Air conditioner control device, control method and air conditioner control system

Abstract

An air conditioner control device according to an embodiment includes an illuminance acquisition unit, a thermal load acquisition unit, a target area determination unit, and a derivation unit. The illuminance acquisition unit acquires illuminance measured by a user terminal. The thermal load acquisition unit estimates the amount of sunshine on the basis of the acquired illuminance, and acquires a thermal load on the basis of the estimated amount of sunshine. The target area determination unit determines whether or not a target area including a position at which the user terminal measures illuminance is a peripheral area. The derivation unit derives a correction value for the set temperature of the air conditioner on the basis of the determination result of the target area determination unit and the acquired thermal load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner control device, a control method and an air conditioner control system technology. Background Art

[0002] The air conditioner obtains the indoor temperature through the suction temperature sensor installed in the air conditioner, and determines the air conditioning capacity according to the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the set temperature.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-10046 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, if Figure 10 As shown in the example of air conditioner A, due to the influence of sunlight, the intake temperature in surrounding areas, which are easily affected by outside air, may deviate from the temperature in the residential area. Furthermore, in the case of radiant air conditioners, the intake temperature may deviate from the temperature in the residential area, for example, in areas with low convection. Such a deviation between the intake temperature and the residential area can lead to the problem of inability to properly control the air conditioner.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for appropriately controlling an air conditioner.

[0009] Solutions for solving the above technical problems

[0010] An air conditioner control device according to an embodiment includes an illuminance acquisition unit, a heat load acquisition unit, a target area determination unit, and a derivation unit. The illuminance acquisition unit acquires illuminance measured by a user terminal. The heat load acquisition unit estimates the amount of sunlight based on the acquired illuminance and obtains the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunlight. The target area determination unit determines whether the target area including the location where the user terminal measured the illuminance is a peripheral area. The derivation unit derives a correction value for the air conditioner's set temperature based on the determination result of the target area determination unit and the acquired heat load.

[0011] The control method of an embodiment includes an illuminance acquisition step, a heat load acquisition step, a target area determination step, and a derivation step. The illuminance acquisition step acquires illuminance measured by a user terminal. The heat load acquisition step estimates the amount of sunlight based on the acquired illuminance and obtains the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunlight. The target area determination step determines whether the target area including the location where the user terminal measured the illuminance is a peripheral area. The derivation step derives a correction value for the air conditioner set temperature based on the determination result of the target area determination step and the acquired heat load.

[0012] An air conditioner control system according to an embodiment includes one or more air conditioners and an air conditioner control device for controlling the air conditioners. The air conditioner control device includes an illuminance acquisition unit, a heat load acquisition unit, a target area determination unit, and a derivation unit. The illuminance acquisition unit acquires illuminance measured by a user terminal. The heat load acquisition unit estimates the amount of sunlight based on the acquired illuminance and obtains the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunlight. The target area determination unit determines whether the target area including the location where the user terminal measured the illuminance is a peripheral area. The derivation unit derives a correction value for the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination result of the target area determination unit and the acquired heat load.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a technique for appropriately controlling an air conditioner can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an air conditioner control system including the air conditioner control device according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a specific configuration of an air conditioner control device.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of area information.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of air conditioner corresponding information.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of registration information.

[0020] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing an example of illuminance measurement performed by a user.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the sun's altitude, clear sky index, clarity index, and sky index for each season.

[0022] Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of derivation.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing of the air conditioner control device 100 .

[0024] Figure 10 It is a diagram for explaining the conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an air conditioner control device, a control method, and an air conditioner control system according to embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 The air conditioner control system 10 includes the air conditioner control device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 The system is composed of n air conditioners 200-1, 200-2, ..., 200-n and a user terminal 300. In the following description, the air conditioners 200-1, 200-2, ..., 200-n are referred to as air conditioners 200 unless they are particularly distinguished from each other.

[0027] The air conditioner control device 100 controls the air conditioner 200. The air conditioner 200 is an indoor unit and adjusts its temperature according to the control of the air conditioner control device 100. The air conditioner control device 100 and the air conditioner 200 can communicate using any method, such as wireless or wired communication, that allows the air conditioner control device 100 and the air conditioner 200 to communicate. For example, a general-purpose protocol such as Modbus can be used.

[0028] The user terminal 300 may be an illuminance sensor, a smartphone capable of measuring illuminance, or a smartwatch capable of measuring illuminance, and any device capable of measuring illuminance may be used.

[0029] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the air conditioner control device 100 . The air conditioner control device 100 includes an operation unit 110 , a display unit 111 , a communication unit 112 , a control unit 120 , and a storage unit 140 .

[0030] The operating unit 110 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), touch panel, and buttons. The operator of the air conditioner control device 100 operates the operating unit 110 to input instructions to the air conditioner control device 100. The operating unit 110 may also be an interface for connecting an input device to the air conditioner control device 100. In this case, the operating unit 110 inputs input signals generated by the input device in response to user input to the air conditioner control device 100.

[0031] The display unit 111 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display unit 111 displays, for example, the status of each air conditioner 200. The display unit 111 may also serve as an interface for connecting the image display device to the air conditioner control device 100. In this case, the display unit 111 generates an image signal for displaying the air conditioner control device 100 and outputs the image signal to the connected image display device.

[0032] The communication unit 112 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 112 communicates with the air conditioner 200 and the user terminal 300. The communication unit 112 transmits a control signal indicating the set temperature to the air conditioner 200 and receives information such as the status of the air conditioner 200. Furthermore, the communication unit 112 receives information such as illumination from the user terminal 300.

[0033] The storage unit 140 stores an application 141, area information 142, air conditioner-compatible information 143, and registration information 144. The application 141 is a program executed by the control unit 120 (for example, a program for controlling the air conditioner 200).

[0034] The area information 142 is information indicating the range of an area by east longitude and north latitude, and indicating a specific time period determined based on the influence of sunlight. Figure 3 : is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the area information 142. The area information 142 is composed of an area identifier, a range, a specific time period, and a set heat load. The area identifier is information for uniquely identifying an area. The range is indicated by the east longitude and north latitude as described above. For example, the range is indicated as X≤east longitude≤Y, x≤north latitude≤y, or the range is indicated as within a circle of radius R centered on the east longitude and north latitude. The specific time period indicates a time period in which there is no influence on the sunlight in the area corresponding to the area identifier, or a time period in which the influence on the sunlight in the area is at a negligible level. Examples of the specific time period include nighttime, or a time period in which sunlight is blocked by other buildings such as adjacent buildings. The set heat load is a heat load set for the internal area described later.

[0035] The air conditioner corresponding information 143 is information indicating the air conditioner identifier, wattage, and air-conditionable target area of ​​the air conditioner 200. The target area is an area including the position where the user terminal 300 measures illuminance. Figure 4 143 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioner corresponding information 143. Figure 4In the example, air conditioner corresponding information 143 consists of an air conditioner identifier, wattage, and one or more area identifiers. The air conditioner identifier is information used to uniquely identify the air conditioner 200. The wattage indicates the wattage of the air conditioner 200 corresponding to the air conditioner identifier. The area identifier indicates the area identifier of the area in which the air conditioner 200 corresponding to the air conditioner identifier can perform air conditioning.

[0036] The registration information 144 is information indicating the terminal identification information (for example, IME I, etc.) of the registered user terminal 300 . Figure 5 144 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration information 144. The registration information 144 is composed of one or more terminal identification information. The terminal identification information is information for uniquely identifying the user terminal 300. The terminal identification information is stored in correspondence with the number of registered user terminals.

[0037] Furthermore, when registering user terminal 300, for example, authorized users can be pre-assigned an ID and password, allowing them to register after being authenticated. This pre-registration prevents air conditioning from being performed by unregistered terminals. For example, if the air conditioning control system according to this embodiment is operated in another building, even user terminals used in other buildings cannot be used in unregistered buildings, thus eliminating unnecessary air conditioning by such user terminals.

[0038] The control unit 120 controls the entire air conditioner control device 100. It is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. By executing an application program 141, the control unit 120 implements the functions of the illumination acquisition unit 121, the heat load acquisition unit 122, the target area determination unit 123, the derivation unit 124, the correction value transmission unit 125, and the registration unit 126.

[0039] The illuminance acquisition unit 121 acquires the illuminance measured by the user terminal 300. The heat load acquisition unit 122 estimates the amount of sunlight based on the acquired illuminance and acquires the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunlight. The method for acquiring the heat load will be described later. The target area determination unit 123 determines whether the target area including the location where the user terminal 300 measures the illuminance is a peripheral area. Specifically, the target area determination unit 123 determines whether the target area is a peripheral area by comparing the estimated amount of sunlight with a threshold. In this embodiment, the area outside the peripheral area is referred to as the internal area. If the amount of sunlight is greater than the threshold, the target area determination unit 123 determines that it is a peripheral area; otherwise, it determines that it is an internal area. In addition, the difference in illuminance between outdoor and indoor spaces is large. The illuminance of artificial lighting is approximately 300 to 1,000 lx, while the illuminance outdoors reaches 100,000 lx.

[0040] The derivation unit 124 derives a correction value for the set temperature of the air conditioner 200 based on the determination result of the target area determination unit 123 and the heat load acquired by the heat load acquisition unit 122. The correction value transmission unit 125 transmits the correction value derived by the derivation unit 124 to the air conditioner 200. The registration unit 126 pre-registers the user terminal 300 in the registration information 144.

[0041] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of illuminance measurement performed by a user. Figure 6 200 - 1 , 200 - 2 , 200 - 3 , sunlight indicated by arrows, users, and user terminals 300 are shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the user is present in a surrounding area close to sunlight. In addition, the user measures the illuminance through the user terminal 300 held by the user.

[0042] Next, the method for acquiring the heat load by the heat load acquisition unit 122 will be described. First, in this embodiment, the heat load refers to the total amount of heat (sensible heat load) and moisture (latent heat load) required to maintain a specified temperature. For example, a higher heat load requires a higher-capacity air conditioner. Furthermore, the heat load is expressed as heat per unit time [cal / h] or [W]. However, the heat load varies depending on the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

[0043] In this embodiment, first, the amount of solar radiation is estimated based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 121. The amount of solar radiation is estimated using the following formula 1.

[0044] Sunshine amount [W / m 2 ] = (luminous efficiency [lm / W], precipitation [mm], sun altitude, clarity index) ... Formula 1

[0045] As shown in Equation 1, the amount of sunshine is a function of luminous efficiency, precipitable water [mm], sun altitude, and clarity index.

[0046] The luminous efficiency was calculated using the following formula 2.

[0047] Illuminance [lx] × user area [m 2 ] / wattage [W]…Formula 2

[0048] Illuminance is the illuminance acquired from user terminal 300 . User area is a predetermined area including the location where user terminal 300 measures illuminance, for example, 1.5 m×1.5 m. Wattage is the wattage of air conditioner 200 . This wattage is stored in air conditioner corresponding information 143 .

[0049] The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere converted to liquid water is called the amount of water vapor. This amount is calculated, for example, based on humidity data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Alternatively, the amount of water vapor can be calculated based on the following literature.

[0050] Kondo Junzheng and Xu Jianqing, "Experimental Formula for Estimating Precipitable Water Amount Based on Ground Dew Point Temperature"

[0051] "Empirical formula for estimating the precipitable water from thedew-point temperature at the ground level"

[0052] (Journal of the Society of Hydrology and Water Resources, Vol. 9, No. 5 (1996))

[0053] The sun's altitude is determined by the season and time of day. The clarity index is an index indicating the magnitude of the directivity component and is determined by the season. Therefore, the heat load acquisition unit 122 also acquires the aforementioned humidity, sun's altitude, and clarity index. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the sun's altitude, clear sky index, clarity index, and sky index for each season. These values ​​may be stored in advance as default values, and the amount of sunlight may be estimated by referring to them.

[0054] Furthermore, when calculating the amount of sunshine or the amount of precipitation, regional information (eg, approximately ○○ County, ○○ City) may be input to at least one of the air conditioner control device 100 and the user terminal 300 and the input regional information may be used.

[0055] When the amount of sunlight is estimated from the illuminance, the heat load is acquired by the heat load acquisition unit 122. As described above, in this embodiment, the heat load is acquired by multiplying the amount of sunlight by a predetermined floor area as shown in the following formula 3.

[0056] Estimated heat load [W] = sunlight [W / m 2 ]×floor area [m 2 ]…Formula 3

[0057] Here, as an example, the floor area in Formula 3 is assumed to be the air conditioning range (3 m×3 m) of a custom air conditioner generally used as an office air conditioner.

[0058] When the heat load acquisition unit 122 acquires the heat load, the derivation unit 124 first calculates the following formula 4.

[0059] Heat load difference = estimated heat load - set heat load... Equation 4

[0060] The deriving unit 124 derives a correction value based on the difference in heat load calculated using the above-mentioned equation. Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of derivation. Figure 8 The derivation examples shown show how correction values ​​are derived during cooling and heating operations. For example, if the calculated heat load difference is +1, the correction value is set to -1. In this embodiment, the set temperature is lowered by 1°C in response to the correction value -1.

[0061] If the heat load difference is +1, it can be seen that the target area is heated more than the interior area due to sunlight. That is, during cooling operation, by lowering the set temperature of the air conditioner in the target area by 1°C, the operating capacity of the air conditioner in the target area can be increased compared to other air conditioners. This can improve user comfort. On the other hand, during heating operation, by lowering the set temperature of the air conditioner in the target area by 1°C, the operating capacity of the air conditioner in the target area can be reduced compared to other air conditioners. This can improve user comfort.

[0062] Figure 8 The example shown is merely one example and is determined through testing, experimentation, etc. That is, a difference in correction value may be applied depending on the cooling and heating operation periods. Thus, according to this embodiment, the air conditioner 200 can be appropriately controlled by estimating the heat load and deriving the correction value.

[0063] Figure 9 : is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of the air conditioner control device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 9 In step S101 , the air conditioner control device 100 acquires the illuminance measured by the user terminal 300 , the terminal identification information, and the position information from the user terminal 300 . The position information is information indicating the east longitude and the north latitude.

[0064] The air conditioner control device 100 determines whether the user terminal is registered based on whether the terminal identification information is registered (step S102). If the user terminal is not registered (step S102: No), the air conditioner control device 100 discards the acquired illuminance and ends the process. Alternatively, the illuminance may be acquired only from registered user terminals 300 by confirming whether the user terminal 300 is registered before acquiring the illuminance.

[0065] The air conditioner control device 100 refers to the area information 142 and obtains an area identifier based on the acquired location information, thereby determining the area (step S103). This allows the specific time period of the area to be confirmed. After determining the area, the air conditioner control device 100 determines whether the current time is within the specific time period (step S104). If the current time is within the specific time period (step S104: Yes), the process ends immediately.

[0066] If the current time is not within the specified time period (step S104: No), the air conditioner control device 100 determines whether the acquired illuminance is greater than or equal to the threshold (step S105). If the acquired illuminance is less than the threshold (step S105: No), the air conditioner control device 100 determines that the area is an internal area and terminates the process without deriving a correction value.

[0067] If the acquired illuminance is above the threshold (step S105: Yes), the air conditioner control device 100 estimates the heat load (step S106), identifies the corresponding air conditioner (step S107), and derives a correction value (step S108). The estimation and derivation methods are described above. The air conditioner control device 100 transmits the derived correction value to the air conditioner 200 (step S109), terminating the process. Furthermore, since the destination air conditioner 200 acquired the area identifier in step S103, it can identify the corresponding air conditioner by referring to the air conditioner correspondence information 143.

[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment, a technology for appropriately controlling air conditioners can be provided. In addition, when illuminance sensors are installed in each area as in the conventional technology, these illuminance sensors need to be centrally managed. However, in this embodiment, user terminals are used, so only exchanges with user terminals are required.

[0069] While the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment and includes designs and the like within the scope of the present invention.

[0070] Industrial Applicability

[0071] The present invention can be applied to an air conditioner that includes a surrounding area as an air conditioning target.

[0072] Description of Reference Numerals

[0073] 10Air conditioner control system

[0074] 100 Air Conditioner Control Device

[0075] 110 Operation Department

[0076] 111 Display Department

[0077] 112 Department of Communications

[0078] 120 Control Department

[0079] 121 Illumination Acquisition Department

[0080] 122 Heat Load Acquisition Department

[0081] 123 target area determination unit

[0082] 124 export department

[0083] 125 Correction value sending unit

[0084] 126 Registration Department

[0085] 140 Storage Department

[0086] 141 applications

[0087] 142 area information

[0088] 143 Air Conditioner Corresponding Information

[0089] 144 Registration Information

[0090] 200 air conditioners

[0091] 300 user terminals.

Claims

1. An air conditioner control device, characterized in that: have: an illuminance acquisition unit, which acquires the illuminance measured by the user terminal; a heat load acquisition unit, which estimates the amount of sunshine based on the acquired illuminance and acquires the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunshine; an object area determination unit configured to determine whether the object area including the location where the user terminal measures illuminance is a peripheral area; The deriving unit derives a correction value of the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination result of the target area determination unit and the acquired heat load.

2. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein The heat load acquisition unit derives the solar radiation amount by multiplying the area of ​​the target region.

3. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein The target area determination unit determines whether the target area is a peripheral area by comparing the estimated amount of solar radiation with a threshold value.

4. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein The deriving unit derives a correction value based on the acquired heat load and a heat load preset for each target area.

5. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein A correction value sending unit is provided to send the derived correction value to the air conditioner. The correction value transmitting unit transmits the correction value to an air conditioner capable of air-conditioning a target area.

6. The air conditioner control device according to claim 1, wherein A registration unit for pre-registering the user terminal is provided, The illuminance acquisition unit does not acquire illuminance measured by terminals other than the registered user terminal, or discards the acquired illuminance even if it is acquired.

7. The air conditioner control device according to claim 5, wherein: In the target area, a specific time period is set according to the influence of sunlight. When the current time is included in the specific time period, the correction value transmitting unit does not transmit the correction value.

8. A control method for an air conditioner control device, characterized in that: have: an illuminance obtaining step, obtaining the illuminance measured by the user terminal; a heat load acquisition step, estimating the amount of sunshine based on the acquired illuminance, and obtaining the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunshine; an object area determination step of determining whether the object area including the location where the user terminal measures illumination is a peripheral area; The deriving step derives a correction value of the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination result of the target area determination step and the acquired heat load.

9. An air conditioner control system comprising one or more air conditioners and an air conditioner control device for controlling the air conditioners, characterized in that: The air conditioner control device comprises: an illuminance acquisition unit, which acquires the illuminance measured by the user terminal; a heat load acquisition unit, which estimates the amount of sunshine based on the acquired illuminance and acquires the heat load based on the estimated amount of sunshine; an object area determination unit configured to determine whether the object area including the location where the user terminal measures illuminance is a peripheral area; The deriving unit derives a correction value of the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination result of the target area determination unit and the acquired heat load.

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