10 that is subjected to the change in the control.

[0202] That is, in the air conditioning system 200, the Server storage unit 302 of the network server 300 can store a program by which the air conditioner 10 implements the control function unit, and transmit the program to the air conditioner 10. Then, the air conditioner 10 acquires the program for implementing the control function unit from the network server 300 and executes the program to be able to implement the control function unit.

[0203] Note that although the configuration has been illustrated above as an example in which the function setting list and the control constant list are set in the air conditioner 10 from the network server 300 via the remote monitoring device 401 and the central controller 500, the method of setting the function setting list and the control constant list in the air conditioner 10 is not limited thereto.

[0204] As described above, the air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment has effects similar to those of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0205] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, a function setting list, the control constant list, and the control program can be remotely updated in the air conditioner 10 via the general-purpose network. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, for individual handling of the quality of the air conditioner 10, it is possible to save time for a service person to go to the place where the air conditioner 10 is installed and perform work, so that a user can receive more prompt service.

[0206] Moreover, in the air conditioning system 200, information such as operating data of the air conditioner 10 in operation can be stored in the network server 300 via the central controller 500. Therefore, in the air conditioning system 200, analyzing the information such as the operating data of the air conditioner 10 can determine the control constant of higher quality.

[0207] Moreover, the above description has described the case where the central controller 500 or the remote monitoring device 402 is connected to the outdoor unit 13a, but the central controller 500 or the remote monitoring device 402 may be connected to the indoor unit 11. That is, by applying the above processing to the indoor unit control board 119 of the indoor unit 11, at least either the function setting list or the control constant list, which is not stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11 at the time of manufacture of the air conditioner 10 in the factory, can be set in the indoor unit storage unit 113 from the network server 300 via the general-purpose network.

[0208] Then, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control function unit is enabled in the indoor unit control unit 118, and the control constant used for control in the control function unit is automatically set in the control function unit enabled. In this case as well, the effects described in the third embodiment above can be obtained.

[0209] Next, a hardware configuration of each of control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments will be described. The control unit 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments corresponds to each of the indoor unit control unit 118 in the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10, the remote controller control unit 155 in the remote controller 15 of the air conditioner 10, the Server control unit 303 of the network server 300, the monitoring control unit 415 of the remote monitoring device 401, and the controller control unit 503 of the central controller 500. The functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be dedicated hardware or a processing device that executes a program stored in a storage device.

[0210] In a case where the processing circuitry is the dedicated hardware, the processing circuitry corresponds to a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination thereof. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by hardware. Processing circuitry 81 incorporates a logic circuit 81a that implements the functions of the control unit 80.

[0211] In a case where the processing circuitry 81 is the processing device, the functions of the control unit 80 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0212] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the functions of each of the control units 80 according to the first, second, and third embodiments are implemented by software. The processing circuitry 81 includes a processor 811 that executes a program 81b, a random access memory 812 used as a work area by the processor 811, and a storage device 813 that stores the program 81b. The processor 811 expands the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 in the random access memory 812 and executes the program 81b, whereby the functions of the control unit 80 are implemented. The software or firmware is described in a program language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 includes a central processing unit, but is not limited thereto. The storage device 813 can use a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)). The semiconductor memory may be a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory. Besides the semiconductor memory, the storage device 813 can use a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Note that the processor 811 may output data such as a calculation result to the storage device 813 and store the data therein, or may store the data in an auxiliary storage device (not illustrated) via the random access memory 812. When the processor 811, the random access memory 812, and the storage device 813 are integrated on one chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be implemented by a microcomputer.

[0213] The processing circuitry 81 reads and executes the program 81b stored in the storage device 813, thereby implementing the functions of the control unit 80. It can also be said that the program 81b causes a computer to execute procedures and methods for implementing the functions of the control unit 80.

[0214] Note that the processing circuitry 81 may implement some of the functions of the control unit 80 by the dedicated hardware and implement some of the functions of the control unit 80 by the software or firmware.

[0215] As described above, the processing circuitry 81 can implement the aforementioned functions by the hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0216] The program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in the first, second, and third embodiments causes the processing circuitry 81 to execute the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138. The program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 includes a program individually packaged, for each of the plurality of the control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, for implementing the function of the control function unit.

[0217] In addition, the program 81b for implementing the functions of the outdoor unit control unit 138 in the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 in the first, second, and third embodiments includes a program, for each of the plurality of the control function units, for executing a step of enabling the control function unit and a program, for each of the plurality of the control function units, for executing a step of disabling the control function unit.

[0218] The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments each merely illustrate an example so that another known technique can be combined, the embodiments can be combined together, or the configurations can be partially omitted and / or modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

first embodiment

[0026]FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment includes an indoor unit 11 installed in a room, an outdoor unit 13 installed outside the room, a refrigerant pipe 17 for circulating a refrigerant between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13, and a remote control device (remote controller) 15 that transmits a control instruction command for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 13 can communicate with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line not illustrated. Hereinafter, the remote control device may be referred to as a remote controller.

[0027]The air conditioner 10 forms one complete refrigeration cycle by the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13. The air conditioner 10 uses the refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 13 through the refrige...

second embodiment

[0104]A second embodiment will describe a case where, regarding other functions included in the air conditioner 10, a control constant to be used for control in the control function unit enabled by the outdoor unit control unit 138 is specified by the function setting unit 139. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the outdoor unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0105]FIG. 8 focuses on the “A” control unit 138A among a plurality of control function units included in the outdoor unit control unit 138, and illustrates control constants used in the “A” control unit 138A. Note that, although not illustrated, other control function units such as the “B” control unit 138B and the “C” control unit 138C also use corresponding control constants to be used therein.

[0106]In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 stores a control constant list in the outdoor unit storage unit 133. That is, the outdoor unit storage unit 133 h...

third embodiment

[0147]A third embodiment will describe a case where the air conditioner 10 receives specification information and a control constant of a control function unit to be enabled from a server via a general-purpose network. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 200 according to the third embodiment includes an air conditioner 10a, an air conditioner 10b, a network server 300, a remote monitoring device 401, a remote monitoring device 402, and a central controller 500.

[0148]Note that in the following description, the air conditioner 10a and the air conditioner 10b may be generically referred to as the air conditioner 10 when not distinguished from each other.

[0149]The components of the air conditioning system 200 above can exchange information with one another. The communication among the components of the air conditioning system 200 may be wireless communication o...

Claims

1. An air conditioner that performs air conditioning of an area to be air-conditioned,the air conditioner comprising:control circuitry including a plurality of control function circuitry to perform the air conditioning; andfunction setting circuitry to determine, among the plurality of the control function circuitry, the control function circuitry to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from type name information that is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner, whereinthe control circuitry enables the control function circuitry determined as the control function circuitry to be enabled by the function setting circuitry.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprisingstorage circuitry to store control function circuitry correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and the control function circuitry to be enabled, whereinthe function setting circuitry determines the control function circuitry to be enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control function circuitry correspondence information.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, whereinthe control circuitry acquires the control function circuitry correspondence information from an external device of the air conditioner, and controls to store the control function circuitry correspondence information in the storage circuitry.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprisingstorage circuitry to store control constant correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and a control constant to be used for control in the control function circuitry to be enabled, whereinthe function setting circuitry determines the control constant on the basis of the type name information and the control constant correspondence information, andthe control circuitry sets the control constant determined by the function setting circuitry in the control function circuitry to be enabled.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, whereinthe control circuitry acquires the control constant correspondence information from an external device of the air conditioner, and controls to store the control constant correspondence information in the storage circuitry.

6. An air conditioning system comprising:an air conditioner including:control circuitry including a plurality of control function circuitry to perform air conditioning of an area to be air-conditioned; andfunction setting circuitry to determine, among the plurality of the control function circuitry, the control function circuitry to be enabled to be actually used in controlling the air conditioning from type name information that is information indicating a type name of the air conditioner; anda server capable of communicating with the air conditioner and including server storage circuitry to store control function circuitry correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and the control function circuitry to be enabled, whereinthe function setting circuitry determines the control function circuitry to be enabled on the basis of the type name information and the control function circuitry correspondence information, andthe control circuitry enables the control function circuitry determined as the control function circuitry to be enabled by the function setting circuitry.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 6, whereinthe server storage circuitry stores control constant correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and a control constant to be used for control in the control function circuitry to be enabled,the function setting circuitry determines the control constant on the basis of the type name information and the control constant correspondence information, andthe control circuitry sets the control constant determined by the function setting circuitry in the control function circuitry to be enabled.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 6, whereinthe server storage circuitry stores a program by which the air conditioner implements the control function circuitry, andthe air conditioner acquires the program from the server and executes the program to implement the control function circuitry.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 2, comprisingstorage circuitry to store control constant correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and a control constant to be used for control in the control function circuitry to be enabled, whereinthe function setting circuitry determines the control constant on the basis of the type name information and the control constant correspondence information, andthe control circuitry sets the control constant determined by the function setting circuitry in the control function circuitry to be enabled.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 3, comprisingstorage circuitry to store control constant correspondence information that indicates correspondence between the type name information and a control constant to be used for control in the control function circuitry to be enabled, whereinthe function setting circuitry determines the control constant on the basis of the type name information and the control constant correspondence information, andthe control circuitry sets the control constant determined by the function setting circuitry in the control function circuitry to be enabled.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, whereinthe control circuitry acquires the control constant correspondence information from an external device of the air conditioner, and controls to store the control constant correspondence information in the storage circuitry.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 10, whereinthe control circuitry acquires the control constant correspondence information from an external device of the air conditioner, and controls to store the control constant correspondence information in the storage circuitry.

13. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, whereinthe server storage circuitry stores a program by which the air conditioner implements the control function circuitry, andthe air conditioner acquires the program from the server and executes the program to implement the control function circuitry.

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