Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system (100) is provided with an air conditioner (10) having a refrigeration cycle (1) for circulating a refrigerant between a heat source unit (A) and a use-side unit (B), and a controller (30) communicatively connected to the air conditioner (10). The controller (30) is provided with: a leakage determination unit (304) that determines whether or not the refrigerant leaks; a leakage recording unit (305) that records the refrigerant leakage determination results determined by the leakage determination unit (304) every predetermined period of time; and an external output unit (306) that outputs the leakage determination result to the outside. If the leak determination result is a "leak", an external output unit (306) notifies the leak determination result to a user located outside the space to be air-conditioned by the use-side unit (B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducer, and an evaporator are connected in sequence to circulate refrigerant. The air conditioner is equipped with a refrigerant leak detector that detects leaks in the refrigerant filling the refrigeration cycle. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner with a leakage control mode that stops or test-operates the compressor if the refrigerant detector detects a refrigerant leak. The refrigerant detector issues an alarm to repair the refrigerant leak or replenish the refrigerant.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-060517 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the above-mentioned refrigerant leak detector, notifying users outside the air-conditioned space of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner is not a priority. For example, by notifying users in a location far from the air conditioner of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner, the safety of the air conditioner and the reliability of its operation can be ensured.

[0008] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system capable of detecting refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner and notifying a user outside an air-conditioned space.

[0009] Solutions for solving the above technical problems

[0010] An air conditioning system according to an embodiment includes an air conditioner and a controller. The air conditioner has a refrigeration cycle that circulates refrigerant between a heat source unit and a user-side unit. The controller is communicatively connected to the air conditioner. The controller includes a leakage detection unit that determines whether refrigerant has leaked; a leakage recording unit that records the refrigerant leakage detection results determined by the leakage detection unit at predetermined intervals; and an external output unit that outputs the leakage detection results to the outside. If the leakage detection result is "leakage," the leakage detection result is notified to users outside the air-conditioned space being air-conditioned by the user-side unit via the external output unit.

[0011] The external output unit may be provided in the heat source unit controlled by the controller.

[0012] The external output unit may be provided in an adapter, and the adapter may be provided in a usage-side unit controlled by the controller.

[0013] The external output unit may transmit a signal indicating the leakage determination result from the heat source unit to the notification unit for the user via the interface.

[0014] The external output unit may transmit a signal indicating the leakage determination result from the adapter included in the user-side unit to the notification unit via the interface.

[0015] The external output unit may transmit a signal indicating the leakage determination result from the no-voltage contact of the heat source unit to the notification unit for the user.

[0016] The leakage recording unit may be provided in the heat source unit controlled by the controller.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner and notify a user outside an air-conditioned space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for recording a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 2.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning system according to the third embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] (First embodiment)

[0029] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, air conditioner 10 is configured by connecting a heat source unit A and a user-side unit B via a refrigerant pipe 7. Heat source unit A includes a compressor 2 and an outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 4. User-side unit B includes an expansion device 5 and an indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 6. User-side unit B performs air conditioning in the desired air-conditioned space (e.g., a room or the interior of a building).

[0031] The refrigeration cycle 1 of the air conditioner 10 is composed of a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 4, an expansion device 5 and an indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 6 connected in sequence by a refrigerant pipe 7. Figure 1 In FIG, the flow direction of the refrigerant during cooling operation is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow direction of the refrigerant during heating operation is indicated by dotted arrows.

[0032] The compressor 2 includes a compressor body 2A and an accumulator 2B. The compressor body 2A compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant taken into it into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The accumulator 2B separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor body 2A.

[0033] Four-way valve 3 reverses the refrigerant flow direction, switching between cooling and heating operations. During cooling operation, the refrigerant flows sequentially through compressor 2, four-way valve 3, outdoor heat exchanger 4, expansion device 5, and indoor heat exchanger 6. At this time, outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, while indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator.

[0034] During heating operation, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the indoor heat exchanger 6, the expansion device 5, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator.

[0035] The condenser condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 by transferring heat to the outside air, converting it into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The expansion device 5 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant fed from the condenser, converting it into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The evaporator vaporizes the low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant fed from the expansion device 5 by transferring heat from the outside air, converting it into a low-pressure gas refrigerant.

[0036] In the refrigeration cycle 1, the refrigerant, serving as the working fluid, circulates while changing phases between a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. During the phase change from gas to liquid, the refrigerant dissipates heat. During the phase change from liquid to gas, the refrigerant absorbs heat. The refrigeration cycle 1 utilizes the refrigerant's heat dissipation or absorption to perform heating, cooling, defrosting, and other functions.

[0037] The air conditioner 10 includes a controller 30 for controlling the heat source unit A and the usage-side unit B. Connected to the controller 30 are a remote control operator 36 , a manually operated reset switch 37 , and an inverter 40 connected to a commercial AC power source 41 .

[0038] Operator 36 sets the operating conditions of air conditioner 10 equipped with refrigeration cycle 1. Reset switch 37 resets the measurement status by turning it on. Inverter 40 converts the AC voltage of commercial AC power supply 41 into DC voltage through rectification. Using a switch, it converts this DC voltage into an AC voltage with a predetermined frequency F (Hz) and a level corresponding to this predetermined frequency F, and outputs it. The output of inverter 40 is supplied as drive power to the motor in compressor 2.

[0039] Figure 2 : is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 In, with Figure 1 Common parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 10 composed of a heat source unit A and a utilization side unit B, a controller 30, an interface (hereinafter referred to as "IF") 31, and a notification unit 32. The air conditioning system 100 can transmit and receive data with a cloud 34 and a portable terminal 35 via a communication network 33. In addition, as the portable terminal 35, an electronic device with a transmitting and receiving function such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, and a notebook PC can also be used. In this embodiment, one utilization side unit is provided for one heat source unit, but it is not limited to this. For example, multiple utilization side units can be provided for one heat source unit, and multiple utilization side units can be provided for multiple heat source units.

[0041] The controller 30 controls the air conditioner 10. Specifically, the controller 30 controls the utilization-side unit B and the heat source unit A of the air conditioner 10. The communication method between the controller 30 and the air conditioner 10 can be any method as long as the controller 30 and the air conditioner 10 are capable of communicating. For example, a general-purpose protocol such as Modbus can be used.

[0042] The controller 30 has various functions, but the main functions related to Embodiment 1 include an opening control unit 301, a leak detection unit 302, an update unit 303, a leak determination unit 304, a leak recording unit 305, an external output unit 306, and a warning notification unit 307. The controller 30 also has a built-in nonvolatile memory 308 for data storage. A semiconductor memory (RAM, ROM), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can also be used as the leak recording unit 305.

[0043] The opening control unit 301 controls the opening of the expansion valve 4 (superheat constant value control) to maintain the superheat of the refrigerant in the evaporator at a constant target value. The evaporator is the indoor heat exchanger 6 during cooling and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 during heating. The superheat is calculated based on, for example, the temperature detected by a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is, for example, located on the refrigerant inflow side of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or indoor heat exchanger 6 during cooling, i.e., in the piping between the four-way valve 3 and the accumulator 2B.

[0044] The leakage detection unit 302 predicts the opening Qm of the expansion valve 4 when there is no refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration cycle 1 based on the state change of the refrigeration cycle 1, and detects the leakage state of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 1 by comparing the predicted opening Qm with the actual opening Qa of the expansion valve 4.

[0045] Specifically, the leak detection unit 302 stores the opening degree Qx of the expansion valve 4 at the initial stage of operation of the refrigeration cycle 1 in the memory 308, and also stores the state quantity of the refrigeration cycle 1 at the initial stage of operation as the initial state quantity (also referred to as the "initial operation state quantity") in the memory 308. The leak detection unit 302 detects the difference between the initial state quantity stored in the memory 308 and the state quantity of the refrigeration cycle 1 during the current operation (also referred to as the current state quantity) as the state change quantity. Based on the detected state change quantity, the leak detection unit 302 predicts (also referred to as "estimates") the opening degree Qm of the expansion valve 4 if there is no refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration cycle 1. The leak detection unit 302 then detects refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration cycle 1 based on the difference between the predicted opening degree Qm and the actual opening degree Qa of the expansion valve 4.

[0046] The predicted opening Qm is hereinafter referred to as the predicted opening (or "estimated opening") Qm. The predicted opening Qm is the opening that the expansion valve 4 is likely to reach during the current operation of the refrigeration cycle 1, assuming that there is no refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration cycle 1.

[0047] The initial state quantity is at least one of the operating frequency, condensing temperature, evaporating temperature, and superheat at a time when a predetermined set time (for example, 10 to 50 hours) has passed since the reset switch 37 was turned on.

[0048] The state quantity during the current operation of the refrigeration cycle 1 is at least one of the operating frequency, the condensing temperature, the evaporating temperature, and the degree of superheat during the current operation of the refrigeration cycle 1 .

[0049] For example, the leakage detection unit 302 extracts at least one of the operating frequency, condensing temperature, evaporating temperature and superheat as the state quantity during current operation in correspondence with at least one of the operating frequency, condensing temperature, evaporating temperature and superheat recorded as the initial state quantity.

[0050] The updating unit 303 updates the initial state quantity in the memory 308 in response to the on operation of the reset switch 37 .

[0051] Leakage determination unit 304 compares the initial state quantity with the state quantity during current operation and determines a "leak" if the refrigerant leakage ratio is 30% or greater. In Embodiment 1, leakage determination unit 304 compares the predicted expansion valve opening in the initial refrigerant sealing state with the actual expansion valve opening, calculates the refrigerant leakage ratio, and determines whether a refrigerant leak has occurred.

[0052] The leak detection unit 304 detects refrigerant leakage at set intervals. If refrigerant is leaking, it determines "leakage" and transmits the leak detection result from the controller 30 to an external source, such as the cloud 34, to notify the user. In this embodiment, the refrigerant leak detection result is information transmitted externally when the leak detection unit 304 determines "leakage" when the refrigerant leakage amount is 30% or more, but this is not limiting. The leak detection unit 304 may also transmit information indicating no refrigerant leakage. For example, if the leak detection unit 304 determines "no leakage," a leak detection result indicating "no leakage" may be transmitted. Alternatively, a leak detection result indicating "leakage" or "no leakage" may be transmitted once daily. Furthermore, data on the refrigerant leakage amount ratio used in refrigerant leak detection may be transmitted at set intervals along with the leak detection result.

[0053] The leakage recording unit 305 records information of "leakage" or "non-leakage", that is, the result of the refrigerant leakage determination, at least once a day.

[0054] If the leak determination unit 304 determines a refrigerant leak, "Leak" is recorded on the heat source unit A's baseplate. Furthermore, if the leak determination unit 304 does not determine a refrigerant leak within 24 hours, "No Leak" is recorded. For example, a "1" is recorded for a leak and a "0" for a no leak. Leak determination results can be recorded on the heat source unit A's baseplate for 400 days. The data for the 401st day, exceeding 400 days, is overwritten on the data for the first day and updated. This allows for permanent recording of leak determination results.

[0055] The leakage recording unit 305 includes a date counter and a time counter. The date counter is measured using two characters, N and M, for example. The time counter can be measured using a built-in time measurement device or by receiving time information via external radio waves. In this embodiment, the date counter and the time counter record the refrigerant leakage determination results once a day.

[0056] External output unit 306 outputs information about the air conditioner to IF 31. Specifically, it outputs a maintenance code transmitted from heat source unit A to IF 31. In Embodiment 1, external output unit 306 is provided in heat source unit A. The maintenance code transmitted from heat source unit A to IF 31 is a refrigerant leakage determination result.

[0057] When the leakage determination unit 304 determines that there is a "leakage", the warning notification unit 307 sends a signal to the operator 36 to instruct the operator to display a warning. Figure 1 Likewise, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the operator 36 can also be connected to the controller 30.

[0058] As described above, the memory 308 stores the opening degree Qx of the expansion valve 4 in the initial operation stage of the refrigeration cycle 1 , the state quantity of the refrigeration cycle 1 in the initial operation stage, and the like.

[0059] Notification unit 32 receives the refrigerant leak determination result from IF 31 and transmits it to communication network 33. Notification unit 32 is configured to transmit the signal transmitted from IF 31 to communication network 33. Specifically, IF 31 transmits the refrigerant leak determination result (leak determination signal) to notification unit 32 via, for example, serial communication standard RS485. Notification unit 32 then receives the refrigerant leak determination result from IF 31. Notification unit 32 then transmits the refrigerant leak determination result to cloud 34 via communication network 33.

[0060] Communication network 33 is, for example, an Internet information communication network used by portable terminals 35 such as smartphones and tablets. Communication network 33 is not limited to the Internet information communication network and may also be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for machine-type communication), or the like.

[0061] The cloud 34 receives the refrigerant leakage determination result output from the notification unit 32 via the communication network 33. Specifically, the refrigerant leakage determination result is recorded in the cloud system and made public to the portable terminal 35 used by the user, for example, through an application.

[0062] Methods for disclosing refrigerant leakage determination results include, for example, notifying the user of a "leak" through an application installed on the portable terminal 35, or notifying the portable terminal 35 via email or other means. Furthermore, the refrigerant leakage determination results may include recording and disclosing only the refrigerant "leak" determination, or recording and disclosing the refrigerant "leak" and "non-leak" determination results separately. Furthermore, the refrigerant leakage rate data may be displayed not only numerically but also visually, such as through a graph or other means.

[0063] Figure 3 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1. This notification procedure is mainly performed by the controller 30. Figure 3 , a description will be given of the flow from the refrigerant leakage determination unit 304 determining that there has been a "leak" to the notification to the user.

[0064] First, when the leakage determination unit 304 determines a "leak" (step 1), a maintenance code indicating the refrigerant leakage determination result is transmitted from the heat source unit A to the IF 31 via the external output unit 306 of the controller 30. Furthermore, a warning indicating a refrigerant leakage is displayed on the operator 36 of the air conditioner 10 via the warning notification unit 307 of the controller 30 (step 2).

[0065] The inspection code transmitted from heat source unit A to IF 31 via external output unit 306 is converted by IF 31 into an RS485 signal (leakage determination signal) and transmitted to notification unit 32 (step 3). The leakage determination signal transmitted from IF 31 to notification unit 32 is then transmitted from notification unit 32 to cloud 34 via communication network 33 (step 4). The refrigerant leakage determination result transmitted to cloud 34 is then transmitted to portable terminal 35. Portable terminal 35 displays a notification (text, graphic characters, symbols, etc.) to the user via an application or the like (step 5). The controller 30 then completes the process of notifying the user of the refrigerant leakage determination result.

[0066] As described above, by notifying the user of portable terminal 35 of the refrigerant leak determination result via communication network 33 or cloud 34, if the refrigerant leak determination result indicates a "leak," users outside or remote from the air-conditioned space (such as a room or building being air-conditioned) can be promptly notified of the refrigerant leak. By detecting refrigerant leaks in air conditioner 10 and notifying users outside the air-conditioned space, air conditioning system 100 ensures the safety of air conditioner 10 and improves the operational reliability of air conditioner 10.

[0067] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing a recording step of a refrigerant leakage determination result of the air conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1. This recording step is mainly performed by the controller 30. Figure 4 Next, a flow is described in which the refrigerant leakage determination result determined by the leakage determination unit 304 is recorded in the leakage recording unit 305. In the step of recording the refrigerant leakage determination result, a date counter and a time counter are used.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, in the leakage recording unit 305 included in the controller 30, two values, N and M, are used as the initial settings for the date counter, with N set to 1 and M set to 0 (step 11). The values ​​of N and M are then substituted into the inequality "400(M+1)>N?". If the left-hand side is larger (yes in step 12), the process proceeds to the leak determination (step 13). If the right-hand side is larger (no in step 12), the equation "M+1→M" is set (step 18), and the process proceeds to the leak determination (step 13).

[0069] When the leakage judgment result of the leakage judgment unit 304 is "leakage" (yes in step 13), the nth one is set to "n=N-400M" as the order of recording and "leakage" (text, symbols and data showing "leakage", etc.) is recorded on the substrate of the heat source unit A (step 14).

[0070] Afterwards, if the time counter is not "0:00" (No in step 15), wait until the time counter becomes "0:00" (step 15). If the time counter becomes "0:00" (Yes in step 15), the leakage recording unit 305 increments N (N+1) (step 16).

[0071] In the leakage determination unit 304, when the leakage determination result is "no leakage" (No in step 13) and the time counter is not "23:59" (No in step 19), the leakage determination unit 304 performs refrigerant leakage determination again (step 13).

[0072] Leak detection is repeated. If the leak detection result in the leak detection unit 304 is "no" (No in step 13) and the time counter is "23:59" (Yes in step 19), the leak recording unit 305 sets the nth item to "n = N - 400M" as the recording order and records "no leak" (text, symbol, data, etc. indicating "no leak") on the substrate of the heat source unit (step 20). The unit then waits for the time counter to reach "0:00" (step 15). If the time counter reaches "0:00" (Yes in step 15), the leak recording unit 305 increments N (N + 1) (step 16).

[0073] After the leakage recording unit 305 increments N by (N+1) (step 16), if the recording of the refrigerant leak determination has not been terminated (No in step 17), the process returns to step 12, where the values ​​of N and M are substituted into the inequality "400(M+1)>N?". The leakage recording unit 304 then performs another refrigerant leak determination. If the recording of the refrigerant leak determination has been terminated (Yes in step 17), the leakage recording unit 305 terminates the recording. The controller 30 then completes the refrigerant leak determination result recording step.

[0074] As described above, the refrigerant leak determination results are recorded in the leak recording unit 305. By recording the refrigerant leak determination results once a day, the user can confirm past refrigerant leak determination results. Furthermore, the period for recording the refrigerant leak determination results is not limited to daily, but may also be a predetermined period (e.g., every hour, every few hours, every week, etc.). Alternatively, the refrigerant leak determination results may be recorded at predetermined intervals starting from the start of operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0075] (Implementation Method 2)

[0076] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the air-conditioning system 101 involved in Embodiment 2 is demonstrated. Figure 5This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning system 101 according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system 101 according to the second embodiment.

[0077] Compared with embodiment 1, in embodiment 2, as Figure 5 As shown, an adapter 50 is added to the user-side unit B. In the second embodiment, a controller 60 is used instead of the controller 30. Hereinafter, a procedure for notifying the refrigerant leakage determination result according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0078] The controller 60 has the same configuration as the controller 30 (301 to 305, 307, 308). Furthermore, the controller 60 includes a repair code transmitter 609 and a repair code receiver 610. Furthermore, the controller 60 includes an external output unit 606 in place of the external output unit 306. Alternatively, the external output unit 606 may be provided in the adapter 50.

[0079] In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, the maintenance code transmitting unit 609 of the controller 60 outputs the maintenance code from the heat source unit A to the user-side unit B. Specifically, the maintenance code transmitting unit 609 outputs the maintenance code transmitted from the heat source unit A to the user-side unit B. The maintenance code transmitted from the heat source unit A is, for example, refrigerant leakage information transmitted when the leakage determining unit 304 determines that a refrigerant leak has occurred.

[0081] The utilization-side unit B receives the maintenance code from the heat source unit A via the maintenance code receiving unit 610 .

[0082] The external output unit 606 outputs information about the air conditioner 10 to the IF 31. Specifically, it outputs a maintenance code transmitted from the user-side unit B to the IF 31. In Embodiment 2, the external output unit 606 is provided in the adapter 50 of the user-side unit B. The maintenance code transmitted from the heat source unit A is, for example, refrigerant leakage information transmitted when the leakage determination unit 304 determines that a refrigerant leak has occurred.

[0083] Next, refer to Figure 6 , a description will be given of the flow from the refrigerant leakage determination unit 304 determining that there has been a "leak" to the notification to the user.

[0084] First, in the leakage determination unit 304, when a "leak" determination is made (step 31), a maintenance code is transmitted from the heat source unit A to the adapter 50 provided in the user-side unit B. Specifically, the maintenance code is transmitted from the heat source unit A to the adapter 50 provided in the user-side unit B via the maintenance code transmission unit 609 provided in the controller 60. The adapter 50 provided in the user-side unit B receives the maintenance code from the heat source unit A via the maintenance code reception unit 610. Figure 1 ), a warning of refrigerant leakage is also displayed by the warning notification unit 307 of the controller 60 (step 32).

[0085] Afterwards, the maintenance code is sent from the adapter 50 of the user-side unit B to the IF31 via the external output unit 606 (step 33). The maintenance code sent from the user-side unit B to the IF31 is converted into an RS485 signal by the IF31 and sent to the notification unit 32 (step 34). Afterwards, the RS485 signal sent from the IF31 to the notification unit 32 is sent from the notification unit 32 to the cloud 34 via the communication network 33 (step 35). Then, the refrigerant leakage determination result sent to the cloud 34 is sent to the portable terminal 35. The portable terminal 35 notifies the user of the refrigerant leakage determination result through an application or the like (step 36).

[0086] As described above, for the model (air conditioner 10) including the adapter 50 in the user-side unit B, the refrigerant leakage determination result can be notified to the user via the adapter 50. Therefore, a refrigerant notification method corresponding to each model can be selected.

[0087] Furthermore, even if the user-side unit B includes the adapter 50, the refrigerant leakage determination result warning can be notified to the user without going through the adapter 50. Therefore, even if there are a mixture of models including the adapter 50 and models not including the adapter 50, the refrigerant leakage determination result notification method can be made the same.

[0088] (Implementation 3)

[0089] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the air-conditioning system 102 involved in embodiment 3 is described. Figure 7 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning system 102 according to the third embodiment. Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a refrigerant leakage determination result in the air-conditioning system 102 according to the third embodiment.

[0090] Embodiment 3 does not include IF 31 in Embodiment 1. Compared to Embodiment 1, Embodiment 3 uses a controller 70 instead of controller 30. In Embodiment 3, a procedure for notifying a user of a refrigerant leakage determination result in a configuration in which controller 70 is directly connected to notification unit 32 will be described.

[0091] like Figure 7 As shown, controller 70 has the same configuration (301 to 305, 307, 308) as in embodiment 1. Controller 70 includes an external output unit 706 instead of external output unit 306. In embodiment 3, the same configurations as in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the external output unit 706 directly outputs the refrigerant leakage determination result in the air conditioner 10, indicating that the leakage determination unit 304 has determined a "leak," to the notification unit 32. In Embodiment 3, the external output unit 706 may also be provided in the heat source unit A. Specifically, the external output unit 706 outputs the refrigerant leakage determination result to the notification unit 32 via a no-voltage contact (not shown) of the heat source unit A. The no-voltage contact of the heat source unit A activates when the leakage determination unit 304 determines that the refrigerant is leaking. In response to this activation, the notification unit 32 transmits the refrigerant leakage determination result to the communication network 33.

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 8 , a description will be given of the flow from the refrigerant leakage determination unit 304 determining that there has been a "leak" to the notification to the user.

[0094] First, when a "leakage" is determined (step 41), the no-voltage contact of the heat source unit A is actuated, and the refrigerant leakage is transmitted from the notification unit 32 to the communication network 33. Figure 1 ), a warning of refrigerant leakage is also displayed by the warning notification unit 307 provided in the controller 70 (step 42).

[0095] Then, the refrigerant leakage determination result is transmitted from the notification unit 32 to the cloud 34 via the communication network 33 (step 43). The refrigerant leakage determination result transmitted to the cloud 34 is then transmitted to the portable terminal 35. The portable terminal 35 displays a notification to the user via an application or the like.

[0096] As described above, in Embodiment 3, the refrigerant leakage determination result can be directly transmitted from the heat source unit A to the notification unit 32 via the external output unit 706. Thus, in Embodiment 3, the refrigerant leakage determination result can be alerted to the user without going through the IF 31.

[0097] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention and within the scope of the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0098] Description of Reference Numerals

[0099] 1 Refrigeration Cycle

[0100] 2 compressors

[0101] 4 Outdoor heat exchanger

[0102] 5. Expansion device

[0103] 6Indoor heat exchanger

[0104] 7Refrigerant pipes

[0105] 10 Air conditioner

[0106] 30, 60, 70 controllers

[0107] 32 notification units

[0108] 33 Communication Network

[0109] 34 Cloud

[0110] 35 portable terminal

[0111] 36 operators

[0112] 50 adapters

[0113] 100, 101, 102 air conditioning systems

[0114] 304 Leakage Judgment Unit

[0115] 305 Leak Records Department

[0116] 306, 606, 706 external output unit

[0117] 307 Warning Notification Department

[0118] 308 memory

[0119] A heat source unit

[0120] B utilizes the side unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising an air conditioner and a controller, wherein the air conditioner has a refrigeration cycle for circulating a refrigerant between a heat source unit and a utilization side unit, and the controller is communicatively connected to the air conditioner, characterized in that: The controller has: a leakage determination unit for determining whether refrigerant has leaked; a leakage recording unit configured to record a leakage determination result of the refrigerant determined by the leakage determination unit at predetermined intervals; an external output unit for outputting the leakage determination result to the outside, When the leakage determination result is “leakage”, the leakage determination result is notified to a user outside the air-conditioned space air-conditioned by the usage-side unit through the external output unit.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein: The external output portion is provided in the heat source unit controlled by the controller.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein: The external output unit is provided in an adapter, and the adapter is provided in the usage-side unit controlled by the controller.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein: The external output unit transmits a signal indicating the leakage determination result from the heat source unit to a notification unit for the user via an interface.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein: The external output unit transmits a signal indicating the leakage determination result from the adapter included in the user-side unit to a notification unit for the user via an interface.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The external output unit transmits a signal indicating the leakage determination result from a no-voltage contact of the heat source unit to a notification unit for the user.

7. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The leakage recording unit is provided in the heat source unit controlled by the controller.

Images