Information processing apparatus, program, abnormality detection method, abnormality detection system, and cooling storage

Abstract

To provide an information processor capable of detecting failure (abnormality) caused by leakage of a refrigerant in a cooling storage.SOLUTION: An information processor 80 includes: an acquisition section 81 acquiring information related to a driving state of a compressor and information acquired by a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor; a determination section 86 determining that there is refrigerant leakage when a first temperature difference that is a temperature difference between an air temperature in a storage chamber and an inlet temperature of an evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is enhanced is deviated from an appropriate range of the temperature difference between the air temperature in the storage chamber and the inlet temperature of the evaporator which is predetermined on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition section 81 when there is no refrigerant leakage from a refrigerant pipe; and an output section 87 outputting information indicating an abnormality when the determination section 86 determines that there is refrigerant leakage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, an abnormality detection method, an abnormality detection system, and a cooling storage cabinet.

Background Art

[0002] Cooling storage cabinets are constantly operated to maintain a storage chamber at a predetermined cooling set temperature. Therefore, conventionally, measures have been taken to avoid unintended operation stops and degradation of operation performance due to failures or the like in cooling storage cabinets. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a refrigerant gas leak (refrigerant leak), which is one of the problems that degrade the performance of a cooling storage cabinet, using a gas detector. In the technique of Patent Document 1, in addition to the detection result of refrigerant leakage by a gas detector with high sensitivity set, the operating state of the compressor and the like are taken into account to reliably detect refrigerant leakage in a short time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, gas detectors are relatively expensive, and there is a problem in terms of cost, especially when installing a highly sensitive gas detector in each cooling storage cabinet.

[0005] The present technology has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one object thereof is to provide an abnormality detection system capable of detecting a problem (abnormality) caused by refrigerant leakage in a cooling storage cabinet without providing a gas detector. In another aspect, another object is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, an abnormality detection method, and a cooling storage cabinet, each of which is capable of detecting a problem caused by refrigerant leakage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to this technology detects an abnormality in a cooling storage device including a storage body having a storage chamber, a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression mechanism, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a heater for heating the evaporator, a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator, and a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber, and configured to execute a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber. Then, this information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, is outside an appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the inlet of the evaporator, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, a determination unit that determines that there is refrigerant leakage, and an output unit that outputs information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is refrigerant leakage.

[0007] When there is an abnormality in the cooling refrigerator, the cooling capacity of the cooling refrigerator decreases, so the driving state of the compressor to achieve a predetermined cooling performance becomes high. For example, when adopting constant-speed control as the operation control method of the compressor, the operation rate increases, and when adopting inverter control, the average rotation rate increases. Further, as an example of an abnormality in the cooling refrigerator, when the refrigerant in a gaseous state gradually leaks from the refrigerant pipe (slow leak of refrigerant gas), the refrigerant gas supplied to the evaporator becomes insufficient. As a result, it is conceivable that only the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator decreases, the temperature on the outlet side rises, and the cooling performance decreases. In such a case, although the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator decreases, the temperature of the air in the storage chamber (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "inside temperature of the refrigerator") is difficult to drop to a temperature corresponding to the decrease in the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator, and the first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the evaporator inlet temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the inside temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, can become larger compared to the temperature difference when there is no refrigerant gas leakage.

[0008] According to the above configuration, by monitoring the temperature difference (first temperature difference) between the inlet temperature of the evaporator and the inside temperature of the refrigerator, setting its appropriate range, and determining whether the first temperature difference is appropriate, it is possible to estimate whether the cause of the abnormality when there is an abnormality in the cooling refrigerator is due to refrigerant leakage. That is, when the judgment condition including the condition that the first temperature difference deviates from its appropriate range is satisfied, it is determined that there is refrigerant leakage. Thereby, it is possible to detect a malfunction of the cooling refrigerator caused by refrigerant leakage. Further, when a malfunction occurs in the cooling refrigerator, it is possible to estimate whether the cause is due to refrigerant leakage.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the condenser includes an inlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is sent, an outlet through which the refrigerant is sent toward the decompression mechanism, and a central portion between the inlet and the outlet. The cooling storage device further includes a third temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the condenser at the central portion of the condenser, and a fourth temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the environment in which the cooling storage device is installed. The acquisition unit in the information processing device acquires the information detected by the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor, and the determination unit further determines that when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, the second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the environment and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser, is outside the appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the environment and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, and determines that there is refrigerant leakage.

[0010] When refrigerant leakage occurs, the operating rate of the compressor increases to lower the temperature of the storage chamber compared to when there is no refrigerant leakage. Here, as the refrigerant gas decreases, the temperature of the central portion of the condenser is difficult to increase up to a temperature corresponding to the increase in the operating rate of the compressor, and the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser can become smaller compared to when no refrigerant gas is leaking. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether refrigerant leakage has occurred by taking into account the second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately detect the problems of the cooling storage device caused by refrigerant leakage.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling unit further includes a heater for heating the evaporator, and the cooling refrigerator is configured to perform a defrosting operation of heating the evaporator with the heater to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator when a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied, and includes a timer for detecting the time required for the defrosting operation. Then, the acquisition unit acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer, and the determination unit further determines that there is a refrigerant leak when the time required for the most recently performed defrosting operation deviates from a proper range of the time required for the defrosting operation that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe.

[0012] The above-mentioned first temperature difference can also become large when excessive frost adheres to the evaporator of the cooling refrigerator. The amount of frost adhering to the cooling refrigerator generally corresponds to the length of the defrosting operation for melting the frost, and whether excessive frost adheres to the evaporator can be grasped by the time required for the defrosting operation. According to the above configuration, it is determined whether excessive frost adheres to the evaporator from the time of the most recently performed defrosting operation. When excessive frost adheres to the evaporator, even when the first temperature difference deviates from the proper range, the determination as to whether a refrigerant leak has occurred is not performed. Thereby, the malfunction of the cooling unit due to the refrigerant leak can be detected more accurately.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present technology, a proper range determination unit is provided that determines the proper range based on the information regarding the first temperature difference acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe. According to the above configuration, the malfunction of the cooling unit due to the refrigerant leak can be detected accurately.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present technology, the cooling unit further includes a heater for heating the evaporator, and the storage cabinet body includes a heat-insulating housing having an opening on one surface, a door for opening and closing the opening, and an opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the door. The cooling storage cabinet is configured to execute a defrosting operation in which the evaporator is heated by the heater to melt frost adhering to the evaporator when a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied, and includes a timer for detecting the time required for the defrosting operation. Then, the acquisition unit acquires the information detected by the opening / closing sensor and the timer, and the appropriate range determination unit determines the following for the cooling storage cabinet: (a) As information regarding the driving state of the compressor, the information detected within a predetermined time after the defrosting operation is not used; In the cooling operation, when the cycle until the temperature inside the cabinet is controlled from one cooling upper limit temperature or cooling lower limit temperature to the next cooling upper limit temperature or cooling lower limit temperature is defined as one cycle, (b) When the fluctuations in the driving state of the compressor within a plurality of consecutive cycles fall within a predetermined range, the appropriate range is determined based on the information regarding the driving state of the compressor in the plurality of consecutive cycles; (c) When the fluctuations in the ambient temperature within a plurality of consecutive cycles fall within a predetermined range, the appropriate range is determined based on the information regarding the driving state of the compressor in the plurality of consecutive cycles; and, (d) When the door is opened and closed within a plurality of consecutive cycles, as information regarding the driving state of the compressor, the information detected in the plurality of consecutive cycles is not used. The information when any one or more of the above conditions are satisfied is configured not to be used for determining the appropriate range. The values detected by the respective sensors in the cooling storage cabinet can generally be greatly affected by the specific usage state of the cooling storage cabinet. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether a refrigerant leak has occurred in consideration of the nature of such a cooling storage cabinet.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present technology, the compressor is subjected to constant speed control that switches between driving and stopping while keeping the rotational speed of the drive motor constant, and the information regarding the driving state of the compressor is the operating rate of the compressor. According to the above configuration, an example of information regarding the driving state of the compressor is clearly presented.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present technology, the compressor is subjected to inverter control that changes the rotational speed of the drive motor, and the information regarding the driving state of the compressor is the rotational speed of the compressor. According to the above configuration, another example of information regarding the driving state of the compressor is clearly presented.

[0017] The present technology, in another aspect, provides an abnormality detection method for a cooling storage device including a storage cabinet body having a storage chamber, a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression mechanism, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a heater for heating the evaporator, further including a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator and a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber, and configured to execute a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber. The method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; a determination step of determining that there is a refrigerant leak when a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from a proper range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the inlet of the evaporator, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; and an output step of outputting information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is a refrigerant leak.

[0018] In another aspect, the present technology provides a program for causing a computer to perform detection of an abnormality in a cooling storage device, the cooling storage device including a storage device main body having a storage chamber, a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression mechanism, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a heater for heating the evaporator, further including a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator, and a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber, and having a configuration for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber. The program causes the computer to execute: an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor, and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; a determination step of determining that there is a refrigerant leak when a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from an appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the inlet of the evaporator, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; and an output step of outputting information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is a refrigerant leak.

[0019] In another aspect, the present technology provides a cooling refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator body having a storage chamber; a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression mechanism, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a heater for heating the evaporator; a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet thereof; a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber; means for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber, cooling it by the cooling unit, and then returning it to the storage chamber; means for transmitting information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information acquired by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to the information processing apparatus connected communicably to any of the above; means for receiving information indicating the abnormality from the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus determines that there is a refrigerant leak; and means for notifying the abnormality based on the received information. The cooling refrigerator may further include the information processing apparatus.

[0020] The present technology provides, in other aspects, an abnormality detection system including a cooling refrigerator, a sensor, and an information processing device. The cooling refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having a storage chamber, a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, a decompression mechanism, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a heater for heating the evaporator, a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator, and a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber. The cooling refrigerator further includes means for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber, cooling it by the cooling unit, and then returning it to the storage chamber, means for transmitting information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information acquired by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to the information processing device communicably connected thereto, means for receiving information indicating the abnormality from the information processing device when the information processing device determines that there is a refrigerant leak, and means for notifying the abnormality based on the received information. The information processing device includes an acquisition unit for acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information acquired by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, a determination unit for determining that there is an abnormality in the decompression mechanism when the temperature difference between the central portion and the outlet of the condenser when the driving state of the compressor is increasing deviates from an appropriate range of the temperature difference between the central portion and the outlet of the condenser predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when the decompression mechanism is normal, and an output unit for outputting information indicating the abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the decompression mechanism.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present technology, it is possible to detect a problem (abnormality) caused by a refrigerant leak in a cooling refrigerator without providing a gas detector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] <Embodiment 1> A detection system according to an embodiment of the present technology and its peripheral technologies will be described with appropriate reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Note that the reference signs F, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower in the width direction when viewed from the front in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 10, respectively. However, the above directions are merely defined for convenience and should not be construed in a limited manner. Also, for a plurality of identical members, one member may be assigned a reference sign, and the reference signs of other members may be omitted.

[0024] The detection system 1 according to the present technology can detect at an earlier stage whether a malfunction of the cooling unit is caused by refrigerant leakage in the cooling refrigerator 10 without providing a special device such as a gas detector when the cooling performance of the cooling refrigerator 10 deteriorates. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the detection system 1 includes a cooling refrigerator 10, a sensor 22T, and an information processing device 80. The detection system 1 of the present embodiment additionally includes another computer 60. Hereinafter, the detection system 1, the cooling refrigerator 10, the information processing device 80, the computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program), and the detection method that constitute the detection system 1 will be described.

[0025] [Cooling refrigerator] The cooling refrigerator 10 is a refrigerator for cooling stored items such as food ingredients to be stored to a temperature suitable for, for example, frozen storage or chilled storage while maintaining the quality, and then storing them while continuously maintaining the quality. The cooling refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment is a two-door cooling refrigerator as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cooling refrigerator 10 is generally configured mainly with a storage body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A machine room 15 is arranged above the storage body 11, and these are supported from below by legs 19.

[0026] The storage body 11 includes a heat-insulating housing 12 with an opening on one front side and a door 13. The heat-insulating housing 12 is configured by fitting an inner box made of stainless steel plate inside an outer box made of stainless steel plate, and filling a heat-insulating material made of foamed resin such as urethane foam between the outer box and the inner box. A cooling chamber 17 is defined by attaching a cooling chamber duct 18 above the heat-insulating housing 12 (see FIG. 3). And among the interior of the heat-insulating housing 12, the remaining portion partitioned by the cooling chamber duct 18 becomes a storage chamber 14 for accommodating stored items to be stored. An opening is provided in the upper wall of the heat-insulating housing 12, and the cooling chamber 17 and the machine room 15 are configured to be communicable. Beam-like members for vertically partitioning the front opening 12A are provided at the front ends of the left and right side walls of the heat-insulating housing 12.

[0027] The door 13 is an element that opens and closes the opening 12A of the heat-insulating housing 12. By covering the opening 12A of the heat-insulating housing 12 with the door 13, the storage chamber 14 is constructed and the storage chamber 14 can be heat-insulated from the outside. The door 13 is composed of two sets of single-opening doors, and the opening 12A is opened and closed by these two doors 13 respectively. Each door 13 is attached to the right edge of the opening 12A of the heat-insulating housing 12 so that it can swing open and close with the right end as the swing axis. Each door 13 is constituted by filling a heat-insulating material made of a foamed resin such as rigid foamed polyurethane between an exterior material made of a stainless steel plate and an interior material made of a synthetic resin. Further, a sealing member 35 is attached to the peripheral edge of the back surface facing the inside of the cabinet when the door 13 is closed. The sealing member 35 is arranged at a position interposed between the door 13, the heat-insulating housing 12, and the opening edge of the beam-shaped member when the door 13 is closed. The sealing member 35 is constituted by a soft synthetic resin having elasticity such as rubber or an elastomer resin, and airtightly seals the space between the door 13 and the heat-insulating housing 12 in the closed-door state.

[0028] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage cabinet main body 11 is additionally provided with a door opening / closing sensor 34. The door opening / closing sensor 34 includes a magnet 34A and a proximity switch 34B. The proximity switch 34B and the magnet 34A are an example of the door opening / closing sensor 34. The magnet 34A is embedded in the upper edge of the upper door 13 and the lower edge of the lower door 13 respectively. The proximity switch 34B is embedded at a position facing the magnet 34A when the door is closed, among the opening edges of the heat-insulating housing 12. The proximity switch 34B in this example is a magnetic-sensing type proximity switch 34B (for example, a reed switch). The magnet 34A and the proximity switch 34B are configured such that when the door 13 is closed, the magnet 34A approaches the proximity switch 34B and the proximity switch 34B senses it, closing the reed switch. Thereby, when the reed switch is closed, the closed state of the door 13 can be detected, and when the reed switch is open, the open state of the door 13 can be detected. The door opening / closing sensor 34 is electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0029] The machine room 15 is provided above the heat-insulating housing 12. In the machine room 15, a part of the cooling unit 20 for cooling the air inside the storage room 14 (inside the storage) and a control device 50 for controlling each part of the cooling storage 10 are arranged. Although the machine room 15 and the cooling room 17 are communicable through an opening, the opening can be thermally sealed by fitting a heat-insulating partition plate 29 from the side of the machine room 15. The control device 50 can be electrically connected to an external power source (not shown), and for example, power is supplied to each part of the cooling storage 10 via the control device 50.

[0030] A front panel 15A is provided in front of the machine room 15. An opening is provided in the front panel 15A, and the operation panel 16 is attached so as to be exposed to the front through this opening. The operation panel 16 integrally includes a display unit (an example of a notification means), an operation unit, and a fourth temperature sensor 16T. The display unit and the operation unit of the operation panel 16 and the fourth temperature sensor 16T are electrically connected to the control device 50. The display unit of the operation panel 16 may be, for example, a 7-segment display, a liquid crystal display, etc., and displays various information of the cooling storage 10. The display unit of the operation panel 16, for example, includes information indicating the operating state of the cooling storage 10 (specifically, codes, characters, and user interfaces (User Interface: UI) representing "cooling operation", "defrosting operation", etc. to be described later), information indicating an abnormality of the cooling storage 10, and temperatures detected by each of the sensors 16T, 22T, 24T, 26 to be described later. The operation unit of the operation panel 16 may be, for example, a push-button type switch, a capacitive touch switch, etc., and is configured to be able to instruct the control device 50 about the operating conditions of the cooling storage 10 and the operation of the cooling storage 10. The fourth temperature sensor 16T detects the temperature of the external environment (ambient temperature) where the cooling storage 10 is placed. The fourth temperature sensor 16T is constituted by a temperature sensor such as an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor, for example.

[0031] The cooling unit 20 is mainly an element for cooling the air in the storage chamber 14 to a predetermined cooling temperature. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cooling unit 20 generally includes a compressor 21, a condenser 22, a condenser fan 22F, a capillary tube 23 (an example of a decompression mechanism), an evaporator 24, an evaporator fan 24F, and a refrigerant pipe 25 for circulating the refrigerant. In the cooling unit 20, a known refrigeration cycle is constituted by connecting the compressor 21, the condenser 22, the capillary tube 23, and the evaporator 24 in this order with the refrigerant pipe 25 to circulate the refrigerant. Among the cooling unit 20, the compressor 21, the condenser 22, and the condenser fan 22F are placed on the heat insulation partition plate 29 and arranged in the machine room 15 (in other words, exposed to the outside air). Among the cooling unit 20, the evaporator 24, the evaporator fan 24F, and the capillary tube 23 are installed below the heat insulation partition plate 29 and arranged in the cooling chamber 17. The compressor 21, the condenser fan 22F, and the evaporator fan 24F are each electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0032] Note that the condenser 22 is a heat exchanger that cools, condenses, and liquefies the high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 21. The condenser 22 in this example is a coil-shaped air-cooled condenser equipped with plate fins. In the condenser 22, long tubes through which the refrigerant flows are arranged in a zigzag shape in a compact manner. The condenser 22 includes an inlet 22A to which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is sent, an outlet 22C from which the refrigerant is sent out toward the capillary tube 23, and a central portion 22B between the inlet 22A and the outlet 22C. And on the surface of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22, a third temperature sensor 22T capable of detecting the temperature of the condenser 22 in the central portion 22B is provided. The third temperature sensor 22T is constituted by, for example, an NTC thermistor. The third temperature sensor 22T is electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0033] In front of the condenser 22, an air filter 32 is attached. A condenser fan 22F is arranged behind the condenser 22. When the condenser fan 22F is driven, an air flow is formed from the front to the rear, and the condenser 22 is cooled. At this time, the air that has passed through the air filter 32 is sent to the condenser 22, suppressing the situation where foreign matters such as dust adhere to the plate fins of the condenser 22.

[0034] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling chamber duct 18 slopes downward as it extends rearward, with a suction port 18A provided at the front and a blowout port 18B provided at the rear. An evaporator fan 24F is provided above the suction port 18A, and an evaporator 24 is provided behind the evaporator fan 24F. Also, a second temperature sensor 26 is provided in front of the evaporator 24. When the evaporator fan 24F is driven during the cooling operation, the air in the storage chamber 14 is taken into the cooling chamber 17 through the suction port 18A. The second temperature sensor 26 can detect the temperature inside the storage chamber 14 of the taken-in air during the cooling operation. The air taken into the cooling chamber 17 is cooled by exchanging heat with the evaporator 24 while passing through the evaporator 24, and then returned to the storage chamber 14 through the blowout port 18B. Thereby, the air in the storage chamber 14 can be cooled. The second temperature sensor 26 is constituted by, for example, an NTC thermistor. The second temperature sensor 26 is electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0035] The defrosting heater 27 is a heating means that is attached to the lower side of the evaporator 24 and heats and melts the frost adhering to the evaporator 24. In the cooling operation, the low-pressure refrigerant liquid depressurized by the capillary tube 23 (for example, a capillary tube) vaporizes while taking heat from the surroundings in the evaporator 24. At this time, the moisture contained in the air reaches the frost point by exchanging heat with the evaporator 24, and frost adheres to the surface of the evaporator 24. Therefore, the defrosting heater 27 generates heat when energized in the defrosting operation described later, which is performed during the cooling operation, and melts the frost adhering to the evaporator 24. The melted frost (moisture) drops from the evaporator 24 into the cooling chamber duct 18 and is discharged to the outside of the cooling refrigerator 10 through the discharge pipe 18C provided inside the back wall of the heat insulation housing 12 by the cooling chamber duct 18. The defrosting heater 27 is composed of, for example, a sheathed heater and is arranged below the evaporator 24. The defrosting heater 27 is electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0036] Note that the evaporator 24 is configured by arranging a long tube through which the refrigerant flows in a compact zigzag shape. A first temperature sensor 24T is installed on the inlet side of the refrigerant of the evaporator 24. The first temperature sensor 24T detects the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 24. By detecting the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 24 in the defrosting operation with the first temperature sensor 24T, it is possible to determine whether the evaporator 24 has been heated to the defrosting end temperature at which the adhering frost can be melted. Also, by detecting the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 in the cooling operation with the first temperature sensor 24T, the first temperature difference described later can be grasped. The first temperature sensor 24T is arranged slightly above the defrosting heater 27 in the central portion in the left-right direction in front of the evaporator 24. The first temperature sensor 24T is composed of, for example, an NTC thermistor. The first temperature sensor 24T is electrically connected to the control device 50.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 is composed of a microcomputer having an interface (I / F) for transmitting and receiving various information, a central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions of a control program, a storage unit M for storing various information, a timer T having a timing function, and the like. The control device 50 may be composed of one or two or more microcomputers. The storage unit M includes a ROM (read only memory) storing a control program executed by the CPU and a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for developing the control program. The control program may be composed of one program or may be composed of a combination of two or more programs. Further, the storage unit M can store various setting values required for the operation of the cooling storage 10.

[0038] As described above, the control device 50 is electrically connected to the compressor 21, the condenser fan 22F, the evaporator fan 24F, the defrosting heater 27, and the operation panel 16. Further, the control device 50 is electrically connected to the first temperature sensor 24T, the second temperature sensor 26, the third temperature sensor 22T, the fourth temperature sensor 16T, and the door open / close sensor 34 as sensors. The control device 50 monitors (detects) the evaporator temperature, the temperature inside the storage, the temperature at the center of the condenser, the ambient temperature, and the open / closed state of the door by the first temperature sensor 24T, the second temperature sensor 26, the third temperature sensor 22T, the fourth temperature sensor 16T, and the door open / close sensor 34, respectively, periodically or at a necessary timing. The control device 50 is configured to transmit the information monitored (detected) by these sensors 24T, 26, 22T, 16T, 34 to the information processing device 80 as an electrical signal through a transmission unit 56 described later, periodically or at a necessary timing.

[0039] For each sensor, the timing of monitoring and data transmission can be arbitrarily set independently. Although not limited to this, in this example, for instance, each physical property value is detected by each sensor at intervals of 0.1 seconds. Also, the information regarding the detection result, together with the information regarding the detection time, is set to be transmitted to the information processing device 80 each time a detection is made, or at intervals of multiple detections (for example, at intervals of 5 seconds). Further, the control device 50 is configured to transmit, through the transmission unit 56, as an electrical signal, other information necessary in the detection system 1 according to this technology (for example, the ID information of the cooling storage 10, the time information corresponding to each sensor information, etc.) to the information processing device 80. Note that the information sent from the cooling storage 10 to the information processing device 80 is stored in the database DB described later.

[0040] The control device 50 includes a first control unit 51 that causes the cooling storage 10 to execute a cooling operation described later, a second control unit 52 that causes the cooling storage 10 to execute a defrosting operation described later, a receiving unit 55 that receives information from the information processing device 80 described later, and a transmission unit 56 that transmits the information acquired by the sensors of the cooling storage 10. Each part included in the control device 50 may be constituted by hardware including a circuit such as a relay, or may be functionally realized by a CPU executing software such as a cooling operation program, a defrosting operation program, a forced defrosting operation program, a transmission / reception program, etc. Alternatively, these parts may be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software.

[0041] [Cooling Operation of Cooling Storage] In the cooling storage 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the first control unit 51 causes the cooling unit 20 to execute a cooling operation. Note that the compressor 21 in the present embodiment is a constant-speed control compressor that keeps the rotation speed constant and repeatedly operates and stops to cool the storage chamber 14 to a predetermined temperature. In step S11, the first control unit 51 drives the compressor 21, the condenser fan 22F, and the evaporator fan 24F. At this time, the evaporator fan 24F introduces the air in the storage chamber 14 into the cooling chamber 17 and sends it to the evaporator 24. Then, the sent air is cooled by exchanging heat with the evaporator 24 while passing through the evaporator 24 and is returned to the storage chamber 14. Thereby, the air in the storage chamber 14 is cooled. In addition, the first control unit 51 measures the operation start time of the compressor 21 by the timer T in order to grasp the operation state of the compressor 21.

[0042] As shown in step S12, the first control unit 51 determines whether or not the present cooling operation satisfies a predetermined cooling operation end condition, in other words, a defrost start condition. If the predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied, the cooling operation is terminated (END). On the other hand, if the predetermined defrost start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0043] The defrost start condition (cooling operation end condition) can be determined as appropriate. The defrost start condition includes that "in the present cooling operation, the temperature inside the cabinet has reached the cooling lower limit temperature at least once". In addition, the defrost start condition includes, for example, that "a certain time (for example, 6 hours) has elapsed since the start of the present cooling operation", "a certain time (for example, 6 hours) has elapsed since the end of the previous defrost operation", "a preset time (for example, the business closing time) has been reached", "the user has instructed the end of the cooling operation (or the start of the defrost operation)", and the like. The defrost start conditions in step S12 and step S15 described later are not normally satisfied once (NO) in one cooling operation, and the process proceeds to step S13 and step S16.

[0044] In step S13, the first control unit 51 determines, based on the second temperature sensor 26, whether the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has reached a predetermined lower cooling limit temperature. If the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has not reached the predetermined lower cooling limit temperature, the process returns to step S12, and this cooling operation continues. On the other hand, if the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has reached the predetermined lower cooling limit temperature, the process proceeds to step S14. The lower cooling limit temperature can be, for example, a temperature slightly lower than the "cooling set temperature" of the storage chamber 14 set for the cooling operation (e.g., "(cooling set temperature - α1)" °C). α1 can be, for example, 1.5 to 2.5 [°C], for example, 2 [°C].

[0045] In step S14, the first control unit 51 stops the driving of the compressor 21 and the condenser fan 22F, temporarily stops the cooling operation, and waits until the cooling operation is required again. Also, in order to grasp the operating state of the compressor 21, the first control unit 51 measures the stop time of the compressor 21 using the timer T. Then, the first control unit 51 proceeds to step S15 and, similar to step S12, determines whether the present cooling operation satisfies a predetermined cooling operation end condition, in other words, a defrost start condition. And if the predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied, the cooling operation ends (END). On the other hand, if the predetermined defrost start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0046] In step S16, the first control unit 51 determines, based on the second temperature sensor 26, whether the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has reached a predetermined upper cooling limit temperature. If the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has not reached the predetermined upper cooling limit temperature, the process returns to step S15 again. If the temperature of the storage chamber 14 has reached the predetermined upper cooling limit temperature, since the cooling operation is required again, the process proceeds to step S11. The upper cooling limit temperature can be, for example, a temperature slightly higher than the "cooling set temperature" of the storage chamber 14 set for the cooling operation ("cooling set temperature + α2" °C) and the like. α2 can be, for example, 1.5 to 2 [°C], for example, 1.7 [°C].

[0047] In steps S12 and S15, the first control unit 51 repeats the operation and stop of the compressor (steps S11 to S16) until a predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied. When the predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied, the cooling operation is terminated (END). Thereby, one cooling operation is completed.

[0048] [Defrosting operation of the cooling storage compartment] In addition, when the cooling unit 20 executes a cooling operation, moisture contained in the air in the storage chamber 14 is cooled by the evaporator 24 and may adhere to the surface of the evaporator 24 as frost. Therefore, the second control unit 52 of the cooling storage 10 causes the cooling unit 20 to execute a defrosting operation as shown in FIG. 7 in order to remove the frost adhering to the evaporator 24. Further, the second control unit 52 measures the energization time to the defrost heater 27 by the timer T in order to measure the time required for defrosting (defrosting time).

[0049] More specifically, in step S21, the second control unit 52 energizes the defrost heater 27 with the compressor 21, the condenser fan 22F, and the evaporator fan 24F stopped. Thereby, the defrost heater 27 generates heat, and the evaporator 24 and the frost are heated by the heat conduction, and the frost adhering to the evaporator 24 is melted. Further, the second control unit 52 detects the energization start time to the defrost heater 27 by the timer T.

[0050] In step S22, the second control unit 52 determines whether or not the temperature of the evaporator 24 measured by the first temperature sensor 24T has reached a preset defrost end temperature. If the temperature of the evaporator 24 has not reached the predetermined defrost end temperature, defrosting is continued. If the temperature of the evaporator 24 has reached the predetermined defrost end temperature, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0051] The defrost end temperature can be determined as the temperature at which the frost adhering to the evaporator 24 can be melted, and for example, it can be determined in consideration of the "cooling set temperature" (i.e., the cooling temperature of the storage chamber 14) in the cooling operation. As an example, when the cooling set temperature is about -15 to -20 °C, the defrost end temperature can be set to a temperature of about 13 to 20 °C (for example, 13 °C), and when the cooling set temperature is about 3 to 5 °C, the defrost end temperature can be set to a temperature of about 30 to 35 °C (for example, 30 °C).

[0052] In step S23, the second control unit 52 stops the power supply to the defrost heater 27. The thawing water generated by the melting of the frost during the defrost operation is received by the cooling chamber duct 18 and sent to a discharge pipe (not shown) provided inside the back wall, and then discharged to the outside of the refrigerator body 11. If the next cooling operation starts before the thawing water is discharged, the thawing water will freeze on the cooling chamber duct 18, reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the cooling operation. Therefore, in steps S23 and S24, the second control unit 52 waits for a predetermined time to discharge the thawing water outside the cabinet. This waiting is hereinafter referred to as "draining". Further, the second control unit 52 detects the power-off time of the defrost heater 27 by the timer T.

[0053] Then, in step S24, the second control unit 52 determines whether the draining time measured by the timer T has reached the preset draining end time. The draining end time can be appropriately set according to the size of the cooling chamber duct 18 and the like, and for example, it can be set to 5.5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. If the draining end time has not been reached, the draining is continued in step S24. On the other hand, if the draining time has reached the preset draining end time, the defrost operation is terminated (END). Thereby, one defrost operation is completed.

[0054] [Information Processing Apparatus] Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 80 will be described. The information processing apparatus 80 is a device for monitoring the operation of the cooling storage 10 and detecting a failure of the cooling storage 10 to be monitored at an early stage. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the information processing apparatus 80 can be connected to the cooling storage 10 by wire or wirelessly. In addition to the cooling storage 10, the information processing apparatus 80 can be connected to various computers 60 such as the portable terminal 60A and the personal computer 60B whose connections are permitted, by wire or wirelessly. The information processing apparatus 80 can be, for example, an edge computer or a cloud server.

[0055] The information processing apparatus 80 is composed of a microcomputer having an interface (I / F) for transmitting and receiving various information, a central processing unit (CPU) as a processor P for executing instructions of a control program, a storage unit JM for storing various information, a timer JT having a timekeeping function, and the like. The information processing apparatus 80 may be composed of one or two or more microcomputers. The storage unit JM includes a ROM (read only memory) storing a control program executed by the CPU and a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for developing the control program. The control program may be composed of one program or may be composed of a combination of two or more programs. In addition, the storage unit JM additionally includes a database DB for storing and storing measurement data transmitted from the cooling storage 10.

[0056] The information processing apparatus 80 includes an acquisition unit 81, a determination unit 86, and an output unit 87. Additionally, the information processing apparatus 80 further includes a first appropriate range determination unit 82, a second appropriate range determination unit 83, a third appropriate range determination unit 84, and a fourth appropriate range determination unit 85. Each of the units 81 to 87 included in the information processing apparatus 80 may be configured by hardware including a circuit such as a relay, or may be functionally realized by a CPU executing one or more control programs. Alternatively, each of these units may be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software.

[0057] The acquisition unit 81 acquires information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21 and information detected by the first temperature sensor 24T, the second temperature sensor 26, the third temperature sensor 22T, the fourth temperature sensor 16T, and the door opening / closing sensor 34. The acquisition unit 81 may directly acquire information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21 from the cooling storage 10, or may acquire information that has been sent from the cooling storage 10 and stored in the database DB. The same applies to the case where each unit of the information processing apparatus 80 acquires various types of information hereinafter.

[0058] The first appropriate range determination unit 82 determines a "first appropriate range" indicating an appropriate range for the driving state of the compressor 21 based on the information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21 in the cooling operation when the cooling storage 10 is normal, which is acquired by the acquisition unit 81. The first appropriate range is, for example, an appropriate range of the operation rate of the compressor 21 in the cooling operation of the cooling storage 10. The operation rate of the compressor 21 can be grasped, for example, as the time obtained by subtracting the operation start time from the operation stop time detected by the timer T. The appropriate range of the operation rate of the compressor 21 can be determined for each environmental temperature. The environmental temperature is detected by the fourth temperature sensor 16T.

[0059] The second proper range determination unit 83 determines a "second proper range" indicating a proper range of the temperature difference between the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 and the ambient temperature (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the second temperature difference) based on the information regarding the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 and the ambient temperature when the cooling storage 10 is normal, which is acquired by the acquisition unit 81. The temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 is detected by the third temperature sensor 22T. The ambient temperature is detected by the fourth temperature sensor 16T.

[0060] The third proper range determination unit 84 determines a "third proper range" indicating a proper range of the defrosting time based on the information regarding the energization time of the defrosting heater 27 in the defrosting operation when the cooling storage 10 is normal, which is acquired by the acquisition unit 81. The defrosting time can be grasped, for example, as the time obtained by subtracting the energization start time from the energization stop time of the defrosting heater 27 detected by a timer.

[0061] The fourth proper range determination unit 85 determines a "fourth proper range" indicating a proper range of the temperature difference (first temperature difference) between the temperature inside the storage and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 in the defrosting operation when the cooling storage 10 is normal, which is acquired by the acquisition unit 81. The temperature inside the storage in the defrosting operation is detected by the second temperature sensor 26. The temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 is detected by the first temperature sensor 24T.

[0062] The determination unit 86 makes the following four types of determinations as shown in FIG. 8 based on the information regarding the first to fourth proper ranges determined by the first to fourth proper range determination units 82 to 85, the information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21, and the information detected by the first temperature sensor 24T, the second temperature sensor 26, the third temperature sensor 22T, and the fourth temperature sensor 16T. And in at least determination 4 below, the determination unit 86 determines that there is a refrigerant leak when a determination condition including the condition that the first temperature difference deviates from its proper range is satisfied. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak when the determination results of these determinations 1 to 4 satisfy a predetermined condition. (Determination 1) Whether the driving state of the compressor 21 has increased from the proper range (Judgment 2) Whether the temperature difference (the second temperature difference) between the central part 22B of the condenser 22 and the ambient temperature is greater than the appropriate range (Judgment 3) Whether the time required for defrosting is longer than the appropriate range (Judgment 4) Whether the temperature difference (the first temperature difference) between the temperature inside the storage compartment during the defrost operation and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 is greater than the appropriate range

[0063] Based on the results of Judgments 1 to 4 made by the judgment unit 86, when there is any abnormality in the cooling storage 10, the output unit 87 outputs information indicating the abnormality. The information indicating the abnormality by the output unit 87 may be output to the cooling storage 10, may be output to another computer 60, may be output to the database DB, or may be output to any one or more of these. The information indicating the abnormality may simply be information indicating that there is an abnormality, or may be information indicating prompting to appropriately recover from the abnormality.

[0064] [Detection method] Next, a general flow of the detection method according to the present technology will be described based on FIGS. 8 to 11. That is, the detection method according to the present technology includes the following steps. Step 1: Acquisition of normal data of the cooling storage Step 2: Determination of the first to fourth appropriate ranges Step 3: Acquisition of operation data of the evaluation target cooling storage Step 4: Judgment of the cause when there is a defect in the cooling storage (Steps S41, S42, S44, S46 in FIG. 8) Step 5: Output regarding the cause of the defect in the cooling storage (Steps S43, S45, S47, S48 in FIG. 8)

[0065] 1. Acquisition of normal data of the cooling storage In the refrigerating storage 10, first, in the refrigerating storage 10 in a normal state, a cooling operation (see Fig. 6) and a defrosting operation (see Fig. 7) are executed. These cooling operation and defrosting operation may be repeated until data necessary for determining the first to fourth appropriate ranges can be obtained. At this time, the refrigerating storage 10 monitors the state of the refrigerating storage 10 by means of a timer T, a first temperature sensor 24T, a second temperature sensor 26, a third temperature sensor 22T, a fourth temperature sensor 16T, etc., and transmits the monitored (detected) information to the information processing device 80 as an electric signal through the transmission unit 56. Thereby, the information processing device 80 acquires the monitoring information sent from the refrigerating storage 10 by the acquisition unit 81 and stores it in the database DB (step 1).

[0066] In the present embodiment, that the refrigerating storage 10 is in a normal state means that there is no defect in the refrigerating storage 10 that impairs the cooling performance. Specifically, as the refrigerating storage 10 in a normal state, for example, a refrigerating storage from several weeks to one month from the start date of use of the refrigerating storage 10, or from several weeks to one month from the day when maintenance (cleaning, replacement, etc.) of the cooling unit 20 is performed by a service technician is exemplified.

[0067] 2. Determination of the First to Fourth Appropriate Ranges In addition, when some defect occurs in the refrigerating storage 10, the cooling performance deteriorates. Various causes of defects in the cooling unit 20 can be considered. Therefore, in this technology, the cause of the defect in the refrigerating storage 10 is specified from the cause of the defect in the refrigerating storage 10 and the phenomenon that appears in the cooling unit 20 thereby.

[0068] [First Appropriate Range: Operating Ratio of Compressor] When the cooling performance of the cooling storage 10 deteriorates, the cooling efficiency of the storage chamber 14 decreases. For example, when cooling the storage chamber 14 to a predetermined temperature, the driving state of the compressor 21 is enhanced. Whether the driving state of the compressor is increasing can be grasped, for example, by whether the relationship between the ambient temperature and the operation rate of the compressor 21 is within an appropriate range. For the cooling storage 10, as shown in FIG. 9 for example, as the ambient temperature increases (more specifically, as the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14 increases), the load required for heat exchange increases, so the operation rate of the compressor 21 increases. And when the ambient temperature (or the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14) is constant, when the cooling storage 10 is normal (shown by the thick line in FIG. 9), the compressor 21 is operated at a relatively low operation rate, while when there is a problem with the cooling storage 10 and the cooling performance deteriorates (shown by the thin line in FIG. 9), the operation rate of the compressor 21 becomes relatively high. Therefore, in this example, the appropriate range (the first appropriate range) of the operation rate of the compressor 21 with respect to the ambient temperature (or the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14) when the cooling storage 10 is normal is investigated in advance. When the operation rate is higher than this first appropriate range, it can be determined that the driving state of the compressor 21 is enhanced (that is, the cooling performance of the cooling storage 10 is deteriorating). Thus, the operation rate (%) of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation can be preferably used as information representing the driving state of the compressor 21 in this embodiment.

[0069] The first appropriate range determination unit 82 determines an appropriate range of the operation rate (%) of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation based on, for example, the operation time and stop time of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation measured by the timer T acquired by the acquisition unit 81. Specifically, for example, the first appropriate range determination unit 82 first determines a reference operation rate that serves as the basis for the operation rate of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation for each individual cooling storage, and based on this reference operation rate, can determine the range within which the appropriate operation rate extends. The appropriateness of the operation rate of the compressor 21 may vary depending on the temperature difference (i.e., the cooling temperature range) between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14. Therefore, the first appropriate range may be determined for each temperature difference (i.e., the cooling temperature range) between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14. As the ambient temperature when calculating the operation rate, for example, the ambient temperature at the start of each cooling operation can be adopted. Information regarding the calculated appropriate operation rate is stored in the storage unit JM.

[0070] The reference operation rate can be, for example, the average value of the operation rates of the compressor 21 obtained for a plurality of cooling operations performed when the cooling storage 10 is normal. The operation rate of the compressor 21 can be calculated for each cooling operation based on, for example, the following formula: operation rate (%) = (operation time of the compressor during the cooling operation) ÷ (operation time of the compressor during the cooling operation + stop time of the compressor during the cooling operation) × 100;. The operation time and stop time can be calculated based on, for example, information regarding the operation time and stop time of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation.

[0071] Next, the first appropriate range determination unit 82 determines a first appropriate range that is a range that can be regarded as an appropriate operating rate of the compressor 21 based on the reference operating rate. The appropriate range of the operating rate can be determined, for example, by setting a threshold value with respect to the reference operating rate, and setting it to be below this threshold value or not exceeding the threshold value. One of the conditions for determining that the operating rate of the compressor 21 is not appropriate is that the operating rate becomes significantly large. For example, when the operating rate of the compressor 21 becomes significantly high, it can be set as exceeding +3% of the reference operating rate, for example, exceeding +5%. Note that the operating rate of the compressor 21 has the characteristic of being easily variable due to the influence of environmental temperature, voltage fluctuation, door opening and closing, in-storage load temperature, etc. Therefore, watch the increase width with respect to the reference operating rate (for example, 50%) regularly (for example, every day), and after confirming that the increase width increases step by step and in order in a plurality of consecutive observations such as +1%, +3%, +5%, etc., when it exceeds the first appropriate range (for example, (50 + 5)%), it is advisable to determine that the operating rate of the compressor 21 has an increasing tendency.

[0072] The second to fourth appropriate ranges can be determined in the same manner as the first appropriate range. That is, a reference value that is the reference for each appropriate range and a threshold value that indicates the allowable width with respect to this reference value are set, and each appropriate range can be determined to be below this threshold value or not exceeding the threshold value. Hereinafter, the determination method of the second to fourth appropriate ranges will be described, but the description of the parts overlapping with the determination method of the first appropriate range will be omitted.

[0073] [Second appropriate range: Temperature difference between the central part of the condenser and the environmental temperature (second temperature difference)] When a problem occurs in the cooling storage 10, one of the causes of the problem may be clogging of the air filter 32. For example, when clogging occurs in the air filter 32, the time required to cool the temperature of the storage chamber 14 to a predetermined cooling set temperature becomes longer. When clogging occurs in the air filter 32, the amount of air that can pass through the air filter 32 decreases, making it difficult to air-cool the condenser 22, and thus the cooling performance of the cooling storage 10 deteriorates. Therefore, when the temperature of the condenser 22 with respect to the ambient temperature, more specifically, the temperature difference (second temperature difference) between the ambient temperature and the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 becomes larger than normal, it is considered that clogging has occurred in the air filter 32. Thus, the second appropriate range, which is the appropriate range of the second temperature difference, can be set, for example, with the average of the second temperature differences during the cooling operation when the cooling storage 10 is normal as the reference temperature difference, and set to +8°C or less of this reference temperature difference. At this time, watch the increase width of the second temperature difference with respect to the reference temperature difference regularly (for example, every day), and after confirming that the increase width increases step by step and in order in a plurality of consecutive observations such as +6.5°C, +7.2°C, +7.9°C, +8.2°C, etc., when it exceeds the appropriate range (in this case, the reference temperature difference +8°C), it is advisable to determine that the second temperature difference has an increasing trend. Also, when the increase width of the second temperature difference shows no change or a decreasing trend, it can be determined that the second temperature difference does not have an increasing trend. By determining the appropriate range of the second temperature difference in this way, the criterion for determining whether the air filter 32 is clogged can be made clear, and the accuracy of filter clogging determination can be improved.

[0074] [Third appropriate range: defrosting time, Fourth appropriate range: first temperature difference] When a problem occurs in the cooling storage 10, as one of the causes of the problem, refrigerant gas leakage or an abnormality in the sealing member 35 can be considered. For example, when refrigerant leakage occurs, the refrigerant becomes insufficient, and in the cooling operation, although the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 24 sufficiently decreases, a situation occurs where the temperature on the outlet side of the evaporator 24 does not sufficiently decrease. If the entire evaporator 24 is not sufficiently cooled, the air in the storage chamber 14 cannot be sufficiently cooled, and the temperature difference (first temperature difference) between the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 24 and the temperature inside the cabinet becomes larger compared to when there is no refrigerant shortage. As shown in FIG. 11, this first temperature difference increases as the refrigerant leakage progresses. Also, this first temperature difference increases corresponding to the degree of abnormal frosting when abnormal frosting occurs in the evaporator 24 due to a decrease in the airtightness of the sealing member 35 or the like. However, when abnormal frosting occurs, another characteristic is observed that the defrosting time in the defrosting operation becomes longer. Also, when only refrigerant leakage or abnormal frosting occurs, the second temperature difference is within the second appropriate range. Therefore, by checking whether the defrosting time is within the appropriate range and whether the first temperature difference is within the appropriate range, it is possible to determine whether the cause of the problem in the cooling storage 10 is refrigerant leakage or an abnormality in the sealing member 35. When a problem occurs in the cooling storage 10 and it is considered that there is no problem with any of the clogging of the air filter 32, refrigerant leakage, and abnormality of the sealing member 35, it can be considered that the cause is an abnormality in the compressor 21.

[0075] The third appropriate range indicating the appropriate range of defrosting time can be, for example, taking the average of the energization time of the defrosting heater 27 during defrosting operation when the cooling refrigerator 10 is normal as the reference defrosting time, and it can be set to +30 minutes of this reference defrosting time difference, etc. At this time, watch the increase width of the energization time with respect to the reference defrosting time, and after confirming that the increase width increases step by step and in order in a plurality of consecutive observations such as, for example, +16 minutes, +21 minutes, +27 minutes, +32 minutes, etc., when it exceeds the appropriate range (in this case, the reference defrosting time +30 minutes), it is advisable to determine that the defrosting time has an increasing tendency. Also, when the increase width of the energization time has no change or a decreasing tendency, it can be determined that the defrosting time does not have an increasing tendency. By determining the appropriate range of defrosting time in this way, it is possible to clarify the criteria for judging whether abnormal frosting has occurred on the evaporator 24, and by extension, whether there is an abnormality in the sealing member 35.

[0076] The fourth appropriate range which is the appropriate range of the first temperature difference can be, for example, taking the average of the first temperature difference during cooling operation when the cooling refrigerator 10 is normal as the reference temperature difference, and it can be set to within +8°C of this reference temperature difference, etc. At this time, regularly (for example, every day) watch the increase width of the first temperature difference with respect to the reference temperature difference, and after confirming that the increase width increases step by step and in order in a plurality of consecutive observations such as, for example, +5.5°C, +6.2°C, +7.5°C, +8.2°C, etc., when it exceeds the appropriate range (in this case, the reference temperature difference +8°C), it is advisable to determine that the first temperature difference has an increasing tendency. Note that when the increase width of the first temperature difference has no change or a decreasing tendency, it can be determined that the first temperature difference does not have an increasing tendency. By determining the appropriate range of the first temperature difference in this way, it is possible to clarify the criteria for judging whether there is refrigerant leakage or an abnormality in the sealing member 35.

[0077] The first to fourth appropriate ranges determined by the first to fourth appropriate range determination units 82 to 85 are stored in the storage unit JM (step 2). However, the first to fourth appropriate ranges may use the values stored in the storage unit JM in advance.

[0078] 3. Acquisition of Operating Data of the Cooling Refrigerator After determining the appropriate range in the above step 2, the cooling refrigerator 10 continues to execute a cooling operation (see FIG. 6) and a defrosting operation (see FIG. 7). The cooling operation and the defrosting operation are repeatedly executed until the operation of the cooling refrigerator 10 ends. Then, the cooling refrigerator 10 monitors the state of the cooling refrigerator 10 by means of a timer T, a first temperature sensor 24T, a second temperature sensor 26, a third temperature sensor 22T, and a fourth temperature sensor 16T, and transmits the monitored (detected) information to the information processing device 80 as an electrical signal through a transmission unit 56. Thereby, the information processing device 80 acquires the monitoring information sent from the cooling refrigerator 10 by an acquisition unit 81 and stores it in a database DB. More specifically, the acquisition unit 81 acquires data used for determining the appropriate range, for example, the start and end times of the operation of the compressor 21, the start and end times of energization of the defrosting heater 27, the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 24, the temperature inside the compartment, the temperature of the central part 22B of the condenser 22, and information regarding the ambient temperature (step 3).

[0079] 4. Judgment of the Cause When There Is a Problem with the Cooling Refrigerator Next, the determination unit 86 determines which of the following four causes of malfunction in the cooling refrigerator 10: clogging of the air filter 32, abnormality of the sealing member 35, refrigerant leakage, or abnormality of the compressor 21, by making four types of determinations (Determination 1) to (Determination 4). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S41, the determination unit 86 determines whether the driving status of the compressor 21 is increasing, in other words, whether there is a malfunction in the cooling refrigerator 10, based on the operation rate of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation calculated from the information on the operation time and stop time of the compressor 21 during the cooling operation measured by the timer T. The calculation of the operation rate of the compressor 21 can be performed, for example, in parallel with the cooling operation by the cooling refrigerator 10. Then, as soon as the cooling operation ends, the determination unit 86 determines whether the calculated operation rate of the compressor 21 is within the first appropriate range stored in the storage unit JM. When the operation rate of the compressor 21 is within the first appropriate range, it is determined that the driving status of the compressor 21 is not increasing (NO in step S41), and the process proceeds to step S41 again. When the operation rate of the compressor 21 is outside the first appropriate range, it is determined that the driving status of the compressor 21 is increasing (YES in step S41), and the process proceeds to step S42.

[0080] In step S42, the determination unit 86 determines whether the second temperature difference is increasing, in other words, whether clogging has occurred in the air filter 32, based on the second temperature difference calculated from the information detected by the third temperature sensor 22T and the fourth temperature sensor 16T. The calculation of the second temperature difference can be performed, for example, as soon as the determination unit 86 receives the information detected by the third temperature sensor 22T and the fourth temperature sensor 16T from the cooling refrigerator 10. Then, as soon as the cooling operation ends, the determination unit 86 determines whether the calculated second temperature difference is within the second appropriate range stored in the storage unit JM. When the second temperature difference is within the second appropriate range, it is determined that the second temperature difference is not increasing (NO in step S42), and the process proceeds to step S44. When the second temperature difference is outside the second appropriate range, it is determined that clogging has occurred in the air filter 32 (YES in step S42), and the process proceeds to step S43.

[0081] In step S44, the determination unit 86 determines whether the defrosting time is increasing, or in other words, whether there is an abnormality in the sealing member 35, based on the defrosting time calculated from the information on the energization start / stop times of the defrosting heater 27 detected by the timer T. The calculation of the defrosting time can be executed, for example, as soon as the cooling storage 10 receives the information on the energization start / stop times of the defrosting heater 27. The calculation result of the defrosting time is stored in the storage unit JM. Then, the determination unit 86 determines whether the calculated defrosting time is within the third appropriate range stored in the storage unit JM. When the defrosting time is within the third appropriate range, it is determined that the defrosting time is not increasing (NO in step S44), and the process proceeds to step S46. When the defrosting time is outside the third appropriate range, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the sealing member 35 (YES in step S44), and the process proceeds to step S45. Note that the determination (determination 3) in step S44 is executed based on the information on the defrosting operation, unlike the other determinations (determinations 1, 2, 4) in steps S41, S42, and S46 which are executed based on the information on the cooling operation. Therefore, the determination unit 86 can execute the determination in step S44 with reference to the calculation result of the defrosting time calculated for the previous defrosting operation and stored in the storage unit JM.

[0082] In step S46, the determination unit 86 determines whether the first temperature difference is increasing, or in other words, whether there is no refrigerant leakage, based on the first temperature difference calculated from the information on the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 detected by the first temperature sensor 24T and the temperature inside the storage detected by the second temperature sensor 26. The calculation of the first temperature difference can be executed, for example, as soon as the cooling storage 10 receives the information on the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 and the temperature inside the storage. Then, the determination unit 86 determines whether the calculated first temperature difference is within the fourth appropriate range stored in the storage unit JM as soon as the cooling operation ends. When the first temperature difference is within the fourth appropriate range, it is determined that the first temperature difference is not increasing (NO in step S46), and the process proceeds to step S48. When the first temperature difference is outside the fourth appropriate range, it is determined that refrigerant leakage has occurred (YES in step S46), and the process proceeds to step S47.

[0083] 5. Output regarding the cause of the malfunction of the cooling storage When there is some malfunction in the cooling storage 10 as a result of the four-way determination by the determination unit 86, the output unit 87 outputs information regarding the malfunction. Specifically, in step S43, the output unit 87 outputs information indicating that the air filter 32 is clogged. Also, in step S45, the output unit 87 outputs information indicating that there is an abnormality in the sealing member 35. In step S47, the output unit 87 outputs information indicating that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S48, the output unit 87 outputs information indicating that there is a malfunction in the compressor 21. The output unit 87 can output information regarding these malfunctions to, for example, the cooling storage 10 or another computer 60. Also, the cooling storage 10 or another computer 60 can execute a notification process (not shown) for notifying that there may be the above-mentioned malfunctions based on the information output by the information processing device 80. Examples of the notification process in the cooling storage 10 include display by characters, UI, light, etc. on the display unit of the operation panel 16, notification by a sounding device such as a buzzer (not shown), etc. Examples of the notification process in another computer 60 include display by UI, light, etc. on the display unit such as a display provided in another computer 60, notification by a sounding device such as a buzzer, notification using communication applications such as mail and SNS (Social Networking Service), etc. Thereby, the user can know, for example, the possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the cooling storage 10 at an early stage. (In S45, S47, S48 of FIG. 8)

[0084] Even when it is determined that there is a malfunction in the cooling storage 10, it is not always necessary to stop the operation of the cooling storage 10 for that reason. Therefore, after the output unit 87 outputs information indicating a malfunction, as shown in step S49, the process continues to step S41, and the determination steps S41 to S49 for the next cooling operation are continued.

[0085] The operations and effects in this embodiment are described below. The above detection system 1 includes a refrigerated storage 10, a sensor, and an information processing device 80. The refrigerated storage 10 includes a storage body 11 having a storage chamber 14, a cooling unit 20 including a compressor 21, a condenser 22, a capillary tube 23, an evaporator 24, a refrigerant pipe 25 for circulating refrigerant through these components, and a defrost heater 27 for heating the evaporator 24, a first temperature sensor 24T capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator 24 at the inlet thereof, and a second temperature sensor 26 capable of detecting the temperature inside the storage. The refrigerated storage 10 further includes means for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber 14, cooling it by the cooling unit 20, and then returning it to the storage chamber 14, a transmission unit 56 for transmitting information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21 and information acquired by the first temperature sensor 24T and the second temperature sensor 26 to an information processing device 80 connected communicably therewith, a reception unit 55 for receiving information indicating the abnormality from the information processing device 80 when the information processing device 80 determines that there is a refrigerant leak, and an operation panel 16 for notifying an abnormality based on the received information. The information processing device 80 includes an acquisition unit 81 for acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor 21 and information acquired by the first temperature sensor 24T and the second temperature sensor 26, and a determination unit 86 for determining that there is a refrigerant leak when a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature inside the storage and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24 when the driving state of the compressor 21 is increasing, is outside an appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature inside the storage and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 24, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 81 when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe 25. The information processing device 80 further includes an output unit 87 for outputting information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit 86 determines that there is a refrigerant leak.

[0086] According to such Embodiment 1, the temperature difference (first temperature difference) between the inlet temperature of the evaporator 24 and the temperature inside the storage compartment is monitored, an appropriate range thereof is set, and by determining whether the first temperature difference is appropriate, it is possible to estimate whether the cause when there is a problem in the refrigerated storage 10 is due to refrigerant leakage. Thereby, it is possible to detect a problem in the refrigerated storage due to refrigerant leakage. Further, when a problem occurs in the refrigerated storage, it is possible to estimate whether the cause is due to refrigerant leakage. In particular, it is possible to determine whether the cause when there is a problem in the refrigerated storage 10 is due to refrigerant leakage without using a special device such as a gas detector.

[0087] In Embodiment 1, the condenser 22 includes an inlet 22A to which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is sent, an outlet 22C from which the refrigerant is sent out toward the capillary tube 23, and a central portion 22B between the inlet 22A and the outlet 22C. The refrigerated storage 10 further includes a third temperature sensor 22T capable of detecting the temperature of the condenser 22 at the central portion 22B of the condenser 22, and a fourth temperature sensor 16T capable of detecting the temperature of the environment in which the refrigerated storage 10 is installed. The acquisition unit 81 acquires the information detected by the third temperature sensor 22T and the fourth temperature sensor 16T. The determination unit 86 further determines that there is a refrigerant leak when the second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the environment and the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 when the driving state of the compressor 21 is increasing, deviates from the appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the environment and the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 81 when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe 25.

[0088] When there is a refrigerant leak, the operating rate of the compressor 21 increases to lower the temperature of the storage chamber 14 compared to when there is no refrigerant leak. Here, as the amount of refrigerant gas decreases, it is difficult for the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 to increase, and the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22 can become smaller compared to when no refrigerant gas is leaking. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether there is a refrigerant leak in consideration of the second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22. Thereby, malfunctions of the cooling refrigerator 10 due to refrigerant leaks can be detected more accurately.

[0089] In Embodiment 1, the cooling unit 20 further includes a defrosting heater 27 (an example of a heater) for heating the evaporator 24, and the cooling refrigerator 10 performs a defrosting operation of heating the evaporator 24 with the defrosting heater 27 to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator 24 when predetermined defrosting conditions are satisfied, and includes a timer T that detects the time required for the defrosting operation. Then, the acquisition unit 81 acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer T, and the determination unit 86 is further configured to determine that there is a refrigerant leak when the time required for the most recently executed defrosting operation is outside the appropriate range of the time required for the defrosting operation, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 81 when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe 25.

[0090] The above first temperature difference can also become large when excessive frost adheres to the evaporator 24 of the cooling refrigerator 10. The amount of frost adhering to the cooling refrigerator 10 generally corresponds to the length of the defrosting operation for melting the frost, and whether excessive frost adheres to the evaporator 24 can be grasped by the time required for the defrosting operation. According to the above configuration, it is determined whether excessive frost adheres to the evaporator 24 from the time of the most recently executed defrosting operation, and when excessive frost adheres to the evaporator 24, even when the first temperature difference is outside the appropriate range, the determination of whether there is a refrigerant leak is not executed. Thereby, malfunctions of the cooling unit due to refrigerant leaks can be detected more accurately.

[0091] <Embodiment 2> In the above Embodiment 1, the door opening / closing sensor 34 was an additional element, but in Embodiment 2, the door opening / closing sensor 34 is provided in the cooling storage 10 as an essential element. And when determining the first appropriate range, the first appropriate range determination unit 82 may adopt any one or more of the following conditions (a) to (e). Other configurations may be the same as those in Embodiment 1, and descriptions of the same configurations, operations, and effects are omitted.

[0092] [Condition] (a) Information regarding the cooling operation detected within a predetermined time after the defrost operation is not used. (b) When the variation in the operation rate of the compressor falls within a predetermined range in a plurality of consecutive cycles, the average value of the operation rates in the plurality of consecutive cycles is adopted as the average operation rate of the compressor in one cooling operation, and the appropriate range is determined. (c) When the variation in the operation rate of the compressor falls within a predetermined range in a plurality of consecutive cycles, the average value of the operation rates in the plurality of consecutive cycles is adopted as the average operation rate of the compressor in one cooling operation, and the appropriate range is determined. (d) When the door is opened and closed in a plurality of consecutive cycles, compensation is made so that the operation rate is not increased due to the opening and closing of the door. (e) When the door is opened and closed in a plurality of consecutive cycles, information regarding the cooling operation detected in the plurality of consecutive cycles is not used.

[0093] [Condition (a)] Immediately after the defrost operation ends, the temperature of the cooling chamber 17 becomes high up to the vicinity of the defrost end temperature, and it may be difficult to accurately detect the temperature of the air in the storage chamber 14 by the second temperature sensor 26. Further, the cooling operation includes a cooling period for cooling the air in the storage chamber 14 from the vicinity of the defrost end temperature to the vicinity of the cooling set temperature, and a cold storage period for maintaining the air in the storage chamber 14 at the vicinity of the cooling set temperature. Since the compressor 21 is continuously operated during the cooling period, if the operation time of the compressor 21 during the cooling period is included in the calculation of the operation rate of the compressor 21, the reference operation rate and the appropriate range of the operation rate become high, and the influence when the performance of the cooling unit 20 deteriorates becomes difficult to appear in the operation rate of the compressor 21. Therefore, even when determining the appropriate range of the operation rate of the compressor, data indicating the operation status of the cooling refrigerator 10 acquired within a predetermined time (typically, 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, for example, 1 hour) after the defrost operation should not be used. Thereby, the accuracy of the appropriate range of the operation rate of the compressor can be improved.

[0094] [Condition (b)] The operation rate of the compressor 21 is characterized by being liable to fluctuate in a short period due to external factors such as environmental temperature, voltage fluctuation, door opening and closing, and internal load temperature. Further, factors that cause fluctuations in the operation rate of such a compressor 21 frequently occur. Therefore, the operation rate of the compressor in one cooling operation can be adopted as a representative value of the compression rate for a period in which no significant fluctuation is observed in the operation rate of the compressor 21. For example, in the cooling operation, when the period for controlling the internal temperature from one cooling upper limit temperature (or cooling lower limit temperature) to the next cooling upper limit temperature (or cooling lower limit temperature) is defined as one cycle, when the fluctuations in the operation rate of a plurality of consecutive cycles (for example, 3 cycles) are small (for example, within ±3% with respect to the average value, as an example, 47 to 53%), the average operation rate of this plurality of cycles may be adopted as the average operation rate for the one cooling operation. When there are a plurality of cycles with small fluctuations in the operation rate, the average operation rate of any plurality of consecutive cycles among them can be adopted as the average operation rate of the cooling operation.

[0095] [Condition (c)] When the ambient temperature is different, the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature of the storage chamber 14 (i.e., the cooling temperature range) is different, so the appropriate range of the operating rate of the compressor 21 is determined for each ambient temperature. Here, if the ambient temperature associated with the operating rate of the compressor 21 fluctuates significantly during the calculation of the operating rate, the accuracy regarding the correspondence between the operating rate and the ambient temperature may decrease. Therefore, the operating rate of the compressor in one cooling operation can adopt, as a representative value, the compression rate calculated for a partial period in which there is no significant fluctuation in the ambient temperature. For example, when the fluctuations in the ambient temperature for a plurality of consecutive cycles (e.g., 3 cycles) are small (e.g., within ±2°C with respect to the average temperature), the average operating rate of these plurality of cycles may be adopted as the average operating rate for this one cooling operation. In addition, in the above condition (b), when there are multiple sets of a plurality of cycles with small fluctuations in the operating rate, it is more preferable to adopt the average operating rate of the plurality of cycles that satisfy the condition (c) as the average operating rate of that one cooling operation. The ambient temperature can be detected by the fourth temperature sensor 16T.

[0096] [Condition (d)] If the door 13 is opened or closed during the cooling operation, the temperature of the storage chamber 14 will increase significantly. Therefore, the operating rate of the compressor 21 can be increased compared to when the door is not opened or closed. Accordingly, when the door 13 is opened or closed, when calculating the operating rate of the compressor 21, it may be possible to compensate for the increase in the operating rate caused by the opening and closing of the door 13. Here, compensation means that when calculating the first appropriate range, the "operating time of the compressor 21" used in the calculation is shortened so that the calculated compression ratio becomes lower by the amount by which the actual operating rate of the compressor 21 has increased due to the opening and closing of the door. Specifically, for example, it is exemplified that the operating rate of the compressor 21 is calculated by subtracting "the number of door openings and closings × compensation time" from the operating time of the compressor 21. As the compensation time, the time by which the operating time of the compressor increases for each opening and closing of the door, which has been measured in advance for the cooling storage of this model, can be adopted. This compensation time may vary depending on the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature (i.e., the cooling temperature range). Therefore, the compensation time can be stored in the storage unit M or the storage unit JM as a table or the like for each value of the ambient temperature and the cooling set temperature (i.e., the cooling temperature range), and the value stored in the storage unit M or the storage unit JM can be used. The number of openings and closings of the door 13 can be detected by the door opening and closing sensor 34. Thereby, the first appropriate range becomes more appropriate, and the accuracy of determining that a malfunction has occurred in the cooling unit 20 can be improved.

[0097] [Condition (e)] Whether the door 13 has been opened or closed can be grasped by whether the opening and closing of the door 13 is detected by the door opening and closing sensor 34. If the door 13 is opened or closed, the temperature of the storage chamber 14 will fluctuate significantly, which may have a great impact on the operating rate of the compressor 21. Therefore, the data indicating the operating status of the cooling storage 10 obtained during the cooling operation when the door 13 is opened or closed should not be used to determine the appropriate range of the temperature difference between the central part 22B and the outlet 22C of the condenser 22 and the appropriate range of the operating rate of the compressor. Thereby, the accuracy of the appropriate range of the temperature difference and the appropriate range of the operating rate of the compressor can be improved.

[0098] In addition, when the first appropriate range determination unit 82 adopts any one of the above conditions (b), (c), and (e), the first appropriate range can be determined as soon as the information satisfying the respective adopted conditions is complete during the cooling operation.

[0099] Also, when any one, two, three, four, or five of the above conditions (a) to (e) are satisfied, the first to fourth appropriate range determination units 82 to 85 do not adopt the data indicating the operating status of the cooling storage 10 obtained in the cooling operation to determine the appropriate range of the temperature difference between the central portion 22B and the outlet 22C of the condenser 22 and the appropriate range of the operating rate of the compressor. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the driving state of the compressor has increased, in other words, whether the cooling performance of the cooling unit 20 has decreased.

[0100] <Embodiment 3> The compressor 21 in the cooling storage 10 of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 was a constant-speed control compressor. In contrast, the compressor 121 in the cooling storage 110 of Embodiment 3 is an inverter control compressor subjected to inverter control for changing the rotational speed of the drive motor. And as information regarding the driving state of the compressor 121, instead of the operating rate of the compressor, the rotational speed of the compressor 121 is adopted. Also, instead of the first appropriate range that is the appropriate range of the operating rate of the compressor, the appropriate range of the rotational speed of the compressor 121 can be adopted. Other configurations may be the same as those in Embodiment 1, and descriptions of the same configurations, operations, and effects are omitted.

[0101] In the compressor 121 of Embodiment 3, the rotational speed of an electric motor (not shown) as a drive source is variable. Also, an upper limit is set for the rotational speed of the electric motor in this type of compressor 121. Then, for example, the environmental temperature or the temperature inside the storage compartment is acquired by sensors 16T and 26, and when the environmental temperature or the temperature inside the storage compartment is high and the operating margin of the compressor 121 is low, the upper limit value of the rotational speed of the electric motor is controlled to be low. Thereby, while fully utilizing the cooling capacity, it is possible to suppress excessive current from flowing through the electric motor or the like. In this type of cooling unit 120, for example, when the environmental temperature is low, there is a characteristic that the input current becomes lower even when the rotational speed of the electric motor is the same as when the environmental temperature is high. Therefore, the cooling storage 110 may, for example, acquire the environmental temperature or the temperature inside the storage compartment by sensors 16T and 26, and when the environmental temperature or the temperature inside the storage compartment is low and the operating margin of the compressor 121 is high, control to increase the upper limit value of the rotational speed of the electric motor. Thereby, the cooling capacity can be maximally exerted. Regarding the control of the compressor 121 in this example, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-207893 can be adopted.

[0102] Graphs showing the relationships between the operating time of such a cooling unit 120 and the rotational speed of the compressor 21, the temperature of the storage chamber 14, the operating rate of the compressor 21, and the average rotational speed of the compressor 21 are shown in order from the top in FIG. 12. During the cold storage period in the cooling operation of the cooling storage 110, usually, as shown in times t0 to t1, the compressor 121 is intermittently operated at a relatively low rotational speed. However, when some malfunction occurs in the cooling unit 120, since the cooling performance of the cooling unit 120 deteriorates, as shown in times t1 to t2, the electric motor controls to relatively increase the rotational speed of the compressor 121 in response to, for example, changes in the temperature inside the storage compartment. In the inverter-controlled compressor 121, the rotational speed is increased as the cooling performance of the cooling unit 120 deteriorates (that is, as time progresses from t1 to t2). Here, even when the rotational speed of the compressor 121 is changed, since the cycle in the intermittent operation between times t0 and t2 is constant, the operating rate of the compressor 121 remains constant.

[0103] When the rotational speed of the compressor 121 reaches the upper limit value at time t2 but the deterioration of the cooling performance still progresses, the electric motor continuously operates the compressor 121 with the rotational speed set as the upper limit value. Then, while the operating rate of the compressor during the intermittent operation from time t0 to t2 was constant according to the cycle, the operating rate of the compressor becomes 100% during the continuous operation after time t2. And when the cooling performance of the cooling unit 120 further deteriorates, for example, after time t3, it is no longer possible to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber 14 near the cooling set temperature. When the compressor 121 is under inverter control, the degree of deterioration of the cooling performance of the cooling unit 120 cannot be grasped by the operating rate of the compressor 121, and for example, it can be preferably grasped by the rotational speed of the compressor 121.

[0104] Therefore, in Embodiment 3, information regarding the rotational speed of the compressor 121 can be adopted as information regarding the driving state of the compressor 121 during the cooling operation. The rotational speed of the compressor 121 may be set in a plurality of stages (for example, 9 stages from 0 speed to 8 speed) according to the compressor 121 to be used, or may be set to an arbitrary rotational speed that changes steplessly (continuously). And the cooling storage 110 is configured to transmit information regarding the rotational speed of the compressor 121 during the cooling operation to the information processing device 180 as information regarding the driving state of the compressor 121.

[0105] [Determination of the First Appropriate Range] In the information processing device 180, the acquisition unit 181 acquires information regarding the rotational speed of the compressor 121 during the cooling operation sent from the cooling storage 110, and based on this information regarding the rotational speed, the first appropriate range determination unit 182 determines the appropriate range of the rotational speed of the compressor 121. Similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, the first appropriate range determination unit 182 determines the first appropriate range in which the rotational speed of the compressor 121 can be regarded as appropriate based on the reference rotational speed.

[0106] Here, in the compressor 121 to which inverter control is applied, the rotational speed of the compressor 121 varies in various ways during one cooling operation. Therefore, the first appropriate range determination unit 182 may use the average rotational speed per unit time of the compressor 121 in one cooling operation as the appropriate rotational speed, and based on this appropriate rotational speed, determine the appropriate range of the average rotational speed. Note that a graph of the average rotational speed per unit time of the compressor 121 in one cooling operation is shown at the bottom of FIG. 12. The average rotational speed of the compressor can be calculated, for example, by the following formula: average rotational speed (Hz) = [rotational speed (0 Hz) × operation time at rotational speed 0 Hz + rotational speed (X Hz) × operation time at rotational speed X Hz +... + rotational speed (upper limit value Hz) × operation time at the upper limit value of the rotational speed] ÷ (one cycle time); where X in the formula indicates each rotational speed (excluding 0 Hz and the upper limit value) set for the compressor 121.

[0107] In the third embodiment, the compressor 121 is an inverter control type compressor to which inverter control for changing the rotational speed of the drive motor is applied. Also, as information regarding the drive state of the compressor 121, the rotational speed of the compressor 121 (more specifically, the average rotational speed) is adopted.

[0108] [Condition (b)] Note that when the compressor 121 is an inverter control type compressor, the condition (b) adopted by the first appropriate range determination unit 182 when determining the appropriate range of the average rotational speed of the compressor can be read as follows. That is, in the cooling operation, when the period of controlling the temperature inside the storage from one cooling upper limit temperature (or cooling lower limit temperature) to the next cooling upper limit temperature (or cooling lower limit temperature) is taken as one cycle, when the variation in rotational speed in a plurality of consecutive cycles (for example, 3 cycles) is small (for example, within ±3 Hz with respect to the average value, as an example, when the rotational speed of the compressor is in the range of the average rotational speed ±3 Hz), the average rotational speed of this plurality of cycles may be adopted as the average rotational speed for this one cooling operation. When there are a plurality of cycles with small variation in the rotational speed of the compressor, the average rotational speed of any consecutive plurality of cycles among them can be adopted as the average rotational speed of this cooling operation.

[0109] According to such a configuration, even if the compressor 21 is an inverter-controlled compressor, it is possible to grasp whether the cooling performance of the cooling refrigerator 110 has deteriorated. Furthermore, when the cooling performance has deteriorated, it is possible to appropriately determine what the cause is. As a result, the malfunction of the cooling refrigerator 10 caused by refrigerant leakage can be detected without using special equipment such as a gas detector.

[0110] <Other Embodiments> The present technology is not limited to the examples disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, the following aspects are also included in the scope of the present technology. Further, the present technology can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from its essence.

[0111] (1) In Embodiment 1, when YES in step S41 of FIG. 8 and YES in step S42, it was determined that the air filter 32 was clogged. However, the determination of whether the air filter 32 is clogged may be made based on other criteria. For example, the operating rate or rotational speed of the compressor in a plurality of consecutive (for example, two) cooling operations via a defrost operation is compared with the reference operating rate, respectively. When the operating rate or rotational speed of the first and second operations are significantly higher (for example, 10% or 10 Hz or more higher) than the reference operating rate, respectively, it may be determined that the air filter 32 is clogged. In this way, when a state where the operating rate or rotational speed of the compressor is significantly high in the cooling operation continues for a certain period, by determining that there is clogging of the air filter, it is possible to reduce the possibility of false detection due to other external factors such as changes in the ambient temperature.

[0112] (2) In Embodiment 1, when it became YES in step S42 of FIG. 8, it was determined that the air filter 32 was clogged. That is, when the second temperature difference exceeded the second appropriate range, it was determined that the air filter 32 was clogged. However, the determination as to whether the air filter 32 is clogged may be made based on other criteria. For example, when a state where the second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the environmental temperature and the temperature of the central portion 22B of the condenser 22, is 1 K or more greater than the reference temperature difference continues for a certain period (for example, three days), it may be determined that the air filter 32 is clogged. By thus determining that there is clogging of the air filter when a state where the second temperature difference is significantly high continues for a certain period in the cooling operation, it is possible to reduce the possibility of false detection due to other external factors such as changes in the environmental temperature.

[0113] (3) In the above embodiment, the control device 50 of the cooling storage 10 is provided with an I / F, a receiving unit 55, and a transmitting unit 56, and information is transmitted and received to and from the information processing device 80 by using the functions of these I / F, receiving unit 55, and transmitting unit 56. However, the cooling storage 10 may be additionally provided with, for example, a data communication device, and may be configured to transmit and receive information to and from the information processing device 80 via the data communication device. The data communication device includes, for example, a wireless master unit and a wireless slave unit. Further, the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit are configured to be capable of wireless communication for data transmission with each other, the wireless slave unit is configured to be capable of wired communication with the control device 50, and the wireless master unit is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the information processing device 80. According to such a configuration, by providing a data communication system for the cooling storage 10 that does not have a communication function with an external device, an abnormality can be detected by the abnormality detection system according to the present technology. The data communication system may be, for example, capable of any wireless communication such as specific low-power radio, simple radio, and in-building radio, and uses, for example, radio waves of a frequency defined as a standard specification by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, USA), or radio waves defined in Article 6, Paragraph 1, Paragraph 3, and Paragraph 4, Items 1 to 4 (in particular, Item 2 and Item 4) of the Enforcement Regulations of the Radio Law. Examples of the data communication system include devices compatible with Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network, IEEE802.15.4g).

[0114] (4) In the above embodiment, the owner of the other computer 60 is not particularly limited, and may be a user of the cooling storage 10, a service technician who performs maintenance and repair of the cooling storage 10, or an administrator who manages the abnormality detection system 1.

[0115] (5) The method for notifying an abnormality in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, an error message indicating an abnormality in each part of the cooling refrigerator 10 may be displayed on the display unit of the cooling refrigerator, or when the cooling refrigerator 10 is provided with a light emitting means or a sound emitting means, an error message by light, sound, etc. indicating an abnormality may be output. Further, an e-mail or a message notifying an abnormality may be sent from the information processing device 80 to another computer 60, or a message may be transmitted by phone to a user, a service technician, an administrator, etc.

[0116] (6) In the above embodiment, the information processing device 80 is a management server that manages information related to the cooling refrigerator 10, and is configured to be able to provide software (typically, SaaS: Software as a Service) for analyzing management information to another computer 60 via the Internet through an API (Application Programming Interface) for external system cooperation. In this case, the notification of an abnormality may be configured to be executed by the software for analyzing management information. Further, the software for analyzing management information may be configured to display a message or the like prompting confirmation of a graph showing the change over time of the temperature inside the storage when receiving a signal indicating an abnormality of the sealing member from the information processing device 80. Further, when the software for analyzing management information frequently receives a signal indicating an abnormality of the cooling refrigerator 10 from the information processing device 80 (for example, two or more times in two weeks), since there is a high possibility that a defect has occurred in any part of the cooling refrigerator, it may be configured to periodically notify an abnormality until maintenance of the corresponding part of the cooling refrigerator is executed.

[0117] (7) In the above embodiment, the contents of the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the cooling refrigerator 10 are merely examples, and modifications or other various operation methods can be adopted within a range that does not impair the essence of the present technology.

[0118] In the above-described abnormality detection system 1, only one cooling storage 10 was communicably connected to one information processing apparatus 80. However, a plurality of cooling storages 10 may be communicably connected to one information processing apparatus 80. Further, in the above-described abnormality detection system 1, information regarding an abnormality of one cooling storage 10 is output to one other computer 60. However, it may be configured such that information regarding abnormalities of a plurality of cooling storages 10 is output to one other computer 60.

[0119] (9) The information processing apparatus 80 was a computer including a CPU as a processor. However, the information processing apparatus 80 may include, as a processor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., and may execute each process by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (Integrated Circuit: IC) chip, an LSI (Large Scale Integration), etc., or a dedicated circuit.

[0120] (10) Note that, in the present technology, the computer program may be provided in a form recorded in an arbitrary non-transitory computer-readable medium (Non-transitory Computer Readable Medium: N-CRM).

[0121] (11) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of each part of the cooling refrigerator can be modified within a range that does not impair the essence of the technology of the present application. As an example, although an example in which a capillary tube is adopted as the decompression mechanism in the cooling unit has been disclosed, as the decompression mechanism, for example, a known expansion valve may be adopted. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which an NTC thermistor is adopted as the temperature sensor has been disclosed, but as the temperature sensor, for example, other thermistors such as a PTC thermistor or a CTR thermistor, a thermocouple, an IC temperature sensor, a metal (for example, platinum) resistance thermometer, a linear resistor, an infrared temperature sensor, etc. may be used.

Explanation of Signs

[0122] 1… Abnormality detection system, 10, 110… Cooling refrigerator, 11… Refrigerator body, 14… Storage chamber, 20, 120… Cooling unit, 21, 121… Compressor, 22… Condenser, 23… Expansion valve, 24… Evaporator, 25… Refrigerant pipe, 27… Defrosting heater, 30… Evaporator fan, 32… Air filter, 34… Door opening / closing sensor, 35… Sealing member, 50… Control device, 60… Other computer, 80, 180… Information processing device, 81, 181… Acquisition unit, 82, 182… First appropriate range determination unit, 83, 183… Second range determination unit, 84, 184… Third range determination unit, 85, 185… Fourth range determination unit, 86, 186… Judgment unit, 87, 187… Output unit, 24T… First temperature sensor, 26… Second temperature sensor, 22T… Third temperature sensor, 16T… Fourth temperature sensor

Claims

1. A refrigerator body having a storage chamber, A cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these, and a heater for heating the evaporator, A first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator, A second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber, Comprising, An information processing device for detecting an abnormality in a cooling refrigerator having a configuration for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber, An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, When a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from a first temperature difference appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, a determination unit that determines that there is refrigerant leakage, An output unit that outputs information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is refrigerant leakage, Comprising, The cooling refrigerator, When a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied, it has a configuration for performing a defrosting operation of heating the evaporator with the heater to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator, A timer for detecting the time required for the defrosting operation, The acquisition unit acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer, The determination unit, Before determining whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, it determines whether the time required for the most recently executed defrosting operation is within a defrosting time appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, If it is within the defrosting time appropriate range, it determines whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, while If it deviates from the defrosting time appropriate range, an information processing device that determines that an abnormality other than refrigerant leakage has occurred.

2. The condenser includes an inlet to which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is sent, an outlet from which the refrigerant is sent out toward the expansion valve, and a central portion between the inlet and the outlet, The cooling refrigerator, A third temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the condenser at the central portion of the condenser; A fourth temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the environment in which the cooling storage is installed; further comprising; The acquisition unit acquires information detected by the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor; The determination unit; Before determining whether the time required for the most recent defrost operation is within the appropriate defrost time range, a second temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the environment when the driving state of the compressor is increasing and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser, is within a second appropriate temperature difference range, which is a pre-determined temperature difference range between the temperature of the environment and the temperature of the central portion of the condenser based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, determines whether or not; When it is within the second appropriate temperature difference range, it determines whether the time required for the most recent defrost operation is within the appropriate defrost time range, while When it is outside the second appropriate temperature difference range, it determines that an abnormality other than refrigerant leakage has occurred. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. An appropriate range determination unit that determines the first appropriate temperature difference range based on the information regarding the first temperature difference acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The compressor is subjected to constant speed control that switches between driving and stopping with a constant rotational speed of the drive motor, The information regarding the driving state of the compressor is the operation rate of the compressor. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The compressor is subjected to inverter control that changes the rotational speed of the drive motor, The information regarding the driving state of the compressor is the rotational speed of the compressor. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A storage cabinet main body having a storage chamber; A cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these, and a heater for heating the evaporator; comprising; A first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator; A second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber; further comprising; An abnormality detection method for detecting an abnormality in a cooling storage device having a configuration for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber, an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; a determination step of determining that there is a refrigerant leak when a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from a first temperature difference appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition step when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; an output step of outputting information indicating an abnormality when it is determined by the determination step that there is a refrigerant leak; including the cooling storage device has a configuration for performing a defrosting operation of heating the evaporator with the heater to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator when a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied; a timer for detecting the time required for the defrosting operation; and the acquisition step acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer, the determination step before determining whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, determines whether the time required for the immediately preceding defrosting operation is within a defrosting time appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition step when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; when it is within the defrosting time appropriate range, determines whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, while when it deviates from the defrosting time appropriate range, determines that an abnormality other than a refrigerant leak has occurred. An abnormality detection method.

7. a storage device main body having a storage chamber; a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these, and a heater for heating the evaporator; comprising a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator; a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber; further comprising A program for causing a computer to detect an abnormality in a cooling storage device having a configuration for performing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber, an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the driving state of the compressor and information detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor; a determination step of determining that there is a refrigerant leak when a first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from a first temperature difference appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition step when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; an output step of outputting information indicating an abnormality when it is determined in the determination step that there is a refrigerant leak; to be executed by a computer, the cooling storage device includes a configuration for performing a defrosting operation of heating the evaporator with the heater to melt frost adhering to the evaporator when a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied; a timer for detecting the time required for the defrosting operation, and the acquisition step acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer, the determination step before determining whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, determines whether the time required for the immediately preceding defrosting operation is within a defrosting time appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition step when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe; when it is within the defrosting time appropriate range, determines whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference appropriate range, while when it deviates from the defrosting time appropriate range, determines that an abnormality other than a refrigerant leak has occurred. A program.

8. a storage device main body having a storage chamber; a cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these, and a heater for heating the evaporator; a first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator; a second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber; and is provided with Means for executing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber; Means for transmitting information on the driving state of the compressor and information acquired by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 that is communicably connected; Means for receiving, when the information processing apparatus determines that there is a refrigerant leak, information indicating the abnormality from the information processing apparatus; Means for notifying the abnormality based on the received information; A cooling storage device, further comprising.

9. The cooling storage device according to claim 8, further comprising the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. An abnormality detection system including a cooling storage device, a sensor, and an information processing apparatus, wherein The cooling storage device is A storage device main body having a storage chamber, A cooling unit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant through these, and a heater for heating the evaporator; A first temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the evaporator at the inlet of the evaporator; A second temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber; While being provided with Means for executing a cooling operation of taking in the air in the storage chamber into the cooling unit, cooling it, and then returning it to the storage chamber; Means for transmitting information on the driving state of the compressor and information acquired by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to the information processing apparatus that is communicably connected; Means for receiving, when the information processing apparatus determines that there is a refrigerant leak, information indicating the abnormality from the information processing apparatus; Means for notifying the abnormality based on the received information; Further comprising The information processing apparatus is An acquisition unit that acquires information on the driving state of the compressor, the first temperature sensor, and information detected by the second temperature sensor; A first temperature difference, which is the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator when the driving state of the compressor is increasing, deviates from a first temperature difference appropriate range that is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pipe. A determination unit that determines that there is a refrigerant leak when it is outside the appropriate range of the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the storage chamber and the inlet of the evaporator; An output unit that outputs information indicating an abnormality when the determination unit determines that there is a refrigerant leak; Comprising The cooling storage cabinet is configured to perform a defrosting operation in which the evaporator is heated by the heater to melt frost adhering to the evaporator when a predetermined defrosting condition is satisfied, and includes a timer that detects the time required for the defrosting operation, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information regarding the time required for the defrosting operation detected by the timer, and the determination unit determines whether the time required for the immediately preceding defrosting operation is within a proper defrosting time range, which is predetermined based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit when there is no refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe, before determining whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference proper range; if it is within the proper defrosting time range, the determination unit determines whether the first temperature difference deviates from the first temperature difference proper range; if it deviates from the proper defrosting time range, the determination unit determines that an abnormality other than refrigerant leakage has occurred. An abnormality detection system ​

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