Air conditioning system

Abstract

To achieve comfortableness of an object person.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 100 adjusts space air, which is air in a space where a subject 201 is present, by discharging air-conditioned air from a discharge unit 101, and includes a control device 160. The control device 160 includes: a space temperature acquiring unit 161 that acquires a space temperature t2 indicating the temperature of the space; the subject information acquiring unit 162 that acquires distance information d indicating a distance from the discharge unit 101 to the subject 201; a target surrounding temperature deriving unit 163 that derives a target surrounding temperature as a target value of the surrounding temperature of the subject 201 by the air-conditioned air; and the target discharge temperature deriving unit 164 that derives a target discharge temperature as a target value of a discharge temperature t1, which is the temperature of the air-conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit 101. The target discharge temperature deriving unit 164 derives the target discharge temperature using a ratio derived based on the distance information d, the space temperature t2, and the target surrounding temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature of air discharged taking into account the distance to a subject and the temperature around the subject. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for controlling airflow, which changes the direction of the wind to follow the movement of a target person or to avoid the target person, depending on the target person's position detected by radar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-96034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if conditioned air is sent at a discharge temperature that is not adjusted according to the subject's condition, that is, if the conditioned air is cooled or heated taking into account the temperature of the entire space, the subject may feel that it is too cold or too hot.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an air conditioning system that can control the temperature when discharging conditioned air, taking into account the temperature around the subject of the conditioned air sent to the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One air conditioning system disclosed herein is an air conditioning system that discharges conditioned air from a discharge unit to adjust space air, which is the air in a space where a subject is present, and is equipped with a control device. The control device is equipped with a space temperature acquisition unit that acquires a space temperature indicating the temperature of the space, a subject information acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating the distance from the discharge unit to the subject, a target ambient temperature derivation unit that derives a target ambient temperature as a target value for the ambient temperature of the subject by the conditioned air, and a target discharge temperature derivation unit that derives a target discharge temperature as a target value for the discharge temperature, which is the temperature of the conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit, and the target discharge temperature derivation unit derives the target discharge temperature using a ratio derived based on the distance information, the space temperature, and the target ambient temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, conditioned air can be discharged around a subject at a temperature that falls within a range that the subject finds comfortable, thereby improving the comfort felt by the subject. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of an installation state of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing one mode of installation of the air conditioning system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioning system. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the wind speed at which a subject feels comfortable and the ambient temperature based on thermal sensation. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the wind speed at which a subject feels comfortable to a certain extent and the ambient temperature. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the wind speed at which a subject feels comfortable and the ambient temperature based on the amount of heat dissipation. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of suppressing energy consumption during heating. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of suppressing energy consumption during heating. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of suppressing energy consumption during heating. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the installation state of an air conditioning system of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiment are examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0010] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions has been appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0011] In addition, multiple inventions may be collectively described below as one embodiment, and some of the content described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the installation state of the air conditioning system 100. FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of the installation state of the air conditioning system 100. The air conditioning system 100 is a system that adjusts the spatial air in a space where a subject 201 is present by discharging conditioned air generated by cooling or heating air from a discharge unit 101. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioning system 100. The air conditioning system 100 includes a measurement device 110 and a control device 160.

[0013] The measuring device 110 is a device that acquires the distance to the target person 201. The type of measuring device 110 is not limited, and examples include sensors that can detect the distance to the target person 201 in a non-contact manner, such as a radar sensor, a stereo camera, an ultrasonic sensor, and a TOF (Time of Flight) sensor. In this embodiment, a radar sensor is used as the measuring device 110. The radar sensor acquires reflected waves of irradiated electromagnetic waves (millimeter waves) reflected by the target person 201, thereby making it possible to measure the distance from the radar sensor to the target person 201, movement information of the target person 201, and biological information of the target person 201 in a non-contact manner. The movement information is information related to the amount of movement, movement speed, movement acceleration, movement direction, position, etc. of the target person 201. The biological information is physiological information such as the skin temperature, deep temperature, heart rate, and respiration of the target person 201. Note that the radar sensor cannot measure skin temperature or deep temperature.

[0014] The measuring device 110 may be a contact-type device worn by the subject 201. In this case, the control device 160 may obtain the distance to the subject 201 based on the strength of the signal transmitted from the measuring device 110, or may obtain biological information based on the content of the signal. The measuring device 110 may also be equipped with multiple types of sensors, each of which may obtain different information. If the device is a contact-type device, it can measure skin temperature and deep temperature.

[0015] The control device 160 is a device that controls the operation of the air conditioning system 100 based on the acquired information, and is equipped with a processor. The control device 160 realizes a space temperature acquisition unit 161, a subject information acquisition unit 162, a target ambient temperature derivation unit 163, and an operation control unit 165 by having the processor execute a control program. The functions of each processing unit will be explained below, but the order of explanation does not correspond to the order of processing.

[0016] The operation control unit 165 controls the operation of the air conditioning system 100. For example, the operation control unit 165 controls the blower device 120 so that the ambient wind speed, which is the wind speed of the conditioned air around the subject 201 to be blown, becomes a set wind speed. The method for setting the wind speed is not limited. For example, the subject 201 may set the wind speed arbitrarily. Furthermore, the wind speed may be set based on the mode set in the air conditioning system 100, such as an energy saving mode or a rapid cooling mode.

[0017] Furthermore, the operation control unit 165 adjusts the temperature of the conditioned air by controlling the output of the compressor 130 that constitutes the heat pump. In this embodiment, the operation control unit 165 controls the compressor 130 so that the discharge temperature t1 of the conditioned air becomes the target discharge temperature derived by a target discharge temperature derivation unit 164, which will be described later.

[0018] Furthermore, the operation control unit 165 controls the wind direction changing motor 140 to change the direction of the conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit 101. For example, if the measurement device 110 can acquire the position of the subject 201, the operation control unit 165 controls the wind direction changing motor 140 so that the conditioned air is discharged toward the subject 201.

[0019] The space temperature acquisition unit 161 acquires a space temperature t2 indicating the temperature of the space. The source from which the space temperature t2 is acquired is not limited, and for example, the space temperature t2 may be acquired from a thermometer installed in the conditioned space 200. In the case of this embodiment, the space temperature acquisition unit 161 acquires the space temperature t2 from a temperature sensor 121 (see FIG. 3), such as a thermistor, installed in the suction unit 102 through which the air conditioning system 100 sucks in space air.

[0020] The subject information acquisition unit 162 acquires information about the subject 201. For example, the subject information acquisition unit 162 acquires distance information d indicating the distance from the discharge unit 101 to the subject 201 from the measuring device 110. In the case of the present embodiment, since the measuring device 110 is a radar, the subject information acquisition unit 162 acquires information about the subject other than the distance to the subject 201. Furthermore, the subject information acquisition unit 162 may acquire the position of the subject 201 relative to the measuring device 110 (the position may include the distance), movement information of the subject 201, biological information of the subject 201, and the like.

[0021] The target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 derives the target ambient temperature as a target value for the ambient temperature t3 of the subject 201 caused by the conditioned air. In the case of the present embodiment, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 sets the ambient temperature t3 as the target ambient temperature based on the wind speed of the conditioned air flowing around the subject 201, so that the index value of the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 becomes the set index value. The wind speed of the conditioned air flowing around the subject 201 is approximated by the discharge force of the conditioned air discharged by the operation control unit 165 controlling the blower device 120.

[0022] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the thermal sensation is 0 (Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)), that is, when the air blower 120 is controlled to operate at low power based on a graph showing the relationship between the air speed at which the subject 201 feels comfortable and the ambient temperature t3, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 derives a first target ambient temperature. When the air blower 120 is controlled to operate at medium power, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 derives a second target ambient temperature that is higher than the first target ambient temperature based on the graph. When the air blower 120 is controlled to operate at high power, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 derives a third target ambient temperature that is higher than the second target ambient temperature based on the graph.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 may derive the target ambient temperature using a set index value set within a predetermined range, such as a range of −0.5 or more and 0.5 or less (hot / cold sensation).

[0024] 6, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 may derive the target ambient temperature using a set heat dissipation amount related to the heat dissipation amount of the subject 201 as a set index value for deriving the target temperature. The heat dissipation amount will be described later.

[0025] The target discharge temperature derivation unit 164 derives the target discharge temperature as a target value for the discharge temperature t1, which is the temperature of the conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit 101. Specifically, the target discharge temperature derivation unit 164 derives the target discharge temperature using a ratio derived based on the distance information d acquired by the subject information acquisition unit 162, the space temperature t2 acquired by the space temperature acquisition unit 161, and the target ambient temperature derived by the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163.

[0026] The inventors have discovered that the ambient temperature t3 of the subject 201, the discharge temperature t1 of the conditioned air discharged from the air conditioning system 100, the space temperature t2 of the conditioned space 200 (value of temperature sensor 121), and the distance information d from the air conditioning system 100 to the subject 201 are related by the following equations 1 and 2.

[0027] t3=α*t1+(1-α)*t2 Equation 1 (* indicates multiplication, - indicates subtraction) α=f(d)...Equation 2

[0028] f(d) is a function that uses distance information d as a variable. f(d) is not limited to, but can be a low-order function such as a linear function. Furthermore, if a variable other than distance information d is added, f(d) may become a polynomial.

[0029] Transforming equation 1 gives: t1=(1 / α)*((1-α)*t2-t3)...Equation 3 ( / indicates division)

[0030] From the above, if t3 in Equation 3 is the target ambient temperature and t1 is the target discharge temperature, the following Equation 4 is obtained.

[0031] Target discharge temperature = (1 / α)*((1-α)*t2-target ambient temperature)...Equation 4

[0032] In the present embodiment, the target discharge temperature deriving unit 164 derives the target discharge temperature using Equation 4 above.

[0033] When the target discharge temperature is derived, the operation control unit 165 acquires the target discharge temperature and controls the compressor 130 so that the discharge temperature of the conditioned air becomes the target discharge temperature.

[0034] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may be embodied in another embodiment realized by any combination of the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0035] For example, the operation control unit 165 may control the blower 120 so that the set air speed for heating operation is lower when the discharge temperature t1 is higher than the space temperature t2, i.e., the set air speed for cooling operation is lower than when the discharge temperature t1 is lower than the space temperature t2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , if the air speed generated by the blower 120 is slower than a predetermined value, the air does not reach the target person 201. The operation control unit 165 controls the blower 120 to generate the weakest air speed possible for the air to reach the target person 201. As a result, the target ambient temperature derived by the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 is lower, and the target discharge temperature derived by the target discharge temperature derivation unit 164 is also lower. As a result, the energy consumed by the blower 120 can be reduced, and the energy consumed by the heat pump of the air conditioning system 100 can also be reduced. This also applies when the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 sets the setting index value for deriving the target temperature within a predetermined range, as shown in FIG. 8 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the same applies when the set heat radiation amount is used as the set index value for deriving the target temperature.

[0036] Furthermore, the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 may derive the amount of heat production and the amount of heat dissipation of the subject 201 based on information from the measurement device 110 and the temperature sensor 121, calculate a thermal sensation index value using the derived amounts of heat production and heat dissipation, and derive the target ambient temperature. The amount of heat production can be calculated using at least one of the movement information of the subject 201 and the biological information of the subject 201 acquired by the subject information acquisition unit 162. The amount of heat dissipation can be calculated using at least one of the movement information and the biological information acquired by the subject information acquisition unit 162, and the space temperature, which is environmental information acquired by the space temperature acquisition unit 161.

[0037] Implementing a program corresponding to each process executed by control device 160 also constitutes an embodiment of the present disclosure. Implementing a recording medium on which the program is recorded also constitutes an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] 10, the measuring device 110 may be separate from the air conditioning system main body 103. The measuring device 110 may have a processor different from the processor of the control device 160, and may transmit and receive information by communicating with the control device 160.

[0039] (summary) The air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment is an air conditioning system 100 that discharges conditioned air from a discharge unit 101 to adjust space air, which is the air in the space where a subject 201 is present, and is equipped with a control device 160. The control device 160 is equipped with a space temperature acquisition unit 161 that acquires a space temperature t2 that indicates the temperature of the space, a subject information acquisition unit 162 that acquires distance information d that indicates the distance from the discharge unit 101 to the subject 201, a target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 that derives a target ambient temperature as a target value for the ambient temperature of the subject 201 by the conditioned air, and a target discharge temperature derivation unit 164 that derives a target discharge temperature as a target value for the discharge temperature t1, which is the temperature of the conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit 101, and the target discharge temperature derivation unit 164 derives the target discharge temperature using a ratio derived based on the distance information d, the space temperature t2, and the target ambient temperature.

[0040] According to the first aspect, by understanding the distance information d to the subject 201 and the space temperature t2, it is possible to determine the discharge temperature t1 so that the subject 201 feels comfortable and control the air conditioning system 100.

[0041] The air conditioning system 100 of the second embodiment includes the first embodiment and is equipped with a blower 120 that blows conditioned air, and the control device 160 is equipped with an operation control unit 165 that controls the blower 120 so that the ambient wind speed, which is the wind speed of the conditioned air blown around the subject 201, becomes a set wind speed, and the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 sets the target ambient temperature to be the ambient temperature at which the index value of the thermal sensation felt by the subject 201 becomes the set index value when the ambient wind speed is the set wind speed.

[0042] According to the second aspect, the target ambient temperature can be derived from the wind speed around the subject 201, and the air conditioning system 100 can be controlled so that the subject 201 feels comfortable.

[0043] The air conditioning system 100 of the third embodiment includes the air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the set index value is a value in the range of not less than −0.5 and not more than 0.5.

[0044] According to the third aspect, the air conditioning system 100 can be controlled with ample margin, and the comfort of the subject 201 can be stably maintained.

[0045] The fourth aspect of the air conditioning system 100 includes any of the first to third aspects, and the operation control unit 165 sets the set wind speed when the discharge temperature t1 is higher than the space temperature t2 to be weaker than the set wind speed when the discharge temperature t1 is lower than the space temperature t2.

[0046] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the subject 201 while suppressing the energy consumed during heating operation.

[0047] The air conditioning system 100 of the fifth aspect includes the first aspect and is equipped with a blower 120 that blows conditioned air, and the control device 160 is equipped with an operation control unit 165 that controls the blower 120 so that the ambient wind speed, which is the wind speed of the conditioned air blown around the subject 201, becomes a set wind speed, and the target ambient temperature derivation unit 163 sets the target ambient temperature to be the ambient temperature at which the heat dissipation amount of the subject 201 when the ambient wind speed is the set wind speed becomes the set heat dissipation amount.

[0048] According to the fifth aspect, by understanding the distance information d to the subject 201 and the space temperature t2, it is possible to determine the discharge temperature t1 so that the subject 201 feels comfortable, and control the air conditioning system 100.

[0049] The air conditioning system 100 of the sixth aspect includes the fifth aspect, and the operation control unit 165 sets the set wind speed when the discharge temperature t1 is higher than the space temperature t2 to be weaker than the set wind speed when the discharge temperature t1 is lower than the space temperature t2.

[0050] According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the subject 201 while suppressing the energy consumed during heating operation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The present disclosure is applicable to an air conditioning system that takes in air in a conditioned space 200, cools or heats it, and discharges conditioned air to improve the comfort of a subject 201. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 100 Air Conditioning System 101 Discharge part 102 Suction part 103 Air conditioning system main body 110 Measuring equipment 120 Blower 121 Temperature Sensor 130 Compressor 140 Wind direction change motor 160 Control device 161 Space temperature acquisition section 162 Subject Information Acquisition Department 163 Target ambient temperature derivation unit 164 Target discharge temperature derivation part 165 Operation control unit 200 Conditioned space 201 Target

Claims

1. An air conditioning system that adjusts space air, which is air in a space where a target person is present, by discharging conditioned air from a discharge unit, A control device is provided, The control device a space temperature acquisition unit that acquires a space temperature indicating the temperature of the space; a subject information acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating a distance from the ejection unit to the subject; a target ambient temperature derivation unit that derives a target ambient temperature as a target value of the ambient temperature of the subject caused by the conditioned air; a target discharge temperature derivation unit that derives a target discharge temperature as a target value of a discharge temperature that is the temperature of the conditioned air discharged from the discharge unit, The target discharge temperature derivation unit A target discharge temperature is derived using the ratio derived based on the distance information, the space temperature, and the target ambient temperature. Air conditioning system.

2. Equipped with a blower that sends conditioned air, The control device an operation control unit that controls the air blower so that a peripheral wind speed, which is a wind speed of the conditioned air blown around the subject, becomes a set wind speed; The target ambient temperature derivation unit The target ambient temperature is set to the ambient temperature at which the index value of the thermal sensation felt by the subject when the ambient wind speed is the set wind speed becomes the set index value. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. The set index value is a value in the range of −0.5 or more and 0.5 or less. The air conditioning system according to claim 2 .

4. The operation control unit The set wind speed when the discharge temperature is higher than the space temperature is weaker than the set wind speed when the discharge temperature is lower than the space temperature.

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

5. Equipped with a blower that sends conditioned air, The control device an operation control unit that controls the air blower so that a peripheral wind speed, which is a wind speed of the conditioned air blown around the subject, becomes a set wind speed; The target ambient temperature derivation unit The target ambient temperature is set to the ambient temperature at which the heat radiation amount of the subject when the ambient wind speed is the set wind speed is the set heat radiation amount. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

6. The operation control unit The set wind speed when the discharge temperature is higher than the space temperature is weaker than the set wind speed when the discharge temperature is lower than the space temperature. The air conditioning system according to claim 5.

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