JP4379030B2 - Protocol converter, protocol conversion system, and energy management method for each indoor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a protocol converter, a protocol conversion system, and an energy management method for each indoor unit.

  In recent years, LON (Local Operation Network) (registered trademark) using LonWorks (registered trademark) technology in BA (Building Automation), FA (Factory Automation) and the like has begun to be adopted in the flow of opening in networks ( For example, see Patent Document 1.) Each device connected to the LonWorks (registered trademark) network is called a LonWorks (registered trademark) node.

  In a LonWorks (registered trademark) network, a plurality of network variables are defined in each LonWorks (registered trademark) node. These network variables are associated with each other by binding (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Communication in the LonWorks (registered trademark) network is performed according to the LonTalk (registered trademark) protocol. That is, when the information to be transmitted is substituted into the output network variable in the transmitting LonWorks (registered trademark) node, the information is received in the bound input network variable in the receiving LonWorks (registered trademark) node. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3). In other words, network variables are containers for transmitting information. In communication of information in the LonWorks (registered trademark) network, unlike Ethernet (registered trademark), it is not necessary to specify a source address. This is because the source address is set in the network variable when binding is performed. As a result, peer-to-peer peer-to-peer communication is performed, so the LonWorks (registered trademark) network is also called a distributed control network.

  Replacing all existing networks in BA, FA, etc. with LonWorks (registered trademark) networks may require significant costs. Therefore, a LonWorks (registered trademark) network and an existing network may be mixed. In this case, the air conditioner may be connected to an existing network, and a management device that manages the air conditioner may be connected to the LonWorks (registered trademark) network.

On the other hand, in a conventional network configuration that does not include a LonWorks (registered trademark) network, an administrator such as a BA or FA generally manages an air conditioner based on information about the air conditioner collected in the management device. Is.
JP 2001-292147 A (2nd term) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-51388 (Section 3) JP-A-10-229590 (Sections 2 and 5)

  However, the communication capacity of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network is 4 to 6 digits lower than the communication capacity of the existing network, and it is difficult to transmit and receive large-capacity information such as information related to the operation of the air conditioner. There is a problem that there is. In the LonWorks (registered trademark) network, since network variables are standardized, general physical quantities such as energy consumption can often be transmitted to the management apparatus. However, the physical quantity unique to the manufacturer of the air conditioning apparatus is managed by the management apparatus. There is a problem that it may be difficult to send to. Therefore, when the management device is connected to the LonWorks (registered trademark) network, it tends to be difficult to collect information on the air conditioner in the management device, and a plurality of indoor units in the air conditioner There exists a problem that it may become difficult to manage the energy consumption degree of the air conditioning apparatus with respect to a user.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a protocol converter, a protocol conversion system, and an energy management method for each indoor unit that can manage the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units. It is in.

  A protocol converter according to claim 1 is a protocol converter that connects a centralized control network and a distributed control network, and includes a calculation unit. One or more air conditioners are connected to the central control network. The air conditioner has a plurality of indoor units. A management apparatus is connected to the distributed control network. The management device manages one or more air conditioners. The calculation unit calculates the amount of energy consumed for each indoor unit.

  In this protocol converter, the protocol of the central control network is converted into the protocol of the distributed control network. Alternatively, the distributed control network protocol is converted into a centralized control network protocol. Information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and passed to a calculation unit. The calculation unit calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit based on information of one or more air conditioners.

Therefore, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management apparatus via the distributed control network, it is possible to transmit only the amount of consumed energy to each management unit via the distributed control network to the management apparatus. it can. For this reason, the energy consumption degree of the air conditioning apparatus with respect to a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units can be managed.
The protocol converter according to claim 2 is the protocol converter according to claim 1, wherein the communication capacity of the distributed control network is smaller than the communication capacity of the centralized control network.

  Here, the communication capacity of the distributed control network is smaller than the communication capacity of the centralized control network. If the information of one or more air conditioners is large-capacity information, it is likely to be difficult to transmit through the distributed control network. On the other hand, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a central control network and passed to a calculation unit even if the information is large-capacity information. The calculation unit calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit based on information of one or more air conditioners. The amount of energy consumed for each indoor unit is unlikely to be large-capacity information.

Therefore, even when the communication capacity of the distributed control network is small, it is possible to transmit the consumed energy amount for each indoor unit to the management device via the distributed control network.
A protocol converter according to a third aspect is the protocol converter according to the first or second aspect, wherein the distributed control network is an open network, and information is exchanged via a standardized network variable.

  Here, the distributed control network is an open network, and information is transferred via standardized network variables. Information on one or more air conditioners is likely to be difficult to be transmitted via the distributed control network if a manufacturer-specific physical quantity is included. On the other hand, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and passed to a calculation unit even if a manufacturer-specific physical quantity is included. is there. The calculation unit calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit based on information of one or more air conditioners. The amount of energy consumed only for each indoor unit is a general physical quantity.

Therefore, even when only a general physical quantity can be transmitted / received via the distributed control network, it is possible to transmit the energy consumption amount only for each indoor unit to the management apparatus via the distributed control network.
A protocol converter according to a fourth aspect is the protocol converter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the centralized control network is a closed network.

  Here, the centralized control network is a closed network, that is, a manufacturer-specific network. For this reason, information on one or more air conditioners often includes a manufacturer-specific physical quantity, and it is likely to be difficult to transmit the information via a distributed control network. On the other hand, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and passed to a calculation unit even if a manufacturer-specific physical quantity is included. is there. The calculation unit calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit based on information of one or more air conditioners.

Therefore, even when one or more air conditioning apparatuses are connected to a manufacturer-specific network, it is possible to transmit the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit to the management apparatus via the distributed control network.
The protocol converter according to claim 5 is the protocol converter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the calculation unit is provided only for each indoor unit based on an operation state of one or more air conditioners. Calculate energy consumption.

  In this protocol converter, information on the operating state of one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and passed to a calculation unit. The calculation unit calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit based on information on the operating state of one or more air conditioners. Information on the operating state of one or more air conditioners is often large-capacity information and may include manufacturer-specific physical quantities. The amount of energy consumed only for each indoor unit is a general physical quantity with less information capacity than information on the operating state of one or more air conditioners.

Therefore, even if the physical capacity that can be transmitted and received via the distributed control network is limited to general physical quantities, the amount of energy consumed for each indoor unit is transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network can do.
A protocol converter according to a sixth aspect is the protocol converter according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a storage unit. The storage unit stores information on one or more air conditioners.

  In this protocol converter, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and transferred to a calculation unit. A memory | storage part receives the information of one or more air conditioning apparatuses from a calculation part, and memorize | stores the information of one or more air conditioning apparatuses. The calculation unit receives information on one or more air conditioners from the storage unit, and calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit.

Therefore, even when the information of one or more air conditioners cannot be integrated on the side of one or more air conditioners, the information of one or more air conditioners can be integrated.
The storage unit may receive one or more air conditioner information from the calculation unit while the calculation unit receives the information, or may calculate one or more air conditioner information accumulated by the calculation unit. May be received from the department.

A protocol converter according to a seventh aspect is the protocol converter according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a transmission unit. The transmission unit transmits the deemed energy consumption amount to the management apparatus via the distributed control network.
In this protocol converter, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and transferred to a calculation unit. Thereby, a calculation part calculates only the amount of consumed energy for every indoor unit based on the information of one or more air conditioning apparatuses. The transmission unit receives the information on the amount of energy consumed for each indoor unit from the calculation unit, and transmits the deemed energy consumption amount to the management device via the distributed control network.

Therefore, the energy consumption degree of the air conditioning apparatus for a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units can be managed. For this reason, when the user of each indoor unit is managed by the management device, the energy consumption fee can be charged to a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units.
A protocol converter according to an eighth aspect is the protocol converter according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the energy is electric power or gas.

In this protocol converter, the energy is electric power or gas. Information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network and passed to a calculation unit. The calculation unit calculates the non-consumed power consumption for each indoor unit or the non-consumed gas amount for each indoor unit based on information of one or more air conditioners.
Therefore, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network, the power consumption is not limited to each indoor unit or the gas is consumed only per indoor unit via the distributed control network. The quantity can be sent to the management device. For this reason, it is possible to manage the degree of power consumption or the amount of gas consumption of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units.

  A protocol conversion system according to a ninth aspect includes a centralized control network, a distributed control network, and the protocol converter according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. One or more air conditioners are connected to the central control network. The air conditioner has a plurality of indoor units. A management apparatus is connected to the distributed control network. The management device manages one or more air conditioners. The protocol converter connects the centralized control network and the distributed control network.

  In this protocol conversion system, the protocol converter connects the central control network and the distributed control network, and converts the protocol of the central control network into the protocol of the distributed control network. Alternatively, the distributed control network protocol is converted into a centralized control network protocol. Information of one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network to a protocol converter and passed to a calculation unit of the protocol converter. The calculation unit of the protocol converter calculates the amount of consumed energy only for each indoor unit in the one or more air conditioners based on the information of the one or more air conditioners.

Therefore, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management apparatus via the distributed control network, it is possible to transmit only the amount of consumed energy to each management unit via the distributed control network to the management apparatus. it can. For this reason, the energy consumption degree of the air conditioning apparatus with respect to a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units can be managed.
An energy management method for each indoor unit according to claim 10 is an energy management method for each indoor unit performed in a protocol converter that connects a centralized control network and a distributed control network, and includes a calculation step and a transmission step. Prepare. One or more air conditioners are connected to the central control network. The air conditioner has a plurality of indoor units. A management apparatus is connected to the distributed control network. The management device manages one or more air conditioners. In the calculation step, only the amount of consumed energy is calculated for each indoor unit based on information on one or more air conditioners. In the transmission step, the deemed energy consumption is transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network.

  In this energy management method for each indoor unit, information on one or more air conditioners can be collected from one or more air conditioners via a centralized control network. In the calculation step, only the amount of consumed energy is calculated for each indoor unit based on information on one or more air conditioners. In the transmission step, information on the amount of energy consumed only for each indoor unit is received, and the amount of energy consumed only for each indoor unit is transmitted to the management apparatus via the distributed control network.

  Therefore, the energy consumption degree of the air conditioning apparatus for a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units can be managed.

  In the protocol converter according to claim 1, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network, the energy consumption is not limited to each indoor unit via the distributed control network. Can be transmitted to the management device, so that the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units can be managed.

In the protocol converter according to the second aspect, even when the communication capacity of the distributed control network is small, it is possible to transmit the consumed energy amount only for each indoor unit to the management device via the distributed control network.
In the protocol converter according to the third aspect, even when only a general physical quantity can be transmitted / received via the distributed control network, it is possible to transmit the energy consumption amount only for each indoor unit to the management apparatus via the distributed control network.

In the protocol converter according to claim 4, even when one or more air conditioners are connected to a manufacturer-specific network, the amount of consumed energy for each indoor unit is transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network. Can do.
In the protocol converter according to claim 5, even when the communication capacity of the distributed control network is small and the physical quantity that can be transmitted and received via the distributed control network is limited to a general physical quantity, there is only one indoor unit via the distributed control network. The amount of energy consumption can be transmitted to the management device.

In the protocol converter according to the sixth aspect, even when the information of one or more air conditioners cannot be accumulated on the side of one or more air conditioners, the information of one or more air conditioners can be accumulated.
In the protocol converter according to claim 7, since the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units can be managed, the user of each indoor unit is managed by the management device In addition, it is possible to charge energy consumption charges to a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units.

  In the protocol converter according to claim 8, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network, the power consumption is not limited to each indoor unit via the distributed control network. Or since only the amount of consumed gas can be transmitted to the management device for each indoor unit, the power consumption degree or the gas amount consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units can be managed.

  In the protocol conversion system according to claim 9, even when information on one or more air conditioners cannot be transmitted to the management device via the distributed control network, the energy consumption is not limited to each indoor unit via the distributed control network. Can be transmitted to the management device, so that the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units can be managed.

  In the energy management method for each indoor unit according to the tenth aspect, the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of the plurality of indoor units can be managed.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a protocol conversion system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the block diagram of the component of the protocol conversion system 1 concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG.
<Overall configuration of protocol conversion system 1>
1 mainly includes a management device 20, a protocol converter 30, an air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), A LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10, and a network group 50 (50a, 50b). ) And a power supply facility group 70 (71, 72, 73).

  The management device 20 and the protocol converter 30 are connected via a LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. The protocol converter 30 and the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Are connected by a network 50a. The protocol converter 30 and the power supply equipment group 70 (71, 72, 73) are connected by a network 50b. The LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 and the network group 50 (50a, 50b) are connected by a protocol converter 30.

<Configuration of Management Device 20>
The management apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 has the same configuration as a normal personal computer (PC, Macintosh (registered trademark), etc.) or an engineering workstation (EWS).
The management device 20 shown in FIG. 1 manages the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...).

<Configuration of Protocol Converter 30>
As shown in FIG. 2, the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a transmission / reception unit a31, a transmission / reception unit b32, a protocol conversion unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a calculation unit 35.
The transmission / reception part b32 shown in FIG. 2 receives the information of the watt-hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1 via the network 50b, and passes it to the protocol conversion part 33 shown in FIG. 2 includes information on the amount of power used by the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... In the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 60 (60a, 60b,...) Of indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,..., 62b, 63b, 64b,. The data is received via the network 50a and transferred to the protocol conversion unit 33 shown in FIG. Here, the information on the operation state is mainly information on the operation and stop state value, suction temperature, operation mode, and air conditioning load amount of the indoor unit 62a and the like. The operation and stop state values are mainly “operation” and “stop”. The operation mode is mainly a cooling operation, a heating operation, or an air blowing operation. The suction temperature is a temperature acquired by a sensor installed near the suction port of the indoor unit 62a or the like. The protocol conversion unit 33 includes information on the watt-hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1, information on the amount of power used by the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. The information on the operating state of the indoor unit 62a and the like of the system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is converted from the format of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) into a format that can be read by the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. Is passed to the calculation unit 35. The calculation unit 35 integrates the time of the “operation” state for the operation and stop state values as the operation time, integrates the suction temperature, the operation mode, and the air conditioning load amount, and stores them in the storage unit 34. The calculation unit 35 refers to the storage unit 34 and periodically calculates the power consumption for each indoor unit of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. The calculation result is passed to the protocol converter 33 shown in FIG. The protocol converter 33 converts the calculation result from a format that can be read by the calculation unit 35 into a format of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 and passes the result to the transmission / reception unit a31. The transmission / reception unit a31 transmits the calculation result to the management apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10.

  2 includes the information of the watt-hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1 and the amount of power used by the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). 2 and information on the operating state of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is received via the network 50a and passed to the protocol converter 33 shown in FIG. . The protocol conversion unit 33 converts the information from the format of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) to the format of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10, and passes the information to the transmission / reception unit a31. The transmission / reception unit a31 transmits the information to the management apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. That is, the information on the watt-hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1 and the information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. 60a, 60b,...)), The protocol conversion unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 mainly performs protocol conversion.

<Configuration of air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...)>
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Mainly includes indoor unit groups (62a, 63b, 64a,..., 62b, 63b, 64b,. The machine group 61 (61a, 61b, ...) is provided.
The indoor unit group (62a, 63b, 64a, ..., 62b, 63b, 64b, ...) and the outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b, ...) are connected by a network 50a.

  The indoor unit group (62a, 63b, 64a,..., 62b, 63b, 64b,...) Collects information on the operation and stop state values, the suction temperature, the operation mode, and the air conditioning load amount, and passes through the network 50a. To the protocol converter 30. The outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b,...) Mainly includes an ammeter group 40 (40a, 40b,...) And an electric compressor group 41 (41a, 41b,...). The outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b,...) Uses the electric energy used by the outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b,...) Such as the electric compressor group 41 (41a, 41b,...). Is detected by the ammeter group 40 (40a, 40b,...), And information on the power consumption of the outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b,...) Is transmitted to the protocol converter 30 via the network 50a. .

<Configuration of LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10>
As shown in FIG. 1, the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 connects a management device 20 and a protocol converter 30.
Information on the operation and stop state value, suction temperature, operation mode, and air conditioning load of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is periodically collected every 12 seconds. Since the information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is periodically collected every 10 seconds, the air conditioner system group 60 ( The information of 60a, 60b,... Is a large amount of information. The communication capacity of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 is generally about 78 kbps. Therefore, the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), The indoor unit 62a, etc., and the information on the stop state value, the suction temperature, the operation mode, and the air conditioning load amount are periodically updated every 12 seconds. The information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is periodically transmitted and received via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 every 10 seconds. Have difficulty.

  Further, in the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 shown in FIG. 1, the network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,. ... Information is transmitted and received via input NVg, input NVh,. In the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10, network variables are standardized, and general physical quantities can be transmitted and received. However, it is difficult to transmit and receive manufacturer-specific physical quantities. That is, information on the operation and stop state value, suction temperature, and operation mode of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 and the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. ...) can be transmitted / received to / from information on the amount of power used by the outdoor units 61a, 61b, ..., but the amount of air conditioning load of the indoor units 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...) Information is difficult to send and receive. This is because the air conditioning load is not a general physical quantity.

<Configuration of network group 50 (50a, 50b)>
The network group 50 (50a, 50b) shown in FIG. 1 is a network of a different system from the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10, and is a closed network, that is, a manufacturer-specific network. The network group 50 (50a, 50b) mainly includes a network 50a and a network 50b. The network 50a connects the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) And the protocol converter 30. The network 50 b connects the watt-hour meter 72 and the protocol converter 30.

Since the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is connected to the network 50a, the air conditioning load amount of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is also a manufacturer-specific physical quantity.
<Configuration of power supply equipment group 70 (71, 72, 73)>
The power supply equipment group 70 (71, 72, 73) mainly includes a power source 71, a watt hour meter 72, and a power supply line group 73 (73a, 73b,...). The power source 71 is connected to the outdoor unit group 61 (61a) of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the watt hour meter 72 and the power supply line group 73 (73a, 73b,...). , 61b,...). The watt hour meter 72 measures the total power consumption of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). In addition, the electric power consumption which the ammeter group 40 (40a, 40b, ...) of the outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b, ...) of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...) detects. The total power consumption detected by the watt-hour meter 72 does not normally match. Most of the electric power of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is consumed by the outdoor unit group 61 (61a, 61b,...), But the indoor unit group (62a, 63b, 64a,...). , 62b, 63b, 64b,...)), There is a small amount of power consumed. The power charge is charged for the total power consumption detected by the power meter 72.

<Processing flow in which the protocol conversion system 1 manages the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a>
The flow of processing in which the protocol conversion system 1 shown in FIG. 1 manages the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S1 shown in FIG. 3, information on the total power consumption of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is transmitted as a power pulse from the watt hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1 via the network 50b. Then, the data is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 shown in FIG. 2 and transferred from the transmission / reception unit b32 to the protocol conversion unit 33. The total power consumption information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 is calculated from the format of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) in the protocol converter 33 shown in FIG. Is converted into a format that can be read by, and passed to the calculation unit 35. In step S2 shown in FIG. 3, the information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. 60a, 60b, ...) are periodically transmitted every 10 seconds via the network 50a from the outdoor units 61a, 61b, ..., received by the transmission / reception unit b32 shown in FIG. It is passed to the protocol converter 33. The information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... In the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. , 50b) is converted into a format that can be read by the calculation unit 35 and passed to the calculation unit 35. In step S3 shown in FIG. 3, information on the operating state of the indoor units 62a and the like of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. .) Is periodically transmitted via the network 50a and the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... From the indoor unit 62a, etc., and is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 shown in FIG. It is passed to the protocol converter 33. Information on the operating state of the indoor unit 62a and the like of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 is obtained from the format of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) in the protocol converter 33 shown in FIG. The data is converted into a format that can be read by the calculation unit 35 and passed to the calculation unit 35. In step S4 shown in FIG. 3, the information on the total power consumption of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 is integrated and stored every time the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. Stored in the unit 34. Each time the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 receives information on the power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. Is integrated and stored in the storage unit 34. Information on the operating state of the indoor units 62a and the like of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 is accumulated and stored every time the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. Stored in the unit 34. Here, among the information on the operation state of the indoor unit 62a and the like, the operation and stop state values are accumulated as the operation time during the “operation” state. Information on other operating states is integrated as it is. In step S5 shown in FIG. 3, the reception of data is started for the first time, and after the second time, it is one hour from the last calculation of the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed. If it is determined that one hour has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that one hour has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1. In step S6 shown in FIG. 3, information on the amount of electric power used by the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. , 60b,...), The power consumption for each air conditioner system 60a, 60b,. The calculation method will be described later. Based on the information on the power consumption for each of the air conditioner systems 60a, 60b,... And the information on the operation state of the indoor units 62a in the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), Etc. No power consumption is calculated every time. The calculation method will be described later. In step S7 shown in FIG. 3, only the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like shown in FIG. The non-consumed power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like shown in FIG. 1 is converted from a format readable by the calculation unit 35 into a format of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 in the protocol conversion unit 33 shown in FIG. The data is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit a31 and transmitted from the transmission / reception unit a31 to the management apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG.

<Calculation method of power consumption for each indoor unit 62a>
A method of calculating the amount of consumed power only for each of the indoor units 62a shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.
The electric power consumption of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... In the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. Let P be the total power consumption of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). Assume that the power consumption of each of the air conditioner systems 60a, 60b,... Is Pa, Pb,. For example, Pa is
Pa = P × pa / (pa + pb +...) (Expression 1)
It is calculated by the following formula. Pb,... Are also calculated in the same manner as Equation 1.

  Next, with respect to information on the operating state of the indoor unit 62a and the like of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), The operating time is set to Haa, Hab, Hac,. ·, The suction temperature is Taa, Tab, Tac, ···, Tba, Tbb, Tbc, ···, and the operation mode is Maa, Mab, Mac, ···, Mba, Mbb, Mbc, ··· The air conditioning load amounts are Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,. Temporary power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like is assumed to be Baa, Bab, Bac,..., Bba, Bbb, Bbc,.

For example, Baa
When Maa = cooling operation,
Baa = Wc × (−Ka + Kb × Taa) × (Saa / 10) × Haa
... (Formula 2)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Wc is the rated power consumption during cooling of the indoor unit 62a, and Ka and Kb are cooling coefficients determined by the model of the indoor unit 62a. Wc, Ka, and Kb are stored in the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 2, and are referred to when the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 calculates the power consumption amount only for each indoor unit 62a shown in FIG. Is done. Bab, Bac,..., Bba, Bbb, Bbc,.

For example, Baa
When Maa = heating operation,
Baa = Wh × (Kc−Kd × Taa) × (Saa / 10) × Haa
... (Formula 3)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Wh is the rated power consumption during heating of the indoor unit 62a, and Kc and Kd are heating coefficients determined by the model of the indoor unit 62a. Wh, Kc, and Kd are stored in the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 2, and are referred to when the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 calculates the power consumption amount only for each of the indoor units 62 a shown in FIG. 1. Is done. Bab, Bac,..., Bba, Bbb, Bbc,.

For example, Baa
When Maa = fan operation,
Baa = Ww × Haa (Formula 4)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Ww is the fan rated power consumption of the indoor unit 62a. Ww is stored in the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 2, and is referred to when the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 calculates the non-consumed power consumption for each indoor unit 62a shown in FIG. Bab, Bac,..., Bba, Bbb, Bbc,.

Subsequent to Equations 2 to 4, the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like is Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. For example, Paa is
Paa = Pa × Baa / (Baa + Bab +...) (Formula 5)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Pa is the same as Pa in Equation 1. Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,.

<Calculation method of air conditioning load amount Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of indoor unit 62a of air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...)>
A method for calculating the air conditioning load amount of the indoor unit 62a and the like of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 will be described using the conceptual diagram shown in FIG. This calculation is performed in the indoor unit 62a and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the air conditioner system 60a is installed in each room RMa, RMb, RMc,. Let Qaa, Qab, Qac,... Be the amount of heat supplied per unit time from the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,. Let the air velocity of the air blown out from the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be Vaa, Vab, Vac,. Let the area of the outlet of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be Aaa, Aab, Aac,. Let the blowing temperatures of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be taa, tab, tab,. Here, the blowing temperature is a temperature acquired by the blowing air temperature sensors 82a, 83a, 84a,... Provided near the blowing ports of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,. Let the suction temperatures of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be Taa, Tab, Tab,. Here, the suction temperature is a temperature acquired by suction air temperature sensors 92a, 93a, 94a,... Provided near the suction ports of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,. For example, Qaa is
Qaa = Vaa × Aaa × (taa−Taa) × Ke (Formula 6)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Ke is a coefficient. Qab, Qac,... Are calculated in the same manner as in Equation 6.

Next, let the air conditioning load amount of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be Saa, Sab, Sac,. Let the total blowing time of the indoor units 62a, 63a, 64a,... Of the air conditioner system 60a be haa, hab, hac,. For example, Saa
Saa = Qaa × haa (Expression 7)
It is calculated by the following formula. Sab, Sac,... Are also calculated in the same manner as Equation 7.

The air conditioning load amounts Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the other air conditioner systems 60b,.
In addition, air-conditioning load amount Saa, Sab, Sac, ..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc, ... of the indoor unit 62a of the air-conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...) shown in FIG. From the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...) to the outdoor units 61a, 61b, ... of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ...) via the network 50a. The outdoor unit 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is supplied to the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. It is a guideline for determining the amount of refrigerant to be used.

<Calculation method of power charge when there are a plurality of users such as the indoor unit 62a>
A case where there are a plurality of users such as the indoor unit 62a will be described with reference to a conceptual diagram shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the room RMa is used by the tenant A, the room RMb is used by the tenant B, the room RMc is used by the tenant C, and so on, that is, the indoor unit 62a is used by the tenant A. Are used, tenant B uses indoor unit 63a, tenant C uses indoor unit 64a, and so on. It is assumed that tenant A, tenant B, tenant C, and so on are all different users for accounting purposes.

Assume that the power consumption levels of tenants A, B, C,... Are Ra, Rb, Rc,. For example, Ra is
Ra = Paa / P (Formula 8)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, Paa is the same as Paa in Formula 5, and P is the same as P in Formula 1. Rb, Rc,... Are also calculated in the same manner as Equation 8.

Next, let the power charges imposed on tenants A, B, C,... Be Fa, Fb, Fc,. Let F be the power charge imposed on the total power consumption detected by the watt-hour meter 72 shown in FIG. For example, Fa is
Fa = F × Ra (Formula 9)
It is calculated by the following formula. Fb, Fc,... Are also calculated in the same manner as Equation 9.

<Operation in which information is transmitted / received via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 in the protocol conversion system 1>
An operation of transmitting and receiving information via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 in the protocol conversion system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to a conceptual diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,..., Input NVg, input NVh,. It is indicated by an arrow, and the direction of information transmission is represented by the direction of the arrow. Network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...) Are connected. The solid line does not represent actual wiring, but represents the state of binding between network variables.

  Consider a case where information is transmitted from the management device 20 shown in FIG. 1 to the protocol converter 30. When information is substituted into the output network variable (output NVe) shown in FIG. 5 in the management apparatus 20, the information is transmitted to the protocol converter 30. The information is received by the input network variable (input NVa) of the protocol converter 30 and is received by the protocol converter 30. The same applies to other output network variables (output NVf,...) In the management apparatus 20 and other input network variables (input NVb,...) In the protocol converter 30.

  Next, consider a case where information is transmitted from the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. When information is substituted into the output network variable (output NVc) shown in FIG. 5 in the protocol converter 30, the information is transmitted to the management device 20. The information is received by the input network variable (input NVg) of the management apparatus 20 and received by the management apparatus 20. The same applies to other input network variables (input NVh,...) In the management apparatus 20 and other output network variables (output NVd,...) In the protocol converter 30.

<Characteristics related to protocol conversion system 1>
(1)
Here, the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 1 connects the network group 50 (50a, 50b) and the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. The protocol converter 33 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 converts the protocol of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) shown in FIG. 1 into the protocol of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. Alternatively, the protocol of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 is converted into the protocol of the network group 50 (50a, 50b). The information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is transmitted from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the network 50a to the transmission / reception unit b32 shown in FIG. Is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. The calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 calculates the power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like based on the information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. The transmission / reception unit a31 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 is connected to the indoor unit 62a and the like shown in FIG. 1 from the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. Receive quantity information. The transmission / reception unit a31 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 includes only the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, for each indoor unit 62a, etc. via the LonWorks® network 10 shown in FIG. Pbb, Pbc,... Are transmitted to the management device 20. Therefore, the power consumption degrees Ra, Rb, Rc,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) For a plurality of users A, B, C,. It is managed in the device 20.

(2)
Here, the communication capacity of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 shown in FIG. 1 is about 78 kbps, which is smaller than the communication capacity of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) of about 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. Operation and stop state values (operating time (Haa, Hab, Hac,..., Hba, Hbb, Hbc,...)) Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). Original data) ・ Suction temperature (Taa, Tab, Tac,..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc,...) / Operation mode (Maa, Mab, Mac,..., Mba, Mbb, Mbc,... ) ・ Information on air conditioning load (Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,...) Is periodically received by the transmission / reception unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. The information on the power consumption pa, pb,... Of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is periodically shown in FIG. Transmitter / receiver of protocol converter 30 shown Since that will be received by 32, information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b, ···) is the large-capacity information. It is difficult to transmit / receive these pieces of information via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. On the other hand, even if these pieces of information are large-capacity information, the protocol converter shown in FIG. 2 from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the network group 50 (50a, 50b). 30 transmission / reception unit b32 and can be passed to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. Based on the information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), The calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 includes the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,. Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are calculated. .., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are values calculated every hour, and the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...)), The information capacity is small. Therefore, even if the communication capacity of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 is small, the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,... , Pbc,... Are transmitted to the management apparatus 20 shown in FIG.

(3)
Here, the LonWorks® network 10 is an open network, and standardized network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,. ... Information is transferred via input NVg, input NVh,... The air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Are not general physical quantities. It is difficult to transmit via the LonWorks® network 10. On the other hand, the air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. (50a, 50b) is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 2 from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) And delivered to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30. Is possible. The calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 calculates the non-consumed power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. .., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are general physical quantities. Therefore, even if only a general physical quantity can be transmitted / received in the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10, the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,... Is not limited to each indoor unit 62 a or the like via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. .., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are transmitted to the management apparatus 20 shown in FIG.

(4)
Here, the network group 50 (50a, 50b) is a closed network, that is, a manufacturer-specific network. Therefore, the information of the air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. And is difficult to be transmitted via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. On the other hand, the information of the air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. Even the specific physical quantity is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 2 from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the network group 50 (50a, 50b). The data can be transferred to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. The calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 includes air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc, etc. of the indoor units 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). ..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are calculated for each indoor unit 62a and the like. Therefore, even if the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is connected to the manufacturer-specific network 50a, the power consumption Paa is not limited to each indoor unit 62a or the like via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. , Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are transmitted to the management apparatus 20 shown in FIG.

(5)
Here, information on the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is transmitted from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the network 50a to the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. The data is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 and transferred to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. The calculator 35 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 integrates information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). The storage unit 34 of the protocol converter 30 receives the result of integrating the information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) From the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. The result of integrating 60 (60a, 60b,...) Information is stored. 2 of the protocol converter 30 receives the result of integrating the information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) From the storage unit 34 of the protocol converter 30, and the indoor unit 62a and the like. .., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are calculated. Therefore, even if the information on the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Cannot be integrated on the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Side, the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b). ,...) Are integrated.

(6)
Here, information on the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is transmitted from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Via the network 50a to the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. The data is received by the transmission / reception unit b32 and transferred to the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. Based on the information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...), The calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 includes the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,. Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Are calculated. The transmission / reception unit a31 of the protocol converter 30 receives information on the amount of power consumption for each indoor unit 62a and the like from the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 via the protocol conversion unit 33 of the protocol converter 30. The transmission / reception unit a31 of the protocol converter 30 receives the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Only for each indoor unit 62a via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. It transmits to the management apparatus 20. Therefore, the energy consumption degrees Ra, Rb, Rc,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) For a plurality of users A, B, C,. Since the management is performed on the device 20 side, the power charges Fa, Fb, Fc,... Are charged for a plurality of users A, B, C,.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
(A) In step S4 shown in FIG. 3, information on the total power consumption P of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 and the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60) shown in FIG. 60b,..., And information on the power consumption pa, pb,... Of the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... And the indoors of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. Operation state of the machine 62a etc. (Haa, Hab, Hac,..., Hba, Hbb, Hbc,..., Taa, Tab, Tac,..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc,. , Mac,..., Mba, Mbb, Mbc,..., Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,. You do not have to add up each time the calculator 35 receives . That is, the storage unit 34 of the protocol converter 30 may receive and store instantaneous values of the information from the calculation unit 35 of the protocol converter 30. In this case, step S4 in FIG. 3 is omitted, and in step S6, only the consumption power Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. Before the calculation, the instantaneous values of the information are accumulated for one hour. Therefore, the process of the calculation part 35 shown in FIG. 2 is simplified, and the calculation part 35 can be manufactured at low cost.

Alternatively, the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. In this case, information on the total power consumption P of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 and the outdoor of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. .., Information on the electric power consumption pa, pb,... Of the units 61a, 61b,... And the operating state (Haa) of the indoor units 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,. , Hab, Hac, ..., Hba, Hbb, Hbc, ..., Taa, Tab, Tac, ..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc, ..., Maa, Mab, Mac, ..., Mba , Mbb, Mbc,..., Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,. It will be received every hour. Therefore, the watt-hour meter 72, the indoor unit 62a, etc. and the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Shown in FIG. 1 require processing devices and storage devices for further integration, but the processing is distributed as a whole. Therefore, the processing is speeded up.
(B) In FIG. 1, there is only one watt-hour meter 72, but a plurality of watt-hour meters 72 may exist. That is, a watt hour meter may be provided for each of the power supply lines 73a, 73b,. In this case, the ammeters 40a, 40b,... Provided in the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Are not necessary, and the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. .
(C) The network group 50 (50a, 50b) shown in FIG. 1 may not be a closed network, that is, a manufacturer-specific network. Even in this case, the operation state information of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Is large-capacity information, and is transmitted to the management device 20 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. Have difficulty.
(D) Air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. The calculation may not be performed by the indoor unit 62a or the like. That is, it may be calculated by the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Or may be calculated by the protocol converter 30.

  When the air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Are calculated by the outdoor units 61a, 61b, ..., the wind speed Vaa of the air blown from the indoor unit 62a or the like. , Vab, Vac,..., Vba, Vbb, Vbc,... And the indoor area 62a, etc., outlet areas Aaa, Aab, Aac,..., Aba, Abb, Abc,. .., Tba, tbb, tbc,... And the suction temperatures Taa, Tab, Tac,..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc,. .. And the blowout time haa, hab, hac,..., Hba, hbb, hbc,... Of the indoor unit 62a etc. from the indoor unit 62a etc. to the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. It is transmitted via a. The outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Are air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, etc. of the indoor units 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) According to equations similar to equations 6 and 7. Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,. Therefore, since the processing of the indoor unit 62a and the like can be simplified, the indoor unit 62a and the like can be manufactured at a low cost. Here, the areas Aaa, Aab, Aac,..., Aba, Abb, Abc,... Of the outlets of the indoor unit 62a and the like are stored in the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. 62a may not be transmitted to the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. This is because the value is constant over time.

When the air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,... Are calculated by the protocol converter 30, the wind speed Vaa, Vab, Vac, ..., Vba, Vbb, Vbc, ... and the area Aaa, Aab, Aac, ..., Aba, Abb, Abc, ... and the blowing temperature of the indoor unit 62a, etc. .., tba, tbb, tbc,... and the indoor unit 62a, etc., suction temperatures Taa, Tab, Tac,..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc,. .., Hba, hbb, hbc,... From the indoor unit 62a through the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. It is transmitted to the protocol converter 30 through a. The calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 is adapted to the indoor units 62a of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. The air conditioning load amounts Saa, Sab, Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,. Therefore, the information transmitted from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) To the protocol converter 30 is further large-capacity information and is transmitted to the management apparatus 20 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. It becomes difficult to do. However, the information is obtained only by the calculating unit 35 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 2 for each of the indoor units 62a shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,.・ This point is not a problem because it is calculated. Further, since the processing of the indoor unit 62a and the like can be simplified, the indoor unit 62a and the like can be manufactured at a low cost. Here, the areas Aaa, Aab, Aac,..., Aba, Abb, Abc,... Of the outlet of the indoor unit 62a and the like are stored in the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 1 may not be transmitted to the protocol converter 30 from the indoor unit 62a shown in FIG. This is because the value is constant over time.
(E) The power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Only for each indoor unit 62a shown in FIG. It may be calculated without using Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,.

For example, instead of Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula 4, the following Formula 2a, Formula 3a, and Formula 4a may be used.
Baa = Haa (Formula 2a)
Baa = Haa (Formula 3a)
Baa = Haa (Formula 4a)
In this case, the processing in the calculation unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 of the protocol converter 30 is simplified, and the protocol converter 30 can be manufactured at low cost. Even in this case, the information received from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 by the receiving unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 2 is only a general physical quantity. The capacity of information is still large, and it is difficult to transmit the information to the management apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10.

For example, the opening degree of the expansion valve in the refrigerant circuit to which the indoor unit 62a or the like shown in FIG. 1 is connected is Oaa, Oab, Oac,..., Oba, Obb, Obc,. Instead of Equation 4 or Equation 4, the following Equation 2b, Equation 3b, or Equation 4b may be used.
Baa = Wc × (−Ka + Kb × Taa) × Oaa × Haa
... (Formula 2b)
Baa = Wh × (Kc−Kd × Taa) × Oaa × Haa
... (Formula 3b)
Baa = Ww × Haa (Formula 4b)
In this case, since the opening degrees Oaa, Oab, Oac,..., Oba, Obb, Obc,... Of the expansion valves can be directly measured, the processing in the indoor unit 62a is simplified, and the indoor unit 62a is reduced. Can be manufactured at cost. Even in this case, the information received from the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) By the receiving unit b32 of the protocol converter 30 shown in FIG. 2 is the expansion valve openings Oaa, Oab, Oac,. .., Oba, Obb, Obc,... Are included in the physical quantities specific to the manufacturer, so that it is difficult to transmit to the management device 20 shown in FIG. 1 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10.

Further, the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Only for each indoor unit 62a, etc. is the air conditioning load amount Saa, Sab, Sac,. Even when calculated using Sba, Sbb, Sbc,..., Provisional power consumption Baa, Bab, Bac,..., Bba, Bbb, Bbc,. It may be calculated by a formula different from 2 to 4.
(F) In FIG. 1, the number of air conditioner systems 60a, 60b,. One may be sufficient and three or more may be sufficient. The air conditioner systems 60a, 60b,... Are shown in the case of the heat pump system in the first embodiment, but are operated by the electric compressors 41a, 41b,. Whatever you want to do. The management apparatus 20 may control the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...). In step S1 shown in FIG. 3, the time interval transmitted as a power pulse from the watt hour meter 72 shown in FIG. 1 via the network 50b is not only for each indoor unit 62a etc., but the consumed power amount Paa, Pab, Pac,. ..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... Or the time interval shorter than 1 second may be sufficient. In step S2 shown in FIG. 3, time periodically transmitted from the outdoor units 61a, 61b,... Of the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. The interval may be any number of seconds as long as it is equal to or less than the time interval for calculating the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. Or the time interval shorter than 1 second may be sufficient. In step S3 shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner system group 60 (60a, 60b,...) Shown in FIG. 1 regularly passes through the network 50a and the outdoor units 61a, 61b,. If the time interval to be transmitted is less than the time interval for calculating the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. But you can. Or the time interval shorter than 1 second may be sufficient. In step S5 shown in FIG. 3, the time interval for calculating the power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. Also good. It may be 1 hour or less, or 1 hour or more. 4 shows a case where the rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,... Are divided for each indoor unit 62a, etc., but the rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,.・ There may be. Alternatively, rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,... That do not include the indoor unit 62a and the like may be mixed. 4 shows a case where tenants A, B, C,... Are different for each of the rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,..., But a plurality of rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,. The same tenant A, B, C,... Alternatively, there may be rooms RMa, RMb, RMc,... That do not contain tenants A, B, C,. In FIG. 1, a BACnet may be used instead of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10. Again, this is a distributed control network. Alternatively, other distributed control networks may be used.
(G) In FIG. 5, input network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...) And output network variables (output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe). , Output NVf,...) Has a one-to-one correspondence, but does not have to have a one-to-one correspondence. That is, one input network variable (input NVa, input NVb,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...) And a plurality of output network variables (output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, Output NVf,...) May correspond. One output network variable (output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf) for a plurality of input network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...). , ...) may correspond. A plurality of input network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...) And a plurality of output network variables (output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf) , ...) may correspond. Input network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Input NVg, input NVh,...) Or output network variables (output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,... ) May have unbound network variables.

[Second Embodiment]
A protocol conversion system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those of the protocol conversion system 1 of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same numbers.
The protocol conversion system 100 has the same basic structure as that of the first embodiment, and the protocol converter 30 converts the protocol of the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 and the protocol of the network group 50 (50a, 50b) to each other. Although the point to do is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, the air-conditioner system group 160 (160a, 160b, ...) employs the gas heat pump system, and the gas supply equipment group 170 (171, 172, 173) is adopted. Furthermore, it differs from 1st Embodiment by the point provided. That is, the outdoor unit group 161 (160a, 160b,...) Of the air conditioner system group 160 (160a, 160b,...) Is replaced with the electric compressor group 41 (41a, 41b,...). A gas heat pump compressor group 141 (141a, 141b,...) Is provided, and a gas meter group 140 (140a, 140b,...) Is further provided. The gas supply equipment group 170 (171, 172, 173) mainly includes a gas source 171, a gas meter 172, and a gas supply pipe group 173 (173a, 173b,...). It should be noted that the total gas amount detected by the gas meter group 140 (140a, 140b,...) Does not necessarily match the gas amount detected by the gas meter 172. This is because the devices performing detection are different. The gas fee is charged for the gas amount detected by the gas meter 172.

  Each of the indoor units 162a, 163a, 164a,..., 162b, 163b, 164b,... (Hereinafter, referred to as the indoor unit 162a, etc.) is consumed only for each power consumption Paa, Pab, Pac,. In addition to Pbb, Pbc,..., The first is that it is necessary to calculate the consumption gas amount Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,. It is different from the embodiment.

  .., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,... Are consumed only for each indoor unit 162a, etc., and the consumed power amounts Paa, Pab, Pac,. , Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... And is transmitted to the management apparatus 20 via the LonWorks (registered trademark) network 10 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, even with such a protocol conversion system 100, the power consumption degree Ra of the air conditioner system group 160 (160a, 160b,...) For a plurality of users A, B, C,. , Rb, Rc,... And gas amount consumption levels RGa, RGb, RGc,.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
(A) In FIG. 6, there is only one gas meter 172, but a plurality of gas meters 172 may exist. That is, a gas meter may be further provided for each of the gas supply pipes 173a, 173b,. In this case, the gas meters 140a, 140b,... Provided in the outdoor units 161a, 161b,... Are not necessary, and the outdoor units 161a, 161b,. it can.
(B) In the second embodiment, the air-conditioner systems 160a, 160b,... Are shown in the case of the gas heat pump system, but what is operated by the gas heat pump compressors 141a, 141b,. There may be. Alternatively, other methods using a compressor using at least one of electricity or gas as a driving force, such as a boiler method or an absorption heat pump method, may be used.

  The protocol converter, the protocol conversion system, and the energy management method for each indoor unit according to the present invention have the effect of being able to manage the energy consumption degree of the air conditioner for a plurality of users of a plurality of indoor units, It is useful as an energy management method for each protocol converter, protocol conversion system, and indoor unit.

The block diagram of the protocol conversion system by 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the protocol converter by 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which a protocol conversion system manages only for every indoor unit, and manages power consumption. The conceptual diagram which shows the case where there are two or more users of an indoor unit. The conceptual diagram which shows the operation | movement in which information is transmitted / received in a protocol conversion system. The block diagram of the protocol conversion system by 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Protocol conversion system 10 LonWorks (trademark) network 20 Management apparatus 30 Protocol converter 50 Network group 60,160 Air conditioner system group

Claims (10)

Centralized control network to which one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b, ...) having a plurality of indoor units (62a, 63a, 64a, ..., 62b, 63b, 64b, ...) are connected (50a) and a protocol converter (30) that connects the distributed control network (10) to which the management device (20) that manages the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b,...) Is connected. There,
Non-consumed energy consumption for each indoor unit (Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,..., Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,...) The protocol converter (30) provided with the calculation part (35) which calculates The communication capacity of the distributed control network (10) is smaller than the communication capacity of the centralized control network (50a).
The protocol converter (30) according to claim 1. The distributed control network (10) is an open network, and standardized network variables (input NVa, input NVb,..., Output NVc, output NVd,..., Output NVe, output NVf,. Information is transferred via input NVg, input NVh,...
The protocol converter (30) according to claim 1 or 2. The centralized control network (50a) is a closed network.
The protocol converter (30) according to any of claims 1 to 3. The calculation unit (35) is configured to operate the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b, ...) (Pa, Pb, ..., Haa, Hab, Hac, ..., Hba, Hbb, Hbc, ..., Taa, Tab, Tac, ..., Tba, Tbb, Tbc, ..., Maa, Mab, Mac, ..., Mba, Mbb, Mbc, ..., Saa, Sab, Based on Sac,..., Sba, Sbb, Sbc,..., Only the consumed energy amount (Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,. Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,.
5. The protocol converter (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A storage unit (34) for storing information of the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b, ...);
The protocol converter (30) according to any of claims 1 to 5. The said disregarded energy consumption (Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,..., Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,. A transmission unit (31) for transmitting to the management device (20) via the network (10);
A protocol converter (30) according to any of the preceding claims. The energy is electric power or gas.
A protocol converter (30) according to any of the preceding claims. A centralized control network (50a) to which one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b,...) Having a plurality of indoor units are connected;
A distributed control network (10) to which a management device (20) for managing the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b, ...) is connected;
The protocol converter (30) according to any of claims 1 to 8, which connects the centralized control network (50a) and the distributed control network (10);
Protocol conversion system (1,100) comprising: A centralized control network (50a) to which one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b,...) Having a plurality of indoor units are connected and the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b,...). An energy management method for each indoor unit performed in a protocol converter (30) connecting a distributed control network (10) to which a management device (20) to be managed is connected,
Based on the information of the one or more air conditioners (60a, 60b,...), The amount of consumed energy (Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,... A calculation step in which Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,.
The deemed energy consumption (Paa, Pab, Pac,..., Pba, Pbb, Pbc,..., Gaa, Gab, Gac,..., Gba, Gbb, Gbc,. A transmission step transmitted to the management device (20) via the network (10);
An energy management method for each indoor unit comprising:

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