Maintenance device and maintenance system

Abstract

This maintenance device (10) comprises: a connection means (11) that contactlessly connects to communication lines (50A, 50B) that transmit / receive high-frequency signals in an air-conditioning system (1), in which at least some of a plurality of constituent apparatuses are connected by the communication lines (50A, 50B); and a communication means that communicates with the air-conditioning system (1) via the connection means (11) by using electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the high-frequency signals.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance device and a maintenance system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an air conditioning system for a building that includes a centralized control device, a plurality of outdoor units, and a plurality of indoor units, all connected by communication lines such as a centralized transmission line and an internal / external transmission line. In such an air conditioning system, when performing maintenance work, inspection work, or work to identify the cause of a failure, a maintenance device, which is a maintenance device, is temporarily connected to the communication line of the air conditioning system, and these work may be performed from the maintenance device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a data collection system in which a collection device is temporarily connected to the air conditioning system via a temporary cable, and data collection processing is performed by the collection device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-22515 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known that air conditioning systems use communication lines to supply power to each device. When connecting a maintenance device to such a communication line, the power supply to each device must be cut off before connecting. This poses a problem, as the air conditioning system becomes unusable during that time. It is also possible to connect the maintenance device to the air conditioning system by working on a live line while maintaining the power supply. However, this requires workers to have special skills and qualifications, and requires protective measures to prevent electric shock. Furthermore, there is a risk of the device breaking down if the connection is done incorrectly.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a maintenance device and a maintenance system that can be easily connected to an air conditioning system so as to be able to communicate with the air conditioning system while maintaining power supply to the air conditioning system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the maintenance device according to the present disclosure comprises: a connection means for non-contact connection to a communication line of an air conditioning system in which at least some of the components are connected by a communication line for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals; a communication means for communicating with the air conditioning system via the connection means by electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the high-frequency signal; The connection means is a connection port of a terminal block of the component device to which the communication line is connected. Nearby The communication line is connected in a non-contact manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily connect to an air conditioning system so as to be able to communicate with the air conditioning system while maintaining the supply of power to the air conditioning system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a maintenance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a centralized management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cable used for the communication line in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the likelihood of crosstalk occurring, and the recommended installation position of the connection part. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of a maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a maintenance process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a maintenance device according to a first modification of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second modification of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a maintenance system according to a fourth modification of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a maintenance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The maintenance system 100 includes an air conditioning system 1 and a maintenance device 10 that is temporarily connected to the air conditioning system 1.

[0011] The air conditioning system 1 is a multi-air conditioning system for a building that provides air conditioning to buildings such as office buildings, commercial facilities, etc. The air conditioning system 1 includes, as a plurality of components, a centralized control device 20, a plurality of outdoor units 30a to 30c, and a plurality of indoor units 40a to 40f.

[0012] The centralized control device 20 and each of the outdoor units 30a to 30c are daisy-chain connected via a communication line 50A, which is a so-called centralized transmission line. Communication is performed between the centralized control device 20 and each of the outdoor units 30a to 30c by transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals at a first frequency of 100 kHz or higher via the communication line 50A. The communication line 50A is also connected to a power source (not shown) and supplies power to the centralized control device 20 and the outdoor units 30a to 30c.

[0013] The outdoor unit 30a and the indoor units 40a and 40b, the outdoor unit 30b and the indoor units 40c and 40d, and the outdoor unit 30c and the indoor units 40e and 40f are connected by a communication line 50B, which is a so-called indoor / external transmission line. The outdoor unit 30a and the indoor units 40a and 40b, the outdoor unit 30b and the indoor units 40c and 40d, and the outdoor unit 30c and the indoor units 40e and 40f communicate by sending and receiving high-frequency signals at a second frequency of 100 kHz or higher, which is different from the first frequency, via the communication line 50B. The communication line 50B is also connected to a power source (not shown) and supplies power to the indoor units 40a to 40f.

[0014] Hereinafter, in common explanations for the outdoor units 30a to 30c, they will be referred to as the outdoor unit 30 without any particular designation. Similarly, in common explanations for the indoor units 40a to 40f, they will be referred to as the indoor unit 40 without any particular designation. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the communication lines 50A and 50B, they will be referred to as the communication line 50.

[0015] Next, each component of the air conditioning system 1 will be described.

[0016] The centralized control device 20 is a device for centrally controlling the outdoor units 30 and the indoor units 40, and is installed, for example, in a control room in a building. As shown in Fig. 2, the centralized control device 20 includes a terminal block 21, a communication unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, a memory unit 25, and a control unit 26.

[0017] The terminal block 21 is an interface for connecting the centralized control device 20 to each outdoor unit 30. A connection port of the terminal block 21 is exposed to the outside of the housing of the centralized control device 20, and a communication line 50A is connected to the connection port. Note that the communication line 50A may be directly connected to the communication unit 22 without providing the terminal block 21.

[0018] Under the control of the control unit 26, the communication unit 22 communicates with each outdoor unit 30 connected via the terminal block 21 and the communication line 50A by a communication method using a high-frequency signal of a first frequency.

[0019] The input unit 23 is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, keypad, push button, touch panel, or touchpad, which accepts input operations from the user and outputs signals related to the accepted input operations to the control unit 26. The display unit 24 is a CRT display, liquid crystal display, organic EL display, plasma display, or the like, and under the control of the control unit 26, displays screens for operating the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 40, screens for displaying their status, and the like.

[0020] The storage unit 25 is configured with an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 25 stores a management program, data, etc. for managing the outdoor unit 30.

[0021] The control unit 26 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc., and controls the centralized management device 20 in an integrated manner.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit 30 includes a terminal block 31, a first communication section 32, a second communication section 33, a main unit 34, and a control section 35.

[0023] The terminal block 31 is an interface for connecting the outdoor unit 30 to the centralized control device 20 and the indoor units 40. The connection port of the terminal block 31 is exposed to the outside of the housing of the outdoor unit 30, and the communication lines 50A and 50B are connected to the connection port. Note that the communication line 50A may be directly connected to the first communication unit 32, and the communication line 50B may be directly connected to the second communication unit 33, without providing the terminal block 31.

[0024] The first communication unit 32 communicates with the centralized control device 20 connected via the terminal block 31 and the communication line 50A under the control of the control unit 35 by a communication method using high-frequency signals of a first frequency. The second communication unit 33 communicates with each indoor unit 40 connected via the terminal block 31 and the communication line 50B under the control of the control unit 35 by a communication method using high-frequency signals of a second frequency.

[0025] The main unit 34 is a component for realizing the original functions of a general outdoor unit 30, and is equipped with a refrigerant circuit consisting of a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a four-way valve, etc., a fan, various sensors (current sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, frequency sensor, acceleration sensor, etc.), etc.

[0026] The control unit 35 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (none of which are shown), and controls the outdoor unit 30 in an integrated manner.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 40 includes a terminal block 41, a communication section 42, a main unit 43, and a control section 44.

[0028] The terminal block 41 is an interface for connecting the indoor unit 40 to the outdoor unit 30. The connection port of the terminal block 41 is exposed to the outside of the housing of the indoor unit 40, and the communication line 50B is connected to the connection port. Note that the communication line 50B may be directly connected to the communication unit 42 without providing the terminal block 41.

[0029] Under the control of the control unit 44, the communication unit 42 communicates with the outdoor unit 30 connected via the terminal block 41 and the communication line 50B by a communication method using a high-frequency signal of the second frequency.

[0030] The main unit 43 is a component for realizing the essential functions of a general indoor unit 40, and includes, for example, a fan, a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc. The measurement results of each sensor included in the main unit 43 are periodically transmitted to the outdoor unit 30 connected via a communication line 50B.

[0031] The control unit 44 is configured to include a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (none of which are shown), and controls the indoor unit 40 in an integrated manner.

[0032] The maintenance device 10 is a device that is temporarily connected to the communication line 50 of the air conditioning system 1 to perform maintenance work, inspection work, and work to identify the cause of a failure when such work is performed on the air conditioning system 1. In FIG. 1, the maintenance device 10 is connected to the communication line 50B, but it can also be connected to the communication line 50A. As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance device 10 includes a connection unit 11, a communication unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a memory unit 15, and a control unit 16.

[0033] The connection unit 11 is configured to electromagnetically connect to the communication line 50 of the air conditioning system 1 without contact. Specifically, the connection unit 11 includes a cable portion having one end connected to the communication unit 12 and a clamp portion made of a highly conductive material provided at the other end of the cable. The connection unit 11 surrounds, or clamps, the communication line 50 so as to sandwich it between the clamp portion, thereby connecting to the communication line 50 without contact. As described above, communication between the components of the air conditioning system 1 is performed using a communication method using high-frequency signals, and high-frequency signals flow through the communication line 50. Therefore, when the communication line 50 is clamped, crosstalk occurs between the communication line 50 and the clamp portion, and the high-frequency signals flowing through the communication line 50 leak to the connection unit 11. This allows the communication unit 12 to receive the high-frequency signals flowing through the communication line 50 via the connection unit 11. The communication unit 12 can also transmit signals, which are electromagnetic waves with the same frequency as the high-frequency signals flowing through the communication line 50, from the communication line 50 clamped by the connection unit 11 to a destination device. The connection portion 11 is an example of the connection means of the present disclosure.

[0034] Since the likelihood of crosstalk occurring varies depending on the type of cable used in the communication line 50, the shield connection method, etc., it is desirable to change the installation position of the connection part 11 accordingly. Fig. 6 is a table summarizing the relationship between the characteristics of the cable used in the communication line 50, the likelihood of crosstalk occurring in the cable in three levels of "○", "△", and "×" in order of likelihood of occurrence, and the recommended installation position of the connection part 11.

[0035] As shown in this table, crosstalk is very likely to occur when an unshielded CVV cable or an MVVS cable with a mesh-type shield structure and an open-end shield connection method is used for the communication line 50. In this case, the connection part 11 can be attached at any position on the communication line 50.

[0036] Furthermore, if an MVVS cable with a shield connection method in which both ends are grounded, or a CVVS cable with a copper foil tape shield structure and a shield connection method in which both ends are open, is used for the communication line 50, crosstalk will occur to some extent, although it will be less than the above-mentioned cables. In this case, it is desirable to attach the connection part 11 to the communication line 50 near the connection ports of the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41, where crosstalk is likely to occur.

[0037] Furthermore, when a CVVS cable with a shield connection method in which both ends are grounded is used for the communication line 50, almost no crosstalk occurs. In this case, it is desirable to attach the connection part 11 to the part of the communication line 50 where the sheet is removed near the connection port of the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 5 , under the control of the control unit 16, the communication unit 12 communicates with each component of the air conditioning system 1 connected via the connection unit 11 and the communication line 50 using a communication method that uses electromagnetic waves of the same frequency as the high-frequency signals used in communication in the air conditioning system 1. For example, when the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50A, the communication unit 12 communicates with each component of the air conditioning system 1 using a communication method that uses high-frequency signals of a first frequency. Also, when the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50B, the communication unit 12 communicates with each component of the air conditioning system 1 using a communication method that uses high-frequency signals of a second frequency. The communication unit 12 is an example of a communication means of the present disclosure.

[0039] The input unit 13 is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, keypad, push button, touch panel, or touchpad, which accepts input operations from the user and sends signals related to the accepted input operations to the control unit 16. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and under the control of the control unit 16, displays a screen for operating the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 40, a screen for displaying the operating status, and the like.

[0040] The storage unit 15 is composed of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 15 stores management programs, data, etc. for maintaining and inspecting the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 40.

[0041] The control unit 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (none of which are shown), and performs overall control of the maintenance device 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 16 has, as its functional configuration, a communication determination unit 161, a connection position change notification unit 162, a frequency identification unit 163, and a maintenance processing unit 164.

[0042] The communication determination unit 161 determines whether the communication unit 12 can communicate well with the air conditioning system 1. When the communication determination unit 161 determines that the communication unit 12 cannot communicate well with the air conditioning system 1, the connection position change notification unit 162 executes processing to prompt the user to change the connection position of the connection unit 11 to the communication line 50. The communication determination unit 161 is an example of a communication determination means of the present disclosure. The connection position change notification unit 162 is an example of a connection position change notification means of the present disclosure. Details of the processing executed by the communication determination unit 161 and the connection position change notification unit 162 will be described later.

[0043] The frequency identifying unit 163 identifies the frequency of a high-frequency signal flowing through the communication line 50 to which the connection unit 11 is contactlessly connected. That is, when the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50A, the frequency identifying unit 163 identifies a first frequency, and when the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50B, the frequency identifying unit 163 identifies a second frequency. The frequency identifying unit 163 is an example of a frequency identifying means of the present disclosure.

[0044] The maintenance processing unit 164 executes various processes required for maintenance work, inspection work, etc. For example, the maintenance processing unit 164 executes processes such as acquiring and analyzing operation data from the indoor unit 40 via the connection unit 11 and the communication unit 12, and transmitting control commands.

[0045] Next, the maintenance processing executed by the maintenance device 10 will be described. A user, such as a manager or worker of the air conditioning system 1, clamps the communication line 50 of the air conditioning system 1 with the clamp portion of the connection unit 11 of the maintenance device 10 to perform maintenance work, inspection work, etc. on the air conditioning system 1. At this time, there is no need to stop the power supply to the air conditioning system 1. The user then operates the input unit 13 of the maintenance device 10 to instruct the start of maintenance work. In response to this instruction, the control unit 16 of the maintenance device 10 executes the maintenance processing shown in FIG. 8. Note that the control unit 16 may automatically start the maintenance processing when the connection unit 11 clamps the communication line 50, without waiting for an operation from the user.

[0046] When the maintenance process is started, first, the communication determination unit 161 of the maintenance device 10 determines whether or not the communication unit 12 can communicate satisfactorily with the air conditioning system 1 connected via the connection unit 11 (step S101). Specifically, the communication determination unit 161 causes the communication unit 12 to transmit a response request signal to the outdoor unit 30. Then, the communication determination unit 161 makes the above determination based on the time from when the communication unit 12 transmits the response request signal to when it receives the response signal returned by the outdoor unit 30. Note that the above-described determination method is one example, and the communication determination unit 161 may determine whether or not the communication unit 12 can communicate satisfactorily with the air conditioning system 1 using other methods.

[0047] If the communication unit 12 determines that it cannot communicate well with the air conditioning system 1 (step S101; No), it is difficult to perform maintenance work from the maintenance device 10. In this case, the connection unit 11 may be attached to a communication line 50 located far from the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41, which are difficult to receive high-frequency signals from. Therefore, the connection position change notification unit 162 performs a process to prompt the user to change the connection position of the connection unit 11 (step S102). Specifically, the connection position change notification unit 162 displays a message on the display unit 14 saying, "Please clamp the communication line near the terminal block." If the maintenance device 10 has a speaker, the connection position change notification unit 162 may output a similar message by voice. If the maintenance device 10 has an Internet connection function, the connection position change notification unit 162 may send a similar message to the user's smartphone by email, SMS, or the like. The maintenance process then ends.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection unit 11 can communicate well with the air conditioning system 1 (step S101; Yes), the frequency identification unit 163 identifies the frequency of the high-frequency signal flowing through the communication line 50 to which the connection unit 11 is contactlessly connected (step S103). For example, the frequency identification unit 163 may analyze a response signal received from the outdoor unit 30 to make the determination in step S101 and identify the frequency. If the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50A, a first frequency is identified in step S103. If the connection unit 11 is connected to the communication line 50B, a second frequency is identified in step S103.

[0049] After step S103, the user operates the input unit 13 of the maintenance device 10 to perform various operations for maintenance work, and the maintenance processing unit 164 executes various processes in response to the operations (step S104). At this time, the maintenance processing unit 164 also controls the communication unit 12 as necessary to communicate with each component of the air conditioning system 1 connected via the connection unit 11 and the communication line 50.

[0050] For example, the maintenance processing unit 164 instructs the communication unit 12 to transmit data such as a control command or an information acquisition request command as necessary. Upon receiving the instruction, the communication unit 12 generates electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the frequency identified in step S103 and onto which the instructed data is superimposed, and outputs the electromagnetic waves from the connection unit 11. This allows the data to be transmitted to the target device via the communication line 50, which is connected to the connection unit 11 in a contactless manner.

[0051] Furthermore, the maintenance processing unit 164 acquires data such as operating data and environmental information of the indoor unit 40 from the high frequency signal received by the communication unit 12 via the connection unit 11 as necessary.

[0052] Thereafter, when the maintenance work is completed, the user performs an operation to end the maintenance process from the input unit 13 (step S105; Yes), and the maintenance process ends.

[0053] In this way, according to the maintenance device 10 of this embodiment, by utilizing crosstalk, it is possible to easily connect to the air conditioning system 1 so as to be able to communicate with it, simply by clamping the communication line 50 through which the high-frequency signal is flowing at the connection part 11, while maintaining the power supply to the air conditioning system 1.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the maintenance device 10 of this embodiment, if the connection state with the air conditioning system 1 is not good, a process is executed to prompt the user to change the connection position of the connection unit 11. Therefore, it is expected to have the effect of improving communication problems with the air conditioning system 1.

[0055] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiment, the connection unit 11 is electromagnetically connected to the communication line 50 without contact by clamping the communication line 50. However, the connection unit 11 may be electromagnetically connected to the communication line 50 without contact by other methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the connection unit 11 may be formed of only a cable portion and at least a portion of the connection unit 11 may be arranged along the communication line, which would cause crosstalk with the communication line 50, so the connection unit 11 can be electromagnetically connected to the communication line 50 without contact. In this case, it is desirable that the cable portion of the connection unit 11 be a CVV cable, which is prone to crosstalk.

[0056] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, communication is performed using high-frequency signals of different frequencies on the communication lines 50A and 50B of the air conditioning system 1. However, communication using high-frequency signals of the same frequency may be performed on both communication lines 50A and 50B. In this case, the frequency of the high-frequency signal received by the connection unit 11 is the same regardless of which communication line 50A or 50B the connection unit 11 is connected to, so the process of identifying the frequency in step S103 of the maintenance process can be omitted. Also, communication using high-frequency signals may be performed only on one of the communication lines 50A and 50B of the air conditioning system 1. In this case, the connection unit 11 needs to be connected to the communication line 50A or 50B that is performing communication using high-frequency signals.

[0057] (Variation 3) Since crosstalk is likely to occur near the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41, the portion of the communication line 50 within a predetermined range from the connection port of the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41 may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from other portions. For example, in FIG. 10 , a marker M1 is attached to the communication line 50 within 10 cm from the connection port of the terminal blocks 21, 31, and 41. The connection part 11 of the maintenance device 10 is clamped to the communication line 50 in this marked portion. This allows the user to connect the connection part 11 to an appropriate position on the communication line 50 where crosstalk is likely to occur.

[0058] (Variation 4) 11, a terminal block 70 is connected to the terminal block 41 of the indoor unit 40b, which is a component of the air conditioning system 1, via a coupling circuit 60. The maintenance device 10 may then be communicably connected to the connection port of this terminal block 70 via a general cable 80. This makes it possible to easily connect the maintenance device 10 to the air conditioning system 1 so that it can communicate with the air conditioning system 1 while maintaining the power supply to the air conditioning system 1. In this case, the maintenance device 10 does not need to be provided with a connection unit 11. Similarly, the terminal block 70 for connecting the maintenance device 10 may also be connected to the terminal blocks 21, 31, 41 of component devices other than the indoor unit 40b.

[0059] (Other variations) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 4, and various modifications are of course possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0060] For example, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 4, the air conditioning system 1 is described as having one centralized control device 20, three outdoor units 30a to 30c, and six indoor units 40a to 40f, but any number of these devices may be included in the air conditioning system 1. Furthermore, the air conditioning system 1 may include devices other than the centralized control device 20, outdoor units 30, and indoor units 40.

[0061] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 Maintenance system, 1 Air conditioning system, 10 Maintenance device, 20 Centralized control device, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c Outdoor unit, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f Indoor unit, 50, 50A, 50B Communication line, 60 Coupling circuit, 11 Connection unit, 21, 31, 41, 70 Terminal block, 80 Cable, 12, 22, 42 Communication unit, 32 First communication unit, 33 Second communication unit, 13, 23 Input unit, 14, 24 Display unit, 15, 25 Memory unit, 16, 26, 35, 44 Control unit, 161 Communication determination unit, 162 Connection position change notification unit, 163 Frequency identification unit, 164 Maintenance processing unit, 34, 43 Main unit, M1 Marker

Claims

1. a connection means for non-contact connection to a communication line of an air conditioning system in which at least some of the components are connected by a communication line for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals; a communication means for communicating with the air conditioning system via the connection means by electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the high-frequency signal; the connecting means is connected in a non-contact manner to a portion of the communication line near a connection port of a terminal block of the component device to which the communication line is connected; Maintenance equipment.

2. a communication determination means for determining whether the communication means can communicate well with the air conditioning system; a connection position change notification means for performing processing to prompt a user to change the connection position of the connection means to the communication line when the communication determination means determines that good communication with the air conditioning system is not possible; The maintenance device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The connection means further includes a frequency identification means for identifying the frequency of the high-frequency signal flowing through the communication line to which the connection means is contactlessly connected. The maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the air conditioning system, at least some of the plurality of component devices are connected by a first communication line that transmits and receives a high-frequency signal at a first frequency and a second communication line that transmits and receives a high-frequency signal at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, the connection means is connected to either the first communication line or the second communication line in a non-contact manner; the communication means generates electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the first frequency or the second frequency identified by the frequency identifying means, and communicates with the air conditioning system using the generated electromagnetic waves. The maintenance device according to claim 3 .

5. the connecting means connects to the communication line in a non-contact manner by clamping the communication line; The maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the connecting means is connected to the communication line in a non-contact manner by being disposed along the communication line; The maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A maintenance system including an air conditioning system and a maintenance device, in which at least some of a plurality of component devices are connected by a communication line that transmits and receives high-frequency signals, The maintenance device includes: a connection means for connecting to the communication line in a non-contact manner; a communication means for communicating with the air conditioning system via the connection means by electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the high-frequency signal; Of the communication lines connected to the connection ports of the terminal blocks of the component devices, the portion near the connection ports is displayed in a manner that distinguishes it from other portions. Maintenance system.

8. In the air conditioning system, at least some of the plurality of component devices are connected by a first communication line that transmits and receives a high-frequency signal at a first frequency and a second communication line that transmits and receives a high-frequency signal at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, the connection means is connected to either the first communication line or the second communication line in a non-contact manner; the maintenance device further includes a frequency identifying means for identifying a frequency of a high-frequency signal flowing through the first communication line or the second communication line to which the connecting means is contactlessly connected, the communication means generates electromagnetic waves having the same frequency as the first frequency or the second frequency identified by the frequency identifying means, and communicates with the air conditioning system using the generated electromagnetic waves. The maintenance system according to claim 7 .

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