Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of making a heat generation device cause less failure by estimating a heat generation load of the heat generation device when an air conditioner is out of order.SOLUTION: The system comprises: an acquisition part 101 for acquiring a heat generation load, information relating to indoor temperature, information relating to ambient air, and information relating to an air conditioner at a time interval; a storage part 102 for storing time which has lapsed until the indoor temperature increases to allowable temperature after an air conditioner 900 in operation stops, and is allowable repairing time predefined on the basis of the heat generation load; a first estimation part 103 for estimating an allowable load which is a heat generation load allowed to keep the indoor temperature not more than the allowable temperature after the allowable repairing time lapses; a comparison part 109 for comparing a comparison load based on the heat generation load with the allowable load; and a control part 111 for moving the heat generation load exceeding the allowable load to a heat generation device 500 with the comparison load less than the allowable load when the heat generation device 500 has the comparison load exceeding the allowable load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] ICT equipment (hereafter referred to as heat-generating equipment) installed in server rooms generates heat during operation. As the ICT equipment generates heat, the temperature inside the server room rises. If the temperature inside the server room becomes too high, the risk of ICT equipment malfunctioning increases. For this reason, air conditioning units are installed in server rooms to prevent the temperature inside the server room from becoming too high.

[0003] A breakdown in an air conditioning unit increases the risk of ICT equipment failure. For this reason, it is common for server rooms to take precautions against air conditioning unit failure. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of transferring the load of an ICT device to another ICT device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-002148 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, when an air conditioning unit fails, the heat generation load of the ICT device corresponding to the failed air conditioning unit is calculated, and based on the calculated heat generation load, the heat generation load of the ICT device is transferred to another ICT device corresponding to the failed air conditioning unit.

[0006] However, the above-mentioned method has a problem in that errors are likely to occur in the calculation accuracy of the heat generation load depending on the building environment, etc. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning system that can estimate the heat generation load of a heat generation device in the event of an air conditioning device failure, thereby making it less likely for the heat generation device to fail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. An air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning system that uses a plurality of air conditioning units to cool a target space in which heat-generating devices are arranged, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires at least one of heat loads emitted from the heat-generating devices, information about indoor temperature, information about outside air, and information about the air conditioning units at predetermined time intervals; an allowance calculation unit that calculates a predetermined allowable repair time based on the heat load, which is the elapsed time from when at least some of the operating air conditioning units stop until the indoor temperature of the target space rises to a predetermined allowable temperature; and The system is characterized by being provided with a load calculation unit that calculates an allowable load, which is the heat generation load that is allowable to keep the indoor temperature at or below an allowable temperature after the allowable repair time has elapsed, based on information about the air conditioning device, information about the indoor temperature, the outside air temperature, and the allowable repair time; a comparison unit that compares a comparison load based on the heat generation load with the allowable load; and a control unit that, if there is a heat generation device whose comparison load exceeds the allowable load, moves the heat generation load of the heat generation device that exceeds the allowable load to a heat generation device whose comparison load is less than the allowable load.

[0008] According to the air conditioning system of the first aspect of the present invention, the allowable load is estimated by machine learning. The shifted allowable load is compared with a comparison load based on the heat generation load of the heat generation device. If there is a heat generation device whose comparison load exceeds the allowable load, the heat generation load is transferred to a heat generation device whose comparison load is less than the allowable load. By transferring the heat generation load, the heat generation device whose comparison load exceeds the allowable load is less likely to break down. Furthermore, since the allowable load is determined by machine learning, it is easier to determine accurately than when machine learning is not used.

[0009] The information relating to the outdoor environment preferably includes at least one of the outdoor temperature and weather forecast information, but may also include information other than the above information. The information relating to the indoor temperature preferably includes at least one of the heat generation load, the indoor temperature, and the outdoor air temperature, but may also include information other than the above information.

[0010] The allowable temperature is the threshold for the room temperature in a server room at which heat-generating devices are less likely to malfunction. Specifically, if the allowable temperature is exceeded, heat-generating devices are more likely to malfunction. If the temperature is below the allowable temperature, heat-generating devices are less likely to malfunction.

[0011] The allowable repair time is the time it takes for the indoor temperature in the server room to reach an allowable temperature after a failure occurs in at least one air conditioning unit. In other words, it is the target time within which the air conditioning unit must be repaired.

[0012] The allowable load is a heat load that does not cause the indoor temperature to exceed the allowable temperature within the allowable repair time. A detailed explanation of the allowable load will be given later. In a first aspect of the above invention, the air conditioning system further includes a second estimation unit that estimates the outdoor air temperature at the predetermined time interval by inputting information about the outdoor air environment currently acquired into a trained second learning model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the outdoor air temperature, and a third estimation unit that estimates the indoor temperature at the predetermined time interval by inputting the heat generation load currently acquired, information about the indoor temperature currently acquired, and the estimated outdoor air temperature into a trained third learning model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the indoor temperature, and the first estimation unit estimates the allowable load based on the acquired heat generation load, information about the estimated indoor temperature, and information about the estimated outdoor air without performing the processing of claim 1.

[0013] In this way, the outdoor temperature is estimated by the second estimation unit. The third estimation unit estimates the indoor temperature based on at least the estimated outdoor temperature. The estimated indoor temperature and outdoor temperature are input to the first estimation unit, which estimates the allowable load.

[0014] In a first aspect of the above invention, the target space is divided into a plurality of zones, the third estimation unit estimates the indoor temperature for each zone, the first estimation unit calculates the allowable load for each zone, and the comparison unit compares the comparison load with the allowable load for each zone.

[0015] In this way, by comparing the comparative load with the allowable load for each zone, if there is a zone where the comparative load exceeds the allowable load, the heat-generating load is moved to a heat-generating device provided in a zone where the comparative load is less than the allowable load. By moving the heat-generating load, it becomes easier to reduce breakdowns of heat-generating devices provided in zones where the comparative load exceeds the allowable load.

[0016] In a first aspect of the above invention, the air conditioning system further includes an outdoor air cooling unit capable of introducing outdoor air into a room, an outdoor air control unit that introduces outdoor air into the target space when the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor air temperature and stops introducing outdoor air when the indoor temperature is lower than the outdoor air temperature, and a power storage device that supplies power to the outdoor air cooling unit, and is characterized in that when at least a part of the air conditioning unit stops, the power storage device supplies power to the outdoor air cooling unit.

[0017] In this way, when the indoor temperature is lower than the outdoor temperature, outdoor air is introduced into the target space, and when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the outdoor temperature, outdoor air cooling is stopped. In a first aspect of the above invention, the outdoor air cooling unit is characterized in that it stops the outdoor air cooling when the comparative load becomes less than the allowable load within the allowable repair time.

[0018] In this way, when the comparative load falls below the allowable load within the allowable repair time, outdoor air cooling is stopped. By stopping outdoor air cooling, the energy saving effect of the power supplied to outdoor air cooling is improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, by transferring the heat generation load of the heat generation device, it becomes easier to reduce breakdowns of the heat generation device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a graph showing allowable temperatures and allowable repair times. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [First embodiment] An air conditioning system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment is a system that controls an air conditioning device 900, and is a system that makes it easier to improve the energy-saving effect of the air conditioning device 900 and reduce the risk of ICT device failure.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 10 of this embodiment is configured with an air conditioner 900, a heat generating device 500, and a control device 100. The air conditioning system 10 may have a configuration other than that described above. It is also preferable that the room in which the air conditioning system 10A is installed is divided into zones. In this embodiment, an example in which the room is divided into two zones will be described.

[0023] The air conditioner 900 is configured to take in indoor air, cool it, and supply the cooled air to the room. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the air conditioner 900 is provided with at least two or more combinations of one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Note that the combinations of indoor units and outdoor units may be combinations other than those described above. For example, the air conditioner 900 may be provided with at least one or more combinations of one outdoor unit (not shown) and at least two or more indoor units (not shown).

[0024] The outdoor unit is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outside air or water. The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit through piping through which the refrigerant flows. The outdoor unit is also equipped with a compressor (not shown) that increases the pressure of the refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) that cools the drawn-in air through heat exchange.

[0025] The indoor unit is configured to discharge cooled air into the room. The indoor unit is connected to the other indoor units and the outdoor unit via pipes through which a refrigerant flows. The indoor unit is also provided with an air conditioning fan (not shown) that discharges the air that has undergone heat exchange, and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) that cools the discharged air through heat exchange.

[0026] The heat generating device 500 is an information processing device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. In this embodiment, the heat generating device 500 is also referred to as a server device or an ICT device. It is preferable that at least two heat generating devices 500 are provided, one for each zone.

[0027] The control device 100 of this embodiment is connected to the air conditioning device 900 and the heat generating device 500 so as to be able to transmit information via known wired or wireless information communication means. The control device 100 is also connected between the air conditioning device 900 and the heat generating device 500 so as to be able to transmit information via a known wireless communication network or a combination of a wireless communication network and a wired communication network.

[0028] The control device 100 is a device that compares the heat generation load of the air conditioner 900 with a comparison load, which will be described later. The control device 100 is an information processing device, such as a server device, that has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. As shown in FIG. 1 , the program stored in the storage device, such as the ROM, causes the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to cooperate with each other to function at least an acquisition unit 101, a memory unit 102, a first estimation unit 103, a second estimation unit 104, a third estimation unit 105, an allowable calculation unit 106, a temperature calculation unit 107, a load calculation unit 108, a comparison unit 109, a determination unit 110, and a control unit 111.

[0029] The acquisition unit 101 is connected to the air conditioning device 900, the power storage device 901, and the heat generating device 500 so that information can be communicated, and is configured to acquire information about the outside air, information about the indoor temperature, information about the air conditioning device 900, and information about the heat generating device 500 (hereinafter also referred to as the first various information) at predetermined time intervals.

[0030] The information about the outside air is information indicating environmental information about the outside air. In this embodiment, the information about the outside air preferably includes at least one of information about the outside air temperature and information about a weather forecast. Note that the weather forecast information may be obtained from a communication device (not shown).

[0031] The information about the indoor temperature is information about the room in the building in which the air conditioner 900 is installed, and is information that indicates indoor environmental information including the indoor temperature. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the room is a server room. Furthermore, the information about the indoor temperature may include a heat generation load and an outside air temperature in addition to the indoor temperature.

[0032] The information related to the air conditioner 900 is information acquired from the air conditioner 900. In this embodiment, the information related to the air conditioner 900 preferably includes the number of operating air conditioners 900, their operating status, and the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioner 900. The information related to the air conditioner 900 may also include the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature.

[0033] The amount of energy consumed by the air conditioner 900 refers to the amount of energy consumed by the operation of the air conditioner 900. In this embodiment, the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioner 900 that is currently operating will be described.

[0034] The information relating to the heat generating device 500 is information acquired from the heat generating device 500. In this embodiment, the information relating to the heat generating device 500 preferably includes at least the heat load generated by the heat generating device 500.

[0035] The storage unit 102 is an information storage medium configured to store the first various information. The storage unit 102 may be a flash memory such as an SD memory card, or may be a recording medium of another type.

[0036] The first estimation unit 103 is configured to estimate the next outside air temperature at predetermined time intervals. In this embodiment, the first estimation unit 103 is configured to input the following information to the first learning model.

[0037] The information input to the first learning model is information about the outdoor air temperature that has been acquired this time. In addition to the above information, information about the outdoor air temperature that has been acquired last time may also be included. The first learning model is a model that has been trained by machine learning. A known learning method can be used for machine learning.

[0038] Next, the relationship between the current time and the next time will be described. The control device 100 performs calculation processing at predetermined time intervals. In this embodiment, the predetermined time interval is preferably one hour in advance.

[0039] The present time refers to the timing at which the control device 100 performs the calculation process. The next time is a time when the control device 100 is not performing calculation processing, and is a time after the current first point.

[0040] The second estimation unit 104 is configured to estimate the next indoor temperature at predetermined time intervals. The second estimation unit 104 may estimate the indoor temperature for each room or for each zone. In this embodiment, the second estimation unit 104 is configured to input the following information to the second learning model.

[0041] The information input to the second learning model is information related to the currently acquired indoor temperature and the next outdoor temperature. In other words, the outdoor temperature estimated by the first estimation unit 103 is input to the second learning model. Note that the information input to the second learning model may include the currently acquired outdoor temperature instead of the next outdoor temperature. The second learning model is a model that has been trained by machine learning. A known learning method can be used for machine learning.

[0042] The third estimation unit 105 is configured to estimate information about the air conditioner 900 that takes into account the next indoor temperature and the next outdoor temperature at predetermined time intervals (hereinafter also referred to as information about the next air conditioner 900). In this embodiment, the third estimation unit 105 is configured to input the information described below into the third learning model.

[0043] The information input to the third learning model includes the next outdoor temperature, the next indoor temperature, and information related to the current air conditioner 900. The third learning model is a model that has been trained by machine learning. A known learning method can be used as the machine learning.

[0044] The tolerance calculation unit 106 is configured to calculate the allowable repair time based on at least the next outdoor temperature, the next indoor temperature, and information related to the next air conditioner 900. The tolerance calculation unit 106 may calculate the allowable repair time for each room or for each zone. A specific method for calculating the allowable repair time will be described later.

[0045] The allowable temperature is a threshold value of the room temperature in the server room at which the heat-generating device 500 is unlikely to malfunction. Specifically, if the allowable temperature is exceeded, the heat-generating device 500 is likely to malfunction. If the temperature is equal to or lower than the allowable temperature, the heat-generating device 500 is unlikely to malfunction.

[0046] The allowable repair time is the time from when a failure occurs in at least one air conditioner 900 until the indoor temperature in the server room reaches an allowable temperature. In other words, it is the target time within which the air conditioner 900 must be repaired.

[0047] The relationship between the allowable repair time and the allowable temperature will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the vertical axis represents the indoor temperature, and the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 2, the change in indoor temperature is shown by lines DA and DB, the allowable temperature is shown by line DC, and the allowable repair time is shown by line DD. Line DA represents the indoor temperature when no failure occurs in any of the air conditioners 900. Line DB represents the indoor temperature when a failure occurs in at least one of the air conditioners 900. Line DD represents the change in time from when a failure occurs in an air conditioner 900 until the indoor temperature reaches the allowable temperature.

[0048] Point P is the timing when a failure occurs in at least one or more air conditioners 900. Point Q is the timing when the room temperature reaches the allowable temperature. The temperature calculation unit 107 is configured to calculate an estimated temperature based on at least the next outdoor temperature, the next indoor temperature, the allowable temperature, the allowable repair time, and information related to the air conditioner 900. The temperature calculation unit 107 may calculate an estimated temperature for each room or for each zone. Specific methods for calculating the estimated temperature and the comparison temperature will be described later.

[0049] The estimated temperature is the room temperature when the power supply from the power storage device 901 is stopped. Specifically, after the power supply from the commercial power source to the air conditioner 900 is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the power supply to the air conditioner 900 is switched from the commercial power source to the power storage device 901. As the power storage device 901 continues to supply power, its storage capacity is consumed and the power supply to the air conditioner 900 is stopped. The room temperature when the power supply is stopped is set to the estimated temperature.

[0050] The load calculation unit 108 is configured to calculate the allowable load based on the heat generation load, the allowable temperature, the estimated temperature, and the allowable repair time. Furthermore, the load calculation unit 108 may calculate the comparative load by adding a predetermined margin to the estimated allowable load. In this embodiment, the load calculation unit 108 calculates the comparative load. Note that the load calculation unit 108 may calculate the comparative load for each heat generation device 500 or for each zone. Note that the allowable load is a heat generation load that does not cause the indoor temperature to exceed the allowable temperature within the allowable repair time.

[0051] The comparison unit 109 is configured to compare the acquired heat generation load with a comparison load. In this embodiment, the comparison result (hereinafter also referred to as the comparison result) is stored in the storage unit 102. It is preferable that the comparison result be transmitted to the administrator of the ICT device.

[0052] The determination unit 110 is configured to determine whether the heat generation load of the heat generation device 500 exceeds the allowable load. Note that the determination unit 110 may determine whether the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load for each heat generation device 500, or may determine whether the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load for each zone.

[0053] The control unit 111 is configured to transfer the heat generation load of one heat generation device 500 to the other heat generation device 500. Specifically, the control unit 111 reduces or stops the processing of one heat generation device 500. Thereafter, the other heat generation device 500 performs the processing that has been reduced or stopped in the one heat generation device 500. In other words, the control unit 111 can cause the other heat generation device 500 to perform the processing that has been performed in one heat generation device 500. Note that the control unit 111 may determine whether the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load for each room, or may determine whether the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load for each zone.

[0054] Next, the operation of the control device 100 configured as described above will be described. First, the air conditioner 900 will be described, second, the heat-generating device 500 will be described, third, the control of the control device 100 will be described, and fourth, a learning method for the learning model will be described.

[0055] The mechanism by which the air conditioner 900 cools a room will now be described. The air conditioner 900 rotates the air conditioning fan to draw indoor air into the indoor unit. The drawn-in air is cooled in the indoor heat exchanger. Specifically, the temperature of the drawn-in air is lowered as heat is absorbed by the refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The refrigerant that absorbed the heat then releases the heat to the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant that released the heat then absorbs heat from the drawn-in air again in the heat exchanger. In other words, the drawn-in air is cooled by the refrigerant.

[0056] The cooled air is discharged into the room by the air conditioning fan. The air discharged into the room is warmed by the heat from the people and electronic devices in the room. The warmed air is then drawn into the air conditioner 900 again.

[0057] Secondly, the heat generating device 500 will be described. In this embodiment, an example in which the heat generating device 500 is provided in a server room will be described. The heat generating device 500 performs information processing work and thereby emits heat into the server room. The heat emission increases the indoor temperature of the server room. The increase in the indoor temperature makes the heat generating device 500 more susceptible to failure.

[0058] Third, the control of the control device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When control in the control device 100 is started, the acquisition unit 101 performs a process of acquiring various first information items from the air conditioner 900 and the heat generating device 500 at predetermined time intervals (S1). The acquired various first information items are stored in the storage unit 102.

[0059] After the first various information is stored, the first estimation unit 103 performs a process of estimating the next outside air temperature based on at least the acquired information about the outside air (S2). The estimated next outside air temperature is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0060] Once the estimated next outdoor temperature is stored, the second estimation unit 104 performs a process of estimating the next indoor temperature based on at least the acquired information on the indoor temperature and the estimated next outdoor temperature (S3). The estimated next indoor temperature is stored in the memory unit 102.

[0061] Once the next indoor temperature is stored, the third estimation unit 105 performs a process of estimating information about the next air conditioner 900 based on at least the acquired information about the air conditioner 900, the next outdoor temperature, and the next indoor temperature (S4). The estimated information about the next air conditioner 900 is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0062] Once the estimated next outdoor temperature, next indoor temperature, and information related to the next air conditioner 900 are stored, the allowable repair time calculation unit 106 performs a process to calculate the allowable repair time (S5). Specifically, the allowable repair time can be calculated by inputting the next outdoor temperature, next indoor temperature, and information related to the next air conditioner 900 into Equation 1.

[0063]

number

[0064] (Equation 1) is an equation that shows the thermal balance in a room. Θr is a variable that indicates the indoor temperature. Θr / d T is a variable that indicates the change in indoor temperature over time.

[0065] Ws is a variable related to the exterior wall load. In other words, it is a variable that indicates the amount of heat that changes due to the wall that separates the inside and outside of a building. Θs is a variable that indicates the equivalent outdoor temperature, which is the outdoor temperature calculated by taking into account the amount of solar radiation.

[0066] Wn is a variable that indicates the wall load, in other words, the amount of heat that is transferred by the walls of a building. Θn is a variable that indicates the indoor temperature.

[0067] Wv is a variable that indicates the ventilation load, or in other words, the amount of heat that changes due to ventilation. Θo is a variable indicating the outside air temperature.

[0068] Nc is a variable indicating the number of air conditioners 900 in operation or the required number. H BA is a variable indicating the rated capacity of the air conditioner 900. C r is the coefficient of variation of the capacity of the air conditioner 900 depending on the room temperature.

[0069] Θ Br is the coefficient of variation of the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 900 depending on the room temperature. C O is a variable indicating the capacity of the air conditioner 900. Θ BO is the coefficient of variation of air conditioning capacity due to outside temperature.

[0070] The calculated allowable repair time is stored in the storage unit 102. Once the allowable repair time is stored, the temperature calculation unit 107 performs a process of calculating an estimated temperature (S6). The calculated estimated temperature is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0071] Specifically, the estimated temperature can be calculated by inputting information relating to the next outdoor temperature, the next indoor temperature, the next air conditioner 900, the allowable repair time, and the allowable temperature.

[0072] When the estimated temperature is stored, the load calculation unit 108 is configured to calculate a comparative load based on the heat load, the allowable temperature, the allowable repair time, and the estimated temperature (S7). The estimated comparative load is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0073] Once the comparison load is stored, the comparison unit 109 performs a process of comparing the current heat generation load with the comparison load (S8). The comparison result is stored in the storage unit 102. The comparison result may be communicated to an ICT terminal or the like used by the administrator.

[0074] Based on the stored comparison results, the determination unit 110A determines whether the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load for each zone (S9). Furthermore, the determination unit 110A determines whether there is a zone where the heat generation load exceeds the allowable load and whether there is a zone other than the exceeding zone where the heat generation load does not exceed the allowable load (hereinafter, the heat generation load can be moved).

[0075] If the heat generating load can be moved (YES), the control unit 111A performs a process to move the load of the heat generating device 500 installed in the zone where the allowable load is exceeded to a heat generating device 500 installed in a zone where the allowable load is not exceeded (S10).

[0076] If the heat generating load cannot be moved (NO), the control unit 111A performs processing to maintain the current state (S11). Next, we will explain the machine learning of the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model.

[0077] In this embodiment, the present invention will be described as being applied to an example in which machine learning of a first learning model, a second learning model, and a third learning model is performed in an information processing device different from the control device 100. The first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model that have undergone machine learning are stored in the memory unit 102 before being controlled by the control device 100.

[0078] Furthermore, after control by the control device 100 is performed, the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model that have been further subjected to machine learning may be stored in the storage unit 102. In this case, the previously stored first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model are replaced with the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model that have been further subjected to machine learning.

[0079] Note that machine learning of the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model may be performed in different information processing devices as described above, or may be performed in the control device 100. When machine learning is performed in the control device 100, a machine learning unit that performs machine learning is provided in the control device 100. Furthermore, machine learning for one of the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model may be performed in a different information processing device, and machine learning for the other may be performed in the control device 100.

[0080] The specific machine learning in the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model can use well-known supervised learning, and the specific content of the calculation processing in supervised learning is not limited.

[0081] Furthermore, the method for creating the teacher data for the first learning model, the second learning model, and the third learning model can be any known method, and there are no specific limitations on the creation method.

[0082] According to the air conditioning system 10 configured as described above, a comparative load can be calculated. The calculated comparative load and the acquired heat generation load are compared by the comparison unit 109. Based on the comparison result, the administrator can easily select control that is less likely to cause breakdowns in the heat generation device 500. Furthermore, the administrator can easily select control that is likely to improve energy-saving effects within a range that does not cause breakdowns in the heat generation device 500.

[0083] Furthermore, by providing the first estimation unit 103, the second estimation unit 104, and the third estimation unit 105, it is possible to estimate the indoor temperature based on the estimated outdoor air temperature. Information about the air conditioner 900 can be estimated based on the estimated indoor temperature. Furthermore, since the comparison result is calculated based on the estimated outdoor air temperature, the estimated indoor temperature, and the estimated information about the air conditioner 900, it is easier to calculate an accurate comparison result than when it is based on various acquired information.

[0084] Furthermore, by comparing the comparative load with the allowable load for each zone, if there is a zone where the comparative load exceeds the allowable load, the heat-generating load is moved to a heat-generating device 500 provided in a zone where the comparative load is less than the allowable load. By moving the heat-generating load, it becomes easier to reduce breakdowns in the heat-generating device 500 provided in the zone where the comparative load exceeds the allowable load.

[0085] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The air conditioning system 10A of this embodiment is preferably installed in a room divided into multiple zones. In this embodiment, an example in which the room is divided into two zones will be described. It is preferable that at least one heat generating device 500 is installed in each of the two zones.

[0086] As shown in the figure, the air conditioning system 10A is made up of an air conditioner 900, a power storage device 901, an outside air cooling unit 902, a heat generating device 500, and a control device 100. Note that the air conditioning system 10 may have a configuration other than that described above.

[0087] The power storage device 901 has a configuration for supplying power to the air conditioner 900. The power storage device 901 has a power storage unit (not shown) and a discharge unit (not shown). Note that the power storage device 901 may be provided in the air conditioner 900.

[0088] The power storage unit is configured to store power supplied from a commercial power source. The discharge unit is configured to supply the stored power to the outdoor air cooling unit 902. It is preferable that the discharge unit supplies power to the outdoor air cooling unit 902 during a power outage. The discharge unit may also supply power to the control device 100, the heat generating device 500, and the air conditioner 900 in addition to the outdoor air cooling unit 902.

[0089] The outdoor air cooling unit 902 has a configuration for introducing outdoor air into the room. Specifically, a fan (not shown) is provided between the outside and inside of the building, and the outdoor air can be introduced into the room by rotating the fan.

[0090] The control device 100 is a device that compares the heat generation load of the air conditioner 900 with a comparison load, which will be described later. The control device 100 is an information processing device, such as a server device, that has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. As shown in FIG. 4 , a program stored in the storage device, such as the ROM, causes the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to cooperate with each other to function at least an acquisition unit 101A, a memory unit 102A, a first estimation unit 103, a second estimation unit 104A, a third estimation unit 105A, a tolerance calculation unit 106, a temperature calculation unit 107, a load calculation unit 108, a comparison unit 109, a determination unit 110, a control unit 111, an outside air determination unit 112A, and an outside air control unit 113A.

[0091] Acquisition unit 101A is basically the same as that described in embodiment 1, but has a configuration for acquiring information on the indoor temperature after the introduction of outside air, instead of the information on the indoor temperature described in embodiment 1. In other words, acquisition unit 101A acquires information on the outside air, information on the indoor temperature after the introduction of outside air, information on air conditioner 900, information on power storage device 901, and information on heat-generating device 500 (hereinafter also referred to as second various information).

[0092] The information about the power storage device 901 preferably includes a stored power supply time. The stored power supply time is the time during which power can be supplied from the power storage device 901 to the outside air cooling unit 902 in the event of a power outage.

[0093] The second estimation unit 104A is basically the same as that described in embodiment 1, but instead of the information about the indoor temperature described in embodiment 1, it estimates the indoor temperature after the next outdoor air introduction based on information about the indoor temperature after the outdoor air introduction.

[0094] The third estimation unit 105A is basically the same as that described in embodiment 1, but estimates information about the air conditioner 900 after the next outside air introduction based on the indoor temperature after the next outside air introduction, instead of the next outside air temperature described in embodiment 1.

[0095] The outside air determining unit 112A is configured to determine whether the outside air temperature is lower than the room temperature. The outside air control unit 113A has a configuration capable of controlling the outside air cooling unit 902. Specifically, the outside air control unit 113A can control the amount of outside air introduced into the server room by controlling the rotation speed of the fan.

[0096] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 10A configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The explanation of the air conditioning device 900, the heat generating device 500, the processing in Fig. 3, and the learning method of the learning model are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be repeated.

[0097] The power storage device 901 will now be described. The power storage device 901 is electrically connected to a commercial power source, and power is normally supplied to the power storage device 901 from the commercial power source. The supplied power is stored in a power storage unit. A discharge unit supplies the stored power to the outdoor air cooling unit 902. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the discharge unit supplies power to the outdoor air cooling unit 902 during a power outage. The power storage device 901 may also supply power to the heat generating device 500 and the air conditioning device 900.

[0098] Next, a description will be given of the outdoor air cooling unit 902. The outdoor air cooling unit 902 can take in outdoor air into the room by operating a fan. In other words, it can ventilate the air in the room.

[0099] Next, the control device 100A will be described. The air conditioner 900, the heat generating device 500, the process in FIG. 3, and the learning method of the learning model are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0100] The outside air determination unit 112A determines whether the outside air temperature is lower than the room temperature (S21). If the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the room temperature (NO), the control device 100A performs the process of S1 in Fig. 3. If the outside air temperature is lower than the room temperature (YES), the outside air control unit 113A performs a process to introduce outside air into the outside air cooling unit 902 (S22).

[0101] After the process of S22, the acquisition unit 101A performs a process of acquiring the outside air temperature and the second various information at predetermined time intervals (S23). The acquired second various information is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0102] After the second various information is stored, the first estimation unit 103 performs a process of estimating the next outside air temperature based on at least the acquired information about the outside air (S24). The estimated next outside air temperature is stored in the storage unit 102.

[0103] Once the estimated next outdoor temperature is stored, the second estimation unit 104A performs a process of estimating the next indoor temperature based on at least information related to the indoor temperature after the introduction of outdoor air and the estimated next outdoor temperature (S25). The estimated next indoor temperature is stored in the memory unit 102.

[0104] Once the next indoor temperature is stored, the third estimation unit 105A performs a process of estimating information about the next air conditioner 900 based on at least the acquired information about the air conditioner 900, the next outdoor air temperature, and the indoor temperature after the next outdoor air introduction (S26). The estimated information about the next air conditioner 900 is stored in the storage unit 102. The process from S26 onwards is the same as the process from S5 onwards in Fig. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] By providing the outdoor air cooling unit 902 and the outdoor air control unit 113A, outdoor air is introduced into the target space when the indoor temperature is lower than the outdoor air temperature. When the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the outdoor air temperature, outdoor air cooling is stopped. Furthermore, by providing the outdoor air cooling unit 902, it is easy to reduce the heat load, and the energy saving effect is also high.

[0106] Furthermore, if the comparative load becomes equal to or less than the allowable load within the allowable repair time, outdoor air cooling is stopped. By stopping outdoor air cooling, the energy saving effect of the power supplied to outdoor air cooling is improved.

[0107] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to applications of the above-described embodiments, and may be applied to embodiments in which these embodiments are appropriately combined, and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10, 10A...air conditioning system, 100, 100A...control device, 101, 101A...acquisition unit, 102...memory unit, 103, 103A...first estimation unit, 104, 104A...second estimation unit, 105, 105A...third estimation unit, 106...tolerance calculation unit, 107...temperature calculation unit, 108...load calculation unit, 109...comparison unit, 110...determination unit, 111...control unit, 112A...outdoor air determination unit, 113...outdoor air control unit, 500...heat generation device, 900...air conditioning device, 901...power storage device, 902...outdoor air cooling unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system that cools a target space in which a heat generating device is disposed by a plurality of air conditioning devices, an acquisition unit that acquires at least one of information regarding a heat load generated by the heat generating device, information regarding an indoor temperature, information regarding outside air, and information regarding the air conditioning device at predetermined time intervals; an allowable calculation unit that calculates an allowable repair time, which is a time elapsed from when at least some of the air conditioning devices in operation stop until the indoor temperature of the target space rises to a predetermined allowable temperature, and is determined based on the heat generation load; a load calculation unit that calculates an allowable load, which is the heat generation load that is allowable for keeping the indoor temperature at or below an allowable temperature after the allowable repair time has elapsed, based on the heat generation load, information about the air conditioning device, information about the indoor temperature, an outside air temperature, and the allowable repair time; a comparison unit that compares a comparison load based on the heat generation load with the allowable load; a control unit that, when there is a heat-generating device whose comparative load exceeds the allowable load, moves the heat-generating load of the heat-generating device whose comparative load exceeds the allowable load to a heat-generating device whose comparative load is less than the allowable load; An air conditioning system comprising:

2. The air conditioning system includes a first estimation unit that estimates the outside air temperature at the predetermined time intervals by inputting currently acquired information about the outside air environment into a trained first learning model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the outside air temperature; a second estimation unit that estimates the indoor temperature at the predetermined time intervals by inputting the currently acquired heat generation load, information related to the currently acquired indoor temperature, and the estimated outdoor air temperature into a trained second learning model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the indoor temperature; The air conditioning system of claim 1, characterized in that the load calculation unit estimates the allowable load based on the acquired heat generation load, information about the air conditioning device, information about the estimated indoor temperature, the estimated outdoor air temperature, and the allowable repair time, without performing the processing of claim 1.

3. The target space is divided into a plurality of zones; The second estimation unit estimates the indoor temperature for each of the zones, the load calculation unit calculates the allowable load for each zone, 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the comparison unit compares the comparative load with the allowable load for each zone.

4. The air conditioning system includes an outdoor air cooling unit capable of introducing outdoor air into a room; an outside air control unit that introduces the outside air into the target space when the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor air temperature, and stops the introduction of the outside air when the indoor temperature is equal to or lower than the outdoor air temperature; a power storage device that supplies power to the outside air cooling unit, 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the power storage device supplies power to the outside air cooling unit when at least a part of the air conditioning unit stops operating.

5. 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the outdoor air cooling unit stops introducing the outdoor air when the comparative load becomes equal to or less than the allowable load within the allowable repair time.

Images