Estimation system and program

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an estimation system capable of accurately estimating information on a refrigerant of an air conditioner.　The estimation system according to the present disclosure comprises: an air conditioner having a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units; a first acquisition unit for acquiring outdoor unit integrated data obtained by integrating operation data of the plurality of outdoor units; a second acquisition unit for acquiring indoor unit integrated data obtained by integrating operation data of the plurality of indoor units; and an estimation unit for estimating information relating to the refrigerant of the air conditioner on the basis of the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit.

Description

Estimation system and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an estimation system and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for estimating the amount of refrigerant charged in an air conditioner based on operating data of the air conditioner.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-156532

[0004] The present disclosure provides an estimation system and program that can accurately estimate information related to the refrigerant of an air conditioner.

[0005] The estimation system of the present disclosure includes an air conditioning apparatus having a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units, a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of outdoor units, a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of indoor units, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit.

[0006] In addition, the estimation system of the present disclosure includes an air conditioning apparatus having a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units, a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates operating data of the plurality of indoor units, a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each outdoor unit, the probability of a refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning apparatus based on the operating data of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leakage probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit.

[0007] In addition, the program of the present disclosure causes the processor to function as a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple outdoor units of an air conditioning apparatus, a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple indoor units of the air conditioning apparatus, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit.

[0008] The program of the present disclosure also causes a processor to function as a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple indoor units of an air conditioning apparatus, a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each of multiple outdoor units of the air conditioning apparatus, a refrigerant leakage probability in the air conditioning apparatus based on the operating data of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leakage probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit. Note that this specification is intended to include the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-097170, filed on June 17, 2024.

[0009] The estimation system and program according to the present disclosure can accurately estimate information about the refrigerant in an air conditioner.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an estimation system in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server device in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of outdoor unit integrated data in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of outdoor unit integrated data in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server device in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device in the second embodiment.

[0011] (Knowledge Forming the Basis of the Present Disclosure) At the time the inventors arrived at the present disclosure, there was technology for diagnosing the refrigerant in an air conditioner. This diagnosis involved estimating information about the refrigerant in the air conditioner (such as whether there was a refrigerant leak or the amount of remaining refrigerant). However, conventionally, estimations were made based on the operating data of a single outdoor unit or a single indoor unit. As a result, the inventors discovered a problem in that conventional estimation methods were unable to make estimates that took into account the entire air conditioner for air conditioners with multiple outdoor units and indoor units, resulting in low estimation accuracy for such air conditioners. To solve this problem, the present disclosure provides a system and program for accurately estimating information about the refrigerant in an air conditioner.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of estimation system] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an estimation system 1000 in embodiment 1. The estimation system 1000 is a system that performs a diagnosis on the refrigerant of an air conditioning apparatus 1. More specifically, the estimation system 1000 is a system that estimates information related to the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus 1 as the diagnosis. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the estimation system 1000 estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak as information related to the refrigerant.

[0014] The estimation system 1000 includes an air conditioning device 1. The air conditioning device 1 performs air conditioning operation using an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3 provided therein, and the indoor unit 2 air-conditions the conditioned space of the facility.

[0015] The air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple indoor units 2 and multiple outdoor units 3. The multiple indoor units 2 and multiple outdoor units 3 are connected by refrigerant piping and control wiring, thereby forming a refrigeration cycle in the air conditioning apparatus 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the multiple indoor units 2 and multiple outdoor units 3 belong to the same refrigerant system RS. Note that in this embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 is configured to have three indoor units 2 and two outdoor units 3, but the number of indoor units 2 and the number of outdoor units 3 included in the air conditioning apparatus 1 are not limited to these numbers as long as there is a plurality.

[0016] The indoor unit 2 is equipped with a temperature sensor 21 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the indoor heat exchanger provided therein. The indoor unit 2 may be equipped with sensors other than the temperature sensor 21. The temperature sensor 21 detects the temperature of the refrigerant at a predetermined cycle (for example, N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1)). In the air conditioning apparatus 1, the temperature detection cycles of the multiple temperature sensors 21 are synchronized. Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the temperature detection timings of the multiple temperature sensors 21 are synchronized. In this embodiment, even if there is a deviation of, for example, up to 3 seconds in the temperature detection timings, the temperature detection timings are considered to be synchronized. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1 , the temperature detection cycles and temperature detection timings are synchronized between the temperature sensor 21A of the indoor unit 2A, the temperature sensor 21B of the indoor unit 2B, and the temperature sensor 21C of the indoor unit 2C. The temperature sensor 21 is an example of a "sensor provided in an indoor unit."

[0017] The outdoor unit 3 is equipped with a frequency sensor 31 that detects the rotational frequency of the compressor. The outdoor unit 3 may be equipped with sensors other than the frequency sensor 31. The frequency sensor 31 detects the rotational frequency of the compressor at a predetermined cycle (for example, one minute). In the air conditioning apparatus 1, the rotational frequency detection cycles of the multiple frequency sensors 31 are synchronized. Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the rotational frequency detection timings of the multiple frequency sensors 31 are synchronized. In this embodiment, even if there is a deviation of, for example, up to three seconds in the rotational frequency detection timings, the rotational frequency detection timings are considered to be synchronized. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1 , the rotational frequency detection cycles and rotational frequency detection timings are synchronized between the frequency sensor 31A of the outdoor unit 3A and the frequency sensor 31B of the outdoor unit 3B.

[0018] The air conditioning apparatus 1 is connected to a network NW and communicates with a server apparatus 4. The network NW is a communication network made up of a public line network, a dedicated line, other communication circuits, and the like.

[0019] The air conditioning apparatus 1 transmits indoor unit data D1 for each indoor unit 2. The indoor unit data D1 is data in which information related to one detection by the temperature sensor 21 is recorded. The indoor unit data D1 records information such as an indoor unit ID (Identification) for identifying the indoor unit 2, the time when the temperature sensor 21 detected the refrigerant temperature, the detected value detected by the temperature sensor 21, and the type of operation the indoor unit 2 was performing when the temperature sensor 21 detected the refrigerant temperature. In this embodiment, the type of operation recorded in the indoor unit data D1 is cooling operation or heating operation. The air conditioning apparatus 1 may transmit the indoor unit data D1 to the server device 4 each time the temperature sensor 21 detects a detected value, or it may accumulate the indoor unit data D1 to be transmitted for a predetermined period (e.g., one hour) and transmit the accumulated indoor unit data D1 together to the server device 4 each time the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0020] The air conditioner 1 transmits outdoor unit data D2 for each outdoor unit 3. The outdoor unit data D2 is data in which information related to one detection by the frequency sensor 31 is recorded. The outdoor unit data D2 records the following information: an outdoor unit ID for identifying the outdoor unit 3, the time when the frequency sensor 31 detected the rotation frequency, the detection value detected by the frequency sensor 31, and the type of operation the indoor unit 2 was performing when the frequency sensor 31 detected the rotation frequency. In this embodiment, the type of operation recorded in the outdoor unit data D2 is cooling operation, including dry operation, or heating operation. The air conditioner 1 may transmit the outdoor unit data D2 to the server device 4 each time the frequency sensor 31 detects a detection value, or may accumulate the outdoor unit data D2 to be transmitted for a predetermined period (e.g., one hour) and transmit the accumulated outdoor unit data D2 together to the server device 4 each time the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0021] The estimation system 1000 includes a server device 4. The server device 4 is connected to a network NW and performs information processing using the air conditioning device 1 and the terminal device 5 as clients. Note that in each drawing, the server device 4 is represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the server device 4 is composed of a single device. For example, the server device 4 may be composed of multiple server devices with different processing contents.

[0022] The estimation system 1000 includes a terminal device 5. The terminal device 5 is used by an administrator or user of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The terminal device 5 shown in FIG. 1 is a laptop computer, but may also be a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a smartphone. The terminal device 5 is connected to the network NW and communicates with the server device 4.

[0023] [1-1-2. Configuration of Server Device] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the server device 4. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server device 4. The server device 4 includes a control device 40 and a communication device 41.

[0024] Before describing the control device 40, we will explain the communication device 41. The communication device 41 includes hardware such as a communication circuit that complies with a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the air conditioning device 1 and the terminal device 5 in accordance with the control of the control device 40.

[0025] The control device 40 includes a processor 400 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a memory 410, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors.

[0026] The memory 410 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The memory 410 stores a control program 411, a plurality of outdoor unit operation data 412, a plurality of indoor unit operation data 413, a first estimation model 414, a second estimation model 415, and data to be processed by the processor 400. The memory 410 has a non-volatile storage area. The memory 410 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the processor 400. The memory 410 is constituted by, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). The control program 411 is an example of a "program."

[0027] The control program 411 is a program that causes the processor 400 to function as a functional unit, which will be described later.

[0028] The outdoor unit operation data 412 is operation data for the outdoor unit 3. The memory 410 stores the outdoor unit operation data 412 for each outdoor unit 3 included in the air conditioning apparatus 1. The outdoor unit operation data 412 has outdoor unit data D2 for a predetermined period (for example, one day), and the outdoor unit data D2 is arranged in chronological order. The outdoor unit data D2 included in the outdoor unit operation data 412 is managed by the management unit 402, which will be described later. In the example of FIG. 2 , outdoor unit operation data 412A indicates operation data for outdoor unit 3A, and outdoor unit operation data 412B indicates operation data for outdoor unit 3B.

[0029] The indoor unit operation data 413 is operation data for the indoor units 2. The memory 410 stores indoor unit operation data 413 for each indoor unit 2 included in the air conditioning apparatus 1. The indoor unit operation data 413 has indoor unit data D1 for a predetermined period (for example, one day), and the indoor unit data D1 is arranged in chronological order. The indoor unit data D1 included in the indoor unit operation data 413 is managed by the management section 402, which will be described later. In the example of FIG. 2 , indoor unit operation data 413A indicates operation data for indoor unit 2A, indoor unit operation data 413B indicates operation data for indoor unit 2B, and indoor unit operation data 413C indicates operation data for indoor unit 2C.

[0030] The first estimation model 414 is a model that, when input with the outdoor unit integrated data D3 described below and the indoor unit integrated data described below, outputs presence / absence information indicating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning apparatus 1. An example of the first estimation model 414 is a trained model that has been machine-learned to determine the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak from the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data. The first estimation model 414 is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit 2 is performing cooling operation.

[0031] The second estimation model 415 is a model that, when the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data are input, outputs presence / absence information indicating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning apparatus 1. An example of the second estimation model 415 is a trained model that has been machine-learned to determine the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak from the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data. The second estimation model 415 is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit 2 is performing heating operation.

[0032] The processor 400 reads and executes a control program 411 stored in the memory 410 to function as a communication control unit 401 , a management unit 402 , a first acquisition unit 403 , a second acquisition unit 404 , and an estimation unit 405 .

[0033] The communication control unit 401 functions as the air conditioning device 1 and the terminal device 5 via the communication device 41 .

[0034] The management unit 402 manages the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit operation data 413. When the communication control unit 401 receives the outdoor unit data D2, the management unit 402 identifies the outdoor unit operation data 412 that stores the outdoor unit ID recorded in the received outdoor unit data D2 from the outdoor unit operation data 412 recorded in the memory 410. Next, the management unit 402 includes the received outdoor unit data D2 in the identified outdoor unit operation data 412. Note that the outdoor unit operation data 412 contains outdoor unit data D2 for a predetermined period, but the management unit 402 deletes all of the outdoor unit data D2 contained in the outdoor unit operation data 412 each time the predetermined period elapses. This allows the management unit 402 to appropriately manage the outdoor unit operation data 412 so that it contains outdoor unit data D2 for the predetermined period.

[0035] When the communication control unit 401 receives indoor unit data D1, the management unit 402 identifies, from the indoor unit operation data 413 recorded in the memory 410, the indoor unit operation data 413 that stores the indoor unit ID recorded in the received indoor unit data D1. Next, the management unit 402 includes the received indoor unit data D1 in the identified indoor unit operation data 413. Note that the indoor unit operation data 413 contains indoor unit data D1 for a predetermined period, but the management unit 402 deletes all of the indoor unit data D1 contained in the indoor unit operation data 413 each time the predetermined period elapses. This allows the management unit 402 to appropriately manage the indoor unit operation data 413 so that it contains indoor unit data D1 for the predetermined period.

[0036] The first acquisition unit 403 integrates multiple pieces of outdoor unit operation data 412 to acquire integrated outdoor unit integrated data D3. The first acquisition unit 403 reads all of the outdoor unit operation data 412 from the memory 410 and integrates the read outdoor unit operation data 412 by averaging, thereby acquiring the outdoor unit integrated data D3. More specifically, the first acquisition unit 403 refers to the read outdoor unit operation data 412 to calculate the average rotational frequency for each time period, and acquires data in which the calculated average rotational frequencies are arranged in chronological order as the outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0037] Here, the acquisition of the outdoor unit integrated data D3 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the acquisition of the outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0038] 3 shows three graphs, each with the rotation frequency on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. In FIG. 3, the top graph shows outdoor unit operation data 412A, the middle graph shows outdoor unit operation data 412B, and the bottom graph shows outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0039] In the example of FIG. 3, the first acquisition unit 403 refers to the outdoor unit operation data 412A, 412B and calculates the average rotation frequency for each time period, thereby acquiring the outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0040] Here, the averaging will be explained in more detail. The first acquisition unit 403 acquires "A (Hz)," which is the rotational frequency at time "T1," from the outdoor unit operation data 412A. Then, it acquires "B (Hz)," which is the rotational frequency at time "T1," from the outdoor unit operation data 412A. It then averages "A (Hz)" and "B (Hz)" to obtain "(A + B) / 2 (Hz)," which is the average rotational frequency at time "T1." As described above, in this embodiment, even if there is a deviation of up to 3 seconds, for example, the detection timing of the frequency sensor 31 is considered to be synchronized. Therefore, when the first acquisition unit 403 acquires "A (Hz)," which is the rotational frequency at time "T1," from the outdoor unit operation data 412A, it considers a time within a range of ±3 seconds from time "T1" to be time "T1," and acquires "B (Hz)," which is the rotational frequency at time "T1," from the outdoor unit operation data 412A.

[0041] The method of acquiring the outdoor unit integrated data D3 described in Fig. 3 is a method for integrating outdoor unit operation data 412 that does not include data for periods when the compressor of the outdoor unit 3 is not operating. Next, with reference to Fig. 4, acquisition of the outdoor unit integrated data D3 when the outdoor unit operation data 412 includes data for periods when the compressor of the outdoor unit 3 is not operating will be described.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the outdoor unit integrated data D3 is acquired. Fig. 4 shows two graphs in which the vertical axis represents the rotation frequency and the horizontal axis represents the time. In Fig. 4, the upper graph represents the outdoor unit operation data 412A, and the lower graph represents the outdoor unit operation data 412B.

[0043] 4 illustrates a case where the compressor of the outdoor unit 3A is not operating during a period PE1 up to time "TA." Therefore, in the outdoor unit operation data 412A in FIG. 4, the rotation frequency during the period PE1 is set to 0 (Hz).

[0044] 4 illustrates an example in which the compressors of the outdoor units 3A and 3B are operating during a period PE2 from time TA to time TB. Therefore, the outdoor unit operation data 412A and 412B in FIG. 4 do not indicate that the rotational frequency during period PE2 is 0 (Hz).

[0045] 4 also illustrates a case where the compressor of the outdoor unit 3B is not operating during a period PE3 after time "TA." Therefore, in FIG. 4, the rotation frequency of the outdoor unit operation data 412B during the period PE3 is 0 (Hz).

[0046] 4, when acquiring the outdoor unit integrated data D3, the first acquisition unit 403 integrates the outdoor unit operation data 412 as follows: That is, the first acquisition unit 403 acquires the outdoor unit integrated data D3 by using the rotational frequency of the outdoor unit operation data 412B for the period PE1, using the average of the rotational frequencies of the outdoor unit operation data 412A and 412B for the period PE2, and using the rotational frequency of the outdoor unit operation data 412A for the period PE3.

[0047] In this way, if the outdoor unit operation data 412 includes data for a period when the compressor of the outdoor unit 3 is not operating, the first acquisition unit 403 excludes the data for that period from the data to be integrated, integrates the multiple outdoor unit operation data 412, and acquires the outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0048] Note that in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the air conditioning apparatus 1 has two outdoor units 3, and therefore for periods PE1 and PE3, the rotational frequency of any of the outdoor unit operation data 412 is used as the rotational frequency indicated by the outdoor unit integrated data D3. If the air conditioning apparatus 1 has M or more outdoor units 3 (M is an integer greater than or equal to 3) and two or more outdoor units 3 are operating during at least one of periods PE1 and PE3, the average rotational frequency is also calculated for periods PE1 and PE3 using the outdoor unit operation data 412 of the outdoor units 3 that are operating.

[0049] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 2, the second acquisition unit 404 integrates multiple pieces of indoor unit operation data 413 to acquire integrated indoor unit integrated data. The second acquisition unit 404 reads all of the indoor unit operation data 413 from memory 410, integrates the read indoor unit operation data 413 using a method similar to the integration method explained in Fig. 3, and acquires the indoor unit integrated data. More specifically, the second acquisition unit 404 refers to the read indoor unit operation data 413 to calculate the average refrigerant temperature for each corresponding time, and acquires data in which the calculated average refrigerant temperatures are arranged in chronological order as the indoor unit integrated data.

[0050] The estimation unit 405 estimates whether or not a refrigerant leak has occurred based on the outdoor unit integrated data D3 acquired by the first acquisition unit 403 and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit 404.

[0051] When all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are performing cooling operation, the estimation unit 405 estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak based on the outdoor unit integrated data D3, the indoor unit integrated data, and the first estimation model 414. When all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are performing heating operation, the estimation unit 405 estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak based on the outdoor unit integrated data D3, the indoor unit integrated data, and the second estimation model 415. When the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 include a mixture of indoor units 2 performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 performing heating operation, the estimation unit 405 does not estimate the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0052] More specifically, if the types of operation recorded in the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit operation data 413 all indicate cooling operation, the estimation unit 405 determines that all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 were performing cooling operation. Then, the estimation unit 405 inputs the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data into a first estimation model 414, and causes the first estimation model 414 to output presence / absence information, thereby estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0053] Furthermore, if the types of operation recorded in the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit operation data 413 all indicate heating operation, the estimation unit 405 determines that all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 were performing heating operation. Then, the estimation unit 405 inputs the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data into a second estimation model 415, and causes the second estimation model 415 to output presence / absence information, thereby estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0054] Furthermore, when the types of operation recorded in the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit operation data 413 include a mixture of cooling operation and heating operation, the estimation unit 405 determines that there is a mixture of indoor units 2 performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 performing heating operation among the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1. Then, the estimation unit 405 does not estimate the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0055] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 4. [1-2. Operation] Next, a description will be given of the operation of each unit of the estimation system 1000 according to this embodiment.

[0056] The estimation unit 405 determines whether to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak (step SA1). For example, when the communication control unit 401 receives an estimation start instruction from the terminal device 5, the estimation unit 405 determines in step SA1 to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak. Also, for example, when a predetermined time arrives, the estimation unit 405 determines in step SA1 to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0057] When the estimation unit 405 determines not to start checking for the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage (step SA1: NO), the estimation unit 405 performs the determination in step SA1 again.

[0058] On the other hand, if the estimation unit 405 estimates that refrigerant leakage detection has begun (step SA1: YES), the first acquisition unit 403 reads all of the outdoor unit operation data 412 from the memory 410 (step SA2). Then, the first acquisition unit 403 integrates the outdoor unit operation data 412 read in step SA2 as described above to acquire outdoor unit integrated data D3 (step SA3).

[0059] Next, the second acquisition unit 404 reads the indoor unit operation data 413 from the memory 410 (step SA4).The second acquisition unit 404 then integrates the indoor unit operation data 413 read in step SA4 as described above to acquire indoor unit integrated data (step SA5).

[0060] Note that steps SA2 and SA3 and steps SA4 and SA5 may be performed simultaneously, or may be performed in reverse order (steps SA4 and SA5 followed by steps SA2 and SA3).

[0061] Next, the estimation unit 405 determines whether all the indoor units 2 were performing cooling operation, whether all the indoor units 2 were performing heating operation, or whether there was a mixture of indoor units 2 performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 performing heating operation (step SA6). The determination in step SA6 is made based on the operation data read out in steps SA2 and SA4.

[0062] If the estimation unit 405 determines that all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are operating in cooling mode (step SA6: cooling mode), it estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak using the first estimation model 414 (step SA7). In step SA7, the estimation unit 405 inputs the outdoor unit integrated data D3 acquired in step SA3 and the indoor unit integrated data acquired in step SA5 into the first estimation model 414 to estimate the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0063] Returning to the explanation of step SA6, if the estimation unit 405 determines that all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are operating in heating operation (step SA6: heating operation), it estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak using the second estimation model 415 (step SA8). In step SA8, the estimation unit 405 inputs the outdoor unit integrated data D3 acquired in step SA3 and the indoor unit integrated data acquired in step SA5 into the second estimation model 415 to estimate the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0064] Returning to the explanation of step SA6, if the estimation unit 405 determines that there is a mixture of indoor units 2 performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 performing heating operation (step SA6: Mixture), it does not estimate whether or not there is a refrigerant leak (step SA9).

[0065] If estimation is performed in steps SA7 and SA8, the communication control unit 401 may notify the estimation results of steps SA7 and SA8 to the terminal device 5. This allows the manager or user of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to understand the estimation results on the terminal device 5.

[0066] Furthermore, when the processing of step SA9 is performed, the communication control unit 401 may notify the terminal device 5 that the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak was not estimated. This allows the manager or user of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to understand from the terminal device 5 that the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak was not estimated. In a configuration in which notification is given that the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak was not estimated, the communication control unit 401 may also notify the terminal device 5 of the reason why the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak was not estimated. One such reason may be that, for example, the air conditioning apparatus 1 has a mixture of indoor units 2 performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 performing heating operation, making it impossible to make an accurate estimation.

[0067] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the estimation system 1000 includes an air conditioning apparatus 1 having a plurality of outdoor units 3 and a plurality of indoor units 2. The estimation system 1000 also includes a first acquisition unit 403 that acquires outdoor unit integrated data D3 that integrates the operating data of the plurality of outdoor units 3. The estimation system 1000 also includes a second acquisition unit 404 that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of indoor units 2. The estimation system 1000 also includes an estimation unit 405 that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus 1 based on the outdoor unit integrated data D3 acquired by the first acquisition unit 403 and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit 404.

[0068] According to this, by integrating the operating data, it is possible to virtually generate operating data for one outdoor unit 3 and operating data for one indoor unit 2. Therefore, by estimating information related to the refrigerant based on the generated operating data, it is possible to make an estimation that takes into account the entire air conditioning apparatus 1 for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has multiple outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate information related to the refrigerant for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has multiple outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2.

[0069] The operation data of the outdoor unit 3 is data in which the detection values ​​of the frequency sensor 31 provided in the outdoor unit 3 are arranged in chronological order. If the operation data of the outdoor unit 3 includes data from a period when the compressor was not operating, the first acquisition unit 403 excludes the data from this period from the data to be integrated, integrates the operation data of the multiple outdoor units 3, and acquires outdoor unit integrated data D3.

[0070] This prevents data from being taken into account during integration for periods when the compressor is not operating, and prevents the generation of outdoor unit integrated data D3 that makes it appear as if an outdoor unit 3 that is not operating is operating. This prevents the estimation of information about the refrigerant using outdoor unit integrated data D3 that makes it appear as if an outdoor unit 3 that is not operating is operating, and prevents a decrease in the accuracy of the estimation of information about the refrigerant.

[0071] The operating data of the outdoor unit 3 is data in which the detection values ​​of the frequency sensor 31 equipped in the outdoor unit 3 are arranged in chronological order. The operating data of the indoor unit 2 is data in which the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 21 equipped in the indoor unit 2 are arranged in chronological order. The first acquisition unit 403 integrates the operating data of the multiple outdoor units 3 by averaging the detection values ​​of the frequency sensor 31 equipped in the outdoor units 3, and acquires the outdoor unit integrated data D3. The second acquisition unit 404 integrates the operating data of the multiple indoor units 2 by averaging the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 21 equipped in the indoor units 2, and acquires the indoor unit integrated data.

[0072] According to this, averaging makes it possible to generate operating data that effectively smooths out biases in operating trends among a plurality of outdoor units 3 and biases in operating trends among a plurality of indoor units 2. Therefore, by estimating information related to the refrigerant based on the generated operating data, it is possible to perform estimation that effectively takes into account the entire air conditioning apparatus 1 for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has a plurality of outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately estimate information related to the refrigerant for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has a plurality of outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2.

[0073] When all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are performing refrigerant operation, the estimation unit 405 estimates information about the refrigerant using a first estimation model for cooling 414. When all of the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 are performing heating operation, the estimation unit 405 estimates information about the refrigerant using a second estimation model for heating 415.

[0074] According to this, by using different estimation models depending on whether all of the indoor units 2 are operating in cooling mode or in heating mode, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the estimation accuracy of information related to the refrigerant.

[0075] The first estimation model 414 is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit 2 is performing cooling operation. The second estimation model 415 is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit 2 is performing heating operation.

[0076] According to this, the first estimation model 414 is generated using operating data for a period during which each of the plurality of indoor units 2 is performing cooling operation, and the second estimation model 415 is generated using operating data for a period during which each of the plurality of indoor units 2 is performing heating operation. Therefore, the first estimation model 414 and the second estimation model 415 can be generated appropriately, and information about the refrigerant can be accurately estimated using the estimation models.

[0077] The estimation unit 405 does not estimate information related to the refrigerant when the indoor units 2 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 include a mixture of indoor units 2 that are performing cooling operation and indoor units 2 that are performing heating operation.

[0078] According to this, because the types of operation are different, the information recorded in the operation data of the indoor unit 2 in refrigerant operation and the information recorded in the operation data of the indoor unit 2 in heating operation differ greatly. Therefore, when indoor units 2 in refrigerant operation and indoor units 2 in heating operation are mixed, by not estimating information related to the refrigerant, it is possible to prevent estimation with low estimation accuracy.

[0079] The control program 411 causes the processor 400 to function as a first acquisition unit 403 , a second acquisition unit 404 , and an estimation unit 405 .

[0080] This provides the same effects as the estimation system 1000 described above.

[0081] (Embodiment 2) Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. [2-1. Configuration] With regard to the configuration of each part of estimation system 1000 in embodiment 2, detailed description of the configuration similar to the configuration of each part of estimation system 1000 in embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0082] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server device 4 in embodiment 2. As is clear from comparing Fig. 6 with Fig. 2, the memory 410 in embodiment 2 stores a probability output model 416 instead of the first estimation model 414 and the second estimation model 415.

[0083] The probability output model 416 is a model that, when the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit integrated data are input, outputs a refrigerant leakage probability, which is the probability of a refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning apparatus 1. An example of the probability output model 416 is a trained model that has learned the refrigerant leakage probability through machine learning from the outdoor unit operation data 412 and the indoor unit integrated data.

[0084] 6 and 2, the memory 410 of the second embodiment stores a control program 411A instead of the control program 411. The processor 400 of the second embodiment reads out and executes the control program 411A from the memory 410, thereby functioning as a communication control unit 401, a management unit 402, a data acquisition unit 406, a probability acquisition unit 407, and an estimation unit 405A. The control program 411A is an example of a "program."

[0085] The data acquisition unit 406 acquires the indoor unit integrated data in the same manner as the second acquisition unit 404 .

[0086] The probability acquisition unit 407 acquires the refrigerant leakage probability for each outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The probability acquisition unit 407 inputs the indoor unit system data acquired by the data acquisition unit 406 and the outdoor unit operation data 412 of the target outdoor unit 3 to the probability output model 416, and outputs the refrigerant leakage probability to the probability output model 416, thereby acquiring the refrigerant leakage probability.

[0087] The estimation unit 405A estimates the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak based on the refrigerant leak probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit 407. For example, the estimation unit 405A calculates the average of the multiple refrigerant leak probabilities acquired by the probability acquisition unit 407, determines whether the calculated average is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and estimates that there is no refrigerant leak if the calculated average is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, and estimates that there is a refrigerant leak if the calculated average is greater than the predetermined threshold. Alternatively, for example, the estimation unit 405A selects the largest refrigerant leak probability from the multiple refrigerant leak probabilities acquired by the probability acquisition unit 407, determines whether the selected refrigerant leak probability is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and estimates that there is no refrigerant leak if the selected refrigerant leak probability is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, and estimates that there is a refrigerant leak if the selected refrigerant leak probability is greater than the predetermined threshold. Note that if there is a refrigerant leak probability that can be considered an abnormal value among the refrigerant leak probabilities acquired by the probability acquisition unit 407, the estimation unit 405A may exclude the refrigerant leak probability that can be considered an abnormal value from the estimation.

[0088] 2-2. Operation Next, a description will be given of the operation of each unit of the estimation system 1000 in Embodiment 2. FIG.

[0089] The estimation unit 405A determines whether to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak (step SB1). For example, when the communication control unit 401 receives an estimation start instruction from the terminal device 5, the estimation unit 405A determines in step SB1 to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak. Also, for example, when a predetermined time arrives, the estimation unit 405A determines in step SB1 to start estimating the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak.

[0090] When the estimation unit 405A determines that the refrigerant leakage detection should not be started (step SB1: NO), the estimation unit 405A performs the determination in step SB1 again.

[0091] On the other hand, if the estimation unit 405A estimates that a refrigerant leak has started (step SB1: YES), the data acquisition unit 406 reads all of the indoor unit operation data 413 from the memory 410 (step SB2).Then, the data acquisition unit 406 integrates the indoor unit operation data 413 read in step SB2 as described above to acquire integrated indoor unit data (step SB3).

[0092] Next, the probability acquisition unit 407 reads all of the outdoor unit operation data 412 from the memory 410 (step SB4). Then, for each piece of outdoor unit operation data 412 read in step SB4, the probability acquisition unit 407 inputs the indoor unit integrated data acquired in step SB3 and the outdoor unit operation data 412 into the probability output model 416, thereby acquiring the refrigerant leakage probability for each outdoor unit 3 (step SB5).

[0093] Next, the estimation unit 405A estimates whether or not there is a refrigerant leak based on the refrigerant leak probability acquired in step SB5 (step SB6).

[0094] If estimation is performed in step SB6, the communication control unit 401 may notify the estimation result of step SB6 to the terminal device 5. This allows the manager or user of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to understand the estimation result on the terminal device 5.

[0095] [2-3. Effects] As explained above, the estimation system 1000 includes an air conditioning apparatus 1 having a plurality of outdoor units 3 and a plurality of indoor units 2. The estimation system 1000 includes a data acquisition unit 406 that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of a plurality of indoor units 2. The estimation system 1000 includes a probability acquisition unit 407 that acquires, for each outdoor unit 3, the operating data of the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit 406, the probability of a refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning apparatus 1. The estimation system 1000 also includes an estimation unit 405A that estimates information related to the refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus 1 based on the refrigerant leakage probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit 407.

[0096] According to this, by obtaining the refrigerant leakage probability for each outdoor unit 3 based on the indoor unit integrated data and making an estimation based on the obtained refrigerant leakage probability, it is possible to make an estimation that takes into account the entire air conditioning apparatus 1 for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has multiple outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate information related to the refrigerant for an air conditioning apparatus 1 that has multiple outdoor units 3 and indoor units 2.

[0097] The control program 411A causes the processor 400 to function as a data acquisition unit 406, a probability acquisition unit 407, and an estimation unit 405A.

[0098] This provides the same effects as the estimation system 1000 described above.

[0099] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned first and second embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be described below as examples.

[0100] In another embodiment related to Embodiment 1, when there is a load imbalance among the multiple outdoor units 3, the first acquisition unit 403 may exclude data from the period when the load imbalance occurs from the data to be integrated, and integrate the multiple outdoor unit operation data 412 to acquire the outdoor unit integrated data D3. In this other embodiment, the first acquisition unit 403 determines that a location in the multiple outdoor unit operation data 412 where the difference in the detection values ​​of the frequency sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a location where there is a load imbalance, and integrates the multiple outdoor unit operation data 412 by excluding the data from the period when the load imbalance occurs from the data to be integrated. In excluding data from the data to be integrated, the first acquisition unit 403 may not integrate all outdoor unit operation data 412 during the period when the load imbalance occurs, or may not integrate only outdoor unit operation data 412 for which the detection value of the frequency sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value during the period when the load imbalance occurs, as described in FIG. 4 . According to this other embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operating data of the outdoor unit 3 operating under a high load from being taken into consideration during integration, resulting in the generation of outdoor unit integrated data D3 that appears as if the outdoor unit 3 is not operating under a high load. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the outdoor unit 3 operating under a high load from estimating information about the refrigerant using outdoor unit integrated data D3 that appears as if the outdoor unit 3 is not operating under a high load, and to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the estimation of information about the refrigerant.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, the estimation units 405 and 405A are configured to estimate the presence or absence of a refrigerant leak as information related to the refrigerant, but the estimation units 405 and 405A may estimate other information related to the refrigerant, such as the remaining refrigerant amount, whether the remaining refrigerant amount is below a predetermined value (e.g., 70%), etc. In this case, the first estimation model 414 and the second estimation model 415 are models that output the estimation target of the estimation unit 405.

[0102] In another embodiment, the processor 400 may function as the estimation units 405, 405A, and may perform the estimations in both embodiments 1 and 2. In this other embodiment, the communication control unit 401 of the server device 4 may notify the terminal device 5 of the estimation results, so that the terminal device 5 may display the estimation results based on the two sets of integrated data and the estimation results in which the indoor unit integrated data is applied to each outdoor unit 3. Furthermore, if the user of the terminal device 5 is a user or manager of the air conditioning apparatus 1, the terminal device 5 may be configured to display either the estimation results based on the two sets of integrated data or the estimation results in which the indoor unit integrated data is applied to each outdoor unit 3. Furthermore, if the user of the terminal device 5 is a maintenance person for the air conditioning apparatus 1, the terminal device 5 may be configured to display the estimation results based on the two sets of integrated data and the estimation results in which the indoor unit integrated data is applied to each outdoor unit 3. This prevents confusion among users and managers of the air conditioning apparatus 1 due to the display of multiple estimation results, and also supports the maintenance person for the air conditioning apparatus 1 in performing appropriate maintenance.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the temperature sensor 21 is exemplified as a "sensor provided in the indoor unit," and the frequency sensor 31 is exemplified as a "sensor provided in the outdoor unit." However, the "sensor provided in the indoor unit" is not limited to the temperature sensor 21 and may be another type of sensor depending on the type of information related to the refrigerant, and the "sensor provided in the outdoor unit" is not limited to the frequency sensor 31 and may be another type of sensor depending on the type of information related to the refrigerant. Furthermore, the detected values ​​recorded in the indoor unit data D1 and the outdoor unit data D2 are not limited to detected values ​​from one type of sensor, but may be detected values ​​from multiple types of sensors. In this case, the outdoor unit integrated data D3 and the indoor unit integrated data may be configured to record detected values ​​from multiple types of sensors.

[0104] In the above-described embodiment, the operating data is integrated by averaging, but the integration method is not limited to averaging, and the maximum or minimum value may be adopted from among the detected values ​​at the corresponding time, or the value closest to the average may be adopted from among the detected values ​​at the corresponding time.

[0105] In another embodiment, the outdoor unit 3 may be equipped with an engine that circulates the refrigerant instead of or together with the compressor. In this other embodiment, the outdoor unit operation data 412 may include information related to the engine. Examples of information related to the engine include the engine speed and the temperature of the exhaust gas.

[0106] In another embodiment, data for periods when a defrosting operation, a fan operation, or a thermostat-off operation is performed may be excluded from the integration target, similar to periods when the compressor is not operating.

[0107] In another embodiment, the estimation system 1000 may include, instead of the server device 4, a management device that has the same functions as the server device 4 and communicates with the air conditioning device 1 via a local network. An example of this management device is a centralized management device installed in a building.

[0108] In other embodiments, the estimation unit 405 may estimate the information about the refrigerant using a predetermined algorithm instead of an estimation model. Also, in other embodiments, the estimation unit 405A may estimate the information about the refrigerant using an estimation model. Also, the estimation model may be a model generated using a statistical method such as logistic regression or a model generated by another machine learning method.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of the air conditioning apparatus 1 being configured to include three indoor units 2 and two outdoor units 3, but the number of indoor units 2 and outdoor units 3 included in the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not limited to these numbers.

[0110] The processor 400 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. The processor 400 may be hardware programmed to implement corresponding functional units. That is, the processor 400 may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0111] The configurations of the server device 4 shown in Figures 2 and 6 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is also possible to implement a configuration in which a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of each unit. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented by software.

[0112] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 5 and 7 are divided according to the main processing content to make the operations easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operations may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0113] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0114] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0115] (Technology 1) An estimation system includes an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and multiple indoor units, a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the multiple outdoor units, a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the multiple indoor units, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit. By integrating the operating data, it is possible to virtually generate operating data for one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Therefore, by estimating information about the refrigerant based on the generated operating data, it is possible to perform estimations that take into account the entire air conditioning apparatus for an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and indoor units. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate information about the refrigerant for an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and indoor units.

[0116] (Technology 2) In the estimation system described in Technology 1, the outdoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor units are arranged in chronological order, and if the outdoor unit operating data includes data from a period when the compressor is not operating, the first acquisition unit excludes the data from the period from which the outdoor unit operating data is integrated, and acquires the outdoor unit integrated data. This prevents data from the period when the compressor is not operating from being taken into account during integration, thereby preventing the generation of outdoor unit integrated data that makes an outdoor unit that is not operating appear to be operating. This prevents the estimation of refrigerant information from being made using outdoor unit integrated data that makes an outdoor unit that is not operating appear to be operating, and prevents a decrease in the accuracy of the estimation of refrigerant information.

[0117] (Technology 3) The estimation system according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the outdoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor units are arranged in chronological order, and when there is an imbalance in the loads on the multiple outdoor units, the first acquisition unit integrates the operating data of the multiple outdoor units, excluding data from a period in which the imbalance occurs, to acquire the integrated outdoor unit data. This prevents the operating data of outdoor units operating under high loads from being taken into account during integration, thereby preventing the generation of integrated outdoor unit data that appears to be operating at a high load for outdoor units operating under high loads. This prevents the estimation of refrigerant information from being performed using integrated outdoor unit data that appears to be operating at a high load for outdoor units operating under high loads, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of the estimation of refrigerant information.

[0118] (Technology 4) The estimation system according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the outdoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor unit are arranged in chronological order, the indoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the indoor unit are arranged in chronological order, the first acquisition unit integrates the operating data of the outdoor units by averaging the detection values ​​of the sensors equipped in the outdoor units to acquire the outdoor unit integrated data, and the second acquisition unit integrates the operating data of the indoor units by averaging the detection values ​​of the sensors equipped in the indoor units to acquire the indoor unit integrated data. This averaging allows for the generation of operating data that effectively smooths out biases in operating trends among multiple outdoor units and among multiple indoor units. Therefore, by estimating refrigerant-related information based on the generated operating data, it is possible to perform estimation that effectively takes into account the entire air conditioning system for an air conditioning system having multiple outdoor units and indoor units. Therefore, information about the refrigerant can be estimated with greater accuracy for an air conditioner having a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units.

[0119] (Technology 5) The estimation system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein the estimation unit estimates the information about the refrigerant using a first estimation model for cooling when all of the indoor units of the air conditioning apparatus are performing refrigerant operation, and estimates the information about the refrigerant using a second estimation model for heating when all of the indoor units of the air conditioning apparatus are performing heating operation. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the estimation accuracy of the information about the refrigerant by using different estimation models depending on whether all of the indoor units are operating in cooling operation or heating operation.

[0120] (Technology 6) The estimation system according to Technology 5, wherein the first estimation model is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data and the indoor unit integrated data during a period in which the indoor units are performing cooling operations, and the second estimation model is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data and the indoor unit integrated data during a period in which the indoor units are performing heating operations. According to this, the first estimation model is generated using operating data during a period in which each of the multiple indoor units is performing cooling operations, and the second estimation model is generated using operating data during a period in which each of the multiple indoor units is performing heating operations. Therefore, the first estimation model and the second estimation model can be generated appropriately, and information about the refrigerant can be accurately estimated using the estimation models.

[0121] (Technology 7) The estimation system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 6, wherein the estimation unit does not estimate information about the refrigerant when the indoor units of the air conditioner are both performing cooling operation and heating operation. Because the types of operation are different, the information recorded in the operating data of indoor units performing refrigerant operation and the operating data of indoor units performing heating operation differ significantly. Therefore, by not estimating information about the refrigerant when indoor units performing refrigerant operation and indoor units performing heating operation are both present, it is possible to prevent low-accuracy estimations.

[0122] (Technology 8) An estimation system comprising: an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and multiple indoor units; a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the multiple indoor units; a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each outdoor unit, a probability of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit operating data and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leak probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit. According to this, by acquiring the refrigerant leak probability for each outdoor unit based on the indoor unit integrated data and performing estimation based on the acquired refrigerant leak probability, it is possible to perform estimation that takes into account the entire air conditioning apparatus for an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and indoor units. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate information about the refrigerant for an air conditioning apparatus having multiple outdoor units and indoor units.

[0123] (Technology 9) A program that causes a processor to function as a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates operating data of multiple outdoor units of an air conditioning apparatus, a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates operating data of multiple indoor units of the air conditioning apparatus, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit. This achieves the same effects as the estimation system described in Technology 1.

[0124] (Technology 10) A program that causes a processor to function as a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates operating data of multiple indoor units of an air conditioning apparatus, a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each of multiple outdoor units of the air conditioning apparatus, the probability of a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning apparatus based on the operating data of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leak probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit. This achieves the same effects as the estimation system described in Technology 8.

[0125] As described above, the estimation system and program according to the present invention can be used to estimate information about a refrigerant.

[0126] 1 Air conditioning apparatus 2, 2A to 2C Indoor unit 3, 3A to 3B Outdoor unit 4 Server device 5 Terminal device 21, 21A to 21C Temperature sensor (sensor provided in indoor unit) 31, 31A to 31B Frequency sensor (sensor provided in outdoor unit) 40 Control device 41 Communication device 400 Processor 401 Communication control unit 402 Management unit 403 First acquisition unit 404 Second acquisition unit 405, 405A Estimation unit 406 Data acquisition unit 407 Probability acquisition unit 410 Memory 411, 411A Control program (program) 412, 412A, 412B Outdoor unit operating data 413, 413A to 413C Indoor unit operating data 414 First estimation model 415 Second estimation model 416 Probability output model 1000 Estimation system D1 Indoor unit data D2 Outdoor unit data D3 Outdoor unit integrated data NW Network PE1 to PE3 Period RS Refrigerant system

Claims

1. An estimation system comprising: an air conditioning device having a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units; a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of outdoor units; a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of indoor units; and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning device based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit.

2. The estimation system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit operation data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor unit are arranged in chronological order, and the first acquisition unit, if the outdoor unit operation data includes data for a period in which the compressor is not operating, excludes the data for that period from the data to be integrated, integrates the operation data of the outdoor units, and acquires the outdoor unit integrated data.

3. The estimation system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit operation data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor units are arranged in chronological order, and the first acquisition unit, when there is an imbalance in the load on the multiple outdoor units, integrates the operation data of the multiple outdoor units, excluding data from the period in which the imbalance occurs, and acquires the outdoor unit integrated data.

4. An estimation system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outdoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the outdoor unit are arranged in chronological order, the indoor unit operating data is data in which detection values ​​of sensors equipped in the indoor unit are arranged in chronological order, the first acquisition unit integrates the operating data of the multiple outdoor units by averaging the detection values ​​of the sensors equipped in the outdoor units to obtain the outdoor unit integrated data, and the second acquisition unit integrates the operating data of the multiple indoor units by averaging the detection values ​​of the sensors equipped in the indoor units to obtain the indoor unit integrated data.

5. An estimation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimation unit estimates information about the refrigerant using a first estimation model for cooling when all of the indoor units of the air conditioning device are performing refrigerant operation, and estimates information about the refrigerant using a second estimation model for heating when all of the indoor units of the air conditioning device are performing heating operation.

6. The estimation system described in claim 5, wherein the first estimation model is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit is performing cooling operation, and the second estimation model is generated using the outdoor unit integrated data and the indoor unit integrated data during a period when the indoor unit is performing heating operation.

7. An estimation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimation unit does not estimate information relating to the refrigerant when the indoor units of the air conditioning device are both performing cooling operation and heating operation.

8. An estimation system comprising: an air conditioning apparatus having a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units; a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of the plurality of indoor units; a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each outdoor unit, the probability of a refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning apparatus based on the operating data of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leakage probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit.

9. A program that causes a processor to function as: a first acquisition unit that acquires outdoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple outdoor units of an air conditioning apparatus; a second acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple indoor units of the air conditioning apparatus; and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the outdoor unit integrated data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the second acquisition unit.

10. A program that causes a processor to function as: a data acquisition unit that acquires indoor unit integrated data that integrates the operating data of multiple indoor units of an air conditioning apparatus; a probability acquisition unit that acquires, for each of multiple outdoor units of the air conditioning apparatus, the probability of refrigerant leakage in the air conditioning apparatus based on the operating data of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit integrated data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and an estimation unit that estimates information about the refrigerant of the air conditioning apparatus based on the refrigerant leakage probability acquired by the probability acquisition unit.

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