Display device, refrigeration cycle system, and display method

Abstract

Provided are a display device, a refrigeration cycle system, and a display method with which it is possible for an operating state of an air conditioner to be easily confirmed. An information acquiring unit (11) acquires, from an air conditioner (20) having a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of components, information relating to parameters indicating the state of each component. If the refrigerant circuit includes a plurality of identical components, a screen generating unit (12) generates a display screen indicating operating information including a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit drawn using a representative configuration diagram representing the plurality of identical components, and information relating to the parameters of each of the plurality of identical components acquired by the information acquiring unit (11). A display unit (14) displays the display screen generated by the screen generating unit (12).

Description

Display device, refrigeration cycle system, and display method

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, a refrigeration cycle system, and a display method.

[0002] A display device that displays a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner is known. Such a display device is used, for example, by a maintenance technician to understand the operating status of the air conditioner, i.e., the parameters of the components that make up the refrigerant circuit and the state of the refrigerant at each location in the refrigerant circuit.

[0003] In recent years, air conditioners that can simultaneously perform cooling and heating operations and control multiple devices have been proposed. Such air conditioners have complex refrigerant circuits, and a display device that allows users to easily grasp the operating status of the air conditioner is required.

[0004] Therefore, a technology has been proposed for displaying a refrigerant circuit diagram representing a refrigerant circuit. This technology determines parameters related to the components that make up a refrigeration cycle device and the pressure and flow direction of the refrigerant in the piping, and then displays an animated refrigerant circuit diagram based on the determined parameters. Using such a display device makes it easy to understand the operating status of an air conditioner, including the direction of refrigerant flow in the refrigerant circuit. This makes it easy to identify abnormalities in the air conditioner and identify fault locations during maintenance.

[0005] International Publication No. 2021 / 009841

[0006] However, as typified by air conditioners in which multiple indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, the number of control targets in air conditioners is increasing, and the refrigerant circuits of air conditioners are becoming increasingly complex. As the refrigerant circuits become more complex, the refrigerant circuit diagrams are becoming larger. In particular, the larger the number of control targets connected in parallel, the larger the refrigerant circuit diagrams become. Conventional refrigerant circuit display devices display the refrigerant circuits as they are, which results in the screen size for displaying the refrigerant circuit diagrams becoming larger as the refrigerant circuit diagrams become larger.

[0007] When using a display device for air conditioner maintenance, a portable terminal device is more convenient because it is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry than a personal computer with a large screen. However, because the screen of a portable terminal device is small, it is difficult to display the entire refrigerant circuit diagram on a single screen when the refrigerant circuit diagram is large. One possible solution to this problem is to reduce the size of the refrigerant circuit diagram to display the entire diagram, but this reduces the size of the components of the refrigerant circuit, making the refrigerant circuit diagram difficult to see. Another possible solution is to enlarge the refrigerant circuit diagram and scroll the screen to view the parts that extend beyond the screen, but this requires time-consuming scrolling and makes it difficult to grasp the entire refrigerant circuit. Therefore, it is difficult to easily check the operating status of an air conditioner using conventional display devices.

[0008] The disclosed technology has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a display device, a refrigeration cycle system, and a display method that allow the operating status of an air conditioner to be easily confirmed.

[0009] One aspect of the hermetic compressor disclosed in the present application includes an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a refrigeration cycle device having a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of components, parameter information indicating the state of each of the components; if the refrigerant circuit includes a plurality of identical components, a screen generation unit that generates a display screen showing operating information including a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit drawn using a representative configuration diagram representing the plurality of identical components and the parameter information of each of the plurality of identical components acquired by the information acquisition unit; and a display unit that displays the display screen generated by the screen generation unit.

[0010] According to one aspect of the display device disclosed in the present application, the operating state of the air conditioner can be easily confirmed.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration related to information provision in an air conditioning system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit according to Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen displayed on a display unit according to Example 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of display control of parameter information by a display device according to Example 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit according to Example 2. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of a display device.

[0012] Hereinafter, examples of the display device, refrigeration cycle system, and display method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the display device, refrigeration cycle system, and display method disclosed in the present application are not limited to the following examples.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration for providing information in an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system 1 is an example of a refrigeration cycle system. The air conditioning system 1 includes a display device 10, an air conditioner 20, and a service monitor tool 30.

[0014] The air conditioner 20 is a refrigeration cycle device. The air conditioner 20 has an outdoor unit 21, which is a heat source unit, multiple indoor units 22a to 22b, which are user terminals for the outdoor unit 21, and refrigerant piping that connects the outdoor unit 21 to the multiple indoor units 22a to 22b. The air conditioner 20 has a refrigerant circuit that includes multiple components, including the components of the outdoor unit 21, the components of the indoor units 22a to 22b, and refrigerant piping. The indoor units 22a and 22b are merely examples, and there is no limit to the number of units. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the indoor units 22a to 22b, they will simply be referred to as "indoor units 22."

[0015] The air conditioner 20 may be configured such that the refrigerant piping branches off inside the outdoor unit 21 into refrigerant piping connected to each of the indoor units 22, or may be configured such that the refrigerant piping branches off outside the outdoor unit 21 into refrigerant piping connected to each of the indoor units 22. Here, a case will be described in which the air conditioner 20 is configured such that the refrigerant piping branches off inside the outdoor unit 21 into refrigerant piping connected to each of the indoor units 22.

[0016] A refrigerant is sealed in a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20. The air conditioner 20 cools or heats a room in which an indoor unit 22 is located by circulating the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit.

[0017] The outdoor unit 21 has various components of a refrigerant circuit, such as a compressor, a heat exchanger, a fan, a four-way valve, and an expansion valve. These various components of the refrigerant circuit are constituent elements of the refrigerant circuit. In cooling operation, the outdoor unit 21 compresses the refrigerant using the compressor and dissipates heat from the compressed refrigerant using the heat exchanger to the outside air. The outdoor unit 21 also decompresses the refrigerant that has dissipated heat using the heat exchanger using an expansion valve and sends it to the indoor unit 22 via a refrigerant pipe. The outdoor unit 21 also compresses the refrigerant that flows in from the indoor unit 22 via the refrigerant pipe using a compressor. In heating operation, the outdoor unit 21 compresses the refrigerant using the compressor and sends it to the indoor unit 22 via the refrigerant pipe. The outdoor unit 21 also decompresses the refrigerant that flows in from the indoor unit 22 via the refrigerant pipe using an expansion valve. The outdoor unit 21 also causes the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve to absorb heat from the outside air using a heat exchanger. In addition, the outdoor unit 21 compresses the refrigerant, the heat of which has been absorbed by the heat exchanger, using the compressor.

[0018] 1, the outdoor unit 21 has a plurality of sensors including sensors 122 and 123, and a control unit 121. The sensors 122 and 123 are just an example, and three or more sensors may be provided.

[0019] The sensors 122 and 123 are pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The sensors 122 and 123 measure information on parameters that indicate the respective states of the components, such as the temperature of the compressor and the temperature of the heat exchanger. Here, the parameter information refers to measurable quantities such as temperature and pressure in the air conditioner 20. The sensors 122 and 123 then output the measured parameter information to the control unit 121.

[0020] The control unit 121 includes a processor and the like. The control unit 121 transmits specification information, including the model name of the air conditioner 20, to the service monitor tool 30. The control unit 121 also controls the rotation speed of the compressor and fan and the opening degree (number of pulses) of the expansion valve. The control unit 121 also collects information on parameters measured by sensors 122 and 123. The control unit 121 also collects information on each parameter measured in the indoor units 22a and 22b from the control unit 124 of the indoor unit 22a and the control unit 126 of the indoor unit 22b, respectively. Then, upon receiving a request from the service monitor tool 30, the control unit 121 outputs information on the current parameters of the compressor, fan, and expansion valve that it controls, as well as information on each parameter measured in the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor units 22a and 22b, to the service monitor tool 30. Here, the control unit 121 may also perform various other controls related to the operation of the outdoor unit 21.

[0021] The indoor unit 22 has an indoor heat exchanger, which is one of the components of the refrigerant circuit. The indoor unit 22 exchanges heat between the refrigerant that flows in from the outdoor unit 21 via the refrigerant piping and the air using the indoor heat exchanger. In cooling operation, the refrigerant removes heat from the indoor air, thereby cooling the indoor air. In heating operation, the refrigerant releases heat into the indoor air, thereby heating the indoor air.

[0022] 1, the indoor unit 22a has a control unit 124 and a sensor 125. The sensor 125 is just an example, and two or more sensors may be provided. Similarly, the indoor unit 22b has a control unit 126 and a sensor 127. The sensor 127 is just an example, and two or more sensors may be provided.

[0023] The sensor 125 measures the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, which is a component of the refrigerant circuit, to measure the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger as parameter information of the indoor heat exchanger. The sensor 125 then outputs the measured temperature of the indoor heat exchanger as parameter information to the control unit 124. The sensor 127 also operates in the same manner as the sensor 125.

[0024] The control unit 124 has a processor and the like. The control unit 124 collects information on parameters measured by the sensor 125. Then, upon receiving a request from the control unit 121 of the outdoor unit 21, the control unit 124 outputs information on each parameter to the control unit 121. In addition, the control unit 124 may perform various controls related to the operation of the indoor unit 22. The control unit 126 also performs the same operations as the control unit 124.

[0025] The service monitor tool 30 is a communication device that relays communication between the air conditioner 20 and the display device 10. The service monitor tool 30 receives specification information of the air conditioner 20 from the control unit 121 of the air conditioner 20. The service monitor tool 30 then transmits the specification information of the air conditioner 20 to the display device 10.

[0026] The service monitor tool 30 also requests the control unit 121 of the outdoor unit 21 to send parameter information. Subsequently, in response to the transmission request, the service monitor tool 30 receives, from the control unit 121, parameter information that indicates the state of each component in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20. The service monitor tool 30 then transmits the acquired parameter information to the display device 10. Here, the service monitor tool 30 may transmit the acquired information to the display device 10 immediately, or may transmit the information in accordance with a predetermined rule. For example, the service monitor tool 30 may accumulate parameter information for a predetermined period of time and then send the accumulated parameter information collectively to the display device 10.

[0027] The display device 10 is a mobile terminal device carried by a worker or the like who performs maintenance on the air conditioner 20. Hereinafter, those who use the display device 10, such as a worker who performs maintenance on the air conditioner 20, will be collectively referred to as a "user." The display device 10 may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer.

[0028] The display device 10 receives, from the service monitor tool 30, parameter information that indicates the state of each component in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20. The display device 10 then generates a display screen that shows the parameter information that indicates the state of each component and operating information including a refrigerant circuit diagram, and displays this on the screen to provide to the user.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the display device. Details of the display device 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the display device 10 includes an information acquisition unit 11, a screen generation unit 12, an input unit 13, and a display unit 14.

[0030] The display unit 14 has a liquid crystal screen or the like. The display unit 14 displays the display screen sent from the screen generator 12 on the screen. In this embodiment, the shape of the screen of the display unit 14 is rectangular. However, the display unit 14 may have another shape, such as a square.

[0031] Here, the display device 10 includes devices with either a landscape screen or a portrait screen, in which the screen orientation of the display unit 14 is fixed when the display device 10 is in use. Another type of display device 10 includes devices in which the screen orientation of the display unit 14 changes depending on the state in which the display device 10 is used, such as a smartphone. The various functions described below can be applied to any type of display device 10. Here, an example will be described in which the screen orientation of the display unit 14 changes depending on the state in which the display device 10 is used.

[0032] The input unit 13 inputs information to the display device 10 in accordance with instructions from a user. The input unit 13 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The input unit 13 and the display unit 14 may also be realized by a mechanism that combines an input function and an output function, such as a touch panel.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 11 acquires the specification information of the air conditioner 20 transmitted from the service monitor tool 30. The information acquisition unit 11 then outputs the specification information of the air conditioner 20 to the screen generation unit 12.

[0034] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 11 receives, from the air conditioner 20 having a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of components, information on parameters that indicate the state of each component in the refrigerant circuit via the service monitor tool 30. Then, the information acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired information on each parameter to the screen generation unit 12.

[0035] The screen generator 12 generates operating information based on the information obtained from the information acquirer 11, and generates a display screen for displaying the generated operating information. The operating information includes a refrigerant circuit diagram and parameter information indicating the state of each component. The screen generator 12 displays the generated display screen on the screen of the display unit 14. Details of the screen generator 12 are described below.

[0036] The screen generation unit 12 receives input of specification information of the air conditioner 20 from the information acquisition unit 11. The screen generation unit 12 also receives input of parameter information representing the state of each component in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 from the information acquisition unit 11.

[0037] Here, the screen generator 12 stores in advance information on the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 for each type of air conditioner 20. The screen generator 12 uses this information and the information on the type of air conditioner 20 included in the acquired specification information to identify the configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to the type of air conditioner 20.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. For example, the screen generator 12 determines, based on the type of air conditioner 20, that the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3. By determining that the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the screen generator 12 can determine that the air conditioner 20 has a compressor 201, a four-way valve 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, fans 204 and 205, and a liquid pipe 206 and a gas pipe 207, which are refrigerant piping. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 can determine the maximum number of indoor units 22 that can be connected to the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20. In other words, the screen generator 12 can determine how many branches the refrigerant piping will have.

[0039] Next, the screen generator 12 identifies the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 of the indoor units 22 connected to each of the branched refrigerant pipes in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20, based on the acquired parameter information of each component. If parameter information is not sent from the indoor heat exchanger corresponding to a particular branched refrigerant pipe, the screen generator 12 determines that the indoor unit 22 is not connected to that refrigerant pipe. In this way, the screen generator 12 can identify each component included in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20. In the case of FIG. 3 , the screen generator 12 determines that the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 of each of the multiple indoor units 22 are connected to the liquid pipe 206 and the gas pipe 207, which are refrigerant pipes.

[0040] Furthermore, the screen generation unit 12 identifies, as components, the branched liquid pipe 206 that is the refrigerant piping connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 and the branched gas pipe 207 that is the refrigerant piping connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236. Hereinafter, for example, the branched liquid pipe 206 that is the refrigerant piping connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231 will be referred to as the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231. Also, for example, the branched gas pipe 207 that is the refrigerant piping connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231 will be referred to as the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231. Next, the screen generation unit 12 identifies, as components, the expansion valves 251 to 256 that are arranged in the liquid pipe 206 that is connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236.

[0041] 3 illustrates the liquid pipes 206 and gas pipes 207 connecting the six indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 identified by the screen generation unit 12. For example, if the air conditioner 20 can be connected to seven or more indoor units 22, the screen generation unit 12 identifies that there is a branched refrigerant pipe that is not connected to an indoor unit 22 and is not shown in FIG.

[0042] Here, liquid pipe temperature detectors 261-266 are provided in the liquid pipes 206 to which the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected. The liquid pipe temperature detectors 261-266 detect the temperature of each of the liquid pipes 206 to which the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected as parameter information of the liquid pipes 206 to which the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected, thereby detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through each of the liquid pipes 206. In addition, gas pipe temperature detectors 271-276 are provided in the gas pipes 207 to which the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected. The gas pipe temperature detectors 271-276 detect the temperature of the gas pipes 207 to which the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected as parameter information, thereby detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through each of the gas pipes 207. The liquid pipe temperature detectors 261-266 and the gas pipe temperature detectors 271-276 are examples of sensors 122 and 123 in FIG. 1 .

[0043] Furthermore, the liquid pipe 206 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 has liquid-side operating valves 241 to 246, which are components. Furthermore, the gas pipe 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 has gas-side operating valves 221 to 226, which are components. The liquid-side operating valves 241 to 246 and the gas-side operating valves 221 to 226 are components used to close the refrigerant circuit in order to keep the refrigerant within the outdoor unit 21 when the indoor unit 22 is not connected to the outdoor unit 21.

[0044] For example, the liquid pipe temperature detection units 261-266 detect the temperature of the liquid pipe 206 near the liquid side operation valves 241-246. Furthermore, the gas pipe temperature detection units 271-276 detect the temperature of the gas pipe 207 near the gas side operation valves 221-226. In this way, the outdoor unit 21, which is a heat source unit, has a corresponding liquid side operation valve 241-246 and gas side operation valve 221-226 for each of the indoor units 22, which are user side terminals, and also has liquid pipe temperature detection units 261-266 that detect the liquid pipe temperature near each of the liquid side operation valves 241-246, and gas pipe temperature detection units 271-276 that detect the gas pipe temperature near each of the gas side operation valves 221-226.

[0045] 3, the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 are components that belong to the indoor unit 22. Also, in FIG. 3, the liquid pipe 206 between the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 and the liquid-side operating valves 241 to 246, and the gas pipe 207 between the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 and the gas-side operating valves 221 to 226 are refrigerant pipes that connect the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor unit 22. Also, in FIG. 3, the components that belong to the indoor unit 22 and the components excluding the refrigerant pipes that connect the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor unit 22 are components that belong to the outdoor unit 21.

[0046] Next, the screen generator 12 determines whether or not there are multiple identical components in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20, based on the information of each parameter input from the information acquirer 11. Multiple identical components are components of the same type that perform the same role and exist in multiple places. When the refrigerant circuit has multiple identical components, the screen generator 12 generates a refrigerant circuit diagram 300 of the refrigerant circuit in which the multiple identical components are depicted using a single representative configuration diagram.

[0047] For example, the screen generator 12 identifies the liquid pipe 206 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 as a plurality of identical components. The screen generator 12 also identifies the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 as a plurality of identical components. The screen generator 12 also identifies the gas pipe 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 as a plurality of identical components. The screen generator 12 also identifies the expansion valves 251 to 256 as a plurality of identical components.

[0048] Furthermore, the screen generation unit 12 identifies a component set in which multiple components are connected in series in the refrigerant circuit, based on the information of each parameter input from the information acquisition unit 11. For example, the screen generation unit 12 identifies the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231, the indoor heat exchanger 231, the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 231, the expansion valve 251, the liquid-side operating valve 241, and the gas-side operating valve 221, which are components corresponding to one of the indoor units 22, as a component set 211 in which multiple components are connected in series. The screen generation unit 12 also identifies the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 232, the indoor heat exchanger 232, the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 232, the expansion valve 252, the liquid-side operating valve 242, and the gas-side operating valve 222, which are components corresponding to another one of the indoor units 22, as a component set 212 in which multiple components are connected in series. Similarly, the screen generator 12 identifies component sets 213 to 216 as component sets in which multiple components corresponding to one of the indoor units 22 are connected in series. Then, the screen generator 12 identifies component sets 211 to 216 connected in parallel as the same component set. That is, each component set includes multiple components connected in series that correspond to the indoor units 22, which are user terminals.

[0049] Then, the screen generator 12 generates a representative configuration diagram for each of the plurality of identical components included in each of the component sets 211 to 216. That is, the screen generator 12 generates one representative configuration diagram for each of the plurality of identical components. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit according to the first embodiment. For example, the screen generator 12 generates a representative configuration diagram 313 for the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 generates a representative configuration diagram 315 for the expansion valves 251 to 256.

[0050] Here, the liquid pipes 206 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 are simply shown as lines in the diagram, and no specific components correspond to them. This makes it difficult for the user to recognize the locations corresponding to the parameter information. Therefore, the screen generator 12 creates a representative configuration diagram 314, as shown in Figure 4, which shows the liquid-side operating valves 241 to 246, which are components present on the liquid pipes 206 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236.

[0051] Similarly, the gas pipes 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 are shown as simple lines in the diagram, with no specific components corresponding to them. This makes it difficult for the user to recognize the locations corresponding to the parameter information. Therefore, the screen generator 12 creates a representative configuration diagram 312, as shown in Figure 4, which shows the gas-side operating valves 221 to 226, which are components present on the gas pipes 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236.

[0052] In this embodiment, the screen generator 12 represents the liquid pipes 206 and gas pipes 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 as representative configuration diagrams 312 and 314 showing specific components. By using specific components in this manner, the user can easily recognize the locations corresponding to the parameter information. However, the screen generator 12 may also use simple lines connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 as the representative configuration diagrams 312 and 314 of the liquid pipes 206 and gas pipes 207 connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236.

[0053] Here, the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 can be collectively regarded as one representative configuration diagram that represents the component sets 211 to 216. That is, when the refrigerant circuit includes the component sets 211 to 216 in which a plurality of components are connected in series and the same component sets 211 to 216 are connected in parallel, the screen generator 12 generates the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 by drawing using one representative configuration diagram that includes each component included in the component sets 211 to 216.

[0054] Continuing the explanation, returning to Fig. 2, the screen generator 12 then creates a refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and a component group parameter table 400.

[0055] The screen generator 12 arranges, in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300, diagrams of components other than the components included in the component sets 211 to 216 according to the configuration of the refrigerant circuit. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the screen generator 12 arranges, in accordance with the refrigerant circuit, diagrams of the compressor 201, the four-way valve 202, the outdoor heat exchanger 203, the fans 204 and 205, and the refrigerant piping, that is, the liquid pipe 206 and the gas pipe 207. At this time, the screen generator 12 adjusts the display of the connection state of the four-way valve 202 depending on whether the air conditioner 20 is performing cooling operation or heating operation. Specifically, when the air conditioner 20 is performing cooling operation, in the four-way valve 202, the path connecting the discharge side of the compressor 201 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and the path connecting the suction side of the compressor 201 to the representative configuration diagram 312 are represented by solid lines, and the path connecting the discharge side of the compressor 201 to the representative configuration diagram 312 and the path connecting the suction side of the compressor 201 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 are represented by dashed lines. Also, when the air conditioner 20 is performing heating operation, in the four-way valve 202, the path connecting the discharge side of the compressor 201 to the representative configuration diagram 312 and the path connecting the suction side of the compressor 201 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 are represented by solid lines, and the path connecting the discharge side of the compressor 201 to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and the path connecting the suction side of the compressor 201 to the representative configuration diagram 312 are represented by dashed lines.

[0056] Next, the screen generator 12 arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in a row in the left-right direction at the bottom of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 when the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 are displayed with the up-down direction of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 aligned with the up-down direction of the screen of the display unit 14. Here, the screen generator 12 arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312, 313, 314, and 315 in this order from the left side of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300.

[0057] Next, the screen generator 12 arranges parameter information for each component in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 near the diagrams of the components other than the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315. At this time, the screen generator 12 arranges the parameter information alongside the component names, which are the names of the corresponding components. Additionally, if other information such as the outside temperature is obtained, the screen generator 12 may include the obtained other information in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. More specifically, when displaying on the screen of the display unit 14, the screen display application arranges the parameter information in an appropriate location depending on the type of parameter.

[0058] For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the screen generator 12 arranges parameter information of components other than the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. Specifically, the screen generator 12 arranges, as parameter information of the compressor 201, a rotation speed 305 and a temperature 304 of the compressor 201 next to the diagram showing the compressor 201 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300, alongside the component name of the compressor 201 ("Comp"). Furthermore, the screen generator 12 arranges, as parameter information of the outdoor heat exchanger 203, a temperature 308 of the outdoor heat exchanger 203 next to the diagram showing the outdoor heat exchanger 203 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 arranges, as parameter information of the fans 204 and 205, rotation speeds 309 and 310 of the fans 204 and 205, respectively, next to the diagrams showing the fans 204 and 205.

[0059] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 arranges other information, such as a pressure 306 of a high-pressure section in the refrigerant circuit, a pressure 307 of a low-pressure section in the refrigerant circuit, a discharge refrigerant temperature 301 of the compressor 201, an outside air temperature 302, a power supply voltage and current 303, a refrigerant temperature 311 on the outlet side of the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and a suction refrigerant temperature 316 of the compressor 201, in appropriate locations on the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the refrigerant circuit diagram 300, which is one of the elements included in the operation information.

[0060] Next, the screen generator 12 creates a component group parameter table 400 that indicates information on the parameters of each of the multiple identical components represented by each of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315. The screen generator 12 creates the component group parameter table 400 so that the direction in which the information indicating the type of each of the multiple identical components is arranged is perpendicular to the direction in which the information on the parameters of each of the multiple identical components is arranged. Details of the creation of the component group parameter table 400 are described below.

[0061] The screen generator 12 sets columns corresponding to the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the component group parameter table 400. Here, the columns of the component group parameter table 400 are groups of fields that are arranged in a row in the vertical direction of the screen when displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. Each column indicates information on one of the parameters of a plurality of identical components, and is arranged in the same order as the order of the corresponding representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300.

[0062] Here, the screen generator 12 sets columns in which parameter information representing the state of the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 is registered, corresponding to the representative configuration diagram 314 representing the liquid-side operating valves 241-246. That is, the screen generator 12 sets columns in which liquid pipe temperatures measured by the liquid pipe temperature detectors 261-266 are registered, corresponding to the representative configuration diagram 314. The screen generator 12 also sets columns in which parameter information representing the state of the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 is registered, corresponding to the representative configuration diagram 312 representing the gas-side operating valves 221-226. That is, the screen generator 12 sets columns in which gas pipe temperatures measured by the gas pipe temperature detectors 271-276 are registered, corresponding to the representative configuration diagram 312. In this way, the screen generator 12 uses the liquid pipe temperature as parameter information for the liquid side operating valves 241 to 246 and the gas pipe temperature as parameter information for the gas side operating valves 221 to 226.

[0063] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 places component names, which are the names of the corresponding components, at the top of the columns on the screen of the display unit 14 when the screen is displayed. For example, in Fig. 4, the component names are "3WV" in item 402 (a three-way valve that is an example of the gas-side operating valves 221 to 226), "HEX" in item 403 (a heat exchanger), "2WV" in item 404 (a two-way valve that is an example of the liquid-side operating valves 241 to 246), and "EEV" in item 405 (an electric expansion valve that is an example of the expansion valves 251 to 256).

[0064] Here, the column corresponding to item 401 in the component group parameter table 400 in Figure 4 indicates the identification information of each component group 211 to 216. Furthermore, the column corresponding to item 402 indicates the gas pipe temperatures measured by the gas pipe temperature detectors 271 to 276. Furthermore, the column corresponding to item 403 indicates the temperatures of the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236. Furthermore, the column corresponding to item 404 indicates the liquid pipe temperatures measured by the liquid pipe temperature detectors 261 to 266. Furthermore, the column corresponding to item 405 indicates the openings (number of pulses) of the expansion valves 251 to 256.

[0065] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 sets rows corresponding to each of the component sets 211 to 216 in the component set parameter table 400. In this case, a row in the component set parameter table 400 is a group of columns aligned in a row in the left-right direction of the screen when displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. The screen generator 12 then arranges each row in accordance with the actual arrangement order of the component sets 211 to 216 in the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the screen generator 12 arranges consecutive identification information numbers corresponding to each of the component sets 211 to 216 at the beginning of the row in the component set parameter table 400, that is, at the left end when displayed on the screen of the display unit 14.

[0066] Specifically, row 411 of component group parameter table 400 in Figure 4 corresponds to parameter information for each component included in component group 211. Row 412 corresponds to parameter information for each component included in component group 212. Row 413 corresponds to parameter information for each component included in component group 213. Row 414 corresponds to parameter information for each component included in component group 214. Row 415 corresponds to parameter information for each component included in component group 215. Here, in Figure 4, the display screen does not fit on the screen of display unit 14, so parameter information for each component of component group 216 is not shown. A method for displaying this component group 216 will be described later.

[0067] Next, the screen generator 12 registers information on parameters corresponding to each column of the component group parameter table 400. In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the component group parameter table 400, which is one of the elements included in the driving information.

[0068] The above describes the component group parameter table 400 when the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 are connected. However, there are cases where more indoor units than the number of indoor units 22 already connected to the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 can be connected. In such cases, the screen generator 12 may omit rows for unconnected refrigerant pipes in the component group parameter table 400. That is, the display device 10 determines that component groups 211-216 for which parameter information about the included components is not acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 are not connected to the refrigerant circuit, and generates a component group parameter table 400 that omits the component groups identified as not connected to the refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, the screen generator 12 may provide rows for the number of connectable refrigerant pipes in the component group parameter table 400, and register a symbol (e.g., "-") indicating the absence of a component in each column corresponding to unconnected refrigerant pipes.

[0069] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 does not need to arrange components for which no parameters have been input in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400. This makes it possible to display operation information using the common display device 10 even when there is a component that is not installed.

[0070] Next, the screen generator 12 acquires information from the display unit 14 as to whether the longer side of the rectangular screen is oriented vertically or horizontally. For example, the display unit 14 may be equipped with an acceleration sensor (not shown) that detects the direction of gravity to identify the orientation of the screen. The P1 direction (first direction) shown in FIG. 4 is the longer side, and the P2 direction (second direction) is the shorter side. That is, FIG. 4 shows the display screen when the longer side of the rectangular screen of the display unit 14 is oriented vertically.

[0071] Then, the screen generator 12 generates a display screen that displays information on parameters that indicate the state of each component in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20, according to the orientation of the screen, as shown in Fig. 4 or 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram of another example of a display screen displayed on the display unit according to Example 1. Fig. 5 shows a display screen in the case where the short side of the rectangular screen of the display unit 14 is oriented vertically.

[0072] When the P1 direction is the vertical direction, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen 140 shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the screen generator 12 arranges the completed component group parameter table 400 below the completed refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in the P1 direction on the screen of the display unit 14, and generates the display screen 140 that displays the operating information. At this time, the screen generator 12 arranges the parameter information and component names arranged near the component diagrams and in the component group parameter table 400 in a readable orientation according to the orientation of the screen that displays them.

[0073] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 arranges the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 so that their respective columns in the P1 direction of the representative configuration diagrams 312-315 of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 correspond to each other by aligning their positions in the P1 direction between the representative configuration diagrams 312-315 and each column in the component group parameter table 400. The screen generator 12 generates a display screen that displays parameter information for multiple identical components included in the same component group 211-216 in the P1 direction of the component group parameter table 400, and also displays parameter information for each of the multiple component groups 211-216 in the P2 direction of the component group parameter table 400. That is, the P1 direction corresponds to the direction in which parameter information for multiple identical components is arranged, in other words, the direction in which component names are arranged. The P2 direction corresponds to the direction in which parameter information for each of the multiple component groups is arranged.

[0074] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 matches the colors of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 with the colors of the component names in the component group parameter table 400. Here, methods for matching the colors of the component names include a method of matching the colors of the frames in the component group parameter table 400 with the colors of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and whitening the text. Alternatively, the screen generator 12 may match the colors of the representative configuration diagrams in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 with the colors of the corresponding parameter information in the component group parameter table 400. In this way, the screen generator 12 arranges the parameter information arranged near the components drawn in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and in the component group parameter table 400 alongside the component names, which are the names of the corresponding components, and colors at least one of the component names or the parameter information and the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315, which are diagrams of the components, with the same color.

[0075] In this way, the screen generator 12 arranges each piece of parameter information for each component included in the refrigerant circuit either near each component drawn in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 or in the component group parameter table 400. Then, the screen generator 12 generates a display screen 140 that displays, arranged in the P1 direction, representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315, which are diagrams of each component included in the representative configuration diagram that collectively represents the component groups 211 to 216, and parameter information corresponding to each component included in the representative configuration diagram in the component group parameter table 400.

[0076] In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the generation of the display screen 140 when the P1 direction is the vertical direction. In this way, when the longitudinal direction of the display unit 14 coincides with the P1 direction, the screen generator 12 generates a display screen 140 that displays the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 side by side in the P1 direction, and also displays diagrams of the components included in the component groups 211 to 216 and parameter information corresponding to the components included in the component groups 211 to 216 in the component group parameter table 400 side by side in the P1 direction. Then, the screen generator 12 outputs the generated display screen 140 to the display unit 14 to display it on the screen. The screen generator 12 adjusts the size of the component group parameter table 400 in the P1 direction to display the entire component group parameter table 400.

[0077] However, as shown in Fig. 4, if the entire display screen 140 cannot fit on the screen of the display unit 14, the screen generation unit 12 may generate the display screen 140 so that a portion of the display screen 140 is displayed on the screen and the remaining portion is displayed by scrolling the screen using the input unit 13. For example, in Fig. 4, rows 411 to 415 correspond to the component sets 211 to 215, respectively, and the component set 216 is not displayed. In this case, the user can display information on the parameters indicating the state of the component set 216 on the display unit 14 by scrolling the component set parameter table 400 in the P1 direction using the input unit 13.

[0078] On the other hand, when the P1 direction is horizontal, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen 150 shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the screen generator 12 arranges the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 so that it is aligned with the left edge of the P1 direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the screen of the display unit 14. Next, the screen generator 12 arranges the component group parameter table 400 on the right side of the P1 direction of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. Rows 411 to 416 indicate parameter information for each component of the component groups 211 to 216, respectively.

[0079] At this time, the screen generator 12 arranges the parameter information and component names arranged near the component diagrams and in the component group parameter table 400 in a readable orientation according to the orientation of the screen that displays them. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 matches the color of the representative configuration diagram in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 with the color of the component names in the component group parameter table 400.

[0080] In this case, the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 of each component of the component sets 211 to 216 do not directly correspond on the screen to the columns corresponding to the items 402 to 405 in the component set parameter table 400. However, the order of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 matches the order of the items 402 to 405 in the component set parameter table 400, which indicate the component names of each of the component sets 211 to 216, and the colors also match. This allows the user to easily identify the correspondence between the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the items 402 to 405.

[0081] 5 is the horizontal direction. In this way, when the longitudinal direction of the display unit 14 coincides with the P1 direction, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen 150 that displays the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 side by side in the P1 direction. The screen generator 12 then outputs the generated display screen 150 to the display unit 14 to display it on the screen.

[0082] As described above, when a refrigerant circuit includes a plurality of identical components, the screen generation unit 12 generates a display screen showing operating information including a refrigerant circuit diagram 300 of the refrigerant circuit in which the plurality of identical components are depicted using one representative configuration diagram, and parameter information for each of the plurality of identical components acquired by the information acquisition unit 11. The screen generation unit 12 also generates a display screen in which the operating information includes a component group parameter table 400 that displays parameter information indicating the state of each component. The screen generation unit 12 also generates a display screen in which parameter information for the identical components is displayed in the component group parameter table 400.

[0083] 4 and 5, the screen generator 12 according to this embodiment arranges the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in the same orientation whether the P1 direction is vertical or horizontal. Therefore, the user can easily identify the configuration of the refrigerant circuit even if the orientation of the screen of the display unit 14 is changed.

[0084] However, in this embodiment, the display screen is changed depending on the screen orientation for easier viewing, but the screen generator 12 may generate one type of display screen regardless of the screen orientation and display it on the display unit 14, although this may be less convenient for the user. Also, although the above description has been given using an example in which the screen orientation of the display unit 14 changes depending on the state in which the display device 10 is used, there are also display devices 10 in which the screen orientation of the display unit 14 is fixed. In such cases, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen of Fig. 4 or 5 according to the screen orientation of the display unit 14 and displays it on the display unit 14.

[0085] Furthermore, if there are moving components, such as rotating the fans 204 and 205 while they are running, the screen generator 12 may use animation to represent the operation of the components on the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 .

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case has been described in which all of the component sets 211 to 216 connected to the refrigerant circuit are arranged in the component set parameter table 400 on the display screen, but the screen generator 12 can also reduce the number of elements to be arranged in response to a user instruction. For example, the screen generator 12 arranges a check box in the identification information column of item 401 in the component set parameter table 400. Then, the screen generator 12 may arrange any one or a combination of the component sets 211 to 216 selected by the user using the check box in the component set parameter table 400 on the display screen.

[0087] 6 is a flowchart of the display control of parameter information by the display device according to Example 1. Next, the flow of the display control of parameter information by the display device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0088] The information acquisition unit 11 receives specification information of the air conditioner 20 and information on the parameters of each component included in the refrigerant circuit from the service monitor tool 30. The screen generation unit 12 acquires the specification information of the air conditioner 20 and information on the parameters of each component included in the refrigerant circuit from the information acquisition unit 11 (step S1).

[0089] The screen generator 12 identifies the configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to the type of air conditioner 20 included in the specification information. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 adds the indoor units 22a to 22b connected to the identified basic configuration to identify the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 20 (step S2).

[0090] Next, the screen generator 12 identifies a plurality of identical components from the identified configuration of the refrigerant circuit to identify component sets 211 to 216 (step S3).

[0091] Next, the screen generator 12 creates representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 for each of the plurality of identical components (step S4).

[0092] Next, the screen generator 12 arranges components other than the component sets 211 to 216, such as the compressor 201, the four-way valve 202, and the outdoor heat exchanger 203, on the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 (step S5).

[0093] Next, the screen generator 12 arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in a line below the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 (step S6).The screen generator 12 then connects the components with lines that indicate refrigerant piping.

[0094] Next, the screen generator 12 arranges information on parameters indicating the respective states of the components other than the component sets 211 to 216 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300, next to the component names (step S7). In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the refrigerant circuit diagram 300.

[0095] Next, the screen generator 12 generates columns corresponding to each of the component elements of the component element sets 211 to 216 extending in a predetermined direction in the component element set parameter table 400 (step S8). In this embodiment, the screen generator 12 adds the component name of each component element to the beginning of each column.

[0096] The screen generator 12 also generates rows in the element set parameter table 400 corresponding to each of the element sets 211 to 216 extending in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction (step S9). In this embodiment, the screen generator 12 further places identification information for each of the element sets 211 to 216 at the beginning of each row.

[0097] Next, the screen generator 12 registers the parameter information of each of the components of the corresponding component sets 211 to 216 in each column of the component set parameter table 400 (step S10). In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the component set parameter table 400.

[0098] Next, the screen generation unit 12 acquires information from the display unit 14 as to whether the longitudinal direction of the screen of the display unit 14 is portrait or landscape, and determines whether the longitudinal direction of the screen of the display unit 14 is portrait or landscape (step S11).

[0099] If the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction (step S11: Yes), the screen generator 12 places the component group parameter table 400 below the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 when displayed on the screen, and associates each column with the representative configuration diagram to generate the vertically oriented display screen 140 (step S12). At this time, if the entire display screen does not fit on the screen of the display unit 14, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen so that the remaining information can be displayed by scrolling the screen using the input unit 13.

[0100] On the other hand, if the longitudinal direction is horizontal (step S11: No), the screen generator 12 places the component group parameter table 400 on the right side of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 when displayed on the screen, and generates the horizontal display screen 140 (step S13). At this time, if the entire display screen does not fit on the screen of the display unit 14, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen so that the remaining information can be displayed by scrolling the screen using the input unit 13.

[0101] Thereafter, the screen generator 12 outputs the generated display screen to the display unit 14. The display unit 14 displays the display screen input from the screen generator 12 on its screen (step S14).

[0102] As described above, when there are multiple identical components in the refrigerant circuit to be displayed, the display device 10 according to this embodiment creates representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and arranges them together in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. The display device 10 then compiles parameter information indicating the states of the multiple identical components into a component group parameter table 400, and arranges the component group parameter table 400 so that the parameter information corresponds to each component, thereby generating a display screen.

[0103] In this way, by omitting the display of multiple identical components, the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 can be made to resemble a square even when there are many components. Making the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 resemble a square makes it possible to display the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in a large size regardless of the screen ratio. Furthermore, by displaying parameter information in a table, it becomes possible to easily check the operating status of the air conditioner 20.

[0104] Furthermore, the display device 10 places information about each parameter near components other than the multiple identical components in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. This allows for an appropriate layout in a limited area, divided into a table and near the components according to the type of parameter, making it possible to easily check the operating status of the air conditioner 20.

[0105] Furthermore, the display device 10 identifies component sets 211 to 216 in which multiple components included in the refrigerant circuit are connected in series and identical component sets are connected in parallel. Then, in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300, the display device 10 represents each component included in the component sets 211 to 216 as a representative configuration diagram, and collectively displays the component sets 211 to 216 as a single component set diagram. This makes it possible to omit the identical component sets 211 to 216 that are connected in parallel, thereby simplifying the refrigerant circuit diagram 300.

[0106] Furthermore, the display device 10 arranges representative configuration diagrams 312-315 of multiple identical components in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in the P2 direction. Next, the display device 10 arranges parameter information indicating the state of each of the multiple identical components corresponding to each representative configuration diagram 312-315 in the P1 direction, which is perpendicular to the P2 direction. Furthermore, the display device 10 matches the order in the P2 direction so that the multiple identical components corresponding to each parameter information match the multiple identical components corresponding to the representative configuration diagrams 312-315. This matches the order of the representative configuration diagrams 312-315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the order of the corresponding parameter information, making it easier to understand the correspondence between the components and the parameter information.

[0107] Furthermore, when the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 are arranged side by side in the P1 direction, the display device 10 arranges the representative configuration diagram and the corresponding parameter information in the component group parameter table 400 side by side in the P1 direction. This arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the corresponding parameter information in a row, making it easier to understand the correspondence between the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the parameter information.

[0108] Furthermore, when the screen of the display unit 14 is rectangular, the display device 10 arranges the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 side by side in the longitudinal direction in accordance with the vertical and horizontal orientation of the screen. This results in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 being aligned in the long direction in accordance with the orientation of the screen, making it possible to display the operating information in a large size.

[0109] Furthermore, the display device 10 arranges the names of components other than the plurality of identical components next to the parameter information near the diagrams representing the components. The display device 10 also displays a display screen in which the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the component names of the corresponding plurality of identical components in the component group parameter table 400 are arranged side by side. Furthermore, the colors of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 are matched with the colors of the component names or parameter information in the component group parameter table 400. This makes it easy to understand the correspondence between the components and the parameter information, even when the parameter information of the components is arranged separately near the diagrams and in the table.

[0110] Furthermore, the display device 10 determines whether or not an indoor unit 22 is connected to each of the branched refrigerant pipes in the refrigerant circuit based on whether parameter information has been input, and if an indoor unit 22 is not connected, the display device 10 does not provide a box for that component set 211-216 in the component set parameter table 400. Here, a box refers to a column or row in the component set parameter table 400 for registering parameter information indicating the status of the components of that component set 211-216. This makes it possible to eliminate unnecessary blank spaces in the component set parameter table 400, making it easier to identify the operating status of the air conditioner 20.

[0111] The display device 10 also displays a display screen on which parameter information indicating the temperature of the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 is arranged in correspondence with the liquid-side operating valves 241-246. The display device 10 also displays a display screen on which parameter information indicating the temperature of the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 is arranged in correspondence with the gas-side operating valves 221-226. This makes it easier to intuitively identify the temperature that is being displayed. For example, the liquid pipe 206 and the gas pipe 207 branch off within the outdoor unit 21 and connect to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236 of the indoor unit 22 installed in a room away from the outdoor unit 21. For this reason, the liquid pipe 206 and the gas pipe 207 may be quite long. For this reason, it is difficult to identify the location of the temperature in the long pipe even if the parameter information is directly associated with a diagram of the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236 and the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231 to 236. In contrast, by associating the parameter information of each pipe with the liquid side operating valves 241 to 246 and the gas side operating valves 221 to 226 as in this embodiment, it becomes easier to intuitively identify that the liquid pipe temperature and the gas pipe temperature are in the vicinity of the liquid side operating valves 241 to 246 and the gas side operating valves 221 to 226.

[0112] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit according to the second embodiment. The display device 10 according to this embodiment is also represented by the block diagram of FIG. 2. When the orientation of the display device 10 according to this embodiment is changed, the orientation of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 also changes to match the orientation of the display device 10. Details of the display device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. In the following description, a description of the operation of each unit similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0113] When the P1 direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the screen of the display unit 14, is vertical, the screen generation unit 12 in this embodiment generates the display screen illustrated in Figure 4, as in Example 1, and displays it on the display unit 14.

[0114] On the other hand, when the P2 direction, which is the shorter side direction of the screen of the display unit 14, is the vertical direction, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen as follows.

[0115] The screen generation unit 12 arranges the diagrams of each component in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 so that the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 of the component groups 211 to 216 are lined up in a row along the P2 direction at the right end of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 when it is displayed on the screen. More specifically, the screen generation unit 12 arranges the diagrams of each component other than the component groups 211 to 216 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in accordance with the above conditions, as shown in FIG. 7 . Next, the screen generation unit 12 arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 so that they are lined up in a row along the P2 direction at the right end of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 when it is displayed on the screen. At this time, the screen generation unit 12 adjusts the connection state shown in the diagram of the four-way valve 202 depending on whether the air conditioner 20 is performing cooling operation or heating operation.

[0116] Next, the screen generator 12 sets rows corresponding to the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the component group parameter table 400. Here, the rows of the component group parameter table 400 correspond to element columns extending in the left-right direction when displayed on the screen. The rows are arranged in the same order as the corresponding representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 places the component name corresponding to the beginning of each row, that is, the left end when displayed on the screen.

[0117] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 sets rows corresponding to each of the component sets 211 to 216 in the component set parameter table 400. The screen generator 12 then arranges each row according to the actual arrangement order of the component sets 211 to 216 in the refrigerant circuit. Column 421 in FIG. 7 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 211. Column 422 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 212. Column 423 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 213. Column 424 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 214. Column 425 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 215. Column 426 corresponds to parameter information for each of the components included in component set 216.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the screen generator 12 places sequentially numbered identification information corresponding to each of the component group 211 to 216 at the beginning of the column in the component group parameter table 400, i.e., at the top when displayed on the screen. Next, the screen generator 12 registers parameter information corresponding to each column of the component group parameter table 400.

[0119] Then, the screen generator 12 generates the display screen 160 shown in Fig. 7. Specifically, the screen generator 12 arranges the completed component group parameter table 400 on the right side of the completed refrigerant circuit diagram 300 in the P1 direction on the screen of the display unit 14, and generates the display screen 140 that displays the operating information. At this time, the screen generator 12 arranges the parameter table 400 in a readable direction according to the orientation of the screen that displays the parameter information and component names to be displayed near the diagrams of the components and in the component group parameter table 400.

[0120] Furthermore, the screen generator 12 matches the positions in the P2 direction of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 of the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 with the positions of each column of the component group parameter table 400, and arranges the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 and the component group parameter table 400 so that they correspond to each other. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 matches the color of the representative configuration diagram in the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 with the color of the component name in the component group parameter table 400.

[0121] In this way, the screen generator 12 completes the generation of the display screen 160 when the P2 direction shown in Fig. 7 is the vertical direction. The screen generator 12 then outputs the generated display screen 160 to the display unit 14 to display it on the screen. The screen generator 12 adjusts the size of the component group parameter table 400 in the P1 direction to display the entire component group parameter table 400.

[0122] As described above, when the shorter side of the screen of the display unit 14 is vertical, the display device 10 according to this embodiment arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 in a line along the shorter side. The display device 10 also generates the component group parameter table 400 so that the parameter information for each of the multiple identical components is arranged in the longitudinal direction to match the arrangement of the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315. The display device 10 then arranges the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the parameter information for each of the multiple identical components corresponding thereto so that their positions in the longitudinal direction match, thereby generating the display screen 160 when the shorter side is vertical.

[0123] As a result, even if the orientation of the screen changes, the display device 10 can display a display screen in which the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the corresponding elements of the component group parameter table 400 are associated on the display screen, making it easy for the user to identify the association between the representative configuration diagrams 312 to 315 and the corresponding parameter information.

[0124] (Modifications) In the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the refrigerant piping inside the outdoor unit 21 branches into refrigerant piping that is connected to each of the indoor units 22. However, the display device 10 can also be applied to a configuration in which the refrigerant piping outside the outdoor unit 21 branches into refrigerant piping that is connected to each of the indoor units 22. This type of configuration is a multi-air conditioning system that employs variable refrigerant flow control technology and is mainly used in buildings, commercial facilities, large-scale apartment buildings, etc.

[0125] In a configuration in which the refrigerant piping outside the outdoor unit 21 branches into refrigerant piping connected to each indoor unit 22, only one gas-side operating valve and one liquid-side operating valve are present in the outdoor unit 21. In other words, there are not multiple identical components for the gas-side operating valve and the liquid-side operating valve. In this case, the screen generator 12 may use a diagram of thermistors representing the liquid pipe temperature detectors 261-266 as a representative configuration diagram 314 of the liquid pipe 206 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236. The screen generator 12 may also use a diagram of thermistors representing the gas pipe temperature detectors 271-276 as a representative configuration diagram 312 of the gas pipe 207 connected to the indoor heat exchangers 231-236.

[0126] Furthermore, in the case of an air conditioner 20 configured such that a refrigerant pipe outside the outdoor unit 21 branches into refrigerant pipes connected to each indoor unit 22, multiple outdoor units 21 serving as heat source units may be installed. If multiple identical components exist within each outdoor unit 21, the screen generator 12 may use a representative configuration diagram to arrange these multiple identical components. Furthermore, if there are component sets 211-216 in the outdoor unit 21, each of which is a combination of multiple identical components arranged in the same order and in parallel, the screen generator 12 may display each of the components included in each of the component sets 211-216 in a representative configuration diagram. Furthermore, the screen generator 12 may also generate a component set parameter table 400 for the representative configuration diagram of the outdoor unit 21 to display parameter information for each component.

[0127] As described above, the display device 10 can also be used with an air conditioner 20 configured such that the refrigerant piping outside the outdoor unit 21 branches off into refrigerant piping connected to each indoor unit 22. In this way, even in an air conditioner 20 configured such that the refrigerant piping outside the outdoor unit 21 branches off into refrigerant piping connected to each indoor unit 22, the display of multiple identical components can be omitted, making the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 nearly square even when there are many components. This allows the refrigerant circuit diagram 300 to be displayed large regardless of the screen ratio. Furthermore, by displaying parameter information in a table, the operating status of the air conditioner 20 can be easily identified. Furthermore, it is easy to identify the correspondence between a representative configuration diagram and the corresponding parameter information. Therefore, it is easy to identify the operating status of the air conditioner 20.

[0128] (Hardware Configuration) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the display device. Next, an example of the hardware configuration for realizing each function of the display device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0129] 8, the display device 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, a hard disk 93, a network interface 94, a monitor 95, and an input device 96. The CPU 91 is connected to the memory 92, the hard disk 93, the network interface 94, the monitor 95, and the input device 96 via a bus.

[0130] The monitor 95 realizes the function of the display unit 14. The input device 96 realizes the function of the input unit 13. In the case of a mechanism in which the input function and the output function are integrated, such as a touch panel, the monitor 95 and the input device 96 are integrated.

[0131] The network interface 94 is an interface for communication between the display device 10 and an external device. The network interface 94 relays communication between, for example, the service monitor tool 30 and the CPU 91. The network interface 94 realizes the function of the information acquisition unit 11 illustrated in Fig. 1. The network interface 94 may be one that performs wired communication with the service monitor tool 30 or one that performs wireless communication.

[0132] The hard disk 93 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs including the program for realizing the functions of the screen generator 12 shown in FIG.

[0133] The memory 92 is a main storage device, and may be, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0134] The CPU 91 reads out various programs from the hard disk 93, loads them into the memory 92, and executes them, thereby realizing the functions of the screen generator 12 illustrated in FIG.

[0135] 1 Air conditioning system 10 Display device 11 Information acquisition unit 12 Screen generation unit 13 Input unit 14 Display unit 20 Air conditioner 21 Outdoor unit 22, 22a, 22b Indoor unit 30 Service monitor tool 121, 124, 126 Control unit 122, 123, 125, 127 Sensor 201 Compressor 202 Four-way valve 203 Outdoor heat exchanger 204, 205 Fan 206 Liquid pipe 207 Gas pipe 211 to 216 Component set 221 to 226 Gas side operation valve 231 to 236 Indoor heat exchanger 241 to 246 Liquid side operation valve 251 to 256 Expansion valve 261 to 266 Liquid pipe temperature detection unit 271 to 276 Gas pipe temperature detection unit 300 Refrigerant circuit diagram 312-315 Representative configuration diagram 400 Component group parameter table

Claims

1. A display device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a refrigeration cycle device having a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of components, parameter information indicating the state of each of the components; a screen generation unit that generates, when the refrigerant circuit has a plurality of identical components, a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit drawn using a representative configuration diagram representing the plurality of identical components, and a display screen that shows operating information including the parameter information of each of the plurality of identical components acquired by the information acquisition unit; and a display unit that displays the display screen generated by the screen generation unit.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the screen generation unit generates a display screen including a table displaying information about the parameters in the operating information.

3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays each of the parameter information of the components either near each of the components drawn in the refrigerant circuit diagram or in the table.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein said screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays information about said parameters of said identical components in said table.

5. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays the refrigerant circuit diagram generated by drawing the same component set using a single representative configuration set diagram that includes each of the components that the component set has, when the refrigerant circuit includes a component set in which multiple components are connected in series and the same component set is connected in parallel.

6. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that the screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays the parameter information of each of the multiple identical components included in the same component group, arranged in a first direction of the table, and that displays the parameter information of each of the components in each of the multiple component groups, arranged in a second direction of the table.

7. The display device according to claim 6, characterized in that the screen generation unit generates a display screen that displays, in the first direction, diagrams of each of the components included in the representative configuration diagram and information on the parameters corresponding to each of the components included in the representative configuration diagram in the table.

8. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is rectangular, and the screen generation unit generates a display screen that, when the longitudinal direction of the display unit coincides with the first direction, displays the refrigerant circuit diagram and the table side by side in the first direction, and also displays diagrams of each of the components included in the representative configuration assembly diagram and parameter information in the table corresponding to each of the components included in the representative configuration assembly diagram side by side in the first direction, and, when the longitudinal direction of the display unit coincides with the second direction, generates a display screen that displays the refrigerant circuit diagram and the table side by side in the second direction.

9. The display device described in claim 6, characterized in that the screen generation unit identifies a component group for which parameter information about the components included in the component group is not acquired by the information acquisition unit as not being connected to the refrigerant circuit, and generates a display screen that displays the table excluding the component group identified as not being connected to the refrigerant circuit.

10. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that the screen generation unit generates a display screen in which the information on the parameters displayed in the table and near the components drawn in the refrigerant circuit diagram are displayed alongside the component names, which are the names of the corresponding components, and in which at least one of the component names or the parameter information and the diagram of the component are displayed in the same color.

11. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that the refrigeration cycle device has at least one heat source machine and at least one user terminal equipped with the components, and the component set includes a plurality of components connected in series corresponding to each of the user terminals.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the components of the component set include a liquid side operating valve and a gas side operating valve, the heat source machine has a corresponding liquid side operating valve and gas side operating valve for each of the user side terminals, and has a liquid pipe temperature detection unit that detects the liquid pipe temperature near each of the liquid side operating valves and a gas pipe temperature detection unit that detects the gas pipe temperature near each of the gas side operating valves, and the screen generation unit generates a display screen using the liquid pipe temperature as information on the parameter of the liquid side operating valve and the gas pipe temperature as information on the parameter of the gas side operating valve.

13. A refrigeration cycle system comprising a refrigeration cycle device having a refrigeration circuit with at least one heat source machine having a plurality of components and at least one user terminal, and a display device, wherein the display device comprises: an information acquisition unit that acquires parameter information indicating the state of each of the components from the refrigeration cycle device; a screen generation unit that generates, when the refrigerant circuit has a plurality of identical components, a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit drawn using a representative configuration diagram representing the plurality of identical components, and a display screen that shows operating information including the parameter information for each of the plurality of identical components acquired by the information acquisition unit; and a display unit that displays the display screen generated by the screen generation unit.

14. A display method characterized by the steps of: a display device acquiring, from a refrigeration cycle device having a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of components, parameter information indicating the state of each of the components; if the refrigerant circuit has a plurality of identical components, generating a display screen showing operating information including a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit drawn using a representative configuration diagram representing the plurality of identical components and parameter information for each of the plurality of identical components; and displaying the generated display screen.

Images