Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of appropriately performing a refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation for obtaining operation data necessary for a diagnosis of refrigerant leakage of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: Ah air conditioning system includes an air conditioner, and diagnoses refrigerant leakage of the air conditioner on the basis of operation data of the air conditioner. The air conditioning system includes a first time zone estimation section for estimating a first time zone that is a time zone suitable for a refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation that is an operation for obtaining operation data within a range of a first period. The air conditioner executes the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the range of the first time zone when a normal operation is not performed within the first period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 can appropriately perform refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation to obtain operating data necessary for diagnosing a refrigerant leakage in an air conditioning device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The air conditioning system 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, and has a first time zone estimation unit that estimates a first time zone within a first period, which is a time zone suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, which is an operation for obtaining the operating data, and if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within the first period, it performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the first time zone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the air conditioning system disclosed herein, the air conditioner can execute a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation at a timing appropriate for the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, and therefore, the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation can be appropriately performed within the first period to obtain the operating data necessary for diagnosing a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server device, a terminal device, and an air conditioning device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second time zone estimation unit in the economical operation mode. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second time zone estimation unit in the high-precision operation mode. [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning device and the server device [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning device and the server device [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] Flowchart showing the operation of the server device in the second embodiment [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a second time period estimation unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a process for estimating a first time period and a second time period in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (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 can perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation at an appropriate time to periodically diagnose a refrigerant leak in an air conditioning device.

[0009] 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.

[0010] (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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The air conditioning device 1 is equipped with sensors for acquiring the discharge temperature, 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] [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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The air conditioning system 1000 is configured to be able to diagnose the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage in the corresponding air conditioner 1 using the operating data D1 managed by the first management DB 512.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is an operation of the air conditioning device 1 that is carried out for the purpose of obtaining operating data D1 in order to enable at least one or more diagnosis of the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak for each air conditioning device 1 within a first period. More specifically, the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is a cooling operation or a heating operation at rated output by the air conditioning device 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioning device 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 causes all of the air conditioning devices 1 to perform at least one of normal operation and refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation every day, in order to diagnose the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage in each air conditioning device 1 at least once a day for each date.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Record R3 also includes estimation mode information, which includes information relating to the setting of the estimation modes of first time period estimation section 504 and second time period estimation section 505, which will be described later.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The server processor 500 functions as a server communication unit 501, an update unit 502, a diagnosis unit 503, a first time zone estimation unit 504, and a second time zone estimation unit 505 by reading and executing a control program 511 stored in the server memory 510.

[0033] The server communication unit 501 communicates with the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the terminal device 4 via the server communication device 51.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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. The accuracy of the refrigerant leak diagnosis by the diagnosing unit 503 is likely to be higher when operating data D1 when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 1 is high is used than when operating data D1 when the air conditioning load is low is used.

[0036] The first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates a first time zone, which is a time zone within the first period that is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation of the air conditioning device 1. When the air conditioning system 1000 causes the air conditioning device 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, it causes the operation to be performed within the first time zone. For this reason, the air conditioning system 1000 is configured to easily cause each air conditioning device 1 to perform an appropriate refrigerant leak diagnosis operation. The first time period estimation unit 504 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates, within the range of the first time zone estimated by the first time zone estimation unit 504, a second time zone that is a time zone suitable for performing a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation on the air conditioner 1. In other words, the second time period is the same as or included in the first time period. In this embodiment, when the air conditioning system 1000 causes the air conditioning device 1 to perform a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, it causes the operation to be performed within a second time period that is included in the first time period. In other words, the second time period includes the time period from the start time to the end time of the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, or is a time period equivalent to the time period from the start time to the end time of the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation. The time required for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is, for example, approximately 30 minutes. The second time period estimation unit 505 will be described in detail later.

[0038] When the first time zone estimation unit 504 and the second time zone estimation unit 505 estimate the first time zone and the second time zone, various evaluation criteria may be used to evaluate whether the time zone is suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The evaluation criteria at this time may be, for example, a time zone that is unlikely to have an impact on normal operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. Other evaluation criteria may be, for example, a time zone that is unlikely to have an impact on people in the conditioned space, a time zone that can reduce energy consumption, a time zone that can reduce electricity costs due to refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, and a time zone that increases the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis based on the operating data D1 during refrigerant leak diagnosis operation.

[0039] A time period that is unlikely to affect normal operation of the air conditioner 1 is, for example, a time period when the air conditioner 1 is stopped, that is, a stop time period.

[0040] 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, an absent time period.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] This is a time period during which the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis based on the operating data D1 during refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is high, for example, a time period during which the air conditioning load of the air conditioning device 1 is high when refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is performed, i.e., a high-load time period.

[0044] That is, the first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates a first time zone suitable for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioner 1 from within the range of the first period, based on the first evaluation criterion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates, based on the second evaluation criterion, a second time zone suitable for refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1, from within the range of the first time zone estimated by the first time zone estimation unit 504. Note that the first and second evaluation criteria are not limited to the configuration of this embodiment described below, and can each be set arbitrarily.

[0045] [1-1-2-1. First time zone estimation section] In this embodiment, first time zone estimation unit 504 has three estimation modes and estimates the first time zone using different evaluation criteria depending on the estimation mode. Specifically, first time zone estimation unit 504 is capable of switching between the following estimation modes: a stopped time zone operation mode, a pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone mode, and an unoccupied time zone mode. The first time slot estimation unit 504 identifies record R3 using the air conditioning apparatus ID corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus 1 that is the target for estimating the first time slot, and estimates the first time slot in an estimation mode that corresponds to the estimation mode information of the identified record R3. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the first time slot in a different estimation mode for each air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0046] It is desirable that the data used by first time period estimation unit 504 when estimating the first time period within the first period corresponds to the first period. For example, when estimating the first time period using past data, with the first period being from 0:00 to 24:00 on Friday, it is desirable to estimate the first time period using the past data from a past Friday.

[0047] In the stop time zone mode, the first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates the first time zone based on the evaluation criterion of a time zone that is unlikely to affect normal operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the first time zone estimation unit 504 in the stop time zone mode estimates a time zone in which the air conditioning apparatus 1 is stopped during the first period, and treats the estimation result as the estimated first time zone.

[0048] In detail, in the stop time zone mode, the first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates a stop time zone in the first period based on the past operating data D1 of the air conditioner 1 contained in the record R1. More specifically, for example, the first time zone estimation unit 504 identifies, from the past operating data D1 of the air conditioning device 1, time zones during which the air conditioning device 1 is stopped for long periods of time or time zones during which the air conditioning device 1 is in low frequency of normal operation, and treats the identified time zones as estimated stop time zones.

[0049] In addition, for example, if the air conditioning system 1000 has a schedule setting function that operates the air conditioning device 1 based on a predetermined schedule, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may estimate the stop time zone in the first period from information about this schedule. Furthermore, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may estimate the stop time zone in the first period based on external information of the air conditioning system 1000. The external information is, for example, the business hours of the tenant or the like in which the air conditioning device 1 is installed, records of entry and exit, and a weather forecast for the area corresponding to the air conditioning device 1.

[0050] In the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, the first time period estimation unit 504 estimates the first time period based on the evaluation criterion of a time period in which energy consumption can be reduced. In this embodiment, the first 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 in the first period, and treats the estimation result as the estimated first time period.

[0051] In detail, in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode, the first time period estimation unit 504 estimates the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period in the first period based on the past operating data D1 of the air conditioner 1 contained in the record R1. More specifically, the first time slot estimation unit 504 in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot mode estimates the start time of normal operation of the air conditioner 1 from the operating data D1, and treats the time slot immediately before the estimated start time as the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot. Furthermore, if the first time slot estimation unit 504 estimates that there is no time slot within the first period that is estimated to be a pre-cooling / pre-heating time slot corresponding to pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation, it may treat the entire first period as the estimated first time slot.

[0052] In addition, for example, when pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation of the air conditioning device 1 is set in the schedule in the schedule setting function described above, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may treat the time zone of pre-cooling operation or pre-heating operation as the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone.

[0053] In the unoccupied time period mode, the first time period estimation unit 504 estimates the first time period based on the evaluation criterion of a time period that is unlikely to have an impact on people in the conditioned space. In this embodiment, the first time period estimation unit 504 in the unoccupied time period mode estimates the unoccupied time period for the conditioned space of the air conditioning apparatus 1 during the first period, and treats the estimation result as the estimated first time period.

[0054] Specifically, in the absent time period mode, the first time period estimation unit 504 estimates the absent time period based on the human sensor data included in record R4. More specifically, the first time zone estimation unit 504 in the absence time zone mode identifies, based on the human presence sensor data, time zones during which people are frequently absent from the harmonized space or time zones during which people are absent from the harmonized space for a long period of time, and treats the identified time zones as estimated absence time zones.

[0055] The first time zone estimation unit 504 may estimate the unoccupied time zone 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] [1-1-2-2. Second Time Zone Estimation Section] In this embodiment, the second time zone estimation unit 505 has two estimation modes and estimates the second time zone using different evaluation criteria depending on the estimation mode. Specifically, the second time zone estimation unit 505 is capable of switching between an economical operation mode and a high-precision operation mode as the estimation mode. The second time period estimation unit 505 identifies record R3 using the air conditioning apparatus ID corresponding to the air conditioning apparatus 1 that is the target for estimating the second time period, and estimates the second time period in an estimation mode that corresponds to the estimation mode information of the identified record R3. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the second time period in a different estimation mode for each air conditioning apparatus 1. It is desirable that the data used by second time zone estimation unit 505 when estimating the second time zone within the range of the first time zone corresponds to the first time zone. For example, when estimating the first time zone using past data, with the first period being from midnight to midnight on Friday and the first time zone being from midnight to 8:00 on Friday, it is desirable to estimate the stop time zone using the past data from midnight to 8:00 on past Fridays.

[0057] The second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates the second time zone based on the evaluation criterion that the second time zone is a time zone in which the electricity cost can be reduced by the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation in the energy saving operation mode. In this embodiment, the second time slot estimation unit 505 in the economical driving mode estimates a low-price time slot from within the range of the first time slot, and treats the estimation result as the estimated second time slot.

[0058] In detail, the second time slot estimation unit 505 in the energy saving operation mode estimates the second time slot from the electricity rate information included in the record R3. More specifically, the second time slot estimation unit 505 identifies a time slot within the first time slot in which the electricity cost per unit of power is low from the electricity cost information, and treats the identified time slot as an estimated low-cost time slot.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second time zone estimation unit 505 in the energy saving operation mode, and shows the process of estimating the second time zone when each day of the week is defined as a first period. Each row in the table in Figure 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 that column. For example, a time period marked with "Y" in the "Second Time Period" column corresponds to the second time period estimated by the second time period estimation unit 505. The "Electricity Bill" column indicates the content of the electricity bill information in record R3. In the example of Figure 3, the electricity bill information includes the results of classifying the time periods on each day of the week into four levels: "Lowest," "Low," "High," and "Highest," in order of lowest to highest, based on the electricity bill per unit of power. Note that Figure 3 is merely an example, and the time period increments may be set arbitrarily. The electricity bill information may, for example, directly include the electricity bill per unit of power for each time period.

[0060] 3, for Monday to Friday, the second time slot estimation unit 505 evaluates the electricity charges for each of the first time slots, from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00. 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 second time slot estimation unit 505 evaluates the electricity charges for each time slot from midnight to midnight, which is the first time slot. As a result, the second time slot estimation unit 505 treats the time slot from midnight to 2:00, which is classified as "cheapest" in the electricity rate information, as the estimated low-price time slot. 3, the second time zone estimation unit 505 treats the period from midnight to 2:00 on each day of the week as the estimated second time zone. However, the second time zone estimation unit 505 may treat any time zone from midnight to 2:00 on each day of the week that is equal to or longer than the time required for the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation as the second time zone.

[0061] In the energy saving operation mode, the second time slot estimation unit 505 may be configured to estimate the nighttime, when electricity rates tend to be lower, as the low-price time slot within the first time slot without referring to electricity rate information.

[0062] In the high accuracy operation mode, the second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates the second time zone based on the evaluation criterion of a 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 second time slot estimation unit 505 in the high-accuracy operation mode estimates a high-load operation time slot from within the range of the first time slot, and treats the estimation result as the estimated second time slot.

[0063] In detail, the second time zone estimation unit 505 in the high-precision operation mode identifies a time zone within the first time zone where the temperature difference between the set temperature for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation and the outside air temperature is large from the outside air temperature information contained in record R3, and treats the identified time zone as the estimated high-load operation time zone.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second time zone estimation unit 505 in the high-precision operation mode, and shows the process of estimating the second time zone when each day of a week in summer is defined as a first period. The "Outdoor Temperature" column indicates the contents of the outdoor temperature information of record R3. In the example of FIG. 4, 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. 4, 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. 4 is merely an example, and the time period intervals may be set arbitrarily, and the outdoor temperature information may, for example, include the outdoor temperature value for each time period directly.

[0065] 4, for Monday to Friday, the second time slot estimation unit 505 evaluates the outside air temperatures in the first time slot, 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 air temperature information, is treated as the estimated high-load operation time slot. For Saturdays and Sundays, the second time slot estimation unit 505 evaluates the outside air temperature for each time slot from midnight to midnight, which is the first time slot. As a result, the time slot from 12 to 14, which is classified as "highest" in the outside air temperature information, is treated as the estimated high-load operation time slot. That is, in the example of Figure 4, the second time zone estimation unit 505 treats 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM as the estimated second time zone for Monday to Friday, and 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM as the estimated second time zone for Saturday and Sunday.

[0066] In addition, in the high-precision operation mode, the second time zone estimation unit 505 may be configured to identify the time when there is a large temperature difference between the set temperature for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation and the outside air temperature by using the trends in the outside air temperature for each season and time zone, without referring to the outside air temperature information. For example, if the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is a cooling operation, and it is summer, the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation may be performed preferentially during the daytime, when there is a large temperature difference between the set temperature for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation and the outside air temperature.

[0067] [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 .

[0068] Before describing the terminal control device 40, the terminal communication device 41, the display 42, and the input interface 43 will be described.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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."

[0071] 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."

[0072] 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 , and a reception unit 403 .

[0073] The terminal communication unit 401 communicates with the server device 5 via the terminal communication device 41 .

[0074] The display unit 402 displays information on the display 42. In this embodiment, the display unit 402 displays a screen on the display 42.

[0075] 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 setting mode for the first time zone estimation unit 504, and an operation for selecting an execution mode for the second time zone estimation unit 505.

[0076] 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 an estimation mode for each of the estimation units 504, 505 for a specific air conditioning apparatus 1, information on the selected estimation mode is transmitted to the server device 5. The estimation mode information transmitted to the server device 5 is reflected by the update unit 502 in the estimation mode information of the corresponding record R3.

[0077] [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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] The air conditioning control device 10 includes 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."

[0080] 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."

[0081] The air conditioning memory 110 also stores time period information 112. The time period information 112 includes information on the second time period for each first period estimated by the second time period estimation unit 505. In this embodiment, for example, the time period information 112 includes second time periods corresponding to seven first periods, each of which is defined as a first period for each day of the week from Monday to Sunday.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The air conditioning communication unit 101 communicates with the server device 5 via the air conditioning communication device 11.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 leak diagnostic operation. Furthermore, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 generates operating data D1 when the air conditioner 1 performs a refrigerant leak 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 leak diagnostic operation can be distinguished from the operating data D1 resulting from normal operation.

[0087] [1-2. Operation] The operation of each part of the air conditioning system 1000 configured as above will be described below.

[0088] [1-2-1. Operation during estimation of the first and second time periods] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the server apparatus 5. In Figure 5, flowchart FA1 shows the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1, and flowchart FB1 shows the operation of the server apparatus 5. The operation shown in Figure 5 is the operation from when each of the estimation units 504, 505 estimates the first time slot and the second time slot, until the information about the estimated second time slot is reflected in the time slot information 112 in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0089] The operation of FIG. 5 may be started at any timing. For example, the operation may be started in response to the trigger being the end of a first period corresponding to a second time period stored in the time period information 112 of each air conditioning apparatus 1. In this case, for example, if the time period information 112 of each air conditioning apparatus 1 includes second time periods corresponding to seven first periods, with each day of the week from Monday to Sunday being a first period, then the operation of Figure 5 will start at midnight every Sunday.

[0090] First, in step SA1, the air conditioning communication unit 101 transmits to the server device 5 request information for a second time slot for updating the time slot information 112. The request information includes the air conditioning device ID of the air conditioning device 1. The request information may also include information such as which timing of the first period the requested second time slot corresponds to.

[0091] In step SB1, the server communication unit 501 receives the transmitted request information.

[0092] In step SB2, the first time zone estimation unit 504 uses the air conditioning apparatus ID included in the request information to extract the corresponding record R3, and references the estimated mode information of the extracted record R3.

[0093] In step SB3, first time period estimation section 504 determines which estimation mode to use to estimate the first time period based on the estimation mode information. If it is determined that the first time period is to be estimated in the absent time period mode (step SB3: absent time period mode), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB4. If it is determined that the first time period is to be estimated in the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode (step SB3: pre-cooling / pre-heating time period mode), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB5. If it is determined that the first time period is to be estimated in the stop time period mode (step SB3: stop time period mode), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB6.

[0094] In step SB4, the first time period estimation unit 504 references the request information and estimates an absent time period within the range of the first period corresponding to the second time period for which information was requested. The first time period estimation unit 504 treats the estimated result of the absent time period as the estimated first time period. The estimation method is as described above. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB7.

[0095] In step SB5, the first time zone estimation unit 504 references the requested information and estimates a pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone within the range of the first period corresponding to the second time zone for which information is requested. The first time zone estimation unit 504 treats the estimated pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone as the estimated first time zone. The estimation method is as described above. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB7.

[0096] In step SB6, the first time period estimation unit 504 references the request information and estimates a stop time period within the range of the first period corresponding to the second time period for which the information was requested. The first time period estimation unit 504 treats the estimated stop time period as the estimated first time period. The estimation method is as described above. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB7.

[0097] In step SB7, second time period estimation section 505 determines, from the estimation mode information referenced in step SB2, which estimation mode to use to estimate the second time period. If it is determined that the second time slot is to be estimated in the economical operation mode (step SB7: economical operation mode), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB8. If it is determined that the second time slot is to be estimated in the high-accuracy operation mode (step SB7: high-accuracy operation mode), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB9.

[0098] In step SB8, the second time slot estimation unit 505 estimates a low-price time slot within the range of the first time slot estimated in any one of steps SB4 to SB6, and treats the estimation result as the estimated second time slot. The estimation method is as shown in Figure 3. After that, the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB10.

[0099] In step SB9, the second time slot estimation unit 505 estimates a high-load operation time slot within the range of the first time slot estimated in any one of steps SB4 to SB6, and treats the estimation result as an estimated second time slot. The estimation method is as shown in Figure 4. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB10.

[0100] In step SB10, the server communication unit 501 transmits information about the second time slot estimated in step SB8 or 9 to the air conditioner 1 corresponding to the air conditioner ID included in the request information received in step SB1. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 in Figure 5 ends.

[0101] In step SA2, the air conditioning communication unit 101 receives the transmitted information about the second time slot.

[0102] In step SA3, the air conditioning communication unit 101 uses the received information about the second time slot to update the time slot information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110. Thereafter, the operation of the air conditioner 1 in Figure 5 ends.

[0103] Through the operation of FIG. 5, the second time period estimated by the second time period estimation unit 505 is reflected in the time period information 112.

[0104] [1-2-2. Operation until refrigerant leakage is diagnosed] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the server device 5. In Fig. 6, flowchart FA2 shows the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1, and flowchart FB2 shows the operation of the server device 5. The operation shown in Fig. 6 shows 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. 6 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. 6 starts at midnight every day.

[0105] At the start of the operation in Figure 6, in step SA21, the normal operation execution unit 102 determines whether or not to cause the air conditioner 1 to perform normal operation. Normal operation is executed, for example, when an operation to start normal operation is performed on a remote control (not shown) or when the start time of a normal operation schedule set by a schedule setting function or the like arrives. Also, if the air conditioner 1 is performing normal operation at the time of step SA21, this also corresponds to a case where normal operation is executed. In step SA21, if it is determined that the air conditioner 1 is to perform normal operation (step SA21: YES), the process proceeds to step SA22, and if it is determined that the air conditioner 1 is not to perform normal operation (step SA21: NO), the process proceeds to step SA24.

[0106] In step SA22, the normal operation execution unit 102 causes the air conditioner 1 to execute normal operation. The normal operation execution unit 102 also generates operating data D1 for the air conditioner 1.

[0107] In step SA23, 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 SA22.

[0108] In step SA24, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 determines whether the current time has reached the start time of the second time slot by referring to the time slot information 112. If it is determined that the current time has reached the start time of the second time slot, the process proceeds to step SA25, and if it is determined that the current time has not reached the start time of the second time slot, the process returns to step SA21.

[0109] Steps SA21 to SA24 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 second time slot is reached, the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs normal operation and transmits operating data D1, and either transmits the operating data D1 to the server apparatus 5 or waits without operating. When the start time of the second time slot is reached, the air conditioning apparatus 1 proceeds to step SA25 regardless of whether normal operation is being performed or not.

[0110] In step SA25, 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 second time slot is reached. 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 operating history information 113 to make the determination in step SA25.

[0111] If it is determined in step SA25 that the air conditioner 1 has already performed sufficient normal operation (step SA25: YES), the operation of the air conditioner 1 in Fig. 6 ends. If it is determined in step SA25 that the air conditioner 1 has not yet performed sufficient normal operation (step SA25: NO), the operation of the air conditioner 1 proceeds to step SA26.

[0112] In step SA26, 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 operating data D1 for the air conditioning apparatus 1 during the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. Note that if the second time slot 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 second time slot.

[0113] In step SA27, 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 SA26 to the server device 5. When 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 6 ends.

[0114] In step SB21, the server communication unit 501 receives the operating data D1 transmitted by the air conditioning communication unit 101 through the operation in step SA23 or step SA27.

[0115] In step SB22, the diagnosis unit 503 diagnoses the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage from the air conditioner 1 based on the operating data D1 received in step SB21. Thereafter, the operation of the server device 5 in Fig. 6 ends.

[0116] That is, the operation of FIG. 6 means the following operation. If the air conditioning apparatus 1 has not performed normal operation enough to generate sufficient operating data D1 from the start time of the first period to the start time of the second time slot, the air conditioning apparatus 1 generates operating data D1 through refrigerant leak diagnosis operation performed during the second time slot. Also, if the air conditioning apparatus 1 has performed normal operation enough to generate sufficient operating data D1 from the start time of the first period to the start time of the second time slot, the air conditioning apparatus 1 does not perform refrigerant leak diagnosis 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.

[0117] [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 operating data D1 of the air conditioning device 1, and has a first time zone estimation unit 504 that estimates a first time zone, which is a time zone suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, which is operation for obtaining operating data D1, within a first period, and if the air conditioning device 1 does not operate normally within the first period, it performs refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the first time zone. This allows the air conditioner 1 to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation at a timing appropriate for the operation, and therefore the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation can be appropriately performed within the first period to obtain the operating data necessary for diagnosing a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1. In particular, in this embodiment, if normal operation is performed to obtain operating data D1 required for diagnosis between the start time of the first period and a predetermined timing within the first time slot (start time of the second time slot), the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 of the air conditioning system 1000 does not perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the first time slot. Therefore, when a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1 can be diagnosed using operating data D1 during normal operation within the first period, unnecessary refrigerant leak diagnostic operation is not performed, thereby minimizing the impact on the conditioned space and reducing energy consumption.

[0118] As in the present embodiment, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to treat the result of estimating the time zone in which the air conditioning apparatus 1 is stopped within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This makes it easier to perform the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation at a time when the air conditioner 1 is not operating normally. This makes it possible to prevent the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation from affecting the operation of the air conditioner 1 during normal operation.

[0119] As in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 may be configured to have a second time zone estimation unit 505 that estimates a second time zone within the first time zone, and the second time zone estimation unit 505 treats the result of estimating a high-load operation time zone within the first time zone as the estimated second time zone, and the air conditioning device 1 may be configured to perform refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the second time zone if normal operation is not performed within the first period. This makes it easier to cause the air conditioner 1 to perform refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation at a timing when it is easy to obtain operating data D1 that enables highly accurate diagnosis of refrigerant leakage. This makes it easier to improve the accuracy of refrigerant leakage diagnosis of the air conditioner 1.

[0120] As in this embodiment, the second time period estimation unit 505 can switch between an energy-saving operation mode in which the result of estimating the time period within the first time period when electricity costs will be reduced by refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is treated as the estimated second time period, and a high-precision operation mode in which the result of estimating the time period within the first time period when the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis operation will be high is treated as the estimated second time period, and the air conditioning device can be configured to perform the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the second time period if it is not operating normally within the first period. This allows the time period for the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation to be switched between a time period that allows for lower electricity costs and a time period that makes it easier to obtain operating data D1 that enables highly accurate refrigerant leak diagnosis, in accordance with the preferences of the user P. This improves convenience for the user P.

[0121] As in this embodiment, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to treat the result of estimating the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone of the air conditioning device 1 within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This allows the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation to be used as a pre-cooling operation or a pre-heating operation for normal operation of the air conditioner 1. This makes it easier to make the air conditioning system 1000 energy-efficient.

[0122] As in this embodiment, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to treat the result of estimating the unoccupied time zone for the conditioned space of the air conditioning device 1 within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This allows the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation to be performed during times when no one is present in the space to be conditioned by the air conditioner 1. This makes it possible to prevent the comfort of people present in the space to be conditioned from being impaired.

[0123] 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.

[0124] (Embodiment 2) [2-1.Configuration] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the second embodiment.

[0125] 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 the timing of SB10 in FIG. 5, the update unit 502 also reflects the information on the second time zone sent by the server communication unit 501 in record R3, whereby the time zone information 112 stored in record R3 is updated simultaneously with the time zone information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0126] Furthermore, in the second 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] [2-2. Operation] The operation of the air conditioning system 1000 in the second embodiment configured as above will be described below. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 5 in the second embodiment. Steps SB31 to SB33 shown in Fig. 8 are processes performed between steps SB1 and SB2 in Fig. 5.

[0130] After completion of step SB1, in step SB31, the first time zone estimation unit 504 references the building ID. In detail, the first time zone estimation unit 504 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.

[0131] In step SB32, the first time zone estimation unit 504 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 SB32: YES), the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB33. If no records R3 are extracted, the operation of Fig. 8 ends, and the operation of the server device 5 proceeds to step SB2 in Fig. 5.

[0132] If one or more records R2 are extracted in step SB32, the extracted records R2 correspond to air conditioning apparatuses 1 of a different system that are installed in the building BLD in which the air conditioning apparatus 1 that sent the request information is installed. In other words, step SB32 determines 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 that sent the request information is installed.

[0133] In step SB33, the first time zone estimation unit 504 extracts record R3 from the third management DB 514 using the air conditioning unit ID of each record R2 corresponding to the air conditioning unit 1 of a different system extracted in step SB32. Then, the time zone information 112 of the extracted record R3 is referenced to obtain the second time zone of the air conditioning unit 1 corresponding to each record R3. That is, in step SB33, the first time zone estimation unit 504 obtains the second time zone of the air conditioning unit 1 of a different system that is installed in the same building BLD as the air conditioning unit 1 that sent the request information. Then, the operation in Figure 8 ends, and the process proceeds to step SB2.

[0134] Also, unlike steps SB8 and SB9 in embodiment 1, in steps SB8 and SB9 in embodiment 2, the second time zone of each record R3 acquired in step SB33 is used to determine the second time zone corresponding to the air conditioning device 1 that sent the request information. In detail, in steps SB8 and SB9, the second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates the second time zone within a range excluding all second time zones of air conditioning devices 1 of a different system acquired in step SB33 from the range of the first time zone estimated in steps SB4 to SB6. This makes it possible to set second time periods that do not overlap with each other for each of the air conditioning apparatuses 1 on multiple systems installed in the same building BLD.

[0135] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of second time zone estimation unit 505 in embodiment 2. The example of Fig. 9 shows the process by which second time zone estimation unit 505 in energy saving operation mode estimates the second time zone of air conditioning apparatus 1B described above. The table shown in Fig. 9 can be read in the same way as Fig. 3.

[0136] In the example of Figure 9, the first time slot, from midnight to 2, which is classified as the "cheapest" electricity rate, is set as the second time slot for air conditioning apparatus 1A. Therefore, in this example, second time slot estimation unit 505 estimates that the low-price time slots are from 2 to 8 and from 20:00 to midnight. Note that the second time slot estimation unit 505 does not need to designate all of the estimated low-price time slots as second time slots, so in this example, the second time slot for air conditioning apparatus 1B is set as the time slot from 2 to 4:00.

[0137] Furthermore, for example, if the required time for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is approximately 30 minutes, then unlike the example of Figure 9, the second time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1A may be set to a time zone of approximately 30 minutes within the range from midnight to 2:00, which is the same as the required time for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation. In this case, the second time zone for air conditioning apparatus 1B may be set to the time zone from midnight to 2:00, which is the time zone in which electricity rates are classified as "cheapest."

[0138] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As in the air conditioning system 1000 of this embodiment, the system may be configured to have a second time zone estimation unit 505 that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone, and the second time zone estimation unit 505 estimates non-overlapping second time zones for each of multiple air conditioning units 1A, 1B installed in the same building BLD1, and if each of the air conditioning units 1A, 1B does not operate normally within the first period, it performs the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the range of its respective second time zone. This makes it possible to prevent the air conditioners 1A, 1B of multiple systems installed in the same building BLD1 from simultaneously performing refrigerant leakage diagnostic operations, making it easier to suppress increases in peak power consumption in the building BLD1.

[0139] (Embodiment 3) An air conditioning system 1000 according to the third embodiment will be described below. [3-1.Configuration] In the third embodiment, the time period information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110 of the air conditioner 1 includes not only information about the second time period, but also information about the operating time period set by the user P.

[0140] In the third embodiment, the air conditioning memory 110 also includes execution mode information, which is information for setting the execution mode of the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 to either the automatic mode or the manual mode.

[0141] [3-2. Operation] The operation of the air conditioning system 1000 according to the third embodiment configured as above will be described below.

[0142] [3-2-1. Operation time zone and execution mode setting] The operating time slot and the execution mode are set by the user P performing an input operation on the input interface 43 of the terminal device 4. In detail, user P specifies the air conditioning apparatus 1 to be set as the target, and then performs an operation to input settings for the operating time period and execution mode. The input by user P is accepted by the accepting unit 403, and then transmitted to the server device 5 by the terminal communication unit 401. The input transmitted at this time is assigned the air conditioning apparatus ID of the air conditioning apparatus 1 specified by user P.

[0143] The server communication unit 501 of the server device 5 receives the transmitted input. The server communication unit 501 transmits the received input to the air conditioning device 1 corresponding to the air conditioning device ID assigned to the received input, i.e., the air conditioning device 1 designated by user P.

[0144] The air conditioning communication unit 101 of the air conditioner 1 specified by the user P receives the transmitted input. Thereafter, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 uses the received input to update the execution mode information and operation time zone settings stored in the air conditioning memory 110. This completes the operation performed by user P when setting the execution mode.

[0145] [3-2-2. Operation until refrigerant leakage is diagnosed] Next, similar to FIG. 6, the operation from the start time of the first period until the air conditioner 1 is diagnosed at least once for the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage will be described.

[0146] The diagnostic operation execution unit 103 operates to read out the execution mode information stored in the air conditioning memory 110, for example, at the start time of the first period.

[0147] If the execution mode corresponding to the read information is the automatic mode, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 operates as shown in the flowchart FA2. The operation of the server device 5 is also as shown in FIG. That is, in automatic mode, if normal operation is not performed within the first period, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 causes the air conditioning device 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation within the range of the second time period included in the time period information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0148] Furthermore, when the execution mode corresponding to the read information is the manual mode, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 reads the operating time zone included in the time zone information 112, and operates according to the flowchart FA2 using the operating time zone instead of the second time zone. The operation of the server device 5 is as shown in Fig. 6. That is, in manual mode, if normal operation is not performed within the first period, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 causes the air conditioning device 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation during the operating time period included in the time period information 112 stored in the air conditioning memory 110.

[0149] This allows refrigerant leak diagnosis operation to be performed during the second time period to obtain operating data D1 when the execution mode is automatic, and allows refrigerant leak diagnosis operation to be performed during the operating time period to obtain operating data D1 when the execution mode is manual.

[0150] [3-3. Effects, etc.] As in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1000 may be configured such that the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 has an automatic mode in which, if the air conditioning device 1 does not operate normally within a first period, the air conditioning device 1 executes a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the range of a first time period set by the first time period estimation unit 504, and a manual mode in which, if the air conditioning device 1 does not operate normally within the first period, the air conditioning device 1 executes a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within an operating time period set by the user P. This makes it possible to execute the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioner 1 during the operating time period set by the user P. This makes it easier to reflect the user P's wishes, and improves convenience for the user P.

[0151] (Fourth embodiment) An air conditioning system 1000 according to the fourth embodiment will be described below.

[0152] [4-1.Configuration] In the fourth embodiment, record R3 of the third management DB 514 stores the diagnostic operation possible time slots set by the user P. The diagnostic operation possible time slots are set within the range of each first period for each first period.

[0153] [4-2. Operation] [4-2-1. Setting operation for diagnostic operation time period] The diagnostic operation possible time zone is set by the user P performing an input operation on the input interface 43 of the terminal device 4. In detail, user P specifies the air conditioning apparatus 1 to be set as the target, and then performs an operation to input settings for the diagnostic operation possible time period. The input by user P is accepted by the accepting unit 403, and then transmitted to the server device 5 by the terminal communication unit 401. The input transmitted at this time is assigned the air conditioning apparatus ID of the air conditioning apparatus 1 specified by user P.

[0154] The server communication unit 501 of the server device 5 receives the transmitted input. The update unit 502 identifies, from the third management DB 514, record R3 that corresponds to the air conditioning apparatus ID assigned to the received input. The update unit 502 updates the diagnostic operation available time slot of the identified record R3 to the content of the received input. This completes the operation for setting the diagnostic operation available time slot.

[0155] [4-2-2. Operation during estimation of the first and second time periods] In the fourth embodiment, when the first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates the first time zone in steps SB4 to SB6 shown in FIG. 5, unlike the first embodiment, the first time zone estimation unit 504 estimates the first time zone within the range of the diagnostic operation possible time zone set for the user P within the first period.

[0156] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process for estimating the first time slot and the second time slot in embodiment 4. Fig. 10 shows an example in which first time slot estimation unit 504 operates in the absent time slot mode (step SB4), and second time slot estimation unit 505 operates in the power saving operation mode (step SB8). Note that the table in Fig. 10 can be read in the same way as the table in Fig. 3.

[0157] 10, the diagnosable operating time period is set to 8:00 to 22:00. The unoccupied time periods throughout the first period are estimated to be from midnight to 8:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00. Therefore, the first time period estimation unit 504 estimates the unoccupied time periods within the diagnosable operating time period, i.e., the first time period, to be from 18:00 to 22:00.

[0158] The second time slot estimation unit 505 estimates a low-price time slot within the first time slot from 6 PM to 10 PM estimated by the first time slot estimation unit 504, and treats the estimation result as the estimated second time slot. As a result, the time slot from 8 PM to 10 PM, in which the electricity rate is classified as "low," is treated as the estimated second time slot.

[0159] [4-3. Effects, etc.] As in this embodiment, in the air conditioning system 1000, the first time zone estimation unit 504 may be configured to estimate the first time zone within the range of diagnostic operation possible time zones set by user P within the range of the first period. This makes it possible to automatically set the time period for refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to an appropriate time period within the range of diagnostic operation possible time periods, while reflecting the user P's wishes regarding the time period for which refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation will be performed. This makes it possible to reflect the user P's wishes, and improve convenience for the user P.

[0160] (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.

[0161] In the fourth embodiment, the diagnostic operation enabled time period that can be set by the user P has been described as an example of a means for reflecting the user P's intention in the first time period. However, the method for reflecting the user P's intention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the user P can set a time during which the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation is prohibited as the diagnostic operation prohibited time period. In this case, the first time period estimation unit 504 may estimate the first time period in steps SB4 to SB6 from the range of time periods within the first period excluding the diagnostic operation prohibited time period.

[0162] In the first to fourth embodiments, it has been explained that if normal operation has been performed to the extent that sufficient operating data D1 can be obtained by the start time of the second time slot, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 will not cause the air conditioner 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation, but this is just one example. The diagnostic operation execution unit 103 may also be configured to always cause the air conditioner 1 to perform a refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation during the second time slot, regardless of whether normal operation is being performed or not.

[0163] In the first to fourth embodiments, the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 is configured to cause the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during a second time period estimated within the first time period, but this is just one example. For example, estimation of the second time period may be omitted, and the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 may cause the air conditioning apparatus 1 to perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation during any time period within the first time period that is equal to or longer than the time required for the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation. Also, for example, a third time period estimation unit realized by the server processor 500 executing the control program 511 may further estimate a third time period within the second time period in a manner similar to that of the estimation units 504 and 505, and the diagnostic operation execution unit 103 may perform a refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the third time period. The hierarchy of such estimation units can be set to any hierarchy.

[0164] 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).

[0165] The configurations of the air conditioning apparatus 1, terminal device 4, and server device 5 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7 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.

[0166] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 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 that does not interfere with the purpose of this disclosure.

[0167] 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.

[0168] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0169] (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, the air conditioning system having a first time zone estimation unit that estimates a first time zone within a first period, which is a time zone suitable for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation, which is an operation for obtaining the operating data, and the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the first time zone if it is not operating normally within the first period. This allows the air conditioner to perform refrigerant leak diagnostic operation at a timing appropriate for the operation, and therefore, the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation can be appropriately performed within the first period to obtain the operating data necessary to diagnose a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 1.

[0170] (Technology 2) The air conditioning system described in Technology 1, wherein the first time zone estimation unit treats the result of estimating the time zone during which the air conditioning device is stopped within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This makes it easier to perform the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation when the air conditioner is not in normal operation, thereby reducing the impact of the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation on the operation of the air conditioner during normal operation.

[0171] (Technology 3) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 1 or 2, further comprising a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone, wherein the second time zone estimation unit treats the result of estimating a high-load operation time zone within the range of the first time zone as the estimated second time zone, and wherein the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the range of the second time zone if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within the first period. This makes it easier to have the air conditioner perform a refrigerant leak diagnosis operation at a time when it is easier to obtain operating data that enables a highly accurate diagnosis of a refrigerant leak, making it easier to improve the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis for the air conditioner.

[0172] (Technology 4) An air conditioning system described in any of Technologies 1 to 3, further comprising a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone, wherein the second time zone estimation unit estimates the second time zones that do not overlap with each other for each of the air conditioning devices of multiple systems installed in the same building, and each of the air conditioning devices performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the range of each of the second time zones if it does not operate normally within the first period. This makes it possible to prevent air conditioning apparatuses of multiple systems installed in the same building from simultaneously performing refrigerant leakage diagnostic operations, making it easier to suppress increases in peak power consumption in the building.

[0173] (Technology 5) An air conditioning system described in any of Technologies 1 to 4, which includes a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone, and which is switchable between an energy-saving operation mode in which the result of estimating a time zone within the range of the first time zone during which electricity costs will be reduced by the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is treated as the estimated second time zone, and a high-precision operation mode in which the result of estimating a time zone within the range of the first time zone during which the accuracy of refrigerant leak diagnosis by the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation is high is treated as the estimated second time zone, and the air conditioning device performs the refrigerant leak diagnosis operation within the range of the second time zone when it is not operating normally within the first period. This allows the user to switch the time period for refrigerant leak diagnosis operation between a time period that allows for lower electricity costs and a time period that makes it easier to obtain operating data that enables highly accurate refrigerant leak diagnosis, according to the user's preferences, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0174] (Technology 6) An air conditioning system described in any one of Technologies 1 to 5, further comprising a diagnostic operation execution unit that causes the air conditioning device to execute the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, and the diagnostic operation execution unit has an automatic mode that causes the air conditioning device to execute the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within the range of the first time period set by the first time period estimation unit if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within the first time period, and a manual mode that causes the air conditioning device to execute the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation within an operating time period set by a user if the air conditioning device does not operate normally within the first time period. This allows the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation of the air conditioner to be performed during an operating time period set by the user, making it easier to reflect the user's wishes and improving convenience for the user.

[0175] (Technology 7) An air conditioning system described in any one of Techniques 1 to 6, wherein the first time zone estimation unit estimates the first time zone within a range of diagnostic operable time zones set by a user within the range of the first period. This allows the time period for refrigerant leak diagnostic operation of the air conditioner to be automatically set to an appropriate time period within the range of diagnostic operation available time periods while reflecting the user's wishes regarding the time period for executing the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation, thereby reflecting the user's wishes and improving convenience for the user.

[0176] (Technology 8) An air conditioning system according to Technology 1 or any one of Technology 3 to 7, wherein the first time zone estimation unit treats the result of estimating the pre-cooling / pre-heating time zone of the air conditioning device within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This allows the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation to be used as a pre-cooling operation or a pre-heating operation for normal operation of the air conditioner, making it easier to achieve energy savings in the air conditioning system.

[0177] (Technology 9) An air conditioning system described in Technology 1 or any one of Technology 3 to 7, wherein the first time zone estimation unit treats the result of estimating the unoccupied time zone for the conditioned space of the air conditioning device within the first period as the estimated first time zone. This allows the refrigerant leak diagnostic operation to be performed during times when no one is in the space to be conditioned by the air conditioner, thereby preventing any loss of comfort for people in the space to be conditioned. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] 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]

[0179] 1. Air conditioning equipment 1A Air conditioning unit 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 410 Terminal Memory 411 Control Program 500 server processors 501 Server Communication Department 502 Update Department 503 Diagnostic Department 504 First Time Zone Estimation Unit 505 Second 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 building BLD1 Building D1 Operation data FA1 Flowchart FA2 Flowchart FB1 Flowchart FB2 Flowchart NW Network R1 record R2 record R3 Record R4 record

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, a first time zone estimation unit that estimates, within a first period, a first time zone that is a time zone suitable for a refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation that is an operation for obtaining the operating data; When the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within the first period, the air conditioning apparatus executes the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the first time period. Air conditioning system.

2. the first time zone estimation unit treats a result of estimating a time zone in which the air conditioning device is stopped within the first period as the estimated first time zone; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone; the second time period estimation unit treats a result of estimating a high-load operation time period within the range of the first time period as the estimated second time period, When the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within the first time period, the air conditioning apparatus executes the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the second time period.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2.

4. a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone; the second time zone estimation unit estimates the second time zones that do not overlap with each other for each of the air conditioning apparatuses of multiple systems installed in the same building; When each of the air conditioning apparatuses does not operate normally within the first period, the air conditioning apparatuses perform the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the range of the second time period.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2.

5. a second time zone estimation unit that estimates a second time zone within the range of the first time zone; The second time period estimation unit an energy-saving operation mode in which a result of estimating a time period in which electricity charges are reduced by the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the range of the first time period is treated as the estimated second time period; a high accuracy operation mode in which a result of estimating a time period in which the accuracy of the refrigerant leakage diagnosis by the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is high within the range of the first time period is treated as the estimated second time period; When the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within the first time period, the air conditioning apparatus executes the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the second time period.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2.

6. a diagnostic operation execution unit that causes the air conditioning apparatus to execute the refrigerant leakage diagnostic operation; The diagnostic operation execution unit an automatic mode in which, when the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within the first period, the air conditioning apparatus executes the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation within the range of the first time period set by the first time period estimation unit; a manual mode in which, if the air conditioning apparatus does not operate normally within the first period, the refrigerant leakage diagnosis operation is executed during an operating time period set by a user. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

7. the first time zone estimation unit estimates the first time zone within a diagnostic operable time zone set by a user within the first period; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

8. the first time period estimation unit treats the result of estimating the pre-cooling / pre-heating time period of the air conditioning apparatus within the first period as the estimated first time period; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

9. the first time zone estimation unit treats a result of estimating an unoccupied time zone for the conditioned space of the air conditioning apparatus within the first period as the estimated first time zone; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

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