Fee calculation system and fee calculation method

Abstract

This cost calculation system is provided with a calculation device for calculating the use cost of an air compressor, and the calculation device acquires environmental information, which is information regarding the installation environment of the air compressor, calculates the replacement cycle of components constituting the air compressor on the basis of the acquired environmental information, and calculates the use cost of the air compressor on the basis of the calculated replacement cycle. And calculating the use cost of the air compressor, and outputting the calculated use cost of the air compressor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cost calculation system and a cost calculation method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, air compressors that generate compressed air are known. Patent Document 1 describes a compressed air supply system that includes a sensor for detecting pressure in a flow path of an air compressor and calculates a usage fee for the compressed air based on the detected pressure.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-84540 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] According to the compressed air supply system of the prior art, when renting or leasing an air compressor, the replacement cycle of the components is proposed under the assumption that the components are used with the highest intensity and wear. Therefore, there is a problem that even for components that can be used for a longer period of time due to the use environment, it is recommended to replace them early, and a large amount of waste is discharged.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a cost calculation system and a cost calculation method that can suppress the discharge of waste by avoiding unnecessary parts replacement.

[0009] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0010] A cost calculation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a cost calculation system having a calculation device for calculating the usage cost of an air compressor, wherein the calculation device obtains environmental information as information about the setting environment of the air compressor, calculates the replacement cycle of components constituting the air compressor based on the obtained environmental information, calculates the usage cost of the air compressor based on the calculated replacement cycle, and outputs the calculated usage cost of the air compressor.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, discharge of waste can be suppressed by avoiding unnecessary replacement of parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining the method of using the fee calculation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware structure of the server.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a server.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an air compressor.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the amount of dust in the surrounding environment and the clogging state of the suction filter.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the operating state of the air compressor and the amount of dust accumulated in the suction filter for one day.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing a display example of the usage fee of the previous day on the display unit.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a control process executed by a control unit of the air compressor.

[0021] Fig. 9 It is a flowchart of the control process executed by the computing device of the server.

[0022] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining a method of using the fee calculation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.11 This is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between filter pressure loss and filter clogging. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] <First embodiment>

[0025] refer to Figures 1 to 9 , a fee calculation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0026] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining the method of using the fee calculation system of the first embodiment of the present invention. A compressor supply operator 1 provides an air compressor 10 to a compressed air user 2, and collects a compressor usage fee for a predetermined period (e.g., every day) as a reward. The compressed air user 2 obtains compressed air by operating the air compressor 10 provided by the compressor supply operator 1 using the power supplied by the power supply operator 3. The power supply operator 3 provides the compressed air user 2 with the power required for the operation of the air compressor 10, and collects an electricity fee corresponding to the amount of power as a reward.

[0027] The compressor supply operator 1 has a server 20 that functions as a fee calculation system. The air compressor 10 and the server 20 are connected to each other via a network 30. As described later, a sensor for determining whether the installation environment is good is provided in the air compressor 10. The air compressor 10 sends information about the installation environment detected by the sensor to the server 20 via the network 30. The server 20 calculates a deduction fee corresponding to the usage fee of the air compressor 10 based on the information about the installation environment received from the air compressor 10. The compressor supply operator 1 requires the compressed air user 2 to pay the usage fee calculated by the server 20 after deducting the deduction fee. The server 20 sends information about the usage fee to which the deduction fee has been applied to the air compressor 10 via the network 30. The air compressor 10 displays the usage fee on a display mounted on itself.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware structure of the server 20. The server 20 has a computing device 21. The computing device 21 is composed of a computer having a processing device 22 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a non-volatile memory 23 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk drive, a volatile memory 24 called a so-called RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface 25, and other peripheral circuits. These hardwares work together to run the software and realize various functions. In addition, the computing device 21 can be composed of one computer or a plurality of computers. In addition, as the processing device 22, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. can be used.

[0029] In the nonvolatile memory 23, programs capable of executing various operations are stored. That is, the nonvolatile memory 23 is a storage medium (storage device) that can read the program that realizes the functions of this embodiment. The volatile memory 24 is a storage medium (storage device) that temporarily stores the operation results obtained by the processing device 22 and the signals input from the input / output interface 25. The processing device 22 is a device that deploys the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 23 to the volatile memory 24 and executes the operation, and performs the prescribed operation processing on the data imported from the input / output interface 25, the nonvolatile memory 23 and the volatile memory 24 according to the program.

[0030] The input unit of the input / output interface 25 converts a signal input from the network 30 into data that can be operated by the processing device 22. The output unit of the input / output interface 25 generates an output signal according to the operation result of the processing device 22 and outputs the signal to the network 30.

[0031] Figure 3 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the server 20. The server 20 includes an information acquisition unit 26, a replacement cycle calculation unit 27, a usage fee calculation unit 28, and a usage fee output unit 29. The information acquisition unit 26 acquires information about the installation environment of the air compressor 10, that is, environmental information, from the air compressor 10. The replacement cycle calculation unit 27 calculates the replacement cycle of the components constituting the air compressor 10 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 26. The usage fee calculation unit 28 calculates the usage fee of the air compressor 10 based on the replacement cycle calculated by the replacement cycle calculation unit 27. The usage fee output unit 29 outputs the usage fee of the air compressor 10 calculated by the usage fee calculation unit 28 to the air compressor 10.

[0032] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the air compressor 10. The air compressor 10 is a so-called liquid-cooled air compressor. The air compressor 10 has an intake filter 41, an intake throttle valve 42, a compressor body 43, an oil container 44, a pressure regulating check valve 45, a temperature regulating valve 46, a coolant cooler 47, an aftercooler 48, a cooling fan 49, a coolant filter 50, a dust sensor 51, a temperature sensor 52, a humidity sensor 53, a discharge pressure sensor 54, a control unit 55, a communication unit 56, and a display unit 57. An air intake port 58, an air discharge port 59, and an exhaust port 61 are provided on the housing 40 of the air compressor 10. The control unit 55 is composed of a computer having a processing device and a storage device, etc., similarly to the server 20.

[0033] The suction filter 41 is a filter for preventing dust from flowing into the compressor body 43. The suction filter 41 is provided on the upstream side of the air inlet 43a of the compressor body 43. The suction throttle valve 42 is a throttle valve for adjusting the flow rate of air flowing into the compressor body 43 through the suction filter 41. The compressor body 43 is, for example, an electrically driven compressor (compression unit) for compressing air, and is the central part of the air compressor 10.

[0034] The compressor body 43 cools the compressed air by transferring heat generated when compressing the air to a cooling liquid (for example, oil). The compressed air and the cooling liquid are sent from the compressor body 43 to an oil tank 44 .

[0035] The oil container 44 separates the compressed air from the coolant and accumulates the coolant. The separated coolant is cooled by the coolant cooler 47. In addition, the coolant is adjusted by the thermostat 46 so as not to be overcooled. The cooled coolant is supplied to the compressor body 43 again through the coolant filter 50. The coolant filter 50 is a filter for removing sludge and the like contained in the coolant for cooling the compressed air.

[0036] The compressed air separated from the coolant in the oil container 44 passes through the pressure regulating check valve 45 and is guided to the aftercooler 48. The aftercooler 48 further cools the compressed air as necessary. The compressed air cooled by the aftercooler 48 is discharged to the demand side from the discharge port 61 provided on the housing 40 of the air compressor 10.

[0037] The cooling fan 49 is an air cooling fan for cooling the coolant cooler 47 and the aftercooler 48. The cooling fan 49 cools the coolant cooler 47 and the aftercooler 48 by blowing air sucked from the air intake port 58 to the coolant cooler 47 and the aftercooler 48. The cooling fan 49 discharges the air containing the exhaust heat of the coolant cooler 47 and the aftercooler 48 to the outside of the housing 40 from the air outlet port 59.

[0038] The discharge pressure sensor 54 measures the pressure of the compressed air discharged to the demand side. The discharge pressure sensor 54 is provided near the discharge port 61. The control unit 55 controls the start and stop of the compressor body 43 or controls the load of the compressor body 43 based on the value of the pressure measured by the discharge pressure sensor 54. The dust sensor 51, the temperature sensor 52 and the humidity sensor 53 are provided near the air inlet 58 and the suction filter 41, and respectively measure the dust amount (dust concentration), temperature and humidity of the installation environment of the air compressor 10.

[0039] The deterioration of the suction filter 41 and the coolant filter 50 progresses when the air compressor 10 is in operation. These components are usually replaced according to the replacement cycle under the worst conditions assumed for the installation environment and operating state of the air compressor 10. However, not all air compressors 10 are used under such harsh conditions. Therefore, the server 20 of this embodiment determines whether the installation environment of each air compressor 10 is good and what the operating load is, and studies the component replacement cycle.

[0040] In this embodiment, environmental information is calculated for each certain period. The environmental information includes a value indicating the amount of dust in each filter and the operating time for calculating the amount of dust. The environmental information also includes the measurement values ​​of the dust sensor 51, the temperature sensor 52, and the humidity sensor 53 obtained in each certain period. The control unit 55 sends (outputs) environmental information to the server 20 from the communication unit 56. The server 20 receives the environmental information from the air compressor 10, and calculates the component replacement cycle for each component based on the received environmental information. The server 20 calculates the fee deducted from the fixed fee and the usage fee after the deduction (the fee actually required to be paid by the user) based on the calculated replacement cycle of each component.

[0041] The environmental information is described below. The control unit 55 calculates the load factor of the compressor body 43. The load factor can be calculated using the following formula (1) based on the value measured by the discharge pressure sensor 54 and the start-stop operation status. Here, Lr is the load factor of the compressor body 43, T1 is the time of loaded operation in which air is compressed and discharged, and T2 is the time of unloaded operation in which compressed air is not discharged.

[0042] [Formula 1]

[0043] …… (1)

[0044] The control unit 55 compares the pressure measured by the discharge pressure sensor 54 with the threshold value of the control pressure pre-set by the compressed air user 2, and determines whether the current operation is in loading operation or unloading operation. For example, when the rotation speed of the compressor body 43 is variable and the rotation speed is controlled by the control unit 55, the control unit 55 controls the rotation speed so that the pressure measured by the discharge pressure sensor 54 is constant. In this case, the control unit 55 calculates the load factor based on the information of the rotation speed after the control.

[0045] Figure 5 4 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the amount of dust in the surrounding environment and the clogging state of the suction filter 41. Hereinafter, the suction filter 41 will be described as an example.

[0046] Generally, a recommended dust amount is set for the filter to be replaced. When the dust amount exceeds the specified value, the filter becomes clogged and the specified amount of air can no longer be sucked in. The amount of dust accumulated in the filter of the air compressor 10 is calculated using the following formula (2). Here, E is the accumulated dust amount [g], and Q is the amount of air sucked in when the compressor body 43 is running at a load factor of 100% [m 3 / min], Lr is the load factor of the compressor body 43 calculated by equation (1), and F is the dust concentration of the installation environment measured by the dust sensor [g / m 3 ], t is the running time [minutes].

[0047] [Formula 2]

[0048] …… (2)

[0049] The more dust there is in the setting environment, the shorter the time it takes to reach the specified dust amount. Similarly, the more dust there is in the setting environment, the faster the rate at which the amount of air sucked in decreases. Therefore, as long as there is information on the load factor calculated by the control unit 55 and the amount of dust measured by the dust sensor 51, it is possible to predict the time it takes to reach the specified amount of dust, i.e., the replacement cycle.

[0050] The server 20 receives the cumulative value E of the dust amount (dust amount) calculated according to the formula (2) and the operating time t used in the calculation of the formula (2) as information about the installation environment of the air compressor 10. The server 20 calculates the time change rate ( t ) of the cumulative value of the dust amount (dust amount) (the amount of dust captured by the suction filter 41) Figure 5 The slope of the dust accumulation value is calculated, and the running time at which the accumulated value of the dust accumulation reaches the threshold value, that is, the replacement cycle, is predicted.

[0051] The above description is for the suction filter 41, but if the same research is carried out for other filters, the replacement cycle can also be predicted. In addition, the description here only focuses on dust, but the degradation of components also progresses due to the influence of ambient temperature and humidity, so it is preferable to predict the replacement cycle by taking this information into consideration. For example, the specified dust amount is set as a function of the ambient temperature and humidity as shown in the following formula (3). Here E* is the specified value of the dust amount used in the prediction of the replacement cycle. En is the dust amount recommended for replacement when the surrounding environment is in a standard state, T is the temperature of the setting environment measured by the temperature sensor 52, H is the humidity of the setting environment measured by the humidity sensor 53, and l and m are the specified numbers. The server 20 uses the following formula (3) to calculate the specified value E* of the dust amount, and uses it and the dust amount E calculated by formula (2) to predict the replacement cycle.

[0052] [Formula 3]

[0053] …… (3)

[0054] The server 20 predicts the replacement cycle for each component of the air compressor 10 based on the environmental information received from the air compressor 10. The server 20 calculates the usage fee according to the predicted replacement cycle using the following formula (4). Here, Y is the usage fee per day [yen / day], A is the fixed fee per day [yen / day], Bi is the maintenance cost [yen] when replacing each replacement component according to the recommended replacement cycle, Ci is the recommended replacement days for each replacement component [days], Di is the replacement days for each replacement component predicted by the server 20 through calculation [days], and N is the number of replacement components in the air compressor 10. The usage fee Y calculated here is the amount after deducting unnecessary maintenance costs.

[0055] [Formula 4]

[0056] …… (4)

[0057] Figure 6 Schematically represents the relationship between the operating state of the air compressor 10 and the amount of dust accumulated in the suction filter 41 for one day. Time period 71 is a time period when the air compressor 10 is running more, and the rate of increase of the amount of dust is relatively fast. In this time period 71, the consumption of the suction filter 41 is large, so there is no deduction of the usage fee or the deduction amount is relatively small. On the other hand, time period 72 is a time period when the air compressor 10 is running less, and the rate of increase of the amount of dust is relatively slow. In this time period 72, the consumption of the suction filter 41 is relatively small, so the deduction of the usage fee is relatively increased.

[0058] To simplify the explanation, Figure 6 The dust amount is simply illustrated by a combination of two slopes, namely, a period 71 with more operation and a period 72 with less operation. In reality, the slope of the dust amount changes at any time, so a method that accumulates information measured over a certain period of time and predicts the replacement cycle based on the averaged value has better accuracy.

[0059] For example, when one day's operation is completed, the control unit 55 averages the data accumulated on that day using the following equation (5): where x̂ is the average value of the data accumulated on that day, xi is the value acquired at a certain timing, and Nc is the number of data acquired on that day.

[0060] [Formula 5]

[0061] …… (5)

[0062] The control unit 55 sends (outputs) the averaged value from the communication unit 56 to the server 20. The server 20 predicts the replacement cycle of the component using equations (2) and (3) based on the received value. The server 20 uses the predicted replacement cycle to calculate the usage fee using equation (4). When the operation starts the next day, the server 20 sends (outputs) the usage fee calculated on the previous day to the air compressor 10. The control unit 55 of the air compressor 10 displays the received usage fee on the display unit 57 as the usage fee on the previous day, and prompts the compressed air user 2.

[0063] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a display example of the usage fee of the previous day on the display unit 57 . Figure 7 In the example shown, the display unit 57 displays the usage fee 80 of the previous day, the fixed fee 81 without deductions, the parts to be replaced 82, the replacement cycle 83 of each part predicted based on the current installation environment and operating conditions, and the standard replacement cycle 84 of each part.

[0064] Thus, by displaying the fixed fee 81 without deduction together with the deducted usage fee 80, the quality of the installation environment can be informed to the compressed air user 2. In addition, when the usage fee is charged monthly, the average monthly amount can be calculated based on the data accumulated in the server 20 every day as a usage fee reminder for the previous month.

[0065] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart of the control process performed by the control unit 55 of the air compressor 10. In step S100, the control unit 55 uses equation (5) to calculate the value obtained by averaging the data on the operating load for one day, and uses equation (5) to calculate the value obtained by averaging the data on the installation environment. In step S110, the control unit 55 sends (outputs) the values ​​calculated in step S100, that is, the environmental information and the operating load information, to the server 20. In step S120, the control unit 55 receives the information from the server 20 for display. Figure 7 The information required for the screen shown is the previous day's usage fee 80, the fixed fee 81 without deduction, the parts to be replaced 82, the replacement cycle 83 of each part predicted based on the current installation environment and operating conditions, and the standard replacement cycle 84 of each part. In step S130, the control unit 55 Figure 7 As shown, the information received in step S120 is displayed on the display unit 57 to present it to the compressed air user 2 .

[0066] Fig. 9It is a flowchart of the control processing performed by the computing device 21 of the server 20. In step S200, the information acquisition unit 26 receives environmental information from the air compressor 10. In step S210, the replacement cycle calculation unit 27 calculates the replacement cycle for each component based on the information received in step S200. In step S220, the usage fee calculation unit 28 calculates the usage fee after deduction based on the replacement cycle calculated in step S210 and formula (4). In step S230, the usage fee output unit 29 sends (outputs) the fixed fee before deduction, the usage fee after deduction calculated in step S220, the replacement cycle of each component calculated in step S210, and the standard replacement cycle of each component to the air compressor 10.

[0067] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0068] (1) The calculation device 21 of the server 20 (cost calculation system) obtains environmental information as information about the installation environment of the air compressor 10, calculates the replacement cycle of the components constituting the air compressor 10 based on the obtained environmental information, calculates the usage fee of the air compressor 10 based on the calculated replacement cycle, and outputs the calculated usage fee of the air compressor 10. In this way, unnecessary replacement of components of the air compressor 10 can be avoided, and excessive discharge of waste can be suppressed. In addition, when the use environment is good and the replacement cycle of the components can be expected to be extended, the corresponding maintenance cost is deducted, so the rental or leasing service of the air compressor 10 can be provided at a reasonable cost for the customer. Furthermore, when the installation environment is good, the usage fee is reduced, so the number of compressed air users 2 who want to improve the installation environment increases, and the life of more components than the current situation can be expected to be extended.

[0069] (2) The calculation device 21 acquires information indicating the temperature, humidity, and dust amount of the installation environment as environmental information. This allows the replacement cycle of components such as the suction filter 41 to be appropriately calculated.

[0070] (3) The calculation device 21 obtains the averaged values ​​of the temperature, humidity and dust amount of the installation environment measured at predetermined time intervals as environmental information. Since these values ​​fluctuate from time to time, the replacement cycle is predicted based on the averaged values, so the prediction accuracy of the replacement cycle is improved.

[0071] (4) The calculation device 21 calculates the replacement cycle of the suction filter (component) 41 provided on the upstream side of the air inlet 43a of the compressor body 43 of the air compressor 10, and acquires information indicating the amount of dust captured by the suction filter 41 as environmental information. Thus, the replacement cycle of the suction filter 41 can be appropriately calculated.

[0072] (5) The calculation device 21 obtains environmental information from the air compressor 10, outputs the calculated usage fee of the air compressor 10 to the air compressor 10, and displays the usage fee on the display unit 57 (display device) of the air compressor 10. Thus, the compressed air user 2 can check the latest usage fee at any time. In addition, by displaying the fixed fee before deduction together with the usage fee, the compressed air user 2 can determine whether the installation environment of the air compressor 10 is appropriate.

[0073] <Second embodiment>

[0074] refer to Fig.10 , a fee calculation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding structures as those described in the first embodiment, and mainly the differences will be described.

[0075] Fig.10 1 is a diagram for explaining the method of using the fee calculation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the compressor supply operator 1 supplies compressed air to the compressed air user 2 instead of the air compressor 10. The compressor supply operator 1 collects a usage fee corresponding to the amount of compressed air used as a reward for the compressed air.

[0076] In the case of this embodiment, the usage fee of the air compressor 10 is linked to the amount of air used. Therefore, it is also possible to predict the replacement cycle in real time based on the information of the installation environment of the air compressor 10, and calculate the deduction amount in the air compressor 10 to deduct the maintenance cost from the usage fee of the compressed air. However, the payment of the usage fee is mostly made on a monthly basis after a certain period of use. Therefore, it is better to judge the degree of consumption in one month based on the information of the operating status and the installation environment accumulated in a certain period as described in the first embodiment, and deduct it from the usage fee.

[0077] The following modified examples are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is also possible to combine the structure shown in the modified examples with the structure described in the above embodiment, or to combine the structures described in the above different embodiments with each other, or to combine the structures described in the following different modified examples with each other.

[0078] <Variation 1>

[0079] It is also possible to determine the filter replacement cycle by directly measuring the dust amount without using the dust sensor 51. Fig.11 Provide explanation.

[0080] Fig.11This is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between filter pressure loss and filter clogging. Generally speaking, as the filter pressure loss gradually becomes clogged, the filter pressure loss increases even if the amount of air inhaled is the same. Therefore, for example, the replacement cycle can be determined by measuring the filter pressure loss using pressure sensors installed before and after the filter.

[0081] <Variation 2>

[0082] The dust sensor 51, the temperature sensor 52, and the humidity sensor 53 may also be provided at locations different from those in the above-described embodiment. For example, these sensors may be provided around the air compressor 10, or may be provided near the air inlet 58 and outside the housing 40. In addition, when sensors are provided around the air compressor 10, the measurement results of the sensors may be sent to the server 20 via the network 30.

[0083] <Variation 3>

[0084] The components to be replaced are not limited to the suction filter 41 and the coolant filter 50 described in the above embodiment. For example, the bearings and coolant (oil) of the compressor body 43 may be used as the components to be replaced, and the replacement cycle may be calculated or the maintenance cost may be deducted from the usage fee. In addition, if it is the bearing of the compressor body 43, it is appropriate to use the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 52 as the environmental information required for calculating the replacement cycle. This is because the degree of deterioration of the bearing is affected by the ambient temperature. In addition, if it is the coolant, it is appropriate to use the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 53 as the environmental information required for calculating the replacement cycle. This is because the degree of deterioration (volatization) of the coolant is affected by the ambient humidity. That is, the calculation device 21 obtains information indicating at least one of the temperature, humidity, and dust amount of the setting environment as environmental information, and calculates the replacement cycle of the component corresponding to the environmental information based on the obtained environmental information. In addition, in addition to these, by using the information that affects the replacement cycle (deterioration degree) of each component to be replaced as environmental information, the present invention can be applied to any component.

[0085] <Variation 4>

[0086] Figure 7 The usage fee and the like shown may be displayed at a location other than the display unit 57 provided in the air compressor 10. For example, it may be displayed on a computer or a tablet terminal owned by the compressed air user 2.

[0087] <Variant 5>

[0088] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the server 20 is used as the cost calculation system, but the air compressor 10 may be used as the cost calculation system instead of the server 20. That is, the various processes performed by the calculation device 21 of the server 20 may be performed by the control unit 55 of the air compressor 10 instead, so that the air compressor 10 itself functions as the cost calculation system.

[0089] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, part of the processing described as being executed by the computing device 21 of the server 20 can also be executed by the control unit 55 of the air compressor 10. Conversely, part of the processing described as being executed by the control unit 55 of the air compressor 10 can also be executed by the computing device 21 of the server 20. Furthermore, it is also possible to divide the server 20 into a plurality of devices, and the plurality of devices can share the processing described as being executed by the computing device 21 of the server 20 in each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate a part of application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0091] Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 10…air compressor, 14…volatile memory, 20…server, 21…computing device, 22…processing device, 23…non-volatile memory, 24…volatile memory, 25…input / output interface, 26…information acquisition unit, 27…replacement cycle calculation unit, 28…usage cost calculation unit, 29…usage cost output unit, 30…network, 40…housing, 41…filter, 42…suction throttle valve, 43…compressor body, 43a…intake port, 44…oil container, 45…pressure regulating check valve, 46…temperature regulating valve, 47…coolant cooler, 48…aftercooler, 49…cooling fan, 50…coolant filter, 51…dust sensor, 52…temperature sensor, 53…humidity sensor, 54…pressure sensor, 55…control unit, 56…communication unit, 57…display unit, 58…intake port, 59…exhaust port, 61…exhaust port.

Claims

1. A cost calculation system having a calculation device for calculating the cost of using an air compressor, wherein the cost calculation system is characterized in that: the computing device, acquiring environmental information as information on the installation environment of the air compressor, Based on the acquired environmental information, a replacement period of components constituting the air compressor is calculated, Based on the calculated replacement period, the use cost of the air compressor is calculated. The calculated usage fee of the air compressor is output.

2. The cost calculation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The calculation device acquires information indicating at least one of temperature, humidity, and dust amount of the installation environment as the environmental information.

3. The cost calculation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The calculation device acquires, as the environmental information, a value obtained by averaging at least one of the temperature, humidity, and dust amount of the installation environment measured at each predetermined time.

4. The cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein: The calculation device calculates a replacement cycle of a filter provided as the component on the upstream side of an air intake port of a compressor body of the air compressor, and acquires information indicating an amount of dust captured by the filter as the environmental information.

5. The cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein: The calculation device acquires the environmental information from the air compressor, outputs the calculated usage fee of the air compressor to the air compressor, and causes a display device of the air compressor to display the usage fee.

6. A method for calculating costs, characterized in that: acquiring environmental information which is information on the installation environment of the air compressor, Based on the acquired environmental information, a replacement period of components constituting the air compressor is calculated, Based on the calculated replacement period, the use cost of the air compressor is calculated. The calculated usage fee of the air compressor is output.

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