JP2000146266A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set a proper address for communication at all times to an indoor machine without work burden at installation increasing, and without causing forgetting of setting or erroneous setting, and further without causing double setting, either. SOLUTION: A refrigerant is supplied from an outdoor machine 1 to indoor machines 2, 3, and 4 and each indoor machine 2, 3, and 4 detects the supply of the refrigerant, and during its detection, it informs the outdoor machine of that effect, and the outdoor machine 1 sets the address for communication of a corresponding indoor machine, answering the information, and informs the corresponding indoor machine of the set address for communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a multi-type air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected by a refrigerant pipe as heat transfer means, and a room is air-conditioned by circulating a heat transfer medium, that is, a refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe. . For example, there are those disclosed in JP-A-6-74539 and JP-A-9-257295.

In such a multi-type air conditioner, a communication address is set in each of the outdoor unit and each indoor unit in order to appropriately transmit and receive data between the outdoor unit and each indoor unit. The communication address is manually set by a worker, and a DIP switch for the setting is provided in the control unit of the outdoor unit and each indoor unit.

[0004] Further, there is a method in which a manufacturing number of an indoor unit is registered in a memory in advance, and is automatically set as a communication address when an indoor unit is added.

[0005] There is a type which includes a numerical value generator for randomly generating a numerical value, generates a numerical value from the numerical value generator when an indoor unit is added or the like, and sends it to the indoor unit as a communication address. If the values overlap, this setting is repeated.

[0006]

In the case where the communication address is manually set by the operator, there are problems that the work load at the time of installation increases, that setting is easily forgotten, and that incorrect setting is likely to occur. Forgotten settings or incorrect settings can cause a lot of trouble and time for subsequent maintenance services.

[0007] In the case of automatically setting a serial number or the like registered in advance as a communication address, the same communication address may be repeatedly set in a plurality of indoor units.

In the case of setting a communication address using a numerical value generator, it takes a long time to repeat the setting to avoid duplication.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
Its purpose is to avoid the burden of installation work increasing, and to avoid setting mistakes and incorrect settings.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can automatically set an appropriate communication address for an indoor unit without causing duplicate settings.

[0010]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention connects a plurality of indoor units to an outdoor unit and air-conditions the room by circulation of a heat transfer medium. A control means provided to supply the heat transfer medium to each indoor unit, a detection means provided to each indoor unit to detect the supply of the heat transfer medium by the control means, and the detection means provided to each indoor unit to be provided with heat. A notification unit that notifies the outdoor unit when the supply of the transport medium is detected, and a communication address of the corresponding indoor unit that is provided in the outdoor unit in response to the notification of each of the above-described notification units and sets the communication address. Address management means for notifying the corresponding indoor unit of the service address.

An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention connects a plurality of indoor units to a single or a plurality of outdoor units via a branch unit, and air-conditions the room by circulating a heat transfer medium. Control means provided in the branching unit to supply the heat transfer medium to each indoor unit, detection means provided in each indoor unit to detect the supply of the heat transfer medium by the control means, and detection means provided to each indoor unit When the means detects the supply of the heat transfer medium, a notifying means for notifying the branch unit of the detection is provided, and a communication address of the corresponding indoor unit is set in response to the notification of each of the notifying means provided in the branch unit. Address management means for notifying the corresponding indoor unit of the set address.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one or more outdoor units via a branch unit, and a plurality of such connection systems are provided. Control means for centrally controlling the operation while air-conditioning the control means provided in the central control unit to supply the heat transfer medium to each indoor unit, and the control means provided in each indoor unit Detecting means for detecting the supply of the heat transfer medium by the control means,
A notifying means provided in each indoor unit for notifying the central control unit when the respective detecting means detects the supply of the heat transfer medium, and responding to the notification of each notifying means provided in the central control unit. Address management means for setting a communication address of the indoor unit to be set and informing the corresponding indoor unit of the set address.

An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect, further comprising a central control unit,
A communication line for data transmission commonly connected between the branch units and the indoor units is provided.

The air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect, further comprising a data transmission / reception communication line connected between the central control unit and each branch unit; And a communication line for data transmission / reception connected between each of the indoor units.

The air conditioner of the invention according to claim 6 is the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the control means is arranged such that when the power is turned on or the indoor unit is added, The start instruction of the address setting is sent to the indoor unit, and the heat transfer medium is supplied to the indoor unit which has returned the instruction of not setting the address in response to the start instruction.

An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, further comprising: The indoor unit is provided with control means for confirming whether or not a communication address has been set, and transmitting a command for not setting the address when there is no communication address.

An air conditioner according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, wherein the detecting means detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger or its surroundings. .

The air conditioner according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, wherein the detecting means detects the pressure of the heat transfer medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, the detecting means detects vibration caused by the flow of the heat transfer medium.

[0020]

[1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerant pipe 2a, 3a, 4a and a communication line 2 for data transmission, in which a plurality of indoor units 2, 3, 4 are heat transfer means, respectively, are connected to an outdoor unit 1.
b, 3b, and 4b. By circulating the refrigerant as the heat transfer medium through the refrigerant pipes 2a, 3a, 4a, the room in which each indoor unit is installed is air-conditioned.

The outdoor unit 1 includes a control unit 12, a communication circuit 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a compressor 14 as main components.
Is provided.

The control unit 12 controls the outdoor unit 1 and each indoor unit collectively. The communication circuit 12 transmits and receives data to and from each indoor unit via the communication lines 2b, 3b, and 4b.
The outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the compressor 14 constitute a refrigeration cycle together with the indoor heat exchangers of each indoor unit.

The indoor units 2, 3, and 4 include control units 21, 31, and 41 and communication circuits 22, 32, and 4 as main components.
2, indoor heat exchangers 23, 33, 43, heat exchanger temperature sensors (for example, thermistors) 24, 34, 44, memory 2
5, 35 and 45 are provided.

The control units 21, 31, 41 control the individual indoor units. The communication circuits 22, 32, and 42 perform data transmission and reception with the outdoor unit 1 via communication lines 2b, 3b, and 4b. The heat exchanger temperature sensors 24, 34, 44 detect the temperatures of the indoor heat exchangers 23, 33, 43, respectively, and function as detecting means for the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 1. The memories 25, 35, and 45 are for registering communication addresses set in the outdoor unit 1.

The control unit 11 of the outdoor unit 1 has the following main functions (1) to (4).

(1) When the power is turned on (or when an indoor unit is added), a start command for address setting is sent to each indoor unit, and the indoor unit which has returned an unset address command in response to the start command is sent to the indoor unit. Control means for causing the supply.

(2) When a refrigerant supply detection command is received from the indoor unit to which the refrigerant is supplied, an unused communication address is set for the indoor unit, and the set communication address corresponds to the unused communication address. Address management means for notifying the indoor unit and registering it in the internal memory.

(3) Communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from each indoor unit based on the communication address registered in the internal memory.

(4) Holding means for, when data transmission / reception based on the communication address becomes impossible, holding the corresponding communication address as an unused communication address in a state where it can be reused in the internal memory.

The control units 21, 31, 41 of each indoor unit
Has the following main functions (11) to (15).

(11) When an address setting start command is received from the outdoor unit 1, it is determined whether or not a communication address has already been set for the indoor unit (the communication address is registered in the memories 25, 35, and 45). Control means for confirming whether or not the address has been set, and sending an unset address command to the outdoor unit 1 if no setting has been made.

(12) After sending the command of not setting the address,
The supply of the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 is performed by the heat exchanger temperature sensors 24 and 3.
Detection means for detecting based on the detected temperatures of 4,44.

(13) Notifying means for notifying the outdoor unit 1 of a command (detection command) to the effect that the detection means has detected the supply of refrigerant.

(14) Registration means for registering the communication address notified from the outdoor unit 1 in the memories 25, 35, and 45.

(15) Communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outdoor unit 1 based on communication addresses in the memories 25, 35 and 45.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on, the outdoor unit 1 to the indoor units 2, 3,
4, a start command for address setting is broadcasted.

Each of the indoor units receives the start command of the address setting to determine whether or not the communication address has already been set in the indoor unit (whether or not the communication address has been registered in the memories 25, 35, and 45). Is confirmed.
In the case where there is no setting, a command of not setting an address is sent from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit 1.

When a command with no address is sent, refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit 1 to the indoor unit that issued the command. For example, when a command to set an address is issued from the indoor unit 2, a control valve (not shown) for the refrigerant pipe 2 a is opened, and the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit 2.

When the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit 2, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 23 changes, and this changes with the heat exchanger temperature sensor 24.
It is detected by. When a temperature change of a predetermined value or more, for example, 10 ° C. or more is detected within a predetermined time from the generation of the address unset command, under the judgment that the refrigerant supply has been detected,
A detection command is sent to the outdoor unit 1.

In the outdoor unit 1, when receiving the detection command,
An unused communication address is set for the indoor unit 2. That is, an unused one is selected and set from a large number of address candidates registered in the internal memory in advance. Then, the data of the set communication address (and the communication address of the outdoor unit 1) is sent to the indoor unit 2 and registered in the internal memory of the control unit 11.

In the internal memory, the communication address of the outdoor unit 1 itself is registered in advance as its own address, and in addition to this, the communication address of the indoor unit set above is newly registered as the partner address. . For example,
A partner address 102 is newly registered in addition to the self address 100.

In the indoor unit 2, the data of the communication address is received and registered in the memory 25. That is,
The communication address 102 set for itself is registered as a self-address, and the communication address 100 of the outdoor unit 1 sent together is registered as a partner address. After registration, a completion confirmation signal indicating that the setting of the communication address is completed is sent to the outdoor unit 1.

The outdoor unit 1 receives the completion confirmation signal,
After that, until there is no reception of a command with no address set,
Address setting for an unset indoor unit is repeated.

In this way, for the indoor unit whose address is not set, proper communication is performed without increasing the work load at the time of installation, without forgetting or erroneous setting, and without causing duplicate setting. Address can be automatically assigned. Then, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2, 3, 4 are mutually identified based on the allocated communication address, and appropriate communication can be performed.

When the outdoor unit 1 or any of the indoor units 2, 3, and 4 is removed for repair or the like, data transmission / reception based on the communication address becomes impossible. In this case, the communication address for which data transmission / reception cannot be performed is held in a state where it can be reused as an unused communication address. In the reconnection after the repair, the held communication address is reset.

For example, when the indoor unit 2 is removed, data transmission / reception based on the communication address 102 becomes impossible. In this case, the communication address 102 is held in a reusable state as an unused communication address. When the indoor unit 2 is reconnected, the held communication address 102
Is reset for the indoor unit 2.

That is, the communication address 102 does not become a missing number, and a series of communication addresses can be assigned to the indoor units 2, 3, and 4 without omission. This complete assignment facilitates communication control.

In the above embodiment, the supply of the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 to each indoor unit is detected by detecting the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. However, the configuration may be such that the temperature of the refrigerant pipe is detected and detected. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe is captured and detected by a pressure sensor. Alternatively, the vibration caused by the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe may be captured and detected by a vibration sensor.

Although the case where the heat transfer means is a refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer medium is a refrigerant has been described, the same applies when the heat transfer means is a hot water supply pipe or an air duct and the heat transfer medium is water or air. Can be implemented.

[2] The second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of outdoor units 101,
102 is a refrigerant pipe 101a which is a heat transfer means,
102a and communication lines 101b and 102 for data transmission
It is connected to the branch unit 103 via b. further,
A plurality of indoor units 104, 105, 1
Reference numerals 06, 107 and 108 denote refrigerant pipes 104a, 105a, 106a, 107a and 108, respectively, which are heat transfer means.
a and communication lines 104b, 105b, 1 for data transmission
06b, 107b and 108b. The refrigerant as the heat transfer medium is supplied to each refrigerant pipe and branch unit 10.
By circulating through 3, the room in which each indoor unit is installed is air-conditioned.

The outdoor units 101 and 102 include, as main components, control units 101c and 102c and a communication circuit 101.
d, 102d, outdoor heat exchangers 101e, 102e, and compressors 101f, 102f.

The control units 101c and 102c control the outdoor units 101 and 102. Communication circuits 101d, 102
d is a communication line 1 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the branch unit 103
01b and 102b. Outdoor heat exchanger 101
e and 102e and the compressors 101f and 102f constitute a refrigeration cycle via the branch unit 103 together with the indoor heat exchangers of the respective indoor units.

The branching unit 103 includes, as main components, a control unit 103c, a communication circuit 103d, and a control valve system 103e.

The control unit 103c includes a control valve system 103
The distribution control of refrigerant between each outdoor unit and each indoor unit is performed using e. The communication circuit 103d transmits and receives data to and from each outdoor unit and each indoor unit via each communication line. The control valve system 103e includes a plurality of valves for controlling the branch of the refrigerant.

The indoor units 104 to 108 include, as main components, control units 104c, 105c, 106c, and 107.
c, 108c, communication circuits 104d, 105d, 106
d, 107d, 108d, indoor heat exchangers 104e, 10
5e, 106e, 107e, 108e, heat exchanger temperature sensors (for example, thermistors) 104f, 105f, 106
f, 107f, 108f, memories 104g, 105g,
106g, 107g, and 108g are provided.

The control units 104c to 108c perform control relating to individual indoor units. Communication circuits 104d to 108d
Transmits and receives data to and from the branch unit 103 via each communication line. Heat exchanger temperature sensors 104f to 108f
Detects the temperatures of the indoor heat exchangers 104e to 108e, and functions as a detection unit for the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor units 101 and 102. Memory 104g-1
08g is for registering a communication address set by the branch unit 103.

The control unit 10 of the branch unit 103
3c has the following main functions (21) to (24).

(21) When the power is turned on (or when an indoor unit is added), a start command for address setting is sent to each indoor unit, and a refrigerant for which an address has not been set is returned in response to the start command. Control means for causing the supply.

(22) When a refrigerant supply detection command is received from the indoor unit to which the refrigerant is supplied, an unused communication address is set for the indoor unit, and the set communication address corresponds to the unused communication address. Address management means for notifying the indoor unit and registering it in the internal memory.

(23) Communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from each indoor unit based on the communication address registered in the internal memory.

(24) Holding means for, when data transmission / reception based on the communication address becomes impossible, holding the corresponding communication address as an unused communication address in a state where it can be reused in the internal memory.

The control units 104c to 108 of each indoor unit
c has the following main functions (31) to (35).

(31) When an instruction to start address setting is received from the branch unit 103, it is determined whether or not a communication address has already been set in the indoor unit (memory 104g to memory 104g).
Control means for confirming whether or not a communication address is registered in 108g) and sending an unset address command to the branch unit 103 when no setting is made.

(32) After sending the command of not setting the address,
Detection means for detecting the supply of the refrigerant from the branch unit 103 based on the detection temperatures of the heat exchanger temperature sensors 104f to 108f.

(33) Informing means for informing the branch unit 103 of a command (detection command) to the effect that the detection means has detected the supply of refrigerant.

(34) Registration means for registering the communication address notified from the branch unit 103 in the memories 104g to 108g.

(35) Communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the branch unit 103 based on communication addresses in the memories 104g to 108g.

In general, communication between the outdoor units 101 and 102 and the branch unit 103 does not require communication using a communication address because the number of communication targets is small. In contrast, the branch unit 103 and the indoor unit 10
Regarding the communication between 4 and 108, since the number of communication targets is large, communication using a communication address is performed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, the branch unit 103 broadcasts an address setting start command to the indoor units 104 to 108.

In each indoor unit, upon receiving an address setting start command, whether or not a communication address has already been set in the indoor unit (whether or not a communication address has been registered in the memories 104g to 108g) Is confirmed. If no setting is made, an unaddressed command is sent from the indoor unit to the branch unit 103.

When a command for which an address has not been set is sent, refrigerant is supplied from the branch unit 103 to the indoor unit that issued the command. For example, if the indoor unit 105 issues a command for not setting an address, the refrigerant pipe 105a is opened by the control valve system 103e, and the indoor unit 105 is opened.
The refrigerant flows through.

When the refrigerant flows into the indoor unit 105, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 105e changes, and this is detected by the heat exchanger temperature sensor 105f. If a temperature change of a predetermined value or more, for example, 10 ° C. or more is detected within a certain period of time after the generation of the command for which the address is not set, a detection command is sent to the branch unit 103 based on the judgment that the supply of the refrigerant has been detected. Can be

When the branch unit 103 receives the detection command, an unused communication address is set for the indoor unit 105. That is, an unused one is selected and set from a large number of address candidates registered in the internal memory in advance. Then, the data of the set communication address (and the communication address of the outdoor unit 1) is sent to the indoor unit 105 and registered in the internal memory of the control unit 103c.

In the internal memory, the communication address of the branch unit 103 itself is registered in advance as its own address. In addition, the communication address of the indoor unit set above is newly registered as the partner address. .

The indoor unit 105 receives the communication address data and registers it in the memory 105g. That is, the communication address set for itself is registered as the self address, and the communication address of the branch unit 103 sent together is registered as the partner address. After the registration, a completion confirmation signal indicating that the setting of the communication address is completed is sent to the branch unit 103.

The branch unit 103 receives the completion confirmation signal, and thereafter repeats the address setting for the unset indoor unit until the reception of the command for which the address is not set stops.

In this way, an appropriate communication address can be automatically assigned to an indoor unit for which an address has not been set, without forgetting to set or erroneous setting, and without causing duplicate setting. The branch unit 103 and the indoor unit 104 are assigned according to the assigned communication address.
108 can be identified and appropriate communication can be performed.

Incidentally, the outdoor units 101 and 10 are used for repair or the like.
2 or any of the indoor units 104 to 108 is removed, data transmission / reception based on the communication address becomes impossible. In this case, the communication address for which data transmission / reception cannot be performed is held in a state where it can be reused as an unused communication address. In the reconnection after the repair, the held communication address is reset.

For example, when the indoor unit 105 is removed, data transmission / reception based on the communication address set for the indoor unit 105 becomes impossible. in this case,
The communication address is held in a state where it can be reused as an unused communication address. When the indoor unit 105 is reconnected, the communication address is reset for the indoor unit 2.

That is, the communication address set for the indoor units 105 does not become a missing number, and the indoor units 104 to
8, a series of communication addresses can be assigned without omission. This complete assignment facilitates communication control.

In the above embodiment, the branch unit 10
Although the supply of the refrigerant from 3 to each indoor unit is detected by capturing the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, the configuration may be such that the temperature of the refrigerant pipe is captured and detected. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe is captured and detected by a pressure sensor. Alternatively, the vibration caused by the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe may be captured and detected by a vibration sensor.

Although the case where the heat transfer means is a refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer medium is a refrigerant has been described, the same applies to the case where the heat transfer means is a hot water supply pipe or an air duct and the heat transfer medium is water or air. Can be implemented.

[3] The third embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outdoor unit 1 of the second embodiment
01, 102, branching unit 103, indoor units 104-1
08, and similar outdoor units 109 and 11
0, a branch unit 111, and another set of connection systems for the indoor units 112 to 116 are provided.

Further, a centralized control unit 117 is provided.
3,111, each indoor unit 104-108, 112-116
Are commonly connected by a data transmission communication line 117a.

The central control unit 117 includes a control unit 117
b, and centrally controls the operation of the apparatus through the branch units 103 and 111.

Central control unit 117 and branch unit 1
Communication with the communication devices 03 and 111 is performed based on communication addresses registered in advance as default values. Then, by the address management means provided in the centralized control unit 117, the indoor units 104-1
Among 08, 112 to 116, the communication address is automatically set for the indoor unit for which the address is not set. In this case, communication addresses in a form of grouping are set for each of the branch units 103 and 111.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the above embodiments.

In particular, by employing the centralized control unit 117, the operation of a large number of indoor units, branch units, and outdoor units can be centrally controlled. For each indoor unit, the central control unit 1
17 can be directly controlled, and control can be performed quickly and efficiently.

In addition, a communication line 117 is connected between the central control unit 117, a number of indoor units, branch units, and outdoor units.
Since the configuration is simple and the connection is common at a, the workability at the time of installation is improved, and erroneous wiring can be prevented.

[4] A fourth embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the central control unit 11
7 and the branch units 103 and 111 are connected by a communication line 117c for data transmission.

The branch units 103 and 111 and the indoor unit 10
4 to 108 and 112 to 116 are connected by separate communication lines for each branch unit.

The central control unit 117 includes the indoor unit 104
To 108, 112 to 116, automatic setting of a communication address for an indoor unit for which an address is not set is performed via the branch units 103 and 111, and based on the set communication address and via the branch units 103 and 111. To control the indoor units 104 to 108 and 112 to 116.

The other structure and operation are the same as in the third embodiment.

Particularly, in the fourth embodiment, a communication system (communication line 117c) between the central control unit 117 and the branch units 103 and 111, a communication system between the branch unit 103 and the indoor units 104 to 108, In addition, since the communication systems between the branch unit 111 and the indoor units 112 to 116 exist independently of each other, smooth communication without congestion can be performed even in a situation where a large amount of data is exchanged with the enlargement of the system. Can be.

Further, the branch unit 103 and the indoor unit 1
04-108, and branch unit 1
11 and the indoor units 112 to 116 are independent of each other, the communication address set for the indoor units 104 to 108 and the communication address set for the indoor units 112 to 116 overlap. Also, no trouble occurs in data transmission / reception. In other words, because duplicate settings are possible,
The number of communication addresses prepared in advance can be reduced, and the data amount (number of digits, etc.) of the communication address itself can be reduced. If the amount of data is reduced, effects such as an improvement in communication speed can be obtained.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, a heat transfer medium is supplied to each indoor unit, and each indoor unit detects the supply of the heat transfer medium, and notifies the fact at the time of the detection. The communication address of the corresponding indoor unit is set in response to the notification, and the set communication address is notified to the corresponding indoor unit. It is possible to provide an air conditioner that can automatically set an appropriate communication address for an indoor unit without causing erroneous settings and without causing duplicate settings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outdoor unit 2,3,4 ... Indoor unit 2a, 3a, 4a ... Refrigerant piping 2b, 3b, 4b ... Communication line 11,21,31,41 ... Control part

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner that connects a plurality of indoor units to an outdoor unit and air-conditions the room by circulating a heat transfer medium, wherein the air conditioner is provided in the outdoor unit and controls each indoor unit to supply the heat transfer medium. Means, provided in each of the indoor units, detecting means for detecting the supply of the heat transfer medium by the control means, and provided in each of the indoor units, when each of the detection means detects the supply of the heat transfer medium Notification means for notifying the outdoor unit of the fact; and a communication address of the corresponding indoor unit provided in the outdoor unit and responding to the notification of each of the notification means, and the set communication address corresponds to the notification. An air conditioner comprising: an address management means for notifying an indoor unit that performs the operation. 2. An air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to a single or a plurality of outdoor units via a branching unit and air is conditioned in the room by circulation of a heat transfer medium, wherein the air conditioner is provided in the branching unit and each of the indoors is provided. Control means for supplying a heat transfer medium to the indoor unit; detection means provided in each of the indoor units for detecting supply of the heat transfer medium by the control means; provided to each of the indoor units; Notifying means for notifying the branch unit when the supply of the transport medium is detected, and provided in the branch unit, and setting the communication address of the corresponding indoor unit in response to the notification of each of the notifying means, Address management means for notifying the corresponding indoor unit of the set address. An air conditioner comprising: 3. A plurality of indoor units are connected to one or a plurality of outdoor units via a branching unit, and a plurality of such connection systems are provided to air-condition the room by circulation of a heat transfer medium and to centrally control the operation. An air conditioner provided with a centralized control unit for controlling the heat transfer medium provided in the centralized control unit to supply a heat transfer medium to each of the indoor units; Detecting means for detecting the supply of a medium; a notifying means provided in each of the indoor units, for notifying the central control unit of the detection of the supply of the heat transfer medium when each of the detecting means detects the supply, and the centralized control unit. An address for setting a communication address of a corresponding indoor unit in response to the notification of each of the notification units, and notifying the corresponding indoor unit of the set address. An air conditioner characterized by comprising a physical means. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a communication line for data transmission commonly connected between the central control unit, the branch units, and the indoor units. An air conditioner characterized by the following. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein a communication line for data transmission / reception connected between the centralized control unit and each of the branch units; and each of the branch units and each of the indoor units. An air conditioner further comprising: a data transmission / reception communication line connected between the two. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit issues a command to start address setting to each indoor unit when power is turned on or when an indoor unit is added. An air conditioner characterized in that an air conditioner is supplied to an indoor unit which has returned a command with no address set in response to the start command. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is provided in the indoor unit and communicates with the indoor unit when receiving an address setting start command. An air conditioner further comprising control means for checking whether or not an address has been set, and sending a command for not setting an address when the address has not been set. 8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a temperature of an indoor heat exchanger or a temperature around the indoor heat exchanger. Harmony machine. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a pressure of a heat transfer medium. 10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects vibration caused by a flow of a heat transfer medium. .