Patent Application
20250224129
The present invention relates to a management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus.
In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, there have been provided legal regulations related to the refrigerant leakage detection system for a refrigeration cycle apparatus by constant remote monitoring. Some regulations include system requirements related to a refrigerant detection frequency and refrigerant detection accuracy. In the requirement related to a detection frequency, for example it is obliged to perform refrigerant leakage detection at least once a day and retain detection results for a certain period of time. In the requirement related to detection accuracy, for example it is required to detect refrigerant leakage from a refrigeration cycle apparatus filled with a predetermined amount of refrigerant by the time when the refrigerant amount is reduced by a predetermined amount under a predetermined operation condition. Therefore, there have been proposed a refrigerant leakage detection system that satisfies the system requirements of these legal regulations and enables actual operation. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6791429 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-156528 describe a system in which operation data of a refrigeration cycle apparatus acquired by a remote monitoring apparatus is input to a prediction model based on machine learning or a regression expression so as to determine refrigerant leakage on the basis of an output predicted value of the refrigerant amount held by the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
A management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first aspect includes a management unit. The management unit monitors an energization state of a refrigeration cycle apparatus. The management unit notifies a user when having determined that energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus is interrupted.
Hereinafter, a management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in
The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus mainly includes the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, a peripheral device 20, an energization detector 30, a management unit 40, and a failure detection unit 41.
The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus monitors the energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus notifies a user when having determined that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus notifies a user of the refrigerant leakage detection operation state. The refrigerant leakage detection operation state is, for example, refrigerant leakage detection in operation and scheduled refrigerant leakage detection operation on standby.
Hereinafter, each component included in the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus will be described.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 includes one outdoor unit (not shown) and one indoor unit (not shown). The indoor unit is installed in an air-conditioning target space in the property 90. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 may include a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a dedicated line and a refrigerant pipe.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is, for example, an air-conditioning apparatus. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 configures, as a whole, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat exchanger, and the like (not shown).
A remote controller (not shown) receiving operation inputs to each indoor unit is separately attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The remote controller includes an input unit and a display unit. The input unit receives a control instruction for each indoor unit. The display unit displays an operation state of each indoor unit. The operation state displayed on the display unit of the remote controller includes information indicating one of the states of cooling operation in operation/heating operation in operation/refrigerant leakage detection operation on standby/refrigerant leakage detection in operation/refrigerant leakage detection already operated, and information such as a set temperature, an air volume, and an air direction. That is, the remote controller also functions as a display unit of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 that displays various kinds of information of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
A plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 may be installed in one property 90. Moreover, a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 may be simultaneously managed by the same management device 100.
The peripheral device 20 is connected to one refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The peripheral device 20 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. Here, “externally attached” includes not only direct wired connection but also connection via a wireless or wired communication line.
The peripheral device 20 may be connected to either the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, or may be connected to both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In a case where the peripheral device 20 is connected to the indoor unit, the peripheral device 20 is installed in the same space as the space where the indoor unit is installed or in a space adjacent to such a space.
The peripheral device 20 is connected to a router (not shown). The connection between the peripheral device 20 and the router includes not only a state of direct wired connection but also a state of connection via a wireless or wired communication line. The wireless device is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The peripheral device 20 connects the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and the management unit 40 through the peripheral device 20 itself and the router.
The peripheral device 20 is, for example, a communication adaptor. The communication adaptor is a device that is connected to a control board of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 to directly acquire operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and to transmit the operation data to an external storage device (not shown). Examples of the operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 include, but are not limited to, the temperature/pressure of the refrigerant measured by sensors (not shown) at various positions of the refrigerant circuit, the number of rotations of an inverter control motor (not shown) of a compressor of the outdoor unit, the opening degrees of the expansion valves of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and the like. The communication adaptor is, for example, a wireless LAN adaptor. The wireless LAN adaptor performs wireless communication with the router.
The energization detector 30 is built in the peripheral device 20. That is, the energization detector 30 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
The energization detector 30 is connected to the management unit 40 through the router. The connection between the energization detector 30 and the management unit 40 through the router includes not only a state of direct wired connection but also a state of connection via a wireless or wired communication line.
The energization detector 30 has a function of detecting an energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When having determined that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, the energization detector 30 transmits a signal indicating the energization interruption to the management unit 40. A method for determining that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted is not particularly limited, but is as follows, for example.
The energization detector 30 includes an independent power source. The independent power source is, for example, a battery or another power source. Normally, the energization detector 30 built in the peripheral device 20 is electrically connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. On the other hand, in a case where the electric supply from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is stopped due to the tripping of a breaker, the removal of the power source plug of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 from an outlet, or the like, the energization detector 30 determines, using the independent power source, that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted on the basis of the stop of supply of electricity. Furthermore, the energization detector 30 notifies the management unit 40 by transmitting, using the independent power source, a signal indicating the energization interruption thereto through the router.
The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. That is, the management unit 40 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The term “externally attached” includes not only a state of direct wired connection but also a state of connection via a wireless or wired communication line.
In the present embodiment, the management unit 40 is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 through the router and the peripheral device 20. The management unit 40 is disposed remotely from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The management unit 40 is a server provided in a remote monitoring center (not shown) located remotely from the property 90. The management unit 40 can be connected to the energization detector 30 through the peripheral device 20.
The management unit 40 monitors the energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and notifies a user when having determined that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
A method of determining that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted is not particularly limited, but is as follows, for example.
For example, the energization detector 30 is equipped with a sensor capable of detecting the energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and when the sensor determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, the energization detector 30 notifies the management unit 40, using the independent power source. On the basis of the notification from the energization detector 30, the management unit 40 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
The notification is transmitted to an information device 50 of the user, for example. The kind of the information device 50 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a smartphone, a wearable device, a personal computer, or a tablet. The wearable device is, for example, a device of a type worn on an arm such as a wristband type or a wristwatch type, a device of a type worn on a head such as a headband type or a glasses type, or a device of a type worn on a body such as a clothing type.
The failure detection unit 41 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The term “externally attached” includes not only a state of direct wired connection but also a state of connection via a wireless or wired communication line. The failure detection unit 41 is connected to, for example, the management unit 40. Note that
The failure detection unit 41 detects various failures on the basis of the operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The various failures include, for example, the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage. Note that the detection content of the failure detection unit 41 may be only refrigerant leakage.
The failure detection unit 41 determines refrigerant leakage on the basis of the normal operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. Specifically, when the normal operation time of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is short or when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is continuously stopped and the refrigerant leakage cannot be determined, the failure detection unit 41 instructs the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 to perform a refrigerant leakage detection operation to determine refrigerant leakage. The failure detection unit 41 notifies the user of the determination result of refrigerant leakage and the state of refrigerant leakage detection (refrigerant leakage detection operation on standby, refrigerant leakage detection in operation, or refrigerant leakage detection already operated) through the management unit 40.
The notification is transmitted to the information device 50 of the user, for example. Alternatively, the notification may be transmitted to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and displayed on the display unit of the remote controller.
The following will describe a processing flow of the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The energization detector 30 is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The energization detector 30 is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When a breaker of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is tripped, or when the power source plug of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is removed from an outlet, for example, the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 from the power source is interrupted. Accordingly, when the electric supply from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is stopped, the energization detector 30 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. When this determination is made, the energization detector 30 notifies the management unit 40, using the independent power source that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
On the basis of the notification from the energization detector 30, the management unit 40 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the information device 50 of the user that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
With the notification from the energization detector 30 or the management unit 40, the user knows that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. When the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, the refrigerant leakage detection at least once a day, which is obliged by the above-described legal regulation, is not possible. Moreover, in a case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus uses a flammable or toxic refrigerant and it is not possible to perform refrigerant leakage detection, the risk of occurrence of a dangerous refrigerant leakage accident increases. Therefore, it is assumed that the user who has received the notification of energization interruption promptly restores the energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
Moreover, during energization, the failure detection unit 41 notifies the user of the state of refrigerant leakage detection operation (refrigerant leakage detection operation on standby, refrigerant leakage detection in operation, or refrigerant leakage detection already operated) through the management unit 40. This is an alert to prevent the user from unintentionally interrupting energization.
(8-1)
The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment monitors the energization state of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes the management unit 40. The management unit 40 notifies a user when having determined that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
When the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, it is not possible to perform refrigerant leakage detection, thus resulting in a violation of the obliged legal regulation by failing the leakage inspection. Moreover, in a case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus uses a flammable or toxic refrigerant and it is not possible to perform refrigerant leakage detection, the risk of occurrence of a dangerous refrigerant leakage accident increases. The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is able to determine that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted and notify the user. This allows the user to know the situation in which the refrigerant leakage detection is not performed.
(8-2)
In the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the notification is transmitted to the information device 50 of the user.
This allows the user to confirm, using the information device 50 even from a remote place, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 in which the refrigerant leakage detection is failed.
(8-3)
Moreover, the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment further includes the energization detector 30. The energization detector 30 includes an independent power source. The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The energization detector 30 is built in or externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The energization detector 30 is connected to the management unit 40 via a communication line. When having determined that the energization is interrupted, the energization detector 30 transmits a notification to the management unit 40.
Thus, the energization detector 30 is able to monitor whether the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
Moreover, even in a state where the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, that is, a state where the energization detector 30 is not supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, the energization detector 30 is able to perform notification using the independent power source.
(8-4)
The management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment further includes the peripheral device 20 connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The energization detector 30 is built in the peripheral device 20.
Thus, it is not necessary to install a device dedicated to the energization detector 30.
(8-5)
Moreover, in the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the peripheral device 20 is a communication adaptor for transmitting the operation data of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 to an external storage device.
Moreover, as shown in
(8-6)
Furthermore, the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes the failure detection unit 41. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in the failure detection operation, the failure detection unit 41 transmits a notification to the management unit 40 to notify the user that the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in the failure detection operation.
This allows the user to know that the failure detection operation is being performed, thereby alerting the user not to unintentionally interrupt the energization.
(8-7)
Furthermore, the management device 100 for a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes the failure detection unit 41. When the scheduled failure detection operation by the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is in a standby state and has not been performed, the failure detection unit 41 transmits a notification to the management unit 40 to notify the user that the scheduled failure detection operation has not been performed.
This allows the user to know that the failure detection operation is being performed, thereby alerting the user not to unintentionally interrupt the energization.
In the above-described embodiment, the energization detector 30 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, and the management unit 40 determines the energization interruption on the basis of the notification from the energization detector 30, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the management unit 40 may directly determine that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, not on the basis of the notification from the energization detector 30.
Specifically, the management unit 40 is connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 via a communication line. The management unit 40 is installed outside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. On the basis of the fact that the signal from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is not received or the fact that there is no response to the instruction transmitted from the management unit 40, the management unit 40 assumes that there is a possibility of not only the malfunction of the communication line but also the interruption of the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. In this case, the administrator for the management unit 40 asks the administrator for the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 by e-mail or telephone whether or not the power source is interrupted.
A method for determining that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted is not particularly limited. For example, in a case where the management unit 40 manages a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 10 in the property 90, if the normally communicable air-conditioning apparatus 10 and the incommunicable air-conditioning apparatus 10 are mixed, it is possible to determine that the communication line is normal and the power source of the incommunicable air-conditioning apparatus 10 is highly likely interrupted.
In the above-described embodiment, the communication adaptor is used as an example of the peripheral device 20. However, the peripheral device 20 is not particularly limited thereto. For example, as shown in
The centralized controller 60 is connected to a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10. The centralized controller 60 is connected to the plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 wiredly or wirelessly via a communication line. The management unit 40 is installed outside the property 90 and is connected to the centralized controller 60 of the property 90 via a communication line.
The centralized controller 60 is able to manage operation schedules of the plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 and perform energy saving control. Moreover, the centralized controller 60 is able to display the various kinds of failure information occurred in the plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10. The failure information may also include refrigerant leakage.
The centralized controller 60 collects information from the energization detector 30 built in or externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
When the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 connected to the centralized controller 60 is interrupted, the built-in or externally attached energization detector 30 detects the interruption, and transmits the information to the centralized controller 60. The centralized controller 60 displays the obtained information to notify the administrator of the property 90, and notifies the management unit 40 that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. On the basis of the notification from the centralized controller 60, the management unit 40 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the information device 50 of the user that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
In the above-described modification B, the management unit 40 is installed outside the property 90, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, as shown in
In the above-described embodiment, the energization detector 30 is built in the peripheral device, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the energization detector 30 may be externally attached to the peripheral device 20.
Further, as shown in
In this case, the energization detector 30 may include a current sensor 31. The current sensor 31 is disposed between the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and a power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is supplied with electricity from the power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the current sensor 31 detects the interruption of energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 from the power source 11, the energization detector 30 notifies the management unit 40 of the energization interruption. The management unit 40 receives the notification of the energization interruption and notifies the information device 50 of the user.
In the above-described embodiment, the energization detector 30 is built in the peripheral device 20 externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, as shown in
In the above-described embodiment, the energization detector 30 determines that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted, and the management unit 40 determines the energization interruption on the basis of the notification from the energization detector 30, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the management unit 40 may directly determine that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
In this case, as shown in
Specifically, the management unit 40 periodically transmits a signal to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and in response to the signal, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 transmits a signal back to the management unit 40. Devices of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 that communicate with the management unit 40 are not particularly limited, and are, for example, a communication board and a control board built in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
If a signal from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is received, the management unit 40 determines the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
On the other hand, if a signal from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is not received, the management unit 40 determines that there is a possibility of not only the malfunction of the communication line but also the interruption of the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When this determination is made, the management unit 40 notifies the information device 50 of the user of the possibility that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted.
In the modification B, the management unit 40 is installed outside the property 90, and in the modification C, the management unit 40 is installed in the centralized controller 60 inside the property 90, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the management unit 40 may be installed inside the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10.
In this case, if the management unit 40 is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, the management unit 40 stops functioning when the power source of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted. Therefore, as shown in
A method for determining that the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is interrupted is not particularly limited, but is as follows, for example. The energization detector 30 includes an independent power source. Normally, the energization detector 30 is electrically connected to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, and is supplied with electricity from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. However, in a case where the electric supply from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is stopped, the energization detector 30 determines the energization interruption by the independent power source on the basis of the stop of electric supply, and notifies the user through the built-in management unit 40. The notification method is not particularly limited and, for example, the energization detector 30 notifies the information device 50 of the user of the energization interruption.
Alternatively, the notification may be performed by issuing a warning to the user by sound, light, or display. In this case, the energization detector 30 and the management unit 40 include devices necessary for the respective warnings. For example, in the case of issuing a warning by sound, the management unit 40 includes a speaker. In the case of issuing a warning by light, the energization detector 30 includes a light emitting diode (LED), and issues a warning by blinking the LED. In the case of issuing a warning by display, the energization detector 30 has a function of displaying a warning on a remote controller display unit. This allows the user to know the stop of the refrigerant leakage detection function at a site where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is installed.
In the modification G, the energization detector 30 as the management unit is built in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, as shown in
The energization detector 30 is installed at the same place of the property 90 where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is installed or in the vicinity thereof. However, if another place is suitable for energization detection, the energization detector 30 may be installed at such a place. One refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 may be connected to the energization detector 30, or a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 may be connected thereto. The energization detector 30 includes the current sensor 31. The current sensor 31 is disposed between the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 and the power source 11 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10. When the current sensor 31 detects the interruption of the energization of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, the energization detector 30 notifies the user.
In the above-described embodiment, one energization detector 30 installed in one property 90 is connected to the management unit 40, but the number of energization detectors 30 connected to the management unit 40 is not limited thereto. That is, a plurarity of energization detectors 30 each installed in a plurarity number of properties 90 may be connected to the management unit 40. Moreover, a plurality of energization detectors 30 may be installed in one property 90, and the management unit 40 may be connected to the plurality of energization detectors 30 installed in the property 90.
In the above-described embodiment, one energization detector 30 for one refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 is connected to the management unit 40. However, the number of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 connected to one energization detector 30 is not particularly limited thereto. For example, a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 10 may be connected to one energization detector 30.
In the above-described embodiment, the failure detection unit 41 is externally attached to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, as shown in
While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described using an example of the refrigerant leakage detection of the refrigeration cycle apparatus. However, it may be an embodiment for the failure detection that requires inspection every day or at a short frequency among other failures that occur in the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The management device for a refrigeration cycle apparatus is able to notify the user of the state in which the detection of refrigerant leakage and other failures, which is obliged to implement at least once a day, cannot be performed due to the interruption of the power source.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-159135 | Sep 2022 | JP | national |
This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2023/035943 filed on Oct. 2, 2023, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. 2022-159135, filed in Japan on Sep. 30, 2022, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2023/035943 | Oct 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19088707 | US |
