Air-conditioning system, indoor unit, and refrigerant circuit setting method

Abstract

This air-conditioning system comprises one or more outdoor units (2) and one or more indoor units (3). Each indoor unit (3) is provided with: an outdoor unit identification information reception unit (302) that receives, from a user terminal (5) by wireless communication, identification information pertaining to an outdoor unit (2) belonging to the same refrigerant circuit as the indoor unit, among the one or more outdoor units (2); and a response frame transmission unit (303) that transmits, to the outdoor unit (2) indicated by the received identification information, a response frame indicating that the indoor unit belongs to the same refrigerant circuit. Each outdoor unit (2) is provided with an indoor unit recognition unit (202) that, when receiving a response frame indicating the same refrigerant system, recognizes that the indoor unit (3) belongs to the same refrigerant system as the outdoor unit (2).

Description

Air conditioning system, indoor unit, and refrigerant system setting method

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air conditioning system, an indoor unit, and a method for setting the refrigerant system.

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for faster communication speeds in air conditioning systems to enable advanced control, fault analysis of air conditioners using sensor data, and fault prediction. To speed up communication in air conditioning systems, the adoption of communication methods using high-frequency signals ranging from several MHz to tens of MHz, as described in Patent Document 1, is being considered.

[0003] In conventional air conditioning systems, generally, one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units connected to the same refrigerant piping constitute a single refrigerant system, and communication between each air conditioner unit (outdoor unit, indoor unit) is conducted via the same communication line (hereinafter referred to as "indoor / outdoor communication line") for each refrigerant system. When the air conditioning system is started up, the outdoor unit recognizes the indoor units in the same refrigerant system as itself, enabling control of each indoor unit.

[0004] In an air conditioning system with this configuration, if a communication method using high-frequency signals is employed for communication between the indoor and outdoor communication lines, crosstalk (also known as crosstalk) may occur between the indoor and outdoor communication lines in different refrigerant systems. In this case, the outdoor unit may not be able to correctly recognize the indoor units within its own refrigerant system.

[0005] Furthermore, if Ethernet® is adopted as the communication method, there are cases where air conditioners with different refrigerant systems are connected to the same communication network via a HUB. In air conditioning systems with such a configuration, the same problem as with the crosstalk described above occurs, where the outdoor unit is unable to correctly recognize indoor units within the same refrigerant system as itself.

[0006] Patent No. 6702471

[0007] To address the above problem, for example, during installation, the installer could set information regarding the refrigerant system by operating switches such as slide switches or rotary switches provided on each air conditioner in the same refrigerant system.

[0008] However, with the above countermeasures, there is a problem that a dedicated switch for setting the above information is required for each air conditioner, increasing the cost. There is also a problem that it takes time to set the information for an indoor unit installed in a ceiling space or the like, and the workability is poor.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning system, an indoor unit, and a refrigerant system setting method capable of setting a refrigerant system without providing a dedicated switch for each air conditioner.

[0010] To achieve the above object, an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure is an air conditioning system including one or more outdoor units and one or more indoor units, and each indoor unit includes: identification information receiving means for receiving, by wireless communication, identification information of an outdoor unit having the same refrigerant system as itself from among the one or more outdoor units from a user terminal; and same refrigerant system notifying means for notifying the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it has the same refrigerant system. Each outdoor unit, when receiving the notification, recognizes that the indoor unit is an indoor unit having the same refrigerant system as itself.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to set a refrigerant system without providing a dedicated switch for each air conditioner.

[0012] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the outdoor unit in Embodiment 1 Diagram for explaining the information storage body of the outdoor unit in Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor unit in Embodiment 1 Diagram for explaining the information storage body of the indoor unit in Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the remote controller in Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal in Embodiment 1 Block diagram showing the functional configurations of the outdoor unit, indoor unit, and user terminal in Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the procedure of the refrigerant system setting support process executed by the user terminal in Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the procedure of the refrigerant system setting process executed by the outdoor unit in Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the procedure of the refrigerant system setting process executed by the indoor unit in Embodiment 1 Diagram showing the communication sequence of the air conditioning system during refrigerant system setting in Embodiment 1 Diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system in a modification of Embodiment 1 Diagram showing an example of the identification information management table in a modification of Embodiment 1 Diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 2 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor unit in Embodiment 2 Diagram for explaining the information storage body of the indoor unit in Embodiment 2 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the remote controller in Embodiment 2 Block diagram showing the functional configurations of the indoor unit, remote controller, and user terminal in Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing the procedure of the refrigerant system setting support process executed by the user terminal in Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing the procedure of the wireless communication process executed by the remote controller in Embodiment 2 Flowchart showing the procedure of the refrigerant system setting process executed by the indoor unit in Embodiment 2 Diagram showing the communication sequence of the air conditioning system during refrigerant system setting in Embodiment 2 Diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 3 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor unit in Embodiment 3 Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the centralized management remote controller in Embodiment 3

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

[0014] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1 in Embodiment 1. The air conditioning system 1 is an example of the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure, and is a system for air conditioning buildings such as office buildings and stores, for example. The air conditioning system 1 includes an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 3A １ and an indoor unit 3A ２ and a refrigerant system A including an indoor unit 3B, an outdoor unit 2B １ and an indoor unit 3B ２ and a refrigerant system B including a remote controller 4 and a user terminal 5. In FIG. 1, a configuration in which the air conditioning system 1 includes two refrigerant systems is illustrated, but the number of refrigerant systems included in the air conditioning system 1 is not limited, and it may be one or three or more

[0015] <Refrigerant System A> The refrigerant system A is an example of the refrigerant system according to the present disclosure. The refrigerant system A includes an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 3A １ and an indoor unit 3A ２ and an indoor unit 3A. The outdoor unit 2A, the indoor unit 3A １ and the indoor unit 3A ２ are connected to the internal and external communication line 6A and are connected via a refrigerant pipe A (not shown) for circulating refrigerant. In FIG. 1, a configuration in which the refrigerant system A includes two indoor units is illustrated, but the number of indoor units included in the refrigerant system A is not limited, and it may be one or three or more

[0016] <Refrigerant System B> The refrigerant system B is an example of the refrigerant system according to the present disclosure. The refrigerant system B includes an outdoor unit 2B and an indoor unit 3B １ and an indoor unit 3B ２ and an indoor unit 3B. The outdoor unit 2B, the indoor unit 3B １ and the indoor unit 3B ２ are connected to the internal and external communication line 6B and are connected via a refrigerant pipe B (not shown) for circulating refrigerant. In FIG. 1, a configuration in which the refrigerant system B includes two indoor units is illustrated, but the number of indoor units included in the refrigerant system B is not limited, and it may be one or three or more

[0017] Hereinafter, for the description common to the outdoor units 2A and 2B, they are referred to as the outdoor unit 2 without particularly specifying each, and the indoor units 3A １ , 3A２ , 3B １ , 3B ２ For explanations common to all units, they will be referred to as "indoor unit 3" without specifying individual units, and for explanations common to both indoor and outdoor communication lines 6A and 6B, they will be referred to as "indoor and outdoor communication line 6" without specifying individual units.

[0018] <Hardware Configuration of Outdoor Unit 2> Outdoor unit 2 is an example of an outdoor unit according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, outdoor unit 2 includes a control board 20 as part of its hardware configuration. In addition, like a typical outdoor unit, outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a compressor, an outdoor fan, actuators such as an electronic expansion valve, sensors such as a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant pipes and an outside air temperature sensor for measuring the outside air temperature, but these components are not shown or described. The control board 20 includes a control circuit 21, an air conditioning communication unit 22, and an auxiliary storage device 23. The control circuit 21 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), etc., and comprehensively controls outdoor unit 2. Details of the functions of outdoor unit 2 realized by the control circuit 21 will be described later.

[0019] The air conditioning communication unit 22 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC (Integrated Circuit), and communicates with each indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system via the indoor / outdoor communication line 6 according to the instructions of the control circuit 21. Hereinafter, communication via the indoor / outdoor communication line 6 will be referred to as air conditioning communication. In this embodiment, air conditioning communication is harmonic communication using high-frequency signals of several MHz to tens of MHz. Therefore, if the indoor / outdoor communication line 6A of refrigerant system A and the indoor / outdoor communication line 6B of refrigerant system B are wired to be in contact or at close range, crosstalk will occur. As a result, for example, air conditioning communication from refrigerant system B may propagate to the indoor / outdoor communication line 6A of refrigerant system A, making it possible to communicate between the outdoor unit 2A and the indoor unit 3B, which are not physically connected.

[0020] The auxiliary storage device 23 is composed of, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory, or other read-write non-volatile semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores the outdoor unit program, which is a program for controlling the outdoor unit 2, and data used when the outdoor unit program is executed.

[0021] The outdoor unit 2 can communicate with a terminal such as a user terminal 5 via the indoor unit 3, which uses the same refrigerant system as itself, to obtain the outdoor unit program or an update program for updating the outdoor unit program from the terminal and save it to the auxiliary storage device 23. These programs can also be stored and distributed on computer-readable storage media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disk, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid-State Drive), and memory card. When such a storage media is directly or indirectly attached to the outdoor unit 2, it can also read the outdoor unit program or update program from the storage media and save it to the auxiliary storage device 23.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, an information holder 24 made of paper, plastic, or the like is attached to the surface of the outdoor unit 2 housing. The information holder 24 has a matrix-type two-dimensional code 240 printed on it that shows identification information of the outdoor unit 2, such as the model name (also called the model number) and the serial number.

[0023] <Hardware Configuration of Indoor Unit 3> Indoor unit 3 is an example of an indoor unit according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, indoor unit 3 includes a control board 30 as part of its hardware configuration. In addition, indoor unit 3 includes, like a typical indoor unit, an indoor fan, actuators such as an indoor solenoid valve, a piping temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant piping, and sensors such as an indoor temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature, but these configurations are not shown or described. The control board 30 includes a control circuit 31, an air conditioning communication unit 32, a remote control communication unit 33, a wireless communication unit 34, and an auxiliary storage device 35. The control circuit 31 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and comprehensively controls indoor unit 3. Details of the functions of indoor unit 3 realized by the control circuit 31 will be described later.

[0024] The air conditioning communication unit 32 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and performs air conditioning communication with the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system via the indoor / outdoor communication line 6 according to the instructions of the control circuit 31. The remote control communication unit 33 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and performs communication with the remote control 4 via the remote control communication line 7 according to the instructions of the control circuit 31. The wireless communication unit 34 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and performs wireless communication with terminals such as the user terminal 5 according to the instructions of the control circuit 31. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 34 performs BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication.

[0025] The auxiliary storage device 35 is composed of, for example, a read / write non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 35 stores the indoor unit program, which is a program for controlling the indoor unit 3, and data used when the indoor unit program is executed. The indoor unit 3 can obtain the indoor unit program or an update program for updating the indoor unit program from a terminal such as a user terminal 5 by wireless communication with the terminal via the wireless communication unit 34, and save it in the auxiliary storage device 35.

[0026] Furthermore, the indoor unit program or update program can also be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the indoor unit 3, it can also read the indoor unit program or update program from the recording medium and save it to the auxiliary storage device 35.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, an information holder 36 made of paper, plastic, or the like is attached to the surface of the indoor unit 3 housing. The information holder 36 has a matrix-type two-dimensional code 360 ​​printed on it that shows identification information of the indoor unit 3, such as the model name and serial number.

[0028] <Hardware Configuration of Remote Control 4> Remote control 4 is a remote controller for receiving air conditioning operations from users who use the building on a daily basis. As shown in Figure 6, the hardware configuration of remote control 4 includes a control circuit 40, an operation reception unit 41, a display unit 42, a remote control communication unit 43, and an auxiliary storage device 44. The control circuit 40 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and comprehensively controls remote control 4.

[0029] The operation reception unit 41 is configured to include one or more input devices such as a push button, touch panel, touch pad, slide switch, rotary switch, or toggle switch, and receives operations from the user and outputs signals related to the received operations to the control circuit 40. The display unit 42 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display. The display unit 42 displays various screens under the control of the control circuit 40. For example, the display unit 42 displays an air conditioning operation screen for receiving air conditioning operations from the user. Air conditioning operations include, for example, switching between starting / stopping operation, switching between operating modes such as cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan, and changing the set temperature, fan speed, etc.

[0030] The remote control communication unit 43 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and communicates with each indoor unit 3 via the remote control communication line 7 according to the instructions of the control circuit 40. The auxiliary storage device 44 is composed of, for example, a read / write non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 44 stores the remote control program, which is a program for controlling the remote control 4, and data used when the remote control program is executed. The remote control 4 can communicate with a terminal such as a user terminal 5 via the indoor unit 3, thereby obtaining the remote control program or an update program for updating the remote control program from the terminal and saving it to the auxiliary storage device 44.

[0031] Furthermore, the remote control program or update program can also be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the remote control 4, it can also read the remote control program or update program from the recording medium and save it to the auxiliary storage device 44.

[0032] <Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 5> User terminal 5 is an example of a user terminal related to this disclosure. User terminal 5 is an electronic device carried by users such as installers, system administrators, and maintenance personnel. As shown in Figure 7, the user terminal 5 has a hardware configuration comprising a control circuit 50, an operation reception unit 51, a display unit 52, a camera 53, a wireless communication unit 54, and an auxiliary storage device 55. The control circuit 50 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and comprehensively controls user terminal 5. Details of the functions of user terminal 5 realized by the control circuit 50 will be described later.

[0033] The operation reception unit 51 is configured to include one or more input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, keypad, push button, touch panel, or touchpad, and receives user operations and outputs signals related to the received operations to the control circuit 50. The display unit 52 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 52 displays a screen or the like for receiving user operations under the control of the control circuit 50. The camera 53 is configured to include an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and captures a subject and outputs the image data obtained from the capture to the control circuit 50.

[0034] The wireless communication unit 54 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and performs wireless communication with devices such as the indoor unit 3 according to instructions from the control circuit 50. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 54 performs BLE communication. The auxiliary storage device 55 is composed of a read / write non-volatile semiconductor memory, HDD, etc. Examples of read / write non-volatile semiconductor memory include EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 55 stores various programs, including application programs to support the user's work related to refrigerant system settings (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant system setting apps"), and data used when these programs are executed.

[0035] The user terminal 5 can communicate wirelessly with a terminal (not shown) via the wireless communication unit 54 to obtain the refrigerant system setting application or an update program for updating the refrigerant system setting application from that terminal and save it to the auxiliary storage device 55. The refrigerant system setting application or update program can also be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the user terminal 5, it can also read the refrigerant system setting application or update program from the recording medium and save it to the auxiliary storage device 55.

[0036] <Functional Configuration of Outdoor Unit 2, Indoor Unit 3, and User Terminal 5> As shown in Figure 8, the outdoor unit 2 includes, as a characteristic function of this disclosure, an indoor unit search frame transmission unit 200, a response frame reception unit 201, and an indoor unit recognition unit 202. These functions are realized when the control circuit 21 of the outdoor unit 2 executes the above-mentioned outdoor unit program stored in the auxiliary storage device 23. In addition, the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with functions for performing operations similar to those of a general outdoor unit, but such general functions will not be explained.

[0037] The indoor unit 3 includes, as a characteristic function of this disclosure, an advertisement frame transmission unit 300, an indoor unit search frame reception unit 301, an outdoor unit identification information reception unit 302, and a response frame transmission unit 303. These functions are realized when the control circuit 31 of the indoor unit 3 executes the indoor unit program described above, which is stored in the auxiliary storage device 35. In addition, the indoor unit 3 is equipped with functions for operating in the same way as a general indoor unit, but such general functions will not be described.

[0038] The user terminal 5 comprises an identification information acquisition unit 500, an advertisement frame receiving unit 501, and an outdoor unit identification information transmission unit 502. These functions are realized when the control circuit 50 of the user terminal 5 executes the refrigerant system setting application described above, which is stored in the auxiliary storage device 55. The identification information acquisition unit 500 acquires the identification information of the outdoor unit 2 that is the target of the refrigerant system setting by decoding a two-dimensional code 240 (see Figure 3) captured by the camera 53 in response to user operation. Hereinafter, the identification information of the outdoor unit 2 will be referred to as outdoor unit identification information. The identification information acquisition unit 500 stores the acquired outdoor unit identification information in the information storage unit 550. The information storage unit 550 is a memory area provided by the auxiliary storage device 55.

[0039] Similarly, the identification information acquisition unit 500 acquires identification information of the indoor unit 3 that is the target of the refrigerant system settings by decoding the two-dimensional code 360 ​​(see Figure 5) captured by the camera 53 in response to user operation. Hereinafter, the identification information of the indoor unit 3 will be referred to as indoor unit identification information. The identification information acquisition unit 500 stores the acquired indoor unit identification information in the information storage unit 550.

[0040] In the outdoor unit 2, when the power to the outdoor unit 2 is turned on, the indoor unit search frame transmission unit 200 periodically broadcasts an indoor unit search frame, which is a communication frame for searching for an indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system as itself, via the indoor-outdoor communication line 6. The indoor unit search frame stores the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 is stored in advance in the information storage unit 230 provided by the outdoor unit 2. The information storage unit 230 is a memory area provided by the auxiliary storage device 23.

[0041] In the indoor unit 3, when the power to the indoor unit 3 is turned on, the advertisement frame transmission unit 300 periodically broadcasts an advertisement frame containing its own indoor unit identification information. The indoor unit identification information of the indoor unit 3 is stored in advance in the information storage unit 350 provided by the indoor unit 3. The information storage unit 350 is a memory area provided by the auxiliary storage device 35.

[0042] At the user terminal 5, the advertisement frame receiving unit 501 receives the advertisement frame transmitted from the indoor unit 3. The advertisement frame receiving unit 501 notifies the outdoor unit identification information transmitting unit 502 that it has received the advertisement frame. Upon receiving this notification, the outdoor unit identification information transmitting unit 502 compares the indoor unit identification information contained in the advertisement frame received by the advertisement frame receiving unit 501 with the indoor unit identification information stored in the information storage unit 550, that is, the indoor unit identification information previously read from the information holder 36 of the indoor unit 3 as the target for setting the refrigerant system.

[0043] If the indoor unit identification information of both units does not match, the outdoor unit identification information transmission unit 502 discards the advertisement frame. On the other hand, if the indoor unit identification information of both units matches, the outdoor unit identification information transmission unit 502 establishes a wireless communication connection (i.e., BLE connection) with the indoor unit 3 that sent the advertisement frame and wirelessly transmits the outdoor unit identification information stored in the information storage unit 550, that is, the outdoor unit identification information previously read from the information holder 24 of the outdoor unit 2 as the target for setting the refrigerant system, to the indoor unit 3.

[0044] In the indoor unit 3, the indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301 receives the indoor unit search frame transmitted from the outdoor unit 2. At that time, the indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301 determines whether or not it has already transmitted a response frame indicating that it is the same refrigerant system to the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system. If the response frame has not been transmitted, the indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301 notifies the response frame transmitting unit 303 that it has received the indoor unit search frame. On the other hand, if the response frame has already been transmitted, the indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301 discards the indoor unit search frame without notifying the response frame transmitting unit 303 that it has received the indoor unit search frame.

[0045] The outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 302 is an example of the identification information receiving means according to this disclosure. The outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 302 receives outdoor unit identification information transmitted from the user terminal 5 and stores the received outdoor unit identification information in the information storage unit 350. When the response frame transmitting unit 303 receives the above notification from the indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301, it determines whether or not outdoor unit identification information is stored in the information storage unit 350, in other words, whether or not it has received outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5. If it has not received outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5, the response frame transmitting unit 303 transmits a response frame indicating that initial setup is in progress to the outdoor unit 2 that sent the indoor unit search frame via the internal-to-internal communication line 6.

[0046] On the other hand, if the outdoor unit identification information has already been received from the user terminal 5, the response frame transmission unit 303 compares the outdoor unit identification information included in the indoor unit search frame received by the indoor unit search frame reception unit 301 with the outdoor unit identification information received from the user terminal 5. If the two sets of outdoor unit identification information do not match, the response frame transmission unit 303 transmits a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 that was the source of the indoor unit search frame via the internal-to-outdoor communication line 6, indicating that initial setup is in progress. On the other hand, if the two sets of outdoor unit identification information match, the response frame transmission unit 303 transmits a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 that was the source of the indoor unit search frame via the internal-to-outdoor communication line 6, indicating that they are using the same refrigerant system. The response frame transmission unit 303 is an example of the same refrigerant system notification means according to this disclosure.

[0047] In the outdoor unit 2, the response frame receiving unit 201 receives a response frame from the indoor unit 3. The response frame receiving unit 201 notifies the indoor unit recognition unit 202 that it has received a response frame. If the response frame received by the response frame receiving unit 201 indicates that initial setup is in progress, the indoor unit recognition unit 202 discards the response frame. On the other hand, if the response frame indicates that it is the same refrigerant system, the indoor unit recognition unit 202 recognizes that the indoor unit 3 that sent the response frame is an indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system as itself (i.e., the outdoor unit 2), and stores the indoor unit identification information of the indoor unit 3 in the information storage unit 230. If the response frame receiving unit 201 has not received a response frame for a certain period of time or longer, the indoor unit recognition unit 202 determines that the refrigerant system setup is complete.

[0048] <Refrigerant System Setting Support Process> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the refrigerant system setting support process executed by the user terminal 5. The refrigerant system setting support process starts when the user launches the refrigerant system setting application.

[0049] (Step S101) The user terminal 5 determines whether the user has performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 that is the target of the refrigerant system settings. If the user has performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information (Step S101; YES), the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S102. If the user has not performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information (Step S101; NO), the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S103.

[0050] (Step S102) The user terminal 5 obtains outdoor unit identification information by reading information from the two-dimensional code 240 printed on the information holder 24 attached to the outdoor unit 2. After that, the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S103.

[0051] (Step S103) The user terminal 5 determines whether the user has performed the operation to acquire indoor unit identification information for the indoor unit 3 that is the target of the refrigerant system settings. If the user has performed the operation to acquire indoor unit identification information (Step S103; YES), the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S104. If the user has not performed the operation to acquire indoor unit identification information (Step S103; NO), the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S105.

[0052] (Step S104) The user terminal 5 obtains indoor unit identification information by reading information from the two-dimensional code 360 ​​printed on the information holder 36 attached to the indoor unit 3. After that, the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S105.

[0053] (Step S105) The user terminal 5 determines whether it has received an advertisement frame containing indoor unit identification information that matches the indoor unit identification information obtained from the indoor unit 3 to be configured. As described above, each indoor unit 3 periodically broadcasts an advertisement frame containing its own indoor unit identification information when the power is turned on. If the user terminal 5 has received an advertisement frame containing indoor unit identification information that matches the indoor unit identification information obtained from the indoor unit 3 to be configured (Step S105; YES), the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S106. If the user terminal 5 has not received an advertisement frame containing indoor unit identification information that matches the indoor unit identification information obtained from the indoor unit 3 to be configured (Step S105; NO), the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S107.

[0054] (Step S106) The user terminal 5 establishes a wireless communication connection (i.e., BLE connection) with the indoor unit 3 that sent the advertisement frame, and transmits the outdoor unit identification information obtained from the outdoor unit 2 to be configured to the indoor unit 3. After that, the processing of the user terminal 5 proceeds to step S107.

[0055] (Step S107) The user terminal 5 determines whether the user has terminated the refrigerant system setting application. If the user has terminated the refrigerant system setting application (Step S107; YES), the user terminal 5 terminates the refrigerant system setting support process. If the user has not terminated the refrigerant system setting application (Step S107; NO), the user terminal 5 returns to step S101.

[0056] <Processing during refrigerant system setup of outdoor unit 2> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for refrigerant system setup processing performed by outdoor unit 2 when the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 1 is set up. This refrigerant system setup processing starts when the power to the outdoor unit 2 is turned on.

[0057] (Step S201) The outdoor unit 2 periodically broadcasts an indoor unit search frame containing its own outdoor unit identification information via the indoor-outdoor communication line 6. After that, the processing of the outdoor unit 2 proceeds to step S202.

[0058] (Step S202) The outdoor unit 2 determines whether it has received a response frame from any of the indoor units 3 indicating that they are on the same refrigerant system. If it has received a response frame from any of the indoor units 3 indicating that they are on the same refrigerant system (Step S202; YES), the outdoor unit 2 proceeds to step S203. If it has not received a response frame from any of the indoor units 3 indicating that they are on the same refrigerant system (Step S202; NO), the outdoor unit 2 proceeds to step S204.

[0059] (Step S203) The outdoor unit 2 recognizes the indoor unit 3 that sent the response frame indicating that it is the same refrigerant system as an indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system, and stores the indoor unit identification information of the said indoor unit 3 in the information storage unit 230. After that, the processing of the outdoor unit 2 proceeds to step S204.

[0060] (Step S204) The outdoor unit 2 determines whether the period during which it has not received a response frame has exceeded a certain time. If the period during which it has not received a response frame has exceeded a certain time (Step S204; YES), the processing of the outdoor unit 2 proceeds to step S205. If the period during which it has not received a response frame has not exceeded a certain time (Step S204; NO), the processing of the outdoor unit 2 returns to step S202.

[0061] (Step S205) The outdoor unit 2 determines that the refrigerant system setup is complete and stops broadcasting indoor unit search frames. After that, the outdoor unit 2 terminates the refrigerant system setup process.

[0062] <Refrigerant System Setting Process of Indoor Unit 3> Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the refrigerant system setting process performed by indoor unit 3 when the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 1 is set. This refrigerant system setting process starts when the power to indoor unit 3 is turned on.

[0063] (Step S301) The indoor unit 3 periodically broadcasts an advertisement frame containing its own indoor unit identification information. After that, the processing of the indoor unit 3 proceeds to step S302.

[0064] (Step S302) The indoor unit 3 determines whether it has already obtained outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5 that matches the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2. As described above, when the outdoor unit 2 starts up, it periodically broadcasts an indoor unit search frame containing its own outdoor unit identification information via the indoor-outdoor communication line 6. If the outdoor unit identification information matching the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2 has already been obtained from the user terminal 5 (Step S302; YES), the processing of the indoor unit 3 proceeds to step S303. If the outdoor unit identification information matching the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2 has not been obtained from the user terminal 5 (Step S302; NO), the processing of the indoor unit 3 proceeds to step S304.

[0065] (Step S303) The indoor unit 3 transmits a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 indicating that they are on the same refrigerant system. The indoor unit 3 then terminates the refrigerant system setting process.

[0066] (Step S304) The indoor unit 3 sends a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 indicating that it is in the process of initial setup. The indoor unit 3 then proceeds to step S305.

[0067] (Step S305) The indoor unit 3 determines whether or not it has received outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5 via BLE communication with the user terminal 5. If it has received outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5 (Step S305; YES), the processing of the indoor unit 3 proceeds to step S306. If it has not received outdoor unit identification information from the user terminal 5 (Step S305; NO), the processing of the indoor unit 3 returns to step S302.

[0068] (Step S306) The indoor unit 3 stores the outdoor unit identification information received from the user terminal 5 in the information storage unit 350. After that, the processing of the indoor unit 3 proceeds to step S307.

[0069] (Step S307) Indoor unit 3 stops broadcasting the advertised frame. Then, the processing of indoor unit 3 returns to step S302.

[0070] Figure 12 shows the communication sequence of the air conditioning system 1 during the user's setup of refrigerant system A.

[0071] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, each indoor unit 3 receives outdoor unit identification information of an outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system as itself from a user terminal 5 via wireless communication, and notifies the outdoor unit 2 indicated by the received outdoor unit identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system. When the outdoor unit 2 receives such notification, it recognizes that the indoor unit 3 is an indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system as itself.

[0072] This makes it possible to set the refrigerant system even in system configurations where crosstalk occurs, without requiring a dedicated switch for setting the refrigerant system on each air conditioner (each outdoor unit 2, each indoor unit 3). This helps to suppress cost increases and improve ease of installation.

[0073] (Modification 1) The outdoor unit identification information and indoor unit identification information acquired by the user terminal 5 may be managed on a cloud server or an on-premise server. Figure 13 shows the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1a in this modification. In the air conditioning system 1a, the server 8 is a cloud server or an on-premise server, and is an example of a server related to this disclosure. In this modification, the user terminal 5 further includes a communication interface (not shown) for communicating with the server 8, and transmits the acquired outdoor unit identification information and indoor unit identification information to the server 8. The server 8 stores and manages the outdoor unit identification information and indoor unit identification information received from the user terminal 5 in an identification information management table (see Figure 14). This configuration allows for work by multiple users and further improves workability.

[0074] (Modification 2) The two-dimensional code 240 indicating the outdoor unit identification information may be directly drawn on the surface of the outdoor unit 2 casing by paint, engraving, etc., or, if the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a display device, it may be displayed on the display device. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 240 is not limited to a matrix-type two-dimensional code, but may also be a stack-type two-dimensional code. In addition, the outdoor unit identification information may be indicated in the information holder 24 as a one-dimensional code or an unencoded string.

[0075] Similarly, the two-dimensional code 360 ​​indicating the indoor unit identification information may be directly drawn on the surface of the indoor unit 3 housing by paint, engraving, etc., or, if the indoor unit 3 is equipped with a display device, it may be displayed on the display device. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 360 ​​is not limited to a matrix-type two-dimensional code, but may also be a stack-type two-dimensional code. In addition, the indoor unit identification information may be indicated in the information holder 36 as a one-dimensional code or an unencoded string.

[0076] (Modification 3) All or part of the functional parts of the outdoor unit 2 (see Figure 8) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional parts of the indoor unit 3 (see Figure 8) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional parts of the user terminal 5 (see Figure 8) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware includes, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0077] The technical concepts related to each of the above-described modifications may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0078] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like that are common to Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0079] Figure 15 shows the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1b in Embodiment 2. The air conditioning system 1b is an example of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure, and is a system for providing air conditioning for buildings such as office buildings and shops. The air conditioning system 1b consists of an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 9A １ and indoor unit 9A ２ A refrigerant system A comprising an outdoor unit 2B and an indoor unit 9B １ and indoor unit 9B ２ The system comprises a refrigerant system B, a remote control 10, and a user terminal 11. Although Figure 15 illustrates a configuration in which the air conditioning system 1b has two refrigerant systems, there is no limit to the number of refrigerant systems that the air conditioning system 1b has; it may have one, three or more, or more.

[0080] <Refrigerant System A> Refrigerant system A is an example of a refrigerant system related to this disclosure. Refrigerant system A consists of an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 9A １ And, indoor unit 9A ２ It includes: Outdoor unit 2A, Indoor unit 9A １ and indoor unit 9A ２ It is connected to the internal / external communication line 6A and also via refrigerant piping A (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. In Figure 15, a configuration in which refrigerant system A has two indoor units is shown as an example, but there is no limit to the number of indoor units that refrigerant system A has; it may be one unit or three or more.

[0081] <Refrigerant System B> Refrigerant system B is an example of a refrigerant system related to this disclosure. Refrigerant system B consists of an outdoor unit 2B and an indoor unit 9B １ And, indoor unit 9B ２ It includes: Outdoor unit 2B, Indoor unit 9B １ and indoor unit 9B ２ It is connected to the internal / external communication line 6B and also via refrigerant piping B (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. In Figure 15, a configuration in which the refrigerant system B has two indoor units is shown as an example, but there is no limit to the number of indoor units that the refrigerant system B has; it may be one unit or three or more.

[0082] In the following explanations common to both outdoor units 2A and 2B, we will refer to them simply as "outdoor unit 2" without specifying each individual unit, and also as "indoor unit 9A". １ ,9A２ ,9B １ ,9B ２ For explanations common to all units, they will be referred to as "indoor unit 9" without specifying individual units, and for explanations common to both indoor and outdoor communication lines 6A and 6B, they will be referred to as "indoor and outdoor communication line 6" without specifying individual units.

[0083] <Hardware Configuration of Indoor Unit 9> Indoor unit 9 is an example of an indoor unit according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 16, indoor unit 9 includes a control board 90 as part of its hardware configuration. In addition, indoor unit 9 includes, like a typical indoor unit, an indoor fan, actuators such as an indoor solenoid valve, a piping temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant piping, and sensors such as an indoor temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature, but these configurations are not shown or described. The control board 90 includes a control circuit 31, an air conditioning communication unit 32, a remote control communication unit 33, and an auxiliary storage device 35. The hardware configuration of the control board 90 differs from that of the control board 30 of indoor unit 3 in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 4) in that it does not include a wireless communication unit 34, but in other respects the hardware configurations of both are the same.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, an information holder 91 made of paper, plastic, or the like is attached to the surface of the indoor unit 9 housing. A matrix-type two-dimensional code 910 indicating identification information such as the model name and serial number of the indoor unit 9 is printed on the information holder 91.

[0085] <Hardware Configuration of Remote Control 10> Remote control 10 is an example of an air conditioning remote control according to the present disclosure. Remote control 10 is a remote controller for receiving air conditioning operations from users who use the building on a daily basis, and is also a device that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal 11 to exchange information regarding the settings of the refrigerant system with the user terminal 11. As shown in Figure 18, the hardware configuration of remote control 10 includes a control circuit 40, an operation reception unit 41, a display unit 42, a remote control communication unit 43, an auxiliary storage device 44, and a wireless communication unit 100. The hardware configuration of remote control 10 differs from that of remote control 4 in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 6) in that it includes a wireless communication unit 100, but the hardware configurations of both are the same in other respects.

[0086] The wireless communication unit 100 is a communication interface that includes a communication driver IC and the like, and performs wireless communication with a terminal such as a user terminal 11 according to instructions from the control circuit 40. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 100 performs BLE communication.

[0087] <Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 11> User terminal 11 is an example of a user terminal according to this disclosure. The hardware configuration of user terminal 11 is the same as that of user terminal 5 in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 7).

[0088] <Functional Configuration of Indoor Unit 9, Remote Control 10, and User Terminal 11> As shown in Figure 19, the indoor unit 9 includes, as a characteristic function of this disclosure, an indoor unit search frame receiving unit 301, a response frame transmitting unit 303, and an outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 900. These functions are realized when the control circuit 31 of the indoor unit 9 executes the indoor unit program, which is a program for controlling the indoor unit 9 and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 35. In addition, the indoor unit 9 is equipped with functions for performing operations similar to those of a general indoor unit, but such general functions will not be explained. The functional configuration of the indoor unit 9 differs from that of the indoor unit 3 in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 8) in that it is equipped with an outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 900 in place of the advertisement frame transmitting unit 300 and the outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 302, but in other respects the functional configurations of both are the same.

[0089] The remote control 10 includes, as a characteristic function of this disclosure, a remote control communication startup unit 1000, a connected indoor unit information transmission unit 1001, a refrigerant system information reception unit 1002, and an outdoor unit identification information transmission unit 1003. These functions are realized when the control circuit 40 of the remote control 10 executes a remote control program, which is a program for controlling the remote control 10, stored in the auxiliary storage device 44. In addition, the remote control 10 also has functions such as receiving operations related to air conditioning from the user and sending commands corresponding to the received operations to the remote control communication line 7, similar to a general remote control, but such general functions will not be explained.

[0090] The user terminal 11 includes an identification information acquisition unit 500, a connected indoor unit information receiving unit 1100, a refrigerant system information setting reception unit 1101, and a refrigerant system information transmission unit 1102. These functional units are realized when the control circuit 50 of the user terminal 11 executes a refrigerant system setting application, which is an application program for supporting refrigerant system setting operations, stored in the auxiliary storage device 55.

[0091] In the remote control 10, when the power of the remote control 10 is turned on, the remote control communication startup unit 1000 activates all indoor units 9 (in this embodiment, indoor unit 9A) connected via the remote control communication line 7. １ ,9A ２ ,9B １ ,9B ２ Initial startup communication is performed with the remote control communication startup unit 1000. At that time, the remote control communication startup unit 1000 acquires indoor unit information, which is information including at least indoor unit identification information, from each indoor unit 9. The remote control communication startup unit 1000 stores the acquired indoor unit information of each indoor unit 9 in the information storage unit 440. The information storage unit 440 is a memory area provided by the auxiliary storage device 44.

[0092] The connected indoor unit information transmission unit 1001 is an example of an indoor unit information transmission means according to this disclosure. After establishing a BLE connection with the user terminal 11, the connected indoor unit information transmission unit 1001 wirelessly transmits connected indoor unit information to the user terminal 11 in response to a request from the user terminal 11. The connected indoor unit information stores the indoor unit information of each indoor unit 9 connected to the remote control communication line 7.

[0093] At the user terminal 11, the connected indoor unit information receiving unit 1100 establishes a BLE connection with the remote control 10 in response to user operation and requests the remote control 10 to transmit the above-mentioned connected indoor unit information. In response to this request, the connected indoor unit information receiving unit 1100 receives the connected indoor unit information transmitted from the remote control 10. The connected indoor unit information receiving unit 1100 stores the received connected indoor unit information in the information storage unit 550. The refrigerant system information setting receiving unit 1101 accepts the setting of refrigerant system information from the user, which is information indicating the configuration of the refrigerant system to be set, based on the outdoor unit identification information obtained from the outdoor unit 2 and the connected indoor unit information obtained from the remote control 10, which are stored in the information storage unit 550. The refrigerant system information includes the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit identification information of each indoor unit 9, which belong to the same refrigerant system.

[0094] In detail, when the refrigerant system information setting reception unit 1101 receives connected indoor unit information from the remote control 10, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "refrigerant system information setting reception screen") on the display unit 52, which shows a list of outdoor unit identification information and connected indoor unit information. The user can set the refrigerant system information by making selections via the refrigerant system information setting reception screen. The refrigerant system information setting reception unit 1101 stores the refrigerant system information set by the user in the information storage unit 550. The refrigerant system information transmission unit 1102 wirelessly transmits the refrigerant system information set by the user to the remote control 10 via BLE communication.

[0095] The refrigerant system information receiving unit 1002 of the remote control 10 is an example of a refrigerant system information receiving means according to this disclosure. The refrigerant system information receiving unit 1002 receives refrigerant system information wirelessly transmitted from the user terminal 11. The refrigerant system information receiving unit 1002 stores the received refrigerant system information in the information storage unit 440. The outdoor unit identification information transmitting unit 1003 is an example of an identification information transmitting means according to this disclosure. Based on the refrigerant system information received from the user terminal 11, the outdoor unit identification information transmitting unit 1003 transmits outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system to each indoor unit 9 via the remote control communication line 7. For example, the outdoor unit identification information transmitting unit 1003 transmits outdoor unit identification information of indoor unit 9A １ and indoor unit 9A ２For each of these, the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2A is transmitted via the remote control communication line 7.

[0096] The outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 900 of the indoor unit 9 is an example of an identification information receiving means according to this disclosure. The outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 900 receives outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 via the remote control communication line 7. The outdoor unit identification information receiving unit 900 stores the received outdoor unit identification information in the information storage unit 350.

[0097] <Refrigerant System Setting Support Process> Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the refrigerant system setting support process performed by the user terminal 11. The refrigerant system setting support process is started when the user launches the refrigerant system setting application.

[0098] (Step S401) The user terminal 11 determines whether the user has performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 that is the target of the refrigerant system settings. If the user has performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information (Step S401; YES), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S402. If the user has not performed an operation to acquire the outdoor unit identification information (Step S401; NO), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S403.

[0099] (Step S402) The user terminal 11 obtains outdoor unit identification information by reading information from the two-dimensional code 240 printed on the information holder 24 attached to the outdoor unit 2. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S403.

[0100] (Step S403) The user terminal 11 determines whether the user has performed an operation to acquire indoor unit identification information for the indoor unit 9 that is the target of the refrigerant system settings. If the user has performed an operation to acquire indoor unit identification information (Step S403; YES), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S404. If the user has not performed an operation to acquire indoor unit identification information (Step S403; NO), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S405.

[0101] (Step S404) The user terminal 11 obtains indoor unit identification information by reading information from the two-dimensional code 910 printed on the information holder 91 attached to the indoor unit 9. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S405.

[0102] (Step S405) The user terminal 11 determines whether or not the user has performed a communication connection operation with the remote control 10. If the user has performed a communication connection operation with the remote control 10 (Step S405; YES), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S406. If the user has not performed a communication connection operation with the remote control 10 (Step S405; NO), the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S411.

[0103] (Step S406) The user terminal 11 establishes a wireless communication connection (i.e., BLE connection) with the remote control 10. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S407.

[0104] (Step S407) The user terminal 11 requests the remote control 10 to transmit information about the connected indoor unit, and receives the information about the connected indoor unit transmitted from the remote control 10 in response to this request. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S408.

[0105] (Step S408) The user terminal 11 displays the refrigerant system information setting reception screen on the display unit 52. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S409.

[0106] (Step S409) The user terminal 11 determines whether the user has completed setting the refrigerant system information. For example, the user terminal 11 determines that the user has completed setting the refrigerant system information when a specific GUI (Graphical User Interface) button provided on the refrigerant system information setting reception screen is pressed by the user. If the user has completed setting the refrigerant system information (Step S409; YES), the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S410. If the user has not completed setting the refrigerant system information (Step S409; NO), the user terminal 11 continues the process in step S409.

[0107] (Step S410) The user terminal 11 wirelessly transmits the refrigerant system information set by the user to the remote control 10. After that, the processing of the user terminal 11 proceeds to step S411.

[0108] (Step S411) The user terminal 11 determines whether the user has terminated the refrigerant system setting application. If the user has terminated the refrigerant system setting application (Step S411; YES), the user terminal 11 terminates the refrigerant system setting support process. If the user has not terminated the refrigerant system setting application (Step S411; NO), the user terminal 11 returns to step S401.

[0109] <Wireless communication processing of remote control 10> Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure for wireless communication processing performed by the remote control 10. Wireless communication processing is performed while wireless communication connection (i.e., BLE connection) is established with the user terminal 11.

[0110] (Step S501) The remote control 10 determines whether or not it has received a request from the user terminal 11 to transmit information about the connected indoor unit. If it has received a request from the user terminal 11 to transmit information about the connected indoor unit (Step S501; YES), the remote control 10 proceeds to step S502. If it has not received a request from the user terminal 11 to transmit information about the connected indoor unit (Step S501; NO), the remote control 10 proceeds to step S503.

[0111] (Step S502) The remote control 10 wirelessly transmits the connected indoor unit information to the user terminal 11. After that, the processing of the remote control 10 proceeds to step S503.

[0112] (Step S503) The remote control 10 determines whether or not it has received refrigerant system information from the user terminal 11. If it has received refrigerant system information from the user terminal 11 (Step S503; YES), the remote control 10 proceeds to step S504. If it has not received refrigerant system information from the user terminal 11 (Step S503; NO), the remote control 10 returns to step S501.

[0113] (Step S504) Based on the received refrigerant system information, the remote control 10 transmits outdoor unit identification information to each indoor unit 9. After that, the processing of the remote control 10 returns to step S501.

[0114] <Refrigerant System Setting Process of Indoor Unit 9> Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the refrigerant system setting process performed by indoor unit 9 when the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 1b is set. This refrigerant system setting process starts when the power to the indoor unit 9 is turned on.

[0115] (Step S601) The indoor unit 9 determines whether it has already obtained outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 that matches the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2. As described in Embodiment 1, when the outdoor unit 2 starts up, it periodically broadcasts an indoor unit search frame containing its own outdoor unit identification information via the indoor-outdoor communication line 6. If the indoor unit 9 has already obtained outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 that matches the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2 (Step S601; YES), the processing of the indoor unit 9 proceeds to step S602. If the indoor unit 9 has not already obtained outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 that matches the outdoor unit identification information contained in the indoor unit search frame received from the outdoor unit 2 (Step S601; NO), the processing of the indoor unit 9 proceeds to step S603.

[0116] (Step S602) The indoor unit 9 transmits a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 indicating that it is the same refrigerant system. After that, the indoor unit 9 terminates the refrigerant system setting process.

[0117] (Step S603) The indoor unit 9 sends a response frame to the outdoor unit 2 indicating that it is in the process of initial setup. The processing of the indoor unit 9 then proceeds to step S604.

[0118] (Step S604) The indoor unit 9 determines whether or not it has received outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 via the remote control communication line 7. If it has received outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 (Step S604; YES), the processing of the indoor unit 9 proceeds to step S605. If it has not received outdoor unit identification information from the remote control 10 (Step S604; NO), the processing of the indoor unit 9 returns to step S601.

[0119] (Step S605) The indoor unit 9 stores the outdoor unit identification information received from the remote control 10 in the information storage unit 350. After that, the processing of the indoor unit 9 returns to step S601.

[0120] Figure 23 shows the communication sequence of the air conditioning system 1b during the user's setup of refrigerant system A.

[0121] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1b of this embodiment, the remote control 10 transmits connected indoor unit information, including indoor unit identification information for each indoor unit 9, to the user terminal 11 via wireless communication, and also receives refrigerant system information from the user terminal 11 via wireless communication. Based on the refrigerant system information received from the user terminal 11, the remote control 10 transmits the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system to the target indoor unit 9. Each indoor unit 9 receives the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system as itself from the remote control 10 and notifies the outdoor unit 2 indicated by the received outdoor unit identification information that it is on the same refrigerant system. When the outdoor unit 2 receives this notification, it recognizes that the indoor unit 3 is an indoor unit 3 of the same refrigerant system as itself.

[0122] This makes it possible to set the refrigerant system even in system configurations where crosstalk occurs, without requiring dedicated switches for setting the refrigerant system on each air conditioner (each outdoor unit 2, each indoor unit 9). This helps to suppress cost increases and improve ease of installation. Furthermore, since each indoor unit 9 does not need to have a wireless communication unit, cost increases can be suppressed more effectively.

[0123] (Modification 1) Similar to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1, the two-dimensional code 240 indicating the outdoor unit identification information may be directly drawn on the surface of the outdoor unit 2 housing by paint, engraving, etc., or, if the outdoor unit 2 is equipped with a display device, it may be displayed on the display device. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 240 is not limited to a matrix-type two-dimensional code, but may also be a stack-type two-dimensional code. In addition, the outdoor unit identification information may be indicated in the information holder 24 as a one-dimensional code or an unencoded string.

[0124] Similarly, the two-dimensional code 910 indicating indoor unit identification information may be directly drawn on the surface of the indoor unit 9 housing by paint, engraving, etc., or, if the indoor unit 9 is equipped with a display device, it may be displayed on the display device. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 910 is not limited to a matrix-type two-dimensional code, but may also be a stack-type two-dimensional code. In addition, the indoor unit identification information may be indicated in the information holder 91 as a one-dimensional code or an unencoded string of characters.

[0125] (Modification 2) All or part of the functional parts of the outdoor unit 2 (see Figure 8) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional parts of the indoor unit 9 (see Figure 19) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional parts of the remote control 10 (see Figure 19) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional parts of the user terminal 11 (see Figure 19) may be implemented with dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0126] (Modification 3) The configuration of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 can also be applied to the air conditioning system 1b in this embodiment.

[0127] The technical concepts related to each of the above-described modifications may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0128] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like that are common to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0129] Figure 24 shows the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1c in Embodiment 3. The air conditioning system 1c is an example of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure, and is a system for providing air conditioning for buildings such as office buildings and shops. The air conditioning system 1c consists of an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 12A １ and indoor unit 12A ２ A refrigerant system A comprising an outdoor unit 2B and an indoor unit 12B １ and indoor unit 12B ２ The system comprises a refrigerant system B, a centralized remote control 13, and a user terminal 11. While Figure 24 illustrates a configuration where the air conditioning system 1c has two refrigerant systems, there is no limit to the number of refrigerant systems the air conditioning system 1c has; it may have one, three, or more. Outdoor unit 2A, Outdoor unit 2B, Indoor unit 12A １ , indoor unit 12A ２ , indoor unit 12B １ , indoor unit 12B ２ The centralized control remote 13 and the air conditioning communication line 14 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with one another.

[0130] <Refrigerant System A> Refrigerant system A is an example of a refrigerant system related to this disclosure. Refrigerant system A consists of an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit 12A １ And, indoor unit 12A ２ It includes: Outdoor unit 2A, Indoor unit 12A １ and indoor unit 12A ２ These are connected via refrigerant piping A (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. Although Figure 24 illustrates a configuration in which refrigerant system A has two indoor units, there is no limit to the number of indoor units that refrigerant system A has; it may be one unit or three or more.

[0131] <Refrigerant System B> Refrigerant system B is an example of a refrigerant system related to this disclosure. Refrigerant system B consists of an outdoor unit 2B and an indoor unit 12B １ And, indoor unit 12B ２ It includes: Outdoor unit 2B, Indoor unit 12B１ and indoor unit 12B ２ These are connected via refrigerant piping B (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. Although Figure 24 illustrates a configuration in which refrigerant system B has two indoor units, there is no limit to the number of indoor units that refrigerant system B has; it may be one unit or three or more.

[0132] In the following explanations common to both outdoor units 2A and 2B, we will refer to them simply as "outdoor unit 2" without specifying each individual unit, and also as "indoor unit 12A". １ , 12A ２ ,12B １ ,12B ２ For explanations common to all units, we will refer to them as "indoor unit 12" without specifying individual units.

[0133] <Hardware Configuration of Indoor Unit 12> Indoor unit 12 is an example of an indoor unit according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 25, indoor unit 12 includes a control board 120 as part of its hardware configuration. In addition, indoor unit 12 includes, like a typical indoor unit, an indoor fan, actuators such as an indoor solenoid valve, a piping temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant piping, and sensors such as an indoor temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature, but these configurations are not shown or described. The control board 120 includes a control circuit 31, an air conditioning communication unit 32, and an auxiliary storage device 35. The hardware configuration of the control board 120 differs from that of the control board 90 of indoor unit 9 in Embodiment 2 (see Figure 16) in that it does not include a remote control communication unit 33, but in other respects the hardware configurations of both are the same.

[0134] Furthermore, an information-holding material such as paper or plastic is attached to the surface of the indoor unit 12's casing, similar to the indoor unit 3 in Embodiment 1 and the indoor unit 9 in Embodiment 2 (see Figures 5 and 17). A matrix-type two-dimensional code indicating identification information such as the model name and serial number of the indoor unit 12 is printed on the information-holding material.

[0135] <Hardware Configuration of Centralized Control Remote Control 13> The centralized control remote control 13 is an example of an air conditioning remote control according to this disclosure. The centralized control remote control 13 is a remote controller for centrally managing each air conditioner (each outdoor unit 2, each indoor unit 12) that constitutes the air conditioning system 1c, and is also a device that communicates wirelessly with the user terminal 11 to exchange information regarding the settings of the refrigerant system. As shown in Figure 26, the centralized control remote control 13 has a hardware configuration comprising a control circuit 130, an operation reception unit 131, a display unit 132, an air conditioning communication unit 133, a wireless communication unit 134, and an auxiliary storage device 135.

[0136] The control circuit 130 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and comprehensively controls the centralized remote control 13. The operation reception unit 131 includes one or more input devices such as a push button, touch panel, touch pad, slide switch, rotary switch, toggle switch, etc., and receives operations from the user and outputs signals related to the received operations to the control circuit 130. The display unit 132 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 132 displays various screens under the control of the control circuit 130.

[0137] The air conditioning communication unit 133 is a communication interface comprising a communication driver IC, etc., and communicates with each air conditioner via the air conditioning communication line 14 according to instructions from the control circuit 130. The air conditioning communication unit 133 performs communication compliant with, for example, Ethernet®. The wireless communication unit 134 is a communication interface comprising a communication driver IC, etc., and performs wireless communication with terminals such as the user terminal 11 according to instructions from the control circuit 130. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 134 performs BLE communication. The auxiliary storage device 135 is composed of, for example, a read / write non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 135 stores a centralized remote control program, which is a program for controlling the centralized remote control 13, and data used when the centralized remote control program is executed.

[0138] The centralized remote control 13 can communicate with a user terminal 11 or other terminal to obtain the centralized remote control program or an update program for updating the centralized remote control program from the terminal and save it to the auxiliary storage device 135. The centralized remote control program or update program can also be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card. When such a recording medium is directly or indirectly attached to the centralized remote control 13, it can also read the centralized remote control program or update program from the recording medium and save it to the auxiliary storage device 135.

[0139] In the air conditioning system 1c configured as described above, the centralized remote control 13 collects indoor unit information for each indoor unit 12 at startup, similar to the remote control 10 in Embodiment 2. The user terminal 11 establishes a wireless communication connection (i.e., BLE connection) with the centralized remote control 13 in response to user operations and receives connected indoor unit information, which contains the indoor unit information for each indoor unit 12, from the centralized remote control 13. The user terminal 11 also wirelessly transmits refrigerant system information set by the user to the centralized remote control 13. Based on the received refrigerant system information, the centralized remote control 13 transmits outdoor unit identification information to each indoor unit 12. The subsequent processing related to refrigerant system settings in the air conditioning system 1c is the same as in the air conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1 and the air conditioning system 1b of Embodiment 2.

[0140] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1c of this embodiment, the centralized remote control 13 transmits connected indoor unit information, including indoor unit identification information for each indoor unit 12, to the user terminal 11 via wireless communication, and also receives refrigerant system information from the user terminal 11 via wireless communication. Based on the refrigerant system information received from the user terminal 11, the centralized remote control 13 transmits the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system to the target indoor unit 12. Each indoor unit 12 receives the outdoor unit identification information of the outdoor unit 2 of the same refrigerant system as itself from the centralized remote control 13 and notifies the outdoor unit 2 indicated by the received outdoor unit identification information that it is on the same refrigerant system. When the outdoor unit 2 receives this notification, it recognizes that the indoor unit 12 is an indoor unit 12 of the same refrigerant system as itself.

[0141] This makes it possible to set the refrigerant system even when air conditioners with different refrigerant systems are connected to the same communication network, without requiring each air conditioner (each outdoor unit 2, each indoor unit 12) to have a dedicated switch for setting the refrigerant system. This helps to suppress cost increases and improve ease of installation. Furthermore, since each indoor unit 12 does not need to have a wireless communication unit, cost increases can be suppressed more effectively.

[0142] (Modifications) The configurations of Modifications 1 and 2 of Embodiment 1 and Modifications 1 and 2 of Embodiment 2 can also be applied to the air conditioning system 1c in this embodiment. Furthermore, the technical concepts related to each of these modifications may be realized individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0143] This disclosure can be implemented in various forms and variations without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various variations implemented within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0144] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-225393, filed on 20 December 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of the same are incorporated herein by reference.

[0145] This disclosure can be suitably adopted in a building air conditioning system.

[0146] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Air conditioning system, 2, 2A, 2B Outdoor unit, 3, 3A １ ,3A ２ , 3B １ , 3B ２ ,9,9A １ ,9A ２ ,9B １ ,9B ２ ,12,12A １ , 12A ２ ,12B １ ,12B ２ Indoor unit, 4, 10 Remote control, 5, 11 User terminal, 6A, 6B Indoor / outdoor communication line, 7 Remote control communication line, 8 Server, 13 Centralized management remote control, 14 Air conditioning communication line, 20, 30, 90, 120 Control board, 21, 31, 40, 50, 130 Control circuit, 22, 32, 133 Air conditioning communication unit, 23, 35, 44, 55, 135 Auxiliary storage device, 24, 36, 91 Information holder, 33, 43 Remote control communication unit, 34, 54, 100, 134 Wireless communication unit, 41, 51, 131 Operation reception unit, 42, 52, 132 Display unit, 53 Camera, 240, 360, 910 Two-dimensional code, 200 Indoor unit search frame transmission unit, 201 Response frame reception unit, 202 Indoor unit recognition unit, 230, 350, 440, 550 Information storage unit, 300 Advertisement frame transmission unit, 301 Indoor unit search frame reception unit, 302, 900 Outdoor unit identification information reception unit, 303 Response frame transmission unit, 500 Identification information acquisition unit, 501 Advertisement frame reception unit, 502, 1003 Outdoor unit identification information transmission unit, 1000 Remote control communication startup unit, 1001 Connected indoor unit information transmission unit, 1002 Refrigerant system information reception unit, 1100 Connected indoor unit information reception unit, 1101 Refrigerant system information setting reception unit, 1102 Refrigerant system information transmission unit

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising one or more outdoor units and one or more indoor units, wherein each indoor unit comprises: identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of one or more outdoor units of the same refrigerant system as itself from a user terminal via wireless communication; and same refrigerant system notification means for notifying the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system, and each outdoor unit recognizes that the indoor unit is of the same refrigerant system as itself upon receiving the notification.

2. An air conditioning system comprising one or more outdoor units, one or more indoor units, and an air conditioning remote control, wherein the air conditioning remote control comprises: indoor unit information transmission means for transmitting indoor unit information, including identification information for each indoor unit, to a user terminal via wireless communication; refrigerant system information receiving means for receiving refrigerant system information relating to a refrigerant system from the user terminal via wireless communication; and identification information transmission means for transmitting identification information of an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system to a target indoor unit based on the refrigerant system information received from the user terminal; wherein each indoor unit comprises: identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself from the air conditioning remote control; and same refrigerant system notification means for notifying the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system; and each outdoor unit, upon receiving the notification, recognizes that the indoor unit is an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a server, wherein the user terminal transmits information including identification information obtained from each outdoor unit to the server, and the server manages the information received from the user terminal.

4. An indoor unit comprising an air conditioning system, the indoor unit comprising: an identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself from a user terminal via wireless communication; and a same refrigerant system notification means for notifying the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system.

5. An indoor unit comprising an air conditioning system, the indoor unit comprising: an identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself from an air conditioning remote control; and a same refrigerant system notification means for notifying the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system.

6. A method for setting the refrigerant system of an air conditioning system comprising one or more outdoor units and one or more indoor units, wherein each indoor unit receives identification information of one or more outdoor units of the same refrigerant system as itself from a user terminal via wireless communication, notifies the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system, and the outdoor unit that receives the notification recognizes that the indoor unit is an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself.

7. A method for setting the refrigerant system of an air conditioning system comprising one or more outdoor units, one or more indoor units, and an air conditioning remote control, wherein the air conditioning remote control transmits indoor unit information, including identification information for each indoor unit, to a user terminal via wireless communication; receives refrigerant system information relating to the refrigerant system from the user terminal via wireless communication; transmits identification information for an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system to the target indoor unit based on the refrigerant system information received from the user terminal; each indoor unit receives identification information for an outdoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself from the air conditioning remote control; notifies the outdoor unit indicated by the identification information that it is of the same refrigerant system; and the outdoor unit that receives the notification recognizes that the indoor unit is an indoor unit of the same refrigerant system as itself.

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