Air conditioning system, air conditioning method and air conditioning program

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system suppressing increase in power consumption of an air conditioner and improving comfort of an in-charge area of a target space while appropriately correcting an estimation value of heat load in each in-charge area of the target space.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes: a plurality of air conditioners air-conditioning a target space and set in the target space; an estimation part calculating an estimated load as an estimated value of heat load in an in-charge area for maintaining a temperature of the space in an in-charge area at a current value for every in-charge area which is air-conditioned by each of the air conditioner; a setting part setting a control target of each air conditioner on the basis of the estimated load; a control part controlling an operation of each air conditioner according to the control target; and a correction part correcting the estimated load in the estimation part. The correction part calculates deviation of estimated load of every combination including at least two in-charge areas, and decides a correction value used for correction of the estimated load of the in-charge area in the combination when the deviation is a prescribed threshold value or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for adjusting the airflow direction and volume from an adjacent air-conditioning area in accordance with the measured temperature difference in the air-conditioning area where capacity is insufficient, in order to prevent an increase in power consumption and a decrease in comfort in the adjacent air-conditioning area when an air-conditioning area where capacity is insufficient is assisted by an air-conditioner in the adjacent air-conditioning area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 003447 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an air conditioning system, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program that can appropriately correct the estimated value of the heat load in each responsible area of ​​the target space, while controlling the air conditioning based on the estimated heat load, thereby suppressing an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner and improving the comfort of each responsible area of ​​the target space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of air conditioners that air-condition a target space and are installed in the target space; an estimation unit that calculates, for each area that each air conditioner conditions, an estimated load that is an estimate of the thermal load of the area that each air conditioner is responsible for, in order to maintain the space temperature of the area at a current value; a setting unit that sets a control target for each air conditioner based on the estimated load; a control unit that controls the operation of each air conditioner in accordance with the control target; and a correction unit that corrects the estimated load in the estimation unit, wherein the correction unit calculates a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more of the areas that are responsible, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determines a correction value to be used to correct the estimated load of the area that each air conditioner is responsible for in the combination.

[0006] The air conditioning method disclosed herein is an air conditioning method executed by a computer of an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that condition a target space, and includes an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area of ​​the target space that each air conditioner conditions, an estimated load that is an estimated value of the heat load of the assigned area to maintain the space temperature of the assigned area at a current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner based on the estimated load; a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner in accordance with the control target; and a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step, wherein the correction step calculates a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more assigned areas, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determines a correction value used to correct the estimated load of the assigned area in the combination.

[0007] The air conditioning program of the present disclosure causes a computer of an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that condition a target space to execute the following steps: an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area of ​​the target space that each air conditioner conditions, an estimated load that is an estimated value of the heat load of the assigned area to maintain the space temperature of the assigned area at a current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner based on the estimated load; a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner in accordance with the control target; and a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step; wherein, in the correction step, a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more assigned areas is calculated, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, a correction value used to correct the estimated load of the assigned area in the combination is determined. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The air conditioning system, air conditioning method, and air conditioning program disclosed herein appropriately correct the estimated value of the heat load in each responsible area of ​​the target space, and by controlling the air conditioning based on the estimated heat load, can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner and improve the comfort of each responsible area of ​​the target space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a coverage area in a target space of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an air conditioning setting device and an indoor unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows an example of a first memory according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correction values ​​determined by a correction unit of the air conditioning setting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of time variations in temperature difference, heat load, estimated load, and air conditioning capacity when the estimated load differs from the actual heat load in the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of a correction value by a correction unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing a control process procedure of an air conditioning method executed by the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a correction process in an air conditioning method executed by the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows the configuration of an air conditioning setting device and an indoor unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first memory according to a second embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of a correction value by a correction unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of correction processing in an air conditioning method executed by an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning setting device, a circulator, and a remote controller in a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first memory according to a modification of the second embodiment; [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an area information screen according to a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a correction process in an air conditioning method executed by an air conditioning system according to a modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, there were technologies available for controlling an air conditioner to adjust the temperature of a room to a target temperature, such as increasing or decreasing the air conditioning capacity during operation depending on the magnitude of the temperature difference between the room temperature and the target temperature, or switching the air conditioner on or off depending on the temperature difference. Furthermore, technologies such as those described in Patent Document 1 cannot detect insufficient air conditioner capacity until a predetermined difference occurs between the actual temperature of the target space and the air conditioner's target temperature. In this case, there is a delay before auxiliary air conditioners in adjacent areas begin to provide support to the area they are responsible for. Furthermore, technologies such as those described in Patent Document 1 do not take into account the spare capacity of air conditioners in the area they are responsible for providing support to. Therefore, even if auxiliary air conditioners are provided, there is a possibility that insufficient capacity will occur in air conditioners in adjacent areas. The amount of heat generated and lost in a target space, such as a room to be air-conditioned, can change due to factors such as people entering and exiting the target space, the on / off of electrical devices such as lighting fixtures in the target space, the on / off of ventilation systems that introduce outside air, and changes in the amount of outside air introduced. Therefore, if the air conditioning capacity is increased or decreased or the air conditioning operation is switched on or off based solely on the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature, for example, when a large number of people enter the target space, the amount of heat generated in the target space may differ significantly from the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner, resulting in an increase in the frequency of the increase or decrease in the air conditioning capacity or the on / off switching of the air conditioning operation. Such an increase in the air conditioning capacity or the frequency of the on / off switching of the air conditioning operation may, for example, frequently increase or decrease the rotation speed of the compressor motor of the air conditioner, leading to increased power consumption and frequent changes in the room temperature in the target space, which may reduce comfort. Such increases and decreases in air conditioning capacity may result in, for example, excessive or insufficient capacity of the air conditioner, resulting in insufficient air conditioning in the target space, resulting in a loss of comfort, or the air conditioner may stop operating because it is unable to maintain the temperature in the target space near the set temperature. As described above, the inventors have discovered a problem with the conventional air conditioner control based solely on the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature, in which the amount of heat generated and lost in the target space is not constant, which can increase the frequency of increases and decreases in air conditioning capacity and the need to turn the air conditioning on and off, making it difficult to suppress increases in power consumption by the air conditioner and improve comfort in the target space. Furthermore, the inventors discovered a problem with the conventional technology in that, in conventional air conditioner control based solely on the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature, even if there is an imbalance in the amount of heat generated or lost between the areas included in the target space and covered by each air conditioner, the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature increases with a delay after the imbalance occurs, causing a delay in the air conditioning operation in each covered area and making it difficult to improve the comfort of the target space. It is to resolving these problems that the subject matter of the present disclosure is formed. Therefore, the present disclosure provides an air conditioning system, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program that can appropriately correct the estimated value of the heat load in each responsible area of ​​the target space, and by controlling the air conditioning based on the estimated heat load, suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner and improve the comfort of each responsible area of ​​the target space.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (1. Embodiment 1) An embodiment will be described below. [1-1.Configuration] [1-1. Air conditioning system configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a coverage area AR in a target space S of the air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2 also shows a azimuth diagram. According to the azimuth diagram, the right direction in Fig. 2 corresponds to the east direction, the left direction corresponds to the west direction, the downward direction corresponds to the south direction, and the upward direction corresponds to the north direction. In other figures, azimuth diagrams are also shown as necessary.

[0013] The air conditioning system 1 is a system that conditions a target space S, which is a space to be air-conditioned provided inside a building H such as a residence or a facility. The target space S is, for example, a room provided inside the building H. Hereinafter, the outside of the building H will be referred to as the outdoors.

[0014] The air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning setting device 2, an air conditioner 3 that conditions the air in the target space S in accordance with instructions from the air conditioning setting device 2, a communication relay device 4, a remote controller 5 which is a terminal device operated by a person P, and an indoor sensor 6. The person P is an example of a user.

[0015] The communication relay device 4 includes a transceiver and relays communications between the devices located within the target space S, as well as between the devices and external devices connected to a communication network NW that includes the air conditioning setting device 2. The communication network NW may be configured using a public line network, a dedicated line, or other communication circuits. The communication network NW may be, for example, a communication network that constitutes the Internet. The communication relay device 4 may be, for example, a WLAN router that combines the functions of an access point that establishes a wireless LAN through wireless communication with the devices located within the target space S, and the function of a router that communicatively connects the devices to external devices connected to the communication network NW.

[0016] The indoor sensor 6 is a temperature and humidity sensor that measures the humidity in the target space S and the space temperature Tc, which is the temperature in the target space S. The indoor sensor 6 is connected to other devices via the communication relay device 4 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0017] The air conditioner 3 includes an indoor unit 3a disposed in the target space S and an outdoor unit 3b disposed outdoors. The indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3 communicates directly with a remote controller 5 and also communicates with other devices via a communication relay device 4.

[0018] The outdoor unit 3b includes, for example, a compressor 301 that compresses a refrigerant, and a compressor motor 302 that is a three-phase motor that drives the compressor 301. Note that the air conditioner 3 is not limited to a configuration including the compressor 301, and may be configured to operate on any principle that can cool and / or heat the target space S.

[0019] 2, the air conditioning system 1 includes six indoor units 3a1, 3a2, 3a3, 3a4, 3a5, and 3a6. In the description, when there is no need to distinguish between the indoor units 3a1-3a6, they will be collectively referred to as indoor units 3a.

[0020] 2 shows dashed lines that separate the assigned areas AR of the target space S. When the first assigned area AR1 to the sixth assigned area AR6 described below are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as assigned areas AR.

[0021] The indoor unit 3a1 is primarily responsible for and provides air conditioning in the first assigned area AR1, the indoor unit 3a2 is primarily responsible for the second assigned area AR2, the indoor unit 3a3 is primarily responsible for the third assigned area AR3, the indoor unit 3a4 is primarily responsible for the fourth assigned area AR4, the indoor unit 3a5 is primarily responsible for the fifth assigned area AR5, and the indoor unit 3a6 is primarily responsible for and provides air conditioning in the sixth assigned area AR6.

[0022] Each assigned area AR is set in advance as an area that is affected by the air conditioning operation of the respective indoor unit 3a. The air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a may or may not affect each other, and if the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a affect each other, the two assigned areas AR are defined as adjacent. If the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a do not affect each other, the two assigned areas AR are defined as not adjacent.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first coverage area AR1 is adjacent to the second coverage area AR2 and the third coverage area AR3. The second coverage area AR2 is adjacent to the first coverage area AR1 and the fourth coverage area AR4. The third coverage area AR3 is adjacent to the first coverage area AR1, the fourth coverage area AR4, and the fifth coverage area AR5. The fourth coverage area AR4 is adjacent to the second coverage area AR2, the third coverage area AR3, and the sixth coverage area AR6. The fifth coverage area AR5 is adjacent to the third coverage area AR3 and the sixth coverage area AR6. The sixth coverage area AR6 is adjacent to the fourth coverage area AR4 and the fifth coverage area AR5.

[0024] A covered area AR adjacent to a certain covered area AR is defined as an adjacent area. From the perspective of the degree of mutual influence in the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a, the other covered areas AR adjacent to each covered area AR, i.e., the adjacent areas, are determined in advance. Data sets related to the adjacent areas are stored in an area database DB1, which will be described later.

[0025] Note that two or more responsible areas AR being adjacent does not necessarily mean that there is no other responsible area AR between the two responsible areas AR. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, there is no other indoor unit 3a between the indoor unit 3a1 in the first responsible area AR1 and the indoor unit 3a4 in the fourth responsible area AR4, but in this embodiment the first responsible area AR1 and the fourth responsible area AR4 are not defined as adjacent.

[0026] 1, when the distance LA between two indoor units 3a is sufficiently small, the areas AR covered by the two indoor units 3a are defined as adjacent. On the other hand, when the distance LA is large, the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a are unlikely to affect each other, and the areas AR covered are not defined as adjacent.

[0027] 1 is large and the upper end of the obstacle 14 is close to the ceiling of the target space S. In this case, the obstacle 14 makes it difficult for the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a to affect each other, so the two areas covered by the obstacle 14, which correspond to two indoor units 3a located opposite each other, are not defined as adjacent. Examples of the obstacle 14 include a screen, a partition wall, a curtain, and a partition placed on a desk or stand.

[0028] Furthermore, while the indoor units 3a shown in FIG. 2 are arranged so that their assigned areas AR are in a grid pattern, this is not limiting. For example, one indoor unit 3a arranged next to another indoor unit 3a in the east-west direction may be arranged diagonally so that they are offset in the north-south direction. In this case, the assigned areas AR of these indoor units 3a overlap in part at the north-south boundaries of the assigned areas AR. Even when two indoor units 3a are arranged diagonally in this way, they may be defined as adjacent if the air conditioning operations of the two indoor units 3a are likely to affect each other. On the other hand, if the degree to which the air conditioning operations of the indoor units 3a affect each other is small, for example because the airflow directions of the indoor units 3a are not facing each other, they are not defined as adjacent.

[0029] The indoor unit 3a receives instructions from a remote controller 5 operated by a person P who is a user, and transmits information related to air conditioning operation to the remote controller 5. The indoor unit 3a also controls the operation of the air conditioner 3 in accordance with instructions from the remote controller 5 and instructions received from the air conditioning setting device 2.

[0030] The instructions that the indoor unit 3a receives from the remote controller 5 may include instructions to start and end the air conditioning operation, instructions as to which air conditioning mode to operate in among cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidification mode, instructions for the target temperature Tt for the target space S, and instructions as to which operating mode to operate in among energy saving mode which prioritizes low power consumption and comfort mode which prioritizes comfort by suppressing temperature fluctuations in the target space S.

[0031] The information transmitted by the indoor unit 3a to the remote controller 5 may include, for example, information on the humidity and space temperature Tc in the target space S acquired by the indoor unit 3a from the indoor sensor 6, information on the current operating mode of the air conditioner 3, and information received by the indoor unit 3a from the air conditioning setting device 2.

[0032] The remote controller 5 is a terminal device that allows a user P to give instructions to the air conditioner 3 and obtain information about the air conditioner 3. The remote controller 5 includes a computer, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and operation buttons. In accordance with conventional technology, the remote controller 5 obtains settings such as the operating mode and target temperature Tt for the air conditioner 3 set by the user P through a link between the display screen on the display device and operations performed by the user P on the operation buttons, and transmits these settings to the indoor unit 3a. The remote controller 5 also displays information received from the indoor unit 3a on the display device.

[0033] A ventilation device 7 that supplies air to the target space S may be arranged in the target space S. The ventilation device 7 communicates with other devices via the communication relay device 4. The ventilation device 7 may provide information on whether the ventilation operation is on or off and information on the ventilation volume (e.g., the volume of air supplied) to the other devices via the communication relay device 4. The ventilation device 7 may further measure the power consumption of the ventilation device 7 and provide information on the measured power consumption to the other devices via the communication relay device 4.

[0034] An outdoor sensor 8 that detects the humidity and temperature of the outdoor air, i.e., the outdoor temperature To, is disposed on the exterior wall of the building H. The outdoor sensor 8 is connected to other devices via a communication relay device 4 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0035] The target space S can be illuminated by the lighting device 9 and natural light entering through a window WD provided in the target space S. The lighting device 9 can provide information on whether the lighting is on or off and information on power consumption to other devices via the communication relay device 4.

[0036] A refrigerator 10, a television 11, and a personal computer 12 may be placed in the target space S. The refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12 are configured to provide information on whether the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12 are each on or off and information on power consumption to other devices via the communication relay device 4. Here, the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12 are examples of electrical devices that may be placed in the target space S. The target space S is not limited to the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12, and any electrical device may be placed therein.

[0037] The target space S is equipped with a door DR that serves as an entrance / exit for a person P to enter and exit the target space S. A human presence sensor 13 is provided on the top of the door DR to detect the entry and exit of the person P through the door DR. The human presence sensor 13 detects the entry of the person P into the target space S and the exit of the person P from the target space S, and can provide the detected information to other devices via the communication relay device 4. Furthermore, a plurality of human presence sensors 13 are provided in the target space S so as to be able to detect the presence or absence of a person P or the number of people P in each assigned area AR of the target space S. The human presence sensors 13 can provide the detected information to other devices via the communication relay device 4. The human sensor 13 may be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microwave sensor, a pressure sensor, a sound sensor, an image sensor, or the like. Furthermore, the human presence sensor 13 may not be provided in the target space S. In this case, the information acquisition unit 24 described later may indirectly estimate and acquire the presence or absence of the person P or the number of the person P based on information that can grasp the behavior of the person P, such as a schedule that can be referenced via the communication network NW or that is pre-stored in the first memory 21 described later and from which the presence or absence and number of the person P can be acquired.

[0038] [1-1-1. Configuration of air conditioning setting device] Next, the configuration of the air conditioning setting device 2 will be described. The air conditioning setting device 2 can be realized, for example, as a server device connected to a communication network NW. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning setting device 2 and the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3. The air conditioning setting device 2 includes a first processor 20, a first memory 21, and a first communication device 22. The first memory 21 is configured by a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory and / or a hard disk device.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first memory 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the first memory 21 has an area database DB1. The area database DB1 has indoor unit numbers, which are identification numbers linked to the plurality of indoor units 3a included in the air conditioning system 1.

[0040] The indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a1 is IDU1, the indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a2 is IDU2, the indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a3 is IDU3, the indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a4 is IDU4, the indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a5 is IDU5, and the indoor unit number of indoor unit 3a6 is IDU6.

[0041] In addition, the area database DB1 has a responsible area number, which is the responsible area AR corresponding to each indoor unit 3a, linked to the indoor unit number of each indoor unit 3a, as explained using Figure 2, and an adjacent area number, which is the adjacent area corresponding to each indoor unit 3a.

[0042] Furthermore, the area database DB1 stores weights of adjacent areas, which will be described later, for each area AR covered by the area database DB1. The weights are updated by a weight changing unit 29, which will be described later.

[0043] 3, the first communication device 22 is a transceiver for the first processor 20 to communicate via the communication network NW. The first processor 20 communicates with each device provided in the building H and the target space S, including the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3, via the communication network NW and the communication relay device 4 using the first communication device 22.

[0044] The first processor 20 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The first processor 20 may have a ROM in which programs and data are written, and / or a RAM for temporarily storing data. The first processor 20 has, as functional elements or functional units, an information acquisition unit 24, an estimation unit 25, a setting unit 26, a correction unit 27, a threshold change unit 28, and a weight change unit 29.

[0045] These functional elements of the first processor 20 are realized, for example, by the first processor 20, which is a computer, executing a first program 23 stored in a first memory 21. The first program 23 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the first processor 20 can be configured by hardware each including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0046] The information acquisition unit 24 acquires various setting information set by a person P, who is a user, by operating the remote controller 5 from the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3. As will be described later, each time the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3 receives some setting information from the remote controller 5, it transmits the received setting information to the air conditioning setting device 2. The setting information may include a target temperature Tt for the space temperature Tc of the target space S, a designated air conditioning mode (cooling mode, heating mode, or dehumidification mode), and a designated operating mode (energy saving mode or comfort mode).

[0047] The information acquisition unit 24 also acquires various types of information from the devices and sensors provided in the building H and the target space S. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 24 repeatedly acquires the space temperature Tc of the target space S from the indoor sensor 6 at predetermined time intervals. The information acquisition unit 24 also acquires information on whether the ventilation operation is on or off from the ventilation device 7, and repeatedly acquires information on the ventilation volume (e.g., the amount of air supplied) after the ventilation operation is turned on at predetermined time intervals. The information acquisition unit 24 also repeatedly acquires the outside air temperature To from the outdoor sensor 8 at predetermined time intervals. The information acquisition unit 24 also acquires information on whether the refrigerator 10, television 11, and personal computer 12 provided in the target space S are operating, and repeatedly acquires information on the power consumption after the operation is turned on at predetermined time intervals. The information acquisition unit 24 further receives information from the human presence sensor 13 about people P entering the target space S and people P exiting the target space S, and calculates the number of people P in the target space S. The information acquisition unit 24 further receives information from the human presence sensor 13 about people P entering each assigned area AR and people P exiting each assigned area AR, and calculates the number of people P in each assigned area AR. This allows the information acquisition unit 24 to calculate the density of the number of people P in each assigned area AR from the detection results of each human presence sensor 13.

[0048] The estimation unit 25 repeatedly calculates an estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the current thermal load Qr of the target space S, at predetermined time intervals based on various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 24. The estimation unit 25 calculates the estimated load Q for each indoor unit 3a, i.e., for each coverage area AR. Here, the thermal load Qr of the target space S refers to the amount of heat per hour (in kcal / h or kW / h) that should be provided to or removed from the target space S in order to maintain the space temperature Tc of the target space S at its current value. Furthermore, the thermal load Qr when heat is provided to the target space S is referred to as a heating load, and the thermal load Qr when heat is removed from the target space S is referred to as a cooling load. In this embodiment, the thermal load Qr and estimated load Q, which are cooling loads, are represented by positive numbers, and the thermal load Qr and estimated load Q, which are heating loads, are represented by negative numbers.

[0049] When calculating the estimated load Q, the estimation unit 25 can handle one or more of the following factors as the thermal load Qr: outdoor air load, lighting load, equipment load, and human body load. The outdoor air load is a load generated by heat exchange between the target space S and outdoor air. Outdoor air is introduced into the target space S by the ventilation device 7. The estimation unit 25 can calculate, as the outdoor air load, a thermal load required to eliminate fluctuations in the space temperature Tc that may occur due to the exchange of air in the target space S with outdoor outdoor air, based on information acquired by the information acquisition unit 24, including the current outdoor air humidity, outdoor air temperature To, humidity of the target space S, space temperature Tc, and the current hourly air supply rate of the ventilation device 7. In addition to the outdoor air introduced by the ventilation device 7, the estimation unit 25 may also add to the outdoor air load a load due to natural ventilation (such as drafts) that occurs depending on the degree of sealing of the target space S. The hourly ventilation rate of natural ventilation in the target space S may be measured in advance and stored in the first memory 21.

[0050] The lighting load is the amount of heat generated in the target space S by the lighting device 9 installed in the target space S. The estimation unit 25 calculates the lighting load as a value obtained by multiplying the current power consumption of the lighting device 9 acquired by the information acquisition unit 24 by the heat loss of the lighting device 9 (the amount of heat generated in the target space S per unit of power consumption), for example.

[0051] The appliance load is the amount of heat generated in the target space S by electrical appliances other than the lighting device 9 arranged in the target space S. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the electrical appliances are the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12. For example, the estimation unit 25 calculates the appliance load generated by each of the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12 by multiplying the current power consumption of each of the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12 acquired by the information acquisition unit 24 by the heat loss (amount of heat generated in the target space S per unit of power consumption) of each of the refrigerator 10, the television 11, and the personal computer 12. Then, the sum of these calculated appliance loads is regarded as the appliance load in the target space S.

[0052] The human body load can be calculated as the thermal load for eliminating fluctuations in the space temperature Tc and humidity caused by the amount of heat generated or absorbed in the target space S by the bodies of people P present in the target space S. The estimation unit 25 can calculate the human body load, for example, based on the number of people P in the target space S calculated by the estimation unit 25 and the predetermined latent heat amount and sensible heat amount per person.

[0053] The estimation unit 25 calculates the current outdoor air load, lighting load, equipment load, and human body load, for example, at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 5 minutes), and sets the sum of these loads as the current estimated load Q for the target space S.

[0054] The above-mentioned outdoor air load, lighting load, equipment load, and human body load are examples of loads that can be factors in the thermal load Qr, and when calculating the estimated load Q, the estimation unit 25 can also include loads other than the outdoor air load, lighting load, equipment load, and human body load in the estimated load Q. For example, the estimation unit 25 may add to the estimated load Q, as a through-flow load, the amount of heat exchanged between the target space S and the outdoor air through the walls and ceiling that separate the target space S, or the amount of heat exchanged through the floor, as a through-flow load.

[0055] The setting unit 26 sets a control target for the air conditioner 3 that conditions the target space S based on the estimated load Q. In particular, in this embodiment, the setting unit 26 sets a target air conditioning capacity W, which is a target value of the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner 3 should achieve in the air conditioning operation of the target space S. Then, the setting unit 26 transmits the set target air conditioning capacity W to the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3, and instructs the indoor unit 3a to achieve the target air conditioning capacity W.

[0056] Specifically, the setting unit 26 acquires the current space temperature Tc of the target space S from the information acquisition unit 24 at predetermined time intervals tp (for example, every 5 minutes), and acquires the current estimated load Q of the target space S from the estimation unit 25. Then, based on the acquired current space temperature Tc and estimated load Q, the target air conditioning capacity is set at the predetermined time intervals tp.

[0057] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting operation of the target air conditioning capacity W in the setting unit 26. The setting unit 26 determines the target air conditioning capacity W based on the estimated load Q in accordance with the value range of the temperature difference ΔT, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc. The value range of the temperature difference ΔT is divided into, for example, a temperature maintenance range Rm, a first adjustment range R1, and a second adjustment range R2.

[0058] The temperature maintenance range Rm is a value range of the temperature difference ΔT that should be targeted in air conditioning operation. In this embodiment, the temperature maintenance range Rm for the temperature difference ΔT is defined as a value range that is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value Th1 and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value Th2 that is smaller than the first threshold value Th1. That is, in this embodiment, the temperature maintenance range Rm is defined as a range in which the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 are the upper and lower limit values, respectively.

[0059] In this embodiment, for example, the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 are positive and negative numbers, respectively. That is, the temperature maintenance range Rm is a value range of width (Th1 + |Th2|) that includes ΔT = 0 (a state in which the space temperature Tc is the same as the target temperature Tt). As an example, Th1 can be set to 0.5°C, and Th2 can be set to -0.5°C.

[0060] The first adjustment range R1 is a range of values ​​above a first threshold value Th1, which is the upper limit of the temperature maintenance range Rm, and the second adjustment range R2 is a range of values ​​below a second threshold value Th2, which is the lower limit of the temperature maintenance range Rm.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the setting unit 26 determines the target air conditioning capacity W in the following manner depending on the value range of the temperature difference ΔT. First, when the temperature difference ΔT is within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets the current estimated load Q calculated by the estimation unit 25 as the target air conditioning capacity W (that is, W=Q).

[0062] As a result, in the air conditioning system 1, when the temperature difference, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc, is within the temperature maintenance range, the air conditioner 3 can be controlled by the indoor unit 3a, which will be described later, to have an air conditioning capacity that is the same as the estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the heat load Qr of the target space S, so that it is possible to reduce the frequency of changes to the air conditioning capacity and switching the air conditioning operation on and off when maintaining the space temperature Tc of the target space S at the target temperature Tt, and to suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 3. Furthermore, because the frequency of switching the air conditioning operation on and off is reduced, the repeated rise and fall of the space temperature Tc that accompanies switching the air conditioning operation on and off is suppressed, and the comfort of the target space S can be improved.

[0063] In addition, when the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, i.e., when it is in the first adjustment range R1 or the second adjustment range R2, the setting unit 26 sets the target air conditioning capacity W to a value obtained by adding or subtracting an adjustment amount determined according to the temperature difference ΔT to or from the estimated load Q so that the temperature difference ΔT changes toward the temperature maintenance range Rm. As a result, when the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the target air conditioning capacity W is adjusted around the estimated load Q, so that the space temperature Tc can be smoothly brought closer to the target temperature Tt without excessively changing the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 3.

[0064] 5, specifically, when the temperature difference ΔT is within a first adjustment range R1 that exceeds a first threshold value Th1, which is the upper limit of the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 determines the value obtained by adding the adjustment amount α to the estimated load Q as the target air conditioning capacity W. That is, W = Q + α.

[0065] Furthermore, when the temperature is within the first adjustment range R1 that exceeds the first threshold value Th1, which is the upper limit of the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 determines the value obtained by subtracting the adjustment amount β from the estimated load Q as the target air conditioning capacity W. That is, W=Q−β.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the estimated load Q in the case of a cooling load is expressed as a positive number, and the estimated load Q in the case of a heating load is expressed as a negative number. Therefore, when the estimated load Q is a cooling load and the air conditioner 3 performs a cooling operation, the adjustment amounts α and β are positive numbers, and when the estimated load Q is a heating load and the air conditioner performs a heating operation, the adjustment amounts α and β are negative numbers. Furthermore, the absolute values ​​of the adjustment amounts α and β may be the same or different when the estimated load Q is a cooling load and when it is a heating load.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of time changes in the temperature difference ΔT, the actual heat load Qr of the target space S, the estimated load Q calculated by the estimator 25, and the air conditioning capacity Wr of the air conditioner 3 when the estimated load Q is a cooling load and the air conditioner 3 is operating in cooling mode. The information acquisition unit 24 of the air conditioning setting device 2 samples the space temperature Tc at predetermined time intervals to calculate the temperature difference ΔT, and the estimator 25 calculates the estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the heat load Qr, at predetermined time intervals. The setting unit 26 also sets a target air conditioning capacity W at predetermined time intervals tp and transmits the set target air conditioning capacity W to the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3. The air conditioner 3 operates to achieve the received target air conditioning capacity W, and as a result, operates at the air conditioning capacity Wr.

[0068] In the change graph A of Figure 6, the vertical axis represents the temperature difference ΔT, and the horizontal axis represents time. Graph G1 shown in the change graph A of Figure 6 shows the change in the temperature difference ΔT over time. The change graph A of Figure 6 shows a first adjustment range R1, a temperature maintenance range Rm, and a second adjustment range R2 of the temperature difference ΔT on the left side of the illustration. The first threshold value Th1 is a positive number, and the second threshold value Th2 is a negative number.

[0069] The target temperature Tt does not change during the time range shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the space temperature Tc of the target space S also changes in the same manner as in graph G1. In change graph A of Fig. 6, the axis of the space temperature Tc is shown on the right side of the illustration, which corresponds to the axis of the temperature difference ΔT on the left side of the illustration.

[0070] In change diagram B of FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents the values ​​of the estimated load Q, heat load Qr, and air conditioning capacity Wr, and the horizontal axis represents the same time as the horizontal axis of change diagram A of FIG. 6. Graph G2 (shown as a dashed line) in change diagram B of FIG. 6 represents the time change of the actual heat load Qr, and graph G3 (shown as a dotted line) represents the time change of the estimated load Q calculated by the estimation unit 25. Graph G4 (shown as a solid line) represents the time change of the air conditioning capacity Wr. As shown in change diagram B of FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, the estimated load Q (graph G3) calculated by the estimation unit 25 is an appropriately estimated value that is approximately the same as the actual heat load Qr (graph G2). In other words, (Q≒Qr).

[0071] Referring to change diagram A in FIG. 6, at time t1, the temperature difference ΔT is within the first adjustment range R1 (graph G1). Therefore, the setting unit 26 sets the target air conditioning capacity W to a value obtained by adding the adjustment amount α to the estimated load Q. As a result, as shown in change diagram B in FIG. 6, the air conditioning capacity Wr (graph G4) of the air conditioner 3 at time t1 is controlled to a value greater than the estimated load Q (graph G3) by the adjustment amount α. In other words, (Wr ≈ Q + α). As a result, a greater amount of heat is removed from the target space S than the thermal load Qr, and the temperature difference ΔT decreases over time after time t1 (graph G1).

[0072] The above state (Wr≈Q+α) continues until the temperature difference ΔT reaches the temperature maintenance range Rm at time t2. At time t2, when the temperature difference ΔT reaches the temperature maintenance range Rm (graph G1), the setting unit 26 sets the target air conditioning capacity W to the same value as the estimated load Q. As a result, as shown in change diagram B of FIG. 6, after a slight delay from time t2, the air conditioning capacity Wr of the air conditioner 3 (graph G4) becomes the same as the estimated load Q (graph G3). In other words, (Wr ≈ Q). As a result, the target space S is cooled with the air conditioning capacity Wr that is the same as the heat load Qr for maintaining the space temperature Tc at the current value, and therefore the temperature difference ΔT is maintained within the temperature maintenance range Rm from time t2 onwards.

[0073] However, if the estimated load Q calculated by the estimator 25 deviates from the actual thermal load Qr, the changes over time in the temperature difference ΔT, the thermal load Qr, and the air-conditioning capacity Wr may differ from those shown in Fig. 6. For this reason, in this embodiment, a correction value v used in the calculation of the estimated load Q by the estimator 25 is determined according to the manner of change over time in the space temperature Tc. The estimator 25 calculates the estimated load Q based on the correction value v.

[0074] When the correction value v is notified by the correction unit 27 (described later), the estimation unit 25 determines the estimated load Q of each area AR to be the notified correction value v.

[0075] Next, the configuration of the correction unit 27 will be described. The correction unit 27 calculates and determines a correction value v used by the estimation unit 25 to correct the estimated load Q. In the first embodiment, the correction unit 27 calculates the correction value v based on the bias of the estimated load Q in an area group including adjacent areas of each coverage area AR. An area group is a plurality of coverage areas AR including one coverage area AR and its adjacent areas. An area group is an example of a combination including two or more coverage areas AR.

[0076] Specifically, once the estimation unit 25 calculates the estimated load Q for all of the coverage areas AR, the correction unit 27 acquires the estimated load Q for each coverage area AR. Furthermore, based on the acquired estimated load Q, the correction unit 27 sequentially selects coverage areas AR for which a first correction factor λ (described later) has not been determined, and calculates the bias in the area group including the selected coverage area AR. The order refers to the order of coverage area numbers, i.e., the order from the first coverage area AR1 to the sixth coverage area AR6. A first correction element λ and a second correction element μ, which will be described later, are parameters used by the correction unit 27 to calculate the correction value ν.

[0077] In this embodiment, the bias is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the estimated load Q of each coverage area AR in the area group. The correction unit 27 determines whether the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold. If the bias is not equal to or greater than the first bias threshold, the correction unit 27 determines the first correction element λ of the estimated load Q of the sequentially selected coverage area AR as the estimated load.

[0078] If the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold, the correction unit 27 acquires the estimated load Q in the adjacent areas of the assigned area AR selected in order. Note that the estimated load Q acquired here is the estimated load Q before correction. Next, the correction unit 27 calculates the average value in the group of areas including the assigned area AR selected in order. Specifically, the correction unit 27 calculates the average value based on the weights changed by the weight change unit 29, which will be described later. For example, if each weight changed by the weight change unit 29 is 1, the average value corresponds to the arithmetic average value. Also, for example, if each weight changed by the weight change unit 29 is 0, the average value corresponds to the calculated estimated load Q.

[0079] Next, the correction unit 27 determines the arithmetic mean value as the first correction element λ of the covering area AR selected in order. The correction unit 27 judges whether the first correction elements λ for all the areas covered by the air conditioning system 1 have been determined, and continues the operation until the first correction elements λ for all the areas covered by the air conditioning system 1 have been determined.

[0080] After determining the first correction element λ for all the areas under coverage AR, the correction unit 27 calculates a second correction element μ by subtracting the sum Σλ of the first correction elements λ for each area under coverage AR from the sum ΣQ of the calculated estimated loads Q for each area under coverage AR and dividing the result by the number of areas under coverage AR. The calculated estimated load Q for each area under coverage AR, the first correction element λ for each area under coverage AR, and the second correction element μ satisfy the relationship (ΣQ=Σλ+Σμ).

[0081] Next, the correction unit 27 determines a correction value v by adding the first correction element λ and the second correction element μ for each of the coverage areas AR, and notifies the estimation unit 25 of each correction value v. Note that the first correction element λ, the second correction element μ, and the correction value v for each coverage area AR satisfy the relationship (v = λ + μ). The above-mentioned process from the determination of the correction value v by the correction unit 27 to the notification of the correction value v to the estimation unit 25 is called the correction process.

[0082] Next, the threshold value changing unit 28 will be described. The threshold change unit 28 changes the first bias threshold stored in the first memory 21 based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the person P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. In this embodiment, the specified condition is whether it is estimated that there is a person P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR, or whether it is estimated that the density of people P in each assigned area AR is high. In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is a time period.

[0083] Specifically, the threshold change unit 28 changes the first bias threshold to a smaller value during a time period when it is estimated that people are present in the target space S (for example, during a predetermined working time period). Changing the first bias threshold to a smaller value means, for example, changing the first bias threshold to 0. As a result, correction processing is always executed in all areas of responsibility AR during a time period when it is estimated that people are present. However, the first bias threshold can be changed as appropriate.

[0084] Furthermore, the threshold change unit 28 changes the first bias threshold to a larger value during a time period when it is estimated that no people P are present in the target space S (for example, a time period other than predetermined working hours). Changing the first bias threshold to a larger value means, for example, changing the first bias threshold to a value that is far larger than the maximum value of the estimated bias. As a result, during a time period when it is estimated that no people P are present, the correction process is hardly performed in any of the areas covered by the unit 28.

[0085] Furthermore, the predetermined condition may be the day of the week, the presence or absence of a person P, the density of the number of people P, or the like. When the predetermined condition is the day of the week, the correction unit 27 changes the first bias threshold to a smaller value on days of the week when it is estimated that there is a person P in the target space S (for example, predetermined working days), and changes the first bias threshold to a larger value on days of the week when it is estimated that there is no person P in the target space S (for example, predetermined non-working days). When the predetermined condition is the presence or absence of a person P or the number of people P, the correction unit 27 changes the first bias threshold based on the presence or absence of a person P or the number of people P for each assigned area AR acquired by the information acquisition unit 24.

[0086] 7 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of the correction value v by the correction unit 27. In the example of FIG. The upper side of FIG. 7 shows a state C before the correction process, and the lower side of FIG. 7 shows a state D after the first correction element λ has been determined.

[0087] 7 illustrates a case in which, in state C, the estimated load Q of the first coverage area AR1 is 10, the estimated load Q of the second coverage area AR2 is 30, the estimated load Q of the third coverage area AR3 is 20, the estimated load Q of the fourth coverage area AR4 is 10, the estimated load Q of the fifth coverage area AR5 is 100, and the estimated load Q of the sixth coverage area AR6 is 60. In this case, ΣQ is 230.

[0088] In the illustrated state C, the fifth covered area AR5 has the largest estimated load Q, and the sixth covered area AR6 has the second largest estimated load Q. This is the case, for example, when the air conditioner 3 is performing cooling, the majority of the window WD is located in the fifth covered area AR5, the remaining part of the window WD is located in the sixth covered area AR6, and there is a lot of solar radiation from the window WD. In this case, the thermal load Qr in the fifth covered area AR5 and the sixth covered area AR6 may be large due to solar radiation.

[0089] In the illustrated state C, the estimated load Q of the second coverage area AR2 is the third largest. This is the case when, for example, a ventilation device 7 is installed in the second coverage area AR2. In this case, the ventilation by the ventilation device 7 may increase the heat load Qr. In the illustrated state C, the estimated load Q of the third coverage area AR3 is the fourth largest. This is the case when, for example, there are more people P in the third coverage area AR3 than in the first coverage area AR1 and the fourth coverage area AR4.

[0090] The illustrated state D shows a case where the first bias threshold is less than 20. For example, the bias of the area group including the second assigned area AR2 and its adjacent areas in state C is 20. The arithmetic mean value of the area group including the second assigned area AR2 and its adjacent areas in state C is (10 + 30 + 10) ÷ 3 ≒ 16.7. Note that in Figure 7, significant figures are shown to one decimal place.

[0091] From the above, the first correction factor λ of the second area under responsibility AR2 is 16.7. Similarly, the first correction factor λ of the first area under responsibility AR1 is 20, the first correction factor λ of the third area under responsibility AR3 is 35, the first correction factor λ of the fourth area under responsibility AR4 is 30, the first correction factor λ of the fifth area under responsibility AR5 is 60, and the first correction factor λ of the sixth area under responsibility AR6 is 56.7. In this case, Σλ is 214.8.

[0092] 7, the total number of coverage areas AR is 6, so the second correction element μ is calculated as μ=(ΣQ−Σλ) / 6≈1.93. Furthermore, the correction unit 27 calculates a correction value v, which is the sum of the first correction element λ and the second correction element μ of each coverage area AR.

[0093] As described above, the correction unit 27 has been configured to calculate the arithmetic mean value as an example of the mean value in the area group including the sequentially selected assigned area AR, but is not limited to this.

[0094] Next, together with the explanation of the weight change unit 29, an example of calculation of the correction value v when the correction unit 27 calculates a weighted average value will be explained.

[0095] According to predetermined conditions described below, the weight change unit 29 changes the weight of the adjacent areas of each area AR to which it is responsible, and updates the area database DB1 with the changed weight.

[0096] The weights in the weighted average value for adjacent areas relative to a certain covered area AR are determined in advance according to predetermined conditions and stored in the first memory 21. For example, if the distance LA between the indoor unit 3a in a certain covered area AR and the indoor unit 3a in the adjacent area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the weight is set to 0.5, and if the distance LA is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the weight is set to 1.5. Also, for example, if there is an obstacle 14 between the indoor unit 3a in a certain covered area AR and the indoor unit 3a in the adjacent area, the weight is set to 0. Also, if the number of people in a certain covered area AR is small (for example, 0), the weights of each adjacent area are set to 0. Also, for example, if it is considered that there are no people P in the target space S, all weights are set to 0. The predetermined weight values ​​can be changed as appropriate in view of the influence of the air conditioning operations of the indoor units 3a on each other.

[0097] An example of calculation of the correction value v when the weight change unit 29 has changed the weight to a value other than 1 will be described based on the third covered area AR3 shown in state C in Figure 7. Assume that the weight change unit 29 has changed the weight of the first covered area AR1 to 0.5 because the distance LA is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the weight of the fifth covered area AR5 to 1.5 because the distance LA is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the weight of the fourth covered area AR4 to 0 due to the presence of an obstacle 14. An example of such a case is shown in Figure 4. In this case, the first correction factor λ of the first covered area AR1 is calculated as λ = (20 + 10 × 0.5 + 100 × 1.5 + 10 × 0) / 4 ≈ 43.8.

[0098] [1-1-2. Indoor unit configuration] Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 3a will be described. 3, the indoor unit 3a includes an air conditioning control device 30, an indoor blower fan 31, and an indoor expansion valve 32. The indoor blower fan 31 rotates under the control of the air conditioning control device 30, and sends air to a heat exchanger included in the indoor unit 3a. The indoor expansion valve 32 is a valve that adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant to a heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit 3a. The opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 32 is adjusted under the control of the air conditioning control device 30.

[0099] The air conditioning control device 30 operates the air conditioner 3 in one of the air conditioning modes, cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidification mode, in accordance with instructions from the remote controller 5. The air conditioning control device 30 also operates the air conditioner 3 in one of the operation modes, energy saving mode and comfort mode, in accordance with instructions from the remote controller 5. When the air conditioning control device 30 receives an instruction from the remote controller 5, it also transmits the received instruction to the air conditioning setting device 2.

[0100] In this embodiment, in particular, the air conditioning control device 30 controls the frequency of the three-phase AC current supplied to the compressor motor 302 of the outdoor unit 3b so as to realize the target air conditioning capacity W received from the air conditioning setting device 2, and also controls air conditioning-related mechanisms such as the indoor blower fan 31 and the indoor expansion valve 32.

[0101] The air conditioning control device 30 includes a second processor 33, a second memory 34, and a second communication device 35. The second memory 34 is configured by a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like. The second communication device 35 includes a transceiver for the second processor 33 to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller 5, and a transceiver for the second processor 33 to communicate with each device provided in the target space S and external devices on the communication network NW.

[0102] The second processor 33 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The second processor 33 may have a ROM in which programs and data are written, and / or a RAM for temporarily storing data. The second processor 33 has a communication unit 37 and a control unit 38 as functional elements or units.

[0103] These functional elements of the second processor 33 are realized, for example, by the second processor 33, which is a computer, executing a second program 36 stored in a second memory 34. The second program 36 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the second processor 33 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0104] The communication unit 37 controls the second communication device 35, receives instructions from the remote controller 5, and transmits them to the control unit 38. The communication unit 37 also receives the target air conditioning capacity W from the air conditioning setting device 2 and transmits them to the control unit 38. Every time the communication unit 37 receives an instruction or setting information from the remote controller 5, it transmits the received instruction and setting information to the air conditioning setting device 2. The communication unit 37 may also forward messages received from the air conditioning setting device 2 to the remote controller 5. The remote controller 5 displays the received message on a display device provided in the remote controller 5, according to conventional technology.

[0105] The control unit 38 starts or ends the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 3 in accordance with instructions from the remote controller 5. The control unit 38 also operates the air conditioner 3 in the air conditioning mode and operation mode instructed by the remote controller 5. The control unit 38 also controls the frequency of the three-phase AC current supplied to the compressor motor of the outdoor unit 3b so as to realize the target air conditioning capacity W received from the air conditioning setting device 2, and controls air conditioning-related mechanisms such as the indoor blower fan 31 and the indoor expansion valve 32.

[0106] The above frequency for realizing the target air conditioning capacity W may be determined in advance and stored in the second memory 34, for example, in correspondence with various combinations of the target air conditioning capacity W and the outdoor air temperature To outdoors where the outdoor unit 3b is installed.

[0107] [1-2. Operation] Next, the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system 1 will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the processing steps of the air conditioning method executed by the first processor 20 of the air conditioning setting device 2 and the second processor 33 of the indoor unit 3a, which are computers included in the air conditioning system 1. Here, the first program 23 executed by the first processor 20 of the air conditioning setting device 2 and the second program 36 executed by the second processor 33 of the air conditioning control device 30 of the indoor unit 3a are the air conditioning programs in the present disclosure.

[0108] The air conditioning method executed in the air conditioning system 1 is composed of a control process executed mainly by the estimation unit 25, the setting unit 26 of the air conditioning setting device 2, and the control unit 38 of the air conditioning control device 30, and a correction process executed mainly by the correction unit 27 of the air conditioning setting device 2. 8 and 9 are flowcharts of the control process and the correction process, respectively.

[0109] First, the control process shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The control process shown in Figure 8 starts when the indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to start air conditioning operation from the remote controller 5, and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined time interval tp. The repeated execution of the control process in Figure 8 ends when the indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to end air conditioning operation from the remote controller 5. The air conditioning setting device 2 receives the instruction to start and end air conditioning operation from the remote controller 5 via the indoor unit 3a.

[0110] 8, when the control process starts, the information acquisition unit 24 of the air conditioning setting device 2 acquires various pieces of information necessary for the estimation unit 25 to calculate the estimated load Q (S100). As described above, the information necessary for calculating the estimated load Q is acquired from the devices and sensors provided in the target space S.

[0111] Next, the estimation unit 25 calculates the above-mentioned outside air load, lighting load, equipment load, and human body load based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 24, and calculates an estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the thermal load Qr of the target space S (S101). The estimation unit 25 also determines whether or not a correction value v for correcting the estimated load Q has been notified from the correction unit 27 (S102). The correction value v is notified to the estimation unit 25 from the correction unit 27 in step S209 of the correction process shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later.

[0112] When the correction value v has been notified by the correction unit 27 (S102, YES), the estimation unit 25 corrects the estimated load Q calculated in step S101 using the notified correction value v (S104), and notifies the setting unit 26 of the corrected estimated load Q. As described above, the estimation unit 25 performs the correction by determining the estimated load Q calculated in step S101 as the correction value v.

[0113] On the other hand, if the correction value ν has not been notified from the correction unit 27 (S102, NO), a correction process shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later, is performed (step S103).

[0114] Next, in step S105, the setting unit 26 calculates the temperature difference ΔT from the space temperature Tc of the target space S acquired from the information acquisition unit 24 and the target temperature Tt for the target space S set by the remote controller 5 (S105). The temperature difference ΔT can be calculated as the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc.

[0115] Next, the setting unit 26 determines whether the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 (S106). If the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 (S106, YES), the setting unit 26 determines whether the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or greater than the second threshold value Th2 (S108). If the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or greater than the second threshold value Th2 (S108, NO), that is, if the temperature difference ΔT is within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets the value of the current estimated load Q calculated by the estimating unit 25 as the target air conditioning capacity W (S110), and transmits the set target air conditioning capacity W to each indoor unit 3a.

[0116] The control unit 38 of each indoor unit 3a that has received the target air conditioning capacity W starts controlling the operation of the air conditioner 3 at the target air conditioning capacity W (S116) and ends this process. After completion, each air conditioning setting device 2 and indoor unit 3a repeats this process at a predetermined time interval tp until an instruction to end the air conditioning operation is sent from the remote controller 5.

[0117] On the other hand, when the temperature difference ΔT exceeds the first threshold value Th1 in step S106 (S106, NO), that is, when the temperature difference ΔT is within the first adjustment range R1, the setting unit 26 sets the target air conditioning capacity W to a value obtained by adding a predetermined adjustment amount α to the current estimated load Q (S112), and transmits the set target air conditioning capacity W to each indoor unit 3a. Thereafter, each indoor unit 3a executes step S116 and ends the process.

[0118] On the other hand, when the temperature difference ΔT is less than the second threshold value Th2 in step S108 (S108, NO), that is, when the temperature difference ΔT is within the second adjustment range R2, the setting unit 26 sets the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined adjustment amount β from the current estimated load Q as the target air conditioning capacity W (S114), and transmits the set target air conditioning capacity W to each indoor unit 3a. The indoor unit 3a then executes step S116.

[0119] Next, the correction process shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The correction process shown in Fig. 9 starts and is repeatedly executed when the indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to start air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5. The repeated execution of the control process in Fig. 9 ends when each indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to end air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 9, when the process starts, the correction unit 27 obtains the estimated load Q of each responsible area AR calculated by the estimation unit 25 from the first memory 21, and sequentially selects responsible areas AR for which the first correction element λ has not been determined (S200).

[0121] Next, the correction unit 27 refers to the first memory 21 and the area database DB1, and calculates the bias in the area group including the area AR selected in step S200 (S201).

[0122] Next, the correction unit 27 determines whether the bias calculated in step S201 is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold (S202). If the bias calculated in step S201 is not equal to or greater than the first bias threshold (S202, NO), the correction unit 27 determines the first correction element λ of the coverage area AR selected in step S200 as the estimated load Q of the coverage area AR (S206).

[0123] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold (S202, YES), the correction unit 27 refers to the first memory 21 and the area database DB1, and acquires the estimated load Q of the areas adjacent to the area AR for which the correction unit 27 has responsibility selected in step S200 (S203). Subsequently, the correction unit 27 calculates the average value of the estimated load Q of the area group including the area AR for which the correction unit 27 has responsibility selected in step S200 (S204). Next, the correction unit 27 determines the first correction element λ of the coverage area AR selected in step S200 to be the average value calculated in S204 (S205).

[0124] Next, the correction unit 27 determines whether the first correction elements λ for all the areas covered by the correction unit 27 have been determined (S207). If the first correction elements λ for all the areas covered by the correction unit 27 have not been determined (S207, NO), the correction unit 27 proceeds to step S200. When the first correction elements λ for all the areas covered AR have been determined (S207, YES), the correction unit 27 calculates the second correction elements μ based on the first correction elements λ for each area covered AR (S208). Next, the correction unit 27 calculates the sum of the second correction element μ calculated in S208 and the first correction element λ of each responsible area AR determined in step S205 or step S206 for each responsible area AR, determines a correction value ν for the above estimated load Q of each responsible area AR, and notifies the estimation unit 25 (S209).

[0125] [1-3.Effects] As described above, the air conditioning system 1 in the first embodiment conditions a target space S and includes multiple air conditioners 3 installed in the target space S. The air conditioning system 1 includes an estimator 25 that calculates, for each coverage area AR that each air conditioner 3 conditions, an estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the thermal load Qr of the coverage area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the coverage area AR at a current value. The air conditioning system 1 also includes a setting unit 26 that sets a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q, a control unit 38 that controls the operation of each air conditioner 3 in accordance with the control target, and a correction unit 27 that corrects the estimated load Q calculated by the estimator 25. The correction unit 27 calculates a bias in the estimated load Q for each area group that includes two or more coverage areas AR, and, if the bias is equal to or greater than a first bias threshold, determines a correction value v used to correct the estimated load Q of the coverage area AR in the area group. According to this, while taking into consideration a certain assigned area AR and other assigned areas AR, the correction unit 27 can appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated thermal load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each assigned area AR of the target space S.

[0126] The correction unit 27 calculates the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the estimated load Q of each area under responsibility AR in the area group as the bias, and if the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold, determines a correction value ν to be used to correct the estimated load Q for each area under responsibility AR. According to this, while taking into consideration one assigned area AR and another assigned area AR, the correction unit 27 can appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S based on the difference in the estimated load Q in the area group. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated thermal load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each assigned area AR of the target space S.

[0127] The setting unit 26 sets, as a control target, a target air conditioning capacity W, which is a target value of the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner 3 should achieve in the air conditioning operation for each area AR that it covers, and when the temperature difference ΔT, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc, is within a predetermined temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets the estimated load Q corrected by the correction unit 27 as the target air conditioning capacity W. When the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets, as the target air conditioning capacity W, a value obtained by adding or subtracting an adjustment amount α or β determined in accordance with the temperature difference ΔT to or from the estimated load Q corrected by the correction unit 27 so that the temperature difference ΔT moves toward the temperature maintenance range Rm. According to this, when the temperature difference ΔT, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc, is within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the air conditioner 3 can be controlled to have an air conditioning capacity that is the same as the estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the thermal load Qr of the target space S, so that it is possible to prevent insufficient or excessive capacity of the air conditioner and reduce the frequency of starting and stopping air conditioning operation when maintaining the space temperature Tc of the target space S at the target temperature Tt, thereby suppressing an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improving comfort in the target space S. Furthermore, when the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the target air conditioning capacity W is adjusted around the estimated load Q, so the space temperature Tc can be brought smoothly closer to the target temperature Tt without excessively changing the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 3.

[0128] The air conditioning system 1 includes a threshold change unit 28 that changes the first bias threshold in accordance with a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. According to this, by changing the first bias threshold by the threshold change unit 28 depending on whether or not there is a person P or the density of the person P, if there is no person P or the density of the person P is low, the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is not corrected, but conversely, if there is a person P or the density of the person P is high, the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be corrected. Therefore, if necessary, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be appropriately corrected.

[0129] The threshold change unit 28 changes the first bias threshold according to the time period during which the presence or absence of a person P is estimated, or the time period during which the density of a person P is estimated, in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR as a predetermined condition. According to this, the first bias threshold is changed depending on the time period during which it is possible to estimate the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0130] The air conditioning system 1 includes a human presence sensor 13 that detects the number of people P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. The threshold change unit 28 changes the first bias threshold in accordance with the number of people P as a predetermined condition. According to this, the first bias threshold is changed according to the detection result of the human presence sensor 13 that can estimate the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0131] When the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold, the correction unit 27 determines a correction value v used to correct the estimated load Q for each coverage area AR based on the average value in the area group. This makes it difficult for the difference between the sum of the estimated load Q before correction in the area group and the estimated load Q after correction to diverge significantly, and it is possible to appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each responsible area AR of the target space S. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each responsible area AR of the target space S, it is possible to suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve the comfort of each responsible area AR of the target space S by controlling air conditioning based on the estimated thermal load Qr.

[0132] The correction unit 27 calculates a weighted average value as an average value based on weights that are predetermined between the two areas AR covered. This makes it possible to appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S based on an average value that reflects the degree of influence of the air conditioning operation of each air conditioner 3 between the two covered areas AR. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load Qr can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioners 3 and improve comfort in each covered area AR of the target space S.

[0133] The air conditioning system 1 includes a weight change unit 29 that changes the weight used by the correction unit 27 to calculate the average value based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the person P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. According to this, by changing the weight by the weight change unit 29 depending on whether or not there is a person P or the density of the person P, if there is no person P or the density of the person P is low, the weight in each assigned area AR of the target space S is not changed, and conversely, if there is a person P or the density of the person P is high, the weight in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be changed significantly. Therefore, if necessary, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be appropriately corrected.

[0134] The weight change unit 29 changes the weight according to the time period during which the presence or absence of a person P is estimated, or the time period during which the density of a person P is estimated, in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR as a predetermined condition. According to this, the weight is changed depending on the time period during which it is possible to estimate the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the person P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0135] The air conditioning system 1 includes a human presence sensor 13 that detects the number of people P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. The weight change unit 29 changes the weight according to the number of people P as a predetermined condition. According to this, the weight is changed depending on the detection result of the human presence sensor 13 that can estimate the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0136] The air conditioning method is executed by a first processor 20 of an air conditioning setting device 2 and a second processor 33 of an air conditioning control device 30 of an air conditioning system 1 that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners 3 that condition a target space S, and includes an estimation step (S101) of calculating, for each assigned area AR that each air conditioner 3 conditions in the target space S, an estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the thermal load Qr of the assigned area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the assigned area AR at a current value; setting steps (S106, S108, S110, S112, S114) of setting a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q; a control step (S116) of controlling the operation of each air conditioner 3 in accordance with the control target; and correction steps (S200 to S209) of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step. In the correction step, the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group including two or more assigned areas AR is calculated, and if the bias is greater than or equal to a first bias threshold, a correction value ν to be used to correct the estimated load Q of the assigned area AR in the area group is determined. According to this, in the air conditioning system 1, the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each responsible area AR of the target space S can be appropriately corrected based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group, while taking into consideration a certain responsible area AR and other responsible areas AR. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each responsible area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated thermal load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each responsible area AR of the target space S.

[0137] The first program 23 of the air conditioning setting device 2 and the second program 36 of the air conditioning control device 30 constitute an air conditioning program executed by the computer of the air conditioning system 1 that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners 3 that condition the target space S. The air conditioning program executes the following steps: an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area AR that each air conditioner 3 conditions in the target space S, an estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the thermal load Qr of the assigned area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the assigned area AR at its current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q; a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner Q in accordance with the control target; and a correction step of determining a correction value v used to correct the estimated load Q in the estimation step. In the correction step, the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group including two or more of the areas AR is calculated, and if the bias is greater than or equal to a first bias threshold, a correction value ν to be used to correct the estimated load Q of the area AR in the area group is determined. According to this, the computer of the air conditioning system 1 can appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group, while taking into account one covered area AR and other covered areas AR. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each covered area AR of the target space S.

[0138] (2. Embodiment 2) [2-1.Configuration] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1B according to embodiment 2. The same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted where appropriate. The air conditioning system 1B includes a circulator 201 and a ceiling fan 202. The circulator 201 is an example of an airflow generating device that generates an airflow in the target space S. The circulator 201 is placed on a stand or a desk. The circulator 201 may also be attached to the ceiling or wall of a room.

[0139] The ceiling fan 202 is an example of an airflow generating device that generates airflow in the target space S by rotating a plurality of blades using a motor. The ceiling fan 202 is installed on the ceiling of a room. Although one circulator 201 and one ceiling fan 202 are shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of them may be provided.

[0140] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning setting device 2 and an indoor unit 3a of an air conditioner 3 in embodiment 2. Note that the same components as in Figure 3 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the first memory 21. As shown in Figure 12, the first memory 21 has a setting database DB2.

[0141] The setting database DB2 has a combination of any two of the assigned areas AR of the multiple indoor units 3a included in the air conditioning system 1. The setting database DB2 has a combined area number, device settings, and second deviation threshold value linked to each combination of assigned areas AR.

[0142] The setting database DB2 stores the combined area numbers in consecutive order, for example, the combination of the first responsible area AR1 and the fifth responsible area AR5 is combined area 1, and the combination of the fourth responsible area AR4 and the sixth responsible area AR6 is combined area 2.

[0143] The setting database DB2 stores, as device settings, the identification number of each indoor unit 3a included in each combined area, and device setting information for the airflow direction and airflow volume of each indoor unit 3a. The airflow direction is at least one of east, west, north, or south. The airflow volume is set to one of weak, medium, or strong winds depending on the airflow direction.

[0144] The setting database DB2 stores, as the second deviation threshold, a value corresponding to each of the combined areas one by one. As will be described later, the second deviation threshold of the setting database DB2 is updated by the second threshold changing unit 228.

[0145] The first processor 20 has, as functional elements or functional units, an information acquisition unit 24, an estimation unit 25, a setting unit 26, a second correction unit 227, a second threshold change unit 228, and a wind change unit 229. The second correction unit 227 corresponds to an example of a "correction unit."

[0146] In the first embodiment, the estimating unit 25 is configured to determine the estimated load Q of each covered area AR to be the value of the notified correction value v when the correction value v is notified by the correcting unit 27. However, in the second embodiment, when the correction value ψ is notified by the second correcting unit 227 described later, the estimating unit 25 determines the estimated load Q of each covered area AR to be the value of the notified correction value ψ. For a covered area AR for which the correction value ψ has not been notified, it is determined to use the calculated estimated load Q as is. In this way, the estimating unit 25 calculates the estimated load Q based on the correction value ψ.

[0147] Next, the configuration of the second corrector 227 in the second embodiment will be described. The second corrector 227 calculates and determines a correction value ψ used by the estimator 25 to correct the estimated load Q. In the second embodiment, the correction value ψ is determined based on the bias of the estimated load Q in the second coverage area AR in particular.

[0148] Specifically, when the estimation unit 25 calculates the estimated load Q of all the areas covered AR, the second correction unit 227 acquires the estimated load Q of each area covered AR. Furthermore, based on the acquired estimated load Q, the second correction unit 227 calculates the bias of all combinations of the two areas covered AR. The bias in the second embodiment is the difference between the estimated load Q of the two areas covered AR. Furthermore, the combinations of the unselected assigned areas AR are selected in descending order of the bias.

[0149] The second correction unit 227 determines whether the bias in the selected combination is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold corresponding to the selected combination. The second bias threshold is determined in advance for each combination of serving areas AR. The second bias threshold may be different for each combination of serving areas AR, or may be the same for each combination of serving areas AR. The second bias threshold is appropriately determined in advance from the perspective of the influence of the air conditioning operation between the indoor units 3a, which varies depending on the difference in maximum power consumption of the two indoor units 3a in each combination, the distance between them, etc. If the bias is not equal to or greater than the second bias threshold, the second correction unit 227 does not correct the second covering area AR.

[0150] If the bias is equal to or greater than the first bias threshold, the second correction unit 227 determines whether or not at least one of the assigned areas AR in the sequentially selected combinations is part of another integrated area, which will be described later. If it is part of another integrated area (to be described later), the second correction unit 227 does not correct the second assigned area AR.

[0151] If the area is not part of another integrated area (described later), the second correction unit 227 acquires the estimated load Q of the second area AR in the combination selected in order. Note that the estimated load Q acquired here is the estimated load Q before correction. Next, the second correction unit 227 determines the second area AR in the combination selected in order as the integrated area. Next, the second correction unit 227 calculates the sum ΣQ of the estimated load Q in the determined integrated area.

[0152] Next, the second correction unit 227 proportionally divides the sum ΣQ as a correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a, and determines the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a.

[0153] Specifically, the second correction unit 227 determines the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a based on the ratio of the capacities of each indoor unit 3a. The capacity refers to the cooling capacity or heating capacity of each indoor unit 3a. Note that the capacity may be, for example, the rated capacity of the indoor unit 3a in each operation mode, or may be the intermediate capacity of the indoor unit 3a in each operation mode.

[0154] For example, if two indoor units 3a in the combined area have the same rated capacity, ΣQ is divided by 2, which is the number of indoor units 3a in the combined area, to obtain ΣQ / 2, which is apportioned as the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a. Also, if the rated capacities of the two indoor units 3a in the combined area are 2:3, the correction value ψ for the indoor unit 3a with a ratio of 2 is apportioned as 2ΣQ / 5, and the correction value ψ for the indoor unit 3a with a ratio of 3 is apportioned as 3ΣQ / 5.

[0155] Thus, in the second embodiment, the second correction unit 227 determines the correction value ψ for each covered area AR in the integrated area based on the ratio of the rated capacities of the indoor units 3a so as to satisfy the relationship ΣQ=Σψ.

[0156] The second correction unit 227 may also determine the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a by proportionally dividing the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a based on the number of indoor units 3a in the combined area. In this case, the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a in the combined area is determined to be ΣQ / 2. In other words, in this case, the second correction unit 227 determines the correction value ψ for each indoor unit 3a in the combined area to be the arithmetic mean value of the estimated load Q in the combined area.

[0157] Next, the second correction unit 227 determines whether or not all the combinations of the responsible areas AR have been selected, and performs the above-described correction operation until all the combinations of the responsible areas AR have been selected.

[0158] When the second correction section 227 has finished selecting all combinations of the areas AR to be covered, it notifies the estimation section 25 of correction information including the correction value ψ of each indoor unit 3a and the identification number of the indoor unit 3a that is not to be corrected.

[0159] Next, we will explain the airflow changing unit 229. The airflow changing unit 229 changes the device settings of the airflow volume and airflow direction of each indoor unit 3a in the integrated area by referencing the setting database DB2. Furthermore, when the second correction unit 227 has finished selecting the combinations of all the areas covered AR, the wind change unit 229 notifies the setting unit 26 of the wind information including the equipment settings of the wind volume and wind direction in each of the changed integrated areas.

[0160] The above-mentioned process including the determination of the correction value ψ by the second correction unit 227 and notification of the correction information to the estimation unit 25, and the change of equipment settings by the wind change unit 229 and notification of wind information is referred to as the correction process in embodiment 2.

[0161] Next, the second threshold value changing unit 228 will be described. The second threshold value changing unit 228 changes the second deviation threshold value set for each combined area in the setting database DB2 based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a time period. However, the predetermined condition is not limited to this, and may be the day of the week, the presence or absence of a person P, or the number of people P, as described in the configuration of the threshold value changing unit 28 in the first embodiment.

[0162] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of the correction value ψ by the second correction unit 227. The upper side of Fig. 13 shows a state C before the correction process, and the lower side of Fig. 13 shows a state F after the correction value ψ has been determined. State C is the same as that described in the first embodiment using Fig. 7, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0163] The illustrated state F shows a case where, for all combinations of covered areas AR, the bias between the third covered area AR3 and the fifth covered area AR5 and the fourth covered area AR4 and the sixth covered area AR6 is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold. State F also shows a case where the rated capacities of indoor units 3a3 and 3a5 are equal, and the rated capacities of indoor units 3a4 and 3a6 are equal.

[0164] The third covered area AR3 and the fifth covered area AR5 are determined as the integrated area 1TA1 by the second correction unit 227. ΣQ of the integrated area 1TA1 is 120, obtained by adding the estimated load Q of 20 in the third covered area AR3 and the estimated load Q of 100 in the fifth covered area AR5. The second correction unit 227 determines the correction values ​​ψ of the indoor units 3a3 and 3a5 in the integrated area 1TA1 to be 60, respectively.

[0165] Furthermore, the setting database DB2 is referenced and the airflow rate on the east side of the indoor unit 3a3 is set to strong airflow by the airflow changing unit 229. As a result, the airflow SW flowing from the third covered area AR3 toward the fifth covered area AR5 becomes stronger. The air conditioning of the fifth covered area AR5, which has a large estimated load Q, can be assisted by the air conditioning operation of the indoor unit 3a3 in the third covered area AR3. Furthermore, the setting database DB2 is referenced and the airflow rate on the south side of the indoor unit 3a5 is set to weak airflow by the airflow changing unit 229. As a result, the airflow WW flowing from the fifth covered area AR5 toward the sixth covered area AR6, which is not in the integrated area 1TA1, becomes weaker. As a result, power consumption can be reduced by concentrating the operation of the indoor unit 3a5 itself, which covers the fifth covered area AR5, on air conditioning for the fifth covered area AR5, which has a large estimated load Q.

[0166] The fourth covered area AR4 and the sixth covered area AR6 are determined as the integrated area 2TA2 by the second correction unit 227. ΣQ of the integrated area 2TA2 is 70, obtained by adding the estimated load Q of 10 in the fourth covered area AR4 and the estimated load Q of 60 in the sixth covered area AR6. The second correction unit 227 determines the correction values ​​ψ of the indoor units 3a4 and 3a6 in the integrated area 2TA2 to be 35, respectively.

[0167] Furthermore, the setting database DB2 is referenced and the airflow rate on the east side of the indoor unit 3a4 is set to strong airflow by the airflow changing unit 229. As a result, the airflow SW flowing from the fourth covered area AR4 toward the sixth covered area AR6 becomes stronger. The air conditioning of the sixth covered area AR6, which has a large estimated load Q, can be assisted by the air conditioning operation of the indoor unit 3a4 in the fourth covered area AR4. Furthermore, the setting database DB2 is referenced and the airflow rate on the south side of the indoor unit 3a5 is set to weak airflow by the airflow changing unit 229. As a result, the airflow WW flowing from the fifth covered area AR5 toward the boundary of the target space S becomes weaker. Note that this boundary is, for example, the wall of a room in the building H. As a result, power consumption can be reduced by concentrating the air conditioning operation of the indoor unit 3a6 itself, which covers the sixth covered area AR6, on the air conditioning of the sixth covered area AR6, which has a large estimated load Q.

[0168] [2-2. Operation] Next, the correction process in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 14 will be described. The operation in the second embodiment is an operation in which the operation of the correction process in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is replaced with the operation shown in Fig. 14. The correction process shown in Fig. 14 starts and is repeatedly executed when the indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to start air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5. The repeated execution of the control process in Fig. 14 ends when each indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to end air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5.

[0169] 14, when the process starts, the second correction unit 227 acquires the estimated load Q of each responsible area AR calculated by the estimation unit 25 from the first memory 21, and calculates the bias of all combinations of responsible areas AR (S300). The biases calculated in step S300 are linked to the two responsible areas AR corresponding to each bias, and are stored in the first memory 21 in order of decreasing bias.

[0170] Next, the second correction unit 227 refers to the first memory 21 and selects a combination of responsible areas AR in descending order of bias (S301). Information that the combination of responsible areas AR selected in step S301 has been selected is stored in the first memory 21.

[0171] Next, the second correction unit 227 determines whether or not any of the responsible areas AR in the combination of responsible areas AR selected in step S301 is part of another integrated area (S302). If any of the responsible areas AR in the combination of responsible areas AR selected in step S301 is part of another integrated area (S302, YES), the second correction unit 227 proceeds to step S310, which will be described later.

[0172] If none of the combined areas AR in the combination of the areas AR selected in step S301 is part of another integrated area (NO in step S302), the second correction unit 227 refers to the setting database DB2 and determines whether the bias calculated in step S300 is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold corresponding to the selected combination of the areas AR (S303). Note that the second bias threshold is predetermined for each combination of the areas AR, as described above.

[0173] If the bias calculated in step S300 is not equal to or greater than the second bias threshold (S303, NO), the second corrector 227 proceeds to step S310, which will be described later.

[0174] On the other hand, if it is determined that the bias calculated in step S300 is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold (S303, YES), the second correction unit 227 integrates the assigned areas AR selected in step S301 and determines the integrated area (S304). Information on the integrated area determined in step S304 is stored in the first memory 21.

[0175] Next, the second correction unit 227 calculates the sum ΣQ of the estimated loads Q of each responsible area AR in the integrated area integrated in step S304 (S305). Subsequently, the second correction unit 227 determines the correction value ψ of each responsible area AR in the integrated area integrated in step S304 by proportionally dividing it based on the sum ΣQ (S306).

[0176] Next, the wind change unit 229 refers to the device settings in the setting database DB2 and changes the wind volume and wind direction of each responsible area AR corresponding to the integrated area integrated in step S304 (S307).

[0177] Next, the second correction unit 227 determines whether or not all combinations of the responsible areas AR have been selected (S310). If all combinations of the responsible areas AR have not been selected (S310, NO), the second correction unit 227 proceeds to step S301.

[0178] If all combinations of the coverage areas AR have been selected (S310, YES), the second correction unit 227 notifies the estimation unit 25 of the correction information for each coverage area AR (S311). As described above, the correction information includes the correction value ψ for each coverage area AR or information for each coverage area AR for which the estimated load Q is not corrected. Next, the wind change unit 229 notifies the setting unit 26 of the wind information, including information on the air volume and wind direction, of the indoor units 3a in each coverage area AR changed in step S307 (S312). Then, the process proceeds to step S104 shown in FIG. 8.

[0179] [2-3. Effects] As described above, the air conditioning system 1B in the second embodiment conditions a target space S and includes multiple air conditioners 3 installed in the target space S. The air conditioning system 1 includes an estimator 25 that calculates, for each coverage area AR that each air conditioner 3 conditions, an estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the thermal load Qr of the coverage area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the coverage area AR at its current value. The air conditioning system 1B also includes a setting unit 26 that sets a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q, a control unit 38 that controls the operation of each air conditioner 3 in accordance with the control target, and a second correction unit 227 that corrects the estimated load Q calculated by the estimator 25. The second correction unit 227 calculates the bias in the estimated load Q for each combination including two or more coverage areas AR, and, if the bias is equal to or greater than a second bias threshold, determines a correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load Q of the coverage area AR in the combination. According to this, while taking into consideration a certain covered area AR and another covered area AR, the correction unit 27 can appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each combination. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated thermal load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each covered area AR of the target space S.

[0180] The air conditioning system 1B includes a wind change unit 229 that changes the wind direction and air volume of the air conditioner 3. The wind change unit 229 changes the wind direction and air volume of each of the coverage areas AR in a combination in which the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold. According to this, while taking into consideration a certain assigned area AR and other assigned areas AR, the second correction unit 227 can supplement the air conditioning of an assigned area AR that is estimated to have a large thermal load Qr based on the bias of the estimated load Q in the area group with the air conditioning operation of the air conditioners 3 located in the other assigned areas AR.

[0181] The setting unit 26 sets, as a control target, a target air conditioning capacity W, which is a target value of the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner 3 should achieve in the air conditioning operation for each area AR that it covers, and when the temperature difference ΔT, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc, is within a predetermined temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets the estimated load Q corrected by the second corrector 227 as the target air conditioning capacity W. When the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the setting unit 26 sets, as the target air conditioning capacity W, a value obtained by adding or subtracting an adjustment amount α or β determined in accordance with the temperature difference ΔT to or from the estimated load Q corrected by the second corrector 227 so that the temperature difference ΔT moves toward the temperature maintenance range Rm. According to this, when the temperature difference ΔT, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature Tt from the space temperature Tc, is within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the air conditioner 3 can be controlled to have an air conditioning capacity that is the same as the estimated load Q, which is an estimate of the thermal load Qr of the target space S, so that it is possible to prevent insufficient or excessive capacity of the air conditioner and reduce the frequency of starting and stopping air conditioning operation when maintaining the space temperature Tc of the target space S at the target temperature Tt, thereby suppressing an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improving comfort in the target space S. Furthermore, when the temperature difference ΔT is not within the temperature maintenance range Rm, the target air conditioning capacity W is adjusted around the estimated load Q, so the space temperature Tc can be brought smoothly closer to the target temperature Tt without excessively changing the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 3.

[0182] The second correction unit 227 determines the sum ΣQ of the estimated loads Q in combinations where the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold by proportionally dividing the correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load Q for each coverage area AR in proportion to the capacity of each air conditioner 3 in the combination. This prevents the air conditioner 3 from having insufficient capacity to adequately air-condition each assigned area AR of the target space S, resulting in a loss of comfort, or from being unable to maintain the temperature of the target space S near the set temperature, causing the air conditioner 3 to stop.

[0183] The air conditioning system 1B includes a second threshold change unit 228 that changes the second bias threshold in accordance with a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. According to this, by changing the second bias threshold by the second threshold change unit 228 depending on whether or not there is a person P or the density of the person P, if there is no person P or the density of the person P is low, the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is not corrected, but conversely, if there is a person P or the density of the person P is high, the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be corrected. Therefore, if necessary, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S can be appropriately corrected.

[0184] The second threshold change unit 228 changes the second bias threshold according to the time period during which the presence or absence of a person P is estimated, or the time period during which the density of a person P is estimated, in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR as a predetermined condition. According to this, the second bias threshold is changed depending on the time period during which it is possible to estimate the presence or absence of people P or the density of people P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0185] The air conditioning system 1B includes a human presence sensor 13 that detects the number of people P in at least one of the target space S and each assigned area AR. The second threshold change unit 228 changes the second bias threshold in accordance with the number of people P as a predetermined condition. According to this, the second bias threshold is changed according to the detection result of the human presence sensor 13 that can estimate the presence or absence of a person P or the density of the people P. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S is appropriately corrected.

[0186] When the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold, the second correction unit 227 determines the correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load Q for each coverage area AR based on the average value in the combination. This makes it difficult for the difference between the sum of the estimated loads Q before correction for the combination and the estimated load Q after correction to diverge significantly, and it is possible to appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S. Therefore, by appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each assigned area AR of the target space S and controlling the air conditioning based on the estimated thermal load Qr, it is possible to suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve the comfort of each assigned area AR of the target space S.

[0187] The air conditioning method is executed by a first processor 20 of an air conditioning setting device 2 and a second processor 33 of an air conditioning control device 30 of an air conditioning system 1B that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners 3 that condition a target space S, and includes an estimation step (S101) of calculating, for each assigned area AR that is conditioned by each air conditioner 3 of the target space S, an estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the thermal load Qr of the assigned area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the assigned area AR at a current value; setting steps (S106, S108, S110, S112, S114) of setting a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q; a control step (S116) of controlling the operation of each air conditioner 3 in accordance with the control target; and correction steps (S300 to S307, and S310 to S312) of determining a correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step. In the correction step, the bias of the estimated load Q for each combination including the two responsible areas AR is calculated, and if the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold, a correction value ψ to be used to correct the estimated load Q of the responsible area AR in the combination is determined. According to this, in the air conditioning system 1B, the estimated value Q of the thermal load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S can be appropriately corrected based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group, while taking into consideration a certain covered area AR and other covered areas AR. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the thermal load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated thermal load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each covered area AR of the target space S.

[0188] The first program 23 of the air conditioning setting device 2 and the second program 36 of the air conditioning control device 30 constitute an air conditioning program executed by a computer of the air conditioning system 1B that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners 3 that condition the target space S. The air conditioning program executes the following steps: an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area AR that is conditioned by each air conditioner 3 in the target space S, an estimated load Q, which is an estimated value of the thermal load Qr of the assigned area AR for maintaining the space temperature Tc of the assigned area AR at its current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner 3 based on the estimated load Q; a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner Q in accordance with the control target; and a correction step of determining a correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load Q in the estimation step. In the correction step, the bias of the estimated load Q for each combination including two or more of the areas AR is calculated, and if the bias is greater than or equal to a second bias threshold, a correction value ψ to be used to correct the estimated load Q of the responsible area AR in the combination is determined. According to this, the computer of the air conditioning system 1B can appropriately correct the estimated value Q of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S based on the bias of the estimated load Q for each area group, while taking into account one covered area AR and other covered areas AR. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load Qr in each covered area AR of the target space S, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load Qr can suppress an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 3 and improve comfort in each covered area AR of the target space S.

[0189] (3. Modification of the Second Embodiment) [3-1.Configuration] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning setting device 2, a circulator 201, and a remote controller 5 in a variation of embodiment 2. Note that the same components as those in Figs. 3 and 11 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0190] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the first memory 21. As shown in Fig. 16, the first memory 21 has a setting database DB3. Note that the same components as those in Fig. 12 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] As shown in Figure 16, the setting database DB3 in the modified example has a combined area number, multiple second bias thresholds, and device settings linked to each of the multiple second bias thresholds, each linked to a combination of all responsible areas AR.

[0192] The setting database DB3 stores, as device settings, the identification number of each indoor unit 3a included in each combined area, and device setting information for the airflow direction and airflow volume of each indoor unit 3a. The airflow direction is at least one of east, west, north, or south. The airflow volume is set to one of weak, medium, or strong winds depending on the airflow direction.

[0193] The setting database DB3 stores, as the second deviation threshold, a value that corresponds to each device setting one by one. As will be described later, the second deviation threshold of the setting database DB3 is updated by the second corrector 227.

[0194] For example, for combined area 1, the device settings are different when the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold Bb1 and when the bias is equal to or greater than a second bias threshold Bb2 that is greater than the second bias threshold Bb1. In the example shown in Fig. 16, when the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold Bb2, the circulator 201 is operated with a moderate wind in the eastward direction, unlike when the bias is equal to the second bias threshold Bb1. As a result, even if the indoor unit 3a3 in the third covered area AR3 is operated with a strong wind in the eastward direction, even if the air conditioning support for the fifth covered area AR5 in the integrated area 1 is insufficient, operating the circulator 201 can provide sufficient support.

[0195] For the combined area 2, the device settings are different when the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold Bb3 and when the bias is equal to or greater than a second bias threshold Bb4 that is greater than the second bias threshold Bb3. The resulting effect is the same as that described above in the description of the combined area 1.

[0196] Although not shown in the figure, the identification number of the circulator 201 and the area AR in which the circulator 201 is located are stored in the setting database DB3.

[0197] Returning to the explanation of Figure 15, the first processor 20 in the variant of embodiment 2 has, as functional elements or functional units, an information acquisition unit 24, an estimation unit 25, a setting unit 26, a second correction unit 227, a second threshold change unit 228, a wind change unit 229, and a notification unit 321.

[0198] The configuration of the second correction unit 227 in the modified example is a configuration in which the configuration of the second correction unit 227 in the second embodiment, which determines whether or not the bias in the selected combination is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold corresponding to the selected combination, is replaced with a configuration in which the configuration determines whether or not the bias in the selected combination is equal to or greater than the smallest second bias threshold among the second bias thresholds corresponding to the selected combination.

[0199] Next, the airflow changing unit 229 in a modified example will be described. The airflow changing unit 229 changes the airflow volume and airflow direction of each indoor unit 3a in the combined area and the airflow volume and airflow direction of the circulator 201 in accordance with the magnitude of the bias, by referencing the setting database DB3. The airflow changing unit 229 selects the device settings for the airflow volume and airflow direction of each indoor unit 3a and the circulator 201 in accordance with the magnitude of the bias in the combined area. For example, with reference to FIG. 16, if the bias in combined area 2 is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold Bb4, the device settings corresponding to this are selected. In the example of FIG. 16, the corresponding device settings are that the circulator 201 operates at a medium airflow volume for an easterly airflow direction, the indoor unit 3a4 operates at a strong airflow volume for an easterly airflow direction, and the indoor unit 3a6 operates at a weak airflow volume for a southerly airflow direction.

[0200] The wind changing unit 229 notifies the setting unit 26 and the circulator 201 of the wind information. Note that even if the wind direction and air volume of the circulator 201 are not described in the wind information, the wind changing unit 229 notifies the circulator 201 of the wind information.

[0201] The notification unit 321 generates area information based on the correction information from the second correction unit 227 and the wind information from the wind change unit 229, and notifies the remote controller 5. The area information includes integrated area information indicating which of the areas AR in charge have been integrated into the integrated area, and wind information on the wind direction and air volume of each indoor unit 3a and each circulator 201.

[0202] The circulator 201 includes a circulator control device 230 , a blower fan 231 , an input interface 241 , and a notification unit 242 .

[0203] The blower fan 231 rotates under the control of the circulator control device 230, and blows air in the direction in which the blower fan 231 faces. The input interface 241 is an operation button that can be used to change the airflow direction and volume of the circulator 201, and to turn the operation on or off. The notification unit 242 is a means for notifying the person P that the circulator 201 is operating. The notification unit 242 is configured with, for example, at least one of a light-emitting unit such as an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) and a sound generating unit such as a speaker.

[0204] The circulator control device 230 operates the circulator 201 in the wind direction and air volume described in the wind information according to the wind information transmitted from the air conditioning setting device 2. If the wind information does not describe the wind direction and air volume, the circulator control device 230 stops the circulator 201. Furthermore, when the circulator control device 230 receives an instruction from the input interface 241, it notifies the air conditioning setting device 2 of the received instruction.

[0205] The circulator control device 230 includes a third processor 233 , a third memory 234 , and a third communication device 235 . The third memory 234 is configured by a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like. The third communication device 235 includes a transceiver for the third processor 233 to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller 5, and a transceiver for the third processor 233 to communicate with each device provided in the target space S and external devices on the communication network NW.

[0206] The third processor 233 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The third processor 233 may be configured to have a ROM in which programs and data are written, and / or a RAM for temporarily storing data. The third processor 233 has a third communication unit 237 and a third control unit 238 as functional elements or units.

[0207] These functional elements of the third processor 233 are realized, for example, by the third processor 233, which is a computer, executing a third program 236 stored in the third memory 234. The third program 236 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the third processor 233 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0208] The third communication unit 237 controls the third communication device 235, receives wind information from the air conditioning setting device 2, and transmits it to the third control unit 238. The third communication unit 237 may also forward messages received from the air conditioning setting device 2 to the remote controller 5. The remote controller 5 displays the received messages on a display 541 provided on the remote controller 5, according to conventional technology.

[0209] The third control unit 238 starts or ends the air conditioning operation of the circulator 201 in accordance with the wind information from the air conditioning setting device 2. The third control unit 238 may also start or end the air conditioning operation of the circulator 201 in accordance with input from the input interface 241.

[0210] The remote controller 5 includes a display 541 and an operation button 542 . Display 541 corresponds to the example of the display device described in Embodiment 1. Display 541 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The operation button 542 corresponds to the operation button described in the first embodiment.

[0211] The fourth control device 530 includes a fourth processor 533 , a fourth memory 534 , and a fourth communication device 535 . The fourth memory 534 is configured by a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like. The fourth communication device 535 includes a transceiver for the fourth processor 533 to perform wireless communication with the indoor unit 3a, and a transceiver for the fourth processor 533 to communicate with each device provided in the target space S and external devices on the communication network NW.

[0212] The fourth processor 533 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The fourth processor 533 may be configured to have a ROM in which programs and data are written, and / or a RAM for temporarily storing data. The fourth processor 533 has, as functional elements or functional units, a fourth communication unit 537 and a fourth control unit 538.

[0213] These functional elements of the fourth processor 533 are realized, for example, by the fourth processor 533, which is a computer, executing a fourth program 536 stored in a fourth memory 534. The fourth program 536 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the fourth processor 533 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0214] The fourth communication unit 537 controls the fourth communication device 535 to communicate with each indoor unit 3a or other devices. The fourth control unit 538 generates an area information screen DIS to be displayed on the display 541 based on the area information transmitted by the notification unit 321, and displays the screen.

[0215] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the area information screen DIS. The area information screen DIS is a screen that shows which circulators 201 are operated by the wind change unit 229 and the location of the integrated area that has been integrated by the second correction unit 227 within the coverage area AR.

[0216] The area information screen DIS displays an icon IC1 indicating the circulator 201 and an icon IC2 indicating the indoor unit 3a. The area information screen DIS displays the icon IC1 and the text "Starting circulator" as wind information J1 indicating which circulator 201 is operating. This allows the person P to recognize that the circulator 201 will start operating.

[0217] The area information screen DIS displays a substantially rectangular frame as integrated area information J2 that indicates the location of the integrated area that has been integrated by the second correction unit 227 within the area of ​​responsibility AR. The person P can recognize that the area of ​​responsibility AR enclosed by the frame is the integrated area.

[0218] [3-2. Operation] Next, the correction process in the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18 will be described. The correction process shown in Fig. 18 starts and is repeatedly executed when the indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to start air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5. The repeated execution of the control process in Fig. 18 ends when each indoor unit 3a receives an instruction to end air-conditioning operation from the remote controller 5. The explanation of steps S301, 302, 304, 305, and 306 is omitted because it is the same as that of FIG.

[0219] Following step S302, the second correction unit 227 refers to the setting database DB3 and determines whether the bias calculated in step S300 is equal to or greater than the minimum second bias threshold corresponding to the selected combination of covering areas AR (S400). Note that the second bias threshold is predetermined for each combination of covering areas AR, as described above. Referring to FIG. 16, for example, when the third covering area AR3 and the fifth covering area AR5 are selected, the minimum second bias threshold is the second bias threshold Bb1. Referring to FIG. 16, for example, when the fourth covering area AR4 and the sixth covering area AR6 are selected, the minimum second bias threshold is the second bias threshold Bb3.

[0220] If the bias calculated in step S300 is not equal to or greater than the smallest second bias threshold (S400, NO), the second corrector 227 proceeds to step S310, which will be described later.

[0221] On the other hand, if it is determined that the bias calculated in step S300 is equal to or greater than the minimum second bias threshold (S400, YES), the process proceeds to steps S304-S306.

[0222] Following step S306, the wind change unit 229 refers to the device settings in the setting database DB3 based on the magnitude of the bias, and changes the wind volume and wind direction of each responsible area AR corresponding to the integrated area integrated in step S304 (S401). Here, as described above, the wind change unit 229 refers to the device settings according to the range of the second bias threshold, which is set in multiple stages of bias.

[0223] Next, the second correction unit 227 proceeds to step S310. Explanation of steps S310 to S312 will be omitted as they are the same as those in FIG.

[0224] Following step S312, wind change unit 229 notifies circulator 201 of the wind information (S402), and thereafter circulator 201 operates in accordance with the wind information. As described above, if the wind information does not include the wind direction and wind volume of circulator 201, circulator 201 stops operating upon receiving the wind information. In this case, if circulator 201 is not operating, it continues to remain in an inactive state.

[0225] Next, the notification unit 321 transmits the area information to the remote controller 5 (S403). After that, the process proceeds to step S104 shown in FIG. The following steps S410, S411, and S412 are executed by the remote controller 5. The fourth control section 538 of the remote controller 5 determines whether or not area information has been received (S410), and repeats the determination until area information is received (S410, NO).

[0226] When the fourth control unit 538 receives area information (S410, YES), it determines whether or not there is an integrated area (S411). When there is no integrated area (S411, NO), the fourth control unit 538 ends this process without displaying the area information screen DIS.

[0227] If there is an integrated area (S411, YES), the fourth control unit 538 displays the area information screen DIS on the display 541 (S412). The area information screen DIS may disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0228] [3-3. Effects] As described above, the air conditioning system 1B in the modified example of the second embodiment is provided with a circulator 201 that generates airflow between each of the areas AR in charge, and the wind change unit 229 changes the wind direction and air volume of the circulator 201 arranged in the area AR in the combination where the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold. According to this, while taking into consideration a certain assigned area AR and other assigned areas AR, the second correction unit 227 determines based on the bias in the estimated load Q in the combination that the thermal load Qr is estimated to be large, and even if the air conditioning of the assigned area AR cannot be fully assisted by the air conditioning operation of the air conditioners 3 located in the other assigned areas AR, the circulator 201 can provide such assistance.

[0229] The second correction unit 227 determines the sum ΣQ of the estimated loads Q in combinations where the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold by proportionally dividing the correction value ψ used to correct the estimated load Q for each coverage area AR in proportion to the rated capacity of each air conditioner 3 in the combination. This prevents the air conditioner 3 from having insufficient capacity to adequately air-condition each assigned area AR of the target space S, resulting in a loss of comfort, or from consuming too much power and causing the air conditioner 3 to stop.

[0230] The air conditioning system 1B includes a notification unit 321 that notifies a user P. The notification unit 321 notifies that the wind change unit 229 has changed the wind direction and air volume of each of the areas AR in which the bias is equal to or greater than the second bias threshold. This allows the person P to recognize between which assigned areas AR the wind direction and wind volume have changed. Also, the person P can recognize in advance that the circulator 201 will operate.

[0231] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-described embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0232] In the above-described embodiment, the temperature maintenance range Rm for the temperature difference ΔT used by the setting unit 26 of the air conditioning setting device 2 is a range with the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 as its upper and lower limits, respectively. However, the temperature maintenance range Rm is not limited to a range with an upper limit and a lower limit, and may be a range defined by only an upper limit or only a lower limit.

[0233] The air conditioning setting device 2 is not limited to being a server device connected to the communication network NW, but can be realized as any type of device. For example, the air conditioning setting device 2 can be realized as a device built into the communication relay device 4. Also, for example, the air conditioning setting device 2 can be realized as part of the air conditioning control device 30 provided in the indoor unit 3a of the air conditioner 3.

[0234] In the modified example of the second embodiment, the case where circulator 201 is operated by airflow changing unit 229 in a combination of coverage areas AR that is equal to or greater than the second deviation threshold has been exemplified, but this is not limiting. Airflow changing unit 229 may also operate ceiling fan 202. In this case, the rotation intensity of ceiling fan 202 is stored as a device setting in setting database DB3 in association with the magnitude of the second deviation threshold.

[0235] The air conditioning setting device 2 in the first embodiment may also include the airflow changing unit 229 in the second embodiment.

[0236] The configurations shown in the block diagrams of Figures 3, 11, and 15 are merely examples, and the specific implementation of the functional units shown in each block diagram is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each functional unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the functions of each unit to be realized by a single processor executing a program. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-described embodiments may be implemented as hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented as software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the devices constituting each device of the air conditioning systems 1 and 1B may also be changed as desired within the scope of the present disclosure. 3 and 11, the air conditioning control device 30 is configured to be provided in the indoor unit 3a, but the outdoor unit 3b may also be configured to be provided with the air conditioning control device 30. In this case, the compressor 301 and compressor motor 302 of the outdoor unit 3b are connected to the air conditioning control device 30 and are directly controlled by the air conditioning control device 30. In this case, the air conditioning control device 30 provided in the outdoor unit 3b controls the indoor unit fan 31 and indoor expansion valve 32 of the indoor unit 3a via the communication device 35 so as to achieve the target air conditioning capacity W received from the air conditioning setting device 2.

[0237] Furthermore, for example, the step units of the operations shown in Figures 8, 9, 14, and 18 are divided according to the main processing content in order to make it easier to understand the operations of the first processor 20, the second processor 33, and the fourth processor 533, and the present disclosure is not limited by the way in which the processing units are divided or their names.

[0238] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0239] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiment and its modifications discloses the following techniques.

[0240] (Technology 1) An air conditioning system comprising: a plurality of air conditioners that condition a target space and are installed in the target space; an estimation unit that calculates, for each of the areas covered by each of the air conditioners, an estimated load that is an estimate of the heat load of the area covered to maintain the space temperature of the area at a current value; a setting unit that sets a control target for each of the air conditioners based on the estimated load; a control unit that controls the operation of each of the air conditioners in accordance with the control target; and a correction unit that corrects the estimated load in the estimation unit, wherein the correction unit calculates a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more of the areas covered, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determines a correction value to be used to correct the estimated load for the areas covered in the combination. This allows the correction unit to appropriately correct the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space based on the bias in the estimated load for each combination, while taking into account a certain assigned area and another assigned area. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner and improve comfort in each assigned area of ​​the target space.

[0241] (Technology 2) The air conditioning system described in Technology 1, wherein the correction unit calculates the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the estimated loads of each of the areas in the combination as the bias, and if the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, determines a correction value to be used to correct the estimated load for each of the areas in the combination. According to this, the correction unit can appropriately correct the estimated value of the heat load in each of the areas covered by the target space based on the difference in the estimated load among the areas, while taking into account the difference between one covered area and another covered area. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each covered area of ​​the target space, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner and improve comfort in each covered area of ​​the target space.

[0242] (Technology 3) An air conditioning system according to Technology 1 or 2, which includes a wind change unit that changes the wind direction and air volume of the air conditioner, and the wind change unit changes the wind direction and air volume of each of the areas covered in the combination where the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. By doing this, while taking into consideration a certain area of ​​responsibility and other areas of responsibility, the correction unit can supplement the air conditioning of an area of ​​responsibility that is estimated to have a high thermal load based on the bias in the estimated load in the combination with the air conditioning operation of air conditioners located in other areas of responsibility.

[0243] (Technology 4) The air conditioning system described in any one of Technologies 1 to 3, wherein the setting unit sets, as the control target, a target air conditioning capacity, which is a target value of the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner should achieve in the air conditioning operation for each of the areas covered, and when the differential temperature, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature from the space temperature, is within a predetermined temperature maintenance range, sets the estimated load corrected by the correction unit as the target air conditioning capacity, and when the differential temperature is not within the temperature maintenance range, sets, as the target air conditioning capacity, a value obtained by adding or subtracting an adjustment amount determined according to the differential temperature to or from the estimated load corrected by the correction unit so that the differential temperature changes toward the temperature maintenance range. According to this, when the temperature difference, which is the value obtained by subtracting the target temperature from the space temperature, is within the temperature maintenance range, the air conditioner can be controlled to have an air conditioning capacity that is the same as the estimated load, which is an estimate of the heat load of the target space, so that when maintaining the space temperature of the target space at the target temperature, it is possible to prevent insufficient or excessive capacity of the air conditioner and reduce the frequency of starting and stopping air conditioning operation, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner and improving comfort in the target space. Also, when the temperature difference is not within the temperature maintenance range, the target air conditioning capacity is adjusted based on the estimated load, so the space temperature can be brought smoothly closer to the target temperature without excessively changing the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner.

[0244] (Technology 5) An air conditioning system according to any one of technologies 1 to 4, comprising a threshold change unit that changes the threshold according to predetermined conditions, the predetermined conditions being the presence or absence of people or the density of people in at least one of the target space and each of the areas in charge. According to this, by changing the predetermined threshold by the threshold changing unit depending on whether there are people or the density of people, the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space is not corrected when there are no people or the density of people is low, but conversely, the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space is corrected when there are people or the density of people is high. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space can be appropriately corrected when necessary.

[0245] (Technology 6) An air conditioning system according to Technology 5, wherein the threshold change unit changes the predetermined threshold depending on the time period during which the presence or absence of people is estimated, or the time period during which the density of people is estimated, in at least one of the target space and each of the areas of responsibility as the predetermined condition. According to this, the predetermined threshold is changed depending on the time period during which the presence or absence of people or the density of people can be estimated, thereby appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each area of ​​the target space.

[0246] (Technology 7) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 5 or 6, which is provided with a human presence sensor that detects the number of people in at least one of the target space and each of the areas in charge, and the threshold change unit changes the predetermined threshold depending on the number of people as the predetermined condition. According to this, the predetermined threshold is changed depending on the detection result of the human presence sensor that can estimate the presence or absence of people or the density of people, and thus the estimated value of the heat load in each area of ​​the target space is appropriately corrected.

[0247] (Technology 8) An air conditioning system according to any one of Techniques 1 to 7, wherein the correction unit determines a correction value used to correct the estimated load for each of the areas covered based on an average value for the combination when the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. This prevents a large discrepancy between the sum of the estimated loads before correction and the estimated loads after correction for the combination, and allows the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space to be appropriately corrected. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each assigned area of ​​the target space, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioners and improve comfort in each assigned area of ​​the target space.

[0248] (Technology 9) The air conditioning system according to Technology 8, wherein the correction unit calculates a weighted average value as the average value based on weights predetermined between the two areas covered. This allows the estimated value of the heat load in each of the covered areas of the target space to be appropriately corrected based on an average value that reflects the degree of influence of the air conditioning operation of each air conditioner between the two covered areas. Therefore, while appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each covered area of ​​the target space, air conditioning control based on the estimated heat load can suppress an increase in the power consumption of the air conditioners and improve comfort in each covered area of ​​the target space.

[0249] (Technology 10) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 9, further comprising a weight change unit that changes the weight used by the correction unit to calculate the average value based on predetermined conditions, the predetermined conditions being the presence or absence of people or the density of people in at least one of the target space and each of the areas of responsibility. According to this, by changing the weights by the weight changing unit depending on whether there are people or the density of people, the weights for each assigned area of ​​the target space are not changed when there are no people or the density of people is low, and conversely, the weights for each assigned area of ​​the target space are changed significantly when there are people or the density of people is high. Therefore, the estimated value of the heat load for each assigned area of ​​the target space can be appropriately corrected when necessary.

[0250] (Technology 11) The air conditioning system described in Technology 10, wherein the weight change unit changes the weight depending on the time period in which the presence or absence of people is estimated, or the time period in which the density of people is estimated, in at least one of the target space and each of the areas of responsibility as the specified condition. This allows the weights to be changed depending on the time period during which the presence or absence of people or the density of people can be estimated, thereby appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each area of ​​the target space.

[0251] (Technology 12) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 10 or 11, which is provided with a human presence sensor that detects the number of people in at least one of the target space and each of the areas of responsibility, and the weight change unit changes the weight according to the number of people as the specified condition. According to this, the weights are changed depending on the detection results of the human presence sensor that can estimate the presence or absence of people or the density of people, thereby appropriately correcting the estimated value of the heat load in each area covered by the target space.

[0252] (Technology 13) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 3, which includes an airflow generating device that generates airflow between each of the areas in question, and the wind change unit changes the wind direction and air volume of the airflow generating device arranged in the areas in question for the combination in which the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. With this, while taking into consideration a certain area under its responsibility and other areas under its responsibility, the correction unit uses the bias in the estimated load in the combination to estimate that the heat load in the area under its responsibility is high, and even if the air conditioning operation of the air conditioners located in the other areas under its responsibility alone cannot fully assist in providing the air conditioning, the airflow generating device can provide such assistance.

[0253] (Technology 14) The air conditioning system described in Technology 3 or 13, wherein the correction unit determines the sum of the estimated loads in the combinations in which the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value by apportioning a correction value used to correct the estimated load for each of the areas covered in proportion to the capacity of each of the air conditioners in the combination. This prevents the air conditioner from having insufficient capacity to adequately air-condition each area of ​​the target space, resulting in a loss of comfort, or from stopping due to the air conditioner being unable to maintain the temperature of the target space near the set temperature.

[0254] (Technology 15) An air conditioning system as described in Technology 3 or 13, which includes a notification unit that notifies the user, and the notification unit notifies the user that the wind direction and air volume of each of the areas under its responsibility have been changed by the wind change unit in the combination where the bias is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. This allows the user to recognize between which areas the wind direction and wind volume have changed.

[0255] (Technology 16) An air conditioning method executed by a computer of an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that condition a target space, the air conditioning method comprising: an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area of ​​the target space that each air conditioner conditions, an estimated load that is an estimate of the heat load of the assigned area to maintain the space temperature of the assigned area at a current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner based on the estimated load; a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner in accordance with the control target; and a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step, wherein in the correction step, a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more assigned areas is calculated, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the correction value used to correct the estimated load for the assigned area in the combination is determined. This provides the same effects and advantages as those of the first technique.

[0256] (Technology 17) An air conditioning program that causes a computer of an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that condition a target space to execute an estimation step of calculating, for each assigned area of ​​the target space that each air conditioner conditions, an estimated load that is an estimate of the heat load of the assigned area to maintain the space temperature of the assigned area at a current value, a setting step of setting a control target for each air conditioner based on the estimated load, a control step of controlling the operation of each air conditioner in accordance with the control target, and a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step, wherein in the correction step, a bias in the estimated load for each combination that includes two or more assigned areas is calculated, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, a correction value used to correct the estimated load for the assigned area in the combination is determined. This provides the same effects and advantages as those of the first technique. [Industrial Applicability]

[0257] As described above, the air conditioning system, air conditioning method, and air conditioning program according to the present disclosure can be used to suppress an increase in power consumption of an air conditioner and improve the comfort of a target space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0258] 1. Air conditioning system 2. Air conditioning setting device 3 Air conditioner 3a Indoor unit 3b Outdoor unit 4. Communication relay equipment 5 Remote Controller 6 Indoor sensors 7. Ventilation system 8 Outdoor Sensors 9. Lighting equipment 10. Refrigerator 11. Television 12. Computer 13 Human Sensor 14 Obstacles 20 First Processor 21 First Memory 22 First communication device 23 First Program (Air Conditioning Program) 24 Information Acquisition Department 25 Estimation part 26 Setting section 27 Correction section 28 Threshold change unit 29 Weight change unit 30 Air conditioning control device 31 Indoor ventilation fan 32 Indoor expansion valve 33 Second Processor 34 Second Memory 35 Second communication device 36 2nd Program (Air Conditioning Program) 37 Communications Department 38 Control Unit 201 Circulator (Airflow Generator) 202 Ceiling fan (airflow generator) 227 Second Correction Unit (Correction Unit) 228 Second threshold change unit (threshold change unit) 229 Wind Change Section 230 Circulator control device 231 Blower fan 233 Third Processor 234 Third Memory 235 Third communication device 236 Third Program 237 Third Communications Department 238 Third Control Section 241 Input Interface 242 Information Department 301 Compressor 302 Compressor motor 321 Notification Department 530 4th control device 533 4th Processor 534 4th Memory 535 Fourth Communication Device 536 4th Program 537 4th Communications Department 538 4th Control Section 541 Display 542 Operation Button α, β adjustment amount λ first correction factor μ second correction factor ν correction value ψ correction value AR Area DR Door DB1 Area Database DB2 configuration database DB3 configuration database DIS area information screen H Building LA Distance NW communication network P people (users) Pob monitoring period Q Estimated load Qr heat load R1 First adjustment range R2 Second adjustment range Rm Temperature Maintenance Range S target space tdev Deviation time tth threshold time Tc space temperature Th1 First threshold Th2 Second threshold Tt Target temperature WD window W Target air conditioning capacity Wr air conditioning capacity ΔT temperature difference

Claims

1. A plurality of air conditioners that condition a target space and are installed in the target space; an estimation unit that calculates, for each of the areas covered by each of the air conditioners, an estimated load that is an estimated value of the heat load of the area covered to maintain the space temperature of the area covered at a current value; a setting unit that sets a control target for each of the air conditioners based on the estimated load; a control unit that controls the operation of each of the air conditioners in accordance with the control target; a correction unit that corrects the estimated load in the estimation unit, The correction unit calculating a bias in the estimated load for each combination including two or more of the areas to be covered, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determining a correction value to be used for correcting the estimated load for the areas to be covered in the combination; Air conditioning system.

2. The correction unit calculating a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the estimated loads of each of the areas in the combination as the bias, and determining a correction value to be used for correcting the estimated loads for each of the areas in the combination if the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. A wind change unit is provided to change the wind direction and wind volume of the air conditioner, The wind change unit is changing the wind direction and wind volume for each of the areas covered in the combination where the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. The setting unit As the control target, a target air conditioning capacity is set, which is a target value of the air conditioning capacity that the air conditioner should achieve in the air conditioning operation for each of the areas covered; When a temperature difference, which is a value obtained by subtracting the target temperature from the space temperature, is within a predetermined temperature maintenance range, the estimated load corrected by the correction unit is set as the target air conditioning capacity; When the temperature difference is not within the temperature maintenance range, an adjustment amount determined in accordance with the temperature difference is added to or subtracted from the estimated load corrected by the correction unit so that the temperature difference changes toward the temperature maintenance range, and the result is set as the target air conditioning capacity. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a threshold value changing unit that changes the threshold value in accordance with a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of people or the density of people in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The threshold value changing unit The predetermined threshold is changed according to a time period in which the presence or absence of a person is estimated or a time period in which the density of people is estimated in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas as the predetermined condition.

6. The air conditioning system of claim 5.

7. A human presence sensor is provided to detect the number of people in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas, The threshold value changing unit changing the predetermined threshold value depending on the number of people as the predetermined condition; 6. The air conditioning system of claim 5.

8. The correction unit If the deviation is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, a correction value used to correct the estimated load for each of the areas covered is determined based on an average value for the combination. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. the correction unit calculates a weighted average value as the average value based on a weight that is predetermined between the two areas of responsibility; 9. The air conditioning system of claim 8.

10. a weight change unit that changes the weight used by the correction unit to calculate the average value based on a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition is the presence or absence of people or the density of people in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas.

10. The air conditioning system of claim 9.

11. The weight change unit changing the weight according to a time period in which the presence or absence of a person is estimated or a time period in which the density of people is estimated in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas as the predetermined condition; 11. The air conditioning system of claim 10.

12. A human presence sensor is provided to detect the number of people in at least one of the target space and each of the assigned areas, The weight change unit changing the weight depending on the number of people as the predetermined condition; 11. The air conditioning system of claim 10.

13. an airflow generating device for generating airflow between the areas in charge; The wind change unit is changing the wind direction and the wind volume of the airflow generation devices arranged in the assigned area for the combination in which the deviation is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value; 4. The air conditioning system of claim 3.

14. The correction unit determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load for each of the areas covered by the combination in which the deviation is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value by proportionally dividing the sum of the estimated loads in proportion to the capacity of each of the air conditioners in the combination; 14. An air conditioning system according to claim 3 or 13.

15. a notification unit for notifying a user; The notification unit notifying that the wind direction and the wind volume of each of the areas covered by the combination in which the bias is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value have been changed by the wind change unit; 14. An air conditioning system according to claim 3 or 13.

16. An air conditioning method executed by a computer in an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that air-condition a target space, an estimation step of calculating, for each area covered by each of the air conditioners in the target space, an estimated load, which is an estimated value of the heat load of the area covered to maintain the space temperature of the area covered at a current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each of the air conditioners based on the estimated load; a control step of controlling the operation of each of the air conditioners in accordance with the control target; a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step; and In the correction step, calculating a bias in the estimated load for each combination including two or more of the areas to be covered, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determining a correction value to be used for correcting the estimated load for the areas to be covered in the combination; Air conditioning method.

17. A computer in an air conditioning system that controls the operation of multiple air conditioners that condition a target space, an estimation step of calculating an estimated load, which is an estimated value of the heat load of each area covered by each of the air conditioners in the target space, for maintaining the space temperature of the area covered by the air conditioners at a current value; a setting step of setting a control target for each of the air conditioners based on the estimated load; a control step of controlling the operation of each of the air conditioners in accordance with the control target; a correction step of determining a correction value used to correct the estimated load in the estimation step, In the correction step, calculating a bias in the estimated load for each combination including two or more of the areas to be covered, and if the bias is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determining a correction value to be used for correcting the estimated load for the areas to be covered in the combination; Air conditioning program.

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