Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of reducing power consumption.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes: an outdoor unit 15 capable of controlling output by a temperature setting; an indoor unit group 10 (indoor units 10a-10i) disposed in the same space and connected to the outdoor unit 15; a control part 50 independently controlling the set temperature for the indoor units 10a-10i so as to equally allocate the output to the indoor units 10a-10i, and a plurality of blowers 20j-20u agitating the air in the same space. The control part 50 controls blowing volumes of the blowers 20j-20u on the basis of the distance between a heavy-load indoor unit having maximum load of the indoor units 10a-10i and the blowers 20j-20u.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioning systems that provide air conditioning using multiple indoor units in the same room are known (for example, Patent Document 1). In such air conditioning systems, each indoor unit is operated to maintain a uniform temperature in the room in order to reduce discomfort caused by temperature variations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-4702 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a room, temperature variations occur due to factors such as sunlight or door opening and closing, which causes differences in the output of each indoor unit. This means that the output of some indoor units tends to increase relatively, resulting in a decrease in energy consumption efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve this problem, the air conditioning system of the present invention includes an outdoor unit whose output can be controlled by temperature setting, indoor units arranged in the same space and connected to the outdoor unit, a control unit that independently controls the set temperature of each indoor unit so as to allocate output evenly to each indoor unit, and fans that agitate the air in the same space. The control unit controls the airflow rate of each fan based on the distance between the high-load indoor unit that has the highest load and the fan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention can provide an air conditioning system that can reduce energy consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view of the living room. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the connections of the components that control the operation of each indoor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference between the suction temperature and the target temperature and the amount of change in the target index value. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference between the target index value and the index value of each indoor unit, and the amount of change in the set temperature. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the connections of the components that control the operation of the fans. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the distance between each fan and each indoor unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance between each fan and each indoor unit and the airflow rate of each fan. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the overall control of the air conditioning system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the initial condition setting process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the fan operation setting process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the target index value update process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the set temperature change process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a top view of the living room according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the fan operation setting process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the distance between each fan and a high-load indoor unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the coordinates of each indoor unit and each fan in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of the fan operation setting process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the index value maintaining process in one modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention aims to reduce the energy consumption of an entire air conditioning system that includes a plurality of indoor units provided in the same space and outdoor units connected to the indoor units.

[0009] Within the same space, for example, a space near a window that is susceptible to sunlight is prone to temperature fluctuations, which can cause temperature variations within the space. When such temperature variations occur, the temperature difference between the intake temperature of the indoor unit that conditions the space near the window and the target temperature of the same space becomes relatively large compared to the other indoor units. In other words, to eliminate this temperature difference, it is necessary to increase the output of the indoor unit that conditions the space near the window. In the past, this resulted in an increase in the output of some indoor units, which led to variations in the superheat of each indoor unit, and as a result, energy consumption efficiency tended to deteriorate.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention reduces the output of indoor units with high output, such as those conditioning spaces near windows, and increases the output of indoor units with low output, such as those conditioning spaces farther from windows. This prevents a decrease in energy consumption efficiency due to increased output of some indoor units and reduces the energy consumption of the air conditioning system. In other words, the present invention reduces the energy consumption of an air conditioning system by equalizing the "output" of each indoor unit rather than matching the "set temperature" of each indoor unit. Furthermore, if the "output" of each indoor unit is equalized, spaces that are more susceptible to the influence of external temperatures, such as those near windows, may not be as effective in air conditioning as spaces farther from windows, which may result in temperature variations within the room. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an air conditioning system that efficiently mixes the air in a room by controlling the airflow rates of multiple fans, thereby reducing discomfort caused by temperature variations and, as described above, reducing energy consumption.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments that can achieve the above object will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that 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. In each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations 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 room 80 that is air-conditioned by the air conditioning system 100, as seen from above.

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

[0013] The living room 80 is a space surrounded by the ceiling, floor, window 97, a first side wall 94 which is the left side wall of the living room 80, a second side wall 95 which is the side wall of the living room 80 opposite the window 97, a third side wall 96 which is the right side wall of the living room 80, and the window 97. The living room 80 is a space where people live, and is, for example, a room in a building such as a house or a commercial facility. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment, the living room 80 will be described divided into nine spaces surrounded by dashed lines. Specifically, the living room The description will be made by dividing 80 into space 80a, space 80b, space 80c, space 80d, space 80e, space 80f, space 80g, space 80h, and space 80i.

[0014] The space 80a is located on the opposite side of the window 97, and is a space surrounded by the second side wall 95, the dashed lines AA, CC, and DD.

[0015] The space 80b is located on the opposite side from the window 97, and is a space surrounded by the second side wall 95, the dashed lines AA, DD, and EE. The space 80b is located to the right of the space 80a.

[0016] The space 80c is located on the opposite side from the window 97 and is surrounded by the second side wall 95, the dashed lines AA, EE, and FF. The space 80c is located to the right of the space 80b.

[0017] The space 80d is a space surrounded by dashed lines AA, BB, CC, and DD. The space 80d is located closer to the window 97 than the space 80a.

[0018] The space 80e is a space surrounded by dashed lines AA, BB, DD, and EE. The space 80e is located closer to the window 97 than the space 80b, and is located to the right of the space 80d.

[0019] The space 80f is a space surrounded by dashed lines AA, BB, EE, and FF. The space 80f is located closer to the window 97 than the space 80c, and is located to the right of the space 80e.

[0020] Space 80g is a space located on the window 97 side and is a space surrounded by the window 97 and dashed lines BB, CC, and DD. Space 80g is a space located closer to the window 97 than space 80d.

[0021] Space 80h is located on the window 97 side and is a space surrounded by window 97 and dashed lines BB, DD, and EE. Space 80h is located closer to window 97 than space 80e and to the right of space 80g.

[0022] Space 80i is located on the window 97 side and is a space surrounded by the window 97 and dashed lines BB, EE, and FF. Space 80i is located closer to the window 97 than space 80f, and is located to the right of space 80h.

[0023] The manner in which the spaces 80a to 80i are divided is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the spaces 80a to 80i are divided so that they have approximately equal areas.

[0024] The air conditioning system 100 includes an indoor unit group 10, an outdoor unit 15, a plurality of fans 20j to 20u, and an operation unit 25. The "plurality of fans 20j to 20u" are also collectively referred to as "each fan."

[0025] The indoor unit group 10 is made up of multiple indoor units arranged in the living room 80, i.e., in the same space. Specifically, the indoor unit group 10 is made up of indoor unit 10a, indoor unit 10b, indoor unit 10c, indoor unit 10d, indoor unit 10e, indoor unit 10f, indoor unit 10g, indoor unit 10h, and indoor unit 10i. Note that the "multiple indoor units 10a to 10i" are also collectively referred to as "each indoor unit."

[0026] The indoor unit 10a is provided in the space 80a. The indoor unit 10a includes a temperature acquisition unit 30a that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10a from the space 80a.

[0027] The indoor unit 10b is provided in the space 80b. The indoor unit 10b includes a temperature acquisition unit 30b that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10b from the space 80b.

[0028] The indoor unit 10c is provided in the space 80c. The indoor unit 10c includes a temperature acquisition unit 30c that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10c from the space 80c.

[0029] The indoor unit 10d is provided in the space 80d. The indoor unit 10d includes a temperature acquisition unit 30d that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10d from the space 80d.

[0030] The indoor unit 10e is provided in a space 80e. The indoor unit 10e includes a temperature acquisition unit 30e that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10e from the space 80e.

[0031] The indoor unit 10f is provided in the space 80f. The indoor unit 10f includes a temperature acquisition unit 30f that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10f from the space 80f.

[0032] The indoor unit 10g is provided in the space 80g. The indoor unit 10g includes a temperature acquisition unit 30g that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10g from the space 80g.

[0033] The indoor unit 10h is provided in the space 80h. The indoor unit 10h includes a temperature acquisition unit 30h that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10h from the space 80h.

[0034] The indoor unit 10i is provided in the space 80i. The indoor unit 10i includes a temperature acquisition unit 30i that acquires the temperature of air drawn into the indoor unit 10i from the space 80i.

[0035] Each of the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i is, for example, a temperature sensor.

[0036] The "plurality of temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i" are also collectively referred to as "each temperature acquisition unit."

[0037] The indoor unit group 10 (indoor units 10a to 10i) is connected to the outdoor unit 15 so that a refrigerant can circulate between them.

[0038] The outdoor unit 15 can control the output to the indoor units 10a to 10i by setting the temperature. Specifically, the outdoor unit 15 adjusts the amount of refrigerant supplied to the indoor units 10a to 10i based on the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10i set by a control unit 50, which will be described later. The outdoor unit 15 is preferably installed, for example, on the roof or balcony of a building. The outdoor unit 15 is equipped with a control unit 50.

[0039] The control unit 50 independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10i so as to allocate the output from the outdoor unit 15 evenly to the indoor units 10a to 10i, as will be described in detail later.

[0040] Each of the fans 20j to 20u is a so-called ceiling fan that is installed on the ceiling of the living room 80 and provides a downward air current or an upward air current to the living room 80. The fans 20j to 20u may be installed anywhere as long as they are capable of stirring the air in the living room 80. In this embodiment, a total of 12 fans are installed between the indoor units 10a to 10i, etc.

[0041] The fan 20j is provided on the dashed line CC between the dashed line AA and the second side wall 95. The fan 20j is located on the left side of the indoor unit 10a. The fan 20j mainly blows air into the space 80a. Stir the air.

[0042] The fan 20k is provided on the dashed line DD between the dashed line AA and the second side wall 95. The fan 20k is located to the right of the indoor unit 10a and to the left of the indoor unit 10b. The fan 20k mainly agitates the air in the spaces 80a and 80b.

[0043] The fan 20l is provided on the dashed line EE between the dashed line AA and the second side wall 95. The fan 20l is located to the right of the indoor unit 10b and to the left of the indoor unit 10c. The fan 20l mainly agitates the air in the spaces 80b and 80c.

[0044] The fan 20m is provided on the dashed line FF between the dashed line AA and the second side wall 95. The fan 20m is located on the right side of the indoor unit 10c. The fan 20m mainly agitates the air in the space 80c.

[0045] The fan 20n is provided on the dashed line CC between the dashed lines AA and BB. The fan 20n is located on the left side of the indoor unit 10d. The fan 20n mainly agitates the air in the space 80d.

[0046] The fan 20o is provided on the dashed line DD between the dashed lines AA and BB. The fan 20o is located to the right of the indoor unit 10d and to the left of the indoor unit 10e. The fan 20o mainly agitates the air in the spaces 80d and 80e.

[0047] The fan 20p is provided on the dashed line EE between the dashed lines AA and BB. The fan 20p is located to the right of the indoor unit 10e and to the left of the indoor unit 10f. The fan 20p mainly agitates the air in the spaces 80e and 80f.

[0048] The fan 20q is provided on the dashed line FF between the dashed lines AA and BB. The fan 20q is located on the right side of the indoor unit 10f. The fan 20q mainly agitates the air in the space 80f.

[0049] The fan 20r is provided on the dashed line CC between the dashed line BB and the window 97. The fan 20r is located on the left side of the indoor unit 10g. The fan 20r mainly agitates the air in the space 80g.

[0050] The fan 20s is provided on the dashed line DD between the dashed line BB and the window 97. The fan 20s is located to the right of the indoor unit 10g and to the left of the indoor unit 10h. The fan 20s mainly agitates the air in the spaces 80g and 80h.

[0051] The fan 20t is provided on the dashed line EE between the dashed line BB and the window 97. The fan 20t is located to the right of the indoor unit 10h and to the left of the indoor unit 10i. The fan 20t mainly agitates the air in the space 80h and the space 80i.

[0052] The fan 20u is provided on the dashed line FF between the dashed line BB and the window 97. The fan 20u is located on the right side of the indoor unit 10i. The fan 20u mainly agitates the air in the space 80i.

[0053] It should be noted that the fans 20j to 20u are provided for the purpose of agitating the air in the living room 80, and therefore do not necessarily have to be ceiling fans, and may be, for example, circulators or the like.

[0054] The operation unit 25 controls the indoor units 10a to 10i, the outdoor unit 15, and / or the fans 20j to 20u. and is communicatively connected to the first side wall 94, and is configured, for example, by a touch panel. The operation unit 25 is used by the user to set the air conditioning temperature, for example, and may also be configured to display the current room temperature or humidity. In this embodiment, the operation unit 25 is provided on the first side wall 94, but it may also be a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The control unit 50 is communicatively connected to the outdoor unit 15, the indoor unit group 10 (indoor units 10a to 10i), and the fans 20j to 20u. The control unit 50 independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10i so as to evenly allocate the output of the outdoor unit 15 to the indoor units 10a to 10i.

[0057] Specifically, for example, during cooling operation, the set temperature of any indoor unit (e.g., indoor units 10g-10i located on the window 97 side) for which the temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room 80 and the suction temperature is relatively large among the indoor units 10a-10i is set higher than the target temperature of the living room 80. Also, the set temperature of any indoor unit (e.g., indoor units 10a-10c located on the opposite side from the window 97) for which the temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room 80 and the suction temperature is relatively small is set lower than the target temperature of the living room 80. Also, for example, during heating operation, the set temperature of any indoor unit (e.g., indoor units 10g-10i located on the window 97 side) for which the temperature difference between the target temperature of the living room 80 and the suction temperature is relatively large is set lower than the target temperature of the living room 80. Furthermore, the set temperature of any indoor unit (for example, indoor units 10a to 10c located on the opposite side of window 97) in which the temperature difference between the target temperature of room 80 and the intake temperature is relatively small is set higher than the target temperature of room 80.

[0058] The control unit 50 controls the operation of the indoor units 10a to 10i based on an index value related to the output of the outdoor unit 15. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a to 10i so that the index value for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i is uniform. The index value is a numerical value that correlates with the output of the outdoor unit 15. In this embodiment, as an example, the maximum value of the index value is set to

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

[0059] By repeatedly performing the index value maintenance process, the control unit 50 matches the index value of the indoor units 10a to 10i with the target index value and controls the set temperature of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i so that the temperature in the living room 80 approaches the target temperature. Note that the index value maintenance process is a process that includes a target index value update process that determines a target index value, which is a target value for the index value, and a set temperature change process that determines a set temperature at which the indoor units 10a to 10i can be operated at that target index value, and this will be described in detail below together with an explanation using index values.

[0060] The control unit 50 includes a temperature difference value calculation unit 51, a current index value acquisition unit 53, a target index value update unit 55, an average index value calculation unit 63, a temperature management unit 65, a first memory unit 61, and a second memory unit 77.

[0061] The temperature difference value calculation unit 51 acquires the temperature of the air drawn into the indoor units 10a to 10i, i.e., the suction temperature Ti, from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i, and calculates the average value of the acquired temperatures. That is, it calculates an average temperature value Tiav, which is the average value of the suction temperatures Ti acquired by the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i. The temperature difference value calculation unit 51 also calculates a temperature difference value Td by subtracting a preset target temperature Tt for the living room 80 from the temperature average value Tiav, and outputs the calculated temperature difference value Td to the target index value update unit 55. The target temperature Tt may be, for example, a temperature desired by the user. The room temperature is determined by inputting it into the operation unit 25.

[0062] The current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires each index value for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i. That is, the current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current index value Ln from the indoor units 10a to 10i that are in operation. The current index value acquisition unit 53 also outputs the acquired current index value Ln to the target index value update unit 55, the average index value calculation unit 63, and the temperature management unit 65.

[0063] The target index value update unit 55 determines at what level the output distributed from the outdoor unit 15 to the indoor units 10a to 10i, i.e., the index value, should be made uniform. In other words, it updates the target index value Lt, which is the target value of the index value required to achieve the target temperature Tt in the room 80. The target index value update unit 55 includes an index difference value acquisition unit 57 and a target index value calculation unit 59.

[0064] The index difference value acquisition unit 57 acquires the index difference value ΔL corresponding to the temperature difference value Td based on the temperature difference value Td calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit 51 and a first table stored in the first storage unit 61, and outputs the index difference value ΔL to the target index value calculation unit 59. Details of the first storage unit 61 will be described later.

[0065] The target index value calculation unit 59 determines a new target index value Lt by adding the index differential value ΔL acquired by the index differential value acquisition unit 57 to the reference index value Ls. Note that the average index value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of the indoor units 10a to 10i, is given as the reference index value Ls from the average index value calculation unit 63 as an initial value. Furthermore, in the second and subsequent index value maintenance processes, the target index value calculation unit 59 itself uses the target index value Lt used in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process. In other words, for example, the reference index value Ls used by the target index value calculation unit 59 when performing the index value maintenance process for the third time is the target index value Lt calculated in the second index value maintenance process.

[0066] The average index value calculation unit 63 calculates Lnav, which is the average value of the multiple current index values Ln obtained from the indoor units 10a to 10i, and outputs it to the target index value calculation unit 59 only during the first index value maintenance process after operation starts.

[0067] The temperature management unit 65 determines, for each indoor unit 10a-10i, a set temperature Tset at which the index values of the indoor units 10a-10i are uniform, based on the target index value Lt calculated by the target index value update unit 55, and operates the indoor units 10a-10i at that set temperature Tset. 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.

[0068] The calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 subtracts the current index value Ln of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i 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 the calculated index difference value Ld to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69. In other words, the calculated index difference value Ld is calculated independently for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i and output to the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69.

[0069] The temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires the temperature change amount ΔT corresponding to the calculated index difference value Ld based on the calculated index difference value Ld calculated by the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 and a second table stored in the second storage unit 77, which will be described later, and outputs the temperature change amount ΔT to the set temperature calculation unit 71. In other words, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires the temperature change amount ΔT corresponding to each of the indoor units 10a to 10i and outputs the temperature change amount ΔT to the set temperature calculation unit 71.

[0070] The set temperature calculation unit 71 adds the temperature change amount ΔT output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 to the suction temperature Ti for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i to calculate the set temperature Tset for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i, and outputs the set temperature Tset to the set temperature change unit 73. In other words, the set temperature calculation unit 71 independently calculates the set temperature Tset for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i and outputs the set temperature change unit 73.

[0071] The set temperature changing unit 73 changes the set temperature Tset of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i to the set temperature Tset calculated by the set temperature calculation unit 71, thereby changing the set temperature.

[0072] The index value maintaining unit 75 uniformly maintains the current index value Ln and the target index value Lt for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i in a consistent state by operating the indoor units 10a to 10i at the set temperature Tset changed by the set temperature changing unit 73. In other words, the output of the outdoor unit 15 to each of the indoor units 10a to 10i is uniformly maintained.

[0073] Next, the first storage unit 61 will be described with reference to a first table in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference between the suction temperature Ti and the target temperature Tt (differential temperature value Td) and the amount of change ΔL in the target index value.

[0074] The first storage unit 61 is a so-called memory that associates multiple temperature difference values Td with index value change amounts ΔL, which are the ranges of increase and decrease in the index value, and stores the associated values for each of the multiple temperature difference values Td. In this embodiment, as shown in the first table, multiple ranges of temperature difference values Td are grouped together and the associated groups are associated with index value change amounts ΔL. Expanding the groups accords with the idea of "storing multiple temperature differences Td and index value change amounts ΔL for each of the multiple temperature difference values." This association is determined appropriately, taking into consideration the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 15 or the desired power consumption. In this embodiment, the index value change amount ΔL increases as the temperature difference value Td increases. Furthermore, the index value change amount ΔL decreases as the temperature difference value Td decreases.

[0075] 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 between the target index value Lt and the index value Ln of each indoor unit (calculated index difference value Ld), and the amount of change ΔT in the set temperature.

[0076] The second storage unit 77 is a so-called memory that associates a plurality of index difference values Ld with the set temperature change amount ΔT, which is the amount of change in the set temperature Ti of the indoor units 10a to 10i, and stores the values for each index difference value Ld. As with the temperature difference values in the first table, ranges of the index difference values Ld are grouped together and associated. This association is determined appropriately taking into consideration the rated capacity of the outdoor unit 15 or the desired power consumption. In this embodiment, as the index difference value Ld decreases, the set temperature change amount ΔT increases, and as the index difference value Ld increases, the set temperature change amount ΔT decreases.

[0077] The above is a description of the configuration for equally allocating outputs to the indoor unit group 10 (indoor units 10a to 10i).

[0078] Next, components of control unit 50 related to the control of fans 20j to 20u will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the interconnections of the components that control the operation of fans 20j to 20u.

[0079] The control unit 50 controls the airflow rate of the fans 20j-20u to agitate the air in the living room 80 and efficiently suppress temperature variations. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the airflow rate of the fans 20j-20u based on the distance between the highest-load indoor unit among the indoor units 10a-10i and the fan 20j-20u. More specifically, the closer the distance between the high-load indoor unit and the fan 20j-20u, the larger the airflow rate of the fan 20j-20u. The longer the distance, the smaller the airflow rate of the fan 20j-20u. Note that the "distance" here refers to the linear distance between any point on each of the indoor units 10a-10i and any point on each of the fans 20j-20u when viewed from above the living room 80. In other words, a shorter linear distance is considered "close," and a longer linear distance is considered "far."

[0080] The control unit 50 includes an intake temperature difference calculation unit 54, an air blowing operation determination unit 56, a high-load indoor unit determination unit 58, a distance determination unit 62, an air blowing volume determination unit 64, a distance memory unit 66, and an air blowing volume memory unit 68.

[0081] The suction temperature difference calculation unit 54 acquires the suction temperatures Ti, which are the temperatures of the air sucked into the indoor units 10a to 10i, from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i. The suction temperature difference calculation unit 54 calculates the suction temperature difference Tid, which is the difference between the maximum suction temperature Timax, which is the maximum value, and the minimum suction temperature Timin, which is the minimum value, of the acquired suction temperatures Ti, and outputs the suction temperature difference Tid to the fan operation determination unit 56.

[0082] The air blowing operation determination unit 56 determines whether to operate the air blowers 20j-20u based on the air suction temperature difference Tid calculated by the air suction temperature difference calculation unit 54. Specifically, the air blowing operation determination unit 56 operates the air blowers 20j-20u when the air suction temperature difference Tid is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, the air blowing operation determination unit 56 does not operate the air blowers 20j-20u when the air suction temperature difference Tid is smaller than the predetermined threshold. The method for setting the predetermined threshold is not particularly limited. For example, the predetermined threshold may be set in advance by the user, or may be determined appropriately by the control unit 50 depending on the distribution of room temperature, etc.

[0083] The high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 determines the indoor unit with the highest load among the indoor units 10a to 10i as the high-load indoor unit 10H. Note that "load" here refers to the difference between the target temperature Tt in the room 80 and the suction temperature Ti of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i. In other words, the greater the difference between the target temperature Tt in the room 80 and the suction temperature Ti of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i, the greater the "load." When the indoor units 10a to 10i are performing cooling operation, the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 determines the indoor unit with the highest suction temperature Ti among the indoor units 10a to 10i as the high-load indoor unit 10H. When the indoor units 10a to 10i are performing heating operation, the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 determines the indoor unit with the lowest suction temperature Ti among the indoor units 10a to 10i as the high-load indoor unit 10H. Furthermore, when there are multiple indoor units that qualify as high-load indoor units 10H, that is, when the suction temperatures Ti of the multiple indoor units are the same, the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 may determine all of the corresponding indoor units as high-load indoor units 10H. Note that the term "same" here does not have a strict meaning, and is used to refer to a range of, for example, a substantially similar range of about ±0.5°C. Furthermore, the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 does not necessarily determine only the indoor unit with the highest load as the high-load indoor unit 10H. For example, a predetermined number of the indoor units 10a to 10i may be designated as high-load indoor units 10H, in descending order of load.

[0084] The high-load indoor unit 10H is the indoor unit with the highest load among the indoor units 10a to 10i. Specifically, the high-load indoor unit 10H includes at least the indoor unit among the indoor units 10a to 10i with the largest difference between the target temperature Tt in the living room 80 and the suction temperature Ti of the indoor units 10a to 10i.

[0085] The distance determination unit 62 determines the distance between the high-load indoor unit 10H and each of the fans 20j-20u. In other words, the distance determination unit 62 determines the distance between each of the high-load indoor units 10H and each of the fans 20j-20u based on the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 and a distance memory unit 66, which will be described later, and outputs this to the airflow rate determination unit 64. Furthermore, if there are multiple high-load indoor units 10H, the distance determination unit 62 determines the distance between the indoor unit that is closest to each of the fans 20j-20u among the high-load indoor units 10H as the distance between that fan 20j-20u and that indoor unit, and outputs this to the airflow rate determination unit 64. For example, if indoor unit 10c and indoor unit 10h are high-load indoor units 10H, the distance between fan 20s and indoor unit 10h is closer than the distance between fan 20s and indoor unit 10c (see FIG. 1). In this case, distance determination unit 62 outputs the "distance between fan 20s and indoor unit 10h" to airflow rate determination unit 64. In other words, distance determination unit 62 determines whether there are multiple high-load indoor units 10H.

[0086] The airflow rate determination unit 64 determines the airflow rate of each of the fans 20j-20u based on the distance between the high-load indoor unit 10H and the fans 20j-20u. In other words, the airflow rate of each of the fans 20j-20u is determined based on the distance determination unit 62 and an airflow rate storage unit 68, which will be described later. Specifically, the closer the distance between the high-load indoor unit 10H and a fan 20j-20u, the larger the airflow rate of that fan 20j-20u, and the farther the distance, the smaller the airflow rate of that fan 20j-20u.

[0087] Next, the distance storage unit 66 will be described with reference to a third table in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the distances between the indoor units 10a to 10i and the fans 20j to 20u.

[0088] The distance memory unit 66 is a so-called memory that stores the distance D between each of the indoor units 10a-10i and each of the fans 20j-20u. The indoor units 10a-10i are shown in the leftmost column of the third table, and the fans 20j-20u are shown in the top row. In the third table, the square where the column of any of the fans 20j-20u intersects with the row of any of the indoor units 10a-10i is the distance D between that fan 20j-20u and that indoor unit 10a-10i. For example, the distance D between the indoor unit 10a and the fan 20j is [1.0], and the distance D between the indoor unit 10b and the fan 20m is [3.0]. Furthermore, the distance storage unit 66 in this embodiment stores, as an example, the distance D between the indoor unit 10a and the fan 20j as a reference (1.0), and the distances D between the fans 20j to 20u and the indoor units 10a to 10i as ratios to this reference.

[0089] Next, the airflow rate storage unit 68 will be described with reference to a fourth table in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance D between the high-load indoor unit 10H and the fans 20j to 20u and the airflow rate S of the fans 20j to 20u.

[0090] The airflow rate storage unit 68 is a so-called memory that stores the distance between the high-load indoor unit 10H and the fans 20j-20u and the airflow rates of the fans 20j-20u in association with each other. The airflow rate determination unit 64 associates ranges of distance D as groups. This association is determined appropriately taking into consideration the size of the room or the relative positions of the fans 20j-20u, etc. In this embodiment, the shorter (closer) the distance D is, the larger the airflow rate S becomes, and the longer (farther) the distance D is, the smaller the airflow rate S becomes. The magnitude relationship of the airflow rates S is as follows: "strong" > "medium" > "weak" > "mild."

[0091] The above is a description of the components of the control unit 50 related to the control of the fans 20j to 20u.

[0092] The index value maintenance process for the indoor units 10a-10i and the fan operation setting process for the fans 20j-20u executed by the control unit 50 in the above configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 8-12. Fig. 8 is a flow diagram showing the index value maintenance process and the fan operation setting process executed by the control unit 50. Fig. 9 is a flow diagram showing the initial condition setting process S100, which is part of the index value maintenance process. Fig. 10 is a flow diagram showing the target index value update process S200, which is part of the index value maintenance process. Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing the set temperature update process S300, which is part of the index value maintenance process. Fig. 12 is a flow diagram showing the fan operation setting process S400. Here, numbers are assigned starting with the initial S in the flow diagrams. For example, S1 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step does not affect the processing order.

[0093] The index value maintenance process executed by the control unit 50 is a process for evenly allocating the output of the outdoor unit to each indoor unit and achieving the target temperature of the room 80. In other words, it is a process for operating each indoor unit with the index value of each indoor unit matched to the target index value. As shown in FIG. 8, the index value maintenance process mainly includes an initial condition setting process S100, a target index value update process S200, and a target index value update process S210. 00, and includes a set temperature update process S300.

[0094] The initial condition setting process S100 acquires and calculates parameters necessary for executing the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300.

[0095] The target index value update process S200 is a process for calculating the degree to which the index values of the indoor units should be evenly allocated, i.e., the target index value, which is the target value for the index values. In other words, the target index value update process S200 is a process for calculating the index value required to achieve the target temperature of the living room 80.

[0096] The set temperature update process S300 is a process for 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.

[0097] The index value maintenance process repeats the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300, thereby operating 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 repeats the target index value update process S200 and the set temperature update process S300 until the target temperature of the room 80 is achieved. By executing the above processes, the output of the outdoor unit is evenly allocated to each indoor unit. This prevents the output of some indoor units from increasing relatively, which would result in a deterioration in energy consumption efficiency. As a result, the energy consumption of the air conditioning system 100 can be reduced.

[0098] The blower operation setting process S400 executed by the control unit 50 is a process for suppressing temperature variations by controlling the operation of the blowers 20j to 20u and efficiently agitating the air in the living room 80. In the blower operation setting process S400, the control unit 50 determines the airflow rate of the blower based on the distance D between the high-load indoor unit with the highest load among the indoor units and the blower. This allows the air in the living room 80 to be efficiently agitated, and temperature variations in the living room 80 to be suppressed.

[0099] When a user sets a target temperature Tt in the living room 80 to, for example, 26°C and starts operation of the air conditioning system 100, the set temperatures of the indoor units 10a-10i 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, the air conditioning system is assumed to be operating in cooling mode in the summer. Furthermore, as the state of the living room 80 (see FIG. 1) immediately before the start of the cooling operation, the room temperatures of the spaces 80a, 80b, and 80c located farthest from the window 97 are assumed to be 28°C. The room temperatures of the spaces 80d, 80e, and 80f located in the middle are assumed to be 29°C. Furthermore, the room temperatures of the spaces 80g and 80i located on the window 97 side are assumed to be 30°C, and the room temperature of the space 80h is assumed to be 31°C.

[0100] When the initial condition setting process S100 is executed, as shown in Fig. 9, the current index value acquisition unit 53 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(i) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i from the indoor units 10a to 10i (S101). Specifically, the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(c) acquired from the indoor units 10a to 10c are set to [8]. The current index values Ln(b) to Ln(d) acquired from the indoor units 10b to 10d are set to

[10] . Furthermore, the current index values Ln(g) and Ln(i) acquired from the indoor units 10g and 10i are set to

[12] , and the current index value Ln(h) acquired from the indoor unit 10h is set to

[14] .

[0101] Next, the current index value acquisition unit 53 outputs each acquired current index value Ln to the average index value calculation unit 63. The average index value calculation unit 63, which has received each current index value Ln, calculates the current index value average value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln of the indoor units 10a to 10i (S102). Specifically, Lnav = [10.1] is calculated from the above-mentioned Ln(a) to Ln(i).

[0102] Next, when the target index value update process S200 is executed, as shown in Fig. 10, the temperature difference value calculation unit 51 acquires suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(i), which are the temperatures of the air drawn into the indoor units 10a to 10i, from the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i provided in the indoor units 10a to 10i (S201). Specifically, the suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(c) acquired by the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30c are 28°C. Furthermore, the suction temperatures Ti(d) to Ti(f) acquired by the temperature acquisition units 30d to 30f are 29°C. Furthermore, the suction temperatures Ti(g) and Ti(i) acquired by the temperature acquisition units 30g and 30i are 30°C, and the suction temperature Ti(h) acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 30h is 31°C.

[0103] Next, the temperature difference value calculation unit 51 calculates the average suction temperature Tiav, which is the average value of the acquired suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(i) (S202). Specifically, from the acquired Ti(a) to Ti(i), Tiav = 29.1°C.

[0104] Next, the index difference value acquisition unit 57 calculates the temperature difference value Td for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i by subtracting the target temperature Tt in the room from the average intake temperature Tiav acquired from the temperature difference value calculation unit 51 (S203). Specifically, Tiav = 29.1°C, Tt = 26°C, and therefore Td = 3.1°C.

[0105] Next, the index difference value acquisition unit 57 acquires the index value change amount ΔL corresponding to the temperature difference value Td from the temperature difference value Td and the first table stored in the first storage unit 61 (S204). Specifically, since Td=+3.1°C, ΔL=+2.5 (see FIG. 3).

[0106] Next, the target index value calculation unit 59 adds the index value change amount ΔL to the current index value average value Lnav, which is the average value of the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(i) calculated by the average index value calculation unit 63, to determine a new target index value Lt (S205). Specifically, since Lnav = 10.1 and ΔL = +2.5, Lt = 12.6. As described above, after the start of operation, except for the first index value maintenance process, the new target index value Lt is determined by adding the index value change amount ΔL to the target index value Lt calculated in the immediately preceding index value maintenance process.

[0107] Next, when the set temperature update process S300 is executed, as shown in Figure 11, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 acquires the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(i) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i from the current index value acquisition unit 53 (S301). Specifically, as described above, Ln(a) to Ln(c) = 8, Ln(b) to Ln(d) = 10, Ln(g) = Ln(i) = 12, and Ln(h) = 14.

[0108] Next, the calculated index difference value calculation unit 67 subtracts the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(i) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i from the target index value Lt to calculate calculated index difference values Ld(a) to Ld(i) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i (S302). Specifically, from the above-mentioned Ln(a) to Ln(i) and Lt=12.6, Ld(a) to Ld(c)=4.6, Ld(d) to Ld(f)=2.6, Ld(g)=Ld(i)=0.6, and Ld(h)=-1.6.

[0109] Next, the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 acquires the set temperature change amounts ΔT(a) to ΔT(i) for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i based on the calculated calculation index difference value Ld and the second table stored in the second storage unit 77 (S303). Specifically, from the above-mentioned Ld(a) to Ld(c), ΔT(a) to ΔT(c) = -3.0°C; from Ld(d) to Ld(f), ΔT(d) to ΔT(f) = -1.5°C; from Ld(g) and Ld(i), ΔT(g) = ΔT(i) = -0.5°C; and from Ld(h) = -1.6, ΔT(h) = +0.5°C (see FIG. 4).

[0110] Next, the set temperature calculation unit 71 adds the acquired ΔT(a) to ΔT(i) to the suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(i) of the corresponding indoor units 10a to 10i to calculate the set temperature values of the indoor units 10a to 10i. A new set temperature Tset(a) to Tset(i) is calculated for each temperature (S304). Specifically, since Ti(a) to Ti(c) = 28°C and ΔT(a) to ΔT(c) = -3.0°C, Tset(a) to Tset(c) = 25.0°C. Furthermore, since Ti(d) to Ti(f) = 29°C and ΔT(d) to ΔT(f) = -1.5°C, Tset(d) to Tset(f) = 27.5°C. Furthermore, since Ti(g) = Ti(i) = 30°C and ΔT(g) = ΔT(i) = -0.5°C, Tset(g) = Tset(i) = 29.5°C. Furthermore, since Ti(h) = 31°C and ΔT(h) = +0.5°C, Tset(g) = 31.5°C.

[0111] Next, the temperature setting change unit 73 transmits the calculated new temperature settings Tset(a) to Tset(i) to the corresponding indoor units 10a to 10i (S305).

[0112] Next, the index value maintenance unit 75 controls the indoor units 10a to 10i to operate at the corresponding set temperatures Tset(a) to Tset(i), thereby maintaining and operating the current index values Ln(a) to Ln(i) of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i in a state where they match the target index value Lt. In other words, as a result of controlling the set temperatures Tset(a) to Tset(i), the index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i match the target index value Lt. Note that, for ease of understanding, it has been described here that the index values of the indoor units 10a to 10i match after a single index value maintenance process; however, in reality, by repeating the index value maintenance process, the index values of each of the indoor units 10a to 10i gradually approach the target index value Lt.

[0113] The above is the index value maintenance process. The control unit 50 repeats the index value maintenance process at least until the room 80 reaches the target temperature Tt. In other words, the process is repeated until the same space achieves the target temperature Tt. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the target index value update process (S200) and the set temperature change process (S300) are repeated every 10 minutes.

[0114] The above process evenly allocates the index values of each indoor unit, i.e., the output from the outdoor unit 15 to each indoor unit. This prevents the output of only some of the indoor units from increasing, and reduces the deterioration of energy consumption efficiency. As a result, an air conditioning system that can reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioning system 100 is provided.

[0115] Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the air conditioning system 100 started operating, there is a possibility that temperature variations will occur among the spaces 80a-80i due to differences in the set temperatures Tset of the indoor units 10a-10i in the living room 80 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, by operating the fans 20j-20u using the fan operation setting process S400, the air in the living room 80 can be agitated, thereby suppressing temperature variations.

[0116] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100, the room temperature in the living room 80 changes, and the temperatures in spaces 80a to 80c become 25°C, spaces 80d to 80f become 27°C, spaces 80g and 80i become 29°C, and space 80h becomes 30°C.

[0117] The control unit 50 executes the fan operation setting process S400 every 10 minutes, similar to the index value maintenance process. When the fan operation setting process S400 is executed, the temperature acquisition units 30a to 30i acquire the suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(i) and output them to the suction temperature difference calculation unit 54 (S401), as shown in Fig. 12. Specifically, Ti(a) to Ti(c) = 25°C, Ti(d) to Ti(f) = 27°C, Ti(g) = Ti(i) = 29°C, and Ti(h) = 30°C.

[0118] Next, the suction temperature difference calculation unit 54 calculates the suction temperature difference Tid, which is the temperature difference between the maximum suction temperature Timax, which is the maximum value among the suction temperatures Ti(a) to Ti(i), and the minimum suction temperature Timin, which is the minimum value. Specifically, since Timax=30°C and Timin=25°C, Tid=5°C.

[0119] Next, the fan operation determination unit 56 compares the suction temperature difference Tid calculated by the suction temperature difference calculation unit 54 with a predetermined threshold value (S402). Here, the predetermined threshold value is set to 4°C. In this case, since the suction temperature difference Tid is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the fan operation determination unit 56 starts the fans 20j to 20u at an arbitrary airflow rate. Note that if the suction temperature difference Tid is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the fan operation determination unit 56 does not operate the fans 20j to 20u (S407).

[0120] Next, the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 determines the indoor unit with the highest suction temperature Ti among the indoor units 10a to 10i as the high-load indoor unit 10H. Specifically, based on the above-mentioned Ti(a) to Ti(i), the indoor unit 10h is determined to be the high-load indoor unit 10H.

[0121] Next, the distance determination unit 62 determines the distances D(j) to D(u) between the high-load indoor unit 10H (indoor unit 10h) and each of the fans 20j to 20u based on the third table (see FIG. 6) stored in the distance memory unit 66 (S404). Specifically, D(j) = [5.0], D(k) = D(l) = [4.1], D(m) = [5.0], D(n) = [3.6], D(o) = D(p) = [2.2], D(q) = [3.6], D(r) = [3.0], D(s) = D(t) = [1.0], and D(u) = [3.0].

[0122] Next, the airflow rate determination unit 64 determines the airflow rates S(j) to S(u) for each of the fans 20j to 20u according to the distances D(j) to D(u) from the high-load indoor unit 10H, based on a fourth table (see FIG. 7) stored in the airflow rate storage unit 68 (S405). Specifically, S(j) to S(m) are "weak," S(n) to S(r) and S(u) are "medium," and S(s) and S(t) are "strong." The airflow rate determination unit 64 operates the corresponding fans 20j to 20u at the determined airflow rates S(j) to S(u).

[0123] As described above, the fan operation setting process S400 allows the air in a space with a high air conditioning load, i.e., a space with a large difference between the target temperature and the intake temperature, to be agitated by the fans 20j-20u at a relatively high airflow rate. This makes it possible to efficiently suppress temperature variations in the living room 80. Furthermore, because it is possible to set the airflow rate of only the fans 20j-20u that should be relatively high to a high rate, the amount of agitation per energy consumption is higher than when the airflow rates of all the fans 20j-20u are uniform. In other words, it is possible to agitate the air in the living room 80 efficiently.

[0124] Furthermore, fans 20j to 20u blow air in a direction that creates an ascending air current in living room 80, that is, in a direction from the floor to the ceiling, thereby preventing the air current from directly hitting people in living room 80. In other words, it is possible to reduce discomfort caused by the air current directly hitting people. (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, a case where there is only one high load indoor unit 10H has been described as an example of the fan operation setting process S400. In the present embodiment, a case where there is a plurality of high load indoor units 10H will be described using Figs. 13 to 15. Fig. 13 is a top view of the living room 80 in this embodiment as seen from above. Fig. 14 is a flow diagram of the fan operation setting process S400 in this embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram in which the rows for the indoor unit 10c and the indoor unit 10h have been extracted from the third table in Fig. 6. Note that explanations of processes similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0125] For example, as shown in Fig. 13, assume that the suction temperature Ti(c) of indoor unit 10c and the suction temperature Ti(h) of indoor unit 10h are 30°C, the highest among the indoor units 10a to 10i. In this case, the high-load indoor unit determination section 58 determines indoor unit 10c and indoor unit 10h as high-load indoor units 10H (S403), as shown in Fig. 14.

[0126] Next, the distance determination unit 62 determines whether there is a plurality of high-load indoor units 10H (S407). As described above, since there are a plurality of high-load indoor units 10H (indoor unit 10c and indoor unit 10h), the distance determination unit 62 determines, for each of the fans 20j-20u, distances D(j)-D(u) to the "closest high-load indoor unit 10H" to that fan 20j-20u. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, D(j)=[5.0], D(k)=[3.0], D(l)-D(m)=[1.0], D(n)=[3.6], D(o)-D(p)=[2.2], D(r)=[3.0], D(s)-D(t)=[1.0], and D(u)=[3.0].

[0127] Next, the airflow rate determination unit 64 determines the airflow rates S(j) to S(u) for each of the fans 20j to 20u according to the distances D(j) to D(u) from the high-load indoor unit 10H, based on a fourth table (see FIG. 7) stored in the airflow rate storage unit 68 (S405). Specifically, S(j) is "weak," S(k) is "medium," S(l) to S(m) are "strong," S(n) to S(r) are "medium," S(s) to S(t) are "strong," and S(u) is "medium." The airflow rate determination unit 64 operates the corresponding fans 20j to 20u at the determined airflow rates S(j) to S(u).

[0128] With this configuration, even when there are multiple high-load indoor units 10H, it is possible to maintain or improve the air mixing power of the fans 20j to 20u, thereby making it possible to further suppress temperature variations in the room. (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the distance memory unit 66 stores the distances D between the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u. In the present embodiment, a case in which the distance memory unit 66 stores the installation positions of the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u as coordinates will be described with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the coordinates of the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u stored in the distance memory unit 66. Fig. 17 is a flow diagram of the fan operation setting process S400 in this embodiment.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 16, the distance storage unit 66 stores the installation positions of the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u as coordinates. Note that the type of coordinates is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates in a top view of the living room 80 are used. Also, in this embodiment, the distance storage unit 66 stores the coordinates (x, y) of the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u, with the point where the indoor unit 10g is located set as the origin (x, y) = (0, 0). Note that the origin (x, y) = (0, 0) may be set anywhere.

[0130] The distance determination unit 62 calculates the distance D between the coordinates at which the high-load indoor unit 10H determined by the high-load indoor unit determination unit 58 is located and the coordinates at which the fans 20j-20u are located, based on the coordinates of the indoor units 10a-10i and the fans 20j-20u stored in the distance memory unit 66. There are no particular limitations on the method for calculating the distance D, but it may be calculated using Pythagoras' theorem, for example.

[0131] Similar to the first embodiment, airflow rate determination unit 64 determines the airflow rate of each of fans 20j to 20u based on distance D calculated by distance determination unit 62.

[0132] In the fan operation setting process S400 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 17, after the high-load indoor unit determination section 58 determines the high-load indoor unit 10H (indoor unit 10h) (S403), the distance determination section 62 calculates the distances D(j) to D(u) between the high-load indoor unit 10H and the fans 20j to 20u based on the coordinates stored in the fifth table (see Fig. 16). Specifically, for example, from the coordinates (2,0) of the high-load indoor unit 10H (indoor unit 10h) and the coordinates (-1,4) of the fan 20j, the distance D(j) = [5.0]. The distances D(j) to D(u) are similarly calculated for the other fans 20j to 20u and output to the air flow rate determination section 64.

[0133] By adopting such a configuration, for example, an additional fan (ceiling fan) can be installed in the living room 80. In this case, the fan operation setting process S400 can be performed simply by storing the coordinates of the fan in the distance memory unit 66. In other words, it is possible to eliminate the need to measure all of the distances D between the newly added fan (ceiling fan) and each indoor unit and store them in the distance memory unit 66. (Fourth embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, an example of the index value maintenance process during cooling operation has been described. In the fourth embodiment, an example of the index value maintenance process during heating operation will be described. Note that the description of the same processes as in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0134] In the index value maintenance process during heating operation, the temperature difference value calculation unit 51 calculates the temperature difference value Td by subtracting the average temperature value Tiav, which is the average value of the suction temperatures, from the target temperature Tt set in the room 80 in advance (see S203 in FIG. 10). Furthermore, the set temperature calculation unit 71 calculates the set temperature Tset for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i by subtracting the temperature change amount ΔT output from the temperature change amount acquisition unit 69 from the suction temperature Ti for each of the indoor units 10a to 10i (see S304 in FIG. 11). The other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0135] By performing the above-described process, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioning system 100 even during heating operation. (Variation) In the first to fourth embodiments, the target index value update process (S200) and the set temperature change process (S300) are repeatedly performed every 10 minutes, but a process of repeating only the set temperature change process (S300) may be added. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 18, the set temperature change process (S300) may be repeated every minute.

[0136] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to operate the indoor units 10a to 10i with higher accuracy at the target index value Lt, and as a result, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system 100 that can reduce power consumption.

[0137] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, examples have been shown in which index value maintenance processing is performed when there is a temperature difference within the same space, but spaces in which there is almost no temperature difference within the same space, such as basements or highly insulated spaces without windows, may also be the target of air conditioning using index value maintenance processing.

[0138] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, an example has been shown in which the index value maintenance process is started at the same time as the air conditioning system 100 starts operating, but the index value maintenance process may also be started, for example, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the air conditioning system 100 starts operating.

[0139] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, examples have been shown in which the indoor units 10a to 10i are provided at approximately equal intervals, but the arrangement of the indoor units 10a to 10i is not particularly limited.

[0140] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, an air conditioning system configured with nine indoor units and twelve fans (ceiling fans) has been introduced as an example, but the number of indoor units and the number of fans are not particularly limited. At least two indoor units and two fans are required. [Industrial Applicability]

[0141] It can be widely used in air conditioning systems that have multiple indoor units in the same space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 10 Indoor unit group 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, 10i indoor unit 15 Outdoor unit 20j, 20k, 20l, 20m, 20n, 20o, 20p, 20q, 20r, 20s, 20t, 20u blower 25 Control section 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, 30i Temperature acquisition section 50 control section 51 Temperature difference calculation unit 53 Current index value acquisition unit 54 Intake temperature difference calculation section 55 Target index value update unit 56 Fan operation decision unit 57 Index difference value acquisition part 58 High load indoor unit determination section 59 Target index value calculation unit 61 1st memory section 62 Distance determination unit 63 Average index value calculation unit 64 Airflow volume determination unit 65 Temperature control section 66 Distance memory section 67 Calculation index difference value calculation unit 68 Air blowing amount memory section 69 Temperature change amount acquisition unit 71 Set temperature calculation section 73 Temperature setting change section 75 Index value maintenance unit 77 Second memory section 80 Room 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, 80h, 80i space 94 First side wall 95 Second side wall 96 Third side wall 97 Windows 100 Air Conditioning System

Claims

1. An outdoor unit whose output can be controlled by temperature setting, Indoor units arranged in the same space and connected to the outdoor unit; a control unit that independently controls the set temperatures of the indoor units so as to evenly allocate the outputs to the indoor units; and each of the fans for agitating the air in the same space; The control unit controlling the airflow rate of each of the fans based on the distance between a high-load indoor unit that has the highest load among the indoor units and each of the fans; Air conditioning system.

2. The control unit The closer the distance between each of the fans and the high-load indoor unit, the larger the airflow rate of each of the fans; The greater the distance between each of the fans and the high-load indoor unit, the smaller the airflow rate of each of the fans. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. Each of the indoor units is a temperature acquisition unit that acquires an intake temperature, which is the temperature of air drawn into each of the indoor units; The control unit a high-load indoor unit determination unit that determines, during cooling operation, the indoor unit with the highest suction temperature among the indoor units as the high-load indoor unit, and that, during heating operation, determines, during cooling operation, the indoor unit with the lowest suction temperature among the indoor units as the high-load indoor unit; a distance storage unit that stores the distance between each of the blowers and each of the indoor units; a distance determination unit that determines a distance from the high-load indoor unit for each of the fans based on the high-load indoor unit determination unit and the distance storage unit; an airflow rate storage unit that stores the distance between the high-load indoor unit and each of the fans and the airflow rate of each of the fans in association with each other; an airflow rate determination unit that determines the airflow rate of each of the fans based on the distance determination unit and the airflow rate storage unit, 3. The air conditioning system of claim 2.

4. The control unit a suction temperature difference calculation unit that calculates a suction temperature difference, which is the difference between a maximum suction temperature that is the maximum value of the suction temperatures and a minimum suction temperature that is the minimum value of the suction temperatures; an operation determination unit that determines operation of each of the fans based on the suction temperature difference, The driving determination unit When the suction temperature difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the fans are operated; When the suction temperature difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the fans are not operated.

4. The air conditioning system of claim 3.

5. The control unit During cooling operation, setting the set temperature of an indoor unit that has a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature of the same space and the suction temperature among the indoor units that make up the indoor unit group higher than the target temperature; 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 lower than the target temperature; During heating operation, setting the set temperature of an indoor unit that has a relatively large temperature difference between the target temperature and the suction temperature among the indoor units that make up the indoor unit group lower than the target temperature; the set temperature of an indoor unit that has a relatively small temperature difference between the target temperature and the intake temperature among the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group is set higher than the target temperature, thereby evenly allocating the output to the indoor units. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

6. a first storage unit that stores a plurality of differential temperature values and an index difference value that indicates an increase or decrease width of an index value related to the output of the outdoor unit, in association with each of the differential temperature values; a second storage unit that stores a plurality of the index difference values and a temperature change amount, which is an amount of change in the set temperature of the indoor unit, in association with each of the 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 that updates a target index value that is a target value of the index value; a temperature management unit that changes the set temperature of each of the indoor units; In the target index value update unit, an index difference value acquisition unit acquires the index difference value corresponding to the temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit based on the temperature difference value calculated by the temperature difference value calculation unit and the first storage unit; a target index value calculation unit that calculates a target index value by adding the acquired index difference value to a reference index value; In the temperature control unit, a calculated index difference value calculation unit calculates a 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 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 amount of temperature change to the intake 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 uniformly maintaining the current index value and the target index value in each of the indoor units in a state where they coincide with each other.

6. The air conditioning system of claim 5.

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

7. The air conditioning system of claim 6.

8. The control unit 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 used as the average index value, and the index value maintenance process is performed; The index value maintenance process is executed using 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.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The control unit The index value maintenance process is repeated until the same space reaches the target temperature.

9. The air conditioning system of claim 8.

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