Refrigerant charging method, control device, and program

Abstract

This reduces the burden on workers who are responsible for filling multiple refrigeration units with refrigerant. [Solution] A method for filling first and second refrigeration devices (21, 22) with refrigerant from a refrigerant cylinder (2) comprises first and second filling steps (210, 230). In the first filling step (210), the control device (6) performs predetermined processing in each of the first start step (211), the first decision step (212), and the first stop step (219). In the second filling step (230), the control device (6) performs predetermined processing in each of the second start step (231), the second decision step (232), and the second stop step (239).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant filling method, a control device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system and method for filling a refrigerant into a refrigeration device. For maintenance work or the like, an operation of filling the refrigerant from a refrigerant cylinder into the refrigeration device purchased by a customer is performed. In this operation, an operator connects the refrigerant cylinder to the refrigeration device via a refrigerant hose or the like, and supplies the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder to the refrigeration device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When filling a plurality of refrigeration devices with refrigerant, the refrigerant filling operation is performed individually for each of the plurality of refrigeration devices. Specifically, an operator first connects a refrigerant cylinder to the first refrigeration device and fills the first refrigeration device with refrigerant. When the filling of the refrigerant for the first refrigeration device is completed, the operator reconnects the refrigerant cylinder to the second refrigeration device and fills the second refrigeration device with refrigerant. Therefore, when filling a plurality of refrigeration devices with refrigerant, an operator needs to be near the refrigeration device to be filled with refrigerant until the filling of the refrigerant for all the refrigeration devices is completed, and the burden on the operator performing the refrigerant filling operation is large.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the burden on an operator who performs an operation of filling a plurality of refrigeration devices with refrigerant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for filling the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) in a refrigerant charging system (1) which includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration unit (21) and a second refrigeration unit (22), each of which is connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), and a control device (6) that communicates with the measuring device (5).

[0007] The refrigerant charging method of the first embodiment comprises: a first acquisition step (201) in which the control device (6) acquires identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22); a first charging step (210) in which, after the completion of the first acquisition step (201), the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) is charged into the first refrigeration device (21); and a second charging step (230) in which, after the completion of the first charging step (210), the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) is charged into the second refrigeration device (22).

[0008] In the first embodiment of the refrigerant charging method, the first charging step (210) is a first start step (211) in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), and the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is determined based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a preset amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21). The system includes a first determination step (212) in which the control device (6) determines whether or not the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2), and a first stop step (219) in which, if the control device (6) determines in the first determination step (212) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2), the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), thereby stopping the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0009] In the first embodiment of the refrigerant charging method, the second charging step (230) is a second start step (231) in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), and the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is determined based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a second set refrigerant amount which is a preset amount of refrigerant for the second refrigeration device (22). The system includes a second determination step (232) in which the control device (6) determines whether or not the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2), and a second stop step (239) in which, if the control device (6) determines in the second determination step (232) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2), the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), thereby stopping the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22).

[0010] In the first embodiment, a first filling step (210) is performed after the completion of the first acquisition step (201), and a second filling step (230) is performed after the completion of the first filling step (210). In the first filling step (210), the control device (6) performs predetermined processing in each of the first start step (211), the first decision step (212), and the first stop step (219). In the second filling step (230), the control device (6) performs predetermined processing in each of the second start step (231), the second decision step (232), and the second stop step (239).

[0011] Therefore, in the refrigerant charging method of the first embodiment, the switch from the first charging step (210) to the second charging step (230) is performed automatically. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, during the process of charging the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), the worker can leave the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), thereby reducing the burden on the worker who is performing the work of charging refrigerant to multiple refrigeration devices.

[0012] A second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, comprises a second acquisition step (203) performed between the first acquisition step (201) and the first filling step (210), wherein the control device (6) acquires a first refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant to be filled into the first refrigeration device (21) as identified based on the identification information of the first refrigeration device (21), and a second refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant to be filled into the second refrigeration device (22) as identified based on the identification information of the second refrigeration device (22).

[0013] In the second embodiment, in the second acquisition step (203), the control device (6) acquires the first refrigerant type and the second refrigerant type.

[0014] A third aspect of the present disclosure is, in the second aspect described above, in the second acquisition step (203), the control device (6) acquires the type of refrigerant to be filled, which is the type of refrigerant in the refrigerant cylinder (2), and if the control device (6) determines that the type of refrigerant to be filled matches the first refrigerant type and the second refrigerant type, the control device (6) outputs a signal in the first start step to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0015] In the third embodiment, in the second acquisition step (203), the control device (6) acquires the type of refrigerant to be filled. When the control device (6) determines that the type of refrigerant to be filled matches the first type of refrigerant and the second type of refrigerant, it outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21). As a result, the appropriate type of refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to both the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure comprises, in any one of the first to third embodiments, a third acquisition step (204) performed between the first acquisition step (201) and the first filling step (210), wherein the third acquisition step (204) is a step in which the control device (6) acquires the first set refrigerant amount and the second set refrigerant amount.

[0017] In the fourth embodiment, in the third acquisition step (204), the control device (6) acquires the first set refrigerant amount and the second set refrigerant amount.

[0018] A fifth aspect of this disclosure, in the fourth aspect described above, in the third acquisition step (204), the control device (6) identifies the first set refrigerant amount based on the identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) acquired in the first acquisition step (201), and identifies the second set refrigerant amount based on the identification information of the second refrigeration device (22) acquired in the first acquisition step (201).

[0019] In the third acquisition step (204) of the fifth embodiment, the control device (6) identifies a first set refrigerant amount based on the identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and identifies a second set refrigerant amount based on the identification information of the second refrigeration device (22).

[0020] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first to third aspects, the first filling step (210) comprises a first suction step (213), the first suction step (213) being a step in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the first refrigeration device (21), and the first refrigeration device (21) suctions refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), and is performed when the control device (6) determines, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), that the condition indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is lower than a standard flow rate is met.

[0021] In the first filling step (210) of the sixth embodiment, the first suction step (213) is executed when the control device (6) determines that the condition "indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is lower than the standard flow rate" is met. In the first suction step (213), the compressor (50) of the first refrigeration device (21) is activated and the first refrigeration device (21) suctions refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2).

[0022] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first to third aspects, the second filling step (230) comprises a second suction step (233), the second suction step (233) being a step in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the second refrigeration device (22), and the second refrigeration device (22) suctions the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), and is performed when the control device (6) determines, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), that the condition indicating that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is lower than a standard flow rate is met.

[0023] In the second filling step (230) of the seventh aspect, when the control device (6) determines that a condition indicating that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is lower than the reference flow rate is satisfied, the second suction step (233) is executed. In the second suction step (233), the compressor (50) of the second refrigeration device (22) operates, and the second refrigeration device (22) sucks the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2).

[0024] In the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, the first filling step (210) includes a first interruption step (214), and the first interruption step (214) is a step in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), and the supply of the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted.

[0025] In the eighth aspect, the first filling step (210) includes a first interruption step (214). In the first interruption step (214), the supply of the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted.

[0026] In the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the eighth aspect described above, the first interruption step (214) is a step in which the supply of the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted when an abnormality occurs during the execution of the first filling step (210).

[0027] The first interruption step (214) of the ninth aspect is executed when an abnormality occurs during the execution of the first filling step (210).

[0028] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is, in the eighth aspect, the first filling step (210) comprises a first restart step (217) performed after the first interruption step (214), wherein the first restart step (217) is a step in which, if a replacement cylinder, which is a different refrigerant cylinder from the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the first refrigeration device (21) at the time the first interruption step (214) was performed, the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21), and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21) is started.

[0029] In the tenth embodiment, the first filling step (210) comprises a first restart step (217). When a refrigerant cylinder (2) connected to the first refrigeration unit (21) is replaced from "the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the first refrigeration unit (21) when the first interruption step (214) was performed" to "a replacement cylinder which is a different refrigerant cylinder (2)", in the first restart step (217), the control device (6) outputs a predetermined signal and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration unit (21) is started.

[0030] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a step in which, in any one of the eighth to tenth embodiments, the first filling step (210) comprises a first storage step (216), the first storage step (216) is a step in which the control device (6) calculates a first interruption filling amount, which is the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) from the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is started in the first start step (211) to the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted in the first interruption step (214), using the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), and the control device (6) stores the calculated first interruption filling amount.

[0031] In the eleventh embodiment, the first filling step (210) comprises a first storage step (216). In the first storage step (216), the control device (6) calculates and stores the first interruption filling amount.

[0032] A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the first filling step (210) comprises a first interruption notification step (215), the first interruption notification step (215) being a step in which the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) was interrupted in the first interruption step (214).

[0033] In the twelfth embodiment, the first filling step (210) includes a first interruption notification step (215). In the first interruption notification step (215), the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) was interrupted in the first interruption step (214).

[0034] A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first to third embodiments, the second filling step (230) comprises a second interruption step (234), the second interruption step (234) being a step in which the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), thereby interrupting the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22).

[0035] In the 13th embodiment, the second filling step (230) includes a second interruption step (234). In the second interruption step (234), the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) is interrupted.

[0036] A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is, in the thirteenth aspect, the second interruption step (234) is a step in which the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is interrupted if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the second filling step (230).

[0037] The second interruption step (234) of the 14th embodiment is performed if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the second filling step (230).

[0038] A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the thirteenth aspect, the second filling step (230) comprises a second restart step (237) performed after the second interruption step (234), wherein the second restart step (237) is a step in which, if a replacement cylinder, which is a different refrigerant cylinder from the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the second refrigeration device (22) at the time the second interruption step (234) was performed, the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration device (22), and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration device (22) is started.

[0039] In the 15th embodiment, the second filling step (230) includes a second restart step (237). When a refrigerant cylinder (2) connected to the second refrigeration unit (22) is replaced from "the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the second refrigeration unit (22) when the second interruption step (234) was performed" to "a replacement cylinder which is a different refrigerant cylinder from that refrigerant cylinder (2)", in the second restart step (237), the control device (6) outputs a predetermined signal and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration unit (22) is started.

[0040] A sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a step in which, in any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth embodiments, the second filling step (230) comprises a second storage step (236), the second storage step (236) is a step in which the control device (6) calculates a second interruption filling amount, which is the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) from the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is started in the second start step (231) to the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is interrupted in the second interruption step (234), using the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), and the control device (6) stores the calculated second interruption filling amount.

[0041] In the sixteenth embodiment, the second filling step (230) comprises a second storage step (236). In the second storage step (236), the control device (6) calculates and stores the second interruption filling amount.

[0042] A 17th aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the 13th to 16th aspects, the second filling step (230) comprises a second interruption notification step (235), the second interruption notification step (235) being a step in which the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) was interrupted in the second interruption step (234).

[0043] In the 17th embodiment, the second filling step (230) includes a second interruption notification step (235). In the second interruption notification step (235), the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) was interrupted in the second interruption step (234).

[0044] An eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to seventeenth embodiments, includes a completion notification step (208) in which the control device (6) notifies that the refrigerant has been filled into the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22) after the refrigerant has been filled into the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), indicating that the filling operation has been completed.

[0045] In the 18th embodiment, a completion notification step (208) is performed. In the completion notification step (208), the control device (6) notifies that the filling operation has been completed.

[0046] A 19th aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, the refrigerant charging system (1) includes a valve mechanism (8) that individually controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) and the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), wherein in the first start step (211), the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), and in the first stop step (219), the control The device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). In the second start step (231), the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22). In the second stop step (239), the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22).

[0047] In the 19th embodiment, the control device (6) outputs signals to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the first filling step (210), a signal to stop the first filling step (210), a signal to start the second filling step (230), and a signal to stop the second filling step (230).

[0048] A twentieth aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (6) provided in a refrigerant charging system (1) which includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration device (21) and a second refrigeration device (22), each connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), and a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), and which assists in the operation of charging the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) into the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22).

[0049] The control device (6) of the 20th embodiment communicates with the measuring device (5) and performs a first acquisition process to acquire identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), a first filling process to fill the first refrigeration device (21) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) after the completion of the first acquisition process, and a second filling process to fill the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) after the completion of the first filling process.

[0050] The control device (6) of the 20th embodiment performs, in the first filling process, a first start process that starts supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21); a first determination process that determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21); and a first stop process that stops supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) if the first determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount.

[0051] The control device (6) of the 20th embodiment performs, in the second charging process, a second start process which starts supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22); a second determination process which determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a second set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the second refrigeration device (22); and if the second determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, a second stop process which stops supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22).

[0052] In the 20th embodiment, the control device (6) performs a first filling process after the completion of the first acquisition process, and performs a second filling process after the completion of the first filling process. In the first filling process, the control device (6) performs a first start process, a first decision process, and a first stop process. In the second filling process, the control device (6) performs a second start process, a second decision process, and a second stop process.

[0053] The control device of the 20th embodiment performs a predetermined process, which automatically switches from a state in which "refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2) is supplied to the first refrigeration device (21)" to a state in which "refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2) is supplied to the second refrigeration device (22)". Accordingly, according to this embodiment, during the process of filling the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2), the worker can leave the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), thereby reducing the burden on the worker who is performing the work of filling multiple refrigeration devices with refrigerant.

[0054] A 21st aspect of this disclosure is a program that causes a computer constituting the control device (6) to execute a process to assist in the operation of filling the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), in a refrigerant charging system (1) which includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration device (21) and a second refrigeration device (22), a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), respectively, in the refrigerant charging system (1) which includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration device (21) and a second refrigeration device (22), respectively.

[0055] The program according to the 21st embodiment described above causes the computer to perform a first acquisition process to acquire identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), a first filling process to fill the first refrigeration device (21) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) after the completion of the first acquisition process, and a second filling process to fill the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) after the completion of the first filling process.

[0056] The program of the 21st embodiment described above causes the computer to execute the following in the first filling process: a first start process which starts supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21); a first determination process which determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21); and a first stop process which stops supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) if the first determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount.

[0057] The program of the 21st embodiment described above causes the computer to execute the following in the second filling process: a second start process which starts supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22); a second determination process which determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a second set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the second refrigeration device (22); and a second stop process which stops supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) if the second determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount.

[0058] In the 21st embodiment, the computer constituting the control device (6) executes a program. The computer constituting the control device (6) performs a first filling process after the completion of the first acquisition process, and performs a second filling process after the completion of the first filling process. In the first filling process, the computer constituting the control device (6) performs a first start process, a first decision process, and a first stop process. In the second filling process, the computer constituting the control device (6) performs a second start process, a second decision process, and a second stop process.

[0059] The computer executing the program of the 21st embodiment performs predetermined processing, thereby automatically switching from the state in which "refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2) is supplied to the first refrigeration device (21)" to the state in which "refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2) is supplied to the second refrigeration device (22)". Accordingly, according to this embodiment, during the process of filling the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from refrigerant cylinder (2), the worker can leave the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), thereby reducing the burden on the worker performing the task of filling multiple refrigeration devices with refrigerant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0060] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the refrigerant charging system of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of the control device for the refrigerant charging system of Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable terminal device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the centralized control system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller for the refrigeration system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a piping diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 6, showing the refrigerant flow path during refrigerant suction operation of a refrigeration system. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the refrigerant charging method of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the filling step of the refrigerant filling method of Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flow chart showing the refrigerant charging step of the refrigerant charging method of Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the refrigerant charging system of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0061] Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 will now be described.

[0062] - Refrigerant charging system - The refrigerant charging system (1) in which the refrigerant charging method of the embodiment is carried out will be described. The refrigerant charging system (1) is a system for performing the operation of charging refrigerant into a refrigeration device.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant charging system (1) comprises four refrigeration units (21-24) to be charged and one refrigerant cylinder (2). The number of refrigeration units included in the refrigerant charging system (1) is not limited to four; two or more units are acceptable. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the refrigerant charging system (1) also comprises a mass meter (5), a control device (6), and a data storage device (120).

[0064] <Refrigeration equipment> As shown in Figure 1, each of the four refrigeration units (21-24) is attached to the corresponding transport container (11-14). The first refrigeration unit (21) is attached to the first transport container (11). The second refrigeration unit (22) is attached to the second transport container (12). The third refrigeration unit (23) is attached to the third transport container (13). The fourth refrigeration unit (24) is attached to the fourth transport container (14).

[0065] <Refrigerant cylinder> The refrigerant cylinder (2) stores refrigerant for supply to the refrigeration units (21-24). As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant cylinder (2) is connected to all four refrigeration units (21-24) via a manifold gauge (3) and refrigerant hoses (4). As will be described later, the refrigerant hoses (4) are connected to service ports (64) provided in the refrigerant circuits (30) of each refrigeration unit (21-24).

[0066] <Mass meter> The mass meter (5) measures the mass of the refrigerant cylinders (2) connected to the refrigeration units (21-24). The mass meter (5) is a measuring device that measures a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinders (2) to each refrigeration unit (21-24). The mass meter (5) measures the mass of the refrigerant cylinders (2) as the refrigerant quantity index.

[0067] As shown in Figure 2, the mass meter (5) is equipped with a communication device (5a). The communication device (5a) performs wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The mass meter (5) equipped with the communication device (5a) can communicate with the control device (6) via a communication line (7) such as the Internet. The mass meter (5) outputs the measured mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the outside via the communication line (7).

[0068] The communication device (5a) of the mass meter (5) may perform wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Bluetooth®. In this case, the mass meter (5) communicates directly with other devices without going through the communication line (7).

[0069] <Data storage device> The data storage device (120) stores various information related to the transport container and refrigeration equipment. As shown in Figure 2, the data storage device (120) can communicate with the control device (6) via a communication line (7) such as the Internet. For example, cloud storage can be used as the data storage device (120).

[0070] <Control device> In the refrigerant charging system (1), the controllers (90) of all the refrigeration devices (21-24) included in the refrigerant charging system (1), the portable terminals (100) carried by the workers, and the centralized control device (110) constitute the control device (6).

[0071] The controller for the first refrigeration unit (21) is the first controller (90a). The controller for the second refrigeration unit (22) is the second controller (90b). The controller for the third refrigeration unit (23) is the third controller (90c). The controller for the fourth refrigeration unit (24) is the fourth controller (90d). In the refrigerant charging system (1) of this embodiment, the first controller (90a), the second controller (90b), the third controller (90c), and the fourth controller (90d), together with the portable terminal (100) and the centralized management device (110), constitute the control device (6).

[0072] The controllers (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24), the portable terminals (100), and the centralized control unit (110) can communicate with each other via a communication line (7) such as the Internet. In addition, the controllers (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24), the portable terminals (100), and the centralized control unit (110) can communicate with the mass meter (5) via the communication line (7).

[0073] The controllers (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24), the portable terminals (100), and the centralized control unit (110) are computers that constitute the control unit (6). In this specification, "computer" refers to "a machine that stores a program describing a calculation procedure (algorithm) and performs calculations according to the stored program." Therefore, "computer" in this specification includes large computers, personal computers, tablet computers, smartphones, microcomputers, etc.

[0074] <Portable terminals> As shown in Figure 3, the portable terminal (100) comprises a display (101), an arithmetic processor (102), a memory device (103), and a communication device (104). The portable terminal (100) is, for example, a smartphone or tablet computer carried by an employee.

[0075] The display unit (101) is, for example, a touch panel display. The display unit (101) has the function of displaying characters and images, and the function of being an input interface in which an operator inputs information such as characters.

[0076] The arithmetic processing unit (102) is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs arithmetic processing. The arithmetic processing unit (102) executes a program stored in the memory device (103).

[0077] The memory device (103) is a semiconductor memory. The memory device (103) stores, for example, a program executed by the arithmetic processor (102) and data necessary for the arithmetic processing of the arithmetic processor (102). In particular, the memory device (103) stores an application program for realizing the processing performed by the portable terminal (100) in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment.

[0078] The communication device (104) performs wireless communication using a mobile communication network. The communication device (104) also performs wireless communication based on communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). A portable terminal (100) equipped with the communication device (104) can communicate with other devices via a communication line (7) such as the Internet.

[0079] <Centralized control device> As shown in Figure 4, the centralized control device (110) comprises an arithmetic processor (111), a memory device (112), and a communication device (113). The centralized control device (110) is, for example, a large computer. An example of a location for installing the centralized control device (110) is a location away from the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the refrigerant charging method.

[0080] The arithmetic processing unit (111) is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs arithmetic processing. The arithmetic processing unit (111) executes a program stored in the memory device (112).

[0081] The memory device (112) is either a semiconductor memory or an HDD (hard disk drive). The memory device (112) stores, for example, a program executed by the arithmetic processor (111) and data necessary for the arithmetic processing of the arithmetic processor (111). In particular, the memory device (112) stores an application program for realizing the processing performed by the centralized control device (110) in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment.

[0082] The communication device (113) performs wireless communication using a mobile communication network. The communication device (113) also performs wireless communication based on communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The centralized management device (110) equipped with the communication device (113) can communicate with other devices via a communication line (7) such as the Internet.

[0083] <Controller for refrigeration system> As shown in Figure 5, the controller (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) includes a microcomputer (91), a memory device (92), and a communication device (93).

[0084] The microcomputer (91) is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs arithmetic processing. The microcomputer (91) executes programs stored in the memory device (92).

[0085] The memory device (92) is a semiconductor memory. The memory device (92) stores, for example, a program executed by the microcomputer (91) and data necessary for the calculations performed by the microcomputer (91). In particular, the memory device (92) stores a program for realizing the processing performed by the controller (90) in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment.

[0086] The communication device (93) performs wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The controller (90) equipped with the communication device (93) can communicate with other devices via a communication line (7) such as the Internet.

[0087] Furthermore, the communication device (93) of the controller (90) may also have a function to perform wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Bluetooth®. In this case, the controller (90) can communicate directly with other devices without going through the communication line (7).

[0088] The controller (90) receives the measured values ​​from sensors installed in the refrigeration unit (10). Based on the measured values ​​from the sensors, the controller (90) controls the components of the refrigeration unit (10), which will be described later. For example, the controller (90) controls the rotational speed of the low-stage compressor (51), the rotational speed of the high-stage compressor (52), the opening degree of the first to fourth expansion valves (EV1 to EV4), the opening degree of the first to second electric valves (MV1, MV2), the rotational speed of the external fan (26), the rotational speed of the internal fan (27), and so on.

[0089] -Refrigerant circuit of refrigeration system- The refrigerant circuit (30) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

[0090] The refrigerant circuit (30) includes a main circuit (31) and defrosting piping (32). The refrigerant circuit (30) also includes a gas-side connecting pipe (41), an intermediate connecting pipe (43), a low-stage connecting pipe (44), and a high-stage connecting pipe (45).

[0091] <Main circuit> The main circuit (31) includes a low-stage compressor (51), a high-stage compressor (52), an external heat exchanger (56), a receiver (62), and an internal heat exchanger (57). In the main circuit (31), the low-stage compressor (51), the high-stage compressor (52), the external heat exchanger (56), the receiver (62), and the internal heat exchanger (57) are connected in order by piping.

[0092] The discharge pipe of the low-stage compressor (51) is connected to the suction pipe of the high-stage compressor (52). A first check valve (CV1) and a first motorized valve (MV1) are provided in the piping connecting the discharge pipe of the low-stage compressor (51) and the suction pipe of the high-stage compressor (52). The first motorized valve (MV1) is positioned downstream of the first check valve (CV1). The first check valve (CV1) allows the flow of refrigerant in the direction of outflow from the low-stage compressor (51) and blocks the flow of refrigerant in the reverse direction.

[0093] The discharge pipe of the high-stage compressor (52) is connected to one end of the external heat exchanger (56). A second check valve (CV2) and a second motorized valve (MV2) are provided in the piping connecting the discharge pipe of the high-stage compressor (52) and one end of the external heat exchanger (56). The second motorized valve (MV2) is positioned downstream of the second check valve (CV2). The second check valve (CV2) allows the flow of refrigerant in the direction of outflow from the high-stage compressor (52) and prevents the flow of refrigerant in the reverse direction.

[0094] The other end of the external heat exchanger (56) is connected to the inlet of the receiver (62). The piping connecting the other end of the external heat exchanger (56) and the inlet of the receiver (62) is provided with the first flow path (61a) of the internal heat exchanger (61) and the first expansion valve (EV1). The first expansion valve (EV1) is located downstream of the internal heat exchanger (61).

[0095] The liquid outlet of the receiver (62) is connected to one end of the internal heat exchanger (57). The piping connecting the liquid outlet of the receiver (62) and one end of the internal heat exchanger (57) includes a first solenoid valve (SV1), a service port (64), and a second expansion valve (EV2). The second expansion valve (EV2) is located downstream of the first solenoid valve (SV1). The service port (64) is located between the first solenoid valve (SV1) and the second expansion valve (EV2).

[0096] The other end of the internal heat exchanger (57) is connected to the suction pipe of the low-stage compressor (51).

[0097] In the main circuit (31), the first expansion valve (EV1) is located upstream of the receiver (62), and the second expansion valve (EV2) is located downstream of the receiver (62). The first expansion valve (EV1) and the second expansion valve (EV2) are the expansion valves (65) of the refrigerant circuit (30).

[0098] <Gas side connection pipe> One end of the gas-side connecting pipe (41) is connected to the gas outlet of the receiver (62). The other end of the gas-side connecting pipe (41) is connected to one end of the intermediate connecting pipe (43). The gas-side connecting pipe (41) is provided with a second solenoid valve (SV2) and a second flow path (61b) of the internal heat exchanger (61). The second flow path (61b) of the internal heat exchanger (61) is located downstream of the second solenoid valve (SV2).

[0099] <Liquid-side connecting pipe> One end of the liquid-side connecting pipe (42) is connected between the first solenoid valve (SV1) and the second expansion valve (EV2) in the main circuit (31). The other end of the liquid-side connecting pipe (42) is connected to one end of the intermediate connecting pipe (43). A third expansion valve (EV3) is provided in the liquid-side connecting pipe (42).

[0100] <Intermediate connecting pipe> As described above, one end of the intermediate connecting pipe (43) is connected to the other end of the gas-side connecting pipe (41) and the other end of the liquid-side connecting pipe (42). The other end of the intermediate connecting pipe (43) is connected between the first electric valve (MV1) and the high-stage compressor (52) in the main circuit (31). A third check valve (CV3) is provided in the intermediate connecting pipe (43). The third check valve (CV3) allows the flow of refrigerant from one end of the intermediate connecting pipe (43) to the other end, and prevents the flow of refrigerant in the reverse direction.

[0101] <Low-stage connecting pipe> The low-stage connecting pipe (44) is a pipe that bypasses the low-stage compressor (51) and allows refrigerant to flow. One end of the low-stage connecting pipe (44) is connected between the suction pipe of the low-stage compressor (51) and the internal heat exchanger (57) in the main circuit (31). The other end of the low-stage connecting pipe (44) is connected between the first check valve (CV1) and the first motorized valve (MV1) in the main circuit (31). A fourth check valve (CV4) is provided in the low-stage connecting pipe (44). The fourth check valve (CV4) allows the flow of refrigerant from one end of the low-stage connecting pipe (44) to the other end, and prevents the flow of refrigerant in the reverse direction.

[0102] <High-stage connecting pipe> The high-stage connecting pipe (45) is a pipe that bypasses the high-stage compressor (52) and allows refrigerant to flow. One end of the high-stage connecting pipe (45) is connected between the first check valve (CV1) and the first motorized valve (MV1) in the main circuit (31). The other end of the high-stage connecting pipe (45) is connected between the second check valve (CV2) and the second motorized valve (MV2) in the main circuit (31). A fifth check valve (CV5) is provided in the high-stage connecting pipe (45). The fifth check valve (CV5) allows the flow of refrigerant from one end of the high-stage connecting pipe (45) to the other end, and prevents the flow of refrigerant in the reverse direction.

[0103] <Defrost piping> One end of the defrosting pipe (32) is connected between the second check valve (CV2) and the second electric valve (MV2) in the main circuit (31). In the main circuit (31), one end of the defrosting pipe (32) is located downstream of the other end of the high-stage connecting pipe (45). The other end of the defrosting pipe (32) is connected between the second expansion valve (EV2) and the internal heat exchanger (57) in the main circuit (31).

[0104] The defrosting piping (32) is equipped with, in order from one end to the other, a third solenoid valve (SV3), a drain pan heater (63), a reheat heat exchanger (58), and a fourth expansion valve (EV4). The drain pan heater (63) is a pipe attached to the drain pan. The drain pan heater (63) heats the drain pan with the refrigerant flowing through it.

[0105] <Expansion valve> The first expansion valve (EV1), second expansion valve (EV2), third expansion valve (EV3), and fourth expansion valve (EV4) are each so-called electronic expansion valves. Each expansion valve (EV1 to EV5) comprises a valve body and a stepping motor that drives the valve body. When the valve body is moved by the stepping motor, the opening degree of the expansion valves (EV1 to EV4) changes continuously.

[0106] <Electric valve> The first electric valve (MV1) and the second electric valve (MV2) are both variable-opening valves. Each electric valve (MV1, MV2) comprises a valve body and a stepping motor that drives the valve body. When the valve body is moved by the stepping motor, the opening degree of the electric valves (MV1, MV2) changes continuously.

[0107] <Solenoid valve> The first solenoid valve (SV1), the second solenoid valve (SV2), and the third solenoid valve (SV3) are each on-off valves. Each solenoid valve (SV1 to SV3) comprises a valve body and a solenoid that drives the valve body. When the valve body is moved by the solenoid, the solenoid valves (SV1 to SV3) open and close.

[0108] <Service port> The service port (64) is a port for injecting refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit (30). The service port (64) has a fitting for connecting the refrigerant hose (4).

[0109] <Low-stage compressor, high-stage compressor> The low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) are both fully enclosed scroll compressors. Although not shown in the diagram, each of the low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) comprises a compression mechanism, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, and a casing that houses the compression mechanism and the electric motor. The compression mechanism is a scroll-type fluid machine that draws in a refrigerant and compresses it.

[0110] An accumulator (51a) is provided in the suction pipe of the low-stage compressor (51). An accumulator (52a) is provided in the suction pipe of the high-stage compressor (52). The low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) each compress the refrigerant drawn in from the suction pipe and discharge the compressed refrigerant from the discharge pipe. The low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) are compressors (50) provided in the refrigerant circuit (30).

[0111] Note that the low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) are not limited to scroll compressors. The low-stage compressor (51) and the high-stage compressor (52) may be, for example, a rotary compressor or a reciprocating compressor.

[0112] <External heat exchanger, internal heat exchanger, reheat heat exchanger> As described above, the external heat exchanger (56), the internal heat exchanger (57), and the reheat heat exchanger (58) are each fin-and-tube heat exchangers that exchange heat between the refrigerant and the air. The external heat exchanger (56) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air. The internal heat exchanger (57) and the reheat heat exchanger (58) each exchange heat between the refrigerant and the inside air. In the direction of the airflow inside the chamber, the reheat heat exchanger (58) is located downstream of the internal heat exchanger (57).

[0113] <Internal heat exchanger> The internal heat exchanger (61) is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerants. In this embodiment, the internal heat exchanger (61) is a plate-type heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger (61) has a first flow path (61a) and a second flow path (61b). The first flow path (61a) of the internal heat exchanger (61) is located between the external heat exchanger (56) and the first expansion valve (EV1) in the main circuit (31). The second flow path (61b) of the internal heat exchanger (61) is located downstream of the second solenoid valve (SV2) in the gas-side connecting pipe (41). The internal heat exchanger (61) exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path (61a) and the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path (61b).

[0114] <Receiver> The receiver (62) is a container-shaped component for storing the refrigerant. The receiver (62) also functions as a gas-liquid separator. The receiver (62) separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing in from the inlet into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant. In the receiver (62), the liquid refrigerant accumulates at the bottom of the receiver (62) and flows out through a liquid outlet formed at the bottom of the receiver (62). In the receiver (62), the gaseous refrigerant accumulates at the top of the receiver (62) and flows out through a gas outlet formed at the top of the receiver (62).

[0115] <Sensors related to low-stage compressors> In the main circuit (31), a low-stage suction temperature sensor (70) and a low-stage suction pressure sensor (75) are provided in the piping connected to the suction pipe of the low-stage compressor (51). The low-stage suction temperature sensor (70) measures the temperature of the refrigerant suctioned by the low-stage compressor (51). The low-stage suction pressure sensor (75) measures the pressure of the refrigerant suctioned by the low-stage compressor (51).

[0116] In the main circuit (31), a low-stage discharge temperature sensor (71) and a low-stage discharge pressure sensor (76) are provided in the piping between the discharge pipe of the low-stage compressor (51) and the first check valve (CV1). The low-stage discharge temperature sensor (71) measures the temperature of the refrigerant discharged by the low-stage compressor (51). The low-stage discharge pressure sensor (76) measures the pressure of the refrigerant discharged by the low-stage compressor (51).

[0117] <Sensors related to high-stage compressors> In the main circuit (31), a high-stage suction temperature sensor (72) and a high-stage suction pressure sensor (77) are provided in the piping between the suction pipe of the high-stage compressor (52) and the first electric valve (MV1). The high-stage suction temperature sensor (72) measures the temperature of the refrigerant suctioned by the high-stage compressor (52). The high-stage suction pressure sensor (77) measures the pressure of the refrigerant suctioned by the high-stage compressor (52).

[0118] In the main circuit (31), a high-stage discharge temperature sensor (73) and a high-stage discharge pressure sensor (78) are provided in the piping between the discharge pipe of the high-stage compressor (52) and the second check valve (CV2). The high-stage discharge temperature sensor (73) measures the temperature of the refrigerant discharged by the high-stage compressor (52). The high-stage discharge pressure sensor (78) measures the pressure of the refrigerant discharged by the high-stage compressor (52).

[0119] <Other sensors> The refrigerant circuit (30) is equipped with a receiver pressure sensor (79), first to fourth refrigerant temperature sensors (81 to 84), and a heat exchanger temperature sensor (85).

[0120] The receiver pressure sensor (79) is connected between the receiver (62) and the second solenoid valve (SV2) in the gas-side connecting pipe (41). The receiver pressure sensor (79) measures the pressure of the refrigerant stored in the receiver (62).

[0121] The first refrigerant temperature sensor (81) is installed in the piping between the external heat exchanger (56) and the internal heat exchanger (61) in the main circuit (31). The first refrigerant temperature sensor (81) measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first flow path (61a) of the internal heat exchanger (61).

[0122] The second refrigerant temperature sensor (82) is installed in the piping between the receiver (62) and the first solenoid valve (SV1) in the main circuit (31). The second refrigerant temperature sensor (82) measures the temperature of the refrigerant that has flowed out from the liquid outlet of the receiver (62).

[0123] The third refrigerant temperature sensor (83) is installed in the piping between the second expansion valve (EV2) and the internal heat exchanger (57) in the main circuit (31). The third refrigerant temperature sensor (83) is positioned near one end of the internal heat exchanger (57). The third refrigerant temperature sensor (83) measures the temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet of the internal heat exchanger (57).

[0124] The fourth refrigerant temperature sensor (84) is installed in the piping between the internal heat exchanger (57) and the low-stage compressor (51) in the main circuit (31). The fourth refrigerant temperature sensor (84) is positioned near the other end of the internal heat exchanger (57). The fourth refrigerant temperature sensor (84) measures the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the internal heat exchanger (57).

[0125] The heat exchanger temperature sensor (85) is attached to the internal heat exchanger (57). The heat exchanger temperature sensor (85) measures the temperature of the internal heat exchanger (57).

[0126] -Refrigerant suction operation of the refrigeration system- Each refrigeration unit (21-24) is configured to perform refrigerant suction operation. Refrigerant suction operation is an operation performed to draw refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) into the refrigeration unit (21-24) during the process of filling the refrigerant circuit (30) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). Refrigerant suction operation is performed only when necessary in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment. Therefore, in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, it is possible that the refrigeration unit (21-24) does not perform refrigerant suction operation.

[0127] The refrigerant suction operation of the refrigeration system (21-24) will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0128] During refrigerant suction operation, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) operates the high-stage compressor (52) and the external fan (26), keeps the low-stage compressor (51) and the internal fan (27) stopped, keeps the first solenoid valve (SV1), the second solenoid valve (SV2), and the second electric valve (MV2) open, and keeps the first expansion valve (EV1), the second expansion valve (EV2), the third solenoid valve (SV3), and the first electric valve (MV1) closed.

[0129] When the high-stage compressor (52) is activated, the gaseous refrigerant in the receiver (62) is drawn into the high-stage compressor (52) through the gas-side connecting pipe (41). The high-stage compressor (52) compresses the drawn-in refrigerant and discharges it. The refrigerant discharged from the high-stage compressor (52) flows into the external heat exchanger (56), where it dissipates heat to the outside air and condenses. The condensed refrigerant accumulates in the external heat exchanger (56).

[0130] As described above, in refrigerant suction operation, the high-stage compressor (52) sucks gaseous refrigerant from the receiver (62), causing the internal pressure of the receiver to decrease. On the other hand, in refrigerant suction operation, the receiver (62) communicates with the service port (64) via the first solenoid valve (SV1). Therefore, when the internal pressure of the receiver (62) becomes lower than the internal pressure of the refrigerant cylinder (2), the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) flows into the receiver (62) through the refrigerant hose (4) and the service port (64) in sequence.

[0131] Here, for example, when the outside temperature is low, the internal pressure of the refrigerant cylinder (2) decreases, and the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) may decrease. In such cases, the refrigeration unit (21-24) performs a refrigerant suction operation. When the refrigeration unit (21-24) performs a refrigerant suction operation, the internal pressure of the receiver (62) decreases. Therefore, even when the internal pressure of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is relatively low, it becomes possible to allow the refrigerant in the refrigerant cylinder (2) to flow into the receiver (62) of the refrigeration unit (21-24).

[0132] - Valve mechanism - In the refrigerant circuit (30) of each refrigeration unit (21-24), the first solenoid valve (SV1) is located between the service port (64) and the receiver (62). When the refrigerant cylinder (2) is connected to the service port (64) via the refrigerant hose (4), when the first solenoid valve (SV1) opens, the refrigerant cylinder (2) and the receiver (62) are in communication, and when the first solenoid valve (SV1) closes, the connection between the refrigerant cylinder (2) and the receiver (62) is blocked.

[0133] The first solenoid valve (SV1) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) constitutes a valve mechanism (8) that individually controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the multiple refrigeration units (21-24). The first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration unit (21) is the first valve that controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21). The second solenoid valve (SV2) of the second refrigeration unit (22) is the second valve that controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22). The third solenoid valve (SV3) of the third refrigeration unit (23) is the third valve that controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the third refrigeration unit (23). The fourth solenoid valve (SV3) of the fourth refrigeration unit (24) is the fourth valve that controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0134] -Refrigerant charging method- The refrigerant charging method performed in the refrigerant charging system (1) described above will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0135] <Steps to obtain identification information> First, the identification information acquisition step (201) is performed. The identification information acquisition step (201) is a first acquisition step in which a portable terminal (100) constituting the control device (6) acquires the identification information of the refrigeration devices (21-24).

[0136] In the identification information acquisition step (201), the process performed by the portable terminal (100) is a first acquisition process to acquire the identification information of the refrigeration equipment (21-24). The portable terminal (100) has a program installed that causes the portable terminal (100) to execute the first acquisition process.

[0137] In the identification information acquisition step (201), the portable terminal (100) acquires the management code assigned to the shipping container (11-14). The management code is a symbol assigned individually to each shipping container based on the international standard ISO 6346. The management code is printed on the outer wall of the shipping container to which it is assigned.

[0138] For example, the portable terminal (100) obtains the management code from an image of the management code taken by the worker. Alternatively, the portable terminal (100) may obtain the management code by inputting the management code that the worker has visually read into the portable terminal (100).

[0139] Once a management code is identified, the shipping container to which that management code is assigned can be identified, and further, the refrigeration unit attached to that shipping container can be identified. Therefore, the management code assigned to a shipping container is identification information for the refrigeration unit attached to that shipping container.

[0140] <Steps to identify the model> Next, the model identification step (202) is performed. The model identification step (202) is a step in which the portable terminal (100) that constitutes the control device (6) identifies the model of the refrigeration unit (21-24) attached to the transport container (11-14) from which the management code was obtained in the identification information acquisition step (201).

[0141] The data storage device (120) stores the management code assigned to the transport container and the model of the refrigeration unit attached to the transport container to which the management code is assigned, in association with each other. The portable terminal (100) identifies the model of the refrigeration unit corresponding to the management code by referring to the management code of the transport container acquired in the identification information acquisition step (201) and the information stored in the data storage device (120), and retrieves the identified model of the refrigeration unit from the data storage device (120).

[0142] The refrigerant charging system (1) in which the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment is performed includes a first refrigeration unit (21), a second refrigeration unit (22), a third refrigeration unit (23), and a fourth refrigeration unit (24) as refrigeration units to be charged with refrigerant. The portable terminal (100) identifies the model of each refrigeration unit (21-24) and stores the identification information of each refrigeration unit (21-24) in association with the model of the refrigeration unit (21-24) obtained from the data storage device (120).

[0143] Specifically, the portable terminal (100) identifies the model of the first refrigeration unit (21) based on the management code assigned to the first transport container (11), and stores the management code of the first transport container (11) in association with the model of the first refrigeration unit (21). The portable terminal (100) also identifies the model of the second refrigeration unit (22) based on the management code assigned to the second transport container (12), and stores the management code of the second transport container (12) in association with the model of the second refrigeration unit (22). The portable terminal (100) also identifies the model of the third refrigeration unit (23) based on the management code assigned to the third transport container (13), and stores the management code of the third transport container (13) in association with the model of the third refrigeration unit (23). Furthermore, the portable terminal (100) identifies the model of the fourth refrigeration unit (24) based on the management code assigned to the fourth transport container (14), and stores the management code of the fourth transport container (14) in association with the model of the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0144] <Steps to obtain refrigerant type information> Next, the refrigerant type acquisition step (203) is performed. The refrigerant type acquisition step (203) is a second acquisition step in which a portable terminal (100) constituting the control device (6) acquires the type of refrigerant (refrigerant type) to be filled into the refrigeration unit, which has been identified based on the management code of the transport container (i.e., the identification information of the refrigeration unit).

[0145] In the refrigerant type acquisition step (203), the portable terminal (100) performs a second acquisition process to acquire the type of refrigerant (refrigerant type) to be filled into the "refrigeration device identified based on the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step (201)". The portable terminal (100) has a program installed that causes the portable terminal (100) to execute the second acquisition process.

[0146] The data storage device (120) stores the model of the refrigeration unit and the type of refrigerant used in that unit, in association with each other. The portable terminal (100) identifies the type of refrigerant used in the refrigeration unit by referring to the model of the refrigeration unit identified based on the management code of the transport container and the information stored in the data storage device (120). The portable terminal (100) then retrieves the identified refrigerant type from the data storage device (120). The refrigerant charging system (1) on which the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment is performed includes four refrigeration units (21-24). The portable terminal (100) stores the identification information of each refrigeration unit (21-24) and the type of refrigerant specified for each refrigeration unit (21-24) in association with each other.

[0147] Specifically, the portable terminal (100) stores in association the management code of the first transport container (11) corresponding to the first refrigeration unit (21) and the first refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant filled in the first refrigeration unit (21). The portable terminal (100) also stores in association the management code of the second transport container (12) corresponding to the second refrigeration unit (22) and the second refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant filled in the second refrigeration unit (22). The portable terminal (100) also stores in association the management code of the third transport container (13) corresponding to the third refrigeration unit (23) and the third refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant filled in the third refrigeration unit (23). Furthermore, the portable terminal (100) stores in association the management code of the fourth transport container (14) corresponding to the fourth refrigeration unit (24) and the fourth refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant filled into the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0148] In the refrigerant type acquisition step (203), the portable terminal (100) acquires the refrigerant type for charging. The refrigerant type is the type of refrigerant stored in the refrigerant cylinder (2). The portable terminal (100) stores the acquired refrigerant type for charging.

[0149] For example, the portable terminal (100) obtains the type of refrigerant to be filled by having the worker visually read the type of refrigerant written on the refrigerant cylinder (2) and input it into the portable terminal (100). Alternatively, the portable terminal (100) may obtain the type of refrigerant to be filled from an image of the refrigerant cylinder (2) taken by the worker (specifically, an image of the text or barcode written on the refrigerant cylinder (2)).

[0150] <Steps to obtain the set refrigerant amount> Next, the step of obtaining the set refrigerant amount (204) is performed. Note that the step of obtaining the set refrigerant amount (204) may be performed before the step of obtaining the refrigerant type (203), or it may be performed simultaneously with the step of obtaining the refrigerant type (203).

[0151] The set refrigerant amount acquisition step (204) is a third acquisition step in which a portable terminal (100) constituting the control device (6) acquires the set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant pre-set for the refrigeration device identified based on the management code of the transport container (i.e., the identification information of the refrigeration device) acquired in the identification information acquisition step (201). The set refrigerant amount is the amount of refrigerant that needs to be filled into the refrigeration device's refrigeration circuit in order for the refrigeration device to operate normally.

[0152] In the step of acquiring the set refrigerant amount (204), the portable terminal (100) performs a third acquisition process to acquire the set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant pre-set for the refrigeration equipment (21-24) identified based on the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step (201). The portable terminal (100) has a program installed that causes the portable terminal (100) to execute the third acquisition process.

[0153] The data storage device (120) stores the model of the refrigeration unit and the set refrigerant amount for that model of refrigeration unit in association with each other. The portable terminal (100) identifies the set refrigerant amount for the refrigeration unit by referring to the model of the refrigeration unit identified based on the management code of the transport container and the information stored in the data storage device (120). The portable terminal (100) then retrieves the set refrigerant amount identified in this way from the data storage device (120). The refrigerant charging system (1) on which the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment is performed includes four refrigeration units (21-24). The portable terminal (100) stores the identification information of each refrigeration unit (21-24) and the preset refrigerant amount for each refrigeration unit (21-24) in association with each other.

[0154] Specifically, the portable terminal (100) stores the management code of the first transport container (11) and the first set refrigerant amount pre-set for the first refrigeration unit (21) in association with each other. It also stores the management code of the second transport container (12) and the second set refrigerant amount pre-set for the second refrigeration unit (22) in association with each other. Furthermore, it stores the management code of the third transport container (13) and the third set refrigerant amount pre-set for the third refrigeration unit (23) in association with each other. Finally, it stores the management code of the fourth transport container (14) and the fourth set refrigerant amount pre-set for the fourth refrigeration unit (24) in association with each other.

[0155] <Steps to determine the type of refrigerant> Next, the refrigerant type determination step (205) is performed. The refrigerant type determination step (205) is a step in which the portable terminal (100) constituting the control device (6) determines whether the refrigerant type for charging obtained in the refrigerant type acquisition step (203) matches the refrigerant types for all refrigeration equipment obtained in the refrigerant type acquisition step (203).

[0156] As described above, the refrigerant charging system (1) in which the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment is performed includes a first refrigeration unit (21), a second refrigeration unit (22), a third refrigeration unit (23), and a fourth refrigeration unit (24) as the refrigeration units to be charged with refrigerant. In the refrigerant type determination step (205), the portable terminal (100) determines whether the type of refrigerant to be charged, which is the type of refrigerant stored in the refrigerant cylinder (2), matches the first refrigerant type of the first refrigeration unit (21), the second refrigerant type of the second refrigeration unit (22), the third refrigerant type of the third refrigeration unit (23), and the fourth refrigerant type of the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0157] If the type of refrigerant to be filled differs from the type of refrigerant used in at least one refrigeration system (in this embodiment, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth types of refrigerant), the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder cannot be supplied to the refrigeration system. In this case, the portable terminal (100) notifies the operator by displaying on the display unit (101) that the type of refrigerant to be filled differs from the type of refrigerant used in at least one refrigeration system, and terminates the refrigerant filling process.

[0158] On the other hand, if the type of refrigerant to be filled matches the type of refrigerant for all refrigeration systems (in this embodiment, all of the first, second, third, and fourth types of refrigerant), the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder can be supplied to the refrigeration system. In this case, the portable terminal (100) notifies the operator by displaying on the display unit (101) that the type of refrigerant to be filled matches the type of refrigerant for all refrigeration systems, and continues the refrigerant filling process.

[0159] <Hose connection confirmation steps> In the refrigerant type determination step (205), if the portable terminal (100) determines that the refrigerant type to be charged matches the refrigerant type of all refrigeration systems, the hose connection confirmation step (206) is performed.

[0160] The hose connection confirmation step (206) is a step to confirm that the refrigerant hoses (4) are connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), the manifold gauge (3), and the service ports (64) of all refrigeration units (21-24).

[0161] In the refrigerant charging system (1) of this embodiment, the worker connects the refrigerant cylinder (2) and the manifold gauge (3) with a refrigerant hose (4), and also connects the manifold gauge (3) to the service ports (64) of all the refrigeration units (21-24) with the refrigerant hose (4). Meanwhile, the portable terminal (100) displays an image on the display unit (101) to prompt the worker to input information that the connection of the refrigerant hose (4) is complete. Once the worker has completed the work of connecting the refrigeration units (21-24), etc., they input information that the work has been completed into the portable terminal (100).

[0162] <Steps to obtain start command> Next, the start instruction acquisition step (207) is performed. The start instruction acquisition step (207) is a step in which the portable terminal (100) acquires an instruction from the worker to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) (hereinafter referred to as the "supply start instruction").

[0163] In the start instruction acquisition step (207), the portable terminal (100) displays on the display unit (101) information indicating that it is ready to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24), and an image for the operator to input a supply start instruction. Once the supply start instruction is input by the operator, the portable terminal (100) begins the subsequent processing.

[0164] <Filling Step> If the operator inputs a supply start instruction to the portable terminal (100) in the start instruction acquisition step (207), a filling step is executed to fill the target multiple refrigeration units with refrigerant. In the refrigerant filling method of this embodiment, the filling steps targeting each of the multiple refrigeration units are executed sequentially.

[0165] The order in which the filling steps for each refrigeration unit are performed is determined by the portable terminal (100) before the start of the filling steps. The method for determining the order in which multiple filling steps are performed is arbitrary. The portable terminal (100) may, for example, determine the order in which multiple filling steps are performed based on the order in which the identification information of the refrigeration units (21-24) was acquired in the identification information acquisition step (201). Alternatively, the order in which the filling steps for each refrigeration unit are performed may be determined by the centralized control device (110).

[0166] The refrigerant charging system (1) of this embodiment includes a first refrigeration device (21), a second refrigeration device (22), a third refrigeration device (23), and a fourth refrigeration device (24) as the refrigeration devices to be charged with refrigerant. In this embodiment, the portable terminal (100) specifies that the charging steps should be performed in the order of the first refrigeration device (21), the second refrigeration device (22), the third refrigeration device (23), and the fourth refrigeration device (24). Therefore, in the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, the first charging step (210), the second charging step (230), the third charging step, and the fourth charging step are performed in order.

[0167] The first filling step (210) is the step of filling the first refrigeration unit (21) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). The second filling step (230) is the step of filling the second refrigeration unit (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). The third filling step is the step of filling the third refrigeration unit (23) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). The fourth filling step is the step of filling the fourth refrigeration unit (24) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2).

[0168] <Completion Notification Step> Once the filling step for all refrigeration units is completed, a completion notification step (208) is performed. The completion notification step (208) is a step to notify the operator that the refrigerant filling for all refrigeration units (in this embodiment, the first to fourth refrigeration units (21 to 24)) has been completed. In the completion notification step (208), the portable terminal (100) notifies the operator that the refrigerant filling for all refrigeration units has been completed by displaying an image or the like on the display unit (101) indicating that the refrigerant filling for all refrigeration units has been completed.

[0169] -Overview of the filling step- As shown in Figure 9, the filling step for each refrigeration device (21-24) includes a start step, a decision step, a suction step, an interruption step, an interruption notification step, a storage step, a restart step, a post-restart decision step, a stop step, and a history transmission step.

[0170] The first filling step (210) for the first refrigeration device (21) includes a first start step (211), a first determination step (212), a first suction step (213), a first interruption step (214), a first interruption notification step (215), a first storage step (216), a first restart step (217), a first post-restart determination step (218), a first stop step (219), and a first history transmission step (220).

[0171] The second filling step (230) for the second refrigeration device (22) includes a second start step (231), a second decision step (232), a second suction step (233), a second interruption step (234), a second interruption notification step (235), a second storage step (236), a second restart step (237), a second post-restart decision step (238), a second stop step (239), and a second history transmission step (240).

[0172] In each of the multiple filling steps, the start step, decision step, stop step, and history transmission step are always performed, and other steps are performed only if necessary.

[0173] In the first filling step (210), the first start step (211), the first decision step (212), the first stop step (219), and the first history transmission step (220) are always executed, while the other steps (213-218) are executed only if necessary.

[0174] In the second filling step (230), the second start step (231), the second decision step (232), the second stop step (239), and the second history transmission step (240) are always executed, while the other steps (233-238) are executed only if necessary.

[0175] -Details of the filling step- In the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, the controller (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) performs a predetermined process in the charging step that applies to the refrigeration unit (21-24) on which the controller (90) is installed.

[0176] When the portable terminal (100) obtains a supply start instruction in the start instruction acquisition step (207), it sends a signal to the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) to instruct the start of the first filling step (210). Upon receiving this signal, the first controller (90a) performs a predetermined process, thereby executing the first filling step (210) for the first refrigeration device (21).

[0177] When the first filling step (210) is completed, the portable terminal (100) sends a signal to the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) to instruct the start of the second filling step (230). Upon receiving this signal, the second controller (90b) performs a predetermined process, thereby executing the second filling step (230) for the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0178] When the second filling step (230) is completed, the portable terminal (100) sends a signal to the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration unit (23) to instruct the start of the third filling step. Upon receiving this signal, the third controller (90c) performs a predetermined process, thereby executing the third filling step for the third refrigeration unit (23).

[0179] When the third filling step() is completed, the portable terminal (100) sends a signal to the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration unit (24) to instruct the start of the fourth filling step. Upon receiving this signal, the fourth controller (90d) performs a predetermined process, thereby executing the fourth filling step() targeting the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0180] The refrigerant charging step will be explained with reference to the flow chart in Figure 10.

[0181] <Step ST1> In step ST1, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5). Specifically, when the controller (90) receives a signal from the portable terminal (100) to instruct the start of the filling step, it acquires the measured value Wb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) measured by the mass meter (5) from the mass meter (5). The controller (90) stores the acquired measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) as the initial mass Wb1 of the refrigerant cylinder (2). The initial mass Wb1 of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) at the start of the filling step.

[0182] In the first filling step (210), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) and stores the acquired measured value Wb as the initial mass Wb1 of the refrigerant cylinder (2). In the second filling step (230), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration device (22) acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) and stores the acquired measured value Wb as the initial mass Wb1 of the refrigerant cylinder (2).

[0183] <Step ST2> Step ST2 is performed after step ST1. Step ST2 is the start step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST2, the controller (90) outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) in which the controller (90) is installed. When the first solenoid valve (SV1) opens in response to this signal, the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) begins to be supplied to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the refrigeration unit (21-24).

[0184] In the first start step (211) of the first charging step (210), the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration device (21) as a "signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21)". In the second start step (231) of the second charging step (230), the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to open the second solenoid valve (SV2) of the second refrigeration device (22) as a "signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22)".

[0185] In step ST2, the process performed by the controller (90) is the start process. The first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) has a program installed that causes the first controller (90a) to execute the first start process. The second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) has a program installed that causes the second controller (90b) to execute the second start process.

[0186] <Step ST3> In step ST3, the controller (90) obtains the measured value Prv from the receiver pressure sensor (79) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) to which the controller (90) is installed, and determines whether the condition "the measured value Prv is higher than the reference pressure Pref (Prv>Pref)" is met. If this condition is not met, it can be determined that no abnormality has occurred, and step ST4 is executed. On the other hand, if this condition is met, it can be determined that some kind of abnormality has occurred, and step ST11 is executed.

[0187] <Step ST4> In step ST4, the controller (90) acquires the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5). The measured value Wb acquired by the controller (90) in step ST4 indicates the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) at the time when step ST4 is executed.

[0188] 〈Step ST5〉 Step ST5 is executed next to step ST4. In step ST5, the controller (90) calculates the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2). The rate of decrease RWb is the amount of decrease in the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) per unit time from the time when the first solenoid valve (SV1) is opened in step ST2 to the time when the controller (90) acquires the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5) in step ST4.

[0189] The mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) at the time when the first solenoid valve (SV1) is opened in step ST2 is the initial mass Wb1 stored by the controller (90) in step ST1. The controller (90) calculates the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) using the initial mass Wb1 stored in step ST1 and the measured value Wb acquired in step ST4.

[0190] In step ST5, the controller (90) determines whether or not the condition that "the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is lower than the reference rate RWref (RWb < RWref)" is satisfied. The rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is substantially equal to the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant cylinder (2). Therefore, this condition is a condition indicating that "the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) is lower than the reference flow rate".

[0191] When the condition that "the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is lower than the reference rate RWref (RWb < RWref)" is satisfied, it can be determined that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) is lower than the reference flow rate and the supply of the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) is stagnant. Therefore, in this case, step ST6 is executed.

[0192] On the other hand, when the condition "the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is lower than the reference rate RWref (RWb < RWref)" is not satisfied, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) is equal to or higher than the reference flow rate, and it can be determined that the refrigerant is being smoothly supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration devices (21 to 24). Therefore, in this case, step ST8 is executed.

[0193] 〈Step ST6〉 In step ST6, the controller (90) determines whether the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) provided with the controller (90) are performing a suction operation. As described above, the suction operation is an operation in which the compressor (50) of the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) operates and the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) suck the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2).

[0194] When the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) are not performing a suction operation, step ST7 is executed. On the other hand, when the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) are performing a suction operation, step ST13 is executed.

[0195] 〈Step ST7〉 In step ST7, the controller (90) causes the refrigeration devices (21 to 24) provided with the controller (90) to start a suction operation. In the suction operation of the refrigeration devices (21 to 24), the high-stage compressor (52) and the outdoor fan (26) operate, and the refrigerant in the refrigerant cylinder (2) is sucked into the receiver (62) through the refrigerant hose (4) and the service port (64) in sequence.

[0196] Step ST7 is a suction step included in the filling step. Step ST7 is a step in which the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of that refrigeration unit (21-24), and the refrigeration unit (21-24) suctions refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). Step ST7 is executed when the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) determines, based on the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5), that the condition (condition of step ST5) is met, indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step is lower than the standard flow rate.

[0197] Step ST7, which is performed in the first filling step (210), is the first suction step (213). The first suction step (213) is a step in which the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the first refrigeration unit (21), and the first refrigeration unit (21) suctions refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). The first suction step (213) is performed when the first controller (90a) determines, based on the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5), that the condition is met indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) is lower than the standard flow rate. Step ST7, performed in the second filling step (230), is the second suction step (233). The second suction step (233) is a step in which the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the second refrigeration unit (22), and the second refrigeration unit (22) suctions refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). The second suction step (233) is performed when the second controller (90b) determines, based on the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5), that the condition is met indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) is lower than the standard flow rate. <Step ST8> In step ST8, the controller (90) determines whether the condition that "the decrease in mass ΔWb of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is equal to or greater than the set refrigerant amount MRset(n) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the subject of the filling step" is met.

[0198] The decrease in mass ΔWb of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is the difference between the initial mass Wb1 stored by the controller (90) in step ST1 and the measured value Wb acquired by the controller (90) in step ST4 (ΔWb = Wb1 - Wb). The decrease ΔWb is substantially the same as the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) from the time step ST1 is executed until step ST4 is executed.

[0199] If the condition that "the decrease in mass ΔWb of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is equal to or greater than the set refrigerant amount MRset(n)" is not met, it can be determined that "the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step has not reached the set refrigerant amount MRset(n) for that refrigeration equipment (21-24)." In this case, the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) continues, and step ST4 is executed.

[0200] If the condition that "the decrease in mass ΔWb of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is equal to or greater than the set refrigerant amount MRset(n)" is met, then it can be determined that "the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step has reached the set refrigerant amount MRset(n) for that refrigeration equipment (21-24)." In this case, step ST9 is executed.

[0201] Step ST8 is a decision step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST8, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step has reached the set refrigerant amount MRset(n) of that refrigeration unit (21-24).

[0202] Step ST8 of the first filling step (210) is the first decision step (212). In the first decision step (212), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount MRset (1).

[0203] Step ST8 of the second charging step (230) is the second decision step (232). In the second decision step (232), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount MRset (2).

[0204] In step ST8, the process performed by the controller (90) is a decision process. The first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) is equipped with a program that causes the first controller (90a) to perform a first decision process. The second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) is equipped with a program that causes the second controller (90b) to perform a second decision process.

[0205] <Step ST9> Step ST9 is a stop step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST8, the controller (90) outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) in which the controller (90) is installed. When the first solenoid valve (SV1) closes in response to this signal, the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) is stopped.

[0206] Step ST9 of the first charging step (210) is the first stop step (219). In the first stop step (219), if the first controller (90a) determines in the first determination step (212) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount MRset (1), the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to stop the first charging step (210), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is stopped. In the first stop step (219), the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration device (21) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0207] Step ST9 of the second charging step (230) is the second stop step (239). In the second stop step (239), if the second controller (90b) determines in the second determination step (232) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount MRset (2), the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to stop the second charging step (230), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) is stopped. In the second stop step (239), the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the second refrigeration unit (22) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0208] <Step ST10> Step ST10 is a history transmission step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST10, the controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step transmits history information to the data storage device (120). The history information is information that associates the management code of the transport container (11-14) in which the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step is installed, the mass and type of refrigerant filled into the refrigeration equipment (21-24) in the filling step, and the date and location in which the filling step was performed.

[0209] Step ST10 of the first filling step (210) is the first history transmission step (220). In the first history transmission step (220), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) transmits history information relating to the first filling step (210) to the data storage device (120). The history information relating to the first filling step (210) includes the management code of the first transport container (11) in which the first refrigeration unit (21) is installed, the mass and type of refrigerant filled into the first refrigeration unit (21) in the first filling step (210), and the date and location in which the first filling step was performed.

[0210] Step ST10 of the second filling step (230) is the second history transmission step (240). In the second history transmission step (240), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) transmits history information relating to the second filling step (230) to the data storage device (120). The history information relating to the second filling step (230) includes the management code of the second transport container (12) in which the second refrigeration unit (22) is installed, the mass and type of refrigerant filled into the second refrigeration unit (22) in the second filling step (230), and the date and location in which the second filling step was performed.

[0211] <Step ST11> Step ST11 is an interruption step that constitutes the filling step. Step ST11 is executed when the condition "the measured value Prv is higher than the reference pressure Pref (Prv>Pref)" is met in step ST3. As mentioned above, if this condition is met, it can be determined that some kind of abnormality has occurred. Therefore, if this condition is met, step ST11 is executed to interrupt the filling step.

[0212] In step ST11, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) on which the controller (90) is installed. When the first solenoid valve (SV1) closes in response to this signal, the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) is stopped.

[0213] Step ST11 of the first charging step (210) is the first interruption step (214). In the first interruption step (214), the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) is interrupted. In the first stop step (219), the first controller (90a) outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration unit (21) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21).

[0214] Step ST11 of the second charging step (230) is the second interruption step (234). In the second interruption step (234), the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) is interrupted. In the second stop step (239), the second controller (90b) outputs a signal to close the second solenoid valve (SV2) of the second refrigeration unit (22) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0215] <Step ST12> Step ST12 is executed after step ST11. Step ST12 is an interruption notification step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST12, the controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) has been interrupted due to an abnormality." Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) has been interrupted due to an abnormality."

[0216] Step ST12 of the first filling step (210) is the first interruption notification step (215). In step ST12 of the first filling step (210), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) has been interrupted. Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display unit (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) has been interrupted due to an abnormality."

[0217] Step ST12 of the second filling step (230) is the second interruption notification step (235). In step ST12 of the second filling step (230), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has been interrupted. Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display unit (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has been interrupted due to an abnormality."

[0218] <Step ST13> Step ST13 is executed when the condition "the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is lower than the reference rate RWref (RWb < RWref)" holds in step ST5 and it is determined in step ST6 that "the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) that are the targets of the filling step are performing a suction operation".

[0219] When the condition "the rate of decrease RWb of the mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) is lower than the reference rate RWref (RWb < RWref)" holds while the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) are performing a suction operation, it can be determined that the amount of refrigerant remaining in the refrigerant cylinder (2) is very small. In this case, step ST13 is executed.

[0220] Similar to step ST11, step ST13 is an interruption step that constitutes the filling step. Step ST13 of the first filling step (210) is the first interruption step (214), similar to step ST11 of the first filling step (210). Step ST13 of the second filling step (230) is the second interruption step (234), similar to step ST11 of the second filling step (230).

[0221] In step ST13, the controller (90) of the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) that are the targets of the filling step outputs a signal to close the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) in which the controller (90) is provided. The first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) closes in response to the signal output by the controller (90).

[0222] Also, in step ST13, the controller (90) of the refrigeration apparatuses (21 to 24) that are the targets of the filling step acquires and stores the measured value Wb of the mass meter.

[0223] 〈Step ST14〉 Step ST14 is executed after step ST13. Step ST14 is an interruption notification step that constitutes the filling step. In step ST14, the controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty." Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty."

[0224] Step ST14 of the first filling step (210) is the first interruption notification step (215). In step ST14 of the first filling step (210), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty." Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty."

[0225] Step ST14 of the second filling step (230) is the second interruption notification step (235). In step ST14 of the second filling step (230), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) transmits a signal to the portable terminal (100) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty." Upon receiving this signal, the portable terminal (100) displays information on the display (101) indicating that "the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) has been interrupted because the refrigerant cylinder (2) has become empty."

[0226] <Step ST15> Step ST15 is executed after step ST14. Step ST15 is a storage step that constitutes the filling step.

[0227] In step ST15, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step calculates the difference (Wb1-Wb) between the initial mass Wb1 obtained in step ST1 and the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5) obtained in step ST13, and stores the calculated value as the interrupted filling amount MR. The interrupted filling amount MR is substantially the same as "the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step from the time the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) opened in step ST2 until the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) closed in step ST13."

[0228] Step ST15 of the first filling step (210) is the first storage step (216). In the first storage step (216), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) calculates the difference (Wb1-Wb) between the initial mass Wb1 obtained in step ST1 and the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5) obtained in step ST13, and stores the calculated value as the first interruption filling amount.

[0229] Step ST15 of the second filling step (230) is the second storage step (236). In the second storage step (236), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration device (22) calculates the difference (Wb1-Wb) between the initial mass Wb1 obtained in step ST1 and the measured value Wb of the mass meter (5) obtained in step ST13, and stores the calculated value as the second interruption filling amount.

[0230] <Step ST16> Step ST16 is performed after step ST15. In step ST16, the portable terminal (100) displays an image on the display unit (101) for the operator to input "replacement completion information indicating that the replacement of the refrigerant cylinder (2) has been completed".

[0231] The worker disconnects the empty refrigerant cylinder (2) from the manifold gauge (3) and connects a replacement cylinder, which is a different refrigerant cylinder from the empty one (2), to the manifold gauge (3). The replacement cylinder is a refrigerant cylinder (2) that has a sufficient amount of refrigerant stored in it.

[0232] In step ST16, the portable terminal (100) waits until the operator enters the replacement completion information. Once the replacement of the refrigerant cylinder (2) connected to the manifold gauge (3) is complete and the operator enters the replacement completion information into the portable terminal (100), the portable terminal (100) sends a signal to the controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step to instruct the start of the restart step.

[0233] In step ST16 of the first filling step (210), when the worker inputs replacement completion information into the portable terminal (100), the portable terminal (100) transmits a signal to the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) to instruct the start of the first restart step.

[0234] In step ST16 of the second filling step (230), when the worker inputs the completion information of the exchange into the portable terminal (100), the portable terminal (100) transmits a signal to the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) to instruct the start of the second restart step.

[0235] <Step ST17> Step ST17 is executed after step ST16. Step ST17 is a restart step that constitutes the filling step.

[0236] In step ST17, if a replacement refrigerant cylinder, which is different from the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the refrigeration unit (21-24) when the interruption step was executed, is connected to the refrigeration unit (21-24), the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step. As a result, the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step is started.

[0237] The controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step, as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step.

[0238] Furthermore, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24), which is the target of the filling step, acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) and stores the acquired measured value Wb as the initial mass Wb2 at the time of restart (Wb2=Wb).

[0239] In step ST17 of the first filling step, the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration device (21) as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21). The first controller (90a) also acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) and stores the acquired measured value Wb as the initial mass Wb2.

[0240] In step ST17 of the second filling step, the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the second refrigeration unit (22) as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration unit (22). The second controller (90b) also acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) and stores the acquired measured value Wb as the initial mass Wb2.

[0241] <Step ST18> Step ST18 is executed after step ST17. Step ST18 is a post-restart determination step that constitutes the filling step.

[0242] In step ST18, the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step acquires the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5). The controller (90) calculates the difference (Wb2-Wb) between the initial mass Wb2 at the time of restart, which was stored in step ST17, and the measured value Wb acquired in step ST18, and stores this as the decrease in mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) after the restart of filling, ΔWb2. This decrease ΔWb2 is substantially equal to "the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) from the time the first solenoid valve (SV1) opened in step ST17 until the time the controller (90) acquired the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5) in step ST18."

[0243] The controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step calculates the sum of the decrease in mass of the refrigerant cylinder (2) ΔWb2 and the interruption filling amount MR stored in step ST15 (ΔWb2+MR). This (ΔWb2+MR) is "the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) to be filled from the time step ST1 is executed until the time in step ST18 when the controller (90) obtains the measured value Wb from the mass meter (5)".

[0244] The controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step determines whether the condition “(ΔWb2+MR) is equal to or greater than the set filling amount MRset(n) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step” is met. This condition indicates that “the mass of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration unit (21-24) that is the target of the filling step from the start of the filling step to the present time” has reached the set filling amount MRset(n).

[0245] If this condition is not met, refrigerant will continue to be supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step. On the other hand, if this condition is met, step ST9 will be executed, and the supply of refrigerant from the alternative cylinder to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step will be stopped.

[0246] Step ST18 of the first charging step (210) is the first post-restart determination step (218). In the first post-restart determination step (218), the first controller (90a) determines whether the condition that "the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) in the first charging step has reached the first set refrigerant amount MRset (1)" is met. If this condition is not met, the first controller (90a) keeps the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration device (21) open. On the other hand, if this condition is met, the first controller (90a) closes the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the first refrigeration device (21) and stops the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0247] Step ST18 of the second charging step (230) is the second post-restart determination step (238). In the second post-restart determination step (238), the second controller (90b) determines whether the condition that "the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22) in the second charging step has reached the second set refrigerant amount MRset (2)" is met. If this condition is not met, the second controller (90b) keeps the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the second refrigeration unit (22) open. On the other hand, if this condition is met, the second controller (90b) closes the first solenoid valve (SV1) of the second refrigeration unit (22) and stops the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0248] -Features of Embodiment 1 (1)- In the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, the charging steps for each refrigeration unit (21-24) included in the refrigerant charging system are automatically switched. Therefore, according to the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, during the process of charging multiple refrigeration units (21-24) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), the worker can move away from the refrigeration units (21-24) that are being charged, thereby reducing the burden on the worker performing the task of charging multiple refrigeration units (21-24) with refrigerant.

[0249] -Features of Embodiment 1 (2)- In the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, a refrigerant type determination step (205) is performed. In the refrigerant type determination step (205), the portable terminal (100) determines whether the refrigerant type for charging obtained in the refrigerant type acquisition step (203) matches the refrigerant types for all refrigeration devices obtained in the refrigerant type acquisition step (203). The refrigerant type for charging is the type of refrigerant stored in the refrigerant cylinder (2). In the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, if the refrigerant type for charging matches the refrigerant type of each refrigeration device (21-24), a charging step targeting each refrigeration device (21-24) is performed.

[0250] Therefore, according to the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, when supplying refrigerant from one refrigerant cylinder (2) to multiple refrigeration devices, the appropriate type of refrigerant can be supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to all of the refrigeration devices.

[0251] Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 will now be described.

[0252] As shown in Figure 11, in the refrigerant charging system (1) of this embodiment, the valve mechanism (8) is installed outside the refrigeration unit (21-24).

[0253] -Valve mechanism configuration- The valve mechanism (8) of this embodiment includes a first valve (8a) corresponding to the first refrigeration device (21), a second valve (8b) corresponding to the second refrigeration device (22), a third valve (8c) corresponding to the third refrigeration device (23), and a fourth valve (8d) corresponding to the fourth refrigeration device (24).

[0254] The first valve (8a) is provided in the refrigerant hose (4) connected to the first refrigeration unit (21). The first valve (8a) controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21). The first valve (8a) is connected to the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21) via lead wires. The first valve (8a) is operated by the first controller (90a).

[0255] The second valve (8b) is provided in the refrigerant hose (4) connected to the second refrigeration unit (22). The second valve (8b) controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22). The second valve (8b) is connected to the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) via lead wires. The second valve (8b) is operated by the second controller (90b).

[0256] The third valve (8c) is provided in the refrigerant hose (4) connected to the third refrigeration unit (23). The third valve (8c) controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the third refrigeration unit (23). The third valve (8c) is connected to the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration unit (23) via lead wires. The third valve (8c) is operated by the third controller (90c).

[0257] The fourth valve (8d) is provided in the refrigerant hose (4) connected to the fourth refrigeration unit (24). The fourth valve (8d) controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the fourth refrigeration unit (24). The fourth valve (8d) is connected via lead wires to the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration unit (24). The fourth valve (8d) is operated by the fourth controller (90d).

[0258] -Valve mechanism control- The control of the valve mechanism (8) by the control device (6) will be explained below.

[0259] <Control in the start step>

[0260] In the first start step (211) of the first filling step (210), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) outputs a signal to open the first valve (8a) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0261] In the second start step (231) of the second filling step (230), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration device (22) outputs a signal to open the second valve (8b) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22).

[0262] In the third start step of the third filling step, the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration device (23) outputs a signal to open the third valve (8c) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the third refrigeration device (23).

[0263] In the fourth start step of the fourth filling step, the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration device (24) outputs a signal to open the fourth valve (8d) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the fourth refrigeration device (24).

[0264] <Control in the end step> The controller (90) of the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step outputs a signal to close the valves (8a-8d) of the valve mechanism (8) corresponding to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step, as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) that is the target of the filling step.

[0265] In the first stop step (219) of the first charging step (210), the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration device (21) outputs a signal to close the first valve (8a) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21).

[0266] In the second stop step (239) of the second charging step (230), the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22) outputs a signal to close the second valve (8b) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration unit (22).

[0267] In the third stop step of the third charging step, the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration unit (23) outputs a signal to close the third valve (8c) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the third refrigeration unit (23).

[0268] In the fourth stop step of the fourth charging step, the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration unit (24) outputs a signal to close the fourth valve (8d) of the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0269] -Modified form of Embodiment 2- The valve mechanism (8) of this embodiment may include a valve controller that controls the valves (8a to 8d) corresponding to each refrigeration unit (21 to 24). The valve controller of this modified embodiment operates the first valve (8a), second valve (8b), third valve (8c), and fourth valve (8d) individually based on signals received from a portable terminal (100), the controllers (90) of each refrigeration unit (21 to 24), or a centralized control device (110).

[0270] Other embodiments The following modifications may be applied to the refrigerant charging method of the above embodiment. These modifications may be combined or substituted as appropriate, as long as they do not impair the function of the refrigerant charging method.

[0271] -First variation- In the refrigerant charging methods of Embodiments 1 and 2, the process that the portable terminal (100) would normally perform in at least one of the following steps may be performed by the centralized management device (110) instead of the portable terminal (100): the model identification step (202), the refrigerant type acquisition step (203), the set refrigerant amount acquisition step (204), and the refrigerant type determination step (205).

[0272] -Second variation- A controller for a refrigeration system may store an identification code specific to the refrigeration system on which the controller is installed. An example of such an identification code is the serial number assigned to the refrigeration system. In this case, in the refrigerant charging method identification information acquisition step (201), the portable terminal (100) may acquire the identification code of each refrigeration system (21-24) stored by the controller (90) of each refrigeration system (21-24) as the identification information of the refrigeration system (21-24).

[0273] -Third variation- A controller for a refrigeration system may store the type of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration system in which the controller is installed (i.e., the type of refrigerant corresponding to that refrigeration system). In this case, the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration system (21) stores the first type of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the first refrigeration system (21). The second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration system (22) stores the second type of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the second refrigeration system (22). The third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration system (23) stores the third type of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the third refrigeration system (23). The fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration system (24) stores the fourth type of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circuit (30) of the fourth refrigeration system (24).

[0274] In this case, in the refrigerant type acquisition step (203) of the refrigerant charging method, the portable terminal (100) may acquire the refrigerant type corresponding to the refrigeration equipment (21-24) in which the controller (90) is installed from the controller (90) of each refrigeration equipment (21-24). In the refrigerant type acquisition step (203) of this modified example, the portable terminal (100) acquires the first refrigerant type from the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration equipment (21), the second refrigerant type from the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration equipment (22), the third refrigerant type from the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration equipment (23), and the fourth refrigerant type from the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration equipment (24).

[0275] -Fourth variation- A controller for a refrigeration system may store the amount of refrigerant (set refrigerant amount) to be filled into the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration system in which the controller is installed. In this case, the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration system (21) stores the first set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant filled into the refrigerant circuit (30) of the first refrigeration system (21). The second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration system (22) stores the second set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant filled into the refrigerant circuit (30) of the second refrigeration system (22). The third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration system (23) stores the third set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant filled into the refrigerant circuit (30) of the third refrigeration system (23). The fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration system (24) stores the fourth set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant filled into the refrigerant circuit (30) of the fourth refrigeration system (24).

[0276] In this case, in the step (204) of acquiring the set refrigerant amount for the refrigerant charging method, the portable terminal (100) may acquire the set refrigerant amount for each refrigeration unit (21-24) from the controller (90) of the refrigeration unit (21-24) in which the controller (90) is installed. In the step (204) of this modified example, the portable terminal (100) acquires the first set refrigerant amount from the first controller (90a) of the first refrigeration unit (21), the second set refrigerant amount from the second controller (90b) of the second refrigeration unit (22), the third set refrigerant amount from the third controller (90c) of the third refrigeration unit (23), and the fourth set refrigerant amount from the fourth controller (90d) of the fourth refrigeration unit (24).

[0277] -Fifth variation- In the refrigerant charging method of this embodiment, the processing performed by the controller (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) in the charging step for each refrigeration unit (21-24) may be performed by a portable terminal (100) or a centralized management device (110). Alternatively, the processing performed by the controller (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) in the charging step for each refrigeration unit (21-24) may be shared among the portable terminal (100), the centralized management device (110), and the controller (90) of each refrigeration unit (21-24) that constitute the control device (6).

[0278] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Also, the elements according to the above embodiments, modifications, and other embodiments may be combined or replaced as appropriate. Further, the descriptions "first", "second", "third",... in the specification and claims are used to distinguish the phrases to which these descriptions are given, and do not limit even the number or order of those phrases.

Industrial Applicability

[0279] As described above, the present disclosure is useful for a refrigerant filling method, a control device, and a program.

Explanation of Signs

[0280] 1 Refrigerant filling system 2 Refrigerant cylinder 5 Mass meter (measurement device) 6 Control device 8 Valve mechanism 21 First refrigeration device 22 Second refrigeration device 50 Compressor 201 First acquisition step 203 Second acquisition step 204 Third acquisition step 210 First filling step 211 First start step 212 First judgment step 213 First suction step 214 First interruption step 215 First interruption notification step 216 First storage step 217 First restart step 219 First stop step 230 Second filling step 231 Second start step 232 Second judgment step 233 Second suction step 234 Second interruption step 235 Second Interruption Notification Step 236 Second Memory Step 237 Second Restart Step 239 Second Stop Step 250 Completion notification step

Claims

1. A refrigerant charging system (1) includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration unit (21) and a second refrigeration unit (22) each connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), and a control device (6) that communicates with the measuring device (5), wherein the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) is used to charge the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), The first acquisition step (201) involves the control device (6) acquiring identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), After the completion of the first acquisition step (201) described above, a first filling step (210) is performed in which the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) is filled into the first refrigeration device (21), The system includes a second filling step (230) in which, after the completion of the first filling step (210) above, the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) is filled into the second refrigeration device (22), The above first filling step (210) is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), and the first start step (211) starts supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). A first determination step (212) in which the control device (6) determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21), The system includes a first stop step (219) in which, if the control device (6) determines in the first determination step (212) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set amount of refrigerant, the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), thereby stopping the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), The above second filling step (230) is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) begins in a second start step (231), A second determination step (232) in which the control device (6) determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and the second set refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant set in advance for the second refrigeration device (22), The system includes a second stop step (239) in which, if the control device (6) determines in the second determination step (232) that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, the control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), thereby stopping the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22). Refrigerant charging method.

2. The system includes a second acquisition step (203) which is performed between the first acquisition step (201) and the first filling step (210), The second acquisition step (203) described above is a step in which the control device (6) acquires a first refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant to be filled into the first refrigeration device (21) as identified based on the identification information of the first refrigeration device (21), and a second refrigerant type, which is the type of refrigerant to be filled into the second refrigeration device (22) as identified based on the identification information of the second refrigeration device (22). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 1.

3. In the second acquisition step (203) described above, the control device (6) acquires the type of refrigerant to be filled, which is the type of refrigerant in the refrigerant cylinder (2). If the control device (6) determines that the refrigerant type to be filled matches the first refrigerant type and the second refrigerant type, the control device (6) outputs a signal in the first start step to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 2.

4. The system includes a third acquisition step (204) performed between the first acquisition step (201) and the first filling step (210), The third acquisition step (204) described above is a step in which the control device (6) acquires the first set refrigerant amount and the second set refrigerant amount. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the third acquisition step (204) described above, the control device (6) The above first set refrigerant amount is determined based on the identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) obtained in the above first acquisition step (201), The second set amount of refrigerant is determined based on the identification information of the second refrigeration device (22) obtained in the first acquisition step (201). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 4.

6. The above first filling step (210) comprises a first suction step (213), The above first suction step (213) is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the first refrigeration device (21), and the first refrigeration device (21) draws refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). This operation is performed when the control device (6) determines, based on the refrigerant quantity index measured by the measuring device (5), that the condition is met indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is lower than the standard flow rate. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The above second filling step (230) comprises a second suction step (233), The second suction step (233) described above is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the compressor (50) of the second refrigeration device (22), and the second refrigeration device (22) draws the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). This is performed when the control device (6) determines, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), that the condition is met indicating that the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is lower than the standard flow rate. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The above first filling step (210) comprises a first interruption step (214), The above first interruption step (214) is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The above-mentioned first interruption step (214) is a step in which the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the above-mentioned first filling step (210). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 8.

10. The above first filling step (210) includes a first restart step (217) which is performed after the above first interruption step (214), The above first restart step (217) is, In the first interruption step (214) described above, if a replacement refrigerant cylinder, which is different from the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the first refrigeration device (21) at that time, is connected to the first refrigeration device (21), the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21), and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the first refrigeration device (21) begins. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 8.

11. The above first filling step (210) comprises a first storage step (216), The above first memory step (216) is, The control device (6) calculates the first interruption charge amount, which is the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) from the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is started in the first start step (211) to the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) is interrupted in the first interruption step (214), using the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), and stores the calculated first interruption charge amount in the control device (6). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 8.

12. The above first filling step (210) includes a first interruption notification step (215), The above first interruption notification step (215) is, In the first interruption step (214) described above, the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has been interrupted. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 8.

13. The above second filling step (230) comprises a second interruption step (234), The above second interruption step (234) is, The control device (6) outputs a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), and the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is interrupted. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. The above-mentioned second interruption step (234) is a step in which the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is interrupted if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the above-mentioned second filling step (230). The refrigerant charging method according to claim 13.

15. The above second filling step (230) includes a second restart step (237) which is performed after the above second interruption step (234), The above second restart step (237) is, In the second interruption step (234) described above, if a replacement cylinder, which is a different refrigerant cylinder from the refrigerant cylinder (2) that was connected to the second refrigeration device (22) at that time, is connected to the second refrigeration device (22), the control device (6) outputs a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration device (22), and the supply of refrigerant from the replacement cylinder to the second refrigeration device (22) begins. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 13.

16. The above second filling step (230) comprises a second storage step (236), The second memory step (236) described above is, The control device (6) calculates the second interruption charge amount, which is the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) from the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is started in the second start step (231) to the time when the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) is interrupted in the second interruption step (234), using the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5), and the control device (6) stores the calculated second interruption charge amount. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 13.

17. The above second filling step (230) includes a second interruption notification step (235), The above second interruption notification step (235) is, In the second interruption step (234) described above, the control device (6) notifies that the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has been interrupted. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 13.

18. After the refrigerant has been filled into the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), the control device (6) provides a completion notification step (208) in which it notifies that the filling work has been completed. A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

19. The above refrigerant charging system (1) is, The system includes a valve mechanism (8) that individually controls the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) and the flow of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), In the first start step (211) described above, the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), In the first stop step (219) described above, the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). In the second start step (231) described above, the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), In the second stop step (239) described above, the control device (6) outputs a signal to activate the valve mechanism (8) as a signal to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22). A method for charging refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

20. A control device (6) is provided in a refrigerant charging system (1) which includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration device (21) and a second refrigeration device (22) each connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), and a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), and assists in the operation of charging the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) into the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), While communicating with the above measuring device (5), A first acquisition process for acquiring identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), After the completion of the above-mentioned first acquisition process, a first filling process is performed to fill the first refrigeration device (21) with the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), After the completion of the first filling process described above, a second filling process is performed to fill the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). In the first filling process described above, A first start process to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), A first determination process that determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21), If the first determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set amount of refrigerant, then the first stop process is executed to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). In the second filling process described above, A second start process to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), A second determination process determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a second set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the second refrigeration device (22). If the second determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, the second stop process is executed to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22). Control device.

21. A refrigerant charging system (1) includes a refrigerant cylinder (2), a first refrigeration unit (21) and a second refrigeration unit (22) each connected to the refrigerant cylinder (2), a measuring device (5) for measuring a refrigerant quantity index for calculating the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), and a control device (6) that communicates with the measuring device (5), wherein a program causes a computer constituting the control device (6) to execute a process to assist in the operation of charging the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) into the first refrigeration unit (21) and the second refrigeration unit (22), A first acquisition process for acquiring identification information of the first refrigeration device (21) and the second refrigeration device (22), After the completion of the above-mentioned first acquisition process, a first filling process is performed to fill the first refrigeration device (21) with the refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2), After the completion of the first filling process described above, the computer is instructed to perform a second filling process to fill the second refrigeration device (22) with refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2). In the first filling process described above, A first start process to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21), A first determination process that determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a first set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the first refrigeration device (21), If the first determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21) has reached the first set amount of refrigerant, the computer is instructed to execute a first stop process to stop the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the first refrigeration device (21). In the second filling process described above, A second start process to start supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22), A second determination process determines whether the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, based on the refrigerant amount index measured by the measuring device (5) and a second set refrigerant amount which is a predetermined amount of refrigerant for the second refrigeration device (22). If the second determination process determines that the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22) has reached the second set refrigerant amount, the computer is instructed to execute a second stop process, which stops the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cylinder (2) to the second refrigeration device (22). program.

Images