Air conditioning system and operating method for air conditioning system

Abstract

To finely control an air conditioning operation.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 100 includes: a movement information acquisition section 121 that acquires movement information on an object person 201; a biological information acquisition section 122 that acquires biological information; an environmental information acquisition section 126 that acquires environmental information on an air-conditioned space 200; a rest determination section 125 that determines whether or not the object person 201 is in a resting state on the basis of at least any of the movement information, the biological information and the environmental information; a hot / cold feeling index value calculation section 128 that calculates a hot / clod feeling index value indicating hot / cold feeling of the object person 201 on the basis of at least any of the movement information, the biological information and the environmental information; and an operation control section 162 that controls an air conditioning operation so that the hot / clod feeling of the object person 201 becomes a first hot / clod feeling index value on the basis of the first hot / clod feeling index value calculated first when the object person 201 is in the resting state and a second hot / cold feeling index value calculated subsequently while the resting state is maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that utilizes a thermal sensation index value that indicates a thermal sensation felt by a subject, and a method for operating the air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses the normal activity levels of the subjects present in a room, such as pulse rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, as a reference and controls air conditioning based on a thermal sensation index value derived based on the deviation of the obtained activity levels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-232467 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the definition of normal times, which is the standard for the amount of activity, is vague, and the derived thermal sensation index value is also vague. For this reason, it is considered difficult to appropriately control the air conditioning system.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning system and an operating method for an air conditioning system that can precisely control air conditioning operation in response to gradual changes in a subject's sense of thermal sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning system that conditions an air-conditioned space, and includes: a movement information acquisition unit that acquires movement information of a subject present in the air-conditioned space; a biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of the subject; an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space; a rest determination unit that determines whether the subject is in a resting state based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information; a thermal sensation index value calculation unit that calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating the thermal sensation of the subject based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information; and an operation control unit that controls the air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on a first thermal sensation index value calculated when the subject is in a resting state and a second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the resting state is maintained.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an operating method of an air conditioning system which is one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of operating an air conditioning system which conditions an air-conditioned space, in which a movement information acquisition unit acquires movement information of a subject present in the air-conditioned space, a movement information acquisition unit acquires biometric information of the subject, an environmental information acquisition unit acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space, a rest judgment unit judges whether the subject is in a resting state based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information, a thermal sensation index value calculation unit calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating the thermal sensation of the subject based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information, and an operation control unit controls the air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on a first thermal sensation index value calculated earlier when the subject is in a resting state and a second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the resting state is maintained. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to precisely control the air conditioning operation in response to gradual changes in the thermal sensation of a subject who is maintaining a resting state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one embodiment of an installation state of the air conditioning system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of an installation state of the air conditioning system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioning system. [Figure 4] 11 is a graph showing a change from a first thermal sensation index value to a second thermal sensation index value in a resting state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of intervention in a subject's thermal sensation by an air conditioner. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the air conditioning system. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a side view showing one aspect of the installation state of an air conditioning system according to another example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an air conditioning system according to another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning system and an operating method of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical expressions, contents of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiment are examples and may include contents not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical strictness and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. In addition, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include a substantially acceptable range.

[0011] In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or ratio adjustment is appropriately performed to explain the present disclosure, and are different from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios. In addition, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that may be shown in the drawings indicate orthogonal coordinates that are arbitrarily set for the explanation of the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily present in a horizontal plane.

[0012] In addition, in the following, a plurality of inventions may be collectively described as one embodiment. In addition, some of the contents described below are described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0013] Furthermore, the flowchart is an example, and even if the process flow is different, such as the order of processes being different, multiple processes being integrated, or one process being separated, it may be included in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of an installation state of the air conditioning system 100. FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of an installation state of the air conditioning system 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the air conditioning system 100. The air conditioning system 100 includes a thermal sensation index calculation device 110 and an air conditioner 160. In the present embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 is attached to a wall surface of an air-conditioned space 200 such as a living room, and the thermal sensation index calculation device 110 calculates a thermal sensation index of a subject 201 based on biological information of the subject 201 present in the air-conditioned space 200, and the air conditioner 160 controls the atmosphere in the air-conditioned space 200 according to the thermal sensation index of the subject 201. The atmosphere in the air-conditioned space 200 includes at least one of temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind strength, amount of dust, and amount of pollen.

[0015] The thermal sensation index calculation device 110 judges the movement state of the subject 201 and changes the calculation method of the thermal sensation index according to the movement state. The thermal sensation index calculation device 110 includes a measurement device 111 and a control information generation device 120. The thermal sensation index calculation device 110 includes an independent housing separate from the air conditioner 160. The thermal sensation index calculation device 110 may be housed together with the air conditioner 160 in a single housing.

[0016] The measuring device 111 is a device that detects the biological information of the subject 201 and the movement information of the subject 201 that is different from the biological information. The biological information is physiological information that the subject 201 unconsciously generates, such as breathing and heart rate. The movement information is information that is different from the biological information. For example, the movement information is information regarding the movement amount, movement speed, movement acceleration, etc. of the subject 201, and is information that indicates the conscious movement of the subject 201. The measuring device 111 may include a detector that detects the biological information and a detector that detects the movement information, or may include one detector that detects the biological information and the movement information. In the case of this embodiment, the measuring device 111 includes a biological detector 101 that detects the biological information and a movement detector 102 that detects the movement information.

[0017] The biological detector 101 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a radar sensor. The radar sensor can irradiate electromagnetic waves (millimeter waves) and measure biological information in a non-contact manner based on the reflected waves from the subject 201. The radar sensor allows the measuring device 111 to measure biological information that changes periodically, such as the heart rate and breathing of the subject 201. The biological detector 101 may be a contact type device worn by the subject 201. In this case, the measuring device 111 may measure biological information by receiving a signal from the wearable biological detector 101.

[0018] The movement detector 102 is not particularly limited, but may be a sensor capable of detecting the position of the target person 201. Specifically, the movement detector 102 may be a sensor capable of detecting the position of the target person 201 without contact, such as a radar sensor, an image sensor, a thermal image sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a TOF (Time of Flight) sensor. In the present embodiment, a radar sensor is used as the movement detector 102. The radar sensor as the movement detector 102 may differ from the radar sensor used as the living body detector 101 in at least one of output intensity and frequency. The radar sensor can measure large movements of the target person 201 as movement information. In addition, when the movement detector 102 has a plurality of antennas capable of receiving electromagnetic waves, movement when the distance of the target person 201 to the radar sensor is constant can also be measured as movement information. Examples of the movement detector 102 include an image sensor constituting a so-called digital camera, a thermal image sensor (thermal sensor) capable of generating a thermal image, a LiDAR scanner or a TOF camera capable of measuring at least the two-dimensional position of the subject 201, such as distance and angle. The movement detector 102 may be a contact-type device worn by the subject 201. In this case, the measuring device 111 may measure biological information by receiving a signal from the wearable movement detector 102.

[0019] The control information generating device 120 includes a processor, and includes, as processing units realized by causing the processor to execute a program, a movement information acquiring unit 121, a biological information acquiring unit 122, an environmental information acquiring unit 126, a rest determining unit 125, and a thermal sensation index calculating unit 128. In the case of this embodiment, the control information generating device 120 includes a mode selecting unit 123, a heat production calculating unit 124, and a heat dissipation calculating unit 127.

[0020] The movement information acquisition unit 121 acquires movement information of the subject 201 present in the air-conditioned space 200 from the movement detector 102 of the measuring device 111. For example, when the movement detector 102 is an image sensor or a thermal image sensor, the movement information acquisition unit 121 may analyze a plurality of images captured at different times from the image sensor or the thermal image sensor, and derive movement information of the subject 201. Also, when the movement detector 102 is a TOF sensor, the movement information acquisition unit 121 may derive movement information of the subject 201. In the case of this embodiment, the movement information acquisition unit 121 derives movement information between the movement detector 102 and the subject 201 by calculation based on the frequency difference between the electromagnetic wave output based on the signal acquired from the movement detector 102, which is a radar sensor, and the electromagnetic wave reflected by the subject 201, the amount of frequency change, and the like.

[0021] The biological information acquiring unit 122 acquires biological information of the subject 201 from the biological detector 101 of the measuring device 111. In the case of this embodiment, the biological information acquiring unit 122 derives the heart rate, breathing, and the like of the subject 201 as biological information from the phase difference between the electromagnetic wave output based on the signal acquired from the biological detector 101 and the electromagnetic wave reflected by the subject 201.

[0022] The environmental information acquisition unit 126 acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space 200. The environmental information includes at least one of the basic thermal resistance of the clothes of the subject 201, the clothing area ratio of the subject 201, the clothing surface temperature of the subject 201, the air temperature in the air-conditioned space 200, the average radiation temperature in the air-conditioned space 200, the average wind speed in the air-conditioned space 200, the water vapor pressure in the air-conditioned space 200, and the convection heat transfer coefficient in the air-conditioned space 200. In the case of this embodiment, the environmental information acquisition unit 126 acquires the air temperature in the air-conditioned space 200 as environmental information from a sensor provided in the air conditioner 160 via the communication I / F. Note that the control information generating device 120 may hold one or more pieces of environmental information as setting information, and the environmental information acquisition unit 126 may acquire the held environmental information. Furthermore, the environmental information acquisition unit 126 may analogically calculate other environmental information from the acquired environmental information. For example, the environmental information acquiring unit 126 may acquire the average radiation temperature as being the same as the air temperature. The measuring device 111 may include a sensor for acquiring environmental information, such as a sensor for measuring room temperature and a sensor for measuring the surface temperature of the subject 201, and the environmental information acquiring unit 126 may acquire the environmental information from the measuring device 111.

[0023] The resting state determination unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state based on at least one of the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121, the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 122, and the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. A specific determination method of the resting state determination unit 125 will be described later.

[0024] The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating a thermal sensation of the subject 201 based on at least one of the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121, the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 122, and the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. A specific calculation method of the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 will be described later.

[0025] The mode selection unit 123 judges the moving state of the subject 201 based on the moving information acquired by the moving information acquisition unit 121 from the measuring device 111, and selects either the stationary mode or the operating mode. The method of judgment of the mode selection unit 123 is not limited. For example, the mode selection unit 123 may select the operating mode when the moving speed of the subject 201 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed threshold. Furthermore, in order to exclude noise and short-term movements of the subject 201, the mode selection unit 123 may select the operating mode when the moving speed of the subject 201 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed threshold, and the moving speed equal to or greater than the predetermined first speed threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined first time threshold. The first speed threshold is not limited, but may be, for example, about 0.5 km / h. Furthermore, the first time threshold may be, for example, about 3 minutes. On the other hand, the mode selection unit 123 selects the stationary mode when the operating mode is not selected. For example, the mode selection unit 123 may select the stationary mode when the moving speed of the subject 201 is less than a predetermined second speed threshold. The mode selection unit 123 may select the stationary mode when the moving speed of the subject 201 is less than a predetermined second speed threshold and the moving speed less than the predetermined second speed threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined second time threshold. Note that the first speed threshold and the second speed threshold may be the same value. The first time threshold and the second time threshold may be the same value.

[0026] In this embodiment, the resting state determination unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state according to the mode selected by the mode selection unit 123. Note that even when the mode selection unit 123 selects the moving mode, the subject 201 may be in a resting state, and even when the stationary mode is selected, the subject 201 may be in an active state.

[0027] There is no limitation on the determination method of the resting state determining unit 125. For example, the resting state determining unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state in the following manner.

[0028] In the rest mode, if (a) the temperature of the air-conditioned space 200 is stable, and (b) the biological information satisfies the first rest condition, and the states (a) and (b) continue for a predetermined third time threshold or more, the rest determination unit 125 determines the rest state. (a) The temperature of the air-conditioned space 200 is stable, for example, when the moving average of the temperature of the air-conditioned space 200 for about 2 minutes is within ±0.5°C of the moving average of about 10 minutes including the time when the moving average is calculated. (b) The biological information satisfies the first rest condition, for example, when the heart rate, which is one of the biological information, is below the heart rate threshold, and when the fluctuation of the heart rate is within the heart rate fluctuation threshold. The first rest condition may be determined based on the respiratory rate.

[0029] In the resting mode, if the resting state is not determined, the resting state determination unit 125 may determine the active state. Also, the resting state determination unit 125 may store the biological information in the resting state, and may determine the active state if the difference between the biological information in the resting state and the current biological information is equal to or greater than the biological threshold value.

[0030] In the operating mode, if (a) the temperature of the conditioned space 200 is stable, and (d) the movement information satisfies the second stationary condition, and the states (a) and (d) continue for a predetermined fourth time threshold or more, the resting state determination unit 125 determines the state as being at rest. (d) The movement information satisfies the second stationary condition when, for example, the speed, which is one of the movement information, is equal to or less than a third speed threshold. An example of the third speed threshold is 0.5 km / h.

[0031] In the case of the motion mode, if the resting state is not determined to be a resting state, the resting state determination unit 125 may determine the subject 201 as an active state. Also, if the subject 201 continues to move at a speed equal to or greater than a fourth speed threshold for a period equal to or greater than a fifth time threshold, the resting state determination unit 125 may determine the subject 201 as an active state.

[0032] The heat production calculation section 124 calculates the amount of heat production of the subject 201 according to the mode selected by the mode selection section 123, using at least one of the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition section 121 and the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition section 122. The method by which the heat production calculation section 124 calculates the amount of heat production according to each mode is not limited. In the case of this embodiment, the heat production calculation section 124 calculates the amount of heat production based on the following formula 1.

[0033] Heat production = metabolic rate M - work W … Equation 1

[0034] There are no limitations on the method of calculating the workload W and the method of calculating the metabolic rate M. In this embodiment, the method of calculating the workload W is common to the moving mode and the stationary mode, but the method of calculating the metabolic rate M is different between the moving mode and the stationary mode.

[0035] In the active mode, the heat production calculation section 124 calculates the metabolic rate M based on the following formula 2.

[0036] Metabolic rate M=Basal metabolic rate*METs...Formula 2 (* is the symbol for multiplication.)

[0037] The basal metabolic rate is not limited. The basal metabolic rate may be a preset constant value (for example, 58.15 W / m^2) (^ is a symbol indicating exponentiation). In addition, the thermal sensation index calculation device 110 may acquire the basal metabolic rate based on the age, height, and weight of the subject 201.

[0038] METs is an abbreviation of metabolic equivalents, and is a unit indicating the intensity of physical activity. Generally, a state of rest in which one sits and rests is 1 MET, and the metabolic equivalent is indicated by how many times the resting state is. In the case of this embodiment, *METs has a positive correlation with the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121. Specifically, METs is calculated based on the following formula 3.

[0039] METs = coefficient * movement information + constant … Equation 3 (+ is the symbol for addition.)

[0040] The coefficient is not limited, but 0.4 is adopted in this embodiment. The movement information is, for example, a moving average of the movement speed of the subject 201. The constant is not limited, but 1 is adopted in this embodiment.

[0041] In the stationary mode, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the metabolic rate M based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 122. The method of calculating the metabolic rate M is not limited. In the present embodiment, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the metabolic rate M based on the following formula 4.

[0042] Metabolic rate M = basal metabolic rate + activity energy … Equation 4

[0043] The basal metabolic rate may be the same as or different from that in the operating mode. The calculation method of the activity energy is not limited. In the present embodiment, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the activity energy based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 122. The heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the activity energy based on the biological information at rest and the biological information at activity. Specifically, the calorie consumption is calculated based on the difference between the heart rate acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 122 and the heart rate acquired and stored when the subject 201 is at rest, the age of the subject 201, the weight of the subject 201, and the activity time. Furthermore, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the activity energy based on the calculated calorie consumption, the weight of the subject 201, the height of the subject 201, and the activity time. As a specific calculation method, the Karvonen method can be exemplified.

[0044] The heat production calculation unit 124 may calculate the workload W according to the magnitude of the metabolic rate M. In the present embodiment, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the workload W according to the resting state or active state determined by the rest determination unit 125. For example, when the rest determination unit 125 determines that the state is active, if the calculated metabolic rate M is less than the metabolic threshold, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the workload W to be a predetermined first value. The predetermined first value is, for example, 0. On the other hand, if the calculated metabolic rate M is equal to or greater than the metabolic threshold, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the workload W to be a predetermined ratio of the calculated metabolic rate that is less than 1. The predetermined ratio is, for example, 0.2.

[0045] When the resting state is determined by the resting state determination unit 125, the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the workload W to be a predetermined second value regardless of the calculated metabolic rate M. The predetermined second value is, for example, 0, which is the same as the first value.

[0046] The heat dissipation amount calculation unit 127 calculates the amount of heat dissipation of the subject 201 using at least one of the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121 and the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 122, and the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. In the case of this embodiment, the heat dissipation amount calculation unit 127 calculates the amount of heat production based on the following formula 5.

[0047] Heat loss = evaporative heat loss + insensible perspiration + latent heat loss due to respiration + sensible heat loss due to respiration + radiative heat loss + convective heat loss …Equation 5

[0048] The evaporative heat loss is calculated by the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 based on the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 calculates the evaporative heat loss by multiplying the difference between the amount of heat production and the basal metabolic rate by a predetermined coefficient.

[0049] The insensible perspiration rate is calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127 based on the heat production rate calculated by the heat production rate calculation unit 124 and the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. In the present embodiment, the heat loss calculation unit 127 calculates the insensible perspiration rate based on the difference between the heat production rate and the water vapor pressure.

[0050] The latent heat loss due to respiration is calculated by the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 based on the metabolic rate M calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 calculates the latent heat loss due to respiration based on the multiplication of the heat production and the water vapor pressure.

[0051] The sensible heat loss due to respiration is calculated by heat dissipation calculation unit 127 based on the metabolic rate M calculated by heat production calculation unit 124 and the environmental information acquired by environmental information acquisition unit 126. In this embodiment, the sensible heat loss due to respiration is calculated based on the multiplication of the heat production and the air temperature.

[0052] The amount of radiant heat loss is calculated by the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation calculation unit 127 calculates the amount of radiant heat loss based on the clothing area ratio, the clothing surface temperature, and the average radiation temperature.

[0053] The amount of convective heat loss is calculated by the heat radiation amount calculation unit 127 based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 126. In the present embodiment, the amount of convective heat loss is calculated based on the clothing area ratio, the convective heat transfer coefficient, the clothing surface temperature, and the air temperature.

[0054] The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index that can indicate the thermal sensation of the subject 201 as a value by using the difference between the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the amount of heat loss calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127. In the present embodiment, when the subject 201 is in a resting state, the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a first thermal sensation index by using at least the heart rate of the subject 201, which is one of the biological information. Thereafter, when the subject 201 is maintaining a resting state and the amount of change in the heart rate of the subject 201 is equal to or greater than the heart rate change threshold, the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a second thermal sensation index. Specifically, the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates the first thermal sensation index and the second thermal sensation index based on the following formula 6. Note that the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates the thermal sensation index even in cases other than when the subject 201 is maintaining a resting state.

[0055] Thermal sensation index value = (heat production - heat loss) * (exponential function of metabolic rate M) ... Equation 6

[0056] In this embodiment, the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 identifies a state in which the subject 201 is stationary based on the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121, calculates the thermal sensation index value of the subject 201 in the stationary state as a target thermal sensation index value, and stores it in a storage device (not shown). The state in which the subject 201 is stationary refers to, for example, a case in which the stationary mode is selected by the mode selection unit 123 and the movement speed of the subject 201 is 0. Note that the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 may set the thermal sensation index value calculated when the subject 201 is stationary and in a resting state as the target thermal sensation index value.

[0057] The thermal sensation index value calculation device 110 transmits the thermal sensation index value of the subject 201 and the like to the air conditioner 160 via the measurement side communication I / F 118. The communication may be either wired communication or wireless communication.

[0058] The air conditioner 160 is, for example, a device that controls the air conditioning of a conditioned space 200 in a residence or an office building. Examples of the air conditioner 160 include a so-called air conditioner having cooling and heating functions, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air purifier, and a space sterilization device. The air conditioner 160 may be equipped with some or all of the cooling function, heating function, dehumidification function, humidification function, air purifier function, and space sterilization function in combination. In the case of this embodiment, the air conditioner 160 is a so-called air conditioner equipped with an indoor unit shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and an outdoor unit (not shown) placed outdoors, and is equipped with an air conditioning control device 161.

[0059] The air conditioning control device 161 is a controller responsible for controlling the entire air conditioner 160. In the present embodiment, the air conditioning control device 161 includes a processor, and by having the processor execute a program, realizes an operation control unit 162 that controls the operating state of the air conditioner 160, as shown in FIG.

[0060] The operation control unit 162 controls the air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject 201 becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on the first thermal sensation index value calculated when the subject 201 is in a resting state and the second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the resting state is maintained. This allows the air conditioning operation to be finely controlled in response to a gradual change in the thermal sensation of the subject 201 in a resting state as shown in Fig. 4, and the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 to be kept constant. Note that Fig. 4 shows a case where the thermal sensation gradually decreases, but the same applies to a case where the thermal sensation gradually increases. Controlling the air conditioning operation means changing at least one of the temperature, humidity, and airflow of the air in the conditioned space 200 by control.

[0061] The operation control unit 162 also controls the operation state based on the calculated thermal sensation index value even in cases other than when the subject 201 maintains a resting state. For example, the operation control unit 162 acquires the thermal sensation index value transmitted from the thermal sensation index value calculation device 110 and the target thermal sensation index value calculated when the subject 201 is in a resting state, or the target thermal sensation index value calculated when the subject 201 is in a resting state and is in a resting state, via the air conditioner side communication I / F 163, and controls the operation state of the air conditioner 160 based on the thermal sensation index value and the target thermal sensation index value. For example, as shown in the graph on the left side of FIG. 5, when the subject 201 is in a resting state, the subject 201 feels a thermal sensation indicated by the target thermal sensation index value due to the air conditioner 160 being turned off or the air conditioner 160 being controlled in a predetermined condition. In other words, the subject 201 feels comfortable. Thereafter, as shown in the graph on the right side of Fig. 5, when the subject 201 becomes active, in the operating state of the air conditioner 160 in the resting state, the subject 201 feels a thermal sensation indicated by a thermal sensation index value outside the allowable range of the target thermal sensation index value. In other words, the subject 201 feels hot and uncomfortable. The operation control unit 162 controls the operating state based on the difference between the thermal sensation index value indicating the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 and the target thermal sensation index value so that the thermal sensation index value of the subject 201 falls within the allowable range including the target thermal sensation index value, thereby lowering the thermal sensation index value of the subject 201.

[0062] Controlling the operating state means, for example, controlling the temperature in the conditioned space 200, and the wind speed and direction of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 160. Specifically, the operation control unit 162 transmits control parameters, parameter values, commands, and the like to the compressor 164, fan motor 165, louver motor 166, and the like provided in the air conditioner 160 based on the transmitted bioinformation, feature values, and the like, and controls the operating state of the air conditioner 160.

[0063] The conditioner-side communication I / F 163 may communicate with a user terminal (a so-called remote control) and the like in addition to the thermal sensation index value calculation device 110. The conditioner-side communication I / F 163 may also communicate with a server and the like by transmitting and receiving Internet packets.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the air conditioning system 100. The biological detector 101 of the measuring device 111 transmits radio waves and receives radio waves reflected from the subject 201 to detect biological information of the subject 201 (S101). The biological information acquisition unit 122 performs calculations based on the acquired biological information, calculates and outputs feature quantities such as the heart rate and respiratory rate of the subject 201. The movement detector 102 detects movement information of the subject 201 (S102). The movement information acquisition unit 121 performs calculations based on the acquired movement information, calculates and outputs feature quantities such as the movement speed of the subject 201. The environmental information acquisition unit 126 acquires environmental information from the air conditioner 160 and the like (S103). Note that the detection of biological information by the biological detector 101, the detection of movement information by the movement detector 102, and the acquisition of environmental information may be performed in parallel or sequentially. The order of the calculations of the biometric information acquisition unit 122 and the movement information acquisition unit 121 may be reversed or may be performed in parallel. When the environmental information acquisition unit 126 performs the calculations, the order of the calculations of the biometric information acquisition unit 122 and the movement information acquisition unit 121 is not limited, and they may be performed in parallel.

[0065] Next, the mode selection unit 123 selects either the stationary mode or the moving mode based on the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit 121 (S104).

[0066] When the mode selection unit 123 selects the stationary mode (S104, stationary), the rest determination unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state using a method according to the stationary mode (S105). In the case of this embodiment, the rest determination unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state using the heart rate of the subject 201. When the rest determination unit 125 determines that the subject is in a resting state (S105, resting), the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the heat production amount using a method for the stationary mode and the resting state (S106).

[0067] The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index based on the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the amount of heat loss calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127 (S107). The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 updates a target thermal sensation index based on the calculated thermal sensation index (S108). The calculated thermal sensation index becomes a first thermal sensation index. It is not necessary to update the target thermal sensation index, and a thermal sensation index previously calculated in the stationary mode and in a resting state may be used.

[0068] Next, the thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 uses at least the heart rate of the subject 201, which is one of the pieces of biological information, and calculates a second thermal sensation index (S110) if the amount of change in the heart rate of the subject 201 when the first thermal sensation index was calculated is equal to or greater than the heart rate change threshold (S109, Yes). Note that the determination of the heart rate change threshold (S109) may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the update of the target thermal sensation index (S108).

[0069] Next, when the mode selection unit 123 selects the stationary mode (S104, stationary) and the rest determination unit 125 determines that the user is in an active state (S105, active), the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the amount of heat production by a method for the stationary mode and active state (S111). The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index based on the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the amount of heat loss calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127 (S112).

[0070] Next, when the mode selection unit 123 selects the operating mode (S104, operating), the rest determination unit 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state by a method according to the operating mode (S113). When the rest determination unit 125 determines that the subject 201 is in a resting state (S113, resting), the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the amount of heat production by a method for the operating mode and the resting state (S114). The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index value based on the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the amount of heat loss calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127 (S115). The thermal sensation index value becomes a first thermal sensation index value.

[0071] The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 uses the heart rate of the subject 201, which is at least one piece of biometric information, and calculates a second thermal sensation index value (S117) if the change in heart rate between the heart rate of the subject 201 when the first thermal sensation index value was calculated is equal to or greater than the heart rate change threshold (S116, Yes).

[0072] Next, when the mode selection unit 123 selects the operating mode (S104, operating) and the rest determination unit 125 determines that the user is in an active state (S113, active), the heat production calculation unit 124 calculates the amount of heat production by a method for the operating mode and active state (S118). The thermal sensation index calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index based on the amount of heat production calculated by the heat production calculation unit 124 and the amount of heat loss calculated by the heat loss calculation unit 127 (S119).

[0073] The operation control unit 162 controls the operation state of the air conditioner 160 based on the calculated thermal sensation index value and the stored predetermined target thermal sensation index value (S120). Also, the operation state of the air conditioner 160 is controlled so that the second thermal sensation index value becomes the first thermal sensation index value (S120). The air conditioning system 100 repeats the above process until the operation is terminated (S121).

[0074] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the present disclosure may be realized by combining the components described in this specification in any way, or by excluding some of the components. In addition, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, that is, the meaning of the words described in the claims.

[0075] The measuring device 111 may include a radar sensor that detects biometric information and movement information, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. In this case, the movement information acquiring unit 121 and the biometric information acquiring unit 122 may acquire the same signal from the measuring device 111, the biometric information acquiring unit 122 may extract signals with relatively fast cycles such as heartbeat and breathing to generate features of the biometric information, and the movement information acquiring unit 121 may generate the movement information.

[0076] In addition, in the air conditioning system 100, the thermal sensation index calculation device 110 and the air conditioner 160 are illustrated as devices having separate housings, but the thermal sensation index calculation device 110 and the air conditioner 160 may be housed in a single housing.

[0077] Furthermore, the measuring device 111 and the control information generating device 120 may be housed in separate housings, and may transmit and receive information via wired or wireless communication.

[0078] In addition, the measuring device 111, the air conditioning control device 161, and the control information generating device 120, or any combination thereof, may share a single processor, and the corresponding processing unit may be realized by having the single processor execute a program.

[0079] Further, the case where the thermal sensation index value calculation device 110 includes the control information generation device 120 has been described, but the control information generation device 120 may be housed in a housing separate from the thermal sensation index value calculation device 110.

[0080] The air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment is an air conditioning system 100 that conditions the air of the conditioned space 200, and includes a movement information acquisition unit 121 that acquires movement information of a subject 201 present in the conditioned space 200, a biometric information acquisition unit 122 that acquires biometric information of the subject 201, an environmental information acquisition unit 126 that acquires environmental information of the conditioned space 200, a rest determination unit 125 that determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information, a thermal sensation index value calculation unit 128 that calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating the thermal sensation of the subject 201 based on at least one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information, and an operation control unit 162 that controls the air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject 201 becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on a first thermal sensation index value calculated earlier when the subject 201 is in a resting state and a second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the resting state is maintained.

[0081] According to the air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment, the air conditioning operation can be precisely controlled in response to gradual changes in the thermal sensation of the subject 201 in a resting state, and the thermal sensation of the subject 201 can be stabilized near the first thermal sensation index value.

[0082] The air conditioning system 100 of the second embodiment includes the first embodiment, and the resting state determining section 125 determines whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state using at least the heart rate of the subject 201, which is one piece of biological information.

[0083] According to the air conditioning system 100 of the second aspect, the heart rate that can be effectively sensed by the living body detector 101 can be used to appropriately control the air conditioning operation.

[0084] The third aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes the first aspect or the second aspect, and the thermal sensation index value calculation unit 128 calculates a first thermal sensation index value using the heart rate of the subject 201, which is at least one piece of biometric information, and calculates a second thermal sensation index value when the change in the heart rate of the subject 201 is equal to or greater than the heart rate change threshold.

[0085] According to the air conditioning system 100 of the third aspect, the second thermal sensation index value is calculated using a change in heart rate that can be effectively sensed, so that the air conditioning operation can be appropriately controlled. Also, the amount of processing by the processor can be reduced.

[0086] The air conditioning system 100 of the fourth embodiment includes any one of the first to third embodiments, and is equipped with a heat production calculation unit 124 that calculates the amount of heat produced by the subject 201 using at least one of movement information and bio-information, and a heat dissipation calculation unit 127 that calculates the amount of heat dissipated by the subject 201 using at least one of the movement information and the bio-information, and environmental information, and a thermal sensation index value calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index value using the amount of heat produced and the amount of heat dissipation.

[0087] According to the air conditioning system 100 of the fourth aspect, the thermal sensation index value can be appropriately calculated and the air conditioning operation can be accurately controlled.

[0088] The air conditioning system 100 of the fifth aspect includes any of the first to fourth aspects, and the operation control unit 162 controls the air conditioning operation so that at least one of the temperature, humidity, and airflow of the air in the conditioned space 200 is changed.

[0089] According to the air conditioning system 100 of the fifth aspect, the thermal sensation of the subject 201 can be appropriately adjusted by controlling the air conditioning operation.

[0090] The operating method of the air conditioning system 100 of the sixth aspect is an operating method of the air conditioning system 100 that conditions the air of the conditioned space 200, in which movement information of a subject 201 present in the conditioned space 200 is acquired by a movement information acquisition unit 121, biometric information of the subject 201 is acquired by a biometric information acquisition unit 122, environmental information of the conditioned space 200 is acquired by an environmental information acquisition unit 126, and it is determined whether the subject 201 is in a resting state or an active state based on at least any one of the movement information, the biometric information, and the environmental information. The rest judgment unit 125 judges whether the subject 201 is in a resting state, the thermal sensation index value calculation unit 128 calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating the thermal sensation of the subject 201 based on at least one of the movement information, the biological information, and the environmental information, and the operation control unit 162 controls the air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject 201 becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on the first thermal sensation index value calculated earlier when the subject 201 is in a resting state and the second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the resting state is maintained.

[0091] According to the operating method of the air conditioning system 100 of the sixth aspect, the air conditioning operation can be finely controlled in response to gradual changes in the thermal sensation of the subject 201 in a resting state. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The present disclosure can be used in devices such as air conditioners that perform control based on a thermal sensation index value that indicates a thermal sensation of a subject. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100 Air Conditioning System 101 Liveness detector 102 Motion detector 110 Thermal sensation index value calculation device 111 Measuring Equipment 120 Control information generator 121 Movement information acquisition unit 122 Biometric information acquisition unit 123 Mode selection section 124 Heat production calculation section 125 Rest Judgment Department 126 Environmental Information Acquisition Department 127 Heat radiation calculation section 128 Thermal sensation index value calculation unit 160 Air conditioner 161 Air conditioning control device 162 Operation control unit 164 Compressor 165 Fan motor 166 Louver motor 200 Conditioned space 201 Target

Claims

1. An air conditioning system that conditions air in a conditioned space, A movement information acquisition unit that acquires movement information of a subject present in the air-conditioned space; A biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of the subject; An environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space; a resting state determination unit that determines whether the subject is in a resting state based on at least one of the movement information, the biological information, and the environmental information; A thermal sensation index value calculation unit that calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating a thermal sensation of the subject based on at least one of the movement information, the biological information, and the environmental information; an operation control unit that controls an air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on a first thermal sensation index value that is calculated first when the subject is in a resting state and a second thermal sensation index value that is calculated later while the subject is maintained in the resting state; An air conditioning system comprising:

2. The rest determination unit is The subject's heart rate, which is at least one of the biological information, is used to determine whether the subject is in a resting state or not. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. The thermal sensation index value calculation unit is The first thermal sensation index value is calculated using the subject's heart rate, which is at least one of the biological information, and when the change in the subject's heart rate is equal to or greater than a heart rate change threshold, the second thermal sensation index value is calculated.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a heat production calculation unit that calculates a heat production amount of the subject using at least one of the movement information and the biological information; a heat dissipation amount calculation unit that calculates a heat dissipation amount of the subject using the movement information, at least one of the biological information, and the environmental information; The thermal sensation index value calculation unit is A thermal sensation index value is calculated using the amount of heat produced and the amount of heat released.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The operation control unit is Controlling air conditioning operation so that at least one of the temperature, humidity, and airflow of the air in the conditioned space is changed 3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. An operating method of an air conditioning system that conditions an air-conditioned space, comprising: A movement information acquisition unit acquires movement information of a subject present in the air-conditioned space, A biometric information acquiring unit acquires biometric information of the subject, An environmental information acquisition unit acquires environmental information of the conditioned space, a resting state determination unit determines whether the subject is in a resting state based on at least one of the movement information, the biological information, and the environmental information; A thermal sensation index value calculation unit calculates a thermal sensation index value indicating a thermal sensation of the subject based on at least one of the movement information, the biological information, and the environmental information, An operation control unit controls an air conditioning operation so that the thermal sensation of the subject becomes the first thermal sensation index value based on a first thermal sensation index value calculated earlier when the subject is in a resting state and a second thermal sensation index value calculated later while the subject is maintained in the resting state. How to operate an air conditioning system.

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