Maintenance contract fee calculation system

A maintenance contract fee calculation system calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The maintenance contract fee calculation system includes: an acquisition unit that obtains first environmental information related to an installation environment of the indoor unit and second environmental information related to an installation environment of the outdoor unit; and a calculation unit that calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a maintenance contract fee calculation system.

BACKGROUND ART

A known maintenance contract fee calculation system calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner. The maintenance contract fee calculation system calculates the maintenance contract fee based on at least one of the device name/model name, date of installation, and application of the maintenance subject. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional maintenance contract fee calculation system.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems that the Invention is to Solve

When calculating a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner, it is desirable that the failure rate of the air conditioner be taken into consideration. The failure rate of the air conditioner varies in accordance with the environment in which the air conditioner is installed. Thus, the failure rate differs between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of the air conditioner. This is because the installation environment differs between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Thus, when calculating a maintenance contract fee suitable for the failure rate of the air conditioner, it is preferable that the installation environments of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit be taken into consideration.

It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a maintenance contract fee calculation system that calculates a suitable maintenance contract fee.

Means for Solving the Problems

A maintenance contract fee calculation system that solves the problems discussed above calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The maintenance contract fee calculation system includes an acquisition unit that obtains first environmental information related to an installation environment of the indoor unit and second environmental information related to an installation environment of the outdoor unit, and a calculation unit that calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the installation environment of the indoor unit and the installation environment of the outdoor unit. Thus, a suitable maintenance contract fee can be calculated in accordance with the failure rate of the air conditioner. This allows services to be provided to the client, who enters a maintenance contract, in a preferred manner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, the acquisition unit preferably obtains, as the first environmental information, at least one of a location of a facility in which the indoor unit is installed, purpose of the facility, a surrounding environment of the indoor unit, and purpose of a spot in which the indoor unit is installed. This configuration includes preferable information on the installation environment of the indoor unit in the first environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, preferably, the first environmental information includes at least a surrounding environment of the indoor unit, and the surrounding environment of the indoor unit includes information about at least one of oil, humidity, water droplets, and dust. This configuration includes preferable information about the surrounding environment of the indoor unit in the first environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, the acquisition unit preferably obtains, as the second environmental information, at least one of a location of a facility in which the outdoor unit is installed, purpose of the facility, a surrounding environment of the outdoor unit, and purpose of a spot in which the outdoor unit is installed. This configuration includes preferable information about the installation environment of the outdoor unit in the second environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, preferably, the second environmental information includes at least a surrounding environment of the outdoor unit, and the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit includes information about at least one of salt damage, sand, wind and rain, and snow. This configuration includes preferable information about the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit in the second environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, preferably, the acquisition unit further obtains setting information related to a setting of the air conditioner, and the calculation unit calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the setting information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the setting information associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, the setting information preferably includes information about at least one of a length of piping connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, a difference in height between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and a quantity of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit connected in each system. This configuration includes preferable information on the setting of the air conditioner in the setting information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, preferably, the acquisition unit further obtains operation information related to operation data on the air conditioner, and the calculation unit calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation information associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, the operation information preferably includes information about at least one of an operation time, a thermo-on time, a quantity of start-and-stops, and a maximum load during a predetermined period. This configuration includes preferable information related to operation data on the air conditioner in the operation information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

In the maintenance contract fee calculation system, preferably, the acquisition unit further obtains an operation period from a date when operation of the air conditioner started, and the calculation unit calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation period. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation period associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system preferably further includes a learning unit that uses supervisor data including a first failure rate of the indoor unit based on the installation environment of the indoor unit and a second failure rate of the outdoor unit based on the installation environment of the outdoor unit to generate a calculation model for calculating the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information, where the calculation unit calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model, which is generated using supervisor data, and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment

A maintenance contract fee calculation system1according to one embodiment will now be described. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described hereafter, but is intended to include any equivalence to the claims and any modification that is within the scope of the claims.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1is used to conclude a maintenance contract for an air conditioning system20between, for example, a maintenance contract company and a client. The maintenance contract fee calculation system1calculates a maintenance contract fee for providing the client with services under the maintenance contract for the air conditioning system20during a preset contract term. The services of the maintenance contract for the air conditioning system20include maintenance, troubleshooting, and the like of the air conditioning system20. The maintenance contract fee is renewed when, for example, the contract term is renewed. When the maintenance contract fee is paid monthly during the contract term, the maintenance contract fee may be renewed every month.

As shown inFIG. 1, the air conditioning system20includes an air conditioner30and an air conditioning management device40that manages the air conditioner30. The air conditioner30includes indoor units31and an outdoor unit32. In an example shown inFIG. 1, five indoor units31and one outdoor unit32are connected in each system. The system may include one to four indoor units31or six indoor units31or more. The system may include two, three, four, or more outdoor units32. The indoor units31are connected to the outdoor unit32by, for example, a refrigerant pipe33and an air conditioning communication line34. The air conditioning management device40is connected to the outdoor unit32by the air conditioning communication line34. The air conditioning management device40collectively manages the indoor units31in response to an instruction from, for example, an administrator of the facility in which the air conditioner30is installed. The air conditioning system20may be configured without the air conditioning management device40.

The configuration of the maintenance contract fee calculation system1will now be described with reference toFIG. 2.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1calculates a maintenance contract fee for the air conditioner30including the indoor units31and the outdoor unit32. The maintenance contract fee calculation system1includes an acquisition unit11that obtains various types of information on the air conditioner30and a calculation unit12that calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the various types of information on the air conditioner30. The various types of information on the air conditioner30include first environmental information related to the installation environment of the indoor units31and second environmental information related to the installation environment of the outdoor unit32. The various types of information on the air conditioner30may further include at least one of setting information related to the setting of the air conditioner30, operation information related to operation data on the air conditioner30, and operation information related to operation data on the air conditioner30.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1is configured to communicate with the air conditioning system20through a network N. In one example, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1is configured to communicate with the air conditioning management device40through the network N. The acquisition unit11obtains various types of information on the air conditioner30through, for example, the network N. The acquisition unit11may obtain various types of information on the air conditioner30directly from the air conditioning management device40or estimate various types of information on the air conditioner30based on information obtained from the air conditioning management device40. The acquisition unit11may obtain various types of information on the air conditioner30from a server or a database based on information obtained from the air conditioning management device40. In an example in which the air conditioning system20does not include the air conditioning management device40, the acquisition unit11obtains various types of information on the air conditioner30from at least one of the indoor units31and the outdoor unit32. When the maintenance contract fee calculation system1does not communicate with the air conditioning system20through the network N, the acquisition unit11obtains various types of information on the air conditioner30from inspection data taken when the air conditioner30is inspected.

The acquisition unit11obtains the first environmental information related to the installation environment of the indoor unit31and the second environmental information related to the installation environment of the outdoor unit32. When each system includes multiple indoor units31, the acquisition unit11may obtain the first environmental information related to the installation environment from a representative indoor unit31or obtain the first environmental information related to the installation environment from each indoor unit31. The first environmental information includes information that affects the failure rate of the indoor units31. The second environmental information includes information that affects the failure rate of the outdoor unit32.

The acquisition unit11obtains, as the first environmental information, at least one of the location of the facility in which the indoor units31are installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the indoor unit31, and the purpose of the spot in which each indoor unit31is installed. The location of the facility includes, for example, information about the address of the facility. When it can be expected from the location of the facility that the operation rate of the air conditioner30will be high, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have an increased failure rate. The purpose of the facility includes information about any one of, for example, commercial establishment, factory, school, and residence. When it can be expected from the purpose of the facility that the operation rate of the air conditioner30will be high, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have an increased failure rate. The surrounding environment of the indoor unit31includes information about at least one of, for example, oil, humidity, water droplets, and dust. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as at least one of the amount of oil, the humidity, the amount of water droplets, and the amount of dust increases in the surrounding environment of the indoor unit31. When obtaining the surrounding environment of the indoor units31as the first environmental information, the acquisition unit11may obtain the location of the facility in which the indoor units31are installed to obtain the surrounding environment of indoor units installed in other nearby facilities from a database or the like as the surrounding environment of the indoor units31. The purpose of the spot in which the indoor units31are installed includes information about any one of a sports gym, a server room, a classroom, a kitchen, and the like. When it can be expected from the purpose of the spot in which the indoor units31are installed that the indoor units31will be greatly affected by outside factors, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have an increased failure rate.

The acquisition unit11obtains, as the second environmental information, at least one of the location of the facility in which the outdoor unit32is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32, and the purpose of the spot in which the outdoor unit32is installed. The surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32includes information about at least one of salt damage, sand, wind and rain, and snow. It can be expected that an increase in at least one of salt damage, sand, wind and rain, and snow in the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32will increase the failure rate of the air conditioner30. When obtaining the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32as the second environmental information, the acquisition unit11may obtain the location of the facility in which the outdoor unit32is installed to obtain the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32from a meteorological server or the like based on the location. The surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32may include information about living organisms that may enter the outdoor unit32in addition to or in place of the information about at least one of salt damage, sand, wind and rain, and snow. The purpose of the spot in which the outdoor unit32is installed includes information about any one of a parking lot, a playground, a yard, a roof, a balcony, or the like. When it can be expected from the purpose of the spot in which the outdoor unit32is installed that the outdoor unit32will be greatly affected by outside factors, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have an increased failure rate.

The acquisition unit11further obtains setting information related to the setting of the air conditioner30. The setting information includes information that affects the failure rate of the air conditioner30. The setting information includes information about at least one of the length of piping connecting the indoor units31to the outdoor unit32, the difference in height between the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, and the quantity of the indoor units31and the outdoor units32connected in each system. The length of the piping connecting the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32is, for example, the length of the refrigerant pipe33. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the length of the piping connecting the indoor units31and the outdoor unit32increases. The difference in height between the indoor units31and the outdoor unit32is determined by, for example, the difference in height between the bottom surface of each indoor unit31and the bottom surface of the outdoor unit32. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the difference in height between the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32increases. The quantity of the indoor units31and the outdoor units32connected in each system is determined by, for example, the relationship between the quantity of the indoor units31and the quantity of the outdoor units32in each system. In one example, the quantity of the indoor units31and the outdoor units32connected in each system is the quantity of the indoor units31that are connected to the outdoor units32. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the quantity of the indoor units31and the outdoor units32connected in each system increases.

The acquisition unit11further obtains operation information related to operation data on the air conditioner30. The operation information includes information that affects the failure rate of the air conditioner30. The operation information includes information about at least one of an operation time, a thermo-on time, the quantity of start-and-stops, and the maximum load during a predetermined period. The operation time during the predetermined period indicates a time during which the air conditioner30is in operation during the predetermined period. It is expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the operation time increases during the predetermined period. The operation time may be an operation time of each component in the air conditioner30. The components of the air conditioner30include at least one of a component of the indoor unit31and a component of the outdoor unit32. The thermo-on time during the predetermined period indicates the time during which the compressor of the air conditioner30is in operation during the predetermined period. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the thermo-on time during the predetermined period increases. The quantity of start-and-stops during the predetermined period indicates the quantity of operation starts and operation stops of the compressor repeated during a predetermined period. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the quantity of start-and-stops increases during the predetermined period. The maximum load during the predetermined period indicates the maximum load of the compressor during the predetermined period. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the maximum load increases during the predetermined period. The operation information may include cooling information about a cooling operation of the air conditioner30in addition to or in place of at least one of the operation time, the thermo-on time, the quantity of start-and-stops, and the maximum load during a predetermined period. The cooling state includes information about at least one of an initial cooling operation for cooling and the frequency of cooling operations.

The acquisition unit11further obtains an operation period from the date when the operation of the air conditioner30started. The operation start date of the air conditioner30is, for example, the day when the air conditioner30was installed. The operation period includes information that affects the failure rate of the air conditioner30. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the operation period of the air conditioner30increases. The acquisition unit11may obtain the operation period of the indoor units31or the outdoor unit32or obtain the operation period of each of the indoor units31and the operation period of the outdoor unit32. When each system includes multiple indoor units31, the acquisition unit11may obtain the operation period from a representative one of the indoor units31or the outdoor unit32or obtain the operation period from each indoor unit31and outdoor unit32. When at least one of the indoor units31and the outdoor unit32is replaced by a new one, the operation period is renewed as that of the new device.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1further includes a learning unit13that uses supervisor data including various types of information on the air conditioner30to generate a calculation model for calculating the maintenance contract fee from the various types of information on the air conditioner30. The supervisor data includes a first failure rate of the indoor units31based on the installation environment of the indoor units31and a second failure rate of the outdoor unit32based on the installation environment of the outdoor unit32. The learning unit13generates the calculation model from the first environmental information and the second environmental information. The supervisor data may further include at least one of a third failure rate based on the setting of the air conditioner30, a fourth failure rate based on the operation data on the air conditioner30, and a fifth failure rate based on the operation period of the air conditioner30. In this case, the learning unit13generates the calculation model from the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and at least one of the setting information, the operation information, and the operation period. The maintenance contract fee calculation system1may be configured without the learning unit13.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1further includes a storage unit14that stores various types of information associated with the calculation of a maintenance contract fee. The storage unit14stores, for example, at least one of the supervisor data and the calculation model in a renewable manner. In an example in which the maintenance contract fee calculation system1does not include the learning unit13, the storage unit14may store a renewable model that is preset to calculate the maintenance contract fee from various types of information on the air conditioner30.

The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information. The calculation unit12calculates a lower maintenance contract fee when it is expected from, for example, the first environmental information and the second environmental information that the air conditioner30will have a low failure rate. The calculation unit12calculates a higher maintenance contract fee when it is expected from, for example, the first environmental information and the second environmental information that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate.

The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with, for example, any one of first to fifth examples. In the first example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information. In the second example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the setting information. In the third example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation information. In the fourth example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation period. In the fifth example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the calculation model and various types of information used to generate the calculation model. In one example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model. In the present embodiment, the calculation unit12uses the fifth example to calculate the maintenance contract fee. The acquisition unit11may obtain only information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee.

The relationship between maintenance contract fees and grades will now be described with reference toFIG. 3.

The calculation unit12determines a grade that is specified by a fee structure of maintenance contract fee using various types of information on the air conditioner30and calculates a maintenance contract fee based on the grade. In this case, the maintenance contract fee varies in steps based on grade. The calculation unit12determines the grade so that the maintenance contract fee is lower if, for example, the air conditioner30has a low failure rate or it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a low failure rate. In an example shown inFIG. 3, the maintenance contract fee becomes lower as the grade becomes higher. The calculation unit12determines the grade so that the maintenance contract fee is higher if, for example, the air conditioner30has a high failure rate or it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a high failure rate. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the maintenance contract fee becomes higher as the grade becomes lower. The calculation unit12may calculate the maintenance contract fee separately for each type of information on the air conditioner30.

An example of a process executed by the maintenance contract fee calculation system1will now be described with reference toFIG. 4.

In step S11, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1obtains various types of information on the air conditioner30. In one example, the acquisition unit11obtains various types of information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee through the network N. In step S12, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1generates a calculation model for calculating the maintenance contract fee. In one example, the learning unit13generates the calculation model from the first environmental information and the second environmental information. The learning unit13may save information about the calculation model in the storage unit14and output the information about the calculation model to the calculation unit12. In step S13, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the various types of information on the air conditioner30. In one example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model. This ends the process of steps S11to S13.

A series of processes related to a maintenance contract between a maintenance contract company and a client will now be described with reference toFIG. 5.

A maintenance contract between a maintenance contract company and a client is concluded, for example, in accordance with the following procedure. In step S21, the client sends a request to the maintenance contract company to enter a maintenance contract. In step S22, the maintenance contract company determines whether to approve the request and enter a maintenance contract and then notifies the client of whether the request is approved. For example, the maintenance contract company allows the client to enter a maintenance contract when the client satisfies the conditions of the maintenance contract. The maintenance contract company rejects the request to enter a maintenance contract when the client does not satisfy the conditions of the maintenance contract. When the request to enter a maintenance contract is approved, the process proceeds to step S23. When the request to enter a maintenance contract is rejected, a maintenance contract is not concluded between the maintenance contract company and the client.

In step S23, the client transmits various types of information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee to the maintenance contract company. Specifically, the air conditioning system20owned by the client transmits various types of information, used to calculate a maintenance contract fee, to the maintenance contract fee calculation system1of the maintenance contract company. In step S24, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the various types of information on the air conditioner30. In step S25, the maintenance contract company transmits data on the maintenance contract fee to the client. In step S26, the client pays the maintenance contract fee to the maintenance contract company. This concludes the maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client. The maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client can separately cover the air conditioning system20, the air conditioner30, the indoor units31, the outdoor unit32, the components of the indoor units31, and the components of the outdoor unit32.

When the contract term of the maintenance contract expires, the maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client may be renewed through a procedure that is substantially the same as that shown inFIG. 5. Specifically, the maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client is renewed through the procedure of step S23to step S26when the client requests for renewal of the contract term to the maintenance contract company and the maintenance contract company agrees to renew the maintenance contract. The maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client may be automatically renewed when the contract term of the maintenance contract expires.

The present embodiment has the following advantages.

(1) The maintenance contract fee calculation system1calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the installation environment of the indoor units31and the installation environment of the outdoor unit32. Thus, a suitable maintenance contract fee can be calculated in accordance with the failure rate of the air conditioner30. This allows services to be provided to the client, who enters a maintenance contract, in a preferred manner.

(2) The acquisition unit11obtains, as the first environmental information, at least one of the location of the facility in which the indoor units31are installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the indoor units31, and the purpose of the spot in which the indoor units31are installed. This configuration includes preferable information on the installation environment of the indoor units31in the first environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(3) The surrounding environment of the indoor unit31includes information about at least one of, for example, oil, humidity, water droplets, and dust. This configuration includes preferable information about the surrounding environment of the indoor unit31in the first environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(4) The acquisition unit11obtains, as the second environmental information, at least one of the location of the facility in which the outdoor unit32is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32, and the purpose of the spot in which the outdoor unit32is installed. This configuration includes preferable information about the installation environment of the outdoor unit32in the second environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(5) The surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32includes information about at least one of salt damage, sand, wind and rain, and snow. This configuration includes preferable information about the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32in the second environmental information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(6) The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the setting information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the setting information associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner30and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(7) The setting information includes information about at least one of the length of the piping connecting the indoor unit31to the outdoor unit32, the difference in height between the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, and the quantity of the indoor units31and the outdoor units32connected in each system. This configuration includes preferable information on the setting of the air conditioner30in the setting information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(8) The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation information. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation information associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner30and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(9) The operation information includes information about at least one of an operation time, a thermo-on time, the quantity of start-and-stops, and the maximum load during a predetermined period. This configuration includes preferable information related to operation data on the air conditioner30in the operation information and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(10) The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation period. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation period associated with the failure rate of the air conditioner30and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

(11) The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model. This configuration calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the calculation model, which is generated using supervisor data, and allows for calculation of a suitable maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate of the air conditioner30.

Other Embodiments

The following embodiments are an example of forms that the maintenance contract fee calculation system according to the present disclosure can take and are not intended to limit the forms. The maintenance contract fee calculation system according to the present disclosure can take a different form from that described in the above embodiment. Examples include a form in which part of the configuration of the above embodiment is replaced, modified, or removed and a form in which a new configuration is added to the above embodiment. In the following modifications, similar or the same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components in the above embodiment. Such components will not be described.

The method for calculating a maintenance contract fee may be modified. The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in any one of sixth to fourteenth examples. In the sixth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains weather information related to the weather. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the weather information. When it can be expected from the weather that the air conditioner30will have a high operation rate, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a high failure rate. In the seventh example, the acquisition unit11further obtains management information about whether the air conditioning management device40is available. The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the management information. When collective management is not performed by the air conditioning management device40, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate. In the eighth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains inspection information about whether regular inspections have been conducted. The calculation unit12calculates a maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the inspection information. When regular inspections are not conducted, it can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate. In the ninth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains term information on the term of the maintenance contract between the maintenance contract company and the client. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the term information.

In the tenth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains deterioration information about deterioration of components of the air conditioner30. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the deterioration information. It can be expected that the air conditioner30will have a higher failure rate as the deterioration of the components of the air conditioner30increases. In the eleventh example, the acquisition unit11further obtains operation change information about changes in the operation state of the air conditioner30. The operation change information includes at least one of how the air conditioner30is used and an operation schedule of the air conditioner30. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the operation change information. In the twelfth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains a declared value related to the operation data on the air conditioner30. The declared value differs from the actual operation data on the air conditioner30. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the declared value. In the thirteenth example, the acquisition unit11further obtains various types of information about air conditioners installed in another facility (hereafter referred to as other facility information). The other facility differs from the facility in which the air conditioner30is installed. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and the other facility information. In the fourteenth example, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information, the second environmental information, and at least two of the setting information, the operation information, the operation period, the weather information, the management information, the inspection information, the term information, the deterioration information, the operation change information, the declared value, and the other facility information.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1generates a calculation model for calculating the maintenance contract fee. Instead, a calculation model may be generated in advance. A calculation model may be a trained model obtained by learning supervisor data collected through a network from other air conditioners. The supervisor data includes at least first environmental information, second environmental information, an operation period, and a failure rate. The trained model calculates the failure rate of a specified period based on the first environmental information and the second environmental information to calculate a maintenance contract fee based on the failure rate. The calculation model may be a calculation program designed based on logic and past data. The calculation program is configured by mathematical expressions, flowcharts including branches, decision tree analysis, or a combination of these elements. The calculation program does not require learning from supervisor data and there is no need to collect supervisor data.

The maintenance contract fee calculation system1is not limited to the example of the system in the above embodiment but may be configured to have various forms. The forms of the maintenance contract fee calculation system1will now be described in the following. The example system described below outputs a calculated maintenance contract fee. The maintenance contract fee calculation system1described below in other embodiments will be referred to as a maintenance contract fee output system2.

The maintenance contract fee output system2will be described with reference toFIGS. 6, 7, and 8.FIG. 6is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the maintenance contract fee output system2and the air conditioner30.FIG. 7is an example of a table of facility information indicating facilities in which air conditioners30are installed.FIG. 8is an example of a table of specific environmental information about indoor units31and outdoor units32of air conditioners30. The facility information is environmental information about a facility shared by an indoor unit31and an outdoor unit32. The specific environmental information is environmental information related to each of the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32. The facility information includes the location of the facility in which the air conditioner30is installed and the purpose of the facility. The specific environmental information about the indoor unit31is related to the surrounding environment of the indoor unit31(such as an oil component) and the purpose of the spot in which the indoor unit31is installed (such as a sports gym). The specific environmental information about the outdoor unit32is related to the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit32(such as salt damage) and the purpose of the spot in which the outdoor unit32is installed (such as a rooftop).

The maintenance contract fee output system2in the present embodiment calculates the maintenance contract fee for the air conditioner30including the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32and outputs the calculated maintenance contract fee. The output may be performed in any manner. The maintenance contract fee output system2may output the maintenance contract fee as data or on a paper medium. There is no limit to the output destination of the maintenance contract fee output system2. For example, the maintenance contract fee output system2may send an output to a terminal that is connected directly to the maintenance contract fee output system2or a terminal70that is temporarily connected via the network N.

As shown inFIG. 6, the maintenance contract fee output system2includes at least the acquisition unit11, the calculation unit12, and an output unit15. The acquisition unit11, the calculation unit12, and the output unit15are components of a system body10of the maintenance contract fee output system2. The maintenance contract fee output system2further includes an air conditioning management device41, an information collection system50, and a facility information management system60.

The air conditioning management device41has the collective management functionality of the air conditioning management device40in the above embodiment and a functionality for transmitting information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee. Preferably, the air conditioning management device41is installed in the same facility as the air conditioner30.

The air conditioning management device41includes an information acquisition unit42, an information storage unit43, a transmission information generation unit44, and an information transmission unit45.

The information acquisition unit42obtains operation information transmitted from indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32. The operation information is the data transmitted from the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32. The operation information includes information other than the operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee. For example, information other than the operation information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee includes information used to analyze failures, information about energy consumption, information used for maintenance, and information about operation history. Such operation information may be classified into any one of or more than one of the operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee, the information used to analyze failures, the information about energy consumption, the information used for maintenance, and the information about operation history. For example, the quantity of start-and-stops can be the operation information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee, the information used to analyze failures, and the information used for maintenance.

The information storage unit43stores information obtained by the information acquisition unit42. The information storage unit43stores operation information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee and information other than operation information used to calculate a maintenance contract fee.

The transmission information generation unit44generates transmission information including operation information transmitted by the information transmission unit45. The transmission information generation unit44generates transmission information in accordance with transmission conditions. The transmission conditions specify operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee from various types of operation information. For example, the transmission conditions specify the operation time, the thermo-on time, the quantity of start-and-stops, and the maximum load during the predetermined period from various types of operation information. Thus, the transmission information includes operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee during the predetermined period and does not include unnecessary information. The transmission information includes device identification information about the indoor unit31(hereafter referred to as device ID of indoor unit31) and device identification information about the outdoor unit32(hereafter referred to as device ID of outdoor unit32). The transmission information includes information related to a predetermined period. For example, the transmission information includes when a predetermined period starts (date and time) and ends (date and time). The transmission information generation unit44sets the predetermined period whenever generating transmission information. The predetermined period may be a period from when the air conditioner30was installed to when the transmission information is generated (hereafter referred to as entire period). The predetermined period may be a period from when the transmission information is generated to a set point in time in the past (hereafter referred to as partial period). When the predetermined period is a partial period, which is part of the entire period, it is preferred that the transmission information be generated in partial period cycles. This reduces the amount of information stored in the information storage unit43.

The transmission information generation unit44associates the operation information specified for the indoor unit31with the device ID of the indoor unit31to generate first information including the associated information. The transmission information generation unit44associates the operation information specified for the outdoor unit32with the device ID of the outdoor unit32to generate second information including the associated information. The transmission information generation unit44further generates facility association information that associates facility identification information (hereafter referred to as facility ID) about a facility in which the air conditioner30is installed with the first information and the second information. The transmission information generation unit44generates transmission information including the first information, the second information, and the facility association information.

The information transmission unit45transmits operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32to the information collection system50. Specifically, the information transmission unit45transmits the transmission information generated by the transmission information generation unit44to the information collection system50.

The information collection system50obtains and holds the operation information about the indoor unit31and the operation information about the outdoor unit32from the air conditioning management device41. The information collection system50is installed at a location separated from the air conditioning management device41. The information collection system50is connected to the air conditioning management device41via the network N. The information collection system50is formed by a computer.

The information collection system50includes an operation-related information acquisition unit51that obtains operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, an operation-related database52that stores information obtained by the operation-related information acquisition unit51, and an operation-related information transmission unit53that transmits operation information to the acquisition unit11.

The operation-related information acquisition unit51obtains transmission information transmitted by the air conditioning management device41. The transmission information includes the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32. Various types of information included in the transmission information are stored in the operation-related database52. Specifically, the facility ID, the device ID of the outdoor unit32, the device ID of the indoor unit31, the operation information about the indoor unit31, and the operation information about the outdoor unit32are associated with one another and stored in the operation-related database52.

The operation-related information transmission unit53transmits operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee to the acquisition unit11in response to a request from the acquisition unit11. The request from the acquisition unit11includes the facility ID related to the calculation of the maintenance contract fee.

The facility information management system60includes an environment-related information acquisition unit61that obtains the first environmental information and the second environmental information, an environment-related database62that stores the first environmental information and the second environmental information, and an environment-related information transmission unit63that transmits the first environmental information and the second environmental information to the acquisition unit11.

The environment-related information acquisition unit61obtains the first environmental information and the second environmental information from a terminal70through an input operation performed by a person installing the air conditioner30in a facility. The environment-related information acquisition unit61stores the first environmental information and the second environmental information in the environment-related database62. The first environmental information and the second environmental information may be renewed by a person who performs maintenance on the air conditioner30.

In the environment-related database62, the first environmental information is associated with the device ID of the indoor unit31related to the first environmental information and the facility ID of a facility in which the indoor unit31is installed. In the environment-related database62, the second environmental information is associated with the device ID of the outdoor unit32related to the second environmental information and the facility ID of a facility in which the outdoor unit32is installed.

The environment-related database62associates and stores the facility ID, facility information about the information about the facility in which the air conditioner30is installed, information about the air conditioner30installed in the facility, device identification information (device IDs) that identifies the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32of the air conditioner30, the first environmental information, and the second environmental information. In the present embodiment, the environment-related database62stores the facility ID, identification information about the air conditioner30(hereafter referred to as air conditioner ID), the device ID of the indoor unit31, and the device ID of the outdoor unit32. In one example, the environment-related database62includes a first database such as that shown in the table ofFIG. 7and a second database such as than shown in the table ofFIG. 8.

As shown inFIG. 7, the facility ID is associated with the air conditioner ID and the facility information. As shown inFIG. 8, the air conditioner ID is associated with the device ID of the indoor unit31and the device ID of the outdoor unit32(refer toFIG. 7). Further, the device ID of the indoor unit31is associated with the first environmental information. The device ID of the outdoor unit32is associated with the second environmental information.

The acquisition unit11of the system body10is configured to obtain the first environmental information on the installation environment of the indoor unit31and the second environmental information on the installation environment of the outdoor unit32. Preferably, the acquisition unit11obtains the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32in the same manner as the present embodiment.

Specifically, with respect to the facility designated as the subject for calculation of the maintenance contract fee, the acquisition unit11obtains the operation information about the outdoor unit32and the operation information about the indoor unit31installed in the facility from the information collection system50as information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee.

Further, with respect to the facility designated as the subject for calculation of the maintenance contract fee, the acquisition unit11obtains the first environmental information about the indoor unit31and the second environmental information about the outdoor unit32associated with the facility from the facility information management system60.

The calculation unit12is configured to calculate the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information. The method for calculating the maintenance contract fee may use a calculation model or a calculation program. The calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, the first environmental information, and the second environmental information.

The output unit15outputs the calculated maintenance contract fee. The output unit15outputs the maintenance contract fee to the terminal70that is connected directly or via the network N. Examples of the network N include the Internet, a telephone line network, a local network, and the like. The output unit15outputs the maintenance contract fee for the air conditioner30, which is specified by the terminal70, to the terminal70.

Examples of the maintenance contract fee output system2disclose the following techniques.

A maintenance contract fee output system2that calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner30including an indoor unit31and an outdoor unit32and outputs the calculated maintenance contract fee, the maintenance contract fee output system2including an acquisition unit11, a calculation unit12, and an output unit15, in which the acquisition unit11is configured to obtain first environmental information about an installation environment of the indoor unit31and second environmental information about an installation environment of the outdoor unit32, the calculation unit12is configured to calculate the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information, and the output unit15outputs the calculated maintenance contract fee.

With this configuration, the acquisition unit11obtains the first environmental information and the second environmental information as information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee, the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee, and the output unit15outputs the maintenance contract fee. This promptly presents the maintenance contract fee.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to embodiment 1, further including a facility information management system60, in which the facility information management system60further includes an environment-related database62that stores the first environmental information and the second environmental information and an environment-related information transmission unit63that transmits the first environmental information and the second environmental information to the acquisition unit11.

With this configuration, the first environmental information and the second environmental information are gathered in the environment-related database62. The environment-related information transmission unit63transmits the first environmental information and the second environmental information to the acquisition unit11. This allows the acquisition unit11to easily obtain the first environmental information and the second environmental information.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to embodiment 2, in which the environment-related database62stores facility information that is information about a facility in which the air conditioner30is installed, device identification information that identifies the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32of the air conditioner30, and associates and stores the first environmental information and the second environmental information.

With this configuration, the acquisition unit11easily obtains the first environmental information about the indoor unit31and the second environmental information about the outdoor unit32based on the device identification information about the indoor unit31and the device identification information about the outdoor unit32.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, further including an information collection system50, in which the information collection system50includes an operation-related information acquisition unit51that obtains operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, an operation-related database52that stores information obtained by the operation-related information acquisition unit51, and an operation-related information transmission unit53that transmits the operation information to the acquisition unit11. With this configuration, the acquisition unit11promptly obtains operation-related information.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to embodiment 4, in which the acquisition unit11obtains the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32from the information collection system50, and the calculation unit12calculates the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, the first environmental information, and the second environmental information. With this configuration, the operation information is used to calculate the maintenance contract fee so that the maintenance contract fee is calculated further efficiently.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to embodiment 4 or 5, further including an air conditioning management device41, in which the air conditioning management device41includes an information acquisition unit42that obtains operation information transmitted from each of the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32, an information transmission unit45that transmits the operation information about the indoor unit31and the outdoor unit32to the information collection system50, and a transmission information generation unit44that generates transmission information which is the operation information transmitted by the information transmission unit45. With this configuration, the operation information is processed into the transmission information so that the operation information can be transmitted to a remote device.

The maintenance contract fee output system2according to embodiment 6, in which the transmission information generation unit44generates the transmission information in accordance with a transmission condition that specifies operation information used to calculate the maintenance contract fee. With this configuration, the transmission information does not include information that is unnecessary for the calculation of the maintenance contract fee. This reduces the amount of transmission information transmitted by the transmission information generation unit44.

In the description hereafter, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1will be referred to as the present system. The present system includes the maintenance contract fee calculation system1and the maintenance contract fee output system2described and illustrated in the above embodiment.

In the present system, the indoor unit31does not need to be installed indoors. The indoor unit31may be any device that air-conditions the air of an area including space subject to air conditioning (hereafter referred to as air conditioning subject space). There is no limitation to where the indoor unit31is installed. For example, the indoor unit31may be installed outdoors. The outdoor unit32may be any device that regulates the temperature of a refrigerant sent from the indoor unit31. The outdoor unit32does not need to be installed outdoors. Instead, the outdoor unit32may be installed indoors.

The technique of the present system can be applied to various types of air conditioners. For example, the technique can be applied to an air conditioner that integrally includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. A specific example will now be described below.

An air conditioner of a type integrating an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is installed outdoors. The air conditioner includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a compressor, and a refrigerant circuit having an expansion valve. The refrigerant circuit is packaged as a single device. The air conditioner air-conditions the air conditioning subject space. The air conditioner includes an outlet port that discharges heat-exchanged air and an inlet port that draws in air. Air discharged from the outlet port is sent to the air conditioning subject space through a pipe. The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air of the air conditioning subject space. The second heat exchanger exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant.

In the air conditioner of the type integrating the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the first environmental information includes at least one of the location of a facility in which the air conditioner is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the air conditioning subject space, and the purpose of the spot (room or site) including the air conditioning subject space. The surrounding environment of the air conditioning subject space includes information about at least one of oil, humidity, water droplets, and dust. The purpose of the spot (room or site) including the air conditioning subject space includes information about any one of a sports gym, a server room, a classroom, a kitchen, and the like. The second environmental information includes at least one of the location of the facility in which the air conditioner is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the air conditioner, and the purpose of the spot in which the air conditioner is installed.

Examples of the air conditioner that integrally includes the indoor unit and the outdoor unit disclose the following techniques.

A maintenance contract fee calculation system1that calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner30, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1including an acquisition unit11and a calculation unit12, in which the acquisition unit11is configured to obtain first environmental information related to an air conditioning subject space of the air conditioner30and second environmental information related to an installation environment of the air conditioner, and the calculation unit12is configured to calculate the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information.

Examples of applications of the technique related to the present system will now be described. For example, the present system can be applied to an air conditioner that includes a chiller.

The air conditioner includes a chiller and an indoor unit. A refrigerant circuit includes the chiller and the indoor unit. The chiller may be installed indoors or outdoors. The chiller may be an air-cooled chiller or a water-cooled chiller.

In such an air conditioner, the first environmental information includes at least one of the location of a facility in which the indoor unit is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the indoor unit, and the purpose of the spot in which the indoor unit is installed. The second environmental information obtains at least one of the location of the facility in which the chiller is installed, the purpose of the facility, the surrounding environment of the chiller, and the purpose of the spot in which the chiller is installed.

Examples of the air conditioner including the chiller disclose the following techniques.

A maintenance contract fee calculation system1that calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner30including an indoor unit31and a chiller, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1including an acquisition unit11and a calculation unit12, in which the acquisition unit11is configured to obtain first environmental information related to an installation environment of the indoor unit31and second environmental information related to an installation environment of the chiller, and the calculation unit12is configured to calculate the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the first environmental information and the second environmental information.

The present system further discloses the following techniques.

A maintenance contract fee calculation system1that calculates a maintenance contract fee for an air conditioner30including an indoor unit31and an outdoor unit32, the maintenance contract fee calculation system1including an acquisition unit11and a calculation unit12, in which the acquisition unit11obtains first environmental information related to an installation environment of the indoor unit31, second environmental information related to an installation environment of the outdoor unit32, and an operation rate of the air conditioner, and the calculation unit12is configured to calculate the maintenance contract fee in accordance with the operation rate, the first environmental information, and the second environmental information. With this configuration, the operation rate is used to calculate the maintenance contract fee. Thus, the maintenance contract fee is calculated further efficiently.

The calculation unit12, the air conditioning management device40,41, the information collection system50, and the facility information management system60include one or more central processing units (CPU) or micro-processing units (MPU). The control unit may be circuitry including: (1) one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software); (2) one or more dedicated hardware circuits (application-specific integrated circuits: ASIC) that execute at least part of various processes, or (3) a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or commands configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, or computer-readable media, includes any type of media that is accessible by general-purpose computers and dedicated computers.

Although the present device according to the embodiment has been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present device in the claims.