Communication method and device for air conditioner, outdoor unit, indoor unit, and air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner systems face communication conflicts when multiple indoor units access an outdoor unit simultaneously, leading to communication failures and inefficiencies in installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and device that determine communication protocol types and addresses for indoor units based on their models and priority numbers, allowing multiple indoor units to establish connections with an outdoor unit efficiently, and prioritize connections to ensure fast response times and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple indoor units access the outdoor unit simultaneously using automatic random addressing, then installation efficiency is improved and manual addressing is eliminated, but access conflicts occur leading to communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having indoor units send their information (model, protocol type, priority number) to the outdoor unit before establishing communication connections. The outdoor unit determines communication levels and addresses in advance based on priority numbers, then sequentially calls indoor units according to their communication levels. This pre-arranged addressing scheme eliminates random access conflicts while maintaining automatic installation efficiency.
2Reliability
If manual addressing is used during sales or installation, then communication conflicts are avoided, but installation becomes troublesome with low efficiency and high labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling indoor units to automatically generate and send their identification information (model, protocol type, priority number) to the outdoor unit without manual intervention. The outdoor unit automatically determines communication levels and addresses based on the received priority numbers, and sequentially establishes connections. This self-organizing process eliminates manual addressing while ensuring reliable communication without conflicts.
3Reliability
If indoor units are sequentially called according to communication levels, then access conflicts are resolved and communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using priority numbers as a key parameter to determine communication levels. Each indoor unit is assigned a priority number based on its model and installation requirements, and the outdoor unit uses this parameter to automatically determine the communication level and calling sequence. This parameter-based approach simplifies the control logic compared to complex conflict detection and resolution algorithms, while ensuring reliable sequential access.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method includes receiving, from an indoor unit, an indoor unit model, an indoor unit protocol type, and a priority number; determining a communication protocol type and a communication address corresponding to communication with the indoor unit according to the indoor unit model, the indoor unit protocol type, and the priority number; and sending the communication protocol type and the communication address to the indoor unit for the indoor unit to establish a communicative connection to an outdoor unit according to the communication protocol type and the communication address.