JP7339558B2 - Air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioning management system that manages a plurality of air conditioners to be managed.

Conventionally, there is an air conditioning management system for comprehensively managing (monitoring, controlling, etc.) air conditioning equipment such as outdoor units and indoor units. In such an air-conditioning management system, a data center connected to a network such as the Internet or a public line provides a management program to a controller, and the controller executes the management program (Patent Document 1: JP-A-2004-234176). . The management program in Patent Literature 1 is selected based on equipment information, which is information unique to air conditioners, and provided from a data center.

A program for managing air conditioners may differ for each air conditioner to be managed. For example, when a new air conditioner is introduced, it may not be possible to sufficiently manage it with the current management program that the controller has. In Patent Document 1, when a new air conditioner is introduced, it is necessary to develop a corresponding management program in order to manage the air conditioner. There was a problem that the development of the management program required an enormous amount of work time and man-hours.

The air conditioning management system of the first aspect is a system that manages a plurality of air conditioners to be managed. An air conditioning management system includes a controller and a server device. The controller is connected to the air conditioner. The controller executes a management program for managing air conditioners. A server device is connected to the controller. The server device provides the air conditioner data model to the controller. The air conditioner data model is a collection of air conditioner data referenced by the management program. The air conditioner data model is information about air conditioners that is referenced in the management program. The air conditioner data model stores information about air conditioners for each data item. The information about the air conditioner includes information about the attribute of the air conditioner.

In the air conditioning management system of the first aspect, the server device provides the air conditioner data model, so that even when new air conditioners are introduced, they can be managed using the same management program.

The air-conditioning management system of the second aspect is the system of the first aspect, and the information about attributes includes information about authority to read or write data.

The air conditioning management system of the third aspect is the system of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the information about attributes includes information about the step size of numerical data.

An air-conditioning management system of a fourth aspect is the system of any one of the first to third aspects, and the information about attributes includes information about maximum and minimum values that numerical data can take.

The air conditioning management system of the fifth aspect is the system of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and the air conditioner data model further divides the information about the air conditioner into an input value and an output value and stores it. It is a thing.

The air conditioning management system of the sixth aspect is the system of any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and the air conditioner data model performs mutual conversion between data acquired from the air conditioner and data recognizable by the server device. Contains information about the transformation function.

This allows the controller and the server device to exchange data in a recognizable language.

An air conditioning management system according to a seventh aspect is a system for managing a plurality of air conditioning equipment to be managed. An air conditioning management system includes a controller and a server device. The controller is connected to the air conditioner. The controller executes a management program for managing air conditioners. A server device is connected to the controller. The server device provides the air conditioner data model to the controller. The air conditioner data model is a collection of air conditioner data referenced by the management program. The air conditioner data model is information about air conditioners that is referenced in the management program. The air conditioner data model is provided for each model of air conditioner. The air conditioner data model has information on a conversion function that performs mutual conversion between data acquired from the air conditioner and data that can be recognized by the server device.

In the air conditioning management system of the seventh aspect, the server device provides the air conditioner data model, so that even when new air conditioners are introduced, they can be managed using the same management program.

An air-conditioning management system of another aspect is the system of the first aspect, and the controller is connected to a server device via a network.

The air conditioning management system of another aspect is the system of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the air conditioner data model is provided for each air conditioner model.

As a result, even when a new model of air conditioning equipment is introduced into the air conditioning management system, the air conditioning management system can manage the new model of air conditioning equipment with the same management program.

An air conditioning management system of another aspect is the system according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein when the air conditioner data model is registered in the server device, the server device provides the air conditioner data model to the controller. .

An air conditioning management system of another aspect is the system of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the air conditioner data model performs mutual conversion between data acquired from the air conditioner and data recognizable by the server device. Contains information about the transformation function.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of an air-conditioning management system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of an air conditioner. It is a schematic diagram which shows the functional block of each apparatus which comprises an air-conditioning management system. It is an example of an air conditioner data model. It is an example of an air conditioner data model. It is an example of an air conditioner data model.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning management system 1. As shown in FIG. In the following description, when a plurality of devices having similar functions are described in common, the same reference numerals are assigned to them. When one device is distinguished from a plurality of devices having similar functions, it will be described with a lowercase suffix. For example, since the indoor units 12a, 12b, and 12c are devices having similar functions, the suffixes a, b, and c are omitted and the indoor units 12 are used when the description is common.

The air conditioning management system 1 provides an air conditioner 10 to be managed, a controller 60 that executes a management program 3 for managing the air conditioner 10, and an air conditioner data model 4 that is referred to in the management program 3. and a server device 40 that manages 10 .

Here, the server device 40 is installed in the central management center. The server device 40 is connected to a communication network 50 such as the Internet. The server device 40 is connected to a plurality of facilities 2 (2a-2c). Facilities 2 are, for example, office buildings, commercial buildings, and condominiums. In each facility 2, one or a plurality of air conditioners 10 for cooling or heating the facility 2 are installed as objects of management. The air conditioner 10 has an outdoor unit 11 and one or more indoor units 12 (12a, 12b, 12c). A controller 60 is connected to the air conditioner 10 . The controller 60 is connected to the server device 40 via a communication network 50 such as the Internet.

In the air-conditioning management system 1 , the air-conditioning equipment 10 is managed by executing the management program 3 in the controller 60 . Here, management means monitoring or operating the air conditioner 10 . The controller 60 performs processing for acquiring predetermined data from the air conditioner 10 by executing the management program 3 based on the air conditioner data model 4 . The air conditioner data model 4 is a collection of data of the air conditioner 10 (outdoor unit 11 or indoor unit 12). The air conditioner data model 4 is created for each model by an administrator or the like of the air conditioning management system 1 and registered in the server device 40 . When the air conditioner data model 4 is registered in the server device 40 , the server device 40 provides the air conditioner data model 4 to the controller 60 . As a result, the air conditioning management system 1 can manage the new model of the air conditioning equipment 10 .

(2) Air Conditioning Equipment to be Managed FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning equipment 10. As shown in FIG. The air conditioner 10 to be managed by the air conditioning management system 1 has the outdoor unit 11 and one or more indoor units 12 as described above. The outdoor unit 11 is installed, for example, on the roof or in the basement. The indoor units 12 are installed separately in a plurality of floors or a plurality of rooms of the facility 2 .

The outdoor unit 11 has a compressor 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an outdoor fan 24, a sensor 25, an outdoor unit control unit 11X, and the like. Each of the indoor units 12a, 12b, 12c has an indoor heat exchanger 33, an indoor fan 34, a sensor 35, an indoor unit control unit 12X (12Xa, 12Xb, 12Xc), and the like. The outdoor unit 11 (outdoor unit control unit 11X) and the indoor unit 12 (indoor unit control unit 12X) are connected via a dedicated communication line. The outdoor unit control unit 11X and the indoor unit control unit 12X cooperate to control the operation of each part of the air conditioner 10 based on the detection values of the sensors 25 and 35 and the like. The server device 40 collects data of the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 from the outdoor unit control unit 11X and the indoor unit control unit 12X via the communication network 50 . The outdoor unit control unit 11X communicates data of the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 with the controller 60 . The air conditioner 10 sends commands to the control units 11X and 12X from a remote controller or the like attached to each indoor unit 12, or based on commands input via the communication network 50, the server device 40, and the controller 60. managed.

(3) Detailed Configuration of Air Conditioning Equipment Management System FIG.

(3-1) Controller The controller 60 manages the air conditioner 10 by being connected to the outdoor unit control unit 11X of the outdoor unit 11 . The controller 60 is a computer for managing the air conditioner 10 and is called a gateway or edge, for example. The controller 60 may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers and devices via a network. The controller 60 has a storage section 61 , a communication section 62 , a processing section 63 a and a connection section 64 .

The storage unit 61 stores various information, and may include a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk. The storage unit 61 stores various programs for executing various functions of the controller 60 and various data for executing the programs. Specifically, the storage unit 61 stores a management program 3 for managing the air conditioner 10, an air conditioner data model 4 (described later) referenced in the management program 3, and a conversion function for converting data. I remember. The management program 3 may be provided from the server device 40 via the communication unit 62, which will be described later, or may be stored in the controller 60 in advance. The conversion function is a conversion function for interconverting data that can be recognized by the air conditioner 10 and data that can be recognized by the server device 40 . The air conditioner data model 4 is associated with information on a conversion function for converting each data, and the controller 60 can perform mutual conversion processing of data by using the conversion function. .

The communication unit 62 is an interface or the like for executing communication with the communication network 50 via a public line, router, or the like (not shown). Data of the air conditioner 10 including various commands is communicated between the controller 60 and the server device 40 by the function of the communication unit 62 . Also, the controller 60 is provided with the air conditioner data model 4 from the server device 40 via the communication unit 62 .

The control unit 63 is configured by a CPU, a cache memory, and the like. The control unit 63 controls the entire controller 60 by cooperating with other components of the controller 60 . Among the control units 63 , the processing unit 63 a executes various information processing in the controller 60 . For example, the processing unit 63 a acquires data from the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 via the connection unit 64 and stores the data in the storage unit 61 . The processing unit 63a performs a process of interconverting data recognizable by the air conditioner 10 and data recognizable by the server device 40 using a conversion function. In addition, the processing unit 63a causes the communication unit 62 to transmit various commands received from the server device 40 to the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 at predetermined timings.

The connection unit 64 is an interface that connects to the outdoor unit control unit 11X. The controller 60 can transmit various commands to the outdoor unit control unit 11X and acquire data from the outdoor unit control unit 11X through the connection unit 64 .

(3-2) Server Device The server device 40 manages the air conditioner 10 by connecting to the controller 60 via the communication network 50 . The server device 40 is a computer that manages the air conditioner 10, and is, for example, a supercomputer, workstation, personal computer, cloud computing, or the like. The server device 40 has a storage section 41 , a communication section 42 , a processing section 43 a , an input section 45 and an output section 46 .

The storage unit 41 stores various information, and includes a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk. For example, the storage unit 41 stores various programs for executing various functions of the server device 40 and various data for executing the programs. Specifically, the storage unit 41 stores the management program 3 and the air conditioner data model 4 referenced in the management program 3 . The air conditioner data model 4 is stored (registered) in the storage unit 41 via the input unit 45 described later or via the communication unit 42 described later. When the air conditioner data model 4 is registered in the storage unit 41 of the server device 40 , the processing unit 43 a provides the air conditioner data model 4 to the controller 60 via the communication unit 42 .

The communication unit 42 is an interface or the like for communicating with the controller 60 or the like via a public line, router, or the like (not shown). Specifically, the communication unit 42 communicates data of the air conditioner 10 including various commands with the controller 60 .

The control unit 43 is configured by a CPU, a cache memory, and the like. The control unit 43 controls the entire server device 40 by cooperating with other components of the server device 40 . Among the control units 43 , the processing unit 43 a executes various types of information processing in the server device 40 . For example, the processing unit 43 a causes the storage unit 41 to store data of the air conditioning equipment (the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 ) to be managed, which is acquired from the controller 60 . Further, the processing unit 43a manages the air conditioning equipment based on the data stored in the storage unit 41. FIG.

The input unit 45 is an interface for inputting information to the server device 40 . For example, the input unit 45 is implemented by a keyboard, mouse, and/or touch screen.

The output unit 46 outputs various information, and is configured by various displays, speakers, and the like.

(4) Air Conditioner Data Model The air conditioner data model 4 is a collection of data for each model of the air conditioner 10 . Here, each model of the air conditioner 10 is each model number of the outdoor unit 11 or indoor unit 12, and different model numbers are set if the horsepower, capacity, etc. of the outdoor unit 11 or indoor unit 12 are different.

For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner data model 4 of the indoor unit 12a. The indoor unit 12a is a single-flow type outdoor unit (model A), and includes data on starting/stopping, set temperature, and suction temperature. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the air conditioner data model 4 of the indoor unit 12b. The indoor unit 12b is a four-way blow cassette type indoor unit (model B), and includes data on start/stop, set temperature, suction temperature, and human detection state. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the air conditioner data model 4 of the indoor unit 12c. The indoor unit 12c is a floor-mounted indoor unit (model C), and includes data on start/stop, set temperature, suction temperature, and floor temperature. Of course, the air conditioner data model 4 of the indoor unit 12 may include other data. Items such as "Input/Output", "Data Type", and "Property" are associated with each data, indicating more detailed data regarding each of the indoor units 12a, 12b, and 12c. .

Specifically, here, "Input/Output" indicates that the data is an input value or an output value. "Data Type" indicates whether the data to be acquired is analog data or binary data.

The current value of "Property" indicates the current state of the air conditioner 10, the state of the environment around the air conditioner 10, and the set value. The current value stores data obtained by the controller 60 from the air conditioner 10 via the connection unit 64 . The minimum/maximum value indicates the minimum/maximum value that can be managed by the model. The minimum/maximum values indicate, for example, the minimum and/or maximum values of the set temperature in the air conditioner 10 . The initial value indicates a value initialized in the model. The step size indicates the step size of setting values that can be managed by the model. OPC indicates a communication command set in the model. Type of OPC indicates information specifying the air conditioner 10 from the communication command. Date Converter indicates information about a conversion function used when converting the data item.

Here, the information about the conversion function is information that enables selection of one conversion function from a plurality of conversion functions stored in the controller 60 . Information about the conversion function is, for example, a function ID set in advance for each conversion function.

(5) Provision of Air Conditioner Data Model 4 A method for providing the air conditioner data model 4 will be described below.

In the air conditioning management system 1 , the controller 60 stores the management program 3 in the storage unit 61 to manage the air conditioning equipment 10 . When a new air conditioner is installed, an administrator or the like of the air conditioning management system 1 creates an air conditioner data model 4 related to the new air conditioner and stores it in the storage unit 41 of the server device 40 . Storage unit 41 of server device 40 stores the air conditioner data model 4 to communication unit 42 of server device 40 from the administrator's computer, tablet, or the like via communication network 50 such as the Internet. It is done by being sent. When the new air conditioner data model 4 is stored (registered) in the storage unit 41, the processing unit 43a of the server device 40 transmits the , the air conditioner data model 4 is transmitted. The processing unit 63 a of the controller 60 stores the received air conditioner data model 4 in the storage unit 61 . This enables the controller 60 to refer to the air conditioner data model 4 and execute the management program 3 . At this time, the controller 60 may acquire the conversion function as information for executing the program.

(6) Execution of Management Program 3 The controller 60 acquires data from the air conditioner 10 via the connection section 64 . The acquired data is stored in a predetermined area of the air conditioner data model 4 shown in FIGS.

The server device 40 communicates with the controller 60 when there is a request acquired via the input unit 45 or the communication unit 42 or at predetermined time intervals, and the air conditioner data model 4 stored in the controller 60 Management of the air conditioner 10 is performed based on this. Management of the air conditioning equipment 10 means monitoring the air conditioning equipment 10 or transmitting instructions or the like to the air conditioning equipment 10 or other equipment. At this time, the processing unit 63a of the controller 60 refers to the information regarding the conversion function included in the air conditioner data model 4, and converts the data based on the conversion function. Specifically, the processing unit 63a converts data stored in a predetermined area of the air conditioner data model 4 into data recognizable by the server device 40 using a conversion function that the air conditioner data model 4 has.

(7) Features (7-1)
The air conditioning management system 1 shown in the present disclosure is a system that manages a plurality of air conditioning equipment 10 (outdoor unit 11 or indoor unit 12) to be managed. The air conditioning management system 1 includes a controller 60 and a server device 40 . Controller 60 is connected to air conditioner 10 . Controller 60 executes management program 3 for managing air conditioner 10 . The controller 60 is connected to the server device via a network. Server device 40 is connected to controller 60 . The server device 40 provides the controller 60 with an air conditioner data model 4 that is a collection of air conditioner data referenced by the management program 3 . Note that the air conditioner data model 4 is provided for each model of the air conditioner 10 . Here, the air conditioner data model 4 has information on a conversion function that mutually converts data acquired from the air conditioner and data that can be recognized by the server device.

Further, in the air conditioning management system 1 , when the air conditioner data model 4 is registered in the server device 40 , the server device 40 provides the air conditioner data model 4 to the controller 60 .

In the conventional air conditioning management system, the management program 3 is created based on information (air conditioner data model 4) specific to the air conditioner. With such a management program 3, when a new air conditioner is introduced into the air conditioning management system, the current management program 3 may not be able to sufficiently manage it. For example, when a new model of air conditioner is introduced into the air conditioning management system, it is necessary to develop a management program for the new model of air conditioner. There was a problem that the development of the management program required an enormous amount of work time and man-hours.

Therefore, the air-conditioning management system 1 shown in the present disclosure has the above-described configuration, so that even when a new air-conditioning device 10 is added to the air-conditioning management system 1, a new management program 3 is not newly developed. management of the air conditioner 10 can be started. Thereby, in the air-conditioning management system 1, the air-conditioning equipment 10 can be continuously managed.

Further, the air conditioner data model 4 includes information on a conversion function, and can perform mutual conversion between data acquired from air conditioners and data recognizable by the server device.

(8) Modification In the air conditioning management system 1 of the present disclosure, the controller 60 may provide the air conditioner data model 4 by the method described below.

First, when a new air conditioner is introduced, an administrator or the like of the air conditioning management system 1 creates an air conditioner data model 4 related to the new air conditioner and stores it in the storage unit 41 of the server device 40 . Storage unit 41 of server device 40 stores the air conditioner data model 4 to communication unit 42 of server device 40 from the administrator's computer, tablet, or the like via communication network 50 such as the Internet. It is done by being sent.

Next, the air conditioning equipment is installed in the facility 2, and the outdoor unit control unit of the air conditioning equipment and the connection section 64 of the controller 60 are connected. The controller 60 acquires the model information of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner through the connection unit 64 . The controller 60 transmits the model information acquired from the air conditioner to the server apparatus 40 via the communication network 50, thereby requesting transmission of the air conditioner data model corresponding to the model information. In response to this request, the server device 40 transmits the air conditioner data model to the controller 60 , thereby providing the controller 60 with the air conditioner data model of the new air conditioner.

(9)
Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be appreciated that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. .

1 air conditioning management system 3 management program 4 air conditioner data model 10 air conditioner 40 server device 50 network 60 controller

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-234176

Claims (7)

An air conditioning management system (1) for managing a plurality of air conditioning equipment (10) to be managed,
a controller (60) connected to the air conditioner (10) and executing a management program (3) for managing the air conditioner (10);
an air conditioner data model (4) connected to the controller (60) and being a collection of data of the air conditioner (10) referenced by the management program (3) for the controller (60); a server device (40) that provides
with
The air conditioner data model (4) is information about the air conditioner (10) referenced in the management program (3),
The air conditioner data model (4) stores information about the air conditioner (10) for each data item,
The information about the air conditioner (10) includes information about attributes of the air conditioner (10),
Air conditioning management system (1). The information about the attribute includes information about the authority to read or write data,
Air conditioning management system (1) according to claim 1. The information about the attribute includes information about the step size of numerical data,
Air conditioning management system (1) according to claim 1 or 2. The information on the attribute includes information on the maximum and minimum values that numerical data can take,
Air conditioning management system (1) according to any of claims 1-3. The air conditioner data model (4) stores the information about the air conditioner (10) further divided into input values and output values.
Air conditioning management system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The air conditioner data model (4) has information on a conversion function that performs mutual conversion between the data acquired from the air conditioner (10) and the data recognizable by the server device (40),
Air conditioning management system (1) according to any of claims 1-5. An air conditioning management system (1) for managing a plurality of air conditioning equipment (10) to be managed,
a controller (60) connected to the air conditioner (10) and executing a management program (3) for managing the air conditioner (10);
an air conditioner data model (4) connected to the controller (60) and being a collection of data of the air conditioner (10) referenced by the management program (3) for the controller (60); a server device (40) that provides
with
The air conditioner data model (4) is information about the air conditioner (10) referenced in the management program (3),
The air conditioner data model (4) is provided for each model of the air conditioner (10),

The air conditioner data model (4) has information on a conversion function that performs mutual conversion between the data acquired from the air conditioner (10) and the data recognizable by the server device (40),
Air conditioning management system (1).

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