JP2009299951A - Parent control device and appliance control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly control equipment items in a facility in which a parent control device and a plurality of child control devices are installed. <P>SOLUTION: A parent controller 30 includes a group database 35d and a control section 32, controls a plurality of indoor units 10a under control of a first child controller 20a through the first child controller 20a, and controls a plurality of other indoor units 10b under control of a second child controller 20b through the second child controller 20b. The group database 35d memorizes group definition information defining groups to which the indoor units 10a under control of the first controller 20a and the indoor units 10b under control of the second controller 20b belong. The control section 32 refers the group definition information and controls the indoor units 10a, 10b by a unit of group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention manages a plurality of facility devices under its management through a first child management device and manages a plurality of other facility devices under its management through a second child management device. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a device management system including the apparatus.

Conventionally, a plurality of equipment devices (a plurality of indoor units and the like of an air conditioning facility) in one facility may be intensively managed through one management device (Patent Document 1). Such facilities include facilities of various sizes, such as ordinary homes, office buildings, and universities and hospitals composed of a plurality of buildings.
JP-A-2005-308278 Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-104103

  By the way, when the scale of the facility increases and the number of equipment to be managed increases, there is a limit to managing all the equipment with one management device. Therefore, the applicant filed on April 11, 2006, an invention related to a technique for managing a large number of equipment in the same facility with a parent management device and a plurality of child management devices connected to the parent management device. (Patent Document 2).

  However, from the perspective of the parent management device, the total number of facility devices to be managed remains unchanged, and it is necessary to reduce the burden on the parent management device and its operators.

  An object of the present invention is to enable flexible management of equipment in a facility where a parent management device and a plurality of child management devices are installed.

  A parent management device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a group storage unit and a group management unit, and manages a plurality of facility devices under its management through a first child management device, and a second child management device. To manage a plurality of other equipment that is under the control. The group storage unit stores group definition information that defines a group to which the equipment under the management of the first child management apparatus and the equipment under the management of the second child management apparatus belong. The group management unit refers to the group definition information and manages equipment in units of groups.

  Here, a parent management apparatus that bundles a plurality of child management apparatuses manages facility devices under the management of the plurality of child management apparatuses in units of groups. Such a group is a group composed of a plurality of facility devices under the management of different child management devices, and is a group that is logically configured beyond the physical connection form between the facility devices and the child management devices. Thereby, the equipment in the facility where the parent management device and the plurality of child management devices are installed can be flexibly managed.

  A parent management device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a group registration unit, a group storage unit, and a group management unit, and manages a plurality of equipment under the management via the first child management device, A plurality of other equipment devices under its management are managed through a two-child management device. The group registration unit accepts registration of a group in which facility devices are arbitrarily combined regardless of whether the first child management device or the second child management device is under management. The group storage unit stores group definition information that defines the group. The group management unit refers to the group definition information and manages equipment in units of groups.

  Here, a parent management apparatus that bundles a plurality of child management apparatuses manages facility devices under the management of the plurality of child management apparatuses in units of groups. The parent management device accepts registration of such a group, and is designed so that any facility device can be designated regardless of the difference of the child management device to which the parent management device belongs. Therefore, the registrant can create a logically configured group that exceeds the physical connection form between the equipment and the child management apparatus. Thereby, the equipment in the facility where the parent management device and the plurality of child management devices are installed can be flexibly managed.

  A parent management device according to a third invention is the parent management device according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the equipment device is distributed by dividing the power charges for the amount of power consumed by the equipment into a plurality of groups. Manage by group.

  Here, the power charge for the amount of power consumed by the equipment is apportioned into a plurality of logically configured groups. As a result, for example, even when one child management device manages equipment belonging to different organizations, by grouping equipment belonging to each organization, the power charges charged to each organization can be individually set. Can be evaluated.

  A parent management device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the parent management device according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the group management unit groups the facility devices by controlling the facility devices belonging to the group in conjunction with each other. Manage in units.

  Here, the facility equipment is controlled to be linked in units of logically configured groups. As a result, a plurality of equipment devices belonging to different child management devices can be controlled in conjunction.

  A parent management apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the parent management apparatus according to any of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a schedule registration unit and a schedule storage unit. The schedule registration unit accepts registration of the operation schedule of the equipment belonging to the group. The schedule storage unit stores schedule information indicating an operation schedule in association with a group. The group management unit further refers to the schedule information, and manages the facility devices belonging to the group according to the operation schedule, thereby managing the facility devices in units of groups.

  Here, the operation schedule of equipment can be registered in units of logically configured groups. As a result, a plurality of facility devices belonging to different child management devices can be collectively scheduled.

  A parent management device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the parent management device according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, and is disposed in the same facility as the first child management device and the second child management device. The “facility” referred to here includes not only those spread over one continuous site but also those spread over a plurality of physically separated sites.

  A parent management device according to a seventh invention is the parent management device according to any one of the first invention to the fifth invention, further comprising a communication unit. The communication unit enables connection with a local area network to which the first child management device and the second child management device are connected. The group management unit manages the equipment while communicating with the first child management device and the second child management device via the communication unit.

  Here, when the parent management device and the child management device in the same LAN communicate with each other via the LAN, the equipment can be managed flexibly.

  A parent management apparatus according to an eighth invention is the parent management apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, further comprising a management content storage unit. The management content storage unit stores group management information indicating the management content of the equipment belonging to the group in association with the group. The group management unit further refers to the group management information and manages the facility devices belonging to the group in accordance with the management contents, thereby managing the facility devices in units of groups.

  Here, the parent management device stores the group and its management content in association with each other. Thereby, equipment can be easily managed in units of groups.

  A device management system according to a ninth aspect includes a first child management device that manages a plurality of facility devices, a second child management device that manages a plurality of other facility devices, and a parent management device. The parent management device manages the equipment under the management through the first child management device, and manages the equipment under the management through the second child management device. The parent management device has a group storage unit and a group management unit. The group storage unit stores group definition information that defines a group to which the equipment under the management of the first child management apparatus and the equipment under the management of the second child management apparatus belong. The group management unit refers to the group definition information and manages equipment in units of groups.

  Here, a parent management apparatus that bundles a plurality of child management apparatuses manages facility devices under the management of the plurality of child management apparatuses in units of groups. Such a group is a group composed of a plurality of facility devices under the management of different child management devices, and is a group that is logically configured beyond the physical connection form between the facility devices and the child management devices. Thereby, the equipment in the facility where the parent management device and the plurality of child management devices are installed can be flexibly managed.

  According to the present invention, a parent management device that bundles a plurality of child management devices manages facility devices under the management of the plurality of child management devices in units of groups. Such a group is a group composed of a plurality of facility devices under the management of different child management devices, and is a group that is logically configured beyond the physical connection form between the facility devices and the child management devices. Thereby, the equipment in the facility where the parent management device and the plurality of child management devices are installed can be flexibly managed.

  A group management system 100 (device management system) including a parent controller 30 (parent management device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration The group management system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the air conditioning equipment 10 installed in the facility 1. The facility 1 is a university having a plurality of buildings 1a, 1b,. In the buildings 1a, 1b,..., A plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,. The plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,... In the same building 1a, 1b,... Are virtually grouped for management by the group management system 100, and the indoor unit groups 15a, 15b,. It is composed.

  The group management system 100 includes a plurality of child controllers 20a, 20b,... That respectively manage a plurality of indoor unit groups 15a, 15b,... And a parent controller that bundles the plurality of child controllers 20a, 20b,. 30. Each of the child controllers 20a, 20b,... Is installed in a management room in each of the buildings 1a, 1b,..., And a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b in the same building 1a, 1b,. ,... Are connected via a dedicated control line 5b for the air conditioner 10. The parent controller 30 is installed in a management room in the building 1a together with the child controller 20a, and is connected to the child controllers 20a, 20b,... Via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 5a. The parent controller 30 is connected to a watt hour meter 60 that measures the amount of power consumed in the facility 1 via the LAN 5a. The LAN 5a includes personal controllers 20a, 20b,..., A parent controller 30, and a personal user who is not directly related to the management of the air conditioner 10 and used for normal business by the user in the facility 1. A network device (not shown) such as a computer or a printer is also connected.

(2) Configuration of Air Conditioning Equipment As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning equipment 10 is mainly composed of indoor units 10a, 10b,... A plurality of refrigerant circuits are formed.

  Hereinafter, the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a will be described, but the same applies to the other indoor units 10b,... And the outdoor units 40b,.

  Each indoor unit 10 a has a control unit 12, and each outdoor unit 40 a has a control unit 42. The control unit 12 of the indoor unit 10a and the control unit 42 of the outdoor unit 40a belonging to the same refrigerant circuit are connected to each other via a dedicated control line 5b for the air conditioning equipment 10. Each of the control units 12 and 42 is also connected to the child controller 20a via a dedicated control line 5b for the air conditioning equipment 10.

  While the control units 12 and 42 belonging to the same refrigerant circuit cooperate with each other, an operation command (for example, start or stop of the indoor unit 10a) input from the user via the remote controller 14, the child controller 20a or the parent controller 30 is used. The operation of various components included in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to cool or heat the room in accordance with a command, a command to change the set temperature of the indoor unit 10a, or a command to change the operation mode of the indoor unit 10a). . Specifically, adjustment of the frequency of the compressor, the rotational speed of the fan, and the opening degree of various valves is performed. The remote controller 14 is mainly for receiving an operation command for the indoor unit 10a from a general user, and the other controllers 20a, 30 are one-to-one or one-to-many to the controller 12 of the indoor unit 10a. It is connected directly without going through.

  Each control unit 12 immediately transmits information related to the operation state of the indoor unit 10a (hereinafter, operation information) to the child controller 20a in response to a command from the child controller 20a. The operation information includes the start state (start / stop) of the indoor unit 10a, the set temperature and the operation mode (cooling / heating / air blowing), the temperature around the indoor unit 10a (that is, the indoor temperature), and the indoor unit 10a. The state values of various components included in the are included. Furthermore, the state values of various components included in the indoor unit 10a include the rotational speed of the indoor fan, the opening degrees of various valves, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant at predetermined positions, and the like.

  Moreover, each control part 42 transmits immediately the information (henceforth driving information) regarding the driving | running state of the outdoor unit 40a to the child controller 20a according to the command from the child controller 20a. Such operation information includes the temperature around the outdoor unit 40a (that is, the outside air temperature) and the state values of various components included in the outdoor unit 40a. Furthermore, the state values of various components included in the outdoor unit 40a include the frequency of the compressor, the rotational speed of the outdoor fan, the opening of various valves, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant at predetermined positions, and the like.

(3) Configuration of Child Controller Hereinafter, the child controller 20a will be described with reference to FIG. 3, but the same applies to the other child controllers 20b,.

  The child controller 20a is installed in a management room in the building 1a and is operated by an administrator who belongs to the management room. The slave controller 20a is mainly configured by a LAN side communication unit 21a, an air conditioning side communication unit 21b, a control unit 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, and a storage unit 25, and monitors and controls the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a.

  The LAN-side communication unit 21a is a network interface that connects the child controller 20a to the LAN 5a, and exchanges various signals with the parent controller 30. The air conditioning side communication unit 21b is a network interface that connects the child controller 20a to the dedicated control line 5b, and exchanges various signals between the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a.

  The control unit 22 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 25.

  For example, the control unit 22 acquires the operation information about the item I1 group of each indoor unit 10a from the control unit 12 of the indoor unit 10a at the time interval P1 (every minute in the present embodiment), and the parent controller 30. Further, the control unit 22 acquires operation information about the item I2 group of each outdoor unit 40a from the control unit 42 of the outdoor unit 40a at the time interval P2 (every minute in the present embodiment), and the parent controller 30.

  In addition, the control unit 22 performs the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a based on the operation information of the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a for a predetermined time in the storage unit 25 at the time interval P3 (in this embodiment, every minute). The presence / absence of abnormality of the item I3 group in the outdoor unit 40a is determined. When an abnormality is detected, the fact and its contents are immediately displayed on the display unit 23 and the parent controller 30 is notified.

  Moreover, the control part 22 will transmit the said driving command to the control part 12 of the said indoor unit 10a immediately, if the driving command with respect to the indoor unit 10a is received from the parent controller 30. FIG.

  Moreover, if the control part 22 receives the driving | operation command with respect to the indoor unit 10a from an administrator via the input part 24, it will transmit the said driving | operation command to the control part 12 of the said indoor unit 10a immediately.

  The display unit 23 is mainly composed of a display, and the input unit 24 is mainly composed of a touch panel and operation buttons that cover the display.

  An operation information storage area is secured in the storage unit 25. In the operation information storage area, the operation information of the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a acquired by the control unit 22 is accumulated for a predetermined time.

(4) Configuration of Parent Controller 30 The parent controller 30 is an ordinary personal computer, and mainly includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and a storage unit 35, as shown in FIG. ing. The parent controller 30 is installed in a management room (existing in the building 1a) that manages the entire air conditioning equipment 10 in the facility 1, and is operated by a general manager who belongs to the management room.

  The communication unit 31 is a network interface that connects the parent controller 30 to the LAN 5a, and exchanges various signals with the child controllers 20a, 20b,.

  The control unit 32 mainly includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 35 to thereby execute a monitoring unit 32a, an operation control unit 32b, a group registration unit 32c, and a schedule registration. It operates as a unit 32d, an interlock setting unit 32e, a charging unit registration unit 32f, a power apportioning unit 32g, and a command execution unit 32h. Details of the operations of the units 32a to 32h will be described later.

  The display unit 33 is mainly composed of a display, and the input unit 34 is mainly composed of a mouse and a keyboard.

  The storage unit 35 is mainly composed of a hard disk, and includes an operation information database 35a, an abnormality history database 35b, a basic information database 35c, a group database 35d, a schedule database 35e, a linkage setting database 35f, a charging unit database 35g, and an electric energy database 35h. have.

a) Driving information database The driving information database 35a is updated each time the monitoring unit 32a acquires the driving information of the indoor units 10a, 10b, ... and the outdoor units 40a, 40b, ....

  More specifically, the monitoring unit 32a receives operation information on the item I1 group of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Transmitted from the child controllers 20a, 20b,. Immediately after that, it is shaped in accordance with the data structure of the driving information database 35a and stored as a new record in the driving information database 35a.

  Similarly, the monitoring unit 32a operates immediately after receiving the operation information on the item I2 group of the outdoor units 40a, 40b,... Transmitted from the child controllers 20a, 20b,. It shapes according to the data structure of the information database 35a and stores it as a new record in the driving information database 35a.

  In the new record, the device IDs of the corresponding indoor units 10a, 10b,... And outdoor units 40a, 40b,.

b) Abnormal History Database In the abnormal history database 35b, the monitoring unit 32a receives notification of abnormalities in the indoor units 10a, 10b,... and the outdoor units 40a, 40b,. Every time or every time the monitoring unit 32a detects an abnormality in the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And the outdoor units 40a, 40b,. In addition, the monitoring part 32a is the time interval P4 (every 5 minutes in this embodiment), based on the operation information of the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a in the operation information database 35a, in the indoor unit 10a and the outdoor unit 40a. Assume that the presence or absence of an abnormality in the item I4 group is determined.

  When the monitoring unit 32a receives a notification of abnormality regarding the item I3 in the indoor units 10a, 10b, ... and the outdoor units 40a, 40b, ... from the child controllers 20a, 20b, ..., the contents of the notifications Is immediately shaped according to the data structure in the abnormality history database 35b and stored as a new record in the abnormality history database 35b.

  When the monitoring unit 32a detects an abnormality regarding the item I4 in the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And the outdoor units 40a, 40b,..., The data structure in the abnormality history database 35b is immediately displayed. And is stored in the abnormality history database 35b as a new record.

  In each record, the equipment ID of the indoor unit 10a, 10b,... Or the outdoor unit 40a, 40b,... Where the abnormality corresponding to the record occurs, the date and time of occurrence of the abnormality, the type of the abnormality, etc. Is stored.

c) Basic Information Database The basic information database 35c is a database that stores basic information of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The records in the basic information database 35c correspond to the indoor units 10a, 10b,.

  Each record includes the equipment ID, model name, model number, controller ID of the associated child controller 20a, 20b,... In which floor of the building 1a, 1b,...

d) Group database The group database 35d is a database that stores information defining a group including one or a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,. The records in the group database 35d correspond to the groups on a one-to-one basis.

e) Schedule Database The schedule database 35e is a database for storing information indicating the operation schedule of the indoor units 10a, 10b,.

f) Linkage setting database The linkage setting database 35f is a database for storing information indicating the contents of the linkage settings of the indoor units 10a, 10b,.

g) Billing unit database The facility 1 belongs to one university organization, but the one university organization is composed of a plurality of sub-organizations such as a plurality of departments, a plurality of departments, a plurality of research institutes and the like. . Under such circumstances, in the facility 1, the power charge for the amount of power consumed by the air conditioning equipment 10 is not charged to the university organization as a whole, but is distributed to a plurality of sub-organizations constituting the university organization. It is like that. However, these sub-organizations may share one building 1a, 1b,. In other words, different indoor units 10a installed in the same building 1a, 1b,... Belonging to the same indoor unit group 15a, 15b,. , 10b,... Are used for different sub-organizations. Therefore, the parent controller 30 is equipped with a function of managing the amount of power used by each sub-organization and the power charge for the use of the amount of power.

  The accounting unit database 35g is a database for storing information defining sub-organizations that are accounting units. The records in the accounting unit database 35g correspond one-to-one with the sub-organizations that are accounting units.

h) Electricity amount database The electric energy database 35h is a database for storing information relating to the electric energy consumed by each indoor unit 10a, 10b,.

(5) Registration of Group Hereinafter, a procedure in which the general manager registers a group including one or a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,.

  First, the general manager operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 to display the group registration window W1 (see FIG. 5) on the display unit 33. The group registration window W1 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that accepts registration of the groups of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... To the general manager, and is created by the group registration unit 32c.

  On the group registration window W1, a designation field A1 for designating one or a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,... To be grouped, an input field A2 for inputting the name of the group, An entry field A3 for entering the explanation of the group and a confirmation button A4 are provided.

  The general manager inputs the device ID of one or a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,... Via the designation field A1, enters the name of an appropriate group via the input field A2, and enters the entry field. When a description of an appropriate group is input via A3 and the confirm button A4 is pressed in such a state, the group registration unit 32c newly creates one record in the group database 35d. In this record, a list of device IDs of one or a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,..., A group name, and a group description input by the general manager are stored. The group registration is thus completed.

  Through the designation column A1, a plurality of indoor units 10a, 10b,... Can be freely designated regardless of the difference between the child controllers 20a, 20b,. ing. That is, for example, the indoor unit 10a under the control of the child controller 20a and the indoor unit 10b under the control of the child controller 20b can be grouped into the same group.

  Further, the general manager can access the record in the group database 35d, and the registered group attribute information (list of device IDs of indoor units 10a, 10b,..., Group name and group). Can be changed and deleted.

(6) Operation Control Hereinafter, a procedure in which the general manager performs operation control on the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Via the parent controller 30 will be described.

  First, the general manager operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 to display the operation control window W2 (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 33. The operation control window W2 is a GUI that receives an input of an operation command for the indoor units 10a, 10b,... To the general manager, and is created by the operation control unit 32b.

  On the operation control window W2, a setting field B1 for setting the content of the operation command, a specification field B2 for specifying the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Button B3 is provided.

  The general manager inputs the content of the operation command via the setting field B1, and inputs the device ID of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Or the registered group name via the specification field B2. When the determination button B3 is pressed in this state, the operation control unit 32b transmits the currently set operation command to the control unit 12 of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The operation command is transmitted to the destination indoor units 10a, 10b,... Via the child controllers 20a, 20b,. However, the child controllers 20a, 20b,... That are passed through are specified with reference to the basic information database 35c. In addition, the indoor units 10a, 10b,... That are the final transmission destinations of the operation commands are the indoor units 10a, 10a, 10b, which are identified by the device ID when the device ID is input via the designation field B2. .., And when the name of the group is input via the designation field B2, all the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to the group are specified with reference to the group database 35d. The contents of the operation command that can be set via the setting column B1 are a start command, a stop command, a change command for the operation mode, a change command for the set temperature, or a combination thereof.

  Therefore, the general manager easily starts and stops the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Individually or in units of groups via the operation control window W2, or changes the operation parameters (operation mode and set temperature). It can be done. The general manager can prevent forgetting to perform operations by performing batch operations in groups.

(7) Schedule operation Hereinafter, the general manager registers the operation schedule of the indoor units 10a, 10b,..., And the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Are controlled according to the operation schedule. Will be explained.

  First, the general manager operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 to display the schedule registration window W3 (see FIG. 7) on the display unit 33. The schedule registration window W3 is a GUI that accepts registration of the operation schedule of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... To the general manager, and is created by the schedule registration unit 32d.

  On the schedule registration window W3, an input field C1 for inputting an operation schedule, a designation field C2 for designating indoor units 10a, 10b,... Controlled according to the operation schedule, and a decision button C3 Is provided. The input field C1 for inputting an operation schedule has a setting field for setting the date and time, and a registration field for registering the operation details to be executed at the date and time. It is possible to set both the date and the time via the setting field for setting the date and time, but it is also possible to set only the time without setting the day. When only the time is set, every time the time is reached, the operation content associated with the time is executed. Further, the operation contents that can be registered through the registration column for registering the operation contents are start, stop, operation mode change, set temperature change, or a combination thereof.

  The general manager inputs the operation schedule via the input field C1, and inputs the device ID or the registered group name of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. When the enter button C3 is pressed, the schedule registration unit 32d newly creates one record in the schedule database 35e. In this record, the device ID or group name of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Input by the general manager and information indicating the operation schedule (hereinafter, schedule information) are stored. More specifically, the schedule information is information (hereinafter referred to as date information) indicating the date and time (including the case of only time) input by the general manager and information (hereinafter referred to as operation details) executed on the date and time. , Driving content information). This completes registration of the operation schedule.

  It is assumed that the schedule registration window W3 can be easily changed from the group registration window W1.

  On the other hand, the operation control unit 32b refers to the schedule database 35e and controls the operation of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... According to the registered operation schedule.

  More specifically, the operation control unit 32b always keeps track of the current time, and when the date and time indicated in the date and time information included in any record in the schedule database 35e is reached, the operation content included in the record. The operation command (more specifically, the start command, the stop command, the operation mode change command or the set temperature change command, or a combination thereof) for executing the operation content indicated by the information in the room corresponding to the record. It transmits to the control part 12 of unit 10a, 10b, .... The operation command is transmitted to the destination indoor units 10a, 10b,... Via the child controllers 20a, 20b,. However, the child controllers 20a, 20b,... That are passed through are specified with reference to the basic information database 35c. In addition, the indoor units 10a, 10b,... That are the final transmission destinations of the operation commands include the indoor units 10a, 10b,. When the information indicating the name of the group is included, all the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to the group are specified with reference to the group database 35d.

  Therefore, the general manager starts and stops the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Individually or in groups via the schedule registration window W3, and stops the operation or changes the operation parameters (operation mode and set temperature). You can make a schedule. For example, the general manager may collectively set an operation schedule in which all indoor units 10a, 10b,... In the rest room 1 are started at the start of a predetermined break time every day and stopped at the end. it can.

(8) Interlocking control Hereinafter, a procedure in which the general manager performs interlocking setting of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And how the indoor units 10a, 10b,. explain.

  First, the general manager operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 to display the interlock setting window W4 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 33. The interlock setting window W4 is a GUI that receives the interlock setting of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... From the general manager, and is created by the interlock setting unit 32e.

  On the interlocking setting window W4, the trigger is triggered by the setting field D1 for setting the contents of the event (hereinafter referred to as trigger event) in the indoor units 10a, 10b,. , A setting field D2 for setting the contents of an event (hereinafter referred to as a triggered event) in the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And a determination button D3 are provided. A setting field D1 for setting the contents of the trigger event includes a setting field D11 for setting the device ID or group name of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And a setting field for setting the contents of the event. The setting field D2 for setting the contents of the triggered event includes a setting field D21 for setting the device ID or group name of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. And a setting field D22 for setting the contents of.

  When the general manager inputs the contents of the trigger event via the setting field D1 and the contents of the triggered event via the setting field D2, and presses the enter button D3 in such a state, the interlock setting unit 32e Creates a new record in the linkage setting database 35f. In this record, information indicating the content of the trigger event (hereinafter referred to as trigger event information) input by the general manager and information indicating the content of the triggered event (hereinafter referred to as triggered event information) are stored. The trigger event information is information indicating items input by the general manager via the input field D11 and the setting field D12. The triggered event information is input by the general manager via the setting fields D21 and D22. It is the information which shows the done item. This completes the registration of the linked settings.

  It should be noted that it is possible to easily transition to the link setting window W4 from the group registration window W1.

  On the other hand, the operation control unit 32b refers to the interlock setting database 35f and controls the operation of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... According to the registered interlock settings.

  More specifically, the operation control unit 32b constantly monitors the occurrence of a trigger event registered in the interlock setting database 35f. Then, any one of the trigger events registered in the interlocking setting database 35f has occurred (more specifically, the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Are started or stopped, or the indoor units 10a, 10b). ,...,...,...,... (More specifically, indoor units 10a, 10b,. .. Start command, stop command, operation mode change command or set temperature change command, or a combination thereof) is transmitted to the controller 12 of the appropriate indoor unit 10a, 10b,. Are appropriate indoor units 10a, 10b,... When the device ID of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. When the information indicating the name of the group is included, all the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to the group are specified with reference to the group database 35d. Further, the transmitted operation command is transmitted to the indoor units 10a, 10b,... As the transmission destination via the child controllers 20a, 20b,. The child controllers 20a, 20b,... That are to be transmitted are specified with reference to the basic information database 35c. Further, when the trigger event information includes information indicating the name of the group, when an event having the content included in the trigger event information occurs in any of the indoor units 10a, 10b,. A trigger signal is generated.

  Therefore, the general manager can easily link arbitrary indoor units 10a, 10b,... Via the link setting window W4. For example, when any one of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to a certain group is stopped, the other indoor units 10a, 10b,.

(9) Charge apportioning A description will be given below of a procedure in which the general manager registers a sub-organization, which is a unit for charging electric power charges, and a state in which the electric charge for using the air conditioning equipment 10 is apportioned to the sub-organization.

  First, the general manager groups the indoor units 10a, 10b,... For each sub-organization to which they belong. The sub-organizations correspond to the indoor units 10a, 10b,. The grouping process follows the procedure described in (5) above.

  Next, the general manager operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 to display a charging unit registration window W5 (see FIG. 9) on the display unit 33. The charging unit registration window W5 is a GUI that accepts registration of a sub-organization that is a charging unit for the power charge to the general manager, and is created by the charging unit registration unit 32f.

  On the charging unit registration window W5, an input field E1 for inputting the name of a sub-organization serving as a charging unit and a designation for designating a group consisting of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to the sub-organization. A column E2 and a confirmation button E3 are provided.

  The general manager inputs the name of the sub-organization via the input field E1 and the name of the registered group of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... When the confirm button E3 is pressed, the charging unit registration unit 32f creates a new record in the charging unit database 35g. In this record, the name of the sub-organization input by the general manager and the names of the groups of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Are stored. This completes the registration of the sub-organization.

  It should be noted that the billing unit registration window W5 can be easily changed from the group registration window W1.

  On the other hand, the power apportioning unit 32g executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 at a predetermined time interval T1 (in this embodiment, every minute).

  That is, the power apportioning unit 32g acquires the power consumption amount (hereinafter referred to as the total power amount) in the latest time interval T1 in the entire facility 1 from the watt hour meter 60 (step S11).

  Then, the electric power apportioning part 32g specifies the opening degree of the electromagnetic valve of each indoor unit 10a, 10b, ... (step S12). The opening degree of the electromagnetic valve of each indoor unit 10a, 10b,... Is obtained by searching the operation information database 35a using the device ID and the current time of the indoor unit 10a, 10b,. .

  Subsequently, the power apportioning unit 32g apportions the total electric energy acquired in step S11 so as to be proportional to the opening degree of the solenoid valve specified in step S12, so that each indoor unit 10a, 10b,. A power consumption amount (hereinafter referred to as individual power amount) in the most recent time interval T1 is calculated (step S13). The value of the calculated individual electric energy of each indoor unit 10a, 10b,... Is stored in the electric energy database 35h in association with the device ID of the indoor unit 10a, 10b,.

  In addition, the power apportioning unit 32g executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 11 at a time interval T2 (usually one month interval) at which the power company collects a power charge.

  First, the power apportioning unit 32g repeats the processes of steps S21 to S23 as long as there are unprocessed records in the charging unit database 35g.

  In step S21, the power apportioning unit 32g extracts one unprocessed record from the charging unit database 35g. Subsequently, the power apportioning unit 32g searches the group database 35d using the name of the group included in the record extracted in step S21 as a search key, and all the indoor units 10a, 10b,. A device ID is specified (step S22).

  Subsequently, the power apportioning unit 32g refers to the power amount database 35h, and the value of the individual power amount associated with any device ID specified in step S22 and the date and time included in the latest time interval T2. Are extracted and integrated (step S23). The integrated value is a value representing the power consumption amount (hereinafter referred to as group power amount) in the latest time interval T2 in all the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to the group corresponding to the record currently being processed. ing.

  Steps S21 to S23 are repeated for each record in the accounting unit database 35g, and when the processing moves to step S24, the group power amount for each group is calculated. In step S24, the power apportioning unit 32g apportions the power charge in the latest time interval T2 of the entire facility 1 so as to be proportional to the group power amount, thereby obtaining the power charge to be borne by the sub-organization corresponding to each group. calculate. As for the power charges at the most recent time interval T <b> 2 in the entire facility 1, it is assumed that the general manager inputs what is reported from the power company via the input unit 34.

  In addition, the electric energy measured by the watt-hour meter 60 is derived not only from the use of the air conditioning equipment 10 but also from the use of other equipment. However, since most of the power consumed by the entire facility 1 is consumed by the air conditioning equipment 10, the above processing regards the power consumed by the entire facility 1 as the power consumed by the air conditioning equipment 10. It is being handled.

  As described above, the power consumption in the air conditioning facility 10 (more precisely, the power consumption in the entire facility 1) is tabulated in units of groups corresponding to the sub-organizations that are billing units. Electricity charges can be collected.

(10) Display of operation information In the storage unit 35, the name of the group, the operation information and abnormality history of the indoor units 10a, 10b,... In the operation information database 35a and the abnormality history database 35b (hereinafter referred to as operation information). Etc.) is defined as a predetermined command. The command is a query for the group database 35d, the operation information database 35a, and the abnormality history database 35b, and is executed by the command execution unit 32h.

  When the general manager actually operates the input unit 34 of the parent controller 30 and specifies items such as the group name and operation information, the command execution unit 32h The group database 35d is searched using the group name as a search key, and the device IDs of all the indoor units 10a, 10b,. Subsequently, the command execution unit 32h searches the operation information database 35a and the abnormality history database 35b using the specified device ID as a search key, extracts operation information and the like of the designated item, and displays them on the display unit 33. .

  Therefore, the general manager can easily view the operation information of the desired item in groups.

<Characteristic>
(1)
In the above embodiment, the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Can be managed in units of groups. More specifically, the parent controller 30 accepts registration of a group consisting of one or more indoor units 10a, 10b,..., And upon registration, the child controllers 20a, 20b,. It is designed so that any indoor unit 10a, 10b,... Can be designated regardless of the difference. Therefore, the general manager can create a logically configured group that exceeds the physical connection form between the indoor units 10a, 10b,... And the child controllers 20a, 20b,. is there. Thereby, the general manager can flexibly manage the indoor units 10a, 10b,... In the facility 1 where the parent controller 30 and the child controllers 20a, 20b,.

(2)
In the storage unit 35 of the parent controller 30, a basic information database 35c that stores information for specifying the child controllers 20a, 20b,... To which the indoor units 10a, 10b,. Further, the storage unit 35 of the parent controller 30 also stores a group database 35d that holds information for specifying the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Belonging to each group. Therefore, when the parent controller 30 manages the indoor units 10a, 10b,... In units of groups, the child controllers 20a, 20b,... Are assigned to the indoor units 10a, 10b,. It is possible to send various signals via.

<Modification>
(1)
In the above embodiment, the group management system 100 replaces or in addition to the air conditioning equipment 10 with other types of equipment in the facility 1 (for example, locking devices, lighting equipment, water supply / drainage devices, humidifiers, elevators, security devices) ) May be managed.

  In such a case, for example, when the key of a specific building 1a is locked, the interlocking setting is registered such that all the indoor units 10a, 10b,... In the buildings 1a, 1b,. Is possible.

(2)
In the above embodiment, the power consumption amount in the entire facility 1 is apportioned to the indoor units 10a, 10b,... Using the opening of the electromagnetic valve, but may be apportioned by other methods. For example, the apportioning ratio may be determined from the operating time, set temperature, etc. of each indoor unit 10a, 10b,.

(3)
In the above embodiment, the amount of power consumed by the air conditioning facility 10 (more precisely, the amount of power consumed by the entire facility 1) is tabulated in units of groups registered in the accounting unit database 35g (that is, each group The power charge for each sub-organization, which is a charging unit, is calculated by apportioning the power charge for the entire facility 1 based on the group power quantity. .

  However, a calculation formula for the power charge used by the power company is stored in the storage unit 35 in advance, and the power apportioning unit 32g substitutes the group power amount into the calculation formula to thereby bear the power charge for each sub-organization. May be calculated. For example, the power apportioning unit 32g can calculate a power charge to be borne by each sub-organization by multiplying the group power amount for each group by the power unit price. Further, the unit price of power applied to the group power amount may be different depending on the group.

  Further, instead of calculating the amount of power consumption in units of groups, it is also possible to determine the proportion of power charges by calculating other indicators in units of groups. As an index other than the power consumption, various values (such as a value indicating the operating state of the air conditioner 10) in the storage unit 35 such as operation time and occupied area, or their calculated values can be employed.

  Further, it may be possible to select which method the general manager adopts among the various apportioning methods of the electric power charge.

(4)
The facility 1 does not need to be spread over one continuous site, and may extend over a plurality of physically separated sites. For example, the university facility 1 may be a collection of a plurality of campuses existing in a plurality of cities. If the facility 1 is a company, the plurality of offices and the plurality of retail stores may be collected.

(5)
In the above embodiment, the parent controller 30 may be connected to a remote management server installed in a service center or the like remote from the facility 1 via the Internet or the like. Furthermore, a number of various controllers installed in a number of properties other than the facility 1 may be connected to the remote management server.

  The present invention has an effect of flexibly managing equipment in a facility where a parent management device and a plurality of child management devices are installed, and a plurality of devices managed by the first child management device. It is useful as a parent management device that manages the other equipment and a plurality of other equipment managed by the second child management device and a device management system including the same.

The figure which shows the structure of the group management system containing the parent controller which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of an air conditioner. The figure which shows the structure of a child controller. The figure which shows the structure of a parent controller. The figure which shows a group registration window. The figure which shows an operation control window. The figure which shows a schedule registration window. The figure which shows a synchronous setting window. The figure which shows a charging unit registration window. The flowchart which shows the process which distributes the electric power consumption in the whole facility to an indoor unit. The flowchart which shows the process which apportions an electric power charge to a sub organization.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facility 1a, 1b, ... Building 5a LAN
10 Air-conditioning equipment 10a, 10b, ... Indoor unit (equipment)
20a, 20b, ... Child controller (child management device)
30 Parent controller (device management device)
31 Communication Unit 32 Control Unit 32b Operation Control Unit (Group Management Unit)
32c Group registration unit 32d Schedule registration unit 32g Power apportioning unit (group management unit)
32h Command execution part (group management part)
34 Input unit 35 Storage unit 35d Group database (group storage unit)
35e Schedule database (schedule storage unit)
40a, 40b, ... outdoor unit 100 group management system (equipment management system)

Claims (9)

A plurality of equipment devices (10a) under its management through the first child management device (20a) and a plurality of other equipment devices under its management through the second child management device (20b) A parent management device (30) for managing (10b),
A group storage unit (35d) that stores group definition information that defines a group to which the facility device under the management of the first child management device and the facility device under the management of the second child management device belongs;
A group management unit (32b, 32g, 32h) for referring to the group definition information and managing the equipment in units of the group;
Comprising
Parent management device (30). A plurality of equipment devices (10a) under its management through the first child management device (20a) and a plurality of other equipment devices under its management through the second child management device (20b) A parent management device (30) for managing
A group registration unit (32c) that accepts registration of a group in which the facility devices are arbitrarily combined, regardless of whether the first child management device or the second child management device is under management;
A group storage unit (35d) for storing group definition information for defining the group;
A group management unit (32b, 32g, 32h) for referring to the group definition information and managing the equipment in units of the group;
Comprising
Parent management device (30). The group management unit (32g) manages the equipment in units of the group by allocating power charges for the amount of power consumed by the equipment (10a, 10b) to the plurality of groups.
The parent management device (30) according to claim 1 or 2. The group management unit (32b) manages the facility devices in units of the group by interlockingly controlling the facility devices (10a, 10b) belonging to the group.
The parent management device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A schedule registration unit (32d) for accepting registration of an operation schedule of the equipment (10a, 10b) belonging to the group;
A schedule storage unit (35e) for storing schedule information indicating the driving schedule in association with the group;
Further comprising
The group management unit (32b) further refers to the schedule information, and manages the facility devices in units of the group by controlling the facility devices belonging to the group according to the operation schedule.
The parent management device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Arranged in the same facility as the first child management device (20a) and the second child management device (20b),
The parent management device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A communication unit (31) that enables connection to a local area network to which the first child management device (20a) and the second child management device (20b) are connected;
Further comprising
The group management unit (32b, 32g, 32h) manages the equipment (10a, 10b) while communicating with the first child management device and the second child management device via the communication unit.
The parent management device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A management content storage unit (35, 35e, 35f, 35g) for storing group management information indicating the management content of the equipment (10a, 10b) belonging to the group in association with the group;
Further comprising
The group management unit (32b, 32g, 32h) further refers to the group management information, and manages the facility devices belonging to the group in accordance with the management content, thereby managing the facility devices in units of the group. to manage,
The apparatus management system in any one of Claims 1-7. A first child management device (20a) for managing a plurality of equipment (10a);
A second child management device (20b) for managing other plurality of equipment (10b);
A parent management device (30) for managing the equipment under its management via the first child management device and for managing the equipment under its management via the second child management device;
With
The parent management device
A group storage unit for storing group definition information for defining a group to which the facility device (10a, 10b) under the management of the first child management device and the facility device under the management of the second child management device belongs. 35d)
A group management unit (32b, 32g, 32h) for referring to the group definition information and managing the equipment in units of the group;
Having
Device management system (100).

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