Air-conditioning control device, air-conditioning system, air-conditioning control method, and

Abstract

To achieve air conditioning in which deterioration of user's comfort is suppressed.SOLUTION: The air conditioning control unit 103 controls the plurality of indoor units on the basis of the set temperature for the air conditioning target space and the room temperature of the air conditioning target space. The pattern generation unit 104 generates a plurality of operation patterns each including a rotation of an operating indoor unit that is an indoor unit to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor unit, the rotation and the switching cycle being set so that wind hits each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space for an equal time. The pattern selector 105 selects an adoption pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from among the plurality of operation patterns, based on a temporal change in room temperature when the air-conditioning controller 103 controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generator 104.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning system, an air conditioning control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known technology for performing air conditioning using multiple indoor units while taking into consideration the presence of a user. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning system that includes multiple air conditioners that share the air conditioning space among the multiple air conditioner areas and a control device that controls the multiple air conditioners.

[0003] When the control device described in Patent Document 1 determines that a user is present in an area air-conditioned by an air conditioner with insufficient capacity, it executes assist control on the other air conditioners to increase the air volume toward that air-conditioned area. In other words, the air-conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 achieves sufficient temperature control in the air-conditioned area where the user is present, preventing a decrease in comfort for the user in that air-conditioned area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 082125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the causes of reduced user comfort are not limited to insufficient temperature control due to insufficient air conditioner capacity. For example, if the user is continuously exposed to air from the air conditioner in order to adjust the temperature in the air-conditioned area where the user is located, the user's comfort is likely to be reduced. In the air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1, the user may be continuously exposed to air from the air conditioner in order to adjust the temperature, which may reduce the user's comfort. For this reason, there is a demand for technology that realizes air conditioning that minimizes the reduction in user comfort.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning system, an air conditioning control method, and a program that realize air conditioning that suppresses a decrease in user comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioning control device according to the present disclosure includes: an air conditioning control means for controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and a room temperature of the space to be air-conditioned; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern from the plurality of operation patterns, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, based on the change over time in room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the present disclosure, an adopted pattern is selected based on temporal changes in room temperature when multiple indoor units are controlled according to each of multiple operation patterns, including a rotation of operating indoor units set so that each of multiple users is exposed to air for an equal amount of time, and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, air conditioning that suppresses a decrease in user comfort can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] Configuration diagram of an indoor unit according to embodiment 1 [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing wind reach areas of each indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing rotation information according to the first embodiment, in which (A) shows the rotation information before correction, and (B) shows the rotation information after correction. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows evaluation information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing an adoption pattern selection process executed by the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing an air conditioning control process executed by the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] Functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device according to a second embodiment [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing overlapping of wind reach areas of each operating indoor unit according to embodiment 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the wind reach areas of the operating indoor units according to the second embodiment do not overlap. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the size of the wind reach area of ​​each indoor unit according to embodiment 2 depends on the installation height. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned. The space to be air-conditioned is a space to be air-conditioned, for example, the interior space of a room in an office. The air conditioning system 1000 includes an air conditioning control device 100, an outdoor unit 200A, an outdoor unit 200B, an indoor unit 300AA, an indoor unit 300AB, an indoor unit 300AC, an indoor unit 300AD, an indoor unit 300BA, an indoor unit 300BB, an indoor unit 300BC, an indoor unit 300BD, and a server 500.

[0012] The air conditioning control device 100 and the outdoor units 200A and 200B are connected to a communication network 710. The communication network 710 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) established in an office, such as a wireless communication network compatible with Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a wired communication network compatible with Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication network 710 and the communication network 720 are connected to each other. The communication network 720 is, for example, a wide area network established outside the office, such as the Internet. The server 500 is connected to the communication network 720.

[0013] The outdoor unit 200A is connected to the indoor units 300AA, 300AB, 300AC, and 300AD via a communication cable 210A. The outdoor unit 200B is connected to the indoor units 300BA, 300BB, 300BC, and 300BD via a communication cable 210B. The communication cables 210A and 210B are shielded cables such as MVVS cables and CVVS cables. The outdoor unit 200A, the indoor units 300AA, the indoor units 300AB, the indoor units 300AC, and the indoor units 300AD are air conditioners of refrigerant system A. The outdoor unit 200B, the indoor units 300BA, the indoor units 300BB, the indoor units 300BC, and the indoor units 300BD are air conditioners of refrigerant system B.

[0014] Hereinafter, the outdoor unit 200A and the outdoor unit 200B will be collectively referred to as the outdoor unit 200, as appropriate. Furthermore, the indoor unit 300AA, the indoor unit 300AB, the indoor unit 300AC, the indoor unit 300AD, the indoor unit 300BA, the indoor unit 300BB, the indoor unit 300BC, and the indoor unit 300BD will be collectively referred to as the indoor unit 300, as appropriate. Furthermore, the communication cable 210A and the communication cable 210B will be collectively referred to as the communication cable 210, as appropriate. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 300 will be collectively referred to as the air conditioner, as appropriate.

[0015] The air conditioning control device 100 is a device that controls the operation of the entire air conditioning system 1000. The air conditioning control device 100 controls and monitors air conditioners such as the outdoor unit 200 and indoor unit 300 via a communication network 710. For example, the air conditioning control device 100 controls the air conditioners by sending control commands indicating the control details for the air conditioners. The air conditioning control device 100 also receives status information indicating the status of the air conditioners from the air conditioners and monitors the air conditioners. The status information includes, for example, setting values ​​set in the air conditioners, sensor values ​​detected by various sensors equipped in the air conditioners, and the like. The air conditioning control device 100 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0016] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), RTC (Real Time Clock), etc. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, central arithmetic unit, processor, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central processing unit that executes processes and calculations related to the control of the air conditioning control device 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area to perform overall control of the air conditioning control device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a timekeeping function. The CPU can determine the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

[0017] The storage unit 12 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. The storage unit 12 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 as a result of executing various processes.

[0018] The display unit 13 displays various images under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the display unit 13 displays a screen for accepting various operations from the user. The display unit 13 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation accepting unit 14 accepts various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the accepted operations to the control unit 11. The operation accepting unit 14 includes a touch screen, a button, a lever, etc.

[0019] The communication unit 15 communicates with other devices under the control of the control unit 11. The communication unit 15 has a function of connecting to the communication network 710, and communicates with devices connected to the communication network 710, devices connected to a communication network 720 connected to the communication network 710, etc. The communication unit 15 is provided with a communication interface that complies with various communication standards adopted in the communication network 710.

[0020] The outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 300 are devices that condition the air in the space to be air-conditioned under the control of the air conditioning control device 100. The outdoor unit 200 is a piece of equipment that conditions the air inside the room and is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit 200 circulates refrigerant between the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 300 via refrigerant piping, which will be described later. The outdoor unit 200 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100 via a communication network 710. The outdoor unit 200 communicates with the indoor unit 300 via a communication cable 210.

[0021] The indoor unit 300 is a piece of equipment installed indoors that conditions indoor air. The indoor unit 300 blows air into the room for heating, cooling, dehumidification, ventilation, etc. The indoor unit 300 communicates with the outdoor unit 200 via a communication cable 210. The indoor unit 300 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100 via the outdoor unit 200. As shown in FIG. 2 , the indoor unit 300 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a display unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, a communication unit 35, a temperature sensor 36, and an infrared sensor 37.

[0022] The control unit 31 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, etc. In the control unit 31, the CPU reads out programs and data stored in the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area to perform overall control of the indoor unit 300. The storage unit 32 includes non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 32 stores programs and data used by the control unit 31 to execute various processes. The storage unit 32 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 31 as a result of executing various processes.

[0023] The display unit 33 displays various images under the control of the control unit 31. The display unit 33 includes a liquid crystal display, a touch screen, etc. The operation reception unit 34 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the received operations to the control unit 31. The operation reception unit 34 includes a touch screen, a button, a lever, etc.

[0024] The communication unit 35 communicates with the outdoor unit 200 via the communication cable 210 under the control of the control unit 31. The communication unit 35 is provided with a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

[0025] The temperature sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the room temperature. Specifically, the temperature sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the air around the indoor unit 300. The temperature sensor 36 supplies the control unit 31 with room temperature information that indicates the detected temperature.

[0026] The infrared sensor 37 is an infrared image sensor in which imaging elements that detect infrared rays are arranged two-dimensionally. The infrared sensor 37 generates an infrared image that indicates the amount of infrared rays received for each part of the imaging area. The amount of infrared rays received basically corresponds to the temperature of the surface of the object. The infrared sensor 37 provided in a certain indoor unit 300 generates an infrared image of the area covered by this indoor unit 300. The infrared sensor 37 supplies the generated infrared image to the control unit 31.

[0027] The server 500 is a server that provides various information necessary for air conditioning of the air-conditioned space. The server 500 includes, for example, a storage unit (not shown) that stores positional relationship information, installation height information, etc., and a communication unit (not shown) for connecting to the communication network 720. The positional relationship information is information that indicates the positional relationship of the multiple indoor units 300 in the air-conditioned space. The positional relationship information is information that indicates, for example, the arrangement order of the multiple indoor units 300 in the air-conditioned space, the distance between the multiple indoor units 300, etc.

[0028] The installation height information is information indicating the installation heights of the multiple indoor units 300. The installation heights of the indoor units 300 basically correspond to the height of the ceiling. Therefore, the installation height information may be information indicating the height of the ceiling included in BIM (Building Information Modeling) data. The server 500 is, for example, a cloud server installed outside the office.

[0029] The airflow reach area 62 of each indoor unit 300 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each indoor unit 300 in a room 60, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The outdoor unit 200A, the indoor unit 300AA, the indoor unit 300AB, the indoor unit 300AC, and the indoor unit 300AD are connected to each other via refrigerant piping 220A. The outdoor unit 200B, the indoor unit 300BA, the indoor unit 300BB, the indoor unit 300BC, and the indoor unit 300BD are connected to each other via refrigerant piping 220B. Refrigerant piping 220 is a general term for refrigerant piping 220A and refrigerant piping 220B.

[0030] In this embodiment, the air in the space to be air-conditioned is conditioned by eight indoor units 300. In Fig. 3, dashed line 61 indicates the limit position that the wind blown out from one indoor unit 300 can reach. Wind reach area 62 is the area that the wind blown out from one indoor unit 300 can reach, and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61.

[0031] In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, it is assumed that the limit position that the wind from the indoor unit 300 can reach does not depend on height, and that the size of the wind reach area 62 does not depend on height. Also, in this embodiment, for ease of understanding, it is assumed that all wind reach areas 62 do not overlap with one another, and that the total size of all wind reach areas 62 is equal to the size of the entire area of ​​the air-conditioned space. In other words, in this embodiment, it is assumed that wind from any one indoor unit 300 hits any area in the air-conditioned space. In this embodiment, the area is basically a two-dimensional area when viewed in a plane.

[0032] The wind reach area 62AA is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300AA and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61AA. The wind reach area 62AB is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300AB and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61AB. The wind reach area 62AC is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300AC and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61AC. The wind reach area 62AD is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300AD and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61AD.

[0033] The wind reach area 62BA is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300BA and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61BA. The wind reach area 62BB is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300BB and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61BB. The wind reach area 62BC is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300BC and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61BC. The wind reach area 62BD is the area reached by wind from the indoor unit 300BD and is the area surrounded by dashed line 61BD.

[0034] Dashed line 61 is a collective term for dashed line 61AA, dashed line 61AB, dashed line 61AC, dashed line 61AD, dashed line 61BA, dashed line 61BB, dashed line 61BC, and dashed line 61BD. Wind reach area 62 is a collective term for wind reach area 62AA, wind reach area 62AB, wind reach area 62AC, wind reach area 62AD, wind reach area 62BA, wind reach area 62BB, wind reach area 62BC, and wind reach area 62BD.

[0035] Next, the functions of the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Functionally, the air conditioning control device 100 comprises a set temperature acquisition unit 101, a room temperature acquisition unit 102, an air conditioning control unit 103, a pattern generation unit 104, a pattern selection unit 105, a user position acquisition unit 106, and a pattern correction unit 107. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or storage unit 12. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM or storage unit 12 to realize each of these functions.

[0036] The set temperature acquisition unit 101 acquires set temperature information indicating the set temperature for the air-conditioned space. In this embodiment, one set temperature is set for the room 60, which is the air-conditioned space. The set temperature may be set by the user 70 who uses the room 60. In this case, the set temperature acquisition unit 101 acquires set temperature information indicating the set temperature based on an operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 14 from the user 70, from the operation acceptance unit 14. The set temperature may be set according to a program of the air conditioning control device 100. For example, when the air conditioning control device 100 evaluates an operation pattern for each set temperature, the set temperature acquisition unit 101 acquires set temperature information indicating the set temperature to be evaluated from the memory unit 12.

[0037] The room temperature acquisition unit 102 acquires room temperature information indicating the room temperature of the air-conditioned space. In the present embodiment, each of the eight indoor units 300 set up in the room 60 is equipped with a temperature sensor 36 that detects the room temperature. Therefore, the room temperature acquisition unit 102 may acquire room temperature information from any one of the indoor units 300. Alternatively, the room temperature acquisition unit 102 may acquire room temperature information from the eight indoor units 300, and acquire room temperature information indicating the average value of the eight room temperatures detected by the eight temperature sensors 36.

[0038] The air conditioning control unit 103 controls the multiple indoor units 300 based on the set temperature for the air-conditioned space and the room temperature of the air-conditioned space. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 103 controls the multiple indoor units 300 so that the room temperature approaches the set temperature or is maintained at the set temperature. For example, the air conditioning control unit 103 transmits to each indoor unit 300 control commands instructing the operation mode, such as cooling operation or heating operation, control commands instructing operation or stoppage, and control commands instructing the set temperature, air volume, air direction, etc. In this embodiment, the process when the air conditioning control device 100 cools the room 60 will be described. The air conditioning control unit 103 is an example of air conditioning control means.

[0039] The pattern generation unit 104 generates a plurality of operation patterns for a plurality of indoor units 300. In the present embodiment, the operation pattern includes the rotation of the operating indoor units, which are the indoor units 300 to be operated, and the switching cycle of the operating indoor units. The pattern generation unit 104 generates operation pattern information indicating the details of the operation pattern for each operation pattern. The operation pattern information includes rotation information and switching cycle information. The rotation information is information indicating the rotation of the operating indoor units.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5(A), the rotation information is information that indicates the equipment status of each indoor unit 300 for each stage. The stages correspond to the period during which a combination of equipment statuses of each indoor unit 300 is maintained. Fig. 5(A) shows a rotation in which the first stage and the second stage are repeated. The equipment status is either operating or stopped. In Fig. 5(A), ON corresponds to operating, and OFF corresponds to stopped operation.

[0041] 5(A) indicates that a first stage in which indoor units 300AA, 300AB, 300BA, and 300BB are operated, and a second stage in which indoor units 300AC, 300AD, 300BC, and 300BD are operated are repeated. The switching cycle information is information that indicates the switching cycle of the operating indoor units, that is, the cycle in which the stages are switched.

[0042] The rotation of the operating indoor units is set so that each of the multiple users 70 present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time. In other words, the pattern generation unit 104 sets a rotation that exposes all areas in the air-conditioned space to air for an equal period of time, so that each of the users 70 is exposed to air for an equal period of time regardless of the position of each user 70. For example, in a rotation that alternates between a first stage and a second stage, the rotation is set so that each area is exposed to air in only one of the stages.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 5(A), in the first stage, indoor unit 300AA, indoor unit 300AB, indoor unit 300BA, and indoor unit 300BB are operating, and indoor unit 300AC, indoor unit 300AD, indoor unit 300BC, and indoor unit 300BD are not operating. Therefore, in Figure 3, in the first stage, the wind blows onto the first area surrounded by dashed line 60A, and the wind does not blow onto the second area surrounded by dashed line 60B.

[0044] On the other hand, in the second stage, the wind does not reach the first region surrounded by dashed line 60A, but reaches the second region surrounded by dashed line 60B. The first region is an area including wind reach region 62AA, wind reach region 62AB, wind reach region 62BA, and wind reach region 62BB. The second region is an area including wind reach region 62AC, wind reach region 62AD, wind reach region 62BC, and wind reach region 62BD. The pattern generation unit 104 generates multiple operation patterns that differ in at least one of the rotation of the operating indoor units and the switching cycle of the operating indoor units. The pattern generation unit 104 stores operation pattern information indicating each generated operation pattern in the memory unit 12.

[0045] The pattern selection unit 105 selects, from among the multiple operation patterns, an adoption pattern that is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the multiple indoor units 300. Specifically, the pattern selection unit 105 selects the adoption pattern based on changes in room temperature over time when the air conditioning control unit 103 controls the multiple indoor units 300 in accordance with each of the multiple operation patterns generated by the pattern generation unit 104. In other words, the pattern selection unit 105 selects the adoption pattern based on the track record of changes in room temperature over time when control is performed in accordance with the operation pattern.

[0046] For example, the pattern selection unit 105 selects an adopted pattern based on the duration of control of the multiple indoor units 300 according to each of the multiple operation patterns. The duration is the time during which the room temperature is continuously maintained at the set temperature. How the duration is defined can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the duration is the time during which the room temperature is within a temperature range from 1 degree lower than the set temperature to 1 degree higher than the set temperature.

[0047] For example, assume that the set temperature is 25°C, the room temperature drops from 28°C to 24°C, and then gradually rises from 24°C to 27°C. In this case, the duration is the time from when the room temperature drops to 26°C to when it rises to 26°C. A long duration basically means that the air conditioning capacity is not too insufficient compared to the heat load, and appropriate temperature control is achieved over a long period of time. Therefore, it is preferable that the pattern selection unit 105 preferentially selects operation patterns with long durations as the adopted patterns.

[0048] The pattern selection unit 105 may select an adopted pattern based on the arrival time when the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled according to each of the multiple operation patterns. The arrival time is the time it takes for the room temperature to reach the set temperature from a reference temperature based on the set temperature. In the case of cooling, the reference temperature is a temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0049] For example, assume that the set temperature is 25°C, the reference temperature is 27°C, the room temperature drops from 28°C to 24°C, and then gradually rises from 24°C to 27°C. In this case, the arrival time is the time from when the room temperature drops to 27°C to when it drops to 25°C. A short arrival time basically means that the air conditioning capacity is high relative to the heat load and temperature adjustment is achieved quickly. Therefore, it is preferable that the pattern selection unit 105 preferentially selects an operation pattern with a short arrival time as the pattern to be adopted.

[0050] In this embodiment, the pattern selection unit 105 selects an adopted pattern based on the duration and arrival time. Specifically, the pattern selection unit 105 preferentially selects an operation pattern with a long differential time, which is the duration minus the arrival time, as an adopted pattern. A short differential time basically means that appropriate temperature control is achieved quickly over a long period of time. In this embodiment, the number of operating indoor units is adjusted so that both the duration and the arrival time are finite values ​​and the air conditioning capacity is not too insufficient compared to the heat load. In other words, if the air conditioning capacity is not too insufficient compared to the heat load, the room temperature can temporarily reach the set temperature, but it is considered that the room temperature will not be continuously maintained at the set temperature.

[0051] The duration and arrival time are thought to depend on the rotation of the operating indoor units, the switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the set temperature, etc. Therefore, the duration and arrival time are calculated for each combination of operation pattern and set temperature. Then, for each set temperature, the optimal operation pattern based on the duration and arrival time is selected as the adopted pattern.

[0052] The pattern selection unit 105 may select an adopted pattern based on the wind-shielded area ratio when the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled according to each of the multiple operation patterns. The wind-shielded area ratio is the ratio of the area that is not exposed to the wind from the operating indoor units out of the total area of ​​the air-conditioned space. In this embodiment, the wind-shielded area ratio is essentially the same as the wind-shielded time ratio. The wind-shielded time ratio is the ratio of the time that is not exposed to the wind from the operating indoor units out of the total time that control based on the operation pattern is being carried out.

[0053] The wind shielding time ratio is a concept defined for each area within the air-conditioned space. However, in this embodiment, the operation pattern is generated so that all areas within the air-conditioned space are exposed to wind for an equal amount of time. Therefore, the wind shielding time ratio is the same for all areas within the air-conditioned space. A large wind shielding area ratio and a large wind shielding time ratio mean that the time the user 70 is exposed to wind is short, and the comfort of the user 70 is less likely to decrease. Therefore, the pattern selection unit 105 preferentially selects an operation pattern with a large wind shielding area ratio as the pattern to be adopted.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the windshield area ratio is 50% in both the first and second stages. Note that the windshield area ratio may differ for each stage in the operation pattern. In this case, the pattern selection unit 105 may select an adopted pattern based on, for example, the average value of the windshield area ratio for each stage.

[0055] In this embodiment, the pattern selection unit 105 selects an adopted pattern based on both the differential time and the windshield area ratio. For example, the pattern selection unit 105 selects, as the adopted pattern, an operation pattern with the largest windshield area ratio among operation patterns with differential time equal to or greater than a lower limit. If there are multiple operation patterns with the largest windshield area ratio, the operation pattern with the largest differential time among these operation patterns is selected as the adopted pattern.

[0056] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 6, a method in which the pattern selection unit 105 evaluates each operation pattern and selects an adopted pattern will be described. Fig. 6 shows evaluation information prepared for each set temperature. The evaluation information shown in Fig. 6 is evaluation information prepared for a set temperature of 25 degrees. The evaluation information is information for evaluating each operation pattern in order to select the optimal adopted pattern for the corresponding set temperature. In this embodiment, the evaluation information is information indicating, for each operation pattern, the switching cycle (minutes), the indoor units operating in the first stage, the windscreen area ratio (%), the arrival time (minutes), the duration (minutes), and the difference time (minutes).

[0057] An operating indoor unit in the first stage is an indoor unit 300 that operates in the first stage. In this embodiment, in any operation pattern, there is a two-stage rotation, a first stage and a second stage, and any indoor unit 300 operates in only one of the stages. In other words, the rotation of operating indoor units is specified by the operating indoor unit in the first stage. An operating indoor unit in the first stage is an indoor unit 300 that operates in the first stage and does not operate in the second stage. An operating indoor unit in the second stage is an indoor unit 300 that operates in the second stage and does not operate in the first stage.

[0058] The windshield area ratio, arrival time, duration, etc. depend on the rotation of the operating indoor units. The arrival time, duration, etc. also depend on the switching cycle of the operating indoor units. Therefore, even if the rotation of the operating indoor units is the same, if the switching cycle of the operating indoor units is different, the arrival time, duration, etc. may differ. In this embodiment, the optimal operation pattern is identified based on both the differential time and the windshield area ratio, and the identified operation pattern is selected as the pattern to be used. In the example shown in Figure 6, the windshield area ratio is 50% for all operation patterns. Therefore, pattern 2, which is the operation pattern with the largest differential time, is selected as the pattern to be used. Pattern selection unit 105 is an example of a pattern selection means.

[0059] The air conditioning control unit 103 alternates between full operation control and rotation control. Full operation control is a control that operates all of the multiple indoor units 300 until the room temperature reaches the control start temperature. The control start temperature is a temperature based on the set temperature and is the temperature at which rotation control starts. In the case of cooling, the control start temperature is a temperature lower than the set temperature. Rotation control is a control that rotates the operating indoor units according to the adopted pattern until the room temperature reaches the control end temperature. The control end temperature is a temperature based on the set temperature and is the temperature at which rotation control ends. In the case of cooling, the control end temperature is a temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0060] If rotation control is executed from the start of air conditioning control, it may take a long time for the room temperature to reach the set temperature. Furthermore, if rotation control is executed continuously, the room temperature may not be maintained at the set temperature. Therefore, the air conditioning control unit 103 quickly achieves and maintains appropriate temperature control by repeating full operation control and rotation control.

[0061] The user position acquisition unit 106 acquires user position information indicating the positions of multiple users 70. For example, the user position acquisition unit 106 acquires infrared images from each indoor unit 300 and identifies the positions of people present around each indoor unit 300 based on the acquired infrared images. In the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 37 provided in the indoor unit 300 acquires an infrared image of the wind reach area 62 of this indoor unit 300. Therefore, the user position acquisition unit 106 can identify the positions of all users 70 present in the room 60 based on infrared images acquired from eight indoor units 300. The user position acquisition unit 106 generates user position information indicating the positions of all identified users 70. The user position acquisition unit 106 is an example of user position acquisition means.

[0062] The pattern correction unit 107 corrects the adopted pattern based on the user position information acquired by the user position acquisition unit 106. Specifically, first, the pattern correction unit 107 identifies, from among the multiple indoor units 300, indoor units 300 that are located in positions where no users 70 will be exposed to wind, based on the user position information. In the example shown in Fig. 3, no users 70 are present in wind reach area 62AA and wind reach area 62BC. Therefore, the pattern correction unit 107 identifies indoor unit 300AA and indoor unit 300BC as indoor units 300 that are located in positions where no users 70 will be exposed to wind.

[0063] The pattern correction unit 107 then corrects the adopted pattern so that the identified indoor unit 300 always remains an operating indoor unit, the number of operating indoor units is maintained, and air is blown onto each of the multiple users 70 for an equal amount of time. In other words, the pattern correction unit 107 always sets the indoor unit 300 that does not blow air onto the user 70 as an operating indoor unit, and instead reduces the amount of time that the other indoor units 300 that blow air onto the user 70 are operating, thereby maintaining the number of operating indoor units that are in operation for temperature adjustment. With this configuration, the amount of time that the other indoor units 300 that blow air onto the user 70 are in operation is shortened, further minimizing the decrease in comfort caused by air blowing onto the user 70.

[0064] Hereinafter, the indoor unit 300 that is always in operation will be referred to as the "always in operation indoor unit," and the indoor units 300 other than the "always in operation indoor units" will be referred to as the "emergency operation indoor unit." If the air exposure time of a specific emergency operation indoor unit is reduced while the air exposure time of the other emergency operation indoor units is not reduced, differences in the amount of time the air is exposed to the air will occur among the multiple areas where users 70 are present. Therefore, the pattern correction unit 107 corrects the adopted pattern so that each of the multiple users 70 is exposed to the air for an equal amount of time. In other words, emergency operation indoor units that are stopped in place of the always in operation indoor units are rotated among the emergency operation indoor units.

[0065] A method for updating rotation information will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5(A) shows rotation information before correction, which is rotation information included in adoption pattern information indicating the adoption pattern before correction. Figure 5(B) shows rotation information after correction, which is rotation information included in revision pattern information indicating the adoption pattern after correction.

[0066] In the example shown in Fig. 3, there are no users 70 in wind reach area 62AA and wind reach area 62BC, so indoor unit 300AA and indoor unit 300BC are always-operating indoor units. In this case, the number of always-operating indoor units is two, and the number of emergency operation indoor units is six. Therefore, three emergency operation indoor units are rotated for one always-operating indoor unit, and the operation of one always-operating indoor unit is offset by the stoppage of the three emergency operation indoor units.

[0067] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the first, third, and fifth stages in the corrected rotation information correspond to the first stage in the rotation information before correction. Furthermore, the second, fourth, and sixth stages in the corrected rotation information correspond to the second stage in the rotation information before correction. Compared to the first stage before correction, the first stage after correction shows that indoor unit 300BC is operating, but indoor unit 300AB is stopped from operating. Compared to the second stage before correction, the second stage after correction shows that indoor unit 300AA is operating, but indoor unit 300AC is stopped from operating.

[0068] In the third stage after correction, compared to the first stage before correction, the indoor unit 300BC is operating but the indoor unit 300BA is stopped. In the fourth stage after correction, compared to the second stage before correction, the indoor unit 300AA is operating but the indoor unit 300AD is stopped. In the fifth stage after correction, compared to the first stage before correction, the indoor unit 300BC is operating but the indoor unit 300BB is stopped. In the sixth stage after correction, compared to the second stage before correction, the indoor unit 300AA is operating but the indoor unit 300BD is stopped.

[0069] The air conditioning control unit 103 controls the multiple indoor units 300 in accordance with the adopted pattern corrected by the pattern correction unit 107. In the corrected adopted pattern, the wind shielding time ratio in areas where the user 70 is not present is 0%, and the wind shielding time ratio in areas where the user 70 is present is high. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5(B), the wind shielding time ratio in areas where the user 70 is present is approximately 67%. Note that in the adopted pattern before correction, i.e., the example shown in FIG. 5(A), the wind shielding time ratio in areas where the user 70 is present is 50%. In this way, by correcting the adopted pattern, the wind shielding time ratio in areas where the user 70 is present increases, further suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the user 70. The pattern correction unit 107 is an example of pattern correction means.

[0070] In this embodiment, each of the multiple indoor units 300 belongs to one of multiple refrigerant systems. Therefore, the pattern generation unit 104 generates multiple operation patterns in which the rotation of operating indoor units is set so that each of the multiple refrigerant systems has at least one operating indoor unit at any time.

[0071] Basically, the compressors (not shown) of the outdoor units 200 of the refrigerant systems in which all indoor units 300 are stopped will stop operating, while the compressors of the outdoor units 200 of the refrigerant systems in which any indoor units 300 are operating will operate. Here, if the compressors of the outdoor units 200 are restarted, it will take a long time and a lot of power to produce conditioned air. Therefore, at least from the perspective of power consumption, it is preferable for the compressors of the outdoor units 200 to continue operating rather than repeatedly operating and stopping. For this reason, the pattern generation unit 104 generates operation patterns such that all refrigerant systems have at least one operating indoor unit at every stage. Figure 6 shows examples in which patterns 1 to 5 each have at least one operating indoor unit at every stage in refrigerant systems A and B.

[0072] Next, the employed pattern selection process executed by the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7. The employed pattern selection process is a process for selecting the optimum operation pattern as the employed pattern for each set temperature. The employed pattern selection process is executed once at the change of seasons, for example.

[0073] First, the control unit 11 included in the air conditioning control device 100 selects a set temperature (step S101). For example, the control unit 11 selects one of the temperatures in 1-degree increments that can be considered as the set temperature. After completing the processing of step S101, the control unit 11 selects an operation pattern (step S102). For example, the control unit 11 selects an operation pattern specified by a combination of rotation and switching period.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 11 selects one rotation from among a plurality of rotations that are considered to be rotations that allow each of the plurality of users 70 to be exposed to wind for an equal amount of time. The control unit 11 also selects one switching cycle from among a plurality of switching cycles that are considered to be appropriate as the switching cycle. Note that selecting a combination of a rotation and a switching cycle corresponds to selecting an operation pattern.

[0075] When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S102, it executes rotation control (step S103). The control unit 11 executes rotation control at the selected set temperature according to the selected operation pattern. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S103, it identifies the arrival time (step S104). For example, the control unit 11 identifies the time required for the room temperature to reach the set temperature from the reference temperature when this rotation control is executed.

[0076] Upon completing the process of step S104, control unit 11 identifies the duration (step S105). For example, control unit 11 identifies the time during which the room temperature is maintained between a temperature 1 degree lower than the set temperature and a temperature 1 degree higher than the set temperature when this rotation control is executed. Upon completing the process of step S105, control unit 11 calculates the differential time (step S106). That is, control unit 11 calculates the differential time by subtracting the arrival time from the duration.

[0077] Upon completing the process of step S106, the control unit 11 calculates the windshield area ratio (step S107). For example, the control unit 11 calculates the windshield area ratio for each stage and calculates the average value of the windshield area ratios for each stage. Upon completing the process of step S107, the control unit 11 updates the evaluation information (step S108). That is, the control unit 11 updates the evaluation information stored in the storage unit 12 so that the duration, arrival time, difference time, windshield area ratio, etc. of the selected operation pattern are included in the evaluation information.

[0078] When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S108, it determines whether or not there is an unselected operation pattern (step S109). That is, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an operation pattern for which rotation control is not being performed for the selected set temperature. When the control unit 11 determines that there is an unselected operation pattern (step S109: YES), it returns the process to step S102.

[0079] When the control unit 11 determines that there are no unselected operation patterns (step S109: NO), it selects an operation pattern to be adopted (step S110). For example, the control unit 11 selects the operation pattern with the longest differential time among the operation patterns with the highest windshield area ratio as the operation pattern to be adopted for the currently selected set temperature. The control unit 11 updates the adopted pattern instruction information stored in the memory unit 12. The adopted pattern instruction information is information that indicates the operation pattern to be adopted for each set temperature.

[0080] When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S110, it determines whether or not there are any unselected set temperatures (step S111). If the control unit 11 determines that there are any unselected set temperatures (step S111: YES), it returns the process to step S101. If the control unit 11 determines that there are no unselected set temperatures (step S111: NO), it completes the adoption pattern selection process.

[0081] Next, the air conditioning control process executed by the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8. The air conditioning control process is a process for controlling multiple indoor units 300 so that the room temperature of the air-conditioned space reaches a set temperature. The air conditioning control process is executed, for example, while the air conditioning control device 100 is powered on.

[0082] First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an air conditioning ON operation has been performed (step S201). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an air conditioning ON operation has been performed by the user 70 on the operation reception unit 14. If the control unit 11 determines that an air conditioning ON operation has not been performed (step S201: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S201. If the control unit 11 determines that an air conditioning ON operation has been performed (step S201: YES), the control unit 11 identifies an adoption pattern according to the set temperature (step S202).

[0083] Upon completing the processing of step S202, the control unit 11 detects the position of the user 70 (step S203). For example, the control unit 11 identifies the position of the user 70 in the room 60 based on infrared images acquired from each indoor unit 300. Upon completing the processing of step S203, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a wind reachable area 62 where no user 70 is present (step S204). The existence of a wind reachable area 62 where no user 70 is present means that there is an indoor unit 300 located in a position where the user 70 is not exposed to wind.

[0084] When the control unit 11 determines that there is a wind reach area 62 where no user 70 is present (step S204: YES), it corrects the adopted pattern (step S205). For example, the control unit 11 corrects the adopted pattern so that the indoor units 300 corresponding to the wind reach area 62 where no user 70 is present always become operating indoor units, the number of operating indoor units is maintained, and each of the multiple users 70 is exposed to wind for an equal amount of time.

[0085] If the control unit 11 determines that there is no wind reach area 62 where no user 70 is present (step S204: NO), or if the process of step S205 is completed, the control unit 11 starts full operation control (step S206). The control unit 11 operates all of the indoor units 300. After completing the process of step S206, the control unit 11 determines whether the state in which the room temperature is lower than the control start temperature has continued for more than the switching period (step S207).

[0086] When the control unit 11 determines that the state in which the room temperature is lower than the control start temperature has not continued for more than the switching period (step S207: NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S207. When the control unit 11 determines that the state in which the room temperature is lower than the control start temperature has continued for more than the switching period (step S207: YES), the control unit 11 starts rotation control (step S208). Specifically, the control unit 11 starts rotation control according to the adoption pattern corresponding to the set temperature. In this way, the control unit 11 starts rotation control when the start condition for rotation control is satisfied.

[0087] When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S208, it determines whether the room temperature has reached the control end temperature (step S209). When the control unit 11 determines that the room temperature has reached the control end temperature (step S209: YES), it returns the process to step S206. In this way, when the rotation control end condition is satisfied, the control unit 11 ends the rotation control and starts full operation control.

[0088] If the control unit 11 determines that the room temperature has not reached the control end temperature (step S209: NO), it determines whether or not an air conditioning off operation has been performed (step S210). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an air conditioning off operation has been performed by the user 70 on the operation reception unit 14. If the control unit 11 determines that an air conditioning off operation has not been performed (step S210: NO), it returns the process to step S209.

[0089] When the control unit 11 determines that an air conditioning off operation has been performed (step S210: YES), it stops the operation of all indoor units 300 (step S211). When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S211, it returns the process to step S201.

[0090] In this embodiment, the pattern to be adopted for controlling the multiple indoor units 300 is selected based on the change in room temperature over time when the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled according to each of the multiple operation patterns. Here, the multiple operation patterns include a rotation of the operating indoor units set so that each of the multiple users 70 is exposed to air for an equal period of time, and a switching cycle for the operating indoor units. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled according to an operation pattern that allows appropriate temperature adjustment, out of operation patterns that prevent a specific user 70 from being exposed to air for an extended period of time. Therefore, according to this embodiment, air conditioning that prevents a decrease in the comfort of the user 70 can be achieved.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pattern to be adopted is selected based on the duration of control of the multiple indoor units 300 according to each of the multiple operation patterns. According to this embodiment, appropriate temperature adjustment is maintained for a long period of time, thereby preventing a decrease in comfort for the user 70.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pattern to be adopted is selected based on the arrival time when the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled in accordance with each of the multiple operation patterns. According to this embodiment, appropriate temperature adjustment is performed quickly, thereby preventing a decrease in comfort for the user 70.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pattern to be adopted is selected based on the wind shield area ratio when the multiple indoor units 300 are controlled in accordance with each of the multiple operation patterns. According to this embodiment, the time that the user 70 is exposed to the wind is short, further suppressing a decrease in comfort for the user 70.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, full operation control and rotation control are alternately performed, and therefore, according to this embodiment, appropriate temperature adjustment is quickly performed and the appropriate temperature adjustment is maintained for a long period of time, further suppressing a decrease in comfort for the user 70.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an indoor unit located in a position where the wind does not hit any of the users 70 is always the operating indoor unit, the number of operating indoor units is maintained, and the employment pattern is corrected so that each of the multiple users is exposed to the wind for an equal amount of time. According to this embodiment, appropriate temperature adjustment is maintained and the time that the wind hits the users 70 is short, further suppressing a decrease in comfort for the users 70.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple operation patterns are generated in which the rotation of operating indoor units is set so that all of the multiple refrigerant systems have operating indoor units at any time. Therefore, according to this embodiment, air conditioning can be achieved that suppresses power consumption while suppressing a decrease in comfort for the user 70.

[0097] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the wind reach area is known. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the wind reach area is identified from the relative positions, installation height, etc. of multiple indoor units 300. Note that the description of the same configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0098] The functions of an air conditioning control device 100A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. Functionally, the air conditioning control device 100A includes a set temperature acquisition unit 101, a room temperature acquisition unit 102, an air conditioning control unit 103, a pattern generation unit 104, a pattern selection unit 105, a user position acquisition unit 106, a pattern correction unit 107, a positional relationship acquisition unit 108, a reachable area estimation unit 109, and an installation height acquisition unit 110. Physically, the air conditioning control device 100A has the same configuration as the air conditioning control device 100.

[0099] The positional relationship acquisition unit 108 acquires positional relationship information indicating the positional relationships of the multiple indoor units 300 in the air-conditioned space. The positional relationship acquisition unit 108 acquires the positional relationship information from, for example, the server 500. The positional relationship acquisition unit 108 is an example of a positional relationship acquisition means.

[0100] The reach area estimation unit 109 estimates a wind reach area, which is an area where wind from an operating indoor unit reaches, based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition unit 108. The reach area estimation unit 109 may estimate the wind reach area based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition unit 108 and installation height information acquired by the installation height acquisition unit 110. The reach area estimation unit 109 is an example of a reach area estimation means.

[0101] The installation height acquisition unit 110 acquires installation height information indicating the installation heights of the multiple indoor units 300. The installation height acquisition unit 110 acquires the installation height information from, for example, the server 500. The installation height acquisition unit 110 is an example of an installation height acquisition means.

[0102] The pattern generation unit 104 may generate an operation pattern based on the wind reach area estimated by the reach area estimation unit 109. For example, the pattern generation unit 104 generates an operation pattern based on the wind reach area so that each of the multiple users 70 is exposed to wind for an equal amount of time. The pattern generation unit 104 also generates an operation pattern so that the wind shield area ratio calculated from the wind reach area is large. For example, the pattern generation unit 104 generates an operation pattern so that multiple adjacent indoor units 300 operate simultaneously. In such an operation pattern, the wind reach areas of the multiple operating indoor units overlap, so the wind shield area ratio is relatively large.

[0103] The pattern selection unit 105 may select an adopted pattern based on the wind reach area estimated by the reach area estimation unit 109. For example, the pattern selection unit 105 preferentially selects, as an adopted pattern, an operation pattern in which the windbreak area ratio calculated from the wind reach area is large.

[0104] Below, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, an example will be described in which the wind shielding area ratio changes depending on the relative positions of indoor units 300 operating simultaneously. Figure 10 shows a state in which the wind reach areas 64 of the operating indoor units overlap. Figure 11 shows a state in which the wind reach areas 64 of the operating indoor units do not overlap.

[0105] Fig. 10 shows adjacent indoor units 300 operating simultaneously. Specifically, Fig. 10 shows indoor unit 300AA, indoor unit 300AB, indoor unit 300AC, and indoor unit 300AD operating simultaneously. Wind reach area 64AA, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300AA reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63AA. Wind reach area 64AB, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300AB reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63AB. Wind reach area 64AC, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300AC reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63AC. Wind reach area 64AD, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300AD reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63AD.

[0106] In this embodiment, when multiple indoor units 300 are arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, if two indoor units 300 are adjacent to each other in either the first direction or the second direction, the two indoor units 300 are considered to be adjacent. In other words, in this embodiment, even if two indoor units 300 are adjacent to each other in a diagonal direction, the two indoor units 300 are not considered to be adjacent.

[0107] Fig. 11 shows a state in which non-adjacent indoor units 300 are operating simultaneously. Specifically, Fig. 11 shows a state in which indoor unit 300AA, indoor unit 300AC, indoor unit 300BB, and indoor unit 300BD are operating simultaneously. Wind reach area 64BB, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300BB reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63BB. Wind reach area 64BD, which is the area where wind from indoor unit 300BD reaches, is the area surrounded by circle 63BD.

[0108] In the example shown in Fig. 10, the wind reach area 64AA overlaps with the wind reach area 64AB, the wind reach area 64AB overlaps with the wind reach area 64AC, and the wind reach area 64AC overlaps with the wind reach area 64AD. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the wind reach area 64AA does not overlap with the wind reach area 64AC, the wind reach area 64BB does not overlap with the wind reach area 64BD.

[0109] Compared to Figure 11, Figure 10 has a larger area that is not the wind reach area 64 because the wind reach area 64 has overlapping areas. In other words, Figure 10 has a larger wind block area ratio compared to Figure 11. In this way, the wind block area ratio when the indoor units 300 operating simultaneously are adjacent is larger than the wind block area ratio when the indoor units 300 operating simultaneously are not adjacent.

[0110] Therefore, it is preferable that the pattern generation unit 104 generates an operation pattern so that the wind reach areas 64 of multiple operating indoor units overlap. The pattern generation unit 104 can determine whether the wind reach areas 64 of multiple indoor units 300 overlap, based on the wind reach area estimation result by the reach area estimation unit 109.

[0111] Furthermore, it is preferable that the pattern selection unit 105 selects as the pattern to be employed an operation pattern in which the wind shield area ratio calculated from the wind reach area 64 of each indoor unit 300 is large. In other words, it is preferable that the pattern selection unit 105 selects as the pattern to be employed an operation pattern in which the wind reach areas 64 of multiple operating indoor units overlap.

[0112] Generally, the airflow sent out by the indoor unit 300 spreads the further away it is from the indoor unit 300. Therefore, in the case of an indoor unit 300 that is embedded in a ceiling, the higher the installation height of the indoor unit 300, the larger the size of the airflow reach area 64. In other words, the size of the airflow reach area 64 depends on the installation height of the indoor unit 300.

[0113] Figure 12 is a diagram showing how the size of the airflow reach area 64 of each indoor unit 300 depends on the installation height. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a cross section of the room 60 when cut along a plane extending vertically. This plane passes through the position indicated by the dashed line 65 in Figure 10.

[0114] Figure 12 shows an example in which indoor unit 300AA, indoor unit 300AB, indoor unit 300AC, and indoor unit 300AD are arranged in a straight line on the ceiling surface at intervals of 7.2 m. Figure 12 also shows an example in which the wind reach area 64 widens the further downward from the indoor unit 300, and is a circular area with a radius of 5.0 m on a surface 1.1 m above the floor. The reason for defining wind reach area 64 at a height of 1.1 m above the floor is that it is at this height that wind from the indoor unit 300 is likely to affect the comfort of the user 70.

[0115] Here, the size of the wind reach area 64 at a height of 1.1 m from the floor surface depends on the installation height of the indoor unit 300. For example, the higher the installation height of the indoor unit 300, the larger the size of the wind reach area 64, and the lower the installation height of the indoor unit 300, the smaller the size of the wind reach area 64. Therefore, the reach area estimation unit 109 calculates the size of the wind reach area 64 based on the installation height information. Note that the reach area estimation unit 109 can estimate the center position of the wind reach area 64 based on the positional relationship information.

[0116] In this embodiment, the wind reach area 64 is estimated based on the positional relationship information. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wind reach area 64 is accurately estimated, and the windshield area ratio is accurately calculated. When the windshield area ratio is accurately calculated, appropriate generation of operation patterns, appropriate selection of adopted patterns, etc. are realized. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a decrease in user comfort is suppressed.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wind reach area 64 is estimated based on the positional relationship information and the installation height information. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wind reach area 64 is estimated with more accuracy, and the windshield area ratio is calculated with more accuracy. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a decrease in user comfort is suppressed.

[0118] (Variation) Although the embodiments have been described above, modifications and applications in various forms are possible. It is up to the discretion of the individual to adopt any of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configurations, functions, and operations, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0119] For example, in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the temperature sensor 36 and the infrared sensor 37 are provided in the indoor unit 300. The temperature sensor 36 and the infrared sensor 37 may be provided in other locations in the room 60. For example, the temperature sensor 36 may be provided in a remote controller for operating the indoor unit 300, or may be provided on a wall of the room 60.

[0120] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the rotation of operating indoor units is set so that each of a plurality of refrigerant systems has an operating indoor unit at any time, taking power consumption into consideration. However, the rotation of operating indoor units may be set without taking power consumption into consideration, that is, without taking the refrigerant systems into consideration.

[0121] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which an adopted pattern is selected for each set temperature. A common adopted pattern may be selected for all set temperatures. In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which an adopted pattern is modified depending on the location of the user 70. The adopted pattern does not have to be modified regardless of the location of the user 70. Even in such a configuration, the time that the wind hits each user 70 is equal.

[0122] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which an adopted pattern is selected based on the differential time and the windshield area ratio. The adopted pattern may be selected based on the differential time, or may be selected based on the windshield area ratio. Furthermore, the adopted pattern may be selected based on the duration rather than the differential time. Furthermore, the adopted pattern may be selected based on the value obtained by subtracting the value obtained by multiplying the arrival time by a coefficient less than 1 from the duration rather than the differential time.

[0123] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which there are two rotation stages and four operating indoor units. The number of rotation stages and the number of operating indoor units are not limited to this example. For example, in a case in which there are eight indoor units 300 as in the first embodiment, the number of rotation stages may be four and the number of operating indoor units may be two, four or six. Alternatively, the number of rotation stages may be eight and the number of operating indoor units may be any number between one and seven.

[0124] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the air conditioning control device 100 is a device installed in an office. The air conditioning control device 100 may also be a device installed outside the office, such as a cloud server. In this case, the air conditioning control device 100 is connected to a communication network 710 established in the office via a communication network 720 established outside the office.

[0125] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the outdoor unit 200 is connected to the communication network 710, and the indoor unit 300 and the air conditioning control device 100 communicate via the outdoor unit 200. The indoor unit 300 may also be connected to the communication network 710, and the outdoor unit 200 and the air conditioning control device 100 may communicate via the indoor unit 300.

[0126] In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the positional relationship information, installation height information, etc. are acquired from the server 500. The source of acquisition of the positional relationship information, installation height information, etc. is not limited to this example. For example, the positional relationship information, installation height information, etc. may be acquired from the user 70 via the operation acceptance unit 14.

[0127] In the above-described embodiment, the CPU of the control unit 11 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as each unit shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 9 . However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized collectively by a single piece of hardware. Furthermore, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other functions may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0128] By applying an operating program that defines the operation of the air conditioning control device, air conditioner, display device, or mobile terminal according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or information terminal device, it is possible to cause the computer to function as the air conditioning control device, air conditioner, display device, or mobile terminal according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, such a program may be distributed in any manner, and may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0129] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0131] (Appendix 1) an air conditioning control means for controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and a room temperature of the space to be air-conditioned; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on a change over time in the room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. Air conditioning control device. (Appendix 2) The pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a duration that is a time during which the room temperature is continuously maintained at the set temperature when the plurality of indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns. 10. The air conditioning control device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) The pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a reaching time, which is a time taken for the room temperature to reach the set temperature from a reference temperature based on the set temperature, when the plurality of indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns. 10. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) the pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a wind shield area ratio, which is the ratio of an area that is not exposed to wind from the operating indoor units out of the entire area of ​​the air-conditioned space when the indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns; 4. An air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The air conditioning control means repeats full operation control in which all of the plurality of indoor units are operated until the room temperature reaches a control start temperature based on the set temperature, and rotation control in which the operating indoor units are rotated according to the adopted pattern until the room temperature reaches a control end temperature based on the set temperature. 5. An air conditioning control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) a user position acquisition means for acquiring user position information indicating the positions of the plurality of users; and a pattern correction means for specifying an indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units that is located in a position where no user is exposed to wind based on the user position information acquired by the user position acquisition means, and correcting the adoption pattern so that the specified indoor unit always becomes the operating indoor unit, the number of operating indoor units is maintained, and each of the plurality of users is exposed to wind for an equal amount of time, the air conditioning control means controls the indoor units in accordance with the adopted pattern corrected by the pattern correction means. 6. An air conditioning control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) Each of the indoor units belongs to one of a plurality of refrigerant systems, the pattern generation means generates the plurality of operation patterns in which a rotation of the operating indoor units is set so that any of the plurality of refrigerant systems has the operating indoor unit at any timing. 7. An air conditioning control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) a positional relationship acquisition means for acquiring positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship of the indoor units in the air-conditioned space; and a wind reach area estimation means for estimating a wind reach area, which is an area where wind from the operating indoor units reaches, based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition means. 8. An air conditioning control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) an installation height acquisition means for acquiring installation height information indicating the installation heights of the indoor units; The reach area estimation means estimates the wind reach area based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition means and the installation height information acquired by the installation height acquisition means. 9. The air conditioning control device according to claim 8. (Appendix 10) a plurality of indoor units that perform air conditioning for a space to be air-conditioned; an air conditioning control means for controlling the indoor units based on a set temperature for the air-conditioned space and a room temperature of the air-conditioned space; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on a change over time in the room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. Air conditioning system. (Appendix 11) controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and a room temperature in the space to be air-conditioned; generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; selecting an adopted pattern from the plurality of operation patterns, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, based on the change over time in the room temperature when the plurality of indoor units are controlled according to each of the plurality of operation patterns; Air conditioning control method. (Appendix 12) Computer, an air conditioning control means for controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and the room temperature of the space to be air-conditioned; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and functioning as a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on the change over time in room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. program. [Industrial Applicability]

[0132] The present disclosure is applicable to air conditioning systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 11,31 control unit, 12,32 memory unit, 13,33 display unit, 14,34 operation reception unit, 15,35 communication unit, 36 temperature sensor, 37 infrared sensor, 60 room, 60A,60B area, 61,61AA,61AB,61AC,61AD,61BA,61BB,61BC,61BD,65 dashed line, 62,62AA,62AB,62AC,62AD,62BA,62BB,62BC,62BD, 64,64AA,64AB,64AC,64AD,64BB,64BD wind reach area, 63,63AA,63AB,63AC,63AD,63BB,63BD circle, 70 user, 100,100A air conditioning control device, 101 set temperature acquisition unit, 102 room temperature acquisition unit, 103 Air conditioning control unit, 104 pattern generation unit, 105 pattern selection unit, 106 user position acquisition unit, 107 pattern update unit, 108 positional relationship acquisition unit, 109 reachable area estimation unit, 110 installation height acquisition unit, 200, 200A, 200B outdoor unit, 210, 210A, 210B communication cable, 220, 220A, 220B refrigerant piping, 300, 300AA, 300AB, 300AC, 300AD, 300BA, 300BB, 300BC, 300BD indoor unit, 500 server, 710, 720 communication network, 1000 air conditioning system

Claims

1. an air conditioning control means for controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and a room temperature of the space to be air-conditioned; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on a change over time in the room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. Air conditioning control device.

2. The pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a duration that is a time during which the room temperature is continuously maintained at the set temperature when the plurality of indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 .

3. The pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a reaching time, which is a time taken for the room temperature to reach the set temperature from a reference temperature based on the set temperature, when the plurality of indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 .

4. the pattern selection means selects the adopted pattern based on a wind shield area ratio, which is the ratio of an area that is not exposed to wind from the operating indoor units out of the entire area of ​​the air-conditioned space when the indoor units are controlled in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns; The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The air conditioning control means repeats full operation control in which all of the plurality of indoor units are operated until the room temperature reaches a control start temperature based on the set temperature, and rotation control in which the operating indoor units are rotated according to the adopted pattern until the room temperature reaches a control end temperature based on the set temperature. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. a user position acquisition means for acquiring user position information indicating the positions of the plurality of users; and a pattern correction means for specifying an indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units that is located in a position where no user is exposed to wind based on the user position information acquired by the user position acquisition means, and correcting the adoption pattern so that the specified indoor unit always becomes the operating indoor unit, the number of operating indoor units is maintained, and each of the plurality of users is exposed to wind for an equal amount of time, the air conditioning control means controls the indoor units in accordance with the adopted pattern corrected by the pattern correction means. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. Each of the indoor units belongs to one of a plurality of refrigerant systems, the pattern generation means generates the plurality of operation patterns in which a rotation of the operating indoor units is set so that any of the plurality of refrigerant systems has the operating indoor unit at any timing. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. a positional relationship acquisition means for acquiring positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship of the indoor units in the air-conditioned space; and a wind reach area estimation means for estimating a wind reach area, which is an area where wind from the operating indoor units reaches, based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition means. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. an installation height acquisition means for acquiring installation height information indicating the installation heights of the indoor units; The reach area estimation means estimates the wind reach area based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional relationship acquisition means and the installation height information acquired by the installation height acquisition means. The air conditioning control device according to claim 8.

10. a plurality of indoor units that perform air conditioning for a space to be air-conditioned; an air conditioning control means for controlling the indoor units based on a set temperature for the air-conditioned space and a room temperature of the air-conditioned space; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on a change over time in the room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. Air conditioning system.

11. controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and a room temperature in the space to be air-conditioned; generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; selecting an adopted pattern from the plurality of operation patterns, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, based on the change over time in the room temperature when the plurality of indoor units are controlled according to each of the plurality of operation patterns; Air conditioning control method.

12. Computer, an air conditioning control means for controlling a plurality of indoor units based on a set temperature for a space to be air-conditioned and the room temperature of the space to be air-conditioned; a pattern generation means for generating a plurality of operation patterns including a rotation of operating indoor units that are indoor units to be operated and a switching cycle of the operating indoor units, the rotation being set so that each of a plurality of users present in the air-conditioned space is exposed to air for an equal period of time; and functioning as a pattern selection means for selecting an adopted pattern, which is an operation pattern to be adopted when controlling the plurality of indoor units, from the plurality of operation patterns based on the change over time in room temperature when the air conditioning control means controls the plurality of indoor units in accordance with each of the plurality of operation patterns generated by the pattern generation means. program.

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