Control system

Abstract

A control system (200) for controlling a plurality of ceiling fans (1) comprises a system controller (100) that determines the operation content of the plurality of ceiling fans (1). A first ceiling fan (10) which is one from among the plurality of ceiling fans (1) receives, from only the system controller (100), device information about the first ceiling fan (10) and total operation information that is operation information about all of the plurality of ceiling fans (1). A second ceiling fan (20) which is different from the first ceiling fan (10) from among the plurality of ceiling fans (1) receives, from only the first ceiling fan (10), device information about the second ceiling fan (20) and the total operation information. The first ceiling fan (10), which transmits the device information about the second ceiling fan (20) and the total operation information, transmits information only to the second ceiling fan (20).

Description

Control System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control system for controlling multiple ceiling fans.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ceiling fans have been known that rotate blades by rotating a motor, thereby generating wind in a vertical direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2012-165612 A

[0004] In this type of ceiling fan, multiple ceiling fans may be installed in a single space, such as in a non-residential environment. Conventionally, each ceiling fan was equipped with a single remote controller. When multiple ceiling fans were installed in a single space, the user had to move to the vicinity of each ceiling fan and use each remote controller to set the airflow volume, etc. This resulted in poor usability for the user. Also, in some cases, each ceiling fan was equipped with a single airflow volume setting switch, and in this case, the user had to set the airflow volume, etc. of each ceiling fan using each setting switch, which also resulted in poor usability for the user and the installer.

[0005] As such, the more ceiling fans installed in one space, the more time and effort it takes to set up each ceiling fan, making the system less user-friendly.

[0006] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-described conventional problems, and provides a technology for improving the efficiency of setting each ceiling fan when multiple ceiling fans are installed.

[0007] The control system of the present disclosure is a control system for controlling multiple ceiling fans, and includes a system controller that determines the operation details of the multiple ceiling fans, and a first ceiling fan that is one of the multiple ceiling fans receives equipment information for the first ceiling fan and total operation information, which is operation information for all of the multiple ceiling fans, only from the system controller, and a second ceiling fan that is different from the first ceiling fan among the multiple ceiling fans receives equipment information and total operation information for the second ceiling fan only from the first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan that transmits the equipment information and total operation information for the second ceiling fan transmits information only to the second ceiling fan.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology that improves the efficiency of setting each ceiling fan when multiple ceiling fans are installed.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a ceiling fan according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of the control system and its periphery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of information transmitted from a system controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of information transmitted from a first ceiling fan according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of information transmitted from a second ceiling fan according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control by the control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are provided as examples to embody the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following. In particular, the materials, shapes, components, and the arrangement and relative arrangement of the components described in the embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to those alone. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) First, a control system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The control system 200 according to the present embodiment controls a plurality of ceiling fans 1.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a control system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] The control system 200 is a system that controls a plurality of ceiling fans 1 installed in a predetermined space 2. The control system 200 includes a plurality of ceiling fans 1 and a system controller 100.

[0014] Multiple ceiling fans 1 are provided in a specified space 2 within a building. In this embodiment, as an example, three ceiling fans 1 are provided in the specified space 2. That is, a first ceiling fan 10, a second ceiling fan 20, and a third ceiling fan 30 are provided in the specified space 2 as the multiple ceiling fans 1. Note that although three is described as an example of the number of multiple ceiling fans 1 in the specified space 2, the number may be more or less than three.

[0015] The system controller 100 controls a plurality of ceiling fans 1, the details of which will be described later.

[0016] First, the ceiling fan 1 will be described.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ceiling fan 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] 2, ceiling fan 1 includes a main body 3, a support pole 4, a motor 5, blades 6, and a control unit 7. Ceiling fan 1 is attached to a ceiling 8 and functions as a fan that generates an upward or downward airflow by rotating blades 6.

[0019] The main body 3 has a hollow conical shape and functions as an outer shell that encloses the motor unit 5, the control unit 7, etc. in the hollow space.

[0020] The support column 4 is rod-shaped, one end of which can be fastened to the ceiling 8, and extends downward from the ceiling 8 to support the main body 3, motor 5, blades 6, and control unit 7. In other words, the main body 3, motor 5, blades 6, and control unit 7 are supported by the support column 4.

[0021] The motor unit 5 is a direct current (DC) motor that rotates blades 6 provided on the support unit 4. The motor unit 5 has an outer rotor structure that includes a stator fixed to the support unit 4 and a rotor that rotates around the outer periphery of the stator.

[0022] In the example of Figure 1, the first ceiling fan 10 has a first motor unit 14 as the motor unit 5 of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20 has a second motor unit 24 as the motor unit 5 of the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 has a third motor unit 34 as the motor unit 5 of the third ceiling fan 30 (see Figure 3).

[0023] The blades 6 blow air in the vertical direction by being rotated by the motor unit 5. A plurality of blades 6 are attached to the outer periphery of the motor unit 5, and rotate integrally with the rotor of the motor unit 5.

[0024] The control unit 7 performs various controls of the ceiling fan 1. In the example of Fig. 1, the first ceiling fan 10 has a first control unit 11 as the control unit 7 of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20 has a second control unit 21 as the control unit 7 of the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 has a third control unit 31 as the control unit 7 of the third ceiling fan 30 (see Fig. 3).

[0025] Next, a control system 200 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of a control system 200 and its peripheral components according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] The control system 200 includes a system controller 100 .

[0028] The system controller 100 is a device that determines the operation details of the multiple ceiling fans 1 , and includes a reception unit 103 , a determination unit 102 , and a system communication unit 101 .

[0029] Reception unit 103 receives the air volume settings for first ceiling fan 10, second ceiling fan 20, and third ceiling fan 30. For example, an input unit is provided in system controller 100, and the input unit has a user interface that allows the user to input, and receives input such as air volume settings from the user. The air volume settings for first ceiling fan 10, second ceiling fan 20, and third ceiling fan 30 input by the user in the input unit are sent to reception unit 103.

[0030] The determination unit 102 acquires each air volume setting received by the reception unit 103 and determines each acquired air volume setting as the air volume setting for each of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30.

[0031] The determination unit 102 may determine the airflow settings for the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 based on temperature information or the like within the specified space 2. For example, the higher the temperature in an area within the specified space 2 in which each of the multiple ceiling fans 1 is installed, the higher the set airflow of the ceiling fan 1 installed in that area. In this case, the reception unit 103 may not be provided.

[0032] Furthermore, the determination unit 102 may determine the airflow settings for each of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 based on information about people (number of people information) within the specified space 2. For example, the more people there are in an area within the specified space 2 where a ceiling fan 1 is installed, the higher the airflow setting for the ceiling fan 1 installed in that area. In this case, the reception unit 103 may not be provided.

[0033] The determination unit 102 stores the determined air volume settings for each of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 as operation information for all of the ceiling fans. Here, the operation information for all of the ceiling fans is defined as total operation information. In other words, the determination unit 102 stores (determines) the determined air volume settings for each of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 as total operation information.

[0034] In this embodiment, the system controller 100 stores the device information of the first ceiling fan 10 as device A (the device whose identification information is, for example, "1"), the device information of the second ceiling fan 20 as device B (the device whose identification information is, for example, "2"), and the device information of the third ceiling fan 30 as device C (the device whose identification information is, for example, "3"). The airflow setting of the first ceiling fan 10 determined by the determination unit 102 is airflow volume a, the airflow setting of the second ceiling fan 20 is airflow volume b, and the airflow setting of the third ceiling fan 30 is airflow volume c. In other words, the determination unit 102 stores, as total operating information, in a storage medium such as a memory, the airflow setting of device A is airflow volume a, the airflow setting of device B is airflow volume b, and the airflow setting of device C is airflow volume c.

[0035] The system communication unit 101 has a communication function (for example, a communication circuit) and transmits information to a first communication unit 12 (first control unit 11) described later. Details will be described later.

[0036] First ceiling fan 10 includes a first control unit 11 and a first motor unit 14. First control unit 11 includes a first communication unit 12 and a first air volume control unit 13.

[0037] The first communication unit 12 has a communication function (for example, a communication circuit) and receives information from the system communication unit 101. The first communication unit 12 also transmits information to a second communication unit 22 (second control unit 21) described later. Details will be described later.

[0038] First air volume control unit 13 controls the volume of air generated by blades 6 of first ceiling fan 10. Specifically, first air volume control unit 13 controls first motor unit 14 to control the volume of air generated by blades 6 of first ceiling fan 10. One control method for controlling the volume of air to a predetermined volume is constant air volume control, for example, but because constant air volume control is a known technique, further detailed description will be omitted.

[0039] Second ceiling fan 20 includes a second control unit 21 and a second motor unit 24. Second control unit 21 includes a second communication unit 22 and a second air volume control unit 23.

[0040] The second communication unit 22 has a communication function (for example, a communication circuit) and receives information from the first communication unit 12. The second communication unit 22 also transmits information to a third communication unit 32 (third control unit 31) described later. Details will be described later.

[0041] Second air volume control unit 23 controls the volume of air generated by the blades of first ceiling fan 10. Specifically, second air volume control unit 23 controls second motor unit 24 to control the volume of air generated by the blades of second ceiling fan 20. One control method for controlling the volume of air to a predetermined volume is constant air volume control, for example, but because constant air volume control is a known technique, further detailed description will be omitted.

[0042] Third ceiling fan 30 includes a third control unit 31 and a third motor unit 34. Third control unit 31 includes a third communication unit 32 and a third air volume control unit 33.

[0043] The third communication unit 32 has a communication function (for example, a communication circuit) and receives information from the second communication unit 22. Details will be described later.

[0044] Third air volume control unit 33 controls the volume of air generated by blades 6 of third ceiling fan 30. Specifically, third air volume control unit 33 controls third motor unit 34 in order to control the volume of air generated by blades 6 of third ceiling fan 30. One control method for controlling the volume of air to a predetermined volume is constant air volume control, for example, but because constant air volume control is a known technique, further detailed description will be omitted.

[0045] Here, the functional blocks of the system controller 100, the first control unit 11, the second control unit 21, and the third control unit 31 can be realized as hardware by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit), and as software by a computer program, etc., but here they are functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

[0046] Next, the exchange of information between the system controller 100, the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 will be described in detail.

[0047] As described above, the determination unit 102 stores as total operation information the determined air volume settings of the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30. Specifically, the determination unit 102 stores as total operation information that the air volume setting of device A is air volume a, the air volume setting of device B is air volume b, and the air volume setting of device C is air volume c.

[0048] The system controller 100 (system communication unit 101) is connected only to the first ceiling fan 10, and transmits the device information and total operation information of the first ceiling fan 10 only to the connected first ceiling fan 10. In other words, the system controller 100 transmits, as the device information of the first ceiling fan 10, identification information (e.g., "1") indicating that the first ceiling fan 10 is device A, and as the total operation information, the operation information (air volume settings) of all devices (multiple ceiling fans 1) to only the connected first ceiling fan 10.

[0049] In other words, the first ceiling fan 10, which is one of the multiple ceiling fans, receives equipment information for the first ceiling fan 10 and total operating information, which is operating information for all of the multiple ceiling fans 1, only from the system controller 100.

[0050] The information sent from the system controller 100 (system communication unit 101) to the first ceiling fan 10 (first communication unit 12) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of information sent from system controller 100 to first ceiling fan 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram showing an example of the data content.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the system controller 100 transmits to only the first ceiling fan 10, as device information for the first ceiling fan 10, identification information (e.g., "1") indicating that the first ceiling fan 10 is device A, and as total operating information, the airflow setting of device A (identification information, e.g., "1") is airflow volume a, the airflow setting of device B (identification information, e.g., "2") is airflow volume b, and the airflow setting of device C (identification information, e.g., "3") is airflow volume c.

[0053] The first ceiling fan 10 receives information sent from the system controller 100. The first ceiling fan 10 is also connected to a second ceiling fan 20, which is a different ceiling fan from the first ceiling fan 10, and transmits device information and total operation information for the second ceiling fan 20 only to the second ceiling fan 20. In other words, the first ceiling fan 10 transmits, as device information for the second ceiling fan 20, identification information (e.g., "2") indicating that the second ceiling fan 20 is device B, and as total operation information, operation information (air volume settings) for all devices (multiple ceiling fans 1), only to the connected second ceiling fan 20. In other words, the first ceiling fan 10 is not connected to anything other than the system controller 100 and the second ceiling fan 20.

[0054] Here, the information sent from the first ceiling fan 10 (first communication unit 12) to the second ceiling fan 20 (second communication unit 22) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of information sent from first ceiling fan 10 to second ceiling fan 20, and is a diagram showing an example of the data content.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the first ceiling fan 10 transmits to only the second ceiling fan 20, as device information for the second ceiling fan 20, identification information (e.g., "2") indicating that the second ceiling fan 20 is device B, and as total operating information, the airflow setting of device A (identification information, for example, "1") is airflow volume a, the airflow setting of device B (identification information, for example, "2") is airflow volume b, and the airflow setting of device C (identification information, for example, "3") is airflow volume c.

[0057] The second ceiling fan 20 receives information sent from the first ceiling fan 10. The second ceiling fan 20 is also connected to a third ceiling fan 30, which is a ceiling fan 1 different from the first ceiling fan 10 and the second ceiling fan 20, and transmits the device information and total operation information of the third ceiling fan 30 only to the third ceiling fan 30. In other words, the second ceiling fan 20 transmits, as the device information of the third ceiling fan 30, identification information (e.g., "3") indicating that the third ceiling fan 30 is device C, and as the total operation information, the operation information (air volume settings) of all devices (multiple ceiling fans 1) to the connected third ceiling fan 30 only. In other words, the second ceiling fan 20 is not connected to any devices other than the first ceiling fan 10 and the third ceiling fan 30.

[0058] Here, the information sent from the second ceiling fan 20 (second communication unit 22) to the third ceiling fan 30 (third communication unit 32) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of information sent from second ceiling fan 20 to third ceiling fan 30, and is a diagram showing an example of the data content.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the second ceiling fan 20 transmits to only the third ceiling fan 30, as device information for the third ceiling fan 30, identification information (e.g., "3") indicating that the third ceiling fan 30 is device C, and as total operating information, the airflow setting of device A (identification information, for example, "1") is airflow volume a, the airflow setting of device B (identification information, for example, "2") is airflow volume b, and the airflow setting of device C (identification information, for example, "3") is airflow volume c.

[0061] The third ceiling fan 30 receives the information sent from the second ceiling fan 20 .

[0062] In this way, ceiling fans other than first ceiling fan 10 among the multiple ceiling fans 1 receive the equipment information and overall operation information of that ceiling fan from only one ceiling fan other than that ceiling fan. Also, the ceiling fan that transmits the equipment information and overall operation information of that ceiling fan transmits the information to only one ceiling fan.

[0063] As can be seen from the above description, the multiple ceiling fans 1 are connected in series, and the total operation information is transmitted sequentially via each of the multiple ceiling fans 1.

[0064] Each ceiling fan 1 can obtain its own device information from the information received from the upstream (source) ceiling fan 1 or the system controller 100. Meanwhile, for the downstream (destination) ceiling fan 1, the device information sent next to its own device information in the order (reception order) of the total operation information shown in Figures 4 to 6 can be sent together with the total operation information as the device information for the downstream (destination) ceiling fan 1. Furthermore, if the identification information for the first ceiling fan 10, the second ceiling fan 20, and the third ceiling fan 30 are defined in ascending numerical order (1, 2, 3) as in the above example, the ceiling fan 1 that receives the device information and total operation information can send the identification information next to its own device information as the device information for the downstream (destination) ceiling fan 1 along with the total operation information. Specific examples of identification information are not limited to the above example.

[0065] Next, the control executed by the control system 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control executed by the control system 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] In this flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the initial letter S. For example, S1 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step has no relation to the processing order.

[0068] First, the determination unit 102 acquires the air volume settings for each of the multiple ceiling fans 1 received by the reception unit 103, and determines each acquired air volume setting as the air volume setting for device A, which is the first ceiling fan 10, device B, which is the second ceiling fan 20, and device C, which is the third ceiling fan 30. In other words, the determination unit 102 determines the total operating information.

[0069] Next, the system communication unit 101 transmits to the first communication unit 12 the identification information indicating that the first ceiling fan 10 is device A and the total operation information determined by the determination unit 102 (S1).

[0070] The first communication unit 12 receives the identification information indicating that the first ceiling fan 10 is device A and the total operation information (S2).

[0071] From the received information, first control unit 11 can determine that first ceiling fan 10, which can be controlled by first control unit 11, is itself device A and that device A should be controlled at airflow rate a. First airflow rate control unit 13 controls first motor unit 14 to control the airflow rate of first ceiling fan 10 to airflow rate a.

[0072] Next, the first communication unit 12 transmits to the second communication unit 22 the identification information indicating that the second ceiling fan 20 is device B and the total operation information determined by the determination unit 102 (S3).

[0073] The second communication unit 22 receives the identification information indicating that the second ceiling fan 20 is device B and the total operation information (S4).

[0074] From the received information, second control unit 21 can determine that second ceiling fan 20, which can be controlled by second control unit 21, is itself device B and that device B should be controlled at airflow rate b. Second airflow rate control unit 23 controls second motor unit 24 to control the airflow rate of second ceiling fan 20 to airflow rate b.

[0075] Next, the second communication unit 22 transmits to the third communication unit 32 the identification information indicating that the third ceiling fan 30 is device C and the total operation information determined by the determination unit 102 (S5).

[0076] The third communication unit 32 receives the identification information indicating that the third ceiling fan 30 is device C and the total operation information (S6).

[0077] From the received information, third control unit 31 can determine that third ceiling fan 30, which can be controlled by third control unit 31, is itself device C, and that device C should be controlled at airflow rate c. Third airflow rate control unit 33 controls third motor unit 34 to control the airflow rate of third ceiling fan 30 to airflow rate c.

[0078] This allows efficient setting of each ceiling fan 1 when multiple ceiling fans 1 are installed.

[0079] (Comparative Example) Here, a comparative example will be described. The comparative example is a case where multiple ceiling fans 1 are not connected in series. For example, this is a case where information is sent from the system controller 100 to multiple ceiling fans (e.g., the first ceiling fan 10 and the second ceiling fan 20). In other words, this is a case where the system controller 100 is not connected only to the first ceiling fan 10, but is also connected to multiple ceiling fans 1 (the first ceiling fan 10 and the second ceiling fan 20).

[0080] At this time, it is assumed that information is sent from system controller 100 in the same manner as in the embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, system controller 100 sends to all of the multiple connected ceiling fans 1, as device information of the connected ceiling fans 1, identification information indicating that the connected ceiling fan 1 is device A, and as total operating information, the air volume setting of device A is air volume a, the air volume setting of device B is air volume b, and the air volume setting of device C is air volume c.

[0081] In this case, the first ceiling fan 10 and the second ceiling fan 20 will both recognize that they are device A and that they should be controlled at airflow rate a. In this way, if multiple ceiling fans 1 are not individually connected in series, the multiple ceiling fans 1 will be recognized as the same device and will be controlled at the same airflow rate. In other words, when multiple ceiling fans 1 are installed, it will be impossible to set each ceiling fan 1.

[0082] The same applies to the case where information is transmitted from one ceiling fan 1 to multiple ceiling fans 1. For example, consider the case where a first ceiling fan 10 transmits information to a second ceiling fan 20 and a third ceiling fan 30.

[0083] At this time, it is assumed that information is sent from first ceiling fan 10 in the same manner as in the embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, first ceiling fan 10 sends to all of the multiple ceiling fans 1 (second ceiling fan 20 and third ceiling fan 30) identification information indicating that it is device B as the device information of ceiling fan 1 to which the information is being sent, and total operating information indicating that device A's airflow setting is airflow a, device B's airflow setting is airflow b, and device C's airflow setting is airflow c.

[0084] In this case, the second ceiling fan 20 and the third ceiling fan 30 will both recognize that they are device B and that they should be controlled at airflow rate b. In this way, if multiple ceiling fans 1 are not individually connected in series, the multiple ceiling fans 1 will be recognized as the same device and will be controlled at the same airflow rate. In other words, when multiple ceiling fans 1 are installed, it will be impossible to set each ceiling fan 1.

[0085] Even in a situation where it is not possible to individually configure each ceiling fan 1, as described above, there are ways to configure each ceiling fan 1. For example, the above problem can be solved by assigning an address to each ceiling fan 1 in advance to distinguish between them, or by setting up channels in advance so that each ceiling fan 1 uses a different communication channel.

[0086] However, channel setting and address assignment are time-consuming tasks for the installer (or user). Channel setting requires assigning channels to each device during installation, while address assignment requires the time-consuming task of registering addresses in the system controller 100.

[0087] On the other hand, with the present disclosure, the installer (or user) simply connects the device, eliminating the need for the user to check and register addresses. Also, in terms of manufacturing, the installation of a channel setting interface is no longer necessary, and the present disclosure can be easily realized with standardized products without assigning addresses.

[0088] Next, as another comparative example, consider a case where information is sent from the system controller 100 to multiple ceiling fans 1, and the system controller 100 is connected one-to-one to each of the multiple ceiling fans 1 so that the airflow volume can be set individually for each, and the device information to be sent is determined depending on the connection point.

[0089] Comparing this comparative example with the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the present disclosure, the number of ceiling fans 1 to be connected can be changed simply by changing the device information and total operation information, and the number of ceiling fans 1 to be controlled can be increased regardless of the number of connection interfaces of the system controller 100. For example, in the comparative example, if the system controller 100 has only three communication ports, the system controller 100 can only connect and control a maximum of three ceiling fans 1. In other words, in the comparative example, the number of communication ports of the system controller 100 limits the number of ceiling fans that can be connected.

[0090] On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to control all ceiling fans 1 even if the number of ceiling fans 1 to be connected is greater than the number of communication ports of the system controller 100. Although it is necessary to change the total operation information of the ceiling fans 1 sent from the system controller 100, this change alone can easily increase the number of controllable ceiling fans 1.

[0091] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0092] (Summary of the Disclosure) The control system of the present disclosure is a control system for controlling multiple ceiling fans, and includes a system controller that determines the operation details of the multiple ceiling fans, and a first ceiling fan that is one of the multiple ceiling fans receives equipment information for the first ceiling fan and total operation information, which is operation information for all of the multiple ceiling fans, only from the system controller, and a second ceiling fan that is different from the first ceiling fan among the multiple ceiling fans receives equipment information and total operation information for the second ceiling fan only from the first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan that transmits the equipment information and total operation information for the second ceiling fan transmits information only to the second ceiling fan.

[0093] This improves the efficiency of setting each ceiling fan when multiple ceiling fans are installed.

[0094] Alternatively, multiple ceiling fans may be connected in series, and the overall operating information may be transmitted via each of the multiple ceiling fans.

[0095] As a result, device information is assigned to each ceiling fan according to the order in which the multiple ceiling fans are connected, so that the relevant operating state can be determined from all the operating information.

[0096] In addition, the system controller may be connected only to the first ceiling fan and transmit the equipment information and overall operation information of the first ceiling fan only to the connected first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan may be connected to the second ceiling fan and may not be connected to anything other than the system controller and the second ceiling fan.

[0097] As a result, device information is assigned to each ceiling fan according to the order in which the multiple ceiling fans are connected, so that the relevant operating state can be determined from all the operating information.

[0098] In addition, the system controller may transmit identification information of the first ceiling fan as the equipment information of the first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan may transmit identification information of the second ceiling fan as the equipment information of the second ceiling fan, and the total operating information may be the operating information of all multiple ceiling fans.

[0099] As a result, device information is assigned to each ceiling fan according to the order in which the multiple ceiling fans are connected, so that the relevant operating state can be determined from all the operating information.

[0100] The first ceiling fan may be equipped with a first control unit that controls the airflow rate of the first ceiling fan, and the second ceiling fan may be equipped with a second control unit that controls the airflow rate of the second ceiling fan. The system controller may be equipped with a determination unit that determines the airflow rate of all of the multiple ceiling fans as total operating information, and a system communication unit that communicates with the first control unit. The system communication unit may transmit identification information of the first ceiling fan and the total operating information determined by the determination unit to the first control unit, and the first control unit may transmit identification information of the second ceiling fan and the total operating information to the second control unit.

[0101] This allows device information to be assigned to each ceiling fan according to the order in which multiple ceiling fans are connected, and the appropriate operating state can be determined from all the operating information, allowing the user to achieve the operation they desire.

[0102] The second ceiling fan is connected to a third ceiling fan, which is a ceiling fan different from the second ceiling fan, among the multiple ceiling fans, and transmits the equipment information and total operation information of the third ceiling fan only to the third ceiling fan, and does not need to be connected to any ceiling fan other than the first and third ceiling fans.

[0103] As a result, device information is assigned to each ceiling fan according to the order in which the multiple ceiling fans are connected, so that the relevant operating state can be determined from all the operating information.

[0104] The control system according to the present disclosure is useful as a system capable of controlling multiple ceiling fans, for example.

[0105] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Ceiling fan 2 Specified space 3 Main body 4 Support 5 Motor 6 Blade 7 Control unit 8 Ceiling 10 First ceiling fan 11 First control unit 12 First communication unit 13 First air volume control unit 14 First motor unit 20 Second ceiling fan 21 Second control unit 22 Second communication unit 23 Second air volume control unit 24 Second motor unit 30 Third ceiling fan 31 Third control unit 32 Third communication unit 33 Third air volume control unit 34 Third motor unit 100 System controller 101 System communication unit 102 Determination unit 103 Reception unit 200 Control system S1 to S6 Steps

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a plurality of ceiling fans, comprising a system controller that determines the operation details of the plurality of ceiling fans, wherein a first ceiling fan that is one of the plurality of ceiling fans receives equipment information for the first ceiling fan and total operation information that is operation information for all of the plurality of ceiling fans only from the system controller, a second ceiling fan that is different from the first ceiling fan among the plurality of ceiling fans receives equipment information and the total operation information for the second ceiling fan only from the first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan that transmits the equipment information and the total operation information for the second ceiling fan transmits information only to the second ceiling fan.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ceiling fans are connected in series, and the overall operation information is transmitted via each of the plurality of ceiling fans.

3. A control system as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the system controller is connected only to the first ceiling fan and transmits the equipment information and the overall operation information of the first ceiling fan only to the connected first ceiling fan, and the first ceiling fan is connected to the second ceiling fan and is not connected to anything other than the system controller and the second ceiling fan.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the system controller transmits identification information of the first ceiling fan as the equipment information of the first ceiling fan, the first ceiling fan transmits identification information of the second ceiling fan as the equipment information of the second ceiling fan, and the total operation information is operation information of all of the plurality of ceiling fans.

5. The control system described in claim 4, wherein the first ceiling fan is equipped with a first control unit that controls the airflow rate of the first ceiling fan, the second ceiling fan is equipped with a second control unit that controls the airflow rate of the second ceiling fan, the system controller is equipped with a determination unit that determines the airflow rate of all of the plurality of ceiling fans as the total operating information, and a system communication unit that communicates with the first control unit, the system communication unit transmits identification information of the first ceiling fan and the total operating information determined by the determination unit to the first control unit, and the first control unit transmits identification information of the second ceiling fan and the total operating information to the second control unit.

6. The control system described in claim 3, wherein the second ceiling fan is connected to a third ceiling fan, which is a ceiling fan different from the second ceiling fan, among the plurality of ceiling fans, and transmits the equipment information and the overall operation information of the third ceiling fan only to the third ceiling fan, and is not connected to any fans other than the first ceiling fan and the third ceiling fan.

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