JP6145520B2 - Air conditioner management device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air conditioner management apparatus.

  Usually, a large number of air conditioners are installed in a large building in which a plurality of tenants enter. An air conditioning system is constructed so that the operations of these air conditioners are centrally managed by a central air conditioner management device.

  In this air conditioning system, there is a technique for collectively operating some of a plurality of air conditioners from a large number of air conditioners in a building from an air conditioner management device.

  For example, when a plurality of air conditioners to be controlled are grouped in advance by an air conditioner management device, and a user selects a desired group and performs an air conditioning setting operation, a plurality of air conditioners belonging to the group are selected. For example, the same setting operation (for example, “set the set temperature to 25 ° C.”) can be performed in a lump.

JP 7-280329 A (JP H07-280329 A)

  However, since the above-described technique can be collectively operated only on a group of air conditioners grouped in advance, it must be grouped first, and the user arbitrarily selects a plurality of air conditioners to be operated. There was a problem that it was not possible to cope with batch operation.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to centrally manage a plurality of air conditioners in a building, and to perform a setting operation collectively with a simple operation for a plurality of air conditioners arbitrarily selected by a user. It is to provide an air conditioner management device.

The air conditioner management device according to the embodiment is for performing operation management of a plurality of air conditioners in a building to be managed, and includes a display device, a first display control unit, a selected air conditioner specifying unit, and a second unit. A display control unit and a control information transmission unit are provided. A first display control unit configured to display a screen associated with at least one of a plurality of air conditioners and displaying an icon for each classification according to any category of a floor, a tenant, or an area in the building to be managed; And display on the display device. The selected air conditioner specifying unit specifies a plurality of air conditioners corresponding to a plurality of icons selected from screens of different categories by a user operation on the display device . A 2nd display control part displays the setting operation information input screen for performing setting operation collectively about the operation | movement of the specified some air conditioning machine on a display apparatus. The control information transmitting unit generates control information for controlling each air conditioner specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit based on the setting operation information input by the user's operation, and transmits the control information to the corresponding air conditioner. .

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an air conditioning system using an air conditioner management apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a management screen in which icons for each indoor unit are displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a state in which an arbitrary indoor unit is selected on the management screen displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a setting operation information input screen displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management device according to the embodiment, in which icons for each floor are arranged. FIG. 8 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a management screen in which icons for each tenant are displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of a state in which an arbitrary tenant is selected on the management screen displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an example of an operation status list screen displayed on the display unit of the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The structure of the air conditioning system using the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the embodiment, the building subject to air conditioning management has a plurality of floors, and a plurality of tenants are occupying each floor. For example, tenant A and tenant B reside on the first floor, and tenant C, tenant D, tenant E, tenant F, tenant G, and tenant H reside on the second floor.

  Tenant A on the first floor has areas of office a and office b, and eight air-conditioned indoor units (hereinafter referred to as “indoor units”) 10-1 to 10-8 are installed in office a. In the office b, eight indoor units 10-9 to 10-16 are installed. The tenant B on the first floor has an area for the conference room c, and eight indoor units 10-17 to 10-24 are installed in the conference room c. In addition, a common area such as an elevator hall is provided on the first floor, and six indoor units 10-25 to 10-30 are installed in the common area on the first floor.

  Tenant C on the second floor is provided with eight indoor units 10-31 to 10-38, Tenant D is provided with eight indoor units 10-39 to 10-46, and Tenant E is provided with 1 Ten indoor units 10-47 are installed, tenant F has one indoor unit 10-48, tenant G has one indoor unit 10-49, and tenant H has five units. Indoor units 10-50 to 10-54 are installed. In addition, a common area such as an elevator hall is provided on the second floor, and six indoor units 10-55 to 10-60 are installed in the common area on the second floor.

  In addition, a plurality of air conditioner outdoor units (hereinafter referred to as “outdoor units”) 20-1 to 20-6 are installed in the air conditioning management target building. These outdoor units 20-1 to 20-6 are of a multi-type in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit as a refrigeration cycle. For example, the indoor units 10-1 to 10-16 are connected to the outdoor unit 20-1, the indoor units 10-17 to 10-24 are connected to the outdoor unit 20-2, and the indoor unit 10-3 is connected to the outdoor unit 20-3. Units 10-25 to 10-30 are connected, outdoor units 10-31 to 10-46 are connected to the outdoor unit 20-4, and indoor units 10-47 to 10-54 are connected to the outdoor unit 20-5. The indoor units 10-55 to 10-60 are connected to the outdoor unit 20-6. In addition, a signal line is also installed between each outdoor unit and the indoor unit connected to the refrigeration cycle together with the refrigerant pipe, and various information can be communicated between the connected indoor unit and the outdoor unit through the signal line. Done.

  Moreover, the air conditioner management apparatus 30 connected to the outdoor units 20-1 to 20-6 is installed in the building subject to air conditioning management, and the indoor units 10-1 to 10-1 are connected via the outdoor units 20-1 to 20-6. The air conditioning system 1 is constructed to monitor and control the operation of 10-60. That is, the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 transmit their various information to the outdoor units 20-1 to 20-6 to which the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 are connected, and the outdoor units 20-1 to 20-6 In addition to the information on the machine, it transmits its own various information to the air conditioner management device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner management device 30 includes a display unit (display device) 31, an operation input unit 32, a first display control unit 33, a correspondence information storage unit 34, and a selected air conditioner specifying unit 35. A selection information storage unit 36, a second display control unit 37, and a control information transmission unit 38.

  The display unit 31 displays information related to operation management of the plurality of indoor units 10-1 to 10-60.

  The operation input unit 32 inputs operation information by the user.

  In the embodiment, the display unit 31 and the operation input unit 32 are integrally configured with a touch panel.

  The first display control unit 33 generates a management screen in which a plurality of icons associated with at least one of the plurality of indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 are arranged, and causes the display unit 31 to display the management screen. In the case of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment, the air conditioner management apparatus 30 treats the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 that can be individually set as air conditioners.

  The correspondence information storage unit 34 stores correspondence information between each generated icon and the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60.

  The selected air conditioner specifying unit 35 refers to the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage unit 34 and specifies a plurality of indoor units corresponding to the plurality of icons selected by the user's operation on the management screen.

  The selection information storage unit 36 stores the identification information of each indoor unit specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit 35.

  The second display control unit 37 generates a setting operation information input screen for performing a setting operation collectively for the operation of the plurality of indoor units specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit 35, and causes the display unit 31 to display the setting operation information input screen. .

  The control information transmission unit 38 generates control information for controlling each indoor unit stored in the selection information storage unit 36 based on the setting operation information input by the user's operation on the setting operation information input screen. And transmit to each corresponding indoor unit.

  Next, an operation when the user performs setting operations for a plurality of air conditioners arbitrarily selected from the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 using the air conditioner management device 30 will be described.

  In the embodiment, as an initial state, the first display control unit 33 of the air conditioner management apparatus 30 generates a management screen X as shown in FIG. 3 and displays it on the display unit 31. The management screen X includes an operation status display area 40, a management target display area 50, and a display classification designation area 60.

  The operation status display area 40 includes an air conditioner information display area 401, an operation / stop display area 402, an operation mode display area 403, a set temperature display area 404, a set air volume display area 405, and a set flap operation display area 406. A handy operation availability display area 407, a reference temperature display area 408, a ventilation ON / OFF display area 409, a power level display area 410, and a “set all together” button 411.

  In FIG. 3, “1st floor tenant A office a AC10-1” is displayed in the air conditioner information display area 401 as information for identifying the indoor unit that is the display target of the operation status in the operation status display area 40. Yes. In addition, as an operation status of the indoor unit 10-1, “operation” indicating that the indoor unit 10-1 is in operation is displayed in the operation / stop display area 402, and operation is performed in the operation mode display area 403. The operation mode “heating” is displayed, the current set temperature “23 ° C.” is displayed in the set temperature display area 404, the current set air volume “strong wind” is displayed in the set air volume display area 405, and the set flaps are displayed. In the operation display area 406, the current set flap operation “swing” is displayed, and in the hand operation availability display area 407, the setting status “permitted” for accepting operation by the hand controller of each indoor unit is displayed, and a reference temperature display is displayed. In the area 408, the currently set temperature “25 ° C.” is displayed, and in the ventilation ON / OFF display area 409, the ventilation operation is in operation. "ON" is displayed showing the ability situation in which the indoor unit is operating are displayed on the power level display area 410. The “collective setting” button 411 at the bottom is an operation / setting button irrelevant to the driving status display, and is operated in a state where a plurality of icons are selected in the management target display area 50 described later. Then, a collective setting operation request for performing a collective setting operation regarding the operation of all the air conditioners corresponding to the plurality of icons is input.

  The operation / stop display area 402 also functions as an operation / stop switching button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the operation / stop display area 402 operates / stops the indoor unit corresponding to the icon. Input stop switching request.

  The operation mode display area 403 also functions as an operation mode switching button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the operation mode switching request of the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is displayed. Enter.

  The set temperature display area 404 also functions as a set temperature change button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the set temperature change request for the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is displayed. Enter.

  The set air volume display area 405 also functions as a set air volume change button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the set air volume change request for the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is displayed. Enter.

  The setting flap operation display area 406 also functions as a setting flap operation change button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the setting flap of the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is displayed. Enter an operation change request.

  The hand operation availability display area 407 also functions as a hand operation availability switching button. When operated with at least one icon selected in the management target display area 50, the hand operation of the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is performed. Input a permission switching request.

  The ventilation ON / OFF display area 409 also functions as a ventilation ON / OFF switching button. When operated in a state where at least one icon is selected in the management target display area 50, the indoor unit corresponding to the icon is displayed. Input ventilation ON / OFF switching request.

  In the management target display area 50, a plurality of icons associated with at least one indoor unit are displayed side by side for each category designated by the operation in the display category designation area 60.

  The display classification designation area 60 includes an “all selection” button 601 for selecting all icons displayed in the management target display area 50 and an indoor unit corresponding to the icon currently selected in the management target display area 50. A “list” button 602 for displaying a list of driving conditions, a “monitor” button 603 for displaying an icon corresponding to the monitored device, and an icon indicating a category for each floor in the monitored building “Floor” button 604 for displaying, “tenant” button 605 for displaying an icon indicating a category for each tenant, “area” button 606 for displaying an icon indicating a category for each area, And a “unit” button 607 for displaying an icon indicating the indoor unit.

  In FIG. 3, the “tenant” button 605, the “area” button 606, and the “unit” button 607 are operated after the “floor” button 604 in the display classification designation area 60. The icons corresponding to the indoor units (units) classified hierarchically are displayed in order of operation, for each floor → for each tenant → for each area.

  Specifically, in the management target display area 50, icons 501 to 508 respectively corresponding to the eight indoor units 10-1 to 10-8 installed in the “office a in the tenth floor A on the first floor”. And icons 509 to 516 respectively corresponding to the eight indoor units 10-9 to 10-16 installed in the “office b in the tenth A on the first floor” and “conference in the tenth B on the first floor” Icons 517 to 524 respectively corresponding to the eight indoor units 10-17 to 10-24 installed in the room c "are displayed.

  Using the management screen X displayed on the display unit 31 in this way, air conditioner management when collectively changing the set temperatures of a plurality of indoor units arbitrarily selected by a user operation to “25 ° C.” The operation of the device 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the user taps (touches) the icon 501 corresponding to the first indoor unit 10-1 to be changed in the management target display area 50 of the management screen X ("YES" in S1) ) The icon 501 tapped by the first display control unit 33 is switched to a display highlighted as a selected state, and the icon 501 tapped by referring to the correspondence information storage unit 34 by the selected air conditioner specifying unit 35. And the identification information of the corresponding indoor unit 10-1 is stored in the selection information storage unit 36 (S2). Since the air conditioner management device 30 is configured by a touch panel, the operation input unit 32 and the display unit 31 cooperate with each other, and the operation input unit detects which position on the display screen is tapped, and then The icon on the display unit 31 at the tapped position is specified.

  Next, when the icon 502 corresponding to the second indoor unit 10-2 to be changed is tapped (“YES” in S3), similarly, the icon 502 is highlighted as a selected state. In addition to the switching, the identification information of the corresponding indoor unit 10-2 is added and stored in the selection information storage unit 36 (S2).

  When the user performs an operation for further adding an indoor unit to be changed, the processing of steps S3 → S2 is repeated, and the identification information of the corresponding indoor unit is sequentially added and stored in the selection information storage unit 36.

  In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, icons 501, 502, 508, 510, 511, 512, and 513 are selected, and indoor units 10-1, 10-2, 10-8, 10-corresponding to these are selected. It is assumed that the identification information of 10, 10-11, 10-12, and 10-13 is stored in the selection information storage unit 36. Here, the display highlighted as the selected state means a state in which the outer frame of the corresponding icon is displayed in FIG. 5, but the color of the icon in the selected state is the color of the icon not in the selected state. May be different.

  Next, when the user operates the “collective setting” button 411 and a collective setting operation request to a plurality of indoor units corresponding to the selected icon is input (S4), the second display control unit 37 sets the setting. An operation information input screen 70 is generated and pop-up displayed in the display unit 31 as shown in FIG. 6 (S5).

  The setting operation information input screen 70 includes a setting operation information input area 71, an OK (approval) button 72, and a cancel (cancel) button 73. In the setting operation information input area 71, an operation button for switching operation / stop of the air conditioner, an operation button for switching the operation mode, a set temperature input area for inputting a desired set temperature, and a set air volume are switched. Are displayed, an operation button for switching the setting flap operation, an operation button for switching whether or not the hand operation is possible, and an operation button for switching ventilation ON / OFF.

  When the user inputs “25 ° C.” in the set temperature input area in the set operation information input area 71 (“YES” in S6) and operates the OK button 72 (“approval operation”) (“YES” in S7). The control information transmitting unit 38 generates control information for changing the set temperature to 25 ° C., and the indoor units 10-1, 10-2, 10-8 in which the identification information is stored in the selection information storage unit 36. 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, and 10-13 (S8).

  The transmitted control information is received by the indoor units 10-1, 10-2, 10-8, 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, and 10-13 via the outdoor unit 20-1, and set respectively. The temperature is changed to 25 ° C. In this way, the same setting operation is executed collectively for the air conditioners selected by the user.

  When the control information is transmitted from the control information transmission unit 38 to each indoor unit in the air conditioner management device 30, the first display control unit 33 selects the icons 501, 502, 508, 510, 511, 512, and 513. Is released, and the identification information of the indoor unit stored in the selection information storage unit 36 is deleted (S9).

  In step S7, when the OK button 72 is not operated on the setting operation information input screen 70 ("NO" in S7) and the cancel button 73 is operated (cancellation operation) ("YES" in S10), the process proceeds to step S4. Returning, if a batch setting operation request to a plurality of indoor units corresponding to the selected icon is input (“YES” in S4), the processes in steps S5 to S9 are executed.

  In addition, when each setting button 402 to 410 in the operation status display area 40 is tapped in step S4 instead of the “collective setting” button 411, for each indoor unit selected at that time The setting contents assigned to the operated setting button can be collectively changed. However, the power level display area 410 is only used for display, and there is no setting operation function for this portion.

  For example, when the set temperature display area 404 is operated (“YES” in S3), the second display control unit 37 sets the set temperature input area for inputting a desired set temperature, an OK button, and a cancel button. The setting operation information input screen having only the above is generated and pop-up displayed on the display unit 31. Then, when the user inputs “25 ° C.” in the set temperature input area in the setting operation information input screen (“YES” in S6), the setting of each selected air conditioner is the same as described above. Control information for changing the temperature can be generated and transmitted (processing of S7 and S8).

  Although omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when an icon that is not a selection target is touched by mistake and becomes a selection target, the selected state can be canceled by touching the icon that is in the selected state again. It has become.

  In step S9, when the control information is transmitted from the control information transmission unit 38 to each indoor unit in the air conditioner management device 30, the selection state of the selection target icon is canceled and the selection information is stored. Although the identification information of the indoor unit stored in the unit 36 is deleted, there may be a case where the setting of another item is changed for the same selection target, so step S9 may be omitted. In this case, the selection for each selection target may be canceled by touching the icon selected as described above again.

  Further, in the display classification designation area 60 of the management screen X, for example, when only the “floor” button 604 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, “first floor” icons 531 and “2” are displayed as icons indicating categories for each floor. A “floor” icon 532, a “third floor” icon 533, and a “fourth floor” icon 534 are displayed.

  The “first floor” icon 531 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-1 to 10-30, and the “second floor” icon 532 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-31 to 10-60. .

  For example, when setting information is input using the setting operation input screen in the same manner as the above-described process in a state where the “first floor” icon 531 and the “second floor” icon 532 are selected by the user's operation, Control information can be collectively transmitted to the indoor units 10-1 to 10-60 corresponding to the icons.

  In the display classification designation area 60 of the management screen X, for example, when the “tenant” button 605 is operated subsequent to the “floor” button 604, an icon indicating a category for each tenant on each floor is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a “tenant A” icon 541, a “tenant B” icon 542, and a “shared part” icon 543 are displayed as icons indicating categories for each tenant occupying the first floor. As an icon indicating a category for each tenant occupying the room, a “tenant C” icon 544, a “tenant D” icon 545, a “tenant E” icon 546, a “tenant F” icon 547, a “tenant G” icon 548, “ A “tenant H” icon 549 and a “shared part” icon 550 are displayed.

  The “tenant A” icon 541 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-1 to 10-16, and the “tenant B” icon 542 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-17 to 10-24. A plurality of indoor units 10-25 to 10-30 are associated with the “shared part” icon 543, a plurality of indoor units 10-31 to 10-38 are associated with the “tenant C” icon 544, and “tenant D” ”Icon 545 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-39 to 10-46,“ tenant E ”icon 546 is associated with indoor unit 10-47, and“ tenant F ”icon 547 is associated with indoor unit 10 -48 is associated, the “tenant G” icon 548 is associated with the indoor unit 10-49, and the “tenant H” icon 549 is associated with a plurality of indoor units 10-50 to 10-54. Association, a plurality of indoor units 10-55～10-60 the "shared portion" icon 550 is associated.

  Then, by a user operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the “tenant A” icon 541 and the “tenant B” icon 542 on the first floor, the “tenant D” icon 545, the “tenant E” icon 546 on the second floor, When the setting information is input using the setting operation input screen in the state where the “tenant F” icon 547 is selected, the icon is arbitrarily selected in units of tenants across floors. Control information can be collectively transmitted to the corresponding indoor units 10-1 to 10-16, 10-39 to 10-48.

  Also, in the display classification designation area 60 of the management screen X, control information is transmitted collectively to a plurality of air conditioners corresponding to a plurality of icons selected from different categories using the setting operation input screen. It may be configured.

  For example, after a “first floor” icon 531 is selected on a screen in which icons are displayed in categories for each floor as shown in FIG. 7, a screen in which icons are displayed in categories for each tenant as shown in FIG. When the setting information is input using the setting operation input screen in a state where the “tenant D” icon 545, the “tenant E” icon 546, and the “tenant F” icon 547 are selected, these are selected. Control information can be collectively transmitted to the indoor units 10-1 to 10-30 and the indoor units 10-39 to 10-48 corresponding to the icons.

  As described above, in this air conditioner management device 30, the target indoor units are not grouped in advance, but are targeted by various methods such as individual indoor units, tenants, areas, and floor units each time. An indoor unit is selected, and the selected indoor unit can be collectively changed, so that the operation is simple.

  In addition, in the display classification designation area 60 of the management screen X, the “tenant” button 605 and the “area” button 606 are operated after the “floor” button 604, and icons indicating the areas in each tenant on each floor are displayed. In this state, when the “tenant A office a” icon and the “tenant A office b” icon are selected by the user and the “list” button 602 is further operated, as shown in FIG. Operation status list screens related to the indoor units 10-1 to 10-8 and the indoor units 10-9 to 10-16 corresponding to the icons are displayed on the display unit 31.

  In the embodiment, the air conditioner management device 30 has been described using a touch panel in which the display unit 31 and the operation input unit 32 are integrated. However, the display unit 31 and the operation input unit 32 designate icons on the screen. Any device that can be operated may be used. For example, the display unit 31 may be a simple display and the operation input unit 32 may be a ponting device such as a mouse.

  In the embodiment, the multi-type in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit has been described, but a so-called 1: 1 (single type) type in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit. The same applies to air conditioners.

  According to the air conditioner management apparatus according to the embodiment, a plurality of air conditioners in a building can be centrally managed, and setting operations can be collectively performed on a plurality of air conditioners arbitrarily selected by a user.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims (2)

An air conditioner management device for managing the operation of a plurality of air conditioners in a building to be managed,
A display device;
A screen showing an icon for each classification according to any category of a floor, a tenant, or an area in the managed building that is associated with at least one of the plurality of air conditioners is displayed on the display device. A first display control unit,
In the display device, a selected air conditioner identifying unit that identifies a plurality of air conditioners corresponding to a plurality of icons selected from screens of different categories by a user operation;
A second display control unit that displays on the display device a setting operation information input screen for performing a setting operation in a batch with respect to the operation of the plurality of air conditioners specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit;
On the setting operation information input screen, control information for controlling each air conditioner specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit is generated based on the setting operation information input by the user's operation, and the corresponding air conditioner is generated. An air conditioner management apparatus comprising: a control information transmission unit that transmits to each of the air conditioners. The air conditioner management device according to claim 1,
An air conditioner further comprising: a third display control unit that causes the display device to display an operation status list screen showing operation statuses of the plurality of air conditioners specified by the selected air conditioner specifying unit. Management device.

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