Whole-building air-conditioning system
The central air conditioning system optimizes fan operations and ventilation to reduce power consumption and maintain comfort by using a controller and storage battery, addressing high electricity usage in insulated buildings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024031032
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing air conditioning systems in highly insulated and airtight buildings consume significant amounts of electricity, particularly in regions like Japan, necessitating a reduction in power usage without compromising user comfort.
A central air conditioning system with a controller that manages power consumption by controlling transport, circulation, and exhaust fans, along with air conditioners, to maintain indoor conditions using minimal power during power outages or supply company requests, utilizing a storage battery for backup power.
The system effectively reduces power consumption while maintaining user comfort by optimizing fan operations and ventilation, extending the duration of comfort during power outages and adhering to power-saving requests from supply companies.
Smart Images

Figure 2025133213000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a central air conditioning system. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, in a highly insulated and airtight house with multiple rooms, an air conditioning system has been known in which at least one independent air-conditioned room is provided to control the air conditioning within the air-conditioned room, and air supply ducts connect the air-conditioned room to each room, with controllers located in each room individually distributing and supplying conditioned room air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-127845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In situations where power saving is necessary in buildings such as homes, it is desirable to reduce the amount of electricity used appropriately. In particular, in Japan's summer and winter, the amount of electricity used for air conditioning accounts for a significant portion of the total amount of electricity used in buildings, so reducing the amount of electricity used for air conditioning is important in situations where power saving is necessary.
[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a central air conditioning system that can appropriately reduce the amount of electricity used in a building when power saving is necessary within the building. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present invention provides a central air conditioning system for conditioning a house with multiple living rooms, comprising an air conditioner installed in an air-conditioned room for conditioning the air in the air-conditioned room, a transport fan for transporting the air from the air-conditioned room to multiple living rooms independent of the air-conditioned room, a circulation fan for transporting the air from the multiple living rooms to the air-conditioned room, and a controller for controlling the central air conditioning system, which performs power saving processing for the central air conditioning system based on a request to reduce power consumption, thereby achieving the desired objective. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a central air-conditioning system that can appropriately reduce the amount of power consumed in a building when power saving is required within the building. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a central air conditioning system. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of a central air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram of a central air-conditioning system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the components, the arrangement and connection of the components, the steps (processes) and the order of the steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, the independent components that represent the highest concept of the present invention are not intended to limit the present invention. Components not recited in the claims are described as optional components. In addition, in each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified.
[0010] (Embodiment 1) First, a central air-conditioning system 21 of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a central air-conditioning system 21 according to the present embodiment.
[0011] The central air-conditioning system 21 is a system for air-conditioning a house with multiple living rooms. The central air-conditioning system 21 includes an outside air intake fan 4, a plurality of exhaust fans 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d collectively referred to as exhaust fans 5, a plurality of transport fans 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d collectively referred to as transport fans 3, a plurality of circulation fans 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d collectively referred to as circulation fans 6, a plurality of living room temperature sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d collectively referred to as living room temperature sensors 11, a plurality of living room humidity sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d collectively referred to as living room humidity sensors 12, an air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14, an air-conditioned room humidity sensor 15, an air conditioner 9, a humidifier 16, a dehumidifier 17, and a controller 10.
[0012] The central air-conditioning system 21 is installed in a house 1, which is an example of a building. The house 1 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) living rooms 2a to 2d collectively referred to as living rooms 2, as well as at least one air-conditioned room 18 that is independent of the living rooms 2. Here, a house is a dwelling provided as a place for residents to live private lives, and the living rooms 2 generally include a living room, dining room, bedroom, private room, children's room, etc. The living rooms provided by the central air-conditioning system 21 may also include a toilet, bathroom, washroom, dressing room, etc.
[0013] In air-conditioned room 18, outside air is taken into air-conditioned room 18 by outside air intake fan 4 and mixed with air transported from each of rooms 2a to 2d by circulation fans 6a to 6d. The air in air-conditioned room 18 is conditioned by controlling the temperature and humidity using air conditioner 9, humidifier 16, and dehumidifier 17 installed in air-conditioned room 18. The air conditioned in air-conditioned room 18 is transported to each of rooms 2a to 2d by transport fans 3a to 3d. In other words, the multiple rooms 2 can also be considered multiple spaces to be air-conditioned.
[0014] The air in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is transported to the air-conditioned room 18 by the circulation fans 6a to 6d, and is also discharged from the living rooms 2a to 2d to the outside of the house 1 by the exhaust fans 5a to 5d as outside air (outdoor air). The whole-house air-conditioning system 21 controls the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d to discharge outside air from the rooms, while controlling the supply air volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 in conjunction with the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d to take outside air into the rooms, thereby performing ventilation using a first-class ventilation method.
[0015] The outside air introduction fan 4 is a fan that takes outside air into the room of the house 1, and corresponds to the air supply function of an air supply fan or a heat exchange fan. As described above, the outside air taken in by the outside air introduction fan 4 is introduced into the air-conditioned room 18. The air supply volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 can be set in multiple stages, and the air supply volume is set according to the air exhaust volume of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d.
[0016] Exhaust fan 5 exhausts the air inside house 1 to the outdoors. Exhaust fans 5a to 5d are fans that exhaust part of the air in corresponding living rooms 2a to 2d as outside air, and examples of such fans include ceiling-mounted ventilation fans, wall-mounted ventilation fans, range hoods, and exhaust functions of heat exchange fans. Exhaust fan 5a is installed in living room 2a, exhaust fan 5b in living room 2b, exhaust fan 5c in living room 2c, and exhaust fan 5d in living room 2d.
[0017] Each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d is configured so that its exhaust air volume can be set in multiple stages. Normally, each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d is controlled to maintain a preset exhaust air volume. The exhaust air volume of each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d is controlled according to user settings and values acquired by various sensors.
[0018] The transfer fan 3 transfers air from the air-conditioned room 18 to the living room 2, which is independent from the air-conditioned room 18. In this embodiment, the air from the air-conditioned room 18 is transferred to the living room 2 via a duct. Transfer fans 3a to 3d are provided in the air-conditioned room 18 corresponding to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. The air from the air-conditioned room 18 is transferred to the living room 2a by the transfer fan 3a, to the living room 2b by the transfer fan 3b, to the living room 2c by the transfer fan 3c, and to the living room 2d by the transfer fan 3d. The number and combination of each transfer fan and each living room are not limited to those described above, and different combinations may also be used. In this way, the transfer fan 3 transfers the air conditioned in the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the multiple air-conditioned spaces.
[0019] Circulation fan 6 transports air from multiple living rooms 2 to air-conditioning room 18. In this embodiment, the air from living rooms 2 is transported to air-conditioning room 18 via ducts. Circulation fan 6a is provided in living room 2a, circulation fan 6b in living room 2b, circulation fan 6c in living room 2c, and circulation fan 6d in living room 2d. A portion of the air from each living room 2a to 2d is transported to air-conditioning room 18 by the corresponding circulation fan 6a to 6d.
[0020] The air conditioner 9 corresponds to a so-called air conditioner, and is installed in the air-conditioning room 18 to control the conditioning of the air in the air-conditioning room 18. The air conditioner 9 cools or heats the air in the air-conditioning room 18 so that the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning room 18 reaches a set target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature).
[0021] When the humidity of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 is lower than a set target humidity (air-conditioned room target humidity), the humidifier 16 humidifies the air in the air-conditioned room 18 so that the humidity becomes the air-conditioned room target humidity.
[0022] When the humidity of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 is higher than a set target humidity (air-conditioned room target humidity), the dehumidifier 17 dehumidifies the air in the air-conditioned room 18 so that the humidity becomes the air-conditioned room target humidity.
[0023] Living room temperature sensor 11 acquires the indoor temperature of living room 2. Living room temperature sensor 11a is provided in living room 2a, living room temperature sensor 11b is provided in living room 2b, living room temperature sensor 11c is provided in living room 2c, and living room temperature sensor 11d is provided in living room 2d. Living room temperature sensors 11a to 11d are sensors that acquire the indoor temperature of each corresponding living room 2a to 2d and send the acquired temperature to controller 10. The combination of living room temperature sensor 11 and living room 2 does not necessarily have to be a pair, and multiple living room temperature sensors 11 may be installed for one living room 2.
[0024] Living room humidity sensor 12 acquires the indoor humidity of living room 2. Living room humidity sensor 12a is provided in living room 2a, living room humidity sensor 12b is provided in living room 2b, living room humidity sensor 12c is provided in living room 2c, and living room humidity sensor 12d is provided in living room 2d. Living room humidity sensors 12a to 12d are sensors that acquire the indoor humidity of each corresponding living room 2a to 2d and send it to controller 10. The combination of living room humidity sensor 12 and living room 2 does not necessarily have to be a pair, and multiple living room humidity sensors 12 may be installed for one living room 2.
[0025] The air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14 is a sensor that acquires the temperature of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 and transmits it to the controller 10. The air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14 may be built into the air conditioner 9, but if it is built into the air conditioner 9, it can only obtain information about the area around the air conditioner 9. For this reason, it is recommended to install it independently of the air conditioner 9 so that information about the entire air-conditioned room 18 can be obtained. The air-conditioned room humidity sensor 15 is a sensor that acquires the humidity of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 and transmits it to the controller 10.
[0026] The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire central air-conditioning system 21. The controller 10 is connected to the outside air intake fan 4, the exhaust fans 5a to 5d, the transport fans 3a to 3d, the circulation fans 6a to 6d, the room temperature sensors 11a to 11d, the room humidity sensors 12a to 12d, the air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14, the air-conditioned room humidity sensor 15, the air conditioner 9, the humidifier 16, and the dehumidifier 17 so that they can communicate with each other via wireless communication.
[0027] The controller 10 controls the outside air introduction fan 4 and the exhaust fans 5a to 5d in conjunction with each other, for example, by setting the intake air volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 so that the air volume corresponds to the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d. In this way, the house 1 is ventilated using the first type ventilation method.
[0028] In addition, the controller 10 controls the air conditioner 9, the humidifier 16, and the dehumidifier 17 based on the temperature and humidity of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 obtained by the air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14 and the air-conditioned room humidity sensor 15 so that the temperature and / or humidity of the air-conditioned room 18 becomes the air-conditioned room target temperature and / or air-conditioned room target humidity set for the air-conditioned room 18.
[0029] In addition, the controller 10 sets the airflow rates of the transport fans 3a to 3d and the circulation fans 6a to 6d according to the indoor temperature and / or indoor humidity of each of the rooms 2a to 2d acquired by the room temperature sensors 11a to 11d and the room humidity sensors 12a to 12d, and the target temperature (room target temperature) and / or target humidity (room target humidity) set for each of the rooms 2a to 2d.
[0030] As a result, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 18 is transported to each of the living rooms 2a-2d at the air volume set in each of the transport fans 3a-3d, and the air in each of the living rooms 2a-3d is transported to air-conditioning room 18 at the air volume set in each of the circulation fans 6a-6d. Thus, the indoor temperature and / or indoor humidity of each of the living rooms 2a-2d is controlled to become the target room temperature and / or target room humidity.
[0031] Here, the controller 10 is connected wirelessly to the outside air intake fan 4, exhaust fans 5a-5d, transport fans 3a-3d, circulation fans 6a-6d, room temperature sensors 11a-11d, room humidity sensors 12a-12d, air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14, air-conditioned room humidity sensor 15, air conditioner 9, humidifier 16, and dehumidifier 17, thereby eliminating the need for complicated wiring work. However, all of these components, or some of them and the controller 10, may be configured to be able to communicate via wired communication.
[0032] The central air-conditioning system 21 may also include a storage battery 20, which is provided inside or near the house 1. That is, the storage battery 20 may be installed inside the house 1 or outdoors outside the house 1. The storage battery 20 can store power (electricity), and stores power generated by solar power generation or power supplied from a power supply company. The storage battery 20 is a power supply source for the central air-conditioning system 21 that is separate from the power supply from the power supply company. The storage battery 20 is also a power supply source for electrical devices in the house 1 that is separate from the power supply from the power supply company. The electrical devices in the house 1 include, for example, lighting equipment, an electric cooker, a microwave oven, a television, a hair dryer, a refrigerator, and other devices other than the central air-conditioning system. In this way, the storage battery 20 can function as a backup power source during a power outage in which the power supply from the power supply company is stopped.
[0033] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the functions of the controller 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of the controller 10 according to the first embodiment.
[0034] The controller 10 according to the first embodiment includes a power detection unit 30, a power saving request unit 31, a power amount acquisition unit 32, and a device control unit 33.
[0035] The power detection unit 30 detects the power supply from the power supply company. The power from the power supply company is supplied to outlets and the like provided in the house 1 via the distribution board 19, and is also supplied to the central air-conditioning system 21. That is, the power from the power supply company is also supplied to the controller 10 via the distribution board 19. The power detection unit 30 detects the presence or absence of power supply from the power supply company, for example, by monitoring the voltage or current of the power from the power supply company supplied to the controller 10 via the distribution board 19. That is, when a power outage occurs, in which the power supply from the power supply company is stopped, the power detection unit 30 detects the power outage. Note that a storage battery 20 is connected to the controller 10, and the power supply to the controller 10 is not stopped even when a power outage occurs.
[0036] When the power detection unit 30 detects a power outage, the power saving request unit 31 makes a reduction request (power saving request) to the device control unit 33 to reduce the use of power.
[0037] The power amount obtaining unit 32 obtains the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20. Specifically, the power amount obtaining unit 32 obtains the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 by performing wireless communication or wired communication with the storage battery 20.
[0038] The equipment control unit 33 normally controls the airflow rates of the transport fans 3a to 3d and the air conditioners 9 as part of the control of the central air-conditioning system 21. The equipment control unit 33 controls the air conditioning by the air conditioners 9 to set the indoor temperatures of the living rooms 2a to 2d to target temperatures, and further controls the air in the air-conditioned room 18 conditioned by the air conditioners 9 to be transported to the living rooms 2a to 2d by the transport fans 3a to 3d. The controller 10 controls the air conditioning intensity of the air conditioners 9, the airflow rate of the transport fans 3, and the like based on the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature. For example, if the difference between the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature is large, the air conditioning intensity is increased, and if the difference between the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature is large, the airflow rate of the corresponding transport fan 3 is increased. As a result, the indoor temperature of the living room 2 approaches the target temperature. In other words, the central air conditioning system conditions the air in the air-conditioned room 18 and transports the conditioned air from the air-conditioned room 18 to multiple air-conditioned spaces, thereby bringing the indoor temperatures of the multiple air-conditioned spaces closer to the target temperatures of the air-conditioned spaces. In addition, the equipment control unit 33 also controls the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4 to control the ventilation volume of the living room 2. The equipment control unit 33 also controls the circulation fan 6 for air-conditioning and ventilation of the living room 2.
[0039] The functions of the controller 10 can be realized as hardware by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer CPU (Central Processing Unit), and as software by computer programs, etc., but here they are realized by linking these together. Therefore, each function can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.
[0040] As described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a central air conditioning system that can appropriately reduce the amount of power consumed in situations where power saving is necessary in the house 1. In the first embodiment, a case where a power outage occurs will be described as a situation where power saving is necessary in the house 1.
[0041] When a power outage occurs, if air conditioning control is continued as it was before the power outage, there is a possibility that all the power in the storage battery 20 will be consumed in a short time. In other words, there is a possibility that the comfort of the occupants in the house 1 will be lost soon. In addition, the storage battery 20 may also supply power to the refrigerator and other appliances in the house 1. Therefore, it is desirable to perform power saving processing using the storage battery 20 so that comfort can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0042] First, when a power outage occurs, the power detection unit 30 detects the power outage, and the power saving request unit 31 sends a reduction request to the equipment control unit 33 to reduce power consumption. Based on the reduction request, the equipment control unit 33 performs power saving processing for the central air conditioning system, which operates only the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6. Here, in the central air conditioning system 21 of the first embodiment, the storage battery 20 is connected to at least the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the controller 10, but is not connected to the air conditioner 9. In other words, when a power outage occurs, the air conditioner 9 is not operated. Note that the storage battery 20 may also be connected to the exhaust fan 5 and / or the outside air introduction fan 4, but it does not have to be connected to the exhaust fan 5 and / or the outside air introduction fan 4 if power saving is the top priority.
[0043] When a reduction request is made during a power outage, power is not supplied from the storage battery 20 to the air conditioners 9, but is supplied from the storage battery 20 to the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6, and the equipment control unit 33 executes power-saving processing for the central air-conditioning system 21, which operates the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6. The equipment that consumes the most power in the central air-conditioning system 21 is the air conditioners 9, while the power consumption of fans such as the transport fan 3, the circulation fan 6, the exhaust fan 5, and the outside air intake fan 4 is much smaller than that of the air conditioners 9. Therefore, not supplying power from the storage battery 20 to the air conditioners 9 is expected to have a significant power-saving effect. In other words, it is possible to prevent the power in the storage battery 20 from running out early.
[0044] In this way, the device control unit 33 performs power saving processing for the central air-conditioning system 21 based on the reduction request to reduce power usage. By performing the power saving processing for the central air-conditioning system, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while suppressing power usage by the storage battery 20. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power usage by the storage battery 20.
[0045] Central air conditioning systems are generally installed in highly insulated and airtight homes. Therefore, even when the air conditioner 9 is stopped, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioned space does not change suddenly due to the influence of outside air, etc., and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain period of time. In other words, stopping the air conditioner 9 does not immediately result in a decrease in user comfort. However, the temperature change in each room 2 after the air conditioner 9 is stopped varies depending on the size of the space, the presence or absence of occupants, and the presence or absence of heat-generating equipment. Therefore, the equipment control unit 33 operates only the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 as a power-saving process for the central air conditioning system. This maintains the function of circulating air between each room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18 and suppresses local temperature changes in each room 2. For example, this can suppress local temperature increases in the room 2 where a user is present due to heat generated by the user himself during the Japanese summer. Since local temperature increases in the room 2 where a user is present can be suppressed, user comfort can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0046] Here, the air volumes of the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 are determined based on the remaining power of the storage battery 20. That is, the device control unit 33 determines the air volumes of the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 based on the remaining power of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquiring unit 32. The device control unit 33 reduces the air volume of the conveying fan 3 as the remaining power of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquiring unit 32 decreases. For example, if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is large, the air volume level of the conveying fan 3 may be set to 4; if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is medium, the air volume level of the conveying fan 3 may be set to 3; and if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is small, the air volume level of the conveying fan 3 may be set to 1. Note that in the above, the higher the air volume level, the larger the air volume. Similarly, the device control unit 33 reduces the air volume of the circulation fan 6 as the remaining power of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquiring unit 32 decreases. For example, if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is large, the air volume level of the circulation fan 6 may be set to 4; If the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is medium, the airflow level of the circulation fan 6 may be set to 3, and if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is small, the airflow level of the circulation fan 6 may be set to 1. Here too, the higher the airflow level, the greater the airflow.
[0047] This allows the amount of power to be appropriately reduced based on the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20. Therefore, when the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20 is large, the amount of power can be appropriately reduced while suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0048] As described above, the storage battery 20 may be connected to the exhaust fan 5. In this case, when a power reduction request is made during a power outage, power is also supplied from the storage battery 20 to the exhaust fan 5, and the exhaust fan 5 is operated as a power-saving process. In other words, when a power reduction request is made during a power outage, power is not supplied from the storage battery 20 to the air conditioner 9, but power is supplied from the storage battery 20 to the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the exhaust fan 5. The equipment control unit 33 then executes a power-saving process for the central air-conditioning system 21, operating the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the exhaust fan 5. As described above, the air conditioner 9 is the device that consumes the most power in the central air-conditioning system 21, and the exhaust fan 5 consumes much less power than the air conditioner 9. Therefore, the exhaust fan 5 may be operated as a power-saving process. In other words, the impact on the early depletion of power in the storage battery 20 is small.
[0049] By performing the power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption by the storage battery 20. That is, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption by the storage battery 20. Furthermore, when only the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 are operated, the air inside the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, which are indoors (inside the house 1), is simply circulated, which may increase the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration in the living room 2. The increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration in the living room 2 leads to a decrease in user comfort. However, by additionally operating the exhaust fan 5 as a power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system, it is possible to exhaust the air inside the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, thereby suppressing an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration in the living room 2. This makes it possible to further suppress a decrease in user comfort while maintaining user comfort for a long period of time.
[0050] Here, the air volume of the exhaust fan 5 may be determined based on the remaining power of the storage battery 20. That is, the device control unit 33 determines the air volume of the exhaust fan 5 based on the remaining power of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquiring unit 32. The device control unit 33 reduces the air volume of the exhaust fan 5 as the remaining power of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquiring unit 32 decreases. For example, if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is large, the air volume level of the exhaust fan 5 may be set to 3; if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is medium, the air volume level of the exhaust fan 5 may be set to 2; and if the remaining power of the storage battery 20 is small, the air volume level of the exhaust fan 5 may be set to 1. Incidentally, in the above, the higher the air volume level, the greater the air volume.
[0051] This allows the amount of power to be appropriately reduced based on the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20. Therefore, when the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20 is large, the amount of power can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0052] Similarly, the storage battery 20 may be connected to the outside air introduction fan 4. In this case, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, power is also supplied from the storage battery 20 to the outside air introduction fan 4, and the operation of the outside air introduction fan 4 is further executed as a power saving process. In other words, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, power is not supplied from the storage battery 20 to the air conditioner 9, but power is supplied from the storage battery 20 to the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the outside air introduction fan 4, and the equipment control unit 33 executes a power saving process of the central air conditioning system 21 that operates the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the outside air introduction fan 4. As described above, The device consuming the most power in this case is the air conditioner 9, and the power consumption of the outside air introduction fan 4 is much smaller than that of the air conditioner 9. Therefore, the outside air introduction fan 4 may be further operated as a power saving process. In other words, the impact on the power in the storage battery 20 running out early is small.
[0053] By performing the power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system described above, it is possible to reduce power consumption by the storage battery 20 and maintain user comfort for an extended period of time. Furthermore, operating only the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 only circulates air within the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, which are indoors (inside the house 1), which may increase the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration within the living room 2. Increased carbon dioxide and particle concentrations within the living room 2 lead to reduced user comfort. However, by also operating the outside air intake fan 4 as a power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system, it is possible to take in outside air into the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, thereby reducing increases in carbon dioxide and particle concentrations within the living room 2. This makes it possible to maintain user comfort for an extended period of time while further reducing any reduction in user comfort.
[0054] Here, the airflow rate of the outside air introduction fan 4 may be determined based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20. That is, the device control unit 33 determines the airflow rate of the outside air introduction fan 4 based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquisition unit 32. The device control unit 33 reduces the airflow rate of the outside air introduction fan 4 as the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 acquired by the power amount acquisition unit 32 decreases. For example, if the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 is large, the airflow rate level of the outside air introduction fan 4 may be set to 4; if the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 is medium, the airflow rate level of the outside air introduction fan 4 may be set to 3; and if the remaining power amount of the storage battery 20 is small, the airflow rate level of the outside air introduction fan 4 may be set to 1. Incidentally, in the above, the higher the airflow level, the greater the airflow rate.
[0055] This allows the amount of power to be appropriately reduced based on the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20. Therefore, when the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20 is large, the amount of power can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0056] Furthermore, the storage battery 20 may be connected to both the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4. In this case, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, power is also supplied from the storage battery 20 to the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4, and the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4 are further operated as a power saving process. In other words, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, power is not supplied from the storage battery 20 to the air conditioner 9, but power is supplied from the storage battery 20 to the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, the exhaust fan 5, and the outside air introduction fan 4, and the equipment control unit 33 executes a power saving process of the central air conditioning system 21 to operate the conveying fan 3, the circulation fan 6, the exhaust fan 5, and the outside air introduction fan 4.
[0057] By performing the power saving process of the central air conditioning system, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the storage battery 20. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress increases in the carbon dioxide concentration and particulate matter concentration in the living room 2, so that the user's comfort can be maintained for a long time while further suppressing a decrease in the user's comfort. Even in a power outage, ventilation using the first type ventilation method can be performed.
[0058] As described above, in a situation where power saving is necessary in the house 1, it is possible to appropriately reduce the amount of power while suppressing a decrease in user comfort. Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately reduce the amount of power based on the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20. As a result, when the remaining amount of power in the storage battery 20 is large, it is possible to appropriately reduce the amount of power while further suppressing a decrease in resident comfort.
[0059] (Embodiment 2) Next, a case where a power saving request is made by the power supply company will be described as a situation where power saving is necessary in the house 1. In the summer and winter in Japan, the power consumption related to temperature control in the house 1 is This increase in the number of days in a year increases power consumption compared to spring and autumn. This can lead to power demand exceeding the amount of power that the power supply company can supply. For this reason, power supply companies may issue power saving requests to the areas to which they supply power. The present invention performs power saving processing in response to such power saving requests from power supply companies.
[0060] The system schematic diagram of the central air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment is Fig. 1, similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the central air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment does not necessarily have to include the storage battery 20.
[0061] Next, each function of the controller 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of the controller 10 according to the second embodiment.
[0062] The controller 10 according to the second embodiment includes a receiving unit 40, a power saving request unit 41, and a device control unit 33.
[0063] Here, the central air-conditioning system 21 further includes a power management server 50. The power management server 50 is an information processing device that obtains power-saving request information from the power supply company and provides the obtained power-saving request information to the controller 10. Specifically, the power management server 50 receives the power-saving request from the power supply company via a network such as the Internet, selects an area that corresponds to the power-saving request based on the received power-saving request, and transmits a reduction request to reduce power use to the central air-conditioning systems that belong to the selected area.
[0064] The controller 10 has a wireless communication function and is communicatively connected to the power management server 50 via a network such as the Internet. The controller 10 may also be connected to the power management server 50 via a network using wired communication.
[0065] The receiver 40 receives a reduction request from the power management server 50. When the receiver 40 receives the reduction request from the power management server 50, the receiver 40 transmits to the power saving request unit 41 a notification that the reduction request has been received.
[0066] When the power saving request unit 41 receives a notification from the receiving unit 40 that a reduction request has been received, the power saving request unit 41 makes a reduction request (power saving request) to the device control unit 42 to reduce the use of power.
[0067] Like the equipment control unit 33, the equipment control unit 42 also normally controls the airflow rates of the transport fans 3a to 3d and the air conditioners 9 as part of the control of the central air-conditioning system 21. The equipment control unit 42 controls the air conditioning by the air conditioners 9 to set the indoor temperatures of the living rooms 2a to 2d to target temperatures, and further controls the air in the air-conditioned room 18 that has been conditioned by the air conditioners 9 to be transported to the living rooms 2a to 2d by the transport fans 3a to 3d. The controller 10 controls the air conditioning intensity of the air conditioners 9, the airflow rate of the transport fans 3, and the like, based on the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature. For example, if the difference between the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature is large, the air conditioning intensity is increased, and if the difference between the current indoor temperature of the living room 2 and the target temperature is large, the airflow rate of the corresponding transport fan 3 is increased. As a result, the indoor temperature of the living room 2 approaches the target temperature. In other words, the central air conditioning system conditions the air in the air-conditioned room 18 and transports the conditioned air from the air-conditioned room 18 to multiple air-conditioned spaces, thereby bringing the indoor temperatures of the multiple air-conditioned spaces closer to the target temperatures of the air-conditioned spaces. In addition, the equipment control unit 42 also controls the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4 to control the ventilation volume of the living room 2. The equipment control unit 42 also controls the circulation fan 6 for air-conditioning and ventilation of the living room 2.
[0068] First, when a power saving request is issued from the power supply company, the power management server 50 receives the power saving request information from the power supply company. The area corresponding to the power saving request is selected, and a reduction request to reduce power consumption is transmitted to the central air conditioning systems belonging to the selected area. The receiver 40 of the central air conditioning systems belonging to the selected area receives the reduction request from the power management server 50. The receiver 40 transmits a notification that the reduction request has been received to the power saving request unit 41. When the power saving request is transmitted from the receiver 40, the power saving request unit 41 transmits a reduction request (power saving request) to the equipment control unit 42 to reduce power consumption. Based on the reduction request, the equipment control unit 42 performs power saving processing for the central air conditioning system, operating only the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6. When a power saving request is received from the power supply company, the equipment control unit 42 does not operate the air conditioner 9. Note that the equipment control unit 42 may also operate the exhaust fan 5 and / or the outside air introduction fan 4, but if power saving is the top priority, the exhaust fan 5 and / or the outside air introduction fan 4 may not be operated.
[0069] When a power saving request is made by the power supply company, the equipment control unit 42 performs power saving processing by stopping the air conditioner 9 and only transporting air using the transport fan 3 and circulation fan 6. As mentioned above, the equipment that consumes the most power in the whole-building air-conditioning system 21 is the air conditioner 9, while the power consumption of fans such as the transport fan 3, circulation fan 6, exhaust fan 5, and outside air intake fan 4 is much smaller than that of the air conditioner 9. Therefore, stopping the operation of the air conditioner 9 is expected to have a significant power saving effect.
[0070] In this way, the device control unit 42 performs power saving processing of the central air-conditioning system 21 based on a request to reduce power consumption. By performing the power saving processing of the central air-conditioning system, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption.
[0071] As mentioned above, central air conditioning systems are generally installed in highly insulated and airtight homes. Therefore, even when the air conditioner 9 is stopped, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioned space does not change suddenly due to the influence of outside air, etc., and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain period of time. In other words, stopping the operation of the air conditioner 9 does not immediately result in a decrease in user comfort. However, the temperature change in each room 2 after the air conditioner 9 is stopped varies depending on the size of the space in each room 2, the presence or absence of occupants, and the presence or absence of heat-generating equipment. Therefore, the equipment control unit 42 operates only the conveying fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 as a power-saving process for the central air conditioning system. This maintains the function of circulating air between each room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18 and suppresses local temperature changes in each room 2. For example, this can suppress local temperature increases in the room 2 where a user is present due to heat generated by the user himself during the Japanese summer. Since local temperature increases in the room 2 where a user is present can be suppressed, user comfort can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0072] Furthermore, as a power saving process, air may be transported by the exhaust fan 5. In this case, when a reduction request is made, the exhaust fan 5 is operated as a power saving process. In other words, when a reduction request is made, the equipment control unit 42 executes a power saving process of the central air conditioning system 21 in which the air conditioners 9 are stopped and only the transport fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the exhaust fan 5 are operated. As described above, the equipment consuming the most power in the central air conditioning system 21 is the air conditioner 9, and the power consumption of the exhaust fan 5 is much smaller than that of the air conditioner 9. Therefore, the exhaust fan 5 may be operated as a power saving process.
[0073] By performing the power saving process of the central air conditioning system, it is possible to suppress the decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption. Furthermore, when only the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 are operated, the air inside the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, which are indoors (inside the house 1), is simply circulated, which may increase the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration in the living room 2. An increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration in the living room 2 leads to a decrease in user comfort. However, as a power saving process of the central air conditioning system, it is possible to further Furthermore, by operating the exhaust fan 5, it becomes possible to exhaust the air in the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, thereby suppressing increases in the carbon dioxide concentration and particulate concentration in the living room 2. This makes it possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while further suppressing a decrease in user comfort.
[0074] Furthermore, as a power saving process, air may be transported by the outside air introduction fan 4. In this case, when a reduction request is made, the outside air introduction fan 4 is operated as a power saving process. In other words, when a reduction request is made, the equipment control unit 42 executes a power saving process of the central air conditioning system 21 in which the air conditioner 9 is stopped and only the transport fan 3, the circulation fan 6, and the outside air introduction fan 4 are operated. As described above, the equipment consuming the most power in the central air conditioning system 21 is the air conditioner 9, and the power consumption of the outside air introduction fan 4 is much smaller than that of the air conditioner 9. Therefore, the outside air introduction fan 4 may be operated as a power saving process.
[0075] By performing the power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption. Furthermore, operating only the transport fan 3 and the circulation fan 6 only circulates air within the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, which are indoors (inside the house 1), which may increase the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration within the living room 2. An increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration within the living room 2 leads to a decrease in user comfort. However, by additionally operating the outside air intake fan 4 as a power-saving process of the central air-conditioning system, it is possible to take in outside air into the living room 2 and the air-conditioned room 18, thereby suppressing an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and particle concentration within the living room 2. This makes it possible to further suppress a decrease in user comfort while maintaining user comfort for a long period of time.
[0076] Furthermore, as a power saving process, air may be transported by the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4. In this case, when a reduction request is made, the power saving process further includes operating the exhaust fan 5 and the outside air introduction fan 4. In other words, when a reduction request is made, the equipment control unit 42 performs a power saving process of the central air conditioning system 21, stopping the air conditioners 9 and operating only the transport fan 3, the circulation fan 6, the exhaust fan 5, and the outside air introduction fan 4.
[0077] By performing the power saving process of the central air conditioning system, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption. That is, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption. It is also possible to suppress an increase in carbon dioxide concentration and particulate matter concentration in the living room 2. This makes it possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while further suppressing a decrease in user comfort.
[0078] As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the amount of power consumed while minimizing the decline in user comfort in situations where power saving is necessary within the home 1. Furthermore, by saving power in response to a power saving request from the power supply company, a reward according to the amount of power saved can be obtained.
[0079] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.
[0080] For example, the power management server does not have to be a server dedicated to the central air conditioning system, but may be a server used in other systems.
[0081] In addition, the controller 10 in the first embodiment has been described as an example in which one device includes the power detection unit 30, the power saving request unit 31, the power amount acquisition unit 32, and the device control unit 33, but this is not limiting. For example, Alternatively, the device control unit 33 may be configured by two or more devices. For example, the first device may include the power detection unit 30, the power saving request unit 31, and the power amount acquisition unit 32, and the second device may include the device control unit 33, and the first and second devices may communicate with each other, and the first and second devices may cooperate to provide the functions of the controller 10. Note that although the above describes an example in which the controller 10 is configured by two devices, it may also be configured by three or more devices. In other words, the functional blocks of the controller 10 in the first embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.
[0082] Similarly, the controller 10 in the second embodiment has been described as including the receiving unit 40, the power-saving requesting unit 41, and the device control unit 42 in one device, but this is not limiting. For example, the receiving unit 40, the power-saving requesting unit 41, and the device control unit 42 may be included in two or more devices. For example, the receiving unit 40 and the power-saving requesting unit 41 may be included in a first device, and the device control unit 42 may be included in a second device, allowing communication between the first and second devices, and the first and second devices working together to provide the functions of the controller 10. Note that, although the above describes an example in which the controller 10 is included in two devices, the controller 10 may also be included in three or more devices. In other words, the functional blocks of the controller 10 in the second embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.
[0083] Further, the exhaust fan 5 may be provided in the air-conditioned room 18 instead of the living room 2.
[0084] Furthermore, the outside air intake fan 4 may be provided in the living room 2 instead of the air-conditioned room 18.
[0085] (Summary of the Invention) The central air conditioning system of the present invention is a central air conditioning system for conditioning a house with multiple living rooms, and includes an air conditioner installed in an air-conditioned room for conditioning the air in the air-conditioned room, a transport fan for transporting the air from the air-conditioned room to multiple living rooms independent of the air-conditioned room, a circulation fan for transporting the air from the multiple living rooms to the air-conditioned room, and a controller for controlling the central air conditioning system, and performs power saving processing of the central air conditioning system based on a request to reduce power consumption.This allows for appropriate power reduction in situations where power saving is necessary in the building.
[0086] The system may also include a power management server that receives power saving requests from the power supply company, selects an area that corresponds to the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits a reduction request to the central air conditioning system in the selected area. This allows the system to respond to the power saving request from the power supply company. Furthermore, by saving power in response to the power saving request from the power supply company, a reward according to the amount of power saved can be obtained.
[0087] Alternatively, as a power-saving process, the air conditioner may be stopped and only the transport fan and circulation fan may be used to transport air. This reduces power consumption while preventing a decrease in user comfort. In other words, user comfort can be maintained for a long period of time while reducing power consumption.
[0088] Furthermore, an exhaust fan may be provided to exhaust air from inside the home to the outdoors, and the air may be transported by the exhaust fan as a power-saving process. This can prevent increases in carbon dioxide and particulate concentrations inside the home. In other words, it is possible to further prevent a decrease in user comfort while reducing power consumption. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while reducing power consumption.
[0089] In addition, the house may be equipped with an outdoor air intake fan that takes in outdoor air, and the outdoor air intake fan may also be used to transport the air as a power-saving process. This makes it possible to suppress increases in carbon dioxide concentration and particulate matter concentration inside the house. In other words, it is possible to suppress power consumption while improving user comfort. This further reduces the deterioration of suitability, and thus the user's comfort can be maintained for a long period of time while reducing power consumption.
[0090] The system may also include a power detection unit that detects the power supply from the power supply company and a storage battery that is a power supply source for the central air conditioning system other than the power supply from the power supply company, and when the power detection unit detects a power outage in which there is no power supply from the power supply company, it may issue a reduction request. This allows for appropriate reduction in the amount of power consumed in situations where a power outage occurs and power saving from the storage battery is required.
[0091] Furthermore, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, power may not be supplied from the storage battery to the air conditioners, but power may be supplied from the storage battery to the conveying fan and the circulation fan, and power saving processing may be executed to operate the conveying fan and the circulation fan. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in user comfort while suppressing power consumption by the storage battery 20. In other words, it is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while suppressing power consumption by the storage battery 20.
[0092] Furthermore, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, the airflow rates of the conveying fan and the circulation fan may be determined based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. This allows for appropriate reduction in the amount of power consumed in situations where power saving is necessary. Furthermore, the amount of power consumed can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. This allows for reduction in the amount of power consumed while minimizing a decrease in user comfort.
[0093] In addition, if an exhaust fan is provided to exhaust air from inside the home to the outdoors, and a reduction request is made during a power outage, the exhaust fan may also be powered by the storage battery and operated. This makes it possible to further reduce the decrease in user comfort while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20. It is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20.
[0094] Furthermore, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, the airflow rate of the exhaust fan may be determined based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. This makes it possible to further reduce the deterioration of user comfort while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20. It is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20.
[0095] Furthermore, if the home is equipped with an outside air intake fan that takes in outdoor air, and a power reduction request is made during a power outage, the outside air intake fan may also be powered by the storage battery and operated. This reduces power consumption by the storage battery 20 while further reducing deterioration in user comfort. User comfort can be maintained for a long period of time while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20.
[0096] Furthermore, when a reduction request is made during a power outage, the airflow rate of the outside air introduction fan may be determined based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. This makes it possible to further reduce the deterioration of user comfort while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20. It is possible to maintain user comfort for a long period of time while reducing power consumption by the storage battery 20.
[0097] Furthermore, the airflow rate of the transport fan may be reduced as the remaining power level of the storage battery decreases. This allows for appropriate reduction in the amount of power consumed in situations where power saving is necessary. Furthermore, the amount of power consumed can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. In other words, the amount of power consumed can be reduced while minimizing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0098] In addition, the air volume of the circulation fan may be reduced as the remaining power of the storage battery decreases. This allows the amount of power to be appropriately reduced in situations where power saving is necessary. This allows the amount of power to be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power in the tank, which means that the amount of power can be reduced while preventing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0099] Furthermore, the airflow rate of the exhaust fan may be reduced as the remaining power level of the storage battery decreases. This allows for appropriate reduction in the amount of power consumed in situations where power saving is necessary. Furthermore, the amount of power consumed can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. In other words, the amount of power consumed can be reduced while minimizing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants.
[0100] Furthermore, the airflow rate of the outside air intake fan may be reduced as the remaining power level of the storage battery decreases. This allows for appropriate reduction in the amount of power consumed in situations where power saving is necessary. Furthermore, the amount of power consumed can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power level of the storage battery. In other words, the amount of power consumed can be reduced while minimizing a decrease in the comfort of the occupants. [Industrial Applicability]
[0101] The present invention is useful as a central air conditioning system equipped with an air conditioner. [Explanation of symbols]
[0102] 1. Housing 2 living room 2a living room 2b living room 2c living room 2d living room 3 Conveyor fan 3a Conveyor fan 3b Conveying fan 3c Conveyor fan 3D conveying fan 4. Fresh air intake fan 5. Exhaust fan 5a Exhaust fan 5b Exhaust fan 5c Exhaust fan 5d Exhaust fan 6 Circulation Fan 6a Circulation fan 6b Circulation fan 6c Circulation Fan 6d Circulation fan 9 Air conditioner 10 Controller 11 Room temperature sensor 11a Room temperature sensor 11b Room temperature sensor 11c Room temperature sensor 11d Room temperature sensor 12 Room humidity sensor 12a Room humidity sensor 12b Room humidity sensor 12c Room humidity sensor 12d Room humidity sensor 14 Air conditioning room temperature sensor 15 Air conditioning room humidity sensor 16 Humidifier 17 Dehumidifier 18 Air conditioned room 19 Distribution board 20 Storage battery 21 Whole building air conditioning system 30 Power detection unit 31 Power saving request section 32 Electric energy acquisition section 33 Equipment control section 40 Receiving unit 41 Power saving request section 42 Equipment control section 50 Power Management Server
Claims
1. A whole-house air conditioning system for air conditioning a house with multiple rooms, an air conditioner provided in the air-conditioning room and conditioning the air in the air-conditioning room; a transport fan that transports the air in the air-conditioned room to a plurality of rooms independent of the air-conditioned room; a circulation fan that transports air from the plurality of rooms to the air-conditioned room; a controller for controlling the central air-conditioning system, A central air conditioning system that performs power saving processing on the central air conditioning system based on a reduction request for reducing power usage.
2. The central air conditioning system of claim 1 further comprises a power management server that receives a power saving request from an electric power supply company, selects an area that corresponds to the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request to the central air conditioning system that belongs to the selected area.
3. As the power saving process, 2. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is stopped and only the air is transported by the transport fan and the circulation fan.
4. an exhaust fan that exhausts air from inside the house to the outdoors; As the power saving process, 4. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 3, further comprising an exhaust fan for transporting air.
5. an outdoor air intake fan that takes outdoor air into the house; As the power saving process, 4. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 3, further comprising an outside air intake fan for transporting air.
6. a power detection unit that detects power supply from a power supply company; a storage battery that is a power supply source for the central air-conditioning system that is different from the power supply from the power supply company, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the power detection unit issues the reduction request when it detects a power outage in which no power is being supplied from the power supply company.
7. 7. The whole-building air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein when the reduction request is made during the power outage, power is not supplied from the storage battery to the air conditioner, but power is supplied from the storage battery to the conveying fan and the circulation fan, and the power saving process is executed to operate the conveying fan and the circulation fan.
8. When the reduction request is made in the power outage state, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the air volumes of the transport fan and the circulation fan are determined based on the remaining power of the storage battery.
9. an exhaust fan that exhausts air from inside the house to the outdoors; The central air-conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein when the reduction request is made during the power outage, the exhaust fan is also supplied with power from the storage battery, and the exhaust fan is operated.
10. When the reduction request is made in the power outage state, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 9, wherein the air volume of the exhaust fan is determined based on the remaining power of the storage battery.
11. an outdoor air intake fan that takes outdoor air into the house; The central air-conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein when the reduction request is made during the power outage, the outside air introduction fan is also supplied with power from the storage battery, and the outside air introduction fan is operated.
12. When the reduction request is made in the power outage state, The central air-conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein the air volume of the outside air intake fan is determined based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.
13. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein the air volume of the transport fan is reduced as the remaining amount of power in the storage battery decreases.
14. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein the air volume of the circulation fan is reduced as the remaining amount of power in the storage battery decreases.
15. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the air volume of the exhaust fan is reduced as the remaining electric power of the storage battery decreases.
16. The central air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the air volume of the outside air intake fan is reduced as the remaining amount of power in the storage battery decreases.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Air conditioning system
JP2011127845A