Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can reduce power consumption.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 100 comprises: an outdoor machine 15 capable of controlling output with a temperature setting; an indoor machine group 10 comprising respective indoor machines 10a-10d arranged in the same space, and connected to the outdoor machine 15; and a control unit 50 for independently controlling setting temperatures of the respective indoor machines 10a-10d so as to evenly distribute the output to the respective indoor machines 10a-10d. Thereby, superheat variations of the respective indoor machines 10a-10d are restrained. As a result, power consumption is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an air conditioning system that provides air conditioning by installing a plurality of indoor units in the same room has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). In such an air conditioning system, in order to suppress discomfort caused by temperature unevenness, the operation of each indoor unit is controlled so that the temperature in the room becomes uniform.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a room, temperature unevenness occurs due to factors such as solar radiation and opening / closing of doors, resulting in a difference in the output of each indoor unit. That is, the output of some indoor units relatively increases, deteriorating the energy consumption efficiency, and as a result, the energy consumption tends to increase.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve this problem, the air conditioning system according to the present invention includes an outdoor unit capable of controlling the output based on the temperature setting, an indoor unit group composed of each indoor unit arranged in the same space and connected to the outdoor unit, and a control unit that independently controls the set temperature of each indoor unit so as to equally allocate the output to each indoor unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The present invention can provide an air conditioning system capable of reducing energy consumption.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to reduce the energy consumption of an entire air conditioning system in an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units provided in the same space and an outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units.

[0009] In the same space, for example, the space near the window that is easily affected by solar radiation has a temperature that easily changes, which is a factor causing temperature unevenness in the same space. When such temperature unevenness occurs, the indoor unit that air - conditions the space near the window has a relatively larger temperature difference between the suction temperature of the indoor unit and the target temperature of the same space compared to other indoor units. That is, in order to eliminate this temperature difference, it is necessary to increase the output of the indoor unit that air - conditions the space near the window. As a result, conventionally, the super heat of each indoor unit varies due to an increase in the output of some indoor units, and the energy consumption efficiency tends to deteriorate.

[0010] Therefore, in the present invention, the output of an indoor unit with a large output, for example, an indoor unit that air - conditions the space near the window, is decreased, and the output of an indoor unit with a small output, for example, an indoor unit that air - conditions a space farther from the window, is increased. Thereby, the decrease in energy consumption efficiency due to an increase in the output of some indoor units is suppressed, and the energy consumption of the air conditioning system is reduced. In other words, the present invention reduces the energy consumption of the air conditioning system by making the "output" of each indoor unit equal instead of making the "set temperature" of each indoor unit the same.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments capable of achieving the above object will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments show an example of an air conditioning system according to the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positional relationships of the components, steps (processes), and the order of steps shown in the embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Substantially the same configurations in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or simplified. (Embodiment 1) The air conditioning system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a top view of a living room 80 air-conditioned by the air conditioning system 100 as seen from above.

[0012] The air conditioning system 100 air-conditions a living room 80 which is a single room in a building.

[0013] The living room 80 is a space surrounded by a ceiling, a floor surface, side walls 95, and a window 97. The living room 80 is a space where people live, for example, a single room in a building such as a house or a commercial facility. For convenience of explanation, in the present embodiment, the living room 80 will be described by dividing it into four spaces. Specifically, the living room 80 will be described by dividing it into a first space 80a, a second space 80b, a third space 80c, and a fourth space 80d.

[0014] The first space 80a is a space surrounded by the side wall 95 and the broken line AOC.

[0015] The second space 80b is a space surrounded by the side wall 95, the window 97, and the broken line AOD.

[0016] The third space 80c is a space surrounded by the side wall 95 and the broken line COB.

[0017] The fourth space 80d is a space surrounded by the side wall 95, the window 97, and the broken line BOD.

[0018] The air conditioning system 100 includes an indoor unit group 10, an outdoor unit 15, a blower 20, and an operation unit 25.

[0019] The indoor unit group 10 is composed of four indoor units arranged in the living room 80, that is, in the same space. Specifically, it is composed of a first indoor unit 10a, a second indoor unit 10b, a third indoor unit 10c, and a fourth indoor unit 10d. Each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is connected to the outdoor unit 15 so that refrigerant can circulate therebetween.

[0020] The first indoor unit 10a is provided in the first space 80a. The first indoor unit 10a includes a first temperature acquisition unit 30a that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the first indoor unit 10a from the first space 80a. Note that the temperature acquisition unit is, for example, a temperature sensor.

[0021] The second indoor unit 10b is provided in the second space 80b. The second indoor unit 10b includes a second temperature acquisition unit 30b that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the second indoor unit 10b from the second space 80b.

[0022] The third indoor unit 10c is provided in the third space 80c. The third indoor unit 10c includes a third temperature acquisition unit 30c that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the third indoor unit 10c from the third space 80c.

[0023] The fourth indoor unit 10d is provided in the fourth space 80d. The fourth indoor unit 10d includes a fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the fourth indoor unit 10d from the fourth space 80d.

[0024] The outdoor unit 15 can control the output to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d by temperature setting. Specifically, the outdoor unit 15 adjusts the supply amount of refrigerant to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d set by a control unit 50 described later. The outdoor unit 15 is preferably installed, for example, on the roof or balcony of a building. The outdoor unit 15 includes the control unit 50.

[0025] The control unit 50 independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d so as to equally allocate the output from the outdoor unit 15 to the indoor units 10a to 10d. Details will be described later.

[0026] The blower 20 is a so-called ceiling fan provided on the ceiling of the living room 80 and provides a downward airflow or an upward airflow to the living room 80. The blower 20 may be provided anywhere as long as it is at a position where it can stir the air in the living room 80. In the present embodiment, it is provided at the center of the living room 80 in a top view. Note that since the blower 20 is provided for the purpose of stirring the air in the living room 80, it does not necessarily have to be a ceiling fan, and for example, it may be a circulator or the like.

[0027] The operation unit 25 is communicably connected to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d and / or the outdoor unit 15, and is configured by, for example, a touch panel or the like. The operation unit 25 is for the user to set, for example, the air conditioning temperature, and may be configured to be able to display the current room temperature or humidity or the like. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 25 is provided on the side wall 95 facing the third space 80c, but it may be a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 50.

[0029] The control unit 50 is communicably connected to the outdoor unit 15 and each of the indoor units 10a to 10d of the indoor unit group 10. The control unit 50 independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d so as to equally allocate the output of the outdoor unit 15 to the indoor units 10a to 10d.

[0030] Specifically, for example, during the cooling operation, the set temperature of any indoor unit (for example, the second indoor unit 10b and the fourth indoor unit 10d) among the indoor units 10a to 10d with a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room and the suction temperature is set higher than the target temperature of the living room. Also, the set temperature of any indoor unit (for example, the first indoor unit 10a and the third indoor unit 10c) with a relatively small temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room and the suction temperature is set lower than the target temperature of the living room. Further, for example, during the heating operation, the set temperature of any indoor unit (for example, the second indoor unit 10b and the fourth indoor unit 10d) among the indoor units 10a to 10d with a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room and the suction temperature is set lower than the target temperature of the living room. Also, the set temperature of any indoor unit (for example, the first indoor unit 10a and the third indoor unit 10c) with a relatively small temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room and the suction temperature is set higher than the target temperature of the living room.

[0031] The control unit 50 controls the operation of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on an index value related to the output of the outdoor unit 15. Specifically, the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d are controlled so that the index values for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d are uniform. Note that the index value is a numerical value having a correlation with the output of the outdoor unit 15. In this embodiment, as an example, the maximum value of the index value is

[20] and the minimum value is [0]. The maximum value means that, for example, the output from the outdoor unit 15 to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d matches the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 15. Also, the minimum value means that, for example, there is no output from the outdoor unit 15 to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d.

[0032] The control unit 50 repeatedly performs an index value maintenance process to match the index values of the indoor units 10a to 10d with the target index value, and controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d so that the temperature of the living room approaches the target temperature. Note that the index value maintenance process is a process including a target index value update process for determining a target index value that is the target value of the index value, and a set temperature change process for determining a set temperature at which each of the indoor units 10a to 10d can be operated with the target index value. Details will be described later together with the description using the index value.

[0033] The control unit 50 includes a differential temperature value calculation unit 51, a current target value acquisition unit 53, a target target value update unit 55, an average target value calculation unit 63, a temperature management unit 65, a first storage unit 61, and a second storage unit 77.

[0034] The differential temperature value calculation unit 51 acquires the temperature of the air sucked into each indoor unit 10a to 10d, that is, the suction temperature Ti, from each temperature acquisition unit 30a to 30d, and calculates the average value of the plurality of acquired temperatures. That is, it calculates the average suction temperature Tiav, which is the average value of the plurality of suction temperatures Ti acquired by the plurality of temperature acquisition units 30a to 30d. Further, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 calculates the average differential temperature value Tdav by subtracting the preset target temperature Tt in the living room from the average suction temperature Tiav, and outputs it to the target target value update unit 55. The target temperature Tt is determined, for example, by the user inputting the desired living room temperature to the operation unit 25.

[0035] The current target value acquisition unit 53 acquires each target value for each indoor unit 10a to 10d. That is, the current target value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current target value Ln from each indoor unit 10a to 10d during operation. Further, the current target value acquisition unit 53 outputs the acquired current target value Ln to the target target value update unit 55, the average target value calculation unit 63, and the temperature management unit 65.

[0036] The target target value update unit 55 determines the level at which the output distributed from the outdoor unit 15 to each indoor unit 10a to 10d, that is, the target value of the target value, is equalized. That is, it updates the target target value Lt, which is the target value of the target value required to achieve the target temperature Tt in the living room. The target target value update unit 55 includes a target value change amount acquisition unit 57 and a target target value calculation unit 59.

[0037] The target value change amount acquisition unit 57 acquires the target value change amount ΔL corresponding to the average differential temperature value Tdav based on the average differential temperature value Tdav calculated by the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61, and outputs it to the target target value calculation unit 59. Details of the first storage unit 61 will be described later.

[0038] The target index value calculation unit 59 adds the index value change amount ΔL acquired by the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 to the reference index value Ls to determine a new target index value Lt. Note that as an initial value, the reference index value Ls is given the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the average index value calculation unit 63. Also, in the index value maintenance process after the second time, the target index value calculation unit 59 itself uses the target index value Lt used in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process. That is, for example, when performing the third index value maintenance process, the reference index value Ls used by the target index value calculation unit 59 is the target index value Lt calculated in the second index value maintenance process.

[0039] The average index value calculation unit 63 calculates Lnav, which is the average value of the plurality of current index values Ln acquired from each of the indoor units 10a to 10d, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59 only in the first index value maintenance process after the start of operation.

[0040] The temperature management unit 65 determines a set temperature Tset at which the respective index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d become uniform based on the target index value Lt calculated by the target index value update unit 55, for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d, and operates each of the indoor units 10a to 10d at the set temperature Tset.

[0041] The temperature management unit 65 includes a calculated index difference value calculation unit 67, a temperature change amount acquisition unit 69, a set temperature calculation unit 71, a set temperature change unit 73, and an index value maintenance unit 75.

[0042] The calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 subtracts the current index value Ln of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the target index value Lt calculated by the target index value calculation unit 59 to calculate a calculated index difference value Ld, and outputs it to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69. That is, the calculated index difference value Ld is independently calculated for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d and output to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69.

[0043] The temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires a set temperature change amount ΔT corresponding to the value of the calculation index difference value Ld based on the calculation index difference value Ld calculated by the calculation index difference value calculation unit 67 and a second table stored in a second storage unit 77 described later, and outputs it to the set temperature calculation unit 71. That is, the set temperature change amount ΔT corresponding to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is acquired and output to the set temperature calculation unit 71.

[0044] The set temperature calculation unit 71 adds the set temperature change amount ΔT output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 to the suction temperature Ti of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d to calculate the set temperature Tset of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d, and outputs it to the set temperature change unit 73. That is, the set temperature calculation unit 71 independently calculates the set temperature Tset for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d and outputs it to the set temperature change unit 73.

[0045] The set temperature change unit 73 changes the set temperature Tset for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d to the set temperature Tset calculated by the set temperature calculation unit 71, and performs the set temperature change. Specifically, during the cooling operation, when the calculation index difference value is positive or 0, the set temperature Tset of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is set lower than the suction temperature Ti, and when it is negative, each indoor unit 10a to 10d is set to a set temperature Tset equal to or higher than the suction temperature Ti. Also, during the heating operation, when the calculation index difference value is positive or 0, the set temperature Tset of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is set higher than the suction temperature Ti, and when it is negative, the set temperature Tset of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is set to be equal to or lower than the suction temperature Ti.

[0046] The index value maintenance unit 75 operates each of the indoor units 10a to 10d at the set temperature Tset changed by the set temperature change unit 73, so as to evenly maintain the state where the current index value Ln and the target index value Lt are the same for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d. That is, the output from the outdoor unit 15 to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is evenly maintained.

[0047] Also, it may be configured such that the control unit 50 controls the operation of the blower 20. Specifically, it may be configured such that the control unit 50 controls the blowing timing, the blowing volume, the blowing direction, etc. of the blower 20.

[0048] Next, the first storage unit 61 will be described with reference to the first table in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference (average difference temperature value Tdav) between the average suction temperature value Tiav and the target temperature Tt, and the change amount of the target index value, which is the index value change amount ΔL.

[0049] The first storage unit 61 is a memory that stores the first table. The first storage unit 61 associates a range of a plurality of average difference temperature values Tdav with the index value change amount ΔL, which is the increase or decrease range of the index value, and stores the index value change amount ΔL for each range of the plurality of average difference temperature values Tdav. In the present embodiment, as shown in the first table, a range of a plurality of average difference temperature values Tdav is regarded as one range and associated with the index value change amount ΔL. However, by expanding this range, it conforms to "storing the range of a plurality of average difference temperature values Tdav and the index value change amount ΔL for each range of the average difference temperature value Tdav". Further, the association is appropriately determined in consideration of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 15 or the power consumption to be achieved. In the present embodiment, the index value change amount ΔL increases as the average difference temperature value Tdav increases. Also, the index value change amount ΔL decreases as the average difference temperature value Tdav decreases.

[0050] Next, the second storage unit 77 will be described with reference to the second table in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference (calculated index difference value Ld) between the target index value Lt and the current index value Ln of each indoor unit, and the change amount ΔT of the set temperature.

[0051] The second storage unit 77 is a memory that stores a second table. The second storage unit 77 stores the set temperature change amount ΔT for each range of the plurality of calculated index difference values Ld in association with the change amount of the set temperature Tset of each indoor unit 10a to 10d. Note that, similar to the average temperature difference value Tdav of the first table, the ranges of the calculated index difference values Ld are grouped and associated as one range. Also, this association is appropriately determined in consideration of the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 15, the power consumption to be achieved, and the like. In the present embodiment, as the calculated index difference value Ld decreases, the set temperature change amount ΔT increases, and as the calculated index difference value Ld increases, the set temperature change amount ΔT decreases.

[0052] Regarding the index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50 with the above configuration, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the initial condition setting process S100. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the target index value update process S200. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the set temperature update process S300. Here, in the flowchart, numbers are assigned with S as the initial letter. For example, S1 and the like refer to processing steps. However, the magnitude of the numerical values indicating the processing steps has no relation to the processing order.

[0053] The index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50 evenly allocates the output to each indoor unit of the outdoor unit and is a process for achieving the target temperature of the living room. In other words, it is a process for operating each indoor unit with the index values of each indoor unit being made to match the target index value. As shown in FIG. 5, the index value maintenance process mainly includes an initial condition setting process S100, a target index value update process S200, and a set temperature update process S300.

[0054] The initial condition setting process S100 acquires and calculates the parameters necessary for executing the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300.

[0055] The target index value update process S200 is a process of calculating how to evenly allocate the index values of each indoor unit, that is, calculating the target index value which is the target value of the index value. In other words, the target index value update process S200 is a process of calculating the index value required to achieve the target temperature of the living room.

[0056] The set temperature update process S300 is a process of calculating the set temperature for each indoor unit corresponding to the target index value determined in the target index value update process S200, and operating each indoor unit at the calculated set temperature.

[0057] The index value maintenance process repeatedly performs the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300 to operate each indoor unit in a state where the current index value of each indoor unit matches the target index value. More precisely, the index value maintenance process repeatedly performs the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300 until the target temperature of the living room is achieved. By executing the above processes, the output from the outdoor unit to each indoor unit is evenly allocated. This suppresses the relative increase in the output of some indoor units and the deterioration of energy consumption efficiency. As a result, the energy consumption of the air conditioning system can be reduced.

[0058] When the user starts the operation of the air conditioning system with the target temperature Tt in the living room set to 26°C, for example, the set temperatures of each indoor unit 10a to 10d are set to the target temperature Tt (26°C). After the target temperature Tt is set, the control unit 50 executes the initial condition setting process S100. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the air conditioning system performs cooling operation in summer. Also, as the state of the living room 80 immediately before starting the cooling operation, the room temperatures of the first space 80a and the third space 80c located farther from the window 97 are 27°C, and the room temperatures of the second space 80b and the fourth space 80d located on the window 97 side are 29°C (see FIG. 1).

[0059] When the initial condition setting process S100 is executed, as shown in FIG. 6, the current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(d) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the respective indoor units 10a to 10d (S101). Specifically, the current index values Ln(a) and Ln(c) acquired from the first indoor unit 10a and the third indoor unit 10c are

[10] , and the current index values Ln(b) and Ln(d) acquired from the second indoor unit 10b and the fourth indoor unit 10d are

[14] .

[0060] Next, the current index value acquisition unit 53 outputs the acquired current index values Ln to the average index value calculation unit 63. The average index value calculation unit 63 that inputs each current index value Ln calculates the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S102). Specifically, from Ln(a) = Ln(c) = 10, Ln(b) = Ln(d) = 14, Lnav =

[12] is calculated.

[0061] Next, when the target index value update process S200 is executed, as shown in FIG. 7, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 acquires the suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(d), which are the temperatures of the air sucked into the indoor units 10a to 10d, from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30d provided in the respective indoor units 10a to 10d (S201). Specifically, the suction temperatures Ti(a) and Ti(c) acquired by the first temperature acquisition unit 30a and the third temperature acquisition unit 30c are 27°C, and the Ti(b) and Ti(d) acquired by the second temperature acquisition unit 30b and the fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d are 29°C. Next, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 calculates the average suction temperature value Tiav, which is the average value of the acquired suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(d) (S202). Specifically, from Ti(a) = Ti(c) = 27°C, Ti(b) = Ti(d) = 29°C, Tiav = 28°C. Next, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 calculates the average differential temperature value Tdav by subtracting the target temperature Tt in the living room from the average suction temperature value Tiav acquired from the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S203). Specifically, from Tiav = 28°C, Tt = 26°C, Tdav = 2°C.

[0062] Next, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 calculates the average differential temperature value Tdav by subtracting the target temperature Tt in the living room from the average suction temperature value Tiav acquired from the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S203). Specifically, from Tiav = 28°C, Tt = 26°C, Tdav = 2°C.

[0063] Next, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 acquires an index value change amount ΔL corresponding to the average temperature difference value Tdav from the average temperature difference value Tdav and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61 (S204). Specifically, from Tdav = +2°C, ΔL = +0.5 (see FIG. 3).

[0064] Next, the target index value calculation unit 59 adds the index value change amount ΔL to the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln(a) to (d) calculated by the average index value calculation unit 63, to determine a new target index value Lt (S205). Specifically, from Lnav = 12 and ΔL = +0.5, Lt = 12.5. As described above, after the start of operation, except for the first index value maintenance process, the index value change amount ΔL is added to the target index value Lt calculated in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process to determine a new target index value Lt.

[0065] Next, when the set temperature update process S300 is executed, as shown in FIG. 8, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to (d) of each indoor unit 10a to 10d from the current index value acquisition unit 53 (S301). Specifically, Ln(a) = Ln(c) = 10, Ln(b) = Ln(d) = 14.

[0066] Next, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 subtracts the current index values Ln(a) to (d) of each indoor unit 10a to 10d from the target index value Lt, and calculates calculated index difference values Ld(a) to (d) for each indoor unit 10a to 10d (S302). Specifically, from Ln(a) = Ln(c) = 10, Ln(b) = Ln(d) = 14, and Lt = 12.5, Ld(a) = Ld(c) = 2.5, Ld(b) = Ld(d) = -1.5.

[0067] Next, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires set temperature change amounts ΔT(a) to (d) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on the calculated calculated index difference value Ld and the second table stored in the second storage unit 77 (S303). Specifically, from Ld(a) = Ld(c) = 2.5, ΔT(a) = ΔT(c) = -1.5°C, and from Ld(b) = Ld(d) = -1.5, ΔT(b) = ΔT(d) = +0.5°C (see FIG. 4).

[0068] Next, the set temperature calculation unit 71 adds the acquired ΔT(a) to (d) to the suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) of the corresponding indoor units 10a to 10d to calculate new set temperatures Tset(a) to (d) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S304). Specifically, from Ti(a) = Ti(c) = 27°C and ΔT(a) = ΔT(c) = -1.5°C, Tset(a) = Tset(c) = 25.5°C. Also, from Ti(b) = Ti(d) = 29°C and ΔT(b) = ΔT(d) = +0.5°C, Tset(b) = Tset(d) = 29.5°C.

[0069] Next, the set temperature change unit 73 transmits the calculated new set temperatures Tset(a) to (d) to the indoor units 10a to 10d (S305).

[0070] Next, the index value maintenance unit 75 controls each of the indoor units 10a to 10d to operate at the corresponding set temperatures Tset(a) to (d), thereby maintaining and operating the current index values Ln(a) to (d) of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d to be equal to the target index value Lt. That is, as a result of controlling the set temperatures Tset(a) to (d), the respective index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d match the target index value Lt. Here, for the sake of understanding, it has been described that the index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d match in one index value maintenance process, but in reality, the index value maintenance process is repeated so that the respective index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10d gradually approach the target index value Lt.

[0071] The above is the index value maintenance process. Note that the control unit 50 repeats the index value maintenance process at least until the living room reaches the target temperature Tt. That is, it repeats until the same space reaches the target temperature Tt. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the target index value update process (S200) and the set temperature change process (S300) are repeated every 10 minutes.

[0072] By the above process, the index values of each indoor unit, that is, the outputs from the outdoor unit to each indoor unit, are evenly allocated. This suppresses the increase in the output of only some indoor units and reduces the deterioration of energy consumption efficiency. As a result, an air conditioning system capable of reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning system is provided.

[0073] Also, if only the index value maintenance process is performed, temperature unevenness may occur between each space (80a to 80d) due to the difference in the set temperatures of each indoor unit 10a to 10d in the living room 80 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, by operating the blower 20 (ceiling fan), the air in the living room 80 can be stirred to eliminate the temperature unevenness. Note that the blower 20 can avoid the direct impact of the air flow on the people present in the living room 80 by blowing air in a direction that forms an upward air flow in the living room 80. That is, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the direct impact of the air flow. (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The main difference from Embodiment 1 is that each indoor unit belonging to the indoor unit group 10 is classified into a plurality of groups, and the index value maintenance process is performed independently for each group. That is, different target index values Lt are set for each group, and each indoor unit belonging to the group is controlled to operate with the target index value Lt unique to the group. With such a configuration, the output to the indoor unit with a relatively large difference between the suction temperature Ti and the target temperature Tt, that is, the indoor unit with a high load, among the indoor unit group 10 can be increased compared to the output to other indoor units. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature unevenness in the living room more than when the output is evenly allocated to all indoor units, and an air conditioning system capable of reducing energy consumption more than the prior art can be provided. The configuration of Embodiment 2 will be described below, but the description of the same configuration as in Embodiment 1 may be omitted or simplified.

[0074] First, the air conditioning system 100w will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a top view of the living room 80 air-conditioned by the air conditioning system 100w as seen from above.

[0075] The living room 80 is a space surrounded by a ceiling, a floor surface, side walls 95, and a window 97. Also, for the sake of convenience in explanation, in this embodiment, the living room 80 will be divided into six spaces for explanation. Specifically, the living room 80 will be divided into a first space 80a, a second space 80b, a third space 80c, a fourth space 80d, a fifth space 80e, and a sixth space 80f for explanation.

[0076] The first space 80a is a space located far from the window 97 and is located in the upper left in FIG. 9.

[0077] The second space 80b is a space located far from the window 97 and is located on the right side of the first space 80a in FIG. 9.

[0078] The third space 80c is a space located far from the window 97 and is located on the right side of the second space 80b in FIG. 9.

[0079] The fourth space 80d is a space located on the window 97 side and is located below the first space 80a in FIG. 9.

[0080] The fifth space 80e is a space located on the window 97 side and is located below the second space 80b and on the right side of the fourth space 80d in FIG. 9.

[0081] The sixth space 80f is a space located on the window 97 side and is located below the third space 80c and on the right side of the fifth space 80e in FIG. 9.

[0082] The air conditioning system 100w includes an indoor unit group 10, a blower 20w, and an outdoor unit 15w.

[0083] The indoor unit group 10 is composed of six indoor units arranged in the living room 80, that is, in the same space. Specifically, it is composed of a first indoor unit 10a, a second indoor unit 10b, a third indoor unit 10c, a fourth indoor unit 10d, a fifth indoor unit 10e, and a sixth indoor unit 10f. Each of the indoor units 10a to 10f is connected so that refrigerant can circulate between them and the outdoor unit 15w.

[0084] The first indoor unit 10a is provided in the first space 80a. The first indoor unit 10a includes a first temperature acquisition unit 30a that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the first indoor unit 10a from the first space 80a.

[0085] The second indoor unit 10b is provided in the second space 80b. The second indoor unit 10b includes a second temperature acquisition unit 30b that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the second indoor unit 10b from the second space 80b.

[0086] The third indoor unit 10c is provided in the third space 80c. The third indoor unit 10c includes a third temperature acquisition unit 30c that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the third indoor unit 10c from the third space 80c.

[0087] The fourth indoor unit 10d is provided in the fourth space 80d. The fourth indoor unit 10d includes a fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the fourth indoor unit 10d from the fourth space 80d.

[0088] The fifth indoor unit 10e is provided in the fifth space 80e. The fifth indoor unit 10e includes a fifth temperature acquisition unit 30e that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the fifth indoor unit 10e from the fifth space 80e.

[0089] The sixth indoor unit 10f is provided in the sixth space 80f. The sixth indoor unit 10f includes a sixth temperature acquisition unit 30f that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the sixth indoor unit 10f from the sixth space 80f.

[0090] The blower 20w is a so-called ceiling fan that is provided on the ceiling of the living room 80 and provides a downward airflow or an upward airflow to the living room 80. The blower 20w may be provided anywhere as long as it is at a position where it can stir the air in the living room 80. In the present embodiment, a total of two are provided at the center of the space formed by the first space 80a, the second space 80b, the fourth space 80d, and the fifth space 80e, and at the center of the space formed by the second space 80b, the third space 80c, the fourth space 80d, and the sixth space 80f.

[0091] The outdoor unit 15w can control the output to each of the indoor units 10a to 10f according to the temperature setting. Specifically, the outdoor unit 15w adjusts the supply amount of the refrigerant to each of the indoor units 10a to 10f based on the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10f set by the control unit 50w. The outdoor unit 15w includes a control unit 50w.

[0092] The control unit 50w classifies each of the indoor units 10a to 10f into a plurality of groups. Further, the control unit 50w independently controls the set temperatures of each of the indoor units 10a to 10f so that the output to all the indoor units belonging to the group is equal. Details will be described later.

[0093] Next, the configuration of the control unit 50w will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 50w.

[0094] The control unit 50w is communicably connected to the outdoor unit 15w and each of the indoor units 10a to 10f of the indoor unit group 10. The control unit 50w classifies each of the indoor units 10a to 10f as an indoor unit classification process into each high-load indoor unit 10H that should relatively increase the output among each of the indoor units 10a to 10f, and each low-load indoor unit 10L that should have a smaller output than each of the high-load indoor units 10H.

[0095] As an index value maintenance process, the control unit 50w independently controls the set temperatures of the high-load indoor units 10H so that the output to each high-load indoor unit 10H is equal to the first output A1. Further, the control unit 50w independently controls the set temperatures of the low-load indoor units 10L so that the output to each low-load indoor unit 10L is equal to the second output A2, which is smaller than the first output A1. More precisely, the control unit 50w controls the set temperatures of the high-load indoor units 10H so that each index value of each high-load indoor unit 10H is uniform at the high-load target index value LtH corresponding to the first output A1. Also, the control unit 50w controls the set temperatures of the low-load indoor units 10L so that each index value of each low-load indoor unit 10L is uniform at the low-load target index value LtL corresponding to the second output A2.

[0096] The control unit 50w includes a suction temperature difference calculation unit 52, an indoor unit classification unit 54, a differential temperature value calculation unit 51w, a current index value acquisition unit 53, a target index value update unit 55w, an average index value calculation unit 63w, and a temperature management unit 65w.

[0097] The suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 calculates an individual temperature difference Tid, which is the temperature difference between the suction temperature Ti and the target temperature Tt for each indoor unit 10a to 10f, and outputs it to the indoor unit classification unit 54.

[0098] The indoor unit classification unit 54 classifies each of the indoor units 10a to 10f into each high-load indoor unit 10H for which the output should be relatively increased among the indoor units 10a to 10f, and each low-load indoor unit 10L for which the output should be decreased with respect to each high-load indoor unit 10H. Specifically, among the indoor units 10a to 10f, the indoor units with relatively large individual temperature differences Tid are classified as each high-load indoor unit 10H, and the indoor units with individual temperature differences Tid smaller than those of each high-load indoor unit 10H are classified as each low-load indoor unit 10L. More specifically, the indoor unit classification unit 54 classifies, among the indoor units 10a to 10f, the indoor units with individual temperature differences Tid equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as each high-load indoor unit 10H, and the indoor units with individual temperature differences Tid smaller than the predetermined threshold as each low-load indoor unit 10L. Note that the method for setting the predetermined threshold is not particularly limited. For example, it may be determined in advance by the user, or may be appropriately determined by the control unit 50w according to the room temperature distribution or the like. In the present embodiment, the indoor unit classification unit 54 classifies the fourth indoor unit 10d, the fifth indoor unit 10e, and the sixth indoor unit 10f located on the window 97 side as each high-load indoor unit 10H, and classifies the first indoor unit 10a, the second indoor unit 10b, and the third indoor unit 10c located far from the window 97 side as each low-load indoor unit 10L.

[0099] Each high-load indoor unit 10H is one of the indoor units 10a to 10f for which the output should be relatively increased. They are a plurality of indoor units. Specifically, each high-load indoor unit 10H is an indoor unit with a relatively large individual temperature difference Tid among the indoor units 10a to 10f.

[0100] Each low-load indoor unit 10L is a plurality of indoor units for which the output should be smaller than that of each high-load indoor unit 10H among the indoor units 10a to 10f. Specifically, each low-load indoor unit 10L is an indoor unit with a relatively small individual temperature difference Tid among the indoor units 10a to 10f.

[0101] In addition, the control when there is only one high-load indoor unit 10H or one low-load indoor unit 10L is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 50w may control to equally allocate the output to the indoor units excluding the single unit and operate the single unit independently, or may control to equally allocate the output to all the indoor units 10a to 10f.

[0102] In addition, the control when there are no high-load indoor units 10H or no low-load indoor units 10L is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 50w controls to equally allocate the output to the indoor units 10a to 10f.

[0103] Note that when the indoor unit classification unit 54 classifies the indoor units 10a to 10f, it may control to set a predetermined number of indoor units as the high-load indoor units 10H in order from the ones with higher individual temperature differences Tid among the indoor units 10a to 10f, and the other indoor units as the low-load indoor units 10L.

[0104] The differential temperature value calculation unit 51w acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the indoor units 10a to 10f, that is, the suction temperature Ti, from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30f. Based on the acquired plurality of temperatures, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51w calculates a high-load suction temperature average value TiavH, which is the average value of the suction temperatures of the high-load indoor units 10H, and a low-load suction temperature average value TiavL, which is the average value of the suction temperatures of the low-load indoor units 10L. Here, the high-load suction temperature average value TiavH and the low-load suction temperature average value TiavL correspond to the suction temperature average value Tiav in the first embodiment.

[0105] In addition, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51w calculates a high-load average differential temperature value TdHav by subtracting the preset target temperature Tt in the living room from the high-load suction temperature average value TiavH, and outputs it to the target index value update unit 55w. Further, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51w calculates a low-load average differential temperature value TdLav by subtracting the preset target temperature Tt in the living room from the low-load suction temperature average value TiavL, and outputs it to the target index value update unit 55w. Here, the high-load average differential temperature value TdHav and the low-load average differential temperature value TdLav correspond to the average differential temperature value Tdav in the first embodiment.

[0106] The current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires each index value for each of the indoor units 10a to 10f. That is, the current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current index value Ln from each of the indoor units 10a to 10f during operation. Further, the current index value acquisition unit 53 outputs the acquired current index value Ln to the target index value update unit 55w, the average index value calculation unit 63, and the temperature management unit 65w.

[0107] The target index value update unit 55w determines the output distributed from the outdoor unit 15w to each of the indoor units 10a to 10f, that is, to what level the index value is to be equalized for each group. That is, the high-load target index value LtH and the low-load target index value LtL, which are the target values of the index value necessary to achieve the target temperature Tt in the living room, are updated. Here, the high-load target index value LtH and the low-load target index value LtL correspond to the target index value Lt in the first embodiment.

[0108] The target index value update unit 55w includes an index value change amount acquisition unit 57w and a target index value calculation unit 59w.

[0109] The index value change amount acquisition unit 57w acquires the high-load index value change amount ΔLH corresponding to the high-load average temperature difference value TdHav based on the high-load average temperature difference value TdH av calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit 51w and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59w. Further, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57w acquires the low-load index value change amount ΔLL corresponding to the low-load average temperature difference value TdLav based on the low-load average temperature difference value TdLav calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit 51w and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59w. Here, the high-load index value change amount ΔLH and the low-load index value change amount ΔLL correspond to the index value change amount ΔL in the first embodiment.

[0110] The target index value calculation unit 59w adds the high load index value change amount ΔLH acquired by the index value change amount acquisition unit 57w to the high load reference index value LsH to determine a new high load target index value LtH. Further, the target index value calculation unit 59w adds the low load index value change amount ΔLL acquired by the index value change amount acquisition unit 57w to the low load reference index value LsL to determine a new high load target index value LtL. Here, the high load reference index value LsH and the low load reference index value LsL correspond to the reference index value Ls in the first embodiment.

[0111] Note that the high load reference index value LsH is given, as an initial value, the high load average index value LnavH which is the average value of the current index values Ln of each high load indoor unit 10H from the average index value calculation unit 63w. Also, the low load reference index value LsL is given, as an initial value, the low load average index value LnavL which is the average value of the current index values Ln of each low load indoor unit 10L from the average index value calculation unit 63w. Here, the high load average index value LnavH and the low load average index value LnavL correspond to the average index value Lnav in the first embodiment.

[0112] In the index value maintenance process for the second and subsequent times of each high load indoor unit 10H, the target index value calculation unit 59w itself uses the high load target index value LtH used in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process. Also, in the index value maintenance process for the second and subsequent times of each low load indoor unit 10L, the target index value calculation unit 59w itself uses the low load target index value LtL used in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process.

[0113] The average index value calculation unit 63w calculates, only for the first index value maintenance process after the start of operation, LnavH which is the average value of the current index values Ln acquired from each high load indoor unit 10H, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59w. Also, the average index value calculation unit 63w calculates, only for the first index value maintenance process after the start of operation, LnavL which is the average value of the current index values Ln acquired from each low load indoor unit 10L, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59w.

[0114] Based on the high-load target index value LtH calculated by the target index value update unit 55w, the temperature management unit 65w determines the set temperature Tset for each high-load indoor unit 10H, and operates each high-load indoor unit 10H at the set temperature Tset. Also, based on the low-load target index value LtL calculated by the target index value update unit 55w, the temperature management unit 65w determines the set temperature Tset for each low-load indoor unit 10L, and operates each low-load indoor unit 10L at the set temperature Tset.

[0115] The temperature management unit 65w includes a calculated index difference value calculation unit 67w, a temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w, a set temperature calculation unit 71w, a set temperature change unit 73w, and an index value maintenance unit 75w.

[0116] The calculated index difference value calculation unit 67w subtracts the current index value Ln of each high-load indoor unit 10H from the high-load target index value LtH calculated by the target index value calculation unit 59w to calculate a high-load calculated index difference value LdH, and outputs it to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w. Also, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67w subtracts the current index value Ln of each low-load indoor unit 10L from the low-load target index value LtL calculated by the target index value calculation unit 59w to calculate a low-load calculated index difference value LdL, and outputs it to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w. Here, the high-load calculated index difference value LdH and the low-load calculated index difference value LdL correspond to the calculated index difference value Ld in Embodiment 1.

[0117] Based on the high-load calculated index difference value LdH calculated by the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67w and the second table stored in the second storage unit 77, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w acquires a high-load set temperature change amount ΔTH corresponding to the value of the high-load calculated index difference value LdH, and outputs it to the set temperature calculation unit 71w. Also, based on the low-load calculated index difference value LdL calculated by the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67w and the second table stored in the second storage unit 77, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w acquires a low-load set temperature change amount ΔTL corresponding to the value of the low-load calculated index difference value LdL, and outputs it to the set temperature calculation unit 71w. Here, the high-load set temperature change amount ΔTH and the low-load set temperature change amount ΔTL correspond to the set temperature change amount ΔT in Embodiment 1.

[0118] The set temperature calculation unit 71w adds the high-load set temperature change amount ΔTH output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w to the suction temperature Ti of each high-load indoor unit 10H to calculate the high-load set temperature TsetH of each high-load indoor unit 10H, and outputs it to the set temperature change unit 73w. Further, the set temperature calculation unit 71w adds the low-load set temperature change amount ΔTL output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69w to the suction temperature Ti of each low-load indoor unit 10L to calculate the low-load set temperature TsetL of each low-load indoor unit 10L, and outputs it to the set temperature change unit 73w. Here, the high-load set temperature TsetH and the low-load set temperature TsetL correspond to the set temperature Tset in the first embodiment.

[0119] The set temperature change unit 73w changes the set temperature of each high-load indoor unit 10H to the high-load set temperature TsetH calculated by the set temperature calculation unit 71w, and performs set temperature change. Further, the set temperature change unit 73w changes the set temperature of each low-load indoor unit 10L to the low-load set temperature TsetL calculated by the set temperature calculation unit 71w, and performs set temperature change.

[0120] The index value maintenance unit 75w operates each high-load indoor unit 10H at the high-load set temperature TsetH changed by the set temperature change unit 73w. As a result, for each high-load indoor unit 10H, the current index value Ln and the high-load target index value LtH are evenly maintained in a state of coincidence. Further, the index value maintenance unit 75w operates each low-load indoor unit 10L at the low-load set temperature TsetL changed by the set temperature change unit 73w. As a result, for each low-load indoor unit 10L, the current index value Ln and the low-load target index value LtL are evenly maintained in a state of coincidence.

[0121] Next, the indoor unit classification process executed by the control unit 50w with the above configuration will be described. As described above, the main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the indoor units of the indoor unit group 10 are classified into a plurality of groups, and the index value maintenance process described in the first embodiment is independently performed for each group. Therefore, the description of the index value maintenance process is omitted here, and the indoor unit classification process for classifying each indoor unit 10a to 10f belonging to the indoor unit group 10 into each high-load indoor unit 10H and each low-load indoor unit 10L will be mainly described.

[0122] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the indoor unit classification process and the index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50w. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the indoor unit classification process S150.

[0123] The indoor unit classification process S150 is a process of classifying each of the indoor units 10a to 10f into each high-load indoor unit 10H for which the output should be relatively increased among the indoor units 10a to 10f and each low-load indoor unit 10L for which the output should be decreased with respect to each high-load indoor unit 10H. As shown in FIG. 11, the indoor unit classification process S150 is executed after the completion of the initial condition setting process S100 and 10 minutes after the completion of the previous set temperature update process S300.

[0124] When the user starts the operation of the air conditioning system with the target temperature Tt in the living room being, for example, 26°C, the control unit 50w executes the initial condition setting process S100. Here, as an example, the air conditioning system performs a cooling operation in summer. Also, as the state of the living room 80 immediately before starting the cooling operation, the room temperatures of the first space 80a, the second space 80b, and the third space 80c located farther from the window 97 are set to 27°C, and the room temperatures of the fourth space 80d, the fifth space 80e, and the sixth space 80f located on the window 97 side are set to 29°C (see FIG. 9).

[0125] When the initial condition setting process S100 is completed, the indoor unit classification process S150 is executed.

[0126] When the indoor unit classification process S150 is executed, as shown in FIG. 12, the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 acquires the suction temperature Ti, which is the temperature of the air sucked into each of the indoor units 10a to 10f from each temperature acquisition unit 30a to 30f (S151).

[0127] Next, the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 calculates an individual temperature difference Tid, which is the temperature difference between the suction temperature Ti and the target temperature Tt of the living room, for each indoor unit 10a to 10f, and outputs it to the indoor unit classification unit 54 (S152). Specifically, from the target temperature Tt = 26°C and Ti(a) = Ti(b) = Ti(c) = 27°C, Tid(a) = Tid(b) = Tid(c) = 1°C. Also, from Ti(d) = Tid(e) = Tid(f) = 29°C, Tid(d) = Tid(e) = Tid(f) = 3°C.

[0128] Next, when the individual temperature difference Tid for each of the indoor units 10a to 10f is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the indoor unit classification unit 54 classifies the corresponding indoor unit as each high-load indoor unit 10H, and when it is less than the predetermined threshold value, it classifies it as each low-load indoor unit 10L (S153). Here, in the present embodiment, the predetermined threshold value is set to 2°C. That is, since Tid(a) to (c) = 1°C, the first indoor unit 10a, the second indoor unit 10b, and the third indoor unit 10c are classified as each low-load indoor unit 10L (S155). Also, since Tid(d) to (f) = 3°C, the fourth indoor unit 10d, the fifth indoor unit 10e, and the sixth indoor unit 10f are classified as each high-load indoor unit 10H (S154). When the classification of all the indoor units 10a to 10f is completed by the indoor unit classification unit 54, the indoor unit classification process S150 ends (S156).

[0129] The above is the indoor unit classification process S150. After the completion of the indoor unit classification process S150, each high-load indoor unit 10H and each low-load indoor unit 10L independently execute the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300.

[0130] Also, by executing the indoor unit classification process S150 every time a predetermined time elapses (every 10 minutes in the present embodiment), it is possible to optimize the classification of each of the indoor units 10a to 10f according to the situation. For example, when a heat-generating device such as a personal computer is installed in the first space 80a, the first indoor unit 10a can be classified as each high-load indoor unit 10H when the personal computer is in use, and the first indoor unit 10a can be classified as each low-load indoor unit 10L when the personal computer is not in use.

[0131] By adopting such a configuration, even if there are factors that change the temperature distribution in the living room, it is possible to continuously reduce the consumed energy while suppressing temperature unevenness. Note that, as factors that change the temperature distribution, in addition to the above-described heating devices, changes in the amount of sunlight and crowding of people are conceivable.

[0132] By the above processing, it is possible to suppress temperature unevenness more than when the indoor units 10a to 10f are not grouped, and it is possible to reduce the consumed energy as compared with the conventional technology. (Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, an example of the index value maintenance process during the cooling operation was described. In Embodiment 3, an example of the index value maintenance process during the heating operation will be described. Note that the description of the same processes as those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted or simplified.

[0133] In the index value maintenance process during the heating operation, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 subtracts the average suction temperature value Tiav, which is the average value of the suction temperatures, from the target temperature Tt in the living room set in advance, to calculate the average differential temperature value Tdav (see S203 in FIG. 7). Further, the set temperature calculation unit 71 subtracts the set temperature change amount ΔT output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 from the suction temperatures Ti of the indoor units 10a to 10d to calculate the set temperatures Tset of the indoor units 10a to 10d (see S304 in FIG. 8). Other processes are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0134] By the above-described processing, it is possible to reduce the consumed energy of the air conditioning system even during the heating operation. (Modification Example) In Embodiments 1 to 3, an example in which the target index value update process (S200) and the set temperature change process (S300) are repeatedly performed every 10 minutes was shown. In addition, a process of repeatedly performing only the set temperature change process (S300) may be added. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a configuration may be adopted in which the set temperature change process (S300) is repeated every minute.

[0135] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to operate each of the indoor units 10a to 10d with higher accuracy at the target index value Lt, and as a result, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system capable of suppressing power consumption.

[0136] In Embodiments 1 to 3, an example in which the index value maintenance process is performed when a temperature difference occurs within the same space has been shown. However, for example, a space such as a basement or a highly insulated space without windows where there is almost no temperature difference within the same space may also be an object of air conditioning using the index value maintenance process.

[0137] In Embodiments 1 to 3, an example in which the index value maintenance process is started simultaneously with the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100 has been shown. However, for example, the index value maintenance process may be started after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100.

[0138] In Embodiment 2, an example in which the indoor units provided in the same space (living room) are grouped has been shown. However, a configuration in which the indoor units provided in different living rooms are grouped may also be used. (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. The main difference from Embodiment 1 is that in Embodiment 4, each indoor unit belonging to the indoor unit group 10 corrects the target index value Lt determined based on its respective space temperature, and each indoor unit operates according to its respective individual target value.

[0139] That is, in the case of cooling, each indoor unit increases the output if the suction temperature Ti is higher than the target temperature Tt by a certain temperature or more, and decreases the output if it is lower. In the case of heating, each indoor unit increases the output if the suction temperature Ti is lower than the target temperature Tt by a certain temperature or more, and decreases the output if it is higher. As a result, it is possible to suppress temperature unevenness in the living room more evenly than when the output is equally allocated to all indoor units, and it is possible to provide an air conditioning system capable of reducing energy consumption compared to the prior art. The configuration of Embodiment 4 will be described below, but the description of the same configuration as in Embodiment 1 may be omitted or simplified.

[0140] The air conditioning system 100t will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a top view of the living room 80 air-conditioned by the air conditioning system 100t, as seen from above.

[0141] The living room 80 is a space surrounded by a ceiling, a floor surface, side walls 95, and a window 97. Also, for the sake of convenience in explanation, in this embodiment, the living room 80 will be divided into four spaces for description. Specifically, the living room 80 will be divided into a first space 80a, a second space 80b, a third space 80c, and a fourth space 80d for description.

[0142] The first space 80a is a space located on the window 97 side and is the leftmost in FIG. 14.

[0143] The second space 80b is located on the right side of the first space 80a in FIG. 14.

[0144] The third space 80c is located on the right side of the second space 80b in FIG. 14.

[0145] The fourth space 80d is located on the right side of the third space 80c in FIG. 14.

[0146] The air conditioning system 100t includes an indoor unit group 10 and an outdoor unit 15t.

[0147] The indoor unit group 10 is composed of four indoor units arranged in the living room 80, that is, in the same space. Specifically, it is composed of a first indoor unit 10a, a second indoor unit 10b, a third indoor unit 10c, and a fourth indoor unit 10d. Each of the indoor units 10a to 10d is connected so that refrigerant can circulate between it and the outdoor unit 15t.

[0148] The first indoor unit 10a is provided in the first space 80a. The first indoor unit 10a includes a first temperature acquisition unit 30a that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the first indoor unit 10a from the first space 80a.

[0149] The second indoor unit 10b is provided in the second space 80b. The second indoor unit 10b includes a second temperature acquisition unit 30b that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the second indoor unit 10b from the second space 80b.

[0150] The third indoor unit 10c is provided in the third space 80c. The third indoor unit 10c includes a third temperature acquisition unit 30c that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the third indoor unit 10c from the third space 80c.

[0151] The fourth indoor unit 10d is provided in the fourth space 80d. The fourth indoor unit 10d includes a fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d that acquires the temperature of the air sucked into the fourth indoor unit 10d from the fourth space 80d.

[0152] The outdoor unit 15t can control the output to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d according to the temperature setting. Specifically, the outdoor unit 15t adjusts the supply amount of the refrigerant to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d set by the control unit 50t. The outdoor unit 15t includes a control unit 50t.

[0153] The control unit 50t independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d so as to distribute the output from the outdoor unit 15t to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on individual target values Lti. Details will be described later.

[0154] Next, the configuration of the control unit 50t will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 50t.

[0155] The control unit 50t is communicably connected to the outdoor unit 15t and each of the indoor units 10a to 10d of the indoor unit group 10. The control unit 50t independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10d so as to allocate the output of the outdoor unit 15t to each of the indoor units 10a to 10d based on individual target values.

[0156] The control unit 50t includes a differential temperature value calculation unit 51, a suction temperature difference calculation unit 52, a current target value acquisition unit 53, a target target value update unit 55, an average target value calculation unit 63, an individual target value update unit 43, and a temperature management unit 65.

[0157] The differential temperature value calculation unit 51 will not be described in detail as it is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0158] The current target value acquisition unit 53 will not be described in detail as it is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0159] The target target value update unit 55 will not be described in detail as it is the same as in the first embodiment. The calculated target target value Lt is output to the individual target value update unit 43.

[0160] The suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 will not be described in detail as it is the same as in the third embodiment. The calculated individual temperature difference Tid is output to the individual target value update unit 43.

[0161] The individual target value update unit 43 includes a shift value calculation unit 45 and an individual target value calculation unit 47.

[0162] The shift value calculation unit 45 updates the shift value Si of each indoor unit based on the individual temperature difference Tid calculated by the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 and the positional relationship of each indoor unit stored in the third storage unit 41.

[0163] Specifically, in the case of cooling operation, with the initial value of Si being 0, for each indoor unit, if either the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit or the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit adjacent to the indoor unit stored in the third storage unit 41 is greater than the threshold value x1, the shift value Si is increased. Next, if the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit is less than the threshold value x2, the shift value Si is decreased. Or, the operation mode is switched to the blowing mode. In the blowing mode, air conditioning is not performed and only the sucked air is blown out as it is. Also, if neither condition applies to each indoor unit, if the operation mode is the blowing mode, it is switched to cooling, and Si is decreased or increased by w3 until the shift value Si becomes 0.

[0164] In the case of heating operation, with the initial value of Si being 0, each indoor unit increases the shift value Si when either the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit or the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit adjacent to the indoor unit stored in the third storage unit 41 is smaller than the threshold value y1. Next, when the individual temperature difference Tid of the indoor unit is greater than the threshold value y2, the shift value Si is decreased. Or, the operation mode is switched to the blowing mode. Also, when neither condition applies to each indoor unit, if the operation mode is the blowing mode, it is switched to heating, and Si is decreased or increased by w3 until the shift value Si becomes 0. Details of the third storage unit 41 will be described later.

[0165] The individual target value calculation unit 47 calculates an individual target value Lti by adding the shift value Si calculated by the shift value calculation unit 45 to the target index value Lt calculated by the target index value update unit 55. The calculated individual target value Lti is output to the temperature management unit 65.

[0166] Based on the individual target value Lti calculated by the individual target value update unit 43, the temperature management unit 65 determines, for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d, a set temperature Tset at which each index value of the indoor units 10a to 10d becomes the individual target value Lti, and operates the indoor units 10a to 10d at the set temperature Tset. Since the temperature management unit 65 performs the same processing by replacing the target index value Lt in the first embodiment with the individual target value Lti, detailed description is omitted.

[0167] The third storage unit 41 is a memory that stores the positional relationship of each indoor unit. The third storage unit 41 stores the indoor units adjacent to each indoor unit in the indoor unit group 10. Here, the indoor units in the adjacent relationship may be the indoor units closest to the indoor unit among the indoor unit group 10.

[0168] The individual target value update process executed by the control unit 50t will be described with the above configuration. As described above, the main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that an individual target value Lti is calculated by adding the shift value Si to the target index value Lt, and an index value maintenance process is performed based on the individual target value Lti.

[0169] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the indoor unit classification process and the index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50t.

[0170] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the individual target value update process for S400a during cooling.

[0171] When the user starts the operation of the air conditioning system with the target temperature Tt in the living room set to 26°C, for example, the control unit 50t executes the initial condition setting process S100. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the air conditioning system performs a cooling operation in summer. Also, as the state of the living room 80 immediately before starting the cooling operation, the room temperature of the first space 80a located on the window 97 side is 30°C, the room temperatures of the second space 80b and the third space 80c are 28°C each, and the room temperature of the fourth space 80d located farther from the window 97 is 24°C (see FIG. 14).

[0172] When the initial condition setting process S100 is executed, as shown in FIG. 6, the current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to (d) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the respective indoor units 10a to 10d (S101). Specifically, the current index value Ln(a) acquired from the first indoor unit 10a is

[14] , the current index values Ln(b) acquired from the second indoor unit 10b and Ln(c) acquired from the third indoor unit 10c are

[12] , and the current index value Ln(d) acquired from the fourth indoor unit 10d is [8].

[0173] Next, the current index value acquisition unit 53 outputs the acquired current index values Ln to the average index value calculation unit 63. The average index value calculation unit 63 that inputs the current index values Ln calculates the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S102). Specifically, from Ln(a)=14, Ln(b)=12, Ln(c)=12, Ln(d)=8, Lnav=[11.5] is calculated.

[0174] Next, when the target index value update process S200 is executed, as shown in FIG. 7, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 acquires the suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) of the air sucked into each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30d provided in each of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S201). Specifically, the suction temperature Ti(a) acquired by the first temperature acquisition unit 30a is 30°C, the Ti(b) acquired by the second temperature acquisition unit 30b and the Ti(c) acquired by the third temperature acquisition unit 30c are each 28°C, and the suction temperature Ti(d) acquired by the fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d is 24°C. Next, the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 calculates the average suction temperature value Tiav, which is the average value of the acquired suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) (S202). Specifically, from Ti(a)=30°C, Ti(b)=Ti(c)=28°C, and Ti(d)=24°C, Tiav = 27.5°C.

[0175] Next, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 calculates, for each of the indoor units 10a to 10d, an average differential temperature value Tdav obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt in the living room from the average suction temperature value Tiav acquired from the differential temperature value calculation unit 51 (S203). Specifically, from Tiav = 27.5°C and Tt = 26°C, Tdav = 1.5°C.

[0176] Next, the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 acquires, from the average differential temperature value Tdav and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61, an index value change amount ΔL corresponding to the average differential temperature value Tdav (S204). Specifically, from Tdav = 1.5°C, ΔL = +0.5 (see FIG. 3).

[0177] Next, the target index value calculation unit 59 adds the index value change amount Δ L acquired by the index value change amount acquisition unit 57 to the reference index value Ls to determine a new target index value Lt. Note that the reference index value Ls is given, as an initial value, the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the average index value calculation unit 63. Also, in the index value maintenance process for the second and subsequent times, the target index value calculation unit 59 uses the target index value Lt used in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process. Specifically, from Ls = Lnav = 11.5 and ΔL = +0.5, Lt = 12.

[0178] Next, when the individual target value update process S400a is executed, as shown in FIG. 17, the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 acquires the suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) of the air sucked into each of the indoor units 10a to 10d from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30d provided in each of the indoor units 10a to 10d (S401a). Specifically, the suction temperature Ti(a) acquired by the first temperature acquisition unit 30a is 30°C, Ti(b) and Ti(c) acquired by the second temperature acquisition unit 30b and the third temperature acquisition unit 30c are 28°C respectively, and the suction temperature Ti(d) acquired by the fourth temperature acquisition unit 30d is 24°C. Next, the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 calculates the individual temperature difference Tid from the acquired suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) and the target temperature Tt (S402a). Specifically, from Ti(a)=30°C, Ti(b)=Ti(c)=28°C, Ti(d)=24°C, and Tt=26°C, Tid(a)=4°C, Tid(b)=Tid(c)=2°C, and Tid(d)=-2°C.

[0179] Next, the shift value calculation unit 45 calculates a shift value for each indoor unit based on the individual temperature difference Tid acquired from the suction temperature difference calculation unit 52 and the information of the indoor units in the adjacent relationship stored in the third storage unit 41.

[0180] The shift value Si has an initial value of 0. Since the individual temperature difference Tid(a)=4°C of the indoor unit 10a exceeds the threshold value x1 (here, x1=3°C), the shift value is updated (S403a).

[0181] Specifically, the movement amount w1 (here, w1=1) is added to the initial value Si(a)=0 to make Si(a)=1 (S406a).

[0182] The individual temperature difference Tid(b)=2°C of the indoor unit 10b does not exceed the threshold value x1=3°C, but since the individual temperature difference Tid(a)=4°C of its adjacent indoor unit 10a exceeds the threshold value x1=3°C, the shift value is updated (S404a).

[0183] Specifically, the movement amount w1 = 1 is added to the initial value Si(b) = 0 to obtain Si(b) = 1 (S406a).

[0184] The indoor unit 10c has an individual temperature difference Tid(c) = 2°C of the indoor unit, an individual temperature difference Tid(b) = 2°C of the adjacent indoor unit 10b, and an individual temperature difference Tid(d) = -2°C of the adjacent indoor unit 10d. The individual temperature differences Tid(b), Tid(a), and Tid(c) of the indoor unit and its adjacent indoor units do not exceed the threshold value x1 = 3°C. Also, the individual temperature difference Tid(c) of the indoor unit does not fall below the threshold value x2 (here, x2 = -1°C) (S405a). Therefore, when the shift value Si(c) is greater than 0, w3 (here, w3 = 1) is subtracted, and when it is less than 0, w3 is added. Also, if the operation mode is the blowing mode, it is switched to the cooling mode (S408a).

[0185] Specifically, this time the shift value Si(c) = 0, and since it is in the cooling operation, there is no change, and the shift value Si(c) remains 0.

[0186] The individual temperature difference Tid(d) = -2°C of the indoor unit 10d is below the threshold value x2 = -1°C, so the shift value Si is updated (S405a).

[0187] Specifically, the movement amount w2 (here, w2 = 1) is subtracted from the initial value Si(d) = 0 to obtain Si(d) = -1 (S407a).

[0188] Next, the individual target value calculation unit 47 adds the shift value Si obtained from the shift value calculation unit 45 for each indoor unit to the target index value Lt obtained from the target index value calculation unit 59 to calculate an individual target value Lti for each indoor unit (S409a).

[0189] Specifically, from Si(a) = Si(b) = 1, Si(c) = 0, Si(d) = -1, and Lt = 12, the individual target values are Lti(a) = Lti(b) = 13, Lti(c) = 12, and Lti(d) = 11.

[0190] ​Next, when the set temperature update process S300 is executed, as shown in FIG. 8, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to (d) of each indoor unit 10a to 10d from the current index value acquisition unit 53 (S301). Specifically, Ln(a) = 14, Ln(b) = Ln(c) = 12, and Ln(d) = 8.

[0191] Next, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 subtracts the current index values Ln(a) to (d) of each indoor unit 10a to 10d from the individual target value Lti, and calculates the calculated index difference values Ld(a) to (d) for each indoor unit 10a to 10d (S302). Specifically, from Ln(a) = 14, Ln(b) = Ln(c) = 12, Ln(d) = 8, Lti(a) = Lti(b) = 13, Lti(c) = 12, and Lti(d) = 11, Ld(a) = -1, Ld(b) = 1, Ld(c) = 0, and Ld(d) = 3.

[0192] Next, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires the set temperature change amounts ΔT(a) to (d) for each indoor unit 10a to 10d based on the calculated calculated index difference value Ld and the second table stored in the second storage unit 77 (S303). Specifically, from Ld(a) = -1, ΔT(a) = 0°C, from Ld(b) = 1, ΔT(b) = -1°C, from Ld(c) = 0, ΔT(c) = -0.5°C, and from Ld(d) = -3, ΔT(d) = 0.5°C.

[0193] Next, the set temperature calculation unit 71 adds the acquired ΔT(a) to (d) to the suction temperatures Ti(a) to (d) of the corresponding indoor units 10a to 10d, and calculates new set temperatures Tset(a) to (d) for each indoor unit 10b to 10d (S304). Specifically, from Ti(a) = 30°C, Ti(b) = Ti(c) = 28°C, Ti(d) = 24°C, ΔT(a) = 0°C, ΔT(b) = -1°C, ΔT(c) = -0.5°C, and ΔT(d) = 0.5°C, Tset(a) = 30°C, Tset(b) = 27°C, Tset(c) = 27.5°C, and Tset(d) = 24.5°C.

[0194] Regarding the set temperature change unit 73 and the index value maintenance unit 75, since they are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0195] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the individual target value update process for S400b during heating.

[0196] As shown in Figure 18, the air conditioning system 100t can respond not only during cooling but also during heating in the same manner as the heating flow described in other embodiments. As an example, the threshold value y1 = -3°C and the threshold value y2 = +1°C.

[0197] Through the above processing, the index values of each indoor unit, that is, the output from the outdoor unit to each indoor unit, are allocated as evenly as possible, and while reducing the deterioration of energy consumption efficiency, the output is increased or decreased in places where the room temperature is deteriorating, so as to achieve both comfort. As a result, an air conditioning system that can reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioning system while maintaining comfort is provided.

Industrial Applicability

[0198] It is widely applicable to air conditioning systems with multiple indoor units installed in the same space.

Explanation of Signs

[0199] 10 Indoor unit group 10a First indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10b Second indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10c Third indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10d Fourth indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10e Fifth indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10f Sixth indoor unit, (each indoor unit) 10H Each high-load indoor unit 10L Each low-load indoor unit 15, 15w, 15t Outdoor unit 20, 20w Blower 25 Operation unit 30a First temperature acquisition unit 30b Second temperature acquisition unit 30c Third temperature acquisition unit 30d Fourth temperature acquisition unit​ 30e Fifth temperature acquisition unit 30f Sixth temperature acquisition unit 41 Third memory unit 43 Individual target value update unit 45 Shift value calculation unit 47 Individual target value calculation unit 50, 50w, 50t Control unit 51, 51w Differential temperature value calculation unit 52 Suction temperature difference calculation unit 53 Current index value acquisition unit 54 Indoor unit classification unit 55, 55w Target index value update unit 57, 57w Index value change amount acquisition unit 59, 59w Target index value calculation unit 61 First memory unit 63, 63w Average index value calculation unit 65, 65w Temperature management unit 67, 67w Calculated index difference value calculation unit 69, 69w Temperature change amount acquisition unit 71, 71w Set temperature calculation unit 73, 73w Set temperature change unit 75, 75w Index value maintenance unit 77 Second memory unit 80 Living room 80a First space 80b Second space 80c Third space 80d Fourth space 80e Fifth space 80f Sixth space 95 Side wall 97 Window 100, 100w, 100t Air conditioning system Ld Calculated index difference value Ln Current index value Lnav Average index value Ls Reference index value Lt Target index value Lti Individual target value ΔL Index value change amount Tdav Average differential temperature value Tt Target temperature ΔT Set temperature change amount Ti Suction temperature Tiav Average suction temperature Tid Individual temperature difference Tset Set temperature

Claims

1. An outdoor unit whose output can be controlled by temperature settings; An indoor unit group including indoor units arranged in the same space and connected to the outdoor unit; a control unit that independently controls the set temperature of each of the indoor units so as to evenly allocate the output to each of the indoor units.

2. Each of the indoor units is A temperature acquisition unit is provided for acquiring an intake temperature, which is the temperature of air drawn into each of the indoor units, The control unit is a temperature difference value calculation unit that calculates an average temperature value, which is an average value of the plurality of suction temperatures acquired by the plurality of temperature acquisition units, and calculates an average temperature difference value by subtracting a preset target temperature for the same space from the temperature average value, During cooling operation, The set temperature of an indoor unit having a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature and the suction temperature among the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group is set higher than the target temperature; setting the set temperature of an indoor unit having a relatively small temperature difference between the target temperature and the suction temperature among the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group lower than the target temperature; During heating operation, setting the set temperature of an indoor unit having a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature and the suction temperature among the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group lower than the target temperature; and evenly allocating the output to each of the indoor units by setting the set temperature of an indoor unit, among the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group, in which the temperature difference between the target temperature and the suction temperature is relatively small, higher than the target temperature.

2. The air conditioning system of claim 1.

3. a first storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of the average temperature difference value and an index value change amount that indicates an increase / decrease range of the index value related to the output of the outdoor unit, in association with each range of the average temperature difference value; a second storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of calculated index difference values ​​and a set temperature change amount related to the set temperature of the indoor unit in association with each range of the calculated index difference values; The control unit, as the index value maintenance process, a current index value acquisition unit acquires a current index value from each of the indoor units that is in operation; a target index value update unit updates a target index value that is a target value of the index value; A temperature management unit changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units, In the target index value update unit, an index value change amount acquisition unit acquires the index value change amount corresponding to the average temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit, based on the average temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit and the first storage unit; a target index value calculation unit adding the acquired amount of change in index value to a reference index value to calculate the target index value; In the temperature control unit, a calculated index difference value calculation unit calculates the calculated index difference value by subtracting the current index value of each of the indoor units from the calculated target index value; a temperature change amount acquisition unit acquires the set temperature change amount corresponding to the calculated index difference value based on the calculated calculated index difference value and the second storage unit; a set temperature calculation unit adding the acquired set temperature change amount to the suction temperature of each of the indoor units to calculate the set temperature of each of the indoor units; a set temperature changing unit that changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units to the set temperature calculated by the set temperature calculation unit, the index value maintaining unit operates each of the indoor units at the set temperature changed by the set temperature changing unit, thereby evenly maintaining the current index value and the target index value in each of the indoor units in a consistent state; 3. An air conditioning system according to claim 2.

4. The temperature control unit is During cooling operation, When the calculated index difference value is positive or 0, the set temperature of each of the indoor units is set lower than the suction temperature, and when the calculated index difference value is negative, the set temperature of each of the indoor units is set higher than the suction temperature; During heating operation, When the calculated index difference value is positive or 0, the set temperature of each of the indoor units is set higher than the suction temperature, and when the calculated index difference value is negative, the set temperature of each of the indoor units is set lower than the suction temperature.

4. An air conditioning system according to claim 3.

5. The control unit is an average index value calculation unit that calculates an average index value that is an average value of the plurality of current index values ​​acquired from each of the indoor units; The reference index value at the time of the operation start process of each indoor unit is set as the average index value, and the index value maintenance process is performed. The index value maintenance process is executed with the reference index value in the operation continuation process after the operation start process of each indoor unit as the target index value used in the index value maintenance process immediately before.

5. An air conditioning system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The control unit repeats the index value maintenance process until the same space reaches the target temperature.

6. An air conditioning system according to claim 5.

7. The control unit is an indoor unit classification unit that classifies the indoor units into high-load indoor units whose outputs should be relatively increased among the indoor units and low-load indoor units whose outputs should be reduced relative to the high-load indoor units; Allocating the first output evenly to each of the high-load indoor units; The air conditioning system according to claim 2 , wherein a second output smaller than the first output is evenly allocated to each of the low-load indoor units.

8. The control unit is a suction temperature difference calculation unit that calculates an individual temperature difference, which is the difference between the suction temperature and the target temperature, for each of the indoor units; The indoor unit classification unit is The air conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the indoor units are classified into high-load indoor units having a relatively large individual temperature difference and low-load indoor units having a smaller individual temperature difference than the high-load indoor units.

9. The indoor unit classification unit is classifying the indoor units, among the indoor units, whose individual temperature difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, into the high-load indoor units; The air conditioning system according to claim 8 , wherein among the indoor units, the indoor units for which the individual temperature difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold value are classified as the low-load indoor units.

10. The control unit is a first storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of the average temperature difference value and an index value change amount that indicates an increase or decrease range of an index value related to an output of the outdoor unit, in association with each range of the average temperature difference value; a second storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of calculated index difference values ​​and a set temperature change amount related to the set temperature of the indoor unit in association with each range of the calculated index difference values; The control unit, as the index value maintenance process, a current index value acquisition unit acquires a current index value from each of the indoor units that is in operation; a target index value update unit updates a high-load target index value, which is the index value corresponding to the first output of each of the high-load indoor units, and a low-load target index value, which is an index value corresponding to the second output of each of the low-load indoor units; A temperature management unit changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units, In the target index value update unit, The temperature difference value calculation unit A high-load temperature average value which is the average value of the suction temperatures of each of the high-load indoor units; A high-load average temperature difference value that is a difference between the high-load temperature average value and the target temperature; A low-load temperature average value which is the average value of the suction temperatures of each of the low-load indoor units; Calculating a low-load average temperature difference value, which is the difference between the low-load temperature average value and the target temperature; The index value change amount acquisition unit acquiring a high load index value change amount, which is the index value change amount corresponding to the high load average temperature difference value, based on the high load average temperature difference value and the first storage unit; acquiring a low load index value change amount, which is the index value change amount corresponding to the low load average temperature difference value, based on the low load average temperature difference value and the first storage unit; The target index value calculation unit adding the acquired amount of change in the high-load index value to a reference index value of each of the high-load indoor units to calculate the high-load target index value of each of the high-load indoor units; adding the acquired low-load index value change amount to a reference index value of each of the low-load indoor units to calculate the low-load target index value of each of the low-load indoor units; In the temperature control unit, A calculation indicator difference value calculation unit, calculating a high-load calculated index difference value, which is the calculated index difference value obtained by subtracting the current index value of each of the high-load indoor units from the high-load target index value; calculating a low-load calculated index difference value, which is the calculated index difference value obtained by subtracting the current index value of each of the low-load indoor units from the low-load target index value; a temperature change amount acquisition unit acquires the set temperature change amount corresponding to the calculated index difference value based on the calculated calculated index difference value and the second storage unit; a set temperature calculation unit adding the acquired set temperature change amount to the suction temperature of each of the indoor units to calculate the set temperature of each of the indoor units; a set temperature changing unit that changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units to the set temperature calculated by the set temperature calculation unit, The index value maintaining unit operates each of the indoor units at the set temperature changed by the set temperature changing unit, The current index value and the high-load target index value of each of the high-load indoor units are uniformly maintained in a consistent state, The current index value and the low-load target index value of each of the low-load indoor units are uniformly maintained in a consistent state.

10. An air conditioning system according to claim 9.

11. a first storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of the average temperature difference value and an index value change amount that indicates an increase / decrease range of the index value related to the output of the outdoor unit, in association with each range of the average temperature difference value; a second storage unit that stores a plurality of ranges of calculated index difference values ​​and a set temperature change amount related to the set temperature of the indoor unit in association with each range of the calculated index difference values; A third storage unit that stores the positional relationship of each of the indoor units, The control unit is a suction temperature difference calculation unit that calculates an individual temperature difference, which is the difference between the suction temperature and the target temperature, for each of the indoor units; The control unit, as the index value maintenance process, a current index value acquisition unit acquires a current index value from each of the indoor units that is in operation; a target index value update unit updates a target index value that is a target value of the index value; an individual target value update unit adds a shift value to the updated target index value to update the individual target value of each of the indoor units; A temperature management unit changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units, In the target index value update unit, an index value change amount acquisition unit acquires the index value change amount corresponding to the average temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit, based on the average temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit and the first storage unit; a target index value calculation unit adding the acquired amount of change in index value to a reference index value to calculate the target index value; In the individual target value update unit, a shift value calculation unit calculates the shift value based on the individual temperature difference calculated by the suction temperature difference calculation unit and the positional relationship stored in the third storage unit; an individual target value calculation unit adds the shift value to the target index value calculated by the target index value calculation unit to calculate the individual target value for each of the indoor units; In the temperature control unit, a calculated indicator differential value calculation unit calculates the calculated indicator differential value by subtracting the current indicator value of each of the indoor units from the calculated individual target value; a temperature change amount acquisition unit acquires the set temperature change amount corresponding to the calculated index difference value based on the calculated calculated index difference value and the second storage unit; a set temperature calculation unit adding the acquired set temperature change amount to the suction temperature of each of the indoor units to calculate the set temperature of each of the indoor units; a set temperature changing unit that changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units to the set temperature calculated by the set temperature calculation unit, the index value maintaining unit operates each of the indoor units at the set temperature changed by the set temperature changing unit, thereby evenly maintaining the current index value and the target index value in each of the indoor units in a consistent state; 3. An air conditioning system according to claim 2.

12. A blower is provided to agitate the air in the same space.

2. The air conditioning system of claim 1.

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