Cooperation control device, cooperation control method, and cooperation control program

Abstract

To provide a cooperative control device, a cooperation control method, and a cooperation control program, which reduce power consumption through simple processing.SOLUTION: A cooperation control device has a control unit for linking an air conditioner with a ventilation device that has a lower rated capacity than the air conditioner and higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner. The control unit commands the air conditioner to stop operation and the ventilation device to start operation when an air conditioning load, which is the sum of a ventilation load and an indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, and commands the ventilation device to stop operation and the air conditioner to start operation when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooperative control device, a cooperative control method, and a cooperative control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air conditioning system equipped with an air conditioner and an outdoor air treatment device, a technique has been known that determines the air conditioning capacity to be exerted by the air conditioner and the air conditioning capacity to be exerted by the outdoor air treatment device so that the sum of the energy consumed by the air conditioner and the energy consumed by the outdoor air treatment device is minimized, under the condition that the air conditioning capacity is equal to the air conditioning capacity required by the air conditioning system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-121912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology described above, an optimal solution is found using operating characteristic data showing the relationship between the air conditioning capacity and energy consumption in the air conditioner and operating characteristic data showing the relationship between the air conditioning capacity and energy consumption in the outdoor air treatment device, and the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner should exert and the air conditioning capacity that the outdoor air treatment device should exert are determined.As a result, in the conventional technology described above, the processing load on the control device that controls the air conditioner and the outdoor air treatment device is large.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a cooperative control device, a cooperative control method, and a cooperative control program that reduce power consumption through simple processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cooperative control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilator that has a lower rated capacity than the air conditioner and higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner; The control unit This is a cooperative control device that commands the air conditioner to stop operating and the ventilation device to start operating when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, and commands the ventilation device to stop operating and the air conditioner to start operating when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a cooperative control system including a ventilation device and an air conditioner through simple processing.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the cooperative control device according to the first aspect, The control unit When the air conditioning load is greater than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and is smaller than the sum of the air conditioning capacity that is the predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and the first air conditioning capacity, Instruct the air conditioner to operate to exert an air conditioning capacity that is equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity, The cooperative control device commands the ventilation device to operate to exert an air conditioning capacity that is the difference between the air conditioning load and an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, an increase in power consumption of an air conditioner can be suppressed.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the cooperative control device according to the second aspect, The control unit When the air conditioning load is greater than the sum of the air conditioning capacity of a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and the first air conditioning capacity, commanding the ventilation device to operate to exert the first air conditioning capacity; The cooperative control device commands the air conditioners to operate to exert an air conditioning capacity that is the difference between the air conditioning load and the first air conditioning capacity.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner can be reduced, and an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner can be suppressed.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the cooperative control device according to the first aspect, The control unit an operation pattern of the air conditioner and the ventilation device according to a comparison result between the air conditioning load, the first air conditioning capacity, and the second air conditioning capacity is stored; This is a cooperative control device that identifies the operating pattern of the air conditioner and the ventilation device based on the results of comparing the estimated air conditioning load with the first air conditioning capacity and the second air conditioning capacity, and instructs the air conditioner and the ventilation device to operate in accordance with the identified operating pattern.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the processing load on the control unit can be reduced, and the control unit can have a simple configuration.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the cooperation control device according to the first or second aspect, The predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity is In terms of the relationship between the power consumption of the air conditioner and the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner, this air conditioning capacity tends to suppress fluctuations in the power consumption of the air conditioner corresponding to fluctuations in the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the cooperation control device according to the first or second aspect, The cooperative control device is mounted on the air conditioner or the ventilation device.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the configuration of a cooperative control system including a ventilation device and an air conditioner can be simplified.

[0017] A cooperative control method according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes: A control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilation device that has a smaller rated capacity than the air conditioner and a higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner, This is a coordinated control method in which, when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, the air conditioner is instructed to stop operating and the ventilation device is instructed to operate, and, when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert, the ventilation device is instructed to stop operating and the air conditioner is instructed to operate.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a cooperative control system including a ventilation device and an air conditioner.

[0019] A cooperative control program according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes: a control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilator that has a smaller rated capacity than the air conditioner and a higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner, This is a collaborative control program that executes a process to stop operation of the air conditioner and start operation of the ventilation device when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, and to stop operation of the ventilation device and start operation of the air conditioner when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a cooperative control system including a ventilation device and an air conditioner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cooperative control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]3 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the power consumption and the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device and the air conditioner of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of driving pattern information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of load association information. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooperative control device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of load association information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cooperative control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the power consumption and the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device and the air conditioner of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of driving pattern information according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cooperative control system according to the first embodiment.

[0023] The cooperative control system 1 of this embodiment includes a ventilation device 100, an air conditioner 200, and a cooperative control device 300 for air conditioning an indoor space.

[0024] In this embodiment, an example of an indoor space will be described, which has a living space R11 and an attic space R12. However, the indoor space is not limited to the living space R11 and the attic space R12, and may be any space inside a building, and may include, for example, an underfloor space. The living space R11 is, for example, a living room inside an office or a house. The attic space R12 is a space adjacent to and above the living space R11.

[0025] The ventilation device 100 has a lower rated capacity than the air conditioner 200 and higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner 200. The ventilation device 100 of this embodiment includes an exhaust unit 10, an air supply unit 20, a compressor unit 50, refrigerant circuits F1, F2, F3, and F4, an air supply flow path P1, and a return air flow path P2.

[0026] The ventilation device 100 is a device that supplies outdoor air that has been taken in to the living space R11 and exhausts air that has been taken in from indoor spaces (including the living space R11) to the outdoors. In this way, the ventilation device 100 replaces the air in the living space R11.

[0027] Furthermore, the ventilation device 100 of this embodiment exchanges heat between the exhaust unit 10 and the air supply unit 20, thereby suppressing the temperature difference between the temperature of the air taken in from outdoors and the temperature of the living space R11.

[0028] The air intake flow path P1 is a flow path for supplying air taken in from outdoors through an air intake unit 20 having a first heat exchanger 22, and then supplying the air to the living space R11 through an air intake port 92. In this embodiment, an example in which the air intake port 92 is provided in the ceiling will be described, but the location where the air intake port 92 is provided is not particularly limited.

[0029] The return air flow path P2 is a flow path for exhausting air (return air) taken in from an exhaust port 91 in the living space R11 to the outdoors after passing through an exhaust unit 10 having a second heat exchanger 12. In this embodiment, an example in which the exhaust port 91 is provided on the ceiling will be described, but the location where the exhaust port 91 is provided is not particularly limited.

[0030] The refrigerant circuits F1, F2, F3, and F4 are circuits that connect the compressor unit 50, the first heat exchanger 22 of the air supply unit 20, and the second heat exchanger 12 of the exhaust unit 10 by refrigerant piping, and through which a refrigerant flows.

[0031] The control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50, the control unit 23 of the air supply unit 20, and the control unit 13 of the exhaust unit 10 are connected by a signal line S1 shown by a dotted line in Fig. 1. This enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50, the control unit 23 of the air supply unit 20, and the control unit 13 of the exhaust unit 10.

[0032] The compressor unit 50 includes a drive motor 51 and a control unit 52, and controls the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuits F1, F2, F3, and F4 by compressing the refrigerant in one of the refrigerant circuits F1, F2, F3, and F4. For example, when the second heat exchanger 12 in the exhaust unit 10 functions as an evaporator, the compressor unit 50 compresses the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit F2 to circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuits F1, F2, F3, and F4.

[0033] The drive motor 51 is a motor for rotating (driving) a compressor for compressing a refrigerant.

[0034] The control unit 52 controls the configuration within the compressor unit 50. For example, the control unit 52 outputs a command to the drive motor 51 to rotate (drive) the compressor.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50 transmits the status of the ventilation device 100 received from the control unit 23 of the air supply unit 20 and the control unit 13 of the exhaust unit 10 to the cooperative control device 300. This enables the cooperative control device 300 to realize control according to the status of the ventilation device 100. Furthermore, the control unit 52 of the cooperative control device 300 performs various controls according to the control signal from the cooperative control device 300.

[0036] The air supply unit 20 is placed on the ceiling between the outside air inlet on the building wall and the indoor air supply outlet, and the exhaust unit 10 is placed on the ceiling between the indoor exhaust inlet and the outside air exhaust outlet on the building wall. This shortens the length of the installed duct and reduces pressure loss.

[0037] The air conditioner 200 includes an outdoor unit 70 and an air conditioning indoor unit 81. The air conditioner 200 is a device that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle to cool and heat the living space R11. The air conditioner 200 according to this embodiment is a device that can both cool and heat the living space R11. However, this embodiment is not limited to an air conditioner that can both cool and heat, and may be, for example, a device that can only cool.

[0038] The outdoor unit 70 and the two air conditioning indoor units 81 are connected by a communication pipe F5. The communication pipe F5 includes a liquid refrigerant communication pipe and a gas refrigerant communication pipe (not shown). This creates a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 70 and the air conditioning indoor units 81. When the refrigerant circulates within the refrigerant circuit, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed in the air conditioner 200.

[0039] The outdoor unit 70 is placed outdoors. The outdoor unit 70 includes a heat exchanger (not shown) and a control unit 71, and discharges air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger outdoors.

[0040] The control unit 71 performs overall control of the air conditioner 200. The control unit 71 also transmits and receives information to and from the cooperative control device 300. The control unit 71 then performs various controls in response to control signals from the cooperative control device 300.

[0041] The air conditioning indoor unit 81 is equipped with a heat exchanger (an example of a third heat exchanger), and draws in air from the living space R11, exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger, and blows the air into the living space R11. In this embodiment, the air conditioning indoor unit 81 is a ceiling-mounted type that is installed on the ceiling of the living space R11. In particular, the air conditioning indoor unit 81 of this embodiment is a ceiling-embedded type air conditioning indoor unit, and air that has exchanged heat is blown out from an exhaust port 93. In this embodiment, an example in which the exhaust port 93 is provided on the ceiling will be described, but the location where the exhaust port 93 is provided is not particularly limited. Note that the air conditioning indoor unit 81 is not limited to a ceiling-embedded type, and may also be a ceiling-suspended type. Furthermore, the air conditioning indoor unit 81 may be a type other than a ceiling-mounted type, such as a wall-mounted type or a floor-standing type.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air conditioning indoor unit 81 may have a human detection sensor that detects a person present in the living space R11. Furthermore, the human detection sensor may be installed in the living space R11.

[0043] In the ventilation device 100, the air supply unit 20 includes a fan 21, a first heat exchanger 22, a control unit 23, and a temperature detection unit 24, and takes in outside air (OA) and supplies air (SA) to the living space R11. The fan 21 functions to supply the taken-in outside air (OA) to the living space R11. The first heat exchanger 22 functions as a condenser or an evaporator. The temperature detection unit 24 detects the surface temperature of the first heat exchanger 22 and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 22.

[0044] Furthermore, the temperature detection unit 24 may detect the outdoor temperature and humidity via a sensor unit (not shown) provided near the outdoor air inlet. Also, the temperature detection unit 24 may detect the air temperature and humidity in the living space R11 via a sensor unit (not shown) provided near the air supply port 92.

[0045] The control unit 23 controls the internal configuration of the air supply unit 20. The control unit 23 performs various controls in accordance with the detection result by the temperature detection unit 24. For example, the control unit 23 adjusts the function of the first heat exchanger 22 as a condenser or an evaporator in accordance with the detection result by the temperature detection unit 24.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 23 transmits the detection results from the temperature detection unit 24 and the like in the air supply unit 20 to the control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50. The control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50 may transmit the detection results to the linked control device 300, or may transmit to the linked control device 300 the current situation recognized based on the detection results.

[0047] The exhaust unit 10 includes a fan 11, a second heat exchanger 12, a control unit 13, and a temperature detection unit 14, and takes in return air (RA) from the living space R11 and exhausts it (EA) outdoors.

[0048] The fan 11 functions to exhaust return air (RA) taken in from the living space R11 to the outdoors (EA). The second heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser or an evaporator. The temperature detection unit 14 detects the outdoor air temperature, the surface temperature of the second heat exchanger 12, and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger 12. Furthermore, the temperature detection unit 14 may detect the temperature and humidity of the air in the living space R11 via a sensor unit (not shown) provided near the exhaust port 91.

[0049] The control unit 13 controls the internal configuration of the exhaust unit 10. The control unit 13 performs various controls in accordance with the detection result by the temperature detection unit 14. For example, the control unit 13 adjusts the function of the second heat exchanger 12 as a condenser or an evaporator in accordance with the detection result of the temperature detection unit 14.

[0050] The control unit 13 transmits the detection results from the temperature detection unit 14 and the like in the exhaust unit 10 to the control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50. The control unit 52 of the compressor unit 50 may transmit the detection results to the cooperative control device 300, or may transmit the current situation recognized based on the detection results to the cooperative control device 300.

[0051] The linkage control device 300 includes a control unit 310 and a storage unit 320, and performs various controls to link the operation of the ventilator 100 and the operation of the air conditioner 200.

[0052] The storage unit 320 stores ventilation device capacity information 321, air conditioner capacity information 322, operation pattern information 323, load association information 324, and indoor environment information 325. The storage unit 320 is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium from which information can be read and written.

[0053] The ventilation device capacity information 321 is information indicating the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100, and the air conditioner capacity information 322 is information indicating the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200. The rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 is an air conditioning capacity determined in advance for each ventilation device 100, and is an example of a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device 100 can exert. Furthermore, the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200 is an air conditioning capacity determined in advance for each air conditioner 200, and is an example of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner 200 can exert. In this embodiment, the rated capacity indicated by the ventilation device capacity information 321 is smaller than the rated capacity indicated by the air conditioner capacity information 322.

[0054] The operation pattern information 323 is information that indicates the operation patterns of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 based on the results of comparing the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200 with the air conditioning load of the living space R11. The operation pattern indicated by the operation pattern information 323 is an operation pattern for reducing power consumption in the linked control system 1. Note that the air conditioning load in this embodiment is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load of the living space R11.

[0055] The load association information 324 is information that associates load levels indicating the magnitude of the ventilation load and the indoor load of the living space R11 with operation patterns. More specifically, the load association information 324 is information that associates combinations of the load levels of the ventilation load and the indoor load with the operation patterns of the ventilator 100 and the air conditioner 200.

[0056] The load association information 324 includes determination conditions for determining the respective load levels of the ventilation load and the indoor load.

[0057] The indoor environment information 325 is information that indicates the environment in the living space R11. Specifically, the indoor environment information 325 includes the outdoor temperature and humidity detected by the temperature detection unit 24 or the like of the ventilation device 100, and the temperature and humidity of the air in the living space R11.

[0058] The indoor environment information 325 also includes information about the heat source in the living space R11. The information about the heat source includes the number of people detected by the air conditioning indoor unit 81 or a human detection sensor installed in the living space R11. The information about the heat source may also include the number of kitchen appliances, for example, if the living space R11 is inside a restaurant. The indoor environment information 325 of this embodiment may include information input in advance to the control unit 310 and values ​​detected by sensors such as the temperature detection unit 24 and the human detection sensor.

[0059] The control unit 310 of this embodiment refers to the determination conditions included in the load association information 324 and the indoor environment information 325 to estimate the ventilation load and the indoor load of the living space R11.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 310 determines the load level of the ventilation load based on the determination conditions included in the load association information 324 and the indoor environment information 325, and regards the determined load level as the ventilation load. The control unit 310 also determines the load level of the indoor load based on the determination conditions included in the load association information 324 and the indoor environment information 325, and regards the determined load level as the indoor load. The control unit 310 also regards the combination of the load level of the ventilation load and the load level of the indoor load as the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 310 determines the load level of the ventilation load and the load level of the indoor load, and then selects an operation pattern associated with the combination of the load level of the ventilation load and the load level of the indoor load from the load association information 324 and the operation pattern information 323. Then, the control unit 310 issues an operation command to each of the ventilator 100 and the air conditioner 200 according to the selected operation pattern.

[0062] In this embodiment, by preparing the operation pattern information 323 and the load association information 324 in advance, calculations for calculating the air conditioning load of the living space R11 and calculations for determining the operation pattern are not required, and the processing load on the control unit 310 is reduced.

[0063] 1, the cooperative control device 300 is provided outside the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200, but this is not limiting. The cooperative control device 300 may be provided inside the ventilation device 100 or the air conditioner 200. In other words, the ventilation device 100 or the air conditioner 200 may be equipped with the cooperative control device 300.

[0064] In this way, by installing the linkage control device 300 in the ventilation device 100 or the air conditioner 200, the configuration of the linkage control system 1 can be simplified.

[0065] Here, with reference to FIG. 2, the correlation between power consumption and air conditioning capacity in each of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 of this embodiment will be described.

[0066] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the power consumption and the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device and the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0067] In Fig. 2, the vertical axis represents power consumption and the horizontal axis represents air conditioning capacity. A dotted line L1 in Fig. 2 indicates the relationship between the power consumption of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device 100. A solid line L2 in Fig. 2 indicates the relationship between the power consumption of the air conditioner 200 and the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 200.

[0068] 2, the ventilation device 100 has a smaller air conditioning capacity and power consumption than the air conditioner 200. Furthermore, the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity in the ventilation device 100 is such that, as the air conditioning capacity increases, the power consumption also increases monotonically, as shown by the dotted line L1.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown by solid line L2, the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity in the air conditioner 200 is such that when the air conditioning capacity is smaller than a predetermined air conditioning capacity X1, fluctuations in power consumption are suppressed relative to fluctuations in the air conditioning capacity. In other words, the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity in the air conditioner 200 is such that fluctuations in power consumption are suppressed relative to fluctuations in the air conditioning capacity within air conditioning capacity range H. Furthermore, the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity in the air conditioner 200 is such that when the air conditioning capacity becomes larger than the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1, power consumption increases monotonically as the air conditioning capacity increases.

[0070] The predetermined air conditioning capacity X1 may be a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity X2 of the air conditioner 200. The predetermined percentage may be approximately 30%. The range H of the air conditioning capacity is a range from the minimum value of the air conditioning capacity to the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1. The predetermined air conditioning capacity X1 may be smaller than the rated capacity X3 of the ventilation device 100.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in range H, when the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 are operated to exert the same degree of air conditioning capacity, the power consumption of the ventilation device 100 is smaller than that of the air conditioner 200.

[0072] In this embodiment, focusing on these points, the operation patterns of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 for reducing the power consumption of the linked control system 1 are determined in advance based on the magnitude relationship between the air conditioning load of the living space R11 and the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200.

[0073] The operation pattern information 323 and the load association information 324 stored in the storage unit 320 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0074] 3 is a diagram showing an example of operation pattern information. The operation pattern information 323 of this embodiment is information indicating the operation patterns of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200. The operation pattern information 323 includes information items such as an operation pattern ID, a magnitude relationship with the air conditioning load, commands to the ventilation device, and commands to the air conditioner, and the operation pattern ID is associated with the other items.

[0075] The item "Operation pattern ID" is identification information for identifying the operation pattern of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200. The value of the item "Size relationship with air conditioning load" indicates the size relationship between the air conditioning load and the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200. The value of the item "Command to ventilation device" indicates the command output from the cooperative control device 300 to the ventilation device 100. The value of the item "Command to air conditioner" indicates the command output from the cooperative control device 300 to the air conditioner 200.

[0076] The operation pattern identified by the operation pattern ID "1" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100. Furthermore, when the operation pattern identified by the operation pattern ID "1" is selected, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 commands the ventilation device 100 to operate and commands the air conditioner 200 to stop operating.

[0077] In other words, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is less than the rated capacity X3 of the ventilation device 100, the air conditioning load can be handled only by the ventilation device 100, which consumes less power than the air conditioner 200, thereby reducing the power consumption of the collaborative control system 1.

[0078] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "2" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is greater than the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and is equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "2" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the ventilation device 100 to stop operation and commands the air conditioner 200 to operate.

[0079] In other words, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is greater than the rated capacity X3 of the ventilation device 100 and less than the specified air conditioning capacity X1, the air conditioning load can be handled by the air conditioner 200 alone, thereby reducing the power consumption of the collaborative control system 1.

[0080] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "3" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is greater than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200 and is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "3" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the ventilation device 100 to operate, and commands the air conditioner 200 to operate so that the exerted air conditioning capacity is the predetermined 30% of the rated capacity.

[0081] That is, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is greater than the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1 and is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity X3 of the ventilation device 100 and the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1, the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner 200 is set to the predetermined air conditioning capacity, and the air conditioning load that cannot be processed by the predetermined air conditioning capacity is processed by the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device 100. In this embodiment, by doing so, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption by the air conditioner 200 and reduce power consumption by the linked control system 1.

[0082] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "4" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is greater than the sum of the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and a predetermined ratio of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "4" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the ventilation device 100 to operate so that the exerted air conditioning capacity is the rated capacity, and commands the air conditioner 200 to operate so that the exerted air conditioning capacity is the difference between the air conditioning load of the living space R11 and the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100.

[0083] That is, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is greater than the sum of the rated capacity X3 of the ventilation device 100 and the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1, the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device 100 is set to the rated capacity X3, and the air conditioner 200 processes only the air conditioning load obtained by subtracting the rated capacity X3 from the air conditioning load, using the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 200. In this embodiment, by doing so, the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner 200 can be reduced, an increase in power consumption by the air conditioner 200 can be suppressed, and the power consumption of the linked control system 1 can be reduced.

[0084] 4 is a diagram showing an example of load association information. The load association information 324 of this embodiment is information in which an operation pattern ID is associated with a combination of a load level of a ventilation load and a load level of an indoor load. The load association information 324 also includes a determination condition for determining the load level of the ventilation load and a determination condition for determining the load level of the indoor load.

[0085] Here, the ventilation load determination conditions of this embodiment will be explained. The ventilation load of the living space R11 is determined by the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ventilation load is estimated using the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature as an index. Specifically, in this embodiment, the determination condition for the ventilation load level is the range of the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature.

[0086] In the load association information 324 shown in FIG. 4, if the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature is less than 4°C, the load level of the ventilation load is determined to be "small," if the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature is between 4°C and 8°C, the load level of the ventilation load is determined to be "medium," and if the temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than 8°C, the load level of the ventilation load is determined to be "large."

[0087] Next, the criteria for determining the indoor load in this embodiment will be described. The indoor load in the living space R11 is thought to increase or decrease in the amount of heat generated by people depending on the number of people in the room. Furthermore, if the living space R11 is the interior of a restaurant, the operating rate of kitchen equipment increases in proportion to the number of people in the living space R11, and the heat generated by the equipment also increases or decreases.

[0088] For this reason, in this embodiment, the indoor load is estimated using the number of people in the living space R11 as an index. Specifically, in this embodiment, the determination condition for the load level of the indoor load is the range of the number of people present in the living space R11.

[0089] In the load association information 324 shown in Figure 4, if the number of people in the living space R11 is less than 20, the load level of the indoor load is determined to be "small", if the number of people in the living space R11 is between 20 and 60, the load level of the indoor load is determined to be "medium", and if the number of people in the living space R11 is more than 60, the load level of the indoor load is determined to be "large".

[0090] 4, the case where the ventilation load level is "small" and the indoor load level is "small" is associated with the operation pattern ID "1." That is, in this embodiment, when the ventilation load level is "small" and the indoor load level is "small," the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is considered to be equal to or less than the rated capacity of the ventilator 100.

[0091] 4, the case where the ventilation load level is "medium" and the indoor load level is "small" is associated with the operation pattern ID "2." In other words, in this embodiment, when the ventilation load level is "medium" and the indoor load level is "small," the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is considered to be greater than the rated capacity of the ventilator 100 and equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200.

[0092] 4, the case where the ventilation load level is "medium" and the indoor load level is "medium" is associated with the operation pattern ID "3." In other words, in this embodiment, when the ventilation load level is "medium" and the indoor load level is "medium," the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is considered to be greater than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200 and equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity of the ventilator 100 and the predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200.

[0093] 4, the ventilation load level "high" and the indoor load level "high" are associated with the operation pattern ID "4." In other words, in this embodiment, when the ventilation load level is "high" and the indoor load level is "high," the air conditioning load is considered to be greater than the sum of the rated capacity of the ventilator 100 and a predetermined ratio of the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200.

[0094] In this embodiment, the judgment conditions for judging the load level of the ventilation load and the judgment conditions for judging the load level of the indoor load are stored in advance in the storage unit 320 of the cooperative control device 300. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooperative control device 300 does not need to calculate the ventilation load and the indoor load, and the processing load can be reduced.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, combinations of the load levels of the ventilation load and the indoor load are associated with operation pattern IDs and stored in advance in the storage unit 320 of the cooperative control device 300. Therefore, in this embodiment, an operation pattern determined based on the magnitude relationship between the air conditioning load estimated based on the environment of the living space R11 and the rated capacities of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 can be selected using the air conditioning load estimated based on the environment of the living space R11. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to calculate the operation patterns of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200, and the processing load can be reduced.

[0096] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the cooperation control device 300 of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooperation control device.

[0097] The control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 of this embodiment receives the setting of an operation pattern (step S501) when starting up the cooperative control system 1. The setting of this operation pattern may be input by, for example, an administrator of the cooperative control system 1.

[0098] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 acquires the outdoor air temperature and the temperature of the living space R11 (indoor temperature) from the temperature detection unit 24 of the ventilation device 100 or the sensor unit of the air conditioner 200 (step S502). The outdoor air temperature and indoor temperature acquired here may be stored in the memory unit 320 as indoor environment information 325, for example.

[0099] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperation control device 300 refers to the load association information 324 and determines the load level of the ventilation load based on the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature (step S503).

[0100] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 acquires the number of people present in the living space R11 from a human detection sensor or the like provided in the air conditioner 200 (step S504). The number of people acquired here may be stored in the storage unit 320 as indoor environment information 325, for example.

[0101] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperation control device 300 refers to the load association information 324 and determines the load level of the indoor load based on the number of people in the living space R11 (step S505).

[0102] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 refers to the load association information 324 and selects an operation pattern associated with the determined load level of the ventilation load and the load level of the indoor load (step S506).

[0103] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 controls the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 in accordance with the selected operation pattern (step S507).

[0104] Next, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 determines whether or not the control of the room temperature of the living space R11 has been successful (step S508). Specifically, the control unit 310 may determine whether or not the room temperature of the living space R11 has reached the set temperature within a predetermined period of time.

[0105] In step S508, if the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 returns to step S507.

[0106] If the room temperature has not reached the set temperature in step S508, the control unit 310 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation according to the operation pattern selected in step S506 was started (step S509). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S509, the control unit 310 returns to step S507.

[0107] The predetermined time may be, for example, about one hour. By setting a predetermined time in this way, it is possible to prevent the operation pattern from being changed frequently, and stable control can be performed.

[0108] If the predetermined time has elapsed in step S509, control unit 310 changes the operation pattern (step S510), and returns to step S507.

[0109] Specifically, if the room temperature does not drop to the set temperature, the control unit 310 may change the operation pattern to one that imposes a high air conditioning load.Also, if the room temperature is lower than the set temperature, the control unit 310 may change the operation pattern to one that imposes a low air conditioning load.

[0110] In this embodiment, different operation pattern information 323 and load association information 324 may be prepared in advance for different conditions, such as month, day of the week, public holiday, cooling / heating operation, etc. In this case, the control unit 310 may refer to the operation pattern information 323 and the load association information 324 according to the conditions.

[0111] In addition, in the present embodiment, the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is used as an index when estimating the ventilation load, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0112] In this embodiment, when estimating the ventilation load, the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature and the ventilation air volume of the ventilation device 100 may be used as indices.

[0113] The cooperative control system 1 may increase or decrease the ventilation air volume of the ventilation device 100 according to the number of people in the living space R11. Specifically, for example, if the number of people in the living space R11 is small, the ventilation air volume mode of the ventilation device 100 is set to low to reduce the ventilation air volume. On the other hand, if the number of people in the living space R11 is large, the ventilation air volume mode of the ventilation device 100 is set to high to increase the ventilation air volume.

[0114] Therefore, the condition for determining the load level of the ventilation load can be a combination of the range of the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature and the ventilation air volume mode indicating the magnitude of the ventilation air volume.

[0115] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of load correspondence information. In the load correspondence information 324A shown in Fig. 6, the determination condition for the load level of the ventilation load is a combination of the range of the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature and the ventilation air volume mode indicating the magnitude of the ventilation air volume. The ventilation air volume mode is a mode set in the ventilation device 100, and can be acquired by the cooperative control device 300 from the ventilation device 100. The ventilation load decreases as the ventilation air volume decreases.

[0116] In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is less than 4°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "weak" or "medium", the ventilation load level is determined to be "small". Also, in the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is less than 4°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "strong", the ventilation load level is determined to be "medium".

[0117] In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is 4°C to 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "low," the ventilation load level is determined to be "low." In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is 4°C to 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "medium," the ventilation load level is determined to be "medium." In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is 4°C to 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "high," the ventilation load level is determined to be "high."

[0118] In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is greater than 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "low," the ventilation load level is determined to be "medium." In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is greater than 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "medium," the ventilation load level is determined to be "high." In the example of Fig. 6, if the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is greater than 8°C and the ventilation airflow mode is "high," the ventilation load level is determined to be "high."

[0119] In this embodiment, the ventilation air volume mode of the ventilation device 100 may be used to determine the load level of the ventilation load in this way. In this way, the accuracy of estimating the ventilation load can be improved.

[0120] As described above, in this embodiment, the air conditioning load is estimated using a simple method, and based on the estimated air conditioning load, an operation pattern for reducing the power consumption of the collaborative control system 1 is selected, and the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 are controlled according to the operation pattern.

[0121] Therefore, in this embodiment, calculations to calculate the air conditioning load, calculations to determine the operating pattern to reduce the power consumption of the linked control system 1, etc. are not required, which reduces the processing load on the control unit 310 and allows the control unit 310 to have a simple configuration.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing load of the control unit 310 is reduced, eliminating the need for a high-performance server device or the like to control the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, even in areas where the communication environment is not well established, the linked control system 1 that controls the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 to reduce power consumption can be easily installed.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the equipment costs and running costs required to control the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 can be reduced.

[0124] In this embodiment, the air conditioning load of the living space R11 is estimated based on the environment of the living space R11, but this is not limiting. The control unit 310 of the linkage control device 300 in this embodiment may perform calculations.

[0125] The method for calculating the air conditioning load is explained below. The air conditioning load is obtained using the following formula (1).

[0126] Air conditioning load [W] = ventilation load [W] + indoor load [W] Formula (1) The ventilation load is calculated using the following equation (2):

[0127] Ventilation load [W] = Specific enthalpy difference between the intake and exhaust air of the ventilation system 100 air supply unit [J / kg] ×Air supply air volume [kg / s]=(H1-H2)×Q1 Formula (2) In equation (2), H1 is the specific enthalpy [J / kg] of the intake air of the air supply unit 20 of the ventilation device 100, and H2 is the specific enthalpy [J / kg] of the discharge air of the air supply unit 20 of the ventilation device 100. In addition, Q1 in equation (2) is the intake air flow rate [kg / s] of the ventilation device 100.

[0128] The indoor load is calculated using the following equation (3).

[0129] Indoor load [W] = Load processing capacity of the air conditioner [W] + Enthalpy difference between the intake and exhaust air of the ventilation system [J / s] Formula (3) The load processing capacity of the air conditioner is calculated using the following formula (4), and the enthalpy difference between the supply and exhaust air of the ventilation system is calculated using the following formula (5).

[0130] Air conditioner load processing capacity [W] = Specific enthalpy difference between the intake and exhaust air of the air conditioner's indoor unit [J / kg] × Indoor unit air flow rate of air conditioner [kg / s] = (H4-H5) × Q2 Equation (4) Ventilation system intake / exhaust air enthalpy difference [J / s] = difference in enthalpy between the intake air of the ventilation system's exhaust unit and the outlet air of the supply unit [J / s] =H3×Q1′-H2×Q1 Equation (5) In equation (4), H4 is the intake air enthalpy [J / kg] of the air conditioning indoor unit 81 of the air conditioner 200, and H5 is the discharge air enthalpy [J / kg] of the air conditioning indoor unit 81 of the air conditioner 200. In addition, Q2 in equation (4) is the indoor unit air volume [kg / s] of the air conditioner 200.

[0131] Furthermore, H3 in the formula (5) is the suction air specific enthalpy [J / kg] of the exhaust unit 10 of the ventilation device 100, and Q1′ is the exhaust air volume of the ventilation device 100 [kg / s].

[0132] In this embodiment, when calculating the air conditioning load using the above-mentioned method, temperature and humidity sensors are installed at the air intakes and outlets of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200, and the air specific enthalpy is calculated from the measured values. Also, Q1 and Q1' are normally assumed to be equal.

[0133] In this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is calculated in this manner, it is no longer necessary to refer to the load association information 324 when selecting an operation pattern.

[0134] When the linked control device 300 of this embodiment calculates the air conditioning load by calculation, it compares the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 indicated by the ventilation device capacity information 321, the rated capacity of the air conditioner 200 indicated by the air conditioning function capacity information 322, and the calculated air conditioning load, and selects the operation pattern determined by the operation pattern information 323 depending on the comparison result.

[0135] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described below. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is assumed that multiple ventilation devices 100 and multiple air conditioners 200 are installed in a living space. In the following description of the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and components having the same functional configuration as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0136] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cooperative control system according to a second embodiment. Fig. 7 is an installation plan view showing two ventilators 100 and two air conditioners 200 arranged in a living space R21. The cooperative control device 300 of this embodiment controls the two ventilators 100 and the two air conditioners 200.

[0137] More specifically, the cooperative control device 300 stores operation pattern information 323A, which will be described later, in the storage unit 320. The operation pattern information 323A is information indicating a predetermined operation pattern of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200. More specifically, the operation pattern information 323A is information indicating an operation pattern determined to reduce power consumption based on the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity when one ventilation device 100 and one air conditioner 200 are operated, or when two ventilation devices 100 and two air conditioners 200 are operated.

[0138] The relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity when one or two ventilation devices 100 and air conditioners 200 are operated will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between power consumption and air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device and air conditioner of the second embodiment.

[0139] In Fig. 8, the vertical axis represents power consumption and the horizontal axis represents air conditioning capacity. Furthermore, dotted line L11 in Fig. 8 represents the relationship between power consumption and the air conditioning capacity of the ventilation device 100 when two ventilation devices 100 are operated at the same output. Furthermore, solid line L21 in Fig. 8 represents the relationship between power consumption and the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 200 when two air conditioners 200 are operated at the same output.

[0140] 8 is the air conditioning capacity that can be exerted by two ventilation devices 100, and indicates the rated capacity of two ventilation devices 100. Also, air conditioning capacity X21 in Fig. 8 is the air conditioning capacity that can be exerted by two air conditioners 200, and indicates the rated capacity of two air conditioners 200.

[0141] 8, when two air conditioners 200 are operated at the same output, the relationship between power consumption and air conditioning capacity of the air conditioners 200 is such that fluctuations in power consumption are suppressed relative to fluctuations in air conditioning capacity within range H1 of air conditioning capacity. This range H1 extends from the minimum value of air conditioning capacity to a predetermined air conditioning capacity X11, and the predetermined air conditioning capacity X11 is twice the air conditioning capacity of the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1.

[0142] In this embodiment, focusing on these points, the operation patterns of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200 for reducing the power consumption of the collaborative control system 1A are determined in advance based on the magnitude relationship between the air conditioning load of the living space R21 and the rated capacity of the ventilation device 100 and the air conditioner 200.

[0143] The driving pattern information 323A of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of driving pattern information of the second embodiment.

[0144] In the operation pattern information 323A, the operation pattern identified by the operation pattern ID "1" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the rated capacity of two ventilation devices 100. Furthermore, when the operation pattern identified by the operation pattern ID "1" is selected, the control unit 310 of the cooperative control device 300 commands the two ventilation devices 100 to operate so as to exert the same air conditioning capacity, and commands the two air conditioners 200 to stop operation.

[0145] In other words, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is less than the rated capacity X31 of two ventilation devices 100, the air conditioning load is handled only by the ventilation device 100, which consumes less power than the air conditioner 200, thereby reducing the power consumption of the collaborative control system 1A.

[0146] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "2" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of one air conditioner 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "2" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the ventilation device 100 to stop operation and commands one air conditioner 200 to operate.

[0147] In other words, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1 of one air conditioner 200, the power consumption of the cooperative control system 1A can be reduced by operating only one air conditioner 200.

[0148] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "3" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity of two ventilation devices 100 and a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of one air conditioner 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "3" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the two ventilator devices 100 to operate at their rated capacity, and commands one air conditioner 200 to operate. In this case, the control unit 310 may command the one air conditioner 200 to operate at a predetermined air conditioning capacity X1.

[0149] That is, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity X31 of the two ventilators 100 and a predetermined air conditioning capacity X1, the two ventilators 100 are operated at their rated capacity, and only the air conditioning load that cannot be handled by the two ventilators 100 is handled by one air conditioner 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioners 200, and reduce the power consumption of the linked control system 1A.

[0150] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "4" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of two air conditioners 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "4" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the ventilation device 100 to stop operation, and commands the two air conditioners 200 to operate at the same air conditioning capacity.

[0151] That is, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than a predetermined air conditioning capacity X11, the air conditioning capacity exerted by each of the two air conditioners 200 is controlled to be equal to or less than the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1. In this embodiment, this makes it possible to suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioners 200 and reduce power consumption of the linked control system 1A.

[0152] The operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "5" is an operation pattern when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity of two ventilation devices 100 and a predetermined percentage of the rated capacity of two air conditioners 200. When the operation pattern identified by operation pattern ID "5" is selected, the control unit 310 commands the two ventilation devices 100 to operate at their rated capacity, and commands the two air conditioners 200 to operate so as to exert the same air conditioning capacity.

[0153] That is, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning load is equal to or less than the sum of the rated capacity X31 of two ventilator units 100 and the predetermined air conditioning capacity X11 of two air conditioners 200, the air conditioning load that cannot be processed by the rated capacity of the two ventilator units 100 is processed by the two air conditioners 200. At this time, the air conditioning capacity exerted by the two air conditioners 200 is controlled to be equal to or less than the predetermined air conditioning capacity X1. In this embodiment, this makes it possible to suppress an increase in power consumption by the air conditioner 200 and reduce power consumption by the linked control system 1A.

[0154] In the cooperative control device 300 of this embodiment, in the load association information 324 of the storage unit 320, each operation pattern ID indicated in the operation pattern information 323A may be associated with a combination of the load level of the ventilation load and the load level of the indoor load.

[0155] In this embodiment, by preparing the operation pattern information 323A in advance, it is possible to estimate the air conditioning load in a simple manner and select an operation pattern to reduce power consumption, even when multiple ventilators 100 and multiple air conditioners 200 are installed in the living space R21. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the processing load on the control unit 310 can be reduced, and the control unit 310 can have a simple configuration.

[0156] Although the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1. 1A Linked Control System 100 Ventilation Equipment 200 Air conditioner 300 Linked control device 310 Control Unit 320 Storage section

Claims

1. a control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilator that has a lower rated capacity than the air conditioner and higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner; The control unit A cooperative control device that commands the air conditioner to stop operating and the ventilation device to operate when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, and commands the air conditioner to stop operating and the ventilation device to operate when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert.

2. The control unit When the air conditioning load is greater than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and is smaller than the sum of the air conditioning capacity that is the predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and the first air conditioning capacity, Instruct the air conditioner to operate to exert an air conditioning capacity that is equal to or less than a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity, The cooperative control device according to claim 1 , wherein the cooperative control device commands the ventilation device to operate to exert an air conditioning capacity that is a difference between the air conditioning load and an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity.

3. The control unit When the air conditioning load is greater than the sum of the air conditioning capacity of a predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity and the first air conditioning capacity, commanding the ventilation device to operate to exert the first air conditioning capacity; The cooperative control device according to claim 2 , wherein the cooperative control device commands the air conditioners to operate so as to exert an air conditioning capacity that is the difference between the air conditioning load and the first air conditioning capacity.

4. The control unit an operation pattern of the air conditioner and the ventilation device according to a comparison result between the air conditioning load, the first air conditioning capacity, and the second air conditioning capacity is stored; The cooperative control device described in claim 1, which identifies the operating pattern of the air conditioner and the ventilation device from the comparison result between the estimated air conditioning load and the first air conditioning capacity and the second air conditioning capacity, and instructs the air conditioner and the ventilation device to operate according to the identified operating pattern.

5. The predetermined percentage of the second air conditioning capacity is The cooperative control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioning capacity is such that, in the relationship between the power consumption of the air conditioner and the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner, fluctuations in the power consumption of the air conditioner corresponding to fluctuations in the air conditioning capacity exerted by the air conditioner tend to be suppressed.

6. The cooperative control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooperative control device is mounted on the air conditioner or the ventilation device.

7. A control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilation device that has a smaller rated capacity than the air conditioner and a higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner, A coordinated control method in which, when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, the air conditioner is commanded to stop operating and the ventilation device is commanded to operate, and, when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert, the ventilation device is commanded to stop operating and the air conditioner is commanded to operate.

8. a control unit that links an air conditioner with a ventilation device that has a smaller rated capacity than the air conditioner and a higher energy consumption efficiency than the air conditioner, A cooperative control program that executes a process to stop operation of the air conditioner and start operation of the ventilation device when the air conditioning load, which is the sum of the ventilation load and the indoor load, is smaller than a first air conditioning capacity that the ventilation device can exert, and to stop operation of the ventilation device and start operation of the air conditioner when the air conditioning load is larger than the first air conditioning capacity and smaller than an air conditioning capacity that is a predetermined percentage of a second air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner can exert.

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