AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

An air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioning apparatus, a storage device, a deterioration estimation unit, a lifetime calculation circuitry, a control construction circuitry, and an air-conditioning control circuitry. The storage device stores the values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus and stores contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration. The deterioration estimation circuitry estimates, based on the values of an operation parameter and a contrast parameter, the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus. The lifetime calculation circuitry extracts, based on the degree of deterioration, an extracted deterioration information item. The control construction circuitry constructs, based on the deterioration information item, a content of control that extends the life of the air-conditioning apparatus.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2020/046268 filed on Dec. 11, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an air-conditioning system configured to automatically extend the life of an air-conditioning apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Hitherto, there has been known a system configured to determine the presence or absence of a sign of occurrence of a failure in an air-conditioning apparatus and determine the presence or absence or a decrease in performance due to aged deterioration (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In a case in which the system has determined that there is a sign of occurrence of a failure in an air-conditioning apparatus, the system notifies a monitor of information indicating the sign of the failure or predicts when the failure will occur. Further, in a case in which the system has determined that there is a decrease in performance of an air-conditioning apparatus due to aged deterioration, the system checks with a user for a desired operation. Moreover, to cause the air-conditioning apparatus to carry out an operation based on a reply from the user, the system carries out a process for changing the value of a control parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus.

PATENT LITERATURE

  • Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-065680

The system described in Patent Literature 1 listed above is not intended to change the content of operation of an air-conditioning apparatus in a case in which there is a sign of occurrence of a failure in the air-conditioning apparatus. Therefore, the system may cause an air-conditioning apparatus predicted to fail to go on to carry out an operation that the air-conditioning apparatus carried out when the air-conditioning apparatus was functioning normally, making it impossible to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus. Alternatively, instead of causing an air-conditioning apparatus predicted to fail to operate in the same way as it would under normal circumstances, the system may stop the air-conditioning apparatus from operating. In this case, the air-conditioning apparatus may become inoperative in a period of time, such as summer or winter, during which a user needs air conditioning.

Further, the system is not intended to, in a case in which there is a decrease in performance of an air-conditioning apparatus, automatically determine an optimum operation for extending the life of the air-conditioning apparatus and cause the air-conditioning apparatus to carry out the operation thus determined. This may cause the air-conditioning apparatus to deteriorate more quickly over time, shorten the life of the air-conditioning apparatus, and make the air-conditioning apparatus inoperative in a period of time during which a user needs the air-conditioning apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure was made to solve the foregoing problem, and has as an object to provide an air-conditioning system, an air-conditioning method, and an air-conditioning program intended to both maintain operation of an air-conditioning apparatus and extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus.

An air-conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an air-conditioning apparatus configured to carry out air conditioning in a room, a plurality of air-conditioning sensors configured to sense values of a plurality of operation parameters indicating an operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus, a storage unit configured to store values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating an operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus and each including a plurality of components and store a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses as based on the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters, a deterioration estimation unit configured to estimate a degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters, the physical object being the air-conditioning apparatus or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus, a lifetime calculation unit configured to extract, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis in a predetermined cross-check time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit, an extracted deterioration information item from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit and calculate a lifetime of the physical object from a current point in time to a time of failure using the extracted deterioration information item, the extracted deterioration information item being one of the contrast deterioration information items, a control construction unit configured to construct, based on the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit, a content of control for extending the lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation unit, and an air-conditioning control unit configured to control the air-conditioning apparatus based on the content of control constructed by the control construction unit.

An air-conditioning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an air-conditioning method that is executed by an air-conditioning system including an air-conditioning apparatus configured to carry out air conditioning in a room, a plurality of air-conditioning sensors configured to sense values of a plurality of operation parameters indicating an operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus, and a storage unit configured to store values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating an operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus and each including a plurality of components and store a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses as based on the values of the plurality of contrast parameters. The air-conditioning method includes a deterioration estimation step of estimating a degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters, the physical object being the air-conditioning apparatus or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus, a lifetime calculation step of extracting, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis in a predetermined cross-check time range as estimated in the deterioration estimation step, an extracted deterioration information item from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit and calculating a lifetime of the physical object from a current point in time to a time of failure using the extracted deterioration information item, the extracted deterioration information item being one of the contrast deterioration information items, a control construction step of constructing, based on the extracted deterioration information item extracted in the lifetime calculation step, a content of control for extending the lifetime calculated in the lifetime calculation step, and an air-conditioning control step of controlling the air-conditioning apparatus based on the content of control constructed in the control construction step.

An air-conditioning program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an air-conditioning program that is executed by an air-conditioning system including an air-conditioning apparatus configured to carry out air conditioning in a room, a plurality of air-conditioning sensors configured to sense values of a plurality of operation parameters indicating an operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus, and a storage unit configured to store values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating an operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus and each including a plurality of components and store a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses as based on the values of the plurality of contrast parameters. The air-conditioning program causes the air-conditioning system to perform operations including a deterioration estimation function of estimating a degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters, the physical object being the air-conditioning apparatus or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus, a lifetime calculation function of extracting, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis in a predetermined cross-check time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation function, an extracted deterioration information item from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit and calculating a lifetime of the physical object from a current point in time to a time of failure using the extracted deterioration information item, the extracted deterioration information item being one of the contrast deterioration information items, a control construction function of constructing, based on the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation function, a content of control for extending the lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation function, and an air-conditioning control function of controlling the air-conditioning apparatus based on the content of control constructed by the control construction function.

According to the air-conditioning system, the air-conditioning method, and the air-conditioning program according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the degree of deterioration of a physical object that is the air-conditioning apparatus or one or more components of the air-conditioning apparatus is estimated from all or some of the plurality of operation parameters and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters. Then, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis, an extracted deterioration information item is extracted from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit. Each of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items is information indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. The extracted deterioration information item, extracted based on the degree of deterioration of the physical object on a time-series basis, indicates how the physical object becomes advanced in deterioration. Then, a content of control for extending the life of the physical object or the air-conditioning apparatus including the physical object is constructed using the extracted deterioration information item, and the air-conditioning apparatus is controlled based on the content of control. Accordingly, the air-conditioning system, the air-conditioning method, and the air-conditioning program make it possible to extend the life of an air-conditioning apparatus while maintaining operation of the air-conditioning apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating contrast deterioration information items.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a deterioration information item generated by a deterioration estimation unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a deterioration information item in a case in which the lifetime of a physical object has been extended by control according to a content of control constructed by a control construction unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1 in detail.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of an air-conditioning process by the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 2 in detail.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 3 in detail.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, air-conditioning systems 100 according to embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that magnitude relationships between components in the following drawings may be different from actual ones.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. The air-conditioning system 100 includes an outdoor unit 1, an indoor unit 3, and a remote controller 5. A combination of the outdoor unit 1, the indoor unit 3, and the remote controller 5 is an air-conditioning apparatus 101. The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 perform wireless or wired communication with each other. The remote controller 5 performs wireless communication such as infrared communication with the indoor unit 3. It should be noted that the remote controller 5 may perform wired communication with the indoor unit 3. The remote controller 5 receives an instruction inputted from a user and sends, to the indoor unit 3, an actuating signal representing the instruction. The indoor unit 3 sends, to the outdoor unit 1, a signal corresponding to the actuating signal and serving to cause the outdoor unit 1 to reflect the instruction. Such a signal is also hereinafter referred to as an “actuating signal”. The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 perform, in accordance with the actuating signal thus received, air conditioning desired by the user. It should be noted that the remote controller 5 may send the actuating signal to the outdoor unit 1 together with the indoor unit 3 or instead of the indoor unit 3.

Although FIG. 1 shows the indoor unit 3 as a ceiling-concealed unit having a four-way air inlet, the indoor unit 3 may be a wall-mounted unit or a ceiling-suspended unit. Further, although FIG. 1 shows an air-conditioning apparatus 101 having one outdoor unit 1 and one indoor unit 3, the air-conditioning apparatus 101 needs to have only one or more outdoor units 1 and one or more indoor units 3 and, for example, may have one outdoor unit 1 and a plurality of indoor units 3.

The remote controller 5 has a wireless communication function conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or other standards, and performs wireless communication with a terminal 7, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, that has a communication function. Instead of wireless communication, the remote controller 5 may perform wired communication with the terminal 7. The terminal 7 may replace the remote controller 5 to receive an air-conditioning instruction inputted by a user. In this case, the terminal 7 generates an actuating signal representing the instruction and sends the actuating signal to the remote controller 5 or the indoor unit 3. Upon receiving an actuating signal from the terminal 7, the remote controller 5 sends the actuating signal to the indoor unit 3.

The remote controller 5 uses a wireless communication function or a wired communication function to perform communication with a server 9, for example, on a cloud via a network 2. Further, the terminal 7 and the server 9 can communicate with each other through a wireless communication function or a wired communication function. Instead of the remote controller 5 or together with the remote controller 5, at least either the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 3 may be able to communicate with the terminal 7 and the server 9 through a wireless communication function or a wired communication function.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 are connected to each other via refrigerant pipes 4 through which refrigerant flows. This forms a refrigerant circuit 6 including the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3, and the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit 6.

The outdoor unit 1 has an outer shell formed by a housing and, inside the housing, includes an outdoor communication unit 10, an outdoor control device 11, a compressor 12, a flow switching device 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, an outdoor air-sending device 15, an outdoor flow control valve 16, a shutoff valve 17, a pressure vessel 18, an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 19, an outside air temperature sensor 20, a discharge-side pressure sensor 21, a suction-side pressure sensor 22, and a discharge-side temperature sensor 23. In FIG. 2, the housing is indicated by dotted lines. The compressor 12, the flow switching device 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the outdoor flow control valve 16 are sequentially connected to one another by the refrigerant pipes 4.

The outdoor communication unit 10 performs communication with the indoor unit 3. The outdoor control device 11 are connected to the outdoor communication unit 10, the compressor 12, the flow switching device 13, the outdoor air-sending device 15, the outdoor flow control valve 16, and the shutoff valve 17 by wires (not illustrated). Moreover, the outdoor control device 11 controls the compressor 12, the flow switching device 13, the outdoor air-sending device 15, the outdoor flow control valve 16, and the shutoff valve 17 in accordance with an actuating signal received from the indoor unit 3 via the outdoor communication unit 10.

The compressor 12 compresses refrigerant suctioned through a suction side and discharges the refrigerant as high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant through a discharge side. The outdoor control device 11 applies an electrical current to the compressor 12 by inputting electric power from a power source (not illustrated) to the compressor 12. The outdoor control device 11 controls the values of the electric power and the electrical current. The outdoor control device 11 controls the outdoor communication unit 10 so that the outdoor communication unit 10 sends the values of the electric power and the electrical current to the indoor unit 3. It should be noted that the electric power and the electrical current are examples of operation parameters indicating the operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. Further, the outdoor control device 11 is an example of an air-conditioning sensor, as it obtains information indicating the values of the electric power, which is inputted to the compressor 12, and the electrical current, which is applied to the compressor 12.

The flow switching device 13 includes, for example, a four-way valve and changes the direction of flow of the refrigerant. Switching between cooling and heating is done by the flow switching device 13 changing the flow of the refrigerant. In FIG. 2, the solid-line portions of the flow switching device 13 in FIG. 2 indicate a flow passage of the refrigerant during cooling operation. Further, the dashed-line portions indicate a flow passage of the refrigerant during heating operation. Similarly, in FIG. 2, the solid arrow indicates the direction of flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation, and the dashed arrow indicates the direction of flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14 causes the refrigerant and outdoor air to exchange heat with each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 functions as a condenser for the refrigerant during the cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator for the refrigerant during the heating operation. The outdoor air-sending device 15 includes an outdoor fan 15B, such as a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, or a propeller fan, that is driven by an outdoor driving source 15A such as a fan motor, guides the outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 in the outdoor unit 1, and sends outdoors the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant. The outdoor air-sending device 15 is an example of an air-sending device.

The outdoor flow control valve 16 adjusts, according to a change in opening degree, the flow rate of refrigerant that circulates between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3, and decompresses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12. The outdoor flow control valve 16 is an expansion valve such as an electronic expansion valve.

Upon an opening action, the shutoff valve 17 allows the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant circuit 6. Further, upon a closing action, the shutoff valve 17 shuts the flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit 6. The pressure vessel 18 is a container for storing the refrigerant.

The outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 19 is provided inside or outside the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and senses the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The outside air temperature sensor 20 is provided, for example, at an outdoor air suction port of the outdoor unit 1, and senses outdoor temperature. The discharge-side pressure sensor 21 is provided in a refrigerant pipe 4 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 12, and measures the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12. The suction-side pressure sensor 22 is provided in a refrigerant pipe 4 situated upstream of the refrigerant from the compressor 12, and measures the pressure of refrigerant that is suctioned into the compressor 12.

The discharge-side temperature sensor 23 is provided on a discharge side of a body of the compressor 12 through which the refrigerant is discharged, and senses the temperature of the body of the compressor 12. Alternatively, the discharge-side temperature sensor 23 may be provided in a refrigerant pipe 4 facing the discharge side, and may sense the temperature of the refrigerant pipe 4 or the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12. The outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 19, the outside air temperature sensor 20, the discharge-side pressure sensor 21, the suction-side pressure sensor 22, and the discharge-side temperature sensor 23 are examples of air-conditioning sensors. Further, the temperature of the refrigerant, the outdoor temperature, the pressure of the refrigerant, the temperature of the compressor 12, or other properties measured by these air-conditioning sensors are examples of operation parameters indicating the operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

The outdoor control device 11 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 19, the outside air temperature sensor 20, the discharge-side pressure sensor 21, the suction-side pressure sensor 22, and the discharge-side temperature sensor 23 by wires (not illustrated), and acquires results of sensing from these air-conditioning sensors.

The indoor unit 3 has an outer shell constituted by a housing and, inside the housing, includes a first indoor communication unit 30, a second indoor communication unit 31, an indoor control device 32, an indoor heat exchanger 33, an indoor air-sending device 34, an indoor flow control valve 35, an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36, and an indoor temperature sensor 37. In FIG. 2, the housing is indicated by dotted lines. The first indoor communication unit 30 performs communication with the remote controller 5. The second indoor communication unit 31 performs communication with the outdoor unit 1.

The indoor control device 32 is connected to the first indoor communication unit the second indoor communication unit 31, the indoor air-sending device 34, and the indoor flow control valve 35 by wires (not illustrated). Moreover, the indoor control device 32 controls the indoor air-sending device 34 and the indoor flow control valve 35 in accordance with an actuating signal received from the remote controller 5 via the first indoor communication unit 30, and controls the second indoor communication unit 31 so that the second indoor communication unit 31 sends the actuating signal to the outdoor unit 1.

The indoor heat exchanger 33 causes refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 and air sent from indoor into the indoor unit 3 by the indoor air-sending device 34 to exchange heat with each other. The indoor air-sending device 34 includes an indoor fan 34B, such as a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, or a propeller fan, that is driven by an indoor driving source 34A such as a fan motor, guides the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 33 in the indoor unit 3, and sends indoors the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant. The indoor air-sending device 34 controls the volume of air that is sent from the indoor unit 3. The indoor air-sending device 34 is an example of an air-sending device.

The indoor flow control valve 35 adjusts, according to a change in opening degree, the flow rate of refrigerant that circulates between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. The indoor flow control valve 35 is an expansion valve such as an electronic expansion valve.

The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 is provided inside or outside the indoor heat exchanger 33, and senses the temperature of the refrigerant. The indoor temperature sensor 37 is provided, for example, at an indoor air suction port of the indoor unit 3, and senses indoor air temperature. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 and the indoor temperature sensor 37 are examples of air-conditioning sensors. Further, the temperature of the refrigerant and the indoor temperature measured by these air-conditioning sensors are examples of operation parameters indicating the operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

The indoor control device 32 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 and the indoor temperature sensor 37 by wires (not illustrated), and acquires results of sensing from these air-conditioning sensors. The indoor control device 32 controls the first indoor communication unit 30 so that the first indoor communication unit 30 sends, to the remote controller 5, results of sensing yielded by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 and the indoor temperature sensor 37.

The first indoor communication unit 30 may perform communication with at least one of the terminal 7 and the server 9. In this case, the indoor control device 32 may control the first indoor communication unit 30 so that the first indoor communication unit sends, to one of the terminal 7 and the server 9 with which the first indoor communication unit 30 can communicate, the values of the operation parameters sensed by the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 and the indoor temperature sensor 37.

The air-conditioning system 100 can sense an abnormality in the air-conditioning apparatus 101, such as an abnormality of the compressor 12, from the values of the operation parameters sensed by the air-conditioning sensors. For example, the value of the electrical current that is applied to the compressor 12 may vary according to the degree of deterioration of the compressor 12, the outdoor control device 11, or other devices. Moreover, there is a reference value of the electrical current or a reference range of values of the electrical current at or in which it is determined that the compressor 12, the outdoor control device 11, or other devices is not deteriorating but functioning normally. In a case in which the value of the electrical current does not match the reference value or the value of the electrical current is not within the reference range, it is determined that there is an abnormality in a component of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, for example a deterioration of the compressor 12, the outdoor control device 11, or other devices.

Such a prediction of a failure in an air-conditioning apparatus or an estimate of deterioration of an air-conditioning apparatus using results of sensing yielded by air-conditioning sensors has conventionally been made. There has been known a conventional air-conditioning system configured to notify a maintenance worker in a case in which a failure in an air-conditioning apparatus is predicted. However, the air-conditioning system is not always intended to change the content of operation of an air-conditioning apparatus having a failure risk. Therefore, the air-conditioning system may cause an air-conditioning apparatus having a failure risk to operate according to the same content of operation as it would under normal circumstances, and is unable to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus. Alternatively, the air-conditioning system may cause an air-conditioning apparatus having a failure risk to stop operating instead of causing it to operate in the same way as it would under normal circumstances, and may disable the air-conditioning apparatus to carry out air conditioning in a period of time, such as summer or winter, during which a user needs air conditioning.

There has been known another conventional air-conditioning system configured to, in a case of having estimated a deterioration of an air-conditioning apparatus, notify a user of the deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus and give the user a suggestion about a content of operation appropriate to the deterioration, such as a content of operation intended to reduce power consumption. The air-conditioning system ensures the user's comfort by causing the air-conditioning apparatus to reflect a content of operation selected by the user. Meanwhile, in a case in which the user wishes for a content of operation appropriate to the deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus, the air-conditioning system causes the air-conditioning apparatus to carry out an operation appropriate to the deterioration, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption to keep down throughput of the air-conditioning apparatus. This allows the air-conditioning system to reduce burden on the air-conditioning apparatus and delay the progression of the deterioration. However, contents of operation intended to delay the progression of the deterioration may vary depending, for example, on what component of the air-conditioning apparatus is advanced in deterioration, what component of the air-conditioning apparatus is suffering an abnormality, or in what environment the air-conditioning apparatus is operating.

The air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 is an air-conditioning system, intended to make it possible to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 according to the state of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, that maximally extends the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 without suspending the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and while maintaining a user's comfort. The following describes the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. The air-conditioning system 100 includes a storage unit a deterioration estimation unit 81, a lifetime calculation unit 82, a control construction unit 83, and an air-conditioning control unit 84.

The storage unit 80 stores a plurality of operation parameters of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including an air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The operation parameters correspond to the aforementioned operation parameters. The air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is hereinafter referred to as “contrast air-conditioning apparatus”. Further, the operation parameters of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that the storage unit 80 stores are hereinafter referred to as “contrast parameters”. Furthermore, any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses is hereinafter simply referred to as “air-conditioning apparatus” without a reference sign assigned thereto. Moreover, components in such an air-conditioning apparatus are described without reference signs assigned thereto.

The contrast air-conditioning apparatus refers to an air-conditioning apparatus that satisfies at least either the following capacity condition or the following environment condition. The capacity condition is such a condition that a difference of the value of a capacity parameter from the value of the capacity parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity threshold. A capacity parameter is a parameter that serves as an index of the capacity of an air-conditioning apparatus. An example of a capacity parameter is refrigeration capacity, set electric power that is inputted to the compressor at an early stage of use of the air-conditioning apparatus, or a set electrical current that is applied to the compressor at an early stage of use of the air-conditioning apparatus. Another example of a capacity parameter may be information, such as a model number, that indicates the model or specifications.

The environment condition is such a condition that a difference of the value of an environment parameter from the value of the environment parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined environment threshold. An environment parameter is a parameter that serves as an index of the environment in which an air-conditioning apparatus is installed. Examples of environment parameters include accumulated time of use of the air-conditioning apparatus, the average temperature of the environment in which an outdoor unit or an indoor unit is installed, information, such as a combination of latitude and longitude, that indicates the installation position, information, such as an annual precipitation, that indicates the weather, and the number of indoor units that the air-conditioning apparatus has. Other examples of environment parameters include the annual average of differences between indoor temperature and set temperature, the annual average of daily hours of operation, the length of a refrigerant pipe, the amount of refrigerant, the average number of persons in a room, and the annual average or accumulation of the values of electric power that is inputted to the compressor.

The storage unit 80 has stored therein the values of the capacity and environment parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. The values of the capacity and environment parameters may be values stored in advance in the air-conditioning apparatuses, may be manually inputted values, or may be values sensed by sensors such as the air-conditioning sensors or human sensors. Alternatively, the values of the capacity and environment parameters may be values each calculated using at least one of the values stored in advance in the air-conditioning apparatuses, the manually inputted values, and the values sensed by sensors such as the air-conditioning sensors or human sensors.

In Embodiment 1, the storage unit 80 has stored therein a classification of normal and abnormal values of a plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. The following describes this in detail. Information indicating the states of a plurality of components included in an air-conditioning apparatus can be acquired from one or more of the plurality of contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus. Examples of information indicating the state of each of the plurality of components include information indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components, the degree of obstruction of an air suction portion in the air-conditioning apparatus, and the presence or absence of the occurrence of a short circuit in the air-conditioning apparatus. The information indicating the state of each of the plurality of components contains information, such as the names of the plurality of components, for identifying the plurality of components. A state in which a component is advanced in deterioration, a state in which the suction portion is obstructed, a state in which a short circuit occurs, or other states are hereinafter referred to as “abnormal states”. Abnormal states are present separately for each of the components. An abnormal state in which the suction portion is obstructed is the state of each component in the suction portion, and an abnormal state in which a short circuit occurs is the state of a component involved in the short circuit. The state of a component that is not in an abnormal state is hereinafter referred to as “normal state”.

In a case in which each of the plurality of components is in a normal state, the value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters is a reference value or a value falling within a reference range. On the other hand, in a case in which each of the plurality of components is in an abnormal state, one or more of the plurality of contrast parameters differ from reference values or deviate from reference ranges. The aforementioned normal values are equivalent to the reference values or values falling within the reference ranges. Further, the aforementioned abnormal values are equivalent to values differing from the reference values or values deviating from the reference ranges.

The storage unit 80 has stored therein an association between the abnormal value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and information indicating an abnormal state of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Such an abnormal value and such information indicating an abnormal state are obtained in advance by experimenting or AI (artificial intelligence) learning. Note here that information indicating an abnormal state of each of the plurality of components is for example a combination of information indicating each of the plurality of components that is advanced in deterioration and information indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components.

Specifically, the storage unit 80 has stored therein an association, for example, among an abnormal value of an electrical current that is applied to a compressor, information indicating a component that is advanced in deterioration in a case in which the abnormal value is sensed, and the degree of deterioration of the component. A component that is advanced in deterioration in a case in which an electrical current applied to a compressor takes on an abnormal value is at least one of the compressor and an outdoor control device configured to control the compressor. The magnitude of the abnormal current of the electrical current may vary depending on whether the compressor or the outdoor control device is deteriorated. The storage unit 80 has stored therein for each abnormal value an association between information indicating a component that is advanced in deterioration and information indicating the degree of deterioration of the component. Embodiment 1 assumes that the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components is represented by a numerical value. Such a numerical value representing a degree of deterioration is hereinafter simply referred to as “degree of deterioration”.

Embodiment 1 assumes that the storage unit 80 has stored therein an association between a normal value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and information indicating a normal state of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Note, however, that the storage unit 80 may not have stored herein a normal value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and information indicating a normal state of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Such a normal value and such information indicating a normal state are obtained in advance by experimenting or AI (artificial intelligence) learning. Note here that information indicating a normal state of each of the plurality of components is for example a combination of information indicating each of the plurality of components that is not advanced in deterioration and information indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components.

The storage unit 80 may have stored therein information indicating the state of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses instead of information indicating the state of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses or together with information indicating the state of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In this case, the storage unit 80 stores the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses in association with information indicating the state of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Examples of information indicating the state of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses include information indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, the degree of obstruction of an air suction portion in each of the air-conditioning apparatuses, and the presence or absence of the occurrence of a short circuit in each of the air-conditioning apparatuses. As is the case with the degree of deterioration of each of the components, the degree of deterioration of each air-conditioning apparatus is represented by a numerical value, and a numerical value representing the degree of deterioration of each air-conditioning apparatus is hereinafter referred to as “degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus”. The degree of deterioration of each air-conditioning apparatus is obtained by experimenting or AI learning. The degree of deterioration of each air-conditioning apparatus may be calculated using the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in that air-conditioning apparatus.

The storage unit 80 has stored therein the value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters sensed in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses at a plurality of points in time until a failure in that air-conditioning apparatus. Further, the storage unit 80 has stored therein an association between the value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters of each air-conditioning apparatus as sensed at each of the plurality of points in time and the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components of that air-conditioning apparatus at each of the plurality of points in time. The storage unit 80 may store the degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus at each of the plurality of points in time instead of the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components of that air-conditioning apparatus at each of the plurality of points in time. Alternatively, the storage unit 80 may store the degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus at each of the plurality of points in time together with the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components of that air-conditioning apparatus at each of the plurality of points in time. In this case, the storage unit 80 has stored therein an association between the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of each air-conditioning apparatus as sensed at each of the plurality of points in time and the degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus.

In Embodiment 1, the storage unit 80 has stored therein on a time-series basis at least any of the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and the degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components. Information indicating on a time-series basis any of the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and the degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components is hereinafter referred to as “contrast deterioration information item”. An contrast deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses may be one obtained from a contrast deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses on a time-series basis. Further, a contrast deterioration information item indicating the degrees of deterioration of two or more components on a time-series basis may be one obtained from a contrast deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of each of those two or more components on a time-series basis.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating contrast deterioration information items. FIG. 4 shows three contrast deterioration information items. Each of these three contrast deterioration information items is represented by a curve in a case in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents degree of deterioration. Such curves are hereinafter referred to as “deterioration curves”. In FIG. 4, such deterioration curves are indicated by dashed lines. FIG. 4 shows a deterioration curve A, a deterioration curve B, and a deterioration curve C. Each of the deterioration curves A to C indicates the degree of deterioration of each air-conditioning apparatus, the degree of deterioration of each component, or the degrees of deterioration of the two or more components on a time-series basis. A plurality of points D in FIG. 4 each indicate the degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus, the degree of deterioration of that component, or the degrees of deterioration of those two or more components at a corresponding one of the plurality of points in time as obtained by experimenting or AI learning. Each of the deterioration curves A to C is equivalent to an approximate curve of points D that indicate the degree of deterioration of that air-conditioning apparatus, the degree of deterioration of that component, or the degrees of deterioration of those two or more components at the respective points in time. The legend “DESIGN LIFETIME” in FIG. 4 means a predetermined period of time expected as the life of that air-conditioning apparatus, that component, or those two or more components at design time. The design lifetime of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses may be different from or equal to that of the other air-conditioning apparatus. Meanwhile, the design lifetime of each of the plurality of components in any one air-conditioning apparatus is different from, but may be equal to, that of the other component. The design life time of a particular component in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses may be different from or equal to that of the particular component in the other air-conditioning apparatus. A degree of deterioration indicated by the legend “FAILURE” in FIG. 4 is equivalent to a degree of deterioration in the case of a failure in that air-conditioning apparatus, that component, or those two or more components.

In a case in which each of the deterioration curves A to C in FIG. 4 is a deterioration curve that indicates a time change in degree of deterioration of a corresponding one of the air-conditioning apparatuses, the life of an air-conditioning apparatus whose degree of deterioration changes over time as indicated by the deterioration curve B is equal to the design lifetime. Meanwhile, the life of an air-conditioning apparatus whose degree of deterioration changes over time as indicated by the deterioration curve A is shorter than the design lifetime assumed at design time. Moreover, the life of an air-conditioning apparatus whose degree of deterioration changes over time as indicated by the deterioration curve C is longer than the design lifetime assumed at design time.

Continued reference is made to FIG. 3. The deterioration estimation unit 81 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus based on at least one of the values of the capacity and environment parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 cross-checks the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by a plurality of the air-conditioning sensors in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 against the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters thus extracted of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Instead of the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may cross-check the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. Alternatively, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may cross-check the values of all or some of a plurality of contrast parameters of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the values of all or some of the operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. It should be noted that an operation parameter and a contrast parameter whose values are cross-checked by the deterioration estimation unit 81 are parameters that are the same in type as each other and the values are sensed by air-conditioning sensors of the same type. For example, when an operation parameter is an electrical current that is applied to the compressor 12, the deterioration estimation unit 81 treats, as a contrast parameter whose value is cross-checked against the operation parameter, an electrical current that is applied to a compressor.

Based on a result of cross-checking, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 or the one or more components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101, whose degree of deterioration is estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, is hereinafter referred to as “physical object”. The following describes how the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 calculates the difference between the value of each operation parameter and the value of one of the contrast parameters that corresponds to that operation parameter. For example, the deterioration estimation unit 81 calculates the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and the temperature of refrigerant as obtained from the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or each of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the difference between the value of each of the plurality of operation parameters and the value of each of the plurality of contrast parameters. Alternatively, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of one or more components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the difference between the value of one operation parameter and the value of one contrast parameter or the differences between the values of two or more of the plurality of operation parameters and the values of two or more of the plurality of contrast parameters.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 in the following way. Assume that, as mentioned above, the storage unit 80 has the degree of deterioration of an air-conditioning apparatus and the values of a plurality of contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus. For example, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the sum of the differences between the values of a plurality of operation parameters and the values of the plurality of contrast parameters. More specifically, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates, as the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, a degree of deterioration associated with the values of the plurality of contrast parameters at which the sum reaches its minimum.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in the following way. Assume that the storage unit 80 has the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in an air-conditioning apparatus stored therein in association with the values of one or more of the plurality of contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus. In a case in which any one component in an air-conditioning apparatus is in an abnormal state, the one or more of the plurality of contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus take on abnormal values.

In a case in which one contrast parameter takes on an abnormal value in a case in which the one component is in an abnormal state, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the one component based on the difference between one operation parameter corresponding to the one contrast parameter and the one contrast parameter. Specifically, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates, as the degree of deterioration of the one component, a degree of deterioration associated in the storage unit 80 with the value of the one contrast parameter that differs least from the value of the one operation parameter.

Meanwhile, in a case in which two or more contrast parameters take on abnormal values in a case in which the one component is in an abnormal state, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the one component based on the differences between the values of two or more operation parameters corresponding to the two or more contrast parameters and the values of the two or more contrast parameters. Specifically, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates, as the degree of deterioration of the one component, a degree of deterioration associated in the storage unit 80 with the values of the two or more contrast parameters at which the sum of the differences between the values of the two or more operation parameters and the values of the two or more contrast parameters reaches its minimum.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 may estimate degrees of deterioration separately for each of the components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and estimate the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the respective degrees of deterioration of the components. Further, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may estimate the degrees of deterioration of any two or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 from the degrees of deterioration of the two or more components. Note here that the deterioration estimation unit 81 may estimate the degrees of deterioration of the two or more components in the following way.

For example, the storage unit 80 stores the degrees of deterioration of any two or more of the plurality of components in an air-conditioning apparatus in association with the values of two or more of the contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus. In a case in which the two or more components are in abnormal states, the two or more contrast parameters take on abnormal values. The deterioration estimation unit 81 may estimate the degrees of deterioration of the two or more components based on the differences between the values of two or more operation parameters corresponding to the two or more contrast parameters and the values of the two or more contrast parameters. Specifically, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates, as the degrees of deterioration of the two or more components, degrees of deterioration associated in the storage unit 80 with the values of the two or more contrast parameters at which the sum of the differences between the values of the two or more operation parameters and the values of the two or more contrast parameters reaches its minimum.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 may use a function of AI to estimate the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters and with reference to the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters stored in the storage unit 80. In this case, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may refer to the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus or may refer to the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In a case in which the deterioration estimation unit 81 refers to the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may use a function of AI to extract the values of some or all of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 regularly acquires the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by a plurality of the air-conditioning sensors in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. In Embodiment 1, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters every time a predetermined period of acquisition time passes. The deterioration estimation unit 81 may acquire the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameter at random times. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates, based on the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters sensed at different points in time, the degree of deterioration of the physical object at those points in time.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 generates, from the degree of deterioration thus estimated of a physical object at different points in time, a deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of the physical object on a time-series basis. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a deterioration information item generated by the deterioration estimation unit. The deterioration information item shown in FIG. 5 indicates the degree of deterioration of one physical object on a time-series basis. As shown in FIG. 5, in a case in which the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents degree of deterioration, and the time starts at a time of start of use t0 of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, a deterioration information item up to the current point in time t1 is indicated by a line E. Points F in FIG. 5 indicate the degree of deterioration of the physical object at different points in time as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81. The line E is a line obtained by connecting a point F at one point in time with a point F at another point in time.

Continued reference is made to FIG. 3. The lifetime calculation unit 82 may replace the deterioration estimation unit 81 to generate the deterioration information item. In this case, the lifetime calculation unit 82 generates the deterioration information item from the degree of deterioration of the physical object at different points in time as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81.

In a case in which the physical object is the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the lifetime calculation unit 82 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts a contrast deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus on a time-series basis. In a case in which the physical object is one component in the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the lifetime calculation unit 82 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts a contrast deterioration information item indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of a component in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the one component. In a case in which the physical object is two or more components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the lifetime calculation unit 82 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts a contrast deterioration information item indicating on a time-series basis the degrees of deterioration of two or more components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that correspond to the two or more components.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 cross-checks the deterioration information item generated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 against the contrast deterioration information item thus extracted. It should be noted that the lifetime calculation unit 82 may also cross-check the deterioration information against all contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit 80 or any of the contrast deterioration information items. In this case, the lifetime calculation unit 82 does not need to extract a contrast deterioration information item indicating the degree of deterioration of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus or one or more components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates the lifetime of the physical object based on a result of cross-checking of the deterioration information item and the contrast deterioration information item. The term “lifetime” here refer to a period of time from the current point in time to a point in time at which the physical object ends up with a failure. The point in time at which the physical object ends up with a failure is hereinafter referred to as “time of failure”. The lifetime calculation unit 82 may use a function of AI to carry out the aforementioned process. The following describes in detail how the lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates the lifetime.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 cross-checks a deterioration information item and a contrast deterioration information item, for example, in the following way. The lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates the difference between a degree of deterioration at each point in time in the deterioration information item that falls within a cross-check time range of a predetermined length with the current point in time as an end point and a degree of deterioration at that point in time in the contrast deterioration information item that falls within a time range of the same length as the cross-check time range. It should be noted that the length of the cross-check time range is arbitrarily defined. Such a time range in the contrast deterioration information that is the same in length as the cross-check time range is hereinafter referred to as “contrast time range”.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts, from among all time ranges indicated by the contrast deterioration information item, such a contrast time range that the difference at each point in time in a cross-check time range is less than or equal to a threshold difference and the sum of such differences in the cross-check time range reaches its minimum. In such a contrast time range extracted from the contrast deterioration information item, an approximate curve of the degree of deterioration of the physical object up to the current point in time is presented. Such a contrast time range extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82 is hereinafter referred to as “extracted time range”.

Note here that a time change in degree of deterioration in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a time change in deterioration of one or more components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus are not always uniformly defined. That is, the time change in degree of deterioration of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the time change of the one or more components may each occur in various patterns. There are a plurality of patterns of time change in degree of deterioration of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus or the one or more components, the storage unit 80 stores a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating the plurality of patterns.

In a case in which the storage unit 80 contains a plurality of contrast deterioration information items about an air-conditioning apparatus or one or more components corresponding to the physical object, the lifetime calculation unit 82 cross-checks each of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items and the deterioration information item. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts, from among all time ranges indicated by the plurality of contrast deterioration information items, such an extracted time range that the difference at each point in time in a cross-check time range is less than or equal to a threshold difference and the sum of such differences in the cross-check time range reaches its minimum. Furthermore, the lifetime calculation unit 82 selects, from among extracted time ranges in the plurality of contrast deterioration information items, such an extracted time range that the sum of such differences reaches its minimum. Such an extracted time range thus selected is hereinafter referred to as “selected time range”. The lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts, from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items, a contrast deterioration information item from which the selected time range was extracted. Such a contrast deterioration information item from which the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracted a selected time range is hereinafter referred to as “extracted deterioration information item”. The extracted deterioration information item serves as information that approximates a pattern of progression of the deterioration of the physical object. In a case in which there is only one pattern of time change in degree of deterioration of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus or one or more components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus, one contrast deterioration information item about the contrast air-conditioning apparatus or the one or more components that indicates the one pattern is stored in the storage unit 80. Moreover, an extracted time range that the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracted from the one contrast deterioration information item serves as a selected time range.

Continued reference is made to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the cross-check time range starts at the time of start of use t0 of the physical object and ends at the current point in time t1. As shown in FIG. 5, the line E, which indicates the deterioration information item, is approximated by a deterioration curve G that represents an extracted deterioration information item. That is, as indicated by the deterioration curve G, the physical object is estimated to be advanced in deterioration.

Note here that the time of failure in the physical object as indicated by the deterioration curve G is a point in time denoted by t2. Accordingly, the time of failure in the physical object is estimated to be the point in time t2. The lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates a period of time T1 from the current point in time t1 to the time of failure t2. The period of time T1 is estimated as the lifetime of the physical object from the current point in time t1.

Continued reference is made to FIG. 3. The control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to extend a lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82. Such a function performed by the control construction unit 83 may be implemented by AI. It should be noted that the control construction unit 83 may construct such a content of control only in a case in which a lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82 is less than or equal to a threshold lifetime. The following describes the control construction unit 83 in detail.

Based on an extracted deterioration curve extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 with reference to the storage unit 80 to extend the lifetime of the physical object. The storage unit 80 has stored therein one or more patterns of control for delaying deterioration of at least any of each air-conditioning apparatus, each component in each air-conditioning apparatus, and one or more components in each air-conditioning apparatus. In a case in which the physical object is the compressor 12, examples of such patterns of control include a drop in frequency of the compressor 12, a rise in rotation speed of the outdoor fan 15B, and an adjustment of the opening degree of the outdoor flow control valve 16. Further, other examples of these patterns of control in a case in which the physical object is the compressor 12 include an adjustment of the timing of a process for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in each component such as the compressor 12 that is executed at the time of startup of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

It should be noted that patterns of control that are effective in extending the life of the physical object may vary from one extracted deterioration information item to another. The storage unit 80 has one or more patterns of control stored therein in association with each extracted deterioration information item. For example, the storage unit 80 may have one pattern of control stored therein with respect to one extracted deterioration information item. Alternatively, the storage unit 80 may have one pattern of control stored therein for each predetermined adjustment time range in the extracted deterioration information item. In addition to this, the storage unit 80 may have one pattern of control stored therein for each point in time in the extracted deterioration information item. The one pattern of control is obtained by experimenting or AI learning to extend the lifetime of the physical object.

The storage unit 80 may have a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for each contrast deterioration information item. Alternatively, the storage unit 80 may have a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for each adjustment time range in each contrast deterioration information item. In addition to this, the storage unit 80 may have a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for each point in time in each deterioration information item. In these cases, greater weights may be assigned to the plurality of patterns of control in ascending order of progression of deterioration by experimental results obtained in advance or AI learning. That is, greater weights may be assigned to the plurality of patterns of control in the storage unit 80 in ascending order of extension of the life of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, or one or more of the plurality of components. The weights may be defined by experimenting or AI learning.

The control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on at least one of one or more patterns of control, stored in the storage unit 80, that delay deterioration of the physical object. In a case in which the storage unit 80 has a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on a randomly selected pattern of control. Further, in a case in which the storage unit 80 has a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for the extracted deterioration information item and the weights are assigned separately to each of the plurality of patterns of control, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control based on a pattern of control assigned the greatest weight. Alternatively, the control construction unit 83 may select two or more patterns of control in descending order of the weights assigned thereto and construct a content of control based on the two or more patterns of control.

In a case in which the storage unit 80 has a plurality of patterns of control for each adjustment time range, the control construction unit 83 may select a pattern of control with the greatest weight or an arbitrary pattern of control for that adjustment time range. Alternatively, the control construction unit 83 may select two or more patterns of control in descending order of the weights assigned thereto or two arbitrary patterns of control from among the plurality of patterns of control for that adjustment time range. Then, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 for each adjustment time range based on a pattern of control selected for that adjustment time range.

It should be noted that the control construction unit 83 can recognize, based on the degree of deterioration of the physical object at the current point in time as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, what point in time in the extracted deterioration information item the current point in time corresponds to. That is, the control construction unit 83 can recognize, through a process by which the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted time range from the extracted deterioration information item using the degree of deterioration, what point in time in the extracted deterioration information item the current point in time is.

In a case in which the storage unit 80 has a plurality of patterns of control stored therein for each point in time in the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 may select a pattern of control with the greatest weight or an arbitrary pattern of control for that point in time. Alternatively, the control construction unit 83 may select two or more patterns of control in descending order of the weights assigned thereto from among the plurality of control patterns for that point in time. Alternatively, the control construction unit 83 may select two or more arbitrary patterns of control from among the plurality of patterns of control for that point in time. Then, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 for each point in time based on a pattern of control selected for that point in time.

The air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning apparatus 101 in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83. Next, a function of the air-conditioning system 100 in a case in which control being exercised by the air-conditioning control unit 84 is described. The following describes a case in which the storage unit 80 contains a plurality of patterns of control associated with different extracted deterioration information items, different points in time in those extracted deterioration information items, or different adjustment time ranges in those extracted deterioration information items.

In Embodiment 1, while the air-conditioning control unit 84 is controlling the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters from the air-conditioning apparatus 101 every time a predetermined period of correction time passes. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters. It should be noted that the correction time may be equal in length to the acquisition time or may be equal in length to the adjustment time range.

While the air-conditioning control unit 84 is controlling the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the control construction unit 83 determines whether the degree of deterioration of the physical object at the current point in time as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is lower than a degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item. In a case in which the degree of deterioration of the physical object at the current point in time is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 selects a pattern of control other than a pattern of control used in the content of control up to the current point in time that is associated with the extracted deterioration information item or the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item. Then, the control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on the pattern of control thus selected. In a case in which the storage unit 80 contains a pattern of control assigned a weight, the control construction unit 83 may make the weight of the pattern of control used in the content of control up to the current point in time smaller than a weight at the current point in time. Then, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control using one pattern of control assigned the greatest weight. Alternatively, the control construction unit 83 may construct a content of control using two or more patterns of control selected in descending order of the weights. The air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning apparatus 101 in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83.

On the other hand, in a case in which the degree of deterioration of the physical object at the current point in time is lower than the degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 goes on to instruct the air-conditioning control unit 84 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 101 in accordance with the content of control at the current point in time. In a case in which the storage unit 80 contains a pattern of control assigned a weight, the control construction unit 83 may make the weight of the pattern of control used in the content of control up to the current point in time greater than or equal to a weight at the current point in time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a deterioration information item in a case in which the lifetime of a physical object has been extended by control according to a content of control constructed by the control construction unit. FIG. 6 assumes that control based on the content of control has been executed since the point in time t1, and a deterioration information item about the physical object since the point in time t1 is indicated by a dashed line H. As shown in FIG. 6, the control based on the content of control makes the lifetime of the physical object a period of time T2 longer than the period of time T1. Moreover, the time of failure in the physical object is a point in time t3 that is the period of time T2 later than the point in time t2.

Next, a configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1 in detail. Components in FIG. 7 that have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 are not described unless the circumstances are exceptional. Embodiment 1 assumes that the storage unit 80, the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 are included in the server 9 and that the air-conditioning control unit 84 is included in the remote controller 5. In FIG. 7, a dashed arrow indicates where a component that it indicates is included, and the component is included in a place that the dashed arrow points toward.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the outdoor control device 11 is connected to each of the following plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1, and acquires results of sensing separately from each of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors. The plurality of air-conditioning sensors are the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 19, the outside air temperature sensor 20, the discharge-side pressure sensor 21, the suction-side pressure sensor 22, and the discharge-side temperature sensor 23 as shown in FIG. 2. As mentioned above, the outdoor control device 11 is an example of an air-conditioning sensor, and senses the value of an electrical current that is applied to the compressor 12 and the value of electric power that is inputted to the compressor 12. The outdoor control device 11 controls the outdoor communication unit 10 so that the outdoor communication unit 10 sends, to the indoor unit 3, results of sensing yielded separately by each of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1. The second indoor communication unit 31 receives, from the outdoor unit 1, results of sensing yielded separately by each of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1.

It should be noted that the outdoor communication unit 10 may perform communication with at least one of the remote controller 5, the terminal 7, and the server 9. In this case, the outdoor control device 11 may control the outdoor communication unit 10 so that the outdoor communication unit 10 sends, to one of the remote controller 5, the terminal 7, and the server 9 with which the outdoor communication unit 10 can communicate, the values of the operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the indoor control device 32 is connected to a plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the indoor unit 3, and acquires results of sensing from the plurality of air-conditioning sensors. It should be noted that the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the indoor unit 3 are the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 36 and the indoor temperature sensor 37. The indoor control device 32 controls the first indoor communication unit 30 so that the first indoor communication unit 30 sends, to the remote controller 5, results of sensing yielded separately by each of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the indoor unit 3. Further, the indoor control device 32 controls the first indoor communication unit 30 so that the first indoor communication unit 30 sends, to the remote controller 5, results of sensing received by the second indoor communication unit 31 from the outdoor unit 1 and yielded separately by each of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1.

It should be noted that the first indoor communication unit 30 may perform communication with at least one of the terminal 7 and the server 9. In this case, the indoor control device 32 may control the first indoor communication unit 30 so that the first indoor communication unit 30 sends, to one of the terminal 7 and the server 9 with which the first indoor communication unit 30 can communicate, the values of the operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. The first indoor communication unit 30 is an example of an air-conditioning communication unit.

The remote controller 5 includes a remote control communication unit 50, a remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51, a remote-side control device 52, an air-conditioning operation unit 53, an air-conditioning display unit 54, and an air-conditioning storage unit 55. The remote control communication unit 50 performs communication with the indoor unit 3. It should be noted that the remote control communication unit 50 may also perform communication with the outdoor unit 1.

The remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 performs communication with the terminal 7 and the server 9. The remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 is an example of an air-conditioning communication unit. The remote-side control device 52 controls the remote control communication unit 50, the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51, and the air-conditioning display unit 54. The air-conditioning operation unit 53 includes, for example, a hard button, and receives an instruction inputted from a user. The air-conditioning display unit 54 is for example a liquid crystal display having a backlight or other components. The backlight is a light source configured to illuminate the liquid crystal display with light from the side surface or back surface of the air-conditioning display unit 54. The air-conditioning display unit 54 displays various types of information on a screen in accordance with instructions from the remote-side control device 52. The air-conditioning storage unit 55 stores information, such as a set temperature set by a user, needed for operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The aforementioned air-conditioning control unit 84 may be included in the remote-side control device 52.

Every time the acquisition time passes, the remote control communication unit 50 receives, from the indoor unit 3, the value of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. The remote-side control device 52 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, the values of the plurality of operation parameters received by the remote control communication unit 50.

The server 9 includes a server communication unit 90. The deterioration estimation unit 81, which is included in the server 9, estimates the degree of deterioration of a physical object as mentioned above based on all or some of the values of a plurality of operation parameters acquired from the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90. Then, as mentioned above, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted deterioration information item based on the degree of deterioration and calculates the lifetime of the physical object. As mentioned above, the control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on the extracted deterioration information item. The control construction unit 83 controls the server communication unit 90 so that the server communication unit 90 sends, to the remote controller 5, a control signal representing the content of control.

The air-conditioning control unit 84, which is situated in the remote controller 5, controls the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 in accordance with the content of control represented by the control signal received from the server 9. Specifically, the air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the remote control communication unit 50 so that the remote control communication unit 50 sends, to the indoor unit 3, a control signal representing the content of control. In a case in which the remote control communication unit 50 performs communication with the outdoor unit 1, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may control the remote control communication unit 50 so that the remote control communication unit 50 sends a control signal to the outdoor unit 1.

In a case in which the first indoor communication unit 30 has received the control signal and the control signal gives an instruction to control a component in the indoor unit 3, the indoor control device 32 controls the component. In a case in which the control signal gives an instruction to control a component in the outdoor unit 1, the indoor control device 32 controls the second indoor communication unit 31 so that the second indoor communication unit 31 sends the control signal to the outdoor unit 1.

In a case in which the first outdoor communication unit 10 has received the control signal, the outdoor control device 11 controls the compressor 12, the outdoor air-sending device 15, the outdoor flow control valve 16, or other devices in accordance with the control signal. In a case in which the control signal gives an instruction to change the frequency of the compressor 12, the outdoor control device 11 exercises control to change the frequency of the compressor 12. In a case in which the control signal gives an instruction to change the rotation speed of the outdoor air-sending device 15, the outdoor control device 11 controls the outdoor driving source 15A in the outdoor air-sending device 15 so that the outdoor driving source 15A changes the rotation speed. In a case in which the control signal gives an instruction to change the opening degree of the outdoor flow control valve 16, the outdoor control device 11 causes the opening degree of the outdoor flow control valve 16 to be changed.

The life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is extended by a component in at least either the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 3 operating in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83.

Every time the correction time passes while the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with the content of control, the remote control communication unit 50 of the remote controller 5 receives, from the indoor unit 3, the value of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. The remote-side control device 52 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, the values of the plurality of operation parameters received by the remote control communication unit 50.

The deterioration estimation unit 81, which is included in the server 9, estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object as mentioned above based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters acquired from the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90. Then, the control construction unit 83 determines whether the degree of deterioration is higher than or equal to a degree of deterioration indicated by the extracted deterioration information item. It should be noted that the extracted deterioration information item is a contrast deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82 before the air-conditioning control unit 84 exercises control.

In a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration indicated by the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 constructs another content of control. In so doing, the control construction unit 83 constructs the content of control using a pattern of control other than a pattern of control used in the construction of the previous content of control. Then, the control construction unit 83 controls the server communication unit 90 so that the server communication unit 90 sends, to the remote controller 5, a control signal representing the content of control thus constructed. The following omits to describe actions in the air-conditioning apparatus 101, as they are similar to those described above.

In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84, which is situated in the remote controller 5, may control the air-conditioning display unit 54 so that the air-conditioning display unit 54 displays the following control content information item. The control content information item contains at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82. This allows a user of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to recognize, for example, the operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or the lifetime of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. In a case in which the control content information item contains the lifetime, the lifetime may be one calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82 before the air-conditioning control unit 84 exercises control. Alternatively, the lifetime may be one calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82 every time the correction time passes. In this case, every time the correction time passes, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted deterioration information item as mentioned above based on a degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 every time the correction time passes, and calculates the lifetime.

The terminal 7 is used by the user of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or a maintenance worker of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, or other persons. The terminal 7 includes a terminal communication unit 70, a terminal operation unit 71, a terminal control unit 72, and a terminal display unit 73. The terminal communication unit 70 performs communication with the remote controller 5 and the server 9. The terminal operation unit 71 receives an instruction inputted from the user of the terminal 7. The terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal communication unit 70 and the terminal display unit 73 in accordance with an instruction inputted to the terminal operation unit 71 or a signal received by the terminal communication unit 70. The terminal display unit 73 displays various types of information on a screen in accordance with instructions from the terminal control unit 72.

In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84, which is situated in the remote controller 5, may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends the following command signal to the terminal 7. The command signal is intended to give an instruction to display the control content information item on the screen of the terminal display unit 73.

The terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73 in accordance with a command signal received by the terminal communication unit 70. The terminal display unit 73 displays a control content information item in accordance with an instruction from the terminal control unit 72. This allows the user of the terminal 7 to recognize, for example, the operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or the lifetime of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

Note here that operation intended to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or a component in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 may impair comfort of the user of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. To maintain the comfort of the user, the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 further includes the following components. The following describes an air-conditioning system 100 including such components.

In addition to the components described with reference to FIG. 2, the indoor unit 3 includes a human sensor 38, a right-left wind direction control unit 39, a right-left wind direction changing plate 40, an up-down wind direction control unit 41, and an up-down wind direction changing plate 42. Further, the indoor control device 32 includes a human body information management unit 44, an area management unit 45, a wind direction control management unit 46, and an air volume control management unit 47.

The human sensor 38 includes, for example, an infrared sensor, and senses a distribution of temperature in the room. The human sensor 38 outputs, to the indoor control device 32, a temperature distribution information item, such as a thermal image, that indicates the distribution of temperature thus sensed. The human sensor 38 may be installed in the room separately from the indoor unit 3. In this case, the human sensor 38 performs wired or wireless communication with the indoor unit 3 and sends a temperature distribution information item to the indoor unit 3.

As mentioned above, the indoor driving source 34A and the indoor fan 34B control the volume of air that is sent from the indoor unit 3. The right-left wind direction control unit 39, the right-left wind direction changing plate 40, the up-down wind direction control unit 41, and the up-down wind direction changing plate 42 control the direction of air that is sent from the indoor unit 3. The indoor driving source 34A, the indoor fan 34B, the right-left wind direction control unit 39, the right-left wind direction changing plate 40, the up-down wind direction control unit 41, and the up-down wind direction changing plate 42 are hereinafter referred to as “air-sending mechanism 43”.

The human body information management unit 44 determines the presence or absence of a person in the room based on a temperature distribution information item acquired from the human sensor 38. Further, in a case in which a person is present in the room, the human body information management unit 44 identifies the location of the person in the room. It should be noted that the human body information management unit 44 has stored therein information, such as the coordinates of each place in the room, for identifying that place. For example, the human body information management unit 44 preliminarily retains, as a reference thermal image, a thermal image generated by the human sensor 38 in a case in which no person is in the room. Moreover, the human body information management unit 44 calculates a temperature difference between a thermal image acquired from the human sensor 38 and the reference thermal image and determines that a person is in a location where the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold.

The human body information management unit 44 generates, based on a temperature distribution information item in a case in which a person is in the room, a human location information item containing information indicating a plurality of areas into which the room is divided and information about the presence or absence of a person in each area. The human body information management unit 44 sends the human location information item to the remote controller 5 via the first indoor communication unit 30. In a case in which the remote control communication unit 50 has received a human location information item, the remote-side control device 52 in the remote controller 5 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends the human location information item to the user's terminal 7. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 has received a human location information item, the terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal control unit 73 displays the human location information item. In Embodiment 1, the user's terminal 7 receives an instruction regarding a content of air conditioning inputted from a user who has confirmed the human location information item. The remote-side control device 52 may control the air-conditioning display unit 54 so that the air-conditioning display unit 54 displays the human location information item.

In a case in which the first indoor communication unit 30 has received, from the remote controller 5 or the terminal 7, an actuating signal indicating the direction of air that is sent from the indoor unit 3, the area management unit 45 identifies, based on the actuating signal, an area to which the user would like to send air. The actuating signal contains information indicating the area to which the user would like to send air. The area to which the user would like to send air is hereinafter referred to as “adjusted area”.

The actuating signal indicating the direction of air that is sent from the indoor unit 3 may contain, instead of the information indicating the area to which the user would like to send air, information indicating a place to which the user would like to send air, such as the coordinates of the place. In this case, the area management unit 45 stores information associating information, such as the coordinates of each place in the room, for identifying that place with an area containing that place.

In a case in which the area management unit 45 has received, from the remote controller 5 or the terminal 7, an actuating signal for adjusting the volume of air from the indoor unit 3, the area management unit 45 identifies, based on the actuating signal, the volume of air from the indoor unit 3. The volume of air identified by the area management unit 45 is hereinafter referred to as “adjusted volume of air”. Further, information containing at least one of the adjusted area and the adjusted volume of air is hereinafter referred to as “adjustment information item”.

The wind direction control management unit 46 generates, based on the adjusted area identified by the area management unit 45, a wind direction control signal for controlling the direction of air from the indoor unit 3. The wind direction control management unit 46 outputs the wind direction control signal thus generated to at least either the right-left wind direction control unit 39 or the up-down wind direction control unit 41. It should be noted that the wind direction control signal is outputted to a destination based on the adjusted area.

The air volume control management unit 47 generates, based on the adjusted volume of air identified by the area management unit 45, an air volume control signal for controlling the volume of air from the indoor unit 3. The air volume control management unit 47 outputs the air volume control signal thus generated to the indoor driving source 34A.

The right-left wind direction control unit 39 and the up-down wind direction control unit 41 each include an actuator and, upon receiving a wind direction control signal, convert the wind direction control signal into a physical motion. Upon receiving a wind direction control signal, the right-left wind direction control unit 39 adjusts the orientation of the right-left wind direction changing plate 40 in accordance with the wind direction control signal. Upon receiving a wind direction control signal, the up-down wind direction control unit 41 adjusts the orientation of the up-down wind direction changing plate 42 in accordance with the wind direction control signal. The right-left wind direction changing plate 40 is in the shape of a plate that horizontally controls the wind direction. The up-down wind direction changing plate 42 is in the shape of a plate that vertically controls the wind direction. The right-left wind direction changing plate 40 and the up-down wind direction changing plate 42 are each an example of a wind direction changing plate. Further, the right-left wind direction control unit 39 and the up-down wind direction control unit 41 are each an example of a wind direction control unit.

Upon receiving an air volume control signal, the indoor driving source 34A drives the indoor fan 34B in accordance with the air volume control signal.

The wind direction control management unit 46 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the first indoor communication unit 30, a wind direction information item, based on the wind direction control signal, that indicates, for example, the orientations of the right-left wind direction changing plate 40 and the up-down wind direction changing plate 42 or the direction of the wind from the indoor unit 3. The air volume control management unit 47 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the first indoor communication unit 30, an air volume information item, based on the air volume control signal, that indicates, for example, the rotation speed of the indoor fan 34B or the volume of air by the indoor fan 34B.

Instead of the wind direction control management unit 46 sending the wind direction information item and the air volume control management unit 47 sending the air volume information item, the area management unit 45 may send the adjustment information item to the remote controller 5. The wind direction information item, the air volume information item, and the adjustment information item are each an example of an air-sending information item indicating a content of sending of air from the indoor unit 3.

The remote-side control device 52 in the remote controller 5 includes a human location information management unit 56, an operation management unit 57, and an adjusted area management unit 58. When the remote control communication unit 50 receives a human location information item from the indoor unit 3, the human location information management unit 56 stores the human location information item in the air-conditioning storage unit 55. The human location information management unit 56 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends the human location information item to the user's terminal 7. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 has received a human location information item from the remote controller 5, the terminal control unit 72 in the terminal 7 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal display unit 73 displays the human location information item. The human location information management unit 56 may control the air-conditioning display unit 54 so that the air-conditioning display unit 54 displays the human location information item.

The operation management unit 57 stores, in the air-conditioning storage unit 55, the contents of instructions inputted via the air-conditioning control operation unit 53, for example, as to a set temperature or an operation mode. It should be noted that the operation mode is a type of content of operation such as cooling, heating, or dehumidification. The operation management unit 57 stores, in the air-conditioning storage unit 55, the contents of instructions indicated by actuating signals received from the terminal 7. The operation management unit 57 controls the remote control communication unit 50 so that the remote control communication unit 50 sends, to the indoor unit 3, an actuating signal representing an instruction inputted via the air-conditioning operation unit 53 and an actuating signal received from the terminal 7.

Upon receiving an air-sending information item from the indoor unit 3, the operation management unit 57 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends the air-sending information item to the terminal 7. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 has received an air-sending information item from the remote controller 5, the terminal control unit 72 in the terminal 7 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal display unit 73 displays the air-sending information item. In a case in which the remote control communication unit 50 has received an air-sending information item from the indoor unit 3, the operation management unit 57 may control the air-conditioning display unit 54 so that the air-conditioning display unit 54 displays the air-sending information item.

The adjusted area management unit 58 stores, in the air-conditioning storage unit information indicating an adjusted area indicated by an instruction inputted via the air-conditioning operation unit 53 and an adjusted volume of air indicated by the instruction. It should be noted that the air-conditioning storage unit 55 has stored therein information indicating an area in the room.

In a case in which the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 has received, from the terminal 7, an actuating signal indicating a content of air conditioning, the adjusted area management unit 58 identifies an adjusted area from the actuating signal. It should be noted that the actuating signal may indicate a place to which the user would like to send air, such as the coordinates of the place, or may indicates an area to which the user would like to send air. In a case in which the actuating signal indicates a place to which the user would like to send air, the air-conditioning storage unit 55 has stored therein an association between information, such as the coordinates of each place in the room, that indicates that place and an area containing that place. Then, the adjusted area management unit 58 refers to the air-conditioning storage unit and identifies an adjusted area from information indicating a place to which the user would like to send air.

The adjusted area management unit 58 stores, in the air-conditioning storage unit 55, an adjusted area and an adjusted volume of air identified from the actuating signal received from the terminal 7. Further, the adjusted area management unit 58 controls the remote control communication unit 50 so that the remote control communication unit sends, to the indoor unit 3, an actuating signal indicating the adjusted area and the adjusted volume of air.

The foregoing configuration allows the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to ensure the user's comfort. It should be noted that there may be a case in which a content of control generated by the control construction unit 83 and the content of an instruction inputted to the remote controller 5 or the terminal 7 contradict each other. In this case, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may instruct the control construction unit 83, which is situated in the server 9, via the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 to construct a content of control using a pattern of control other than a pattern of control used in the construction of the content of control.

The following describes a hardware configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 excluding an existing hardware configuration. A function performed by the storage unit 80 can be implemented by a storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive). The deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 may each be constituted, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or an MPU (micro processing unit) and a memory such as a ROM (read-only memory) of a RAM (random-access memory). Each function of the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 can be implemented by a processor reading out and executing an air-conditioning program stored in a memory. It should be noted that all or some of the functions of the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Further, all or some of the functions of each of the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 may be implemented by dedicated hardware.

The following describes, with reference to FIG. 8, the flow of an air-conditioning process by the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of an air-conditioning process by the air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. In step S1, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters as current results of sensing yielded by all or some of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors. In step S2, the deterioration estimation unit 81 refers to the storage unit 80 and acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus based on at least one of the values of capacity and environment parameters. In step S3, the deterioration estimation unit 81 cross-checks the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters acquired in step S1 and the values of all or some of the contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and estimates the degree of deterioration of a physical object. In a case in which the physical object is an air-conditioning apparatus 101, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may estimate the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In step S4, the deterioration estimation unit 81 generates a deterioration information item indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration thus estimated. The deterioration information item is obtained by the deterioration estimation unit 81 accumulating degrees of deterioration at different points in time and storing them in the storage unit 80.

In step S5, the deterioration estimation unit 81 determines whether all time ranges indicated by the deterioration information item generated in step S4 are greater than or equal to the cross-check time range. If all time ranges indicated by the deterioration information item are less than the cross-check time range (step S5: NO), the deterioration estimation unit 81 proceeds to step S6, in which the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of some or all of the plurality of operation parameters in step S1 and then determines whether an acquisition time has passed. In a case in which the acquisition time has not passed (step S6: NO), the deterioration estimation unit 81 halts the air-conditioning process in step S6. In a case in which the acquisition time has passed (step S6: YES), the deterioration estimation unit 81 returns the air-conditioning process to step S1. If all time ranges indicated by the deterioration information item are greater than or equal to the cross-check time range (step S5: YES), the deterioration estimation unit 81 shifts the air-conditioning process to step S7.

It should be noted that the process of step S6 in Embodiment 1 is a process by which the deterioration estimation unit 81 requests the air-conditioning apparatus 101, for example, via the server communication unit 90 to send the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters. In a case in which the values of the plurality of parameters are automatically sent from the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to the deterioration estimation unit 81 every time the acquisition time passes, the process of step S6 may be omitted. In this case, if the time ranges indicated by the deterioration information item are less than the cross-check time range in step S5, the deterioration estimation unit 81 returns the process to step S1, or if the time ranges are greater than or equal to the cross-check time range, the deterioration estimation unit 81 shifts the air-conditioning process to step S7.

In step S7, the lifetime calculation unit 82 refers to the storage unit 80 and acquires one or more contrast deterioration information items about the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. In step S8, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts a selected time range and an extracted deterioration information item from the one or more contrast deterioration information items acquired in step S7. In this case, the lifetime calculation unit 82 cross-checks a degree of deterioration at each point in time in the cross-check time range in the deterioration information item generated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 in step S4 and a degree of deterioration at that point in time in a contrast time range in the one or more contrast deterioration information items acquired in step S7. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts a selected time range and an extracted deterioration information item from the one or more contrast deterioration information items based on a result of cross-checking.

In step S9, the lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates the lifetime of the physical object using the extracted deterioration information item. In step S10, the control construction unit 83 selects at least one pattern of control from among one or more patterns of control associated with extracted deterioration information items, different points in time in those extracted deterioration information items, or different adjustment time ranges in those extracted deterioration information items in the storage unit 80. Assume here that the storage unit 80 contains a plurality of patterns of control associated with extracted deterioration information items, different points in time in those extracted deterioration information items, or different adjustment time ranges in those extracted deterioration information items. The control construction unit 83 selects one pattern of control or two more patterns of control from among the plurality of patterns of control. In a case in which the control construction unit 83 selects one pattern of control, the control construction unit 83 selects one pattern of control assigned the greatest weight, for example, in the storage unit 80. In a case in which the control construction unit 83 selects two or more patterns of control, the control construction unit 83 selects the two or more patterns of control, for example, in descending order of weight in the storage unit 80.

In step S11, the control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on at least one pattern of control selected in step S10. In step S12, the control construction unit 83 instructs the air-conditioning control unit 84 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control thus constructed. The air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83.

In step S13, the deterioration estimation unit 81 determines whether a correction time has passed. In a case in which the correction time has not passed (step S13: NO), the deterioration estimation unit 81 returns the air-conditioning process to step S13. In a case in which the correction time has passed (step S13: YES), the deterioration estimation unit 81 proceeds to step S14, in which the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters at the current point in time.

In step S15, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters acquired in step S14 and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. In step S16, the control construction unit 83 determines whether the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 in step S15 is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item extracted in step S8. In a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is lower than the degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item (step S16: NO), the control construction unit 83 returns the air-conditioning process to step S12. In a case in which the air-conditioning control unit 84 continues to carry out the process up to the current point in time in the absence of an instruction from the control construction unit 83, the control construction unit 83 does not need to instruct the air-conditioning control 84 in step S12.

In a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at the current point in time in the extracted deterioration information item (step S16: YES), the control construction unit 83 proceeds to step S17, in which the control construction unit 83 selects at least one pattern of control other than an immediately previously selected pattern of control. In step S18, the control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on the at least one pattern of control selected in step S17. In a case in which weights are assigned to patterns of control in the storage unit 80, the control construction unit 83 may reduce the weight assigned to the immediately previously selected pattern of control. Then, the control construction unit 83 may select at least one pattern of control other than the immediately previously selected pattern of control according to the magnitude of the weights. After the process of step S18, the control construction unit 83 returns the air-conditioning process to step S12. In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 stops operating in accordance with the content of control and then resumes operating, the air-conditioning system 100 may carry out an air-conditioning process from step S1 or may carry out an air-conditioning process from step S12.

The following describes effects that are brought about by an air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1. An air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes an air-conditioning apparatus 101, a plurality of air-conditioning sensors, a storage unit 80, a deterioration estimation unit 81, a lifetime calculation unit 82, a control construction unit 83, and an air-conditioning control unit 84. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 carries out air conditioning in a room. The plurality of air-conditioning sensors sense values of a plurality of operation parameters indicating an operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The storage unit 80 stores values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating an operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus 101. Further, the storage unit 80 stores a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses as based on the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters. The deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates a degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters, the physical object being the air-conditioning apparatus 101 or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis in a predetermined cross-check time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, an extracted deterioration information item from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage unit 80. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 calculates a lifetime of the physical object from a current point in time to a time of failure using the extracted deterioration information item. The control construction unit 83 constructs, based on the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82, a content of control for extending the lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation unit 82. The air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83.

According to the foregoing configuration, in which the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object and the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted deterioration information item based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis, the air-conditioning system 100 can obtain information about how the physical object becomes advanced in deterioration. Moreover, since the control construction unit 83 constructs, using the extracted deterioration information item, a content of control for extending the lifetime of the physical object and the air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control, the air-conditioning system 100 makes it possible to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 while maintaining operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the deterioration estimation unit 81 extracts the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus from the values of all of the plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters thus extracted and the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters. This allows the deterioration estimation unit 81 to reduce the amount of processing for estimating a degree of deterioration.

In Embodiment 1, in a case in which the physical object is the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates a degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. Since the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is composed of the plurality of components, the accuracy of estimation of the degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is improved by the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimating the deterioration degree of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 using the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components.

In Embodiment 1, the lifetime calculation unit 82 cross-checks one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that corresponds to the physical object and the degree of deterioration of the physical object at a plurality of points in time in the cross-checking time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81. The lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts the extracted deterioration information item from among the one or more deterioration information items based on a result of cross-checking. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 predicts the time of failure in the physical object using the extracted deterioration information item and calculates the lifetime based on the time of failure and the current point in time. This allows the lifetime calculation unit 82 to accurately extract the extracted deterioration information item by cross-checking the one or more contrast deterioration information items and the degree of deterioration of the physical object at the plurality of points in time. Then, the control construction unit 83 constructs the content of control of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the extracted deterioration information item. This makes it possible to extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts the extracted deterioration information item from among one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. This allows the lifetime calculation unit 82 to reduce the amount of processing for extracting an extracted deterioration information item.

In Embodiment 1, the storage unit 80 stores, in association with each of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items, one or more patterns of control for delaying deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, or two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. The control construction unit 83 constructs the content of control using at least one of the one or more patterns of control associated with the extracted deterioration information item. This allows the control construction unit 83 to quickly construct a content of control that delays deterioration of the physical object.

In Embodiment 1, the storage unit 80 stores, in association with each other, two or more of or one of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis a degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and a plurality of the patterns of control for delaying deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Further, the storage unit 80 stores weights assigned separately to each of the plurality of patterns of control. Greater ones of the weights are assigned separately to each of the plurality of patterns of control in ascending order of extension of a life of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In a case in which the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 selects the at least one pattern of control from among the plurality of patterns of control in descending order of the weights assigned thereto. This allows the control construction unit 83 to quickly and easily construct a content of control that extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. This allows the control construction unit 83 to reduce the amount of processing and allows the air-conditioning control unit 84 to, while extending the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, cause the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to operate.

In Embodiment 1, the weights are defined by artificial intelligence learning. This allows the control construction unit 83 to construct a content of control that maximally extends the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. This allows the air-conditioning control unit 84 to, while maximally extending the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, cause the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to operate.

In Embodiment 1, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 as sensed at a point in time after passage of a predetermined correction time since a point in time at which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 started operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83. In a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at a point in time after passage of the correction time in the extracted deterioration information item and the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 reduces a weight assigned to the at least one pattern of control used in construction of the content of control. Then, the control construction unit 83 constructs the content of control using at least one of the plurality of patterns of control other than the at least one pattern of control used in the construction of the content of control. This allows the control construction unit 83 to, in a case in which the content of control thus constructed does not extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, construct, using another pattern of control, another content of control for extending the life. This makes it possible to surely extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 as sensed at a point in time after passage of a predetermined correction time since a point in time at which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 started operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83. In a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81 is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at a point in time after passage of the correction time in the extracted deterioration information item and the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction unit 83 constructs the content of control using at least one of the plurality of patterns of control other than the at least one pattern of control used in construction of the content of control. This allows the control construction unit 83 to, in a case in which the content of control thus constructed does not extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, construct, using another pattern of control, another content of control for extending the life. This makes it possible to surely extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 101 carries out air conditioning in the room by causing refrigerant to circulate through a refrigerant circuit 6 and causing the refrigerant and air inside and outside the room to exchange heat with each other. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 includes a compressor 12, an expansion valve, and an air-sending device. The compressor 12 is provided in the refrigerant circuit 6, and compresses and discharges the refrigerant. The expansion valve is provided in the refrigerant circuit 6, and decompresses the refrigerant. The air-sending device sends heat-exchanged air into or out of the room. Any of the one or more patterns of control is control of change in frequency of the compressor 12, control of change in air volume of the air-sending device, or control of change in opening degree of the expansion valve. This allows the control construction unit 83 to construct a content of control that delays deterioration of the compressor 12, which easily becomes advanced in deterioration.

In Embodiment 1, the contrast air-conditioning apparatus satisfies at least either a condition where a difference between a value of a capacity parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of a capacity parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity threshold or a condition where a difference between a value of an environment parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of an environment parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined environment threshold. This brings about improvement in accuracy of estimation of the degree of deterioration of the physical object by the deterioration estimation unit 81 using all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Further, the lifetime calculation unit 82 can extract, using the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, an extracted deterioration information item accurately indicating a time change in deterioration of the physical object from among one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. The control construction unit 83 can construct, using the extracted deterioration information item, a content of control that surely extends the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 101 carries out air conditioning in the room by causing refrigerant to circulate through a refrigerant circuit 6 and causing the refrigerant and air inside and outside the room to exchange heat with each other. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 includes a compressor 12. The compressor 12 is provided in the refrigerant circuit 6, and compresses and discharges the refrigerant. The contrast air-conditioning apparatus satisfies at least either a condition where a difference between a value of a capacity parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of a capacity parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity threshold or a condition where a difference between a value of an environment parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of an environment parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is less than or equal to a predetermined environment threshold. The value of the capacitor parameter is defined by information indicating a model or specifications, a model number, a value of set electric power that is inputted to the compressor at an early stage of use of the compressor, or a value of a set electrical current that is applied to the compressor at an early stage of use of the compressor. The value of the environmental parameter is defined by an installation position of the air-conditioning apparatus, a temperature of the installation position, a weather of the installation position, accumulated time of use of the air-conditioning apparatus, an average number of persons in the room, an amount of the refrigerant, a length of a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit, a time average or accumulation of values of electric power that is inputted to the compressor, or a time average or accumulation of values of electrical current that is applied to the compressor. This brings about improvement in accuracy of estimation of the degree of deterioration of the physical object by the deterioration estimation unit 81 using all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Further, the lifetime calculation unit 82 can extract, using the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, an extracted deterioration information item accurately indicating a time change in deterioration of the physical object from among one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. The control construction unit 83 can construct, using the extracted deterioration information item, a content of control that surely extends the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, one of the plurality of operation parameters is electric power that is inputted to the compressor 12 or an electrical current that is applied to the compressor 12. This allows the deterioration estimation unit 81 to accurately estimate the degree of deterioration of the compressor 12.

In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 101 further includes a remote controller 5 configured to remotely control the air-conditioning apparatus 101. In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the remote controller 5 displays, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime. This allows a user of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to grasp, for example, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is advanced in deterioration, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is executing a process for delaying the progression of the deterioration, or a content of the process. This allows the user to clearly grasp the state of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and recognize the timing of contact with a maintenance worker, thus bringing about improvement in convenience.

In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning system 100 includes the storage unit 80, the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 in a server 9 on a network 2 and includes the air-conditioning control unit 84 in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 includes an air-conditioning communication unit configured to communicate with the server 9. The air-conditioning communication unit receives, from the server 9, a control signal representing the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83. This allows the air-conditioning system 100 to reduce the amount of processing of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, continue operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, and extend the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning communication unit communicates with a terminal 7 having a communication function. In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication unit sends, to the terminal 7, a command signal that gives an instruction to display, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime. This allows the air-conditioning system 100 to, in a case in which a user of the terminal 7 is a maintenance worker, notify the maintenance worker, for example, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 needs maintenance or a period in which maintenance is needed. This allows the maintenance worker to quickly perform maintenance before a failure in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and maintain the user's comfort. In a case in which a user of the terminal 7 is a user of the air-conditioning apparatus, the air-conditioning system 100 can notify the user, for example, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is advanced in deterioration, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is executing a process for delaying the progression of the deterioration, or of a content of the process. This allows the user to clearly grasp the state of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and recognize the timing of contact with a maintenance worker, thus bringing about improvement in convenience.

Embodiment 2

In Embodiment 1 described above, the storage unit 80, the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 are included in the server 9, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 is included in the remote controller 5. In Embodiment 2, the storage unit 80 is included in the server 9, and the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 are included in the remote controller 5. The following describes an air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 2.

An example configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 2 is shown by FIG. 1 as in the case of Embodiment 1, and an example configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 is shown by FIG. 2 as in the case of Embodiment 1. Further, the functions of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 are illustrated by FIG. 3 as in the case of Embodiment 1. In the following, components that are similar to those of Embodiment 1 and functional blocks that are similar to those of Embodiment 1 are given signs that are similar to those of Embodiment 1. Further, contents that are similar to those of Embodiment 1 are not described unless the circumstances are exceptional.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 2 in detail. Embodiment 2 assumes that the storage unit 80 is included in the server 9 and that the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 are included in the remote controller 5. In FIG. 9, a dashed arrow indicates where a component that it indicates is included, and the component is included in a position that the dashed arrow points toward.

All or some of the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 may be included in the remote-side control device 52. The deterioration estimation unit 81 receives, from the indoor unit 3 via the remote control communication unit 50, the values of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. It should be noted that the deterioration estimation unit 81 may receive, from the outdoor unit 1, the values of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and receive, from the indoor unit 3, the values of a plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the indoor unit 3.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests a plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus. The first request signal contains at least one of the values of the capacity and environment parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. In response to the first request signal, the server 9 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts the values of the plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Then, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90, the values of the plurality contrast parameters thus extracted of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of parameters received from the indoor unit 3 and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus as received from the server 9. In a case in which the degree of deterioration of the physical object is estimated based on the values of some of the plurality of operation parameters and the values of some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus, the deterioration estimation unit 81 may receive the values of those of the operation parameters from the indoor unit 3. In this case, the deterioration estimation unit 81 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests the values of those of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. In response to the first request signal, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90, the values of some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests the value of all or some of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In this case, in response to the first request signal, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90, the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Based on at least one of the values of the capacity and environment parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus from all of the values of the contrast parameters thus received.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, a second request signal that requests one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. A second request signal may be sent to the server 9 together with a first request signal, or may be sent to the server 9 separately from a first request signal. In a case in which a second request signal is sent to the server 9 separately from a first request signal, the second request signal contains at least one of the values of the capacity and environment parameters. In response to the second request signal, the server 9 refers to the storage unit 80, extracts the one or more contrast deterioration information items, and sends the one or more contrast deterioration information items thus extracted to the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90.

Based on a deterioration information item generated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, that is, the degree of deterioration of the physical object at different points in time in a cross-check time range, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted deterioration information item from the one or more contrast deterioration information items received from the server 9.

It should be noted that the lifetime calculation unit 82 may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends a second request signal that requests a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degrees of deterioration of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In response to the second request signal thus received, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5, a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degrees of deterioration of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. The lifetime calculation unit 82 may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends a second request signal that requests one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that corresponds to the physical object. In response to the second request signal thus received, the server 9 sends the one or more contrast deterioration information items to the remote controller 5.

The control construction unit 83 controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the server 9, a third request signal that requests one or more patterns of control associated with an extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82. The third request signal contains the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82 and information identifying the extracted deterioration information item. The server 9 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts the one or more patterns of control in accordance with the third request signal. Then, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5 via the server communication unit 90, information indicating the one or more patterns of control. In a case in which weights are assigned separately to each of the patterns of control in the storage unit 80, the server 9 sends, to the remote controller 5, not only the one or more patterns of control and but also weights assigned to the one or more patterns of control. The control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on at least one of the one or more patterns of control received from the server 9 via the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51.

In Embodiment 2, in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may control the air-conditioning display unit 54 so that the air-conditioning display unit 54 displays a control content information item on the screen. Further, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the terminal 7, a command signal that gives an instruction to display the control content information item on the screen. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 has received the command signal, the terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal display unit 73 displays, on the screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime of the physical object.

The flow of an air-conditioning process by the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 2 is illustrated by FIG. 8 as in the case of Embodiment 1. Moreover, contents other than the following contents are not described, as they are similar to those of the air-conditioning process of Embodiment 1 described above. According to Embodiment 2, in step S2 described above, the deterioration estimation unit 81 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends a first request signal to the server 9. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus from the server 9 via the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51.

The process of step S6 in Embodiment 2 is a process by which the deterioration estimation unit 81 requests the indoor unit 3 via the remote control communication unit for the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters. In a case in which the values of the plurality of parameters are automatically sent from the indoor unit 3 to the remote controller 5 every time the acquisition time passes, the process of step S6 may be omitted.

According to Embodiment 2, in step S7, the lifetime calculation unit 82 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends a second request signal to the server 9. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 acquires one or more contrast deterioration information items from the server 9 via the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51. According to Embodiment 2, in step S10, the control construction unit 83 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends a third request signal to the server 9. The control construction unit 83 acquires, from the server 9 via the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51, a plurality of patterns of control associated with extracted deterioration information items, different points in time in those extracted deterioration information items, or different adjustment time ranges in those extracted deterioration information items. The control construction unit 83 selects at least one pattern of control from among the plurality of patterns of control.

It should be noted that the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may be included in the indoor unit 3 instead of the remote controller 5. In this case, the first indoor communication unit 30 may perform communication directly with the server 9 and the terminal 7 or may perform communication with the server 9 and the terminal 7 via the remote controller 5.

The following describes effects that are brought about by the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, the air-conditioning system 100 includes the storage unit 80 in a server 9 on a network 2. Further, the air-conditioning system 100 includes the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 includes an air-conditioning communication unit configured to communicate with the server 9. The deterioration estimation unit 81 controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication unit sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests all or some of the values of the plurality of contrast parameters, stored in the storage unit, that indicate an operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. The lifetime calculation unit 82 controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication unit sends, to the server 9, a second request signal that requests one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. The control construction unit 83 controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication unit sends a third request signal that requests the one or more patterns of control associated in the storage unit 80 with the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit. This allows the air-conditioning apparatus 101 to acquire part of a data-intensive group of information items, stored in the server 9, such as the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of contrast deterioration information items and construct a content of control for extending the life. This reduces the amount of data in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. Further, the air-conditioning apparatus 101 can immediately reflect the content of control thus constructed.

Embodiment 3

In Embodiment 2 described above, the storage unit 80 is included in the server 9, and the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, the control construction unit 83, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 are included in the remote controller 5. In Embodiment 3, the storage unit 80 is included in the server 9, the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 are included in the terminal 7, and the air-conditioning control unit 84 is included in the remote controller 5. The following describes an air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3.

An example configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3 is shown by FIG. 1 as in the case of Embodiments 1 and 2, and an example configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 3 is shown by FIG. 2 as in the case of Embodiments 1 and 2. Further, the functions of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 3 are illustrated by FIG. 3 as in the case of Embodiments 1 and 2. In the following, components that are similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 and functional blocks that are similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 are given signs that are similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2. Further, contents that are similar to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 are not described unless the circumstances are exceptional.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an air-conditioning system according to Embodiment 3 in detail. Embodiment 3 assumes that the storage unit 80 is included in the server 9 and that the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 are included in the terminal 7, and that the air-conditioning control unit 84 is included in the remote controller 5. In FIG. 10, a dashed arrow indicates where a component that it indicates is included, and the component is included in a position that the dashed arrow points toward.

All or some of the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 may be included in the terminal control unit 72. The air-conditioning control unit 84 may be included in the remote-side control device 52.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 receives, from the remote controller 5 via the terminal communication unit 70, the values of all or some a plurality of operation parameters sensed by all or some the plurality of air-conditioning sensors in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. The deterioration estimation unit 81 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests all or some of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of a contrast air-conditioning apparatus. In response to the first request signal, the server 9 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. Then, the server 9 sends, to the terminal 7 via the server communication unit 90, the values of all or some of the plurality contrast parameters thus extracted of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 estimates the degree of deterioration of a physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of parameters received from the remote controller 5 and the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus as received from the server 9.

The deterioration estimation unit 81 may control the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests the value of all or some of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating the operating status of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In this case, in response to the first request signal, the server 9 sends, to the terminal 7 via the server communication unit 90, the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. Based on at least one of the values of the capacity and environment parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus 101, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus from all of the values of the contrast parameters thus received.

The lifetime calculation unit 82 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a second request signal that requests one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. In response to the second request signal, the server 9 refers to the storage unit 80, extracts the one or more contrast deterioration information items, and sends the one or more contrast deterioration information items thus extracted to the terminal 7 via the server communication unit 90.

Based on a deterioration information item generated by the deterioration estimation unit 81, that is, the degree of deterioration of the physical object at different points in time in a cross-check time range, the lifetime calculation unit 82 extracts an extracted deterioration information item from the one or more contrast deterioration information items received from the server 9.

It should be noted that the lifetime calculation unit 82 may control the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a second request signal that requests a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degrees of deterioration of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses. In this case, in response to the second request signal thus received, the server 9 sends the plurality of contrast deterioration information items to the terminal 7. The lifetime calculation unit 82 may control the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a second request signal that requests one or more contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that corresponds to the physical object. In this case, in response to the second request signal thus received, the server 9 sends the one or more contrast deterioration information items to the terminal 7.

The control construction unit 83 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a third request signal that requests one or more patterns of control associated with an extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82. The server 9 refers to the storage unit 80 and extracts the one or more patterns of control in accordance with the third request signal. Then, the server 9 sends, to the terminal 7 via the server communication unit 90, information indicating the one or more patterns of control. In a case in which weights are assigned separately to each of the patterns of control in the storage unit 80, the server 9 sends, to the terminal 7, not only the one or more patterns of control and but also weights assigned to the one or more patterns of control. The control construction unit 83 constructs a content of control based on at least one of the one or more patterns of control received from the server 9 via the terminal communication unit 70.

The control construction unit 83 instructs the air-conditioning control unit 84, which is situated in the remote controller 5, via the terminal communication unit 70 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control thus constructed. The air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 in accordance with an instruction from the control construction unit 83.

In Embodiment 3, in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with a content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84 may control the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 so that the remote-side air-conditioning communication unit 51 sends, to the terminal 7, a command signal that gives an instruction to display a control content information item on the screen. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 has received the command signal, the terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal display unit 73 displays, on the screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime of the physical object.

The flow of an air-conditioning process by the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3 is illustrated by FIG. 8 as in the case of Embodiments 1 and 2. Moreover, contents other than the following contents are not described, as they are similar to those of the air-conditioning process of Embodiments 1 and 2 described above. According to Embodiment 3, in each of steps S1 and S14, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of a plurality of operation parameters from the remote controller 5 via the terminal communication unit 70 as results of sensing yielded by all or some of the plurality of air-conditioning sensors. According to Embodiment 3, in step S2, the deterioration estimation unit 81 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a first request signal to the server 9. Then, the deterioration estimation unit 81 acquires the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus from the server 9 via the terminal communication unit 70.

The process of step S6 in Embodiment 3 is a process by which the deterioration estimation unit 81 requests the remote controller 5 via the terminal communication unit for the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters. In a case in which the values of the plurality of parameters are automatically sent from the remote controller 5 to the terminal 7 every time the acquisition time passes, the process of step S6 may be omitted.

According to Embodiment 3, in step S7, the lifetime calculation unit 82 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a second request signal to the server 9. Then, the lifetime calculation unit 82 acquires one or more contrast deterioration information items from the server 9 via the terminal communication unit 70. According to Embodiment 3, in step S10, the control construction unit 83 does not refer to the storage unit 80 but controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a third request signal to the server 9. The control construction unit 83 acquires, from the server 9 via the terminal communication unit 70, a plurality of patterns of control associated with extracted deterioration information items, different points in time in those extracted deterioration information items, or different adjustment time ranges in those extracted deterioration information items. The control construction unit 83 selects at least one pattern of control from among the plurality of patterns of control.

According to Embodiment 3, in step S12, the control construction unit 83 instructs the air-conditioning control unit 84, which is situated in the remote controller 5, via the terminal communication unit 70 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control thus constructed.

The following describes effects that are brought about by the air-conditioning system 100 according to Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the air-conditioning system 100 includes the storage unit 80 in a server 9 on a network 2, includes the deterioration estimation unit 81, the lifetime calculation unit 82, and the control construction unit 83 in a terminal 7 having a communication function, and includes the air-conditioning control unit 84 in the air-conditioning apparatus 101. The air-conditioning apparatus 101 includes an air-conditioning communication unit configured to communicate with the server 9 and the terminal 7. The terminal 7 includes a terminal communication unit 70 configured to communicate with the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and the server 9. The deterioration estimation unit 81 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a first request signal that requests all or some of the values of the plurality of contrast parameters, stored in the storage unit 80, that indicate an operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus. The lifetime calculation unit 82 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends, to the server 9, a second request signal that requests one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object. The control construction unit 83 controls the terminal communication unit 70 so that the terminal communication unit 70 sends a third request signal that requests the one or more patterns of control associated in the storage unit 80 with the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation unit 82. Then, the control construction unit 83 instructs the air-conditioning control unit 84 via the terminal communication unit 70 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 101 based on the content of control thus constructed. This allows the terminal 7 to acquire part of a data-intensive group of information items, stored in the server 9, such as the values of the plurality of contrast parameters of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of contrast deterioration information items and construct a content of control for extending the life of the air-conditioning apparatus 101. This allows the air-conditioning system 100 to reduce the amount of data in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and the amount of processing by the air-conditioning apparatus 101.

In Embodiment 3, the terminal 7 includes a terminal display unit 73 and a terminal control unit 72. The terminal display unit 73 displays information on a screen. The terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73. In a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction unit 83, the air-conditioning control unit 84 controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication unit sends, to the terminal 7, a command signal that gives an instruction to display, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime. In a case in which the terminal communication unit 70 received the command signal, the terminal control unit 72 controls the terminal display unit 73 so that the terminal display unit 73 displays at least one of the information indicating that the content of control is being executed, the information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime. This allows the air-conditioning system 100 to, in a case in which a user of the terminal 7 is a maintenance worker, notify the maintenance worker, for example, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 needs maintenance or a period in which maintenance is needed. This allows the maintenance worker to quickly perform maintenance before a failure in the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and maintain the user's comfort. In a case in which a user of the terminal 7 is a user of the air-conditioning apparatus, the air-conditioning system 100 can notify the user, for example, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is advanced in deterioration, that the air-conditioning apparatus 101 is executing a process for delaying the progression of the deterioration, or of a content of the process. This allows the user to clearly grasp the state of the air-conditioning apparatus 101 and recognize the timing of contact with a maintenance worker, thus bringing about improvement in convenience.

While the foregoing has described Embodiments 1 to 3, the contents of the present disclosure are not limited to these embodiments but encompass envisioned contents.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning system comprising:

an air-conditioning apparatus configured to carry out air conditioning in a room;
a plurality of air-conditioning sensors configured to sense values of a plurality of operation parameters indicating an operating status of the air-conditioning apparatus;
a storage device configured to store values of a plurality of contrast parameters indicating an operating status of a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses including a contrast air-conditioning apparatus that is identical in condition to the air-conditioning apparatus and each including a plurality of components and store a plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis at least any of a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and degrees of deterioration of two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses as based on the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters;
a deterioration estimation circuitry configured to estimate a degree of deterioration of a physical object by cross-checking the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters sensed by the plurality of air-conditioning sensors against the values of all or some of the plurality of contrast parameters extracted of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus, the physical object being the air-conditioning apparatus or one or more of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus;
a lifetime calculation circuitry configured to extract, based on the degree of deterioration on a time-series basis in a predetermined cross-check time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation circuitry an extracted deterioration information item from among the plurality of contrast deterioration information items stored in the storage device and calculate a lifetime of the physical object from a current point in time to a time of failure using the extracted deterioration information item, the extracted deterioration information item being one of the contrast deterioration information items;
a control construction circuitry configured to construct, based on the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation circuitry, a content of control for extending the lifetime calculated by the lifetime calculation circuitry; and
an air-conditioning control circuitry configured to control the air-conditioning apparatus based on the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry.

2. (canceled)

3. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein in a case in which the physical object is the air-conditioning apparatus, the deterioration estimation circuitry estimates a degree of deterioration of the air-conditioning apparatus based on a degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of components in the air-conditioning apparatus.

4. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the lifetime calculation circuitry cross-checks one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that corresponds to the physical object and the degree of deterioration of the physical object at a plurality of points in time in the cross-checking time range as estimated by the deterioration estimation circuitry, extracts the extracted deterioration information item from among the one or more deterioration information items based on a result of cross-checking, predicts the time of failure in the physical object using the extracted deterioration information item, and calculates the lifetime based on the time of failure and the current point in time.

5. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, to wherein the lifetime calculation circuitry extracts the extracted deterioration information item from among one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus.

6. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the storage device stores, in association with each of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items, one or more patterns of control for delaying deterioration of each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, each of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, or two or more of the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and
the control construction circuitry constructs the content of control using at least one of the one or more patterns of control associated with the extracted deterioration information item.

7. The air-conditioning system of claim 6, wherein

the storage device stores, in association with each other, two or more of or one of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis a degree of deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and a plurality of the patterns of control for delaying deterioration of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses,
the storage device stores weights assigned separately to each of the plurality of patterns of control,
greater ones of the weights are assigned separately to each of the plurality of patterns of control in ascending order of extension of a life of any of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and the plurality of components in each of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses, and
in a case in which the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction circuitry selects the at least one pattern of control from among the plurality of patterns of control in descending order of the weights assigned thereto.

8. The air-conditioning system of claim 7, wherein the weights are defined by artificial intelligence learning.

9. The air-conditioning system of claim 7, wherein

the deterioration estimation circuitry estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus as sensed at a point in time after passage of a predetermined correction time since a point in time at which the air-conditioning apparatus started operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry,
in a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation circuitry is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at a point in time after passage of the correction time in the extracted deterioration information item and the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction circuitry reduces a weight assigned to the at least one pattern of control used in construction of the content of control, and
the control construction circuitry constructs the content of control using at least one of the plurality of patterns of control other than the at least one pattern of control used in the construction of the content of control.

10. The air-conditioning system of claim 6, wherein

the deterioration estimation circuitry estimates the degree of deterioration of the physical object based on the values of all or some of the plurality of operation parameters of the air-conditioning apparatus as sensed at a point in time after passage of a predetermined correction time since a point in time at which the air-conditioning apparatus started operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry,
in a case in which the degree of deterioration estimated by the deterioration estimation circuitry is higher than or equal to the degree of deterioration at a point in time after passage of the correction time in the extracted deterioration information item and the plurality of patterns of control are associated with the extracted deterioration information item, the control construction circuitry constructs the content of control using at least one of the plurality of patterns of control other than the at least one pattern of control used in construction of the content of control.

11. The air-conditioning system of claim 6, wherein

the air-conditioning apparatus carries out air conditioning in the room by causing refrigerant to circulate through a refrigerant circuit and causing the refrigerant and air inside and outside the room to exchange heat with each other,
the air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor provided in the refrigerant circuit and configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant, an expansion valve provided in the refrigerant circuit and configured to decompress the refrigerant, and an air-sending device configured to send heat-exchanged air into or out of the room, and
any of the one or more patterns of control is control of change in frequency of the compressor, control of change in air volume of the air-sending device, or control of change in opening degree of the expansion valve.

12. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the contrast air-conditioning apparatus satisfies at least either a condition where a difference between a value of a capacity parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of a capacity parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity threshold or a condition where a difference between a value of an environment parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of an environment parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus is less than or equal to a predetermined environment threshold.

13. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the air-conditioning apparatus carries out air conditioning in the room by causing refrigerant to circulate through a refrigerant circuit and causing the refrigerant and air inside and outside the room to exchange heat with each other,
the air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor provided in the refrigerant circuit and configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant,
the contrast air-conditioning apparatus satisfies at least either a condition where a difference between a value of a capacity parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of a capacity parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity threshold or a condition where a difference between a value of an environment parameter of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and a value of an environment parameter of the air-conditioning apparatus is less than or equal to a predetermined environment threshold,
the value of the capacitor parameter is defined by information indicating a model or specifications, a model number, a value of set electric power that is inputted to the compressor at an early stage of use of the compressor, or a value of a set electrical current that is applied to the compressor at an early stage of use of the compressor, and
the value of the environmental parameter is defined by an installation position of the air-conditioning apparatus, a temperature of the installation position, a weather of the installation position, accumulated time of use of the air-conditioning apparatus, an average number of persons in the room, an amount of the refrigerant, a length of a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit, a time average or accumulation of values of electric power that is inputted to the compressor, or a time average or accumulation of values of electrical current that is applied to the compressor.

14. The air-conditioning system of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of operation parameters is electric power that is inputted to the compressor or an electrical current that is applied to the compressor.

15. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the air-conditioning apparatus further includes a remote controller configured to remotely control the air-conditioning apparatus, and
in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry, the remote controller displays, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime.

16. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the air-conditioning system includes the storage device in a server on a network and includes the deterioration estimation circuitry, the lifetime calculation circuitry, the control construction circuitry, and the air-conditioning control circuitry in the air-conditioning apparatus,
the air-conditioning apparatus includes an air-conditioning communication circuitry configured to communicate with the server,
the deterioration estimation circuitry controls the air-conditioning communication unit so that the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends, to the server, a first request signal that requests all or some of the values of the plurality of contrast parameters, stored in the storage device, that indicate an operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus,
the lifetime calculation circuitry controls the air-conditioning communication circuitry so that the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends, to the server, a second request signal that requests one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object, and
the control construction circuitry controls the air-conditioning communication circuitry so that the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends a third request signal that requests the one or more patterns of control associated in the storage device with the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation circuitry.

17. The air-conditioning system of claim 16 wherein

the air-conditioning communication circuitry communicates with a terminal having a communication function, and
in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry, the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends, to the terminal, a command signal that gives an instruction to display, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime.

18. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the air-conditioning system includes the storage device, the deterioration estimation circuitry, the lifetime calculation circuitry, and the control construction circuitry in a server on a network and includes the air-conditioning control circuitry in the air-conditioning apparatus,
the air-conditioning apparatus includes an air-conditioning communication circuitry configured to communicate with the server, and
the air-conditioning communication circuitry receives, from the server, a control signal representing the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry.

19. The air-conditioning system of claim 18, wherein

the air-conditioning communication circuitry communicates with a terminal having a communication function, and
in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry, the air-conditioning control circuitry controls the air-conditioning communication circuitry so that the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends, to the terminal, a command signal that gives an instruction to display, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime.

20. The air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein

the air-conditioning system includes the storage device in a server on a network, includes the deterioration estimation circuitry, the lifetime calculation circuitry, and the control construction circuitry in a terminal having a communication function, and includes the air-conditioning control circuitry in the air-conditioning apparatus,
the air-conditioning apparatus includes an air-conditioning communication circuitry configured to communicate with the server and the terminal,
the terminal includes a terminal communication circuitry configured to communicate with the air-conditioning apparatus and the server,
the deterioration estimation circuitry controls the terminal communication circuitry so that the terminal communication circuitry sends, to the server, a first request signal that requests all or some of the values of the plurality of contrast parameters, stored in the storage device, that indicate an operating status of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus,
the lifetime calculation circuitry controls the terminal communication circuitry so that the terminal communication circuitry sends, to the server, a second request signal that requests one or more of the plurality of contrast deterioration information items indicating on a time-series basis the degree of deterioration of any of the contrast air-conditioning apparatus and the plurality of components in the contrast air-conditioning apparatus that corresponds to the physical object, and
the control construction circuitry controls the terminal communication circuitry so that the terminal communication circuitry sends a third request signal that requests the one or more patterns of control associated in the storage device with the extracted deterioration information item extracted by the lifetime calculation circuitry, and
the control construction circuitry instructs the air-conditioning control circuitry via the terminal communication circuitry to control the air-conditioning apparatus based on the content of control thus constructed.

21. The air-conditioning system of claim 20, wherein

the terminal includes a terminal display circuitry configured to display information on a screen, and a terminal control circuitry configured to control the terminal display circuitry,
in a case in which the air-conditioning apparatus is operating in accordance with the content of control constructed by the control construction circuitry, the air-conditioning control circuitry controls the air-conditioning communication circuitry so that the air-conditioning communication circuitry sends, to the terminal, a command signal that gives an instruction to display, on a screen, at least one of information indicating that the content of control is being executed, information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime, and
in a case in which the terminal communication circuitry received the command signal, the terminal control circuitry controls the terminal display circuitry so that the terminal display circuitry displays at least one of the information indicating that the content of control is being executed, the information indicating the content of control, and the lifetime.

22-23. (canceled)

Patent History
Publication number: 20230383980
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 11, 2020
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2023
Inventors: Mizuo SAKAI (Tokyo), Satoshi AKITOMO (Tokyo), Tetsuya YAMASHITA (Tokyo), Takahiro NARUI (Tokyo), Kazuya WATANABE (Tokyo)
Application Number: 18/249,682
Classifications
International Classification: F24F 11/64 (20060101);