JP4179297B2 - Centralized management system with equipment adapters - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a centralized management system comprising equipment adapter.

In recent years, a centralized management system that centrally manages a plurality of equipment such as an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, and a hot water supply device by a centralized management device has been used. In the centralized management system described in Patent Document 1, an equipment adapter that performs protocol conversion between the equipment and the centralized management apparatus is provided. This equipment adapter includes a plurality of sensors that read various data of the equipment and transmits various data obtained from the equipment to the centralized management apparatus.
JP 2004-232980 A

  In the centralized management system, abnormality detection of equipment is mainly performed by the centralized management device based on data related to equipment transmitted from the equipment adapter. Normally, data from a plurality of equipment is concentrated on the centralized management apparatus, and as a result, various processes in the centralized management apparatus may be delayed, which may cause an undesirable situation. Therefore, such a situation can be avoided if the amount of data to be processed by the central management apparatus can be suppressed while detecting an abnormality in the equipment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a centralized management system comprising equipment adapter capable of reducing the load on the central control device.

  The centralized management system according to the first invention includes an equipment device and an equipment device adapter. The facility device adapter relays between the facility device and a central management device that centrally manages the facility device. The equipment includes a flag storage unit, a first flag change unit, a check unit, and a second abnormality determination unit. The equipment device adapter includes a second flag changing unit, a reading unit, and a first abnormality determining unit. The flag storage unit has a storage area for storing a flag. The first flag changing unit sets the flag to the first value by always processing. A 2nd flag change part makes a flag the 2nd value different from a 1st value by a periodical process. The reading unit reads the flag when a predetermined period has elapsed after the end of the regular processing. The first abnormality determination unit determines that the operation of the equipment is abnormal when the flag read by the reading unit does not match the first value. The check unit always checks the flag value during processing. The second abnormality determination unit determines that the periodic processing has not ended normally when the flag checked by the check unit matches the first value for a predetermined number of times, and the operation of the equipment adapter is Judged to be abnormal.

  In this centralized management system, the flag changing unit of the equipment device adapter that relays between the equipment and the centralized management device does not change the flag in the equipment, and the flag is not a second value different from the first value due to the periodic processing of the equipment equipment adapter. In this case, the value is changed to the second value. The flag in the equipment is changed to the first value when the flag is not the first value by the constant process performed by the equipment. For this reason, the facility equipment adapter does not function normally in the equipment when the flag value when the equipment is always processed normally is different from the actual flag value. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

A facility equipment adapter according to a second aspect of the present invention is a facility equipment adapter that relays between a facility equipment and a central management apparatus for equipment equipment, and includes a flag changing unit. The flag changing unit changes the flag in the facility device that becomes the first value by the constant process performed by the facility device to the second value when the flag is not the second value different from the first value by the periodic process.

  In this facility equipment adapter, the flag changing unit of the equipment device adapter changes the flag in the equipment device to the second value when the flag is not the second value different from the first value by the periodic processing of the equipment device adapter. The flag in the equipment is changed to the first value when the flag is not the first value by the constant process performed by the equipment. For this reason, the facility equipment adapter does not function normally in the equipment when the flag value when the equipment is always processed normally is different from the actual flag value. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

  In this specification, “equipment equipment” includes not only product equipment such as air conditioners, lighting fixtures, and hot water supply devices, but also elements constituting these equipment (for example, heat source chillers in the case of air conditioners). Is also included.

The equipment device adapter according to the third invention is the equipment device adapter according to the second invention , further comprising a reading unit. The reading unit reads the flag when a predetermined period has elapsed after the end of the regular processing.

  In this equipment device adapter, the equipment device adapter reading unit reads the flag in the equipment device when a predetermined period has elapsed after the end of the periodic processing of the equipment device adapter. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can recognize the value of the flag of the facility equipment.

The equipment device adapter which concerns on 4th invention is the equipment device adapter which concerns on 3rd invention , Comprising: The abnormality determination part is further provided. The abnormality determination unit operates normally when the read flag matches the first value, and operates abnormally when the read flag does not match the first value. It is determined that

  In this equipment / equipment adapter, the abnormality determination unit of the equipment / equipment adapter compares the read flag with the first value, and if it matches, the operation of the equipment is normal, and if not, the operation of the equipment / equipment Is determined to be abnormal. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the facility equipment.

The equipment adapter according to the fifth invention is the equipment equipment adapter according to the third invention or the fourth invention , and the regular processing is completed when the equipment and the equipment adapter are operating normally. At least once after a predetermined period of time has passed.

  In this equipment device adapter, the equipment device always executes the process at least once after the equipment device adapter finishes the periodic processing and before the flag reading is started. Thereby, the equipment adapter can detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment when the read flag is not the first value even once.

The equipment device adapter which concerns on 6th invention is an equipment device adapter which concerns on either of the 2nd invention from the 5th invention , Comprising: An equipment device has a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller has a storage unit that stores a flag. The programmable logic controller always performs processing.

  In this equipment device adapter, the equipment device adapter communicates with the equipment device body via a programmable logic controller of the equipment device. For this reason, if the equipment adapter includes an interface capable of communicating with the programmable logic controller, communication with the equipment can be performed relatively easily. Thereby, the equipment adapter which has the said characteristic can be manufactured comparatively easily.

An equipment adapter according to a seventh aspect of the invention is an equipment adapter that relays between equipment and a centralized management apparatus for equipment, and includes a flag changing unit and a reading unit. The flag changing unit sets a flag in the equipment device that becomes the first value when execution of the command from the centralized management device is completed in the equipment device, and when the flag is not a second value different from the first value when the command is transmitted. Change to the second value. The reading unit reads the flag when a predetermined period elapses after the command transmission ends.

  In this equipment / equipment adapter, when the flag changing unit of the equipment / equipment adapts the flag in the equipment / equipment from the central control device of the equipment / equipment to the equipment / equipment, the flag is not a second value different from the first value. Changes to the second value. The flag in the equipment is changed to the first value if the flag is not the first value when execution of the command from the centralized management device is finished in the equipment. The reading unit of the equipment device adapter reads the flag when a predetermined period has passed after the transmission of the command from the equipment device centralized management apparatus to the equipment device. For this reason, when the value of the flag when the instruction is normally executed in the equipment is different from the value of the actual flag, the equipment adapter does not finish executing the instruction normally in the equipment. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

The equipment device adapter which concerns on 8th invention is the equipment device adapter which concerns on 7th invention , Comprising: The abnormality determination part is further provided. The abnormality determination unit operates normally when the read flag matches the first value, and operates abnormally when the read flag does not match the first value. It is determined that

  In this equipment / equipment adapter, the abnormality determination unit of the equipment / equipment adapter compares the read flag with the first value, and if it matches, the operation of the equipment is normal, and if not, the operation of the equipment / equipment Is determined to be abnormal. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the facility equipment.

The equipment adapter according to the ninth invention is the equipment equipment adapter according to the seventh invention or the eighth invention , and the equipment has a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller has a storage unit that stores a flag. The programmable logic controller sets the flag to the first value when the execution of the instruction from the central management device is completed.

  In this equipment device adapter, the equipment device adapter communicates with the equipment device body via a programmable logic controller of the equipment device. For this reason, if the equipment adapter includes an interface capable of communicating with the programmable logic controller, communication with the equipment can be performed relatively easily. Thereby, the equipment adapter which has the said characteristic can be manufactured comparatively easily.

  A centralized management system according to a tenth aspect includes equipment, a centralized management apparatus that centrally manages the equipment, and an equipment adapter that relays the equipment and the centralized management apparatus. The equipment device adapter includes a flag changing unit and a reading unit. The flag changing unit sets a flag in the equipment device that becomes the first value when execution of the command from the centralized management device is completed in the equipment device, and when the flag is not a second value different from the first value when the command is transmitted. Change to the second value. The reading unit reads the flag when a predetermined period elapses after the command is transmitted.

  In this centralized management system, the flag changing unit of the equipment / equipment adapter that relays between the equipment / centralized management device sets the flag in the equipment / equipment, and the flag is set when the instruction is sent from the equipment / centralized management device to the equipment / equipment. If it is not a second value different from the first value, the second value is changed. The flag in the equipment is changed to the first value if the flag is not the first value when execution of the command from the centralized management device is finished in the equipment. The reading unit of the equipment device adapter reads the flag when a predetermined period has passed after the transmission of the command from the equipment device centralized management apparatus to the equipment device. For this reason, when the value of the flag when the instruction is normally executed in the equipment is different from the value of the actual flag, the equipment adapter does not finish executing the instruction normally in the equipment. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

In the equipment adapter according to the first invention and the second invention , the flag in the equipment changes between the first value and the second value different from the first value by the periodic processing by the equipment and the constant processing by the equipment. Is done. For this reason, the facility equipment adapter does not function normally in the equipment when the flag value when the equipment is always processed normally is different from the actual flag value. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

In the equipment adapter according to the third aspect, the reading device of the equipment equipment adapter reads the flag in the equipment when a predetermined period has elapsed after the end of the periodic processing of the equipment equipment adapter. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can recognize the value of the flag of the facility equipment.

In the equipment according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the abnormality determination unit of the equipment equipment adapter compares the read flag with the first value, and if the two match, the equipment operation is normal. It is determined that the operation of the device is abnormal. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the facility equipment.

In the equipment adapter according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the equipment is always executed at least once by the equipment from the end of the regular processing to the start of reading the flag. Thereby, the equipment adapter can detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment when the read flag is not the first value even once.

In the equipment device adapter according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the equipment device adapter communicates with the equipment device body via the programmable logic controller of the equipment device. For this reason, if the equipment adapter has an interface capable of communicating with the programmable logic controller, it is sufficient to communicate with the equipment, and the equipment adapter having the above characteristics can be manufactured relatively easily. .

In the equipment adapter according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the flag in the equipment equipment is between the first value and the second value different from the first value at the time of transmission of the instruction by the equipment equipment adapter and at the end of execution of the instruction by the equipment equipment. Be changed. For this reason, when the value of the flag when the instruction is normally executed in the equipment is different from the value of the actual flag, the equipment adapter does not finish executing the instruction normally in the equipment. It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred in the equipment. In this way, the load on the centralized management apparatus can be reduced by detecting an abnormality in the equipment device adapter.

In the equipment adapter according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the abnormality determination unit of the equipment equipment adapter compares the read flag with the first value, and if the two match, the operation of the equipment is normal. It is determined that the operation of the equipment is abnormal. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the facility equipment.

In the equipment device adapter according to the ninth aspect , the equipment device adapter communicates with the equipment device body via the programmable logic controller of the equipment device. For this reason, if the equipment adapter has an interface capable of communicating with the programmable logic controller, it is sufficient to communicate with the equipment, and the equipment adapter having the above characteristics can be manufactured relatively easily. .

A centralized management system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes equipment, a centralized management device that centrally manages the equipment, and a facility equipment adapter according to the seventh aspect . Thereby, abnormality detection can be performed in an equipment adapter, and the load concerning a centralized management apparatus can be reduced.

<Centralized management system>
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the centralized management system 1 provided with the equipment adapter 30 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. The centralized management system 1 is a system that centrally manages a plurality of air conditioners 10 by the centralized management device 20.

  The central management system 1 includes an air conditioner 10, a central management device 20 that manages the air conditioner 10, and an equipment device adapter 30 that relays the air conditioner 10 and the central management device 20. The equipment device adapter 30 converts the protocol between the air conditioner 10 and the centralized management device 20 and enables communication between the two. The centralized management system 1 exists in the building 2 in which the air conditioner 10 to be managed is installed.

(air conditioner)
The air conditioner 10 performs air conditioning in the room of the building 2 in which the air conditioner 10 is installed. Operation commands for the air conditioner 10 such as power on / off, temperature setting, timer reservation, etc. are made by a user in the vicinity of the air conditioner 10 via an operation panel or a remote control provided on the wall, or the central control device 20 performs air conditioning. This is performed by a command transmitted to the machine 10.

  A programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as PLC) 40 is attached to the air conditioner 10. The manufacturer that provides the air conditioner 10 uses the PLC 40 to program the operation of the air conditioner 10 and operates the air conditioner in a desired manner.

  The PLC 40 includes a communication port 41, a memory 42, and a CPU 43. The PLC 40 is connected to the equipment device adapter 30 via the communication port 41 and communicates with the equipment device adapter 30. The PLC 40 has a built-in communication command for communicating with peripheral devices. The communication command of the PLC 40 includes a read command for reading data at an arbitrary address in the memory 42 from a peripheral device, a write command for writing data at an arbitrary address, and the like. The equipment adapter 30 connected to the PLC 40 can read the data related to the air conditioner 10 by using this read command. Moreover, the equipment adapter 30 can write the command from the central control device 20 to the air conditioner 10 in the memory 42 of the PLC 40 as a control program using this write command. The CPU 43 executes the control program written in the memory 42 and controls the air conditioner 10. Thereby, the centralized management apparatus 20 connected to the equipment device adapter 30 can control the air conditioner 10.

(Centralized management device)
The centralized management device 20 transmits and receives data to and from the air conditioner 10 via the facility equipment adapter 30 to centrally manage the air conditioner 10. The data transmitted from the central management device 20 to the air conditioner 10 includes an instruction for the central management device 20 to manage the air conditioner 10.

  The centralized management device 20 collects facility equipment data related to the air conditioner 10 from the facility equipment adapter 30. The facility equipment data includes data indicating the operation details of the air conditioner 10 such as the cumulative number of times the air conditioner 10 is started, the accumulated operation time, and the maximum continuous operation time, and data indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10. included. The central management device 20 detects an abnormality based on data indicating the operation content of the air conditioner 10 as well as by receiving data indicating that an abnormality has occurred. The data received by the central management device 20 and indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10 includes data created when the equipment adapter 30 detects an abnormality in the air conditioner 10. Note that the abnormality in the air conditioner 10 detected by the equipment device adapter 30 in this specification includes a communication abnormality between the air conditioner 10 and the equipment device adapter 30.

  Furthermore, when the central management device 20 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10, it transmits a command for dealing with the abnormality to the air conditioner 10 via the equipment adapter 30 according to the abnormality. For example, when the centralized management device 20 recognizes that the temperature of a part of the air conditioner 10 has risen abnormally, a command that the air conditioner 10 issues a sign that tells the user that an abnormality has occurred. Or a command for forcibly turning off the power supply of the air conditioner 10 is transmitted.

(Equipment adapter)
The equipment device adapter 30 includes a flag changing unit 31, a reading unit 32, an abnormality determining unit 33, a first communication port 34, and a second communication port 35. The facility device adapter 30 is connected to the central management device 20 via the first communication port 34 and is connected to the communication port 41 of the air conditioner 10 via the second communication port 35. In this way, the equipment device adapter 30 relays between the air conditioner 10 and the centralized management device 20, converts both protocols, and enables communication between the two. The operations of the flag changing unit 31, the reading unit 32, and the abnormality determining unit 33 will be described later.

(Abnormality detection operation of the centralized management system)
With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the centralized management system 1 when the equipment adapter 30 detects an abnormality in the sequential processing of the air conditioner 10 will be described.

  A storage area used as the first flag is secured in the memory 42 of the PLC 40 of the air conditioner 10.

  In step S <b> 21, the flag changing unit 31 of the equipment device adapter 30 performs a periodic process for setting the value of the first flag in the PLC 40 to 0. In this periodic process, the flag changing unit 31 writes a value of 0 in the first flag using a write command of the PLC 40.

  In subsequent step S <b> 22, the PLC 40 of the air conditioner 10 performs a constant process for setting the value of the first flag in the PLC 40 to 1. In this constant process, the PLC 40 checks the value of the first flag in the PLC 40 and changes the value of the first flag to 1 when detecting that the value of the first flag is 0.

  On the other hand, if it is detected in step S22 that the value of the first flag is 1, the air conditioner 10 does not end the regular processing of the equipment device adapter 30 normally in step S21, and the equipment device adapter 30 It is possible to detect that some abnormality has occurred. When such an abnormality continues for a predetermined number of times, the air conditioner 10 copes with this abnormality by resetting the equipment adapter 30 or the like. The abnormality in the equipment device adapter 30 detected by the air conditioner 10 in step S22 includes a communication abnormality between the air conditioner 10 and the equipment device adapter 30.

  In subsequent step S23, the reading unit 32 of the equipment adapter 30 performs a reading process of reading the value of the first flag in the PLC 40 when a predetermined period has elapsed after the periodic process in step S21 is completed. This predetermined period is set so that the reading process in step S23 is started after the end of the constant process in step S22 when the normal process in step S22 and the reading process in step S23 are normally executed. The In the reading process in step S23, the reading unit 32 reads the value of the first flag using a read command of the PLC 40.

  In continuing step S24, the abnormality determination part 33 of the equipment adapter 30 performs abnormality determination in the air conditioner 10 based on the value of the 1st flag in PLC40 read in step S23. Specifically, if the value of the first flag read in step S23 is 0, the abnormality determination unit 33 considers that the sequential processing by the PLC 40 has not been performed normally, and an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10. Determine and proceed to step S25. On the other hand, if the value of the first flag read in step S23 is 1, the abnormality determination unit 33 determines that the sequential processing of the PLC 40 is normally performed and the operation of the air conditioner 10 is normal. And it returns to step S21 and repeats the said step.

  In subsequent step S <b> 25, the facility device adapter 30 transmits data indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10 to the centralized management device 20.

  With the above configuration, the equipment device adapter 30 can detect an abnormality in the sequential processing of the air conditioner 10.

  Next, the operation of the centralized management system 1 when the equipment adapter 30 detects an abnormality in the command execution process from the centralized management device 20 of the air conditioner 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the memory 42 of the PLC 40 included in the air conditioner 10, a storage area used as the second flag is secured separately from the first flag.

  In step S <b> 31, the facility device adapter 30 transmits a command from the central management device 20 to the air conditioner 10. At this time, the facility equipment adapter 30 writes an instruction in the memory 42 of the PLC 40 using the write command of the PLC 40. Further, the flag changing unit 31 of the equipment adapter 30 writes a value of 1 in the second flag using a write command of the PLC 40.

  In subsequent step S32, the PLC 40 of the air conditioner 10 executes the command written in the memory 42 in step S31. After completing the execution of the instruction, the PLC 40 sets the value of the second flag in the memory 42 to zero.

  In subsequent step S33, the reading unit 32 of the equipment adapter 30 performs a reading process of reading the value of the second flag in the PLC 40 when a predetermined period has elapsed after the transmission of the command in step S31 is completed. During the predetermined period, when the execution of the instruction in step S32 and the reading process in step S33 are normally executed, the reading process in step S33 is started after the end of the execution of the instruction in step S32. Is set. In the reading process in step S33, the reading unit 32 reads the value of the second flag in the PLC 40 using the reading command of the PLC 40.

  In continuing step S34, the abnormality determination part 33 of the equipment adapter 30 performs abnormality determination in the air conditioner 10 based on the value of the second flag in the PLC 40 read in step S33. Specifically, if the value of the second flag read in step S33 is 1, the abnormality determination unit 33 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10 by regarding that the execution of the instruction by the PLC 40 has not ended. Then, the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, if the value of the second flag read in step S33 is 0, the abnormality determination unit 33 regards the execution of the instruction by the PLC 40 as normal, and executes the instruction in the air conditioner 10 normally. It is determined that the process has ended.

  In subsequent step S <b> 35, the equipment adapter 30 transmits data indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10 to the centralized management device 20.

  With the above configuration, the facility equipment adapter 30 can detect an abnormality in the command execution process from the central management device 20 of the air conditioner 10.

(PLC memory map)
In the memory 42 of the PLC 40, a model information area, a common data area, an option data area, a centralized operation data area, and a confirmation data area are secured. In the model information area, model information data of equipment, for example, data indicating the presence / absence of a heating function, the set temperature of an air conditioning cold water inlet, the presence / absence of remote control connection, a product code, and the like are stored. Further, the model information area stores data representing the start address and data length of the option data area. In the common data area, basic monitoring data commonly used by the centralized management device 20 to monitor a plurality of types of air conditioners 10, for example, operation / stop state of the air conditioners 10, operations such as heating / cooling, etc. Data representing the mode, outside air temperature, etc. is stored. In the option data area, data corresponding to the characteristics of each model of the air conditioner 10 is stored, which is more detailed than the common data area. In the centralized operation data area, commands transmitted from the centralized management device 20 to the air conditioner 10 are stored. In the confirmation data area, state confirmation flags such as the first flag and the second flag are stored.

  The model information area, common data area, centralized operation data area, and confirmation data area are set to have fixed addresses. On the other hand, the option data area is set to have a variable address, and when the equipment device adapter 30 accesses the option data area, addressing is performed using the start address and data length included in the model information area. Thereby, the centralized management apparatus 20 can connect with the air conditioner 10 from which the data which should be memorize | stored in an option data area differ through the equipment device adapter 30 of the same design.

<Features>
(1)
In the centralized management system 1, a storage area for the first flag is secured in the memory 42 of the PLC 40 included in the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 10 sets the value of the first flag to 1 by regular processing, and the facility equipment adapter 30 sets the value of the first flag to 0 by regular processing. For this reason, the equipment adapter 30 can detect an abnormality in the air conditioner 10 based on the value of the first flag in the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 10 of the centralized management system 1 can detect an abnormality in the equipment adapter 30 based on the value of the first flag in the air conditioner 10.

(2)
In this centralized management system 1, a storage area for the second flag is secured in the memory 42 of the PLC 40 included in the air conditioner 10. The facility equipment adapter 30 sets the value of the second flag to 1 when a command from the centralized management device 20 to the air conditioner 10 is transmitted to the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 10 sets the value of the second flag to 0 after the execution of the command is completed. For this reason, the facility equipment adapter 30 can detect an abnormality in the air conditioner 10 based on the value of the second flag in the air conditioner 10.

(3)
In this centralized management system 1, the air conditioner 10 and the equipment device adapter 30 detect an abnormality according to the operation flow shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For this reason, the processing amount for abnormality detection in the centralized management apparatus 20 that centrally manages a plurality of air conditioners 10 can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the central management system 1 while reducing the possibility that the processing by the central management device 20 overflows and the function of the entire central management system 1 is stagnated.

(4)
In this centralized management system 1, data representing the start address and data length of the option data area is stored in the model information area of the memory 42 of the PLC 40 of the air conditioner 10. Thereby, the facility equipment adapter 30 can address the option data area of the air conditioner 10 using the start address and the data length included in the model information area. Therefore, the centralized management apparatus 20 can be connected to the air conditioners 10 having different data to be stored in the option data area via the equipment device adapter 30 having the same design.

<Modification>
(1)
In the said embodiment, after the equipment adapter 30 complete | finishes a regular process, and before the air conditioner 10 starts a constant process, the confirmation response which shows that the regular process was reliably performed in the air conditioner 10 is given. The process which the air conditioner 10 returns to the equipment adapter 30 may be performed.

  In FIG. 2, in step S24, the abnormality determination unit 33 of the equipment adapter 30 determines that the operation of the air conditioner 10 is normal when the value of the first flag read in step S23 is 1. Therefore, even if an abnormality has occurred in the air conditioner 10 and the regular processing has not been performed, the periodic processing of the equipment adapter 30 has not been performed normally, and the value of the first flag remains 1. Moreover, the abnormality determination unit 33 cannot detect an abnormality in the air conditioner 10.

  Therefore, immediately after the facility device adapter 30 finishes the periodic processing, the air conditioner 10 performs a process of returning a confirmation response so that the facility device adapter 30 recognizes that the periodic processing is not normally performed, and the air conditioner 10 can reduce the possibility of erroneous determination to determine that the device is operating normally despite the occurrence of an abnormality. Therefore, in this modification, an abnormality in the air conditioner 10 can be detected with higher accuracy.

(2)
In the above embodiment, after the equipment adapter 30 finishes transmitting the command to the air conditioner 10 and before the air conditioner 10 starts executing the command, the air conditioner 10 reliably performs the command transmission process. Processing in which the air conditioner 10 returns a confirmation response indicating that it has been executed to the equipment adapter 30 may be performed.

  Thereby, although the air conditioner 10 is operating normally, the possibility that the abnormality determination unit 33 erroneously determines the occurrence of an abnormality in the air conditioner 10 when the equipment device adapter 30 is not operating normally is reduced. be able to. Therefore, in this modification, an abnormality in the air conditioner 10 can be detected with higher accuracy.

(3)
In the above embodiment, the regular processing is performed only once in the time interval from the end of the regular processing by the equipment adapter 30 to the start of the reading processing, but it may be performed a plurality of times.

  In addition, it is preferable that the regular processing by the air conditioner 10 is performed at least once after the periodic processing by the facility device adapter 30 is completed and before the facility device adapter 30 performs the reading process. It may be less. In this case, when the equipment device adapter 30 performs the reading process for the first time after completing the periodic process, the constant process by the air conditioner 10 has not been completed yet, and the value of the first flag remains 0. There may be some cases. That is, in this case, regardless of whether or not an abnormality actually occurs in the air conditioner 10, an abnormality is detected in step S24. Therefore, the reading process in step S23 is repeated a predetermined number of times until it can be confirmed that the value of the first flag is 1, and if the value of the first flag does not become 1 even after the predetermined number of times is repeated, the air conditioner If the operation of the air conditioner 10 is abnormal and it can be confirmed that the value of the first flag has become 1 after a predetermined number of times, the operation of the air conditioner 10 may be determined to be normal. Good.

(4)
In the above embodiment, after the execution of the instruction by the air conditioner 10 in step S32, the reading process by the equipment adapter 30 in step S33 is executed, but the setting is made so as to ensure the anteroposterior relationship between these two steps. It does not have to be.

  In this case, when the equipment device adapter 30 first performs the reading process after completing the transmission of the command, the execution of the command by the air conditioner 10 is not yet completed, and the value of the second flag remains 1. Cases can arise. That is, in this case, regardless of whether or not an abnormality has actually occurred in the air conditioner 10, an abnormality is detected in step S34. Therefore, the reading process in step S33 is repeated a predetermined number of times until it can be confirmed that the value of the second flag is 0, and if the value of the second flag does not become 0 even if the predetermined number of times is repeated, the air conditioner In the case where the operation of the air conditioner 10 is abnormal and it can be confirmed that the value of the second flag becomes 0 after the predetermined number of times, the operation of the air conditioner 10 may be determined to be normal. Good.

(5)
The central management system 1 may be connected to a remote management device of a remote management center remote from the central management system 1 via a communication network such as the Internet. In addition, a plurality of central management systems 1 may be connected to this remote management device via the same communication network.

  In this case, the air conditioner 10 can be managed more efficiently by the remote management of the remote management device. For example, data related to an abnormality or operation data in the centralized management system 1 is transmitted to a remote management device via a communication network, and stored in a storage device connected to the remote management device. A service person in the remote management center can provide a higher quality service by using such information.

(6)
Although the centralized management system 1 targets only the air conditioner 10, other various equipment such as lighting fixtures and hot water supply devices may be managed.

The present invention has the effect that it is possible to reduce the load on the central control device by performing abnormality detection of the equipment in the equipment adapter and is useful as a centralized management system comprising equipment adapter.

The figure showing a centralized management system provided with the equipment device adapter which concerns on this invention. The flowchart in case the equipment device adapter which concerns on this invention detects abnormality in the sequential process of equipment. The flowchart in case the equipment adapter which concerns on this invention detects abnormality in the command execution process from the centralized management apparatus of equipment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Centralized management system 10 Air conditioner 20 Centralized management apparatus 30 Equipment apparatus adapter 31 Flag change part 32 Reading part 33 Abnormality determination part 40 Programmable logic controller 42 Memory

Claims (1)

Equipment (10) ;
The previous SL equipment (10) and the equipment (10) central control device for centrally managing (20) for relaying the equipment adapter (30),
With
The equipment (10)
A flag storage unit (42) having a storage area for storing the flag;
A first flag changing unit (43) that sets the flag to a first value by always processing;
Have
The facility equipment adapter (30)
The flag, the periodic processing, the second flag changing unit to a second value different from the first value (31),
A reading unit (32) for reading the flag when a predetermined period has elapsed after the end of the periodic processing;
A first abnormality determination unit (33) that determines that the operation of the equipment (10) is abnormal when the flag read by the reading unit does not match the first value;
I have a,
The equipment (10)
A check unit that checks the value of the flag during the regular processing;
When the flag checked by the check unit matches the first value for a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the periodic processing has not ended normally, and the operation of the equipment adapter (30) A second abnormality determination unit (43) for determining that the abnormality is abnormal;
Further having
Centralized management system (1).

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