Air conditioning equipment management device and air conditioning equipment management method

Abstract

Regarding an air conditioning equipment management device (100A) and an air conditioning equipment management method, the air conditioning equipment management device (100A) is connected to air conditioning equipment (10) so as to be able to communicate therewith and comprises a management software storage unit (21), a determination unit (233A), and an update processing execution unit (235). The management software storage unit (21) stores management software for managing the air conditioning equipment (10). The determination unit (233A) determines, on the basis of an operation status of the air conditioning equipment (10), a degree of necessity of monitoring the air conditioning equipment (10). When update software for updating the management software has been acquired, the update processing execution unit (235) executes update processing for the management software by using the update software when the degree of necessity of monitoring the air conditioning equipment (10) is determined to be low by the determination unit (233A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning equipment management device and an air conditioning equipment management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in many buildings, a multi-type air conditioning equipment configured by connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit has been used. Large buildings such as commercial facilities and office buildings are equipped with an air conditioning system using a plurality of such multi-type air conditioning equipments.

[0003] The air conditioning system as described above is communicably connected to a management device installed remotely. This management device is equipped with management software for controlling and monitoring the devices in the air conditioning system. Using this management software, the management device remotely controls the operations of the indoor and outdoor units in the air conditioning system, or detects an abnormality in any of the indoor or outdoor units and notifies the administrator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As mentioned above, the management software installed in the management device of an air conditioning system may need to be updated. However, while the management device is performing the update process for the management software, it cannot monitor the air conditioning system it is managing. Therefore, in conventional air conditioning systems, there was a problem in that if an abnormality occurred in the air conditioning system while the management device's management software update process was running, the management device could not detect this abnormality. In other words, conventional air conditioning systems had a problem in that administrators could not recognize the occurrence of an abnormality while the management device's management software update process was running.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an air conditioning equipment management device and an air conditioning equipment management method that can properly perform monitoring processing of an air conditioning system while simultaneously performing update processing of management software installed in the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An air conditioning equipment management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is communicatively connected to an air conditioning system and comprises a management software storage unit, a determination unit, and an update processing execution unit. The management software storage unit stores management software for managing the air conditioning system. The determination unit determines the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning system is necessary based on the operating status of the air conditioning system. The update processing execution unit, having acquired update software for updating the management software, executes an update process for the management software using the update software when the determination unit determines that the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning system is necessary is low.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioning equipment management method is performed using an update software when an air conditioning equipment management device, which is communicably connected to the air conditioning equipment, stores management software for managing the air conditioning equipment, has acquired update software for updating the management software, and determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an overall diagram showing an air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device according to the first to fourth embodiments. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring gateway device within the air conditioning equipment management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring gateway device within the air conditioning equipment management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring gateway device within the air conditioning equipment management system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring gateway device within the air conditioning equipment management system according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The air conditioning equipment management device and air conditioning equipment management method according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Configuration of an air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the first embodiment) The configuration of the air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The air conditioning system 1A comprises air conditioning equipment 10, a monitoring gateway device 20A for managing the air conditioning equipment 10, and an update server 30. In this embodiment, the monitoring gateway device 20A and the update server 30 constitute the air conditioning equipment management device 100A.

[0012] The air conditioning system 10 is installed in a designated building and has multiple components. Specifically, the air conditioning system 10 includes a first outdoor unit 11a, n indoor units 12a-1 to 12a-n connected to the first outdoor unit 11a by refrigerant piping (not shown) and communication lines, a second outdoor unit 11b, n indoor units 12b-1 to 12b-n connected to the second outdoor unit 11b by refrigerant piping and communication lines, a third outdoor unit 11c, and n indoor units 12c-1 to 12c-n connected to the third outdoor unit 11c by refrigerant piping and communication lines.

[0013] Hereafter, if the outdoor unit is not specified as being one of 11a, 11b, or 11c, it will be referred to as outdoor unit 11. Similarly, if the indoor unit is not specified as being one of 12a-1 to 12a-n, 12b-1 to 12b-n, or 12c-1 to 12c-n, it will be referred to as indoor unit 12.

[0014] This embodiment describes a case where the air conditioning system 10 has three outdoor units. However, the number of outdoor units in the air conditioning system 10 is not limited. The air conditioning system 10 may have one, two, or four or more outdoor units. Furthermore, the number of indoor units connected to the first outdoor unit 11a, the second outdoor unit 11b, and the third outdoor unit 11c is not particularly limited.

[0015] The monitoring gateway device 20A is communicatively connected to the first outdoor unit 11a, the second outdoor unit 11b, and the third outdoor unit 11c within the air conditioning system 10, and includes a management software storage unit 21, a temporary storage unit 22, and a first CPU (First Central Processing Unit) 23A. The management software storage unit 21 stores management software for managing the air conditioning system 10. The temporary storage unit 22 temporarily stores update software acquired from the update server 30, as described later.

[0016] The first CPU 23A includes an air conditioning equipment management unit 231, an update software acquisition unit 232, a determination unit 233A, an update instruction unit 234, and an update processing execution unit 235.

[0017] The air conditioner equipment management unit 231 acquires the operation status information of the devices (each outdoor unit 11 and each indoor unit 12) in the air conditioner equipment 10 and manages each device. The air conditioner equipment management unit 231 executes the management software stored in the management software storage unit 21 to acquire the operation status information of the devices in the air conditioner equipment 10 from the first outdoor unit 11a, the second outdoor unit 11b, and the third outdoor unit 11c. The operation status information of the devices in the air conditioner equipment 10 acquired by the air conditioner equipment management unit 231 is displayed on a terminal or the like connected to the air conditioner equipment management device 100A.

[0018] The update software acquisition unit 232 acquires the update software transmitted from the update server 30 and stores it in the temporary storage unit 22.

[0019] When the update software acquisition unit 232 acquires the update software, the determination unit 233A acquires the operation status information of the devices in the air conditioner equipment 10 acquired by the air conditioner equipment management unit 231. Then, the determination unit 233A determines the degree of necessity for monitoring the air conditioner equipment 10 based on the acquired operation status information.

[0020] When the determination unit 233A determines that the degree of necessity for monitoring the air conditioner equipment 10 is low, the update instruction unit 234 determines that the management software can be updated. Then, the update instruction unit 234 sends an update instruction for the management software to the update process execution unit 235.

[0021] When the update process execution unit 235 acquires the update instruction, it executes the update process of the management software using the update software stored in the temporary storage unit 22.

[0022] The update server 30 is communicably connected to the monitoring gateway device 20A and includes an update software storage unit 31, an input unit 32, and a second CPU (Second Central Processing Unit) 33.

[0023] The update software storage unit 31 stores update software for updating the management software. The input unit 32 inputs administrator operation information, etc., to the second CPU 33. The second CPU 33 has a transmission control unit 331 that transmits the update software stored in the update software storage unit 31 to the monitoring gateway device 20A based on the operation information input from the input unit 32.

[0024] (Operation of the air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the first embodiment) Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1A using the air conditioning equipment management device 100A of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by the monitoring gateway device 20A when the air conditioning system 1A is in operation.

[0025] While the air conditioning system 1A is in operation, the air conditioning equipment management unit 231 of the monitoring gateway device 20A acquires operating status information of the equipment within the air conditioning system 10 (each outdoor unit 11 and each indoor unit 12) from the first outdoor unit 11a, the second outdoor unit 11b, and the third outdoor unit 11c at predetermined time intervals, and manages each piece of equipment using management software. The operating status of the equipment within the air conditioning system 10 is displayed as operating status information on a display unit on a terminal connected to the air conditioning equipment management device 100A. The administrator can recognize the status of the equipment within the air conditioning system 10 by visually checking the information displayed on the display unit. A display unit may also be provided on the monitoring gateway device 20A. The display unit may use an LCD screen or LED lamps.

[0026] While the air conditioning system 1A is in operation, if the administrator performs an operation to instruct the transmission of management software from the input unit 32, the transmission control unit 331 retrieves the update software stored in the update software storage unit 31 and transmits it to the monitoring gateway device 20A.

[0027] In the monitoring gateway device 20, the update software acquisition unit 232 acquires the update software sent from the update server 30 ("YES" in step S1), and temporarily stores it in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S2).

[0028] Next, the determination unit 233A acquires the latest operating status information of the equipment within the air conditioning system 10 (each outdoor unit 11 and each indoor unit 12) obtained by the air conditioning equipment management unit 231 of the monitoring gateway device 20A (step S3). Based on the acquired information, the determination unit 233A then determines whether or not all the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is operating normally (step S4).

[0029] If the determination unit 233A determines that all equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is operating normally ("YES" in step S4), it determines that the possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control is low and that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is low.

[0030] If the determination unit 233A determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment 10 is low, the update instruction unit 234 determines that the management software can be updated and sends an update instruction for the management software to the update processing execution unit 235.

[0031] When the update processing execution unit 235 receives an update instruction, it updates the management software in the management software storage unit 21 using the update software stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S5).

[0032] In step S4, if the determination unit 233A determines that there is equipment in the air conditioning system 10 that is not operating normally ("NO" in step S4), the determination unit 233A determines that there is a high possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control and that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high. If the determination unit 233A determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high, the update instruction unit 234 does not send an update instruction. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination process ("YES" in step S6), the determination unit 233A executes the processes in steps S3 and S4 again. The processes in steps S3, S4, and S6 by the determination unit 233A are repeated until the update software is updated.

[0033] According to the first embodiment described above, when the equipment within the air conditioning system is operating normally and the need for monitoring the air conditioning system is low, the update process for the management software in the air conditioning system management device that manages the air conditioning system can be appropriately executed.

[0034] (Configuration of an air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the second embodiment) The configuration of the air conditioning system 1B using the air conditioning equipment management device of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the air conditioning system 1A described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the functional parts of the air conditioning system 1B and the air conditioning equipment management device 100B of the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0035] (Operation of the air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the second embodiment) Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1B using the air conditioning equipment management device 100B of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by the monitoring gateway device 20B when the air conditioning system 1B is in operation.

[0036] In Figure 3, the processes performed in steps S11 to S13 are the same as those described in steps S1 to S3 in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted. When the determination unit 233B obtains the latest operating status information of the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 in step S13, it determines, based on the obtained information, whether all the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is in a thermo-off state where the outdoor unit side, including the compressor, has stopped, but the indoor unit side, including the indoor fan, continues to operate (step S14).

[0037] If the determination unit 233B determines that all equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is in the thermo-off state ("YES" in step S14), it determines that the possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control is low and that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is low.

[0038] If the determination unit 233B determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment 10 is low, the update instruction unit 234 determines that the management software can be updated and sends an update instruction for the management software to the update processing execution unit 235.

[0039] When the update processing execution unit 235 receives an update instruction, it updates the management software in the management software storage unit 21 using the update software stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S15).

[0040] In step S14, if the determination unit 233B determines that there is equipment in the air conditioning system 10 that is not in the thermo-off state ("NO" in step S14), the determination unit 233B determines that there is a high possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control and that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high. If the determination unit 233B determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high, the update instruction unit 234 does not send an update instruction. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination process ("YES" in step S16), the determination unit 233B executes the processes in steps S13 and S14 again. The processes in steps S13, S14, and S16 by the determination unit 233B are repeated until the update software is updated.

[0041] According to the second embodiment described above, when the equipment within the air conditioning system is in a thermo-off state and the need for monitoring the air conditioning system is low, the update process of the management software in the air conditioning system management device that manages the air conditioning system can be appropriately executed.

[0042] (Configuration of an air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the third embodiment) The configuration of the air conditioning system 1C using the air conditioning equipment management device of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the air conditioning system 1A described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the functional parts of the air conditioning system 1C and the air conditioning equipment management device 100C of the third embodiment will be omitted.

[0043] (Operation of the air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the third embodiment) Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1C using the air conditioning equipment management device 100C of this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by the monitoring gateway device 20C when the air conditioning system 1C is in operation.

[0044] In Figure 4, the processes performed in steps S21 to S23 are the same as those described in steps S1 to S3 in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted. When the determination unit 233C obtains the latest operating status information of the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 in step S23, it determines, based on the obtained information, whether or not any of the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is performing maintenance operations (step S24). Maintenance operations include, for example, defrosting operations, oil recovery operations, or refrigerant recovery operations.

[0045] If the determination unit 233C determines that none of the equipment in the air conditioning system 10 is currently operating for maintenance purposes ("NO" in step S24), then the determination unit 233C determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is low.

[0046] If the determination unit 233C determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment 10 is low, the update instruction unit 234 determines that the management software can be updated and sends an update instruction for the management software to the update processing execution unit 235.

[0047] When the update processing execution unit 235 receives an update instruction, it updates the management software in the management software storage unit 21 using the update software stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S25).

[0048] In step S24, if the determination unit 233C determines that any equipment within the air conditioning system 10 is in operation for maintenance ("YES" in step S24), the determination unit 233C determines that there is a high possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control and that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high. If the determination unit 233C determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high, the update instruction unit 234 does not send an update instruction. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination process ("YES" in step S26), the determination unit 233C executes the processes in steps S23 and S24 again. The processes in steps S23, S24, and S26 by the determination unit 233C are repeated until the update software is updated.

[0049] According to the third embodiment described above, the update process for the management software in the air conditioning equipment management device that manages the air conditioning equipment can be appropriately performed, avoiding situations where there is equipment in operation for maintenance and management within the air conditioning equipment and the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is high.

[0050] (Configuration of an air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the fourth embodiment) The configuration of the air conditioning system 1D using the air conditioning equipment management device of the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the air conditioning system 1A described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the functional parts of the air conditioning system 1D and the air conditioning equipment management device 100D of the fourth embodiment will be omitted.

[0051] In this embodiment, each indoor unit 12 is connected to a remote controller (not shown) in a communication manner, and the user can operate each indoor unit 12 using the remote controller. The operation of the indoor unit 12 performed by the user using the remote controller is called "manual operation".

[0052] The air conditioning equipment management unit 231 of the monitoring gateway device 20D can switch the setting for each indoor unit 12 to allow or prohibit manual operation.

[0053] (Operation of the air conditioning system using the air conditioning equipment management device of the fourth embodiment) Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1D using the air conditioning equipment management device 100D of this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by the monitoring gateway device 20D when the air conditioning system 1D is in operation.

[0054] In Figure 5, the processes executed in steps S31 to S33 are the same as those described in steps S1 to S3 in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted. In step S33, the determination unit 233D obtains the latest operating status information of the equipment in the air conditioning system 10, and based on the obtained information, determines whether any of the indoor units 12 in the air conditioning system 10 are set to prohibit acceptance of manual operation by the remote controller (step S34).

[0055] If the determination unit 233D determines that none of the indoor units 12 in the air conditioning system 10 are set to disable manual operation ("NO" in step S34), then the determination unit 233D determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is low.

[0056] If the determination unit 233D determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment 10 is low, the update instruction unit 234 determines that the management software can be updated and sends an update instruction for the management software to the update processing execution unit 235.

[0057] When the update processing execution unit 235 receives an update instruction, it updates the management software in the management software storage unit 21 using the update software stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S35).

[0058] In step S34, if the determination unit 233D determines that any indoor unit 12 within the air conditioning system 10 is set to prohibit manual operation ("YES" in step S34), the determination unit 233D determines that there is a high possibility of an abnormality occurring in the air conditioning control and that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high. If the determination unit 233D determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system 10 is high, the update instruction unit 234 does not send an update instruction. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination process ("YES" in step S36), the determination unit 233D executes the processes in steps S33 and S34 again. The processes in steps S33, S34, and S36 by the determination unit 233D are repeated until the prohibition on manual operation is lifted and the update software is updated.

[0059] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the update process for the management software in the air conditioning equipment management device that manages the air conditioning equipment can be properly executed while avoiding situations where there are indoor units in the air conditioning equipment that are prohibited from accepting manual operation by a remote controller. With this configuration, when the control of each indoor unit 12 by the air conditioning equipment management unit 231 becomes impossible during the management software update process, the user can, if necessary, manually operate the indoor unit 12 to perform appropriate air conditioning.

[0060] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-139063 (Filing Date: September 1, 2022) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A management software storage unit that stores management software for managing air conditioning equipment, A determination unit that determines the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning equipment is necessary based on the operating status of the air conditioning equipment, The system includes an update processing execution unit which, when update software for updating the management software has been acquired, determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low, and then uses the update software to perform the update process for the management software, The determination unit determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning system is low when all the equipment in the air conditioning system is operating normally. An air conditioning equipment management device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned air conditioning equipment.

2. A management software storage unit that stores management software for managing air conditioning equipment, A determination unit that determines the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning equipment is necessary based on the operating status of the air conditioning equipment, The system includes an update processing execution unit which, when update software for updating the management software has been acquired, determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low, and then uses the update software to perform the update process for the management software, The determination unit determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning system is low when all the equipment in the air conditioning system is in the thermo-off state. An air conditioning equipment management device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned air conditioning equipment.

3. A management software storage unit that stores management software for managing air conditioning equipment, A determination unit that determines the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning equipment is necessary based on the operating status of the air conditioning equipment, The system includes an update processing execution unit which, when update software for updating the management software has been acquired, determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low, and then uses the update software to perform the update process for the management software, The determination unit determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system is low when none of the equipment in the air conditioning system is performing defrosting, oil recovery, or refrigerant recovery operations. An air conditioning equipment management device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned air conditioning equipment.

4. A management software storage unit that stores management software for managing air conditioning equipment, A determination unit that determines the degree to which monitoring of the air conditioning equipment is necessary based on the operating status of the air conditioning equipment, The system includes an update processing execution unit which, when update software for updating the management software has been acquired, determines that the degree of need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low, and then uses the update software to perform the update process for the management software, The determination unit determines that the need for monitoring the air conditioning system is high when any of the devices within the air conditioning system is configured to prohibit the acceptance of individual operations performed by a user using a remote controller. An air conditioning equipment management device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned air conditioning equipment.

5. A HVAC system management device that is connected to the HVAC system via a communication interface, It stores management software for managing the aforementioned air conditioning equipment, An air conditioning equipment management method, in which, after obtaining update software for updating the management software, if it is determined that the need for monitoring the air conditioning equipment is low because all the equipment in the air conditioning equipment is operating normally, the update process for the management software is executed using the update software.

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