Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of quickly performing a notification instruction of the leakage of a refrigerant with respect to a notification machine such as a remote controller.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes: a second apparatus 21B1 which is communicably connected to a first apparatus 21A or 21B2, and in which a refrigerant flows; a refrigerant sensor which detects the refrigerant leaked in the second apparatus 21B1; and a first notification machine 42A or 42B which causes the leakage of the refrigerant to be notified of. The first apparatus 21A or 21B2 and the second apparatus 21B1 share first identification information for identifying a first group A or B including the first notification machine 42A or 42B and the first apparatus 21A or 21B2. The second apparatus 21B1 transmits leakage detection information and the first identification information to the first apparatus 21A or 21B2 based on the detection of the leakage of the refrigerant by the refrigerant sensor, and the first apparatus 21A or 21B2 commands the notification of the leakage of the refrigerant to the first notification machine 42A or 42B, based on the reception of the leakage detection information and the first identification information corresponding to identification information of a group to which itself belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and multiple indoor units are connected via refrigerant piping. A common remote controller is connected to the multiple indoor units, and the multiple indoor units are operated by this remote controller.

[0003] Each indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a refrigerant sensor that detects leaking refrigerant. When this refrigerant sensor detects leaking refrigerant, a display unit or the like of the remote controller notifies the user of the occurrence of a refrigerant leak. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 110216 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The communication method used between multiple indoor units and a remote controller is often a polling method, in which multiple indoor units communicate with the remote controller in sequence, in order to prevent data collisions and reduce system construction costs.

[0006] However, with this communication method, even if a refrigerant leak is detected in one of the indoor units, the information may not be immediately transmitted to the remote controller, which may result in a delay in the remote controller notifying the user of the refrigerant leak. This problem becomes more pronounced as the number of indoor units connected to the remote controller increases.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning system that can quickly issue a refrigerant leakage notification command to an alarm device such as a remote controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The air conditioning system of the present disclosure is A first device; a second device communicatively connected to the first device and through which a refrigerant flows; a refrigerant sensor provided in the second device to detect refrigerant leaking from the second device; a first alarm that is communicatively connected to the first device and that notifies of a refrigerant leak; the first device and the second device share first identification information that identifies a first group that includes the first alarm and the first device; the second device transmits leakage detection information and the first identification information to the first device based on the detection of a refrigerant leakage by the refrigerant sensor; The first device instructs the first alarm to notify of a refrigerant leak based on receiving the leakage detection information and the first identification information that matches the identification information of the group to which the first device belongs.

[0009] In the air conditioning system configured as described above, if a refrigerant leak occurs in the second device, the first device that receives the leak detection information can instruct the first alarm to notify the first device of the refrigerant leak. Therefore, if the first device can communicate with the first alarm faster than the second device, the refrigerant leak can be notified earlier.

[0010] (2) Preferably, the second device is communicatively connected to the first alarm and included in the first group, and instructs the first alarm to notify of a refrigerant leak based on detection of a refrigerant leak by the refrigerant sensor. According to this configuration, of the first and second devices, the one that is able to communicate with the first alarm device first can issue an alarm instruction.

[0011] (3) Preferably, the first alarm device is a remote controller that operates the first device and the second device.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the first identification information is information indicating a model name or a device number of the first device or the second device. According to this configuration, the first identification information can be set using the model name or the device number originally assigned to the first device or the second device. Note that the identification information may be set using both the model name and the device number.

[0013] (5) Preferably, the air conditioning system further includes a second alarm device communicatively connected to the second device, The second device and the second alarm device are included in a second group separate from the first group. With this configuration, a refrigerant leak can be reported by the first alarm that is not connected to the second device from which the refrigerant has leaked. Therefore, by setting the device and alarm installed in the management room as the first device and the first alarm, the manager can be notified of the refrigerant leak.

[0014] (6) Preferably, the first alarm is set to notify of a refrigerant leak in the second device when or after the air conditioning system is installed. According to this configuration, an alarm device for management purposes or the like can be set up on-site.

[0015] (7) Preferably, the air conditioning system further includes a third device communicatively connected to the first device and the second device, the third device is communicatively connected to the second alarm and is included in the second group; the second device and the third device share second identification information that identifies the second group; the second device transmits leakage detection information, the first identification information, and the second identification information to the first device and the third device based on detection of a refrigerant leakage by the refrigerant sensor of the second device, and instructs the second alarm to notify of the refrigerant leakage; The third device instructs the second alarm to issue an alarm of a refrigerant leak based on receiving the leakage detection information and the second identification information that matches the identification information of the group to which the third device belongs. With this configuration, a single information transmission from the second device allows both the first and second alarms to report a refrigerant leak. The first alarm can be used to report a remote location such as a control room, and the second alarm can be used to report the location where the leak actually occurred. The second or third device, whichever is able to communicate with the second alarm first, can issue a report instruction.

[0016] (8) Preferably, the second identification information is information indicating a model name or a device number of the second device or the third device. According to this configuration, the second identification information can be set by using the model name or the device number originally assigned to the second or third device. Note that the identification information may be set by using both the model name and the device number.

[0017] (9) Preferably, the first device, the second device, and the third device are connected by a first communication method that enables simultaneous communication; The second device and the third device are connected to the second alarm device by a second communication method that allows sequential communication therebetween. According to this configuration, the leak detection information, the first identification information, and the second identification information sent from the second device can be quickly transmitted simultaneously to the first device and the third device using the first communication method, and the second alarm device can be instructed to alert of a refrigerant leak by either the second device or the third device, whichever is connected first.

[0018] (10) Preferably, the second alarm device is a remote controller that controls the operation of the second appliance and the third appliance.

[0019] (11) Preferably, the second device is an indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the air conditioner. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a mechanism for notifying a refrigerant leak. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for sharing identification information of each group among a plurality of indoor units. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for sharing management group identification information among a plurality of indoor units. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the indoor unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning system will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment is installed in, for example, a building. The air conditioning system 10 includes air conditioners having an indoor unit 21 installed indoors in the building and an outdoor unit 22 installed outdoors. Fig. 1 shows an air conditioner 11A that operates with a first refrigerant system and an air conditioner 11B that operates with a second refrigerant system.

[0022] In each refrigerant system, the outdoor unit 22 of the air conditioner 11 and the plurality of indoor units 21 are communicatively connected by a first communication line L1. The outdoor unit 22 of the first refrigerant system and the outdoor unit 22 of the second refrigerant system are also communicatively connected by the first communication line L1. Communication via this first communication line L1 allows individual communication between the outdoor unit 22 and the indoor unit 21 in each refrigerant system, and employs a communication method (first communication method) that allows simultaneous transmission of information (so-called broadcast) from either the indoor unit 21 or the outdoor unit 22 to the other devices in all refrigerant systems.

[0023] In each refrigerant system, a remote controller 42 is connected to one of the indoor units 21. This remote controller 42 is used to turn the indoor units 21 and outdoor units 22 on and off, and to input settings such as temperature settings. In this embodiment, as shown by the dotted line frame in Fig. 1, one remote controller 42 and the indoor units 21 connected to it form one group, and the air conditioning system 10 is able to control the operation of the indoor units 21 for each group. Each group has a designated indoor unit 21 that serves as a representative, generally called a "parent unit."

[0024] In each group, the indoor units 21 and the remote controller 42 are communicatively connected via a second communication line L2. For communication via this second communication line L2, a communication method (second communication method; so-called polling method) is adopted, which enables sequential communication in which the multiple indoor units 21 can communicate with the remote controller 42 in turn.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner. The air conditioner 11 operates in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit 23. In this embodiment, a refrigerant that is flammable, slightly flammable, toxic, or has greenhouse properties, such as R32 refrigerant, is used as the refrigerant.

[0026] The refrigerant circuit 23 includes a compressor 30, a four-way switching valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat source heat exchanger) 31, an outdoor expansion valve 34, a liquid shut-off valve 36, an indoor expansion valve 24, an indoor heat exchanger (utilization heat exchanger) 25, a gas shut-off valve 37, and refrigerant pipes 40L and 40G connecting these.

[0027] The indoor unit 21 is equipped with an indoor expansion valve 24 and an indoor heat exchanger 25 that constitute a refrigerant circuit 23. The indoor expansion valve 24 is configured as an electric expansion valve that can adjust the refrigerant pressure and refrigerant flow rate. The indoor heat exchanger 25 is a cross fin tube type or microchannel type heat exchanger, and is used to exchange heat with the indoor air.

[0028] The indoor unit 21 further includes an indoor fan 26 and a refrigerant sensor 27. The indoor fan 26 is configured to take indoor air into the indoor unit 21, exchange heat between the taken-in air and the indoor heat exchanger 25, and then blow the air out into the room. The indoor fan 26 includes a motor whose operating rotation speed can be adjusted by inverter control.

[0029] The refrigerant sensor 27 detects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit 23. The refrigerant sensor 27 is provided near the refrigerant piping inside the indoor unit 21. However, the refrigerant sensor 27 may also be provided on the remote controller 42 (described later), or on the ceiling, wall, floor, etc. of the room.

[0030] The outdoor unit 22 includes a compressor 30, a four-way switching valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 31, an outdoor expansion valve 34, a liquid shut-off valve 36, and a gas shut-off valve 37, which constitute a refrigerant circuit 23. The compressor 30 draws in low-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges high-pressure gas refrigerant. The compressor 30 is equipped with a motor whose operating rotation speed can be adjusted by inverter control. The compressor 30 is a variable displacement type (variable capacity type) whose capacity (capacity) can be changed by inverter control of the motor. However, the compressor 30 may also be a fixed displacement type. A plurality of compressors 30 may be provided. In this case, variable displacement compressors and fixed displacement compressors may be mixed.

[0031] The four-way switching valve 32 reverses the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant piping, switching the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 to either the outdoor heat exchanger 31 or the indoor heat exchanger 25. This allows the air conditioner 11 to switch between cooling operation and heating operation.

[0032] The outdoor heat exchanger 31 is, for example, a cross-fin tube or microchannel type heat exchanger, and is used to exchange heat with a refrigerant using air as a heat source. The outdoor expansion valve 34 is an electrically operated expansion valve that can adjust the refrigerant pressure and refrigerant flow rate. The liquid stop valve 36 is a manually operated on-off valve. The gas stop valve 37 is also a manually operated on-off valve.

[0033] The outdoor unit 22 further includes an outdoor fan 33. The outdoor fan 33 includes a motor whose operating rotation speed can be adjusted by inverter control. The outdoor fan 33 is configured to take in outdoor air into the outdoor unit 22, exchange heat between the taken-in air and the outdoor heat exchanger 31, and then blow the air out of the outdoor unit 22.

[0034] When the air conditioner 11 configured as described above performs cooling operation, the four-way selector valve 32 is maintained in the state shown by the solid line in Fig. 1. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 flows through the four-way selector valve 32 into the outdoor heat exchanger 31, where it exchanges heat with the outdoor air and dissipates heat due to the operation of the outdoor fan 33. The refrigerant that has dissipated heat passes through the fully open outdoor expansion valve 34 and flows into each indoor unit 21. In the indoor unit 21, the refrigerant is reduced in pressure to a predetermined low level by the indoor expansion valve 24 and further evaporates by exchanging heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 25. The indoor air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown into the room by the indoor fan 26, cooling the room. The refrigerant that evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 25 returns to the outdoor unit 22 through the gas refrigerant piping 40G, passes through the four-way selector valve 32, and is drawn into the compressor 30.

[0035] When the air conditioner 11 performs heating operation, the four-way selector valve 32 is maintained in the state indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 1. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 flows through the four-way selector valve 32 into the indoor heat exchanger 25 of each indoor unit 21. In the indoor heat exchanger 25, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air and dissipates heat. The indoor air heated by the heat dissipation of the refrigerant is blown into the room by the indoor fan 26, heating the room. The refrigerant liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 25 returns to the outdoor unit 22 through the liquid refrigerant piping 40L, is decompressed to a predetermined low pressure by the outdoor expansion valve 34, and further evaporates by exchanging heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 31. The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 is drawn into the compressor 30 through the four-way selector valve 32.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the air conditioner. The indoor unit 21 is equipped with a control device 29 as a component of its control system. The control device 29 is composed of a microcomputer or the like having a control unit 29a such as a CPU and a storage unit 29b such as RAM or ROM. The control device 29 may be equipped with an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC. The control device 29 controls the operation of the indoor fan 26 and the indoor expansion valve 24 described above. The control device 29 receives a signal transmitted from the refrigerant sensor 27 via the second communication line L2. The refrigerant sensor 27 transmits a detection signal of refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit 23 to the control device 29.

[0037] The remote controller 42 is communicatively connected to the control device 29 of the indoor unit 21. A user can use the remote controller 42 to turn the air conditioner 11 on and off, input a set temperature, and so on. The remote controller 42 of this embodiment has a control device 42a and a display panel (display unit) 42b. The control device 42a is configured by a microcomputer having a control unit such as a CPU and storage units such as RAM and ROM. The control device 42a may also be equipped with an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC. The display panel 42b functions as a notification unit that notifies the user when the refrigerant sensor 27 detects a refrigerant, as will be described later.

[0038] The outdoor unit 22 is equipped with a control device 39. The control device 39 is configured by a microcomputer or the like having a control unit 39a such as a CPU and a storage unit 39b such as RAM or ROM. The control device 39 may be equipped with an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC. The control device 39 controls the operation of the compressor 30, the outdoor fan 33, and the outdoor expansion valve 34. The control device 39 transmits control signals to the control devices 29 of the indoor units 21 to control the operation of the indoor fans 26 and indoor expansion valves 24 of the multiple indoor units 21.

[0039] [Refrigerant leak alarm] In this embodiment, for example, a slightly flammable R32 refrigerant is used as the refrigerant. Therefore, if a refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 23 of the indoor unit 21, it is desirable to notify the user as soon as possible. In this embodiment, when the refrigerant sensor 27 detects a refrigerant, that information (leak detection information) is sent from the control device 29 of the indoor unit 21 to the control device 42a of the remote controller 42, and an alarm is displayed on the display panel 42b of the remote controller 42. Therefore, the user using the room can be notified of the refrigerant leak.

[0040] With regard to the above-described refrigerant leakage notification, the air conditioning system 10 having a plurality of indoor units 21 and remote controller 42 potentially has the following problems. (First issue) The standards for air conditioners in Japan (Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association Standards; JRA Standards) require that a building manager or other person be notified when a refrigerant leak occurs. In large buildings, all air conditioners are often managed centrally by a central control device, so if a refrigerant leak occurs in any of the indoor units 21, the central control device can receive the information and notify the manager. However, small and medium-sized buildings often do not have such central control devices, making it difficult to notify the manager or other person of a refrigerant leak. As a result, there is a risk that a response to a refrigerant leak will be delayed.

[0041] (Second issue) When multiple indoor units 21 communicate with the remote controller 42 by polling, as in the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, an indoor unit 21 is not necessarily able to communicate with the remote controller 42 immediately upon detecting a refrigerant leak, but will communicate after its turn. As a result, there is a possibility that the notification by the remote controller 42 will be delayed.

[0042] In the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, in consideration of the first and second problems, the following measures are taken. First, regarding the first problem, in the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, one of the remote controllers 42 can be set as a management remote controller. A user or an installer can set a specific remote controller 42 for management purposes when or after installing the air conditioning system 10. This management setting gives the specific remote controller 42 the authority to issue a refrigerant leakage alert (hereinafter also referred to as "alert authority") based on refrigerant detection received from a sensor other than the refrigerant sensor 27 of the indoor unit 21 connected to that remote controller 42.

[0043] For example, if an indoor unit 21 installed in a building manager's room and its remote controller 42 are each set for management use and the remote controller 42 is given notification authority, a refrigerant leak detected in another indoor unit 21 other than the group to which the remote controller 42 belongs can be reported by the remote controller 42 set for management use, and the manager in the management room can be immediately notified of the occurrence of a refrigerant leak.

[0044] With regard to the second problem, the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment is configured so that, when refrigerant is detected in any of the indoor units 21 in each group, all of the indoor units 21 included in that group can instruct the remote controller 42 to notify the remote controller 42 of a refrigerant leak. Therefore, regardless of the order of communication with the remote controller 42, the indoor unit 21 in the group that communicates with the remote controller 42 first can instruct the remote controller 42 to notify the remote controller 42 of a refrigerant leak, allowing the remote controller 42 to notify the refrigerant leak without delay, and notifying users in the room of the refrigerant leak.

[0045] The specific details regarding the refrigerant leakage notification will be described below. Fig. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the mechanism for notifying of refrigerant leakage. Fig. 4 shows extracted groups A, B, and C included in the air conditioning system 10. Each of groups A, B, and C includes one or more indoor units 21A, 21B1, 21B2, and 21C and remote controllers 42A, 42B, and 42C. Note that although only one indoor unit 21A and 21C are shown in group A and group C, they may include multiple indoor units.

[0046] 4, the indoor units 21A and remote controller 42A included in group A are set for management. The indoor units 21A and remote controller 42A included in group A may be set in a management room of a building, for example.

[0047] The storage units 29b of the indoor units 21A, 21B1, 21B2, 21C included in each of groups A, B, C store identification information for identifying the group A, B, C to which it belongs. For example, the indoor unit 21A in group A stores the identification information of group A. The indoor units 21B1, 21B2 in group B store the identification information of group B. The indoor unit 21C in group C stores the identification information of group C. The indoor units 21B1, 21B2 belonging to the same group B share the same identification information.

[0048] The storage units 29b of the indoor units 21B1, 21B2, 21C of groups B and C that belong to other than management group A store the identification information of group A set for management purposes in addition to the identification information of their own groups B and C. Therefore, the identification information of management group A is shared among all indoor units 21A, 21B1, 21B2, 21C.

[0049] In the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, the model name and device number of the indoor units included in each group A, B, C are used as identification information for each group A, B, C. More specifically, in the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, the model name and device number of the representative indoor unit 21A, 21B1, 21C in each group A, B, C are used as identification information. The representative indoor unit is generally called the "parent unit," and is, for example, the indoor unit that supplies power to the remote controller 42. The device number is a unique number assigned to each indoor unit 21, and corresponds to, for example, a serial number or a communication address.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for sharing the identification information of each group among a plurality of indoor units. FIG. 5 illustrates, as an example, a procedure for sharing identification information among a plurality of indoor units 21B1 and 21B2 in group B in FIG. First, the indoor unit 21B1, which is the representative in group B, transmits its own identification information (model name and device number) to the remote controller 42B (step S11). This identification information is transmitted by polling communication.

[0051] The remote controller 42B that has received the identification information transmits the identification information of the representative indoor unit 21B1 to the other indoor units 21B2 in group B (step S12). This transmission of the identification information also uses polling communication.

[0052] The other indoor unit 21B2 that has received the identification information stores the identification information in the storage section 29b and shares the identification information of the indoor unit 21B1 (step S13).

[0053] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for sharing management group identification information among a plurality of indoor units. As an example, a case where notification authority is set to the remote controller 42A of group A will be described. When a contractor or serviceman sets the remote controller 42A included in group A to be granted notification authority (step S21), the remote controller 42A transmits information (setting information) indicating that notification authority has been set to the indoor unit 21A representing group A (step S22). This transmission is performed by polling communication.

[0054] Next, the indoor unit 21A that has received the setting information transmits, as the representative of management group A, its own model name and device number, which are identification information of group A, to the other indoor units 21B1, 21B2, and 21C (step S23). This transmission is by broadcast communication. Therefore, the identification information of the indoor unit 21A set for management is also transmitted to the outdoor unit 22. How the identification information transmitted to the outdoor unit 22 is handled will be described later.

[0055] The other indoor units 21B1, 21B2, and 21C each store the received identification information of management group A in the storage unit 29b, and the identification information is shared among all of the indoor units 21A, 21B1, 21B2, and 21C (step S24).

[0056] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the indoor units. Fig. 7 shows the control procedures of both the indoor unit 21 that detects a refrigerant leak and the indoor unit 21 that receives information about a refrigerant leak from another indoor unit 21. This control procedure is performed by the control device 29 of the indoor unit 21.

[0057] Each indoor unit 21 in the air conditioning system 10 determines whether or not a leaked refrigerant has been detected by the refrigerant sensor 27 (step S31). If the determination in step S31 is affirmative (Yes), the indoor unit 21 broadcasts refrigerant leakage information consisting of the following three pieces of information (a) to (c) to the other indoor units 21:

[0058] (a) Information indicating that a refrigerant leak has been detected (leak detection information) (b) Your group's identity (c) Management Group Identification Information

[0059] Information (a) is a signal, also called a leakage flag, that is generated when refrigerant leaks from an indoor unit 21 and is detected by a refrigerant sensor 27 provided in that indoor unit 21. An indoor unit 21 that receives this leakage detection information can recognize that refrigerant is leaking in another indoor unit 21 other than itself.

[0060] As described above, information (b) is the identification information (model name and device number) of the indoor unit 21 that serves as the representative within the group, which is shared within the group according to the procedure shown in Fig. 5. Information (c) is the identification information (model name and device number) of the indoor unit 21 that serves as the representative within the management group, which is shared among all indoor units 21 according to the procedure shown in Fig. 6.

[0061] When the indoor unit 21 that has detected the refrigerant leakage has an opportunity to communicate with the remote controller 42 by polling, it issues a command to the remote controller 42 to notify the remote controller 42 of the refrigerant leakage (step S33).

[0062] Meanwhile, each indoor unit 21 of the air conditioning system 10 determines whether or not it has received refrigerant leakage information from another indoor unit 21 (step S41). If the determination in step S41 is affirmative (Yes), the indoor unit 21 compares the identification information of the group to which it belongs with the two pieces of identification information sent (step S42). If the determination in step S42 is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S43; if the determination is negative (No), the process returns to step S41.

[0063] When an indoor unit 21 receives identification information from the refrigerant leakage information that matches the identification information of its own group, it can recognize that a refrigerant is leaking from another indoor unit 21 in the same group as the indoor unit 21. For example, when the indoor unit 21B1 shown in FIG. 4 transmits refrigerant leakage information (leakage detection information and identification information of groups A and B) and this information is received by the indoor unit 21B2, the indoor unit 21B2 compares its own identification information of group B with the received identification information of groups A and B. Because the indoor unit 21B2 has received identification information that matches its own identification information of group B, it can recognize that a refrigerant is leaking from the other indoor unit 21B1 in the same group B.

[0064] 7, when an opportunity arises for the indoor unit 21 to communicate with the remote controller 42 by the polling method, the indoor unit 21 instructs the remote controller 42 to notify the remote controller 42 of a refrigerant leak. This allows both the indoor unit 21 in which refrigerant has leaked and the other indoor units 21 in the same group to instruct the remote controllers 42 in the group to notify the remote controllers 42 of a refrigerant leak (steps S33, S43). Therefore, after refrigerant has been detected, the indoor unit 21 that first becomes able to communicate with the remote controller 42 can instruct the remote controller 42 to notify the remote controller 42 of a refrigerant leak, thereby preventing delays in the remote controller 42 notifying the refrigerant leak.

[0065] On the other hand, when the indoor unit 21B1 shown in FIG. 4 transmits refrigerant leakage information (leak detection information and identification information for groups A and B) and this information is received by the indoor unit 21A in the management group A, the indoor unit 21A compares its own identification information for group A with the received identification information for groups A and B (step S42). Because the indoor unit 21A has received identification information that matches its own identification information for group A, in step S43 of FIG. 7, the indoor unit 21A issues a refrigerant leakage notification command to the remote controller 42A in the management group A during its own communication opportunity. The notification from the remote controller 42A in the management group A allows a manager in a management room of a building or the like to know that a refrigerant leakage has occurred in one of the indoor units 21 in the air conditioning system 10, and can take appropriate measures to deal with the refrigerant leakage.

[0066] If management group A includes multiple indoor units 21A, all of the indoor units 21A will receive identification information that matches the identification information of their own group A, and will therefore use their own communication opportunities to issue a refrigerant leak notification command to the remote controller 42A in management group A. Therefore, after refrigerant is detected, the notification command can be issued from the indoor unit 21A that communicates with the remote controller 42A first, preventing delays in the notification by the remote controller 42A.

[0067] 4 receives the refrigerant leakage information transmitted from the indoor unit 21B1, the indoor unit 21C does not issue a notification instruction to the remote controller 42C because its own identification information for group C does not match the received identification information for groups A and B. Therefore, the process returns from step S42 to step S41 in FIG.

[0068] [Interlock function by outdoor unit] The air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment is equipped with an interlock function that, when notification authority is set for one of the multiple remote controllers 42, permits operation of the indoor unit 21 in conjunction with this. For example, in step S23 of Fig. 6, the outdoor unit 22 receives identification information transmitted by broadcast from the indoor unit 21A that is the representative of management group A. By receiving this identification information, the outdoor unit 22 can recognize that notification authority has been granted to one of the remote controllers 42, and can permit operation of the indoor unit 21 based on the reception of this identification information.

[0069] If operation of the indoor unit 21 were permitted when no notification authority was set for any of the remote controllers 42, it would be impossible to notify the administrator when a refrigerant leak occurred, making it difficult to comply with the above-mentioned JRA standard. In the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment, operation of the indoor unit 21 is not permitted unless notification authority is set for any of the remote controllers 42, so it is possible to prevent the air conditioning system 10 from operating when notification authority has not been set. It is also possible to prevent forgetting to set notification authority.

[0070] The control device 39 of the outdoor unit 22 can permit operation of the indoor unit 21 by setting notification authority in at least one remote controller 42 in the air conditioning system 10.

[0071] The interlock function as described above may be provided in the control device 29 of the indoor unit 21. In this case, if notification authority is set for any of the remote controllers 42, the control device 29 of the indoor unit 21 will permit operation of that indoor unit 21. However, in this case, even if a communication failure occurs between the indoor unit 21 and the outdoor unit 22, the control device 29 can recognize that notification authority has been set for the remote controller 42, and therefore the control device 29 may be able to permit operation of indoor units 21 other than the outdoor unit 22. In this embodiment, the control device 39 of the outdoor unit 22 has an interlock function, so such a problem does not occur.

[0072] [Other embodiments] In the air conditioning system 10 described above, the refrigerant sensor 27 is provided in the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 11, and a warning is given of a refrigerant leak in this indoor unit 21. However, the air conditioning system 10 of the present disclosure may also be configured to use the refrigerant sensor to detect a refrigerant leak in another device through which a refrigerant flows, such as an outdoor air processing device or a ventilation device, in addition to or instead of the indoor unit 21, and to give a warning using a remote controller.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the display panel 42b of the remote controller 42 is used to notify the user of a refrigerant leak, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may be notified of a refrigerant leak with light or sound using a light or buzzer provided on the remote controller 42. The alarm for notifying the user of a refrigerant leak is not limited to the remote controller 42, and may be configured using a device dedicated to such notification.

[0074] The identification information for each group A, B, C is not limited to the model name and device number of the representative indoor unit 21A, 21B1, 21C, but may also be the model names and device numbers of indoor units other than the representative. The identification information may include only either the model name or the device number.

[0075] The management notification authority can be set for all remote controllers 42 in the air conditioning system 10. Therefore, the management notification authority can be set by selecting one or more remote controllers 42 from all the remote controllers 42. This makes it possible to notify only necessary people, such as the manager or people in specific rooms, of a refrigerant leak. The interlock function that permits operation of the indoor unit 21 in conjunction with the setting of the notification authority only needs to function when the notification authority is set for at least one remote controller 42.

[0076] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) The air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment includes a first device (e.g., indoor unit 21A or indoor unit 21B2 in FIG. 4), a second device (e.g., indoor unit 21B1 in FIG. 4) communicatively connected to the first device 21A or 21B2 and through which a refrigerant flows, a refrigerant sensor 27 provided in the second device 21B1 for detecting refrigerant leakage in the second device 21B1, and a first alarm (e.g., remote controller 42A or remote controller 42B) communicatively connected to the first device 21A or 21B2 for alerting of refrigerant leakage. The first device 21A or 21B2 and the second device 21B1 share first identification information (e.g., group A identification information or group B identification information) that identifies a first group (e.g., group A or group B) including the first alarm 42A or 42B and the first device 21A or 21B2. Second device 21B1 transmits leakage detection information indicating the detection of a refrigerant leakage and first identification information to first device 21A or 21B2 based on the detection of a refrigerant leakage by refrigerant sensor 27. First device 21A or 21B2 instructs first alarm 42A or 42B to notify of a refrigerant leakage based on receiving the leakage detection information and the first identification information that matches the identification information of group A or B to which first device 21A or 21B2 belongs.

[0077] 4, when a refrigerant leak occurs in the second device 21B1, the air conditioning system 10 can instruct the first alarm 42B to notify the refrigerant leak via the first device 21B2 that has received the leak detection information. Therefore, if the first device 21B2 can communicate with the first alarm 42B faster than the second device 21B1, the refrigerant leak can be notified more quickly. When the first device is the indoor unit 21A in FIG. 4 and the first alarm is the remote controller 42A in FIG. 4, if the remote controller 42A is set for management use, the refrigerant leak can be quickly notified to the manager.

[0078] (2) In Fig. 4, when the first device is indoor unit 21B2, the first alarm is remote controller 42B, and the first group is group B, in the above embodiment, second device 21B1 is communicatively connected to first alarm 42B and is included in first group B, and instructs first alarm 42B to notify of a refrigerant leak based on detection of a refrigerant leak by refrigerant sensor 27. In this case, the alarm instruction can be issued by either first device 21B2 or second device 21B1, whichever is able to communicate with first alarm 42B first.

[0079] (3) In the case of (2) above, in the above embodiment, the first alarm 42B is a remote controller that operates the first device 21B2 and the second device 21B1. This makes it possible to notify of a refrigerant leak using the remote controller 42B that operates the first device 21B2 and the second device 21B1.

[0080] (4) In the case of (2) above, the first identification information is information indicating the model name or device number of the first device 21B2 or the second device 21B1. In this way, the model name or device number originally assigned to the first device 21B2 or the second device 21B1 can be used to set the first identification information of group B including these devices.

[0081] (5) In Fig. 4, when the first device is the indoor unit 21A, the first alarm is the remote controller 42A, and the first group is group A, in the above embodiment, the air conditioning system 10 further includes a second alarm (for example, remote controller 42B) communicatively connected to the second device 21B1, and the second device 21B1 and the second alarm 42B are included in a second group B separate from the first group A. In this case, the refrigerant leakage can be notified by the first alarm 42A that is not connected to the second device 21B1 from which the refrigerant has leaked. Therefore, by setting the device and alarm installed in the management room as the first device 21A and the first alarm 42A, the manager can be notified of the refrigerant leakage.

[0082] (6) In the case of (5) above, the first alarm 42A is set to notify of a refrigerant leak from the second device 21B1, in other words, the alarm authority is set, when or after the air conditioning system 10 is installed. This allows an alarm for management purposes to be set on-site.

[0083] (7) In the cases of (5) and (6) above, the air conditioning system 10 further includes a third device (for example, the indoor unit 21B2 in FIG. 4) communicatively connected to the first device 21A and the second device 21B1, the third device 21B2 communicatively connected to the second alarm device 42B and included in the second group B, the second device 21B1 and the third device 21B2 share second identification information that identifies the second group B, and the second device 21B1 is connected to the second device 21B1. Based on the detection of a refrigerant leak by refrigerant sensor 27, second alarm 42B transmits the leak detection information, first identification information (identification information of group A), and second identification information (identification information of group B) to first device 21A and third device 21B2, and instructs second alarm 42B to notify of the refrigerant leak. Based on receiving the leak detection information and the second identification information that matches the identification information of group B to which third device 21B2 belongs, third device 21B2 instructs second alarm 42B to notify of the refrigerant leak. In this way, a single information transmission from second device 21B1 can alert both first alarm 42A and second alarm 42B of a refrigerant leak. The first alarm 42A can alert a remote location such as a control room, and the second alarm 42B can alert the location where the leak actually occurred. Of second device 21B1 and third device 21B2, the one that can communicate with second alarm 42B first can issue an alarm instruction.

[0084] (8) In the above cases (5) to (7), in the above embodiment, the second identification information is information indicating the model name or the device number of the second device 21B1 or the third device 21B2. This makes it possible to set the second identification information using the model name or the device number originally assigned to the second device 21B1 or the third device 21B2.

[0085] (9) In the cases of (7) and (8) above, in the above embodiment, first device 21A, second device 21B1, and third device 21B2 are connected by a first communication method that enables simultaneous communication (broadcast), and second device 21B1 and third device 21B2 are connected to second alarm 42B by a second communication method that enables sequential communication (polling). In this case, the leakage detection information, first identification information, and second identification information transmitted from second device 21B1 can be rapidly transmitted to first device 21A and third device 21B2 simultaneously by the first communication method, and an instruction to notify of a refrigerant leak can be issued to second alarm 42B by either second device 21B1 or third device 21B2, whichever is connected first.

[0086] (10) In the cases of (5) to (9) above, in the above embodiment, the second alarm 42B is a remote controller 42B that controls the operation of the second device 21B1 and the third device 21B2. This makes it possible to notify of a refrigerant leak using the remote controller 42B that controls the second device 21B1 and the third device 21B2.

[0087] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10: Air conditioning system 11: Air conditioner 21: Indoor unit 21A: Indoor unit (1st equipment) 21B1: Indoor unit (second equipment) 21B2: Indoor unit (1st device, 3rd device) 21C: Indoor unit 27: Refrigerant sensor 42: Remote controller 42A: Remote controller (alarm) 42B: Remote controller (alarm) 42C: Remote controller (alarm)

Claims

1. A first device (21A or 21B2), a second device (21B1) communicably connected to the first device (21A or 21B2) and through which a refrigerant flows; a refrigerant sensor (27) provided in the second device (21B1) for detecting refrigerant leaking from the second device (21B1); a first alarm (42A or 42B) communicably connected to the first device (21A or 21B2) and configured to notify of a refrigerant leak; the first device (21A or 21B2) and the second device (21B1) share first identification information that identifies a first group (A or B) including the first alarm (42A or 42B) and the first device (21A or 21B2), the second device (21B1) transmits leakage detection information and the first identification information to the first device (21A or 21B2) based on detection of a refrigerant leakage by the refrigerant sensor (27); An air conditioning system in which the first device (21A or 21B2) instructs the first alarm (42A or 42B) to alert of a refrigerant leak based on receiving the leak detection information and the first identification information that matches the identification information of the group to which the first device belongs.

2. 2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the second device (21B1) is communicatively connected to the first alarm (42B) and is included in the first group (B), and instructs the first alarm (42B) to notify of a refrigerant leak based on detection of a refrigerant leak by the refrigerant sensor (27).

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the first alarm device (42B) is a remote controller that operates the first device (21B2) and the second device (21B1).

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first identification information is information indicating a model name or a device number of the first device (21B2) or the second device (21B1).

5. Further provided is a second alarm (42B) communicably connected to the second device (21B1), The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the second device (21B1) and the second alarm (42B) are included in a second group (B) separate from the first group (A).

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the first alarm (42A) is set to notify of refrigerant leakage from the second device (21B1) when or after the air conditioning system is installed.

7. The system further includes a third device (21B2) communicably connected to the first device (21A) and the second device (21B1), the third device (21B2) is communicatively connected to the second alarm (42B) and is included in the second group (B); the second device (21B1) and the third device (21B2) share second identification information that identifies the second group (B); the second device (21B1) transmits leakage detection information, the first identification information, and the second identification information to the first device (21A) and the third device (21B2) based on detection of a refrigerant leakage by the refrigerant sensor (27) of the second device (21B1), and instructs the second alarm (42A) to notify of a refrigerant leakage; The air conditioning system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the third device (21B2) instructs the second alarm (42B) to notify of a refrigerant leak based on receiving the leak detection information and the second identification information that matches the identification information of the group (B) to which the third device (21B2) belongs.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the second identification information is information indicating a model name or a device number of the second device (21B1) or the third device (21B2).

9. the first device (21A), the second device (21B1), and the third device (21B2) are connected by a first communication method that enables simultaneous communication; The air conditioning system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second device (21B1) and the third device (21B2) are connected to the second alarm (42A) using a second communication method that enables sequential communication therebetween.

10. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second alarm (42B) is a remote controller that operates the second device (21B1) and the third device (21B2).

11. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second device (21B1) is an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

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