Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can easily perform a refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation by using an air conditioner in an appropriate time zone.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes an air conditioner. The air conditioning system diagnoses refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner on the basis of an operation data on the air conditioner. The air conditioner executes a refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within a range of a diagnosis operation time zone when it does not perform a normal operation within a first period. The air conditioning system includes: a reception section that receives input regarding setting of the diagnosis operation time zone from a user; and a display section that displays a recommended time zone of the diagnosis operation time zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerant leakage management system that diagnoses the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak at least once a day. This refrigerant leakage management system includes a control unit that checks the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak based on the detection results detected by a detection unit when the refrigeration cycle device is operating under conditions close to the rated operating conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-179215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an air conditioning system that makes it easy to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by an air conditioning device at an appropriate time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An air conditioning system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within a diagnostic operation time period, and the air conditioning system has a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period, and a display unit that displays a recommended time period for the diagnostic operation time period.

[0006] An air conditioning system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device does not perform normal operation within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within a diagnostic operation time period, and the air conditioning system has: a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period; a normal operation time period estimation unit that estimates a normal operation time period during which the air conditioning device will perform the normal operation; and a display unit that displays a message to that effect if the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit overlaps with the normal operation time period.

[0007] An air conditioning system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device is not operating normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a time period excluding a diagnostic operation prohibited time period, and the air conditioning system includes a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation prohibited time period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The air conditioning system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure can prevent the user from setting a time period that is inappropriate for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation as the diagnostic operation time period, making it easier for the air conditioning apparatus to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period.

[0009] The air conditioning system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure can prevent the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a normal operation time period, making it easier to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0010] An air conditioning system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure can prevent the air conditioning apparatus from performing a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period that is inappropriate for the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation and that the user has set as a diagnostic operation prohibition time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period that is not contrary to the user's wishes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a server device, a terminal device, and an air conditioning device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a recommended time period estimation unit in an absent time period mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a recommended time period estimation unit in a pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a recommended time zone estimation unit for an economical driving mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a recommended time zone estimation unit in a high-accuracy operation mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a terminal device, a server device, and an air conditioning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen in the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of an air conditioning apparatus and a server device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] Flowchart showing the operation of the server device in the second embodiment [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a set time period estimation unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] Flowchart showing the operation of the server device and the terminal device in the second embodiment [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] Flowchart showing the operation of the server device in the third embodiment [Figure 16] FIG. 13 shows an example of a setting screen in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] Flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device in the third embodiment [Figure 18] FIG. 10 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 shows an example of a setting screen in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] Flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device in the fourth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived the present disclosure, the technical field of air conditioning devices required periodic refrigerant leak diagnosis to quickly detect refrigerant leaks. Therefore, given the difficulty of diagnosing refrigerant leaks when no operating data is available, a technique was proposed in which an air conditioning device is caused to perform a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation to obtain operating data when no operating data for the air conditioning device is available that can be used to diagnose a refrigerant leak. Under these circumstances, the inventors discovered that there was room for improvement in the timing of when to perform a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, and in order to solve this problem, they came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides an air conditioning system that makes it easy to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by an air conditioning device at an appropriate time.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Air conditioning system configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that conditions a space to be conditioned by an air conditioner 1. Air conditioning of the space to be conditioned includes cooling, heating, dehumidification, ventilation, etc. The space to be conditioned is a space that belongs to a facility, and is a space that is conditioned by the air conditioner 1. Examples of facilities include homes, offices, stores, medical facilities, and public facilities.

[0015] The air conditioning system 1000 comprises an air conditioner 1 connected to a network NW. The network NW is a communication network made up of a public line network, a dedicated line, other communication circuits, etc. FIG. 1 illustrates a case in which the air conditioning system 1000 comprises three or more air conditioners 1. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1000 of this embodiment comprises three or more air conditioners 1. Note that the number of air conditioners 1 provided in the air conditioning system 1000 is not limited to three or more, and may be less than three. The air conditioner 1 performs air conditioning operation using an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3 provided therein, and the indoor unit 2 air-conditions the conditioned space of the facility in which the indoor unit 2 is installed.

[0016] The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment comprises an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3. The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected by refrigerant piping and control wiring, thereby forming a refrigeration cycle in the air conditioner 1. Note that in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 is configured to comprise one indoor unit 2 and one outdoor unit 3, but the number of indoor units 2 and the number of outdoor units 3 comprised by the air conditioner 1 are not limited to one each; there may be one outdoor unit 3 and multiple indoor units 2, or there may be multiple outdoor units 3 and multiple indoor units 2.

[0017] The air conditioner 1 generates operating data D1 and transmits the generated operating data D1 to a server device 5 connected to the network NW. The server device 5 will be described later. The operating data D1 includes an air conditioner ID (Identification), information indicating the upload date and time, and detected values ​​of various sensors equipped in the air conditioner 1. Examples of sensors equipped in the air conditioner 1 include a sensor that detects the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the compressor, a sensor that detects the temperature of refrigerant drawn into the compressor, a sensor that detects the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a sensor that detects the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0018] In this embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is equipped with a human presence sensor that detects the presence or absence of people in the space to be conditioned by the indoor unit 2, or the number of people.

[0019] The air conditioner ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the air conditioner 1. The upload date and time is the date and time when the driving data D1 is uploaded.

[0020] The air conditioning device 1 is equipped with sensors for acquiring the discharge temperature, the compressor rotation speed, etc., generates operating data D1 that records the sensor values, and transmits the generated operating data D1 to the server device 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 generates human presence sensor data that records the sensor values ​​of the human presence sensor, and transmits the generated human presence sensor data to the server device 5 together with the operating data D1.

[0021] The air conditioning system 1000 includes a terminal device 4. The terminal device 4 is a terminal device used by a user P of the air conditioning device 1. The user P may be the administrator of the air conditioning device 1, the administrator of the facility in which the air conditioning device 1 is installed, or the owner of the facility in which the air conditioning device 1 is installed. The terminal device 4 shown in FIG. 1 is a laptop computer, but it may also be a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a smartphone. The terminal device 4 connects to a network NW and communicates with a server device 5.

[0022] The air conditioning system 1000 includes a server device 5. The server device 5 is connected to a network NW and performs information processing with the air conditioning devices 1 and terminal devices 4 as clients. Note that in each figure, the server device 5 is represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the server device 5 is made up of a single device. For example, the server device 5 may be made up of multiple server devices with different processing contents.

[0023] [1-1-2. Server configuration] Next, the configuration of the server device 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of the server device 5, the terminal device 4, and the air conditioning device 1. The server device 5 includes a server control device 50 and a server communication device 51.

[0024] Before describing the server control device 50, the server communication device 51 will be described. The server communication device 51 comprises hardware such as a communication circuit that complies with a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the air conditioning device 1 and the terminal device 4 under the control of the server control device 50.

[0025] The server control device 50 includes a server processor 500 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a server memory 510, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors.

[0026] The server memory 510 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The server memory 510 stores a control program 511, a first management DB (database) 512, a second management DB 513, a third management DB 514, a fourth management DB 515, and data to be processed by the server processor 500. The server memory 510 has a non-volatile storage area. The server memory 510 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area of ​​the server processor 500. The server memory 510 is constituted by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control program 511 is a program that causes the server processor 500 to function as a functional unit, which will be described later.

[0027] The first management DB 512 is a database that manages operating data D1. The first management DB 512 has one record R1 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. The record R1 has an air conditioning apparatus ID. The record R1 also has an operating data field. The operating data field holds multiple pieces of operating data D1, including the operating data D1 most recently transmitted by the air conditioning apparatus 1. The operating data field also holds operating data D1 for a predetermined period (e.g., one year). In the operating data field, the multiple pieces of operating data D1 are arranged in chronological order, with the upload dates and times indicated by the operating data D1.

[0028] The air conditioning system 1000 is configured to be able to use the operating data D1 managed by the first management DB 512 to diagnose whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1 corresponding to the operating data D1.

[0029] The second management DB 513 is a database that manages communication information for communicating with terminal devices 4. The communication information is, for example, address information. The second management DB 513 has one record R2 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. Record R2 has an air conditioning apparatus ID and communication information for the terminal device 4 used by user P of the air conditioning apparatus 1 indicated by this air conditioning apparatus ID. The air conditioning apparatus ID and communication information are appropriately associated with each other.

[0030] The third management DB 514 has one record R3 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. Record R3 has an air conditioning apparatus ID. The third management DB 514 has various information necessary to execute refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at the appropriate time for each air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus ID.

[0031] The refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is an operation of the air conditioner 1 that is carried out for the purpose of obtaining operating data D1 so that the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak can be diagnosed at least once for each air conditioner 1 within each first period. More specifically, the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is a cooling operation or a heating operation at rated output by the air conditioner 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 1 that is carried out for the purpose of air conditioning the conditioned space will be referred to as normal operation, and will be distinguished from the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. In this embodiment, the first period is one day. That is, in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 diagnoses the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak in each air conditioner 1 at least once a day for each date. To achieve this, the air conditioning system 1000 causes all air conditioners 1 to perform at least one of normal operation and refrigerant leak diagnosis operation every day.

[0032] Record R3 contains electricity bill information. The electricity bill information includes information about the electricity bill per unit of power for each time period for the power used by each air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to record R3. The electricity bill information may be a specific numerical value for the electricity bill per unit of power for each time period. The electricity bill information may also be information that relatively evaluates, on a multiple-level scale, whether the electricity bill per unit of power for each time period is higher or lower than that for other time periods. The electricity bill information may be periodically updated by the server device 5 based on information received from the outside via the network NW, or may not need to be updated since each record R3 was stored in the third management DB 514.

[0033] Record R3 contains outside temperature information. The outside temperature information includes information about the outside temperature for each time period in the environment in which each air conditioning apparatus 1 is installed. The outside temperature information may be a specific numerical value for the outside temperature for each time period. Alternatively, the outside temperature information may be information that relatively evaluates the outside temperature for each time period on a multiple-level scale to determine whether it is higher or lower than other time periods. The outside temperature information may be periodically updated by the server apparatus 5 based on information received from the outside via the network NW, or may not need to be updated after each record R3 is stored in the third management DB 514.

[0034] Record R3 also includes mode information, which includes information related to the recommended mode setting of the recommended time period estimation unit 504, which will be described later.

[0035] Record R3 also has reserved operation time slot information. In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 has a scheduling function that causes the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform normal operation during a reserved time slot that has been set in advance by user P. In other words, a reserved time slot is a time slot during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 automatically performs normal operation when the scheduling function is in use. Reserved operation time slot information is information that includes this reserved operation time slot. In this embodiment, a reserved operation time slot is set for each day of the week, and the reserved operation time slot information includes information about these reserved operation time slots.

[0036] The fourth management DB 515 is a database that manages human presence sensor data, which is the detection history of the human presence sensors in the conditioned spaces of each air conditioning apparatus 1. The fourth management DB 515 has one record R4 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. The record R4 has an air conditioning apparatus ID. The record R4 also has human presence sensor data transmitted from the air conditioning apparatus 1 together with the operating data D1.

[0037] The server processor 500 reads and executes a control program 511 stored in the server memory 510, thereby functioning as a server communication unit 501, an update unit 502, a diagnosis unit 503, a recommended time period estimation unit 504, and an absent time period estimation unit 505.

[0038] The server communication unit 501 communicates with the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the terminal device 4 via the server communication device 51.

[0039] The update unit 502 updates the contents of record R1 held in the first management DB 512. For example, when the server communication unit 501 receives operating data D1 from the air conditioning apparatus 1, the update unit 502 identifies record R1 of the air conditioning apparatus ID included in the operating data D1 from the management DB 512. Next, the update unit 502 stores the operating data D1 received by the server communication unit 501 in the operating data field of the identified record R1. When storing the operating data D1, the update unit 502 ensures that the operating data D1 is arranged in the operating data field in the order described above. The update unit 502 also updates the contents of the records R3 and R4 in the management DBs 514 and 515, respectively.

[0040] The diagnosing unit 503 diagnoses whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1 corresponding to record R1, using the contents of record R1 stored in the first management DB 512. Note that the accuracy of the refrigerant leak diagnosis by the diagnosing unit 503 is likely to be higher when operating data D1 from when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 1 is high is used than when operating data D1 from when the air conditioning load is low is used.

[0041] The recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates a recommended time period that is a time period within the first period that is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The air conditioning system 1000 is configured to cause the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the range of the diagnostic operation time period set by the input operation of the user P. The recommended time period is displayed to the user P as a recommended diagnostic operation time period when the user P inputs the diagnostic operation time period. For this reason, the air conditioning system 1000 is configured to easily cause each air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period.

[0042] The unoccupied time period estimation unit 505 estimates the time period during which no person is present in the space to be conditioned by the air conditioning apparatus 1 during the first time period, i.e., the unoccupied time period. In this embodiment, in the unoccupied time period mode, the unoccupied time period estimation unit 505 estimates the unoccupied time period based on the human sensor data included in record R4. More specifically, the absence time period estimation unit 505 identifies, based on the human presence sensor data, time periods when people are frequently absent from the harmonized space or time periods when people are absent from the harmonized space for a long period of time, and treats the identified time periods as estimated absence time periods. The unoccupied time period estimation unit 505 may estimate the unoccupied time period of each air conditioner 1 based on information external to the air conditioning system 1000. For example, the external information may be the entry and exit history of the air conditioner 1 to the space to be conditioned.

[0043] [1-1-2-1. Recommended time zone estimation section] When the recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates a recommended time period, various evaluation criteria may be used to evaluate whether the time period is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation of the air conditioner 1. The evaluation criteria at this time may be, for example, a time period that is unlikely to have an impact on normal operation of the air conditioner 1. Other evaluation criteria may be, for example, a time period that is unlikely to have an impact on people in the conditioned space, a time period that can reduce energy consumption, a time period that can reduce electricity costs due to refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, and a time period that increases the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis based on the operating data D1 during refrigerant leak diagnosis operation.

[0044] The time periods that are unlikely to affect the normal operation of the air conditioning device 1 are, for example, time periods when the air conditioning device 1 is stopped, i.e., time periods excluding the normal operation time periods when the air conditioning device 1 is operating normally.

[0045] A time period that is unlikely to have an impact on people in the harmonized space is, for example, a time period when there are no people in the harmonized space, that is, the above-mentioned absent time period.

[0046] A time period during which energy consumption can be reduced is, for example, a time period during which the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation can be used for pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation in addition to normal operation of the air conditioner 1, that is, a pre-cooling / pre-heating time period.

[0047] Furthermore, the time periods during which the electricity cost due to the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation can be reduced are, for example, time periods during which the electricity cost per unit of power is low, that is, low-price time periods.

[0048] The time periods during which the accuracy of refrigerant leakage diagnosis based on the operating data D1 during refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is high are, for example, time periods during which the air conditioning load of the air conditioning device 1 is high when refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is performed, i.e., high-load time periods.

[0049] The recommended time zone estimation unit 504 estimates a time zone suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the first period in accordance with these evaluation criteria and treats the estimated time zone as a recommended time zone. The recommended time zone estimation unit 504 may also estimate a time zone suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation by any combination of these evaluation criteria and treat the estimated time zone as a recommended time zone.

[0050] It is desirable that the data used by the recommended time period estimation unit 504 when estimating the recommended time period within the first period corresponds to the first period. For example, when estimating the recommended time period using past data, assuming that the first period is from midnight to midnight on Friday, it is desirable to estimate the recommended time period using the past data from a past Friday.

[0051] In this embodiment, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 has four recommendation modes and estimates the recommended time slot using different evaluation criteria depending on the recommendation mode. Specifically, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 is capable of switching between the pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot mode, the unattended time slot mode, the energy-saving operation mode, and the high-precision operation mode as the recommended mode. Furthermore, in this embodiment, regardless of which recommended mode is switched to, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 estimates a time slot excluding the normal operation time slot within the first period. Then, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 is configured to estimate the recommended time slot within the time slot excluding the normal operation time slot within the estimated first period.

[0052] In this embodiment, when estimating time periods excluding normal operation time periods, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 references the reserved operation time period information held in record R3 corresponding to each air conditioning apparatus 1. In detail, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates that time periods excluding reserved operation time periods included in the reserved operation time period information for each first period are time periods excluding normal operation time periods. In other words, in this embodiment, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates that the normal operation time period of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is the reserved operation time period of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0053] The recommended time slot estimation unit 504 may estimate time slots excluding normal operation time slots without using reserved operation time slot information. For example, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 may estimate time slots excluding normal operation time slots in the first period based on the operating data D1 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 or external information of the air conditioning system 1000. The external information is, for example, the business hours of the tenant or the like where the air conditioning apparatus 1 is installed, records of entry and exit, and weather forecasts for the area corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0054] [1-1-2-2.Away Time Mode] In the unoccupied time period mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates the recommended time period based on the evaluation criterion of time periods that are least likely to have an impact on people in the conditioned space. In this embodiment, in the unoccupied time period mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 causes the unoccupied time period estimation unit 505 to estimate unoccupied time periods for the space to be conditioned by the air conditioning apparatus 1 within a period of time excluding the estimated normal operation time period. The recommended time period estimation unit 505 then treats the estimation result as the estimated recommended time period.

[0055] Specifically, in the absence time period mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 causes the absence time period estimation unit 505 to estimate the absence time period based on the human sensor data included in record R4. More specifically, the absence time period estimation unit 505 identifies, based on the human presence sensor data, time periods when people are frequently absent from the harmonized space or time periods when people are absent from the harmonized space for a long period of time, and treats the identified time periods as estimated absence time periods. The unoccupied time period estimation unit 505 may estimate the unoccupied time period based on information external to the air conditioning system 1000. For example, the external information may be a history of entry and exit from the space to be conditioned by the air conditioning device 1.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of recommended time period estimation unit 504 in absent time period mode, and shows the process of estimating a recommended time period when each day of the week is defined as a first period. Each row in the table in FIG. 3 represents a time period in two-hour increments from midnight to midnight on each day of the week. A time period marked with "Y" indicates that the time period corresponds to the item in the column. For example, a time period marked with "Y" in the "normal operation time period" column is a time period estimated as a normal operation time period by the recommended time period estimation unit 504, and in this embodiment, is a time period set as a reserved operation time period in the reserved operation time period information of record R3. Furthermore, a time period marked with "Y" in the "absence time period" column is a time period estimated as an absence time period by the absence time period estimation unit 505. Note that FIG. 3 is merely an example, and the interval width of the time period, etc., may be set arbitrarily.

[0057] 3, for Monday to Friday, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates which of the time slots excluding the scheduled operation time slots, from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00, are the time slots that the absent time slot estimation unit 505 has estimated as the absent time slots. As a result, the time slots excluding the scheduled operation time slots, from midnight to 6:00 and from 20:00 to 24:00, which have been determined to be the absent time slots, are treated as the estimated recommended time slots.

[0058] In addition, in the example of Figure 3, since no reserved operating time slots are set for Saturdays and Sundays, there are no estimated normal operating time slots, and the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 treats the period from 0:00 to 24:00, which is estimated to be the absent time slot by the absent time slot estimation unit 505, as the recommended time slot.

[0059] [1-1-2-3. Pre-cooling / Pre-heating Time Period Mode] In the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates the recommended time period based on the evaluation criterion of time periods during which energy consumption can be reduced. In this embodiment, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode estimates the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period of the air conditioner 1 during time periods excluding the estimated normal operation time period within the first period, and treats the estimation result as the estimated recommended time period.

[0060] Specifically, in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 treats the time period immediately before the start time of the estimated normal operation time period as the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time period. As described above, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 in this embodiment treats the reserved operation time slot included in the reserved operation time slot information of record R3 as an estimated normal operation time slot. Therefore, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot mode identifies the start time of the reserved operation time slot from the reserved operation time slot information, and treats the time slot immediately before the identified start time as the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot.

[0061] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the recommended time period estimation unit 504 in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, showing the process of estimating the recommended time period when each day of the week is set as a first period. FIG. 4 can be read in the same way as FIG. 3.

[0062] In the example of Fig. 4, for Monday to Friday, recommended time period estimation unit 504 evaluates which time period is the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period among the time periods from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to midnight, which are time periods excluding the scheduled operation time period. As a result, recommended time period estimation unit 504 estimates that the time period from 6:00 to 8:00, just before 8:00, the start time of the scheduled operation time period, is the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period. Then, recommended time period estimation unit 504 treats the time period from 6:00 to 8:00, which is the estimated result of the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period, as the estimated recommended time period.

[0063] 4, for Saturdays and Sundays, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates which time slots are pre-cooling / pre-heating time slots within the time slots from midnight to midnight, excluding scheduled operation time slots. As a result, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 estimates that there are no pre-cooling / pre-heating time slots on Saturdays and Sundays, which are the first periods. In such a case, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 treats the period from midnight to midnight, i.e., all time slots excluding scheduled operation time slots, as the estimated recommended time slot.

[0064] Note that the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 for the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone mode may estimate the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone without using the estimated normal operation time zone. For example, if the pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation of the air conditioner 1 is set in the reserved operation time zone information of record R3, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 for the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone mode may treat the time zone of the pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation as the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone.

[0065] [1-1-2-4. Energy-saving operation mode] The recommended time zone estimation unit 504 estimates the recommended time zone in the energy saving operation mode based on the evaluation criterion of a time zone in which the electricity cost can be reduced by the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation. In this embodiment, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 for the economical driving mode estimates a low-price time slot from within the range of the recommended time slot, and treats the estimation result as the estimated recommended time slot.

[0066] In detail, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 for the energy saving operation mode estimates the recommended time zone from the electricity rate information included in record R3. More specifically, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 uses the electricity rate information to identify time periods excluding the estimated normal operation time periods, i.e., time periods excluding the scheduled operation time periods, during which the electricity rate per unit of power is low, and treats the identified time periods as the estimated low-price time periods.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 in the energy saving operation mode, and shows the process of estimating the recommended time zone when each day of the week is defined as a first period. In Figure 5, the "Electricity Bill" column shows the contents of the electricity bill information for record R3. In the example of Figure 5, the electricity bill information includes the results of classifying the time periods for each day of the week into four levels: "cheapest," "low," "high," and "highest," in order of lowest electricity bill per unit of power. Note that Figure 5 is merely an example, and the intervals for the time periods may be set arbitrarily. The electricity bill information may, for example, simply include the numerical value of the electricity bill per unit of power for each time period.

[0068] 5, for Monday to Friday, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates the electricity costs for each time slot from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00, which are time slots excluding the scheduled operation time slot. As a result, the time slot from midnight to 2:00, which is classified as "cheapest" in the electricity rate information, is treated as the estimated low-price time slot. For Saturdays and Sundays, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates the electricity cost for each time slot from midnight to midnight, excluding scheduled operation times. As a result, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 treats the time slot from midnight to 2 a.m., which is classified as "cheapest" in the electricity cost information, as the estimated low-cost time slot. The recommended time slot estimation unit 504 then treats the time slot from midnight to 2:00, which is the estimated low-price time slot for each day of the week, as the estimated recommended time slot.

[0069] In the energy saving operation mode, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 may be configured to estimate the nighttime, when electricity rates tend to be lower, as the low-price time period among the recommended time periods without referring to electricity rate information.

[0070] [1-1-2-5. High-precision operation mode] The recommended time zone estimation unit 504 estimates the recommended time zone in the high accuracy operation mode based on the evaluation criterion of the time zone in which the accuracy of the refrigerant leakage diagnosis based on the operation data D1 during the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is high. In this embodiment, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 in the high-precision operation mode estimates high-load operation time zones from time zones excluding the estimated normal operation time zones, i.e., time zones excluding scheduled operation time zones, and treats the estimation result as the estimated recommended time zones.

[0071] In detail, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 for the high-precision operation mode uses the outside temperature information contained in record R3 to identify a time zone, excluding the scheduled operation time zone, in which there is a large temperature difference between the set temperature for refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation and the outside temperature, and treats the identified time zone as the estimated high-load operation time zone.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 in the high-accuracy operation mode, and shows the process of estimating the recommended time zone when each day of the week in summer is set as the first period. The "Outdoor Temperature" column indicates the contents of the outdoor temperature information of record R3. In the example of FIG. 6, the outdoor temperature information includes the results of classifying the time periods for each day of the week into four levels: "Lowest," "Low," "High," and "Highest," in order of lowest outdoor temperature. In this embodiment, the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is cooling operation. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the first period is each day of the week in a summer week. Therefore, the temperature difference between the outdoor temperature and the set temperature for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is larger during time periods when the outdoor temperature is high than during time periods when the outdoor temperature is low. Note that FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the time period intervals may be set arbitrarily. The outdoor temperature information may, for example, include the outdoor temperature value for each time period directly.

[0073] In the example of Figure 6, for Monday through Friday, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates the outside temperature for each time slot, excluding scheduled operation time slots, from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00. As a result, the time slot from 18:00 to 20:00, which is classified as "high" in the outside temperature information, is treated as the estimated high-load operation time slot. The recommended time slot estimation unit 504 then treats the time slot from 18:00 to 20:00, which is the estimated result of the high-load operation time slot excluding scheduled operation time slots, as the estimated recommended time slot.

[0074] For Saturdays and Sundays, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 evaluates the outside temperature for each time slot from midnight to midnight, excluding the scheduled operation time slot. As a result, the time slot from 12:00 to 14:00, which is classified as "highest" in the outside temperature information, is treated as the estimated high-load operation time slot. The recommended time slot estimation unit 504 then treats the estimated high-load operation time slot from 12:00 to 14:00 as the estimated recommended time slot.

[0075] In addition, in the high-accuracy operation mode, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to estimate the high-load operation time zone by using the trends in the outdoor temperature for each season and time zone without referring to the outdoor temperature information. For example, if the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is cooling operation and it is summer, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to prioritize the daytime as the high-load operation time zone when the temperature difference between the set temperature for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation and the outdoor temperature is likely to be large.

[0076] [1-1-3. Terminal device configuration] The configuration of the terminal device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal device 4 includes a terminal control device 40 , a terminal communication device 41 , a display 42 , and an input interface 43 .

[0077] Before describing the terminal control device 40, the terminal communication device 41, the display 42, and the input interface 43 will be described.

[0078] The terminal communication device 41 includes hardware such as a communication circuit conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the server device 5 via the network NW. The display 42 is configured by an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an OLED (Organic LED), etc. The display 42 may be an external device connected to the terminal device 4. The input interface 43 is connected to devices such as an operation switch, a touch input panel, a mouse, and a keyboard, detects an input operation by the user P, and outputs the detection result to the terminal control device 40.

[0079] The terminal control device 40 includes a terminal processor 400 such as a CPU or MPU, a terminal memory 410, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors. Terminal processor 400 is an example of a "processor."

[0080] The terminal memory 410 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The terminal memory 410 stores a control program 411 and data to be processed by the terminal processor 400. The terminal memory 410 has a non-volatile storage area. The terminal memory 410 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the terminal processor 400. The terminal memory 410 is constituted by, for example, a ROM or a RAM. The control program 411 is an example of a "program."

[0081] The terminal processor 400 reads and executes a control program 411 stored in the terminal memory 410, thereby functioning as a terminal communication unit 401, a display unit 402, a reception unit 403, and a reserved operation time slot setting unit 404.

[0082] The terminal communication unit 401 communicates with the server device 5 via the terminal communication device 41 .

[0083] The display unit 402 displays information on the display 42. In this embodiment, the display unit 402 displays a screen on the display 42.

[0084] The reception unit 403 receives various inputs related to each air conditioning apparatus 1 from the user P via the input interface 43. The various inputs received by the reception unit 403 include an input operation for selecting a recommended mode for the recommended time zone estimation unit 504. The various inputs received by the reception unit 403 also include an input operation for setting a diagnostic operation time zone for the air conditioning apparatus 1. Note that, for example, a touch panel that displays a screen and receives inputs from the user P may be provided instead of the display 42 and the input interface 43. In this case, the display unit 402 displays a screen using the touch panel, and the reception unit 403 receives various inputs from the user P detected by the touch panel.

[0085] The various inputs received by the reception unit 403 are transmitted to the server device 5 by the terminal communication unit 401. For example, when the reception unit 403 receives an input operation to select a recommended mode for the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 for a specific air conditioning apparatus 1, information on the selected recommended mode is transmitted to the server device 5. The information on the recommended mode transmitted to the server device 5 is reflected by the update unit 502 in the mode information of the corresponding record R3.

[0086] The reserved operation time slot setting unit 404 receives input from the user P via the input interface 43 regarding the setting of a reserved operation time slot for each air conditioning apparatus 1. The various inputs received by the reserved operation time slot setting unit 404 are sent to the server device 5 by the terminal communication unit 401. When the reserved operation time slot setting unit 404 receives an input operation to set a reserved operation time slot for a specific air conditioning apparatus 1, information about the set reserved operation time slot is sent to the server device 5. The reserved operation time slot information sent to the server device 5 is reflected by the update unit 502 in the reserved operation time slot information of the corresponding record R3.

[0087] [1-1-4. Air Conditioning Equipment Configuration] The air conditioner 1 includes an air conditioning control device 10 and an air conditioning communication device 11.

[0088] The air conditioning communication device 11 includes hardware such as a communication circuit that complies with a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the server device 5 via the network NW.

[0089] The air conditioning control device 10 comprises an air conditioning processor 100 such as a CPU or MPU, an air conditioning memory 110, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors. The air conditioning processor 100 is an example of a "processor."

[0090] The air conditioning memory 110 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The air conditioning memory 110 stores a control program 111 and data to be processed by the air conditioning processor 100. The air conditioning memory 110 has a non-volatile storage area. The air conditioning memory 110 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the air conditioning processor 100. The air conditioning memory 110 is constituted by, for example, ROM and RAM. The control program 111 is an example of a "program."

[0091] The air conditioning memory 110 also stores time zone information 112. The time zone information 112 includes information on diagnostic operation time zones set by the user P. In this embodiment, for example, the time zone information 112 includes diagnostic operation time zones corresponding to seven different first periods, with each day of the week from Monday to Sunday being defined as a first period. In this embodiment, the time zone information 112 also includes information on reserved operation time zones in the scheduling function of the air conditioning system 1000.

[0092] The air conditioning memory 110 also stores operation history information 113. The operation history information 113 is information that can be used to determine whether or not normal operation has been performed from the start time of the first period to the present. More specifically, the operation history information 113 is information that can be used to determine whether or not normal operation has been performed from the start time of the first period to the present, such that sufficient operation data D1 can be obtained for the diagnosis unit 503 to diagnose whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device 1. For example, the operation history information 113 may include the time when normal operation of the air conditioner 1 started and ended. The operation history information 113 may also include data that makes it possible to determine the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 1 during that normal operation. An example of data that makes it possible to determine the air conditioning load is the rotation speed of the compressor. The operation history information 113 may be stored in the air conditioning memory 110 as needed when the air conditioner 1 generates operation data D1 by extracting corresponding information from the contents of the operation data D1. Alternatively, the operating history information 113 may be information similar to a so-called flag variable that is turned ON when normal operation is performed such that sufficient operating data D1 is obtained for the diagnostic unit 503 to diagnose whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device 1, and is reset to OFF at the end of the first period.

[0093] The air conditioning processor 100 operates as an air conditioning communication unit 101, a normal operation execution unit 102, and a diagnostic operation execution unit 103 by reading and executing a control program 111 stored in an air conditioning memory 110.

[0094] The air conditioning communication unit 101 communicates with the server device 5 via the air conditioning communication device 11.

[0095] The normal operation execution unit 102 causes the air conditioner 1 to perform normal operation. Furthermore, the normal operation execution unit 102 generates operation data D1 when the air conditioner 1 performs normal operation.

[0096] If normal operation is not performed within the first period, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 causes the air conditioner 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation. Furthermore, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 generates operating data D1 when the air conditioner 1 performs a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation. At this time, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 may add information to the generated operating data D1 so that the operating data D1 resulting from the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation can be distinguished from the operating data D1 resulting from normal operation.

[0097] [1-2. Operation] The operation of each part of the air conditioning system 1000 configured as above will be described below.

[0098] [1-2-1. Operation when setting diagnostic operation time period] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the terminal device 4, the server device 5, and the air conditioning device 1. In Fig. 7, the flowchart FA1 shows the operation of the terminal device 4, the flowchart FB1 shows the operation of the server device 5, and the flowchart FC1 shows the operation of the air conditioning device 1.

[0099] The operation in FIG. 7 begins when the reception unit 403 receives an input operation by the user P to start setting a diagnostic operation time slot for one of the air conditioners 1.

[0100] First, in step SA1, the terminal communication unit 401 transmits request information about the recommended time slots for the diagnostic operation time slots for the air conditioning apparatus 1 for which the diagnostic operation time slots are to be set to the server apparatus 5. The request information includes the air conditioning apparatus ID of the air conditioning apparatus 1 for which the diagnostic operation time slots are to be set.

[0101] In step SB1, the server communication unit 501 receives the request information.

[0102] Next, in step SB2, the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 references the air conditioner ID included in the request information, and extracts each of the records R1 to R4 relating to the corresponding air conditioner 1 from each of the management DBs 512 to 515.

[0103] Next, in step SB3, the recommended time period estimation unit 504 determines the recommended time period by referring to various information contained in each of the extracted records R1 to R4. The recommended time period estimation unit 504 operates in a recommended mode corresponding to the mode information in record R3, and estimates the recommended time period using a different method depending on the recommended mode. The method of estimating the recommended time period for each recommended mode is as described using Figures 3 to 6.

[0104] Next, in step SB4, the server communication unit 501 transmits the recommended time slot determined by the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 to the terminal device 4 that is the sender of the request information.

[0105] In step SA2, the terminal communication unit 401 receives the transmitted information on the recommended time slot.

[0106] Next, in step SA3, the display unit 402 displays a setting screen G for setting a diagnostic operation time period on the display 42. The setting screen G is displayed to the user P. The setting screen G is a screen including the recommended time period transmitted from the server device 5. The setting screen G will be described in detail later. In step SA3, the reception unit 403 enters a state of waiting for the user P to input an input operation for setting the diagnostic operation time period (step SD1).

[0107] Next, the user P performs an input operation for setting the diagnostic operation time period (step SD1), and the input operation is received by the receiving unit 403 (step SA4). At this time, the user P can perform the input operation for setting the diagnostic operation time period while referring to the recommended time period for the diagnostic operation time period displayed on the setting screen G. This makes it easy for the user P to set the diagnostic operation time period to a time period that is suitable for performing the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation.

[0108] Next, in step SA5, the terminal communication unit 401 transmits information about the setting of the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit 403 to the server device 5. At this time, the terminal communication unit 401 transmits the corresponding air conditioning device ID to the server device 5 in order to identify which air conditioning device 1 the setting of the diagnostic operation time period corresponds to. This completes the operation of the terminal device 4 in Figure 7.

[0109] In step SB5, the server communication unit 501 receives information about the setting of the diagnostic operation time period.

[0110] In step SB6, the server communication unit 501 transmits the received information about the setting of the diagnostic operation time period to the corresponding air conditioner 1. This completes the operation of the server device 5 in FIG.

[0111] In step SC1, the air conditioning communication unit 101 receives information about the setting of the diagnostic operation time period.

[0112] In step SC2, the air conditioning communication unit 101 uses the received information about the setting of the diagnostic operation time zone to update the time zone information 112. As a result, the setting of the diagnostic operation time zone set by user P is reflected in the time zone information 112 of the air conditioning apparatus 1. By executing step SC2, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in Figure 7 is completed.

[0113] [1-2-2. Explanation of the setting screen] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen G in the first embodiment. In Fig. 8, the horizontal direction in the setting screen G is indicated by the symbol X, and the vertical direction is indicated by the symbol Y. In this embodiment, the setting screen G is a screen for setting a diagnostic operation time period for each day of the week.

[0114] 8, the setting screen G has a time zone display area G0. The time zone display area G0 is a rectangular area.

[0115] The setting screen G has target period display information G1. The target period display information G1 is displayed in a horizontal row above the time zone display area G0. Each piece of target period display information G1 corresponds to one of a plurality of first periods. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, each piece of target period display information G1 is the characters "Mon," "Tue," "Wed," "Thu," "Fri," "Sat," and "Sun," corresponding to each day of the week for which the diagnostic operation time zone is to be set on the setting screen G. The target period display information G1 corresponds to the horizontal position in the time zone display area G0 with the first period it indicates.

[0116] The setting screen G has time display information G2. The time display information G2 is arranged vertically on the left side of the time zone display area G0. Each piece of time display information G2 corresponds to a specific time in each first period. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, each piece of time display information G2 is in the form of the characters "00:00," "04:00," "08:00," "12:00," "16:00," "20:00," and "24:00," corresponding to each time of day in the first period. The time display information G2 corresponds to the vertical position in the time zone display area G0 and the time it indicates.

[0117] The setting screen G has recommended time slot display information G10. The recommended time slot display information G10 indicates which time slot is the recommended time slot in each first time period, depending on the horizontal and vertical positions of the recommended time slot display information G10 in the time slot display area G0. In this embodiment, the recommended time slot display information G10 is a hollow, two-way arrow extending vertically. In the example of FIG. 8, the recommended time slot display information G10 corresponding to the recommended time slot estimated in the example of operation of the recommended time slot estimation unit 504 in FIG. 3 is displayed.

[0118] For example, recommended time slot display information G10 is located in the time slot display area G0 at the same horizontal position as target period display information G1 showing the character "Mon" and in an area vertically between time slot display information G2 showing the characters "20:00" and "24:00." This recommended time slot display information G10 corresponds to the recommended time slot from 8:00 PM to midnight on Mondays estimated in the example of operation of recommended time slot estimation unit 504 in FIG. 3.

[0119] Note that the setting screen G may be configured in a form other than the setting screen G shown in Fig. 8 as long as it can display the recommended time slot to the user P. The display unit 402 may be configured to display the recommended time slot to the user P using only text, for example.

[0120] [1-2-3. Operation until refrigerant leakage is diagnosed] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the server device 5. In Figure 9, flowchart FC2 shows the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1, and flowchart FB2 shows the operation of the server device 5. The operation shown in Figure 9 is the operation from the start time of the first period until the air conditioning apparatus 1 has been diagnosed at least once to determine whether or not there is a refrigerant leak. That is, the operation shown in Fig. 9 starts at the start time of the first period. In this embodiment, the first period is from midnight to midnight on each date, so the operation shown in Fig. 9 starts at midnight every day.

[0121] At the start of the operation in Figure 9, in step SC11, the normal operation execution unit 102 determines whether or not to cause the air conditioner 1 to perform normal operation. Examples of cases in which normal operation is executed include when an operation to cause the air conditioner 1 to start normal operation is performed on a remote control (not shown) or when the start time of a reserved operation time slot arrives. Furthermore, if the air conditioner 1 is performing normal operation at the time of step SC11, this also corresponds to a case in which normal operation is executed. In step SC11, if it is determined that the air conditioning device 1 is to perform normal operation (step SC11: YES), the process proceeds to step SC12, and if it is determined that the air conditioning device 1 is not to perform normal operation (step SC11: NO), the process proceeds to step SC14.

[0122] In step SC12, the normal operation execution unit 102 causes the air conditioner 1 to perform normal operation. The normal operation execution unit 102 also generates operating data D1 for the air conditioner 1.

[0123] In step SC13, the air conditioning communication unit 101 transmits to the server device 5 the operating data D1 of the air conditioner 1 during normal operation that was generated in step SC12.

[0124] In step SC14, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 determines whether the current time has reached the start time of the diagnostic operation time period by referring to the time period information 112. If it is determined that the current time has reached the start time of the diagnostic operation time period, the process proceeds to step SC15, and if it is determined that the current time has not reached the start time, the process returns to step SC11.

[0125] Steps SC11 to SC14 mean the following operations by the air conditioner 1. That is, from the start time of the first period until the start time of the diagnostic operation time period is reached, the air conditioning apparatus 1 either performs normal operation and sends operating data D1 to the server apparatus 5, or it stands by without operating. When the start time of the diagnostic operation time period is reached, the air conditioning apparatus 1 proceeds to step SC15 regardless of whether normal operation is being performed or not.

[0126] In step SC15, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 determines whether or not the air conditioning apparatus 1 has performed normal operation from the start time of the first period to the present, i.e., until the start time of the diagnostic operation time zone has arrived. More specifically, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 determines whether or not normal operation has been performed from the start time of the first period to the present, such that sufficient operating data D1 has been obtained for the diagnosing unit 503 to diagnose the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 uses the operation history information 113 for the determination in step SC15.

[0127] If it is determined in step SC15 that the air conditioner 1 has already performed sufficient normal operation (step SC15: YES), the operation of the air conditioner 1 in Fig. 9 ends. If it is determined in step SC15 that the air conditioner 1 has not yet performed sufficient normal operation (step SC15: NO), the operation of the air conditioner 1 proceeds to step SC16.

[0128] In step SC16, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 causes the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. The diagnostic operation execution unit 103 also generates operation data D1 for the air conditioning apparatus 1 during the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. Note that if the diagnostic operation time period is longer than the time required for the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 may cause the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by setting the start time and end time of the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation to any time within the range of the diagnostic operation time period.

[0129] In step SC17, the air conditioning communication unit 101 transmits the operating data D1 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 during refrigerant leak diagnostic operation generated in step SC16 to the server device 5. Once transmission of all of the operating data D1 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 generated during refrigerant leak diagnostic operation has been completed, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in Figure 9 ends.

[0130] In step SB11, the server communication unit 501 receives the operating data D1 transmitted by the air conditioning communication unit 101 through the operation in step SC13 or step SC17.

[0131] In step SB12, the diagnosis unit 503 performs a diagnosis of the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage from the air conditioner 1 based on the operating data D1 received in step SB11. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 in Fig. 9 ends.

[0132] That is, the operation of FIG. 9 means the following operation. If the air conditioning apparatus 1 has not performed normal operation sufficient to generate sufficient operating data D1 from the start time of the first period to the start time of the diagnostic operating time zone, the air conditioning apparatus 1 generates operating data D1 through refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation performed during the diagnostic operating time zone. Also, if the air conditioning apparatus 1 has performed normal operation sufficient to generate sufficient operating data D1 from the start time of the first period to the start time of the diagnostic operating time zone, the air conditioning apparatus 1 does not perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation. Therefore, it is possible to diagnose a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1 using the operating data D1 within the first period, regardless of whether normal operation is being performed or not.

[0133] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 is an air conditioning system 1000 that includes an air conditioning device 1 and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device 1 based on the operating data D1 of the air conditioning device 1, and if the air conditioning device 1 does not operate normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the diagnostic operating time period, and the air conditioning system 1000 has a reception unit 403 that receives input from a user P regarding the setting of the diagnostic operating time period, and a display unit 402 that displays a recommended time period for the diagnostic operating time period. This makes it possible to prevent the user P from setting a time period that is not suitable for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation as the diagnostic operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period.

[0134] As in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 may be configured to include a reservation operation time period setting unit 404 that accepts settings regarding the reservation operation time period of the air conditioning device 1, and the display unit 402 to display at least time periods excluding the reservation operation time period as recommended time periods. This makes it possible to prevent the user P from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a scheduled operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0135] As in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 may be configured to include an unoccupied time zone estimation unit 505 that estimates the unoccupied time zone for the conditioned space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioning device 1, and the display unit 402 displays the unoccupied time zone estimated by the unoccupied time zone estimation unit 505 as a recommended time zone. This makes it possible to prevent the user P from setting a time period during which people are present in the conditioned space as the diagnostic operation time period. This makes it easier to perform the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device 1 at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect people in the conditioned space.

[0136] As in this embodiment, the display unit 402 may be configured to display low-price time periods, which are time periods when the electricity cost required for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioner 1 is low, as recommended time periods. This makes it easier for the user P to set a time period during which the electricity cost required for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation of the air conditioner 1 can be reduced as the diagnostic operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioner 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period when the electricity cost for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is low.

[0137] As in this embodiment, the display unit 402 may be configured to display, as a recommended time period, a time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1 can be diagnosed with high accuracy. This makes it easier for user P to set a diagnostic operation time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner can be diagnosed with high accuracy using the operating data D1 during the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. This makes it easier to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by the air conditioner at an appropriate time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner can be diagnosed with high accuracy using the operating data D1 during the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation.

[0138] As in this embodiment, the display unit 402 may be configured to display the time periods corresponding to pre-cooling and pre-heating by the air conditioner 1 as the recommended time periods. This makes it easier for the user P to set the diagnostic operation time period to correspond to the time period for pre-cooling and pre-heating by the air conditioner 1. This makes it easier for the air conditioner 1 to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period that corresponds to the time period for pre-cooling and pre-heating by the air conditioner 1.

[0139] Next, a description will be given of embodiments 2 to 4. In embodiments 2 to 4, only the differences from embodiment 1 will be described, and a description of the same configuration as embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0140] (Embodiment 2) [2-1.Configuration] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the second embodiment.

[0141] In the second embodiment, the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110 is also stored in the record R3 managed by the third management DB 514. The time zone information 112 stored in the record R3 is always the same as the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0142] The mode information in record R3 also includes information about the setting mode of the setting time period estimation unit 506, which will be described later. The information about the setting mode is stored in the mode information in record R3 when the reception unit 403 receives an input operation about the setting mode performed by the user P and the terminal communication unit 401 transmits the information to the server device 5.

[0143] In the second embodiment, the server processor 500 has a set time period estimation unit 506 and a notification unit 507 as functional units.

[0144] When the diagnostic operation time period based on the input operation of user P received by the receiving unit 403 is longer than the required time for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, the set time period estimation unit 506 estimates a time period within the diagnostic operation time period that is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. The estimated time period is hereinafter referred to as the diagnostic operation time period for setting. In other words, the diagnostic operation time period for setting is a time period included in the diagnostic operation time period input by user P.

[0145] In this embodiment, the set time period estimation unit 506 estimates a diagnostic operation time period for setting from among the diagnostic operation time periods input by the user P, using evaluation criteria that vary depending on the setting mode. Similar to the recommended mode of the recommended time period estimation unit 504, the set time period estimation unit 506 is configured to be able to switch between a pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, an unoccupied time period mode, a power saving operation mode, and a high-precision operation mode as setting modes.

[0146] The setting time zone estimation unit 506 of each setting mode estimates a diagnostic operation time zone for setting from among the diagnostic operation time zones input by the user P in the same manner as the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 of the recommended mode of the same name estimates a recommended time zone from among the time zones excluding the reserved operation time zones for the first period.

[0147] When normal operation by the air conditioning device 1 is performed a predetermined number of times or at a predetermined frequency within the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning device 1, the notification unit 507 notifies the user P that it is recommended to change the diagnostic operation time period.

[0148] [2-2. Operation] [2-2-1. Operation of the set time zone estimation unit] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 5. The operation in FIG. 11 is executed between step SB5 and step SB6 in FIG.

[0149] 11, in step SB21, the set time period estimation unit 506 determines whether the duration of the diagnostic operation time period received by the server communication unit 501 in step SB5 is longer than the time required for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The diagnostic operation time period received by the server communication unit 501 is input by user P and accepted by the acceptance unit 403 in step SA4. In this embodiment, the time required for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation is approximately 30 minutes, and so the set time period estimation unit 506 determines whether the duration of the diagnostic operation time period received by the server communication unit 501 is longer than 30 minutes.

[0150] In step SB21, if the set time period estimation unit 506 determines that the duration of the diagnostic operation time period received by the server communication unit 501 is longer than the required time for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioner 1 (step SB21: YES), the process proceeds to step SB22. Otherwise (step SB22: NO), the process proceeds to step SB24.

[0151] In step SB22, the set time period estimation unit 506 references record R3 of the air conditioner 1 that corresponds to the diagnostic operation time period received by the server communication unit 501, and reads out the set mode information included in the mode information.

[0152] In step SB23, the set time zone estimation unit 506 estimates the diagnostic operation time zone for setting from the diagnostic operation time zone received by the server communication unit 501. At this time, the set time zone estimation unit 506 operates in the setting mode corresponding to the setting mode information read out in step SB22.

[0153] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the set time zone estimation unit 506, and shows the process by which the set time zone estimation unit 506 estimates the diagnostic operation time zones for setting for the high-precision operation mode, the energy-saving operation mode, and the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone mode for one first period. In the example of FIG. 12, the first period is one day, and the diagnostic operation time periods received by the server communication unit 501 are from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00.

[0154] In step SB23, the high-accuracy operation mode setting time zone estimation unit 506 uses the outside temperature information in record R3 to estimate a high-load operation time zone within the diagnostic operation time zone received by the server communication unit 501. Then, the estimated high-load operation time zone is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time zone for setting. In the example of Fig. 12, the outside air temperature information is the same as in the example of Fig. 6, and the first period is summer. Therefore, the setting time zone estimation unit 506 of the high-accuracy operation mode estimates that the time zone from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which is classified as "high" in the outside air temperature information, is a high-load operation time zone among the diagnostic operation time zones received by the server communication unit 501. Then, the time zone from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which is estimated to be a high-load operation time zone, is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time zone for setting.

[0155] In step SB23, the setting time zone estimation unit 506 for the energy saving operation mode uses the electricity rate information in record R3 to estimate a low-price time zone within the range of the diagnostic operation time zone received by the server communication unit 501. Then, the estimated low-price time zone is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time zone for setting. 12, the electricity rate information is the same as the example in Fig. 5, and the setting time zone estimation unit 506 for the high-precision operation mode estimates that the time zone from midnight to 2:00, which is classified as "cheapest" in the electricity rate information, is the low-price time zone among the diagnostic operation time zones received by the server communication unit 501. Then, the time zone from midnight to 2:00, which is estimated to be the low-price time zone, is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time zone for setting.

[0156] In step SB23, the setting time zone estimation unit 506 for the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone mode uses the reserved operation time zone information in record R3 to estimate a pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone within the range of the diagnostic operation time zone received by the server communication unit 501. Then, the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time zone for setting. In the example of Fig. 12, the scheduled operation time period information has the same content as the example of Fig. 4, and the start time of the scheduled operation time period is estimated to be 8:00. Therefore, the set time period estimation unit 506 for the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode estimates the time period from 6:00 to 8:00, just before 8:00, to be the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period. Then, the time period from 6:00 to 8:00, which is estimated to be the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period, is treated as the estimated diagnostic operation time period for setting.

[0157] 11, after the diagnostic operation time slot for setting is estimated in step SB23, the update unit 502 updates the time slot information 112 of record R3 in step SB24. At this time, the update unit 502 updates the time slot information 112 using the diagnostic operation time slot for setting estimated by the setting time slot estimation unit 506 in step SB23. If steps SB22 and SB23 have not been executed, the update unit 502 updates the time slot information 112 using the diagnostic operation time slot received by the server communication unit 501 in step SB5.

[0158] Upon completion of step SB24, the server device 5 ends the operation of FIG. 11 and proceeds to the operation of step SB6 of FIG.

[0159] In the second embodiment, the information transmitted by the server communication unit 501 in step SB6 is the same as the information used by the update unit 502 in step SB24 to update the time zone information 112. That is, if steps SB22 and SB23 have been executed, then in step SB6 the server communication unit 501 transmits information about the diagnostic operation time zone for setting to the air conditioner 1. If steps SB22 and SB23 have not been executed, then the update unit 502 transmits the information about the diagnostic operation time zone received by the server communication unit 501 in step SB5 to the air conditioner 1. This makes it possible to match the content of the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110 in step SC2 with the content of the time zone information 112 in the server memory 510 updated in step SB24.

[0160] In the present embodiment, when steps SB22 and SB23 are performed, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 makes a determination by referring to the diagnostic operation time slot for setting in step SC14 of Fig. 9. Therefore, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of step SC16 in the diagnostic operation time slot for setting that is suitable for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation, out of the diagnostic operation time slots input by the user P.

[0161] [2-2-2. Notification section operation] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the operations of the server device 5 and the terminal device 4. In Fig. 13, a flowchart FB4 shows the operation of the server device 5, and a flowchart FA4 shows the operation of the terminal device 4. The operations in Fig. 13 are performed at any timing. In this embodiment, for example, the operations are performed once a month at midnight on the last day of each month.

[0162] At the start of the operation in FIG. 13, in step SB31, the notification unit 507 determines for each air conditioner 1 whether normal operation has been performed at least a predetermined frequency or a predetermined number of times during the diagnostic operation time period.

[0163] In detail, the notification unit 507 references the time period information 112 in record R3 corresponding to each air conditioning unit 1, and acquires the diagnostic operation time period for each air conditioning unit 1. The notification unit 507 also acquires the acquired diagnostic operation time period and the operating data D1 in record R1 corresponding to each air conditioning unit 1. Furthermore, by comparing the acquired diagnostic operation time period with the operating data D1, the notification unit 507 calculates the number of times or frequency that normal operation was performed during the diagnostic operation time period for each air conditioning unit 1.

[0164] For example, when calculating the frequency, the notification unit 507 compares the operation data D1 for a predetermined period in the past (for example, the past month) with the diagnostic operation time zone. This calculates, for each air conditioner 1, the frequency at which normal operation was performed during the diagnostic operation time zone per predetermined period.

[0165] Furthermore, when calculating the number of times, the notification unit 507, for example, compares the diagnostic operation time zone for each air conditioning apparatus 1 with the operating data D1 from when the diagnostic operation time zone was last set to the present. In this way, the number of times normal operation was performed during the diagnostic operation time zone in the period from when the diagnostic operation time zone was last set to the present is calculated for each air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0166] The notification unit 507 determines whether the calculated number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times stored in advance in the server memory 510, or whether the calculated frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined frequency stored in advance in the server memory 510. If it is determined that the number of times or frequency is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times or the predetermined frequency in one or more air conditioners 1 (YES in step SB31), the process proceeds to step SB32. If it is not determined that the number of times or frequency is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times or the predetermined frequency in all air conditioners 1 (NO in step SB31), the operation in FIG. 13 ends. The determination in step SB31 may be performed with respect to only the frequency, only the number of times, or both the number of times and the frequency. Also, the determination in step SB31 does not need to be performed for all air conditioners 1 every time the operation in FIG. 13 is performed.

[0167] In step SB32, the notification unit 507 transmits notification information to the terminal device 4 corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus 1 determined in step SB31 that the number or frequency of normal operation during the diagnostic operation time period was equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times or a predetermined frequency. In detail, the notification unit 507 causes the server communication unit 501 to transmit the notification information. Furthermore, to identify the terminal device 4, the communication information of record R2 corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus 1 determined to have performed normal operation equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times or a predetermined frequency during the diagnostic operation time period is used.

[0168] The notification information sent in step SB32 includes the air conditioner ID of the air conditioner 1 for which it has been determined that the number or frequency of normal operation during the diagnostic operation time period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times or a predetermined frequency.

[0169] In step SA31, the terminal communication section 401 receives the transmitted notification information.

[0170] In step SA32, the display unit 402 displays a notification screen on the display 42. The notification screen includes information urging the user P to change the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning apparatus 1, because the air conditioning apparatus 1 having the air conditioning apparatus ID included in the notification information frequently or frequently performs normal operation during the diagnostic operation time period.

[0171] That is, by sending the notification information, the notification unit 507 causes a notification screen to be displayed on the display unit 402 of the terminal device 4. In this way, the notification unit 507 can notify the user P to urge them to change the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning apparatus 1 for which the number or frequency of normal operation during the diagnostic operation time period is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number or frequency. Note that the notification by the notification unit 507 is not limited to displaying a notification screen on the display 42, but may also be an audio notification using a speaker or the like of the terminal device 4. Furthermore, the notification unit 507 may be configured to send an email or the like containing content equivalent to that of the notification screen to the terminal device 4.

[0172] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As in this embodiment, when the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit 403 is longer than the required time for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, the air conditioning device 1 may be configured to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a setting diagnostic operation time period, which is a time period within the diagnostic operation time period that is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a diagnostic operation time period that is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the diagnostic operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period.

[0173] As in this embodiment, the reception unit 403 can receive input to set the setting mode of the set time period estimation unit 506 to either an energy-saving operation mode or a high-precision operation mode, and the air conditioning device 1 may be configured so that, when the reception unit 403 receives input to set the energy-saving operation mode, it performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a low-price time period within the diagnostic operation time period when electricity rates are low, and when the reception unit 403 receives input to set the high-precision operation mode, it performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a high-load operation time period within the diagnostic operation time period when refrigerant leaks in the air conditioning device 1 can be diagnosed with high precision. As a result, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during diagnostic operation time periods when electricity rates are low or during high-load operation time periods when refrigerant leaks can be diagnosed with high accuracy. This makes it easier to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus during appropriate time periods when electricity rates are low or when refrigerant leak diagnosis can be performed with high accuracy.

[0174] As in the present embodiment, a configuration may be provided in which a notification unit recommends changing the diagnostic operation time period when normal operation is performed at a predetermined frequency or a predetermined number of times or more during the diagnostic operation time period. As a result, if the user P sets a time period during which normal operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is likely to be performed as the diagnostic operation time period, the user P can be prompted to change the diagnostic operation time period. This makes it easier to perform the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus 1 at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0175] (Embodiment 3) [3-1.Configuration] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the third embodiment.

[0176] In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110 is also stored in record R3 managed by the third management DB 514. The time zone information 112 stored in record R3 is always the same as the time zone information stored in the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110. For example, at timing SB6 in FIG. 7, the update unit 502 reflects the information on the diagnostic operation time zone sent by the server communication unit 501 in record R3, whereby the time zone information 112 stored in record R3 is updated in synchronization with the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0177] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the record R2 managed by the second management DB 513 includes a building ID. The building ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the building BLD in which each air conditioning apparatus 1 is installed.

[0178] In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 includes at least one building BLD in which multiple systems of air conditioning apparatuses 1 are installed. Hereinafter, this will be referred to as building BLD1 to distinguish it. In addition, in this embodiment, building BLD1 is provided with two systems of air conditioning apparatuses 1, which will be referred to as air conditioning apparatuses 1A and 1B to distinguish it.

[0179] The air conditioners 1 of the multiple systems do not share refrigeration cycles or refrigeration circuits with each other. In other words, there is no exchange of refrigerant between one or more indoor units 2 and one or more outdoor units 3 provided in air conditioner 1A and one or more indoor units 2 and one or more outdoor units 3 provided in air conditioner 1B.

[0180] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the server processor 500 has as a functional unit a separate system acquisition unit 508. The separate system acquisition unit 508 extracts, from the third management DB 514, information on the diagnostic operation time zone of an air conditioning apparatus 1 that is provided in the same building BLD as the air conditioning apparatus 1 for which the diagnostic operation time zone is to be set and that is in a separate system from that air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0181] In the third embodiment, the terminal processor 400 has as a functional unit an overlap determination unit 405. The overlap determination unit 405 determines whether or not the diagnostic operation time zone of an air conditioning device 1 installed in a building BLD, received by the reception unit 403, overlaps with the diagnostic operation time zone of an air conditioning device 1 of a different system installed in the same building BLD.

[0182] [3-2. Operation] The operation of the air conditioning system 1000 according to the third embodiment configured as above will be described below.

[0183] [3-2-1. Operation of the separate system acquisition unit] 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 5 in Embodiment 3. Steps SB41 to SB43 shown in FIG. 15 are processes carried out between steps SB2 and SB3 in FIG.

[0184] After step SB2 in Fig. 7 is completed, at the start of the operation in Fig. 15, in step SB41, the separate system acquisition unit 508 references the building ID. In detail, the separate system acquisition unit 508 extracts the corresponding record R2 from the second management DB 513 from the air conditioning device ID included in the request information received in step SB1, and references the building ID of the extracted record R2.

[0185] In step SB42, the separate system acquisition unit 508 extracts from the second management DB 513 a record R2 that includes the same building ID as the building ID referenced in step SB31, but that does not include the same air conditioning device ID as the air conditioning device ID included in the request information. If one or more records R2 are extracted (step SB42: YES), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB43. If no records R2 are extracted (step SB42: NO), the operation of Fig. 15 ends, and the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB3 in Fig. 7.

[0186] It should be noted that in step SB42, if one or more records R2 are extracted, the extracted records R2 correspond to air conditioning apparatuses 1 of a different system that are installed in the same building BLD as the air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to the request information. In other words, in step SB42, it is determined whether or not an air conditioning apparatus 1 of a different system is installed in the building BLD in which the air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to the request information is installed.

[0187] In step SB43, the separate system acquisition unit 506 extracts records R3 having the same air conditioning apparatus IDs as each record R2 extracted in step SB42. The separate system acquisition unit 506 then references the time period information 112 of the extracted records R3, and acquires the diagnostic operation time periods of the air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to each record R3. That is, in step SB43, the separate system acquisition unit 506 acquires the diagnostic operation time periods of air conditioning apparatuses 1 of separate systems installed in the same building BLD as the air conditioning apparatus 1 corresponding to the request information. After that, the operation in Figure 8 ends, and the process proceeds to step SB2.

[0188] Also, unlike in the first embodiment, in step SB4 of the third embodiment, information on the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the other system acquired in step SB43 is transmitted together with information on the recommended time zone to the terminal device 4 that sent the request information. In step SA2, the terminal communication unit 401 receives this information together with information on the recommended time zone. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the setting screen G that the display unit 402 causes the display 42 to display in step SA3 includes information about the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioner 1 of the other system that was acquired in step SB43. That is, when the display unit 402 of the third embodiment displays the recommended time zone for an air conditioning apparatus 1 installed in a building BLD, it also displays the diagnostic operation time zone for an air conditioning apparatus 1 of a different system installed in the building BLD.

[0189] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen G in Embodiment 3. The setting screen G in Fig. 16 is a setting screen G for setting the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning apparatus 1A.

[0190] As shown in Fig. 16, the setting screen G of embodiment 3 has other system time zone information G11 that indicates the operating time zone of an air conditioning apparatus 1 of a different system. In this embodiment, the other system time zone information G11 is a filled-in black bidirectional arrow extending vertically. In the same manner as the recommended time zone display information G10, the other system time zone information G11 indicates the diagnostic operating time zone of an air conditioning apparatus 1B of a different system from the air conditioning apparatus 1A for which the diagnostic operating time zone is to be set. Note that the example of Fig. 16 shows a setting screen G for when the diagnostic operating time zone of the air conditioning apparatus 1B of the different system is from 6:00 to 8:00 from Monday to Friday, and from 12:00 to 14:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

[0191] In this way, for example, when performing an input operation to set the diagnostic operation time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1A, user P can understand the diagnostic operation time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1B, which is installed in the same building BLD1 as air conditioning apparatus 1A, by referring to the different system time zone information G11. This makes it easier for user P to set the diagnostic operation time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1A to a time zone that does not overlap with the diagnostic operation time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1B. This makes it easier to prevent air conditioning apparatuses 1A and 1B of multiple systems from simultaneously performing refrigerant leakage diagnostic operations, which would lead to an increase in peak power for the building BLD1.

[0192] [3-2-2. Operation of the overlap determination unit] 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 4 in Embodiment 3. Steps SB51 to SB53 shown in FIG. 17 are processes performed between steps SA4 and SA5 in FIG.

[0193] In the third embodiment, after the reception unit 403 receives (step SA4) the input for setting the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioner 1 through the input operation of the user P (step SD1), the process proceeds to step SA51, which is the first process of the operation in FIG. 17. In step SA51, the overlap determination unit 405 determines whether the diagnostic operation time period for the air conditioning unit 1 received by the reception unit 403 in step SA4 overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning unit 1 of a different system installed in the same building BLD as the air conditioning unit 1.

[0194] In detail, the overlap determination unit 405 determines whether the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning device 1 of the other system, which was acquired by the other system acquisition unit 508 in step SB43 and received by the terminal communication unit 401 in step SA2, overlaps even partially with the diagnostic operation time period accepted by the acceptance unit 403. If they overlap (step SA51: YES), the operation of the terminal device 4 proceeds to step SA52. If they do not overlap (step SA51: NO), the terminal device 4 ends the operation of FIG. 17 and proceeds to step SA5.

[0195] In the example of Figure 16, for example, if user P performs an input operation to set the diagnostic operation time period for air conditioning apparatus 1A on Mondays to the time period from 5:00 to 7:00, this will overlap with the diagnostic operation time period for air conditioning apparatus 1B on Mondays by one hour. Therefore, in step SA51, the overlap determination unit 405 determines that there is an overlap, and operation of terminal device 4 proceeds to step SA52.

[0196] In step SA52, the display unit 402 uses the display 42 to display a notification that the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning apparatus 1 entered by the user P overlaps with the diagnostic operation time zone of an air conditioning apparatus 1 of a different system installed in the same building BLD as the air conditioning apparatus 1. The notification displayed at this time may be text or an arbitrary image, or may be a combination of text and an image. The notification may also include content informing the user P that there is a concern that the overlap may lead to an increase in peak power. The terminal device 4 then ends the operation of FIG. 17 and proceeds to step SA5.

[0197] In step SA52, the user P who sees the notification displayed on the display 42 can redo the operations from step SA1 in Fig. 7, for example, by making an input to start setting a diagnostic operation time zone for the air conditioning apparatus 1. This makes it easier for the user P to set diagnostic operation time zones that do not overlap with each other for the air conditioning apparatuses 1 of multiple systems installed in the same building BLD.

[0198] The notification in step SA52 is not limited to being displayed on the display 42, but may be performed by outputting sound from a speaker or the like mounted on the terminal device 4, for example.

[0199] [3-3. Effects, etc.] As in this embodiment, the display unit 402 may be configured to display the diagnostic operation time zone of an air conditioning unit 1 of a different system installed in the same building BLD when displaying the recommended time zone of the air conditioning unit 1 installed in the building BLD. This prevents the user P from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device 1 of another system installed in the same building BLD. This makes it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device 1 at an appropriate time period that makes it easier to suppress increases in peak power of the building BLD.

[0200] As in this embodiment, when the reception unit 403 receives input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning unit 1 installed in a building BLD, an overlap determination unit 405 is provided which determines whether the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit 403 overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning unit 1 of a different system installed in the same building BLD, and the display unit 402 may be configured to display a notification that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap when the overlap determination unit 405 determines that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap. This prevents the user P from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device 1 of another system installed in the same building BLD. This makes it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device 1 at an appropriate time period that makes it easier to suppress increases in peak power of the building BLD.

[0201] (Fourth embodiment) [4-1.Configuration] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0202] In the fourth embodiment, the server processor 500 has a normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 as a functional unit. The normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 estimates the normal operation time zone during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs normal operation during a first time period using the operation data D1 of the record R1 managed by the first management DB 512. For example, the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 identifies, from the past operation data D1 of the air conditioning apparatus 1, time zones during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs normal operation for a long period of time, or time zones during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs normal operation frequently, and treats the identified time zones as estimated normal operation time zones.

[0203] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the terminal processor 400 has, as a functional unit, a normal operation overlap determination unit 406. The normal operation overlap determination unit 406 determines whether or not the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning device 1 received by the reception unit 403 and the normal operation time zone of the air conditioning device 1 estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 overlap even partially.

[0204] [4-2. Operation] [4-2-1. Operation of normal operation time zone estimation unit] In step SB3 of FIG. 7, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 of the first embodiment estimates that the normal operation time zone is the reserved operation time zone of record R3, and estimates the recommended time zone according to the recommended mode from within the time zone of the first period excluding the reserved operation time zone. In contrast to this, the recommended time zone estimation unit 504 of the fourth embodiment estimates a recommended time zone according to the recommended mode from within a period of time within the first time period excluding the normal time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 in SB3 of Fig. 7. For this reason, the recommended time zone information G10 on the setting screen G displayed in step SA3 indicates, as the recommended time zone, a period of time within the period of time within the first time period excluding the normal time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 from the operating data D1.

[0205] [4-2-2. Display operation] Also, in the fourth embodiment, in step SB4, information on the normal time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 is transmitted to the terminal device 4 together with information on the recommended time zone. Also, in the fourth embodiment, in step SA2, the terminal communication unit 401 receives the transmitted information on the normal time zone. Furthermore, in step SA3, the display unit 402 displays the received information on the normal time zone on the setting screen G.

[0206] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen G in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the setting screen G in the fourth embodiment has normal operation time zone information G12. The normal operation time zone information G12 indicates the normal operation time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509. In this embodiment, the normal operation time zone information G12 is a diagonally lined bidirectional arrow extending vertically. The normal operation time zone information G12 indicates the normal operation time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 in the same manner as the recommended time zone display information G10. Note that the example in FIG. 16 shows the setting screen G in a case where the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509 has estimated that the time period from 8:00 to 18:00 is the normal operation time zone from Monday to Friday, and that there is no normal operation time zone on Saturday and Sunday.

[0207] In this way, by displaying the normal operation time zone information G12 on the setting screen G, the user P can easily set the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning device 1 to a time zone other than the normal operation time zone estimated by the normal operation time zone estimation unit 509. The display unit 402 may be configured not to display the recommended time zone information G10 on the setting screen G, but to display only the normal operation time zone information G12.

[0208] [4-2-3. Operation of normal operation overlap determination unit] 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 4 in the embodiment 4. The operation in FIG. 20 is a process performed between step SA4 and step SA5 in FIG.

[0209] In the fourth embodiment, after the reception unit 403 receives (step SA4) the input for setting the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioner 1 through the input operation of the user P (step SD1), the process proceeds to step SA61, which is the first process of the operation in FIG. 20.

[0210] In step SA61, the normal operation overlap determination unit 406 determines whether the diagnostic operation time period for the air conditioning device 1 received by the reception unit 403 in step SA4 overlaps with the normal time period estimated by the normal operation time period estimation unit 509.

[0211] In detail, the normal operation overlap determination unit 406 determines whether the normal operation time period of the air conditioner 1 estimated by the normal operation time period estimation unit 509 in step SB3 and received by the terminal communication unit 401 in step SA2 overlaps even partially with the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit 403. If they overlap (step SA61: YES), the operation of the terminal device 4 proceeds to step SA62. If they do not overlap (step SA61: NO), the terminal device 4 ends the operation of FIG. 20 and proceeds to step SA5.

[0212] 19, for example, if user P performs an input operation to set the diagnostic operation time period for air conditioning apparatus 1 on Mondays to the time period from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this will overlap by one hour with the normal operation time period for Mondays of air conditioning apparatus 1. Therefore, the normal operation overlap determination unit 406 determines that there is an overlap, and operation of terminal device 4 proceeds to step SA62.

[0213] In step SA62, the display unit 402 uses the display 42 to display a notification that the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning apparatus 1 entered by the user P overlaps with the normal operation time zone of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The notification displayed at this time may be text or an arbitrary image, or may be a combination of text and an image. The notification may also include content informing the user P that there is a concern that the overlap may affect the normal operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. Thereafter, operation of the terminal device 4 proceeds to step SA5.

[0214] In step SA62, user P, having seen the notification displayed on display 42, can redo the operations from step SA1 in Fig. 7, for example, by making an input to start setting a diagnostic operation time slot for the air conditioning apparatus 1. This makes it easier to set a diagnostic operation time slot for the air conditioning apparatus 1 that does not overlap with the normal operation time slot of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0215] The notification in step SA62 is not limited to being displayed on the display 42, but may be performed by outputting sound from a speaker or the like mounted on the terminal device 4, for example.

[0216] [4-3. Effects, etc.] In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 is equipped with an air conditioning device 1 and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device 1 based on operating data D1 of the air conditioning device 1, and if the air conditioning device 1 does not perform normal operation within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within a diagnostic operation time period, and the air conditioning system 1000 has a reception unit 403 that receives input from a user P regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period, a normal operation time period estimation unit 509 that estimates the normal operation time period during which the air conditioning device 1 performs normal operation, and a display unit 402 that displays a message to the effect that the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit 403 overlaps with a normal operation time period if the diagnostic operation time period overlaps with the normal operation time period. This makes it possible to prevent the user P from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a normal operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0217] As in this embodiment, the display unit 402 may be configured to display the normal operating hours. This makes it possible to prevent the user P from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a normal operation time period. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0218] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiments 1 to 4 have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in Embodiments 1 to 4 above to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0219] In the first to fourth embodiments, it has been explained that, in relation to the timing at which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, the reception unit 403 receives input from the user P regarding the setting of a diagnostic operation time period, which is the time period during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation. However, the input from the user P received by the reception unit 403 may be any input related to the timing at which the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, and is not limited to the setting of a diagnostic operation time period.

[0220] For example, the reception unit 403 may be configured to receive input for setting a diagnostic operation prohibited time period, which is a time period during which the execution of refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation by the air conditioning apparatus 1 is prohibited, instead of the diagnostic operation time period, in step SA4 of Fig. 7. In this case, by treating the time periods within the first period excluding the received diagnostic operation prohibited time period as the diagnostic operation time period and performing the various processes as in embodiments 1 to 4, it becomes possible to execute refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation during the time periods excluding the diagnostic operation prohibited time period.

[0221] That is, in another embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 is an air conditioning system 1000 that includes an air conditioning device 1 and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device 1 based on operating data D1 of the air conditioning device 1, and if the air conditioning device 1 does not operate normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period (diagnostic operation time period) excluding the diagnostic operation prohibited time period, and the air conditioning system 1000 includes a reception unit 403 that receives input from a user P regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation prohibited time period. This prevents the air conditioning apparatus 1 from performing refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period that is not suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation and that has been set as a diagnostic operation prohibited time period by the user P. This makes it easier for the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period that does not go against the wishes of the user P.

[0222] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the setting screen G has been described which has recommended time zone information G10 corresponding to the recommended time zone, other system time zone information G11 corresponding to the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning device 1 of a different system, and normal operation time zone information G12 corresponding to the normal operation time zone. However, the setting screen G displayed by the display unit 402 may be one which makes it easy for the user P to set the diagnostic operation time zone to the recommended time zone and makes it difficult for the user P to set it to the normal operation time zone or the diagnostic operation time zone of the air conditioning device 1 of a different system. For this reason, the display unit 402 may be configured to display, for example, information corresponding to time periods excluding the recommended time period in the first period on the setting screen G, making it difficult for the user P to set the diagnostic operation time period to a time period corresponding to this information. Furthermore, the display unit 402 may be configured to display, for example, information corresponding to time periods excluding the normal operation time period in the first period, or information corresponding to time periods excluding the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device 1 on a different system on the setting screen G, making it easy for the user P to set the diagnostic operation time period to a time period corresponding to this information.

[0223] In the above embodiment, the diagnostic operation time period is described as being set within the first period, but this is just one example. The diagnostic operation time period may be set outside the first period, or may straddle both the first period and the outside of the first period. For example, the first period may be set from 5:00 to 24:00 in one day, and the diagnostic operation time period may be set from midnight to 5:00 in one day.

[0224] The air conditioning processor 100, the terminal processor 400, and the server processor 500 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. These processors may be hardware programmed to realize the corresponding functional units. That is, these processors may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0225] The configurations of the air conditioning apparatus 1, terminal device 4, and server device 5 shown in Figures 1, 2, 10, 14, and 18 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is also possible to configure the functions of each unit to be realized by a single processor executing a program. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0226] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 20 are divided according to the main processing content to make the operations easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operations may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0227] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0228] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0229] (Technology 1) An air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within a diagnostic operating time period, and the air conditioning system has a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operating time period, and a display unit that displays recommended time periods for the diagnostic operating time period. This makes it possible to prevent the user from setting a time period that is inappropriate for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation as the diagnostic operation time period, making it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus at an appropriate time period.

[0230] (Technology 2) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 1, which includes a reservation operation time period setting unit that accepts settings regarding the reservation operation time period of the air conditioning device, and the display unit displays time periods excluding at least the reservation operation time period as the recommended time period. This prevents the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a scheduled operation time period, making it easier to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0231] (Technology 3) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 1 or 2, which includes an unoccupied time zone estimation unit that estimates unoccupied time zones for the conditioned space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioning device, and the display unit displays the unoccupied time zones estimated by the unoccupied time zone estimation unit as the recommended time zones. This prevents the user from setting a time period during which people are present in the conditioned space as the diagnostic operation time period, making it easier to perform the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect people in the conditioned space.

[0232] (Technology 4) The air conditioning system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3, wherein the display unit displays, as the recommended time period, a time period during which the electricity cost required for the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation of the air conditioning device is low. This makes it easier for the user to set a diagnostic operation time period during which the electricity cost required for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation of the air conditioner can be reduced, making it easier to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by the air conditioner during an appropriate time period when the electricity cost for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is low.

[0233] (Technology 5) The air conditioning system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein the display unit displays, as the recommended time period, a time period during which refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning device can be diagnosed with high accuracy. This makes it easier for the user to set the diagnostic operation time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner can be diagnosed with high accuracy using the operating data from the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation.As a result, it becomes easier to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by the air conditioner at an appropriate time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner can be diagnosed with high accuracy using the operating data from the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation.

[0234] (Technology 6) The air conditioning system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 5, wherein the display unit displays a time period corresponding to pre-cooling and pre-heating by the air conditioner as the recommended time period. This makes it easier for the user to set the diagnostic operation time period to correspond to the pre-cooling and pre-heating times of the air conditioner, making it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioner at an appropriate time period that corresponds to the pre-cooling and pre-heating times of the air conditioner.

[0235] (Technology 7) An air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device does not perform normal operation within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within a diagnostic operation time period, and the air conditioning system has: a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period; a normal operation time period estimation unit that estimates a normal operation time period during which the air conditioning device will perform the normal operation; and a display unit that displays a message to that effect if the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit overlaps with the normal operation time period. This prevents the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a normal operation time period, making it easier to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0236] (Technology 8) The air conditioning system according to Technology 7, wherein the display unit displays the normal operation time period. This prevents the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with a normal operation time period, making it easier to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning apparatus at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation.

[0237] (Technology 9) An air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and diagnoses a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, wherein if the air conditioning device is not operating normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period excluding a diagnostic operation prohibited time period, and the air conditioning system includes a reception unit that receives user input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation prohibited time period. This prevents the air conditioning apparatus from performing a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period that is not suitable for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation and that the user has set as a diagnostic operation prohibition time period, making it easier for the air conditioning apparatus to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period that does not go against the user's wishes.

[0238] (Technology 10) An air conditioning system described in any of Technologies 1 to 8, wherein, when the diagnostic operation time period accepted by the acceptance unit is longer than the time required for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a time period within the diagnostic operation time period that is suitable for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation. This makes it easier for the air conditioner to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a time period within the diagnostic operation time period that is suitable for the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier for the air conditioner to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during an appropriate time period.

[0239] (Technology 11) The reception unit is capable of receiving input to set an energy-saving operation mode and a high-precision operation mode, and when the reception unit receives input to set the energy-saving operation mode, the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a time period within the diagnostic operation time period when electricity rates are low, and when the reception unit receives input to set the high-precision operation mode, the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation during a time period within the diagnostic operation time period when a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device can be diagnosed with high precision.This is an air conditioning system described in Technology 10. This allows the air conditioning device to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during diagnostic operation hours when electricity costs are low or when refrigerant leaks can be diagnosed with high accuracy. This makes it easier to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device during appropriate hours when electricity costs are low or when refrigerant leak diagnosis can be performed with high accuracy.

[0240] (Technology 12) An air conditioning system described in any one of Technologies 1 to 6, wherein the display unit, when displaying the recommended time zone for the air conditioning device installed in a building, displays the diagnostic operation time zone for the air conditioning device of a different system installed in the building. This prevents the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device on another system installed in the same building, making it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device at an appropriate time period that helps to reduce increases in peak power consumption in the building.

[0241] (Technology 13) An air conditioning system described in any of Technologies 1 to 6, which is provided with an overlap determination unit that, when the reception unit receives input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning device installed in the building, determines whether the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device of a different system installed in the building, and when the overlap determination unit determines that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap, displays a notification that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap. This prevents the user from setting a diagnostic operation time period that overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of an air conditioning device on another system installed in the same building, making it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioning device at an appropriate time period that helps to reduce increases in peak power consumption in the building.

[0242] (Technology 14) An air conditioning system according to any one of technologies 1 to 13, further comprising a notification unit that recommends changing the diagnostic operation time period if the normal operation is performed at a predetermined frequency or more than a predetermined number of times during the diagnostic operation time period. This allows the user to be prompted to change the diagnostic operation time period if the user has set a time period during which normal operation of the air conditioner is likely to occur, making it easier to perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation by the air conditioner at an appropriate time period that is less likely to affect normal operation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0243] The present disclosure is applicable to air conditioning systems, and more specifically, to air conditioning systems that can diagnose whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in an air conditioner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0244] 1, 1A, 1B Air conditioning unit 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 4 Terminal Devices 5. Server equipment 10 Air conditioning control device 11 Air conditioning communication equipment 40 Terminal control device 41 Terminal communication device 42 Display 43 Input Interface 50 Server control device 51 Server communication device 100 Air Conditioning Processor 101 Air Conditioning Communication Department 102 Normal operation execution unit 103 Diagnostic operation execution unit 110 Air Conditioning Memory 111 Control Program 112 Time zone information 113 Driving history information 400 Terminal Processor 401 Terminal communication unit 402 Display section 403 Reception 404 Reservation operation time period setting section 405 Duplication determination section 406 Normal operation overlap determination unit 410 Terminal Memory 411 Control Program 500 server processors 501 Server Communication Department 502 Update Department 503 Diagnostic Department 504 Recommended time zone estimation part 505 Absence Time Zone Estimation Unit 506 Setting time zone estimation unit 507 Notification Department 508 Separate system acquisition department 509 Normal operation time zone estimation unit 510 Server Memory 511 Control Program 512 1st management DB 513 2nd management DB 514 Third management DB 515 4th management DB 1000 Air Conditioning System BLD, BLD1 Building D1 Operation data G Settings screen G0 Time zone display area G1 Target period display information G2 time display information G10 Recommended time zone display information G11 Other system time zone information G12 Normal operating hours information NW Network R1, R2, R3, R4 records

Claims

1. An air conditioning system including an air conditioning device, and diagnosing a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, If the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within a first period, it performs a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation within a diagnostic operation time period, The air conditioning system includes: a receiving unit that receives an input from a user regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period; A display unit that displays a recommended time period for the diagnostic operation time period. Air conditioning system.

2. a reserved operation time slot setting unit that accepts settings related to a reserved operation time slot of the air conditioning apparatus, The display unit displays, as the recommended time slot, a time slot excluding at least the reserved operation time slot. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. an unoccupied time zone estimation unit that estimates an unoccupied time zone for a conditioned space that is air-conditioned by the air conditioning device; the display unit displays the absence time period estimated by the absence time period estimation unit as the recommended time period. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. the display unit displays, as the recommended time period, a time period during which the electricity cost required for the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioning apparatus is low. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

5. the display unit displays, as the recommended time period, a time period during which a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device can be diagnosed with high accuracy. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

6. the display unit displays a time period corresponding to pre-cooling / pre-heating by the air conditioning apparatus as the recommended time period. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

7. An air conditioning system including an air conditioning device, and diagnosing a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, When the air conditioning apparatus does not perform normal operation within a first period, the air conditioning apparatus performs a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation within a diagnostic operation time period, The air conditioning system includes: a receiving unit that receives an input from a user regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation time period; a normal operation time period estimation unit that estimates a normal operation time period during which the air conditioning apparatus performs the normal operation; a display unit that displays, when the diagnostic operation time period accepted by the accepting unit overlaps with the normal operation time period, that fact. Air conditioning system.

8. The display unit displays the normal operation time period.

8. The air conditioning system of claim 7.

9. An air conditioning system including an air conditioning device, and diagnosing a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning device based on operating data of the air conditioning device, If the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within a first period, the air conditioning apparatus performs a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation during a time period excluding a diagnostic operation prohibited time period, the air conditioning system includes a reception unit that receives a user's input regarding the setting of the diagnostic operation prohibition time period. Air conditioning system.

10. When the diagnostic operation time period accepted by the accepting unit is longer than the time required for the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation, the air conditioning apparatus executes the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation during a time period suitable for the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation within the diagnostic operation time period. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

11. the reception unit is capable of receiving an input for setting an economical operation mode and a high-precision operation mode, The air conditioning device is When the reception unit receives an input for setting the saving operation mode, the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is performed during a time period when electricity rates are low within the diagnosis operation time period, When the reception unit receives an input to set the high-accuracy operation mode, the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is performed during a time period within the diagnostic operation time period in which a refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning device can be diagnosed with high accuracy.

11. The air conditioning system of claim 10.

12. the display unit, when displaying the recommended time zone for the air conditioning device installed in the building, displays the diagnostic operation time zone for the air conditioning device of another system installed in the building. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

13. an overlap determination unit that, when the reception unit receives an input related to setting of the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning device installed in the building, determines whether or not the diagnostic operation time period received by the reception unit overlaps with the diagnostic operation time period of the air conditioning device of another system installed in the building; the display unit displays a notification that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap when the overlap determination unit determines that the diagnostic operation time periods overlap. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

14. a notification unit that recommends changing the diagnostic operation time period when the normal operation is performed at a predetermined frequency or a predetermined number of times or more during the diagnostic operation time period; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

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