Refrigeration and air conditioning management system, and refrigeration and air conditioning management method

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigeration and air conditioning management system and a refrigeration and air conditioning management method that can reduce the burden on maintenance personnel regarding the replacement of refrigerant leak detection sensors. [Solution] The refrigeration and air conditioning management system 100 includes a refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1, and a refrigerant leak management device 6 that notifies the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance and inspection date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor when the difference between the scheduled maintenance and inspection date of the equipment of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration and air-conditioning management system and a refrigeration and air-conditioning management method.

Background Art

[0002] In a refrigerant leakage suppression and reporting device that closes the refrigerant flowing into an indoor unit and issues an alarm when refrigerant leakage occurs, from a safety perspective, it is necessary to replace the refrigerant leakage detection sensor once every few years.

[0003] In a multi-air conditioner for buildings, etc., a plurality of refrigerant leakage detection sensors are installed to detect refrigerant leakage in a plurality of indoor units. It is complicated and difficult to grasp the replacement timing of each of these plurality of refrigerant leakage detection sensors. In addition, since the refrigerant leakage detection sensor cannot detect the next leakage once it has detected a leakage, it must be replaced, and it is difficult to manage the replacement timing.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying a notification screen indicating the inspection timing on a management terminal device used by an administrator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, when the air conditioner malfunctions, the administrator checks the screen of the air conditioner management terminal or the remote monitoring device on the web. However, when the air conditioner is operating normally without any particular problems, the administrator often does not check these terminals or screens. In such cases, the administrator may not notice the inspection timing and may forget to replace the refrigerant leakage detection sensor.

[0007] If the maintenance schedule for the components of a refrigeration and air conditioning system and the replacement schedule for the refrigerant leak detection sensor do not align, multiple maintenance tasks will have to be performed in a short period of time. As a result, the workload on maintenance personnel increases, and maintenance costs rise. Furthermore, if the system only notifies the refrigerant leak detection sensor replacement schedule on the screen of a specific device, there is a possibility that the replacement schedule for the refrigerant leak detection sensor may be overlooked.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a refrigeration and air conditioning management system and a refrigeration and air conditioning management method that can reduce the burden on maintenance personnel regarding the replacement of refrigerant leak detection sensors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The refrigeration and air conditioning management system of this disclosure includes a refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, and a refrigerant leak management device that notifies the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance inspection date of the detection sensor and the scheduled replacement date of the detection sensor when the difference between the scheduled maintenance inspection date of the detection sensor equipment and the scheduled replacement date of the detection sensor refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0010] The refrigeration and air conditioning management system of this disclosure comprises a refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, and a refrigerant leak management device that sets a notification method and notifies the user of the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensor according to the set notification method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, the burden on maintenance personnel regarding the replacement of refrigerant leak detection sensors can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a building management system. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the management procedure for the refrigeration and air conditioning system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4]This diagram illustrates an example of a method for notifying users of the scheduled replacement date for a refrigerant leak detection sensor. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of who can be notified of the scheduled replacement date for the refrigerant leak detection sensor. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the refrigerant leak management device 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the building management system. The building management system comprises a refrigeration and air conditioning management system 100, a system controller 7, an equipment information management system 9, and a remote monitoring device 8.

[0014] The refrigeration and air conditioning management system 100 includes and manages a refrigeration and air conditioning system. The system controller 7 controls the refrigeration and air conditioning management system 100. The equipment information management system 9 manages the status of building equipment such as the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1. The remote monitoring device 8 remotely monitors building equipment such as the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system 100 comprises a refrigeration and air conditioning system 1, a measurement and control unit 5, and a refrigerant leak management device 6.

[0015] The refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 includes one or more indoor units having refrigerant leak detection sensors, an outdoor unit, and a shut-off valve positioned between the indoor and outdoor units.

[0016] The measurement control unit 5 controls the equipment of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 and measures the status of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1. The refrigerant leakage management device 6 includes an input unit 601, a measurement unit 602, a determination unit 603, a determination value recording unit 604, an output unit 605, a display setting unit 606, a device information recording unit 607, and a notification unit 608. The input unit 601 inputs the maintenance scheduled date of the devices of the refrigeration and air conditioning device 1, the scheduled date for replacing the refrigerant leakage detection sensor, the notification method and the notification destination of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor replacement. The measurement unit 602 manages the current date. The determination unit 603 compares the scheduled date for replacing the refrigerant leakage detection sensor with today, and determines notifications, notification methods, etc. based on the comparison result. The determination value recording unit 604 records the determination result. The output unit 605 outputs the determination result. The display setting unit 606 sets the display content of the determination result. The device information recording unit 607 records the display content of the determination result. The notification unit 608 notifies the determination result.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the refrigeration and air conditioning device 1. In Figure 2, two indoor units 20a and 20b are shown, but the number of indoor units may be one or more.

[0018] The refrigeration and air conditioning device 1 includes an outdoor unit 10, a first indoor unit 20a and a second indoor unit 20b, a first liquid shut-off valve 25a and a first gas shut-off valve 26a for blocking the connection between the outdoor unit 10 and the first indoor unit 20a, a second liquid shut-off valve 25b and a second gas shut-off valve 26b for blocking the connection between the outdoor unit 10 and the second indoor unit 20b, and a liquid pipe 41 and a gas pipe 42 connecting the outdoor unit 10 with the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b.

[0019] In the following description, the first liquid shut-off valve 25a and the first gas shut-off valve 26a may be collectively referred to as the first shut-off valve, and the second liquid shut-off valve 25b and the second gas shut-off valve 26b may be collectively referred to as the second shut-off valve.

[0020] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an outdoor fan 13, a high-pressure pressure sensor 16, a low-pressure pressure sensor 18, a compressor discharge temperature sensor 51, and a condenser outlet temperature sensor 53. The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant. The condenser 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11 and air. The outdoor fan 13 sends air to the condenser 12. The high-pressure pressure sensor 16 detects the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11. The low-pressure pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 11. The compressor discharge temperature sensor 51 detects the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows. The condenser outlet temperature sensor 53 detects the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 12 flows.

[0021] The first indoor unit 20a includes an expansion valve 21a, an evaporator 22a, an indoor fan 23a, an evaporator gas-side temperature sensor 61a, an evaporator liquid-side temperature sensor 62a, and a refrigerant leakage detection sensor 65a. The expansion valve 21a expands the refrigerant. The evaporator 22a exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out from the expansion valve 21a and air. The indoor fan 23a sends air to the evaporator 22a. The evaporator gas-side temperature sensor 61a detects the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator 22a flows. The evaporator liquid-side temperature sensor 62a detects the temperature of the pipe through which the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 22a flows. The refrigerant leakage detection sensor 65a detects refrigerant leakage. The refrigerant leakage detection sensor 65a is constituted by, for example, an infrared sensor. The compressor 11, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 21a, and the evaporator 22a constitute the first refrigerant circuit.

[0022] The second indoor unit 20b comprises an expansion valve 21b, an evaporator 22b, an indoor fan 23b, an evaporator gas-side temperature sensor 61b, an evaporator liquid-side temperature sensor 62b, and a refrigerant leak detection sensor 65b. The expansion valve 21b expands the refrigerant. The evaporator 22b exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 21b and air. The indoor fan 23b sends air to the evaporator 22b. The evaporator gas-side temperature sensor 61b detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 22b. The evaporator liquid-side temperature sensor 62b detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 22b. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 65b detects refrigerant leakage. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 65b is configured, for example, by an infrared sensor. The compressor 11, condenser 12, expansion valve 21b, and evaporator 22b constitute the second refrigerant circuit.

[0023] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the management procedure for the refrigeration and air conditioning system of Embodiment 1. The steps in this flowchart are performed at a predetermined frequency (for example, once a week).

[0024] In step S41, if a scheduled date for refrigerant leak detection sensor replacement is entered in the inspection schedule list, the process proceeds to step S42; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S44. Multiple scheduled dates may be entered.

[0025] In step S42, if the inspection schedule list includes a method for notifying the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b, the process proceeds to step S43; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an example of a method for notifying the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b.

[0027] The refrigerant leak management device 6 can be configured to notify at least one of the following methods: notification on the remote control screen of the refrigeration and air conditioning unit 1, notification on the screen of the refrigerant leak management device 6, notification on the screen of the system controller, notification on the screen of the remote monitoring device, notification on the screen of the equipment information management system, notification via email to the customer, notification via email to the maintenance personnel, notification to the customer via SNS (Social Networking Service, such as LINE®), and notification to the maintenance personnel via SNS.

[0028] In step S43, the inspection schedule list requires a recipient for notification of the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b. If this is set, the process proceeds to step S45; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0029] Figure 5 shows an example of the recipient of notifications regarding the scheduled replacement dates for the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b.

[0030] If a notification recipient is required for the configured notification method, a notification recipient can be set. The refrigerant leak management device 6 can be configured to notify the customer's email address, the maintenance worker's email address, the customer's LINE address, the maintenance worker's LINE address, the customer's SNS account, or the maintenance worker's SNS account.

[0031] In step S44, the refrigerant leak management device 6 displays a message indicating that no settings have been entered and prompting the user to enter them.

[0032] In step S45, if the current date (today) has passed the scheduled replacement date for the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0033] In step S46, the refrigerant leak management device 6 obtains the scheduled maintenance dates for the equipment of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 from the equipment maintenance schedule list. The equipment of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an outdoor fan 13, a high-pressure sensor 16, a low-pressure sensor 18, a compressor discharge temperature sensor 51, a condenser outlet temperature sensor 53, expansion valves 21a and 21b, evaporators 22a and 32b, indoor fans 23a and 23b, evaporator gas-side temperature sensors 61a and 61b, evaporator liquid-side temperature sensors 62a and 62b, a first liquid shut-off valve 25a, a first gas shut-off valve 26a, a second liquid shut-off valve 25b, and a second gas shut-off valve 26b.

[0034] In step S47, if the difference between the scheduled maintenance date for the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 and the scheduled replacement dates for the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold (for example, 30 days), the process proceeds to step S48. If the difference exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S49.

[0035] In step S48, the refrigerant leak management device 6 notifies the designated notification method and recipient of instructions to coordinate the scheduled maintenance date for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 1 with the scheduled replacement date for the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b.

[0036] In step S49, the refrigerant leak management device 6 notifies the designated notification method and recipient of the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensors 65a and 65b.

[0037] Conventionally, if the maintenance schedule for the components of a refrigeration and air conditioning system and the replacement schedule for the refrigerant leak detection sensor do not align, multiple maintenance operations must be performed in a short period, resulting in inefficiency and high costs. According to this embodiment, by obtaining the scheduled maintenance dates for the components of the refrigeration and air conditioning system, the refrigerant leak detection sensor can be replaced systematically in accordance with the maintenance schedule for the components of the refrigeration and air conditioning system, and the maintenance schedule for the components of the refrigeration and air conditioning system and the replacement schedule for the refrigerant leak detection sensor can be centrally managed.

[0038] Conventionally, the replacement time for the refrigerant leak detection sensor was only displayed on the screen of a specific device, which meant there was a possibility of forgetting to replace the sensor. This embodiment allows for setting methods other than displaying on the screen of a specific device, as well as notification destinations, so that the replacement time for the refrigerant leak detection sensor can be reliably determined in advance. As a result, the refrigerant leak detection sensor can be replaced without forgetting the replacement timing, thus enabling the safe use of the refrigeration and air conditioning system.

[0039] The refrigerant leak management device 6 described in Embodiment 1 above can be configured using digital circuit hardware or software for the corresponding operation. When the refrigerant leak management device 6 is implemented using software, for example, as shown in Figure 6, the refrigerant leak management device 6 includes a processor 202 connected by a bus 206, a memory 201, a display device 203, an input device 204, and a communication device 205, and the processor 202 can execute a program stored in the memory 201.

[0040] Note that steps S46, S47, and S48 may be omitted in the flowchart of Figure 3. In other words, the refrigerant leak management device 6 may notify that the refrigerant leak detection sensor needs to be replaced, regardless of the scheduled maintenance date for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, based on the settings in steps S41, S42, and S43.

[0041] The embodiments described above are specific examples of the following appendix. (Note 1) A refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management system comprising a refrigeration leak management device that notifies the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor when the difference between the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0042] (Note 2) The refrigerant leakage management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system as described in Appendix 1, which sets a notification method and performs the notification in accordance with the set notification method.

[0043] (Note 3) A refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management system comprising a refrigerant leak management device that sets a notification method and notifies the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensor according to the set notification method.

[0044] (Note 4) The refrigerant leak management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system as described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the notification method can be configured to send notifications to customers or maintenance personnel via email.

[0045] (Note 5) The refrigerant leak management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system as described in any one of the appendices 2 to 4, wherein the notification method can be configured to notify customers or maintenance personnel via social media.

[0046] (Note 6) The refrigerant leak management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system as described in any one of the appendices 2 to 4, wherein the notification method can be configured to notify customers or maintenance personnel via LINE.

[0047] (Note 7) The refrigerant leak management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to any one of the appendices 2 to 6, wherein the notification method allows the screen of a remote monitoring device to be set.

[0048] (Note 8) The refrigerant leakage management device is a refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to any one of the appendices 2 to 7, wherein the notification method is set to the screen of the remote control of the refrigeration and air conditioning system.

[0049] (Note 9) Steps to obtain the scheduled date for maintenance and inspection of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, The steps include obtaining the scheduled date for replacing the refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of the aforementioned refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management method comprising the step of notifying the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor if the difference between the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0050] (Note 10) The steps include setting a notification method for the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, and A refrigeration and air conditioning management method comprising the step of notifying the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensor in accordance with the set notification method. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1 Refrigeration and air conditioning unit, 5 Measurement and control unit, 6 Refrigerant leak management device, 7 System controller, 8 Remote monitoring device, 9 Equipment information management system, 10 Outdoor unit, 11 Compressor, 12 Condenser, 13 Outdoor fan, 16 High pressure sensor, 18 Low pressure sensor, 20a Indoor unit, 20a First indoor unit, 20b Second indoor unit, 21a, 21b Expansion valve, 22a, 22b Evaporator, 23a, 23b Indoor fan, 25a First liquid shut-off valve, 25b Second liquid shut-off valve, 26a First gas shut-off valve, 26b Second gas shut-off valve, 41 Liquid piping, 42 Gas piping, 51 Compressor discharge temperature sensor, 53 Condenser outlet temperature sensor, 61a, 61b Evaporator gas side temperature sensor, 62a, 62b Evaporator liquid side temperature sensor, 65a, 65b Refrigerant leak detection sensor, 100 Refrigeration and air conditioning management system, 201 Memory, 202 Processor, 203 Display device, 205 Communication device, 206 Bus, 601 Input unit, 602 Measurement unit, 603 Judgment unit, 604 Judgment value recording unit, 605 Output unit, 606 Display setting unit, 607 Equipment information recording unit, 608 Notification unit.

Claims

1. A refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management system comprising a refrigeration leak management device that notifies the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor when the difference between the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

2. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant leakage management device sets a notification method and performs the notification in accordance with the set notification method.

3. A refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management system comprising a refrigerant leak management device that sets a notification method and notifies the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensor according to the set notification method.

4. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerant leakage management device can be configured to notify customers or maintenance personnel by email as the notification method.

5. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerant leakage management device can be configured to notify customers or maintenance personnel via social media as the notification method.

6. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerant leakage management device can be configured to notify customers or maintenance personnel via LINE as the notification method.

7. The refrigeration and air conditioning management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerant leakage management device allows the screen of a remote monitoring device to be set as the notification method.

8. The refrigerant leakage management device is configured such that the screen of the remote control of the refrigeration and air conditioning system can be set as the notification method. (Refrigeration and air conditioning system according to claim 2 or 3.)

9. Steps to obtain the scheduled date for maintenance and inspection of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, The steps include obtaining the scheduled date for replacing the refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of the aforementioned refrigeration and air conditioning system, A refrigeration and air conditioning management method comprising the step of notifying the system to adjust the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor if the difference between the scheduled maintenance date and the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor is less than or equal to a threshold.

10. The steps include setting a notification method for the scheduled replacement date of the refrigerant leak detection sensor installed in the indoor unit of a refrigeration and air conditioning system, and A refrigeration and air conditioning management method comprising the step of notifying the scheduled date for replacement of the refrigerant leak detection sensor in accordance with the set notification method.

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