JP2012141110A - Air conditioning management apparatus, air conditioning management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to early detect abnormality in an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air conditioning management apparatus 10 detects a time period (abnormal operation time period) showing temperature change different from temperature change predicted from an operation state of the air conditioner, from a history of temperature within an air conditioning target area measured with a temperature sensor 40. Then, if the abnormal operation time period is detected, the air conditioning management apparatus determines the presence/absence of a heating body affecting temperature within the area in the abnormal operation time period, and if the heating body is absent, determines that the air conditioner is out of order.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning management device, an air conditioning management method, and a program for determining an abnormality of an air conditioner.

  Systems that automatically detect air conditioner failures are known. In Patent Literature 1, a plurality of types of operation data and setting data are acquired from an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, or a remote controller, converted into a single scale (Maharabino distance), and based on the converted scale, An air conditioning operation monitoring system that determines whether the operation is normal is described.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes an air conditioner that is characterized by being treated as an abnormal postponement when a symptom falls under a certain condition even when an abnormality is detected, and is continuously operated.

JP 2004-232968 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-34194

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, the distance between the reference value and the observed value is obtained, and when the obtained distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the air conditioner has failed. Therefore, in the system described in Patent Document 1, a minor abnormality occurs in which the distance between the reference value and the observed value is slightly smaller than the threshold value, and the abnormality is caused by a failure of the air conditioner. However, since it is determined that the condition of the air conditioner is normal, there is a possibility that the discovery of the failure tends to be delayed.

  In addition, the air conditioner described in Patent Document 2 is also operated in the same manner as in the normal state when it is determined to be in the abnormal postponement state, and similarly, there is a possibility that the discovery of the failure of the air conditioner tends to be delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning management device, an air conditioning management method, and a program that can detect an abnormality of an air conditioner at an early stage.

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioning management device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
Temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the air-conditioning target area of the air conditioner;
Temperature storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition means in association with date and time information for acquiring the temperature;
Environmental acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area;
Environmental storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors acquired by the environment acquisition means in association with date and time information acquired;
An abnormal operation time zone discriminating means for discriminating an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change from the transition of the temperature of the air conditioning target area stored in the temperature storage means;
Determining the presence or absence of the environmental factor in the abnormal operation time period with reference to the environment storage means, based on the presence or absence of the determined environmental factor, abnormality determination means for determining the presence or absence of the abnormality of the air conditioner;
It is characterized by providing.

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioning management method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
Temperature storage means for storing information indicating the temperature transition of the air-conditioning target area of the air conditioner; and environment storage means for storing information indicating the history of the presence or absence of environmental factors affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area; An air conditioning management method using a computer comprising:
An abnormal operation time zone determination step for determining an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change with reference to the temperature storage means;
With reference to the environment storage means, the presence / absence of an environmental factor affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area in the abnormal operation time zone is determined, and the abnormality of the air conditioner is determined based on the presence / absence of the determined environmental factor. An abnormality determination step for determining the presence or absence of
It is characterized by providing.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
Computer
Temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the air conditioning target area of the air conditioner;
Temperature storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition means in association with date and time information for acquiring the temperature;
An environment acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the presence or absence of an environmental factor affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area;
Environmental storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors acquired by the environment acquisition means in association with acquired date and time information;
An abnormal operation time zone discriminating means for discriminating an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change from the transition of the temperature of the air conditioning target area stored in the temperature storage means;
An abnormality determination means for determining the presence or absence of the environmental factor in the abnormal operation time period with reference to the environment storage means, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality of the air conditioner based on the determined presence or absence of the environmental factor;
It is made to function as.

  According to the present invention, since the presence or absence of an abnormality in the air conditioner is determined in consideration of the presence or absence of an environmental factor that affects the air conditioning area, it is possible to detect the abnormality at an early stage.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the system provided with the air-conditioning management apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the air-conditioning management apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the temperature memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the environment memory | storage part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the abnormality determination process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between preset temperature and the measurement temperature of a temperature sensor. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the alerting | reporting process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system provided with the air-conditioning management apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the air-conditioning management apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the abnormality determination process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a diagnostic process (at the time of abnormal grace). It is a flowchart for demonstrating a diagnostic process (at the time of normal). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the alerting | reporting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating another example of an abnormality determination process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment and drawing. Moreover, a change can be added to following embodiment and drawing in the range which does not change the summary of this invention. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or an equivalent part in a figure.

<< First Embodiment >>
An air conditioning system 1 including an air conditioning management device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The air conditioning system 1 is a system for optimally maintaining the temperature of an air conditioning target area (hereinafter simply referred to as an area). As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning management device 10, an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 30 that constitute an air conditioner, a temperature sensor 40, and an environment measurement sensor 50.

  The indoor unit 20 is a machine that is installed in the area and implements processing that can be executed only in the area, such as air blowing processing, among processing executed by the air conditioner. The indoor unit 20 is connected to the outdoor unit 30.

  The outdoor unit 30 is a machine that is installed outside the area and realizes a cooling process of the refrigerant among the processes executed by the air conditioner. The outdoor unit 30 is connected to the indoor unit 20 and the air conditioning management device 10.

  The temperature sensor 40 is installed in the vicinity of the indoor unit 20 (preferably, in the vicinity of the air outlet of the indoor unit 20), and measures the temperature in the area every predetermined time (for example, every minute). Send.

  The environmental measurement sensor 50 is a human sensor or a thermal sensor installed in the vicinity of the indoor unit 20. The environmental measurement sensor 50 determines the presence / absence of a heating element (such as a person or an electric product) having a predetermined reference value or more as an environmental factor that affects the temperature in the area at predetermined time intervals, and the determination result is sent to the air conditioning management device. Send.

  The air conditioning management device 10 is a device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner and for determining the state of the air conditioner (whether there is a failure or the like). The CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), A RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, a communication interface, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning management device 10 functionally includes a temperature acquisition unit 11, an environment acquisition unit 12, an abnormality determination unit 13, a notification unit 14, an air conditioning control unit 15, and a storage unit 16. And comprising.

  The temperature acquisition unit 11 is connected to the temperature sensor 40 and accumulates and stores information indicating the temperature received from the temperature sensor 40 in the temperature storage unit 161 in association with the current date and time information.

  The environment acquisition unit 12 is connected to the environment measurement sensor 50, and stores information stored in the environment storage unit 162 in association with date / time information, which is received from the environment measurement sensor 50 and indicates the presence or absence of a heating element.

  The abnormality determination unit 13 executes an abnormality determination process for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner based on the information stored in the storage unit 16. The details of the abnormality determination process will be described later.

  The notification unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display and the like. The notification unit 14 determines whether or not the air conditioner has failed based on the information stored in the determination result storage unit 163, and executes notification processing to display (notify) that fact if it has failed. To do. Details of the notification process will be described later.

  The air conditioning control unit 15 is connected to the outdoor unit 30 of the air conditioner, and transmits control information to the outdoor unit 30 to control the operation of the air conditioner (the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 20). Further, information (air conditioning information) indicating the operation state of the air conditioner is periodically acquired from the outdoor unit 30 and stored in the air conditioning information storage unit 164 in association with the current date and time information. The air conditioning information is information indicating the set temperature, air volume, operation mode (normal mode, energy saving mode, etc.) of the air conditioner.

  The storage unit 16 includes, for example, a hard disk device and stores various data and programs to be executed by the CPU. The storage unit 16 includes the temperature storage unit 161, the environment storage unit 162, the determination result storage unit 163, and the air conditioning information storage unit 164 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature storage unit 161 stores and stores the in-area temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 and the measurement date and time in association with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the environment storage unit 162 stores and stores information indicating the presence or absence of a heating element detected by the environment measurement sensor 50 and the detection date and time in association with each other.

  When the abnormality determination unit 13 determines the possibility of abnormality of the air conditioner, the determination result storage unit 163 stores information indicating that in association with the determination date and time.

  The air conditioning information storage unit 164 stores and stores the air conditioning information acquired by the air conditioning control unit from the outdoor unit 30 in association with the acquisition date and time.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioning management device 10 will be described. First, the abnormality determination process performed by the abnormality determination unit 13 of the air conditioning management device 10 will be described. The abnormality determination unit 13 executes the abnormality determination process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 at every predetermined time (for example, every 15 minutes).

  When the abnormality determination process is started, first, the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the information stored in the temperature storage unit 161 and the air conditioning information storage unit 164, and the temperature change expected from the operating state of the air conditioner A time zone (abnormal operation time zone) showing a temperature change different from that is detected (step S11). It is not necessary to detect the abnormal operation time zone that has already been detected in the previous abnormality determination process.

  For example, the transition of the set temperature indicated by the air conditioning information stored in the air conditioning information storage unit 164 and the transition of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 stored in the temperature storage unit 161 are represented as shown in FIG. Consider the case. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 13 may detect t1 to t2 where the difference between the set temperature and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 is equal to or greater than the threshold value ΔT as the abnormal operation time zone.

  Further, the abnormality determination unit 13 determines, for example, the date and time when the cooling output is switched from “small” to “large” from the air conditioning information stored in the air conditioning information storage unit 164. Then, the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the information stored in the temperature storage unit 161, and when the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 40 does not change more than the threshold after the determined date and time, the abnormality determination unit 13 sets a predetermined time before and after the date and time. It may be detected as an abnormal operation time zone. Moreover, the abnormality determination part 13 may detect the predetermined time before and after the time when the temperature rapidly changes during the weekday as an abnormal operation time zone.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the abnormality determination unit 13 determines whether or not the abnormal operation time zone has been detected in step S <b> 11 (step S <b> 12). If the abnormal operation time zone cannot be detected (step S12; No), it is estimated that the air conditioner is operating normally, and the abnormality determination process ends.

  When the abnormal operation time zone can be detected (step S12; Yes), the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the environment storage unit 162 and the presence / absence of a heating element affecting the temperature in the area during the abnormal operation time zone Is determined (step S13).

  When it is determined that the heating element is present in the abnormal operation time zone (step S13; Yes), the temperature in the area of the abnormal operation time zone only shows an abnormal value due to the influence of the heating element, and the air conditioner is normal. The abnormality determination process ends.

  When it is determined that there is no heating element in the abnormal operation time zone (step S13; No), it is predicted that the temperature in the area shows an abnormal value in the abnormal operation time zone due to a failure of the air conditioner. Accordingly, the abnormality determination unit 13 records in the determination result storage unit 163 that there is a possibility of abnormality in the air conditioner in association with the current date and time information (step S14). Thus, the abnormality determination process ends.

  Then, the alerting | reporting process which the alerting | reporting part 14 of an air-conditioning management apparatus performs is demonstrated. The alerting | reporting part 14 of an air-conditioning management apparatus performs the alerting | reporting process shown to the flowchart of FIG. 7 for every predetermined time (for example, every hour). Note that the notification process may be performed immediately after the abnormality determination process described above.

  When the notification process is started, the notification unit 14 refers to the determination result storage unit 163 and records information indicating the possibility of abnormality of the air conditioner at a predetermined frequency or more (for example, five times or more per week). It is discriminate | determined whether it is (step S21).

  When it is determined that it is not recorded (step S21; No), it is presumed that the air conditioner has not failed, and the notification process ends. At this time, the notification unit 14 may output (display) a message indicating that the air conditioner is normal.

  When it is determined that it is recorded (step S21; Yes), the notification unit 14 outputs (displays) a message notifying that a failure has occurred in the air conditioner (step S22). The notification unit 14 may display a message that prompts the air conditioner to be checked. This completes the notification process.

  As described above, the air conditioning management device 10 according to the first embodiment is based on the presence / absence of a heating element that affects the temperature in the area when the temperature in the area shows an abnormal value. Determine the anomaly. Therefore, even if a minor abnormality that allows continuous operation has occurred, it is possible to detect an air conditioner failure at an early stage.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the first embodiment.

  In the air conditioning management device 10 according to the first embodiment, it was possible to detect a failure of the air conditioner, but it was not possible to detect which of the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 20 had the failure. . The second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it is possible to determine which of the outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 20 has failed.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system 2 including the air conditioning management device 100 according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner is composed of one outdoor unit 30 and a plurality (three in the figure) of indoor units 20 _{A to} 20 _C, and each of the indoor units 20 _{A to} 20 _C is connected to the outdoor unit 30. Is done. Incidentally, when there is no need to distinguish between each of the indoor units ₂₀ A to 20 _C, simply referred to as indoor unit 20. The number of indoor units 20 is not limited to three, and may be an arbitrary number.

As in the first embodiment, the temperature sensor ₄₀ A to 40 _C are arranged around the indoor units ₂₀ A to 20 _C. Each temperature sensor ₄₀ A to 40 _C periodically measured temperature is transmitted together with the ID of itself in the air conditioning management apparatus 100. Incidentally, when there is no need to distinguish between each of the temperature sensor ₄₀ A to 40 _C, simply referred to as a temperature sensor 40.

As in the first embodiment, environmental measurement sensor 50 _A to 50 _C are arranged around the respective indoor units. Each environmental measurement sensor 50 _A to 50 _C periodically determines the presence or absence of a heating element, and transmits the determination result to the air conditioning management device 100 together with its own ID. Incidentally, when there is no need to distinguish between each of the environmental measurement sensor ₅₀ A to 50 _C are simply referred to as environmental measurement sensor 50.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the air conditioning management device 100 according to the second embodiment further includes an outdoor unit state determination unit 17 in addition to the configuration of the air conditioning management device 10 according to the first embodiment. The storage unit 16 further includes an outdoor unit state storage unit 165.

  In the second embodiment, the temperature acquisition unit 11 accumulates and stores the information indicating the temperature received from each temperature sensor 40, the current date and time information, and the ID of the temperature sensor 40 in the temperature storage unit 161 in association with each other. . In addition, the environment acquisition unit 12 accumulates and stores in the environment storage unit 162 the information indicating the presence or absence of the heating element received from each environment measurement sensor 50, the current date and time information, and the ID of the environment measurement sensor 50 in association with each other.

  The outdoor unit state determination unit 17 is connected to the outdoor unit 30, periodically determines the state of the outdoor unit, and stores it in the outdoor unit state storage unit 165 in association with the current date and time information.

  It is assumed that the state of the outdoor unit 30 determined by the outdoor unit state determination unit 17 includes three types of “normal state”, “abnormal state”, and “abnormal postponement state”. The “abnormal grace state” is a state indicating that there is no trouble in driving the outdoor unit 30 although a slight abnormality is observed. The outdoor unit state determination unit 17 obtains feature amount data (discharge temperature, actual frequency, evaporation temperature, piping temperature, expansion valve opening, etc.) from various sensors provided in the outdoor unit 30, for example, and feature amount data And the predetermined threshold value may be compared to determine the state of the outdoor unit 30.

  Note that the storage unit 16 of the air conditioning management device 100 stores in advance sensor arrangement information indicating the IDs of the temperature sensors 40 and the environmental measurement sensors 50, the installed position coordinates, the IDs of the nearby indoor units 20, and the like. . Each unit of the air conditioning management device 100 refers to the sensor arrangement information stored in the storage unit 16, for each indoor unit 20, information indicating the temperature around the indoor unit 20 and the presence or absence of a heating element, It can be acquired from the corresponding temperature sensor 40 and environmental measurement sensor 50.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioning management device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. First, the abnormality determination process performed by the abnormality determination unit 13 of the air conditioning management device 100 will be described. In addition, about the step which performs the process similar to 1st Embodiment, description is simplified and demonstrated suitably. The abnormality determination unit 13 of the air conditioning management apparatus 100 executes the abnormality determination process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 at every predetermined time (for example, every 15 minutes).

  When the process is started, first, the abnormality determination unit 13 selects one unselected indoor unit 20 to be subjected to abnormality determination (step S31). Subsequently, the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the information stored in the temperature storage unit 161 and the air conditioning information storage unit 164 and detects the abnormal operation time zone of the selected indoor unit 20 (step S32).

For example, if the indoor unit 20 _A is selected, the abnormality determination section 13, and the history of the air conditioning information of the temperature sensor 40 history _A measurement temperature and an indoor unit 20 _A which is positioned in the vicinity (set temperature) Are acquired from the temperature storage unit 161 and the air conditioning information storage unit 164, respectively. And the abnormality discrimination | determination part 13 should just detect the abnormal operation time slot | zone of 20 _A of indoor units based on the acquired information similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  Subsequently, the abnormality determination unit 13 determines whether or not the abnormal operation time zone has been detected in step S32 (step S33). When the abnormal operation time zone cannot be detected (step S33; No), it is presumed that the air conditioner (the selected indoor unit 20 and outdoor unit 30) is operating normally, and the process proceeds to step S38.

  When the abnormal operation time zone can be detected (step S33; Yes), the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the outdoor unit state storage unit 165 to determine the state of the outdoor unit 30 in the abnormal operation time zone (step S34). . Note that when a plurality of states of the outdoor unit 30 in the abnormal operation time zone are stored in the outdoor unit state storage unit 165, the state recorded for the longest time may be the state of the outdoor unit 30 in the abnormal operation time zone. . Or, priorities are set in the order of abnormal status, abnormal grace status, and normal status, and if multiple statuses are detected in the abnormal operating time zone, the higher priority status is set to the abnormal operating time zone. The state of the outdoor unit 30 may be set.

  When it is determined that the outdoor unit 30 is in an abnormal state (step S34; abnormal state), it is predicted that an abnormal operation time zone has occurred due to a failure of the outdoor unit 30. Therefore, the abnormality determination unit 13 records that there is an abnormality in the outdoor unit 30 in the determination result storage unit 163 in association with the current date and time information (step S35), and the abnormality determination process ends. At this time, the notification unit 14 may output a message indicating a failure of the outdoor unit 30, a message prompting repair of the outdoor unit 30, or the like.

  Further, when it is determined that the outdoor unit 30 is in the abnormal grace state (step S34; abnormal grace state), the abnormality determination unit 13 executes the diagnostic process (at the time of abnormal grace) shown in FIG. 11 (step S36).

  When the diagnosis process (at the time of abnormal grace) is started, first, the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the temperature storage unit 161, and substantially the same abnormal operation time for the other indoor units 20 other than those selected in step S31. It is determined whether or not a band is detected (step S361).

  If the similar abnormal operation time zone is detected in the other indoor units 20 (step S361; Yes), there is no possibility that the individual indoor units 20 are abnormal and the outdoor unit 30 is abnormal. Therefore, the abnormality determination unit 13 records that there is a possibility of abnormality in the outdoor unit 30 in association with the current date and time information in the determination result storage unit 163 (step S362), and the diagnosis process (step S36) ends.

  When the substantially same abnormal operation time zone is not detected from the other indoor units 20 (step S361; No), the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the environment storage unit 162 in the abnormal operation time zone in step S31. It is determined whether or not there is a heating element affecting the temperature in the area around the selected indoor unit 20 (step S363).

For example, if the indoor unit 20 _A is selected, the abnormality determination unit 13, the indoor unit 20 _A history information indicating the presence or absence of the heat generating element due to environmental measurement sensors 50 _A arranged in the vicinity of the environmental storage unit 162 Get from. And the abnormality determination part 13 should just determine the presence or absence of the heat generating body in the abnormal operation time slot | zone from the acquired information similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  If it is determined that there is a heating element in the abnormal operation time zone (step S363; Yes), the temperature in the area of the abnormal operation time zone only shows an abnormal value due to the influence of the heating element, and the air conditioner is normal. It is predicted that there will be, and the diagnosis process (step S36) ends.

  When it is determined that there is no heating element in the abnormal operation time zone (step S363; No), the temperature around the indoor unit 20 shows an abnormal value in the abnormal operation time zone due to the failure of the indoor unit 20 selected in step S31. It is predicted that Therefore, the abnormality determination unit 13 records the possibility that there is an abnormality in the indoor unit 20 in association with the current date and time information in the determination result storage unit 163 (step S364), and the diagnosis process (step S36) ends. .

  Returning to FIG. 10, when it is determined that the outdoor unit 20 is in a normal state (step S <b> 34; normal state), the abnormality determination unit 13 executes a diagnosis process (normal time) shown in FIG. 12 (step S <b> 37).

  When the diagnostic process (normal time) is started, first, the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the temperature storage unit 161, and the other indoor units 20 other than those selected in step S31 are substantially in the same abnormal operation time period. Is detected (step S371).

When the similar abnormal operation time zone is detected in the other indoor units 20 (step S371; Yes), the air conditioners (the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30) are normal, but the cause such as insufficient output of the air conditioner As a result, the temperature of the entire area cannot be controlled near the set temperature, and it is considered that an abnormal operation time zone occurred. Therefore, the air conditioning control unit 15 refers to the air conditioning information storage unit 164 to determine the indoor unit 20 that is currently operated in the energy saving mode. Then, the air conditioning control unit 15, to the determined indoor unit 20, a control signal instructing to release the energy-saving mode and transmitted via the outdoor unit, canceling the energy saving mode of all the indoor units 20 _A to 20 _C (Step S372). Thus, the diagnosis process (step S37) ends.

  When the same abnormal operation time zone is not detected from the other indoor units 20 (step S371; No), the abnormality determination unit 13 refers to the environment storage unit 162 and selects the abnormal operation time zone in step S31. It is determined whether or not there is a heating element affecting the temperature in the peripheral area of the indoor unit 20 (step S373).

  If it is determined that there is a heating element in the abnormal operation time zone (step S373; Yes), the air conditioner (indoor unit 20 and outdoor unit 30) is normal, but the heating element is due to a lack of output of the air conditioner, etc. It is considered that an abnormal operation time zone in which the temperature around the indoor unit 20 selected in step S31 deviates from the set temperature has occurred. Therefore, the air conditioning control unit 15 refers to the air conditioning information storage unit 164 and determines whether or not the indoor unit 20 selected in step S31 is currently operating in the energy saving mode. When it is determined that the energy saving mode is selected, the air conditioning control unit 15 transmits control information for instructing to release the energy saving mode to the indoor unit 20 via the outdoor unit, and the energy saving mode of the indoor unit 20 is determined. Is released (step S374). Thus, the diagnosis process (step S37) ends.

  Further, when it is determined that there is no heating element during the abnormal operation time zone (step S373; No), the ambient temperature becomes an abnormal value due to the failure of the indoor unit 20 selected in step S31 even though there is no heating element. Expected to be shown. Therefore, the abnormality determination unit 13 records in the determination result storage unit 163 that there is a possibility of abnormality in the indoor unit 20 selected in step S31 in association with the current date and time information (step S375), and the diagnosis process ends. .

Returning to FIG. 10, the diagnostic processing (step S36, step S37) When finished, the abnormality determination section 13 determines whether all the indoor units ₂₀ A to 20 _C selected at step S31 (step S38). When there is an unselected indoor unit 20 (step S38; No), the process of selecting the indoor unit 20 and determining the abnormality of the selected indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 is repeated. When all the indoor units 20 _{A to} 20 _C are selected (step S38; Yes), the abnormality determination process ends.

  Then, the alerting | reporting process which the alerting | reporting part 14 of the air-conditioning management apparatus 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment implements is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that information indicating the possibility of abnormality is recorded in the discrimination result storage unit 163 for each of the outdoor unit 30 and each indoor unit 20 by the processing of Step S362, Step S364, and Step S375 described above.

  First, the notification unit 14 refers to the determination result storage unit 163 and determines whether or not information indicating the possibility of abnormality of the outdoor unit 30 is recorded at a predetermined frequency or more (for example, five or more times per week). It discriminate | determines (step S41).

  When it is determined that it is not recorded (step S41; No), it is estimated that the outdoor unit 30 is normal, and the process proceeds to step S43. At this time, the notification unit 14 may output (display) a message indicating that the outdoor unit is normal.

  When it is determined that it is recorded (step S41; Yes), it is estimated that a failure has occurred in the outdoor unit 30. Therefore, the notification unit 14 outputs (displays) a message notifying that a failure has occurred in the outdoor unit 30 (step S42).

  Subsequently, the notification unit 14 refers to the determination result storage unit 163 and determines whether or not information indicating the possibility of abnormality of the indoor unit 20 is recorded at a predetermined frequency or more (for example, five or more times per week). Is discriminated (step S43).

  When it is determined that it is not recorded (step S43; No), it is estimated that the indoor unit 20 is normal, and the notification process ends. At this time, the notification unit 14 may output (display) a message indicating that the indoor unit 20 is normal.

  When it is determined that it is recorded (step S43; Yes), it is estimated that a failure has occurred in the indoor unit 20. Therefore, the notification unit 14 outputs (displays) a message notifying that a failure has occurred in the indoor unit 20 (step S44). This completes the notification process.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, not only the failure of the air conditioner can be detected at an early stage by using the presence or absence of the heating element in the abnormal operation time zone, but also in any of the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 of the air conditioner. Since it becomes possible to determine whether a failure has occurred, the user can obtain more useful information.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the notification unit 14 may notify the failure by outputting a specific error sound when detecting the failure of the air conditioner. Further, an e-mail indicating that a failure has occurred in the air conditioner may be transmitted to a pre-registered administrator's e-mail address.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the abnormality determination process, when it is determined that there is a heating element in the abnormal operation time zone (step S13; Yes), the notification unit 14 notifies the failure or abnormality of the air conditioner (step S15). )
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to alert | report the failure of an air conditioning machine earlier. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide the determination result storage unit 163, it is possible to save the memory capacity.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, the environmental factor which affects the temperature around the indoor unit 20 was made into the heat generating body, and the presence or absence was utilized for discrimination | determination of the abnormality of an air conditioner. However, the present invention does not limit the environmental factor that affects the temperature around the indoor unit 20 to the heating element. For example, a low-temperature body such as ice may be assumed as an environmental factor that affects the temperature around the indoor unit 20. In this case, the environmental measurement sensor 50 may detect the presence or absence of a low-temperature body in addition to the heating element by a thermal sensor or the like, and transmit the detection result to the air conditioning management devices 10 and 100.

  In addition, for example, by applying an operation program that defines the operation of the air conditioning management devices 10 and 100 according to the present invention to an existing personal computer, an information terminal device, or the like, the personal computer or the like is used as the air conditioning management device 10 according to the present invention. , 100 can also function.

  Further, the distribution method of such a program is arbitrary. For example, the program can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card. It may be distributed by storing in a recording medium, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning system 10 Air conditioning management apparatus 20 Indoor unit 30 Outdoor unit 40 Temperature sensor 50 Environmental measurement sensor

Claims (7)

Temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the air-conditioning target area of the air conditioner;
Temperature storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition means in association with date and time information for acquiring the temperature;
Environmental acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area;
Environmental storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors acquired by the environment acquisition means in association with date and time information acquired;
An abnormal operation time zone discriminating means for discriminating an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change from the transition of the temperature of the air conditioning target area stored in the temperature storage means;
Determining the presence or absence of the environmental factor in the abnormal operation time period with reference to the environment storage means, based on the presence or absence of the determined environmental factor, abnormality determination means for determining the presence or absence of the abnormality of the air conditioner;
An air-conditioning management device comprising: A notification means for notifying the determination result determined by the abnormality determination means;
The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 1. The abnormality determining means determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the air conditioner at a predetermined timing,
The informing means informs that the air conditioner has failed when the determining process determines that there is an abnormality in the air conditioner over a predetermined frequency.
The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 2. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
Outdoor unit state acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the operating state of the outdoor unit;
An outdoor unit state storage unit that stores and stores information indicating an operation state of the outdoor unit acquired by the outdoor unit state acquisition unit in association with acquisition date and time information;
The abnormality determination means determines the operation state of the outdoor unit in the abnormal operation time zone with reference to the outdoor unit state storage means, and determines the determined operation state of the outdoor unit and the presence / absence of the determined environmental factor. Based on the presence of an abnormality for each of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit,
The air-conditioning management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Based on the operation state of the outdoor unit in the abnormal operation time zone and the presence or absence of the environmental factor, it is determined whether or not to cancel the energy saving mode operation of the indoor unit. An energy saving control means for transmitting a control signal for canceling the mode operation;
The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 4. Temperature storage means for storing information indicating the temperature transition of the air-conditioning target area of the air conditioner; and environment storage means for storing information indicating the history of the presence or absence of environmental factors affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area; An air conditioning management method using a computer comprising:
An abnormal operation time zone determination step for determining an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change with reference to the temperature storage means;
With reference to the environment storage means, the presence / absence of an environmental factor affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area in the abnormal operation time zone is determined, and the abnormality of the air conditioner is determined based on the presence / absence of the determined environmental factor. An abnormality determination step for determining the presence or absence of
An air conditioning management method comprising: Computer
Temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the air conditioning target area of the air conditioner;
Temperature storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition means in association with date and time information for acquiring the temperature;
An environment acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the presence or absence of an environmental factor affecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target area;
Environmental storage means for accumulating and storing information indicating the presence or absence of environmental factors acquired by the environment acquisition means in association with acquired date and time information;
An abnormal operation time zone discriminating means for discriminating an abnormal operation time zone showing a temperature change different from a normal predicted temperature change from the transition of the temperature of the air conditioning target area stored in the temperature storage means;
An abnormality determination means for determining the presence or absence of the environmental factor in the abnormal operation time period with reference to the environment storage means, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality of the air conditioner based on the determined presence or absence of the environmental factor;
A program characterized by functioning as

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