Air conditioner control system, information processing device, and air conditioner control method

Abstract

An air conditioner control system is provided with a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, and the control unit executes refrigerant leakage prediction based on first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner, which is performed every predetermined period of time. And when the refrigerant leakage prediction result based on the first refrigerant detection control shows the possibility of refrigerant leakage, a second refrigerant detection control is executed for detecting the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while the operation for detecting the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioner control system, an information processing device and an air conditioner control method. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there is known a refrigerant quantity determination system that automatically or manually switches the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device from the normal operation mode to the refrigerant quantity determination operation mode when the cooling operation or heating operation has passed a certain period of time, and can remotely monitor whether the refrigerant is leaking from the refrigerant circuit to the outside (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] <Prior Art Literature>

[0004] <Patent Documents>

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-079842 Summary of the invention

[0006] <Problems to be Solved by the Invention>

[0007] Patent Document 1 switches the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device from the normal operation mode to the refrigerant quantity determination operation mode to detect refrigerant leakage during a time period when air conditioning is not required, such as holidays or late at night. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for simply detecting refrigerant leakage.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner control system, an information processing device, and an air conditioner control method for detecting refrigerant leakage with simplicity and accuracy.

[0009] <Methods used to solve the problem>

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner control system, comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, wherein the control unit executes a refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner at predetermined intervals, and when a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates a possibility of a refrigerant leakage, executes a second refrigerant leakage detection control for performing a refrigerant leakage detection operation of the air conditioner while performing a refrigerant leakage detection operation of the air conditioner.

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner control system that can perform refrigerant leakage detection with simplicity and accuracy.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect, the first refrigerant detection control is a control for predicting refrigerant leakage based on refrigerant pressure when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second refrigerant detection control is control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while performing operation with a load greater than a predetermined value.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second refrigerant detection control is to perform refrigerant leakage detection control of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner with a load of more than 70% of its capacity.

[0015] According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment, the second refrigerant detection control is to control the refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant of the air conditioner after the operation of applying the load for more than a specified time and the refrigerant of the air conditioner is stabilized.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner control system according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the second refrigerant detection control detects refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner using a greater number of items than the first refrigerant detection control uses in refrigerant leakage prediction.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner control system of the first aspect, wherein the first refrigerant detection control is control for predicting refrigerant leakage by operating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner without operating the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0018] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect, the first refrigerant detection control is control for predicting refrigerant leakage based on a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the load-applied operation has been performed for a predetermined number of minutes.

[0019] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, the second refrigerant detection control is a control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while operating with a load of 70% or more.

[0020] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the ninth aspect, the second refrigerant detection control is to control the refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant of the air conditioner after the operation with the load applied for more than a specified time and the refrigerant of the air conditioner is stabilized.

[0021] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect, the second refrigerant detection control detects refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner using a greater number of items than the first refrigerant detection control uses for refrigerant leakage prediction.

[0022] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner control system according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, wherein the first refrigerant detection control is control for predicting refrigerant leakage by operating an outdoor unit of the air conditioner during a nighttime period.

[0023] In the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, in an air conditioner control system described in any one of the first to twelfth embodiments, the control unit determines whether it is necessary to execute a second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner, and when it is determined that the second refrigerant detection control needs to be executed, a control is performed to inquire a customer about the execution of the second refrigerant detection control.

[0024] In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system described in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the control unit controls the air conditioner to perform a first refrigerant detection control, and controls the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control to be sent to a server device.

[0025] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner control system according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the predetermined period is one day.

[0026] According to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, in the air-conditioning control system described in any one of the first to fifteenth embodiments, when the result of the second refrigerant detection control is that there is a refrigerant leakage, the control unit performs control for notifying a notification destination of the existence of a refrigerant leakage or recommending an inspection of the air conditioner.

[0027] According to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, in an air conditioner control system described in any one of the first to sixteenth embodiments, the control unit performs control for recommending inspection of the air conditioner to a notification destination when a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control is that there is refrigerant leakage and a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the second refrigerant detection control is that there is no refrigerant leakage.

[0028] An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device, comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, wherein the control unit performs a refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner at predetermined intervals, and when a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of a refrigerant leakage, the control unit performs a second refrigerant leakage detection control for performing a refrigerant leakage detection operation of the air conditioner while performing a refrigerant leakage detection operation of the air conditioner.

[0029] According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that performs refrigerant leakage detection with simplicity and accuracy.

[0030] A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner control method, which is executed by an air conditioner control system having a control unit that controls the air conditioner. In the air conditioner control method, a refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner is performed at predetermined intervals. When the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, a second refrigerant detection control is performed for performing refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner while performing an operation for refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner.

[0031] According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner control method that performs refrigerant leakage detection with simplicity and accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of an example of an air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0039] [First embodiment]

[0040] <System Structure>

[0041] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an example of an air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner control system 1 includes an air conditioner 10, an edge device 20, a server device 30, and an administrator terminal 40. The air conditioner 10 and the edge device 20 are connected to each other so as to be communicable via a dedicated communication line or the like. The edge device 20, the server device 30, and the administrator terminal 40 are connected to each other so as to be communicable via a network 50 such as the Internet, for example.

[0042] The air conditioner 10 includes one or more indoor units 12 and one or more outdoor units 14 . Figure 1 The number of indoor units 12 and outdoor units 14 included in the air conditioner 10 is an example. The indoor units 12 and outdoor units 14 included in the air conditioner 10 are connected to each other so as to be communicable. The air conditioner 10 is an example of a device that circulates a refrigerant such as Freon to perform a refrigeration cycle.

[0043] In order to detect the occurrence of refrigerant leakage as early as possible, the equipment using Freon as refrigerant is required to perform simple inspections and regular inspections according to the Freon Emission Suppression Act. As a method of simple inspection, flexible use of the IoT (Internet of Things) system is allowed. When using the IoT system, it is stipulated that "according to the type of the first specific product managed, the pressure, temperature and other status values ​​required for leak detection of each refrigerant system are measured. In addition, the frequency of measurement is set to once a day or more."

[0044] The edge device 20 transmits the data output by the air conditioner 10 to the server device 30 via the network 50. In addition, the edge device 20 transmits the data output by the server device 30 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

[0045] The server device 30 receives data output from the air conditioner 10 from the edge device 20 via the network 50. In addition, the server device 30 transmits data output to the air conditioner 10 to the edge device 20.

[0046] The manager terminal 40 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who manages the air conditioner 10 (for example, a manager who manages the building where the air conditioner 10 is installed or a maintenance person in charge of the air conditioner 10). The manager terminal 40 displays data received from the air conditioner 10, the edge device 20, or the server device 30, and notifies the user. For example, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of refrigerant leakage or a suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10 as described later. The manager terminal 40 is an information processing terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0047] The air conditioner control system 1 has a control program installed in at least one of the air conditioner 10, the edge device 20, and the server device 30. The air conditioner 10 can function as the control unit 16 by executing the control program. The edge device 20 can function as the control unit 22 by executing the control program. In addition, the server device 30 can function as the control unit 32 by executing the control program.

[0048] In addition, Figure 1 2 shows an example in which the air conditioner 10, the edge device 20, and the server device 30 include the control unit 16, 22, or 32, but is not limited to the example in which the air conditioner 10, the edge device 20, and the server device 30 include the control unit 16, 22, or 32. Figure 1 The air conditioner control system 1 only needs to have a configuration including at least one of the control units 16 , 22 , and 32 .

[0049] The control units 16, 22, and 32 control the air conditioner 10. As described later, the control units 16, 22, and 32 perform refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the second refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 10. For example, the control unit 32 of the server device 30 can remotely control the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

[0050] Figure 1 The structure of the air conditioner control system 1 is an example, and the server device 30 can also be implemented by one or more information processing devices. The server device 30 can also be implemented as a cloud computing service. It goes without saying that Figure 1 The configuration of the air conditioner control system 1 includes various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

[0051] <Hardware Structure>

[0052] Figure 1 The edge device 20, the server device 30 and the administrator terminal 40 are connected to each other through Figure 2 The air conditioner 10 is implemented by the computer 500 of the hardware configuration shown. In addition, the air conditioner 10 has a controller similar to the computer 500 that can execute the control program.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 The computer 500 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, and a HDD 508, which are connected to each other via a bus B. The input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

[0054] The input device 501 is a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, keyboard or mouse, etc. for the user to input various signals. The display device 502 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal or organic EL that displays a screen, a speaker that outputs sound data such as sound and music, etc. The communication I / F 507 is an interface for the computer 500 to perform data communication via a network.

[0055] In addition, HDD508 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include OS, which is the basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and application programs that provide various functions on OS. In addition, the computer 500 may use a drive device (such as a solid state drive: SSD, etc.) that uses flash memory as a storage medium instead of HDD508.

[0056] The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 503a, etc. Thus, the computer 500 can read and write the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503. The recording medium 503a includes a floppy disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, etc.

[0057] ROM505 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. Programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 is started are stored in ROM505. RAM504 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily retains programs and data.

[0058] The CPU 506 is a computing device that realizes overall control and functions of the computer 500 by reading programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 or the HDD 508 to the RAM 504 and executing processing, and is an example of the control unit 16 , 22 , or 32 .

[0059] <Processing>

[0060] Figure 1 The air conditioner control system 1 is as follows Figure 3 The air conditioner control process is performed as shown. Figure 31 is a flowchart of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. Here, an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 remotely controls the air conditioner 10 via the network 50 will be described.

[0061] In step S10, the control unit 32 determines whether a predetermined period (e.g., 1 day) has passed. The control unit 32 repeats the process of step S10 until the predetermined period has passed. When it is determined that the predetermined period has passed, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S12 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 at every predetermined period.

[0062] The first refrigerant detection control is a control example for performing simple refrigerant leakage detection, and includes a case where the operation of the air conditioner 10 for refrigerant leakage detection is not required and a case where a simple refrigerant leakage detection operation of the air conditioner 10 is required.

[0063] The first refrigerant detection control that does not require the operation of the air conditioner 10 for detecting refrigerant leakage predicts refrigerant leakage by detecting the refrigerant pressure when the operation of the air conditioner 10 is stopped using a pressure sensor. In addition, the first refrigerant detection control that requires a simple operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 10 can predict refrigerant leakage by operating the outdoor unit 14 (compressor) without operating the indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the first refrigerant detection control that requires a simple operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 10 can also predict refrigerant leakage based on the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 after the operation for detecting refrigerant leakage has been performed for a predetermined number of minutes (for example, about 3 minutes). In addition, the first refrigerant detection control of step S12 is preferably performed during the night time period. The night time period is an example of a time period when the air conditioner 10 is often not used.

[0064] In step S14, if the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control in step S12 does not show the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10. If the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control in step S12 shows the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 enters the process of step S16.

[0065] In step S16, the control unit 32 performs a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. The refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 while performing the operation for refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10. The refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can perform refrigerant leakage detection according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 while performing the operation with a load of a predetermined value or more (for example, 70% or more) applied. For example, the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can perform the operation with a load of a predetermined value or more (for example, 70% or more) applied to the number of indoor units 12 for a predetermined time or more (for example, about 1 hour), and perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 after the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 is stabilized. For example, the operation with a load of 70% or more is an operation with a load of 70% or more of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 14 (an operation in which the capacity of the operating indoor unit 12 becomes 70% or more of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 14). As another example, the operation with a load of 70% or more may be an operation with a load of 70% or more of the number of indoor units 12 connected, or may be an operation with a load of 70% or more of the total capacity of the indoor units 12 connected to the same system.

[0066] In addition, the number of items used in the judgment of the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control is greater than the number of items used in the judgment of the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control. In this way, compared with the simple refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control, the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control uses more items, has a large load, and takes a long time to process, but the accuracy of refrigerant leakage detection is high. On the other hand, compared with the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control, the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control uses fewer items, has a small load, and takes a short time to process, and can easily predict refrigerant leakage. For example, the items used in the judgment of the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control are suction pressure, discharge pressure, outdoor temperature, suction pipe temperature, discharge pipe temperature, liquid pipe temperature, and the opening of the expansion valve.

[0067] In step S18, if the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S16 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S22. In step S22, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10 on the manager terminal 40 as an example of a notification destination. After the process of step S22, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10.

[0068] On the other hand, in step S18 , if the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S16 does not indicate the presence of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S20 .

[0069] In step S20, the control unit 32 determines that it is necessary to recommend inspection of the air conditioner 10 when the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control in step S12 indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage and the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S16 does not indicate the existence of refrigerant leakage for a continuous period (e.g., three times). If it is determined that it is necessary to recommend inspection of the air conditioner 10, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S24, and displays the recommendation for inspection of the air conditioner 10 on the manager terminal 40 as an example of the notification destination. After the process of step S24, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10. If it is not determined that it is necessary to recommend inspection of the air conditioner 10, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10.

[0070] In this way, the air conditioner control system 1 involved in this embodiment performs a simple refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control at predetermined intervals. If the possibility of refrigerant leakage is high, refrigerant leakage detection based on the second refrigerant detection control can be performed, which is more accurate than the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control.

[0071] Figure 4 1 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. Here, an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 remotely controls the air conditioner 10 via the network 50 will be described.

[0072] In step S30, the control unit 32 of the server device 30 requests the edge device 20 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 at predetermined intervals. In step S32, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control.

[0073] In step S34, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage prediction processing based on the first refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control in step S34 does not show the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0074] In step S36, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is no possibility of refrigerant leakage. In step S38, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no possibility of refrigerant leakage. Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control does not show the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 waits until the next predetermined period elapses.

[0075] In step S40, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 after the next predetermined period has passed. In step S42, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control.

[0076] In step S44, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage prediction processing by the first refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control in step S44 indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0077] In step S46, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage. In step S48, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0078] Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S50. In step S52, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0079] In step S54, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing by the second refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S54 indicates that there is refrigerant leakage.

[0080] In step S56, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S58, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a refrigerant leak.

[0081] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S54 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, the control unit 32 performs a process of notifying the manager terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination, of the refrigerant leak in step S60. In addition, the notification in step S60 may also be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S62, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for the inspection of the air conditioner 10.

[0082] In addition, the control unit 32 may also inquire of the user of the manager terminal 40 whether the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can be executed before requesting the edge device 20 to perform the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S50. For example, the control unit 32 may cause the manager terminal 40 to display a screen for inquiring whether the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can be executed, so that the user can select whether to execute it.

[0083] Figure 4 The sequence diagram is an example of the control unit 32 of the server device 30 determining whether the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control need to be executed. Whether the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control need to be executed may also be determined, for example, as follows Figure 5 The air conditioner 10 makes the determination as shown in the sequence diagram.

[0084] Figure 5 1 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. Here, an example is described in which the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control and the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control can be executed.

[0085] In step S70, the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 starts the refrigerant leakage prediction process by the first refrigerant detection control at predetermined intervals. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control in step S70 does not show the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0086] In step S72, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is no possibility of refrigerant leakage. In step S74, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no possibility of refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 manages the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control. In addition, if the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control is sent to the server device 30 as a daily report, the processing of steps S72 and S74 can also be omitted.

[0087] In step S76, the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 starts the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control after the next predetermined period has passed. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control in step S76 indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0088] Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 starts the refrigerant leakage detection process by the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S78 .

[0089] Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S78 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S80, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S82, the edge device 20 replies to the server device 30 that there is a refrigerant leak.

[0090] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, the server device 30 performs a process of notifying the manager terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination, of the refrigerant leak in step S84. In addition, the notification in step S84 may also be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S86, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for the inspection of the air conditioner 10.

[0091] In addition, the control unit 16 may also inquire of the user of the manager terminal 40 whether the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can be executed before starting the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S78. For example, the control unit 16 may display a screen for inquiring whether the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 can be executed on the manager terminal 40, so that the user can select whether to execute it.

[0092] For example, Figure 4In the sequence diagram of FIG. 1 , if the result of the second refrigerant detection control shows that there is no refrigerant leakage, the following may be performed: Figure 6 As shown in the sequence diagram, a recommendation for inspection of the air conditioner 10 is made.

[0093] Figure 6 Here, an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 determines whether the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control and the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control can be executed is described.

[0094] In step S100, the control unit 32 of the server device 30 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 at predetermined intervals. In step S102, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control.

[0095] In step S104, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage prediction processing by the first refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control in step S104 indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0096] In step S106, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage. In step S108, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage. Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control shows that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S110. In step S112, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0097] In step S114, the air conditioner 10 performs a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description is continued assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S114 does not show that there is a refrigerant leakage. In step S116, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S118, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage.

[0098] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S114 shows that there is no refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 determines whether the result of the second refrigerant detection control continues to show that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 determines that the result of the second refrigerant detection control does not continue to show that there is no refrigerant leakage, and waits until the next predetermined period passes.

[0099] In step S120, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 after the next predetermined period has passed. In step S122, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform the refrigerant leakage prediction process based on the first refrigerant detection control.

[0100] In step S124, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage prediction processing by the first refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control in step S124 indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage.

[0101] In step S126, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage. In step S128, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage. Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control shows that there is a possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S130. In step S132, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0102] In step S134, the air conditioner 10 performs the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description is continued assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S134 does not show that there is a refrigerant leakage. In step S136, the air conditioner 10 replies to the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S138, the edge device 20 replies to the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage.

[0103] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S134 shows that there is no refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 determines that the result of the second refrigerant detection control is continuously that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 determines that the result of the second refrigerant detection control is continuously that there is no refrigerant leakage.

[0104] Since the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage and the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S16 indicates no refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 determines that it is necessary to recommend inspection of the air conditioner 10 .

[0105] In step S140 , the control unit 32 performs a process of suggesting inspection of the air conditioner 10 to the manager terminal 40 as an example of a notification destination. In step S142 , the manager terminal 40 displays the suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10 .

[0106] exist Figures 4 to 6 The sequence diagram of shows an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 or the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether the refrigerant leakage prediction processing based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the refrigerant leakage detection processing based on the second refrigerant detection control need to be executed, but it can also be performed by the control unit 22 of the edge device 20.

[0107] According to the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment, a simple refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control is implemented at predetermined intervals. When the result of the simple refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, refrigerant leakage detection based on the second refrigerant detection control which is more accurate than the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control can be performed.

[0108] The present embodiment is described above, but it is understood that various changes in mode and details can be made without departing from the subject and scope of the claims. The present invention is described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. This application claims priority to the basic application No. 2022-158319 filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 30, 2022, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0109] Explanation of symbols

[0110] 1: Air conditioner control system

[0111] 10: Air conditioner

[0112] 12: Indoor unit

[0113] 14: Outdoor unit

[0114] 16, 22, 32: Control unit

[0115] 20: Edge Devices

[0116] 30: Server device

[0117] 40: Administrator terminal

[0118] 50: Network.

Claims

1. An air conditioner control system, comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, The control unit performs refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner at every predetermined period. When the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant leakage detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit executes the second refrigerant leakage detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing the operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner.

2. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1, wherein: The first refrigerant detection control is a control for predicting refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped.

3. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is a control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while performing an operation with a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

4. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while performing operation at a load of 70% or more of the capacity of the air conditioner.

5. The air conditioner control system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the operation with the load applied is performed for a predetermined time or longer and the refrigerant in the air conditioner is stabilized.

6. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control performs refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner using a larger number of items than the number of items used in refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control.

7. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1, wherein: The first refrigerant detection control is control for predicting refrigerant leakage by operating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner without operating the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

8. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1, wherein: The first refrigerant detection control is a control for predicting refrigerant leakage based on a state of refrigerant in the air conditioner after the load-applied operation has been performed for a predetermined number of minutes.

9. The air conditioner control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is a control for detecting a refrigerant leak of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while performing an operation with a load of 70% or more.

10. The air conditioner control system according to claim 9, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the operation with the load applied is performed for a predetermined time or longer and the refrigerant in the air conditioner is stabilized.

11. The air conditioner control system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control performs refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner using a larger number of items than the number of items used in refrigerant leakage prediction by the first refrigerant detection control.

12. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: The first refrigerant detection control is a control for predicting refrigerant leakage by operating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner during a nighttime period.

13. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The control unit determines whether it is necessary to execute second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner, and performs control for inquiring a user about execution of the second refrigerant detection control when it is determined that the second refrigerant detection control is necessary.

14. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The control unit, controlling the air conditioner to perform a first refrigerant detection control, And control is performed so that the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control is transmitted to a server device.

15. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The prescribed period is 1 day.

16. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The control unit performs control for notifying a notification destination of the refrigerant leakage or advising inspection of the air conditioner when the result of the second refrigerant detection control indicates that there is a refrigerant leakage.

17. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The control unit performs control for recommending inspection of the air conditioner to a notification destination when a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates that there is refrigerant leakage and a result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the second refrigerant detection control indicates that there is no refrigerant leakage.

18. An information processing device comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, The control unit performs refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner at every predetermined period. When the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant leakage detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, the control unit executes a second refrigerant leakage detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner.

19. An air conditioner control method, which is executed by a control unit of an air conditioner control system having a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, wherein: executing a refrigerant leakage prediction based on a first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner at predetermined intervals, When the result of the refrigerant leakage prediction based on the first refrigerant detection control indicates the possibility of refrigerant leakage, a second refrigerant detection control is executed to detect refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner.

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