Diagnostic system for vehicle air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner capable of efficiently performing cause investigation work after diagnosis.SOLUTION: In a diagnostic system 500 for a vehicle air conditioner, a narrowing necessity determination section 230 determines whether or not to narrow down the number of failure cause apparatuses specified by a failure cause apparatus specification section 220. A second measurement value data acquisition section 240 acquires second measurement value data 200h including a measurement value related to a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle constituted in the vehicle air conditioner, when the narrowing necessity determination section 230 determines to execute the narrowing down. A failure cause apparatus narrowing section 250 narrows down the number of the failure cause apparatuses specified by the failure cause apparatus specification section 220 on the basis of a comparison between the second measurement value data 200h acquired by the second measurement value data acquisition section 240 and second reference data indicating that the vehicle air conditioner is normal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner that diagnoses a vehicle air conditioner installed in a vehicle is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. This diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner determines whether the vehicle air conditioner is normal or abnormal using a measured value related to the current supplied to the vehicle air conditioner and a measured value related to the temperature in the passenger compartment.

[0003] In addition, when this vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system determines that the vehicle air conditioner is abnormal, it presents multiple fault-causing devices from among the multiple components that make up the vehicle air conditioner that are presumed to be the cause of the vehicle air conditioner's failure.

[0004] After the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system presents multiple fault-causing devices, a maintenance technician will actually inspect each of the fault-causing devices to determine which component device is causing the vehicle air conditioner to fail (hereinafter referred to as the cause determination work). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-227057 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system identifies a large number of fault-causing devices, it is necessary to actually inspect all of those devices, which can be time-consuming.Since a vehicle air conditioner is made up of a large number of components, the number of fault-causing devices identified by the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system tends to be large.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner that can efficiently carry out the work of investigating the cause of a problem after diagnosis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to the present disclosure comprises: a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a narrowing down necessity determination unit that determines whether to narrow down the number of the failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identification unit; a second measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires second measurement value data including measurement values ​​related to a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle configured in the vehicle air conditioner when the narrowing-down necessity determination unit determines that the narrowing down should be performed; a fault factor device narrowing-down unit that narrows down the number of fault factor devices identified by the fault factor device identifying unit based on a comparison between the second measurement value data acquired by the second measurement value data acquiring unit and second reference data that is predetermined for the second measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above configuration, the fault factor device narrowing down unit narrows down the number of fault factor devices. Therefore, in the cause investigation work, it is sufficient to first inspect the narrowed down fault factor devices. This allows the cause investigation work after diagnosis to be carried out efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a first embodiment and a vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed by the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] A conceptual diagram showing a part of the configuration of a measuring device group according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a first failure factor device identification table according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of a second failure factor device identification table according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the function of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] Flowchart of diagnostic processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the content and use of notification information according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] 1 shows a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment, and a vehicle air conditioner 100 that is the subject of diagnosis by this vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500. First, the vehicle air conditioner 100 will be described.

[0013] The vehicle air-conditioning system 100 is mounted on a railway vehicle 900 as a vehicle, and conditions the air conditioning of a cabin 910 of the railway vehicle 900. The cabin 910 specifically refers to a passenger compartment. The vehicle air-conditioning system 100 has a vehicle air-conditioner 110 that is responsible for conditioning the air conditioning of the cabin 910, and a measuring device group 120 that is provided on the vehicle air-conditioner 110. The measuring device group 120 detects various physical quantities from the vehicle air-conditioner 110 that are required for diagnosing the vehicle air-conditioner 110.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle air conditioner 110 includes a compressor 111 that compresses a refrigerant, an exterior heat exchanger 112 that functions as a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant, a capillary tube 113 that expands the condensed refrigerant, an interior heat exchanger 114 that functions as an evaporator that evaporates the expanded refrigerant, and a gas-liquid separator 115 that separates liquid components from the refrigerant that has passed through the interior heat exchanger 114.

[0015] The vehicle air conditioner 110 also has refrigerant piping 116 through which a refrigerant flows. The refrigerant piping 116 forms a closed refrigerant circuit that connects, in this order, a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, a capillary tube 113, an indoor heat exchanger 114, and a gas-liquid separator 115. The closed refrigerant circuit forms a refrigeration cycle.

[0016] The vehicle air conditioner 110 also has an outdoor fan 117 that forms an airflow that hits the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and an indoor fan 118 that forms an airflow that hits the indoor heat exchanger 114. The airflow formed by the outdoor fan 117 promotes heat exchange between the air outside the railway vehicle 900 shown in Fig. 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The airflow formed by the indoor fan 118 promotes heat exchange between the air in the vehicle compartment 910 shown in Fig. 1 and the indoor heat exchanger 114.

[0017] The above-mentioned compressor 111, outdoor heat exchanger 112, capillary tube 113, indoor heat exchanger 114, gas-liquid separator 115, refrigerant piping 116, outdoor fan 117, and indoor fan 118 are each an example of the components that make up the vehicle air conditioner 110.

[0018] Although not shown, the components that make up the vehicle air conditioner 110 also include a suction strainer and a solenoid valve, each connected to the refrigerant pipe 116, and an inverter that supplies the power required for air conditioning to the vehicle air conditioner 110, specifically, the compressor 111, the outdoor fan 117, and the indoor fan 118.

[0019] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment is configured with a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 uses the measurement results of a measuring device group 120 provided in the vehicle air conditioner 110 to diagnose whether the vehicle air conditioner 110 is in a healthy state.

[0020] 1 illustrates a situation in which the vehicle air-conditioning device 100 is mounted on a railway vehicle 900 in order to explain that the vehicle air-conditioning device 100 conditions the air inside the vehicle compartment 910. Diagnosis of the vehicle air-conditioning device 100 does not necessarily have to be performed on the railway vehicle 900. The vehicle air-conditioning device 100 may be removed from the railway vehicle 900, and diagnosis of the vehicle air-conditioning device 100 may be performed using the vehicle air-conditioner diagnostic device 200 at a location other than the railway vehicle 900.

[0021] 3, the measuring device group 120 includes a plurality of measuring devices. Each of the measuring devices that make up the measuring device group 120 will be described below.

[0022] The compressor input current measuring device 120a detects the value of the current input to the compressor 111 shown in Fig. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the compressor input current value). The compressor input current is an example of a measured value related to the current supplied to the vehicle air conditioner 110.

[0023] The conditioned air temperature difference measuring device 120b detects the difference (hereinafter referred to as the conditioned air temperature difference) between the temperature of the supply air SA sent from the vehicle air conditioner 110 to the vehicle interior 910 shown in Fig. 1 and the temperature of the return air RA returned from the vehicle interior 910 to the vehicle air conditioner 110. The conditioned air temperature difference is an example of a measurement value related to the temperature of the vehicle interior 910.

[0024] The indoor fan input current measuring device 120c detects the value of the current input to the indoor fan 118 shown in FIG. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the indoor fan input current value).

[0025] The outdoor fan input current measuring device 120d detects the value of the current input to the outdoor fan 117 shown in FIG. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the outdoor fan input current value).

[0026] The high-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring device 120e detects the pressure value of the refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value) at a portion where the refrigerant pressure is relatively high in the refrigerant closed circuit shown in Fig. 2, specifically, at the position of the discharge port from which the refrigerant is discharged of the compressor 111. The high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value is an example of a measurement value related to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0027] The low-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring device 120f detects the refrigerant pressure value (hereinafter referred to as the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value) at a portion of the refrigerant closed circuit shown in Fig. 2 where the refrigerant pressure is relatively low, specifically at the position of the refrigerant intake port of the compressor 111. The low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value is an example of a measurement value related to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0028] The subcooling degree measuring device 120g detects the degree of subcooling in the refrigeration cycle formed by the refrigerant closed circuit shown in Fig. 2. The degree of subcooling is an example of a measurement value related to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0029] The superheat degree measuring device 120h detects the degree of superheat in the refrigeration cycle formed by the refrigerant closed circuit shown in Fig. 2. The degree of superheat is an example of a measurement value related to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0030] The suction strainer temperature difference measuring device 120i detects the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant upstream of a suction strainer (not shown) provided in the refrigerant closed circuit shown in Figure 2 and the temperature of the refrigerant downstream of the suction strainer (hereinafter referred to as the suction strainer temperature difference).

[0031] The solenoid valve temperature difference measuring device 120j detects the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant upstream of a solenoid valve (not shown) provided in the closed refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 2 and the temperature of the refrigerant downstream of that solenoid valve (hereinafter referred to as the solenoid valve temperature difference).

[0032] Each of the compressor input current measuring instrument 120a, air conditioning air temperature difference measuring instrument 120b, indoor fan input current measuring instrument 120c, outdoor fan input current measuring instrument 120d, high-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument 120e, low-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument 120f, subcooling degree measuring instrument 120g, superheat degree measuring instrument 120h, suction strainer temperature difference measuring instrument 120i, and solenoid valve temperature difference measuring instrument 120j described above may be configured to include a plurality of sensors that detect different physical quantities and a calculator that calculates the required physical quantity using the measurement results of the plurality of sensors.

[0033] Specifically, the air conditioning air temperature difference measurer 120b may include a sensor that detects the temperature of the supply air SA and a sensor that detects the temperature of the return air RA. Furthermore, the suction strainer temperature difference measurer 120i may include a sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant upstream of the suction strainer and a sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant downstream of the suction strainer. Furthermore, the solenoid valve temperature difference measurer 120j may include a sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant upstream of the solenoid valve and a sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant downstream of the solenoid valve.

[0034] Next, a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 that diagnoses the vehicle air conditioner 110 using the measurement results of the measuring instrument group 120 described above will be described.

[0035] 4, vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 includes input device 200a for the user to enter various instructions such as starting and ending the diagnosis and other necessary inputs. Vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes display device 200b for displaying the diagnostic results and displaying information necessary for communication with the user during the diagnosis process.

[0036] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes a communication device 200c connected to the measuring device group 120 shown in Fig. 1. Data required for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner 110 is input into the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 via the communication device 200c.

[0037] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes a storage device 200d that stores first measurement value data 200e, first reference data 200f, and a first fault factor device identification table 200g, which are used to diagnose the vehicle air conditioner 110.

[0038] The first measurement value data 200e is data including a plurality of measurement values ​​measured by the measuring device group 120 shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the first measurement value data 200e includes a compressor input current value that is the measurement result of the compressor input current measuring device 120a shown in Fig. 3, and an air conditioning air temperature difference that is the measurement result of the air conditioning air temperature difference measuring device 120b shown in Fig. 3.

[0039] The first reference data 200f is predetermined data for the first measurement value data 200e and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner 110 is normal. Specifically, the first reference data 200f is data that includes normal ranges for each of the multiple measurement values ​​included in the first measurement value data 200e. That is, the first reference data 200f is data that includes normal ranges for the compressor input current value and the normal range for the conditioned air temperature difference.

[0040] The first failure factor equipment identification table 200g has a data structure that associates the expected comparison result between the first measurement value data 200e and the first reference data 200f with one of the multiple components that make up the vehicle air conditioner 110 that is estimated to be a factor causing a failure of the vehicle air conditioner 110 (hereinafter referred to as the failure factor equipment).

[0041] 5 shows a main part of a specific example of first failure factor device identification table 200g. In first failure factor device identification table 200g, the result of comparison between first measurement value data 200e and first reference data 200f is identified by a failure code.

[0042] Specifically, the fault codes are classified based on the results of comparing the compressor input current value contained in the first measurement value data 200e with the normal range of compressor input current values ​​contained in the first reference data 200f, and the results of comparing the air conditioning air temperature difference contained in the first measurement value data 200e with the normal range of air conditioning air temperature difference contained in the first reference data 200f. Each fault code is associated with multiple fault-causing devices.

[0043] However, if both the compressor input current value and the conditioned air temperature difference are within the normal range, this means that the vehicle air conditioner 110 is functioning properly. Therefore, in the first fault cause device identification table 200g, no fault code or fault cause device is assigned to a case where both the compressor input current value and the conditioned air temperature difference are within the normal range.

[0044] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 4, the storage device 200d also stores second measurement value data 200h, second reference data 200i, and a second fault cause device identification table 200j.

[0045] The second measurement value data 200h is data including a plurality of measurement values ​​measured by the measuring device group 120 shown in FIG. 3, and is different from the first measurement value data 200e. Specifically, the second measurement value data 200h includes the indoor fan input current value measured by the indoor fan input current measuring instrument 120c shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor fan input current value measured by the outdoor fan input current measuring instrument 120d shown in FIG. 3, the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value measured by the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument 120e shown in FIG. 3, the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value measured by the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument 120f shown in FIG. 3, the degree of subcooling measured by the subcooling degree measuring instrument 120g shown in FIG. 3, the degree of superheat measured by the superheat degree measuring instrument 120h shown in FIG. 3, the suction strainer section temperature difference measured by the suction strainer temperature difference measuring instrument 120i shown in FIG. 3, and the solenoid valve section temperature difference measured by the solenoid valve temperature difference measuring instrument 120j shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] The second reference data 200i is predetermined data for the second measurement value data 200h and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner 110 is normal. Specifically, the second reference data 200i is data including normal ranges for each of the multiple measurement values ​​included in the second measurement value data 200h. That is, the second reference data 200i is data including a normal range for the indoor fan input current value, a normal range for the outdoor fan input current value, a normal range for the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, a normal range for the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, a normal range for the degree of subcooling, a normal range for the degree of superheating, a normal range for the suction strainer temperature difference, and a normal range for the solenoid valve temperature difference.

[0047] The second failure factor device identification table 200j has a data structure in which the expected comparison results between the second measurement value data 200h and the second reference data 200i are associated with the failure factor device.

[0048] The failure factor devices identified in the second failure factor device identification table 200j correspond to the result of narrowing down the failure factor devices corresponding to predetermined failure codes (hereinafter referred to as specific failure codes) among the multiple failure codes shown in the first failure factor device identification table 200g. In other words, the cases defined in the second failure factor device identification table 200j correspond to the subdivision of the cases identified by the specific failure codes.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a main part of a specific example of the second failure factor device identification table 200j. As an example, Fig. 6 shows only a subdivision of the case identified by the failure code "002" shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, there are many failure factor devices corresponding to the failure code "002". Therefore, in order to narrow down the failure factor devices corresponding to the failure code "002", the part of the second failure factor device identification table 200j shown in Fig. 6 is used.

[0050] The above describes the example of the failure code "002" as a specific failure code, but there are multiple specific failure codes in the first failure cause equipment identification table 200g, and for each specific failure code, the cases identified by that specific failure code are further subdivided in the second failure cause equipment identification table 200j.

[0051] In the second fault cause device identification table 200j, the result of the comparison between the second measurement value data 200h and the second reference data 200i is identified by the detailed fault code shown in FIG.

[0052] Specifically, the detailed fault code includes the result of comparing the indoor fan input current value included in the second measurement value data 200h with the normal range of the indoor fan input current value included in the second reference data 200i, the result of comparing the outdoor fan input current value included in the second measurement value data 200h with the normal range of the outdoor fan input current value included in the second reference data 200i, the result of comparing the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value included in the second measurement value data 200h with the normal range of the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value included in the second reference data 200i, and the ratio of the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value included in the second measurement value data 200h with the normal range of the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value included in the second reference data 200i. The cases are classified based on the comparison results: the comparison result between the degree of supercooling contained in the second measurement value data 200h and the normal range of the degree of supercooling contained in the second reference data 200i; the comparison result between the degree of superheat contained in the second measurement value data 200h and the normal range of the degree of superheat contained in the second reference data 200i; the comparison result between the suction strainer section temperature difference contained in the second measurement value data 200h and the normal range of the suction strainer section temperature difference contained in the second reference data 200i; and the comparison result between the solenoid valve section temperature difference contained in the second measurement value data 200h and the normal range of the solenoid valve section temperature difference contained in the second reference data 200i.

[0053] Each detailed failure code is associated with a plurality of failure-causing devices. Each case identified by a detailed failure code is a subdivision of the case identified by the corresponding specific failure code. Therefore, the number of failure-causing devices associated with a detailed failure code is smaller than the number of failure-causing devices associated with the corresponding specific failure code. In other words, by using the second failure-causing device identification table 200j, the number of failure-causing devices associated with a specific failure code can be narrowed down.

[0054] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, the storage device 200d also stores a diagnostic program 200k that defines the procedure for a diagnostic process for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner 110. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes a processor 200l that executes the diagnostic program 200k. Below, functions realized by the processor 200l executing the diagnostic program 200k will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0055] 7, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 includes a first measured value data acquisition unit 210. The first measured value data acquisition unit 210 acquires the above-described first measured value data 200e as measurement results from the compressor input current measuring device 120a and the air conditioning air temperature difference measuring device 120b shown in FIG.

[0056] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes a failure factor device identification unit 220 that identifies a failure factor device based on a comparison between the first measurement value data 200e acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit 210 and the first reference data 200f.

[0057] Here, comparing the first measurement value data 200e with the first reference data 200f means comparing each measurement value included in the first measurement value data 200e with the normal range of that measurement value included in the first reference data 200f.

[0058] The results of these comparisons are identified by the failure codes described above. The failure factor device identification unit 220 then identifies the failure factor devices linked to the failure codes representing the results of these comparisons in the first failure factor device identification table 200g.

[0059] An example of a comparison between the first measurement value data 200e and the first reference data 200f will be described with reference to Figure 5. Assume that the comparison result indicates that the compressor input current value included in the first measurement value data 200e is within the normal range and the conditioned air temperature difference included in the first measurement value data 200e is outside the normal range. The comparison result indicates a fault code "005."

[0060] In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 114 and the indoor fan 118 are identified as the failure-causing equipment linked to the failure code "005" in the first failure-causing equipment identification table 200g. That is, according to the first measurement value data 200e, the indoor heat exchanger 114 and the indoor fan 118 are estimated to be the factors that cause the failure of the vehicle air conditioner 110.

[0061] However, if a failure code corresponds to the specific failure code described above, a large number of failure-causing devices are linked to the specific failure code. That is, the number of failure-causing devices linked to the specific failure code is greater than the number of failure-causing devices linked to failure codes that are not specific failure codes.

[0062] Therefore, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also has a configuration for narrowing down the number of devices causing the failure when the failure code corresponds to a specific failure code.

[0063] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 7, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 includes a narrowing down necessity determination unit 230, a second measurement value data acquisition unit 240, and a fault factor device narrowing down unit 250 as components for narrowing down the number of fault factor devices described above.

[0064] The narrowing down necessity determination unit 230 determines whether or not to narrow down the number of fault causing devices identified by the fault causing device identification unit 220 based on whether or not the fault code identified by the fault causing device identification unit 220 corresponds to a specific fault code.

[0065] If the failure code does not correspond to a specific failure code, there is no need to narrow down the number of failure causing devices, since the number of failure causing devices identified by the failure causing device identifying unit 220 is not very large. On the other hand, if the failure code corresponds to a specific failure code, a relatively large number of failure causing devices will be identified by the failure causing device identifying unit 220, so the narrowing down necessity determining unit 230 determines to narrow down the number of failure causing devices.

[0066] The second measured value data acquiring unit 240 acquires second measured value data 200h when the narrowing down necessity determining unit 230 determines that narrowing down should be performed. The second measured value data 200h is acquired from the indoor fan input current measuring device 120c, the outdoor fan input current measuring device 120d, the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring device 120e, the low-pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring device 120f, the subcooling degree measuring device 120g, the superheat degree measuring device 120h, the suction strainer temperature difference measuring device 120i, and the solenoid valve temperature difference measuring device 120j shown in FIG. 3 .

[0067] The failure factor device narrowing down section 250 narrows down the number of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identification section 220 based on the specific failure code that is the result of comparing the first measurement value data 200e with the first reference data 200f, and the result of comparing the second measurement value data 200h with the second reference data 200i acquired by the second measurement value data acquisition section 240. The second failure factor device identification table 200j is used to narrow down the number of failure factor devices.

[0068] Here, comparing the second measurement value data 200h with the second reference data 200i means comparing each measurement value included in the second measurement value data 200h with the normal range of that measurement value included in the second reference data 200i.

[0069] The comparison result is identified by a detailed failure code based on the specific failure code, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 250 identifies the failure factor devices linked to the detailed failure codes based on the specific failure codes in the second failure factor device identification table 200j.

[0070] Here, the specific failure code that is the premise of the detailed failure code means the specific failure code that triggered the narrowing down, that is, the specific failure code that identifies the result of the comparison between the first measurement value data 200e and the first reference data 200f.

[0071] As mentioned above, the number of failure-causing devices linked to a detailed failure code is smaller than the number of failure-causing devices linked to the specific failure code that is the premise of that detailed failure code. Therefore, by identifying the failure-causing devices linked to the detailed failure code, the failure-causing devices linked to the premise specific failure code are narrowed down.

[0072] As an example, if the specific fault code is "002", as shown in Figure 5, eight fault-causing devices will be identified: outdoor heat exchanger 112, indoor heat exchanger 114, suction strainer, capillary tube 113, solenoid valve, refrigerant piping 116, outdoor fan 117, and indoor fan 118.

[0073] On the other hand, if the detailed fault code is "002-6" assuming that the specific fault code is "002", the indoor heat exchanger 114 will be identified as the fault-causing device, as shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the number of fault-causing devices is narrowed down from eight to one.

[0074] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 also includes a diagnostic result output unit 260 that outputs, as a diagnostic result, the fault-causing device identified by the fault-causing device identifying unit 220 or the fault-causing device narrowed down by the fault-causing device narrowing down unit 250. In this embodiment, the diagnostic result is output by displaying it on a display device 200b shown in FIG.

[0075] If the failure code is not a specific failure code, the failure causing device identified by the failure causing device identifying unit 220 is output as the diagnosis result. On the other hand, if the failure code corresponds to a specific failure code, the failure causing device narrowed down by the failure causing device narrowing down unit 250 is output as the diagnosis result.

[0076] The diagnostic process performed by the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 will be summarized below.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 8, first, the first measurement value data acquisition section 210 acquires the first measurement value data 200e from the measuring device group 120 (step S11).

[0078] Next, the failure factor device identifying unit 220 uses the first measurement value data 200e acquired in step S11 to determine whether the vehicle air conditioner 110 is in good condition (step S12). Specifically, the failure factor device identifying unit 220 compares the first measurement value data 200e acquired in step S11 with the first reference data 200f, and determines whether a failure code is assigned to the comparison result.

[0079] If the first fault cause device identification table 200g does not assign a fault code to the comparison result, it means that the vehicle air conditioner 110 is healthy (step S12; YES). In this case, the diagnosis result output unit 260 outputs the diagnosis result of the fault cause device identification unit 220 indicating that the vehicle air conditioner 110 is healthy (step S17).

[0080] On the other hand, if a fault code corresponding to the comparison result exists in the first fault cause device identification table 200g, the vehicle air conditioner 110 cannot be said to be healthy (step S12; NO). In this case, the fault cause device identification unit 220 identifies the fault code corresponding to the comparison result in the first fault cause device identification table 200g (step S13).

[0081] Next, the narrowing down necessity determination unit 230 determines whether or not the failure code identified in step S13 corresponds to a specific failure code (step S14). Note that the determination in step S14 corresponds to a determination whether or not to narrow down the number of failure causing devices identified by the failure causing device identification unit 220.

[0082] If the fault code identified in step S13 does not correspond to the specific fault code (step S14; NO), there is no need to narrow down the number of fault-causing devices, so the narrowing down necessity determination unit 230 causes the fault-causing device identification unit 220 to identify the fault-causing device.

[0083] In this case, the failure factor device identifying unit 220 identifies the failure factor device linked to the failure code identified in step S13 in the first failure factor device identification table 200g. The diagnosis result output unit 260 outputs the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device identifying unit 220 as the diagnosis result (step S17).

[0084] On the other hand, if the fault code identified in step S13 corresponds to a specific fault code (step S14; YES), the narrowing down necessity determination unit 230 causes the second measurement value data acquisition unit 240 to acquire second measurement value data 200h from the measuring device group 120 in order to narrow down the fault-causing equipment (step S15).

[0085] Next, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 250 narrows down the failure factor devices using the second measurement value data 200h acquired in step S15 (step S16).

[0086] Specifically, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 250 identifies, in the second failure factor device identification table 200j, a detailed failure code that is based on the specific failure code identified in step S14, based on the result of comparing the second measurement value data 200h acquired in step S15 with the second reference data 200i and the specific failure code identified in step S14. Then, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 250 identifies, in the second failure factor device identification table 200j, the failure factor device that is linked to the identified detailed failure code.

[0087] In this case, the diagnosis result output unit 260 outputs the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device narrowing down unit 250 as the diagnosis result (step S17). As described above, the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device narrowing down unit 250 corresponds to the result of narrowing down the failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identifying unit 220.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, the number of fault-causing devices is narrowed down by the fault-causing device narrowing-down unit 250. Therefore, in the cause-of-failure investigation work, the maintenance personnel only need to inspect the narrowed-down fault-causing devices first. This reduces the number of fault-causing devices to be actually inspected, making it possible to efficiently investigate the cause of the failure after the diagnosis.

[0089] [Embodiment 2] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to the first embodiment may further include a function for updating the first reference data 200f and the second reference data 200i. A specific example of this will be described below.

[0090] 9, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment further includes a cloud device 300 connected to the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 via a communication network NE. The cloud device 300 includes a measurement value database 310 in which the first measurement value data 200e and the second measurement value data 200h are stored.

[0091] In addition, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 according to this embodiment further includes a measurement value registration unit 271 that registers the first measurement value data 200e and the second measurement value data 200h in the measurement value database 310, a first reference data update unit 272 that updates the first reference data 200f using the measurement value database 310, and a second reference data update unit 273 that updates the second reference data 200i using the measurement value database 310.

[0092] The measurement value registration unit 271 stores the first measurement value data 200e in the measurement value database 310 of the cloud device 300 each time the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 acquires the first measurement value data 200e from the measuring instrument group 120.

[0093] Furthermore, the measurement value registration unit 271 accumulates the second measurement value data 200h in the measurement value database 310 of the cloud device 300 each time the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 acquires the second measurement value data 200h from the measuring instrument group 120.

[0094] The first reference data update unit 272 updates the first reference data 200f based on the statistical distribution of each measurement value (hereinafter referred to as the first measurement value) included in the past first measurement value data 200e stored in the measurement value database 310. The compressor input current value and the air conditioning air temperature difference described above each correspond to the first measurement value.

[0095] Specifically, the first reference data update unit 272 determines a normal range for each first measurement value based on the statistical distribution of the first measurement value. As an example, if the first measurement value follows a normal distribution, the normal range may be determined under the condition that the 95% confidence interval of the normal distribution is the normal range. The data defining the normal range for each first measurement value is the updated first reference data 200f.

[0096] The second reference data update unit 273 updates the second reference data 200i based on the statistical distribution of each measurement value (hereinafter referred to as the second measurement value) included in the past second measurement value data 200h accumulated in the measurement value database 310. Note that the above-mentioned indoor fan input current value, outdoor fan input current value, high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, degree of subcooling, degree of superheat, suction strainer temperature difference, and solenoid valve temperature difference each correspond to the second measurement value.

[0097] Specifically, the second reference data update unit 273 determines a normal range for each second measurement value based on the statistical distribution of the second measurement value. As an example, if the second measurement value follows a normal distribution, the normal range may be determined under the condition that the 95% confidence interval of the normal distribution is the normal range. The data defining the normal range for each second measurement value is the updated second reference data 200i.

[0098] The functions of the measurement value registration unit 271, the first reference data update unit 272, and the second reference data update unit 273 described above are realized by the diagnostic program 200k shown in Fig. 4. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0099] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 according to this embodiment diagnoses the vehicle air conditioner 110 using first reference data 200f updated by a first reference data update unit 272 and second reference data 200i updated by a second reference data update unit 273. The diagnostic method and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0100] In diagnosing vehicle air conditioners of the same model, the same first reference data 200f and second reference data 200i may be uniformly defined, but individual differences exist in the characteristics of vehicle air conditioners. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the first reference data 200f and second reference data 200i are updated based on the statistical distribution of first and second measurement values ​​actually measured for the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed (hereinafter also referred to as the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner 110). Therefore, a diagnosis can be made that takes into account the individual characteristics of the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner 110. This contributes to improving the accuracy of the diagnosis.

[0101] [Embodiment 3] In the above-described second embodiment, the first reference data 200f is updated using the past first measurement value data 200e measured for the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed, and the second reference data 200i is updated using the past second measurement value data 200h measured for the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed.

[0102] The first measurement value data 200e used to update the first reference data 200f may be measured for a vehicle air conditioner other than the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner 110 (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed). Also, the second measurement value data 200h used to update the second reference data 200i may be measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed. Specific examples of this are described below.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 10, in the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment, not only the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 but also a plurality of other vehicle air conditioner diagnostic devices 400 can access the cloud device 300 via the communication network NE.

[0104] Each of the other vehicle air conditioner diagnostic devices 400 transmits first measurement value data 200e and second measurement value data 200h measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed (not shown) to the cloud device 300. The transmitted first measurement value data 200e and second measurement value data 200h are stored in the measurement value database 310.

[0105] Here, the first measurement value data 200e measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed means the above-mentioned first measurement value measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed, specifically, data including the compressor input current value and conditioned air temperature difference measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed.

[0106] In addition, the second measurement value data 200h measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed means the second measurement value already described measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed, specifically data including the indoor fan input current value, outdoor fan input current value, high-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, low-pressure side refrigerant pressure value, degree of subcooling, degree of superheat, suction strainer section temperature difference, and solenoid valve section temperature difference measured for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed.

[0107] The first reference data update unit 272 in this embodiment updates the first reference data 200f for the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed based on the statistical distribution of each first measurement value contained in the past first measurement value data 200e measured for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed, which is stored in the measurement value database 310.

[0108] Similarly, the second reference data update unit 273 of this embodiment updates the second reference data 200i for the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed based on the statistical distribution of each second measurement value contained in the past second measurement value data 200h measured for the non-diagnosed vehicle air conditioner and stored in the measurement value database 310.

[0109] It is preferable that the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed is a common-component vehicle air conditioner, which is a vehicle air conditioner equipped with the same type of component equipment as the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed, or a common-route vehicle air conditioner, which is another vehicle air conditioner installed in another railway vehicle running on the same route as the railway vehicle 900 runs on.

[0110] Other configurations are the same as in embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the first reference data 200f and the second reference data 200i are updated, so that, like in embodiment 2, the accuracy of the diagnosis of the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed is improved.

[0111] [Embodiment 4] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to the first embodiment may further include a configuration that allows the first and second reference data established for a vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed to be used to diagnose the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed. A specific example of this is described below.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 11, in the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment, a cloud device 300 connected to a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 via a communication network NE includes a reference database 320.

[0113] The reference database 320 has a data structure in which, for each non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, first reference data 200f and second reference data 200i defined for that non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner are associated with the components that make up that non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner. Note that the reference database 320 is an example of a database according to the present disclosure.

[0114] Here, the first reference data 200f established for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed means the first reference data 200f established for diagnosing the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed, i.e., the first reference data 200f to be compared with the first measurement value data 200e measured for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed.

[0115] In addition, the second reference data 200i established for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed means the second reference data 200i established to diagnose the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed, i.e., the second reference data 200i to be compared with the second measurement value data 200h measured for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed.

[0116] The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 further includes a replacement component data acquisition unit 274 and a reference data extraction unit 275 .

[0117] The replaced component data acquisition unit 274 acquires replaced component data 200m that identifies replaced components among the multiple components that make up the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner 110. The replaced component data 200m may be input by the user using the input device 200a shown in FIG.

[0118] The reference data extraction unit 275 refers to the reference database 320, identifies a vehicle air conditioner that is not to be diagnosed and has the component equipment represented by the replacement component equipment data 200m, and extracts the first reference data 200f and the second reference data 200i for the identified vehicle air conditioner that is not to be diagnosed from the reference database 320.

[0119] In this embodiment, the failure factor device identifying unit 220 shown in Fig. 7 identifies the failure factor device using the first reference data 200f extracted by the reference data extracting unit 275. Also, in this embodiment, the failure factor device narrowing down unit 250 shown in Fig. 7 narrows down the number of failure factor devices using the second reference data 200i extracted by the reference data extracting unit 275.

[0120] The functions of the exchange configuration device data acquisition unit 274 and the reference data extraction unit 275 described above are realized by the diagnostic program 200k shown in Fig. 4. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0121] According to this embodiment, when a component is replaced in the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed, a diagnosis can be performed using the first reference data 200f and the second reference data 200i that are appropriate for the replaced vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed. Therefore, even when a component is replaced, the accuracy of the diagnosis of the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed can be maintained at a high level.

[0122] Furthermore, even when a component is replaced, the time and effort required to recreate the first reference data 200f and the second reference data 200i can be saved, making it easy to diagnose the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed.

[0123] [Embodiment 5] In the above-described first embodiment, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 250 uses the second measurement value data 200h and the second failure factor device identification table 200j to narrow down the failure factor devices. Below, as a modified example of the above-described first embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the failure factor devices can be narrowed down without using the second measurement value data 200h and the second failure factor device identification table 200j.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 12, in the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment, a cloud device 300 connected to the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 via a communication network NE includes an actual inspection result database 330.

[0125] The actual inspection result database 330 has a data structure in which, for each diagnosis previously performed on the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed, which component equipment actually caused the failure of the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed (hereinafter referred to as the actual inspection result) is associated.

[0126] The component that actually caused the failure of the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed is identified through an actual inspection performed after the diagnosis by the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200, that is, through the cause investigation work by the maintenance person as the user.

[0127] In this embodiment, vehicle air-conditioner diagnostic device 200 further includes actual inspection result registration unit 281. For each diagnosis made by vehicle air-conditioner diagnostic device 200, actual inspection result registration unit 281 registers the actual inspection result corresponding to that diagnosis in actual inspection result database 330 of cloud device 300. Note that the actual inspection result is input by a user using input device 200a shown in FIG.

[0128] 7. Moreover, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 according to this embodiment further includes an actual applicability identification unit 283. Moreover, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 according to this embodiment includes a failure factor device narrowing down unit 282 instead of the failure factor device narrowing down unit 250 shown in FIG.

[0129] As in the first embodiment, the failure factor device identification unit 220 shown in FIG. 7 identifies multiple failure factor devices by comparing the results of the comparison between the first measurement value data 200e and the first reference data 200f with the first failure factor device identification table 200g.

[0130] In this embodiment, when multiple failure factor devices are identified by the failure factor device identification unit 220, the actual applicability identification unit 283 refers to the actual inspection result database 330 and identifies the actual applicability for each of the multiple failure factor devices.

[0131] Here, the actual occurrence frequency of a failure factor device is an index that indicates the frequency with which that failure factor device has actually occurred as a cause of a failure in the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed in the past.

[0132] As a specific example, the actual hit frequency for a failure-causing device may be the actual hit count, which is the number of times that the failure-causing device has actually been a cause of a failure in the vehicle air conditioner 110 being diagnosed in the past, or it may be the ratio of the actual hit count to the number of diagnoses performed by the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200, or it may be the ratio of the actual hit count to the number of times the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 has actually failed.

[0133] Furthermore, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit 282 according to this embodiment refers to the actual hit rate identified by the failure factor device identification unit 220, and narrows down the number of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identification unit 220 under the condition that only failure factor devices with a relatively high actual hit frequency are retained for presentation to the user, and failure factor devices with a relatively low actual hit frequency are discarded.

[0134] The functions of the actual inspection result registration unit 281, the failure factor device narrowing down unit 282, and the actual hit rate identification unit 283 described above are realized by the diagnostic program 200k shown in Fig. 4. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0135] According to this embodiment, it is possible to narrow down the fault-causing devices without using the second measurement value data 200h and the second fault-causing device identification table 200j shown in Fig. 4. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to omit the second measurement value data acquisition unit 240 shown in Fig. 7 and to omit step S15 shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to diagnose the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed more quickly.

[0136] [Embodiment 6] In the above-described first embodiment, the actual applicability of the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device identifying unit 220 is identified by the actual applicability identifying unit 283. The actual applicability identifying unit 283 may identify the actual applicability not only of the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device identifying unit 220, but also of a constituent device other than the failure factor device identified by the failure factor device identifying unit 220. In other words, which constituent device's actual applicability is identified by the actual applicability identifying unit 283 does not have to depend on the operation of the failure factor device identifying unit 220. A specific example will be described below.

[0137] 13 shows the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system 500 according to this embodiment. The actual applicability determination unit 283 according to this embodiment references the actual inspection result database 330 at a predetermined timing or in response to a user operation, and determines the actual applicability for each of the multiple components that make up the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed.

[0138] Moreover, the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200 according to this embodiment further includes an actual applicability reporting unit 290. The function of the actual applicability reporting unit 290 is realized by the diagnostic program 200k shown in Fig. 4. Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0139] When the actual relevance degree for each of the multiple constituent devices is identified by the actual relevance degree identification unit 283, the actual relevance degree notification unit 290 notifies the user of information (hereinafter referred to as notification information) including the actual relevance degree for each of the constituent devices.

[0140] An example of the content of the notification information is shown in Fig. 14. As shown in Fig. 14, in this embodiment, notification information in which the actual applicability of each component of the vehicle air conditioner 110 to be diagnosed and the average useful life of that component are associated with each other is notified to the user.

[0141] The notification information is output by the actual hit rate notification unit 290 in the form of electronic data that can be displayed and printed on the display device 200b shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, notification of the notification information to the user is realized by displaying it on the display device 200b shown in Fig. 4.

[0142] As described above, the notification information indicates the actual degree of compliance and the average useful life of each component device. Such notification information serves as a guide for determining the likelihood of failure, the tendency of failure, and the presence or absence of signs of failure for each component device.

[0143] Therefore, the notification information can be used to, for example, plan regular inspections of the components, allowing the user who receives the notification information to easily plan when to perform maintenance, replacement, etc., for each component.

[0144] The notification of the notification information to the user may be automatically performed at a predetermined timing, or may be performed in response to a user operation indicating that the notification information should be presented.

[0145] The first to sixth embodiments have been described above. A plurality of embodiments selected from these may be combined, only some of the components of one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, or some of the components may be omitted from one embodiment. In particular, the following modifications are possible.

[0146] In the configuration shown in Fig. 7, the narrowing down necessity determination section 230, the second measurement value data acquisition section 240, and the fault factor device narrowing down section 250 may be omitted. If these are omitted, the second measurement value data 200h, second reference data 200i, and second fault factor device identification table 200j shown in Fig. 4 are also omitted. In other words, one or more fault factor devices identified by the fault factor device identification section 220 may be output as the diagnosis result as is, without being narrowed down.

[0147] In this case, the second reference data update unit 273 shown in Figures 9 and 10 is omitted in the second and third embodiments. In addition, in this case, the reference data extraction unit 275 shown in Figure 11 extracts only the first reference data 200f for the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed from the reference database 320 in the fourth embodiment.

[0148] The configuration according to the fourth embodiment may be combined with the configuration according to the second or third embodiment. That is, the configuration shown in Fig. 11 may be added to the configuration shown in Fig. 9 or 10. The configuration according to the sixth embodiment may be combined with the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0149] In any of the first to sixth embodiments, the cloud device 300 may take on part of the functions of the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200.

[0150] 7 may respectively acquire first measurement value data 200e and second measurement value data 200h from the measuring device group 120. Alternatively, the first measurement value data 200e and second measurement value data 200h may be input by a maintenance worker as a user using the input device 200a and acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition section 210 and the second measurement value data acquisition section 240.

[0151] Furthermore, the first failure cause device identification table 200g and the second failure cause device identification table 200j shown in FIG. 4 may exist in the form of a database, or may be included in the diagnostic program 200k in the form of program code.

[0152] 4 can be installed on an existing smartphone, tablet, or other computer to enable the computer to realize the functions of the vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device 200. The diagnostic program 200k can be distributed via a communication line, or can be stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium and distributed.

[0153] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below. (Appendix 1) a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a narrowing down necessity determination unit that determines whether to narrow down the number of the failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identification unit; a second measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires second measurement value data including measurement values ​​related to a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle configured in the vehicle air conditioner when the narrowing-down necessity determination unit determines that the narrowing down should be performed; a fault factor device narrowing-down unit that narrows down the number of fault factor devices identified by the fault factor device identifying unit based on a comparison between the second measurement value data acquired by the second measurement value data acquiring unit and second reference data that is predetermined for the second measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner. (Appendix 2) a first reference data update unit that updates the first reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past first measurement value data measured on the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, or on a vehicle air conditioner other than the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed that is not a target vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a second reference data update unit that updates the second reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past second measurement value data measured for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed or the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed; 2. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system of claim 1, further comprising: (Appendix 3) a replacement component data acquisition unit that acquires replacement component data that identifies replaced components among the plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a reference data extraction unit that, for each non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner other than the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, references a database in which the first reference data and the second reference data for the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner are associated with the components that make up the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, identifies the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner that has the component represented by the replacement component data, and extracts the first reference data and the second reference data for the identified non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner from the database; Furthermore, the failure factor device identification unit identifies the failure factor device using the first reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit narrows down the number of failure factor devices using the second reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit. A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner according to appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a first reference data update unit that updates the first reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past first measurement value data measured on the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, or on a vehicle air conditioner other than the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed that is not a target vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner. (Appendix 5) a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a replacement component data acquisition unit that acquires replacement component data that identifies replaced components among the plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a reference data extraction unit that, for each non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner other than the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, references a database in which the first reference data for the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is associated with the components that make up the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, identifies the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner that has the component represented by the replacement component data, and extracts the first reference data for the identified non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner from the database; Equipped with the failure factor device identification unit identifies the failure factor device using the first reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit. Diagnostic system for vehicle air conditioners. (Appendix 6) a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, a plurality of failure factor devices that are presumed to be factors that cause a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a failure factor device narrowing-down unit that narrows down the number of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identifying unit based on an actual frequency that indicates the frequency with which the failure factor device actually caused a failure of the vehicle air conditioner in the past for each of the plurality of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identifying unit, under the condition that failure factor devices with a relatively high actual frequency are left; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner. (Appendix 7) The non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is a vehicle air conditioner having a common configuration with the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, or a vehicle air conditioner installed in another vehicle running on the same route as the vehicle on which the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is installed. A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner according to appendix 2 or 4. (Appendix 8) an actual relevance notification unit that notifies a user of an actual relevance of each of the plurality of components that constitute the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, the actual relevance indicating the frequency with which the component has actually been a cause of a failure of the vehicle air conditioner in the past; 8. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system of any one of appendices 1 to 7, further comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 100 vehicle air conditioning system, 110 vehicle air conditioner (vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed), 111 compressor (component equipment), 112 outdoor heat exchanger (component equipment), 113 capillary tube (component equipment), 114 indoor heat exchanger (component equipment), 115 gas-liquid separator (component equipment), 116 refrigerant piping (component equipment), 117 outdoor fan (component equipment), 118 indoor fan (component equipment), 120 measuring instrument group, 120a compressor input current measuring instrument, 120b air conditioning air temperature difference measuring instrument, 120c indoor fan input current measuring instrument, 120d outdoor fan input current measuring instrument, 120e high pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument, 120f low pressure side refrigerant pressure measuring instrument, 120g subcooling degree measuring instrument, 120h superheat degree measuring instrument, 120i Suction strainer temperature difference measuring device, 120j Solenoid valve temperature difference measuring device, 200 Vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device, 200a Input device, 200b Display device, 200c Communication device, 200d Storage device, 200e First measurement value data, 200f First reference data, 200g First failure cause device identification table, 200h Second measurement value data, 200i Second reference data, 200j Second failure cause device identification table, 200k Diagnostic program, 200l Processor, 200m Replacement component device data, 210 First measurement value data acquisition unit, 220 Failure cause device identification unit, 230 Narrowing necessity determination unit, 240 Second measurement value data acquisition unit, 250 Failure cause device narrowing down unit, 260 Diagnostic result output unit, 271 Measurement value registration unit, 272 First reference data update unit, 273 Second reference data update unit, 274 Replacement configuration equipment data acquisition unit, 275 reference data extraction unit, 281 actual inspection result registration unit, 282 failure factor equipment narrowing down unit, 283 actual applicability identification unit, 290 actual applicability notification unit, 300 cloud device, 310 measurement value database, 320 reference database (database), 330 actual inspection result database, 400 other vehicle air conditioner diagnostic device, 500 vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system, 900 railway vehicle (vehicle), 910 vehicle compartment, SA supply air, RA return air, NE communication network.

Claims

1. a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that will cause a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a narrowing down necessity determination unit that determines whether to narrow down the number of the failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identification unit; a second measurement value data acquiring unit that acquires second measurement value data including measurement values ​​related to a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle configured in the vehicle air conditioner when the narrowing-down necessity determining unit determines that the narrowing-down should be performed; a fault factor device narrowing-down unit that narrows down the number of fault factor devices identified by the fault factor device identifying unit based on a comparison between the second measurement value data acquired by the second measurement value data acquiring unit and second reference data that is predetermined for the second measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner.

2. a first reference data update unit that updates the first reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past first measurement value data measured on the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, or on a vehicle air conditioner other than the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed that is not a target vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a second reference data update unit that updates the second reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past second measurement value data measured for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed or the vehicle air conditioner not to be diagnosed; The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a replacement component data acquisition unit that acquires replacement component data that identifies replaced components among the plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a reference data extraction unit that, for each non-diagnostic target vehicle air conditioner other than the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, references a database in which the first reference data and the second reference data for the non-diagnostic target vehicle air conditioner are associated with the components that make up the non-diagnostic target vehicle air conditioner, identifies the non-diagnostic target vehicle air conditioner that has the component represented by the replacement component data, and extracts the first reference data and the second reference data for the identified non-diagnostic target vehicle air conditioner from the database; Furthermore, the failure factor device identification unit identifies the failure factor device using the first reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit, the failure factor device narrowing-down unit narrows down the number of failure factor devices using the second reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to claim 1 .

4. a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a first reference data update unit that updates the first reference data for the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed based on a statistical distribution of the measurement values ​​included in the past first measurement value data measured on the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, or on a vehicle air conditioner other than the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed that is not a target vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner.

5. a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies a failure factor device, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, that is presumed to be a factor that causes a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a replacement component data acquisition unit that acquires replacement component data that identifies replaced components among the plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, which is the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed; a reference data extraction unit that, for each non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner other than the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, references a database in which the first reference data for the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is associated with the components that make up the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, identifies the non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner that has the component represented by the replacement component data, and extracts the first reference data for the identified non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner from the database; Equipped with the failure factor device identification unit identifies the failure factor device using the first reference data extracted by the reference data extraction unit. Diagnostic system for vehicle air conditioners.

6. a first measurement value data acquisition unit that acquires first measurement value data including a measurement value related to a current supplied to a vehicle air conditioner that conditions the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a measurement value related to the temperature of the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air conditioner; a failure factor device identification unit that identifies, among a plurality of components that make up the vehicle air conditioner, a plurality of failure factor devices that are presumed to be factors that cause a failure of the vehicle air conditioner, based on a comparison between the first measurement value data acquired by the first measurement value data acquisition unit and first reference data that is predetermined for the first measurement value data and indicates that the vehicle air conditioner is normal; a failure factor device narrowing-down unit that narrows down the number of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identifying unit based on an actual frequency that indicates the frequency with which the failure factor device actually caused a failure of the vehicle air conditioner in the past for each of the plurality of failure factor devices identified by the failure factor device identifying unit, under the condition that failure factor devices with a relatively high actual frequency are left; A diagnostic system for a vehicle air conditioner.

7. The non-diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is a vehicle air conditioner having a common configuration with the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner, or a vehicle air conditioner installed in another vehicle running on the same route as the vehicle on which the diagnosis target vehicle air conditioner is installed.

5. The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to claim 2 or 4.

8. an actual relevance notification unit that notifies a user of an actual relevance of each of the plurality of components that constitute the vehicle air conditioner to be diagnosed, the actual relevance indicating the frequency with which the component has actually been a cause of a failure of the vehicle air conditioner in the past; The vehicle air conditioner diagnostic system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

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