WO2024070060A1 - Air conditioner control system, information processing device, and air conditioner control method - Google Patents

Abstract

This air conditioner control system has a control unit which controls an air conditioner. The control unit performs first refrigerant detection control for executing, for each first prescribed period, refrigerant leakage detection in the air conditioner from the state of the refrigerant during operation of the air conditioner or the refrigerant pressure during non-operation of the air conditioner, and performs second refrigerant detection control for executing refrigerant leakage detection in the air conditioner while executing operation of the air conditioner for refrigerant leakage detection in cases in which a second prescribed period has elapsed from the last time the air conditioner was operated.

Description

Air conditioner control system, information processing device, and air conditioner control method

This disclosure relates to an air conditioner control system, an information processing device, and an air conditioner control method.

Refrigerant amount determination systems that can automatically or manually switch the operation mode of a refrigeration cycle device from a normal operation mode to a refrigerant amount determination operation mode after a certain period of cooling or heating operation has elapsed, and remotely monitor whether refrigerant is leaking from the refrigerant circuit to the outside, are known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-079842 A

Patent Document 1 detects refrigerant leaks by switching the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device from a normal operation mode to a refrigerant amount judgment operation mode during times when air conditioning is not required, such as on holidays or late at night. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention how to simply detect refrigerant leaks.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an air conditioner control system, an information processing device, and an air conditioner control method that perform simple refrigerant leak detection.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system having a control unit that controls an air conditioner, the control unit executing a first refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner at a first predetermined period from the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating, and executing a second refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner for refrigerant leak detection when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioner control system that performs simple refrigerant leak detection.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system according to the first aspect, in which the control unit detects a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner based on the refrigerant pressure when the air conditioner is not operating if the control unit has not detected a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating during the first predetermined period.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system according to the first or second aspect, in which the control unit performs control to notify a notification destination of a refrigerant leak or to suggest an inspection of the air conditioner when the result of the second refrigerant detection control indicates the presence of a refrigerant leak.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the second refrigerant detection control is a control that detects a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner at a load of 70% or more of its capacity.

The fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioner control system of the fourth aspect, in which the second refrigerant detection control is a control that detects a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner based on the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the load operation has been performed for a third predetermined time or more.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the second predetermined period is less than three months.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the control unit records information indicating that the second refrigerant detection control has been executed.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device having a control unit that controls an air conditioner, the control unit executes a first refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner every first predetermined period based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating, and executes a second refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner for refrigerant leak detection when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated.

According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device that performs refrigerant leak detection with ease.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control method executed by a control unit of an air conditioner control system having a control unit that controls an air conditioner, which executes a first refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner every first predetermined period based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating, and executes a second refrigerant detection control that performs refrigerant leak detection of the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner for refrigerant leak detection when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated.

According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioner control method that performs simple refrigerant leak detection.

1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an air conditioner control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. 4 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to the present embodiment. FIG.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[First embodiment]
<System Configuration>
1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an air conditioner control system according to this embodiment. The air conditioner control system 1 has an air conditioner 10, an edge device 20, a server device 30, and an administrator terminal 40. The air conditioner 10 and the edge device 20 are communicatively connected via a dedicated communication line or the like. The edge device 20, the server device 30, and the administrator terminal 40 are communicatively connected via a network 50 such as the Internet.

The air conditioner 10 has one or more indoor units 12 and one or more outdoor units 14. The number of indoor units 12 and outdoor units 14 of the air conditioner 10 in FIG. 1 is an example. The indoor units 12 and outdoor units 14 of the air conditioner 10 are connected so that they can communicate with each other. The air conditioner 10 is an example of a device that performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating a refrigerant such as freon.

In order to detect refrigerant leaks early, simplified and regular inspections are required by the Fluorocarbons Emissions Reduction Act for equipment that uses fluorocarbons as a refrigerant. The use of IoT (Internet of Things) systems is permitted as a simplified inspection method. When using an IoT system, it is stipulated that "measurements must be made for each refrigerant system, such as pressure, temperature, and other status values required to detect leaks, according to the type of managed Type 1 specified product. Measurements must be made at least once a day."

If the air conditioner 10 is operating, refrigerant leakage can be checked from the state of the refrigerant during operation. In addition, refrigerant leakage can be checked once a day from changes in refrigerant pressure even if the air conditioner 10 is not operating. However, if the air conditioner 10 has not been operated for three months or more, the Fluorocarbons Emissions Reduction Act requires that an inspection of the air conditioner 10 be carried out by visiting the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

Refrigerant leak detection for the air conditioner 10 performed based on the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is not operating is less accurate than refrigerant leak detection for the air conditioner 10 performed based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner 10 is operating. Also, if refrigerant leak detection for the air conditioner 10 based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner 10 is operating has not been performed for more than three months, a service technician or the like must be dispatched to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed to inspect the air conditioner 10.

The air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment therefore ensures that refrigerant leakage inspections are performed once a day, which is an example of a first predetermined period, even if the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, by performing a simple inspection for refrigerant leakage based on changes in refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is stopped. In addition, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment controls so that the interval between refrigerant leakage detections of the air conditioner 10, which is performed based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner 10 is in operation, does not exceed three months, which is an example of a second predetermined period.

Therefore, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment ensures that refrigerant leakage detection from the air conditioner 10, which is performed based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner 10 is operating, will not go undetected for more than three months, and there is no need to dispatch a serviceman or the like to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed.

In addition, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment easily checks for refrigerant leakage at least once a day based on the refrigerant pressure while the system is not in operation, and the interval between accurate refrigerant leakage detections based on the state of the refrigerant during operation is set so as not to exceed a second predetermined period. Therefore, even if there is a false detection in the results of the simple inspection, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment can accurately detect a refrigerant leakage based on the state of the refrigerant during operation before the second predetermined period is exceeded, thereby suppressing the amount of refrigerant leakage.

The edge device 20 transmits the data output by the air conditioner 10 to the server device 30 via the network 50. The edge device 20 also transmits the data output by the server device 30 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

The server device 30 receives the data output by the air conditioner 10 from the edge device 20 via the network 50. The server device 30 also transmits the data to be output to the air conditioner 10 to the edge device 20.

The administrator terminal 40 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who manages the air conditioner 10 (for example, an administrator who manages the building in which the air conditioner 10 is installed, or a serviceman in charge of the air conditioner 10). The administrator terminal 40 displays data received from the air conditioner 10, edge device 20, or server device 30, and notifies the user. For example, the administrator terminal 40 displays a notification that there is a refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10. The administrator terminal 40 is an information processing terminal such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

In the air conditioner control system 1, a control program is installed in at least one of the air conditioners 10, the edge devices 20, and the server device 30. The air conditioner 10 can function as the control unit 16 by executing the control program. The edge device 20 can function as the control unit 22 by executing the control program. Furthermore, the server device 30 can function as the control unit 32 by executing the control program.

Note that while FIG. 1 shows an example in which the air conditioner 10, edge device 20, and server device 30 each have a control unit 16, 22, or 32, this is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The air conditioner control system 1 may have a configuration that includes at least one of the control units 16, 22, and 32.

The control units 16, 22, and 32 control the air conditioner 10. As described below, the control units 16, 22, and 32 execute refrigerant leakage detection by the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and refrigerant leakage detection by the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. Refrigerant leakage detection by the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 is performed at first predetermined intervals based on the state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner 10 is operating or the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is not operating. Refrigerant leakage detection by the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 is performed while operating the air conditioner 10 for refrigerant leakage detection when a second predetermined interval has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. For example, the control unit 32 of the server device 30 can remotely control the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

The configuration of the air conditioner control system 1 in FIG. 1 is one example, and for example, the server device 30 may be realized by one or more information processing devices. The server device 30 may also be realized as a cloud computing service. It goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples for the configuration of the air conditioner control system 1 in FIG. 1 depending on the application and purpose.

<Hardware Configuration>
The edge device 20, the server device 30, and the administrator terminal 40 in Fig. 1 are realized by, for example, a computer 500 having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. The air conditioner 10 also has a controller similar to the computer 500 that can execute a control program.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to this embodiment. The computer 500 in FIG. 2 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I/F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I/F 507, and a HDD 508, all of which are interconnected by a bus B. Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

The input device 501 is a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, keyboard, mouse, etc. that the user uses to input various signals. The display device 502 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence display that displays a screen, and a speaker that outputs sound data such as voice and music. The communication I/F 507 is an interface that allows the computer 500 to perform data communication over a network.

The HDD 508 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include the OS, which is the basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and applications that provide various functions on the OS. Note that instead of the HDD 508, the computer 500 may use a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (such as a solid-state drive: SSD).

The external I/F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device may be a recording medium 503a. This allows the computer 500 to read and write data from and to the recording medium 503a via the external I/F 503. The recording medium 503a may be a flexible disk, CD, DVD, SD memory card, USB memory, etc.

ROM 505 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM 505 stores programs and data such as the BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when computer 500 starts up. RAM 504 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily retains programs and data.

The CPU 506 is an arithmetic unit that reads programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 505 and HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executes processing to realize the overall control and functions of the computer 500, and is an example of the control unit 16, 22, or 32.

<Processing>
The air conditioner control system 1 in Fig. 1 performs air conditioner control processing, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an example of air conditioner control processing performed by the air conditioner control system according to this embodiment. Here, an example will be described in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 remotely controls the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

In step S10, the control unit 32 determines whether the air conditioner 10 is operating. If the air conditioner 10 is operating, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S12 and performs refrigerant leakage detection processing to detect a refrigerant leakage from the state of the refrigerant during operation, as part of the refrigerant leakage detection processing by the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. If the result of the refrigerant leakage detection processing indicates the presence of a refrigerant leakage, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the presence of a refrigerant leakage or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10 on the administrator terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination. In this way, when the air conditioner 10 is operating, the air conditioner 10 determines the presence or absence of a refrigerant leakage from the state of the refrigerant during operation.

If the air conditioner 10 is not operating, the control unit 32 skips step S12 and proceeds to the processing of step S14. In step S14, the control unit 32 determines whether or not one day, which is an example of a first predetermined period, has passed. If one day has not passed, the control unit 32 returns to the processing of step S10.

If one day has passed, the control unit 32 proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control unit 32 determines whether or not refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed during the day. If refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed during the day, it is determined that a refrigerant leak inspection has been performed once a day, and the control unit 32 returns to step S10.

If the refrigerant leak detection process has not been performed during the day, it is determined that a refrigerant leak inspection has not been performed once a day, and the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S18. In step S18, the control unit 32 performs the refrigerant leak detection process by the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10, which detects a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is not operating.

The refrigerant leak detection process that detects a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is stopped is an example of control that performs simple (simplified) refrigerant leak detection, and does not require the air conditioner 10 to operate for refrigerant leak detection. The refrigerant leak detection process that detects a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner 10 is stopped determines a refrigerant leak by detecting the refrigerant pressure with a pressure sensor. If the result of the refrigerant leak detection process indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10 on the administrator terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination.

In step S20, the control unit 32 determines whether a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. The second predetermined period is, for example, less than three months. The second predetermined period is, for example, a period that is shorter than the period during which it becomes necessary to dispatch a service technician or the like to the site where the air conditioner 10 is installed, taking into account the Fluorocarbons Emission Reduction Act.

If the second predetermined period has not elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated, the control unit 32 returns to the process of step S10. If the second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated, the control unit 32 proceeds to the process of step S22.

In step S22, the control unit 32 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. The refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing to detect refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 10 while operating the air conditioner 10 for refrigerant leakage detection. The refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control may perform refrigerant leakage detection from the state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 while operating with a load of a predetermined amount or more (e.g., 70% or more). For example, the refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 may perform an operation with a load on a predetermined amount or more of the indoor units 12 (e.g., 70% or more) for a predetermined time or more (e.g., about one hour), and perform refrigerant leakage detection in the air conditioner 10 from the temperature and refrigerant pressure by the air conditioner 10 after the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 has stabilized. For example, an operation with a load of 70% or more is an operation with a load of 70% or more of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 14 (an operation in which the capacity of the operating indoor units 12 is 70% or more of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 14). As another example, an operation with a load of 70% or more may be an operation with 70% or more of the number of connected indoor units 12, or an operation with a load of 70% or more of the total capacity of the indoor units 12 connected to the same system.

If the result of the refrigerant leak detection process indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, the control unit 32 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10 on the administrator terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination.

In this way, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment performs refrigerant leak detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control, which includes a simple refrigerant leak detection process that detects refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant pressure while the system is not operating at a first predetermined time period, thereby ensuring that refrigerant leaks are inspected once a day.

In addition, the air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment can perform accurate refrigerant leak detection based on the state of the refrigerant during operation before more than three months have passed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. The air conditioner control system 1 according to this embodiment can perform refrigerant leak detection with simplicity and accuracy.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an example of an air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to this embodiment. Here, an example is described in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 remotely controls the air conditioner 10 via the network 50.

In step S30, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that it has started operating. The edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that it has started operating. In step S34, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leak detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while the air conditioner 10 is operating. In step S36, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leak detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while the air conditioner 10 is operating.

In step S38, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control during operation in accordance with the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S38 did not indicate a refrigerant leakage.

In step S40, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S42, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified result of the refrigerant leakage detection process.

In step S44, the control unit 32 determines whether or not refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed in the air conditioner 10 during one day, which is an example of the first predetermined period. Here, since refrigerant leak detection processing is performed by the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S38, it is determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed once per day. Because the control unit 32 has determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed once per day, it does not request the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leak detection processing to detect refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant pressure while operation is stopped.

In step S46, the control unit 32 determines whether or not refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed in the air conditioner 10 during the day. Here, it is assumed that it has been determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has not been performed once a day. Because the control unit 32 has determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has not been performed once a day, the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S48, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while operation is stopped. In step S50, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while operation is stopped.

In step S52, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, in accordance with the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control while the air conditioner 10 is not in operation in step S52 indicates a refrigerant leakage.

In step S54, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S56, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified result of the refrigerant leakage detection.

In step S58, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

In step S60, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control. In step S62, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control.

In step S64, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control in accordance with the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S64 indicates a refrigerant leakage.

In step S66, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S68, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a refrigerant leak.

Because the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S64 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, in step S70 the control unit 32 performs a process of notifying the manager terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination, of the refrigerant leak. The notification in step S70 may be a process of suggesting an inspection of the air conditioner 10. In step S72, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of a refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10. The notification in step S70 may also be a notification that refrigerant leak detection has been performed by the air conditioner 10 using the second refrigerant detection control.

Before requesting the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leak detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 in step S60, the control unit 32 may inquire of the user of the administrator terminal 40 as to whether or not to perform refrigerant leak detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. For example, the control unit 32 may cause the administrator terminal 40 to display a screen inquiring as to whether or not to perform refrigerant leak detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10, and allow the user to select whether or not to perform the processing.

The sequence diagram in FIG. 4 is an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 determines whether or not it is necessary to execute the refrigerant leak detection process by the first refrigerant detection control and the refrigerant leak detection process by the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10. Whether or not it is necessary to execute the refrigerant leak detection process by the first refrigerant detection control and the refrigerant leak detection process by the second refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 may be determined by the air conditioner 10, for example, as shown in the sequence diagram in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of an example of the air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to this embodiment. Here, an example is described in which the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether or not to execute the refrigerant leak detection process using the first refrigerant detection control and the refrigerant leak detection process using the second refrigerant detection control.

In step S90, when the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 starts operation, it performs refrigerant leakage detection processing by the first refrigerant detection control during operation. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S90 did not indicate a refrigerant leakage.

In step S92, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S94, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified result of the refrigerant leakage detection.

In step S96, the control unit 16 determines whether or not refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed during one day, which is an example of a first predetermined period. Here, since refrigerant leak detection processing is performed by the first refrigerant detection control during operation in step S90, it is determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed once per day. In the example of FIG. 5, since it is determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed once per day, refrigerant leak detection processing that detects refrigerant leaks from refrigerant pressure while operation is stopped is not performed.

In step S98, the control unit 16 determines whether or not refrigerant leak detection processing has been performed during the day. Here, it is assumed that it has been determined that refrigerant leak detection processing has not been performed once per day. The control unit 16 determines that refrigerant leak detection processing has not been performed once per day, and proceeds to processing in step S100.

In step S100, the control unit 16 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the first refrigerant detection control while operation is stopped. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the first refrigerant detection control while operation is stopped in step S100 did not indicate a refrigerant leakage.

In step S102, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is no refrigerant leakage. In step S104, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is no refrigerant leakage. The control unit 32 records the notified result of the refrigerant leakage detection.

In step S106, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

In step S108, the control unit 16 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S108 indicates a refrigerant leakage.

In step S110, the control unit 16 notifies the edge device 20 that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S112, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a refrigerant leak.

Because the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S108 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, in step S114 the control unit 32 performs a process of notifying the manager terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination, of the refrigerant leak. Note that the notification in step S114 may be a process of suggesting an inspection of the air conditioner 10. In step S116, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of a refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10.

The control unit 32 of the server device 30 manages the refrigerant leak detection by the first refrigerant detection control and the results of the first refrigerant detection control. Note that the result notifications from the air conditioner 10 to the server device 30 may be sent together as a daily report to the server device 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, the necessity of executing the refrigerant leak detection process by the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the refrigerant leak detection process by the second refrigerant detection control may be distributed between the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 and the control unit 32 of the server device 30. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of an example of the air conditioner control process performed by the air conditioner control system according to this embodiment.

Note that the processing in steps S130 to S144 is similar to steps S90 to S104 in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S146, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner 10 was last operated.

In step S148, the control unit 32 requests the edge device 20 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control. In step S150, the edge device 20 requests the air conditioner 10 to perform refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control.

In step S152, the air conditioner 10 performs refrigerant leakage detection processing using the second refrigerant detection control in accordance with the request received from the edge device 20. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S152 indicates a refrigerant leakage.

In step S154, the air conditioner 10 notifies the edge device 20 that there is a refrigerant leak. In step S156, the edge device 20 notifies the control unit 32 of the server device 30 that there is a refrigerant leak.

Because the result of the second refrigerant detection control in step S152 indicates that there is a refrigerant leak, in step S158 the control unit 32 performs a process of notifying the manager terminal 40, which is an example of a notification destination, of the refrigerant leak. Note that the notification in step S158 may be a process of suggesting that the air conditioner 10 be inspected. In step S160, the manager terminal 40 displays a notification of the refrigerant leak or a suggestion to inspect the air conditioner 10.

The sequence diagrams in Figures 4 to 6 show an example in which the control unit 32 of the server device 30 or the control unit 16 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether or not to execute the refrigerant leak detection process using the first refrigerant detection control of the air conditioner 10 and the refrigerant leak detection process using the second refrigerant detection control, but this may also be done by the control unit 22 of the edge device 20.

According to the air conditioner control system 1 of this embodiment, for example, on days when the air conditioner 10 is in operation, refrigerant leakage detection is performed from the state of the refrigerant during operation. Also, according to the air conditioner control system 1 of this embodiment, for example, on days when the air conditioner 10 is not in operation, refrigerant leakage detection is performed from the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not in operation.

If the air conditioner 10 is not operated for several days, a second refrigerant detection control can be executed to perform refrigerant leak detection operation and detect refrigerant leaks so that the number of days when a refrigerant leak is detected based on the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating does not exceed a second predetermined period.

The present embodiment has been described above, but it will be understood that various modifications in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The present invention has been described above based on the examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. This application claims priority to basic application No. 2022-158318 filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Reference Signs List 1 Air conditioner control system 10 Air conditioner 12 Indoor unit 14 Outdoor unit 16, 22, 32 Control unit 20 Edge device 30 Server device 40 Administrator terminal 50 Network

Claims (9)

An air conditioner control system having a control unit that controls an air conditioner,
The control unit is
Executing a first refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner at every first predetermined period based on a state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or a refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating;
an air conditioner control system that, when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated, executes second refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner. The control unit is
2. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1, wherein if refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner is not performed based on the state of refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating during the first specified period, refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner is performed based on the refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating. 3. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a result of the second refrigerant detection control indicates the presence of a refrigerant leak, the control unit performs control to notify a notification destination of the presence of a refrigerant leak or to suggest inspection of the air conditioner. The air conditioner control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second refrigerant detection control is a control that detects a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner from a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner while operating the air conditioner at a load of 70% or more of its capacity. The air conditioner control system according to claim 4, wherein the second refrigerant detection control is a control for detecting a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner based on a state of the refrigerant in the air conditioner after the load operation has been performed for a third predetermined time or longer. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined period is less than three months. The air conditioner control system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit records information indicating that the second refrigerant detection control has been executed. An information processing device having a control unit for controlling an air conditioner,
The control unit is
Executing a first refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner at every first predetermined period based on a state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or a refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating;
When a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated, the information processing device executes second refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner. An air conditioner control method executed by a control unit of an air conditioner control system having a control unit for controlling an air conditioner,
Executing a first refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak from the air conditioner at every first predetermined period based on a state of the refrigerant while the air conditioner is operating or a refrigerant pressure while the air conditioner is not operating;
an air conditioner control method for performing a second refrigerant detection control to detect a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner while performing an operation for detecting a refrigerant leak in the air conditioner when a second predetermined period has elapsed since the air conditioner was last operated;

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