System and method for setting zone number of multi air conditioner

Abstract

 In a system and a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner capable of performing a zone number setting of an indoor unit easily through a remote controller, a system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner includes a microcomputer for generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user; a number providing unit for providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information and transmitting the provided zone number; and a zone number setting unit for setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and in particular to a system and a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] In general, a multi air conditioner is an apparatus for operating plural indoor units installed at plural rooms or offices and connected to plural outdoor units. In the conventional multi air conditioner, in order to control plural indoor units, a central controller is used. Herein, each indoor unit of the air conditioner is a general unit installed indoors to control a room temperature, and each outdoor unit is a general unit installed outdoors so as to be connected to the indoor unit.

[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a construction of an apparatus for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner by using a central controller in accordance with the conventional art.

[0004] As depicted in Figure 1, in order to set zone numbers (zone number means a number for operating or stopping an indoor unit placed in a certain room or office) of the plural indoor units in a line on the central controller 1 placed in a control room, a zone setting switch 2 for setting a zone number is respectively installed at a substrate (not shown) of each indoor unit (1 ~ n). Herein, the switch 2 is displayed by a 1 unit or a 10 unit.

[0005] For example, when the zone setting switch 2 of the substrate of the first indoor unit is set as No.1 (zone number), the zone setting switch 2 set as the No.1 is connected to a No. 1 switch of management switches (not shown) of the central controller 1; when the zone setting switch 2 of the substrate of the second indoor unit is set as No.2 (zone number), the zone setting switch 2 set as the No.2 is connected to a No.2 switch among the management switches (not shown) of the central controller 1. Accordingly, when a number of each zone setting switch of each indoor unit is coincided with each zone number of the management switches of the central controller 1, the central controller 1 can control all the indoor units.

[0006] However, in that case, because the plural switches for setting zone numbers have to be installed on the plural indoor units, a fabrication cost may be increased due to he plural switches installation.

[0007] In addition, in the plural indoor units of the conventional multi air conditioner, because a user has to set zone numbers of the plural indoor units respectively, there is a fair possibility of error occurrence in setting of zone numbers.

[0008] In addition, in the plural indoor units of the conventional multi air conditioner, because the zone setting switch of the multi air conditioner is disposed in the substrate of each indoor unit, the user has to open a cover of the indoor unit to set a zone number thereof, and accordingly it is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner capable of performing easily a zone number setting of an indoor unit through a remote controller.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention includes a microcomputer for generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user; a number providing unit for providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information and transmitting the provided zone number; and a zone number setting unit for setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention includes generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user; providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information of the indoor unit and transmitting the provided zone number; and setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0013] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a construction of an apparatus for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner by using a central controller; and

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of a system and a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner capable of performing a zone number setting of an indoor unit easily by generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user, providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information thereof, transmitting the provided zone number and setting the transmitted zone number as a zone number of the indoor unit will be described in detail with reference to accompanying Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a zone number setting system of a multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] As depicted in Figure 2, the zone number setting system of the multi air conditioner includes a central controller 100 for generating a start signal for setting a zone number and providing a zone number on the basis of operation information of an indoor unit 200; the indoor unit 200 for receiving the start signal and a key signal, providing the operation information and setting the zone number provided from the central controller 100 as a zone number thereof; and a remote controller 300 for receiving the start signal, generating the key signal corresponding to the zone number of the indoor unit 200 among preset optional zone numbers of the central controller 100 so as to provide the operation information to the central controller 100 and displaying the zone number. Hereinafter, the constructions of the central controller 100, the indoor unit 200 and the remote controller 300 will be described in detail.

[0017] First, the central controller 100 includes a zone setting switch unit 21 for generating a switching signal for setting a zone number (zone number means a number for operating or stopping an indoor unit placed in a certain room or office) by a button push operation of a user; a number providing unit 22 for receiving the switching signal of the zone setting unit 21, generating a start signal for starting a zone number setting, receiving operation information of a pertinent indoor unit and providing a zone number to the pertinent indoor unit; and a first communication circuit 23 for converting the start signal generated from the number providing unit 22 and the control signal having the zone number into communication protocols appropriate to communication.

[0018] The indoor unit 200 includes a second communication circuit 25 for receiving the control signal transmitted from the first communication circuit 23 and receiving a key signal of a remote controller generated by the user; a first microcomputer 24 for extracting the start signal from the control signal, outputting a message informing the pertinent indoor unit is ready for zone number setting through the second communication circuit 25, transmitting the operation information of the pertinent indoor unit 200 to the number providing unit 22 through the first and second communication circuits 23, 25 on the basis of the key signal and receiving the zone number provided from the number providing unit 22 on the basis of the operation information through the first and second communication circuits 23, 25; a memory 27 for storing the zone number provided form the number providing unit 22 on the basis of the operation information; and a zone number setting unit 26 for setting the zone number provided from the number providing unit 22 as a zone number of the pertinent indoor unit. Herein, the operation information is information for informing the pertinent indoor unit is ready to receive the zone number by recognizing the key signal of the remote controller 300 of the pertinent indoor unit in the first microcomputer 24.

[0019] The remote controller 300 includes a third communication circuit 28 for receiving the message and the zone number through the second communication circuit 25; an operational key unit 30 for generating an operational key signal (key signal) of the indoor unit 200 corresponded to the certain zone number of the central controller 100; a second microcomputer 29 for receiving the message and outputting the operational key signal to the first microcomputer 24 through the third communication circuit 28; and a display unit 31 for displaying the zone number and the message. Herein, the start signal and the zone number can be transmitted through a communication circuit (same as the first communication circuit 23) installed in an outdoor unit (not shown).

[0020] Hereinafter, the system and the method for setting the zone number of the multi air conditioner will be described in detail.

[0021] First, the central controller 100 transmits the start signal for setting the zone number of the indoor unit 200 to the pertinent indoor unit 200 through the first and second communication circuits 23, 25 according to the user's request.

[0022] For example, when the user operates the zone setting switch unit 21, the zone setting switch unit 2 generates a switching signal and applies the generated switching signal to the number providing unit 22. The number providing unit 22 receives the switching signal and transmits a start signal for setting a zone number to the second communication circuit 25 of the pertinent indoor unit 200 through the first communication circuit 23. Herein, the first and second communication circuits 23, 25 convert the start signal into a protocol for a general communication and transmit it.

[0023] The second communication circuit 25 of the indoor unit 200 receives the start signal and transmits the received start signal to the first microcomputer 24.

[0024] The first microcomputer 24 generates a message for informing it is ready for the zone number setting on the basis of the start signal and transmits the generated message to the second microcomputer 29 of the remote controller 300 through the second and third communication circuits 25, 28.

[0025] The second microcomputer 29 transmits the message to the display unit 31, and the display unit 31 displays the message.

[0026] Afterward, when the user pushes an operational key 14 of the operational key unit 14 corresponding to the zone number of the pertinent indoor unit set on the central controller 100 after checking the message, the operational key 14 of the remote controller 300 generates the key signal and transmits it to the second microcomputer 29.

[0027] The second microcomputer 29 transmits the key signal to the first microcomputer 24 through the second and third communication circuits 25, 28.

[0028] The first microcomputer 24 receives the key signal and transmits the operation information of the indoor unit 200 to the number providing unit 22 of the central controller 100 through the second communication circuit 25.

[0029] The number providing unit 22 of the central controller 100 receives the operation information of the indoor unit 200 and provides the zone number to the first microcomputer 24 of the indoor unit 200 through the first and second communication circuits 23, 25. Herein, the first and second communication circuits 23, 25 convert the operation information and the zone number into format appropriate to communication protocol thereof and transmit/receive them.

[0030] Afterward, the zone number setting unit 26 of the indoor unit 200 sets the zone number transmitted from the fist microcomputer 24 as a zone number thereof according to the control signal of the first microcomputer 24. Herein, the memory 27 stores the set zone number according to the control signal of the first microcomputer 24. Herein, it is preferable to use an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) as the memory 27.

[0031] In addition, the first microcomputer 24 transmits the zone number of the indoor unit 200 to the second microcomputer 29 of the remote controller 300 through the second and third communication circuits 25, 28. The second microcomputer 29 outputs the zone number to the display unit 31.

[0032] The display unit 31 displays the zone number of the indoor unit 200 transmitted from the second microcomputer 29, and the user recognizes the zone number of the indoor unit 200.

[0033] As described above, in the system and the method for setting the zone number of the multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to set easily a zone number of each indoor unit through a remote controller without performing a zone number setting manually.

[0034] In addition, in the system and the method for setting the zone number of the multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention, in setting of the zone number of the plural indoor units connected to the plural outdoor units in the central controller, because there is no need to install a switch for setting a number to each indoor unit, a production cost can be reduced.

[0035] In addition, in the system and the method for setting the zone number of the multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention, by performing the zone number setting easily through the remote controller, an error occurrence rate in the zone number setting can be lowered.

[0036] In addition, in the system and the method for setting the zone number of the multi air conditioner in accordance with the present invention, not setting the zone number of the indoor unit by operating the switch installed on the substrate of each indoor unit but setting easily the zone number of the indoor unit by using the remote controller, it is convenient to use.

Claims

1. A system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

a microcomputer for generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user;

a number providing unit for providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information and transmitting the provided zone number; and

a zone number setting unit for setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

2. A system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

a central controller for generating a start signal for setting a zone number and providing a zone number on the basis of operation information;

an indoor unit for receiving the start signal and a key signal, providing the operation information thereof and setting the zone number provided from the central controller as a zone number thereof; and

a remote controller for receiving the start signal, generating the key signal corresponding to the zone number of the indoor unit among preset zone numbers of the central controller so as to provide the operation information to the central controller and displaying the zone number.

3. In a multi air conditioner including a central controller for controlling operation of plural indoor units connected to plural outdoor units, a system for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

a first microcomputer for receiving a start signal for setting a zone number, generating a message informing an indoor unit is ready for zone number setting, transmitting the generated message and transmitting operation information of the indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user;

a number providing unit for transmitting the start signal according to a request of the user, providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information and transmitting the provided zone number; and

a zone number setting unit for setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the number providing unit is installed in the central controller, the central controller further includes a zone setting switch unit for generating a switching signal by a button push operation of the user and a first communication circuit for converting the start signal generated from the number providing unit and a control signal having the zone number into communication protocols and outputting them, herein, the number providing unit generates the start signal for setting the zone number on the basis of the switching signal of the zone setting switch unit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the zone number setting unit is installed in the indoor unit, the indoor unit further includes a second communication circuit for receiving the control signal transmitted from the first communication circuit and receiving the key signal of the remote controller by the user; and a first microcomputer for receiving the start signal included in the control signal, outputting a message for informing the indoor unit is ready for zone number setting through the second communication circuit and transmitting the operation information of the indoor unit through the first and second communication circuits by the key signal.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a memory for storing the zone number provided from the number providing unit on the basis of the operation information.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the memory is an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the microcomputer is installed in the remote controller, the remote controller includes a third communication circuit for receiving the control signal; an operational key unit for generating the key signal of the indoor unit corresponding to the certain zone number set in the central controller; and a display unit for displaying the transmitted zone number and the message, herein, the microcomputer extracts the message from the control signal and the zone number and transmits the operation information to the number providing unit through the third communication circuit on the basis of the key signal.

9. A method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

generating operation information of a pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user;

providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information of the indoor unit and transmitting the provided zone number; and

setting the zone number transmitted from the number providing unit as a zone number of the indoor unit.

10. A method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

generating a start signal for setting a zone number;

receiving the start signal and generating a key signal corresponding to the zone number of a certain indoor unit;

receiving the key signal and transmitting operation information of the indoor unit;

providing a zone number to the indoor unit on the basis of the operation information of the indoor unit;

setting the provided zone number as a zone number of the indoor unit; and

displaying the zone number.

11. In a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner including plural outdoor units connected to plural indoor units, a method for setting a zone number of a multi air conditioner, comprising:

generating a start signal for setting a zone number of a pertinent indoor unit;

receiving the start signal and generating operation information of the pertinent indoor unit on the basis of a key signal generated by a user;

providing a zone number to the pertinent indoor unit on the basis of the operation information and transmitting the provided zone number; and

setting the transmitted zone number as a zone number of the pertinent indoor unit.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing the transmitted zone number.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the key signal is a signal corresponding to a zone number of a certain indoor unit.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the key signal is generated by a user after displaying a message informing the indoor unit is ready for zone number setting on the basis of the start signal.

Drawing