WO2023171005A1 - Cooling/heating equipment diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to diagnose the normality of the main functions of cooling/heating equipment by a simple method, the present invention includes a diagnostic device (100) that, on the basis of operating information acquired from a refrigerator body (100B), calculates the amount of input energy to be input to a compressor (112), calculates change amount information that is information regarding an amount of change relative to an elapsed time regarding the amount of input energy, and diagnoses the normality of the refrigerator body (100) on the basis of the change amount information. The refrigerator body includes: the compressor (112) that is driven in accordance with the amount of input energy obtained by time-integrating the rotational speed of the compressor (112); and a heat absorbing device (111) that controls the temperature of a refrigerator internal space (102) by using the compressor (112).

Description

Refrigeration equipment diagnostic system

The present invention relates to technology for a thermal equipment diagnostic system.

Refrigerators, heat pump water heaters, washer/dryers, etc. are known as general-purpose equipment that cools or heats food, water, clothing, etc. These devices have the function of controlling cold or hot heat to a predetermined temperature and providing a predetermined amount of heat, and play an essential role in maintaining food and hygiene everywhere. Therefore, when a failure occurs or signs of failure are confirmed, prompt repair is required.

As a technique for solving such problems, Conventional Document 1 states, ``By comprehensively understanding the operating state of the refrigeration cycle, the failure location is estimated from the deviation from the ideal value.According to the present invention, the failure location is estimated from the deviation from the ideal value. Discloses an air conditioner that allows efficient identification of a faulty part (see abstract).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-090614

By the method described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to detect the normality (degree of abnormality) and the abnormal location based on the operating principle of the device, so it is possible to provide a physically valid diagnosis.

On the other hand, in the conventional technology, the relationship between the degree of abnormality and the seriousness with respect to the main function of the device is ambiguous. For example, the main function of a refrigerator is to cool the stored items inside the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature, but it is difficult to understand the correspondence between the degree of abnormality determined using conventional methods and the severity of the decline in cooling function. , it is difficult to judge the normality of the diagnostic results.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a drive source that drives according to the amount of input energy, and a temperature control device that controls the temperature of a temperature-controlled space using the drive source. Based on the information, calculate the input energy amount input to the drive source, calculate change amount information that is information on the amount of change in the input energy amount over time, and calculate the amount of change in the input energy amount based on the change amount information. The device is characterized by having a calculation device that diagnoses the normality of the device.
Other solutions will be described as appropriate in the embodiments.

It is a figure showing the composition of the cooling equipment system in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the diagnosis period by a diagnostic device. It is a figure showing a time change of input energy amount. It is a figure showing an example of a diagnosis result display screen displayed on a display device. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the cooling equipment system in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure showing the time change of input energy amount and refrigerator temperature in a refrigerator. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a diagnostic device performs in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnostic result display screen displayed on the screen of a terminal device in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure showing the composition of the cooling equipment system in a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure showing the procedure of usage state judgment processing performed in a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a diagnosis result display screen displayed on a terminal device in a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure showing the composition of the cooling equipment system in a 4th embodiment. It is a figure showing a time change of input energy amount in a cooling equipment system. It is a figure showing the composition of the cooling equipment system in a 5th embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the input energy amount of the washer/dryer and the mass of clothes (clothing mass) inputted into the washing tub of the washer/dryer. It is a figure showing a time change of a deviation degree.

Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
<Configuration of cooling equipment system Z>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cooling and heating equipment system Z in the first embodiment.
The first embodiment shows a cooling and heating equipment system Z that performs a normality diagnosis (diagnosis of normality) of a refrigerator.
The cooling device system Z includes a refrigerator main body (cold device, cooling device) 100B and a diagnostic device (cold device diagnostic system) 200. Diagnostic device 200 may be built into refrigerator main body 100B, or may be installed as a separate device from refrigerator main body 100B.

(Refrigerator body 100B)
The interior space (temperature-controlled space, cold storage space) 102 of the refrigerator main body 100B and the outside of the refrigerator are separated by a heat-insulating box filled with foam insulation material. The refrigerator main body 100B is equipped with a heat absorption device 111, a compressor 112, a heat radiation device 113, and an expansion device 114 that constitute a refrigeration cycle. Further, the refrigerator main body 100B includes a blower fan 104. Furthermore, the refrigerator main body 100B includes a display device (output device) 101.

In the refrigeration cycle, a refrigerant (heat transfer medium) circulates through a flow path in which a heat absorption device (temperature control device) 111, a compressor 112, a heat radiating device 113, and an expansion device 114 are connected in an annular manner. is formed. The heat absorption device 111 is a heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the internal space 102, and specifically includes an evaporator. A compressor (drive source) 112 that is driven according to the amount of input energy compresses the refrigerant vapor evaporated by the heat absorption device 111. The input energy amount will be described later. The heat radiating device 113 cools the refrigerant vapor compressed by the compressor 112 with cooling water or air (controls the temperature of the interior space 102), thereby radiating the heat contained in the refrigerant vapor. At this time, the refrigerant vapor is liquefied and becomes refrigerant liquid. The heat dissipation device 113 is specifically configured with a condenser. The expansion device 114 expands the refrigerant liquid discharged from the heat radiating device 113 to turn refrigerant vapor into a low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant liquid, and sends it to the heat absorbing device 111 .

The blower fan 104 blows the cold air generated by the heat absorption device 111 to the internal space 102 (the temperature of the internal space 102 is controlled by the compressor 112). Further, the refrigerator main body 100B has a door 103 that can be opened and closed.

The display device 101 displays the diagnosis results etc. by the diagnostic device 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 101 is preferably installed on the door 103 of the refrigerator main body 100B, but may be installed on the side surface of the refrigerator main body 100B.

(Diagnostic device 200)
The diagnostic device 200 includes a calculation device 210, a storage device 220, and a control device 230.
The arithmetic device 210 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The processing performed by the diagnostic device 200 is executed.
The storage device 220 is composed of an HD (Hard Disk) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores programs and information necessary for calculating the input energy amount acquired from the cooling and heating equipment (refrigerator body 100B). Although the input energy amount will be described later, the information necessary for calculating the input energy amount includes the rotational speed of the compressor 112 and the like.
The control device 230 refers to instructions from the arithmetic device 210 and information stored in the storage device 220 to control the compressor 112 of the refrigerator main body 100B, and to control the display device 101 provided in the refrigerator main body 100B. Display information. Further, the control device 230 acquires information such as the rotational speed of the compressor 112 (operation information).

(Diagnosis period)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a diagnostic period 303 by the diagnostic device 200. Reference is made to FIG. 1 as appropriate.
In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates time, numeral 301 indicates the rotation speed of the compressor 112, and numeral 302 indicates the opening of the refrigerator main body 100B.
As shown in FIG. 2, a diagnostic period 303 by the diagnostic device 200 is performed during a period when the door (302) of the refrigerator main body 100B is not opened. Specifically, it is preferable to perform this at a time when the user of the refrigerator body 100B is not using the refrigerator body 100B, such as late at night. In this way, the normality diagnosis is performed in a state where the internal space 102 is closed (a situation in which the closed state continues). Alternatively, when the refrigerator main body 100B is opened during the diagnostic processing, the diagnostic processing may be stopped, and when the refrigerator main body 100B is closed, the diagnostic processing may be performed again from the beginning. Incidentally, the diagnosis period is about 1 to 2 hours, but is not limited to this time (during the diagnosis period, it is preferable that the internal space 102 is closed).

(Time change in input energy amount)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing changes over time in the input energy amount.
The input energy amount is the energy input into the refrigerator main body 100B for temperature control, which is the main function of the refrigerator main body 100B. Specifically, the input energy amount is the electric power input into the refrigerator main body 100B for temperature control of the refrigerator main body 100B. In this embodiment, the time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor 112 is calculated as the input energy amount. Calculation of the input energy amount is performed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every day).

Here, the diagnostic device 200 calculates a difference 312 (amount of change) in the input energy amount with respect to a predetermined reference line as change amount information that is information on the amount of change in the input energy amount over time. Diagnostic device 200 estimates the severity of the abnormality in refrigerator main body 100B based on this difference 312. As the reference line, for example, a normal line 314 calculated based on the input energy amount during a period when the refrigerator main body 100B is normally operating, a maximum output 315 based on the rated output, etc. can be considered. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows the difference 312 between the normal line 314 and the input energy amount, but by setting the difference 316 between the maximum output 315 and the input energy amount as the severity level, up to the maximum output 315, The degree of severity can be determined by how much leeway there is. In this manner, the diagnostic device 200 diagnoses the normality of the refrigerator main body 100B based on the information regarding the maximum input energy amount and the input energy amount. By setting the difference 316 between the maximum output 315 and the input energy amount as the severity level, the degree of margin for the maximum output 315 can be clearly indicated, so that the severity can be clearly indicated.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the cumulative amount of input energy (time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor 112) during the period when the door 103 is closed, that is, when the internal space 102 is closed, is used. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the influence of outside air, that is, noise from being added to the amount of input energy.

Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200 estimates the degree of urgency based on the magnitude of the slope 311 as change amount information that is information on the amount of change in the amount of input energy over time. In other words, when the slope 311 is large, it is predicted that the time required for the actually measured input energy amount to reach the maximum output (information regarding the maximum value of the inputtable energy amount) 315 will be short, and therefore the emergency level is diagnosed as high. Ru. The maximum output 315 may be the rated power or may be the time integral of the maximum rotational speed of the compressor 112. Note that the input energy amount does not exceed the maximum output of 315. On the other hand, when the slope 311 is small, it is predicted that it will take a long time for the input energy amount to reach the maximum output 315, and therefore the emergency level is diagnosed as low. The slope 311 of the input energy amount when diagnosing the degree of urgency may be calculated based on the method of least squares or the like.

Note that the code 313 indicates the latest input energy amount.

<Diagnosis result display screen 330>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the diagnosis result display screen 330 displayed on the display device 101.
On the diagnosis result display screen 330, the caution level based on the diagnosis by the diagnostic device 200 is displayed. The caution level is determined by the difference 312, 316 (see FIG. 3: Severity) between the input energy amount and the reference line which is the normal line 314 or the maximum output 315 in the time change of the actually measured input energy amount shown in FIG. This is based on the slope 311 (see FIG. 3: degree of urgency: slope of input energy amount over time). For example, the caution level is calculated by the weighted sum of the difference 312 between the input energy amount and the reference line (severity: the difference between the predetermined standard and the input energy amount) and the slope 311 (urgency).

Depending on the user's needs, the caution level may be based on only the difference 312 (see Figure 3: severity) between the input energy amount and the reference line, or may be based on the slope 311 (see Figure 3: urgency). ) may be set as the caution level. That is, the diagnosis result display screen 330 displays information regarding at least one of the slope of the input energy amount over time and the difference between the predetermined standard and the input energy amount.
Note that the example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which the caution level is relatively good (the caution level is low).

According to the first embodiment, it is possible to diagnose an abnormality related to the main function of a cooling/heating device such as the refrigerator main body 100B only from the input energy amount. For example, if the insulation function of the refrigerator main body 100B is malfunctioning, in order to maintain the temperature of the internal space 102, the refrigerator main body 100B attempts to lower the temperature of the internal space 102 by increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 112. . Therefore, the input energy amount increases. Therefore, there is a proportional relationship between the degree of abnormality of the refrigerator main body 100B and the input energy amount. When the diagnostic device 200 detects such an increase in the amount of input energy, it determines that there is an abnormality. By doing this, the normality diagnosis (normality diagnosis )It can be performed.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the normality diagnosis is performed based on the input energy amount. Specifically, the input energy amount is the time integral of the rotation speed of the compressor 112, and an abnormality in the refrigerator main body 100B can be recognized as an abnormality in the compressor 112. As a result, for example, when a maintenance service person explains to a user, it is possible to explain to the user in an easy-to-understand manner that the current state is due to an abnormality occurring in the compressor 112. can.

In other words, since the normality of the refrigerator main body 100B is diagnosed based on the input energy amount, the provision status of the main functions can be directly known. For example, when the insulation state of the refrigerator main body 100B deteriorates, it is necessary to increase the amount of energy input to maintain the temperature inside the refrigerator, and the magnitude of the abnormality and the amount of input energy are in a proportional relationship. Therefore, since the seriousness of the main function of the refrigerator main body 100B can be directly monitored, highly accurate and explainable diagnosis is possible.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the normality diagnosis of the refrigerator main body 100B can be easily performed based on the input energy amount. According to the first embodiment, the degree of severity of abnormality in the refrigerator main body 100B (cooling/heating equipment) is determined by the difference 312 and 316 in input energy amount, and the degree of urgency is determined by (the magnitude of) the slope 311 of input energy amount. can be diagnosed.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the cooling and heating equipment system Z is applied to the refrigerator main body 100B. In a device that keeps the refrigerator at a predetermined temperature, such as the refrigerator main body 100B, the amount of input energy can be calculated based on the rotational speed of the compressor 112 and the operating time, so that accurate diagnosis can be performed. Furthermore, by notifying the user before a failure occurs, sudden failures can be avoided. Further, the manufacturer can also grasp the refrigerator main body 100B that is likely to malfunction, and can repair or prepare for repair before the malfunction occurs. This allows you to minimize the impact on food and daily life.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
<Configuration of cooling equipment system Za>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cooling and heating equipment system Za in the second embodiment.
In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The refrigerator system Za shown in FIG. 5 includes a refrigerator 100a and a diagnostic device 200a.
Further, the refrigerator 100a includes a refrigerator main body 100Ba, a control device 131, and a communication device (transmission device) 132.
Refrigerator main body 100Ba differs from refrigerator main body 100B shown in FIG. 1 in the following points. First, an outside temperature sensor 121 is provided outside the refrigerator main body 100Ba for measuring the outside air temperature, and an inside temperature sensor 121 is provided in the inside space 102 of the refrigerator main body 100Ba for measuring the temperature of the inside space 102. A sensor 122 is provided.

Furthermore, the refrigerator main body 100Ba is equipped with a control device 131 and a communication device 132. The control device 131 collects temperature information (temperature information) measured by the outside temperature sensor 121 and the inside temperature sensor 122, the rotation speed of the compressor 112, etc., and sends it to the diagnostic device 200a via the communication device 132. . Further, the display device 101 that is included in the refrigerator main body 100B in FIG. 1 is not provided in the refrigerator main body 100Ba shown in FIG.

In addition to the functions of the control device 230 shown in FIG. 1, the control device 131 acquires the temperature measured by the outside temperature sensor 121 and the internal temperature sensor 122 as temperature information. Then, the control device 131 transmits the rotation speed and temperature information of the compressor 112 acquired via the communication device 132 to the diagnostic device 200a.

Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a is installed in a different location from the refrigerator 100a (it is a separate device). Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a can communicate with the control device 131 of the refrigerator 100a via the communication devices 132, 241 (receiving devices). That is, the communication device 132 communicates with the refrigerator 100a.

The diagnostic device 200a may construct a so-called cloud environment and may be a server installed in a company or the like. As described above, the diagnostic device 200a acquires the rotational speed of the compressor 112 sent from the control device 131 of the refrigerator 100a via the communication device 132, and the temperature information sent from the outside temperature sensor 121 and the inside temperature sensor 122. do. The diagnostic device 200a then diagnoses the normality of the refrigerator main body 100Ba based on the acquired rotational speed of the compressor 112 and temperature information sent from the outside temperature sensor 121 and the inside temperature sensor 122.

Further, the terminal device T, which is also an output device, is a device different from the diagnostic device 200a and the refrigerator 100a. The diagnostic device 200a can communicate with a terminal device T such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook computer via the communication device 241. On the terminal device T, a diagnosis result display screen 400, which will be described later in FIG. 8, is displayed. This allows a user or a maintenance service person to view a diagnosis result display screen 400, which will be described later in FIG. 8.

<Time change in input energy amount and internal temperature>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing temporal changes in input energy amount and internal temperature in the refrigerator main body 100Ba. Refer to FIG. 5 as appropriate.
In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis is the date.
In FIG. 6, the expected performance (external factor) 342 is the input energy amount calculated in advance based on the outside air temperature (detected value) measured by the outside air temperature sensor 121. The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates dates, and time 349a is summer and time 349b is winter. That is, in the summer, the outside air temperature is high, so the expected performance 342 is high, and in the winter, the outside temperature is low, so the expected performance 342 is low.

A circular plot 346 is the amount of input energy obtained as a result of time-integrating the measured rotational speed of the compressor 112.
The maximum output (information regarding the maximum value of the input energy amount) 341 is similar to the maximum output 315 shown in FIG. 3, and may be the rated power or the time integral of the maximum rotational speed of the compressor 112. .

In the diagram shown in FIG. 6, below the maximum output 341 is a graph of input energy amount, and above the maximum output 341 is a graph of internal temperature. That is, in FIG. 6, the star plot 347 shows the temporal change in temperature measured by the internal temperature sensor 122.

Moreover, when the temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds the failure line 345, the refrigerator main body 100Ba malfunctions.
When the input energy amount (circular plot 346) reaches the maximum output 341, it becomes constant at the maximum output 341 as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, after the input energy amount reaches the maximum output 341, the severity is diagnosed based on the internal temperature (star plot 347). Note that the measurement of the temperature inside the refrigerator may be started when the input energy amount reaches the maximum output 341, or the measurement of the temperature inside the refrigerator may be performed at all times.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the difference 343 between the actually measured input energy amount and the assumed performance 342 is calculated as the severity level. In other words, the assumed performance 342 is the reference line. Note that after the input energy amount exceeds the maximum output 341, the severity level may be kept constant at the maximum level, or the severity level may be determined by the difference between the failure line 345 and the temperature inside the refrigerator. When the difference between the failure line 345 and the temperature inside the refrigerator is defined as the severity, the smaller the difference between the failure line 345 and the temperature inside the refrigerator, the higher the severity. Moreover, above the maximum output 341, the difference 343a between the internal temperature shown by the star plot 347 and the normal internal temperature (in the example shown in FIG. 6, the x-axis (date axis)) is It is used as the degree of severity as the amount of change over time in the temperature acquired by the internal temperature sensor 122 installed inside the refrigerator.

In winter (time point 349b), the amount of input energy is expected to decrease as seen in the assumed performance 342. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the amount of input energy continues to increase even though winter has arrived. Additionally, the temperature inside the warehouse continues to rise. From this, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigerator main body 100Ba. Specifically, it is possible that there is an abnormality in the heat insulation structure. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the reason why the amount of input energy and the temperature inside the refrigerator are gradually increasing is considered to be that the abnormality of the heat insulation structure is gradually increasing.

Also, similarly to the first embodiment, the diagnostic device 200a uses the input energy amount (circle plot 346) and the slope 344 of the internal temperature (star plot 347) as the degree of urgency. The internal temperature slope 344 is the amount of change in temperature acquired by the internal temperature sensor 122 over time.

As shown in Fig. 6, by using not only the amount of input energy but also the temperature inside the refrigerator for normality determination, it is possible to continue the normality diagnosis using the temperature inside the refrigerator even after the amount of input energy exceeds the maximum output 341. I can do it. Therefore, the diagnosable range can be expanded.

As shown in FIG. 6, by using information from multiple sensors such as the internal temperature and the outside temperature (estimated performance 342), highly accurate normality diagnosis can be achieved.

In addition, the input energy amount and the internal temperature in FIG. 5 may be updated every predetermined period, such as every day, every week (one cycle of regularly repeated operation), or during a defrosting cycle. . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the input energy amount and the internal temperature are updated every two weeks. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the diagnostic device 200a and the communication cost between the terminal device T and the diagnostic device 200a.

Furthermore, if the processing shown in FIG. 7 is performed during times when communication charges are low, such as late at night, the communication load from the diagnostic device 200a to the terminal device T can be further reduced, and the communication cost can be further reduced. be able to.

<Flowchart>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing performed by the diagnostic device 200a in the second embodiment. Refer to FIG. 5 as appropriate.
First, the diagnostic device 200a acquires operating information via the control device 131 (S101). The operation information includes the rotational speed of the compressor 112, the operating time, and temperature information of the outside temperature sensor 121 and the inside temperature sensor 122. Note that the operating time is the operating time of the compressor 112.

Next, the diagnostic device 200a calculates the input energy amount by calculating the time integral of the rotation speed of the compressor 112 using the rotation speed and operation time of the compressor 112 in the operation information (S111). .
Then, the diagnostic device 200a calculates the degree of risk, which will be described later, from the input energy amount and the internal temperature, and calculates the difference and slope of the calculated degree of risk (S112). In FIG. 6, differences 343, 343a and slope 344 between the input energy amount and the internal temperature are determined. However, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the difference and slope of the degree of risk are calculated based on the amount of input energy and the temperature inside the refrigerator. The difference and slope of risk level will be described later. However, in step S112, the difference 343, 343a and the slope 344 between the input energy amount and the internal temperature may be determined as shown in FIG.

Next, the diagnostic device 200a performs a normality diagnosis based on the risk difference and slope calculated in step S112 (S113). In step S113, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses the degree of severity based on the difference and the degree of urgency based on the slope. In addition, in the normality diagnosis, if at least one of the severity level and the urgency level is greater than a predetermined value, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses it as "abnormal" in step S113.

If the result of step S113 is that it is diagnosed as normal (S113→normal), the diagnostic device 200a transmits information indicating that the refrigerator is normal to the terminal device T (information regarding the normality of the refrigerator main body 100aB). The terminal device T, which has received the information indicating that the device is normal, outputs information indicating that the device is normal (normality) on the screen of the terminal device T (S114).
If the result of step S113 is that it is diagnosed as abnormal (S113→abnormal), the diagnostic device 200a advances the process to step S131. At this time, the diagnostic device 200a transmits abnormality information to the terminal device T. The abnormality information includes information regarding severity (difference in risk) and urgency (slope 344 in FIG. 6).

Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a estimates the cause of the abnormality using temperature information among the operating information (S121). Estimation of the cause of the abnormality will be described later. Note that the process in step S121 may be performed after the abnormality is determined in step S113.

In step S131, the terminal device T outputs the risk level, history of input energy amount, prediction, urgency, cause of abnormality, etc. on the screen. The prediction will be described later.

<Diagnosis result display screen 400>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result display screen 400 displayed on the screen of the terminal device T in the second embodiment. Diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 is the screen displayed in step S131 of FIG. 7.
The diagnosis result display screen 400 includes a driving state display section 410, an emergency level display section 420, a history display section 430, an abnormality cause display section 440, and an abnormality cause candidate display section 450.
In the driving state display section 410, the diagnosis result (normality/abnormality: normality) in step S113 in FIG. 7 is displayed. The diagnosis result in the driving state display section 410 is diagnosed based on the difference 436a in the degree of risk shown in the history display section 430 (solid line graph 433).

The degree of urgency is displayed on the degree of urgency display section 420. As described above, the degree of urgency (degree of urgency related to normality) is determined as "urgent" in the degree of urgency display section 420 if the slope 436b of the degree of danger shown by the solid line graph 433 in the history display section 430 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. is displayed.

In the history display section 430, a graph shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. However, the history display section 430 shown in FIG. 8 is adjusted so that the reference line 431 shows "0" and the danger line 432 shows "1".

In the history display section 430 of FIG. 8, a solid line graph 433 indicates the time conversion of the degree of risk (history of the degree of normality). The degree of risk is the sum of the normalized value of the input energy amount (circle plot 346) in FIG. 6 and the normalized value of the internal temperature (star plot 347). The lower the degree of danger, the more normal the refrigerator body 100Ba is, so the history display section 430 shows the diagnosis result regarding the degree of normality, and the degree of danger can be rephrased as the degree of normality.

Normalizing the input energy amount means that the input energy amount is normalized so that the assumed performance 342 in FIG. 6 becomes "0" and the maximum output 341 becomes "1". Such normalization can be easily calculated by, for example, (amount of input energy−value of expected performance)/(value of maximum output 341−value of expected performance).

In addition, normalizing the temperature inside the refrigerator means that the temperature inside the refrigerator is normalized so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is "0" when the refrigerator main body 100Ba is operating normally, and the failure line 345 in FIG. 6 is "1". It is to be made into Such normalization is, for example, (internal temperature - internal temperature when the refrigerator main body 100Ba is operating normally)/(value of failure line 345 - It can be easily calculated based on the temperature inside the refrigerator.

In this way, the normalized input energy amount and the internal temperature are added together. Then, the risk level shown in FIG. 8 is calculated by further normalizing the summed values so that the minimum value is "0" and the maximum value is "1". Thus, the degree of risk is information regarding the normalized amount of input energy. Then, in step S113 in FIG. 7, a normality diagnosis is performed based on the degree of risk, which is information regarding the normalized input energy amount.

In this way, by showing the normalized degree of risk, it is possible to relatively evaluate the degree of risk. As described above, the degree of risk is the sum of the input energy amount and the internal temperature, but for the sake of simplicity, the effect of normalizing the input energy amount will be explained. The same applies to the effect of normalizing the internal temperature.

For example, in FIG. 6, the expected performance 342 itself is large in summer (time 349a), so the gap between the expected performance 342 and the maximum output 341 is narrow. Therefore, the amount of input energy, that is, the degree of risk, is shown to be an overall raised value. That is, in the summer, the outside air temperature is high, so even if the refrigerator main body 100Ba is normal, a high input energy amount is detected, and accordingly, a high risk value is detected. Therefore, it appears as if the risk is high. On the other hand, by performing normalization as shown in FIG. 8, it is shown in what proportion of the input energy amount exists between the assumed performance 342 and the maximum output 341 shown in FIG. , it becomes possible to evaluate summer and winter on the same level. In this way, the normality diagnosis of the refrigerator main body 100B is performed based on the assumed performance 342, which is an external factor.

Note that the degree of risk does not have to be limited to the above. For example, the degree of risk may be determined by simply connecting the time change of the input energy amount (circle plot 346) and the time change of the internal temperature (star plot 347) in FIG. That is, the time change in the input energy amount (round plot 346) and the time change in the internal temperature (star plot 347) in FIG. 6 may themselves be shown as the risk level (solid line graph 433) in FIG. . In this case, below the maximum output 341 in FIG. 6, the time change in the amount of input energy is shown as the degree of risk, and above the maximum output 341 in FIG. 6, the time change in the internal temperature is shown as the risk. In such a case, the expected performance 342 in FIG. 6 is normalized to be "0" (reference line 431 in FIG. 8), and the failure line 345 in FIG. 6 is normalized to be "1".

Furthermore, in the history display section 430 of FIG. 8, a broken line graph 434 indicates the predicted degree of risk (prediction of normality), and reference numeral 435 indicates the current degree of risk. The predicted risk level shown by the broken line graph 434 may be calculated by the diagnostic device 200a or the terminal device T based on the previous risk level (solid line graph 433). The predicted risk level is calculated by, for example, machine learning using regression. Further, the history display section 430 shows a risk difference 436a indicating the degree of severity and a slope 436b indicating the degree of urgency. Either one of the risk level difference 436a and the slope 436b may be displayed.

The degree of urgency displayed in the degree of urgency display section 420 in FIG. Specifically, when the predicted degree of risk changes over time, the degree of risk is predicted to reach a predetermined value (for example, danger line 432 in FIG. 8) within a predetermined period (for example, within one month). , the diagnostic device 200a determines that it is an "emergency". In other words, the diagnostic device 200a determines that the situation is "urgent" if the slope 436b of the degree of risk is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

The abnormality cause candidate display section 450 displays a plurality of abnormality cause candidates. In the abnormality cause candidate display section 450, candidates for abnormality causes are displayed in order of likelihood.
The abnormality cause display section 440 displays the most probable abnormality cause among the abnormality cause candidates displayed on the abnormality cause candidate display section 450.

The cause of the abnormality is identified by the diagnostic device 200a, for example, based on the history of the internal temperature and the outside temperature (obtained using the outside temperature sensor 121). For example, if the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment is higher than a predetermined temperature, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses that there is an abnormality in the insulation structure of the refrigerator compartment. Alternatively, an abnormality in a heat exchanger (not shown) for an ice making device (not shown) is diagnosed based on a temperature change in the heat exchanger (not shown). The temperature of a heat exchanger (not shown) for the ice making device (not shown) is measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) attached to the heat exchanger (not shown). Alternatively, the cause of the abnormality in the refrigerator 100a may be classified by machine learning based on the pattern of temporal changes in temperature information from the outside temperature sensor 121 and the inside temperature sensor 122.

By displaying the cause in this way, it becomes easier for users and maintenance service personnel to identify the cause of the abnormality.

In the second embodiment, the diagnostic device 200a can also diagnose the heat balance at a maximum load (maximum output 341 in FIG. 6) or higher using the internal temperature sensor 122. In other words, in the diagram shown in FIG. 6, the diagnostic device 200a is in a state where the cooling capacity is sufficient in terms of heat balance below the maximum output 341 (see FIG. 6), and in a state where the cooling capacity is sufficient in terms of heat balance above the maximum output 341. It is diagnosed that there is a lack of

As shown in FIG. 8, the assumed performance 342 in FIG. 6 is set to "0" (straight broken line 351 in FIG. 8), and the failure line 345 in FIG. 6 is normalized to "1" (reference line 431 in FIG. 8). This makes it possible to determine the validity of the outside temperature condition. For example, in the summer, when the outside temperature is high, the risk is high even if the refrigerator body 100Ba is normal, but even under such conditions, it is possible to prevent the refrigerator body 100Ba from being determined to be abnormal. be able to. By performing the normality diagnosis in consideration of the outside air temperature (external factor) in this way, it is possible to perform the normality diagnosis for the ambient conditions (outside air temperature) of the refrigerator main body 100Ba.

By displaying the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 on the screen of the terminal device T, the magnitude of the risk level slope 436b and the risk level difference 436a are displayed. By doing this, the user can immediately recognize the severity level visually. If there is continuity in the abnormality, it means that something is gradually breaking down, and if there is no continuity, the diagnostic device 200a can give advice such as checking the opening/closing of the door 103 and checking gaps.

Furthermore, the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 displays an urgency display section 420 and a risk prediction (broken line graph 434), so that the user can easily recognize the severity and urgency of the abnormality. I can do it.

In the second embodiment, the diagnostic device 200a is a separate device from the refrigerator 100a. If the function of the diagnostic device 200a is installed in the refrigerator 100a, the cost of securing a calculation area and a storage area will be incurred. By using the diagnostic device 200a as a separate device from the refrigerator 100a as in the second embodiment, these costs can be reduced. Further, by using the diagnostic device 200a as a separate device from the refrigerator 100a, the maintenance of the diagnostic device 200a and the refrigerator 100a can be separated. Therefore, the maintainability of the service can be improved.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the diagnosis result is displayed on the terminal device T. By doing so, the user and the maintenance service person can easily check the diagnosis results.

Note that the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 may display a display indicating how many days it will take for the refrigerator 100a to reach the danger line 432.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cooling and heating equipment system Zb in the third embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also, refer to FIG. 5 as appropriate.
The thermal equipment system Zb shown in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4 (100a) and a diagnostic device 200a.
In the cooling equipment system Zb, a plurality of refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4 (100a) are communicably connected to the diagnostic device 200a. Each of the refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4 has the same configuration as the refrigerator 100a shown in FIG. 5, so the description in FIG. 9 will be omitted. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the four refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4 are communicably connected to the diagnostic device 200a and are therefore the diagnostic targets of the diagnostic device 200a. Not limited to. Moreover, the number of refrigerators 100a installed in the cooling and heating equipment system Zb may be one. In the third embodiment, regarding the configuration of the refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4, refer to the refrigerator 100a shown in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, since the diagnostic device 200a has the same configuration as the diagnostic device 200a shown in FIG. 5, the explanation in FIG. 9 will be omitted. Similar to the diagnostic device 200a shown in FIG. 5, the diagnostic device 200a shown in FIG. 9 may also construct a so-called cloud environment and be a server installed in a company or the like.

The diagnostic device 200a obtains information (from each of the plurality of refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4) of the rotational speed of the compressor 112 (see FIG. 5), and the temperature measured by the outside temperature sensor 121 and the internal temperature sensor 122 (see FIG. 5, respectively). temperature information) is received (obtained) as operating information via the communication device 132 (see FIG. 5) provided in each of the refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4.

Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a transmits abnormality information to the terminal device (output device) T, as in the second embodiment. The abnormality information is similar to that explained in FIG. Furthermore, the terminal device T includes a camera (photographing device) T1, and the diagnostic device 200a receives an image regarding the installed state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba (see FIG. 5), which is captured by the camera T1 of the terminal device T. In the third embodiment, information regarding the normal state and the usage state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba is output in consideration of the usage state of the refrigerator body 100Ba, but below, the installation state, which is one form thereof, will be described as the usage state.

<Flowchart>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the procedure of usage state determination processing performed in the third embodiment. Refer to FIG. 9 as appropriate. Refer to FIGS. 5 and 9 as appropriate.
First, the installed state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba (see FIG. 5) in the refrigerator 100a (any of the refrigerators 100a1 to 100a4) owned by the user is photographed using a camera T1 provided in a terminal device T owned by the user. (S201). For example, the user captures an image that shows the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator body 100Ba and the wall.
Then, the user transmits the photographed image of the installed state to the diagnostic device 200a (S202).
Subsequently, the diagnostic device 200a evaluates whether the refrigerator main body 100Ba is appropriately installed based on the transmitted image (S203). The evaluation is performed, for example, as follows. First, an evaluation value based on the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator main body 100Ba and the wall is set in advance in the storage device 220 of the diagnostic device 200a. The diagnostic device 200a then estimates the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator main body 100Ba and the wall from the transmitted image. Subsequently, the diagnostic device 200a determines an evaluation value regarding the installation state (usage state) of the refrigerator main body 100Ba based on the estimated distance and the evaluation value stored in the storage device 220.
The diagnostic device 200a transmits the evaluation result of step S203 to the terminal device T, and the terminal device T outputs the transmitted evaluation result (S204). The process shown in FIG. 10 is performed for each refrigerator 100a. That is, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses the normality of each of the plurality of cooling and heating devices based on the amount of input energy based on the operation information acquired from each of the plurality of cooling and heating devices.

<Evaluation screen>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result display screen 700 displayed on the terminal device T in step S204 of FIG.
The diagnosis result display screen 700 includes a history display section 710, a normality comparison section 720, a driving state display section 731, and a usage state display section 732.
The history display section 710 is similar to the display of the history display section 430 shown in FIG. 8, but the display of the history display section 710 shown in FIG. 11 differs from the display of the history display section 430 shown in FIG. It is normal. This is achieved by reversing the risk levels in FIG. Therefore, danger line 713 corresponds to danger line 432 in FIG. 8, and reference line 712 corresponds to reference line 431 in FIG.

Furthermore, the temporal change in normality (solid line 711) shown in FIG. 11 takes into account the installation state (usage state) of the refrigerator main body 100Ba. Here, the installation state is the installation state evaluated in step S203 of FIG. 10. For example, the diagnostic device 200a determines in advance a value to be subtracted from the normality level according to the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator body 100Ba and the wall. This value to be subtracted is set based on the evaluation value calculated in step S203 of FIG. 10.

Then, from the normality calculated by the diagnostic device 200a, a value determined according to the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator body 100Ba and the wall is subtracted (newly calculated normality), and the change in normality over time ( It is displayed as a solid line 711). In addition to this, a value determined according to the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator main body 100Ba and the wall may be subtracted from the input energy amount before calculating the normality level. Alternatively, the diagnostic device 200a may add a value determined according to the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator body 100Ba and the wall to the assumed performance 342 (see FIG. 6) before calculating the normality level. good.

In this way, in FIG. 11, the influence of the installation state (usage state) of the refrigerator main body 100Ba is taken into consideration in the normality level. Even if it is said that the installation condition is inappropriate, ordinary users are often unable to respond. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, by adding the installation state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba to the normality degree, the user can confirm the normality degree in which the influence of the installation state is taken into account. Note that the evaluation value of the installation state itself may be output on the diagnosis result display screen 700, and the user himself may diagnose the installation state.

In this way, the installed state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba is uploaded as an image to the diagnostic device 200a, and the normality diagnosis is performed by removing the installation state factor (evaluation value) from the normality level. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the evaluation value for the setting state may be calculated by machine learning. Since evaluation values for the installation state and machine learning parameters are stored in advance in a database (not shown), the diagnostic device 200a can calculate the evaluation value for the installation state in a short time upon receiving an image. I can do it. Thereby, for example, when the refrigerator 100a is delivered, the manufacturer's service person can use the method of the third embodiment to check the installation state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba.

Additionally, a normality histogram is displayed in the normality comparison section 720. As shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal axis of the normality histogram is the normality shown in the history display section 710, and the vertical axis is the number of devices. Note that the normality histogram is generated based on the current normality.

The normality histogram indicates the number of refrigerators 100a that belong to the corresponding normality range.
Further, in the normality comparison unit 720 shown in FIG. 11, the normality histogram to which the refrigerator 100a owned by the person who owns the terminal device T belongs is indicated by diagonal lines. By doing so, the user can compare the normality level between himself and other people. In other words, the normality of each of the plurality of refrigerators 100a is outputted so as to be comparable. Note that, as described above, the installation state (usage state) is taken into consideration in the normality level. For example, the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator main body 100Ba and the wall is also related to the degree of energy saving. Therefore, it can be said that the normality reflects the energy saving degree. Therefore, the energy saving level may be displayed in the normality comparison section 720 instead of the normality level.

Further, in the third embodiment, as an example of the evaluation value for evaluating the usage state, an example of the evaluation value based on the distance between the side surface of the refrigerator body 100Ba and the wall (installation state) is shown, but another example of the usage state is shown. As a result, evaluation values such as the set temperature and the degree of filling of the internal space 102 (see FIG. 5) may be calculated. In such a case, in the process shown in FIG. 10, the user takes an image that shows the set temperature and the degree of filling of the internal space 102, and sends it to the diagnostic device 200a. In addition to the image, the set temperature may be directly transmitted from the refrigerator 100a to the diagnostic device 200a. Then, in step S203, the diagnostic device 200a determines (evaluates) a preset evaluation value according to the set temperature and the degree of filling of the internal space 102.

Furthermore, the normality of the driving state based on the history display part 710 is displayed on the driving state display section 731. The usage status display section 732 displays the usage status of the user shown in the normality comparison section 720. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the usage state display section 732 shows the installed state of the refrigerator main body 100Ba, which is one form of the usage state.

Although the person using the terminal device T in the third embodiment is a user, it may also be used by a service person who performs maintenance or the like.

According to the third embodiment, the history display section 710 in FIG. 11 allows the user to know where the user's usage status (usage status) is in the overall position, and the user can check the status (energy saving level) of the refrigerator 100a that the user owns. etc.) may help to reconsider.

In this manner, according to the third embodiment, the influence of the installation state (usage state) can be reflected in the normality level.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
In the fourth embodiment, a case where the diagnosis target is a heat pump water heater (heat pump type heat storage device) 500 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cooling and heating equipment system Zc in the fourth embodiment.
The cooling and heating equipment system Zc performs a normality diagnosis of the heat pump water heater 500.

The cooling and heating equipment system Zc includes a heat pump water heater 500 and a diagnostic device 200a.

(Heat pump water heater 500)
Heat pump water heater 500 includes a heat pump unit 510, a hot water storage unit 520, a control device 131, and a communication device 132.
The heat pump unit 510 is equipped with a heat pump cycle H that heats cold water and boils it into hot water during a boiling operation. The hot water storage unit 520 is equipped with a water side cycle (heating flow path) W that operates during boiling operation and a hot water supply flow path group F that operates during hot water supply. The control device 131 and the communication device 132 will be described later.

In the heat pump cycle H, a compressor (drive source) 511, a water/refrigerant heat exchanger (heat radiation device, temperature control device) 512, an expansion valve (expansion device) 513, and an evaporator (heat absorption device) 514 are connected in a ring. This is the flow path where The evaporator 514 is equipped with a blower fan 515. Each configuration of the heat pump cycle H will be described later.

(Water side cycle W)
The water side cycle W has a configuration in which a hot water storage container (temperature control space, heat storage space) 521, a boiling circulation pump 522, and a water/refrigerant heat exchanger 512 are connected in a ring. The hot water supply channel group F includes a channel in which a water pipe 524, a hot water storage container 521, and a water supply port (water supply device) 523 are connected in series, and a pipe 525 that directly connects the water pipe 524 and the inlet of the water supply port 523. configured.

(Heat pump cycle H)
The heat pump cycle H is sealed with R744, which is a CO2 refrigerant, as a heat transfer medium, but the refrigerant is not limited to R744, and various refrigerants such as R32 and R410A can be selected depending on the purpose.

Furthermore, the heat pump water heater 500 is equipped with an outside temperature sensor 531 that measures outside air temperature.
Furthermore, the heat pump water heater 500 includes a control device 131 and a communication device 132. The control device 131 transmits information such as the rotation speed of the compressor 511 and the temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 531 (temperature information) to the diagnostic device 200a via the communication device 132.

(When supplying tap water (cold water))
When tap water (cold water) is supplied from the water supply port 523, the pressure reducing valve 526 is closed and the valve 527 provided in the pipe 525 is opened. Thereby, water is directly supplied from the water pipe 524 to the water supply port 523 via the pipe 525.

(When supplying hot water)
Next, the operation of the heat pump water heater 500 when supplying hot water will be briefly described using FIG. 12.
After the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 511 to a high temperature and high pressure state, the water/refrigerant heat exchanger 512 heats the cold water sent from the hot water storage container 521 by the boiling circulation pump 522, and instead It performs a heat exchange action by dissipating its own heat.

Then, the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure state by passing through the expansion valve 513, receives heat from the outside air sent by the blower fan 515 in the evaporator 514, and then flows into the compressor 511 again. . In the water/refrigerant heat exchanger 512, the water and the refrigerant flow in opposite directions, and hot water heated by the refrigerant and heated to a higher temperature is returned to the hot water storage container 521.

When hot water is supplied, hot water flows from the upper part of the hot water storage container 521 to the water supply port 523, and at the same time, tap water is supplied from the water pipe 524 to the water supply port 523 via the pipe 525. The hot water and tap water are mixed at the inlet of the water supply port 523 and then flowed out from the water supply port 523. Note that during hot water supply, the opening degree of the valve 527 is adjusted. At the same time as hot water flows out from the hot water storage container 521, tap water is replenished from the water pipe 524 via the pressure reducing valve 526.

Next, the operation of the evaporator 514 will be explained. When the heat pump cycle H is driven, the blower fan 515 rotates, thereby generating a flow of outside air from the evaporator 514 toward the blower fan 515. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 12, the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 514 branches into a plurality of channels at a distribution section (not shown), passes through each channel, absorbs heat from the outside air, and then evaporates. The liquid is discharged from the container 514.

The refrigerant flows from the end of the evaporator 514, passes through the evaporator 514 in a substantially horizontal direction, reaches the opposite end, and then turns around and returns to the next stage, where it flows into the outside air. get heat from

(Control device 131)
The control device 131 acquires information on the rotational speed of the compressor 511 and the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 531, and transmits the acquired information to the diagnostic device 200a via the communication device 132.

(Diagnostic device 200a and terminal device T)
The diagnostic device 200a estimates the input energy amount based on information acquired from the heat pump water heater 500 via the control device 131 and the communication devices 132, 241, and performs a normality diagnosis based on the estimated input energy amount. The configuration of the diagnostic device 200a is the same as that of the diagnostic device 200a shown in FIG. 5, so the description in FIG. 11 will be omitted. Note that the diagnostic device 200a estimates the input energy amount of the heat pump water heater 500 by integrating the rotational speed of the compressor 511 in the heat pump water heater 500 over time. In addition, the diagnostic device 200a acquires the outside air temperature of the heat pump water heater 500 from the outside air temperature sensor 531. Note that the diagnostic device 200a may be a server installed in a company or the like by constructing a so-called cloud environment.
Further, since the terminal device T is similar to that shown in FIG. 5, etc., the explanation in FIG. 11 will be omitted.

<Time change in input energy amount>
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing temporal changes in the amount of input energy in the cooling and heating equipment system Zc. In FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
Note that the input energy amount of the heat pump water heater 500 is small in the summer, and the input energy amount is large in the winter, so summer and winter are interchanged with those in FIG. 6. In other words, the expected performance 342 is low in summer (time 349a) and high in winter (time 349b).
In the time change of the input energy amount shown in FIG. 13, the input energy amount is the input energy amount of the heat pump water heater 500, and the time change of the temperature by the chamber temperature sensor 122 (see FIG. 5) is not shown. Other than that, it is the same as the time change of input energy amount shown in FIG. Incidentally, the assumed performance 342 is estimated based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 531 shown in FIG. 12.
Further, the processing procedure for diagnosing the normality of the heat pump water heater 500 by the diagnostic device 200a is also similar to the temporal change in input energy amount shown in FIG.

In this way, the normality of the cooling and heating equipment system Zc in the fourth embodiment is also determined by comparing the input energy amount with the assumed performance 342 estimated based on the outside air temperature.

Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a performs a normality diagnosis of the heat pump water heater 500 every predetermined period (for example, one day), and transmits the diagnosis result to the terminal device T. At this time, a screen similar to the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the screen of the terminal device T, and the time change (history) of the input energy amount, the degree of urgency, the predicted value of the input energy amount, etc. are displayed. It's okay. Further, information regarding the cause of the abnormality may be displayed similarly to the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG.

Note that although the fourth embodiment describes the normality diagnosis of the heat pump water heater 500, the normality diagnosis of the gas type water heater may also be performed. In the normality diagnosis of a gas water heater, the input gas amount is used as the input energy amount. Furthermore, the technology described in the fourth embodiment may be applied to a heat pump-type and gas-type hybrid water heater. In such a hybrid water heater, the sum of the time integral value of the rotational speed of the compressor 511 and the input gas amount is used as the input energy amount. Note that when the time integral value of the rotational speed of the compressor 511 and the input gas amount are added, it is preferable to convert the time integral value of the rotational speed of the compressor 511 and the input gas amount into joules or the like, for example.

Note that in the cooling and heating equipment system Zc, the normality diagnosis is performed while the hot water in the hot water storage container 521 is not being used. For example, it is preferable to do it late at night. Alternatively, if the hot water in the hot water storage container 521 is used during the normality diagnosis, the diagnostic device 200a may cancel the normality diagnosis. It is preferable that the diagnostic device 200a collects input energy amount and temperature information and stores them in the storage device 220 while the normality diagnosis is not being performed.

In the fourth embodiment, a cooling and heating equipment system Zc is applied to a heat pump water heater 500. According to the fourth embodiment, the normality diagnosis of the heat pump water heater 500 can be easily performed based on the input energy amount. In addition, since the amount of energy input used for daily boiling can be calculated, it can be correlated with the frequency of use of the heat pump water heater 500, and if the amount of heat for boiling is large even though the heat pump water heater 500 is used less, it can be determined that heat leakage, etc. has occurred. can be diagnosed.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.
<Configuration of cooling equipment system Zd>
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cooling and heating equipment system Zd in the fifth embodiment.
In the cooling and heating equipment system Zd, abnormality diagnosis of the washer/dryer 600 is performed.
The cooling and heating equipment system Zd includes a washer/dryer 600 and a diagnostic device 200a.

(Washing dryer 600)
The washer/dryer 600 illustrated in the fifth embodiment is an electric washer/dryer. Further, the washer/dryer 600 includes a washer/dryer main body (drying device) 600B, a control device 131, and a communication device 132.
The washer/dryer main body 600B includes a washing tub (clothes holding section) 601, a motor 603, and a load sensor (sensor) 604. Further, the washer/dryer main body 600B includes a heater (drive source) 605, a blower (air blower) 606, and an outside temperature sensor 607. Further, inside the heater 605, there is provided an electric heater (temperature control device) 605a that is made of nichrome wire or the like and generates heat when energized.
The user opens the door 602, puts the clothes to be washed into the washing tub 601, and closes the door 602. As a result, clothes are held in the washing tub 601. At this time, the mass of the clothes placed in the washing tub 601 (the detected value of the detected internal factor) is measured by the load sensor 604. Thereafter, the motor 603 rotates the washing tub 601 to perform a washing process, a dehydration process, and a drying process. The water coming out of the clothes is drained through the drain port 621.

After the washing process and dehydration process are completed, a drying process is performed. When the drying process is started, wet clothes are naturally placed in the washing tub 601.
The blower 606 takes in air from outside the washer/dryer main body 600B through a first duct 608 and blows the taken air into the washing tub 601 through a second duct 609. The second duct 609 is equipped with a heater 605, and in the drying process, the air blown by the blower 606 is warmed by the heater 605 and then blown into the washing tub 601. Specifically, an electric heater 605a provided in the heater 605 generates heat, and after the heat warms the air sent by the blower 606, it is blown into the inside of the washing tub 601.

Additionally, the outside air temperature sensor 607 measures the outside air temperature of the washer/dryer main body 600B.

(Control device 131)
Further, the control device 131 transmits information such as the power input to the heater 605 and the temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 607 (temperature information) to the diagnostic device 200a via the communication device 132.

(Diagnostic device 200a and terminal device T)
The diagnostic device 200a estimates the input energy amount based on information acquired from the washer/dryer 600 via the control device 131 and the communication devices 132, 241, and performs a normality determination based on the estimated input energy amount. The configuration of the diagnostic device 200a is similar to the diagnostic device 200a shown in FIG. Estimate the input energy amount of 600B. Specifically, the amount of energy input to the washer/dryer 600 is estimated by the time integral of (supply voltage x input current) to the heater 605 . The diagnostic device 200a also acquires the mass of the clothes put into the washing tub 601 from the load sensor 604 of the washer/dryer main body 600B, and calculates the expected performance 811 (see FIG. 15) from the acquired mass of the clothes. Then, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses an abnormality in the washer/dryer main body 600B based on the difference between the assumed performance 811 and the input energy amount. The assumed performance 811 of the washer/dryer main body 600B will be described later. The diagnostic device 200a also acquires the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 607. Furthermore, the diagnostic device 200a also acquires the mass of the clothing from the load sensor 604. Note that the diagnostic device 200a may be a server installed in a company or the like by constructing a so-called cloud environment.
Further, since the terminal device T is similar to that shown in FIG. 5, etc., the explanation in FIG. 11 will be omitted.

<Relationship between input energy amount and clothing mass>
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of energy input into the washer/dryer main body 600B and the mass of clothes (clothing mass) put into the washing tub 601 of the washer/dryer main body 600B.
Further, the assumed performance 811 of the washer/dryer main body 600B is the minimum value of the input energy amount input to the heater 605 to dry the clothes placed in the washing tub 601. Therefore, the greater the mass of clothing, the greater the amount of energy input. In this way, the mass of the clothing is used when calculating the amount of energy input to the heater 605.
Further, a plot 812 is the amount of input energy input to the heater 605.

The diagnostic device 200a determines an abnormality in the washer/dryer main body 600B based on the difference between the assumed performance 811 and the actually measured input energy amount. The difference between the assumed performance 811 and the input energy amount is defined as follows. First, a perpendicular line, such as a straight line 813, is drawn from the plot 812 indicating the amount of input energy to the x-axis (axis of clothing mass). Then, the difference between the expected performance 811 and the amount of input energy shown by the plot 812 is defined by the length of the straight line 813 between the point where it intersects with the expected performance 811 and the plot 812 indicating the amount of input energy. Hereinafter, the difference between the assumed performance 811 and the actually measured amount of input energy will be referred to as the degree of deviation. Note that FIG. 15 shows a large number of plots 812, and each of the plots 812 indicates the estimated input energy amount each time washing and drying is performed. When performing a normality diagnosis, the diagnostic device 200a only needs to calculate the degree of deviation with respect to the input energy amount corresponding to the current washing and drying.

Note that it is also possible to add the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 607 shown in FIG. 14 to the assumed performance 811. That is, when the outside air temperature is high, such as in the summer, the assumed performance 811 becomes small, and when the outside air temperature is low, such as in the winter, the assumed performance 811 becomes large. An increase in the assumed performance 811 means that the slope of the expected performance 811 shown in FIG. 15 becomes large, and a decrease in the expected performance 811 means that the slope of the expected performance 811 shown in FIG. 15 becomes small.

<Time change in degree of deviation>
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing changes in the degree of deviation over time.
In FIG. 16, the horizontal axis shows the number of times of drying, and the vertical axis shows the degree of deviation. The degree of deviation is the degree of deviation shown in FIG. 15 (the length of straight line 813 in FIG. 15).
As shown in FIG. 16, when the degree of deviation (plot 821) reaches a threshold value 822, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses an abnormality. That is, when the magnitude of the degree of deviation 823 reaches a predetermined magnitude (the magnitude of the threshold value 822), the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses an abnormality. Furthermore, similarly to FIG. 6, the diagnostic device 200a diagnoses the degree of urgency based on the magnitude of the slope 824 of the degree of deviation. Note that the degree of deviation indicated by reference numeral 831 indicates the current degree of deviation. In this way, in the fifth embodiment, the normality diagnosis of the washer/dryer main body 600B is performed based on the mass of the clothing, which is an internal factor.

In the fifth embodiment, an electric washer/dryer is shown as the washer/dryer 600, but a heat pump washer/dryer may also be applied. The normality of the heat pump washer/dryer may be diagnosed using the same method as in the fourth embodiment. Further, a gas washer/dryer may be applied. When a gas washer/dryer is applied, the input gas amount is used as the input energy amount.

In addition, a screen similar to the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device T, and the time change (history) of the input energy amount, the degree of urgency, the prediction of the input energy amount, etc. are displayed. Good too. Further, information regarding the cause of the abnormality may be displayed similarly to the diagnosis result display screen 400 shown in FIG.

In the fifth embodiment, the mass of the clothes put into the washing tub 601 is measured by the load sensor 604, but the load sensor 604 is omitted and the load current value of the motor 603 that drives the washing tub 601 is used. Accordingly, the amount of clothes thrown into the washing tub 601 may be measured. Furthermore, in addition to the amount of energy input to the heater 605 as the input energy amount in the fifth embodiment, the amount of energy input to the blower 606 may be used as the input energy amount at the time of normality diagnosis. The amount of energy input to the blower 606 is represented by the time integral of the power input to the blower 606.

Note that the washer/dryer 600 may be a dryer that does not have a washing function.

Furthermore, in the cooling and heating equipment system Zd, the normal line diagnosis is preferably performed while the drying function of the washer/dryer main body 600B is not being used. For example, it is preferable to do it late at night. Alternatively, if the drying function of the washer/dryer main body 600B is used during the normality diagnosis, the diagnostic device 200a may cancel the normality diagnosis. At this time, information regarding the input energy amount may be accumulated in the storage device 220, and the normality diagnosis result for each drying session may be displayed.

As shown in the fifth embodiment, by using the mass of the clothes placed inside the washing tub 601 for normality diagnosis, the normality with respect to predetermined conditions such as the mass of the clothes placed inside the washing tub 601 can be determined. Diagnosis can be made.

In the fifth embodiment, a heating and cooling equipment system Zd is applied to a washer/dryer 600. According to the fifth embodiment, the normality diagnosis of the washer/dryer 600 can be easily performed based on the input energy amount. Note that if the amount of input energy (power) used to dry the clothes is excessively large, it is possible to diagnose leakage in the air passages or heat leakage in the first duct 608 and the second duct 609.

Although not described in this embodiment, the same normality diagnosis as in this embodiment can be performed for an air conditioner by using the time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor as the input energy amount.

In this embodiment, the diagnosis of the refrigerator main body 100B, the heat pump water heater 500, and the washer/dryer 600 is described, but the cooling and heating equipment system Z of this embodiment may be applied to the diagnosis of an air conditioner. When diagnosing the air conditioner, the time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor 112 is used as the input energy amount.

Although the third embodiment shows an example in which the normality diagnosis is performed on a plurality of refrigerators 100a (100a1 to 100a4), the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of heat pump water heaters 500, a plurality of washer/dryers 600, and a plurality of air conditioners may be subjected to the normality diagnosis.

Further, in the third embodiment, the usage status is evaluated by calculating an evaluation value for the usage status (installation status) of the refrigerator 100a, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of each embodiment with other configurations.

Additionally, a part or all of the above-described configurations, functions, arithmetic device 210, storage device 220, etc. may be realized in hardware by designing, for example, an integrated circuit. Moreover, each of the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized by software by a processor such as a CPU (arithmetic unit 210) interpreting and executing a program for realizing each function. In addition to storing information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function on an HD (Hard Disk), it can also be stored in memory, a recording device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. , an SD (Secure Digital) card, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and other recording media.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, control lines and information lines are shown that are considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown in the product. In reality, almost all configurations can be considered interconnected.

100a Refrigerator 100B Refrigerator body (thermal equipment, cooling device)
100Ba Refrigerator body (cooling equipment, cooling device)
100a1 Refrigerator 100a2 Refrigerator 100a3 Refrigerator 100a4 Refrigerator 101 Display device (output device)
102 Internal space (temperature-controlled space, cold storage space)
103 Door 104 Blower fan 111 Heat absorption device (temperature control device, refrigeration cycle)
112 Compressor (drive source, refrigeration cycle)
113 Heat dissipation device (refrigeration cycle)
114 Expansion device (refrigeration cycle)
121 Outside temperature sensor (sensor)
122 Internal temperature sensor (temperature sensor)
131 Control device 132 Communication device (transmission device)
200 Diagnostic equipment (thermal equipment diagnostic system)
200a Diagnostic device (thermal equipment diagnostic system)
210 Arithmetic device 220 Storage device 230 Control device 241 Communication device (receiving device)
301 Code 302 Code 303 Diagnosis period 311 Slope (change amount information)
312 Difference (change amount information)
313 Sign 314 Normal line 315 Maximum output 316 Difference (change amount information)
330 Diagnosis result display screen 341 Maximum output 342 Assumed performance 343 Difference 343a Difference 344 Slope 345 Failure line 346 Round plot (input energy amount)
347 Star plot 349a Time point 349b Time point 400 Diagnosis result display screen 410 Operating status display section 420 Urgency display section 430 History display section 431 Reference line 432 Danger line 433 Solid line graph 434 Broken line graph 435 Sign 436a Difference 436b Slope 440 Abnormal cause display section 450 Abnormal cause candidate display section 500 Heat pump water heater (heat pump type heat storage device)
510 Heat pump unit 511 Compressor (drive source)
512 Water/refrigerant heat exchanger (heat radiation device, temperature control device)
513 Expansion valve (expansion device)
514 Evaporator (endothermic device)
515 Ventilation fan 520 Hot water storage unit 521 Hot water storage container 522 Boiling circulation pump 523 Water supply port (water supply device)
524 Water pipe 525 Piping 526 Pressure reducing valve 527 Valve 531 Outside temperature sensor (sensor)
600 Washing/drying machine 600B Washing/drying machine main body (drying device)
601 Washing tub (clothing holding section)
602 Door 603 Motor 604 Load sensor (sensor)
605 Heater (drive source)
605a Electric heater (temperature control device)
606 Blower (air blower)
607 Outside temperature sensor 608 First duct 609 Second duct 621 Drain port 700 Diagnosis result display screen 710 History display section 711 Solid line 712 Reference line 713 Danger line 720 Normality comparison section 731 Operating state display section 732 Usage state display section 811 Assumed performance 812 Plot 813 Straight line 821 Plot 822 Threshold value 823 Size of deviation degree 824 Inclination of deviation degree 831 Code F Channel group for hot water supply H Heat pump cycle T Terminal device (output device)
T1 Camera W Water side cycle (heating channel)
Z Refrigeration equipment system Za Refrigeration equipment system Zb Refrigeration equipment system Zc Refrigeration equipment system Zd Refrigeration equipment system

Claims (18)

1. The drive source is inputted into the drive source based on operation information obtained from a cooling and heating device that includes a drive source that is driven according to the amount of input energy, and a temperature control device that controls the temperature of the temperature-controlled space by the drive source. comprising a calculation device that calculates the input energy amount, calculates change amount information that is information on the amount of change in the input energy amount over time, and diagnoses the normality of the cooling and heating equipment based on the change amount information. A thermal equipment diagnostic system featuring:
2. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, wherein the change amount information is at least one of a slope of the input energy amount over time and a difference between a predetermined reference and the input energy amount.
3. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 2,
   A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, characterized in that information regarding at least one of the slope of the input energy amount over time and the difference is output to an output device.
4. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   A refrigeration equipment diagnostic system, characterized in that the input energy amount is normalized within a predetermined range, and the normality of the refrigeration equipment is diagnosed based on information regarding the normalized input energy amount.
5. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   In addition to the amount of change information, the normality of the heating and cooling equipment is diagnosed based on the amount of change in temperature over time acquired by a temperature sensor provided in the temperature-controlled space. Diagnostic system.
6. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   A detection value of a sensor that detects either an external factor or an internal factor of the cooling and heating equipment is added to the operation information, and the normality of the cooling and heating equipment is diagnosed based on the external factor or the internal factor. A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system characterized by:
7. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, wherein the normality diagnosis is performed in a state in which the temperature-controlled space is closed.
8. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
   The cooling equipment diagnostic system is installed in a different location from the heating equipment,
   The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system is characterized in that the cooling and heating equipment diagnosis system includes a communication device for communicating with the cooling and heating equipment.
9. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 8,
   A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system comprising: a transmitting device that transmits information regarding the normality of the cooling and heating equipment to a terminal device that is a device different from the cooling and heating equipment and the cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system.
10. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 9,
    Among the urgency regarding the normality based on the history of the normality calculated based on the input energy amount, the prediction of the normality, and the magnitude of the slope of the normality in the time change of the normality. A thermal equipment diagnostic system, characterized in that at least one of the following is outputted from an output device.
11. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    Calculating an evaluation value regarding the usage status of the cooling and heating equipment based on an image of the usage status of the cooling and heating equipment taken by a photographing device provided in a terminal device that is a device different from the cooling and heating equipment,
    Newly calculating the normality by adding the evaluation value to the normality calculated based on the input energy amount,
    A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, characterized in that information regarding the newly calculated normality level is output to an output device.
12. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system characterized by estimating the cause of an abnormality in the cooling and heating equipment using a sensor provided in the cooling and heating equipment, and outputting the abnormality cause and the normality together from an output device.
13. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    A cooling equipment diagnostic system, wherein the normality diagnosis is updated every cycle of the regularly repeated operation of the cooling equipment.
14. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 13,
    One cycle of the operation is a defrosting cycle. A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system.
15. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    Obtaining the operation information from each of the plurality of cooling and heating devices,
    The arithmetic unit diagnoses the normality of each of the plurality of cooling and heating devices based on the input energy amount based on operation information acquired from each of the plurality of cooling and heating devices,
    A cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, characterized in that the normality of each of the plurality of cooling and heating equipments is outputted to an output device so as to be comparable.
16. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    The cooling and heating equipment is
    a compressor as the driving source;
    an endothermic device as the temperature control device;
    an expansion device;
    a refrigeration cycle in which a heat transfer medium is enclosed in a flow path in which the compressor, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber are each connected in an annular manner;
    a cold storage space as the temperature-controlled space, which is composed of a wall surface;
    A door that can be opened and closed is provided in the cold storage space,
    It is a cooling device consisting of
    The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, wherein the input energy amount is a time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor.
17. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    The cooling and heating equipment is
    a compressor as the driving source;
    a heat dissipation device as the temperature control device;
    an expansion device;
    an endothermic device;
    a water supply device;
    A heat pump cycle in which a heat transfer medium is enclosed in a flow path in which each of the compressor, the heat radiating device, the expansion device, and the heat absorbing device is connected in an annular manner;
    a heat storage space as the temperature-controlled space;
    A heat pump type heat storage device comprising a heating flow path connecting the heat storage space, the heat radiating device, and the water supply device,
    The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, wherein the input energy amount is a time integral of the rotational speed of the compressor.
18. The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system according to claim 1,
    The cooling and heating equipment is
    a clothing holding section that holds clothing as the temperature-controlled space;
    a heater as the driving source;
    an electric heater of the heater as the temperature control device;
    a blower device that sends air to the clothing holding section warmed by the heater;
    A drying device comprising:
    The cooling and heating equipment diagnostic system, wherein the input energy amount is a time integral of electric power input to the heater.

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