Server system, refrigerant leak repair system

Abstract

To encourage a user of an air conditioner that can be operated even when refrigerant leakage occurs to voluntarily request repair of the refrigerant leakage.SOLUTION: A server system 2 includes: a storage section 49 that stores guarantee information 614 indicating presence / absence of guarantee on refrigerant leakage of each air conditioner; an acquisition section 41 that acquires leakage notification indicating detection of the refrigerant leakage of a predetermined air conditioner 7; and a transmission section 41 that transmits notification information including the guarantee information 614 corresponding to the predetermined air conditioner 7 to an information terminal 6 used by a user of the predetermined air conditioner 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server system and a refrigerant leak repair system. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed in the past in which an air conditioner detects a change in operating state caused by a refrigerant leak and sends a leak notification (leak call) to a management server indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred, and the management server then notifies the user of the air conditioner that a refrigerant leak has occurred (see Patent Document 1). This allows the user to decide whether or not to request repairs from a repair company, taking into account factors such as repair costs and the time required for repairs. If the user decides to request repairs, they make the request to the repair company by phone, and the repairs are then carried out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-211108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when deciding whether to request repairs from a repair company, users are not always quick to request repairs because it takes time to check the warranty details, such as the current warranty period for the air conditioner and the person to contact for repairs. In particular, in the case of a refrigerant leak, unlike when operation is impossible due to corrosion of the circuit, the air conditioner itself can still be operated; only its operating efficiency will be reduced. For this reason, users tend to ignore the refrigerant leak. Furthermore, while repairs can be performed free of charge if the product is still within the manufacturer's warranty period (manufacturer's warranty period), if the product is outside the warranty period, users must consider whether to accept the cost, further increasing the tendency to ignore the refrigerant leak.

[0005] In addition, if the user postpones requesting repairs and only requests repairs when they notice that the air conditioner's heating and cooling performance has decreased, most of the refrigerant may have leaked. Furthermore, even if the user requests repairs when they are about to start operating the air conditioner in full-scale, repairs are often not possible immediately due to a high volume of repair requests, which may result in further refrigerant leakage.

[0006] In consideration of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to encourage users of air conditioners that can operate even if a refrigerant leaks to voluntarily request repairs for the refrigerant leak. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A first aspect of the present disclosure is a server system including a storage means for storing warranty information indicating whether or not each air conditioner has warranty coverage for refrigerant leak repairs, an acquisition means for acquiring a leak notification indicating that a refrigerant leak has been detected in a specified air conditioner, and a transmission means for transmitting notification information including the warranty coverage information corresponding to the specified air conditioner to an information terminal used by a user of the specified air conditioner.

[0008] According to the first aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal not only that repair is necessary but also whether or not the user has a warranty, thereby encouraging the user of the air conditioner to voluntarily request repairs for the refrigerant leak.

[0009] (2) A second aspect of the present disclosure is the server system according to the first aspect, wherein the warranty enrollment information includes information indicating whether or not the warranty is enrolled and the validity period of the warranty for repair of the refrigerant leak.

[0010] According to the second aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal whether or not a warranty is in place, as well as the validity period of the warranty for refrigerant leak repairs, thereby encouraging users to voluntarily request repairs.

[0011] (3) A third aspect of the present disclosure is a server system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the notification information includes repair promotion information indicating repair promotion based on the warranty subscription information.

[0012] According to the third aspect, by notifying the user not only whether or not the warranty is purchased but also that repairs are to be promoted, it is possible to encourage the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0013] (4) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the server system according to the third aspect, wherein the repair promotion information includes information indicating possible dates for a repair company to repair the refrigerant leak.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal of specific repair date options, thereby encouraging the user to make a repair request of their own accord.

[0015] (5) A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the server system according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the repair promotion information includes information indicating a date and time when the leak notification was acquired.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect, the server system notifies the information terminal of the information including the date and time when the leakage state was detected, thereby encouraging the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0017] (6) A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a server system described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the storage means stores repair history information indicating the history of repairs to the refrigerant leak in association with the warranty subscription information.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect, the server system stores repair history information indicating the history of refrigerant leakage repairs, which can be used to make repairs.

[0019] (7) A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigerant leak repair system comprising a server system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and the information terminal, wherein the information terminal comprises a display control means for displaying a display screen including the repair promotion information, and the display screen comprises a repair request means for requesting repairs from a repair company.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to encourage a user who sees the display screen to make a repair request.

[0021] (8) A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigerant leak repair system comprising a server system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and the air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner comprises a detection means for detecting the state of the refrigerant when the air conditioner is operating, a determination means for determining whether or not there is a refrigerant leak based on the detection results, and a communication means for sending the leak notification to the server system if it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak, and the determination means executes a process to determine whether or not there is a refrigerant leak based on the detection results during the trial operation period of the air conditioner based on changes in outside air temperature.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, the air conditioner can automatically determine whether or not there is a refrigerant leak before the full-scale heating and cooling season begins, based on the detection results during the trial operation period of the air conditioner, which are based on changes in outside air temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a distribution flow relating to refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the start date of trial operation before full-scale heating and cooling operation in Japan. [Figure 3] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a refrigerant leakage repair system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a management terminal and a user terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote management server. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a user information management table. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a device information management table. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are conceptual diagrams of each warranty information management table. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a communication system of the air conditioner. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure and processing for taking out a warranty against refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of a leak notification and a repair request for an air conditioner, and the repair response. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a leakage determination process. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed by a user terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a display screen displayed by a user terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing procedures and processes after repair of the air conditioner. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a commercial flow related to refrigerant leakage from an air conditioner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] [Outline of the embodiment] First, an outline of an embodiment will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the distribution flow related to refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the start time of a trial run before full-scale heating and cooling operation.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c of users A, B, and C are connected to a remote management server 4 via the Internet or the like. The remote management server 4 remotely monitors the air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c for refrigerant leaks, and sends leak reports to users A, B, and C of the air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c, respectively, indicating that a refrigerant leak has been detected, while instructing a dealer (repair department) X to urge the user of the air conditioner in which the refrigerant leak occurred to repair it. The air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c are one example of an air conditioner 7, and there may be any number of air conditioners as long as there is one or more. Furthermore, users A, B, and C are one example of a user U, and there may be any number of users as long as there is one or more.

[0027] The remote management server 4 is managed by the manufacturer of the air conditioner 7 or a service provider that provides a leak notification service. However, if the dealer is large, the remote management server 4 may be managed by dealer X. Dealer X is a store or business that sells air conditioners 7 to users, and in this case has a repair department that handles repairs of the air conditioners 7.

[0028] Here, the commercial flow relating to a refrigerant leak in an air conditioner will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a situation in which a refrigerant leak has occurred in air conditioner 7a of user A, which is a specified air conditioner.

[0029] S1: First, when retailer X sells an air conditioner 7 to each user U, the user U who wishes to take out a warranty against refrigerant leakage pays retailer X a warranty fee for refrigerant leakage repair in addition to the sales price of the air conditioner 7. If the probability of a refrigerant leakage occurring is 1% per year, and the warranty validity period is 10 years, the probability of occurrence during this period will be 10%, so the warranty fee will be about 1 / 100 of the cost required for repair.

[0030] S2: When a user U requests a warranty for refrigerant leakage, the warranty fee is paid by each user U to the warranty company Y via the retailer X. The retailer X also registers warranty subscription information (see FIG. 8) in the remote management server 4.

[0031] S3: Each user registers user information (see FIG. 6) indicating information about user U and device information (see FIG. 7) indicating information about the air conditioner to the remote management server 4. In the case of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, this information is required to be registered under the Fluorocarbons Emission Reduction Act, so there is no increase in the user's workload.

[0032] S4: The air conditioner 7 is originally equipped with temperature sensors 72, 85a, 85b, etc., which will be described later, and can determine when to start full-scale operation by itself, so it performs a trial run a certain period of time before the start of full-scale operation. For example, the air conditioner 7a determines whether there is a refrigerant leak, and if there is a leak, it sends a leak notification (leak call) to the remote management server 4.

[0033] Here, the timing of trial operation will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the start timing of trial operation before heating and cooling operation in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, etc.). As shown in Figure 2, the air conditioner 7 performs a cooling trial operation a certain period (e.g., two weeks) before the general cooling operation period from mid-June to mid-September. The cooling trial operation is started when the maximum temperature of the day exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 25°C). Furthermore, the air conditioner 7 performs a heating trial operation a certain period (e.g., two weeks) before the general heating operation period from late November to mid-March. The heating trial operation is started when the minimum temperature of the day falls below a threshold value (e.g., 10°C).

[0034] S5: Returning to FIG. 1, the remote management server 4 sends a leak report to user A of the air conditioner 7a that sent the leak notification, indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred, as in the past. This allows user A to understand that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the air conditioner 7a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remote management server 4 instructs retailer X to urge user A to perform repairs. At this time, user information about user A and device information about the air conditioner 7a, as well as warranty subscription information about a leak warranty specifically designed for refrigerant leak repairs, are also sent.

[0035] S6: Dealer X contacts User A to inform them that the refrigerant leak will be repaired under the warranty, and after arranging a repair date, performs the repair. If the refrigerant leak occurs within the free warranty period (manufacturer's warranty period), the manufacturer will bear the repair costs. Also, even if the refrigerant leak occurs after the product warranty period has expired, if it is within the leak warranty period, the warranty company will bear the repair costs. In these cases, Dealer X informs User A that there will be no cost to the user. By resolving the cost issue in advance in this way, it becomes easier for the user to request repairs, and repairs can be performed before the time comes for full-scale heating and cooling operation.

[0036] S7: If the product is outside the free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period) but within the leak warranty period, the retailer X will report the completion of the repair to the warranty company Y after the repair is completed, and will receive a warranty fee from the warranty company Y.

[0037] S8: Furthermore, the retailer X registers the repair history information in the remote management server 4.

[0038] As described above, the flow of processes S1 to S8 shortens the time from when a refrigerant leak is detected until repairs are carried out, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0039] [Overall configuration of refrigerant leak repair system] Next, the overall configuration of the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] First, the outline of the configuration of the refrigerant leakage repair system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the refrigerant leakage repair system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 of this embodiment is made up of a server system 2, a user terminal 6, and an air conditioner 7. Furthermore, the server system 2 is made up of a management terminal 3 and a remote management server 4. The management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, the user terminal 6, and the air conditioner 7 can communicate by being connected to a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The connection form of the communication network 100 may be either wireless or wired.

[0042] The user terminal 6 and the air conditioner 7 are managed and used by a user U.

[0043] The management terminal 3 is a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and transmits repair promotion information indicating repair promotion to the user terminal 6 when operated by a sales clerk at the store X or a person in charge of the repair department at the store X.

[0044] The remote management server 4 is configured with a single computer or multiple computers. As described above, the remote management server 4 is managed by the manufacturer of the air conditioner 7 or a service provider that provides a leak notification service. However, if the dealer is large, the remote management server 4 may be managed by the dealer X. The remote management server 4 remotely monitors refrigerant leaks in the air conditioner 7 and sends leakage report information, etc. to the user U of the air conditioner 7, indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred, and also sends repair promotion instruction information, etc. to the dealer X, instructing the user U to have the user U repaired.

[0045] The user terminal 6 is a PC or the like, and upon receiving repair promotion information indicating repair promotion from the management terminal 3, displays a display screen 610 (620) such as that shown in Figure 14 or Figure 15 described below, and performs processing such as prompting the user U to select a repair request.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the air conditioner 7 automatically performs a test run when it is time (day) for the cooling test run and heating test run, and if a refrigerant leak occurs, it sends a leak notification (leak call) to the remote management server 4.

[0047] [Components of the refrigerant leak repair system] Next, the configuration of the management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, the user terminal 6, and the air conditioner 7 that constitute the refrigerant leakage repair system will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] <Configuration of management terminal and user terminal> First, the general configuration of the management terminal 3 will be explained using Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the general configuration of the management terminal and the user terminal.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the management terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display control unit 34, and a storage unit 39.

[0050] Of these, the control unit 30 plays a role in controlling the entire management terminal 3, and is a variety of arithmetic devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0051] The communication unit 31 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100.

[0052] The operation unit 32 is a device for receiving operations from an operator using a keyboard, mouse, or the like.

[0053] The display control unit 34 is a display device for displaying a screen on a display, and is a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a display controller, or the like.

[0054] The storage unit 39 is a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0055] The user terminal 6 has a control unit 60, a communication unit 61, an operation unit 62, a display control unit 64, and a memory unit 69, but these have the same configuration as the control unit 30, the communication unit 31, the operation unit 32, the display control unit 34, and the memory unit 39, respectively, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0056] <Configuration of remote management server> Next, the schematic configuration of the remote management server 4 will be explained using Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the remote management server.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the remote management server 4 includes a control unit 40, a communication unit 41, and a storage unit 49.

[0058] Of these, the control unit 40 plays a role in controlling the entire remote management server 4, and is a variety of computing devices such as a CPU.

[0059] The communication unit 31 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100. The communication unit 41 is an example of an acquisition unit or a transmission unit.

[0060] The storage unit 39 is a storage device such as a ROM, a RAM, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 39 stores and manages various tables such as those shown below.

[0061] (User information management table) The storage unit 39 stores a user information management table as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the user information management table. In the user information management table, user information in which a user ID, a user name, a user's contact information, and a user's address (or residence) are associated is managed. The user's contact information is, for example, an email address of a user terminal, a user's telephone number, etc. At least one piece of information from the user ID, the user name, the user's contact information, and the user's address (or residence) is an example of user identification information for identifying a user.

[0062] (Device information management table) The storage unit 39 stores a device information management table as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the device information management table. In the device information management table, device information in which device identification information and repairer information are associated with each user ID is managed.

[0063] The device identification information is information for identifying the air conditioner, and includes information such as the device ID, device name, serial number, sales date, and free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period). Note that at least one of the device ID, device name, and serial number is an example of device identification information for identifying the air conditioner.

[0064] The repair company information is information for identifying a repair company that will repair a malfunction in the air conditioner 7 identified by the device ID, and includes, for example, information on the company's name and contact details.

[0065] (Warranty information management table) The memory unit 39 stores warranty information management tables such as those shown in Figures 8(a), (b), and (c). Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of each warranty information management table. Figures 8(a), (b), and (c) show warranty information for the air conditioners 7a, 7b, and 7c of Figure 1, respectively. Figure 8(a) shows a state in which user A has subscribed to leak insurance and repairs have been completed, Figure 8(b) shows a state in which user B has subscribed to leak insurance but repairs have not been made (or repairs have been made but not completed), and Figure 8(c) shows a state in which user C has not subscribed to leak insurance. Note that Figure 8 shows three pieces of warranty information, but this is not limiting.

[0066] In the warranty information management table, warranty subscription information and repair history information are associated and managed for each device ID.

[0067] The warranty enrollment information is information indicating an extended warranty specifically for refrigerant leaks, separate from the free warranty (manufacturer warranty), and includes information on whether or not the user has enrolled in a leak repair warranty, the warranty validity period, the warranty enrollment date, and the warranty expiration date. The information indicating whether or not the user has enrolled in a leak repair warranty is managed as "Yes" if the user U has requested an extended warranty specifically for refrigerant leaks, and as "No" if the user U has not requested an extended warranty specifically for refrigerant leaks.

[0068] The repair history information is information showing the history of refrigerant leak repairs using an extended warranty specifically for refrigerant leaks, and includes information on the repair date, warranty fee, and repair details. The warranty fee indicates the amount paid by warranty company Y.

[0069] <Air conditioner configuration> Next, a schematic configuration showing the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 7 will be described using FIG. 9, and a schematic configuration showing the communication system of the air conditioner 7 will be described using FIG.

[0070] (Configuration of the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner) Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. The air conditioner 7 shown in Fig. 9 is a separate type equipped with an indoor unit 7A and an outdoor unit 7B, but is not limited to this type.

[0071] The indoor unit 7A and the outdoor unit 7B are connected via refrigerant piping 73. A refrigerant circuit that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is formed by the circulation of refrigerant flowing through this refrigerant piping 73. The indoor unit 7A is equipped with an indoor expansion valve 74, an indoor heat exchanger 75, and an indoor fan 76. The indoor expansion valve 74 is an electrically operated expansion valve that can adjust the refrigerant pressure and refrigerant flow rate.

[0072] The indoor heat exchanger 75 is, for example, a cross-fin tube type heat exchanger, and is used to exchange heat with indoor air. The indoor fan 76 is configured to take indoor air into the indoor unit 7A, exchange heat between the taken-in air and the indoor heat exchanger 75, and then blow the air out into the room. The indoor fan 76 is equipped with a motor whose operating rotation speed can be adjusted by inverter control.

[0073] The indoor unit 7A is further equipped with various sensors. For example, the indoor unit 7A is equipped with a temperature sensor 77. The temperature sensor 77 detects the temperature of air taken into the indoor unit 7A by the indoor fan 76. A signal detected by the temperature sensor 77 is input to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later.

[0074] The indoor expansion valve 74 and the indoor fan 76 are controlled in operation by the control unit 70 in response to the on / off operation of the operation switch of the air conditioner 7 and the outputs of various sensors.

[0075] The outdoor unit 7B includes a compressor 80, an outdoor heat exchanger 81, a four-way switching valve 82, an outdoor fan 83, and an outdoor expansion valve 84.

[0076] The compressor 80 is a variable displacement type (variable capacity type), and the operating rotation speed of the built-in motor can be changed by inverter control of this motor. However, the compressor 80 may also be a fixed displacement type. Also, multiple compressors 80 may be provided. In this case, variable displacement compressors and fixed displacement compressors may be mixed.

[0077] The outdoor heat exchanger 81 is, for example, a cross-fin tube type heat exchanger, and is used to exchange heat with a refrigerant using air as a heat source. The outdoor fan 83 is equipped with a motor whose operating speed can be adjusted by inverter control. The outdoor fan 83 is configured to take in outdoor air into the outdoor unit 7B, exchange heat between the taken-in air and the outdoor heat exchanger 81, and then blow the air out of the outdoor unit 7B.

[0078] The four-way switching valve 82 reverses the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant piping 73, switching the supply of refrigerant discharged from the compressor 80 between the outdoor heat exchanger 81 and the indoor heat exchanger 75. This allows the air conditioner 7 to switch between cooling operation and heating operation.

[0079] The outdoor unit 7B is further equipped with various sensors. For example, the outdoor unit 7B is equipped with temperature sensors 85a, 85b, 87 and pressure sensors 86a, 86b, 88. The temperature sensor 85a is provided in the suction pipe of the compressor 80 and detects the suction pipe temperature. The temperature sensor 85b is provided in the discharge pipe and detects the discharge pipe temperature. The temperature sensor 87 is provided in the refrigerant piping 73 before the outdoor expansion valve 84 and detects the refrigerant piping temperature. The pressure sensor 86a is provided on the suction side of the compressor 80 and detects the low pressure. The pressure sensor 86b is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 80 and detects the high pressure. The pressure sensor 88 is provided in the refrigerant piping 73 before the outdoor expansion valve 84 and detects the refrigerant pressure. The outdoor unit 7B may also be equipped with temperature sensors that measure the temperatures of the gas side and liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 81.

[0080] Signals detected by the temperature sensors 85a and 85b and the pressure sensors 86a and 86b are input to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 10) described below.

[0081] The operation of the compressor 80, the outdoor fan 83, and the outdoor expansion valve 84 is controlled by the control unit 70 in accordance with the outputs of various sensors.

[0082] (Configuration of air conditioner communication system) FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a communication system of an air conditioner.

[0083] 10, the air conditioner 7 has a control unit 70, a temperature sensor 77, a temperature sensor 85a, a temperature sensor 85b, a pressure sensor 86a, and a pressure sensor 86b. Note that the temperature sensors 77, 85a, 85b, 87, the pressure sensors 86a, 86b, and 88 are examples of detection means, and have already been described using FIG. 9, so description thereof will be omitted here.

[0084] The control unit 40 is a variety of computing devices such as a CPU, and plays a role in controlling the entire remote management server 4. The control unit 70 also functionally includes a determination unit 70a.

[0085] The determination unit 70a determines whether or not a refrigerant leak has occurred based on a signal (detection result) output from at least one of the temperature sensor 77, the temperature sensor 85a, the temperature sensor 85b, the pressure sensor 86a, and the pressure sensor 86. There are various methods for determining whether or not a refrigerant leak has occurred, but for example, the determination unit 70a measures the amount of refrigerant and determines whether or not a leak has been detected based on the differential pressure between the suction pressure (low pressure) detected by the pressure sensor 86a and the discharge pressure (high pressure) detected by the pressure sensor 86b.

[0086] The communication unit 71 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various information to and from other devices (terminals, servers) via the communication network 100. When the communication unit 71 performs wireless communication, it transmits data (information) using a specific low-power wireless communication technology called LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). This specific low-power wireless communication realizes long-distance communication with low power consumption, unlike wireless communication methods that use relatively high power for high-speed communication, such as 4G and 5G networks provided by mobile phone carriers. In the case of LPWA, the communication network 100 includes, for example, a SigFog network. This SigFog network can communicate 12 bytes of data at a communication speed of 100 bps up to 140 times per day (approximately 50 kB per month). Currently, it can be used for a few hundred yen per year and enables communication with very low power. However, other specific low-power wireless communication networks may be used instead of the SigFog network.

[0087] [Processing or operation of refrigerant leak repair system] Next, the processing or operation of the refrigerant leakage repair system 1 will be described using Figures 11 to 16. Dedicated applications that enable communication between the management terminal 3, the remote management server 4, and the user terminal 6 are installed. Dedicated applications that enable communication between the air conditioners 7 and the remote management server 4 are also installed.

[0088] <Procedure for joining the refrigerant leak warranty> First, the procedure and processing for taking out a warranty against refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 7 will be described using Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure and processing for taking out a warranty against refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner.

[0089] S11: User U purchases an air conditioner 7 from retailer X, and also pays retailer X a warranty fee to take out a leak warranty (extended warranty for refrigerant leakage).

[0090] S12: The retailer X pays the warranty fee received from the user U to the warranty company Y.

[0091] S13: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives input of warranty subscription information from the salesperson of the retail store X.

[0092] S14: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 transmits the warranty enrollment information received by the operation unit 32 to the remote management server 4. As a result, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the warranty enrollment information. In this case, the management terminal 3 transmits device identification information for identifying the air conditioner 7 that has been warranted to the remote management server 4 together with the warranty enrollment information.

[0093] S15: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 stores the warranty subscription information received by the communication unit 41 in the storage unit 49. As shown in Fig. 8, the warranty subscription information is stored in a table format associated with device identification information (device ID in the example of Fig. 8).

[0094] S16: Meanwhile, the operation unit 62 of the user terminal 6 accepts input from the user U of the user information of the user U and the device information of the air conditioner 7 purchased in S11 above. At this point, repair history information has not been stored.

[0095] S17: The communication unit 61 of the user terminal 6 transmits the user information and device information accepted by the operation unit 62 to the remote management server 4. As a result, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the user information and device information.

[0096] S18: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 stores the user information and device information received by the communication unit 41 in the storage unit 49. The user information is stored in a table format as shown in Fig. 6, and the device information is stored in a table format as shown in Fig. 7.

[0097] This completes the procedures and processing for enrolling in a warranty for the air conditioner 7.

[0098] <Leak notification, repair request, repair response> Next, the processing of the air conditioner leakage notification and repair request, and the repair response will be described using Fig. 12 to Fig. 15. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the air conditioner leakage notification and repair request, and the repair response.

[0099] S31: The air conditioner 7 performs leakage determination processing. Here, the leakage determination processing will be explained using Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the leakage determination processing.

[0100] S311: One of the sensors detects the state of the refrigerant. In addition to the above-described methods, there are other methods for detecting the state of the refrigerant during cooling operation. For example, there is a method in which a refrigerant leak is detected when the degree of refrigerant subcooling calculated from the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained from pressure sensor 88 and the temperature before the expansion valve obtained from temperature sensor 87 becomes smaller than a threshold value. Another method is to determine a refrigerant leak when the degree of refrigerant superheat calculated from the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained from pressure sensor 86a and the suction temperature of compressor 80 obtained from temperature sensor 85a becomes larger than a threshold value. Another method is to determine a refrigerant leak when the degree of refrigerant superheat calculated from the difference between the refrigerant saturation temperature obtained from pressure sensor 86b and the discharge temperature of compressor 80 obtained from temperature sensor 85b becomes larger than a value corresponding to the operating state. However, the methods are not limited to those described above. There is also a method for detecting a refrigerant leak comprehensively by taking into account, in addition to the values ​​obtained by the above-described sensors, the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the rotation speed of compressor 80, and other factors.

[0101] S312: The determination unit 70a determines whether or not there is a refrigerant leak based on the detection result of at least one of the sensors, and if there is no leak (S312: NO), the process returns to S311. On the other hand, if there is a refrigerant leak (S312: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S32.

[0102] S32: Returning to Fig. 12, the communication unit 71 transmits a leakage notification indicating that a refrigerant leakage has been detected to the remote management server 4. This leakage notification includes a device ID for identifying the air conditioner 7 that sent the notification. As a result, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the leakage notification.

[0103] S33: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 identifies the corresponding device information by searching each device information management table (see FIG. 7) using the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search key. The control unit 40 also identifies the user ID of the user U of the air conditioner 7 indicated by the device ID. Furthermore, the control unit 40 identifies the corresponding warranty subscription information by searching each warranty information management table (see FIG. 8) using the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search key.

[0104] S34: Furthermore, the control unit 40 searches the user information management table (FIG. 6) using the user ID identified in step S33 as a search key to identify the contact information of the corresponding user. This makes it possible to identify the destination of the leak report.

[0105] S35: The communication unit 41 transmits repair promotion instruction information to the management terminal 3 of the dealer, which instructs the user U to promote repairs. This repair promotion instruction information includes the information identified in steps S33 and S34 (user information, device information, warranty subscription information). As a result, the communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 receives the repair promotion instruction information.

[0106] S36: The communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 also transmits leakage report information indicating a report of a refrigerant leak to the user terminal 6 whose report destination was identified in process S34. This leakage report information includes the information (user information, device information) identified in processes S33 and S34. This allows the user U to know that a leak has occurred as a first report.

[0107] S37: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives the creation of repair promotion information indicating repair promotion from the salesperson of the retail store X who has received the repair promotion instruction.

[0108] S38: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 transmits the repair promotion information created by the operation unit 32 to the user terminal 6 associated with the contact information in the user information received in process S35. As a result, the communication unit 61 of the user terminal 6 receives the repair promotion information. Note that in process S36, the communication unit 41 may include warranty subscription information in the leakage report information and transmit it to the user terminal 6. In this case, prior to process S36, the remote management server 4 accepts the creation of repair promotion information as in process S37, and in process S36, the communication unit 41 transmits the created repair promotion information to the user terminal 6. In this case, repair promotion is performed by the remote management server 4 alone, not by the server system 2, and processes S35, S37, and S38 may be omitted.

[0109] S39: The display control unit 64 of the user terminal 6 displays a display screen 610 as shown in Fig. 14 on the display of the user terminal 6 or an external display. Here, the display screen 610 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the user terminal.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 14, display screen 610 displays user identification information 611 such as a user name, a comment 612 encouraging repair, a device information display field 613, a warranty subscription information display field 614, and a promotion information display field 615. User identification information 611 is information created based on the user information received in process 35. Here, the user name of user A is shown as the specified user. User identification information may be a user ID instead of a user name, or may be both a user ID and a user name. User identification information may also include contact information and address of user U. Comment 612 encouraging repair is just an example, and the content may not be the same as that shown in FIG. 14 as long as it encourages repair.

[0111] The comment 612 encouraging repair is information created by a clerk at retail store X in process S37. Note that the comment 612 may not be created by a clerk at retail store X, but may be a pre-prepared fixed phrase that is automatically set.

[0112] The device information display field 613 displays the device information received in process S35. The warranty subscription information display field 614 displays the warranty subscription information received in process S35. The promotion content information display field 615 displays the content created by the salesperson at retailer X in process S37. The promotion content information includes information 615a indicating the date and time when the leak notification was obtained, and information 615b indicating possible dates for the retailer (repair shop) to repair the refrigerant leak.

[0113] Also displayed at the bottom of the display screen 610 are a "Request Repair" button 618 for the user to request repairs from the store (repair department) and a "Do Not Request Repair" button 619 for the user to not request repairs from the store (repair department). The "Request Repair" button 618 is an example of a repair request means.

[0114] S40: When the user U selects the "Request repair" button 618, the operation unit 61 accepts the selection of the repair request.

[0115] S41: Based on the operation unit 61 accepting the selection of a repair request, the communication unit 61 transmits a response to the management terminal 3 to request repair as a response to process S38. As a result, the communication unit 61 of the management terminal 3 receives the repair request. Note that if the "Do not request repair" button 619 is selected in process S40, the communication unit 61 either transmits a response to the management terminal 3 to the effect that repair will not be performed as a response to process S38, or does not transmit anything.

[0116] S42: When the management terminal 3 receives a reply requesting repairs, the repair department of the dealer acting as a repairer will carry out repairs to the air conditioner 7.

[0117] Fig. 15 shows a modified example of the display screen of Fig. 14. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a modified example of the display screen displayed by the user terminal.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 15 , display screen 620 displays user identification information 621 such as a user ID, a comment 622 encouraging repair, a device information display field 623, and a URL 624 selected for viewing detailed information. User identification information 621 has the same content as user identification information 611. Comment 622 encouraging repair displays a comment instructing the user to access URL 624 due to a refrigerant leak. Device information display field 623 has the same content as device information display field 613. URL 624 is information for accessing another display screen including warranty subscription information display field 614 and promotion information display field 615 in FIG. 14 . The other display screen also includes a “Request Repair” button 618 and a “Do Not Request Repair” button 619, as shown in FIG. 14 . A “Close” button 629 for closing display screen 620 is also displayed at the bottom of display screen 620.

[0119] 15, device information display field 623 is displayed, but this device information display field 623 may also be displayed on the separate display screen. In the case where user terminal 6 receives the information by e-mail rather than by a dedicated application, user identification information 621, a comment 622 urging repair, and a URL 624 may be sent by e-mail.

[0120] This completes the air conditioner leakage notification, repair request processing, and repair response.

[0121] <Procedures and processing after repair> Next, the procedures and processing after repair of the air conditioner 7 will be described using Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing the procedures and processing after repair of the air conditioner.

[0122] S51: After the repair, the retailer X notifies the warranty company Y that the repair has been completed, and receives the warranty fee from the warranty company Y.

[0123] S52: The operation unit 32 of the management terminal 3 receives input of the repair response results from the clerk of retailer X. The response results include the repair response date, the warranty fee received from warranty company Y, and the repair response details. In this case, the device ID for identifying the air conditioner 7 to be repaired is also input.

[0124] S53: The communication unit 31 of the management terminal 3 transmits repair history information including the content received by the operation unit 32 to the remote management server 4. This repair history information includes the device ID entered in step S52. As a result, the communication unit 41 of the remote management server 4 receives the repair history information.

[0125] S54: The control unit 40 of the remote management server 4 searches the warranty information management table (see FIG. 8) using the device ID received by the communication unit 41 as a search key, thereby identifying the warranty information management table for the device ID, and stores the repair history information received by the communication unit 41.

[0126] This completes the procedures and processing after repair of the air conditioner.

[0127] [Changes in commercial flow] While Fig. 1 shows a commercial flow relating to a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner 7, a modified example of the commercial flow will be shown using Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the commercial flow relating to a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner.

[0128] In the modified example shown in Figure 17, instead of a new manufacturer (repair department) Z, a retailer X' that does not have a repair department appears. Since retailer X' will continue its relationship with user U, it often wishes to keep track of user U's repair information, resulting in the flow of information shown in Figure 17. Note that the same processes or procedures as in Figure 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 and their explanations will be omitted.

[0129] In this modified example, S2 in FIG. 1 becomes a two-stage process of S2a and S2b, S5 in FIG. 1 becomes a two-stage process of S5a and S5b, and S8 in FIG. 1 becomes a two-stage process of S8a and S8b.

[0130] That is, when a user U desires a warranty against refrigerant leakage, the warranty fee is paid by each user U to the retailer X' (S2a), and is paid by the manufacturer Z to the warranty company Y (S2b).

[0131] The remote management server 4 also sends a repair promotion instruction to the manufacturer Z (S5a), and the manufacturer Z sends a leak report to the retailer (S5b). In this case, since the manufacturer Z will repair the product, the manufacturer Z will contact the user A to inform them that the refrigerant leak will be repaired under the warranty, arrange a repair date, and then carry out the repair (S6'). Furthermore, if the product is outside the free warranty period (manufacturer warranty period) but within the leak warranty period, the manufacturer Z will report the completion of the repair to the warranty company Y after completing the repair, and will receive the warranty fee from the warranty company Y (S7').

[0132] Furthermore, manufacturer Z registers repair history information in the remote management server 4 (S8a), and reports the completion of repairs to retailer X' (S8b).

[0133] This completes the explanation of the modified example of the commercial flow related to the refrigerant leakage from the air conditioner.

[0134] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, the server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 not only that repair is necessary but also whether or not the user has a warranty, thereby eliminating the user's concerns about the cost of repairs and encouraging the user U of the air conditioner 7 to make a repair request of their own accord. By encouraging the user U to make a repair request of their own accord for an air conditioner 7 that can operate even if there is a refrigerant leak and shortening the period from the occurrence of the leak to repair, the amount of refrigerant leakage can be reduced.

[0135] (2) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of whether or not the user has a warranty and the validity period of the warranty for refrigerant leakage repairs, thereby encouraging the user U to voluntarily request repairs.

[0136] (3) The server system 2 notifies the user not only whether or not the warranty is in place, but also that repairs will be promoted, thereby encouraging the user to voluntarily request repairs.

[0137] (4) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of specific repair schedule candidates, thereby encouraging the user U to make a repair request of his / her own accord.

[0138] (5) The server system 2 notifies the user terminal 6 of the information including the date and time when the leakage state was detected, thereby encouraging the user U to voluntarily request repairs.

[0139] (6) The server system 2 stores repair history information indicating the history of refrigerant leakage repairs, which can be used to make repairs.

[0140] (7) By displaying a display screen 610 such as that shown in FIG. 14, the user terminal 6 can prompt the user U who sees the display screen 610 to make a repair request.

[0141] (8) The air conditioner 7 can automatically determine whether or not there is a refrigerant leak before the full-scale heating and cooling season begins, based on the detection results during the trial operation period of the air conditioner, which are based on changes in outside air temperature.

[0142] 〔supplement〕 (1) The control units 30, 40, 60, and 70 execute processes according to the respective programs, and the respective programs can be recorded on a (non-transitory) recording medium or provided via the communication network 100.

[0143] (2) The CPU constituting the control units 30, 40, 60, and 70 may be a single CPU or multiple CPUs.

[0144] (3) The management terminal 3 and the user terminal 6 are PCs or the like, but may be laptops or desktop computers. The management terminal 3 and the user terminal 6 may also be tablet terminals, smartphones, smartwatches, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1. Refrigerant leak repair system 2. Server System 3 Management terminal 4 Remote Management Server 6. User terminal (an example of an information terminal) 7. Air conditioner 40 Control Unit 41 Communication unit (an example of an acquisition means, an example of a transmission means) 49 Memory unit (an example of memory means) 60 Control Unit 61 Communications Department 62 Operation section 64 Display control unit (an example of a display control means) 69 Memory section 70 Control Unit 70a Determination unit (an example of a determination means) 71 Communication unit (an example of communication means) 77 Temperature sensor (an example of a detection means) 85a Temperature sensor (an example of a detection means) 85b Temperature sensor (an example of a detection means) 86a Pressure sensor (an example of a detection means) 86b Pressure sensor (an example of a detection means) 618 "Request repair" button (an example of a repair request method) 619 "Do not request repair" button

Claims

1. A server system (2) having a remote management server (4) that remotely manages each air conditioner and a management terminal (3) of a dealer, The remote management server (4) a storage means (49) for storing warranty information (614) indicating whether or not each air conditioner is covered by a warranty for refrigerant leakage repairs; an acquisition means (41) for acquiring a leakage notification indicating that a refrigerant leakage in a predetermined air conditioner (7) has been detected from the predetermined air conditioner (7); a transmission means (41) for transmitting notification information including the warranty subscription information (614) and leakage report information corresponding to the specified air conditioner (7) that transmitted the leakage notification to an information terminal (6) used by the user of the specified air conditioner (7), and transmitting repair promotion instruction information indicating an instruction to the user to promote repair to the management terminal (3); A server system (2) comprising:

2. The warranty information (614) includes information indicating whether the warranty is in force and the warranty validity period for repairing the refrigerant leak. A server system (2) according to claim 1.

3. The storage means (49) stores repair history information indicating a history of repairs to the refrigerant leak in association with the warranty subscription information. A server system (2) according to claim 1.

4. A refrigerant leakage repair system (1) comprising the server system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the information terminal (6), The information terminal (6) a display control means (64) for displaying a display screen including the warranty subscription information; The display screen includes a repair request means (618) for requesting repairs from a repair company. Refrigerant leak repair system.

5. A refrigerant leakage repair system (1) comprising the server system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the air conditioner (7), The air conditioner (7) a detection means (72) for detecting the state of the refrigerant during operation of the air conditioner; a determination means (70a) for determining whether or not there is a refrigerant leak according to the detection result; a communication means (71) for transmitting the leakage notification to the remote management server (4) when it is determined that there is a refrigerant leakage; Equipped with The determination means (70a) executes a process for determining whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in accordance with the detection result during a test run period of the air conditioner based on a change in outdoor air temperature. Refrigerant leak repair system.

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