Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system is provided. With respect to an air conditioner provided in a car of an elevator, a building owner or the like uses a wireless remote controller to make settings of temperature, power on / off, but it is difficult to frequently re-set to be optimal. The air conditioning system has: an air conditioner provided in a car of an elevator, which performs air conditioning in the car; and an air conditioner management server which manages a plurality of air conditioners, the air conditioner management server having an air conditioning program generation section which generates an air conditioning program containing a set temperature of air conditioning based on building type information including a number of floors of an elevator, presence / absence of a perspective, presence / absence of an adjacent floor outside, a building type of a building in which the elevator is provided, and a region, and the air conditioner operates based on the air conditioning program.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the air conditioning system of an elevator. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding the air conditioning unit installed inside the elevator car, the temperature and power on / off settings are configured using a wireless remote control. In this case, the settings are made by the building owner or building management company.

[0003] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit of the elevator in Patent Document 1 stores the times when air conditioning is enhanced. Moreover, in the past, during periods when air conditioning was frequently enhanced, the air conditioning was enhanced even when the car was empty, regardless of the number of passengers. This ensures that the car is adequately cooled during peak passenger times, improving the comfort of elevator users.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-103795 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] Building owners typically lack knowledge about air conditioning systems. Furthermore, due to the varying conditions of different buildings, even building management companies find it difficult to frequently set the system to its optimal state. In the air conditioning system of the elevator described in Patent Document 1, even if the air conditioning settings are changed based on operational performance midway through the trip, the owner or others must still adjust the settings before obtaining the actual performance data. Moreover, if the initial settings are incorrect, the incorrect settings will persist.

[0009] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The aim is to provide an air conditioning system that operates optimally from an earlier stage after elevator installation.

[0010] means for solving problems

[0011] The air conditioning system disclosed herein includes: an air conditioner installed in the elevator car to provide air conditioning for the car; and an air conditioning management server that manages multiple air conditioners. The air conditioning management server has an air conditioning program generation unit that generates an air conditioning program containing a set temperature for the air conditioner based on building category information including the number of floors of the elevator, whether there is a view, whether there are adjacent floors outdoors, the building category of the building where the elevator is installed, and the region. The air conditioners operate based on the air conditioning program.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to this disclosure, the elevator's air conditioning unit can be optimally operated from an earlier stage after the elevator is installed. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing the general structure of the elevator in Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the general structure of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the air conditioner management server in Implementation Method 1.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an example of air conditioner data registered in the housing category air conditioner DB in Implementation Method 1.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the air conditioning program setting in Implementation Method 1.

[0019] Figure 6 This is the house category input screen in Implementation Method 1.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the air conditioner management server in Implementation Method 2. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0022] Implementation method 1.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing the general structure of an elevator.

[0024] The elevator car 1 is located in the shaft 2 within the building. The car 1 moves between multiple floors within the shaft 2.

[0025] A machine room 3 is located directly above the shaft 2. The machine room 3 contains a traction machine 4, a traction machine control panel 5, a guide wheel 6, and an elevator control device 7.

[0026] The car 1 and the counterweight 8 are connected to the two ends of the rope 9 respectively. The rope 9 is hung on the traction machine 4 and the guide pulley 6, thus suspending the car 1 and the counterweight 8.

[0027] In this elevator, the traction machine control panel 5 controls the rotation and stop of the traction machine 4, thereby causing the car 1, which is located in the hoistway 2, to travel in the upward or downward direction.

[0028] On each floor, a landing 12 is located in front of the landing door 11 for taking the elevator. Furthermore, the landing door 11 also opens in conjunction with the car 1 arriving at each floor and the car door 10 opening via a drive motor. At this time, users located at landing 12 can enter the car 1. An elevator air conditioning unit 100 is installed on the ceiling of the car 1.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the general structure of an air conditioning system.

[0030] The air conditioner 100 mainly consists of a refrigerant circuit 110, a control unit 120, and a communication unit 121. Furthermore, at least one in-car sensor 130 is installed inside the car 1. Examples of in-car sensors 130 include temperature sensors and humidity sensors. In addition, illuminance sensors, human presence sensors, and barometric pressure sensors are also acceptable.

[0031] The air conditioner 100 achieves cooling and heating in the car 1 by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 110.

[0032] In refrigeration mode, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from compressor 111 is conveyed to the first heat exchanger 113 via four-way valve 112. In the first heat exchanger 113, a blower (not shown) operates, thereby drawing in outside air from shaft 2 and discharging it out of shaft 2 through the first heat exchanger 113. In the first heat exchanger 113, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant dissipates heat to the outside air drawn in from shaft 2, becoming a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0033] The liquid refrigerant changes from high pressure to low pressure via expansion valve 114. In the second heat exchanger 115, a blower (not shown) operates, drawing in air from the car 1 and discharging it back into the car 1. In the second heat exchanger 115, the low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in the car 1, becoming a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The cooled air is then blown into the car 1. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is compressed by compressor 111 via four-way valve 112.

[0034] In addition, during heating, the refrigerant flow is reversed using the four-way valve 112. That is, the refrigerant flows through the compressor 111, the four-way valve 112, the second heat exchanger 115, the expansion valve 114, the first heat exchanger 113, the four-way valve 112, and the compressor 111.

[0035] The control unit 120 controls the equipment in the refrigerant circuit 110. For example, the control unit 120 obtains temperature information from a temperature sensor, which serves as a car interior sensor 130. Then, it controls the speed of the compressor 111, the airflow to the first heat exchanger 113 and the second heat exchanger 115, the opening degree of the expansion valve 114, etc., to achieve the set temperature. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 120 obtains humidity information from a humidity sensor, which also serves as a car interior sensor 130, and controls the equipment in the refrigerant circuit 110 accordingly. Additionally, for example, the control unit 120 starts and stops the operation of the refrigerant circuit 110 based on an operating plan. These settings and operating plans constitute the air conditioning program.

[0036] The communication unit 121 performs communication processing with external devices. The communication unit 121 is connected to the elevator control device 7, enabling the transmission and reception of information in a wired or wireless manner.

[0037] The elevator control device 7 is connected to the air conditioning management server 200 via the communication network 300, enabling it to send and receive information. Furthermore, the air conditioning management server 200 comprehensively manages the air conditioning units in multiple elevators. The scope of management is location-independent; it can be anywhere in Japan.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the air conditioner management server 200.

[0039] The air conditioner management server 200 includes a communication unit 201, a building category air conditioner DB (database) 202, an air conditioner program generation unit 203, an air conditioner status monitoring unit 204, and an air conditioner program adjustment unit 205.

[0040] The communications department 201 is responsible for communication processing with external devices. In the housing category air conditioner DB202, an air conditioning program consisting of the operation plans and control settings of all the air conditioners 100 under its management is registered in association with the housing category.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a data example of air conditioner unit 100 registered under the housing category air conditioner DB202. Figure 4 In this context, the following information is linked: House ID 202a, floor number 202b, presence or absence of perspective 202c, building type 202d, presence or absence of adjacent outdoor floors 202e, region 202f, and air conditioning program 202g. Additionally, floor number 202b, presence or absence of perspective 202c, building type 202d, presence or absence of adjacent outdoor floors 202e, and region 202f become part of the house category information.

[0042] The building ID 202a is an inherent identifier set to identify the air conditioning unit of the managed elevator.

[0043] Floor number 202b represents the total number of floors in this elevator. At higher locations, the air pressure is lower compared to lower locations. Therefore, in higher elevators, air conditioning control based on air pressure sensor values ​​is sometimes necessary. Furthermore, in taller buildings, the shaft 2 that exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger 113 becomes longer. In shorter buildings, the shaft 2 becomes shorter. Thus, the building height affects the air conditioning in the car 1. Floor number 202b is a factor to be considered in the air conditioning program of the car 1.

[0044] The presence or absence of a glass wall (202c) refers to the presence of a glass wall that allows a view of the hoistway from the outside. In the case of a glass wall, direct sunlight sometimes enters the car 1, causing the temperature to rise. Furthermore, it can sometimes feel hot to the touch. Therefore, air conditioning control based on the values ​​from the illuminance sensor inside the car 1 is sometimes necessary. Even without an illuminance sensor, it is sometimes best to lower the set temperature in summer. The presence or absence of a glass wall is a factor to be considered in the air conditioning program of the car 1.

[0045] Building category 202d refers to the building's type, such as "apartment," "station," "factory," "department store," "office building," or "parking lot." The number of passengers in car 1 and peak hours vary depending on the building category. The building category is a factor to be considered in the air conditioning program for car 1.

[0046] Whether or not there is an adjacent outdoor floor (202e) refers to whether the elevator's landing is located outdoors. If the landing is outdoors, when the door of car 1 opens, outside air directly enters car 1, sometimes causing a rapid change in temperature inside car 1. Whether or not there is an adjacent outdoor floor is a factor to be considered in the air conditioning program of car 1.

[0047] Region 202f is the address of the building, up to the city level. Temperature varies by region. Region is a factor to be considered in the air conditioning program of car 1.

[0048] The air conditioning program 202g includes various parameters actually used during the operation of the air conditioner. These include operating modes such as heating / cooling / air supply / dehumidification, set temperature, operating time range at that set temperature, reference for set temperature changes, and change progression. It also includes an operating schedule. The air conditioner 100 of each building ID202a is based on... Figure 4 The associated air conditioning program 202g performs the action.

[0049] After the elevator is installed in the building, the air conditioning program generation unit 203 generates the initial air conditioning program based on the building category information.

[0050] The air conditioning status monitoring unit 204 remotely monitors the operation status of the managed air conditioner 100. The air conditioning program adjustment unit 205 adjusts the air conditioning program based on the actual operation status of the air conditioner 100. Furthermore, the adjusted air conditioning program is reflected in the air conditioning program 202g of the building type air conditioner DB202.

[0051] Next, based on Figure 5 The flowchart of the air conditioning program generation illustrates the process from the installation and adjustment of the elevator in the building until the air conditioner 100 is activated.

[0052] First, the building owner or installer uses the installation terminal connected to the control unit 120 to... Figure 6 Enter the housing category information on the screen shown (step S001). Additionally, the housing ID is issued when the elevator and air conditioning management contract is signed and is already registered in the air conditioning management server 200.

[0053] then, Figure 6 The housing category information entered in the system is sent from the control unit 120 to the elevator control device 7, and then sent to the air conditioner management server 200 via the communication network 300.

[0054] The air conditioner management server 200 receives housing category information through the communication unit 201 (step S002).

[0055] The housing category information is sent from the communication unit 201 to the air conditioning program generation unit 203. In the air conditioning program generation unit 203, based on the housing category information, the housing category air conditioning DB202 is retrieved, and information on multiple housing IDs that are consistent with or similar to the housing category information is extracted (step S003).

[0056] Next, the air conditioning programs of the extracted multiple house IDs are parsed to generate an air conditioning program for the new air conditioner being sent (step S004).

[0057] The air conditioning procedure was registered together with the new housing category under Housing Category Air Conditioning DB202 (Step S005).

[0058] In addition, the signal is simultaneously transmitted from the communications unit 201 to the air conditioner 100 via the communications network 300 and the elevator control device 7 (step S006).

[0059] In the air conditioner 100, the control unit 120 starts the air conditioner operation based on the air conditioner program (step S007).

[0060] Subsequently, in the air conditioner 100, the control unit 120, according to the air conditioning program, observes the values ​​of the sensors 130 inside the car while controlling the equipment in the refrigerant circuit 110.

[0061] In such situations, building owners sometimes change settings via wireless remote control. For example, during daytime hours, if they receive complaints about high passenger volume or heat, they may lower the set temperature.

[0062] Furthermore, the current air conditioning system sometimes fails to achieve a sufficiently comfortable state. For example, there are periods when passengers are concentrated, during which the temperature in car 1 rises sharply.

[0063] Such operational information, including external setting changes, values ​​detected by the car's sensors 130, and control status of various devices in the control unit 120, is also sent from the communication unit 121 to the air conditioning management server 200. This operational information is monitored by the air conditioning status monitoring unit 204 and is accumulated sequentially.

[0064] The air conditioning program adjustment unit 205 analyzes the information stored by the air conditioning status monitoring unit 204 and adjusts the air conditioning program accordingly.

[0065] For example, after starting operation in the morning, the time required to reach the set temperature is measured, assuming it takes a certain amount of time to reach the set temperature. In this case, the start time of operation is adjusted. For example, the start time is advanced by an amount corresponding to the time taken to reach the set temperature, so that the set temperature is reached at the start of operation.

[0066] Furthermore, during the daytime hours, the temperature detected by sensor 130 inside the car sometimes rises sharply. In such cases, the set temperature for that time period may be lowered.

[0067] The adjusted air conditioning program is sent to the air conditioner 100 via the communication unit 201. The air conditioner 100 then controls its operation using the adjusted air conditioning program.

[0068] Thus, in Implementation Method 1, if housing category information is input initially, an air conditioning program is generated by referring to the air conditioning programs of similar air conditioners. Therefore, no settings are required from building owners, reducing the workload. Furthermore, without proper settings made by building owners lacking knowledge, appropriate operation of the air conditioner can be ensured to some extent based on the building's condition.

[0069] Furthermore, adjustments based on the air conditioning program adjustment unit 205 can also be made according to external conditions.

[0070] For example, a sensor installed on the exterior of the building is connected to the control unit 120. Then, the air conditioning status monitoring unit 204 obtains external temperature and humidity information from the control unit 120 and tracks its historical changes. If the maximum and minimum external air temperatures remain below any given temperature for a certain number of days, or if the average maximum temperature over several days is below a certain threshold, the air conditioning program adjustment unit 205 adds a setting to automatically turn the power on / off to the air conditioning program. This reduces standby power consumption, resulting in energy savings. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to cut off the air conditioner's power during seasonal transitions, such as at the end of summer. Alternatively, a setting can be added to the air conditioning program to increase the air conditioner's set temperature by a predetermined value when the external temperature is below a certain threshold.

[0071] In addition, an external weather information station is connected to the control unit 120. The air conditioning program adjustment unit 205 calculates the sunrise / sunset times for the area based on the local information of the house. Corresponding settings can also be added to the air conditioning program.

[0072] Furthermore, more detailed information can be entered as a housing category. For example, daily characteristics of the housing, such as the elevator's location, the height and distance of adjacent houses / obstacles, the size of the elevator car, and electrical / thermal characteristics such as shaft wall thickness and material. For housing susceptible to sunlight, the impact of external temperature should be considered when the air conditioner is running. In addition, elevator stop times and building closing times can also be added.

[0073] Implementation method 2.

[0074] In implementation method 2, AI (artificial intelligence) technology is used to generate the air conditioning program.

[0075] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the air conditioner management server 200 in Implementation Method 2.

[0076] Here, model 206, which has been fully learned, has been added. Additionally, regarding other structures, due to... Figure 3 Since they are the same, they are marked with the same symbols and the explanation is omitted.

[0077] After learning, Model 206 can learn from a large amount of data consisting of housing category information and the air conditioning program used in the air conditioner corresponding to that housing category information, and infer the air conditioning program based on the housing category information.

[0078] Air conditioning program generation department 203 according to Figure 6 The system uses the housing category information input into the model to infer and generate an air conditioning program after the model has been learned (model 206).

[0079] By using AI, more appropriate air conditioning programs can be generated.

[0080] The preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, but are not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0081] Furthermore, when numerical values ​​such as the number, quantity, amount, and range of each element are mentioned in the embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein is not limited to those mentioned values, unless specifically stated otherwise or explicitly determined in principle. Additionally, the structures described in these embodiments are not necessarily essential, except when specifically stated otherwise or explicitly determined in principle.

[0082] Label Explanation

[0083] 1. Car, 2. Hoistway, 3. Machine Room, 4. Traction Machine, 5. Traction Machine Control Panel, 6. Deflector Sheave, 7. Elevator Control Device, 8. Counterweight, 9. Rope, 10. Car Door, 11. Landing Door, 12. Landing Door, 100. Air Conditioner, 110. Refrigerant Circuit, 111. Compressor, 112. Four-Way Valve, 113. First Heat Exchanger, 114. Expansion Valve, 115. Second Heat Exchanger, 120. Control Unit, 121. Communication Unit, 130. Car Sensors, 200. Air Conditioner Management Server, 201. Communication Unit, 202. Building Category Air Conditioner DB, 203. Air Conditioner Program Setting Unit, 204. Air Conditioner Status Monitoring Unit, 205. Air Conditioner Program Adjustment Unit, 206. Model Completed.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioner installed in an elevator car for air conditioning the car; and an air conditioner management server for managing multiple air conditioners, characterized in that... The air conditioner management server has an air conditioner program generation unit. This unit generates an air conditioner program that includes the set temperature of the air conditioner based on building category information, including the number of floors of the elevator, whether there is a view, whether there are adjacent floors outdoors, the building category of the building where the elevator is located, and the region. The air conditioner operates based on the air conditioner program.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner management server has a housing category air conditioner database that associates the housing category information of the air conditioner with the air conditioner program. The air conditioner program generation unit uses the air conditioner programs of other air conditioners stored in the housing category air conditioner database to generate the air conditioner program.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air conditioner management server has the following features: The air conditioning status monitoring unit monitors the operating status of the air conditioner; and The air conditioning program adjustment unit adjusts the air conditioning program based on the aforementioned operating conditions.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air conditioning status monitoring unit monitors external temperature and humidity information, and the air conditioning program adjustment unit adjusts the air conditioning program based on the external temperature and humidity information.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air conditioning status monitoring unit monitors the sunrise / sunset times of the area, and the air conditioning program adjustment unit adjusts the air conditioning program based on the sunrise / sunset times.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner management server has a learned model, which is generated by learning the house category information of the air conditioner and the air conditioner program. The air conditioner program generation unit inputs the house category information into the learned model to infer the air conditioner program.

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