Air conditioning system and hot / cold feeling estimation method

Abstract

To accurately estimate hot / cold feeling.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 100 for conditioning air in an air-conditioned space 200 includes: a skin temperature acquiring unit 111 for acquiring skin temperature information indicating a skin temperature of an object person 201 existing in the air-conditioned space 200; a hot / cold feeling estimating unit 162 for estimating hot / cold feeling felt by the object person 201 from a difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information; and a reference information update unit 163 for updating the reference information on the basis of the acquired change information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that conditions air in a conditioned space based on the skin temperature of a subject, and a thermal sensation estimation method that estimates a subject's thermal sensation based on the subject's skin temperature. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there are conventional techniques for changing air conditioning operation depending on the gradient of change in the subject's skin temperature or the amount of change in the subject's skin temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-227410 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-265189 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the inventors discovered that even if the air conditioning conditions of the conditioned space in which the subject is located are the same, the skin temperature fluctuates depending on the season, time of day, the subject's activity level, etc., and therefore the subject's skin temperature does not accurately reflect the thermal sensation felt by the subject.

[0005] The present disclosure is based on the inventor's findings and provides an air conditioning system and a method for estimating thermal sensation that can more accurately estimate a subject's thermal sensation based on skin temperature, thereby improving comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air conditioning system that is one aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioning system that conditions the air of a conditioned space, and includes: a skin temperature acquisition unit that acquires skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of a subject present in the conditioned space; a thermal sensation estimation unit that estimates the thermal sensation felt by the subject based on the difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information; and a reference information update unit that updates the reference information based on the acquired change information.

[0007] A thermal sensation estimation method that is one aspect of the present disclosure is a thermal sensation estimation method for estimating a thermal sensation of a subject, in which skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of the subject is acquired by a skin temperature acquisition unit, the thermal sensation estimation unit estimates the thermal sensation felt by the subject based on the difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information, and a reference information update unit updates the reference information based on the acquired change information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to more accurately estimate a subject's thermal sensation based on skin temperature, thereby improving the subject's comfort. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an installation state of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the biometric information acquisition device and the air conditioner. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the air conditioning system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the installation state of an air conditioning system according to another example. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between period information, time zone information, and skin temperature information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a biometric information acquisition device, an air conditioning system, and a thermal sensation estimation method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not imply mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, and the like. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0011] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions has been appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0012] In addition, multiple inventions may be collectively described below as one embodiment, and some of the content described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing one mode of installation of an air conditioning system 100. The air conditioning system 100 is a system that conditions the air of an air-conditioned space 200, and includes a biometric information acquisition device 110 and an air conditioner 160. In the present embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 is attached to a wall surface that surrounds the air-conditioned space 200, and is a system that adjusts the environment within the air-conditioned space 200 to one that a subject 201 feels comfortable in.

[0014] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the biometric information acquisition device 110 and the air conditioner 160. The biometric information acquisition device 110 is a device that acquires biometric information of a subject 201. The biometric information acquisition device 110 includes an acquisition-side processor 101 and an acquisition-side communication interface 115. The acquisition-side processor 101 executes a skin temperature acquisition program to realize a skin temperature acquisition unit 111 as a processing unit.

[0015] The skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is a processing unit that acquires skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of the subject 201 present in the air-conditioned space 200. The sensor from which the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires the skin temperature information is not limited. For example, the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 may acquire skin temperature information from an infrared sensor, a thermal camera, or the like. In this embodiment, the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires the skin temperature information via communication from a wearable device 112 worn by the subject 201. The type of wearable device 112 is not limited, and examples include a wristwatch-type device as exemplified in this embodiment, a ring-type device worn on a finger, a necklace-type device worn around the neck, and the like. The inventors have found that acquiring skin temperature information from the peripheral parts of the subject 201 enables a more accurate estimation of the thermal sensation of the subject 201. In other words, acquiring skin temperature information indicating the skin temperatures of the extremities of the subject 201's hands and feet allows for a more accurate estimation of the thermal sensation. Therefore, it can be expected that the accuracy of estimating a thermal sensation will improve in the order of necklace type, wristwatch type, and ring type.

[0016] The skin temperature acquisition unit 111 may output a representative value obtained by statistically processing multiple pieces of skin temperature information acquired over a predetermined period of one week or more going back from the current day (current time) as the skin temperature information. For example, the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 logs at least one week's worth of skin temperature information and outputs the average value of the skin temperature information over the past week, i.e., the moving average with a one-week period, as the representative value. In addition to the average value, examples of the representative value include the median, mode, and standard deviation 50.

[0017] In this embodiment, the biometric information acquisition device 110 may include a so-called millimeter wave radar device that irradiates electromagnetic waves (millimeter waves) and measures the biometric information of the subject 201 based on the reflected waves from the subject 201 and outputs it as a signal, a digital camera that can acquire the state of the air-conditioned space 200 and the state of the subject 201, and a motion sensor such as a TOF (Time Of Flight) camera that can acquire the movement of the subject 201.

[0018] The acquisition-side communication interface 115 transmits the skin temperature information of the subject 201 acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 to the air conditioner 160. The communication may be wired or wireless. The acquisition-side communication interface 115 also outputs a signal transmitted from the wearable device 112 to the skin temperature acquisition unit 111.

[0019] The air conditioner 160 is a device that controls the air conditioning of the conditioned space 200 in, for example, a residence or office building. An example of the air conditioner 160 is a so-called air conditioner that has cooling and heating functions. The air conditioning system 100 may additionally include a dehumidifier, humidifier, air purifier, space sterilization device, etc. as an air conditioner. The air conditioner 160 may be equipped with some or all of the cooling function, heating function, dehumidification function, humidification function, air purifier function, and space sterilization function in combination. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 160 is an air conditioner that includes an indoor unit 106 installed in the conditioned space 200 and an outdoor unit 107 installed outside the conditioned space 200, and also includes an air conditioning control device 161 and an outdoor air temperature sensor 170.

[0020] The outdoor air temperature sensor 170 is a sensor that measures the air temperature outside the conditioned space 200 and is provided in the outdoor unit 107. The type of the outdoor air temperature sensor 170 is not limited, but an example is a thermistor.

[0021] The air conditioning control device 161 is a controller that controls the entire air conditioner 160. In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device 161 includes an air conditioner-side processor 102, and by having the processor execute an air conditioning program, it realizes a thermal sensation estimation unit 162, a reference information update unit 163, an air conditioner-side information acquisition unit 164, and an operation control unit 166 as processing units.

[0022] The thermal sensation estimating unit 162 is a processing unit that estimates the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 based on the difference between predetermined reference information and the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquiring unit 111. The reference information is information that reflects a temperature lower than the core body temperature of a human, such as 31° C. Details of the reference information will be described later.

[0023] In this embodiment, the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 estimates that the temperature is appropriate for the subject 201 to feel comfortable (for example, thermal sensation 0) when the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is less than the difference threshold, estimates that the subject 201 is hot and uncomfortable (for example, thermal sensation +2) when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is equal to or greater than the difference threshold, and estimates that the subject 201 is cold and uncomfortable (for example, thermal sensation -2) when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is negative and the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than the difference threshold.

[0024] The reference information update unit 163 is a processing unit that updates the reference information based on the change information acquired by the conditioner-side information acquisition unit 164. The change information is information used to update the reference information, and may include, for example, information indicating a period, such as period information indicating which period a year is divided into when a year is divided into multiple periods such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter, or time zone information indicating which time zone a day is divided into multiple time zones such as morning, noon, evening, and night. The change information may also include information about the subject 201, such as status information indicating the state of the subject 201, such as rest, activity, wakefulness, or sleep, activity amount information indicating the amount of activity of the subject 201, and biological information about the subject 201. The change information may also include environmental information, such as outside temperature information indicating the temperature outside the air-conditioned space 200 and humidity information indicating the humidity in or outside the air-conditioned space 200.

[0025] The activity amount information is not limited to any particular information, and may be, for example, a numerical value derived from the pulse (heart rate) of the subject 201, the respiratory rate of the subject 201, etc. For example, the pulse rate, the respiratory rate, etc. can be acquired from a radar device provided in the biological information acquisition device 110 via the acquisition-side information acquisition unit 171.

[0026] For example, when the conditioner-side information acquisition unit 164 acquires period information as change information, if the period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a colder period than the immediately preceding period information, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to the reference information obtained by subtracting a predetermined first temperature from the reference information for the immediately preceding period. On the other hand, if the period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a hotter period than the immediately preceding period information, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to the reference information obtained by adding a predetermined second temperature to the reference information for the immediately preceding period.

[0027] Specifically, for example, when period information is defined to divide a year into March to May (spring), June to August (summer), September to November (autumn), and December to February (winter), the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to summer reference information by subtracting a predetermined first temperature from the summer reference information at the beginning of September, and updates the reference information to autumn reference information by subtracting a predetermined first temperature from the autumn reference information at the beginning of December.Furthermore, the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to winter reference information by adding a predetermined second temperature to the winter reference information at the beginning of March, and updates the reference information to spring reference information by adding a predetermined second temperature to the spring reference information at the beginning of June.

[0028] The method by which the reference information update unit 163 acquires the period information is not limited. For example, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the period information from a timer capable of counting days and months provided in the air conditioning control device 161. Alternatively, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the period information via a conditioner-side communication interface 165 connectable to a network.

[0029] The period does not have to be determined using "months," it can be determined using "days," or it can be determined by the lunar calendar, etc. The length of the period does not have to be divided equally. The length of the period may also vary rather than being constant.

[0030] Furthermore, when the conditioner-side information acquisition unit 164 acquires time zone information as change information, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information as follows: When the time zone information including the time to update the reference information is a predetermined time zone, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to the reference information of the previous time zone by subtracting a predetermined third temperature from the reference information. On the other hand, when the time zone information including the time to update the reference information is a time zone later than the predetermined time zone, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to the reference information of the previous time zone by adding a predetermined fourth temperature to the reference information.

[0031] Specifically, for example, when time period information is defined to divide a day into 0:00 to 12:00 (morning) and 12:00 to 0:00 (afternoon), the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information by subtracting a predetermined third temperature from the afternoon reference information after 0:00.Furthermore, the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information by adding a predetermined fourth temperature to the morning reference information after 12:00.

[0032] The method by which the reference information update unit 163 acquires the time zone information is not limited. For example, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the time zone information from a timer capable of counting time provided in the air conditioning control device 161. Alternatively, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the time zone information via a conditioner-side communication interface 165 connectable to a network.

[0033] The time periods do not have to be just "morning" and "afternoon," but can be three or more divisions of a day, such as "morning," "afternoon," "evening," and "night." The length of each time period does not have to be equal. The time periods can also vary depending on the season, etc.

[0034] In addition, when the condition information acquisition unit 164 on the condition-control unit side acquires the condition information as change information, if the condition information at the time of updating the condition information indicates a sleeping state, the condition information update unit 163 may update the condition information to the condition information obtained by adding a predetermined fifth temperature to the condition information for the awake state.

[0035] Furthermore, when the harmony unit side information acquisition unit 164 acquires, as change information, status information and activity amount information indicating the activity amount of the subject 201, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to be obtained by subtracting a predetermined sixth temperature from the reference information if the status information when updating the reference information indicates an awake state and the activity amount is less than the activity threshold. Furthermore, when the status information when updating the reference information indicates an awake state and the activity amount is equal to or greater than the activity threshold, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to be obtained by adding a predetermined seventh temperature to the reference information.

[0036] There is no limitation on the method by which the reference information update unit 163 acquires the status of the subject 201. For example, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the status information from the wearable device 112 worn by the subject 201. Alternatively, the reference information update unit 163 may acquire the status information from a radar device included in the biometric information acquisition device 110 via the acquisition-side information acquisition unit 171.

[0037] Furthermore, when the conditioner side information acquisition unit 164 acquires outside temperature information from the outside temperature sensor 170 as change information, the reference information update unit 163 may update the reference information to one obtained by subtracting a predetermined ninth temperature from the reference information if the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the reference information is updated is a predetermined eighth temperature lower than the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the information was last updated, and may update the reference information to one obtained by adding a predetermined tenth temperature to the reference information if the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the reference information is updated is higher than the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the information was last updated.

[0038] The operation control unit 166 controls the operating state of the air conditioner 160 to a state in which the subject 201 feels comfortable (for example, a range of thermal sensation of −0.5 or more and +0.5 or less) based on the thermal sensation estimated by the thermal sensation estimation unit 162. Specifically, the operation control unit 166 transmits control parameters, parameter values, commands, etc. to at least one of the compressor 169, fan motor 167, louver motor 168, etc. provided in the air conditioner 160, and controls the operating state of the air conditioner 160.

[0039] The harmony device side communication interface 165 may communicate with the wearable device 112, a user terminal (so-called remote control terminal), etc. in addition to the biometric information acquisition device 110. The harmony device side communication interface 165 may also send and receive internet packets and communicate with a server or the like located on the cloud.

[0040] Next, an example of the operation of the air conditioning system 100 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the air conditioning system 100. When the air conditioning system 100 is started up, the thermal sensation estimating unit 162 and the reference information updating unit 163 acquire initial reference information (S101). Next, the reference information updating unit 163 acquires change information such as skin temperature information and period information and time zone information (S102).

[0041] If the acquired time zone information is the first to change from "afternoon" to "morning" (S103, AM), the reference information update unit 163 subtracts a predetermined value from the reference information according to the acquired period information and updates the reference information to new reference information (S104). If the acquired time zone information is the first to change from "morning" to "afternoon" (S103, PM), the reference information update unit 163 adds a predetermined value to the reference information according to the acquired period information and updates the reference information to new reference information (S104). Note that "according to the period information" means that if there is no change in the period information, the reference information based on the period information is not updated, and if the period information has changed, the reference information based on the period information is updated.

[0042] Next, it is determined whether the subject 201 is awake based on the state information (S106). If the subject 201 is not awake (S106, No), the reference information update unit 163 adds a predetermined value to the reference information to update it to new reference information (S108). If the subject 201 is awake (S106, Yes), it is further determined whether the activity amount of the subject 201 is less than the activity threshold (S107). If the activity amount is equal to or greater than the activity threshold (S107, No), the reference information update unit 163 adds a value corresponding to the activity amount to the reference information to update it to new reference information (S109). If the activity amount is less than the activity threshold (S107, Yes), the reference information update unit 163 adds a value corresponding to the activity amount to the reference information to update it to new reference information (S110).

[0043] Next, the difference between the reference information and the skin temperature information is calculated, and it is determined whether the difference is less than the difference threshold (S111). If the difference is less than the difference threshold (S111, Yes), it is estimated that the subject 201 feels comfortable (S112). If the difference is equal to or greater than the difference threshold (S111, No) and the skin temperature information is less than the reference information (S113, No), the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 estimates that the subject 201 feels cold (S114). On the other hand, if the skin temperature information is equal to or greater than the reference information (S113, Yes), the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 estimates that the subject 201 feels hot (S115).

[0044] If the thermal sensation estimated by the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 indicates a comfortable feeling (thermal sensation is 0±0.5) (S112), the operation control unit 166 controls the air conditioner 160 to maintain the operating state (S116). On the other hand, if the estimated thermal sensation is cold (S114), the operation control unit 166 controls the air conditioner 160 to increase the skin temperature information of the current subject 201 (S116). If the estimated thermal sensation is hot (S115), the operation control unit 166 controls the air conditioner 160 to decrease the skin temperature information of the current subject 201 (S116). The above operations are repeatedly performed at predetermined intervals (S109, No) until the air conditioning system 100 is stopped (S117, Yes).

[0045] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may be embodied in another embodiment realized by any combination of the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0046] For example, the present disclosure can be practiced by implementing a program corresponding to each process (thermal sensation estimation method) executed by the acquisition-side processor 101 and the harmonic apparatus-side processor 102. Of course, the present disclosure can also be practiced by implementing a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0047] Furthermore, although the case where outside temperature information is acquired from the outside temperature sensor 170 has been described, the outside temperature information may also be acquired via a network.

[0048] Furthermore, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the present disclosure may also include processes in which the order of decisions is changed, processes in which some steps are missing, or processes in which other steps are added.

[0049] 4, the biometric information acquisition device 110 may be installed inside an air conditioner 160. In this case, each process may be realized by having one processor execute a program.

[0050] (summary) The air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment is an air conditioning system 100 that conditions the air of the conditioned space 200, and includes a skin temperature acquisition unit 111 that acquires skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of a subject 201 present in the conditioned space 200, a thermal sensation estimation unit 162 that estimates the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 based on the difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information, and a reference information update unit 163 that updates the reference information based on the acquired change information.

[0051] According to the first aspect, it is possible to more accurately estimate the thermal sensation of the subject 201. The accurately estimated thermal sensation can be used for control to improve the comfort of the subject 201 in the air-conditioned space 200. This makes it possible to avoid excessive air-conditioning operation or unnecessary air-conditioning operation, thereby improving energy-saving performance.

[0052] The air conditioning system 100 of the second embodiment includes the first embodiment, and the change information includes period information indicating which period it is when a year is divided into multiple periods, and the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to standard information obtained by subtracting a predetermined first temperature from the reference information if the period information including the time to update the reference information is a colder period than the immediately preceding period information, and updates the reference information to standard information obtained by adding a predetermined second temperature to the reference information if the period information including the time to update the reference information is a hotter period than the immediately preceding period information.

[0053] According to the second aspect, since a thermal sensation is estimated based on skin temperature that fluctuates in accordance with period information, it is possible to control the air conditioner 160 based on an accurate thermal sensation. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the average value of skin temperature rises from spring to summer and falls from summer to autumn / winter. In the second aspect, based on this knowledge, the reference information that serves as the criterion for estimating a thermal sensation is updated in accordance with period information.

[0054] The third aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes the first aspect or the second aspect, and the change information includes time zone information indicating which time zone it is when a day is divided into multiple time zones. If the time zone information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a predetermined time zone, the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to have a predetermined third temperature subtracted from the reference information, and if the time zone information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a time zone later than the predetermined time zone, the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to have a predetermined fourth temperature added to the reference information.

[0055] According to the third aspect, since the thermal sensation is estimated based on the skin temperature that fluctuates according to the time period information, the air conditioner 160 can be controlled based on an accurate thermal sensation. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the average skin temperature differs between the morning and the afternoon. In the third aspect, based on this knowledge, the reference information that serves as the criterion for estimating the thermal sensation is updated according to the time period information. In particular, in seasons when the temperature is not high, the difference between the average skin temperature in the morning and the afternoon is greater than in seasons when the temperature is high. Therefore, by using the period information and the time period information in combination, the thermal sensation can be estimated more accurately.

[0056] The air conditioning system 100 of the fourth aspect includes any of the first to third aspects, and the change information includes status information indicating the status of the subject 201, and if the status information when updating the standard information indicates a sleeping state, the standard information update unit 163 updates the standard information to standard information obtained by adding a predetermined fifth temperature to the standard information.

[0057] The fifth aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes any of the first to third aspects, and the change information includes status information indicating the status of the subject 201 and activity amount information indicating the activity amount of the subject 201, and the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to the reference information obtained by subtracting a predetermined sixth temperature from the reference information when the status information indicates an awake state and the activity amount is less than the activity threshold when updating the reference information.

[0058] The sixth aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes any one of the first to third aspects or the fifth aspect, and the change information includes status information indicating the state of the subject 201 and activity amount information indicating the activity amount of the subject 201, and the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to the standard information to which a predetermined seventh temperature has been added if the status information at the time of updating the reference information indicates an awake state and the activity amount is equal to or greater than the activity threshold.

[0059] According to the fourth to sixth aspects, the thermal sensation is estimated based on the state information of the subject 201, or the state information and activity level of the subject 201, so that the air conditioner 160 can be controlled according to the state of the subject 201.

[0060] The seventh aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes any of the first to sixth aspects, and the air conditioning system 100 is equipped with an outside temperature sensor 170 that measures the temperature outside the conditioned space 200, and the change information includes outside temperature information obtained from the outside temperature sensor 170. If the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the reference information is updated is a predetermined eighth temperature lower than the outside temperature information corresponding to the previous update, the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information to standard information obtained by subtracting a predetermined ninth temperature from the reference information, and if the outside temperature information corresponding to the time the reference information is updated is higher than the outside temperature information corresponding to the previous update, the reference information updates to standard information obtained by adding a predetermined tenth temperature to the reference information.

[0061] According to the seventh aspect, a thermal sensation is estimated in accordance with temperature information that fluctuates from moment to moment, and therefore the air conditioner 160 can be controlled based on an accurate thermal sensation.

[0062] According to the eighth aspect of the air conditioning system 100, which includes any of the first to seventh aspects, the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 estimates that the temperature is comfortable when the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is less than the difference threshold, estimates that the temperature is hot when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is equal to or greater than the difference threshold, and estimates that the temperature is cold when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 is negative and the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than the difference threshold.

[0063] According to the eighth aspect, the thermal sensation of the subject 201 can be accurately estimated based on the updated reference information and skin temperature information.

[0064] The ninth aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes any of the first to eighth aspects, and the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 outputs as skin temperature information a representative value obtained by statistically processing multiple pieces of skin temperature information acquired going back more than one week.

[0065] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to estimate a thermal sensation accurately and stably using a moving representative value such as a moving average.

[0066] The air conditioning system 100 of the tenth aspect includes any of the first to ninth aspects, and the skin temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires skin temperature information of a peripheral part of the subject 201.

[0067] According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to acquire skin temperature information that better reflects a thermal sensation, and to estimate a thermal sensation more accurately.

[0068] The eleventh aspect of the thermal sensation estimation method is a thermal sensation estimation method for estimating the thermal sensation of a subject 201, in which skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of the subject 201 is acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit 111, the thermal sensation estimation unit 162 estimates the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 based on the difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information, and the reference information update unit 163 updates the reference information based on the acquired change information.

[0069] According to the eleventh aspect, the thermal sensation accurately estimated using the updated reference information and skin temperature information can be provided to a display application or a data analysis tool for thermal load. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present disclosure can be used in air conditioning systems that perform control based on the estimated thermal sensation of a subject, display applications that display thermal sensation, data analysis tools that use thermal sensation, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 100 Air Conditioning System 101 Acquiring Processor 102 Harmonizer side processor 106 Indoor unit 107 Outdoor unit 110 Biometric information acquisition device 111 Skin temperature acquisition section 112 Wearable Devices 115 Acquisition side communication interface 160 Air conditioner 161 Air conditioning control device 162 Thermal sensation estimation unit 163 Standard information update department 164 Harmonizer side information acquisition section 165 Harmonizer side communication interface 166 Operation control unit 167 Fan motor 168 Louver motor 169 Compressor 170 Outside air temperature sensor 171 Acquisition side information acquisition unit 200 Conditioned space 201 Target

Claims

1. An air conditioning system that conditions air in a space to be air-conditioned, a skin temperature acquisition unit that acquires skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of a subject present in the air-conditioned space; a thermal sensation estimation unit that estimates a thermal sensation felt by the subject based on a difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information; a reference information update unit that updates the reference information based on the acquired change information; An air conditioning system comprising:

2. The change information is If a year is divided into multiple periods, the period information indicating which period it is is included. The reference information update unit If the period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a colder period than the immediately preceding period information, the reference information is updated to have a predetermined first temperature subtracted from it, and if the period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a hotter period than the immediately preceding period information, the reference information is updated to have a predetermined second temperature added to it. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. The change information is When a day is divided into a plurality of time periods, time period information indicating which time period it is, is included, The reference information update unit When the time period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a predetermined time period, the reference information is updated to the reference information obtained by subtracting a predetermined third temperature from the reference information, and when the time period information including the time when the reference information is to be updated is a time period later than the predetermined time period, the reference information is updated to the reference information obtained by adding a predetermined fourth temperature to the reference information.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The change information is status information indicating the status of the subject; The reference information update unit If the state information indicates a sleeping state when the reference information is updated, the reference information is updated to include a predetermined fifth temperature.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The change information is The information includes status information indicating the status of the subject and activity amount information indicating the activity amount of the subject, The reference information update unit If the state information when updating the reference information indicates an awake state and the amount of activity is less than the activity threshold, the reference information is updated to the reference information obtained by subtracting a predetermined sixth temperature from the reference information.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The change information is The information includes status information indicating the status of the subject and activity amount information indicating the activity amount of the subject, The reference information update unit If the state information when updating the reference information indicates an awake state and the amount of activity is equal to or greater than an activity threshold, the reference information is updated to include a predetermined seventh temperature.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The air conditioning system includes: an outside air temperature sensor for measuring the air temperature outside the air-conditioned space; The change information is The ambient temperature information obtained from the ambient temperature sensor is included. The reference information update unit When the outside temperature information corresponding to the time when the reference information is updated is lower by a predetermined eighth temperature than the outside temperature information corresponding to the time when the reference information was updated immediately before, the reference information is updated to the reference information obtained by subtracting a predetermined ninth temperature from the reference information, and when the outside temperature information corresponding to the time when the reference information is updated is higher than the outside temperature information corresponding to the time when the reference information was updated immediately before, the reference information is updated to the reference information obtained by adding a predetermined tenth temperature to the reference information.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The thermal sensation estimator, If the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit is less than a difference threshold, the temperature is estimated to be appropriate; If the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a difference threshold, the subject is judged to be hot. It is estimated that the subject is cold when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference information from the skin temperature information acquired by the skin temperature acquisition unit is negative and the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than a difference threshold.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The skin temperature acquisition unit The representative value obtained by statistically processing multiple pieces of skin temperature information acquired over a period going back more than one week is output as skin temperature information.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The skin temperature acquisition unit Acquire skin temperature information from the subject's peripheral areas 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A thermal sensation estimation method for estimating a thermal sensation of a subject, comprising: skin temperature information indicating the skin temperature of the subject is acquired by a skin temperature acquisition unit; a thermal sensation estimation unit estimates a thermal sensation felt by the subject based on a difference between reference information and the acquired skin temperature information; A reference information update unit updates the reference information based on the acquired change information. Thermal sensation estimation method.

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