Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system is provided. The air conditioning system may include at least one air handler that conditions indoor air; an interface that controls the at least one air handler; and a central controller that includes at least one input/output device having an input/output port through which an electric signal is input and output between a plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler; and a controller that communicates with the interface to control the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler. The interface may be configured based on a configuration of the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler recognized through the at least one input/output device, and the interface may be reconfigured in accordance with a change in the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioning system, comprising:
 at least one air handler that conditions indoor air;   an interface that controls the at least one air handler; and   a central controller that includes:
 at least one input/output device having at least one input/output port through which an electric signal is input and output between a plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler; and 
 a controller that communicates with the interface to control the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler, wherein the interface is configured based on a configuration of the plurality of devices forming the air handler recognized through the at least one input/output device, and wherein the interface is reconfigured in accordance with a change in the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler. 
   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface generates a control menu for an added device when a device is added to the at least one air handler. 
     
     
         3 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface inactivates or removes a control menu for a removed device when a device is removed from the at least one air handler. 
     
     
         4 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface displays a drive state of the at least one air handler in accordance with a signal value which is input through the at least one input/output device. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one input/output comprises a plurality of input/output devices, and wherein the plurality of input/output devices communicates with the controller through serial communication. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein an analog signal is input/output through the input/output port. 
     
     
         7 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein a digital signal is input/output through the input/output port. 
     
     
         8 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler includes a fan motor, and a driver that drives the fan motor in accordance with a control signal which is applied from the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is provided at a location spaced apart from the at least one air handler. 
     
     
         10 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is movable. 
     
     
         11 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a storage that stores information on the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler, and wherein when a new device is added to the at least one air handler, the interface obtains information on the added device from the storage and reconfigures the interface in accordance with the obtained information. 
     
     
         12 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a fan motor, a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, a differential pressure sensor, a different pressure switch, a valve, a damper, a smoke sensing sensor, or a heater. 
     
     
         13 . The air conditioner system of  claim 1 , further including at least one outdoor device in communication with the at least one air handler, the interface, and the central controller. 
     
     
         14 . The air conditioner system of  claim 13 , further comprising an outdoor device controller in communication with at least one outdoor device, the interface, and the central controller. 
     
     
         15 . The air conditioner system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is integral with the central controller. 
     
     
         16 . A control system for an air conditioning system, the control system comprising:
 an interface configured to control at least one air handler that conditions indoor air; and   a central controller that includes:
 at least one input/output device having at least one input/output port configured to input and output an electric signal to and from a plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler; and 
 a controller that communicates with the interface and is configured to control the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler, wherein the interface is configured based on a configuration of the plurality of devices forming the air handler recognized through the at least one input/output device, and wherein the interface is reconfigured in accordance with a change in the plurality of devices forming the at least one air handler. 
   
     
     
         17 . The control system of  claim 16 , wherein the interface generates a control menu for an added device when a device is added to the at least one air handler. 
     
     
         18 . The control system of  claim 16 , wherein the interface inactivates or removes a control menu for a removed device when a device is removed from the at least one air handler. 
     
     
         19 . The control system of  claim 16 , wherein the interface displays a drive state of the at least one air handler in accordance with a signal value which is input through the at least one input/output device. 
     
     
         20 . The control system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one input/output comprises a plurality of input/output devices, and wherein the plurality of input/output devices communicates with the controller through serial communication.