Air conditioning system, processing device, and equipment management device

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables acquiring all data from air conditioning equipment without exceeding allowable communication traffic for an equipment management device.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 1 comprises an equipment management device 3 that communicates with each air conditioning equipment unit 4, and a processing device 2 that executes communication processing related to communication between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment unit 4. Each air conditioning equipment unit 4 comprises an air conditioning device. The processing device 2 calculates a total value of communication traffic that would occur when the equipment management device 3 communicates with each air conditioning equipment unit 4 at a specific cycle set by a user, and determines, based on the total value and an allowable communication traffic value of the equipment management device 3, the number of air conditioning devices to be targeted for communication by the equipment management device 3. The equipment management device 3 communicates with each air conditioning equipment unit 4 at the specific cycle in accordance with the number determined by the processing device 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system, a processing device, and a facility management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioning systems in which multiple air conditioning units are connected to a single equipment management device are well known. In such air conditioning systems, each of the multiple air conditioning units is configured to acquire data related to air conditioning using sensors or the like. The equipment management device acquires data from each air conditioning unit at a cycle that is consistent among the multiple air conditioning units. By analyzing the data acquired from each air conditioning unit, users such as workers can identify the cause of a malfunction in the air conditioning unit.

[0003] Here, if the air conditioning equipment is manufactured by different manufacturers, the data acquisition cycles for the air conditioning equipment are also different. Therefore, if an equipment management device acquires data from each air conditioning equipment at the same cycle across the multiple air conditioning equipment, there is a risk of data loss or duplicate acquisition of the same data. For example, if the equipment management device acquires data from each air conditioning equipment at a cycle that matches the cycle of an air conditioning equipment with a slower data acquisition cycle, it will not be able to acquire all data from the air conditioning equipment with a faster data acquisition cycle, resulting in data loss. On the other hand, if the equipment management device acquires data from each air conditioning equipment at a cycle that matches the cycle of an air conditioning equipment with a faster data acquisition cycle, it will acquire the same data from the air conditioning equipment with the slower data acquisition cycle multiple times, causing communication traffic between the air conditioning equipment to exceed the allowable limit.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 5461224 (Patent Document 1) discloses an interpolation device that predicts missing data using data acquired before and after the missing data when data cannot be acquired from a sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5461224 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the interpolation device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5461224, even if data loss occurs, the data can be interpolated using data acquired before and after the missing data. However, there is a risk of a large discrepancy between the data obtained by prediction and the actual data. For example, if an abnormality occurs at the time when the data is interpolated, but no abnormality occurs before or after that time, the data interpolated by prediction will indicate a normal value rather than an abnormal value. As a result, the user may overlook the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that enables an equipment management device to acquire data from air conditioning equipment without omission without exceeding the allowable communication traffic. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes at least one equipment management device that communicates with each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities, and a processing device that executes communication processing related to communication between the at least one equipment management device and each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The processing device calculates a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific period set by a user, and determines the number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is a communication target of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic permitted when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. The at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at the specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device.

[0009] A processing device according to the present disclosure executes communication processing related to communication between at least one equipment management device and each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities. The processing device includes a storage device that stores a processing program for executing the communication processing, and an arithmetic device that executes the communication processing in accordance with the processing program. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The arithmetic device calculates a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific period set by a user, and determines the number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that are communication targets of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic that is allowed when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities.

[0010] An equipment management device according to the present disclosure communicates with each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities. The equipment management device includes a storage device that stores operating data acquired from each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities, and a computing device that executes communication processing for communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is the communication target of the equipment management device is predetermined. The computing device calculates an actual total value of communication traffic required when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific cycle set by a user according to the predetermined number, and changes the specific cycle based on the actual total value and an allowable value of communication traffic permitted when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, an equipment management device can acquire data from each air conditioning equipment without omission without exceeding the allowable communication traffic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating changes in the number of air conditioning devices that are communication targets of an equipment management device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the air conditioning system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a model table included in the processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data storage table included in the equipment management device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a command management table included in the equipment management device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a command table included in the equipment management device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the processing device before operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the candidate numbers of air conditioning equipment output by the processing device before operation. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system before operation. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system during operation. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the equipment management device during operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. While multiple embodiments will be described below, it is anticipated from the beginning that the configurations described in each embodiment will be appropriately combined. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0014] [Overall configuration of air conditioning system] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes a processing device 2, at least one equipment management device 3, and a plurality of air conditioning equipment 4.

[0015] The air conditioning equipment 4 includes an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. By circulating a refrigerant between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, the air conditioning equipment 4 adjusts the temperature or humidity of air drawn in from an indoor space and supplies the adjusted air to the indoor space. In the example of FIG. 1, air conditioning equipment 4A and air conditioning equipment 4B are illustrated as the multiple air conditioning equipment 4. The air conditioning equipment 4A includes an outdoor unit 10A, which is a parent unit, and multiple outdoor units 10B, 10C, and 10D, which are child units connected to the outdoor unit 10A. Although not shown, each of the multiple outdoor units 10B, 10C, and 10D is connected to an indoor unit. The air conditioning equipment 4B includes an outdoor unit 10E and multiple indoor units 20A, 20B, and 20C connected to the outdoor unit 10E.

[0016] Hereinafter, the air conditioning equipment 4A, 4B will be collectively referred to as the "air conditioning equipment 4." The outdoor units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E will be collectively referred to as the "outdoor unit 10." The indoor units 20A, 20B, and 20C will be collectively referred to as the "indoor unit 20." The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 will also be collectively referred to as the "air conditioning equipment." The air conditioning equipment 4 is required to be equipped with at least one air conditioning equipment, and the at least one air conditioning equipment may include either the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20.

[0017] Air conditioning equipment such as the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20 included in the air conditioning equipment 4 acquires operating data related to air conditioning operation using sensors (not shown). For example, the operating data includes the set temperature, the indoor temperature, the pipe temperature, the frequency of a compressor (not shown), and power consumption.

[0018] The equipment management device 3 is communicably connected to each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment 4, and manages each of the air conditioning equipment 4. For example, the equipment management device 3 communicates with each of the air conditioning equipment 4 to acquire the above-mentioned operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the equipment management devices 3 are exemplified by an equipment management device 3A and an equipment management device 3B.

[0019] Hereinafter, the equipment management device 3A and the equipment management device 3B will also be collectively referred to as the “equipment management device 3.” The air conditioning system 1 is only required to be equipped with at least one equipment management device 3, and is not limited to being equipped with multiple equipment management devices 3, and may be equipped with just one equipment management device 3.

[0020] The processing device 2 is, for example, an information terminal such as a desktop personal computer (PC), laptop PC, or tablet PC, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned individually by a user. The processing device 2 is communicatively connected to at least one equipment management device 3, and executes communication processing related to communication between the at least one equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4.

[0021] [Change communication target of equipment management device] 2 is a diagram showing a change in the number of air conditioning devices with which the equipment management device 3 communicates. In the air conditioning system 1, the equipment management device 3 is configured to acquire operating data from each air conditioning device 4 at a specific cycle that is the same for multiple air conditioning devices 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning devices 4A and 4B at a specific cycle (one-minute intervals) that is the same for both the air conditioning devices 4A and 4B. This allows a user such as an operator to identify the cause of a malfunction by analyzing the operating data acquired from each of the air conditioning devices 4A and 4B when a malfunction occurs in the air conditioning device 4A or 4B.

[0022] Here, if the manufacturers of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B are different, the period at which the sensor in the air conditioning equipment 4A acquires operating data may differ from the period at which the sensor in the air conditioning equipment 4B acquires operating data. In the example of Fig. 2, the sensor in the air conditioning equipment 4A acquires operating data at five-minute intervals, while the sensor in the air conditioning equipment 4B acquires operating data at one-minute intervals. For this reason, if the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B at the same specific period for both the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B, there is a risk that operating data will be missing or that the same operating data will be acquired multiple times.

[0023] For example, if the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B at five-minute intervals to match the air conditioning equipment 4A, which has a slower operating data acquisition cycle, it will not be able to acquire all the operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4B, which has a faster operating data acquisition cycle, resulting in missing operating data. On the other hand, as shown in the example of Figure 2, if the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B at one-minute intervals to match the air conditioning equipment 4B, which has a faster operating data acquisition cycle, it will acquire the same data twice from the air conditioning equipment 4A, which has a slower operating data acquisition cycle, and the communication traffic between each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B will exceed the allowable value. The allowable value is the upper limit of communication traffic that the equipment management device 3 can communicate with multiple air conditioning equipment 4 reliably.

[0024] Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 according to the embodiment is configured so that the number of air conditioning devices in each of the multiple air conditioning facilities 4 with which the equipment management device 3A communicates in a specific cycle is adjusted by the processing device 2 so that the communication traffic generated between the equipment management device 3A and each of the air conditioning facilities 4A and 4B does not exceed an allowable value. The processing related to communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning facilities 4, which is executed by the processing device 2 in this way, is also referred to as "communication processing."

[0025] For example, before the number of air conditioning devices with which communication is targeted is changed by communication processing, the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data at one-minute intervals from 20 air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4A, and also acquires operating data at one-minute intervals from 10 air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4B. In this case, the equipment management device 3A changes the number of air conditioning devices with which communication is targeted in accordance with communication processing by the processing device 2, because the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3A and each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and 4B exceeds the allowable value.

[0026] After the number of air conditioning devices with which the equipment management device 3A communicates has been changed by the communication process, the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data at one-minute intervals from the 10 air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4A, and also acquires operating data at one-minute intervals from the five air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4B. In other words, the number of air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4A with which the equipment management device 3A communicates has decreased from 20 to 10. Furthermore, the number of air conditioning devices included in air conditioning equipment 4B with which the equipment management device 3A communicates has decreased from 10 to 5. This allows the equipment management device 3A to acquire data without omission from the air conditioning devices in each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and air conditioning equipment 4B with which it communicates, without the communication traffic occurring between the equipment management device 3A and the air conditioning equipment 4A exceeding the allowable value.

[0027] However, air conditioning equipment that was not the communication target of equipment management device 3A remains. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 is configured to acquire operating data from the remaining air conditioning equipment using an equipment management device 3B, which is separate from equipment management device 3A. In the example of FIG. 2, equipment management device 3B acquires operating data from the remaining 10 air conditioning equipment included in air conditioning equipment 4A at one-minute intervals, and also acquires operating data from the remaining five air conditioning equipment included in air conditioning equipment 4B at one-minute intervals. This allows equipment management device 3B to acquire data without omission from the remaining air conditioning equipment in air conditioning equipment 4A and air conditioning equipment 4B, with which it communicates, without the communication traffic occurring between equipment management device 3B and air conditioning equipment 4A and air conditioning equipment 4B exceeding the allowable value. In order to acquire operating data from the air conditioning equipment in each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B without omission, the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B may be the same as the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3B acquires operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B. Furthermore, the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4A may be the same as the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3A acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4B. Similarly, the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3B acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4A may be the same as the communication cycle in which the equipment management device 3B acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4B. Furthermore, the equipment management device 3A may communicate at the same cycle as the acquisition cycle of the operating data in the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B to acquire operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B. Similarly, the equipment management device 3B may communicate at the same cycle as the cycle for acquiring operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B, and acquire operating data from each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B.

[0028] [Air conditioning system functional configuration] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioning system 1. Note that Fig. 3 shows an equipment management device 3 as an example of the equipment management devices 3A and 3B in Fig. 1, and shows an air conditioning device 4 as an example of the air conditioning devices 4A and 4B in Fig. 1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the processing device 2 includes an arithmetic unit 21, a memory 22, a storage device 23, a communication unit 24, a display device 25, and an input device 26.

[0030] The arithmetic device 21 is a computing entity (computer) that executes predetermined processing. The arithmetic device 21 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). A processor, which is an example of the arithmetic device 21, has the function of executing predetermined processing by executing a predetermined program. However, some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The term "processor" is not limited to processors in the narrow sense that execute processing using a stored program, such as a CPU, an MPU, a TPU, or a GPU, but may also include hardwired circuits such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The arithmetic device 21 is not limited to von Neumann computers such as a CPU or a GPU, but may also be configured with non-von Neumann computers such as a quantum computer or an optical computer. The arithmetic device 21 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry. The arithmetic device 21 may be configured with one chip or multiple chips. Furthermore, the processor and associated processing circuitry may be configured as multiple computers interconnected by wire or wirelessly, such as via a local area network or a wireless network. The processor and associated processing circuitry may also be configured as a cloud computer that performs remote calculations based on input information and outputs the results of the calculations to other devices at remote locations.

[0031] The memory 22 includes a storage area (for example, a working area) for storing program code or work memory when the arithmetic unit 21 executes various programs. Examples of the memory 22 include volatile memories such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and non-volatile memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory. The memory 22 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry having a function of retaining data or signals.

[0032] The storage device 23 stores various programs and various data executed by the arithmetic device 21. For example, the storage device 23 stores a processing program 231 and a model table 232. The processing program 231 defines a processing procedure for the arithmetic device 21 to execute communication processing. The model table 232 will be described later. The storage device 23 may be one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, or one or more computer-readable storage media. Examples of the storage device 23 include a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage device 23 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry having a function of retaining data or signals.

[0033] The communication device 24 is an interface for communicating with the equipment management device 3. By communicating with the equipment management device 3 via the communication device 24, the processing device 2 can control communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning devices 4.

[0034] The display device 25 displays a predetermined screen in accordance with the control of the arithmetic device 21. For example, the arithmetic device 21 controls the display device 25 to display a screen for the user to input the cycle at which the equipment management device 3 communicates with the air conditioning equipment 4, or a screen for the user to input the number of air conditioning devices in the air conditioning equipment 4 that are the communication targets of the equipment management device 3.

[0035] The input device 26 is an interface for receiving predetermined information input by a user, and includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.

[0036] The equipment management device 3 includes a calculation device 31, a memory 32, a storage device 33, a communication device , a display device 35, and an input device .

[0037] The arithmetic device 31 is a computing entity (computer) that executes predetermined processing. The arithmetic device 31 is configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU, MPU, TPU, or GPU. A processor, which is an example of the arithmetic device 31, has the function of executing predetermined processing by executing a predetermined program, but some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA. The term "processor" is not limited to processors in the narrow sense that execute processing using a stored program, such as a CPU, MPU, TPU, or GPU, but may also include hardwired circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA. The arithmetic device 31 is not limited to von Neumann computers such as a CPU or GPU, but may also be configured as non-von Neumann computers such as quantum computers or optical computers. The arithmetic device 31 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry. The arithmetic device 31 may be configured on a single chip or multiple chips. Furthermore, the processor and related processing circuits may be configured as multiple computers interconnected by wire or wirelessly via a local area network, a wireless network, or the like. The processor and associated processing circuitry may be configured as a cloud computer that performs computations remotely based on input information and outputs the results of the computations to other devices at a remote location.

[0038] The memory 32 includes a storage area (for example, a working area) for storing program code or work memory when the arithmetic unit 31 executes various programs. Examples of the memory 32 include volatile memories such as DRAM and SRAM, and non-volatile memories such as ROM and flash memory. The memory 32 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry having a function of retaining data or signals.

[0039] The storage device 33 stores various programs and various data executed by the arithmetic device 31. For example, the storage device 33 stores an equipment management program 331, a data storage table 332, a command management table 333, and a command table 334. The equipment management program 331 defines a processing procedure for the equipment management device 3 to communicate with the air conditioning equipment 4. The data storage table 332, the command management table 333, and the command table 334 will be described later. The storage device 33 may be one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, or one or more computer-readable storage media. Examples of the storage device 33 include an HDD and an SSD. The storage device 33 may also be interpreted as a processing circuitry having a function of retaining data or signals.

[0040] The communication device 34 is an interface for communicating with the processing device 2 and the air conditioning equipment 4. By communicating with the processing device 2 and the air conditioning equipment 4 via the communication device 34, the equipment management device 3 can acquire operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4 in accordance with the control of the processing device 2.

[0041] The display device 35 displays a predetermined screen in accordance with the control of the arithmetic device 31. For example, the arithmetic device 31 controls the display device 35 to display a screen for the user to input the cycle at which the equipment management device 3 communicates with the air conditioning equipment 4.

[0042] The input device 36 is an interface for receiving predetermined information input by the user, and includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.

[0043] [Model Table] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the model table 232 of the processing device 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the model table 232 stores base communication traffic and operating data communication reference traffic corresponding to each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 that communicates with the equipment management device 3 in the air conditioning system 1.

[0044] The base communication traffic is the minimum communication traffic required for the base communication (hereinafter also referred to as "base communication") that the equipment management device 3 uses to acquire operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4. The operating data communication reference traffic is the communication traffic required for communication for each air conditioning device (hereinafter also referred to as "operating data communication") that the equipment management device 3 uses to acquire operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4 at a reference period (for example, 60 seconds). In the example shown in Figure 4, the base communication traffic and the operating data communication reference traffic are shown as percentages (%) of the maximum allowable traffic when the equipment management device 3 and the air conditioning equipment 4 communicate.

[0045] For example, the model table 232 stores data indicating "2%" as the base communication traffic and data indicating "2%" as the operating data communication reference traffic, corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4A. The model table 232 also stores data indicating "3%" as the base communication traffic and data indicating "2%" as the operating data communication reference traffic, corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4B.

[0046] [Data storage table] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the data storage table 332 of the equipment management device 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the data storage table 332 stores, by time, the operating data acquired by the equipment management device 3 from each air conditioning device included in each of the multiple air conditioning facilities 4. Note that the data storage table 332 may store the acquired operating data in association with information specifying the date on which the operating data was acquired.

[0047] For example, the data storage table 332 stores operating data 1A acquired by the equipment management device 3A from a first air conditioning device (e.g., outdoor unit 10A) of the air conditioning equipment 4A at specific intervals (e.g., one-minute intervals), and operating data 2A acquired by the equipment management device 3A from a second air conditioning device (e.g., outdoor unit 10B) of the air conditioning equipment 4A at specific intervals (e.g., one-minute intervals). Although not shown in the figures, the data storage table 332 also stores operating data acquired by the equipment management device 3A from other air conditioning devices (e.g., outdoor units 10C and 10D) of the air conditioning equipment 4A at specific intervals (e.g., one-minute intervals).

[0048] The data storage table 332 also stores operating data 1B acquired by the equipment management device 3A at specific intervals (for example, one minute intervals) from a first air conditioning device (for example, outdoor unit 10E) of the air conditioning equipment 4B, and operating data 2B acquired by the equipment management device 3A at specific intervals (for example, one minute intervals) from a second air conditioning device (for example, indoor unit 20A) of the air conditioning equipment 4B. Although not shown in the figures, the data storage table 332 also stores operating data acquired by the equipment management device 3A at specific intervals (for example, one minute intervals) from other air conditioning devices (for example, indoor units 20B and 20C) of the air conditioning equipment 4B.

[0049] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the data storage table 332 also stores operating data acquired by the equipment management device 3B at specific intervals (for example, one minute intervals) from the air conditioning equipment included in each of the air conditioning equipment 4A and the air conditioning equipment 4B.

[0050] The data storage table 332 stores the acquired operating data in accordance with the period at which the equipment management device 3 acquires the operating data from the air conditioning equipment included in the air conditioning equipment 4. For example, if the equipment management device 3 acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment included in the air conditioning equipment 4 at 30-second intervals, the data storage table 332 stores the operating data acquired by the equipment management device 3 from the air conditioning equipment included in the air conditioning equipment 4 at 30-second intervals.

[0051] [Command Management Table] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the command management table 333 of the equipment management device 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the command management table 333 stores data that identifies a command table corresponding to each of the multiple air conditioning devices 4 that communicate with the equipment management device 3 in the air conditioning system 1.

[0052] For example, the command management table 333 stores data indicating command table A corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4A, and stores data indicating command table B corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4B.

[0053] Command Table 7 is a diagram illustrating the command table 334 of the equipment management device 3. The command table 334 stores, for each command, data indicating the air conditioning equipment with which the equipment management device 3 is to communicate, data indicating the time (communication time) required for the equipment management device 3 to communicate with the air conditioning equipment, data indicating the cycle (communication cycle) at which the equipment management device 3 communicates with the air conditioning equipment, and data indicating the type of communication between the equipment management device 3 and the air conditioning equipment.

[0054] For example, FIG. 7 shows command table A for air conditioning equipment 4A as an example of command table 334. Command table A stores data corresponding to commands 1 to 4. Command 1 includes data indicating the communication time and data indicating the communication cycle for base communication between the equipment management device 3 and the parent outdoor unit 10A. Command 2 includes data indicating the communication time and data indicating the communication cycle for base communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the child outdoor units 10B, 10C, and 10D. Command 3 includes data indicating the communication time and data indicating the communication cycle for operation data communication between the equipment management device 3 and the parent outdoor unit 10A. Command 4 includes data indicating the communication time and data indicating the communication cycle for operation data communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the child outdoor units 10B, 10C, and 10D.

[0055] Although not shown in the figure, command table B for air conditioning equipment 4B also stores, for each command, data indicating the air conditioning equipment (for example, outdoor unit 10E, indoor units 20A-20C) with which the equipment management device 3 is to communicate, data indicating the time (communication time) required for the equipment management device 3 to communicate with the air conditioning equipment, data indicating the cycle (communication cycle) at which the equipment management device 3 communicates with the air conditioning equipment, and data indicating the type of communication between the equipment management device 3 and the air conditioning equipment.

[0056] [Processing performed by the processing device before operation] The processing executed by the processing device before operation will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the processing device 2 before operation. The processing steps of Fig. 8 executed by the processing device 2 are realized by the arithmetic device 21 executing the processing program 231.

[0057] The processing device 2 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 before the equipment management device 3 is delivered to the market and connected to the air conditioning equipment 4 at the delivery destination. That is, before the equipment management device 3 is put into operation, the processing device 2 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 in a state in which the equipment management device 3 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the air conditioning equipment 4 used for simulation. The processing device 2 can execute the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 without being connected to the equipment management device 3. For example, before the equipment management device 3 is put into operation, the processing device 2 can construct in a simulation a virtual state in which the equipment management device 3 is connected to multiple air conditioning equipment 4, and execute the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8.

[0058] 8, the processing device 2 acquires data related to the air conditioning equipment 4 (S1). Specifically, the user uses the input device 26 to input data for identifying each air conditioning equipment 4, such as the model and model number of each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3, into the processing device 2. The processing device 2 acquires the data related to the air conditioning equipment 4, such as the model and model number, input by the user.

[0059] The processing device 2 acquires data indicating a specific cycle for communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning devices 4 (S2). Specifically, the user uses the input device 26 to input data indicating a desired cycle for communication between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning devices 4 to the processing device 2. The processing device 2 acquires the data indicating the specific cycle input by the user. Note that the specific cycle input by the user is the communication cycle for operation data communication shown in FIG. 7 and is used in common among the multiple air conditioning devices 4.

[0060] The processing device 2 refers to the model table 232 and acquires (S3) the communication traffic related to one of the air conditioning equipment 4 among the plurality of air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3. For example, the processing device 2 acquires the base communication traffic and the operating data communication reference traffic corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4A from the model table 232 shown in FIG.

[0061] The processing device 2 calculates the operating data communication traffic of one air conditioning device 4 based on the base communication traffic and the operating data communication reference traffic acquired in S3 (S4). Specifically, the processing device 2 calculates the operating data communication traffic, which is the communication traffic corresponding to the specific period input by the user, based on the following formula (1):

number

[0062] In formula (1), the specific period is the period entered by the user and acquired in S2. The reference period is the period used to calculate the driving data communication reference traffic, and is 60 seconds in the model table 232 shown in FIG.

[0063] Based on the operating data communication traffic calculated in S4, the processing device 2 calculates the model communication traffic of one air conditioning device 4 (S5). Specifically, the processing device 2 calculates the model communication traffic, which is the overall communication traffic in one air conditioning device 4, based on the following formula (2):

number

[0064] The processing device 2 determines (S6) whether or not it has calculated the model communication traffic for all air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3. If the processing device 2 has not calculated the model communication traffic for all air conditioning equipment 4 (NO in S6), it returns to the processing of S3, obtains the communication traffic for other air conditioning equipment 4 among the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3 from the model table 232, and executes the processing from S4 onwards.

[0065] On the other hand, when the processing device 2 has calculated the model communication traffic of all air conditioning equipment 4 (YES in S6), it calculates the total value of the model communication traffic of all air conditioning equipment 4 (S7). The processing device 2 determines whether the total value calculated in S7 exceeds a preset allowable value (S8). If the total value of the model communication traffic does not exceed the allowable value (NO in S8), the processing device 2 determines the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning equipment 4 to be the communication target to the currently set number (S12), and ends the series of processes related to this flowchart.

[0066] On the other hand, if the total value of the model communication traffic exceeds the allowable value (YES in S8), the processing device 2 calculates (S9) candidates for the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning device 4 that is the communication target of the equipment management device 3. Specifically, the processing device 2 calculates candidates for the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning device 4 that is the communication target of the equipment management device 3 so that the total value of the model communication traffic does not exceed the allowable value.

[0067] The processing device 2 outputs to the user, using the display device 25, the candidate numbers of air conditioners included in each air conditioner facility 4 that will be the communication targets of the equipment management device 3, calculated in S9 (S10). Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the candidate numbers of air conditioners for each air conditioner facility 4 that the processing device 2 outputs before operation. As shown in FIG. 9, the processing device 2 calculates multiple candidates and displays them on the display device 25, within a range in which the total value of the model communication traffic does not exceed an allowable value. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, candidate 1 indicates that 10 air conditioners included in air conditioner facility 4A and 5 air conditioners included in air conditioner facility 4B are the communication targets of the equipment management device 3. For the other candidates, the number of air conditioners in each of air conditioner facility 4A and air conditioner facility 4B is also indicated. The user can select one candidate from multiple candidates, taking into account the air-conditioning area that will be the target of air conditioning. For example, if air conditioning facility 4A can accommodate a larger air-conditioning area than air conditioning facility 4B, the user may select one candidate from candidates 1 to 3. Also, if air conditioning equipment 4B can cover a larger air conditioning area than air conditioning equipment 4A, the user can select candidate 4. For example, the user may be a specialist contractor who performs air conditioning-related construction work, and can freely select a candidate while checking the capacity of air conditioning equipment 4.

[0068] 8, the processing device 2 determines whether or not it has acquired candidate numbers of each air conditioning device 4 selected by the user using the input device 26 (S11). If the processing device 2 has not acquired candidate numbers of each air conditioning device 4 selected by the user (NO in S11), it repeats the processing of S11.

[0069] On the other hand, if the processing device 2 obtains the candidate numbers for each air conditioning facility 4 selected by the user (YES in S11), it determines the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning facility 4 to be communicated with in accordance with the candidate numbers for each air conditioning facility 4 selected by the user (S12), and terminates the series of processes related to this flowchart.

[0070] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1, the processing device 2 adjusts the number of air conditioning devices in each of the multiple air conditioning facilities 4 with which the equipment management device 3 communicates in a specific cycle so that the communication traffic generated between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning facilities 4 does not exceed an allowable value. This allows the equipment management device 3 to acquire operating data from each air conditioning facility 4 without omission without exceeding the allowable communication traffic.

[0071] [Processing performed by the equipment management device during operation] 10 to 12, the processing executed by the equipment management device during operation will be described. As described above, in the air conditioning system 1, the processing device 2 is configured to determine the number of air conditioning devices that the equipment management device 3 can tolerate before the equipment management device 3 is put into operation. However, when the equipment management device 3 is actually delivered to the market and connected to the air conditioning devices included in the air conditioning equipment 4 at the delivery destination, it is possible that the actual communication traffic of all the air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3 during operation is smaller than the communication traffic of all the air conditioning equipment 4 assumed by the processing device 2 before operation. In other words, the actual communication traffic occurring between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation is smaller than the simulated communication traffic occurring between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 assumed by the processing device 2 before operation, and there may still be some margin before the tolerance value is reached.

[0072] For example, Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1 before operation. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1 during operation. As shown in Fig. 10, before operation, the processing device 2 determines that the equipment management device 3 will connect to one parent outdoor unit 10 and seven child outdoor units 10 included in the air conditioning equipment 4 so that communication traffic does not exceed an allowable value.

[0073] However, as shown in Figure 11, during operation, the equipment management device 3 is actually connected to four outdoor units 10 and four indoor units 20 included in the air conditioning equipment 4. If the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and the indoor units 20 is smaller than the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and the outdoor units 10, the actual communication traffic occurring between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation will be smaller than the communication traffic occurring between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 that the processing device 2 assumed before operation, and there will be some margin before the tolerance value is reached.

[0074] Therefore, in the air conditioning system 1, when the air conditioning equipment 4 is actually connected to the equipment management device 3 during operation, the equipment management device 3 executes a series of processes according to the flowchart shown in Figure 12 to calculate the actual communication traffic occurring between each air conditioning equipment 4, and if there is still time left until the allowable value is reached, the equipment management device 3 is configured to shorten the period of operation data communication between each air conditioning equipment 4.

[0075] 12 is a flowchart showing the processing executed during operation by the equipment management device 3. The processing steps of FIG.

[0076] 12, the equipment management device 3 acquires data related to the air conditioning equipment 4 (S21). Specifically, the user uses the input device 36 to input data for identifying each air conditioning equipment 4, such as the model and model number of each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3, into the equipment management device 3. The equipment management device 3 acquires the data related to the air conditioning equipment 4, such as the model and model number, input by the user.

[0077] The equipment management device 3 acquires data indicating the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning facility 4 connected to the equipment management device 3 (S22). Specifically, the user uses the input device 36 to input data indicating the number of air conditioning devices included in each air conditioning facility 4 connected to the equipment management device 3 to the equipment management device 3. The equipment management device 3 acquires the data indicating the number of air conditioning devices input by the user.

[0078] The equipment management device 3 refers to the command management table 333 and acquires (S23) a command table corresponding to one of the air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3. For example, the equipment management device 3 acquires command table A corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 4A from the command management table 333 shown in FIG.

[0079] The equipment management device 3 references the command table acquired in S23 and acquires data for one command (S24). For example, the equipment management device 3 acquires the communication time and cycle corresponding to command 1 from command table A shown in FIG.

[0080] The equipment management device 3 calculates the number of communications per unit time for one command based on the command data acquired in S24 (S25). Specifically, the equipment management device 3 calculates the number of communications per unit time based on the following formula (3).

number

[0081] In equation (3), the unit time is the unit time of communication time, which is 1 millisecond for command 1 in command table A shown in Fig. 7. The communication cycle is the cycle for communication between the equipment management device 3 and the air conditioning equipment, which is 60 seconds for command 1 in command table A shown in Fig. 7.

[0082] The equipment management device 3 calculates the communication traffic for one communication target of one command (S26). Specifically, the equipment management device 3 calculates the communication traffic for one communication target of one command based on the following formula (4).

number

[0083] In equation (4), the communication time is the time required for communication between the equipment management device 3 and the air conditioner, and is 12 milliseconds for command 1 in command table A shown in FIG.

[0084] The equipment management device 3 calculates the model communication traffic for the number of devices in one command (S27). Specifically, the equipment management device 3 calculates the model communication traffic for the number of devices in one command based on the following formula (5).

number

[0085] The equipment management device 3 determines whether or not it has calculated the model communication traffic of one air conditioning device 4 for all commands included in the command table acquired in S23 (S28). If the equipment management device 3 has not calculated the model communication traffic for all commands included in the command table acquired in S23 (NO in S28), it returns to the processing of S24, acquires data of other commands from the command table, and executes the processing from S25 onwards.

[0086] On the other hand, if the equipment management device 3 has calculated the model communication traffic for all commands included in the command table acquired in S23 (YES in S28), it determines (S29) whether or not it has calculated the model communication traffic for all air conditioning equipment 4. If the equipment management device 3 has not calculated the model communication traffic for all air conditioning equipment 4 (NO in S29), it returns to the processing of S23, references the command management table 333, acquires command tables corresponding to other air conditioning equipment 4 connected to the equipment management device 3, and executes the processing from S24 onwards.

[0087] On the other hand, if the equipment management device 3 has calculated the model-specific communication traffic of all air conditioning equipment 4 (YES in S29), it calculates (S30) the total value of the model-specific communication traffic of all air conditioning equipment 4. The equipment management device 3 determines whether the total value calculated in S30 is less than a predetermined specific value (S31). For example, the specific value is a value smaller than the allowable value of communication traffic that allows the equipment management device 3 to communicate with multiple air conditioning equipment 4.

[0088] If the total value of the model communication traffic is equal to or greater than the specific value (NO in S31), the equipment management device 3 ends the series of processes related to this flowchart. In this case, the equipment management device 3 communicates with the number of air conditioning devices calculated by the processing device 2 at a specific cycle input by the user before operation.

[0089] On the other hand, if the total value of the model communication traffic is less than the specific value (YES in S31), the equipment management device 3 shortens the cycle of operating data communication with each air conditioning device 4 (S32) and ends the series of processes related to this flowchart. In this case, the equipment management device 3 communicates with the number of air conditioning devices calculated by the processing device 2 at a new cycle that is shorter than the specific cycle input by the user before operation. Thereafter, the equipment management device 3 repeatedly executes the series of processes related to the flowchart in Fig. 12, and ends the series of processes when the total value of the model communication traffic of all air conditioning devices 4 reaches a value closest to the allowable value.

[0090] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1, the equipment management device 3 adjusts the specific cycle at which the equipment management device 3 communicates with each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 so that the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each of the multiple air conditioning equipment 4 does not exceed the allowable value and so that the communication traffic comes closest to the allowable value. This allows the equipment management device 3 to acquire operating data from each air conditioning equipment 4 without omission without exceeding the allowable communication traffic, and also to acquire more operating data by taking into account the actual operating state.

[0091] [Variations] The air conditioning system 1 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Modifications that can be applied to the air conditioning system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0092] If there is still room before the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 reaches the allowable value during operation, the equipment management device 3 may interpolate the missing data by acquiring operating data of each air conditioning equipment 4 from another equipment management device 3 that communicates with each air conditioning equipment 4 at a different cycle than the equipment management device 3 itself.

[0093] If there is still room before the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation reaches the allowable value, the equipment management device 3 may shorten the specific cycle only for a specific air conditioning equipment 4 whose operation is in a transitional period, rather than shortening the specific cycle for all air conditioning equipment 4. In this way, the user can preferentially obtain operating data for air conditioning equipment 4 whose operation is in a transitional period.

[0094] If there is still room before the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation reaches the tolerance value, the equipment management device 3 may shorten the specific period only for the specific air conditioning equipment 4 where an abnormality is occurring, rather than shortening the specific period for all air conditioning equipment 4. In this way, the user can analyze in more detail the cause of the abnormality in the air conditioning equipment 4 where an abnormality is occurring.

[0095] If there is still room before the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation reaches the allowable value, the equipment management device 3 may shorten the specific cycle only for older air conditioning equipment 4 that was manufactured a long time ago or that was released to the market a long time ago, rather than shortening the specific cycle for all air conditioning equipment 4. In this way, the user can preferentially obtain operating data for air conditioning equipment 4 that is likely to have an abnormality.

[0096] If there is still room before the communication traffic between the equipment management device 3 and each air conditioning equipment 4 during operation reaches the allowable value, the equipment management device 3 may shorten the specific period only for air conditioning equipment 4 whose operating data changes more than usual or whose operating data changes more frequently than usual, rather than shortening the specific period for all air conditioning equipment 4. In this way, the user can preferentially obtain operating data for air conditioning equipment 4 whose operating data changes more frequently.

[0097] After acquiring a predetermined amount of operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4, the equipment management device 3 may display the acquired operating data on the display device 35. Furthermore, the equipment management device 3 may shorten the cycle for displaying the acquired operating data on the display device 35 compared to normal, and display the acquired operating data on the display device 35 in real time every time it acquires operating data from the air conditioning equipment 4.

[0098] [Note] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0099] (Item 1) An air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes at least one equipment management device that communicates with each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities, and a processing device that executes communication processing related to communication between the at least one equipment management device and each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The processing device calculates a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific period set by a user, and determines the number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is a communication target of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic that is allowed when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. The at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at the specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device.

[0100] (2) In the air conditioning system according to the first aspect, the processing device calculates candidate numbers of units for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment and obtains a specific number selected by a user from the candidates. At least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at a specific period according to the specific number.

[0101] (3) In the air conditioning system according to paragraph 1 or 2, the at least one equipment management device includes a plurality of equipment management devices. The processing device determines the number of each of the plurality of equipment management devices, and each of the plurality of equipment management devices communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at a specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device.

[0102] (4) In the air conditioning system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, the processing device calculates a total value based on the base communication traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to communicate with at least one equipment management device and the operating data communication reference traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to transmit operating data of at least one air conditioning equipment to at least one equipment management device at a reference period.

[0103] (Clause 5) In an air conditioning system according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, at least one equipment management device calculates the actual total value of communication traffic required when communicating with each of the multiple air conditioning equipment in a specific period according to the number determined by the processing device, and changes the specific period based on the actual total value and a specific value smaller than the allowable value.

[0104] (Item 6) In the air conditioning system according to item 5, at least one equipment management device shortens the specific period when the actual total value is less than the specific value.

[0105] (Item 7) A processing device according to the present disclosure executes communication processing related to communication between at least one equipment management device and each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities. The processing device includes a storage device that stores a processing program for executing the communication processing, and an arithmetic device that executes the communication processing in accordance with the processing program. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The arithmetic device calculates a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific period set by a user, and determines the number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is a communication target of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic that is allowed when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities.

[0106] (Item 8) In the processing device according to item 7, the calculation device calculates candidate numbers for each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities, and acquires a specific number selected by the user from the candidates.

[0107] (Item 9) In the processing device according to item 7 or 8, the at least one equipment management device includes a plurality of equipment management devices. The calculation device determines the number of each of the plurality of equipment management devices.

[0108] (Item 10) In the processing device according to any one of items 7 to 9, the calculation device calculates a total value based on the base communication traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to communicate with at least one equipment management device and the operating data communication standard traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to transmit operating data of at least one air conditioning device to at least one equipment management device at a standard period.

[0109] (Article 11) An equipment management device according to the present disclosure communicates with each of a plurality of air conditioning facilities. The equipment management device includes a storage device that stores operating data acquired from each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities, and a computing device that executes communication processing for communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities. Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning appliance. The number of at least one air conditioning appliance in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is the communication target of the equipment management device is predetermined. The computing device calculates an actual total value of communication traffic required when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities at a specific cycle set by a user according to the predetermined number, and changes the specific cycle based on the actual total value and a specific value that is smaller than the allowable value of communication traffic permitted when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities.

[0110] (Item 12) In the equipment management device according to item 11, if the actual total value is less than a specific value, the specific period is shortened.

[0111] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 air conditioning system, 2 processing device, 3, 3A, 3B equipment management device, 4, 4A, 4B air conditioning equipment, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E outdoor unit, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C indoor unit, 21, 31 arithmetic unit, 22, 32 memory, 23, 33 storage device, 24, 34 communication device, 25, 35 display device, 26, 36 input device, 231 processing program, 232 model table, 331 equipment management program, 332 data storage table, 333 command management table, 334 command table.

Claims

1. 1. An air conditioning system comprising: at least one facility management device that communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities; a processing device that executes communication processing related to communication between the at least one equipment management device and each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment; Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning device; The processing device includes: calculating a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at a specific period set by a user; determining the number of the at least one air conditioning device in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is a communication target of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic that is allowed when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities; An air conditioning system, wherein the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at the specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device.

2. The processing device includes: calculating candidates for the number of units for each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities; obtaining a specific number of vehicles selected by the user from the candidates; The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at the specific period in accordance with the specific number of equipment.

3. the at least one equipment management device includes a plurality of equipment management devices; the processing device determines the number of equipment management devices for each of the plurality of equipment management devices; The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of equipment management devices communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at the specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device.

4. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the processing device calculates the total value based on base communication traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to communicate with the at least one equipment management device and operating data communication reference traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to transmit operating data of the at least one air conditioning equipment to the at least one equipment management device at a reference period.

5. The at least one equipment management device calculating an actual total value of communication traffic required when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment in the specific period in accordance with the number determined by the processing device; 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the specific period is changed based on the actual total value and a specific value that is smaller than the allowable value.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one equipment management device shortens the specific period when the actual total value is less than the specific value.

7. A processing device that executes communication processing related to communication between at least one equipment management device and each of a plurality of air conditioning equipment, a storage device that stores a processing program for executing the communication processing; a computing device that executes the communication processing in accordance with the processing program, Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning device; The computing device calculating a total value of communication traffic when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at a specific period set by a user; A processing device that determines the number of the at least one air conditioning device in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that is the communication target of the at least one equipment management device based on the total value and an allowable value of communication traffic that is allowed when the at least one equipment management device communicates with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities.

8. The computing device calculating candidates for the number of units for each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities; The processing device according to claim 7 , further comprising: acquiring a specific number of the candidates selected by the user.

9. the at least one equipment management device includes a plurality of equipment management devices; The processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the calculation device determines the number of equipment management devices for each of the plurality of equipment management devices.

10. The processing device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the calculation device calculates the total value based on base communication traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to communicate with the at least one equipment management device and operating data communication reference traffic required for each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment to transmit operating data of the at least one air conditioning equipment to the at least one equipment management device at a reference period.

11. An equipment management device that communicates with each of a plurality of air conditioning equipment, a storage device that stores operation data acquired from each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities; a computing device that executes communication processing for communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities, Each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities includes at least one air conditioning device; the number of the at least one air conditioning device in each of the plurality of air conditioning facilities that are communication targets of the equipment management device is determined in advance; The computing device calculating an actual total value of communication traffic required when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment at a specific period set by a user in accordance with a predetermined number of equipment; an equipment management device that changes the specific period based on the actual total value and a specific value that is smaller than an allowable value of communication traffic that is permitted when communicating with each of the plurality of air conditioning equipment;

12. The equipment management device according to claim 11 , wherein the specific period is shortened when the actual total value is less than the specific value.

Images