Server system and refrigerant leakage repair system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to promote a user of an air conditioner capable of operating even if a refrigerant leak occurs to autonomously perform a repair request for the refrigerant leak. To this end, this server system (2) is provided with: a storage unit (49) that stores warranty addition information (614) indicating the presence or absence of warranty addition for repairing refrigerant leakage in each air conditioner; an acquisition unit (41) that acquires a leakage notification indicating that the refrigerant leakage of a predetermined air conditioner (7) has been detected; and a transmission unit (41) that transmits notification information including the warranty addition information (614) corresponding to the given air conditioner (7) to an information terminal (6) used by a user of the given air conditioner (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a server system and a refrigerant leakage repair system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the following technology has been proposed: an air conditioner detects a change in operating state due to a refrigerant leak, and sends a leak notification (leak call) indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred to a management server, whereby the management server notifies the user of the air conditioner of the refrigerant leak (see Patent Document 1). As a result, the user determines whether to request a repair from a repair shop in consideration of the repair cost, the time required for the repair, etc. If the user determines to request a repair, the user requests the repair from the repair shop by telephone or the like, and then the repair is performed.

[0003] <Prior Art Literature>

[0004] <Patent Documents>

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-211108 Summary of the invention

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

[0007] However, when users decide whether to request a repair shop to repair the machine, they may not immediately request the repair because they have to spend time investigating the warranty period of the current air conditioner, the warranty content of the repair destination, etc. In particular, in the case of a refrigerant leak, unlike a case where the machine cannot operate due to corrosion of the circuit, the operation of the air conditioner itself is possible only because the operating efficiency is reduced. Therefore, users are prone to allowing refrigerant leaks. In addition, repairs can be performed free of charge within the manufacturer's free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period), but outside the free warranty period, users will also consider whether to accept the cost burden, and are increasingly prone to allowing refrigerant leaks.

[0008] Furthermore, if the user postpones the request for repair and requests it when he or she feels that the cooling and heating performance of the air conditioner has dropped, a situation in which most of the refrigerant has already leaked may occur. Furthermore, even if the user requests repair when the air conditioner is actually in cooling and heating operation, there are many cases in which repairs cannot be repaired immediately due to a congestion of repair requests, and a situation in which the refrigerant leakage further progresses may occur.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to encourage users of air conditioners that can be operated even if there is a refrigerant leak to voluntarily request repair of the refrigerant leak.

[0010] <Methods used to solve the problem>

[0011] (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a server system comprising: a storage unit that stores warranty participation information indicating whether or not warranty participation for repair of refrigerant leakage of each air conditioner is available; an acquisition unit that acquires a leakage notification indicating that a refrigerant leakage of a given air conditioner has been detected; and a sending unit that sends notification information including the warranty participation information corresponding to the given air conditioner to an information terminal used by a user of the given air conditioner.

[0012] According to the first aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal not only of the need for repair but also of the existence of warranty subscription, thereby promoting the user of the air conditioner to voluntarily request repair of refrigerant leakage.

[0013] (2) A second aspect of the present invention is the server system according to the first aspect, wherein the warranty subscription information includes information indicating the presence or absence of the warranty subscription and a warranty validity period for repair of the refrigerant leakage.

[0014] According to the second aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal of information including whether the warranty is subscribed and the warranty validity period for repair of refrigerant leakage, thereby promoting the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0015] (3) In a third aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the first or second aspect, the notification information includes repair promotion information indicating repair promotion based on the warranty subscription information.

[0016] According to the third aspect, not only the existence of warranty subscription is notified, but also the intention to promote repairs is notified, thereby promoting the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0017] (4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is the server system according to the third aspect, wherein the repair promotion information includes information indicating a schedule candidate for repair of the refrigerant leakage by a repair shop.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal of the information including specific candidates for the repair schedule, thereby promoting the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0019] (5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the third or fourth aspect, the repair promotion information includes information indicating a date and time when the leakage notification was acquired.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal of information including the date and time when the leakage state is detected, thereby promoting the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0021] (6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is the server system described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the storage unit stores repair history information indicating a history of repairs of the refrigerant leakage in association with the warranty subscription information.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect, the server system stores repair history information indicating a history of repairs of refrigerant leakage, thereby facilitating repairs.

[0023] (7) The seventh aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant leakage repair system, which comprises a server system described in any one of the first to sixth aspects and the information terminal, wherein the information terminal comprises a display control unit for displaying a display screen including the repair promotion information, and the display screen includes a repair entrusting unit for entrusting a repair to a repair shop.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect, the user who has viewed the display screen can be urged to request repairs.

[0025] (8) The seventh aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant leakage repair system, comprising a server system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and the air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner comprises: a detection unit, which detects the state of the refrigerant during the operation of the air conditioner; a determination unit, which determines whether there is a refrigerant leakage based on the detection result of the detection; and a communication unit, which sends the leakage notification to the server system when it is determined that there is a refrigerant leakage, and the determination unit performs processing to determine whether there is a refrigerant leakage based on the detection result during the trial operation period of the air conditioner based on the change in the external air temperature.

[0026] According to the eighth aspect, the air conditioner can automatically determine the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage before entering the actual cooling and heating season based on the detection result during the trial operation period of the air conditioner based on the change in the outside air temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a business flow related to refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the start time of a trial operation before the full-scale cooling and heating operation in Japan.

[0029] Figure 3 It is an overall configuration diagram of a refrigerant leakage repair system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the management terminal and user terminal.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the remote management server.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a conceptual diagram of the user information management table.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram of the device information management table.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a conceptual diagram of each warranty information management table.

[0035] Fig. 9 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner.

[0036] Fig.10 This is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a communication system for an air conditioner.

[0037] Fig.11 It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure and processing of warranty application for refrigerant leakage of an air conditioner.

[0038] Fig.12 This is a sequence diagram showing the processing of leakage notification and repair request of an air conditioner and the repair response.

[0039] Fig.13 : is a flowchart showing the leakage determination process.

[0040] Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0041] Fig.15 It is a diagram showing a modified example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0042] Fig.16 This is a sequence diagram showing the process and processing after the repair of the air conditioner.

[0043] Fig.17 It is a diagram showing a modified example of a commercial flow related to refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Below, use Figures 1 to 17 Embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0045] [Outline of implementation method]

[0046] First, use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The outline of the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a business flow related to refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the start time of the trial operation before the actual cooling and heating operation.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, each air conditioner 7a, 7b, 7c of each user A, B, C is connected to the remote management server 4 via the Internet or the like. The remote management server 4 remotely monitors the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioners 7a, 7b, 7c, and sends a leakage report indicating the detection of the refrigerant leakage to each user A, B, C of the air conditioners 7a, 7b, 7c, and instructs the sales store (repair department) X to urge the user of the air conditioner with the refrigerant leakage to repair it. The air conditioners 7a, 7b, 7c are examples of the air conditioners 7, and any number of them may be sufficient as long as there are more than one. In addition, the users A, B, C are examples of the users U, and any number of them may be sufficient as long as there are more than one person.

[0048] The remote management server 4 is managed by the manufacturer (manufacturer) of the air conditioner 7 or a service provider that provides leakage notification services. However, in the case where the sales store is large-scale, the remote management server 4 may be managed by the sales store X. The sales store X is a store or a business that sells the air conditioner 7 to the user, and has a repair department that is responsible for repairing the air conditioner 7.

[0049] Here, use Figure 1 The following describes the business flow related to refrigerant leakage in air conditioners. Figure 1 , a situation in which a refrigerant leak occurs in the air conditioner 7a of the user A as a given air conditioner is shown.

[0050] S1: First, when the sales store X sells the air conditioner 7 to each user U, the user U who wishes to purchase the warranty for refrigerant leakage pays the sales store X not only the sales price of the air conditioner 7, but also the warranty fee for repairing the refrigerant leakage. If the probability of refrigerant leakage is 1% per year, then if the warranty is valid for 10 years, the probability of occurrence during this period is 10%, so the warranty fee is about 1 / 100 of the cost required for repair.

[0051] S2: When the user U wants a warranty for refrigerant leakage, the warranty fee is paid from each user U to the warranty provider Y via the sales store X. In addition, the sales store X registers warranty subscription information with the remote management server 4 (see Figure 8 ).

[0052] S3: Each user registers user information indicating information related to the user U in the remote management server 4 (see Figure 6 ), and device information indicating information related to the air conditioner (refer to Figure 7). In addition, in the case of commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, this information is required to be registered through the Freon Emission Control Law, so the user's work hours will not increase.

[0053] S4: The air conditioner 7 originally has the temperature sensors 72, 85a, 85b, etc. described later, and can judge the official operation start time by itself, so a test operation is performed a certain period before the official operation start time. For example, the air conditioner 7a determines whether there is a refrigerant leak, and in the case of a leak, sends a leak notification (leak call) to the remote management server 4.

[0054] Here, use Figure 2 The period of the trial operation will be explained. Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing the start time of the trial operation before the cooling and heating operation in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, etc.). Figure 2 As shown, the air conditioner 7 performs a cooling test operation a certain period of time before (for example, two weeks before) the general cooling operation period from mid-June to mid-September. The cooling test operation starts when the highest temperature of the day exceeds a threshold value (for example, 25°C). In addition, the air conditioner 7 performs a heating operation a certain period of time before (for example, two weeks before) the general heating operation period from late November to mid-March. The heating test operation starts when the lowest temperature of the day is less than a threshold value (for example, 10°C).

[0055] S5: Return Figure 1 , the remote management server 4 issues a leakage report indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred to the user A of the air conditioner 7a that has sent the leakage notification, as in the past. As a result, the user A can understand that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the air conditioner 7a. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the remote management server 4 instructs the sales store X to urge the user A to repair the air conditioner 7a. At this time, the user information of the user A, the device information related to the air conditioner 7a, and the warranty subscription information related to the leakage warranty dedicated to the repair of the refrigerant leak are also sent.

[0056] S6: Sales store X contacts user A to repair the refrigerant leakage through the warranty application, and after adjusting the repair schedule, performs the repair. Assuming that a refrigerant leakage occurs during the free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period), the manufacturer will bear the cost of the repair. In addition, even if a refrigerant leakage occurs after the product warranty period, if it is within the leakage warranty period, the repair cost will be borne by the warranty merchant. In these cases, sales store X conveys to user A that there is no user burden. In this way, by solving the cost burden issue in advance, it is easy for the user to request the repair, so the repair can be carried out before the official cooling and heating operation period.

[0057] S7: If the repair is outside the free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period) and within the leakage warranty period, the sales store X reports the completion of the repair to the warranty merchant Y after the repair is completed, and collects the warranty fee from the warranty merchant Y.

[0058] S8: Furthermore, the sales store X registers the repair history information in the remote management server 4.

[0059] As described above, by processing the business flow of S1 to S8, the time from the detection point of the refrigerant leakage to the execution of the repair can be shortened, thereby reducing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0060] [Overall structure of refrigerant leakage repair system]

[0061] Next, use Figure 3 The overall structure of the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 will be described.

[0062] First, use Figure 3 The outline of the configuration of the refrigerant leakage repair system according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 It is an overall configuration diagram of a refrigerant leakage repair system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 of the present embodiment is constructed by a server system 2, a user terminal 6, and an air conditioner 7. In addition, the server system 2 is constructed by a management terminal 3 and a remote management server 4. The management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, the user terminal 6, and the air conditioner 7 can communicate by connecting to a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The connection method of the communication network 100 may be either wireless or wired.

[0064] The user terminal 6 and the air conditioner 7 are managed and used by the user U.

[0065] The management terminal 3 is a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and is operated by a clerk of the sales store X or a person in charge of the repair department of the sales store X to transmit repair promotion information or the like indicating repair promotion to the user terminal 6 .

[0066] The remote management server 4 is composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers. As described above, the remote management server 4 is managed by the manufacturer (manufacturer) of the air conditioner 7 or a service provider that provides leakage notification services. However, in the case where the sales store is large-scale, it may be managed by the sales store X. The remote management server 4 remotely monitors the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 7, sends leakage report information indicating that the refrigerant leakage has occurred to the user U of the air conditioner 7, and sends repair promotion instruction information indicating that the user U is urged to repair to the sales store X.

[0067] The user terminal 6 is a PC or the like, and receives the repair promotion information indicating the repair promotion from the management terminal 3, and displays the repair promotion information described below. Fig.14 or Fig.15 The display screen 610 (620) shown here performs processing to urge the user U to select a repair request or the like.

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, the air conditioner 7 automatically performs a test operation at the time (day) of the cooling test operation and the heating test operation, and transmits a leakage notification (leakage call) to the remote management server 4 when a refrigerant leak occurs.

[0069] 〔Configuration of the refrigerant leak repair system〕

[0070] Next, use Figures 4 to 10 , the configuration of the management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, the user terminal 6, and the air conditioner 7 that constitute the refrigerant leakage repair system will be described.

[0071] <Structure of management terminal and user terminal>

[0072] First, use Figure 4 The schematic configuration of the management terminal 3 will be described. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the management terminal and user terminal.

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the management terminal 3 includes a control unit 30 , a communication unit 31 , an operation unit 32 , a display control unit 34 , and a storage unit 39 .

[0074] The control unit 30 plays a role in controlling the entire management terminal 3 and is various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0075] The communication unit 31 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various information to and from other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100 .

[0076] The operation unit 32 is a device for accepting operations from an operator through a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

[0077] The display control unit 34 is a display device for causing the display to display a screen, and is a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a display controller, or the like.

[0078] The storage unit 39 is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0079] In addition, the user terminal 6 has a control unit 60, a communication unit 61, an operation unit 62, a display control unit 64 and a storage unit 69, but they have the same structure as the control unit 30, the communication unit 31, the operation unit 32, the display control unit 34 and the storage unit 39, so the description is omitted.

[0080] <Structure of remote management server>

[0081] Next, use Figure 5 The schematic structure of the remote management server 4 will be described. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the remote management server.

[0082] like Figure 4 As shown, the remote management server 4 includes a control unit 40 , a communication unit 41 , and a storage unit 49 .

[0083] The control unit 40 plays a role in controlling the entire remote management server 4 and is various computing devices such as a CPU.

[0084] The communication unit 31 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various information to and from other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100. The communication unit 41 is an example of an acquisition unit or a transmission unit.

[0085] The storage unit 39 is a storage device such as a ROM, a RAM, or an SSD. The storage unit 39 stores and manages various tables shown below.

[0086] (User Information Management Table)

[0087] In the storage unit 39, the following information is stored: Figure 6 User information management table as shown. Figure 6 : is a conceptual diagram of a user information management table. In the user information management table, user information associated with a user ID, a user name, a user's contact information, and a user's address (or residence) is managed. The user's contact information is, for example, an email address of a user terminal, a user's telephone number, etc. In addition, at least one of the user ID, user name, user's contact information, and user's address (or residence) is an example of user identification information for identifying a user.

[0088] (Device Information Management Table)

[0089] In the storage unit 39, the following information is stored: Figure 7Device information management table as shown. Figure 7 2 is a conceptual diagram of a device information management table. In the device information management table, device information in which device specific information and repair shop information are associated with each user ID is managed.

[0090] The device specific information is information for identifying the air conditioner, and includes the device ID, device name, manufacturing number, sales date, and free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period). In addition, at least one of the device ID, device name, and manufacturing number is an example of device identification information for identifying the air conditioner.

[0091] The repair shop information is information for specifying a repair shop that repairs a failure of the air conditioner 7 indicated by the device ID, and includes, for example, information such as a shop name and a shop contact information.

[0092] (Warranty Information Management Table)

[0093] In the storage unit 39, the following information is stored: Figure 8 A warranty information management table as shown in (a), (b), and (c). Figure 8 This is a conceptual diagram of each warranty information management table. Figure 8 In (a), (b), and (c), respectively, Figure 1 Warranty information related to the air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c. Figure 8 (a) shows the status that user A joins the leakage warranty and completes the repair. Figure 8 (b) shows the state where user B joins the leakage warranty but does not make repairs (or makes repairs but does not complete them). Figure 8 (c) shows the state where user C has not joined the leakage warranty. Figure 8 3 warranty information are shown, but not limited to this.

[0094] In the warranty information management table, warranty subscription information and repair history information are associated and managed for each device ID.

[0095] The warranty participation information is information indicating a (dedicated) extended warranty for refrigerant leakage that is different from the free warranty (manufacturer warranty), and includes information on whether the leakage repair warranty is participated in, the warranty validity period, the warranty participation date, and the warranty expiration date. As information indicating whether the leakage repair warranty is participated in, if the user U wishes to participate in the extended warranty for refrigerant leakage, it is managed as "yes", and if not, it is managed as "no".

[0096] The repair history information is information showing a history of repairs of refrigerant leaks using an extended warranty specifically for refrigerant leaks, and includes information on a repair response date, warranty fees, and response content. In addition, the warranty fee indicates the amount paid by the repair merchant Y.

[0097] <Structure of air conditioner>

[0098] Next, use Fig. 9 The schematic structure of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 7 is described using Fig.10 A schematic configuration of a communication system representing the air conditioner 7 will be described.

[0099] (Structure of refrigerant circuit of air conditioner)

[0100] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. Fig. 9 The air conditioner 7 shown is a separate type including an indoor unit 7A and an outdoor unit 7B, but the present invention is not limited to this type.

[0101] The indoor unit 7A and the outdoor unit 7B are connected via a refrigerant pipe 73. A refrigerant circuit that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is formed by the circulation of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 73. The indoor unit 7A includes an indoor expansion valve 74, an indoor heat exchanger 75, and an indoor fan 76. The indoor expansion valve 74 uses an electric expansion valve that can adjust the refrigerant pressure and the refrigerant flow rate.

[0102] The indoor heat exchanger 75 is, for example, a cross-fin-tube heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with indoor air. The indoor fan 76 is configured to take indoor air into the indoor unit 7A, perform heat exchange between the taken-in air and the indoor heat exchanger 75, and then blow the air into the room. The indoor fan 76 includes a motor whose operating speed can be adjusted by inverter control.

[0103] The indoor unit 7A is also equipped with various sensors. For example, the indoor unit 7A is equipped with a temperature sensor 77. The temperature sensor 77 detects the temperature of the air taken into the indoor unit 7A by the indoor fan 76. The signal detected by the temperature sensor 77 is input to the control unit 70 (see Fig.10 ).

[0104] The indoor expansion valve 74 and the indoor fan 76 are controlled by the control unit 70 based on the on / off operation of the operation switch of the air conditioner 7 and the outputs of various sensors.

[0105] The outdoor unit 7B includes a compressor 80 , an outdoor heat exchanger 81 , a four-way switching valve 82 , an outdoor fan 83 , and an outdoor expansion valve 84 .

[0106] The compressor 80 is a variable capacity type (capacity variable type), and the operating speed of the motor can be changed by performing inverter control on the built-in motor. However, the compressor 80 may also be a constant capacity type. In addition, the compressor 80 may also be provided with a plurality of compressors. In this case, a variable capacity type compressor and a constant capacity type compressor may also exist in a mixed state.

[0107] The outdoor heat exchanger 81 is, for example, a cross-fin tube heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with the refrigerant using air as a heat source. The outdoor fan 83 is provided with an electric motor whose operating speed can be adjusted by inverter control. The outdoor fan 83 is configured to take outdoor air into the interior of the outdoor unit 7B, and after heat exchange between the taken-in air and the outdoor heat exchanger 81, blow the air out to the outside of the outdoor unit 7B.

[0108] The four-way switching valve 82 reverses the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 73, and switches the supply of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 80 to the outdoor heat exchanger 81 and the indoor heat exchanger 75. Thus, the air conditioner 7 can switch between cooling operation and heating operation.

[0109] The outdoor unit 7B also includes various sensors. For example, the outdoor unit 7B includes temperature sensors 85a, 85b, 87 and pressure sensors 86a, 86b, 88. The temperature sensor 85a is provided at the suction pipe of the compressor 80 to detect the suction pipe temperature. The temperature sensor 85b is provided at the discharge pipe to detect the discharge pipe temperature. The temperature sensor 87 is provided in front of the outdoor expansion valve 84 in the refrigerant piping 73 to detect the refrigerant piping temperature. The pressure sensor 86a is provided at the suction side of the compressor 80 to detect the low pressure. The pressure sensor 86b is provided at the discharge side of the compressor 80 to detect the high pressure. The pressure sensor 88 is provided in front of the outdoor expansion valve 84 in the refrigerant piping 73 to detect the refrigerant pressure. In addition, as a temperature sensor, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the gas side and the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 81 may also be provided.

[0110] The signals detected by the temperature sensors 85a, 85b and the pressure sensors 86a, 86b are input to a control unit 70 (see Fig.10 ).

[0111] The compressor 80 , the outdoor fan 83 , and the outdoor expansion valve 84 are controlled by the control unit 70 based on the outputs of various sensors.

[0112] (Configuration of Communication System of Air Conditioner)

[0113] Fig.10 This is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a communication system for an air conditioner.

[0114] like Fig.10 As shown, the air conditioner 7 includes a control unit 70, a temperature sensor 77, a temperature sensor 85a, a temperature sensor 85b, a pressure sensor 86a, and a pressure sensor 86b. The temperature sensor 77, the temperature sensor 85a, the temperature sensor 85b, the temperature sensor 87, the pressure sensor 86a, the pressure sensor 86b, and the pressure sensor 88 are examples of detection units. Fig. 9 Explanation has been given, so the description here is omitted.

[0115] The control unit 40 plays a role in controlling the entire remote management server 4 and is various computing devices such as a CPU. In addition, the control unit 70 functionally includes a determination unit 70a.

[0116] The determination unit 70a determines whether there is a refrigerant leak based on a signal (detection result) output from at least one of the temperature sensor 77, the temperature sensor 85a, the temperature sensor 85b, the pressure sensor 86a, and the pressure sensor 86. There are various methods for determining whether there is a refrigerant leak. For example, the determination unit 70a determines whether there is a leak by measuring the amount of refrigerant based on the pressure difference between the suction pressure (low pressure) as the detection result of the pressure sensor 86a and the discharge pressure (high pressure) as the detection result of the pressure sensor 86b.

[0117] The communication unit 71 is a communication device for sending and receiving various information with other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100. When the communication unit 71 performs wireless communication, data (information) is sent using a specific low-power wireless communication called LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). This specific low-power wireless communication is different from a wireless communication method that performs high-speed communication with relatively large power, such as a 4G line or 5G line provided by a mobile phone operator, and achieves long-distance communication with low power consumption. In the case of LPWA, the communication network 100 includes, for example, a SigFog network. The SigFog network can communicate at a communication speed of 100bps, with 12 bytes of data per communication, and a maximum of 140 times a day (about 50kB a month). At present, it can be used for about a few hundred yen per year, and communication can be performed with very low electricity. However, it is not limited to the SigFog network, and other specific low-power wireless communication networks can also be used.

[0118] 〔Refrigerant leakage repair system treatment or action〕

[0119] Next, use Figures 11 to 16The processing or operation of the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 is described. In addition, a dedicated application is installed in the management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, and the user terminal 6 so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, a dedicated application is installed in the air conditioner 7 and the remote management server 4 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0120] <Warranty registration process for refrigerant leakage>

[0121] First, use Fig.11 The following will describe the process and treatment of warranty support for refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 7. Fig.11 It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure and processing of warranty application for refrigerant leakage of an air conditioner.

[0122] S11: The user U purchases the air conditioner 7 from the sales store X, and pays the sales store X a warranty fee for obtaining a leakage warranty (extended warranty for refrigerant leakage).

[0123] S12: Sales store X pays the warranty fee collected from user U to warranty merchant Y.

[0124] S13: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives input of warranty subscription information from the store clerk of the sales store X.

[0125] S14: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 sends the warranty registration information received by the operation unit 32 to the remote management server 4. Thus, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the warranty registration information. In this case, the management terminal 3 sends the device identification information for identifying the air conditioner 7 that has been registered for warranty to the remote management server 4 together with the warranty registration information.

[0126] S15: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 stores the warranty subscription information received by the communication unit 41 in the storage unit 49. Figure 8 As shown, the warranty joining information is combined with the device identification information (in Figure 8 In the example, the device ID is stored in a table format associated with the device ID.

[0127] S16: On the other hand, the operation unit 62 of the user terminal 6 receives input of the user information of the user U and the equipment information of the air conditioner 7 purchased in the above S11 from the user U. At this point, the repair history information is not stored yet.

[0128] S17: The communication unit 61 of the user terminal 6 transmits the user information and the device information received by the operation unit 62 to the remote management server 4. As a result, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the user information and the device information.

[0129] S18: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 stores the user information and device information received by the communication unit 41 in the storage unit 49. Figure 6 As shown in the table, the device information is stored as follows: Figure 7 The data is stored in table form.

[0130] Through the above, the warranty application process and processing of the air conditioner 7 are completed.

[0131] <Leak notification, repair request, and repair response>

[0132] Next, use Figures 12 to 15 , explaining the handling of air conditioner leakage notification and repair request and repair response. Fig.12 This is a sequence diagram showing the processing of leakage notification and repair request of an air conditioner and the repair response.

[0133] S31: The air conditioner 7 performs a leak determination process. Fig.13 The leakage determination process will be described. Fig.13 : is a flowchart showing the leakage determination process.

[0134] S311: Any one of the sensors detects the state of the refrigerant. As a method for detecting the state of the refrigerant in the refrigeration operation, in addition to the above method, there is also a method such as: when the refrigerant supercooling degree obtained based on the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained by the pressure sensor 88 and the temperature before the expansion valve obtained by the temperature sensor 87 is less than a threshold value, it is judged to be a refrigerant leakage state. In addition, there is a method such as: when the refrigerant superheat degree obtained based on the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained by the pressure sensor 86a and the suction temperature of the compressor 80 obtained by the temperature sensor 85a is greater than a threshold value, it is judged to be a refrigerant leakage state. In addition, there is also a method such as: when the refrigerant superheat degree obtained based on the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained by the pressure sensor 86b and the discharge temperature of the compressor 80 obtained by the temperature sensor 85b is greater than a value corresponding to the operation state, it is judged to be a refrigerant leakage state. However, the method is not limited to the above method, and there is also a method of comprehensively detecting the refrigerant leakage state including, for example, indoor and outdoor temperatures, the rotation speed of the compressor 80, etc. in addition to the values ​​obtained by the above sensors.

[0135] S312: The determination unit 70a determines whether there is refrigerant leakage based on the detection result of at least one of the sensors. If no leakage occurs (S312: No), the process returns to the above process S311. On the other hand, if refrigerant leakage occurs (S312: Yes), the process proceeds to the next process S32.

[0136] S32: Return Fig.12The communication unit 71 transmits a leakage notification indicating that a refrigerant leakage is detected to the remote management server 4. The leakage notification includes a device ID for identifying the air conditioner 7 as the transmission source. Thus, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the leakage notification.

[0137] S33: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 uses the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search key to search each device information management table (refer to Figure 7 ), thereby determining the corresponding device information. In addition, the control unit 40 determines the user ID of the user U of the air conditioner 7 represented by the device ID. Furthermore, the control unit 40 uses the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search keyword to search each warranty information management table (refer to Figure 8 ), thereby determining the corresponding warranty joining information.

[0138] S34: Furthermore, the control unit 40 searches the user information management table ( Figure 6 ), thereby determining the contact information of the corresponding user. Thus, the reporting destination of the leakage report can be determined.

[0139] S35: The communication unit 41 sends the repair promotion instruction information indicating the intention to promote repair to the user U to the management terminal 3 of the sales store. The repair promotion instruction information includes the information (user information, equipment information, warranty subscription information) determined in the processes S33 and S34. Thus, the communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 receives the repair promotion instruction information.

[0140] S36: In addition, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 sends leakage report information indicating a report of refrigerant leakage to the user terminal 6 whose report destination is determined in process S34. The leakage report information includes the information (user information, device information) determined in processes S33 and S34. Thus, the user U can understand that a leakage has occurred as a first report.

[0141] S37: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives the generation of repair promotion information indicating repair promotion from the store clerk of the sales store X who has received the instruction to promote repair.

[0142] S38: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 sends the repair promotion information generated by the operation unit 32 to the user terminal 6 involved in the contact information of the user information received in the process S35. Thus, the communication unit 61 of the user terminal 6 receives the repair promotion information. In addition, in the process S36, the communication unit 41 may include the warranty subscription information in the leakage report information and send it to the user terminal 6. In this case, before the process S36, the remote management server 4 accepts the generation of the repair promotion information in the same way as in the process S37, and in the process S36, the communication unit 41 sends the generated repair promotion information to the user terminal 6. In this case, the repair promotion is performed by the remote management server 4 alone instead of the server system 2, and the processes S35, S37, and S38 may be omitted.

[0143] S39: The display control unit 64 of the user terminal 6 causes the display of the user terminal 6 or an external display to display Fig.14 Here, use Fig.14 The display screen 610 will be described. Fig.14 The figure shows an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0144] like Fig.14 As shown, the display screen 610 displays user-specific information 611 such as a user name, a note 612 urging repairs, a device information display column 613, a warranty subscription information display column 614, and a promotional content information display column 615. The user-specific information 611 is information generated based on the user information received in process 35. In addition, here, the user name of user A is shown as a given user. In addition, the user-specific information may be a user ID instead of a user name, or may be both a user ID and a user name. In addition, the user-specific information may also include the contact information and address of user U. In addition, the note 612 urging repairs is an example, and it may not be a note as long as it is content urging repairs. Fig.14 The content shown.

[0145] The repair urging note 612 is information generated in the process S37 by the employee of the sales store X. Alternatively, the note 612 may not be generated by the employee of the sales store X, but may be automatically set as a standard text prepared in advance.

[0146] The device information received in process S35 is displayed in the device information display column 613. The warranty subscription information received in process S35 is displayed in the warranty subscription information display column 614. The promotion content information display column 615 displays the content generated by the employee of the sales store X in process S37. The promotion content information includes information 615a indicating the date and time when the leakage notification was obtained and information 615b indicating a schedule candidate for repair of the refrigerant leakage by the sales store (repair shop).

[0147] In addition, a "repair request" button 618 for the user to request a repair from a sales store (repair department) and a "do not request repair" button 619 for the user not to request a repair from a sales store (repair department) are displayed at the bottom of the display screen 610. The "repair request" button 618 is an example of a repair request unit.

[0148] S40: When the user U selects the "repair request" button 618, the operation unit 61 receives the selection of the repair request.

[0149] S41: The communication unit 61 transmits a reply indicating the intention to request repair to the management terminal 3 as a response to the process S38 based on the operation unit 61 accepting the selection of the repair request. Thus, the communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 receives the repair request. In addition, if the "do not request repair" button 619 is selected in the process S40, the communication unit 61 transmits a reply indicating the intention not to perform repair to the management terminal 3 as a response to the process S38, or transmits nothing.

[0150] S42: When the management terminal 3 receives a reply indicating a request for repair, the repair department of the sales store as a repair shop performs repair work on the air conditioner 7.

[0151] In addition, Fig.15 Shown in Fig.14 A variation of the display screen. Fig.15 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0152] like Fig.15 As shown, the display screen 620 displays user-specific information 621 such as a user ID, a note 622 urging repairs, a device information display column 623, and a URL 624 selected when viewing detailed content. The user-specific information 621 is the same as the user-specific information 611. The note 622 urging repairs indicates that the URL 624 is accessed due to a refrigerant leak. The device information display column 623 is the same as the device information display column 613. The URL 624 is used to display the information including Fig.14The warranty subscription information display column 614 and the promotion content information display column 615 are displayed on other display screens. In addition, other display screens also include Fig.14 The display screen 620 has a "repair request" button 618 and a "do not request repair" button 619. In addition, at the bottom of the display screen 620, a "close" button 629 for closing the display screen 620 is displayed.

[0153] In addition, Fig.15 In the example, a device information display bar 623 is displayed, but the device information display bar 623 may also be displayed on the other display screens. In the case where the user terminal 6 receives the information via email rather than a dedicated application, the user specific information 621, the note 622 urging repairs, and the URL 624 may be sent via email.

[0154] Through the above, the processing of the leakage notification and repair request of the air conditioner and the repair response are completed.

[0155] <Post-repair process and treatment>

[0156] Next, use Fig.16 The following describes the process and treatment after the air conditioner 7 is repaired. Fig.16 This is a sequence diagram showing the process and processing after the repair of the air conditioner.

[0157] S51: After the repair, the sales store X reports the repair completion to the warranty merchant Y, and collects the warranty fee from the warranty merchant Y.

[0158] S52: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives input of the repair response result from the clerk of the sales store X. As the response result, the repair response date, the warranty fee collected from the warranty merchant Y, and the repair response content are input. In this case, the device ID for identifying the air conditioner 7 to be repaired is also input.

[0159] S53: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 transmits the repair history information including the content received by the operation unit 32 to the remote management server 4. The repair history information includes the device ID input in the process S52. Thus, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the repair history information.

[0160] S54: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 uses the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search key to search the warranty information management table (refer to Figure 8 ), thereby determining the warranty information management table of the device ID and storing the repair history information received by the communication unit 41.

[0161] Through the above, the process and treatment after the repair of the air conditioner are completed.

[0162] [Variation of business flow]

[0163] exist Figure 1 , the business flow related to the refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner 7 is shown, using Fig.17 A modification example of the business flow is shown. Fig.17 It is a diagram showing a modified example of a commercial flow related to refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner.

[0164] exist Fig.17 In the variation shown, instead of the newly appearing manufacturer (repair department) Z, a sales store X' without a repair department appears. In order to continue the relationship with the user U, the sales store X' often wants to grasp the repair information of the user U, thus generating Fig.17 In addition, Figure 1 Same treatment or process label as Figure 1 The same symbols are used and the description is omitted.

[0165] In the case of this modification, Figure 1 S2 is transformed into a two-stage process of S2a and S2b. Figure 1 S5 is changed into a two-stage process of S5a and S5b. Figure 1 The S8 is changed into a two-stage process of S8a and S8b.

[0166] That is, when the user U desires warranty for refrigerant leakage, the warranty fee is paid from each user U to the sales store X' (S2a), and from the manufacturer Z to the warranty provider Y (S2b).

[0167] In addition, the remote management server 4 sends a repair promotion instruction to the manufacturer Z (S5a), and the manufacturer Z sends a leakage report to the sales store (S5b). In this case, the manufacturer Z performs the repair, so the manufacturer Z contacts the user A to repair the refrigerant leakage through the warranty application, and performs the repair response after adjusting the repair schedule (S6'). Furthermore, in the case of being outside the free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period) and within the leakage warranty period, the manufacturer Z reports the completion of the repair to the warranty merchant Y after the repair is completed, and collects the warranty fee from the warranty merchant Y (S7').

[0168] Furthermore, the manufacturer Z registers the repair history information in the remote management server 4 ( S8 a ), and the manufacturer Z reports the repair completion to the sales store X′ ( S8 b ).

[0169] The above completes the description of the modified example of the business flow regarding the refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner.

[0170] [Effects of implementation methods]

[0171] (1) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of not only the need for repair but also the existence of warranty subscription, thereby eliminating the user's concerns about the cost of repair, and thus promoting the user U of the air conditioner 7 to voluntarily request repair. In the air conditioner 7 that can operate even if the refrigerant leaks, the user U voluntarily promotes the request for repair, shortening the period from the occurrence of leakage to the repair, thereby suppressing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0172] (2) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of whether or not the warranty has been subscribed and the warranty validity period for repair of refrigerant leakage, thereby promoting the user U to voluntarily request repairs.

[0173] (3) The server system 2 not only notifies the user of the existence of warranty subscription, but also notifies the user of the intention to promote repairs, thereby promoting the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0174] (4) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of the list of specific repair schedule candidates, thereby promoting the user U to voluntarily request repairs.

[0175] (5) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of information including the date and time when the leakage state is detected, thereby promoting the user U to voluntarily request repairs.

[0176] (6) The server system 2 stores repair history information indicating the history of repairs of refrigerant leakage, thereby facilitating repairs.

[0177] (7) User terminal 6 displays Fig.14 The display screen 610 shown can thereby prompt the user U who sees the display screen 610 to request repair.

[0178] (8) The air conditioner 7 can automatically determine whether or not there is a refrigerant leak before entering the actual cooling and heating season based on the detection result during the trial operation of the air conditioner based on the change in the outside air temperature.

[0179] 〔Replenish〕

[0180] (1) The control units 30 , 40 , 60 , and 70 may execute processing according to respective programs. Each program may be recorded in a (non-transitory) recording medium or provided via the communication network 100 .

[0181] (2) The number of CPUs constituting the control units 30 , 40 , 60 , and 70 may be not only one but also multiple.

[0182] (3) The management terminal 3 and the user terminal 6 are PCs, etc., but may also be laptops or desktop computers. In addition, the management terminal 3 and the user terminal 6 may also be tablet terminals, smart phones, smart watches, etc.

[0183] 〔Relationship with the basic application〕

[0184] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-150270 filed on September 21, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0185] Explanation of symbols

[0186] 1: Refrigerant leakage repair system

[0187] 2: Server system

[0188] 3: Management Terminal

[0189] 4: Remote management server

[0190] 6: User terminal (an example of an information terminal)

[0191] 7: Air conditioner

[0192] 40: Control Department

[0193] 41: Communication unit (an example of an acquisition unit, an example of a transmission unit)

[0194] 49: Storage unit (an example of a storage unit)

[0195] 60: Control Department

[0196] 61: Ministry of Communications

[0197] 62: Operation Department

[0198] 64: Display control unit (an example of a display control unit)

[0199] 69: Storage

[0200] 70: Control Department

[0201] 70a: Determination unit (an example of determination means)

[0202] 71: Communication unit (an example of a communication unit)

[0203] 77: Temperature sensor (an example of a detection unit)

[0204] 85a: Temperature sensor (an example of a detection unit)

[0205] 85b: Temperature sensor (an example of a detection unit)

[0206] 86a: Pressure sensor (an example of a detection unit)

[0207] 86b: Pressure sensor (an example of a detection unit)

[0208] 618: "Request Repair" button (an example of a repair request unit)

[0209] 619: "Do not commission repair" button.

Claims

1. A server system (2), comprising: A storage unit (49) storing warranty subscription information (614) indicating whether warranty subscription for repair of refrigerant leakage of each air conditioner is available; an acquisition unit (41) for acquiring a leakage notification indicating that a leakage of the refrigerant of a given air conditioner (7) has been detected; and A sending unit (41) sends notification information including the warranty subscription information (614) corresponding to the given air conditioner (7) to an information terminal (6) used by a user of the given air conditioner (7).

2. The server system (2) according to claim 1, wherein: The warranty subscription information (614) includes information indicating whether the warranty subscription exists and the warranty validity period for repair of the refrigerant leakage.

3. The server system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The notification information includes repair promotion information (612) indicating repair promotion based on the warranty subscription information (614).

4. The server system (2) according to claim 3, wherein: The repair promotion information (612) includes information (615b) indicating a schedule candidate for repair of the refrigerant leakage by a repair shop.

5. The server system (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The repair promotion information includes information indicating the date and time when the leakage notification was obtained (615a).

6. The server system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The storage unit (49) stores repair history information indicating a history of repairs of the refrigerant leakage in association with the warranty subscription information.

7. A refrigerant leakage repair system (1), comprising the server system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the information terminal (6), The information terminal (6) includes a display control unit (64) for displaying a display screen including the warranty subscription information. The display screen includes a repair request unit (618) for requesting a repair to a repair shop.

8. A refrigerant leakage repair system (1), comprising the server system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the air conditioner (7) The air conditioner (7) comprises: a detection unit (72) for detecting a state of a refrigerant during operation of the air conditioner; a determination unit (70a) for determining whether the refrigerant has leaked based on the detection result; and a communication unit (71) which, when it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak, sends the leak notification to the server system, The determination unit (70a) performs processing for determining the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage based on the detection result during the test operation period of the air conditioner based on the change in the outside air temperature.

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