JPH0439557A - Concentrated monitoring device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a centralized monitoring device for air conditioners, and in particular, to a device for centrally monitoring air conditioners that can centrally control the power consumption of multiple air conditioners. This invention relates to a central monitoring device.

[Prior Art] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional centralized monitoring device for air conditioners that performs power-saving operation control, as published in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-106342.

In the figure, (MCT) is the main controller that functions as a central control means, (TE) is terminal equipment such as a keyboard and cathode ray tube display, (SCTI) to (SCTm) are sub-controllers, and (TCTII) to (TCT mn ) is the terminal controller. (La) is a signal transmission path connecting the main controller (MCT) of the central control unit and the sub controllers (SCTI) to (SCTw+), (Lbl) to (Lbm) are the signal transmission paths connecting the main controller (MCT) and the sub controllers (SCTI) to (SCTw+);
I) ~ (SCTi) and terminal controller (TCTII) ~ (T
CT mn). Each terminal controller (TCTl1) to (TCTmn) has a temperature sensor (T) and a humidity sensor (H) as local sensors.
, a switching contact for a fan motor (FM), a motor control valve (MV) for controlling various air conditioners, and an electromagnetic switch (MS) are connected thereto.

Conventional centralized monitoring equipment for air conditioners is configured as described above, in which one or more air conditioners each equipped with a terminal control device are installed in each of multiple rooms, and these terminal control devices are centrally monitored. The air conditioner is centrally controlled by a control device and centrally monitored.

In addition, when performing air conditioning using a centralized monitoring control method in a conventional air conditioner, the setting of the power consumption of the entire device, that is, the setting of the power supply capacity, is (maximum power consumption of various air conditioners) × (setting (number of vehicles). This setting is made because there is a probability that all air conditioners will be in the ON state at the same time when the air conditioner is started and when the heat source is turned on/off during the temperature adjustment operation state. This is because it exists. Therefore, when installing new air conditioning equipment in a facility with existing power supply equipment, if the total power consumption according to the calculation method described above exceeds the power supply capacity, new power supply equipment must be installed. , a large amount of equipment cost is required.

Therefore, as a countermeasure against this, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 106342. In other words, an operator inputs data to the terminal controllers (TCTII) to (TCTi+n) connected to the main controller (MCT) of the central controller, and an offset is sent to the central controller to shift the start time of air conditioning operation. The power consumption is smoothed by setting the time and controlling the load by measuring the number of operating air conditioners and the room temperature by the temperature sensor T. In addition, intermittent operation as shown in FIG. 15 is also used to cope with the problem. FIG. 15 is a time chart showing intermittent operation control by a conventional air conditioner central monitoring device. In this figure, multiple air conditioners are divided into three groups, and these three groups are
This shows the case of intermittent operation in which two groups are not turned on at the same time. In this way, by performing simple intermittent operation by thinning the load, the total power consumption of the entire system can be controlled. In addition to this, we monitor only the power consumption of the entire system, and if it exceeds the allowable power of the power supply equipment, we can cut off the power circuit of a specific air conditioner to reduce the total power consumption of the entire system. can be controlled.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional load operation control using room temperature measurement as shown in FIG.
Complex arithmetic processing functions and centralized monitoring capabilities were required for room temperature measurement, timer operation, PID control, etc. Therefore, in a small-scale centralized monitoring device, the central control device has to be expensive. Furthermore, it has not been possible to increase the number of air conditioners or to fully utilize the individual distributed processing capabilities of the air conditioners themselves, such as room temperature setting and measurement functions, and inverter variable heat control capabilities.

Further, although the simple intermittent operation control as described in the explanation of FIG. 15 above can reduce the total power consumption of the entire system at low cost, it is difficult to maintain the indoor temperature within a predetermined range. Moreover, in devices such as oil hot air heaters, the power consumption of the fuel vaporizer during ignition is large, but the energization rate to the vaporizer during combustion is extremely low, and the power consumption and heat generation are not proportional. However, it was not possible to control the amount of heat using simple power amount control. In this way, in the former method, an effective power consumption control method cannot be obtained from room temperature information because the amount of heat and power consumption are not proportional, and in the latter method, power consumption is large even when the device is in operation. Because of this fluctuation, it has been difficult to smooth out power consumption and reduce the capacity of power supply equipment. Further, when the central control device fails, it is impossible to perform load smoothing control when the air conditioners are operated individually, and processing at the time of failure is also difficult.

Therefore, this invention uses a simple configuration to centrally control and monitor the operation of each air conditioner, and at the same time controls the power consumption of each air conditioner to appropriately control the total power consumption of the entire system. The objective is to provide a centralized monitoring device for air conditioners that can

[Means for solving the problem] A centralized monitoring device for an air conditioner according to the invention of claim 1 includes:
a central control means that communicates with a plurality of air conditioners a load power control command according to the operating state of the air conditioners, sets the allowable total power consumption of the entire system, and inputs and outputs various data; controlled and monitored by central control means;
communicating with the central control means and the air conditioner;
Each request signal sent to the terminal control means for inputting and outputting the operating state of the air conditioner and the central control means includes and transmits the amount of power consumed when operating the air conditioner. and controlling the power consumption of each air conditioner so that the total power consumption of the air conditioners does not exceed a total allowable power amount set in advance in the central control means, thereby controlling the total power consumption of the entire system. The electric power amount control means is also provided.

The central monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 2 includes:
Communication between the central control means and the terminal control means according to claim 1 is bidirectional communication by wired communication or wireless communication.

The centralized monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 3 includes:
A load energization request signal is transmitted to the central control means via the terminal control means of claim 1, and the air conditioner is switched between a standby state and an operating state by receiving an energization permission signal from the central control means. It is something.

The central monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 4 includes:
By transmitting the required amount of power to the central control means via the terminal control means according to claim 1, and receiving the permitted amount of power to be used from the central control means, the air conditioner is controlled according to the permitted amount of power to be used. This is to control the operating status of the

The central monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 5 includes:
A priority load right is set in the load energization request by either the air conditioner, the central control means, or the terminal control means according to claim 1, and the system This is to comply with the overall set allowable total power amount.

[Function] In the invention of claim 1, the total allowable power amount is set in the central control means, and the operation/stop command of the air conditioners is given to the terminal control means according to the operation control command, and the operating state of each air conditioner is adjusted. When the corresponding load energization request signal is received, if the total requested power is within the allowable total power, permission is given to energize each air conditioner, and if the total requested power is greater than or equal to the allowable total power, permission is given to energize. By not doing so, the operation of each air conditioner can be controlled without exceeding the allowable total power.

In the invention of claim 2, communication between the central control means and the terminal control means is bidirectional communication by wire communication or wireless communication, so that even when communication is unavailable, the central control means, the terminal control means, and The air conditioner can diagnose the communication status.

In the invention of claim 3, when it is necessary to energize a preset air conditioner by communication between the air conditioner and the terminal control means, the load energization request signal is centrally controlled via the terminal control means. The air conditioner is kept in a standby state without being energized until an energization permission signal is received from the central control means, and when the energization permission signal is obtained, energization of the air conditioner is started.

In the invention according to claim 4, the amount of power required for operation is transmitted to the central control means via the terminal control means through communication between the air conditioner and the terminal control means, and the permitted amount of power to be used is transmitted from the central control means. By keeping the air conditioner in a standby state without energizing it until the permitted amount of power is obtained, the air conditioner is controlled in accordance with the permitted amount of power.

In the invention of claim 5, a priority load right is set in the load energization request by either the air conditioner, the central control means, or the terminal control means, and is used as a control factor for the distribution of permitted power according to the set allowable total power amount. , by adhering to the total allowable power setting for the entire system, without exceeding the allowable total power.
The power supply to each air conditioner is controlled according to the setting of this priority load right.

[Example] The present invention will be explained in detail below.

In this example, in order to facilitate understanding of the content, one or more air conditioners equipped with terminal control devices are installed in multiple rooms, and each of these terminal control devices is centrally controlled by a central control device. This section describes the entire air conditioning system configured to control the air conditioning system.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a centralized monitoring device for an air conditioner, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, (1) is the central control unit that controls the entire system (hereinafter simply referred to as the "base unit"), and (1a) is the base unit (hereinafter simply referred to as the "base unit").
(1) has exactly the same functions as the sub-base unit (hereinafter simply referred to as the "sub-base unit"), (2) is the base unit (1) or the sub-base unit (1).
The terminal control device (hereinafter simply referred to as "child unit") that operates the air conditioner (3) under the control of a), (4) is the main unit (1), the sub-main unit (1a), and the slave unit. (2) A communication line such as a coaxial cable that transmits signals between.

In addition, in the figure, (A) to (F) are each room where the air conditioner (3) is installed, and the air conditioner (3) depends on its air conditioning capacity and the volume and size of the room. There are cases where only one unit is installed and cases where multiple units are installed.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operating section of the main unit of the air conditioner centralized monitoring device shown in FIG. 1.

This base unit (1) is installed in each room (A) to (F) in Figure 1 above.
It performs all operations such as starting and stopping each air conditioner (3) installed in the air conditioner, and is composed of the following operation switches, indicator lamps, etc.

In the figure, (5) is an illuminated power switch, and when the power supply is normal, when the illuminated power switch (5) is turned on, the push button portions of the other switches are illuminated. (6)
is a key lock switch, and the operation of this switch cancels the input by operating the operation switch (13).

(7) is a - simultaneous operation switch, and by operating this switch, only the air conditioners (3) set to the operating state by operating the operation switch (13) are operated simultaneously. (8)
is a speaker that emits a predetermined alarm sound, (9) is a priority load supplementary setting error lamp, and the priority load supplementary setting manual power (30), which will be described later, is connected to the slave unit (2) and is registered in the base unit (1). It lights up when it detects that it is not connected. (10) is an operation warning lamp, which lights up when the air conditioner (3) operates in a manner different from the command from the parent unit (1). (11) is a communication alarm lamp (12), indicating that the communication line (4) is disconnected or
Lights up when communication is not established properly due to short circuit, etc. (12) is an overload lamp, which lights up when the total number of load request inputs and energization permission outputs (to be described later) connected to slave unit (2) exceeds a preset power supply capacity. Further, by lighting either the operation alarm lamp (10) or the communication alarm lamp (11), the speaker (8) is turned on.
) will sound an alarm. (13) is the operation switch,
Operation of this switch controls the operation, stop, etc. of the air conditioner (3) in each room. Reference numeral (14) denotes an external control lamp, which lights up when the functions of the operation switch (13) and the like are performed by an external computer system using a standard interface compliant with EIA-R8232C. (15) is the operation command lamp, and the operation switch (
The light turns on and off depending on the operation of step 13). When the light is on, it instructs the air conditioner (3) to operate, and when it is off, it instructs the air conditioner (3) to stop. It shows that you are giving instructions. (16) is a monitoring lamp,
Lights up when the air conditioner (3) is operating. (
Reference numeral 17) is a room name card that can be freely replaced and displayed, and contains the room name etc. controlled by the operation switch (13), and the number displayed on this room name card (17) is, in this embodiment, Identify the 32 operation switches (13). Reference numeral (18) indicates a key rotation indicator lamp that is turned on when the key rotation switch (6) is operated, and reference numeral (19) is a simultaneous operation switch indicator lamp that is turned on when the simultaneous operation switch (7) is operated.

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the operating section of the main unit of the air conditioner centralized monitoring device shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, (20) is a mode changeover switch for setting the system status, and (21) is an EIA-R823
2C compliant standard interface connector, (22
) is a setting switch for the E IA-R8232C compliant standard interface, (23) is an alarm volume adjustment volume that adjusts the volume of the alarm sound from speaker (8), and (24) is for connecting communication line (4). Communication line plug, (25) is a ground terminal for grounding, (26) is a Niro type outlet that is convenient for using other electrical equipment at the same time, and (27) is for receiving commercial power supply. It is a power plug.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a child unit of the air conditioner central monitoring device shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, (28) is an external thermostat whose contacts are turned on/off depending on the set temperature, (29) is a load request human power/energization permission output, and (30) is a priority load right setting input. In this way, in addition to the air conditioner (3), the slave unit (2) is equipped with the external thermostat (28) mentioned above, the load demand human power/
Energization permission output (29) and priority load right setting input (30)
) are connected to each other.

FIG. 5(a) is a plan view showing the external appearance of the child unit of the central monitoring device for air conditioners shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a front view thereof.

In the figure, (31) is the connector that connects the air conditioner (3), (32) is the connector that inputs the priority load right setting input (30), and (33) is the external thermostat (28).
(34) is the plug for connecting the communication line (4), (35) is the identification number setting switch for setting the identification number of the handset (2), (36) is the load request manual power/energization permission This is a mounting terminal for connecting the output.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a main unit and a sub-main unit of the central monitoring device for air conditioners shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, (37) is a standard interface circuit for connecting with an EIA-R8232C compliant standard interface, and (38) is an FS for communicating with slave unit (2).
(39) is a display circuit that lights up indicator lamps such as the external control lamp (14) and operation command lamp (15); (40) is a microcomputer; (41) is an operation switch ( (42) is a power supply circuit that supplies power to each circuit; (43) is a memory circuit that stores programs for the microcomputer (40); (44)
is an alarm sound generation circuit that generates an alarm sound, etc.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the power supply circuits of the main unit and sub-main unit shown in FIG.

In the figure, (45) is a stabilized power supply circuit, (46) is a power failure compensation battery for the memory circuit (43), and (4
7) is a battery voltage comparison circuit that measures the voltage of this battery (46) and determines its degree of consumption, and (48) is a circuit that supplies power from the stabilized power supply circuit (45) to the memory circuit (43) when energized. This is a power supply switching circuit for supplying power and switching it to a battery (46) during a power outage. In this way, the memory circuit (4
3) is supplied by the output of the power supply switching circuit (48), power for the other circuits is supplied by the stabilized power supply circuit (45), and the output of the battery voltage comparison circuit (47) is supplied by the microcomputer (40). )It is connected to the.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the air conditioner and slave unit of the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of FIG. 1.

In addition, as an air conditioner (3), the below-mentioned oil heater is taken as an example.

In the figure, (49) is the power plug for supplying commercial power, (50) is the manual operation main switch that turns on/off the power to the air conditioner (3) during manual operation, and (51) is the air conditioner (3). (52) is a self-holding switch that prevents power from being reenergized without any action when the power is restored after a power outage. , (53) is a control circuit for controlling the combustion sequence, etc. in the air conditioner (3), and (54) is the self-holding switch (52).
Self-holding relay contacts (55) and (56) are operation command relay contacts that are remotely controlled by the main unit (1), and are closed when the control circuit (53) is energized by the operation of the main unit. This is the contact point of the run/stop switching relay (1). (57) is the slave unit (2) that communicates with the base unit (1)
, (58) is a load energization request relay contact that is closed when the control circuit (53) issues a load energization request, and (59) is a energization permission remote controlled by the parent unit (1). A relay contact (60) is an input terminal of the priority load auxiliary setting input (30), and when short-circuited, a priority load right is set. (61) is an identification number setting circuit for the handset (2), and the handset (2) is identified by this number.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram showing a kerosene heater that does not issue a load request.

In the figure, (62) is a load drive relay driven by a control circuit (53).

FIG. 10 is a circuit configuration diagram showing a kerosene heater in which a load request signal and an energization permission signal are controlled by a relay.

In the figure, (63) is the load energization request relay contact (58
) is a conversion circuit for an energization permission signal that inputs the energization permission signal into the control circuit (53).

FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an air conditioner that digitally communicates the required load amount and the permitted amount of energization using a photocoupler.

In the figure, (65) is a photocoupler for communicating the load request amount, and (66) is a photocoupler for communicating the energization permission amount.

Next, the power amount control operation by the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of this embodiment having the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operating conditions are initialized. Here, as shown in FIG.
) are connected to each other by a communication line (4), and one air conditioner (3) is connected to each slave unit (2).

In addition, for each handset (2), the identification number setting switch (35) is used to set the handset (2) in room A to number 1, the handset in room B to each handset (2), for example. The identification numbers are set such that one of (2) is number 2. At this time, these identification numbers No. 1 and No. 2 are set to correspond to the identification numbers of the operation switch (13) of the base unit (1), respectively. Then, like room B, two air conditioners (3
) is installed, set the first unit to number 2 and the second unit to number 34, and then use the number 2 operation switch (13) of the base unit (1) to control the two units. It can also be controlled. In other words, the first air conditioner (3
)'s slave unit (2) is set to number n (0≦n≦31),
This is because the slave unit (2) of the second air conditioner (3) is number n+32.

In addition, as shown in Figure 1 above, there is also a secondary master unit (one
a), an identification number is set for this sub-base unit (1a) in the same way as for the slave unit (2). Note that the identification number set for this sub-master device (1a) cannot be used for the slave device (2). Further, the identification number of this submaster device (1a) may be set to any number from 0 to 32. In this case, there is no problem with any number of secondary master devices (1a) as long as they are 32 or less. In this embodiment, there is one sub-base unit (1a), and its identification number is 0. That is, by setting in this way, it is possible to omit the identification number setting switch (35) in the sub-base unit (1a), which is similar to the slave unit (2). Note that if this sub-base unit (1a) is not installed, the previous number 0 can be used as the identification number of the slave unit (2). Furthermore, after setting the identification number of the slave unit (2) in this way, the master unit (1)
Enter the family name in the corresponding number on the family name card (17) to make it easier to operate.

Next, in order to enable the base unit (1) to discover a malfunction in the slave unit (2), it is necessary to
It is necessary to inform the base unit (1) of how it is installed. Therefore, the mode selector switch (20) provided on the parent unit (1) is switched to the initial setting position (not shown) of the slave unit (2), and the operation switch (13) is operated to control the slave unit. Set whether (2) exists or not. Specifically, for example, when trying to set up a room with identification number 0, if there is only one slave unit (2) (air conditioner (3)) (the only identification number is 0), When the switch (13) is pressed once, the operation command lamp (15) lights up, indicating that there is only one slave unit (2) in room number 0, and also indicates that there is only one slave unit (2) (air If there are two harmonizers (3)), pressing the operation switch (13) again will turn on both the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (14).
Indicates that there are two handsets (2) in room number 0, and also presses the operation switch (13) to check for incorrect settings.
) once again, both the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (14) go out and return to the initial state, allowing you to confirm that the settings have been made correctly. In this way, all settings for identification numbers 0 to 31 are made. In addition, at this time, the operation switch (13) of the identification number to which the slave unit (2) is not installed is left in its initial state.

In addition, each slave unit (2) has a priority load supplementary setting input (
30), load request human power/energization permission output (29), and external thermostat (28) are respectively connected, and among these, the priority load supplementary setting input (30) is connected to all air conditioners (3) for which priority load right is set. ) can be set up to the number of units within the range where the maximum total power consumption does not exceed the capacity of the power supply equipment. For example, in the case of installing two machines in one room, by setting a priority load right for one machine, it is possible to give priority to the other machine as a load.

Furthermore, it is necessary to set the capacity of the power supply equipment on the base unit (1) in advance, but this is also the same as when setting the installation state of the slave unit (2) described above. This is done by switching to the capacity setting (not shown) position and operating the operation switch (13). However, in this case,
Unlike the case of the initial setting of slave unit (2), for example, when setting the 0th room, even though the priority load right is set for the 32nd slave unit (2), On the base unit (1) side, priority load rights may not be set in order to meet power saving requests. Therefore, when the operation switch (13) is pressed three times from the initial state, the priority load right is set only for the slave unit (2) No. 32, and only the external control lamp (14) is turned on. In other words, each time you press the operation switch (13), only the operation command lamp (15) lights up to set the priority load right only to the slave unit number 0 (2) - slave units number 0 and 32 (2) The operation command lamp (1
5) and the external control lamp (14) both light up) - The priority load right is set only for the slave unit No. 32 (2), and only the external control lamp (14) lights up) - Both the slave unit No. 0 and the slave unit No. 32 machine (2
) do not set priority load right for both (operation command lamp (1)
5) and the external control lamp (14) are both turned off), and priority load rights from No. 0 to No. 32 are set.

In this way, all initial settings are performed. However, in this embodiment, in order to prevent each air conditioner (3) from operating against the user's will when the mode selector switch (20) is returned to the original operating position, - The simultaneous operation switch (7) is always kept in the OFF state.

Here, the contents of this initial setting will be explained using a flowchart. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial setting operation of the parent device of the central monitoring device for air conditioners, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

Note that this diagram shows the initial settings of the base unit (1),
The same applies to the initial settings of other devices.

First, in step S1, the set state of the mode changeover switch (20) is determined. If this switch is not in the initial setting position of the slave unit (2), this initial setting operation is not performed and the next processing operation is started immediately. Transition. When the mode changeover switch (20) is in the initial setting position of the slave unit (2), the simultaneous operation switch (7) is turned off in step S2,
In step S3, it is determined whether the operation switch (13) has been pressed. Here, if the operation switch (13) is not pressed, the process returns to step S1 and the set state of the mode changeover switch (20) is determined. Further, if the operation switch (13) is pressed in step S3, the process advances to step S4, and the microcomputer (40)
Internal counter Cn (n is the pressed operation switch (13)
), and in step S5 it is determined whether or not the value of Cn is 1. If the value of Cn is 1, the operation command lamp (15 ) lights up. If the value of Cn is not 1, step S7
It is determined whether the CnO value is 2 or not, and if the Cn value is 2, the external control lamp (14) is turned on in step S8.
lights up. Therefore, when the value of Cn is 2, since the value of Cn has passed through 1 and become 2, both the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (14) are lit. Then, in step S7, if the value of Cn is not 2, that is, if the value of Cn is neither 1 nor 2,
In step S9, the value of Cn is set to 0, and in step S10, both the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (14) are turned off. Further, after the operation command lamp (15) is turned on in step S6, after the external control lamp (14) is turned on in step S8, and after the operation command lamp (15) and external control lamp (14) are turned on in step SIO, After the light goes out, the process advances to step Sll, and the value of Cn at this time is transferred to the storage circuit (43). After this, the process returns to step S1 again, and the mode changeover switch (
20) is determined.

In this way, depending on the number of times the operation switch (13) is pressed, the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (
14) is turned on or off, and initial settings are performed.

Note that the same operation can be used to change the initial settings.

After completing the initial settings as described above, control operations for each air conditioner are performed.

First, the procedure for setting the mode changeover switch (20) to the operating position (not shown) and operating the air conditioners (3) No. 0 and No. 32 in this state will be described.

In this state, as mentioned above, the number 0 operation switch (
Each time you press 13), only the operation command lamp (15) lights up, only the external control lamp (14) lights up, and both the operation command lamp (15) and the external control lamp (14) go out. 0 operation switch (13).
) so that only the operation command lamp (15) lights up. Then, by pressing the -simultaneous operation switch (7) once, -simultaneous operation switch display lamp (1)
9) lights up, and the FSK modulation/demodulation circuit (38) of the base unit (1)
Then, a signal to start operation is given to each slave unit (2) numbered 0 and number 32 via the communication line (4). This step is the first
This will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the parent device of the central monitoring device for air conditioners, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S21, the n-th operation command lamp (15)
Determine the lighting status of. And this operation command lamp (
15) is lit, it is determined in step S22 whether or not the simultaneous operation switch (7) is on, and if it is on, the nth air conditioner (3) is already in operation in step 823. It is determined whether the condition exists or not. If it is not in the operating state, a signal is sent to the slave unit (2) to turn on both the operation command relay contact (55) and the operation command relay contact (56) in step S24, and then the operation command relay is turned on in step S25. A signal is sent to the handset (2) to turn off only the contact (56). Further, if the n-th operation command lamp (15) is not lit in step S21 and if the simultaneous operation switch (7) is not on in step S22, the operation command relay contact (
55) and the operation command relay contact (56) both turn off to the slave unit (2). And step 52
3, when the n-th air conditioner (3) is already in operation, after transmitting a signal to turn off only the operation command relay contact (56) to the slave unit (2) in step S25, and in step S26. The slave unit (2) sends a signal that turns off both the operation command relay contact (55) and the operation command relay contact (56).
After transmitting, the process advances to step S27.

In step S27, the load energization request relay contact (58)
By determining whether or not is in the on state,
Determine whether there is a new load energization request. If there is a new load energization request, it is determined in step S28 whether the current number of devices that are currently permitted to be energized is smaller than the total number of priority load rights set in the base unit (1), and the number of priority load rights is determined. If it is less than the set total number, the corresponding slave device (2
) is turned on, and 1 is added to the load permission number in step S30. In addition, if the number of permitted load units has reached the total number of priority load rights set in step S28, slave units for which priority load rights are not set (
In response to the new load energization request signal of 2), energization is not permitted, and the slave unit (2) for which the load energization request was made in step S31
It is determined whether or not the priority load right is set and the priority load right is given to the slave unit (2), and if the priority load right is set, in step S32, the slave device (2) to which the priority load right is not set is ) The energization permission relay contact (59) of one unit is turned off, and the energization permission for one child unit (2) with non-priority load right to which energization permission is currently granted is canceled. Then, in step 833, by turning on the energization permission relay contact (59), energization permission is newly given to the child device (2) for which the load energization request has been made and the priority load right has already been set. Further, in step S27, if the load energization request relay contact (58) is not in the on state and there is no new load energization request,
It is determined in step S34 whether or not energization has already been permitted, and if energization has been permitted, step S3
5, the number of units allowed to be energized is set to -1. And step S3
If it is determined in step S34 that energization is not permitted after setting the number of units permitted to energize by -1 in step 5, and if it is determined that energization is not permitted in step S34, priority load rights are not set for the slave unit (2) for which a load energization request was made in step S31. If it is determined that the priority load right has not been granted, the process proceeds to step S36, and the energization permission relay contact (59) is turned off. Note that if the energization permission relay contact (59) is already in the off state, this off state is continued.

In this way, in response to the power supply request from the air conditioner (3), which is the controlled device, the power supply permission is used to control the total power consumption of the system so that it does not exceed the preset allowable maximum power setting value. carry out.

As mentioned above, the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of this embodiment includes a plurality of air conditioners (3) and the air conditioner (
As a central control means that communicates load power control commands during operation, standby, stop, and operation (3) via the communication line (4), sets the allowable total power consumption of the entire system, and inputs and outputs various data. A functioning main unit (1) and a sub-main unit (1a),
Controlled and monitored by the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a), each communication between the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a) and the air conditioner (3) is connected to a communication line (4). carried out through
The air conditioner (2), which functions as a terminal control means for inputting and outputting the operating status of the air conditioner (3), and the signal transmitted to the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a), The power consumption required when operating the air conditioner (3) is transmitted, and the total power consumption of the air conditioner (3) is sent to the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a) in advance. The power consumption of each air conditioner (3) is controlled by the energization permission signal for each air conditioner (3) so as not to exceed the set allowable total power amount, and the total power amount of the entire system is controlled. and a power amount control means. The role of this power amount control means is that of the main unit (1).
and a microcomputer (40) in the submaster unit (1a)
will be fulfilled.

Then, by operating the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a), the operator sets the allowable total power amount for the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a) according to the power supply equipment capacity. , the command to run/stop the air conditioner (3) based on the operation control command is sent to the slave unit (
2), a load energization request signal corresponding to the operating state of each air conditioner (3) in each operating state is received.

The load energization request signal also includes a signal for the power consumption of each air conditioner (3), and if the total required power is within the allowable total power for the set temperature, each air conditioner (3) )
If the total required power is greater than or equal to the allowable total power, the power supply permission signal will not be given to each air conditioner (3), so each air conditioner (3) will be powered on without exceeding the allowable total power. can be controlled.

Therefore, the load control associated with the temperature measurement of the air conditioner (3) itself can be performed even under centralized monitoring. Since power amount control can be performed using load energization request signals and energization permission signals without central control, it is possible to reduce the capacity of power supply equipment and perform decentralized air conditioning and temperature control at the same time. and air conditioner (3
), it is possible to suppress the increase in the capacity of power supply equipment due to expansion or new installation, and the entire system can be configured at low cost.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a)
In the above explanation, the communication of signals between the handset (2) and the handset (2) is carried out using a communication line (4) such as a coaxial cable, but this communication is not limited to the above-mentioned coaxial cable. Wired communication such as electric light lines may be used, and radio waves,
Wireless communication such as infrared rays may also be used. Furthermore, by making these two-way communication by wired or wireless communication,
Even when communication is unavailable, the main unit (1), sub-main unit (1a),
The handset (2) and the air conditioner (3) can diagnose the communication status, improving the reliability of communication.

Further, in the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of the above embodiment, a load energization request signal is transmitted to the master unit (1) and the sub-master unit (1a) via the slave unit (2), and the load energization request signal is transmitted to the master unit (1). and submaster unit (1
The air conditioner (3) may be configured to be switched between a standby state and an operating state depending on whether or not an energization permission signal is received from a). In this configuration, the air conditioner (3) will not be energized until it receives the energization permission signal from the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a). Since power supply to the conditioner (3) is started, the power consumption of each air conditioner (3) must exceed the allowable total power amount set in advance for the main unit (1) and sub-main unit (1a). There isn't. Therefore, highly reliable control of the total power amount of the entire system can be achieved.

Further, in the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of the above embodiment, the required power amount is transmitted to the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a) via the slave unit (2), and the required power amount is transmitted to the main unit (1). and submaster unit (1
By receiving the permitted power amount from a), it is also possible to control the operating state of the air conditioner (3) according to the permitted power amount. In this case, the air conditioner (3) is not energized and placed in a standby state until the permitted amount of power is obtained from the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a), and the permitted amount of power is obtained. Since the air conditioner (3) can be controlled according to the permissible amount of electricity used, in the same way as above,
Highly reliable control of the total power consumption of the entire system can be achieved.

In addition, the central monitoring unit of the air conditioner of the above embodiment is configured to respond to a load energization request by either the air conditioner (3), the main unit (1), the sub-main unit (1a), or the slave unit (2). A preferential load right may be set and used as a control factor for distribution of permitted power according to the set allowable total power amount, so that the set allowable total power amount of the entire system is complied with. According to this configuration, the power supply to each air conditioner (3) is controlled according to the setting of this priority load right without exceeding the allowable total power, so the amount of power suitable for practical use can be efficiently controlled. can. Moreover, if you set the priority load right to the air conditioner (3) or the child unit (2), the air conditioner (3) can be used as the main unit (1) and the sub-main unit (1a).
Air conditioners for which priority load rights are not set (3) in order to ensure that the power supply equipment capacity is not exceeded even when the equipment is operated individually without being under central supervision due to a failure, etc.
can be rendered inoperable, allowing for proper power control at all times.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the air conditioner centralized monitoring device of the invention of claim 1 includes a plurality of air conditioners, a central control means for setting the allowable total power consumption of the entire system, and the like. comprising a terminal control means controlled and monitored by the central control means, and a power amount control means controlling the total power amount of the entire system,
The total allowable power amount is set in the central control means, a command to start/stop the air conditioners based on the operation control command is given to the terminal control means, a load energization request signal corresponding to the operating state of each air conditioner is received, and the total amount of power is If the required power is within the allowable total power, a energization permission signal is given to each air conditioner, and if the total required power is greater than or equal to the allowable total power, energization permission is not given, so that the total allowable power is not exceeded. Since the operation of each air conditioner can be controlled, load control based on temperature measurement of the air conditioner itself can be performed even under centralized monitoring. Air conditioning and temperature control can be performed simultaneously, it is possible to suppress the increase in the capacity of power supply equipment due to the addition or new installation of air conditioners, and the entire system can be configured at low cost.

In the air conditioner centralized monitoring device according to the invention of claim 2, communication between the central control means and the terminal control means is bidirectional communication by wired communication or wireless communication, so that even when communication is unavailable, the central control means , the terminal control means, and the air conditioner can diagnose the communication status, and the reliability of communication is improved.

In the air conditioner centralized monitoring device according to the invention of claim 3, a load energization request signal is transmitted to the central control means via the terminal control means, and depending on whether or not an energization permission signal is received from the central control means, By switching the air conditioner between the standby state and the operating state, the air conditioner will not be energized until it receives an energization permission signal from the central control means. Since energization is started, highly reliable control of the total power amount of the entire system can be realized.

The centralized monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 4 is such that the required power amount is transmitted to the central control means via the terminal control means, and the permitted power amount to be used is received from the central control means. The operating status of the air conditioner is controlled according to the permitted amount of power to be used, and the air conditioner is controlled according to the permitted amount of power to be used, so highly reliable control of the total power amount of the entire system can be achieved. .

The central monitoring device for air conditioners according to the invention of claim 5 sets priority to load energization requests by either the air conditioner, the central control means, or the terminal control means, and uses the load according to the set allowable total amount of electric power. As a control factor for permitted power distribution, the power supply to each air conditioner is controlled according to the setting of this priority load right, while complying with the permissible total power amount set for the entire system and without exceeding the permissible total power. It is possible to efficiently control the amount of power suitable for practical use, and it is possible to always perform appropriate power control.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a central monitoring device for an air conditioner which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operation unit of the main unit of the central monitoring device for an air conditioner shown in FIG. , Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the operation unit of the main unit of the air conditioner centralized monitoring device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 shows the circuit configuration of the slave unit of the air conditioner centralized monitoring device shown in Fig. 1. 5 is a plan view and a front view showing the external appearance of the child unit of the central monitoring device for air conditioners shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is the main unit of the central monitoring device for air conditioners shown in FIG. 1. and a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the submaster unit,
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the power supply circuit of the main unit and sub-main unit in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 shows the connection relationship between the air conditioner and slave unit of the air conditioner central monitoring device in Fig. 1. Figure 9 is a circuit configuration diagram showing a kerosene heater that does not issue a load request, Figure 10 is a circuit configuration diagram showing a kerosene heater that controls the load request signal and energization permission signal by a relay, and Figure 11 is a circuit diagram showing a kerosene heater that does not issue a load request. A circuit configuration diagram showing an air conditioner that digitally communicates the load request amount and the energization permission amount using a photocoupler, and FIG. 12 shows the initial setting operation of the slave unit of the central monitoring device for the air conditioner, which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of a slave unit of a central monitoring device for an air conditioner; FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional central monitoring device for an air conditioner; FIG. FIG. 15 is a time chart showing intermittent operation control by a conventional central monitoring device for an air conditioner. In the figure, 1: Master unit 1a: Sub-master unit 2: Child unit 3: Air conditioner 4: Communication line 40: Microcomputer 53. 57: Control circuit. In the drawings, the same reference numerals and the same symbols indicate the same or equivalent parts. Agent: Patent attorney Daikichi Masuo and two others Figure 7

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A central control unit that communicates load power control commands according to the operating status of the air conditioners with a plurality of air conditioners, sets the allowable total power consumption of the entire system, and inputs and outputs various data. and a terminal control means that is controlled and monitored by the central control means, performs communication with the central control means and the air conditioner, and inputs and outputs the operating status of the air conditioner, and transmits information to the central control means. Each request signal transmitted includes the amount of power consumption required during operation of the air conditioner, and the total amount of power consumption of the air conditioner is set within the allowable total amount set in advance in the central control means. What is claimed is: 1. A centralized monitoring device for air conditioners, comprising power consumption control means for controlling the power consumption of each air conditioner so as not to exceed the power consumption, and controlling the total power consumption of the entire system. (2) The centralized monitoring device for air conditioners according to claim 1, wherein communication between the central control means and the terminal control means is bidirectional communication by wired communication or wireless communication. (3) A load energization request signal is transmitted to the central control means via the terminal control means, and an energization permission signal is received from the central control means to switch the air conditioner between the standby state and the operating state. A central monitoring device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: (4) By transmitting the required amount of power to the central control means via the terminal control means and receiving the permitted amount of power to be used from the central control means, the air conditioner is operated according to the permitted amount of power to be used. The central monitoring device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the device controls the state of the air conditioner. (5) A priority load right is set in the load energization request by either the air conditioner, the central control means, or the terminal control means, and is used as a control factor for the permitted power distribution according to the set allowable total power amount, and the The central monitoring device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the device complies with a set permissible total electric power amount.