Monitoring and Control System For Air Conditioner

• US 20080236177A1
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Original Assignee: Danikin Inudstries Limited
• Inventors: Kondou, Tetsuyuki, Senba, Kazuhito
• Granted Patent: US 7,752,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/157
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values

Abstract

An air conditioner monitor and control system (100) capable of performing manufacture'"'"'s own precise monitor and control while responding to opening of communications between air conditioners (30a, 30b . . . , 31) and air conditioner monitor and control devices (21, 22). The air conditioner monitor and control system (100) has air conditioners (30a, 30b . . . , 31), a first air conditioner monitor and control device (21) and a second air conditioner monitor and control device (22). The first air conditioner monitor and control device (21) is connected for communications with the air conditioners (30a, 30b . . . , 31) through a first communication line (53). Further, the first air conditioner monitor and control device (21) has first monitor and control means and second monitor and control means. The second air conditioner monitor and control device (22) is connected for communications with the air conditioners (30a, 30b . . . , 31) through a second communication line (53). Further, the second air conditioner monitor and control device (22) has the first monitor and control means and third monitor and control means.

Claims

1. An air conditioning monitoring and control system, comprising:

an air conditioner;

a first air conditioning monitoring and control device communicating with the air conditioner and programmed to include a first monitoring and control section and a second monitoring and control section that are configured to monitor and/or control the air conditioner; and

a second air conditioning monitoring and control device communicating with the air conditioner and programmed to include the first monitoring and control section and a third monitoring and control section that are configured to monitor and/or control the air conditioner.

2. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 1, wherein

the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device communicate with the air conditioner using a first communication protocol.

3. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first monitoring panel connected to or built into the first air conditioning monitoring and control device to monitor the air conditioner; and

a second monitoring panel connected to or built into the second air conditioning monitoring and control device to monitor the air conditioner,

the second air conditioning monitoring and control device further including a communication protocol conversion unit capable of converting between the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol,

the first monitoring panel being configured to communicate with the first air conditioning monitoring and control device using the first communication protocol, and

the second monitoring panel being configured to communicate with the second air conditioning monitoring and control device using the second communication protocol.

4. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 3, wherein

the first communication protocol is a manufacturer-private protocol, and

the second communication protocol is an open protocol.

5. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 1, wherein

the first and second air conditioning monitoring and control devices are connected to the air conditioner via the same communication line.

6. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 1, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

7. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 6, wherein

the control performed by the first monitoring and control section includes at least one of a forcible thermo OFF control and a scheduled operation control of the air conditioner.

8. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 2, wherein

the first and second air conditioning monitoring and control devices are connected to the air conditioner via the same communication line.

9. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 2, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

10. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 9, wherein

the control performed by the first monitoring and control section includes at least one of a forcible thermo OFF control and a scheduled operation control of the air conditioner.

11. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 3, wherein

the first and second air conditioning monitoring and control devices are connected to the air conditioner via the same communication line.

12. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 3, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

13. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 12, wherein

the control performed by the first monitoring and control section includes at least one of a forcible thermo OFF control and a scheduled operation control of the air conditioner.

14. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 4, wherein

the first and second air conditioning monitoring and control devices are connected to the air conditioner via the same communication line.

15. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 4, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

16. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 15, wherein

the control performed by the first monitoring and control section includes at least one of a forcible thermo OFF control and a scheduled operation control of the air conditioner.

17. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 5, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

18. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 17, wherein

the control performed by the first monitoring and control section includes at least one of a forcible thermo OFF control and a scheduled operation control of the air conditioner.

19. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 8, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.

20. The air conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 11, wherein

the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing at least one type of control with respect to the air conditioner, and

at least one of the first air conditioning monitoring and control device and the second air conditioning monitoring and control device has a control selection section that allows a selection to enable or disable the one type of control, or each of at least two types of control where the first monitoring and control section is configured for performing two or more types of control.