Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system (ACS) includes: an air conditioner body (indoor unit 200); and an air conditioning control terminal (100) that operates using current supplied from the air conditioner body, and has an input unit (40) for inputting key operations, a display unit (50), a backlight used by the display unit (50), and a processing unit (10) which controls the input unit, the display unit, and the backlight and communicates with the air conditioner body. The processing unit (10) operates the backlight at or below a prescribed brightness level corresponding to the model of the air conditioner body.

Description

air conditioning system

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system.

[0002] There is an air conditioning system that includes an indoor unit and a wired remote control. In Patent Document 1, when a remote control unit receives a key operation, it transmits operation instruction data notifying the power-managed indoor unit of the key operation. When the indoor unit control unit of the power-managed indoor unit receives the operation instruction data, it updates the backlight brightness entry in the power management table so that the total current consumption value of the group remote control corresponding to the backlight brightness in the power management table is equal to or less than a maximum current value predetermined by the power supply unit, and transmits the updated brightness status data to the group remote control. When the remote control unit receives the brightness status data from the indoor unit control unit of the power-managed indoor unit, it controls the backlight brightness according to the brightness status data.

[0003] JP 2013-29258 A

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, since the control is performed by a group remote control, the brightness of the backlight of the remote control may be reduced depending on the total current consumption value of the group remote control, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] Generally, the indoor unit (air conditioner main unit) to which the remote control is connected will have different optional parts connected, different numbers of louver motors, and different power consumption depending on the device. Therefore, it becomes necessary to limit the current consumption available to the remote control, making it difficult to connect it to devices with a common board and housing. Furthermore, if a remote control is designed to have a uniformly reduced current consumption, it will end up being a product that imposes unnecessary uniform restrictions on the air conditioner main unit, which has no current consumption restrictions.

[0006] The present invention is an invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an air conditioner system in which an air conditioning control terminal can be used for multiple models of air conditioner main units.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the air conditioning system of the present invention comprises an air conditioner main body, an input unit that operates by current supplied from the air conditioner main body and inputs key operations, a display unit, a backlight used in the display unit, and an air conditioning control terminal that has a processing unit that controls these and communicates with the air conditioner main body, and the processing unit operates the backlight at a brightness level below a predetermined level according to the model of the air conditioner main body. Other aspects of the present invention will be described in the embodiments described below.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner system in which an air conditioning control terminal can be used for multiple models of air conditioner main bodies.

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration and an example screen of an air conditioning control terminal according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the control block of the air conditioning control terminal according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the backlight brightness setting process of a processing unit according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of communication content from an air conditioner main body to the air conditioning control terminal and screen brightness of the air conditioning control terminal; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing communication content from various air conditioner main bodies to the air conditioning control terminal and an example of brightness level settings.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an air conditioning system ACS. The air conditioning system ACS includes an air conditioning control terminal 100, an indoor unit 200, an outdoor unit 300, and the like. The indoor unit 200 includes an indoor unit 201 that is installed on a wall and can direct airflow, an indoor unit 202 that can direct airflow from the feet, an indoor unit 203 that is installed on the ceiling and can direct airflow in four directions, and an indoor unit 204 that can send airflow to an air duct in the ceiling, as needed. The air conditioning control terminal 100 is connected to the indoor unit 200 via a communication path 221 (control wiring).

[0011] Each indoor unit 200 (air conditioner main unit) has a different maximum allowable current consumption for the air conditioning control terminal 100. For example, indoor unit 201 is 102 mA, indoor unit 202 is 80 mA, indoor unit 203 is 70 mA, and indoor unit 204 is 90 mA. That is, the air conditioning control terminal 100 (remote control) operates using current supplied from the indoor unit 200. In the case of indoor unit 201, up to 102 mA of current can be supplied to the air conditioning control terminal 100 connected to that indoor unit 201. In contrast, indoor unit 202 can supply up to 80 mA of current to the air conditioning control terminal 100 connected to that indoor unit 202. In other words, an indoor unit 200 with a higher maximum current consumption can supply more current to the air conditioning control terminal 100 connected to that indoor unit 200. In other words, the higher the maximum current consumption, the more current the air conditioning control terminal 100 can consume.

[0012] As explained in the problem section, the indoor unit (air conditioner main unit) to which the remote control is connected generally differs in the number of optional components and louver motors connected, and power consumption also differs depending on the device. Therefore, it becomes necessary to limit the current consumption available to the remote control, making it difficult to connect it to devices with a common board and housing. Furthermore, if a remote control is designed to uniformly limit current consumption, it will result in a product that imposes unnecessary uniform limitations on the current consumption of air conditioner main units, which have no current consumption limitations. This embodiment explains a method for solving this problem.

[0013] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration and an example screen of the air conditioning control terminal 100 (remote control) according to this embodiment. The air conditioning control terminal 100 has an input unit 40 and a display unit 50. The input unit 40 has an operation stop button 41, a cross button 42 operated when selecting each item and changing settings, an OK button 43 for confirming settings, and a back button 44. Note that a light-emitting means (e.g., an LED (light emitting diode)) is attached to the top of the operation stop button 41, and is controlled to light up, for example, green during operation, turn off when operation is stopped, and light up red if an air conditioner error occurs.

[0014] Incidentally, the air conditioning control terminal 100 in this embodiment is a so-called general-purpose product, and the air conditioning control terminal 100 used in the indoor unit 201, the air conditioning control terminal 100 used in the indoor unit 202, and the air conditioning control terminal 100 used in the indoor unit 204 all have the same specifications.

[0015] The display unit 50 has a set temperature display field 51, an operation mode display field 52 such as cooling mode, heating mode, automatic cooling / heating mode, and fan mode, an air volume adjustment display field 53, an air direction display field 54, a menu display field 55, and a display field 56 that displays the current set value.

[0016] Pressing any button while the backlight of the air conditioning control terminal 100 is off will turn the backlight on. When the unit is not operating or is operating, pressing the left or right button (<, >) of the cross button 42 will switch the setting items in the following order: "Set temperature" ⇔ "Operation mode" ⇔ "Air volume" ⇔ "Menu".

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing the control blocks of the air conditioning control terminal 100 according to this embodiment. The air conditioning control terminal 100 is composed of a processing unit 10 that executes various processes for monitoring and controlling air conditioners, a memory unit 20 for storing air conditioner information 21, a communication unit 30 for communicating with air conditioners connected via a communication path 221, an input unit 40 for inputting user operations, a display unit 50 for displaying on an output screen, and an output unit 60 that outputs a lighting signal or the like to a light-emitting means above an operation stop button 41 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] The processing unit 10 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that operates according to a program, and controls the screen display of the display unit 50, etc. Examples of the storage unit 20 include a flash memory and a hard disk. Examples of the input unit 40 include a button and a touch panel. Examples of the display unit 50 include a display. Examples of the output unit 60 include a speaker and an LED. Examples of the communication path 221 include a two-core wire or a three-core wire.

[0019] Examples of air conditioner information 21 include maximum current consumption information 211, recommended backlight setting value 212, minimum backlight setting value 213, as well as operation stop information, operation mode information (cooling, heating, dry, fan, etc.), set temperature information, indoor temperature information, air volume information, wind direction information, power consumption information, power consumption amount information, output information, and error information.

[0020] The processing unit 10 is made up of an air conditioner information collection unit 11 that collects air conditioner information 21 of the air conditioner (indoor unit 200) and stores the air conditioner information 21 in a memory unit 20, an air conditioner status monitoring unit 12 that monitors the status of the air conditioner from the stored air conditioner information 21, a terminal control unit 13 that controls the terminal using the air conditioner information 21 stored in the memory unit 20, and an air conditioner control unit 14 that controls the air conditioner in accordance with user operations input via an input unit 40. The terminal control unit 13 includes a backlight control unit 131, a buzzer sound control unit 132, etc. Note that FIG. 3 is an example of an air conditioning control terminal 100 and does not limit the configuration of the air conditioner, the number of air conditioners, or the connection form of the air conditioners.

[0021] The air conditioning system ACS shown in Figure 3 includes an indoor unit 200 (air conditioner main body), an air conditioning control terminal 100 that operates with current supplied from the indoor unit 200 and has an input unit 40 for inputting key operations, a display unit 50, a backlight used by the display unit 50, and a processing unit 10 that controls these and communicates with the indoor unit 200. The processing unit 10 operates the backlight at or below a predetermined brightness level according to the model of the indoor unit 200.

[0022] The predetermined brightness level varies depending on the model of the indoor unit 200 as well as optional parts connected to the indoor unit 200 .

[0023] When the processing unit 10 receives the allowable maximum current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value from the indoor unit 200, it operates the backlight at a predetermined brightness level based on the received maximum current consumption value or the value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

[0024] The processing unit 10 operates the backlight at a brightness level that is at least more limited than the maximum brightness level until it receives the maximum allowable current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value from the indoor unit 200. A specific example of the processing method will be described below.

[0025] In this embodiment, the air conditioning control terminal 100 activates the backlight at a limited brightness level (e.g., backlight minimum setting value 213) until it receives the allowable maximum current consumption value (e.g., maximum current consumption information 211) from the air conditioner main unit. Once the maximum current consumption value is received, the backlight operates at a recommended brightness level (e.g., backlight recommended setting value 212) based on the received maximum current consumption value. Here, the process that consumes the most current in the air conditioning control terminal 100 is the process of turning on the backlight. The current consumption value also varies significantly depending on this brightness level. Furthermore, because the buzzer sound also affects the current consumption, it may also be possible to impose a restriction on the buzzer sound.

[0026] 4 is a flowchart showing the backlight brightness setting process of the processing unit 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of limiting current consumption. The processing unit 10 determines whether maximum current consumption information 211 has been received from the indoor unit 200 (step S21). If the maximum current consumption information 211 has not been received (step S21, No), the processing unit 10 operates to suppress current consumption for safety (control to limit current consumption) until notified by the indoor unit 200 (step S25), and returns to step S21. At this time, the backlight is not lit and is in a limited state.

[0027] 4 is executed every time the device is started up when the user issues an operation command using the operation stop button 41 (see FIG. 2). However, if the maximum current consumption information 211 is received at the time of initial installation during installation work, the process of step S21 may be omitted.

[0028] When the processing unit 10 receives maximum current consumption information 211 from the indoor unit 200 (Yes in step S21), it determines whether the maximum current consumption information 211 satisfies the recommended settings. When the maximum current consumption information 211 satisfies the recommended settings (Yes in step S22), the processing unit 10 operates at a recommended brightness level (for example, a recommended backlight setting value 212) upon receiving the maximum current consumption information 211 (maximum allowable current consumption) from the indoor unit 200 (step S23). Here, FIG. 5 shows an image diagram of operation during communication acquisition.

[0029] 5 shows an example of communication content from the air conditioner main unit to the air conditioning control terminal 100 and the screen brightness of the air conditioning control terminal 100. In communication content 71, the indoor unit 201 transmits a brightness level (Brightness) of 16 (maximum allowable current consumption 102 mA) to the air conditioning control terminal 100. Before transmission, the air conditioning control terminal 100 operates at the minimum brightness (e.g., backlight minimum setting value 213) until the maximum allowable current consumption can be acquired through communication, as shown in state 72. Then, once the maximum allowable current consumption can be acquired through communication, the air conditioning control terminal 100 operates at the appropriate brightness (e.g., backlight recommended setting value 212), as shown in state 73.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 4, if the maximum current consumption information 211 does not satisfy the recommended settings in step S22 (No in step S22), the processing unit 10 operates with settings that fall within the maximum current consumption information 211 (step S24).

[0031] 6 is a diagram showing an example of communication content and brightness level settings from various air conditioner main units to the air conditioning control terminal 100. Communication content 61 transmits a brightness level of 8 (maximum allowable current consumption 70 mA) from the indoor unit 203 to the air conditioning control terminal 100. As shown in state 62, if the air conditioning control terminal 100 can acquire the maximum allowable current consumption through communication, it will operate at the appropriate brightness level of 8.

[0032] Furthermore, communication content 63 transmits a brightness level of 16 (maximum allowable current consumption 102 mA) from the indoor unit 201 to the air conditioning control terminal 100. As shown in state 64, if the air conditioning control terminal 100 can acquire the maximum allowable current consumption through communication, it operates at the appropriate brightness level of 16.

[0033] The screens in states 62 and 64 are backlight brightness screens, and in Fig. 2, the "display setting screen" is displayed when "display setting" is selected on the menu screen and the OK button 43 is pressed. The screen is displayed when "screen" is selected with the up and down buttons of the cross button 42 and then "backlight brightness" is selected.

[0034] As shown in the image diagram of the operation of switching settings after receiving maximum current consumption information in Figure 6, the air conditioning control terminal 100 can set the brightness level within the maximum allowable current consumption. Also, the upper limit of the buzzer sound and its volume may be changed so that the maximum allowable current consumption is not exceeded.

[0035] The air conditioning control terminal 100 also allows the brightness level to be switched and set for each user, but in this case, the upper limit value is switched so as not to exceed the maximum allowable current consumption.

[0036] As described above, the air conditioning system of this embodiment has the following features: (1) The air conditioning system ACS includes an air conditioner main unit (indoor unit 200), an air conditioning control terminal 100 that operates with current supplied from the air conditioner main unit and has an input unit 40 for inputting key operations, a display unit 50, a backlight used by the display unit 50, and a processing unit 10 that controls these and communicates with the air conditioner main unit, and the processing unit 10 operates the backlight at a predetermined brightness level or lower depending on the model of the air conditioner main unit. This makes it possible to provide an air conditioner system in which the air conditioning control terminal can be used for multiple models of air conditioner main units.

[0037] (2) In the air conditioning system ACS of (1) above, the predetermined brightness level varies depending on the model of the air conditioner main body as well as the optional parts connected to the air conditioner main body.

[0038] (3) In the air conditioning system ACS of (1) above, when the processing unit 10 receives from the air conditioner main body the maximum allowable current consumption value (e.g., maximum current consumption information 211) or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value, the processing unit 10 operates the backlight at a predetermined brightness level based on the received maximum current consumption value or the value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

[0039] (4) In the air conditioning system ACS of (1) above, the processing unit 10 operates the backlight at a brightness level that is at least more limited than the maximum brightness level until it receives the maximum allowable current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value from the air conditioner main body.

[0040] (5) In the air conditioning system ACS described in (3) above, when power is applied to the air conditioning control terminal 100, the air conditioner main body notifies the air conditioning control terminal 100 of the maximum current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

[0041] (6) In the air conditioning system ACS described in (3) above, when the processing unit 10 receives the maximum current consumption value from the air conditioner main body, the processing unit 10 stores the maximum current consumption value in the storage unit 20 .

[0042] (7) In the air conditioning system ACS of (6) above, the memory unit 20 stores a recommended current consumption value, and when the maximum current consumption value is smaller than the recommended current consumption value, the processing unit 10 operates the backlight at a brightness level within the maximum current consumption value.

[0043] (8) In the air conditioning system ACS of (1) above, when the brightness level of the backlight is changed from the input unit 40, the processing unit 10 operates the backlight at the changed brightness level.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described using several examples to solve the problems of the present application, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It goes without saying that modifications, such as combinations of examples or combinations of features within examples, are possible as long as no contradictions exist. For example, in FIG. 1 , the air conditioning system ACS connects five indoor units 200 to one outdoor unit 300, but this is not limiting. The air conditioning control terminal 100 of this embodiment can also be applied to a system in which one indoor unit 200 is connected to one outdoor unit 300.

[0045] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Processing unit 11 Air conditioner information collection unit 12 Air conditioner status monitoring unit 13 Terminal control unit 14 Air conditioner control unit 20 Memory unit 21 Air conditioner information 30 Communication unit 40 Input unit 41 Operation stop button 42 Cross button 43 OK button 44 Back button 50 Display unit 51 Set temperature display field 52 Operation mode display field 53 Air volume adjustment display field 54 Air direction display field 55 Menu display field 60 Output unit 100 Air conditioning control terminal (remote controller) 200 Indoor unit (air conditioner main body) 211 Maximum current consumption information 212 Recommended backlight setting value 213 Minimum backlight setting value 221 Communication path 300 Outdoor unit ACS Air conditioning system

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioning control terminal which is operated by current supplied from the air conditioner main body and has an input unit for inputting key operations, a display unit, a backlight used in the display unit, and a processing unit which controls these and communicates with the air conditioner main body, wherein the processing unit operates the backlight at or below a predetermined brightness level corresponding to the model of the air conditioner main body.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined brightness level varies depending on the model of the air conditioner main unit as well as on optional parts connected to the air conditioner main unit.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 1, characterized in that when the processing unit receives a maximum allowable current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value from the air conditioner main body, it operates the backlight at the specified brightness level based on the received maximum current consumption value or the value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

4. The air conditioning system of claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit operates the backlight at a brightness level that is at least more limited than the maximum brightness level until it receives from the air conditioner main body a maximum allowable current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, when power is applied to the air conditioning control terminal, the air conditioner main body notifies the air conditioning control terminal of the maximum current consumption value or a value corresponding to the maximum current consumption value.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing unit stores the maximum current consumption value in a memory unit when the processing unit receives the maximum current consumption value from the air conditioner main body.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 6, characterized in that the memory unit stores a recommended current consumption value, and when the maximum current consumption value is smaller than the recommended current consumption value, the processing unit operates the backlight at a brightness level within the maximum current consumption value.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the brightness level of the backlight is changed from the input unit, the processing unit operates the backlight at the changed brightness level.

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