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. The control unit executes a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner on the basis of the state of the refrigerant in which the air conditioner is operating or the pressure of the refrigerant in which the air conditioner is stopped operating every a first predetermined period of time, and performs a second refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner on the basis of the state of the refrigerant in which the air conditioner is operating. When a second predetermined period has elapsed after the final operation of the air conditioner, a second refrigerant detection control for detecting the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner is performed 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 that can perform refrigerant leakage detection with ease.

[0009] <Methods used to solve the problem>

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner control system, which has a control unit for controlling the air conditioner, the control unit executing a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant when the air conditioner is in operation or the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is stopped at every first given period, and executing a second refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner when a second given period has passed since the air conditioner was last operated.

[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 ease.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect, if the control unit does not perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant when the air conditioner is in operation within the first given period, the control unit performs refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner according to the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is in a stopped state.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the first aspect or the second aspect, 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 refrigerant leakage or recommending inspection of the air conditioner.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an air conditioner control system described in any one of the first to third aspects, the second refrigerant detection control is to control refrigerant leakage detection 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 aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner control system of the fourth aspect, the second refrigerant detection control is a control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner based on a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the operation with the load applied has been performed for a third given time or longer.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner control system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the second predetermined period is shorter than three months.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner control system according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, wherein the control unit records information indicating that the second refrigerant detection control is executed.

[0018] An eighth aspect of the present invention is an information processing device, comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, the control unit executing a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant when the air conditioner is in operation or a refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is stopped at intervals of a first given period, and executing a second refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner when a second given period has passed since the air conditioner was last operated.

[0019] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can perform refrigerant leakage detection with ease.

[0020] A ninth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner control method, which is executed by the control unit of an air conditioner control system having a control unit for controlling the air conditioner, in which a first refrigerant detection control is executed for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to the state of the refrigerant when the air conditioner is in operation or the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is stopped at intervals of a first given period, and a second refrigerant detection control is executed for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner when a second given period has passed since the air conditioner was last operated.

[0021] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner control method that can perform refrigerant leakage detection with ease. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of an example of an air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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

[0028] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0029] [First embodiment]

[0030] <System Structure>

[0031] Figure 11 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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."

[0034] If the air conditioner 10 is in operation, the refrigerant leakage inspection can be performed based on the state of the refrigerant in operation. In addition, the refrigerant leakage inspection once a day can be performed based on the change in refrigerant pressure even if the air conditioner 10 is not in operation. However, if the air conditioner 10 has not been operated for more than 3 months, it is required to inspect the air conditioner 10 at the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed according to the Freon Emission Suppression Act.

[0035] The refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 based on the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped has a lower accuracy than the refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 based on the state of the refrigerant in the operation of the air conditioner 10. In addition, if the refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 based on the state of the refrigerant in the operation of the air conditioner 10 has not been performed for more than 3 months, it is necessary to dispatch maintenance personnel to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed to perform a spot inspection of the air conditioner 10.

[0036] Therefore, the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment performs a simple spot check for refrigerant leakage according to the change in refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped, even if the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, thereby ensuring the spot check for refrigerant leakage once a day as an example of the first given period. In addition, the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment controls so that the interval of refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 performed according to the state of the refrigerant in the operation of the air conditioner 10 does not exceed 3 months as an example of the second given period.

[0037] Therefore, the air conditioner control system 1 involved in this embodiment will not fail to perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 based on the state of the refrigerant in the operating air conditioner 10 for more than 3 months, and there is no need to dispatch maintenance personnel to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

[0038] Furthermore, the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment performs a simple spot check for refrigerant leakage at least once a day based on the refrigerant pressure during shutdown, and the interval of the refrigerant leakage detection performed with high accuracy in accordance with the state of the refrigerant during operation does not exceed the second predetermined period. Therefore, even if the simple spot check results in an erroneous detection, the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment can detect refrigerant leakage with high accuracy based on the state of the refrigerant during operation before the second predetermined period is exceeded, thereby suppressing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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 a refrigerant leak or a suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10. The manager terminal 40 is an information processing terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 .

[0044] 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 detection based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and refrigerant leakage detection based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. The refrigerant leakage detection based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 is to perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 every first given period according to the state of the refrigerant in the operation of the air conditioner 10 or the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped. The refrigerant leakage detection based on the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 is to perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 while performing the operation for refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10 when the second given period has passed since the last operation 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.

[0045] Figure 1 The structure of the air conditioner control system 1 is an example, and the server device 30 may be implemented by one or more information processing devices. The server device 30 may also be implemented as a cloud computing service. Figure 1 The configuration of the air conditioner control system 1 includes various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

[0046] <Hardware Structure>

[0047] 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 a control program.

[0048] Figure 2This 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 .

[0054] <Processing>

[0055] 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.

[0056] In step S10, the control unit 32 determines whether the air conditioner 10 is in operation. If the air conditioner 10 is in operation, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S12, and performs a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10, which detects refrigerant leakage according to the state of the refrigerant in operation. If the result of the refrigerant leakage detection process shows that there is a refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leakage or a suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10 on the manager terminal 40 as an example of a notification destination. In this way, when the air conditioner 10 is in operation, the air conditioner 10 determines whether there is a refrigerant leakage according to the state of the refrigerant in operation.

[0057] If the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, the control unit 32 skips step S12 and proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 32 determines whether one day, which is an example of the first predetermined period, has passed. If one day has not passed, the control unit 32 returns to step S10.

[0058] If one day has passed, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S16. In step S16, the control unit 32 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection process has been performed during the one-day period. If the refrigerant leakage detection process has been performed during the one-day period, it is determined that the refrigerant leakage inspection has been performed once a day, and the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10.

[0059] If the refrigerant leakage detection process is not performed during the day, it is determined that the refrigerant leakage inspection once a day is not performed, and the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S18. In step S18, the control unit 32 performs the refrigerant leakage detection process of the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10, which detects refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped.

[0060] The refrigerant leakage detection process for detecting refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped is a control example for performing simple (simple) refrigerant leakage detection, and does not require the operation of the air conditioner 10 for refrigerant leakage detection. The refrigerant leakage detection process for detecting refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner 10 is stopped determines refrigerant leakage by detecting the refrigerant pressure using a pressure sensor. If the result of the refrigerant leakage detection process indicates that there is a refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leakage or a suggestion for inspection of the air conditioner 10 on the manager terminal 40 as an example of a notification destination.

[0061] In step S20, the control unit 32 determines whether a second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. The second predetermined period is, for example, less than three months. The second predetermined period is a period shorter than a period during which it is necessary to dispatch maintenance personnel to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed, for example, in consideration of the Freon emission control method.

[0062] If the second predetermined period has not elapsed since the air conditioner 10 last operated, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10. If the second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 last operated, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S22.

[0063] In step S22, 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 is a refrigerant leakage detection process for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 10 while performing an operation for refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner 10. The refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control can detect refrigerant leakage according to the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 while performing an operation with a load of a given 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 an operation with a load of a given value or more (for example, 70% or more) applied to the number of indoor units 12 for a given time or more (for example, about 1 hour), and detect refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 10 based on the temperature and refrigerant pressure of 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.

[0064] If the result of the refrigerant leakage detection process indicates that there is a refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leakage or a recommendation for inspection of the air conditioner 10 on the manager terminal 40 as an example of a notification destination.

[0065] In this way, the air conditioner control system 1 involved in the present embodiment can ensure refrigerant leakage inspection once a day by performing the refrigerant leakage detection processing based on the first refrigerant detection control, including the simple refrigerant leakage detection processing for detecting refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure during operation stop, every first given period.

[0066] Furthermore, the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment can accurately detect refrigerant leakage according to the state of the refrigerant in operation before more than three months have passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. The air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment can easily and accurately detect refrigerant leakage.

[0067] 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.

[0068] In step S30, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 of the start of operation. The edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 of the start of operation. In step S34, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control during operation of the air conditioner 10. In step S36, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control during operation.

[0069] In step S38, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing by the first refrigerant detection control during operation according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S38 does not show refrigerant leakage.

[0070] In step S40, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage as a result. In step S42, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage as a result. The control unit 32 records the notified result of the refrigerant leakage detection process.

[0071] In step S44, the control unit 32 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed in the air conditioner 10 during a period of one day as an example of the first given period. Here, since the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control during operation is performed in step S38, it is determined that the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed once a day. Since the control unit 32 determines that the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed once a day, it does not request the air conditioner 10 to perform the refrigerant leakage detection process of detecting refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure during the operation stop.

[0072] In step S46, the control unit 32 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed in the air conditioner 10 during one day. Here, it is assumed that the refrigerant leakage detection process is not performed once a day. Since the control unit 32 determines that the refrigerant leakage detection process is not performed once a day, the process proceeds to step S48.

[0073] In step S48, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing based on the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown. In step S50, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing based on the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown.

[0074] In step S52, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing by the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown according to the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown in step S52 does not show refrigerant leakage.

[0075] In step S54, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S56, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified refrigerant leakage detection result.

[0076] In step S58, the control unit 32 determines whether the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

[0077] In step S60, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control. In step S62, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0078] In step S64, 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 S64 indicates refrigerant leakage.

[0079] In step S66, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 of the refrigerant leakage as a result. In addition, in step S68, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 of the refrigerant leakage as a result.

[0080] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S64 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 S70. In addition, the notification in step S70 may also be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S72, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for the inspection of the air conditioner 10. In addition, the notification in step S70 may also be a notification that the air conditioner 10 has performed the refrigerant leak detection based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0081] 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 S60. 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.

[0082] Figure 4 The sequence diagram is an example of the control unit 32 of the server device 30 determining whether the refrigerant leakage detection 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 detection 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 performed as follows, for example Figure 5 The air conditioner 10 makes the determination as shown in the sequence diagram.

[0083] Figure 5 Here, an example in which the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection 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.

[0084] In step S90, the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing by the first refrigerant detection control during operation when the operation is started. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S90 does not show refrigerant leakage.

[0085] In step S92, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S94, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified refrigerant leakage detection result.

[0086] In step S96, the control unit 16 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed during a period of one day as an example of the first given period. Here, since the refrigerant leakage detection process based on the first refrigerant detection control in operation is performed in step S90, it is determined that the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed once a day. Figure 5 In the example of , since it is determined that the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed once a day, the refrigerant leakage detection process for detecting the refrigerant leakage based on the refrigerant pressure during the operation stop is not performed.

[0087] In step S98, the control unit 16 determines whether the refrigerant leakage detection process is performed during one day. Here, it is assumed that the refrigerant leakage detection process is not performed once a day. The control unit 16 determines that the refrigerant leakage detection process is not performed once a day, and proceeds to the process of step S100.

[0088] In step S100, the control unit 16 performs a refrigerant leakage detection process by the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during shutdown in step S100 does not show refrigerant leakage.

[0089] In step S102, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S104, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified refrigerant leakage detection result.

[0090] In step S106, the control unit 16 determines whether the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

[0091] In step S108, the control unit 16 performs a refrigerant leakage detection process by the second refrigerant detection control. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S108 indicates refrigerant leakage.

[0092] In step S110, the control unit 16 notifies the edge device 20 of the presence of a refrigerant leak as a result. In addition, in step S112, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 of the presence of a refrigerant leak as a result.

[0093] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S108 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 S114. The notification in step S114 may also be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S116, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for the inspection of the air conditioner 10.

[0094] The control unit 32 of the server device 30 manages the refrigerant leakage detection by the first refrigerant detection control and the result of the first refrigerant detection control. The result notification from the air conditioner 10 to the server device 30 may be collectively sent to the server device 30 as a daily report.

[0095] Whether the refrigerant leakage detection 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 performed can also be performed as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the control is performed in a distributed manner by the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 and the control unit 32 of the server device 30 . 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.

[0096] In addition, the processing of steps S130 to S144 is the same as Figure 5 Steps S90 to S104 are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0097] In step S146, the control unit 32 determines whether the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

[0098] In step S148, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control. In step S150, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection process based on the second refrigerant detection control.

[0099] In step S152, 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 S152 indicates refrigerant leakage.

[0100] In step S154, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 of the refrigerant leakage as a result. In addition, in step S156, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 of the refrigerant leakage as a result.

[0101] Since the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S152 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 S158. The notification in step S158 may also be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S160, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion for the inspection of the air conditioner 10.

[0102] exist Figures 4 to 6 In the sequence diagram, an example is shown 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 detection 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.

[0103] According to the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, on a day when the air conditioner 10 is in operation, refrigerant leakage detection is performed based on the state of the refrigerant in operation. In addition, according to the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, on a day when the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, refrigerant leakage detection is performed based on the refrigerant pressure during the shutdown.

[0104] When the air conditioner 10 continues to be non-operating, the second refrigerant detection control for performing refrigerant leakage detection operation can be executed so that the days of refrigerant leakage detection based on the refrigerant pressure during non-operation do not exceed the second predetermined period.

[0105] 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. 2022-158318 filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 30, 2022, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0106] Explanation of symbols

[0107] 1: Air conditioner control system

[0108] 10: Air conditioner

[0109] 12: Indoor unit

[0110] 14: Outdoor unit

[0111] 16, 22, 32: Control unit

[0112] 20: Edge Devices

[0113] 30: Server device

[0114] 40: Administrator terminal

[0115] 50: Network.

Claims

1. An air conditioner control system, comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, The control unit performs a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is in operation or a refrigerant pressure in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is stopped, every first predetermined period. Furthermore, when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated, the control unit executes a second refrigerant detection control for detecting a refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting a refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner.

2. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit performs refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner based on refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is stopped, if the control unit does not perform refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner based on the state of refrigerant when the air conditioner is in operation within the first predetermined period.

3. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 or 2, 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.

4. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 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 4, wherein: The second refrigerant detection control is control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner based on a state of refrigerant in the air conditioner after the operation with the load applied is performed for a third predetermined time or longer.

6. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The second given period is less than 3 months.

7. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The control unit records information indicating that the second refrigerant detection control is executed.

8. An information processing device comprising a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, The control unit performs a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is in operation or a refrigerant pressure in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is stopped, every first predetermined period. Furthermore, when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated, the control unit executes a second refrigerant detection control for detecting a refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting a refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner.

9. An air conditioner control method, which is executed by the control unit of an air conditioner control system having a control unit for controlling an air conditioner, wherein: executing a first refrigerant detection control for detecting refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner according to a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is in operation or a refrigerant pressure in the air conditioner when the air conditioner is stopped, every first given period, When a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated, 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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