Characterizing an air-conditioned room

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100; 200) in which the air-conditioning of a virtual model of a real room (10) is simulated (106; 206) using a virtual model of a real air-conditioning device (12). Furthermore, at least two values of a characteristic which relates to the air-conditioning process are ascertained (180; 208) using the simulated air- conditioning of the room (10). The values of the characteristic ascertained in this manner are then compared (110; 210) with a specifiable requirement profile.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Characterization of an air-conditioned room

[0003] The invention relates to a method by means of which a characterization of the air conditioning of a room is possible. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for carrying out the method, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium.

[0004] The air conditioning of a room to be air-conditioned has to meet different requirements depending on its intended use. The air conditioning of offices or passenger compartments, for example, primarily serves the purpose of bound ventilation and to achieve a certain level of comfort or well-being, in particular thermal comfort. If, on the other hand, storage rooms are air-conditioned, the aim of the air conditioning is to store goods such as food or furniture for as long as possible with the least possible disruption. In order to prove that the air conditioning of the room meets predetermined requirements, extensive measurements of parameters such as temperature, humidity or flow speeds in the room have been necessary. For rail-bound vehicles, for example, such requirements are specified in standardized requirement profiles.For example, requirements for comfort in rail-bound vehicles are specified by the technical standards EN 13129, EN 14750 or EN 14813. This makes it possible, for example, to characterize the air conditioning with regard to passenger comfort. However, this characterization has so far only been possible using complex measuring setups. This involves measuring, for example, a spatial temperature distribution, a spatial and / or temporal variation of flow speeds within the room or a distribution of air humidity values ​​within the room. In addition, a distinction is made between requirement profiles which relate to a thermodynamically stationary state and those which relate to a thermodynamically transient state. Depending on the requirement profile, characterizing the air conditioning of a room therefore entails a very extensive measurement effort.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a simplified and cost-effective method for characterizing the air conditioning of a room.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method having the features of independent claim 1 .

[0007] Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of providing a system for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0008] This problem is solved by a system according to the features of the subordinate system claim.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of providing a computer program and a computer program product.

[0010] This object is achieved by a computer program according to the features of the independent computer program claim and by a computer-readable medium according to the features of the independent claim 16.

[0011] Advantageous further developments of the present invention can be found in the respective dependent subclaims.

[0012] In the method according to the invention, the values ​​of a parameter related to air conditioning in a room are determined. In the present context, air conditioning is to be understood as air treatment in the sense of room ventilation technology, in which air is treated which is supplied to or removed from a room. Typically, air conditioning is used to control the temperature, dehumidify or disinfect it. A parameter relating to the air conditioning of a room is, for example, a temperature, air humidity or flow velocity. In particular, the method according to the invention is a computer-implemented method. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferably a method for characterizing the air conditioning of a room.

[0013] The method according to the invention provides for creating a virtual model of a real room. The virtual model of the real room preferably has interior furnishings and / or people or objects usually present in the real room. In particular, the virtual model of the real room represents a piping system with supply and exhaust air openings of an air conditioning system. Furthermore, according to the invention, a virtual model of a real air conditioning unit is created. This air conditioning unit preferably has essential components required for air conditioning, such as a refrigeration circuit, a compressor, a fan, a ventilator, a heat exchanger and / or a heating device. Using the virtual model of the real air conditioning unit, air conditioning of the virtual model of the real room is then simulated by the virtual air conditioning unit.For this purpose, the virtual model of the air conditioning unit is preferably virtually linked to the duct system located in the virtual model of the real room and thus to the supply and exhaust air openings distributed within the room. This also makes it possible to make improvements to the virtual model of the room and / or the air conditioning unit based on changes in the position of the supply and exhaust air openings as well as based on changes in a cross-sectional area or a geometry of the supply and exhaust air openings. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a position of duct runs or an arrangement and positioning of interior fittings is optimized with a view to improved air conditioning. The properties of the air conditioning system in the room can thus be optimized in a simple manner.

[0014] Furthermore, the method according to the invention provides for at least two values ​​of the characteristic variable to be determined by means of the simulated air conditioning of the room. The values ​​of the characteristic variable determined in this way are then compared with a predefinable requirement profile. These determined values ​​are then preferably output. In this way, the air conditioning of a room can be easily characterized. For example, requirements for comfort and / or a feeling of coziness caused by air conditioning in a room can be easily verified. Furthermore, the effects of the aforementioned changes within the room on the air conditioning can be quickly determined. A previously complex and cost-intensive verification of requirements for air conditioning in the room can thus be simplified and accelerated.In particular, after verification and / or validation of the method according to the invention, complex and extensive measurement setups can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the method is suitable for saving costs, personnel expenditure, and time expenditure. In particular, energy costs incurred in characterizing the room's air conditioning can be saved.

[0015] An advantageous further development involves simulating the air conditioning of the room using control software designed to operate the actual air conditioning unit. This makes it easy to determine the effects and optimization options of the provided control software. Potential software-related errors can thus be quickly and easily identified and corrected.

[0016] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that the virtual model of the real air conditioning unit is controlled by means of a virtual model of a control device intended for the purpose of controlling the real air conditioning unit. This makes it possible to determine the values ​​of the characteristic variable in a realistic manner. Furthermore, this allows for cost-effective optimization and the determination of the operational reliability of the control device in a virtualized state.

[0017] An additional or alternative advantageous development provides for the virtual model of the real air conditioning unit to be controlled by a real control device. This eliminates the need for complex virtualization of the control device. Furthermore, influences on the control of the air conditioning system caused by behavior of physical components of the control device that are difficult to simulate can be easily taken into account when determining the values. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the parameter values ​​determined by simulation.

[0018] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that the model of the room is created as a detailed virtual model. On the basis of the detailed virtual model of the room, air conditioning in a thermodynamically stationary state is simulated. In this way, precise values ​​of the parameter can be determined. Preferably, when creating the detailed virtual room, a detailed geometry of side walls, a floor and a ceiling is taken into account. It is also conceivable that the structure of the side walls, the floor and the ceiling is taken into account in the detailed virtual room. For example, the influence of insulation layers or possible cold and heat bridges can be included in the simulation. A detailed virtual model of the room is particularly suitable for determining a temperature distribution in the room or flow velocities at predetermined points in the room.In the context of the thermodynamically steady state, the room under consideration is preferably in a state of equilibrium. External influences are kept constant. In addition, during a simulation of air conditioning in a thermodynamically steady state, no change in the position of persons or objects within the virtual model of the room is typically planned.

[0019] Another advantageous development provides that the virtual model of the room is created as an abstracted virtual model. In particular, the abstracted virtual model is modeled in a simplified manner compared to the detailed virtual model of the room. Preferably, the abstracted model of the room is the detailed model of the room at a reduced resolution and / or with a reduced spatial dimension, such as a 2D model or even an ID model. On the basis of the abstracted model of the room, air conditioning is simulated in a thermodynamically unsteady state. In the thermodynamically unsteady state, predetermined external conditions, such as an outside temperature or an outside air humidity, are subject to a temporal change.For example, the movement of people in the room, an increase or decrease in humidity and / or temperature due to people or changes in the room, or a change in the position of interior furnishings in the room can be considered as factors influencing the room's climate control. The abstracted model of the room thus enables a simulation of the room's climate control in real time.

[0020] This is particularly important when the abstracted model is controlled by means of the real control device.

[0021] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that at least part of the virtual model of the room and / or at least part of the virtual model of the air conditioning unit is created as a three-dimensional numerical fluid mechanics model. In this way, the values ​​of the characteristic variable can be determined using a three-dimensional numerical flow simulation known to those skilled in the art, also referred to as 3D CFD flow simulation. This allows a reliable determination of a three-dimensional distribution of thermodynamic variables in the room.

[0022] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides for the determination of values ​​for various parameters based on the simulated air conditioning. This enables a simple and cost-effective comprehensive characterization of a room's air conditioning system with regard to predetermined technical requirement profiles.

[0023] A further advantageous development provides for the creation of a virtual model of the interior of a rail-bound vehicle. This interior can be, among other things, a passenger compartment, an on-board bistro, a driver's cab or a storage room. Values ​​of the parameter within the interior are determined on the basis of the simulated air conditioning of the interior. The otherwise very complex characterization of large interiors and the associated complex measurement setup can be greatly simplified in this way. In particular, a cost-effective method can be provided in this way. Furthermore, a simple and inexpensive optimization and characterization of the air conditioning of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle can be carried out in this way.

[0024] An advantageous embodiment of the further development provides that by means of the simulated air conditioning of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle, a value distribution of the parameter in the room is determined. In real measurement setups, the number of measuring points is usually limited due to the associated effort and costs. Therefore, in these cases, an interpolation of measured values ​​between the individual measuring points was usually used. However, this entails a certain degree of uncertainty. Due to the simulation of the air conditioning of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle, an arbitrarily dense network of measuring points can be determined easily and inexpensively. This enables a

[0025] To increase the quality and significance of the determined values.

[0026] A further advantageous development provides that a changing number of passengers, pieces of luggage and / or other general cargo within the interior is simulated by means of the virtual model of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the advantageous embodiment variant provides that a changing position of passengers, pieces of luggage and / or other general cargo within the interior is simulated by means of the virtual model of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle. In particular, for this purpose a simulation is carried out using the abstracted model of the space already described. In this way, realistic processes within the rail-bound vehicle, such as passenger changes or changes of luggage, can be simulated in real time.

[0027] The method according to the invention can be carried out using the system according to the invention.

[0028] The system according to the invention has a data processing device. This data processing device is set up to carry out the method according to the invention. The data processing device can be a computer, a microcontroller, a processor or a programmable hardware component. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the data processing device is a virtualized hardware resource of a computer cloud or a runtime environment with variable computing and / or storage capacities. In the present context, such a runtime environment should be understood in the sense of computer science. For example, the runtime environment is configured to read, write, transmit and / or manage data. Furthermore, the system has a control device. This control device is set up to control the operation of a real air conditioning unit.In particular, the air conditioning unit mentioned is the air conditioning unit previously described in connection with the method. Furthermore, the control device can be connected to the data processing device in such a way that an air conditioning system simulated by means of the data processing device can be controlled. In this way, particularly realistic circumstances can be taken into account when determining the values. Furthermore, the system enables a cost-effective determination of values ​​of a parameter relating to the air conditioning of a room. Furthermore, the quality of the determined values ​​can be improved in this way.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to carry out the method according to the invention. Said data processing device is, in particular, the data processing device already described above.

[0030] In addition, a computer program is proposed which comprises instructions which, when executed, cause the system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0031] The invention further provides a computer-readable medium. This has instructions which, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to carry out the method according to the invention. The said data processing device is, in particular, the data processing device already described. Alternatively or additionally, the computer-readable medium has instructions which, when executed on the data processing device, cause the system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB or flash memory, or a non-physical medium such as a data stream and / or a data carrier signal.

[0032] The properties, features and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, are explained in more detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description of the embodiments of the invention. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same or corresponding elements of the invention. The embodiments serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features. Furthermore, all features specified in the embodiment can be considered in isolation and combined as appropriate with the features of any claim.

[0033] It shows :

[0034] FIG 1 shows a first example of the method according to the invention, in which values ​​of a parameter related to air conditioning are determined in a thermodynamically stationary state;

[0035] FIG 2 shows a second example of the method according to the invention, in which values ​​of the characteristic variable related to the air conditioning are determined in a thermodynamically unsteady state;

[0036] 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic representation, as well as an illustration of the first and second examples of the method according to the invention. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first example of a method 100 for characterizing air conditioning in the interior of a rail-bound vehicle. For characterization, in the present example, values ​​of a parameter relating to air conditioning are determined 108 in a thermodynamically stationary state. The said parameter can be, for example, a temperature, a flow velocity and / or an air humidity. A virtual model of the interior 10 has, for example, a predetermined temperature and a predetermined air humidity, which differs in particular from an outside temperature and an air humidity outside the interior 10.For the sake of simplicity, a temperature distribution in the interior 10 is determined 108 as an example parameter below. Instead of the temperature distribution or in addition to determining the temperature distribution, it is conceivable, among other things, to determine a flow velocity, a distribution of air humidity and / or a distribution of atmospheric oxygen values ​​or CO / CO2 values ​​in the interior 10.

[0037] For this purpose, the virtual model of the interior 10 is created 102 as a detailed model of the real interior of the rail-bound vehicle. For this purpose, a three-dimensional numerical flow simulation model of the real interior is created 102 as an example. Among other things, seats, luggage racks, and aisle and compartment areas (not shown in detail) are virtualized therein. Furthermore, the three-dimensional virtual model of the interior 10 includes a ventilation duct system and associated supply and exhaust air openings for distributing treated room air.

[0038] Furthermore, a virtual model of a real air conditioning unit (not shown in detail) is created 104. This virtualized air conditioning unit 12 has, for example, a refrigeration circuit (not shown in detail) with a compressor and a heat exchanger as well as a heating register. In addition, a virtual model of a control device 18 (not shown initially) is created. This control device 18 is set up to control the real air conditioning unit. In addition, operation of the virtual air conditioning unit 12 is simulated 106 by means of control software provided for operating the real air conditioning unit. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the virtual model of the air conditioning unit 12 to be controlled 112 by means of the real control device 18, which is set up to control the real air conditioning unit.

[0039] For the purpose of determining the temperature values, air conditioning of the virtual interior 10 by the virtual air conditioning unit 12 is simulated 106. In the present example of the method 100, a temperature distribution within the interior 10 in the thermodynamically stationary state is determined 108 in this way. The temperature values ​​determined in this way are then compared 110 with a requirement profile for the temperature value distribution. This requirement profile can be the requirement profile specified by a technical standard. Such a standard is, for example, EN 13129, EN 14750, EN 14813. Furthermore, the determined temperature distribution is output 114 in the presently described example of the method 100. The output 114 can, for example, be visualized on a screen. It is conceivable here for the temperature values ​​within the interior 10 to be output in a color-coded manner 114.

[0040] Using the example of method 100 described in connection with FIG. 1, further parameters of a requirement profile, such as a flow velocity and / or air humidity as well as their value distribution in the interior 10, can be determined 108 and compared 110 with the requirement profile in the manner described above. In this way, in particular, a characterization of passenger comfort in an interior 10 designed, for example, as a passenger compartment can be carried out. Furthermore, this can provide evidence that a predetermined requirement profile is met.

[0041] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second example of a method 200 for characterizing air conditioning of the interior of the rail-bound vehicle described in connection with FIG. 1. For characterization, in the second example of method 200, in contrast to the first example of method 100, values ​​of a characteristic variable related to air conditioning are determined 208 in a thermodynamically transient state.

[0042] For this purpose, in the second example of the method 200 for determining the said values ​​of the characteristic variable related to air conditioning, a time-varying virtual model of the real interior is created 202. This virtual model of the interior 10 is also created 202 as an abstracted model of the real interior. In the present case, for this purpose, by way of example, a resolution of the faithfully reproduced, three-dimensional numerical fluid mechanics model explained in connection with FIG. 1 is reduced. In this way, time-varying thermodynamic states can also be simulated 206. Furthermore, this makes it possible to implement a simulation 206 of the air conditioning of the interior 10 in real time.Furthermore, it is conceivable that a changing number of passengers, pieces of luggage and / or other general cargo within the interior 10 is simulated 206 by means of the virtual model of the interior 10 of the rail-bound vehicle. In addition, a changing position of passengers, pieces of luggage and / or other general cargo in the interior 10 and an influence of these processes can be simulated 206 by means of the virtual model of the interior 10. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can relate to an oxygen concentration or a carbon dioxide concentration, which is influenced by a number and a position of people in the interior 10. Furthermore, a virtual model of a real air conditioning unit 12 is created 204. The air conditioning of the virtual interior 10 is simulated 206 by means of the virtual air conditioning unit 12 in the aforementioned manner.Here, the virtual air conditioning unit 12 is controlled 212 by means of a real control device 18 provided for the purpose of controlling the real air conditioning unit. This real control device 18 is also operated by means of the control software provided for operating the real air conditioning unit. In this way, the air conditioning of the interior 10 is simulated 206 by means of the control software provided for operating the real air conditioning unit. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that a virtual model of the real control device 18 (not shown initially) is created and the virtual model of the air conditioning unit 12 is controlled 212 using this virtual control device 18. Likewise, operation of the air conditioning unit 12 would be simulated 206 by means of software provided for controlling the real air conditioning unit.

[0043] Using the simulation 206 of the air conditioning of the interior 10, a value distribution of a temperature in this interior 10 is determined 208, for example. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a flow velocity, an air humidity or other parameters relating to the air conditioning of the interior are determined 208, in particular in parallel to the determination of the temperature values. Furthermore, in the present example of the method 200, time courses of the respectively determined values ​​of the parameter are determined 208. These determined values ​​are then compared 210 with the predeterminable requirement profile described as an example in connection with FIG. 1. Parameters relating to a characterization of the air conditioning in a transient state that are difficult to measure and prove can thus be reliably determined. Furthermore, this enables simple and reliable verification of the fulfillment of a predeterminable requirement profile.The temperature values ​​determined by way of example in the manner described above, as well as other conceivable values ​​of the characteristic variable relating to the air conditioning, such as flow velocity and / or air humidity values, are output 214 by way of example using a display device 20 not shown in detail at first. It is conceivable that the determined 208 temperature distribution within the interior 10 is output 214 in a color-coded visual format.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system 14 in a schematic representation. This system 14 has a data processing device 16. This data processing device 16 is designed to carry out both the first example of the method 100 described in connection with FIG. 1 and the second example of the method 200 described in connection with FIG. 2. Furthermore, the system 14 has a control device 18 which is designed to control the operation of a real air conditioning unit. The said real air conditioning unit is in particular one of the type as described in connection with FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2.In the present exemplary embodiment of the system 14, this control device 18 is connected to the data processing device 16 in such a way that an air conditioning system 106, 206 of the virtual model of the interior 10, simulated by the data processing device 16, can be controlled 112, 212. In the present case, FIG. 3 illustrates by way of example that the simulated air conditioning system 106, 206 of the interior 10 is controlled at least partially by the control device 18 112, 212.

[0045] Furthermore, FIG 3 shows, by way of example, a display device 20 which, by way of example, displays a virtual model of an interior 10 of a rail-bound vehicle and a virtual model of an air conditioning unit 12. FIG 3 further illustrates, by way of example, that by means of the data processing device 16, a temperature distribution 108, 208 determined on the basis of a simulation 106, 206 of air conditioning of the virtual interior 10 by the virtual air conditioning unit 12 is compared 110, 210 with a predetermined requirement profile. In the present exemplary embodiment, relative or absolute deviations of the determined actual values ​​from target values ​​of the requirement profile are optionally output 114, 214 in color-coded form by means of the display device 20.

[0046] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (100; 200) in which - a virtual model of a real space (10) is created (102; 202); - a virtual model of a real air conditioning unit (12) is created (104; 204); - an air conditioning of the virtual model of the room (10) is simulated (106; 206) by the virtual model of the air conditioning unit (12); - by means of the simulated air conditioning (106; 206) of the room (10) at least two values ​​of a characteristic variable relating to the air conditioning are determined (108; 208); - the determined values ​​of the characteristic (108; 208) are compared with a predeterminable requirement profile (110; 210).

2. Method (100; 200) according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning of the room (10) is simulated (106; 206) by means of control software provided for operating the real air conditioning unit.

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual model of the air conditioning unit (12) is controlled (112) by means of a virtual model of a control device (18) provided for the purpose of controlling the real air conditioning unit.

4. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the virtual model of the air conditioning unit (12) is controlled (212) by means of a real control device (18).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the virtual model of the room (10) is created as a detailed virtual model (102); - on the basis of the detailed virtual model of the room (10), air conditioning is simulated in a thermodynamically stationary state (106) .

6. Method (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which - the virtual model of the space (10) is created as an abstracted virtual model (202); - on the basis of the abstracted model of the room (10), air conditioning is simulated in a thermodynamically unsteady state (206) .

7. Method (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least a part of the virtual model of the room (10) and / or at least a part of the virtual model of the air conditioning unit (12) is created as a three-dimensional numerical fluid mechanics model (102, 104; 202, 204).

8. Method (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which values ​​of various parameters are determined (108; 208) by means of the simulated air conditioning (106; 206).

9. Method (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a virtual model of an interior (10) of a rail-bound vehicle is created (102; 202); - by means of the simulated air conditioning (106; 206) of said interior space (10), values ​​of the characteristic variable within the interior space (10) are determined (108; 208).

10. The method (100; 200) according to claim 9, wherein a value distribution of the characteristic variable in the interior (10) is determined (108; 208) by means of the simulated air conditioning (106; 206) of the interior (10) of the rail-bound vehicle.

11. Method (200) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein by means of the virtual model of the interior (10) of the rail-bound vehicle, a changing number and / or changing position of passengers, pieces of luggage and / or other piece goods within the interior (10) is simulated (206).

12. Method (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this method (100; 200) is used to characterize an air conditioning of a room.

13. System (14) comprising a data processing device (16) which is configured to carry out the method (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, and a control device (18) which is configured to control operation of a real air conditioning unit and which can be connected to the data processing device (16) in such a way that an air conditioning system (106; 206) simulated by means of the data processing device (16) can be controlled.

14. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a data processing device (16), cause the device (16) to carry out the method (100; 200) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed, causes the system (14) according to claim 13 to carry out the method (100; 200) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing device (16) cause them to carry out the method (100; 200) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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