JP3136925B2 - Transmission equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus, and more particularly, to a transmission apparatus using an AMI (Alternate Mark Inversion) communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an air conditioner in which an AMI communication system is employed as a signal transmission system between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, for example.

In this AMI communication system, data is transmitted with a predetermined polarity, and if the polarities do not match due to erroneous connection or the like, there is a problem that the contents of the data cannot be read accurately.

That is, for example, if the device A and the device B connected via a transmission line are connected with opposite polarities, when both devices transmit data at the same time,
The data signals of the A device and the B device are superimposed and cancel each other, so that the voltage level of the transmission line becomes 0 level and the data signal disappears.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-288133, a driver and a receiver are connected to a remote controller via an analog switch. When the input signals have different polarities, the ports of the driver and the receiver are connected by the analog switch. The polarity of the switching, the transmission output and the reception input are matched.

However, in the above-described transmission device for an air conditioner, it is determined whether the polarities match.
Since the determination is made based on whether or not the data signal is in a predetermined format, there is a problem that the polarity match cannot be determined unless the indoor control unit or the like transmits the data signal.

Therefore, for example, while a DC power supply is connected to a transmission line to apply a DC voltage, each device is provided with a transmission / reception circuit and a polarity determination circuit to determine the polarity of the transmission line. The polarity of the equipment is matched.

[0008]

In the above-described air conditioner, a power supply superimposing circuit having a DC power supply for polarity determination and a discharge resistor for discharging residual charges in the transmission line is provided in each outdoor unit and each indoor unit. , Parts and so on. The DC superposition circuit of any one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit applies a DC voltage to the transmission line and connects a discharge resistor to the transmission line.

However, setting manually which of the outdoor unit and the DC unit of the indoor unit to be connected to the transmission line requires a setting operation. In addition, despite the fact that only one DC superimposing circuit should be connected to the transmission line, the DC superimposing circuits of the two outdoor units are connected to the transmission line,
There is a problem that an erroneous setting such as the DC superimposing circuit not being connected to the transmission line occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and enables the polarity of a transmission line to be determined by enabling easy and reliable connection of DC superimposing means.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the means taken by the present invention is to provide a polarity selecting means having a negative resistance characteristic.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the means implemented by the invention according to claim 1 firstly includes a transmission line (20) comprising a positive signal line (2a) and a negative signal line (2b). ), A plurality of control units (11, 11,...) Are connected, and an information signal is bidirectionally transmitted with a predetermined polarity between the control units (11, 11,...). Is assumed.

The control unit (11, 11,...)
Includes a DC superimposing means (50) for applying a predetermined DC voltage from a power supply (DC) to the transmission line (20).

Further, the control unit (11, 11,...)
Is connected in series to the power supply (DC) with a negative resistance characteristic in which a current flowing increases as the applied voltage decreases, and a voltage corresponding to a minimum current value based on the negative resistance characteristic.
If Vm is larger than the power supply voltage and the maximum current value Id in the negative resistance characteristic is set smaller than the minimum overcurrent value Is of the transmission line (20), and if the polarity is the same as that of the transmission line (20), the terminal voltage decreases. And a polarity selection means (60) for increasing the terminal voltage if the polarity is different.

[0015] The means implemented by the invention according to claim 2 is that a plurality of control units (1) are provided via a transmission line (20) including a positive signal line (2a) and a negative signal line (2b). 1
1, 11, ...) are connected, while the transmission line (20)
A discharge resistor (R1, R2) for discharging residual charges is provided between the positive signal line (2a) and the negative signal line (2b). It is assumed that the transmission device is configured to bidirectionally transmit an information signal with a predetermined polarity between the control units (11, 11,...).

The control unit (11, 11,...) Includes a DC superimposing means (50) for applying a predetermined DC voltage from a power supply (DC) to the transmission line (20).

Further, the control unit (11, 11,...)
Performs baseband modulation of a power supply voltage superimposed on the transmission line (20) and outputs a binary specific number signal based on a unit number set in the control unit (11, 11,...) To the transmission line (20). Number output means (41) for controlling the DC superposition circuit (50) as described above.

In addition, the control unit (11, 11,...)
Is connected in series to the power supply (DC) with a negative resistance characteristic in which a current flowing increases as the applied voltage decreases, and a voltage corresponding to a minimum current value based on the negative resistance characteristic.
If Vm is larger than the power supply voltage and the maximum current value Id in the negative resistance characteristic is set smaller than the minimum overcurrent value Is of the transmission line (20), and if the polarity is the same as that of the transmission line (20), the terminal voltage decreases. And a polarity selecting means (60) for increasing the terminal voltage when the polarity is different.

The control unit (11, 11,...)
Comprises voltage discriminating means (70) for detecting a terminal voltage of the polarity selecting means (60) and outputting a low voltage signal when the terminal voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage and outputting a high voltage signal when the terminal voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage. .

In addition, the control unit (11, 11,...)
Monitors the voltage of the transmission line (20), detects the high level voltage of the transmission line (20) at the time of outputting the low bit of the specific number signal, and the DC superimposing means (50) applies the direct current to the transmission line (20). The voltage determination means (70) determines the child unit to which the voltage is not applied, and determines that the voltage determination means (70) outputs the high voltage signal at the time of outputting the high bit of the specific number signal. Is output and all the specific number signals are output, the DC superimposing means (50) determines the parent unit for applying a DC voltage to the transmission line (20), and stops the operation of the number output means (41). Parent / child determination means for ending the parent / child determination operation (42)
It has.

Further, the means adopted by the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the discharge resistors (R1, R2)
Are provided in the DC superimposing means (50).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, the control unit (11, 11,...) Has a number output means (41) for outputting a specific number signal. Immediately after outputting the high bit, a forced discharge means (80) for discharging the electric charge of the transmission line (20) is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, the number output means (41) adds a low-level determination signal after outputting the unit number. It is configured to output a signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the control unit (11, 11,...) Has the parent-child determination means (42) determine the parent unit. Then, a parent declaration means (43) for outputting a parent declaration signal is provided on the transmission line (20), and a parent declaration signal is received from another control unit (11, 11,...) And the other control unit (11 , 11,...) Are provided with a determination changing means (44) for changing the parent unit determined by the parent-child determination means (42) to a child unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the control unit (11, 11,...) Determines whether the polarity of the transmission line (20) is indeterminate. A state determining means (45) is provided, and when the state determining means (45) determines that the polarity is indefinite, the number output means (41) and the parent-child determining means (4) perform a parent-child determination operation.
A restart means (46) for restarting the operation of 2) is provided.

The means adopted by the invention according to claim 8 is that, in the invention according to claim 2 or 3, the control unit (11, 11,...) Has an initial operating point of the polarity selection means (60). An initial setting means (47) for applying a set voltage to the polarity selecting means (60) so as to have a predetermined voltage value is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the control unit (11, 11,...) Controls the air-conditioning operation.

[0028]

According to the above construction, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
When a DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20) from the DC superimposing means (50), each control unit (11, 11,
Since the polarity selection means (60) has negative resistance characteristics, the terminal voltage of the polarity selection means (60) having the same polarity as the transmission line (20) decreases, while the polarity of the transmission line (20) differs from that of the transmission line (20). The terminal voltage of the polarity selection means (60) increases.

Specifically, according to the second, third and ninth aspects of the invention, any one of the control units (11, 11,...)
Also, when the parent unit and the child unit are not determined, the number output means (41) outputs a specific number signal, and this specific number signal competes on the transmission line (20).

The control units (11, 1
Since different unit numbers are set for (1, ...),
The number output means (41) outputs a specific number signal from the least significant bit.

Subsequently, in the case of the high bit, the DC superimposing means (50) is turned on. Specifically, for example, the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) provided in the DC superimposing means (50)
Is turned on, data "1" is output, and it is determined whether or not the polarity determination has been won.

That is, the plurality of control units (11, 1
When the DC superimposing means (50) is turned on, the terminal voltage of the polarity selecting means (60) having the same polarity as that of the transmission line (20) decreases while the terminal voltage of the polarity different from that of the transmission line (20) decreases. The terminal voltage of the polarity selection means (60) increases.

When the voltage discriminating means (70) outputs a low-voltage signal, the parent-child determining means (42) determines the winning of the polarity determination. The deciding means (42) determines the loss of the polarity determination.

At this time, in the invention according to claim 8, the initial setting means (47) applies a predetermined voltage to the polarity selecting means (60) to shorten the operation time of each polarity selecting means (60).

On the other hand, when the low bit data "0" is output and the other control units (11, 11,...) Apply a DC voltage, the parent-child determination means (42) determines the loss of the polarity determination. I do. By repeating this operation, the control unit (11) that has output all the specific number signals is determined as the parent unit.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, when the number output means (41) outputs a high bit, the forced discharge means (80) controls the electric charge of the transmission line (20) and the transmission line (20).
Forcibly discharges the electric charge charged in the interface section of the device connected to.

In the invention according to claim 5, when the specific number signal is shifted by one bit or more, the bit states may coincide by chance even if the unit numbers are different. At this time, a confirmation signal is added to the specific number signal, and the control unit (11) that has already output the specific number signal applies a voltage from the power supply (DC), so that the specific number signal has been output. Not control unit (11)
When the low-level confirmation signal is output, the high level of the transmission line (20) is detected, and the loss of the polarity determination is determined.

In the invention according to claim 6, when the parent-child determination means (42) determines the parent unit, the parent declaration means (4
3) outputs a parent declaration signal to the transmission line (20). When the two control units (11) output the parent declaration signal, for example, the control units (11) that output the parent declaration signal
The unit number of the control unit is compared with its own unit number. If the unit number is large, the unit remains the parent unit. If the unit number of the other control unit (11) is large, the decision change means (44) It will be changed to a child unit.

In the invention according to claim 7, when a failure or the like occurs in the parent unit, the state determination means (45) determines whether the polarity of the transmission line (20) is indeterminate. The means (46) restarts the parent-child determination operation, and determines another control unit (11) as a parent unit.

[0040]

Therefore, according to the first, second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the parent unit is determined based on a unit number preset for each control unit (11, 11,...). In order to connect the DC superimposing means (50) to the transmission line (20)
Since the setting operation for connecting to the GW can be eliminated, the setting operation can be simplified.

In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous setting such as connecting two DC superimposing means (50) to the transmission line (20).

In particular, since the polarity selecting means (60) having a negative resistance characteristic is provided, even if the polarity selecting means (60) is connected to a different polarity, the transmission line (20) is supplied by the terminal voltage of the polarity selecting means (60). ) Can be determined, so that the parent-child determination can be made accurately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the DC superimposing means (50) is provided with the discharge resistors (R1, R2), the direct current power supply (DC) and the transmission line (20) are connected. There is no need to provide a choke coil or the like, and the circuit can be simplified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the forced discharge means (80) is provided, the electric charge of the transmission line (20) after outputting the high bit of the specific number signal is surely obtained. Since the discharge can be performed, the transmission time can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a low-level decision signal is added to the specific number signal. The decision can be made accurately.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a parent declaration signal is output, one parent unit can be determined even if a plurality of parent units are set. Incorrect setting can be reliably prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the polarity of the transmission line (20) is determined to be indeterminate, the parent-child determination operation can be restarted. , 11) are determined in the parent unit, so that the polarity determination can be performed continuously.
As a result, the transmission of the information signal can be continued, so that the reliability of the control can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operating time of the polarity selecting means (60) is shortened in order to set the initial operating point of the polarity selecting means (60) to a predetermined voltage. Therefore, the determination of the parent and child can be shortened.

[0049]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a control system of the air conditioner (10). The air conditioner (10) has four outdoor units (11, 11,...) And a plurality of indoor units (12, 12). ,
) Are sequentially connected by a transmission line (20) composed of two signal lines, and the outdoor unit (11, 11, ...) and the indoor unit (12, 12, ...) constitute a control unit, and the outdoor unit (11,11, ...) and indoor unit (12,12, ...)
An information signal for air-conditioning control is exchanged between the two.

Further, the indoor units (12, 12,...) Are divided into a plurality of groups, and a remote controller (13) is connected to each group by a communication path (21) composed of two signal lines. An information signal for air-conditioning control is exchanged between the indoor unit (12) and the remote controller (13). A centralized controller (14), which is one of the control units, is connected to the transmission line (20), and the centralized controller (14) is connected to the outdoor units (11, 11,...) And the indoor unit (1).
2, 12, ...) are exchanged with information signals for air conditioning control.

The transmission system among the outdoor unit (11), the indoor unit (12), the remote controller (13), and the centralized controller (14) employs an AMI communication system and a balanced communication system, respectively. It is configured to perform half-duplex signal transmission with the set polarity.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit (11) includes a transmitting circuit (3A), a receiving circuit (3B), and a polarity judging circuit (3C), and the transmitting circuit (3A) and the receiving circuit (3C). 3B) and the polarity determination circuit (3C) are connected to the MPU (40). And the indoor unit (12) and remote control (13)
Although not shown, the centralized controller (14) includes a transmission circuit (3A), a reception circuit (3B), and a polarity determination circuit (3C) having the same configuration as the outdoor unit (11) described below. I have. Therefore, a circuit configuration will be described using the outdoor unit (11) as an example. In addition, the transmission line (20)
Is composed of a positive signal line (2a) and a negative signal line (2b).

The transmission circuit (3A) is connected to a transmission line (20) via a common wiring (22), includes two drivers (not shown), and transmits an information signal according to an output signal from the MPU (40). It is configured to output to line (20).

The receiving circuit (3B) is connected to a transmission line (20) via a common wiring (22), and is configured to receive an information signal of the transmission line (20) and output it to the MPU (40). ing.

The polarity determination circuit (3C) is connected to the common wiring (2
Connected to the positive signal line (2a) and the negative signal line (2b) of the transmission line (20) via 2), and determine the polarity of the positive signal line (2a) and the negative signal line (2b) It is configured to be. The polarity determination circuit (3C) includes two light emitting diodes (LED1, LED2) and two phototransistors (PHT1, PH2).
T2), and any of the phototransistors (PHT1, PH
The polarity signal is output to the MPU (40) by the ON operation of T2), and the transmission circuit (3A) inverts the information signal to be transmitted based on the different polarity determination of the polarity determination circuit (3C). It has become.

The outdoor unit (11, 11,...) Is provided with a DC superposition circuit (50), a polarity selection circuit (60), a voltage discrimination circuit (70), and a forced discharge circuit (80). As a feature of the present invention, a unit for applying a DC voltage to the transmission line (20) and the discharge resistors (R1, R2) are connected to the transmission line (2).
The unit to be connected to 0) can be determined.
That is, since the number of the outdoor units (11, 11,...) Is smaller than the number of the indoor units (12, 12,...), Only the outdoor units (11, 11,...) And so on.

The DC superimposing circuit (50) includes a DC power supply (DC)
Is the positive signal line (2a) of the transmission line (20) via the power line (23, 23), discharge resistor (R1, R2) and capacitor (C1)
And a negative signal line (2b) to form a DC superimposing means. The DC power supply (DC) applies a predetermined DC voltage, for example, +16 V, to the positive signal line (2a) and the negative signal line (2b).
Is applied so that the polarity of the transmission line (20) can be determined.

Each of the power supply lines (23, 23) is provided with a relay switch (Ry1-1, Ry1-2), and both relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) are connected to the MPU (40). It is configured to conduct and shut off the direct current power supply (DC) and the transmission line (20) based on the control signal.

Each of the discharge resistors (R1, R2) is connected to a relay switch (Ry1-1, Ry1) in each power line (23, 23).
-2) The capacitor (C1) is connected in parallel with the DC power supply (DC) between the power supply lines (23, 23), and the capacitor (C1) is connected to the DC power supply (DC) side. (R1, R2)
Are connected in series via a capacitor (C1).

The capacitor (C1) is connected to the transmission line (2
The capacitance reactance with respect to the frequency of the signal transmitting (0) is set to a capacitance that is sufficiently smaller than the resistance value of the discharge resistors (R1, R2). As a result, the impedance viewed from the transmission line (20) is equivalent to the connection of two resistors, and the discharge resistors (R1, R2) function.

The polarity selection circuit (60) is a feature of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the polarity selection circuit (60) is connected to a negative power supply line (23) and connected in series with a DC power supply (DC). This constitutes a polarity selecting means.

The polarity selection circuit (60) includes a transistor (T) connected to a power supply line (23) via a diode (D1).
r1), the transistor (Tr1) has an emitter connected to the ground via a resistor (R3), and a base connected to an amplifier (U1) via a resistor (R4). The diode (D1) is provided to protect the transistor (Tr1) from noise and reverse applied voltage.

A positive feedback circuit (61) is connected between the inverting input of the amplifier (U1) and the collector of the transistor (Tr1).
And a negative feedback circuit (62) is connected between the transistor and the emitter of the transistor (Tr1). And
The positive feedback circuit (61) includes a diode (D2) and a resistor (R5).
And the negative feedback circuit (62) includes a resistor (R6).

A reference voltage line (63) in which a power supply (PS) and two resistors (R7, R8) are connected in series is connected to the non-inverting input of the amplifier (U1) via a resistor (R9). It is connected.

As shown in FIG. 5, the polarity selection circuit (60) is configured to have a sawtooth negative resistance characteristic by a positive feedback circuit (61).

That is, the voltage Vc applied to the collector of the transistor (Tr1) is positively fed back to obtain the above-described negative resistance characteristic (between the operating points Q2 and Vm), and the current Ic flowing through the transistor (Tr1) is It is as follows.

Ic = {Vref × (R5 + R6) −Vc × R6} / (R3 × R5) Vref in the above equation is a reference voltage between two resistors (R7, R8) of the reference voltage line. , And the voltage of the power supply (PS) is 5 V, and the following equation is obtained.

Vref = (5 × R8) / (R7 + R8) When the applied voltage Vc falls below the reference voltage Vref (Vc <Vref), the diode (D2) prohibits positive feedback.

The voltage Vm corresponding to the minimum current value based on the negative resistance characteristic is the voltage value (16) of the DC power supply (DC).
V).

On the other hand, the set current value Id, which is the maximum current value at the peak point of the negative resistance characteristic, is set by the negative feedback circuit (62) and is expressed by the following equation.

[0072]

(Equation 1)

The voltage value at the peak point of the negative resistance characteristic is the same as the reference voltage Vref, and is set to 0.5 V.
The slope from the origin to the peak point of the negative resistance characteristic diagram is determined by the characteristics of the resistor (R3). In this region, the amplifier (U1) performs a comparator-like operation.

The set current value Id is the minimum overcurrent value.
It is set smaller than Is and larger than the maximum load current value In.

As shown in FIG. 6, the maximum load current value In is determined by one DC superposition circuit (50) such as the outdoor unit (11).
When a DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20) from the outdoor unit (11), the maximum overcurrent value Is flowing through the transmission line (20), as shown in FIG. ) Are the minimum overcurrent values flowing through the transmission line (20) when the DC superimposition circuits (50, 50,...) Are connected to the transmission line (20) with opposite polarities.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the minimum overcurrent value Is is set to be larger than the maximum load current value In (Is> I
n), a set current value Id is set between the minimum overcurrent value Is and the maximum load current value In.

Now, the characteristics of the polarity selection circuit (60) will be described.

As shown in the schematic explanatory view of FIG. 9, for example,
When the DC power supply (DC, DC) of the DC superposition circuit (50, 50) of the two outdoor units (11) is connected to the transmission line (20) with reverse polarity, the relay switch (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) Is turned on and a DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20). Since the two polarity selection circuits (60, 60) have the line resistance (2R) of the transmission line (20), different voltages are applied. You.

Since the applied voltages are different, if one of the polarity selection circuits (60) operates to reduce the applied voltage at the operating point so that more current flows, the two DC power supplies (DC, DC)
Are connected in series, so that the current flowing through the circuit is constant, and the other polarity selection circuit (60) increases the applied voltage at the operating point so as to limit the current. The applied voltage of (60) has an exclusive relationship.

Specifically, for example, when the voltages of Q5 and Q7 are applied to the two polarity selection circuits (60, 60), the operating point of one polarity selection circuit (60) changes from Q5 → Q4 → Move from Q3 to Q2 to Q1. The operating point of the other polarity selection circuit (60) is Q7 →
Move to Q8 → Q9 → …… → Q13.

The operation points of the two polarity selection circuits (60, 60) are stabilized, as shown in FIG. 5, by the negative resistance characteristic of one polarity selection circuit (60) and the other polarity selection circuit. This is the point where the load line of (60) crosses. This intersection is
In the low voltage side, the operating point of one polarity selection circuit (60) finally becomes Q1, and the operation point of the other polarity selection circuit (60) is Q13
Becomes

As a result, the polarity selection circuit (6
The terminal voltage of (0) becomes 0V, and the terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) whose operating point is Q13 becomes 32V. That is, the DC voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) having the terminal voltage of 0 V is the same polarity as the transmission line (20), and the DC voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) having the terminal voltage of 32 V is connected to the transmission line (20). It will be a different pole.

As shown in FIG. 10, the voltage discriminating circuit (70) is connected between the diode (D1) of the polarity selecting circuit (60) and the transistor (Tr1) and connected to the polarity selecting circuit (6).
0) constitutes a voltage determining means for detecting the terminal voltage.

The voltage discriminating circuit (70) includes a comparator (U2) having a non-inverting input connected to the polarity selecting circuit (60) via a resistor (R10). The side input is a power supply (PS) and two resistors (R11,
R12) is connected to a series-connected reference voltage line (71), and the non-inverting input of the comparator (U2) is connected to the power supply (PS) via a diode (D2).

The output of the comparator (U2) is connected to the MPU (40) via a resistor (R13) and to the ground via a resistor (R14). When the terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) is lower than a predetermined voltage, a low voltage signal is output to the MPU (40), and when the terminal voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage, a high voltage signal is output to the MPU (40). Specifically, when the terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) is 1 V or less, the comparator (U2) outputs a low-voltage signal, and the polarities of the transmission line (20) and the DC power supply (DC) compete. As a result, it is MP that the polarity of the self is selected.
The U (40) is notified, and if it is higher than 1 V, a high voltage signal is output and the MPU reports that the polarity of the transmission line (20) and the DC power supply (DC) are not selected as a result of the competition between the polarities.
Notify to (40).

On the other hand, the MPU (40) is provided with a number output means (41) and a parent-child determination means (42).

The number output means (41) opens and closes the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) of the DC superposition circuit (50) and outputs the serial number as the unit number to the transmission line (20). Is configured. That is, a serial number such as a manufacturing number is set in advance to the outdoor unit (11, 11, ...), and this serial number is set to a different unit number for each outdoor unit (11, 11, ...). ing.

The number output means (41) opens and closes the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) of the DC superimposing circuit (50) to convert the DC voltage superimposed on the transmission line (20) to baseband modulation. Then, a binary specific number signal based on the serial number is output to the transmission line (20).

Further, the number output means (41) is provided in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a low-level decision signal LAST is added after the serial number.

The parent-child determination means (42) includes a parent unit for applying a DC voltage to the transmission line (20) and connecting the discharge resistors (R1, R2) to the transmission line (20), and a DC voltage for the transmission line (20). 20) is configured so as to determine the slave unit that does not apply the discharge resistance (R1, R2) to the transmission line (20) and does not connect the discharge resistor (R1, R2). (50) relay switch (Ry1-1,
Ry1-2) is turned on as a parent unit, or the relay switch (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) is turned off as a child unit.

When a DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20), the polarity judging circuit (3C) turns on the light emitting diode (LE).
D1, LED2 emits light and phototransistors (PHT1, PHT)
2) is turned on, a low level voltage signal which is a polarity signal of the same polarity signal or a different polarity signal is output to the MPU (40), and if no DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20), the phototransistors (PHT1, PHT2) ) Is in the OFF state, and a high-level voltage signal that does not output any of the same-polarity signal and the different-polarity signal is M
Output to PU (40). Then, when the specific number signal is output to the transmission line (20) by the number output means (41), the parent-child determination means (42) determines the parent-child determination by the collision detection method based on the output signal of the polarity determination circuit (3C). At the same time, it is configured to make a parent-child determination based on the low voltage signal and the high voltage signal from the voltage discriminating circuit (70).

Specifically, the parent-child determination means (42) determines that the voltage discriminating circuit (70) outputs a high-voltage signal when outputting the high bit of the specific number signal, as a child unit.
Further, when the polarity judgment circuit (3C) detects the high level voltage of the transmission line (20) at the time of outputting the low bit of the specific number signal, the other outdoor units (11, 11,...) Output the specific number signal. So decide on the child unit.

When the voltage discriminating circuit (70) outputs the low voltage signal and outputs all the specific number signals, the parent-child determining means (42) determines the parent unit. This allows
One parent unit in the air conditioner (10) is determined.

In particular, when the specific number signal of each outdoor unit (11, 11,...) Is shifted by one bit or more, as shown in FIG. 11, the number output means (41) outputs the fixed number LAST after outputting the serial number. Is output, so that the parent-child determination means (4
2) is that when the polarity determination circuit (3C) outputs a high-level voltage signal which is a polarity signal at the time of outputting the determination signal LAST (FIG. 1).
1 (b) LAST), the child unit is determined.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), after the serial number of the number output means (41), a fixed signal of "0" is added.
LAST is added.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, immediately after the number output means (41) outputs the high bit of the specific number signal, the forced discharge circuit (80)
It constitutes a forced discharging means for discharging the electric charge charged in the interface section of the device connected to the transmission line (20).

Specifically, the forced discharge circuit (80) includes a transistor (Tr2), a resistor (R15), and a diode (D15) connected in parallel with the capacitor (C1) of the DC superposition circuit (50).
3) and Then, the transistor (Tr
A DC power supply (DC) is connected to the base of 2) via a resistor (R16), and another transistor (Tr3) is connected to the base via a resistor (R17). The transistor (T
r3) is configured such that the MPU (40) is connected to the base via the resistor (R18) and a forced discharge signal is input.

When the high bit of the specific number signal is output to the transmission line (20), it takes several tens of seconds for the voltage to drop in the spontaneous discharge t2 after the voltage output t1, as shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12B, the forced discharge circuit (80) performs a forced discharge t3 to reduce the transmission time. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12C, if another outdoor unit (11, 11,...) Outputs a voltage, the parent-child determination means (42) may determine a child unit. Since the operation is for determining one parent unit, no problem occurs.

Further, the MPU (40) is provided with a parent declaration means (43) and a decision change means (44).

The parent declaration means (43) includes a parent-child determination means (4
When 2) determines the parent unit, it is configured to output a parent declaration signal to the transmission line (20).

Upon receiving the parent declaration signal from the other outdoor unit (11), the decision change means (44) compares the serial number of the other outdoor unit (11) with its own serial number, and When the serial number of the unit (11) is large, the parent unit determined by the parent-child determination means (42) is changed to a child unit.

That is, since the control operation is to determine one parent unit on the transmission line (20), if there are two or more parent units due to some factor, one parent unit is determined. At this time, this parent declaration signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit (3A) to the transmission line (20) because the parent unit is determined even if two or more parent units are determined, and transmission by the AMI communication method is possible. ).

The MPU (40) is provided with a state determining means (45) and a resuming means (46).

The state determining means (45) is configured to determine whether the polarity of the transmission line (20) is uncertain due to noise or the like.

The resuming means (46) is provided with a state determining means (4
When 5) determines that the polarity is indefinite, the operation of the number output means (41) and the operation of the parent-child determination means (42) are restarted so as to perform the parent-child determination operation.

That is, when the function of the discharge resistance (R1, R2) in the outdoor unit (11) determined as the parent unit becomes abnormal, the other outdoor unit (11) is determined as the parent unit.

The MPU (40) is provided with an initial setting means (47).

The initial setting means (47) is configured to apply a set voltage to the polarity selection circuit (60) so that the initial operation point of the polarity selection circuit (60) has a predetermined voltage value. I have.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
When the polarity selection circuit (60) operates, the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) are turned on, and after the voltage is applied by the DC power supply (DC), the voltage of the transmission line (20) is balanced. Until the state is reached, the terminal voltage of each polarity selection circuit (60) increases.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the terminal voltage of each polarity selection circuit (60) starts to rise from Q1, and then rises to Q6 due to the line resistance (2R) and the like, and then the polarity as described above. The operating point of the selection circuit (60) shifts to Q1 and Q13.

Therefore, the initial setting means (47) turns on the transistor (Tr2) of the forced discharge circuit (80) to execute forced discharge, and directly applies a voltage from a DC power supply (DC) to set an initial operating point. The terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) at
The selection operation time is shortened by setting it to Q6.

Next, the operation of determining the parent unit in the air conditioner (10) will be described with reference to the control flows of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 shows a main routine of the decision operation, and FIG. 15 shows a subroutine at the time of serial number output conflict.

First, when the main switch or the like of the air conditioner (10) is turned on and the parent unit determination operation in FIG. 14 is started, in step ST1, the DC superposition circuit (5
0), the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) are turned off, and the transistors (Tr2, Tr2,
Turn off Tr3). That is, the initialization operation is performed, the power supply of the DC power supply (DC) is stopped, and the forced discharge is stopped. When the transistor (Tr3) is turned on, the transistor (Tr2) is also turned on and the transistor (Tr3) is turned on for both transistors (Tr2, Tr3) of the forced discharge circuit (80).
Is turned off, the transistor (Tr2) is also turned off. Hereinafter, only the ON and OFF operations of the transistor (Tr2) will be described.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST2, where the timer Ti is set. Then, the process proceeds to step ST3, where it is determined whether or not the timer Ti has timed out, and the process waits until the time is up.

That is, if electric charges remain in the interface of the device connected to the transmission line (20), the outdoor units (11, 11,...) Are programmed so as to be determined as child units. Wait until the charge of (20) is discharged and the transmission line (20) is stabilized.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST4, where the timer Tm is set, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST5 to determine whether transmission is possible. That is, it is determined whether the polarity determination circuit (3C) outputs a high-level voltage signal that is a polarity signal or outputs a low-level voltage signal that does not output a polarity signal. Then, both the parent unit flag and the child unit flag are reset.

Therefore, a description will be given of a state in which the polarity determination circuit (3C) outputs a high-level voltage signal that does not output a polarity signal in a normal case where the voltage of the transmission line (20) is reduced.

In this case, step ST5 to step ST5 are performed.
The process proceeds to ST6, where the winning and losing process based on the serial number, which is the most characteristic of the present invention, is executed. This process is performed as shown in FIG. 15, and it is necessary to determine the winning or losing. Therefore, the winning or losing process will be described first.

First, the outdoor unit (11, 11,...), The indoor unit (12, 12,...) And the centralized controller (14) are connected to the transmission line (20).
As shown in ST5, the parent unit and the child unit are not determined. Then, each of the outdoor units (11,
The number output means (41) of (11,...) Outputs a specific number signal, and this specific number signal competes on the transmission line (20).

In step ST61, the number output means (41) of each outdoor unit (11, 11,...) Sets the bit counter to 0 bit. That is, since a different serial number is set in advance for each outdoor unit (11, 11,...), The number output means (41) sets the bit counter to 0 bit in order to output the specific number signal from the least significant bit. I do.

Subsequently, the flow shifts to step ST62, where a timer Tc for the charging time is set, and the flow shifts to step ST63, where it is determined whether or not the data is "0". That is, it is determined whether or not the least significant bit of the specific number signal is “0”. If the bit indicated by the bit counter is present and the least significant bit is “0”, the process proceeds from step ST63 to step ST64, where the relay switch (Ry1-1, Ry1) of the DC superposition circuit (50) is switched. -2) is OFF and the forced discharge circuit (8
0) transistor (Tr2) is turned on, and the DC superposition circuit (5
The charge of the capacitor (C1) of (0) is discharged to prepare for the next transmission. On the other hand, if the bit indicated by the bit counter is present and the least significant bit is “1”, the process proceeds from step ST63 to step ST65, where the forced discharge circuit (8
0), the transistor (Tr2) is turned off, and the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) of the DC superimposition circuit (50) are turned on.
Outputs data "1".

When the data "1" is output, the process waits for the timer Tc to expire and proceeds to step ST66, sets the timer Td and proceeds to step ST67 to determine whether or not the polarity selection has been won.

The polarity determination will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, the outdoor unit (11,
11) are connected to the transmission line (2
At 0), a specific number signal is output. Then, the serial number of the unit Y1 is set to 5, the serial number of the unit Y2 is set to 3, the serial number of the unit Y3 is set to 9, the serial number of the unit Y4 is set to 6, and the serial number of the unit Y5 is set. It is assumed that the number is set to 13. Note that bits B3 and thereafter are omitted.

FIG. 16 shows a transmission line (20).
16 shows the polarity of the specific number signal output from each of the units Y1 to Y5, and the linear portion in FIG.
This indicates that the units Y1 and Y3 to which the specific number signal is output below the 0V line are connected in reverse to the polarity of the transmission line (20).

In this state, the unit that proceeds from step ST63 to step ST64 is the unit Y4 having the serial number 6, and the other units Y1, Y2,
Y3 and unit Y5 are transferred from step ST63 to step ST65.
Move on to Then, the unit Y1 and the unit Y3 are connected to the transmission line (20) in the opposite polarity, and the unit Y2 and the unit Y2 are connected.
Assume that Y5 is connected to the same polarity as the transmission line (20).

Therefore, the above four units Y1, unit
When the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) of the DC superimposing circuit (50) in the units Y2, Y3 and Y5 are turned on, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 5, the polarity selection in the units Y2 and Y5 is performed. The operating point of the circuit (60) becomes Q1, and the terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) decreases. on the other hand,
Polarity selection circuit in unit Y1 and unit Y3 (60)
The operating point becomes Q13, and the terminal voltage of the polarity selection circuit (60) rises. The polarity determination may be reversed, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that the polarities of the units Y2 and Y5 have been selected.

As a result, the voltage discriminating circuits (70) in the units Y2 and Y5 output a low voltage signal, and the parent and child determining means (42) determines whether the polarity has been determined. The circuit (70) outputs a high voltage signal, and the parent-child determination means (42) determines the loss of the polarity determination.

In step ST65, although not shown, the initial setting means (47) turns on the transistor (Tr2) of the forcible discharge circuit (80) and sends the voltage from the DC power supply (DC) to the polarity selection circuit (60). And the initial operating point of each polarity selection circuit (60) is set to Q6 in FIG.

Thereafter, when it is determined that the polarity has been determined, the process proceeds from step ST67 to step ST68.
Then, the unit Y2 and the unit Y5 determine the win, and keep the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) in the ON state.
The forced discharge circuit (80) turns on the transistor (Tr2) and discharges the charged electric charge in the interface section of the device connected to the transmission line (20).

Subsequently, after waiting for the timer Tc to expire, the process proceeds from step ST68 to step ST69, adds 1 to the bit counter, and proceeds to step ST70 to determine whether or not the bit counter has reached 25. . That is, it is determined whether or not the most significant bit of the specific number signal has been reached. Until all the specific number signals have been output, the determination in step ST70 is NO, the process returns to step ST62, and the next bit is output.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the polarity has been lost,
The process proceeds from step ST67 to step ST71. In FIG. 16, the unit Y1 and the unit Y3 determine the loss, the relay switches (Ry1-1, Ry1-2) are turned off, and the forced discharge circuit (80) is turned on by the transistor (Tr2). To turn off unnecessary circuit current.

Subsequently, the flow shifts to step ST72, where the above timer
After waiting for the time-up of Tc, the process proceeds to step ST72, where the parent-child determination means (42) determines the loss of the polarity determination, and returns to the main routine of FIG. Then, in FIG. 16, the units Y1 and Y3 do not output the subsequent specific number signal.

On the other hand, if the data "0" is output in step ST64, it is determined that the polarity can be determined.
The process proceeds to step ST74, in which the transistor (Tr2) of the forced discharge circuit (80) is turned off, and the process proceeds to step ST75, where the parent-child determination means (42) determines the loss of the polarity determination.

That is, in FIG. 16, while the unit Y4 is outputting data "0" and the other units Y2 and the like are outputting data "1", the voltage of the transmission line (20) becomes high. Level, the polarity determination circuit (3C) of the unit Y4 outputs a high-level voltage signal, the parent-child determination means (42) determines losing, and returns to the main routine of FIG. Then, the unit Y4 in FIG. 16 does not output the subsequent specific number signal.

When data "0" is output in step ST64, all of the outdoor units (11, 11,...) Output data "0", and when the timer Tc times out, the process proceeds to step ST76. Then, the timer Td is set, and the routine goes to Step ST77 to wait until the timer Td times out.

If the voltage of the transmission line (20) becomes high level during this standby, there is a possibility that another outdoor unit (11) is outputting a specific number signal or the like. As described above, the parent-child determination means (42) determines a loss and returns to the main routine of FIG.

Also, in step ST77, the timer
When the time of Td is up, the process proceeds to step ST69, where the bit counter is advanced, and the above operation is repeated.
That is, the second bit data is output, and in FIG. 16, since the unit Y2 outputs data “1”, the unit Y5 performs the steps ST64, ST74, and ST74.
Perform the operation of 75 to determine the loss of polarity.

When all the specific number signals have been output, the process proceeds from step ST70 to step ST78, where the parent-child determination means (42) determines the polarity win.
At 6, unit Y2 will win.

In this manner, in FIG. 15, if the unit outputting data "1" based on the serial number wins preferentially and loses the polarity in the first bit, the unit loses. This leaves one unit.

Next, in the process of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the two units Y2 and Y5 output data "1" with a deviation of less than one bit, in this state, the two units Y2 and Y5 normally survive and lose in the next bit. Is determined.

More specifically, first, when a shift within 1 bit occurs, when the unit Y5 outputs data before the unit Y2, and when the data of the unit Y5 is not dull (see the solid line in FIG. 17). ) Will be described.

In this case, if the data Bn of the unit Y2 is in the 0th digit, the unit Y2 performs step ST in FIG.
The process proceeds from step 6 to step ST12 and step ST13, and waits for parent determination.

If the data Bn of the unit Y2 is the first digit or more and the data Bn-1 of the preceding digit is "0", the unit Y2
Are the same as steps ST64 to ST74 and step ST74.
Move to 75 and decide to lose.

When the data Bn of the unit Y2 is the first digit or more and the data Bn + 1 of the next digit is "1", the unit Y2
Are the same as steps ST65 to ST66 and step ST66.
Move to step 67, and in order for the unit Y5 to start discharging first, the unit Y2 determines the loss of the same-polarity determination, and then proceed to step ST71, or, depending on the number of connected units and the wiring length,
Y2 determines the win in the polarity determination, and proceeds to step ST68.

On the other hand, when a shift within one bit occurs,
The case where the unit Y5 outputs data before the unit Y2 and the data of the unit Y5 is dull (FIG. 17)
Although the data is output before the unit Y2, the data of the unit Y5 may not be detected in some cases.

In this case, if the data Bn of the unit Y2 is the 0th digit, the unit Y2 originally proceeds from step ST4 in FIG. 14 to step ST5. However, the unit Y2 discharges (step ST68) in FIG. There is a possibility that the process will move to step ST71 in the winning / losing process.

When the data Bn of the unit Y2 is the first digit or more and the data Bn-1 of the preceding digit is "0", the unit Y5 is not changed in the same manner as when the data of the unit Y5 is not dull.
Y2 is the above-mentioned step ST64 to step ST74 and step
Move to ST75 and decide to lose.

When the data Bn of the unit Y2 is the first digit or more and the data Bn + 1 of the next digit is “1”, the data of the unit Y5 is similar to the case where the data of the unit Y5 is not dull.
Y2 is the above-mentioned step ST65 to step ST66 and step
Move to ST67, in order for unit Y5 to start discharging first, unit Y2 determines the loss of polarity determination and proceed to step ST71, or unit Y2 determines the win of polarity determination based on the number of connected units and wiring length Then, the process moves to step ST68.

In any case, since at least the unit Y5 survives when the data Bn competes, no problem occurs because the power-on is a process for determining one parent unit even if the power is not turned on at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the specific number signals of the two units are shifted by one bit or more, the bit states may coincide by chance even if the serial numbers are different.

At this time, the confirmation signal LAST is added to the end of the serial number to the specific number signal (see FIG. 11C), and the unit which has finished outputting the specific number signal is the direct current power supply (DC). Since the voltage is applied from the unit, the unit that has not finished outputting the specific number signal (see FIG. 11B)
Detects the high level of the transmission line (20) when outputting the low-level confirmation signal LAST. As a result, the confirmation signal LA
When the ST is output, the process proceeds from step ST77 in FIG. 15 to step ST74, and a loss is determined.

When the subroutine of FIG. 15 ends,
Returning to step ST6 in the main routine of FIG.
When the parent-child determination means (42) determines the win based on the serial number, the process proceeds from step ST6 to step ST7, where the transistor (Tr2) of the forced discharge circuit (80) is turned off and the relay switch (50) of the DC superimposition circuit (50) is turned off. Ry1-1,
Turn on Ry1-2) and apply DC power (DC) to the transmission line (20).
While the parent declaration means (43) outputs a parent declaration signal to the transmission line (20) via the transmission circuit (3A).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST8, in which the parent-child determination means (42) determines a parent unit and sets a parent unit flag. Then, the process shifts to step ST9, sets the timer Tn, shifts to step ST10, and waits until the timer Tn expires. When the timer Tn expires, the process proceeds to step ST11, where the state of the transmission line (20) is determined.

If there is no problem in the state of the transmission line (20), for example, if there is no noise and the like, the process returns from step ST11 to step ST8, and the operation from step ST8 to step ST11 is repeated. , A DC voltage is applied to the transmission line (20), and the discharge resistance (R1, R
2) Connect the transmission unit (20) to each outdoor unit (1
Information signals of the air conditioning operation are transmitted between the indoor units (1, 11, ...) and the indoor units (12, 12, ...).

On the other hand, if the parent-child determination means (42) has determined that the serial number has been lost in step ST6, or if the polarity of the transmission line (20) can be determined in step ST5, the process proceeds to step ST12. , The timer Tw is set, and the process proceeds to step ST13 to wait until the timer Tw times out. That is, in the state where the processing of FIG. 15 is being performed, the voltage of the transmission line (20) fluctuates, and the polarity of the transmission line (20) is indeterminate.
Wait until the process of is completed. The time of the timer Tw is set, for example, to (number of output bits + one bit of the confirmation signal LAST) × (power receiving time Tc + discharge time Td).

After that, when the timer Tw times out, since the other outdoor units (11, 11,...) Have been determined as the parent units, transmission becomes possible, and the parent-child determination means (42) determines the child units. And set the child unit flag. Then, in this step ST14, each outdoor unit (11, 11, ...) and indoor unit (12, 12, ...)
The information signal of the air-conditioning operation is transmitted between the devices.

If the polarity of the transmission line (20) becomes indefinite due to the failure of the parent unit in step ST14, the process proceeds to step ST15, a timer Tn is set, and the process proceeds to step ST16. Wait until the time is up. When the timer Tn expires, the process proceeds to step ST17, where the state of the transmission line (20) is determined.
Then, the failure of the parent unit recovers and the transmission line (2
If there is no problem in the state of (0), the process returns from step ST17 to step ST14, and the outdoor units (11, 11,...)
The information signal of the air-conditioning operation is transmitted between the air conditioner and the indoor units (12, 12, ...).

In step ST8, when a parent declaration signal is received from another outdoor unit (11), the process proceeds to step ST18, where the serial number of the outdoor unit (11) that has output the parent declaration signal and its own serial number are output. If the own serial number is larger, the process returns to step ST8 to keep the master unit as the parent unit.

On the other hand, if the serial number of the other outdoor unit (11, 11,...) Is larger than its own serial number, the process proceeds to step ST14, where the decision change means (44) changes to the child unit.

When a parent declaration signal is received from another outdoor unit (11) in step ST6, the process moves to step ST13 and waits until the processing in FIG. 15 ends.

Further, the above-mentioned steps ST11 and ST17
When the parent unit causes a failure or the like, the state determination means (45) determines the polarity of the transmission line (20) is indeterminate, so the process proceeds to step ST19, where the relay switch (Ry1-1) of the DC superimposition circuit (50) is switched. , Ry1-2) are turned off, and the transistor (Tr2) of the forced discharge circuit (80) is turned on. Then, the process proceeds to step ST20, where a change flag is set and the process returns to step ST4.

That is, since the failure of the parent unit applying the DC voltage to the transmission line (20) or the like, the resuming means (46) restarts the parent-child determination operation in order to determine the parent unit. Will be performed.

-Effects Specific to Embodiment- As described above, according to this embodiment, each outdoor unit (1
In order to determine the parent unit based on the serial number preset in (1, 11, ...), the setting work to connect the DC superimposition circuit (50) to the transmission line (20) is not required. Therefore, the setting operation can be simplified.

In addition, erroneous settings such as two DC superimposing circuits (50) connected to the transmission line (20) can be reliably prevented.

In particular, in order to provide the polarity selection circuit (60) having the negative resistance characteristic, even when the terminals are connected to different polarities, the transmission line (20) is supplied by the terminal voltage of the polarity selection means (60). ) Can be determined, so that the parent-child determination can be made accurately.

The DC superimposing circuit (50) has a discharge resistor (R
1, R2), there is no need to provide a choke coil or the like between the DC power supply (DC) and the transmission line (20), and the circuit can be simplified.

Further, since the forced discharge circuit (80) is provided, the charge of the transmission line (20) after outputting the high bit of the specific number signal can be reliably discharged. Shortening can be achieved.

In addition, the low-level decision signal LAST is added to the specific number signal. Even if a signal shift of one bit or more occurs, the parent-child determination can be accurately performed by the decision signal LAST. .

In addition, since a parent declaration signal is output, even if a plurality of parent units are set, one parent unit can be determined, so that erroneous setting can be reliably prevented. .

When the polarity of the transmission line (20) is determined to be indeterminate, the parent-child determination operation can be restarted.
Even if the parent unit fails, the other outdoor unit (11) is set as the parent unit, so that the polarity determination can be continuously performed. As a result, the transmission of the information signal can be continued, so that the reliability of the control can be improved.

Further, in order to set the initial operating point of the polarity selection circuit (60) to a predetermined voltage, the polarity selection circuit (60)
Can be shortened, so that the determination of parent and child can be shortened.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the DC superimposing circuit (50), in which a choke coil is used instead of the discharge resistors (R1, R2) and the capacitor (C1) in the previous embodiment. Since (L, L) is provided, a discharge resistor (R19) is connected between the drivers (31, 31) and the capacitors (C2, C3) in the transmission circuit (3A).

In each embodiment, the transmission line (20) has been described, but the present invention may be applied between the indoor unit (12) and the remote controller (13).

Although the outdoor unit (11) is provided with the DC superimposing circuit (50) and the like, the indoor unit (12) may be provided with the DC superimposing circuit (50) and the like.

The configuration of the polarity selection circuit (60) is not limited to the embodiment, but may be any circuit having a negative resistance characteristic.

The inventions according to the first to eighth aspects are not limited to the air conditioner (10), but may be applied to various transmission devices.

The invention according to claim 1 is not limited to the one applied to the parent-child determination operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control system diagram of the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a main part of the outdoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a polarity selection circuit.

FIG. 5 is a negative resistance characteristic diagram of the polarity selection circuit.

FIG. 6 is a current state diagram of the air conditioner in the same polar state.

FIG. 7 is a current state diagram of the air conditioner in a different polarity state.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a set current value of a polarity selection circuit.

FIG. 9 is a system diagram illustrating characteristics of a polarity selection circuit.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a voltage determination circuit.

FIG. 11 is a signal waveform diagram showing a state where a specific number signal is shifted.

FIG. 12 is a signal waveform diagram showing a forced discharge of a forced discharge unit.

FIG. 13 is a voltage characteristic diagram showing transition of operating points of the polarity selection circuit.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart showing a parent-child determination operation.

FIG. 15 is a control flowchart showing polarity determination.

FIG. 16 is a signal waveform diagram showing a parent-child determination operation.

FIG. 17 is a signal waveform diagram showing another parent-child determination operation.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing another DC superimposition circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Air conditioner 11 Outdoor unit (control unit) 12 Indoor unit (control unit) 20 Transmission line 2a, 2b Signal line 40 MPU 41 Number output means 42 Parent / child determination means 43 Parent declaration means 44 Decision change means 45 State determination means 46 Restart Means 47 Initial setting means 50 DC superimposition circuit (DC superimposition means) 60 Polarity selection circuit (Polarity selection means) 70 Voltage discrimination circuit (Voltage discrimination means) 80 Forced discharge circuit (Forced discharge means) DC DC power supply

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H03J 9/00-9/06 H04L 25/00-25/66 H04Q 9/00-9/16

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of control units (11, 11,...) Are connected via a transmission line (20) composed of a positive signal line (2a) and a negative signal line (2b). (11,1
The control unit (11, 11,...) Transmits the information signal bidirectionally with a predetermined polarity between (1,...) Between the power supply (DC) and the transmission line (20). DC superimposing means (50) for applying a DC voltage, and a negative resistance characteristic in which a current flowing increases as the applied voltage decreases. The DC superimposition means (50) is connected in series to the power supply (DC), based on the negative resistance characteristic. The voltage Vm corresponding to the minimum current value is larger than the power supply voltage and the maximum current value in the negative resistance characteristics
Polarity selection means (Id is set to be smaller than the minimum overcurrent value Is of the transmission line (20), the terminal voltage decreases when the polarity is the same as the transmission line (20), and the terminal voltage increases when the polarity is different. 60). 2. A plurality of control units (11, 11,...) Are connected via a transmission line (20) comprising a positive signal line (2a) and a negative signal line (2b). Discharge resistors (R1, R2) for discharging residual charges are provided between the positive signal line (2a) and the negative signal line (2b) in the line (20), and the control units (11, 11,...) ), The control unit (11, 11,...) Transmits a predetermined DC voltage from the power supply (DC) to the transmission line (20). DC superimposing means (50) for applying power, and a binary specific number based on a unit number preset in the control unit (11, 11,...) By baseband modulating a power supply voltage superimposed on the transmission line (20). Number that controls the DC superposition circuit (50) to output a signal to the transmission line (20) The power means (41) is connected in series to the power supply (DC) with a negative resistance characteristic in which a current flowing increases as the applied voltage decreases, and corresponds to a minimum current value based on the negative resistance characteristic. Voltage Vm is greater than power supply voltage and maximum current value in negative resistance characteristics
Polarity selection means (Id is set to be smaller than the minimum overcurrent value Is of the transmission line (20), the terminal voltage decreases when the polarity is the same as the transmission line (20), and the terminal voltage increases when the polarity is different. 60) and a voltage discriminating means (70) for detecting a terminal voltage of the polarity selecting means (60) and outputting a low voltage signal when the terminal voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage and outputting a high voltage signal when the terminal voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage. The voltage of the transmission line (20) is monitored, and when the high-level voltage of the transmission line (20) is detected at the time of outputting the low bit of the specific number signal, the DC superimposing means (50) supplies the direct current to the transmission line (20). The voltage determination means (70) determines the child unit to which the voltage is not applied, and determines that the voltage determination means (70) outputs the high voltage signal at the time of outputting the high bit of the specific number signal. And output a specific number When all the signals are output, the DC superimposing means (50) determines the parent unit to apply the DC voltage to the transmission line (20), stops the operation of the number output means (41), and ends the parent-child determination operation. Parent and child determination means (42)
A transmission device comprising: 3. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge resistors (R1, R2) are provided in the DC superimposing means (50). 4. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (11, 11,...) Includes a number output means (41).
A forced discharge means (80) for discharging the charge of the transmission line (20) immediately after outputting the high bit of the specific number signal. 5. The transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number output means (41) is configured to output a specific number signal to which a low-level decision signal has been added after outputting the unit number. A transmission device characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein when the parent-child determination means (42) determines the parent unit, the control unit (11, 11,...) Transmits a parent declaration signal to the transmission line (20). Means to output parent (43)
When the parent declaration signal is received from another control unit (11, 11,...) And the unit number of the other control unit (11, 11,...) Is large, the parent unit determined by the parent-child determination means (42) And a decision changing means (44) for changing the parameter to a child unit. 7. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (11, 11,...) Includes state determination means (45) for determining whether the polarity of the transmission line (20) is indeterminate. A resuming means (46) for resuming the operation of the number output means (41) and the parent / child determining means (42) so as to perform the parent / child determining operation when the means (45) determines the indefinite polarity is provided. Transmission device. 8. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (11, 11,...) Has the polarity selection means (60) so that the initial operating point of the polarity selection means (60) has a predetermined voltage value. A transmission device characterized in that an initial setting means (47) for applying a set voltage to the means (60) is provided. 9. The transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (11, 11,...) Controls an air-conditioning operation.