Identification device and identification method

Abstract

To provide a specification device capable of specifying a defect generation place of a refrigeration cycle device, and a specification method.SOLUTION: A specification device comprises an acquisition unit and a specification unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first pressure and a first temperature of a refrigerant suctioned by a compressor, and a second pressure and a second temperature of a refrigerant flowing out of a condenser, in a refrigeration cycle device having the compressor, the condenser, a decompression device and an evaporator. The specification unit specifies a location where a defect is generated or a location where a defect is to be generated in the refrigeration cycle device, based on a first pressure increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the first pressure, a first temperature increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the first temperature, a second pressure increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the second pressure, and a second temperature increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the second temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a determination device and a determination method. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, problems occur in refrigeration cycle devices, such as a decrease in ventilation volume due to dust adhesion to the heat exchanger, clogging due to adhesion inside the piping, especially in the case of a pressure reducing device using a capillary tube, refrigerant leakage, etc. However, even if a problem occurs, it is difficult to identify the location of the problem, and it may take a long time to identify the location of the problem. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-83872 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an identification device and an identification method capable of identifying the location or portion of a malfunction in a refrigeration cycle device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The identifying device according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition unit and an identification unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first pressure and a first temperature of a refrigerant sucked by a compressor in a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator, and a second pressure and a second temperature of a refrigerant flowing out from the condenser. The identification unit identifies a location where a malfunction has occurred or a portion where a malfunction will occur in the refrigeration cycle device based on a first pressure increase / decrease state relative to a predetermined value of the first pressure, a first temperature increase / decrease state relative to a predetermined value of the first temperature, a second pressure increase / decrease state relative to a predetermined value of the second pressure, and a second temperature increase / decrease state relative to a predetermined value of the second temperature. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The location of the malfunction or the portion where the malfunction will occur in the refrigeration cycle device can be identified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a Ph diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigeration cycle device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing reference data corresponding to a defect condition. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a state monitoring process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing reference data corresponding to defect conditions according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing reference data corresponding to defect conditions according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an identification device and an identification method according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, in the drawings referred to in this embodiment, the same parts or parts having similar functions are given the same or similar symbols, and repeated explanations thereof may be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings may differ from the actual ratios for the convenience of explanation, and some components may be omitted from the drawings.

[0009] (First embodiment)

[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle system 1 according to this embodiment. A configuration example of the refrigeration cycle system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigeration cycle system 1 according to this embodiment is a system capable of identifying a malfunction location or a location where a malfunction will occur in a refrigeration cycle device 10. This refrigeration cycle system 1 is configured to include a refrigeration cycle device 10 and an identifying device 20. Note that the location where a malfunction will occur according to this embodiment refers to a location where a malfunction has not yet occurred but is likely to occur in the future.

[0011] The refrigeration cycle device 10 is, for example, a refrigerator that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration cycle device 10 has a compressor 11, a condenser 12, a pressure reducing device 13, an evaporator 14, a measuring device Sa, and a measuring device Sb. The compressor 11, the condenser 12, the pressure reducing device 13, and the evaporator 14 are connected by refrigerant piping (hereinafter, the refrigerant piping may be referred to as piping) to form a refrigerant circuit. These are the main components, and in addition to these, a dryer, an accumulator, a valve, and the like (not shown) are also configured within the piping connection.

[0012] The compressor 11 is, for example, an inverter compressor, and draws in gas refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it in a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The displacement volume discharged by the compressor 11 per rotation is determined for each compressor. Therefore, the volume discharged per unit time can be calculated from the rotation frequency.

[0013] The condenser 12 is, for example, a heat exchanger composed of a heat transfer tube and a number of fins, and is connected to the compressor 11 and the pressure reducing device 13 by refrigerant piping. A plate fin type heat exchanger is generally used for vehicles. This condenser 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the piping and the air outside the device. In this way, the condenser 12 exchanges heat between the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 and a heat medium such as air or water, thereby condensing and liquefying the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.

[0014] The pressure reducing device 13 is composed of, for example, a capillary tube, and is connected to the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 by refrigerant piping. The pressure reducing device 13 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12 to expand it. More specifically, the pressure reducing device 13 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping that has been condensed and liquefied by the condenser 12 so that the refrigerant can easily evaporate, and puts it into a two-phase state. A capillary tube is often used, particularly for vehicles, but this is not limiting. For example, a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve may be used.

[0015] The evaporator 14 is, for example, a cross-fin type heat exchanger, and is connected to the pressure reducing device 13 and the compressor 11 by refrigerant piping. The evaporator 14 exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping and the air outside the device, evaporating the refrigerant in the piping. In the case of cooling operation, the cooled air is supplied into the vehicle to cool the air inside the vehicle. There is no particular limitation on the refrigerant, and a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant, a single refrigerant, or the like may be appropriately selected.

[0016] The measuring device Sa is configured with, for example, a pressure sensor and a thermocouple, and measures a first pressure and a first temperature of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 11. The measuring device Sb is configured with, for example, a pressure sensor and a thermocouple, and measures a second pressure and a second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 12.

[0017] The identifying device 20 is a device for identifying the location of the problem in the refrigeration cycle device 10, and includes an acquisition unit 22, a storage unit 24, and an identifying unit 26. The identifying device 20 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and realizes each function by executing a program stored in the storage unit 24. Each of the acquisition unit 22, the storage unit (reference database) 24, and the identifying unit 26 may be configured as a circuit. The identifying device 20 may be mounted on a control device in a vehicle, or may be arranged in a data center outside the vehicle to form a system for making a judgment by communication.

[0018] The acquisition unit 22 is connected to the measuring device Sa and the measuring device Sb, and acquires a first pressure and a first temperature of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 11, and a second pressure and a second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 12.

[0019] The storage unit 24 is realized by, for example, a register in a logic circuit, a semiconductor memory element such as an SRAM, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. This storage unit stores a program that realizes the function of the specified device 20, reference data, etc. Details of the reference data stored in the storage unit 24 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0020] The identifying unit 26 identifies a malfunction location or a location where a malfunction will occur in the refrigerant circuit flow path based on a first pressure increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the first pressure, a first temperature increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the first temperature, a second pressure increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the second pressure, and a second temperature increase / decrease state with respect to a predetermined value of the second temperature, using the data acquired by the acquiring unit 22. More specifically, the identifying unit 26 identifies a malfunction location or a location where a malfunction will occur in the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, or the evaporator based on a combination of the first pressure increase / decrease state, the first temperature increase / decrease state, the second pressure increase / decrease state, and the second temperature increase / decrease state.

[0021] Here, the first pressure increase / decrease state is, for example, a first pressure difference value of the first pressure measured at every predetermined time interval. This first pressure difference value is, for example, a difference between the first pressure at a reference level in a normal state and the current first pressure. Alternatively, this first pressure difference value may be calculated as a difference between the first pressure a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current first pressure.

[0022] Similarly, the first temperature increase / decrease state is a first temperature difference value of the first temperature measured at a predetermined time interval. This first temperature difference value is, for example, the difference between the first temperature at a reference level in a normal state and the current first temperature. Alternatively, this first temperature difference value may be calculated as the difference between the first temperature a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current first temperature.

[0023] Similarly, the second pressure increase / decrease state is a second pressure difference value of the second pressure measured at each predetermined time interval. This second pressure difference value is, for example, the difference between the second pressure at a reference level in normal operation and the current second pressure. Alternatively, this second pressure difference value may be calculated as the difference between the second pressure a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current second pressure.

[0024] Similarly, the second temperature increase / decrease state is a second temperature difference value of the second temperature measured at a predetermined time interval. This second temperature difference value is, for example, the difference between the second temperature at a reference level in normal times and the current second temperature. Alternatively, this second temperature difference value may be calculated as the difference between the second temperature a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current second temperature. The detailed processing of the determination unit 26 will be described later.

[0025] Here, an operation example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a Ph diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The vertical axis indicates pressure, and the horizontal axis indicates specific enthalpy. Also, s1 to s4 indicate pressure and temperature at s1 to s4 in Fig. 1. That is, s1 indicates the first pressure and first temperature measured by the measuring device Sa, and s3 indicates the second pressure and second temperature measured by the measuring device Sb.

[0026] In the refrigeration cycle device 10, a refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure gas state (s1) is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant (s2). The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant (s2) discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the condenser 12.

[0027] Next, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant (s2) that flows into the condenser 12 dissipates heat to the outdoor air, etc., and is condensed to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant (s3). Next, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that flows out of the condenser 12 flows into the pressure reducing device 13, where it is reduced in pressure and converted into a low-pressure refrigerant (s4) that is a mixture of liquid and gas.

[0028] The refrigerant (s4) that flows into the evaporator 14 evaporates while remaining at the same temperature, and is converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state (s1). At this time, the air inside the vehicle, for example, is cooled by removing heat in the evaporator 14. The gaseous refrigerant (s1) that flows out of the evaporator 14 is sucked into the compressor 11 and compressed again.

[0029] Next, the reference data stored in the storage unit 24 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the reference data corresponding to the defect conditions. The defect conditions indicate the location of the defect.

[0030] The numbers 1 to 15 in the database column indicate fault conditions. For example, 1 is fault condition 1, 2 is fault condition 2, 3 is fault condition 3, 4 is fault condition 4, 5 indicates fault condition 5 where fault conditions 1 and 2 occur simultaneously, and 6 indicates fault condition 6 where fault conditions 1 and 3 occur simultaneously. Like 6, 7 to 15 also indicate multiple fault conditions occurring simultaneously.

[0031] For example, fault conditions include phenomena such as a decrease in airflow due to dust in the condenser or evaporator, clogging of the capillary tube, and refrigerant leakage.

[0032] In the table, the outflow pressure and outflow temperature correspond to the second pressure and second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12, the suction pressure and suction temperature correspond to the first pressure and first temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11, and the refrigerant circulation volume corresponds to the circulation volume of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle device 10.

[0033] That is, from the left column, arrows indicate a second pressure increase / decrease state which is an increase / decrease state of the outflow pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12, a second temperature increase / decrease state which is an increase / decrease state of the outflow temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12, a first pressure increase / decrease state which is an increase / decrease state of the suction pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11, a first temperature increase / decrease state which is an increase / decrease state of the suction temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11, and an increase / decrease state of the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 10.

[0034] The arrows in the table indicate the degree of change from a steady state or a quasi-steady state that is stable enough to be considered steady. Significant changes are indicated by vertical arrows, and moderate changes are indicated by diagonal arrows. More specifically, based on experimental data previously obtained by preliminary experiments or simulations, the first pressure difference value indicating the first pressure increase / decrease state, the first temperature difference value indicating the first temperature increase / decrease state, the second pressure difference value indicating the second pressure increase / decrease state, the second temperature difference value indicating the second temperature increase / decrease state, and the difference value of the refrigerant circulation amount are each divided into, for example, three stages of increase and three stages of decrease, and the range of each value is set. For example, if the first pressure difference value is 0 or more and less than 100, it is classified into the first increase range, if it is 100 or more and less than 200, it is classified into the second increase range, if it is 200 or more, it is classified into the third increase range, if it is less than 0 and -100 or more, it is classified into the first decrease range, if it is less than -100 and -200 or more, it is classified into the second decrease range, and if it is less than -200, it is classified into the third decrease range.

[0035] That is, in FIG. 3, if the first pressure difference value corresponds to the second increase range, it is indicated by an arrow pointing upward at 45 degrees, if it corresponds to the third increase range, it is indicated by an arrow pointing upward at 90 degrees, if it corresponds to the second decrease range, it is indicated by an arrow pointing downward at 45 degrees, if it corresponds to the third decrease range, it is indicated by an arrow pointing downward at 90 degrees. The first temperature difference value, the second pressure difference value, the second temperature difference value, and the difference value of the refrigerant circulation amount are also classified into six stages in the same way, but the setting range of the numerical value differs according to each measured value. In this embodiment, each difference value is classified into six stages, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be classified into 12 stages, 24 stages, etc. In this way, the reference data of the first pressure difference value, the second pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, and the second temperature difference value are associated with each malfunction occurrence location and stored in the memory unit 24.

[0036] Here, the refrigerant circulation amount q mr is calculated by the specification unit 26 using equation (1).

number

number

[0037] Here, for example, if the cooling capacity Q is in the range of 100 to 90, it corresponds to no abnormality, if it is in the range of 90 to 80, it corresponds to a malfunction premonition stage where a malfunction is likely to occur, and if it is less than 80, it corresponds to a malfunction stage where a malfunction has occurred. For example, in FIG. 3, the range from 90 to 80 corresponds to an arrow pointing diagonally downward at 45 degrees, and the range less than 80 corresponds to an arrow pointing downward at 90 degrees. In this way, the determination unit 26 calculates the refrigerant circulation amount of the refrigeration cycle device 10 and estimates the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device 10. That is, the determination unit 26 can calculate the refrigerant circulation amount of the refrigeration cycle device 10 and estimate it as no malfunction, a malfunction premonition stage, or a malfunction stage.

[0038] Here, a detailed example of the processing performed by the specification unit 26 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, the identification unit 26 identifies the location of the malfunction according to a combination of the degree of decrease in the first pressure difference value, the degree of decrease in the first temperature difference value, the degree of increase in the second pressure difference value, and the degree of decrease in the second temperature difference value. For example, if the degree of decrease in the first pressure difference value is in the second decrease range, the degree of decrease in the first temperature difference value is in the third decrease range, the degree of increase in the second pressure difference value is in the second increase range, and the degree of increase in the second temperature difference value is in the third decrease range, it is determined that the malfunction condition 1 is met, and it is identified that, for example, the compressor 11 is malfunctioning. In this way, the identification unit 26 identifies the location of the malfunction in the compressor 11, the condenser 12, the pressure reducing device 13, and the evaporator 14 by comparing with the reference data stored in the storage unit 24.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example of state monitoring. Here, an example of monitoring the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 after it has reached a steady state or a quasi-steady state that can be considered to be steady after the start of operation or at a certain interval during operation will be described. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 itself may be an inverter-controlled system, in which case the steady state is determined to be the timing when maximum performance operation continues. Alternatively, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 may be operated steadily for several minutes before the determination, and then it is determined to be in a quasi-steady state.

[0040] First, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the frequency of the compressor 11, a first pressure and a first temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11, and a second pressure and a second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 12 (step S100).

[0041] Next, the determination unit 26 estimates and calculates the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the formulas (1) and (2) (step S102). Then, the determination unit 26 compares the estimated calculation result with the numerical ranges of no malfunction (e.g., 100 to 90), a malfunction symptom stage (e.g., 90 to 80), and a malfunction stage (e.g., 80 to 0) stored in the storage unit (reference database) 24 (step S104).

[0042] Next, the identifying unit 26 determines whether the numerical value is within a range without any defects (e.g., 100 to 90) (step S106). If the numerical value is within a range without any defects (e.g., 100 to 90) (Yes in step S106), the identifying unit 26 stores the state information acquired in step S100 in the storage unit 24 (step S108).

[0043] On the other hand, if the value is not within the range for no defect (for example, 100 to 90) (No in step S106), the identifying unit 26 determines whether the value is less than the reference value (80) (step S110).

[0044] If the values ​​are equal to or less than the reference value (80) (Yes in step S110), the identifying unit 26 calculates a first pressure difference value, a first temperature difference value, a second pressure difference value, and a second temperature difference value using the first pressure, the first temperature, the second pressure, and the second temperature, determines which of the malfunction conditions in the reference data (FIG. 3) these correspond to, and outputs the identified malfunction location to a display device (not shown) (step S112).

[0045] On the other hand, if the values ​​are equal to or greater than the reference value (80) (No in step S110), the identification unit 26 calculates a first pressure difference value, a first temperature difference value, a second pressure difference value, and a second temperature difference value using the first pressure, the first temperature, the second pressure, and the second temperature, determines which of the malfunction conditions in the reference data (FIG. 3) these correspond to, and outputs a prediction (estimate) of the identified malfunction location.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the identification unit 26 calculates the difference values ​​between the first pressure and the first temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11, and the second pressure and the second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 12, and identifies the malfunction location or the predicted malfunction location in the refrigeration cycle device 10 based on the combination of the increase and decrease states of each. This allows the malfunction location to be predicted in advance, and the malfunction location can be maintained during regular maintenance, and if the device is installed in a vehicle, the impact on operation can be eliminated. Furthermore, even when a malfunction is determined, since the malfunction location has been identified, the maintenance time can be significantly shortened, and the impact on the operation of the vehicle can be minimized.

[0047] Second embodiment The refrigeration cycle system according to the second embodiment differs from the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment in that the malfunction state of the refrigeration cycle device 10 is more accurately estimated by taking into account the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11. Also, the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment differs from the refrigeration cycle system according to the second embodiment in that the identification unit 26 is capable of identifying the malfunction location or the portion where the malfunction will occur by the classifiers 260 and 262 that have undergone supervised learning. The following describes the differences from the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the refrigeration cycle device 10 further includes a measuring instrument Sc.

[0049] The measuring device Sc is configured by, for example, a pressure sensor and a thermocouple, and measures a third pressure and a third temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11.

[0050] The specification unit 26 further includes a first classifier 260 and a second classifier 262. The first classifier 260 and the second classifier 262 will be described in detail later.

[0051] The acquisition unit 22 further acquires a third pressure and a third temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11 from the measuring device Sc. The determination unit 26 calculates the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 by further using the third pressure and the third temperature acquired by the acquisition unit 22 in addition to the method of the first embodiment. This makes it possible to estimate the cooling capacity with higher accuracy.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing reference data corresponding to a malfunction condition according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, a third pressure increase / decrease state, which is an increase / decrease state of the outflow pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11, and a third temperature increase / decrease state, which is an increase / decrease state of the outflow temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 11, are added to the determination of the malfunction condition.

[0053] The third pressure increase / decrease state is a third pressure difference value of the third pressure measured at each predetermined time interval. This third pressure difference value is, for example, a difference between the third pressure at a reference level under normal conditions and the current third pressure. Alternatively, this third pressure difference value may be calculated as a difference between the second pressure a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current second pressure.

[0054] Similarly, the third temperature increase / decrease state is a third temperature difference value of the third temperature measured at a predetermined time interval. This third temperature difference value is, for example, the difference between the third temperature at a reference level under normal conditions and the current third temperature. Alternatively, this third temperature difference value may be calculated as the difference between the second temperature a predetermined time ago, for example, 30 seconds ago, and the current third temperature.

[0055] The identification unit 26 also calculates the third pressure difference value and the third temperature difference value. The identification unit 26 also uses the third pressure difference value and the third temperature difference value to determine the malfunction condition and identify the location of the malfunction. This increases the number of reference databases for comparison, making it possible to further improve the accuracy of identifying the location where the malfunction is progressing and the location where the malfunction has occurred.

[0056] Here, the first classifier 260 and the second classifier 262 will be described in detail. The first classifier 260 and the second classifier 262 are classifiers that perform supervised learning of, for example, a neural network. For example, the teacher signal is set to the fault conditions 1 to 15 shown in FIG. 6, and the learning data is set to the first pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, the second pressure difference value, the second temperature difference value, the third pressure difference value, and the third temperature difference value corresponding to the teacher signal. The first classifier 260 and the second classifier 262 are each trained using these data as supervised learning data. Note that normalized data of the first pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, the second pressure difference value, the second temperature difference value, the third pressure difference value, and the third temperature difference value may be used for learning.

[0057] At this time, data when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in a malfunction stage is used for learning of the first classifier 260. On the other hand, data when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in a warning stage of a malfunction is used for learning of the second classifier 262.

[0058] As a result, when the unlearned first pressure difference value, first temperature difference value, second pressure difference value, second temperature difference value, third pressure difference value, and third temperature difference value are input to the first identifier 260, one of the malfunction conditions 1 to 15 is output. In this case, if the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is at the malfunction stage, the first identifier 260 is used. As a result, it is possible to more accurately identify one of the malfunction conditions 1 to 15.

[0059] On the other hand, if the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is at a malfunction precursor stage, the second classifier 262 is used. This makes it possible to more accurately classify the malfunction into any of the malfunction conditions 1 to 15 at the malfunction precursor stage.

[0060] Furthermore, when the cooling capacity is at a stage predicting a malfunction, the identifying unit 26 stores state information, for example, the first pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, the second pressure difference value, the second temperature difference value, the third pressure difference value, and the third temperature difference value, in the storage unit 24. This makes it possible to determine how much the malfunction has progressed since the previous determination by the identifying unit 26, and to output the degree of progression of the malfunction.

[0061] More specifically, the determination unit 26 calculates the difference in cooling capacity, and determines that the malfunction is progressing more when the difference value is decreasing more significantly. For example, if the malfunction progresses and the progression is fast, parts replacement and cleaning can be performed at the next maintenance, and if the progression is slow, the maintenance can be performed until the next regular maintenance, etc., at an appropriate timing, thereby reducing the labor required for maintenance work.

[0062] Furthermore, the storage unit 24 periodically stores the condition monitoring data in the storage unit 24. This allows data to be accumulated. The accumulated data can be compared with a reference database outside the vehicle. Therefore, as more data is accumulated, the accuracy of statistical processing of the relationship between the progression of a malfunction and cooling capacity, and machine learning processing such as neural networks, improves. This makes it possible to configure a condition monitoring system that takes into account the characteristics of each route on which the vehicle operates.

[0063] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 26 also uses the third pressure difference value and the third temperature difference value to calculate the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. This makes it possible to calculate the cooling capacity with higher accuracy.

[0064] The identifying unit 26 also identifies the location of the defect by using the third pressure difference value and the third temperature difference value. This increases the number of reference databases to compare with, and therefore makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of identifying the location of the defect progression or the location of the defect occurrence.

[0065] Furthermore, by using the first classifier 260 and the second classifier 262, it becomes possible to specify the location where a defect occurs (the location where the defect progresses) and to specify the location where the defect occurs, without using reference data.

[0066] Third embodiment The refrigeration cycle system 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the refrigeration cycle system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the refrigeration cycle system 1 according to the third embodiment includes reference data according to an outside temperature. The following describes the differences from the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing reference data corresponding to a defect condition according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, reference data is prepared for each temperature condition, for example, for each outside air temperature. This enables the identification unit 26 to use reference data suited to the temperature condition, and the identification accuracy is further improved. This makes it possible to perform state monitoring at any timing during operation. This makes it possible to more quickly and accurately determine a defect and determine the location where the defect occurs (estimate the location where the defect occurs).

[0068] At least a part of the data processing method in the specific device 20 according to the present embodiment may be configured with hardware or software. In the case of configuring with software, a program for realizing at least a part of the functions of the data processing method may be stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and may be read and executed by a computer. The recording medium is not limited to a removable one such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, but may be a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory. In addition, a program for realizing at least a part of the functions of the data processing method may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Furthermore, the program may be encrypted, modulated, or compressed and distributed via a wired line or wireless line such as the Internet, or stored in a recording medium.

[0069] Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel device, method, and program described in this specification can be embodied in various other forms. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the forms of the device, method, and program described in this specification without departing from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: refrigeration cycle system, 10: refrigeration cycle device, 11: compressor, 12: condenser, 13: pressure reducing device, 14: evaporator, 20: identification device, 22: acquisition unit, 24: memory unit, 26: identification unit, 260: first classifier, 262: second classifier, Sa to Sc: measuring instruments.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires only information on a first pressure and a first temperature of a refrigerant sucked by a compressor and a second pressure and a second temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser in a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor, a condenser, a decompression device, and an evaporator; an identification unit that identifies whether a malfunction has occurred in at least any one of the compressor, the condenser, the decompression device, and the evaporator, or whether the malfunction will occur in at least any one of the compressor, the condenser, the decompression device, and the evaporator, without generating a Moller diagram, according to a combination of a first pressure increase / decrease state for the first pressure with respect to the predetermined value, a first temperature increase / decrease state for the first temperature with respect to the predetermined value, a second pressure increase / decrease state for the second pressure with respect to the predetermined value, and a second temperature increase / decrease state for the second temperature with respect to the predetermined value; A specific device comprising:

2. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the location where the malfunction occurs when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device is within a numerical range of a stage at which the malfunction occurs, and identifies the location where the malfunction occurs when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device is within a numerical range of a stage at which the malfunction is predicted.

3. The identifying device according to claim 2 , wherein the identifying unit estimates the cooling capacity based on a physical quantity calculated from an amount of circulating refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device, the second pressure, and the second temperature.

4. the first pressure increase / decrease state is a first pressure difference value of the first pressure measured at a predetermined time interval; the first temperature increase / decrease state is a first temperature difference value of the first temperature measured at a predetermined time interval; the second pressure increase / decrease state is a second pressure difference value of the second pressure measured at a predetermined time interval; The identifying device according to claim 3 , wherein the second temperature increase or decrease state is a second temperature difference value of the second temperature measured at a predetermined time interval.

5. The identification device of claim 4, wherein the identification unit identifies the location where the malfunction occurs or the portion where the malfunction will occur based on a combination of the degree of decrease in the first pressure difference value, the degree of decrease in the first temperature difference value, the degree of increase in the second pressure difference value, and the degree of decrease in the second temperature difference value.

6. a storage unit configured to store reference data of the first pressure difference value, the second pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, and the second temperature difference value for each malfunction occurrence location, The identification device according to claim 4 , wherein the identification unit identifies the location where the malfunction has occurred or the portion where the malfunction will occur in the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, and the evaporator by comparing with reference data stored in the memory unit.

7. the acquisition unit acquires a third pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor and a third temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the compressor, the storage unit further stores reference data of a third pressure difference value of the third pressure measured at a predetermined time interval and a third temperature difference value of the third temperature measured at a predetermined time interval, The identification device according to claim 6, wherein the identification unit identifies the location where the malfunction occurs or the portion where the malfunction will occur further based on a comparison of the third pressure difference value, the third temperature difference value, and the reference data.

8. The storage unit has a plurality of the reference data corresponding to outside air temperatures, The identification device according to claim 7 , wherein the identification unit changes the reference data to be used depending on the outside air temperature.

9. the identification unit compares the reference data with the first pressure difference value, the second pressure difference value, the first temperature difference value, the second temperature difference value, the third pressure difference value, and the third temperature difference value at predetermined time intervals; The identification device according to claim 8 , wherein the storage unit stores data relating to the comparison at each predetermined time period.

10. The identification device of claim 3, wherein when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device is within a numerical range of the stage at which the malfunction occurs, the identification unit performs the identification using a first identifier that identifies the malfunction location based on values ​​related to each of the first pressure increase / decrease state, the first temperature increase / decrease state, the second pressure increase / decrease state, and the second temperature increase / decrease state.

11. The identification device described in claim 10, wherein when the cooling capacity of the refrigeration cycle device is within a numerical range of the malfunction precursor stage, the identification unit further has a second identifier that identifies the location where the malfunction occurs based on values ​​related to each of the first pressure increase / decrease state, the first temperature increase / decrease state, the second pressure increase / decrease state, and the second temperature increase / decrease state.

12. an acquisition step of acquiring information on only a first pressure and a first temperature of a refrigerant sucked by a compressor and a second pressure and a second temperature of a refrigerant flowing out from the condenser in a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator; a determining step of determining whether a malfunction has occurred in at least any one of the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, and the evaporator, or whether the malfunction will occur in at least any one of the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, and the evaporator, without generating a Moller diagram, according to a combination of a first pressure increase / decrease state for the first pressure with respect to the predetermined value, a first temperature increase / decrease state for the first temperature with respect to the predetermined value, a second pressure increase / decrease state for the second pressure with respect to the predetermined value, and a second temperature increase / decrease state for the second temperature with respect to the predetermined value; The method of identification comprises:

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