JP2008145054A - Centralized control device of air conditioner, and air conditioning system comprising centralized control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centralized control device of an air conditioner and an air conditioning system comprising the same, capable of obtaining more correct charge even when a constitution is changed. <P>SOLUTION: This centralized control device of the air conditioner comprises a constitution change detecting portion 42 for detecting the change of the constitution in a plurality of controlled systems, and a summing-up process executing portion 44 performing the summing-up process for change by calculating the air-conditioning charge of each controlled system by using an energy proportional division ratio before detecting the constitution change with respect to a period to a time point when a prescribed time X has passed from the last summing-up process, when the prescribed time X has passed in a state that an instruction for deciding the constitution change is not performed after the constitution change is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner centralized control device that has an air conditioning apportioning function and calculates an air conditioning charge at this apportionment rate, and an air conditioning system including the centralized control device.

Conventionally, a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units (controlled devices) are divided into a plurality of controlled systems (for example, for each tenant), and these controlled systems are controlled using a centralized management device (intelligent controller). Harmonic systems are known. In this air conditioning system, the centralized management device calculates an energy apportioning rate (air conditioning apportioning rate) for each tenant having an indoor unit based on the operation status of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit (for example, the operating time of the fan), The energy used (for example, the amount of gas used in the gas heat pump, the amount of electricity) is integrated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
This energy apportioning rate calculation result is used to calculate the amount of air conditioning charges (billing charges) charged to each tenant (tightening process). This closing process is performed once a month (for example, at the end of the month, It is done on the 15th).

On the other hand, in such an air conditioning system, for example, when a new indoor unit is added to or removed from the controlled system, the configuration of the indoor unit in the controlled system is changed. This change in configuration greatly affects the above-described calculation of the energy apportioning rate (billing billing), so the centralized management apparatus needs to accurately grasp the change in this configuration. Therefore, when the central management apparatus detects a change in configuration based on a unique address of each indoor unit, the configuration change can be confirmed only by the operator's confirmation operation. At this time, until the confirmation operation is performed, the centralized management device stops the centralized management processing such as other communication processing, energy apportion rate calculation, and tightening processing, except for the communication processing used in an emergency. I am doing so. When the operator performs a confirming operation, the energy apportion rate before the configuration change is used to temporarily summarize the charges that have been incurred since the last tightening process was performed until the configuration change was detected. The tightening process using is performed.
JP 2006-118811 A

  The air conditioning system as described above prevents the air conditioning charges from being calculated while the central control unit has incorrectly recognized the configuration of the indoor unit when there is a change in the configuration of the controlled system. Excellent in that it can be done. However, for example, if the operator forgets the confirmation operation, the centralized management process for the period from when the configuration is changed until the confirmation operation is stopped is stopped. There is a problem that the billing data of the user is lost and the correct air conditioning charge based on the used energy is not calculated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a centralized management device for an air conditioner that can obtain a more accurate billing fee even when the configuration is changed, and the centralized management device It aims at providing the air conditioning system provided with.

In the present invention, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are centrally controlled, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled system that configures the controlled system In a centralized control device for an air conditioner that calculates an energy apportioning rate for each controlled system based on the operation of the device and performs a tightening process that calculates an air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate A configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems; and after a predetermined time has passed without a confirmation instruction for confirming the configuration change being detected after the configuration change is detected, For the period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time elapses, for each controlled system using the energy apportioning ratio before the change in the configuration is detected. Characterized in that a fastening process execution unit to make changes during tightening process of calculating the tone fee.
According to this configuration, even if the operator does not confirm the configuration change, the tightening process execution unit automatically performs the tightening process at the time of change after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby preventing the billing data from dropping out. can do.

Further, in the present invention, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are centrally controlled, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled system are configured. Based on the operation of the controlled device, the energy apportioning rate is calculated for each controlled system, and the air conditioner centralized management for performing the closing process of calculating the air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate In the apparatus, a configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems, a notification unit that notifies that the configuration change has been detected, and after the notification unit notifies, the configuration change If a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirmation, a change in the configuration is detected for a period from when the previous tightening process is performed until the predetermined time elapses. Characterized in that a fastening process execution unit to make changes during tightening process of calculating the air-conditioning charge to said controlled each system using a previous energy proration rate that.
According to this configuration, even if the operator does not confirm the configuration change, the tightening process execution unit automatically performs the tightening process at the time of change after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby preventing the billing data from dropping out. can do. In addition, the operator or administrator can confirm with the notification section that the configuration has been changed.

The notification unit has a cancel function that temporarily cancels the notification of the notification unit and prevents the tightening process execution unit from performing the tightening process at the time of change. The notification may be made again after the second predetermined time has elapsed since the notification was canceled based on the notification.
According to this configuration, in a situation where the operator does not want to perform the confirmation operation, the confirmation operation can be delayed, and the automatic closing process can be avoided from being automatically executed. In addition, by re-notifying, it is possible to return to the state where the operator has not performed the confirmation operation, and to automatically execute the tightening process at the time of change after a predetermined time has elapsed after redisplaying.

In addition, the configuration change detection unit confirms the configuration change again after the second predetermined time has elapsed and before the re-notification, and causes the re-notification when the configuration change is confirmed. It may be.
According to this configuration, for example, when the configuration change detection unit makes a false detection due to a communication error or the like, it is possible to prevent the automatic closing process or the confirmation operation from being performed automatically.

Further, the configuration change detection unit confirms the configuration change again after the predetermined time has elapsed and before the change-time tightening processing, and performs the tightening processing when the configuration change is confirmed. It may be.
According to this configuration, for example, when the configuration change detection unit makes a false detection due to a communication error or the like, it is possible to prevent the change-time tightening process or the confirmation operation from being performed immediately after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  On the other hand, centralized control of a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled devices constituting the controlled system Based on the operation, an energy apportioning ratio is calculated for each controlled system, and an air conditioner centralized management device that performs a tightening process for calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning ratio is provided. In the air conditioning system, the centralized management device includes a configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems, and a confirmation instruction that finalizes the configuration change after the configuration change is detected. If the predetermined time elapses in a state where no change is made, the energy before the change in the configuration is detected is detected for the period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time elapses. Characterized in that a fastening process execution unit to make changes during tightening process of calculating the air-conditioning charge to said controlled each system with ghee proration rate.

  Further, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are centrally controlled, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled devices constituting the controlled system Based on the operation, an energy apportioning ratio is calculated for each controlled system, and an air conditioner centralized management device that performs a tightening process for calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning ratio is provided. In the air conditioning system, the centralized management device includes a configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems, a notification unit that notifies that the configuration change has been detected, and the notification unit notifies Then, if a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirming the change in the configuration, a period from when the previous tightening process is performed until the predetermined time elapses. There are, characterized in that a fastening process execution unit to make changes during tightening process of calculating the air-conditioning charge to said controlled each system using an energy proration rate before the change of the configuration is detected.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are centrally controlled, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled system are configured. Based on the operation of the controlled device, the energy apportioning rate is calculated for each controlled system, and the air conditioner centralized management for performing the closing process of calculating the air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate In the device, a configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems, and a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirming the configuration change being detected after the configuration change is detected Then, with respect to the period from when the previous tightening process is performed to when the predetermined time elapses, the controlled system is used using the energy apportioning ratio before the change in the configuration is detected. Because it is equipped with a tightening process execution unit that performs a tightening process at the time of change to calculate the air conditioning fee, even if the operator did not confirm the configuration change (forgot the confirming operation forgotten) Since the tightening process execution unit automatically executes the change time tightening process after the predetermined time has elapsed, the change time tightening process can be performed with a more accurate configuration. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a more accurate billing fee as compared with the case where the confirmation operation is not performed. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the damage compensation problem etc. by not being able to charge an air-conditioning charge can be suppressed. In addition, since there is no portion where the data is blank, a more accurate billing fee can be obtained.

  Further, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are centrally controlled, and the configuration of each controlled system and the controlled devices constituting the controlled system In the centralized control device for an air conditioner that calculates an energy apportioning rate for each of the controlled systems based on the operation, and performs a tightening process that calculates an air conditioning charge for each of the controlled systems based on the energy apportioning rate, A configuration change detection unit for detecting a configuration change in a plurality of controlled systems, a notification unit for notifying that the configuration change has been detected, and a confirmation instruction for confirming the configuration change after the notification unit notifies If the predetermined time elapses in a state where no change is made, the energy before the change in the configuration is detected for the period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time elapses. -It has a tightening process execution unit that performs a tightening process at the time of change to calculate the air conditioning charge for each controlled system using a proration rate, so that an operator or administrator can notify that the configuration has changed. Can be confirmed.

  Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via communication lines are centrally controlled, and the configuration of the controlled systems and the controlled systems are controlled. An air conditioner that performs a tightening process that calculates an energy apportioning rate for each controlled system based on the operation of the controlled device that constitutes, and calculates an air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate. In the air conditioning system including a centralized management device, the centralized management device includes a configuration change detection unit that detects a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems, and the configuration change after the configuration change is detected. If a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirming the change, the change in the configuration is detected for a period from the previous tightening process until the predetermined time elapses. And a tightening process execution unit for performing a tightening process at the time of change for calculating the air conditioning charges for each controlled system using the energy apportioning ratio before being performed. Even if there is no confirmation (forgetting the confirmation operation), the tightening process execution unit automatically executes the tightening process at the time of change after a predetermined time has elapsed, so the tightening process at the time of change can be performed with a more accurate configuration. it can. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more accurate charging fee as compared with the case where the confirmation operation is not performed, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damages due to the inability to charge the air conditioning fee.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example in the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a system diagram of an air conditioning system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 10 includes a first air conditioner 11 constituting a first refrigerant system, a second air conditioner 12 constituting a second refrigerant system, and a third refrigerant system constituting a third refrigerant system. In addition to the three air conditioners 13, a central management device 15 for centrally managing these air conditioners is provided.

The first air conditioner 11 includes an outdoor unit 16A and three indoor units 17A, 18A, and 19A. Three outdoor units 17A, 18A, and 19A are connected to the outdoor unit 16A by refrigerant pipes (not shown) (not shown), thereby forming a so-called multi-type air conditioner.
Similarly, the second air conditioner 12 includes an outdoor unit 16B and three indoor units 17B, 18B, and 19B. The outdoor unit 16B includes three indoor units 17B, 18B, and 19B. Are connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown), which constitutes a so-called multi-type air conditioner. Further, the third air conditioner 13 also includes an outdoor unit 16C and three indoor units 17C, 18C, and 19C. The outdoor unit 16C includes three indoor units 17C, 18C, and 19C. The refrigerant pipes that are not connected constitute a so-called multi-type air conditioner.
In addition, in the 1st air conditioning apparatus 11, the 2nd air conditioning apparatus 12, and the 3rd air conditioning apparatus 13 which were mentioned above, the number of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit can be changed freely according to an installation place or a use aspect. it can. Further, the number of air conditioners is not limited to the first to third, and can be freely increased or decreased.

  In the first air conditioner 11 and the second air conditioner 12, the outdoor unit 16A, the indoor units 17A, 18A, 19A, and the second air conditioner of the first air conditioner 11 are connected via the indoor / outdoor communication line 23. Twelve outdoor units 16B and indoor units 17B, 18B, and 19B are connected to each other. The first communication adapter 21 is connected to the outdoor units 16A and 16B via the indoor / outdoor communication line 23. The first communication adapter 21 sequentially communicates with the first air conditioner 11 and the second air conditioner 12 via the indoor / outdoor communication line 23, and is assigned to each of the indoor units 17A to 19A and 17B to 19B. These are transmitting and receiving signals such as addresses (details will be described later) and operating state data.

  On the other hand, in the third air conditioner 13, the outdoor unit 16C and the indoor units 17C, 18C, and 19C of the third air conditioner 13 are connected to each other via the indoor / outdoor communication line 24. The second communication adapter 22 is connected to the outdoor unit 16C via the indoor / outdoor communication line 24. Similar to the first communication adapter 21, the second communication adapter 22 sequentially communicates with the third air conditioner 13 to send signals such as unique addresses and operating state data allocated to the indoor units 17 </ b> C to 19 </ b> C. They are sending and receiving each other.

  The centralized management communication line 20 is connected between the centralized management device 15 and the first communication adapter 21 and between the second communication adapter 22 and the third air conditioner 13, and has a unique address of the indoor unit And operation status data are sent and received as centralized control signals.

Moreover, the 1st communication adapter 21 and the 2nd communication adapter 22 are the signal transmitted / received using the centralized management communication line 20 between the centralized management apparatuses 15, and the 1st air conditioning apparatus 11 and the 2nd air conditioning apparatus 12. The indoor / outdoor communication line 23 is used between the first air conditioner 13 and the third air conditioner 13.
The central management device 15 centrally manages the first air conditioner 11 and the second air conditioner 12 via the first communication adapter 21 and monitors the states of the first air conditioner 11 and the second air conditioner 12. In addition, the third air conditioner 13 is centrally managed via the second communication adapter 22 and the state of the third air conditioner 13 is monitored.

  Moreover, each of the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C of the first air conditioner 11, the second air conditioner 12, and the third air conditioner 13 includes a remote controller (not shown) as necessary. Is connected. When the remote controller is connected, the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C are operated and stopped by the manual operation of the remote controller. Will be switched.

  With the above-described configuration, the first air conditioner 11, the second air conditioner 12, and the third air conditioner 13 are connected to the central control device 15 for each system so that air conditioning operation can be performed for each indoor unit. It is configured.

  By the way, the central control device 15 includes the first air conditioner 11, the second air conditioner, in addition to the central control function and the state monitoring function of the first air conditioner 11, the second air conditioner 12, and the third air conditioner 13. The indoor units 17A to 17C are based on the power apportioning rate and the power apportioning rate for each indoor unit 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C of the device 12 and the third air conditioner 13. , 18A to 18C and 19A to 19C have a function of calculating power usage as energy usage.

  Next, the function of calculating the energy apportionment rate and power usage by the centralized management device 15 will be described. FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of the embodiment.

  The centralized management device 15 cooperates with the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, 19A to 19C, the outdoor units 16A to 16C, the first communication adapter 21, and the second communication adapter 22 to obtain the energy apportionment rate and the power consumption. calculate. In this case, each of the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C collects information such as operation speed by wind speed, indoor rated capacity, heat exchanger inlet temperature, intermediate temperature, outlet temperature, and actual fan wind speed. Or it calculates and transmits to the corresponding 1st communication adapter 21 or the 2nd communication adapter 22 (step S1).

  Each of the outdoor units 16A to 16C has an operating electric energy (or, in a 3-way model and an apparatus having an ice heat storage tank, an energy-saving operating electric energy in consideration of energy used for reduction (reuse)) and a high-pressure saturation temperature, Further, in a model having an ice heat storage tank, the ice storage nighttime electric energy for ice storage is collected or calculated and transmitted to the corresponding first communication adapter 21 or second communication adapter 22 (step S2).

Of the received information, the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 use the operating time by wind speed, the indoor rated capacity, the operating power amount (or energy saving operating power amount), and the ice storage nighttime energy amount as they are. Send to. The first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 calculate the degree of superheat and the degree of supercooling based on the heat exchanger inlet temperature, intermediate temperature, outlet temperature, and high-pressure saturation temperature. Further, the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 calculate a wind speed converted value based on the actual wind speed of the fan. Furthermore, the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 calculate the operating capacity ratio based on the calculated degree of superheat and degree of supercooling. Subsequently, the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 are connected to the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A based on the rated capacity, wind speed converted value, and operating capacity ratio of the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C. The driving ability amounts of -18C and 19A-19C are calculated.
The first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22 count the power pulses from the power pulse meter in parallel with the above processes, and transmit them to the centralized management device 15 (step S3).

On the other hand, the centralized management device 15 adjusts the indoor unit rated capacity, the operating power amounts of the outdoor units 16A to 16C, the operating capacity amounts of the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C, and the indoor fan power during the air blowing operation. Based on this, the indoor unit consumption current is calculated. Furthermore, the centralized management device 15 obtains the indoor unit consumption current integrated value based on the obtained indoor unit consumption current, the indoor rated capacity, the operation time for each wind speed, and the indoor fan power.
Subsequently, the central management device 15 includes the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C corresponding to the sum of the indoor unit consumption current integrated values of all the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C. It is calculated as a proration rate that is a ratio of the current consumption integrated value.
On the other hand, the power amount (unit power amount) corresponding to one pulse of power pulse output from the power pulse meter is set in advance, and the centralized management device 15 receives from the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22. The power consumption of the entire air conditioning system 10 is calculated based on the power pulse.

As a result, the centralized management device 15 calculates the power consumption of each indoor unit 17A-17C, 18A-18C, 19A-19C by multiplying the power consumption of the entire air conditioning system 10 by a proration rate ( Step S4).
As described above, by grasping the actual power consumption of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, even if the operation state differs for each refrigerant system (outdoor unit system), the use energy is distributed with higher accuracy. It becomes possible.

  This apportioning rate of used energy is used, for example, for billing for air conditioning charges to each tenant. Specifically, the billing amount for each tenant is calculated by multiplying the amount of energy used by the entire system by the energy apportionment rate on the closing date once every month (for example, the end of the month or 15th). After calculating the billed amount, a process of resetting all the used energy amount and energy apportioning rate (hereinafter referred to as a tightening process) is performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the centralized management device 15.
As shown in FIG. 3, the central management device 15 includes a control unit 30, a display panel (notification unit) 31, and an operation panel 32. A first communication adapter 21 and a second communication adapter 22 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the central management apparatus 15 via a central management communication line 20.
The control unit 30 is for centralized control of a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units connected in a system. As shown in FIG. 3, the centralized control unit 41, a configuration change detection unit 42, and a configuration change confirmation Unit 43, tightening process execution unit 44, and notification unit 45 for displaying a message on display panel 31. The control unit 30 includes a first timer function for measuring a predetermined time X, which will be described later, and a second timer function for measuring a predetermined time Y.

  The central management control unit 41 is for demonstrating the functions of the conventional central management device. For example, the system operation of each indoor unit, the calculation of the energy apportionment rate described above, and the calculation of the charge fee based on the energy apportionment rate A regular tightening process is performed. In addition, the central management control unit 41 sequentially confirms the unique addresses set in the indoor units 17A to 17C, 18A to 18C, and 19A to 19C shown in FIG. 1 to the first communication adapter 21 and the second communication adapter 22. By doing so, the latest address is always recognized.

  The configuration change detection unit 42 is for detecting whether the configurations of the first air conditioner 11, the second air conditioner 12, and the third air conditioner 13 in each system have been changed. In the present embodiment, this configuration change is, for example, when a new indoor unit is added, when an existing indoor unit is removed, or when a unique address setting of the indoor unit is changed, If the apportioning rate of the used energy is calculated with the conventional configuration, the billing calculation is changed to a state in which an error occurs. The configuration change detection unit 42 compares the unique addresses of the indoor units transmitted from the central management control unit 41 and detects whether the configuration (address) has been changed by detecting an increase, decrease, or change in the address. Is detected.

  Further, when the configuration change detection unit 42 detects a configuration change, the notification unit 45 displays (notifies) a message (see FIG. 4) indicating that the configuration has been changed on the display panel 31. ing.

The configuration change confirming unit 43 is for confirming that the configuration has been changed by the operator's operation and allowing the configuration change recognized in the centralized management device 15. In the configuration change confirmation unit 43, for example, an operator who has added a new indoor unit receives a signal transmitted by performing a confirmation operation on the operation panel 32, and allows a configuration change in the centralized management device 15 to be permitted. It is supposed to be.
The reason for performing such processing is that if the configuration change is automatically determined immediately after the configuration change detection unit 42 detects the configuration change, for example, if there is an error in the detection, the configuration is arbitrarily configured. This is provided in order to prevent such a situation. Whether or not the configuration has been changed is well known, for example, by the worker who added the indoor unit.Therefore, the configuration change has occurred by performing an operation for the operator to confirm that the configuration has been changed. To try to handle this more accurately.

  Further, the notification unit 45 described above is provided with a cancel function for temporarily canceling the message so that the operator can perform a confirmation operation later. In addition, the operation panel 32 includes an execution button 32a for immediately performing a confirmation operation, and a cancel button 32b for operating a cancel function. When the cancel button 32b is operated, the message displayed on the display panel 31 is canceled and redisplayed after a predetermined time Y (second predetermined time) has elapsed. This fixed time Y is, for example, about 5 minutes. The fixed time Y is set by the second timer function of the control unit 30.

  Further, after the elapse of the predetermined time Y, a signal based on the second timer function is transmitted to the configuration change detecting unit 42, and the configuration change detecting unit 42 detects again whether or not the configuration has been changed, and this configuration change is performed. When a signal indicating that the configuration has been changed is received from the detection unit 42, the message is displayed again. When a signal indicating that the configuration has not been changed is received, the processing is terminated without being displayed again. It can also be. Thereby, erroneous detection of a change in configuration can be prevented by double checking.

  On the other hand, even if there is no signal from the operation panel 32 that the confirmation operation has been performed, the configuration change confirmation unit 43 performs a tightening process at the time of change, which will be described in detail later, in a tightening process execution unit 44 described later. After that, the confirmation process is automatically performed.

  Even if the closing process execution unit 44 is a day other than the closing date once a month, the configuration change detection unit 42 detects the configuration change and the predetermined time X has elapsed since the configuration change is displayed on the display panel 31. This is for automatically performing a tightening process (hereinafter referred to as a change-time tightening process). The predetermined time X described above is the maximum time required for the operator to normally perform the confirmation operation, and is, for example, about 12 hours. The setting of this time is set by the first timer function of the control unit 30. In addition, when the display panel 31 is not provided, the predetermined time X may be counted after the configuration change detection unit 42 detects the change.

  In addition, before the automatic closing process is performed after the predetermined time X has elapsed, a signal based on the first timer function is transmitted to the configuration change detection unit 42 to detect again whether or not there has been a configuration change. When the signal indicating that the configuration has been changed is received from the configuration change detection unit 42, the closing process is automatically performed at the time of change. When the signal indicating that the configuration has not been changed is received, It is also possible not to perform the tightening process. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the double tightening process from being automatically performed when the configuration change is erroneously detected.

  FIG. 5 shows the application of the proration rate before the configuration change (old apportion rate) and the apportion rate after the change of configuration (new apportionment rate) in time series. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time.

  In the case of the conventional system (the lower part of FIG. 5), the apportionment calculation was performed at the old apportion rate until the configuration was changed. In addition, after the confirmation operation, the distribution was calculated at the new distribution rate. That is, between the change of the configuration and the confirmation operation, the proportional calculation is not performed in order to prevent the proportional calculation from being performed with the undefined configuration.

On the other hand, in the centralized management device 15 shown in the embodiment of the present invention, when a confirmation operation is performed by an operator (the upper part of FIG. 5), the old configuration before the change is made in the entire period until the confirmation operation is performed. The apportionment calculation is performed with the energy apportionment rate. Then, after the confirmation operation, after the closing process, a proportional distribution calculation is performed at the new proportional distribution rate. In other words, the exact configuration cannot be grasped from the change of the configuration to the confirmation operation, but the data is prevented from being dropped by performing the proportional calculation at the old distribution rate. As a result, it is possible to calculate a more accurate fee than when data is lost.
On the other hand, when the confirmation operation is not performed by the worker (middle stage in FIG. 5), all changes until the predetermined time X elapses after the configuration is changed (more precisely, after the message is displayed on the display panel 31). Apportionment calculation is performed at the old apportionment rate before the configuration change in the period. Then, after the change closing process is performed, a proportional calculation is performed at the new proportional distribution rate after the confirmation operation. In other words, an accurate configuration cannot be grasped until a predetermined time X elapses after the configuration change, but data omission is prevented by performing a proportional calculation at the old proportional distribution rate. As a result, it is possible to calculate a more accurate fee as compared with the case where data is lost until a confirmation operation is performed as in the prior art.

  It should be noted that there is no problem in calculating the charging fee for each indoor unit based on the new apportioning rate applied after the lapse of the predetermined time X. However, when calculating the charging fee for each tenant, for example, It is not possible to automatically detect which tenant is located. Therefore, input of which tenant belongs needs to be confirmed separately at a later date.

  Next, a procedure when the configuration change detection unit 42 detects a configuration change in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a change in configuration is detected.

  When the configuration change detection unit 42 detects a configuration change (S100), a message indicating that the configuration has been changed (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display panel 31 (S101), and the control unit 30 has a first timer. A predetermined time (about 12 hours) is set according to the function (S102).

Next, based on the message displayed on the display panel 31, it is determined whether or not the operator involved in the configuration change has operated the execution button 32 a or the cancel button 32 b of the operation panel 32 (S 103 and S 104). At this time, if the cancel button 32b is not operated and the execute button 32a is operated, the integration timer for the predetermined time X set in step S102 is canceled (cleared) (S105).
Then, the configuration change detection unit 42 checks again whether or not the configuration has really changed (S106). If no change is detected at this time (S107), the configuration change processing is performed without performing the configuration change processing. Is finished (S108). On the other hand, if a configuration change is detected again in S106 (S107), the configuration change confirmation unit 43 performs a confirmation process (S109), and after the confirmation is permitted, the tightening process execution unit 44 immediately performs the tightening process. Perform (S110). After the fastening process is finished, the process is finished (S111).

  If the execution button 32a is not operated in S104, it is confirmed whether or not the predetermined time X (about 12 hours) set by the first timer function has elapsed (S112), and has not elapsed. In this case, the process waits until the operator operates the operation panel 32. On the other hand, when the predetermined time X has elapsed in S112 (S112), after the timer is released (S105), the change time tightening process is performed according to the above-described steps S106 to S111.

  On the other hand, when the cancel button 32b is operated in the process of S103, the timer for the predetermined time X set in S102 is canceled (S120), and the message is deleted (S121). Next, a fixed time Y (about 5 minutes) is set by the second timer function of the control unit 30 (S122), and after the fixed time Y has elapsed (S123), the timer of S122 is canceled (S124). The configuration change detection unit 42 confirms again whether or not the configuration has really changed (S125). If a configuration change is detected (S126), the message is displayed again on the display panel 31 (S101). If no configuration change is detected, the processing is terminated assuming that there is no configuration change. (S127).

  According to the centralized control device or air conditioning system for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of controlled devices 16 to 19 distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line are provided. Centralized control, based on the configuration of each controlled system and the operation of the indoor units and outdoor units 16 to 19 constituting the controlled system, calculates an energy distribution ratio for each controlled system, In the central control device for an air conditioner that performs a tightening process for calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the configuration change detecting unit 42 that detects a configuration change in a plurality of controlled systems, and a configuration change is detected. Thereafter, when the predetermined time X has elapsed without a confirmation instruction for confirming the configuration change being made, the period of time until the predetermined time X elapses after the previous tightening process has been performed. And a tightening process execution unit 44 for performing a tightening process at the time of changing to calculate the air conditioning charge for each controlled system using the energy apportioning rate before the change is detected, so that the operator confirms the configuration change Even if no operation is performed, after the predetermined time X has elapsed, the tightening processing execution unit 44 automatically executes the tightening process at the time of change (the same processing that the operator has performed the confirmation operation is automatically performed after the predetermined time X has elapsed). Therefore, even if the confirmation operation is not performed, the billing fee is not calculated with the indeterminate configuration, and a more accurate billing fee can be obtained as compared with the conventional case. Further, it is possible to prevent the billing request data from being lost, and it is possible to obtain a more accurate billing fee as compared with the case where this data is missing. In other words, after charging billing data in the configuration before the configuration change is safely stored, it can be confirmed with the changed configuration and the processing can be continued, so there is no period during which the data is blank, and the accounting processing is preserved. High nature. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damages due to the inability to charge.

  In addition, the display panel 31 displays a message indicating that the configuration change has been detected, and the tightening process execution unit 44 executes the tightening process at the time of change after a predetermined time X has elapsed since the message was displayed on the display panel 31. Therefore, the operator or administrator can confirm on the display panel 31 that the configuration has been changed. In addition, since the predetermined time X is counted after the message is displayed on the display panel 31, if the change cannot be confirmed because the message is not displayed, the tightening process is executed after the predetermined time has passed. It is possible to eliminate the risk of being lost.

  Furthermore, the apparatus includes a configuration change confirmation unit 43 that automatically performs a confirmation operation after performing a tightening process at the time of change. After the configuration change confirmation unit 43 automatically performs a confirmation operation, the energy distribution ratio after the configuration is changed Therefore, the charging fee is not dropped by performing the tightening process with the data before the confirmation operation and immediately calculating the apportion rate after the configuration change.

  Furthermore, a cancel function for temporarily canceling the display on the display panel 31 and preventing the tightening process execution unit 44 from performing the tightening process at the time of change is displayed on the display panel 31 after a predetermined time Y has elapsed. Therefore, in a situation where the operator does not want to perform the confirming operation, the confirming operation can be delayed, and the automatic tightening process can be avoided. Further, by redisplaying, it is possible to return to a state in which the operator has not performed the confirming operation, and to automatically execute the tightening process at the time of change after the predetermined time X has elapsed.

  In addition, the configuration change detection unit 42 reconfirms the configuration change before the display panel 31 redisplays, and displays it again when the configuration change is detected. When the configuration change detection unit 42 makes a false detection, it is possible to prevent the tightening process or the change-time tightening process or the confirmation operation from being automatically performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid a state in which the charging fee is not normally calculated due to erroneous detection.

  Further, the configuration change detection unit 42 confirms the configuration change again before the tightening processing execution unit 44 performs the change-time tightening processing, and performs the tightening processing when the configuration change is detected. For example, when the configuration change detection unit 42 makes a false detection due to a communication abnormality or the like, it is possible to prevent the change-time tightening process or the confirmation operation from being performed immediately. As a result, it is possible to avoid a state in which the charging fee is not normally calculated due to erroneous detection.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. .
In the present embodiment, a display panel 31 for displaying a message and an operation panel 32 for an operator to operate are provided separately in the centralized management device 15, but can be operated on the display panel 31. By using a simple touch panel, each can be formed integrally. Thereby, while being able to simplify a structure, an operator's operativity can also be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a message is displayed on the display panel 31; however, for example, a display lamp that notifies a configuration change by blinking red or the like may be used. Furthermore, it is also possible to display (notify) using a buzzer or the like that notifies the configuration change by sound instead of display.

  Furthermore, although the air conditioning system has been described in the present embodiment, for example, when a plurality of showcases for refrigeration are installed, the present invention can be applied to a case where one power is divided into a plurality of parts. Can do. Further, the present invention is not limited to refrigeration power, and can also be applied to a case where power for illumination of a showcase is divided into a plurality of parts.

1 is a system diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for performing distribution of use energy using the air conditioning system concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of the centralized management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display panel of the centralized management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the proration rate applied with the centralized management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention in time series. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when the change of a structure is detected in the centralized management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air conditioning system 11 1st air conditioning apparatus 12 2nd air conditioning apparatus 13 3rd air conditioning apparatus 15 Centralized management apparatus 16A-16C Outdoor unit 17A-17C, 18A-18C, 19A-19C Indoor unit (controlled apparatus)
20 Centralized Management Communication Line 21 First Communication Adapter 22 Second Communication Adapter 23, 24 Indoor / Outdoor Communication Line 30 Control Unit 31 Display Panel (Notification Unit)
32 Operation Panel 32a Execution Button 32b Cancel Button 41 Centralized Management Control Unit 42 Configuration Change Detection Unit 43 Configuration Change Confirmation Unit 44 Closing Process Execution Unit 45 Notification Unit X Predetermined Time Y Fixed Time (Second Predetermined Time)

Claims (7)

Centrally control a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line, and control the configuration of each controlled system and the operation of the controlled devices constituting the controlled system. Based on the energy distribution ratio for each controlled system, and in a centralized control device for an air conditioner that performs a tightening process for calculating the air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy distribution ratio,
A configuration change detection unit for detecting a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems;
After a change in the configuration is detected, if a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirming the change in the configuration, a period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time elapses. An air conditioner comprising: a tightening process execution unit for performing a tightening process at the time of calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system using an energy apportioning rate before a change in the configuration is detected Centralized management device. Centrally control a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line, and control the configuration of each controlled system and the operation of the controlled devices constituting the controlled system. Based on the energy distribution ratio for each controlled system, and in a centralized control device for an air conditioner that performs a tightening process for calculating the air conditioning charge for each controlled system based on the energy distribution ratio,
A configuration change detection unit for detecting a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems;
A notification unit for notifying that a change in the configuration has been detected;
When a predetermined time has passed after the notification unit has made a notification and a confirmation instruction for confirming the change of the configuration has not been made, for a period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time has passed, Centralized management of an air conditioner, comprising: a tightening process execution unit that performs a tightening process at the time of change for calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system using an energy apportioning ratio before a change in configuration is detected apparatus.   The notification unit includes a cancel function that temporarily cancels the notification of the notification unit and avoids the tightening process execution unit from performing the tightening process at the time of change, and the notification unit is based on an external operation. The centralized control device for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the notification is performed again after a second predetermined time has elapsed since the notification was canceled.   The configuration change detection unit reconfirms the configuration change after the second predetermined time has elapsed and before the re-notification, and causes the re-notification to be performed when the configuration change is confirmed. The centralized control device for an air conditioner according to claim 3.   The configuration change detection unit reconfirms the configuration change after the predetermined time has elapsed and before the change-time tightening processing, and performs the tightening processing when the configuration change is confirmed. The centralized control device for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Centrally control a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line, and control the configuration of each controlled system and the operation of the controlled devices constituting the controlled system. Based on this, the air conditioner is provided with a centralized control device for an air conditioner that calculates an energy apportioning rate for each controlled system and performs a tightening process for calculating an air conditioning fee for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate. In the system,
The centralized management device is:
A configuration change detection unit for detecting a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems;
After a change in the configuration is detected, if a predetermined time elapses without a confirmation instruction for confirming the change in the configuration, a period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time elapses. An air conditioning system comprising: a tightening process execution unit that performs a tightening process at the time of change for calculating an air conditioning charge for each controlled system using an energy apportioning rate before the change in the configuration is detected . Centrally control a plurality of controlled devices distributed to a plurality of controlled systems and connected via a communication line, and control the configuration of each controlled system and the operation of the controlled devices constituting the controlled system. Based on this, the air conditioner is provided with a centralized control device for an air conditioner that calculates an energy apportioning rate for each controlled system and performs a tightening process for calculating an air conditioning fee for each controlled system based on the energy apportioning rate. In the system,
The centralized management device is:
A configuration change detection unit for detecting a configuration change in the plurality of controlled systems;
A notification unit for notifying that a change in the configuration has been detected;
When a predetermined time has passed after the notification unit has made a notification and a confirmation instruction for confirming the change of the configuration has not been made, for a period from the previous tightening process to the time when the predetermined time has passed, An air conditioning system, comprising: a tightening process execution unit that performs a tightening process at the time of changing to calculate an air conditioning charge for each controlled system using an energy apportioning ratio before a change in configuration is detected.

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