Data collection device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem in which the communication capacity of a communication network is not used effectively or significant data reception processing is not performed. The data collection device according to the present disclosure comprises: a load estimating unit that estimates the load of an air conditioner from data collected from the air conditioner using a data collecting unit; a data collection interval setting unit that sets the time interval for a data collection unit to collect data in accordance with the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit, and sets the time interval to a time interval longer than the time interval set in accordance with the estimated load greater than the reference load when the estimated load is smaller than the reference load; and a control unit that controls the data collection unit to collect data at the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a data collection device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring device that collects data on the operating status of multiple air conditioners and other monitoring targets for remote control over a communication network. To prevent communication congestion caused by a concentration of data sent from multiple monitoring targets, this monitoring device groups the multiple monitoring targets and collects data on a group-by-group basis, with a time lag between the transmission timing of data sent from each monitoring target group. Furthermore, if the communication volume of a monitoring target group exceeds a threshold, the group of monitoring targets is divided to form a new monitoring target group, thereby leveling the communication load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-236264 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The monitoring device of Patent Document 1 aims to level out the data communication load by setting a time lag in the timing of data transmission from each monitored group and having the data transmitted in sequence. However, when the monitored object is an air conditioner, the frequency of obtaining the necessary data varies depending on the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, when the room temperature is stable and the load on the air conditioner is light, there is no need to transmit data frequently. However, in the monitoring device of Patent Document 1, data is transmitted uniformly, which results in situations where communication capacity is used to transmit unnecessary data, and where the monitoring device performs reception processing of unnecessary data. Thus, the monitoring device of Patent Document 1 has problems in that the communication capacity of the communication network is not effectively utilized and significant data reception processing is not performed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a data collection device capable of performing effective data communication and data reception processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The data collection device according to the present disclosure includes a load estimation unit that estimates the load of the air conditioner from the data collected by the data collection unit from the air conditioner, and sets a time interval at which the data collection unit collects data corresponding to the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit. When the estimated load is smaller than the reference load, the data collection interval setting unit sets the time interval to a longer time interval than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load larger than the reference load, and a control unit that controls the data collection unit to collect data at the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the data collection device according to the present disclosure, the load of the air conditioner is estimated by the load estimation unit, and the data collection interval setting unit sets the time interval for collecting data corresponding to the estimated load. When the estimated load is smaller than the reference load, the data collection interval setting unit sets a longer time interval than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load larger than the reference load. Therefore, when the load of the air conditioner is smaller than the reference load, the amount of data collected is less than the amount of data collected when the load of the air conditioner is larger than the reference load. Therefore, when the load of the air conditioner is smaller than the reference load value, the amount of data collected unnecessarily is suppressed, and the communication capacity of the communication network can be effectively utilized and significant data reception processing can be performed in the monitoring device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning system 2 using the data collection device 1 in Embodiment 1. This air conditioning system 2 is composed of an air conditioner 3 controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls the operation of a plurality of air conditioners 3, and a data collection device 1 that collects data from this air conditioner 3. The data collection device 1 is a device that collects various data from the air conditioner 3. By using the collected data, the operating status of the air conditioner 3 can be grasped, and by analyzing the collected data, control such as optimizing the operation of the air conditioner 3 can be performed. This data collection device 1 intermittently and continuously collects data, and by appropriately setting the time interval for collecting the data, it suppresses the amount of data collected to an unnecessary level. The data collected from the air conditioner 3 includes, for example, the set temperature in the space where the air conditioner 3 is installed, the detected room temperature by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner 3, the compressor frequency, the operation start time, the set temperature change time, the power consumption, and the like.

[0010] This data collection device 1 includes a data collection unit 11 connected to the air conditioner 3 via a communication network such as a local area network or the Internet within the facility, a load estimation unit 12 that estimates the load of the air conditioner 3 from the data collected by the data collection unit 11 from the air conditioner 3, a data collection interval setting unit 13 that sets the time interval for the data collection unit 11 to collect data corresponding to the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit 12, and a control unit 14 that controls the data collection unit 11 to collect data at the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit 13.

[0011] Here, the load of the air conditioner 3 estimated by the load estimation unit 12 indicates how much air conditioning capacity the air conditioner 3 needs to operate. For example, a large load means that the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is large, and it is necessary to operate with the maximum air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 3 to reduce the temperature difference. A small load means that the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature is small, and the air conditioner 3 can be operated with the minimum air conditioning capacity to maintain the room temperature near the set temperature. As an index indicating the load of this air conditioner 3, that is, the estimated load, for example, the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner, the frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner 3, the elapsed time since the start of operation, the elapsed time since the set temperature was changed, and the like can be used.

[0012] In addition, the data collection interval setting unit 13 sets the time interval at which the data collection unit 11 collects data corresponding to the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit 12. At this time, when the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit 12 is smaller than the reference load, the time interval for collecting data is set to a longer time interval than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load larger than the reference load. That is, the time interval for collecting data is made longer when the estimated load is small than when the estimated load is large. As a result, the amount of data collected per unit time is less when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small than when the load is large.

[0013] When the load of the air conditioner 3 is small, the air conditioner 3 operates stably with low air conditioning capacity, and the change in the collected data is also small. Collecting a large amount of similar data in such a state is not useful. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted and received and effectively utilize the communication capacity, that is, to suppress the communication cost. On the other hand, when the load of the air conditioner 3 is large, the air conditioner 3 operates with high air conditioning capacity, and the temperature change of the room temperature and the increase and decrease change of the air conditioning capacity are large. Therefore, in order to use it for optimization of air conditioning operation, failure determination, etc., even if it costs communication, it is desirable to prioritize grasping the changes at short time intervals. For this reason, by setting the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit 13 to be longer than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load larger than the reference load when the estimated load is smaller than the reference load, the amount of data collected unnecessarily is suppressed and the necessary data is collected.

[0014] As described above, the data collection device 1 in the first embodiment is configured. Each function of this data collection device 1 is realized by a computer. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the data collection device 1. The hardware shown in FIG. 2 includes a processing device 100 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device 101 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a hard disk, and a communication device 102.

[0015] The data collection unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by the processing device 100 executing a program stored in the storage device 101 and operating in cooperation with the communication device 102. The load estimation unit 12, the data collection interval setting unit 13, and the control unit 14 are realized by the program stored in the storage device 101 being executed by the processing device 100. Moreover, the method for realizing each function of the data collection device 1 is not limited to the combination of the above-described hardware and program. It may be realized by hardware alone, such as an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) in which a program is implemented in the processing device 100. Alternatively, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some may be realized by a combination of the processing device 100 and a program. Such a data collection device 1 may be installed in a facility where the air conditioner 3 is installed, or may be realized in a server connected via a network.

[0016] Next, the operation of the data collection device 1 having such a configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data collection device 1 in the first embodiment. When the operation of the air conditioner 3 is started, in step S1, the control unit 14 controls the data collection unit 11 to receive data such as operation data from the air conditioner 3. The data collection unit 11 transmits a transmission request to cause the air conditioner 3 to transmit operation data at time intervals specified by the control unit 14, and receives the operation data transmitted from the air conditioner 3. The time interval at this time is set as an initial value in the data collection interval setting unit 13. Here, the operation data is, for example, the set temperature in the space where the air conditioner 3 is installed, the detected room temperature of the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner 3, the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner 3, the operation start time of the air conditioner 3, the set temperature change time of the air conditioner 3, the power consumption of the air conditioner 3, and the like.

[0017] Next, in step S2, the data collection unit 11 records the collected operation data in the storage device 101. The operation data recorded and accumulated in this step S2 is utilized for control such as optimizing the operation of the air conditioner 3 by analysis.

[0018] Next, in step S3, the load estimation unit 12 estimates the load of the air conditioner 3 based on the operation data recorded in the storage device 101 in step S2. Examples of the operation data used for this load estimation include, for example, the set temperature of the air conditioner 3, the detected room temperature by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner 3, the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner 3, the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3, the time when the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 is changed, etc. The load estimation unit 12 estimates the load of the air conditioner 3 based on these parameters. Specifically, the load estimation unit 12 sets the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature and the room temperature, the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor, the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3, and the elapsed time D minutes since the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 was changed as the estimated load of the air conditioner 3.

[0019] Furthermore, the data collection interval setting unit 13 performs an operation of setting the time interval at which the data collection unit 11 collects data based on the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 estimated by the load estimation unit 12. First, in step S3, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines whether the estimated load is greater than the reference load. Specifically, it is determined whether the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature indicating the estimated load and the room temperature is greater than the preset A1 degrees, whether the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor indicating the estimated load is greater than the preset B1 [rpm], whether the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than the preset C1 minutes, or whether the elapsed time D minutes since the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 was changed is shorter than the preset D1 minutes. And when any of these conditions is satisfied, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines that the estimated load is greater than the reference load (Yes in step S3). That is, when the air conditioner 3 is under a load greater than the reference load, it means that when the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature and the room temperature is greater than the preset A1 degrees, when the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor is greater than the preset B1 [rpm], when the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than the preset C1 minutes, or when the elapsed time D minutes from the change of the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than the preset D1 minutes. In this case, in step S41, the data collection unit 11 sets the time interval for collecting data to the time interval T1 when the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 is large.

[0020] Also, in step S3, when the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines that none of the above conditions are satisfied, it determines that the estimated load is not greater than the reference load (No in step S3), and in step S42, the data collection unit 11 sets the time interval for collecting data to the time interval T2 when the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 is small.

[0021] The time intervals T1 and T2 set in steps S41 and S42 are stored in the storage device 101 in advance and are stored in a correspondence table that associates the magnitude of the estimated load with the time interval. FIG. 4 shows an example of the correspondence table 4 indicating the time interval corresponding to the estimated load. This correspondence table 4 shows the time interval corresponding to the estimated load. Specifically, it shows the correspondence between the determination result of whether the estimated load is greater than the reference load in step S3 and the time interval. As shown in the correspondence table 4, the relationship between the time interval T1 corresponding to the case where the estimated load is determined to be greater than the first reference load and the time interval T2 corresponding to the case where the estimated load is not determined to be greater than the reference load is T1 < T2. In this way, when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small, a longer time interval is set compared to the case where the load is large. Conversely, when the load of the air conditioner 3 is large, a shorter time interval is set compared to the case where the load is small. By doing so, data collection required when the load is large is performed, and the amount of data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is reduced, eliminating the need to frequently collect data and suppressing the collection of data that may become redundant.

[0022] When the time interval is set in the above step S41 or step S42, the process proceeds to step S5. The control unit 14 determines whether the operation of the air conditioner 3 has ended. If the operation of the air conditioner 3 has ended, the operation of the data collection device 1 is terminated. If it is determined in step S5 that the operation of the air conditioner 3 is continuing, the process returns to step S1. The control unit 14 controls the data collection unit 11 to collect data with the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit 13 instead of the initial value as the time interval for collecting data. The data collection device 1 collects data from the air conditioner 3 by repeating the operations of steps S1 to S5 as described above until it is determined to end the operation in step S5.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of data accumulated when the data collection device 1 collects data after a certain period of time has elapsed since the air conditioner 3 started operating by the above operation. The horizontal axis represents the magnitude of the load of the air conditioner 3, and the vertical axis represents the amount of data accumulated. That is, it shows how much data is accumulated for each magnitude of the load of the air conditioner 3 when data is collected.

[0024] Immediately after the start of operation of the air conditioner 3, when the room temperature or the external environment during operation changes rapidly, or when the set temperature is changed, etc., the load on the air conditioner 3 becomes large, and when the room temperature, etc. is stable, the load on the air conditioner 3 becomes small. During the operation period of the air conditioner 3, the periods in which these states occur are often longer for the periods when the room temperature, etc. is stable, that is, the periods when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small, than for the periods when the room temperature, etc. fluctuates and the load on the air conditioner 3 is large. Therefore, if the time interval for collecting data is not adjusted and data collection is performed uniformly, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 5, the amount of data accumulated when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small is large, and the amount of data accumulated when the load on the air conditioner 3 is large is small, resulting in an imbalance between the amount of data accumulated when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small and the amount of data accumulated when the load on the air conditioner 3 is large. For example, when collecting and analyzing data such as the operation status of the air conditioner 3 for use in optimizing the operation, etc., an equal amount of data accumulation may be required for each magnitude of the load on the air conditioner 3, or a large amount of data accumulation may be required when the room temperature, etc. fluctuates greatly and the load on the air conditioner 3 is large. As described above, if there is an imbalance in the collected data, or if the amount of data accumulated when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small is larger, the data required for analysis, etc. cannot be collected, and unnecessary data collection will be performed.

[0025] On the other hand, in the data collection device 1 of the present embodiment, an operation of adjusting the time interval for collecting data is performed as described above. When the load on the air conditioner 3 is small, a longer time interval is set compared to when the load is large. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 5, the amount of data accumulated during the relatively long period when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small and the amount of data accumulated during the relatively short period when the load on the air conditioner 3 is large are substantially equal. For this reason, it becomes possible to collect the data required when the load on the air conditioner 3 is large, and the collection of data that may become redundant when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small is suppressed.

[0026] Note that the ratio of the actual operating conditions of the air conditioner 3, that is, the ratio of the period of operating with a large load of the air conditioner 3 and the period of operating with a small load, varies depending on the relationship between the capacity of the air conditioner 3 and the usage environment, the usage method, etc. Therefore, as the time interval for collecting data, it is not necessary to fixedly determine it, and it may be set according to the required amount of data, as long as the magnitude relationship between the case where the load of the air conditioner 3 is small and the case where the load is large is maintained. In FIG. 5, for the dotted line in the case of uniformly collecting data, the solid line illustrates a case where the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is suppressed and the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is large is increased. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, for the dotted line in the case of uniformly collecting data, the solid line may be such that the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is large remains unchanged and the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is greatly suppressed. Furthermore, as in the solid line of the explanatory diagram showing the amount of data accumulation in FIG. 7, the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small may be suppressed, and the amount of data accumulation when the load of the air conditioner 3 is medium to large may be gradually increased. Also in this case, the data necessary when the load of the air conditioner 3 is large can be collected, and the collection of data that may become redundant when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is suppressed.

[0027] As described above, according to the data collection device 1 of the first embodiment, in the data collection interval setting unit 13, when the estimated load is smaller than the reference load, a time interval longer than the time interval set corresponding to the estimated load larger than the reference load is set, and when the estimated load is larger than the reference load, a time interval shorter than the time interval set corresponding to the estimated load smaller than the reference load is set. Therefore, the data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is smaller than the reference load becomes less than the data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is larger than the reference load. Thus, necessary data collection is performed when the load is large, the amount of data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is reduced, there is no need to frequently transmit data, and the collection of data that may become redundant is suppressed. Therefore, the communication capacity of the communication network can be utilized for communication for effective data collection, and the data reception process in the monitoring device can be limited to significant data reception. In addition, it is possible to prevent wasteful use of the storage capacity of the storage device 101 that accumulates data or the data storage area of the data storage device on the cloud connected via the network.

[0028] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, the case where the time interval for collecting data is set to either of two levels has been described. In Embodiment 2, the case where the time interval is set to any of the time intervals divided into three levels will be described.

[0029] The configuration of the data collection device 1 in Embodiment 2 is the same as that of FIG. 1 shown in Embodiment 1, but the processing in the load estimation unit 12 and the data collection interval setting unit 13 is different. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data collection device 1 in Embodiment 2.

[0030] When the operation of the air conditioner 3 is started, in step S6, the control unit 14 controls the data collection unit 11 to receive data such as operation data from the air conditioner 3. The data collection unit 11 is the same as step S1 in Embodiment 1 in that it transmits a transmission request to cause the air conditioner 3 to transmit operation data at a time interval specified by the control unit 14 and receives the operation data transmitted from the air conditioner 3.

[0031] Next, in step S7, the data collection unit 11 records the collected operation data in the storage device 101.

[0032] Next, in step S81, the load estimation unit 12 estimates the load of the air conditioner 3 based on the operation data recorded in the storage device 101 in step S2. The operation data used for this load estimation is the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the data collection interval setting unit 13 performs an operation of setting the time interval at which the data collection unit 11 collects data based on the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 estimated by the load estimation unit 12. First, in step S81, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines whether the estimated load is greater than the first reference load. Specifically, it determines whether the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature indicating the estimated load and the room temperature is greater than the preset A2 degrees, whether the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor indicating the estimated load is greater than the preset B2 [rpm], whether the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than the preset C2 minutes, and whether the elapsed time D minutes since the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 was changed is shorter than the preset D2 minutes. And when any of these conditions is satisfied, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines that the estimated load is greater than the first reference load (Yes in step S81). That is, the state where a load greater than the first reference load is applied to the air conditioner 3 means that when the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature and the room temperature is greater than the preset A2 degrees, when the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor is greater than the preset B2 [rpm], when the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than the preset C2 minutes, and when the elapsed time D minutes since the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 was changed is shorter than the preset D2 minutes. In this case, in step S91, the data collection interval at which the data collection unit 11 collects data is set to the time interval T3 when the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 is large.

[0034] Also, in step S81, when the data collection interval setting unit 13 does not satisfy any of the conditions described above, it determines that the estimated load is not greater than the first reference load (No in step S81) and proceeds to step S82. In step S82, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines whether the estimated load is smaller than the first reference load and larger than the second reference load. Specifically, the data collection interval setting unit 13 determines whether the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature indicating the estimated load and the room temperature is larger than a preset A3 degrees, whether the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor indicating the estimated load is larger than a preset B3 [rpm], whether the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of the operation of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than a preset C3 minutes, and whether the elapsed time D minutes from the change of the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 is shorter than a preset D3 minutes.

[0035] And when any of these conditions is satisfied, it is determined that the estimated load is larger than the second reference load (Yes in step S82), and the process proceeds to step S92. Proceeding to this step S92 means that it is determined that the estimated load is not larger than the first reference load but is larger than the second reference load, that is, the estimated load is medium. That is, the state where the load of the air conditioner 3 is medium means that the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature and the room temperature is not larger than a preset A2 degrees but is larger than A3 degrees, the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor is not larger than a preset B2 [rpm] but is larger than B3 [rpm], the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of the operation of the air conditioner 3 is not shorter than a preset C2 minutes but is shorter than C2 minutes, and the elapsed time D minutes from the change of the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 is not shorter than a preset D2 minutes but is shorter than D3 minutes. In this case, in step S92, the data collection interval setting unit 13 sets the time interval at which the data collection unit 11 collects data to the time interval T4 when the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 is medium. Note that, as described above, the relationship between the value for determining whether the estimated load is larger than the first reference load and the value for determining whether the estimated load is larger than the second reference load is A2 > A3, B2 > B3, C2 < C3, D2 < D3.

[0036] Also, in step S82, when the data collection interval setting unit 13 does not satisfy any of the above conditions, it determines that the estimated load is not greater than the second reference load, that is, the estimated load is small (No in step S82), and proceeds to step S93. Proceeding to this step S93 means that it is determined that the estimated load is not greater than the second reference load, that is, the estimated load is small. That is, the state where the load of the air conditioner 3 is small means that when the temperature difference A degrees between the set temperature and the room temperature is not greater than the preset A3 degrees, when the operating frequency B [rpm] of the compressor is not greater than the preset B3 [rpm], when the elapsed time C minutes from the start time of operation of the air conditioner 3 is not shorter than the preset C3 minutes, and when the elapsed time D minutes from when the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 was changed is not shorter than the preset D3 minutes. In this case, in step S93, the data collection unit 11 sets the time interval for collecting data to the time interval T5 when the estimated load of the air conditioner 3 is small.

[0037] The time intervals T3 to T5 set in these steps S91 to S93 are stored in the storage device 101 in advance and are stored in a correspondence table that associates the magnitude of the estimated load with the time interval. FIG. 9 shows an example of a correspondence table 5 showing the time interval corresponding to the estimated load. This correspondence table 5 shows the time interval corresponding to the estimated load. Specifically, in steps S81 and S82, it shows the correspondence between the result of determining the magnitude relationship between the estimated load and the first reference load and the second reference load and the time interval. As shown in this correspondence table 5, the relationship between the time interval T3 corresponding to the case where it is determined that the estimated load is greater than the first reference load and the time interval T4 corresponding to the case where the estimated load is not greater than the first reference load and greater than the second reference load, that is, the case where the estimated load is medium is T4 < T3. Also, the relationship between the time interval T4 corresponding to the case where the estimated load is not greater than the first reference load and greater than the second reference load, that is, the case where the estimated load is medium and the time interval T5 corresponding to the case where the estimated load is not greater than the second reference load is T5 < T4.

[0038] In this way, when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small, a longer time interval is set compared to when the load is large. Conversely, when the load on the air conditioner 3 is large, a shorter time interval is set compared to when the load is small. By doing so, data collection necessary when the load is large is performed, and the amount of data collected when the load on the air conditioner 3 is small is reduced, eliminating the need to frequently collect data and suppressing the collection of data that may become redundant.

[0039] When the time interval is set in the above steps S91 to S93, the process proceeds to step S10, where the control unit 14 determines whether the operation of the air conditioner 3 has ended. If the operation of the air conditioner 3 has ended, the operation of the data collection device 1 is terminated. If it is determined in step S10 that the operation of the air conditioner 3 is continuing, the process returns to step S6, and the control unit 14 controls the data collection unit 11 to collect data with the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit 13 instead of the initial value. Until it is determined in step S10 that the operation ends, the data collection device 1 repeats the operations of steps S6 to S10 as described above to collect data from the air conditioner 3.

[0040] By such an operation, data collection is performed to obtain an appropriate data accumulation amount according to the load on the air conditioner 3, similar to the cases shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 in the first embodiment.

[0041] As described above, according to the data collection device 1 of the second embodiment, in the data collection interval setting unit 13, when the estimated load is smaller than the reference load, a time interval longer than the time interval set corresponding to the estimated load larger than the reference load is set, and when the estimated load is larger than the reference load, a time interval shorter than the time interval set corresponding to the estimated load smaller than the reference load is set. Therefore, when the load of the air conditioner 3 is smaller than the reference load, the data collected is less than the data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is larger than the reference load. Thus, data collection is performed when the load is large, the amount of data collected when the load of the air conditioner 3 is small is reduced, and the collection of data that may become redundant and does not need to be frequently transmitted is suppressed. For this reason, the communication capacity of the communication network can be utilized for communication for effective data collection, and the data reception process in the monitoring device can be limited to significant data reception. Also, the storage capacity of the storage device 101 for storing data, or the data storage area of the data storage device on the cloud connected via the network can be prevented from being wasted.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the data collection device 1 of the second embodiment, since the time interval for collecting data is divided into three levels, the range of the load of the air conditioner 3 for which data is to be collected and the range of the load for which collection is to be suppressed can be adjusted more finely than in the case of the first embodiment. In this second embodiment, the case where any one of the time intervals divided into three levels is used as the time interval has been described. However, the time interval may be divided into more than three levels. The more levels there are, the finer the range of the load for which data is collected can be adjusted.

[0043] Note that, in the data collection device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the correspondence tables 4 and 5 in which the determination result of whether the estimated load is larger than the reference load and the time interval are associated with each other are used to show the time interval corresponding to the estimated load. However, the correspondence table showing the time interval corresponding to the estimated load is not limited to this configuration. For example, a correspondence table in which a plurality of ranges of estimated loads and the time intervals corresponding to those ranges are set may be used. Alternatively, instead of setting the time interval corresponding to the estimated load using the correspondence table as shown in the above Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, it may be set according to a relational expression obtained in advance by experiments or the like.

[0044] Also, the data collection device 1 of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 may be realized by a single piece of hardware such as a computer or an LSI, or some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware and some may be realized by a combination of the processing device 100 and a program. However, the functions of the data collection device 1 may be constructed and realized in a server connected by a cloud.

[0045] Also, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, it has been described that the data collection unit 11 of the data collection device 1 causes the air conditioner 3 to transmit operation data at time intervals specified by the control unit 14. However, the control unit 14 may control the air conditioner 3 to spontaneously and periodically transmit data from the air conditioner 3, and the data collection unit 11 may collect data by receiving the data from the air conditioner 3.

[0046] Also, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, when determining whether the estimated load is greater than the reference load, the four operation data used as the estimated load are compared with their respective reference loads, and when it is determined that even one of the four estimated loads is greater than the reference load, it has been described that it is determined that the estimated load is greater than the reference load. However, when it is determined that all four conditions are greater than the reference load, it may be determined that the estimated load is greater than the reference load. Also, the operation data used as the estimated load is not limited to the four described above, and may be one.

[0047] Also, this data collection device 1 may be provided in a facility or the like where the air conditioner 3 is installed, or may be provided at another location connected by a communication network.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1 Data collection device, 2 Air conditioning system, 3 Air conditioner, 11 Data collection unit, 12 Load estimation unit, 13 Data collection interval setting unit, 14 Control unit, 100 Processing device, 101 Storage device, 102 Communication device

Claims

1. A data collection unit that collects data from an air conditioner, a load estimation unit that estimates the load of the air conditioner from the data collected by the data collection unit, a data collection interval setting unit that sets the time interval at which the data collection unit collects the data corresponding to the estimated load estimated by the load estimation unit, and when the estimated load is smaller than a reference load, sets the time interval to a longer time interval than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load larger than the reference load, and a control unit that controls the data collection unit to collect data at the time interval set by the data collection interval setting unit A data collection device comprising.

2. The data collection interval setting unit is characterized in that, when the estimated load is larger than a reference load, the data collection interval setting unit sets the time interval to a shorter time interval than the time interval set corresponding to an estimated load smaller than the reference load. The data collection device according to claim 1.

3. The data collection interval setting unit is characterized in that the time interval set corresponding to the estimated load is set to any one of time intervals divided into three or more stages The data collection device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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