Air conditioning equipment management system, air conditioning equipment management device, and air conditioning equipment management program

Abstract

To notify users of errors or malfunctions in air conditioning equipment. [Solution] The air conditioning equipment management system 10 consists of a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment and an air conditioning equipment management device that receives and processes data related to the air conditioning equipment acquired by the monitoring device. The monitoring device is equipped with data acquisition means for acquiring data related to the air conditioning equipment, such as data indicating the operating status and error codes, from the air conditioning equipment to be monitored. The air conditioning equipment management device is equipped with notification means for notifying a pre-registered contact person of the content of the error code when it receives an error code output from the air conditioning equipment to be monitored, and for notifying a pre-registered contact person that the air conditioning equipment may have malfunctioned when it detects a possibility of malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning equipment to be monitored.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner management system, an air conditioner management device, and an air conditioner management program.

Background Art

[0002] The following facility management system is known. In this facility management system, when a refrigerant leak is detected by a device monitoring device of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, it is notified to a notification terminal via a management device (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In modern times, air conditioners such as air-conditioning and heating equipment have become essential facilities. Therefore, when an error or failure occurs in the air conditioner, prompt action is required. If it is possible to notify a pre-registered notification destination when an error or failure occurs in the air conditioner, prompt action becomes possible. On the other hand, in the conventional facility management system, when a refrigerant leak is detected in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, it is notified, but no technology for notifying the occurrence of an error or failure in the air conditioner has been studied at all.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The air conditioning equipment management system according to the present invention comprises a monitoring device attached to an air conditioning unit and an air conditioning equipment management device that receives and processes data related to the air conditioning unit acquired by the monitoring device. The monitoring device includes data acquisition means for acquiring data related to the air conditioning unit, such as data indicating the operating status and error codes, from the air conditioning unit to be monitored. The air conditioning equipment management device includes notification means for notifying a pre-registered contact person of the content of the error code when it receives an error code output from the air conditioning unit to be monitored, and for notifying a pre-registered contact person that the air conditioning unit may have malfunctioned if it detects a possibility of malfunction in the air conditioning unit based on data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning unit to be monitored. The air conditioning equipment management device according to the present invention is characterized by having a notification means that, upon receiving an error code output from an air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment, notifies a pre-registered contact person of the content of the error code, and, based on data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by the monitoring device, detects that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment, and notifies a pre-registered contact person that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment. The air conditioning equipment management program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute a notification procedure to notify a pre-registered contact person of the content of an error code when it receives an error code output from an air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment, and when it detects that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by the monitoring device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, when an error code is received from the monitored air conditioning equipment, the content of the error code is notified to a pre-registered contact person. Furthermore, if a potential malfunction is detected in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, the pre-registered contact person is notified that the air conditioning equipment may have malfunctioned. This allows for rapid notification when an error occurs in the air conditioning equipment or when a malfunction is suspected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the air conditioning equipment management system 10. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of server 200. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the management terminal 300. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation data transmission process performed by the monitoring device 100. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the error code transmission process performed by the monitoring device 100. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow executed on server 200. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow executed on the management terminal 300. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the air conditioning equipment management system in this embodiment. The air conditioning equipment management system 10 is configured by connecting a monitoring device 100 attached to the indoor and outdoor units of air conditioning equipment, such as heating and cooling equipment, a server 200 that receives and processes information from the monitoring device 100, and a management terminal 300 that functions as an air conditioning equipment management device for managing the air conditioning equipment management system 10, via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0009] The monitoring device 100 is attached to the air conditioning equipment to be monitored and has the function of acquiring data related to the air conditioning equipment, such as data indicating the operating status and error codes, from the monitored air conditioning equipment and transmitting the acquired data to the server 200 via a communication line. In this embodiment, the monitoring device 100 is composed of, for example, a circuit board and communication equipment, and is attached to the indoor unit or outdoor unit of the heating and cooling equipment.

[0010] The server 200 receives data on the operating status and error codes of the monitored air conditioning equipment from the monitoring device 100 and performs processing to transmit the received data to the management terminal 300. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the server 200 in this embodiment. The server 200 includes a communication module 201, a control device 202, and a recording device 203.

[0011] The communication module 201 includes a module for connecting the server 200 to a communication line such as the Internet, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. The server 200 communicates with monitoring equipment 100 and management terminal 300 by connecting to the Internet via the communication module 201.

[0012] The control unit 202 consists of a CPU, memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the entire server 200. The memory comprising the control unit 203 is a volatile memory such as SDRAM. This memory is used as work memory for the CPU to load programs during program execution, and as buffer memory for temporarily recording data. For example, data received via the communication module 201 is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory.

[0013] The recording device 203 is a recording device for storing various data stored by the server 200 and program data for execution by the control device 202. For example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used. The program data to be recorded in the recording device 203 is provided on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or via a network. By installing the program data obtained by the user into the recording device 203, the control device 202 becomes able to execute the program.

[0014] The management terminal 300 is a terminal owned by a person, company, or organization that manages the air conditioning equipment management system 10, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment when a personal computer is used as the management terminal 300. The management terminal 300 includes an operating member 301, a connection interface 302, a control device 303, a recording device 304, and a display device 305.

[0015] The operating member 301 includes various devices operated by the operator of the management terminal 300, such as a keyboard and a mouse.

[0016] The connection interface 302 is an interface for connecting the management terminal 300 to a communication line such as the Internet. For example, a wired LAN module for wired connection to the Internet or a wireless LAN module for wireless connection to the Internet is used. In this embodiment, the management terminal 300 communicates with the server 200 via the connection interface 302.

[0017] The control device 303 is composed of a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the entire management terminal 300. The memory constituting the control device 303 is, for example, a volatile memory such as SDRAM. This memory is used as a work memory for the CPU to expand the program during program execution and as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. For example, the data read via the connection interface 302 is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory.

[0018] The recording device 304 is a recording device for recording various data stored by the management terminal 300, data of programs to be executed by the control device 303, etc. For example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. are used. The data of the program recorded in the recording device 304 is recorded and provided on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, or provided via a network, and the control device 303 can execute the program by installing the data of the program acquired by the user in the recording device 304.

[0019] The display device 305 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, and displays various information output from the control device 303.

[0020] In the air conditioning equipment management system 10 of this embodiment, data indicating the operating status and error code data acquired by the monitoring device 100 attached to the air conditioning equipment to be monitored are transmitted to the server 200 via a communication line. On the server 200, the control device 202 transmits the data received from the monitoring device 100 to the management terminal 300. The management terminal 300 then executes processing to manage the monitored air conditioning equipment based on the data indicating the operating status and error code data of the monitored air conditioning equipment received via the server 200. The monitoring device 100 periodically acquires data indicating the operating status at a predetermined time interval, for example, once every hour, and transmits it to the server 200. Error codes are transmitted to the server 200 when an error such as a malfunction occurs in the air conditioning equipment. The following description will focus on the content of the processing performed by the management terminal 300.

[0021] First, the data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment acquired by the monitoring device 100 will be explained. The data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment includes indoor unit data, system data, and individual outdoor unit data. The indoor unit data includes information on room temperature (control board sensor), room temperature (remote control display), indoor intake temperature, indoor coil temperature, indoor outlet temperature, and indoor PMV opening. The system data includes information on the number of indoor units connected, the total horsepower of connected indoor units, the number of outdoor units connected, and the total horsepower of outdoor units. The individual outdoor unit data includes information on compressor 1 discharge temperature, compressor 2 discharge temperature, high-pressure sensor detected pressure, low-pressure sensor detected pressure, intake temperature, outdoor coil temperature, liquid side temperature, outside air temperature, low-pressure saturation temperature, compressor 1 current, compressor 2 current, PMV 1+2 opening, compressor 1, 2 ON / OFF status, outdoor fan mode, and outdoor unit horsepower. The data showing the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment described herein is merely an example, and the data acquired by the monitoring device 100 is not limited to this.

[0022] The operator of the management terminal 300 creates a ledger by pre-registering information on air conditioning equipment to be monitored by the air conditioning equipment management system 10. For example, when registering air conditioning equipment installed in a store, information on the outdoor and indoor units installed in the store is registered in advance. The method of registering information on air conditioning equipment is not particularly limited, but for example, the control device 303 may import CAD or PDF drawing data and perform data processing, or it may read a two-dimensional code to identify the equipment information and perform data processing. The ledger data is recorded in the recording device 304, and when new information on air conditioning equipment to be monitored is registered, the control device 303 adds it to the ledger data. This completes the ledger, which contains information such as the location, model number, and product details of the air conditioning equipment to be monitored.

[0023] The operator of the management terminal 300 can use the management terminal 300 to input information about the location of the air conditioning equipment registered in the ledger. This information can include, for example, climate information of the area where the air conditioning equipment is installed, the direction in which the air conditioning equipment is installed, the location information of the air conditioning equipment, and the estimated annual operating hours of the air conditioning equipment. When the control device 303 receives the input information about the location of the equipment, it adds the input information to the ledger and updates the ledger.

[0024] The control device 303 can predict, based on ledger data, when air conditioning equipment will need replacement work and the risk of failure. For example, if air conditioning equipment needs replacement work every 10 years, the control device 303 can notify users when the time for replacement work approaches or when the risk of failure increases. In this way, by predicting failures and failure risks in advance and suggesting expected replacement times, problems during peak periods can be avoided. Generative AI may also be used to predict when replacement work will be needed and the risk of failure.

[0025] Furthermore, based on the scanned drawings, the amount of refrigerant charged to the air conditioning equipment can be associated with and registered in the ledger. In this case, if the control device 303 automatically calculates the interval for qualified refrigerant inspections and registers it in the ledger, it becomes possible to comply with legal requirements. For example, since the ledger can even track the serial number, it becomes possible to check the inventory of parts later. Also, since the ledger can show the year of manufacture and installation date, it is possible to propose replacement work at an appropriate time. In addition, it can comply with national refrigerant regulations, and warnings and alerts can be issued based on the type of refrigerant gas, from regulatory information to replacement. Moreover, the registered ledger also serves as the equipment ledger for each store, so it can be used for asset management.

[0026] Based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment and error code data received via the server 200, the control device 303 detects a malfunction or error in the monitored air conditioning equipment and notifies a pre-designated contact. The contact may include, for example, the email address of the facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed or the email address of the maintenance company that performs the maintenance on the air conditioning equipment.

[0027] When the control device 303 receives an error code output from the monitored air conditioning equipment from the server 200, it notifies a pre-registered contact of the content of that error code. This allows the facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed and the maintenance company to be notified that an error has occurred in the air conditioning equipment. Furthermore, if the control device 303 detects a possible malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment received from the server 200, it notifies a pre-registered contact of the possible malfunction of the air conditioning equipment. In this case, the data indicating the operating status of the malfunctioning air conditioning equipment and the error code may be included in the notification. This allows the facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed and the maintenance company to be notified that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment.

[0028] The control device 303 monitors data received from the server 200 indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, and determines if there are signs of failure in the air conditioning equipment in the following cases, for example, and notifies the user of the failure. The control device 303 determines that there is a high probability that the compressor is failing if the discharge temperature of the compressor is below a specified value, the discharge pressure of the compressor is below a specified value, and the coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) of the outdoor unit is below a specified value. In this case, there is a possibility that refrigerant leaks are occurring from the piping or from the compressor, so signs of compressor failure can be detected.

[0029] Furthermore, the control device 303 determines that there is a high probability that the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is malfunctioning if the coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve (PMV) opening of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, and the coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) of the indoor unit is outside the specified value and the rotation of the expansion valve (PMV) opening of the indoor unit is outside the specified value. In this case, for example, there is a possibility that refrigerant leakage from the heat exchanger or poor heat transfer due to corrosion of the heat exchange fins is occurring, and thus it is possible to detect signs of heat exchanger failure.

[0030] Furthermore, the control device 303 detects that if the compressor's discharge temperature and pressure do not rise, the outdoor unit's coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) falls below the low temperature range, and the outside air temperature falls below the low temperature range of the operating range, there is a possibility that defrosting operation will not be performed during heating. In this case, for example, a decrease in the ventilation performance of the indoor unit's heat exchange fins or a decrease in ventilation performance due to snow accumulation around the outdoor unit may be the cause of the defrosting operation not being performed during heating, thus allowing for the detection of a potential malfunction in the defrosting operation during heating.

[0031] Furthermore, the operating data of the air conditioning equipment is continuously measured at specified intervals, and this data is transmitted to the management terminal 300, so the control device 303 can immediately detect a fluorocarbon gas leak. When the control device 303 detects a fluorocarbon gas leak, it notifies the pre-registered contacts that a fluorocarbon gas leak has occurred. Because fluorocarbon gas leaks require particular vigilance, the air conditioning equipment may automatically shut down when an error occurs, or the air conditioning equipment can be shut down from the management terminal 300. In addition, using the air conditioning equipment management system 10 in this embodiment, it is possible to comply with the exemption from the simplified inspection stipulated in the Fluorocarbon Control Law and the storage of evidence.

[0032] Traditionally, when an air conditioning system malfunctioned, customers had to contact the manufacturer or maintenance company by phone or email from the location where the air conditioning system was installed. In contrast, using the air conditioning system management system 10 in this embodiment, when an air conditioning system malfunctions or signs of malfunction are detected, notifications can be automatically sent to pre-registered contacts. Furthermore, while traditional air conditioning system manufacturers had their own devices to send error codes to service providers and customers, the air conditioning system management system 10 allows any manufacturer to send malfunction notifications.

[0033] Furthermore, since malfunction notifications are sent to designated contractors such as maintenance companies, the contractors can immediately rush to the site without waiting for contact from the customer at the air conditioning equipment installation location. This is particularly important because responding to refrigerant gas leaks is a matter of urgency, and the ability to directly notify contractors is highly significant. This allows for swift repairs to fluorocarbon gas leaks, preventing accidents and ozone layer depletion.

[0034] Furthermore, conventionally, maintenance company personnel would visit the facility where the air conditioning equipment was installed, identify the installation location, and only then begin measuring error numbers and operating data to determine the malfunction, before bringing parts for repair at a later date. However, by using the air conditioning equipment management system 10 in this embodiment, maintenance company personnel can obtain data and error codes indicating the operating status of the malfunctioning air conditioning equipment in advance, allowing them to determine which equipment (model number / system) is malfunctioning before arriving at the site. In addition, maintenance company personnel can prepare the necessary parts in advance based on the operating data and error numbers, allowing them to bring the parts with them to the site. This reduces time and manpower, and because parts are prepared in advance, repairs can be performed on the spot.

[0035] Furthermore, since the failure notification can also be sent to the facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed, the person in the facility can be aware of the failure. Conventionally, when an air conditioning equipment failed, only an error number was displayed on the remote control or other device, making it difficult to understand the nature of the failure. In this embodiment, if the control device 303 includes information such as where the failure is and what action should be taken on the spot in the notification, the person in the facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed can understand the details of the failure and how to deal with it. Moreover, by introducing a generation AI for failure notifications, it becomes possible to provide guidance on countermeasures and estimated costs in a conversational format. Furthermore, by introducing a generation AI, it becomes possible to handle inquiries even at night or during holidays.

[0036] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation data transmission process performed by the monitoring device 100 in this embodiment. The process shown in Figure 4 is executed by a control circuit (not shown) as a program that is started, for example, once every hour, at the timing of transmitting data indicating the operating status.

[0037] In step S10, a control circuit (not shown) acquires data indicating the operating status, i.e., operating data, from the monitored air conditioning equipment and transmits it to the server 200. After that, the process ends.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the error code transmission process performed by the monitoring device 100 in this embodiment. The process shown in Figure 5 is executed by a control circuit (not shown) as a program that is activated when it is detected that the monitored air conditioning equipment has output an error code.

[0039] In step S110, a control circuit (not shown) sends the error code output from the monitored air conditioning equipment to the server 200. The process then terminates.

[0040] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the server 200 in this embodiment. The processing shown in Figure 6 is executed by the control device 202 as a program that is started when data indicating the operating status or error code data is received from the monitoring device 100.

[0041] In step S210, the control device 202 transmits the data received from the monitoring device 100 to the management terminal 300, as described above. After that, the process ends.

[0042] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the management terminal 300 in this embodiment. The processing shown in Figure 7 is executed by the control device 303 as a program that is started when data indicating the operating status or error code data is received from the server 200. Note that in Figure 7, it is assumed that the registration of the ledger described above has already been completed.

[0043] In step S310, the control device 303 determines whether or not it has received an error code from the server 200. If the determination in step S310 is negative, the process proceeds to step S330. Conversely, if the determination in step S310 is positive, the process proceeds to step S320.

[0044] In step S320, the control device 303 notifies the pre-registered contact of the content of the error code received from the server 200, as described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S330.

[0045] In step S330, the control device 303 monitors the data received from the server 200 indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment and performs fault determination processing to determine whether there are any signs of failure in the air conditioning equipment. After that, the process proceeds to step S340.

[0046] In step S340, the control device 303 determines whether it has detected a potential malfunction in the air conditioning equipment as a result of the judgment process in step S330. If the determination in step S340 is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S340 is positive, the process proceeds to step S350.

[0047] In step S350, the control device 303 notifies a pre-registered contact that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment, as described above. After that, the process ends.

[0048] According to the embodiments described above, the following effects and advantages can be obtained. (1) The monitoring device 100 acquires data related to the air conditioning equipment, such as data indicating the operating status and error codes, from the air conditioning equipment being monitored. The control device 303 in the management terminal 300 notifies a pre-registered contact of the content of the error code when it receives an error code output from the air conditioning equipment being monitored. If it detects a possible malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on the data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning equipment being monitored, it notifies a pre-registered contact of the possibility that the air conditioning equipment has malfunctioned. This allows for rapid notification when an error occurs in the air conditioning equipment or when a malfunction is suspected.

[0049] (2) The air conditioning equipment management system 10 includes a server 200 that receives information from the monitoring equipment 100 and transmits it to the management terminal 300. The monitoring equipment 100 transmits data related to the air conditioning equipment to the server 200, and the management terminal 300 receives and processes the data related to the air conditioning equipment from the server 200. This allows data related to the air conditioning equipment to be transmitted from the monitoring equipment 100 to the management terminal 300, for example, via a cloud server.

[0050] (3) The monitoring device 100 is configured to acquire data indicating the operating status at pre-set time intervals and transmit it to the server 200. This allows data to be transmitted automatically at predetermined time intervals.

[0051] (4) The control device 303 performs processing to detect a potential malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, and when it detects a potential malfunction in the air conditioning equipment, it notifies a pre-registered contact person. This makes it possible to detect and notify of a potential malfunction in the air conditioning equipment.

[0052] (5) The control device 303 determines, based on data showing the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, that there is a high probability that the compressor is malfunctioning if the compressor discharge temperature is below a specified value, the compressor discharge pressure is below a specified value, and the outdoor unit coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) is below a specified value. This allows for the detection of signs of compressor failure, as there is a possibility of refrigerant leaks from the piping or from the compressor.

[0053] (6) The control device 303 determines that there is a high probability that the outdoor unit or the indoor unit's heat exchanger is malfunctioning if the outdoor unit's coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) is outside the specified value, the rotation of the outdoor unit's expansion valve (PMV) opening is outside the specified value, and the indoor unit's coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) is outside the specified value and the rotation of the indoor unit's expansion valve (PMV) opening is outside the specified value. This allows for the detection of signs of heat exchanger failure, such as refrigerant leakage from the heat exchanger or poor heat transfer due to corrosion of the heat exchange fins.

[0054] (7) The control device 303 is configured to detect that if the compressor discharge temperature and pressure do not rise, the outdoor unit coil temperature (heat exchanger temperature) falls below the low temperature range, and the outside air temperature falls below the low temperature range of the operating range, there is a possibility that defrosting operation will not be performed during heating. This allows for the detection of potential malfunctions in the defrosting operation during heating, for example, due to reduced ventilation performance of the indoor unit's heat exchange fins or reduced ventilation performance due to snow accumulation around the outdoor unit.

[0055] (8) When the control device 303 detects a fluorocarbon gas leak from the air conditioning equipment, it notifies a pre-registered contact person that a fluorocarbon gas leak has occurred. This allows for immediate detection and notification of fluorocarbon gas leaks, which helps prevent accidents and ozone layer depletion.

[0056] —Revised Version— Furthermore, the air conditioning equipment management system 10 of the above-described embodiment can also be modified as follows. (1) In the above-described embodiment, a notification of a malfunction is sent to a designated contractor such as a maintenance company, and an example was described in which the maintenance company's representative can go to the site with the necessary parts in advance based on the operating data and error number. In this case, the maintenance company's representative may also be able to check the inventory status of the air conditioning equipment parts in real time. This allows the maintenance company's representative to obtain information on the nature of the air conditioning equipment malfunction, the error number, and the inventory status of the parts. Furthermore, if the maintenance company's representative can grasp the inventory status of the parts, they can respond to equipment for which parts have been discontinued by simply proposing replacement work, without having to go to diagnose the malfunction, thus improving work efficiency. For example, for equipment that is more than 10 years old, replacement work can be proposed, thus avoiding urgent responses in the summer and unnecessary repairs.

[0057] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the control device 303 was shown to monitor data indicating the operating status from the monitored air conditioning equipment received from the server 200 and to detect signs of compressor failure, signs of heat exchanger failure, and signs of failure during defrosting operation in heating. However, the signs of failure to be detected are not limited to these, as long as the failure can be detected based on the data indicating the operating status from the monitored air conditioning equipment.

[0058] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited in any way to the configurations of the embodiments described above, as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Configurations combining the above embodiments with several modifications are also possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10. Air Conditioning Equipment Management System 100 Surveillance equipment 200 servers 201 Communication Module 202 Control device 203 Recording device 300 management terminals 301 Operating Member 302 Connection Interfaces 303 Control device 304 Recording device 305 Display device

Claims

1. An air conditioning equipment management system comprising a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment and an air conditioning equipment management device that receives and processes data related to the air conditioning equipment acquired by the monitoring device, The monitoring device includes data acquisition means for acquiring data related to the air conditioning equipment, such as data indicating the operating status and error codes, from the air conditioning equipment being monitored. The air conditioning equipment management device is characterized by comprising a notification means that, upon receiving an error code output from the monitored air conditioning equipment, notifies a pre-registered contact of the content of the error code, and, based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, detects a possible malfunction in the air conditioning equipment and notifies a pre-registered contact of the possible malfunction of the air conditioning equipment.

2. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to claim 1, The system further includes a server that receives information from the monitoring device and transmits it to the air conditioning equipment management device. The monitoring device transmits data related to the air conditioning equipment to the server. The air conditioning equipment management device is characterized by receiving and processing data relating to the air conditioning equipment from the server.

3. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to claim 2, The aforementioned monitoring device is characterized by acquiring data indicating the operating status at predetermined time intervals and transmitting it to the server.

4. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The air conditioning equipment management device further includes fault determination means for detecting the possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, The notification means is characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact when the failure detection means determines that the air conditioning equipment may have failed.

5. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to claim 4, The aforementioned fault determination means is characterized by determining, based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, that there is a high probability that the compressor is malfunctioning if the compressor discharge temperature is below a specified value, the compressor discharge pressure is below a specified value, and the temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger is below a specified value.

6. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to claim 4, The aforementioned fault determination means is characterized in that, if the temperature of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, and the temperature of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the indoor unit is outside the specified value, then it is determined that there is a high possibility that the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is faulty.

7. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to claim 4, The aforementioned fault detection means is characterized by detecting that if the compressor's discharge temperature and pressure do not rise, the temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger falls below the low temperature range, and the outside air temperature falls below the low temperature range of the operating range, there is a possibility that defrosting operation will not be performed during heating.

8. In the air conditioning equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned notification means is characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact person that a fluorocarbon gas leak has occurred when a fluorocarbon gas leak is detected from the air conditioning equipment.

9. An air conditioning equipment management device characterized by comprising a notification means that, upon receiving an error code output from an air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment, notifies a pre-registered contact of the content of the error code, and, based on data indicating the operating status of the air conditioning equipment to be monitored, acquired by the monitoring device, detects a possible malfunction in the air conditioning equipment, and notifies a pre-registered contact of the possible malfunction of the air conditioning equipment.

10. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 9, The aforementioned monitoring device is an air conditioning equipment management device characterized by acquiring data indicating the operating status at predetermined time intervals.

11. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 9 or 10, The system further includes a fault determination means that detects the possibility of a malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment. The notification means is characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact when the failure determination means determines that the air conditioning equipment may have malfunctioned.

12. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 11, The fault determination means is characterized by determining, based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, that there is a high probability that the compressor is faulty if the compressor discharge temperature is below a specified value, the compressor discharge pressure is below a specified value, and the temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger is below a specified value.

13. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 11, The aforementioned fault determination means is characterized in that, if the temperature of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, and the temperature of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the indoor unit is outside the specified value, then it is determined that there is a high possibility that the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is faulty.

14. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 11, The aforementioned fault detection means is characterized by detecting that if the compressor's discharge temperature and pressure do not rise, the temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger falls below the low temperature range, and the outside air temperature falls below the low temperature range of the operating range, there is a possibility that defrosting operation will not be performed during heating.

15. In the air conditioning equipment management device according to claim 9 or 10, The notification means is characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact person that a fluorocarbon gas leak has occurred when a fluorocarbon gas leak is detected from the air conditioning equipment.

16. An air conditioning equipment management program that, upon receiving an error code output from an air conditioning equipment being monitored by a monitoring device attached to the air conditioning equipment, notifies a pre-registered contact of the content of the error code, and, based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment acquired by the monitoring device, detects a possible malfunction in the air conditioning equipment, and causes the computer to execute a notification procedure to notify a pre-registered contact of the possible malfunction of the air conditioning equipment.

17. In the air conditioning equipment management program described in claim 16, The monitoring device is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by acquiring data indicating the operating status at predetermined time intervals.

18. In the air conditioning equipment management program according to claim 16 or 17, The system further includes a fault determination procedure that detects a potential malfunction in the air conditioning equipment based on data indicating the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment. The notification procedure is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact when the failure determination procedure determines that there is a possibility that the air conditioning equipment has failed.

19. In the air conditioning equipment management program according to claim 18, The aforementioned fault determination procedure is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by determining, based on data showing the operating status of the monitored air conditioning equipment, that there is a high probability that the compressor is faulty if the compressor discharge temperature is below a specified value, the compressor discharge pressure is below a specified value, and the temperature of the outdoor unit's heat exchanger is below a specified value.

20. In the air conditioning equipment management program according to claim 18, The aforementioned fault determination procedure is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by determining that there is a high probability that the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit is faulty if the temperature of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the outdoor unit is outside the specified value, and the temperature of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is outside the specified value and the rotation of the expansion valve opening of the indoor unit is outside the specified value.

21. In the air conditioning equipment management program according to claim 18, The aforementioned fault detection procedure is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by detecting that if the compressor's discharge temperature and pressure do not rise, the outdoor unit's heat exchanger temperature falls below the low-temperature range, and the outside air temperature falls below the low-temperature range of the operating range, there is a possibility that defrosting operation will not be performed during heating.

22. In the air conditioning equipment management program according to claim 16 or 17, The notification procedure is an air conditioning equipment management program characterized by notifying a pre-registered contact person that a fluorocarbon gas leak has occurred when a fluorocarbon gas leak is detected from the air conditioning equipment.

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