Air conditioning control device and air conditioning control method

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning control device and an air-conditioning control method capable of simplifying an operation to obtain energy-saving effect required by a user, by performing an intermittent operation.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning control device 100 includes: a room temperature acquisition portion 23 for acquiring a room temperature; a switch portion 33 for switching an operation state and a stop state of an air-conditioning facility 10 for adjusting the room temperature; an input portion 21 receiving an input operation of ratio information relating to a ratio of an operation time and a stop time of the air-conditioning facility; and a switching control portion 35 for controlling switching of the switch portion 33 on the basis of the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition portion 23 and the ratio information input to the input portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an operation control device for an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of a mixture of return air and outside air and supplies it to a building (see Patent Document 1). This operation control device aims to save energy while keeping the temperature environment of the air-conditioned space stable by performing intermittent operation of the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-12108 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when operating an air conditioning facility intermittently at a predetermined cycle, in order to obtain the energy-saving effect desired by the user, for example, a configuration in which the user can adjust the operation time or stop time of the air conditioning facility is considered. In order to obtain the energy-saving effect desired by the user in such a configuration, for example, the user must first check the cycle at which the air conditioning facility operates intermittently, calculate the operation time or stop time according to the cycle and the energy-saving effect desired by the user, and then perform input operations to set the calculation result in the air conditioning facility, which poses a problem of cumbersome operations.

[0005] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method that can operate air conditioning equipment intermittently and simplify the operations required to obtain the energy saving effect desired by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air conditioning control device according to the present invention includes a room temperature acquisition unit that acquires a room temperature, a switching unit that switches between an operating state and a stopped state of an air conditioning device that adjusts the room temperature, an input unit that accepts an input operation of ratio information relating to a ratio between an operating time and a stopped time of the air conditioning device, and a switching control unit that controls switching of the switching unit based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit and the ratio information input to the input unit, The switching control unit switches between an operating state and a stopped state of the air conditioning equipment so that a ratio between a specific operating time and a specific stopped time adjacent to the specific operating time becomes a ratio indicated by the ratio information, and so that a room temperature during the specific operating time and the specific stopped time becomes either a higher temperature or a lower temperature than a preset set temperature. The present invention is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the air conditioning equipment is switched between operating and stopped states based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit and ratio information regarding the ratio between the operating time and stopped time of the air conditioning equipment inputted into the input unit, thereby simplifying the operations performed by the user to achieve the energy saving effect desired by operating the air conditioning equipment intermittently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a hardware configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a timing chart and a graph showing changes in room temperature over time when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment performs intermittent operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 First, the configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of the hardware configuration of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an air conditioning system in which a plurality of air conditioners 10 are controlled by a plurality of lower controllers 20 and a higher controller 30 will be described as an example of an air conditioning system.

[0010] The air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of air conditioners 10, a plurality of lower controllers 20, and a host controller 30 that controls the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 10 and the plurality of lower controllers 20. The plurality of air conditioners 10 are electrically connected to the corresponding lower controllers 20, and the plurality of lower controllers 20 are electrically connected to the host controller 30. The plurality of lower controllers 20 and the host controller 30 make up an air conditioning control device 100. Note that in the first embodiment, each of the plurality of air conditioners 10 constitutes an air conditioning facility.

[0011] For example, the air conditioner 10 is provided in each of a number of rooms separated from each other by walls, and includes an indoor unit 11 disposed inside each room and an outdoor unit 12 disposed outside each room. For example, the indoor unit 11 has a heat exchanger and a fan, not shown, and the outdoor unit 12 has a compressor, not shown, and cool air or warm air (hereinafter referred to as "conditioned air") is sent from the indoor unit 11 to the room by circulating a refrigerant between the heat exchanger and the compressor, thereby adjusting the room temperature. Note that the air conditioner is not limited to one that consumes electricity as energy, and may be an air conditioner that consumes energy other than electricity, such as energy generated by burning fossil fuels, biofuels, etc., or may be an air conditioner that consumes both electricity and energy other than electricity.

[0012] The lower-level controller 20 is placed in the same room as the corresponding indoor unit 11, and has an input unit 21 that accepts input operations from the user, a display unit 22 that displays information, and a room temperature sensor 23.

[0013] The input unit 21 accepts input operations from the user when the user operates the air conditioner 10 or when changing the settings of the air conditioner 10. For example, the input unit 21 has a user interface such as a plurality of operation buttons, and accepts, as input operations from the user, an ON operation for turning on the power to the air conditioner 10, an OFF operation for cutting off the power to the air conditioner 10, an operation for switching between a cooling mode in which the air conditioner 10 performs cooling operation and a heating mode in which the air conditioner 10 performs heating operation, an input operation of the set temperature of the air conditioner 10, an input operation of an energy saving target value, etc.

[0014] In the first embodiment, the set temperature is a temperature arbitrarily selected by the user for each air conditioner 10, and is the room temperature desired by the user when operating the air conditioner 10. In other words, the set temperature is a target value when changing the room temperature by operating the air conditioner 10. In addition, in the first embodiment, the room temperature refers to the air temperature in the room where the indoor unit 11 is located.

[0015] The air conditioner 10 is controlled by the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 so that the room temperature is between the set temperature and the allowable temperature. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is controlled by the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 so that the room temperature is one of the set temperatures and the other of the allowable temperatures. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is controlled by the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 so that the room temperature is either one of a high temperature and a low temperature with respect to the set temperature and the other of a high temperature and a low temperature with respect to the allowable temperature. In the first embodiment, the air conditioner 10 is controlled by the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 so that the room temperature is close to the initial temperature with respect to the set temperature and is far from the initial temperature with respect to the allowable temperature. For example, the air conditioner 10 is controlled by the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 so that the room temperature is high with respect to the set temperature and is low with respect to the allowable temperature.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the permissible temperature is a temperature that is closer to the room temperature (initial room temperature) before the air conditioner 10 is turned on by a preset permissible temperature range than the set temperature, and is capable of maintaining a comfortable room temperature. In other words, the permissible temperature is a temperature that is closer to the outdoor (outside the building) air temperature than the set temperature by a preset permissible temperature range, and is capable of making people in the room feel comfortable. The permissible temperature may be a temperature that can be arbitrarily selected by the user for each air conditioner 10.

[0017] In addition, it is difficult to control the air conditioner 10 so that the room temperature is strictly between the set temperature and the allowable temperature, and "so that the room temperature is either higher or lower than the set temperature" does not mean that the room temperature is not allowed to be either higher or lower than the set temperature even if only slightly. For example, controlling the room temperature to be higher than the set temperature does not mean that the room temperature is not allowed to be lower than the set temperature even if only slightly.

[0018] Similarly, "so that the room temperature is either higher or lower than the allowable temperature" does not mean that the room temperature is not allowed to be either higher or lower than the allowable temperature, even if only slightly. For example, controlling the room temperature to be lower than the allowable temperature does not mean that the room temperature is not allowed to be higher than the allowable temperature, even if only slightly. The air conditioner 10 may be controlled so that the room temperature is approximately one of a temperature higher or lower than the set temperature, and approximately the other of a temperature higher or lower than the allowable temperature.

[0019] The energy saving target value is a value arbitrarily selected by the user for each air conditioner 10, and is a numerical representation of the energy saving effect that the user desires from the air conditioner 10 when the air conditioner 10 is operating intermittently. For example, the energy saving target value is ratio information relating to the ratio between the operating time and stopped time of the air conditioner 10 when the air conditioner 10 is operating intermittently, and is a target value expressed as a percentage of the total rate of stopped time to air conditioning time when the air conditioner 10 is operating intermittently during the time from when the air conditioner 10 is turned on to when it is turned off for the first time (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioning time"). Note that in the first embodiment, the energy saving target value constitutes ratio information relating to the ratio between the operating time and stopped time.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the time during which the air conditioner 10 is continuously operating (hereinafter referred to as the "operating state") within the air conditioning time is referred to as the operating time, and the time during which the air conditioner 10 is continuously stopped (hereinafter referred to as the "stopped state") within the air conditioning time is referred to as the stopped time. The air conditioning time is expressed as the sum of the total operating time and the total stopped time. In the first embodiment, the operating state and stopped state of the air conditioner 10 are collectively referred to as the state of the air conditioner 10. The operating state of the air conditioner 10 is a state in which the air conditioner 10 sends out cool air or warm air into the room while consuming energy. The stopped state of the air conditioner 10 is a state in which at least a part of the functions required to change the room temperature is stopped and less energy is consumed than in the operating state. For example, the stopped state may be a state in which both the compressor and the blower are stopped, or a state in which either the compressor or the blower is stopped.

[0021] For example, if a user seeks to achieve energy-saving effects by stopping the air conditioning for 50% of the time, the energy-saving target value is 50%. Also, if a user seeks to achieve energy-saving effects by stopping the air conditioning for 40% of the time, the energy-saving target value is 40%. The air conditioner 10 is configured to be capable of performing intermittent operation in which an operating state and a stopped state are alternately repeated so that the ratio of stopped time to air conditioning time during an air conditioning time approaches an energy saving target value.

[0022] The display unit 22 displays various information necessary for operating the air conditioner 10. For example, the display unit 22 displays an image that assists the user in inputting information into the input unit 21, an image showing the state of the air conditioner 10, an image showing the settings of the air conditioner 10, and an image showing information about the room temperature. Specifically, the display unit 22 is made up of a liquid crystal display device or the like that displays image information, and displays a menu image including items that allow the user to perform an input operation into the input unit 21, an image including the contents of the input operation performed by the user, an image showing the operating state or stopped state of the air conditioner 10, an image showing the cooling mode or heating mode of the air conditioner 10, an image showing the energy saving target value, the set temperature, and the allowable temperature, and an image showing the room temperature.

[0023] The room temperature sensor 23 acquires the room temperature and outputs a signal according to the acquired room temperature. Based on the signal output by the room temperature sensor 23, the lower controller 20 causes the display unit 22 to display information about the room temperature, and transmits the information about the room temperature to the upper controller 30. For example, the lower controller 20 transmits information about the room temperature to the upper controller 30 at predetermined time intervals according to the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23. Specifically, the lower controller 20 transmits the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23 to the upper controller 30 every minute. In this way, by transmitting information at predetermined time intervals, the lower controller 20 can reduce the processing load of the lower controller 20 and the upper controller 30 compared to the case of continuously transmitting information. In the first embodiment, the room temperature sensor 23 constitutes a room temperature acquisition unit.

[0024] The host controller 30 has a timer unit 31 that calculates time, a memory unit 32 that stores information, a switching unit 33 that switches between operating and stopped states of each air conditioner 10, a room temperature prediction unit 34 that predicts changes in room temperature, and an air conditioning control unit 35. The host controller 30 has a processing circuit that has a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O ports, etc. (not shown), and the functions of the memory unit 32, the switching unit 33, the room temperature prediction unit 34, and the air conditioning control unit 35 are realized by this processing circuit. Note that in the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 constitutes a switching control unit that controls switching between an operating state and a stopped state of the air conditioning equipment by the switching unit.

[0025] The clock unit 31 calculates the current date and time by counting the elapsed time. For example, the clock unit 31 is configured with an RTC (REAL-TIME CLOCK) provided in the control unit 13, or a counter that operates by a clock signal. Note that the clock unit 31 may be capable of calculating only the time and not the date.

[0026] The memory unit 32 stores information necessary for the upper controller 30 to control each lower controller 20 and each air conditioner 10. For example, the memory unit 32 stores information necessary for controlling the air conditioner 10, including information received from the lower controller 20, information necessary for processing each component of the upper controller 30, and information related to the results of the processing. Specifically, the memory unit 32 stores information related to the state of the air conditioner 10, information related to the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23, information related to the input operation to the input unit 21, and information related to the calculation result of the timing unit 31.

[0027] More specifically, the storage unit 32 stores the past operation time of the air conditioner 10, the past stop time of the air conditioner 10, the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23 and the date and time when the room temperature was acquired, the energy saving target value and the set temperature inputted into the input unit 21, the allowable temperature, the measurement reference time, the temperature prediction model, the allowable temperature arrival prediction time, and the switching time. The past operation time is, for example, the immediately preceding operation time in an intermittent operation in which operation time and stop time alternate, and the past stop time is, for example, the immediately preceding stop time in an intermittent operation in which operation time and stop time alternate. The storage unit 32 may be configured to indirectly store the past operation time and the past stop time of the air conditioner 10 by storing the date and time when the air conditioner 10 started operating in the past and the date and time when the air conditioner 10 stopped operating. In addition, in the first embodiment, the past operation time and the past stop time of the air conditioner 10 constitute the operation information. The measurement reference time, the temperature prediction model, the predicted time to reach the allowable temperature, and the switching time will be described later.

[0028] The switching unit 33 transmits a signal to the air conditioner 10 via the lower-level controller 20, and switches between operating and stopped states of the air conditioner 10. For example, the switching unit 33 is configured to have a switching circuit (not shown) and the like, and transmits, via the lower-level controller 20, to the air conditioner 10 an operating signal for operating the air conditioner 10 and a stop signal for stopping the air conditioner 10, and switches between an operating state and a stopped state of the air conditioner 10.

[0029] The room temperature prediction unit 34 predicts the change over time of the room temperature based on the information about the room temperature transmitted from the lower controller 20. In other words, the room temperature prediction unit 34 predicts the change over time of the room temperature based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23. For example, the room temperature prediction unit 34 predicts the predicted time to reach the allowable temperature using a temperature prediction model created based on the room temperature transmitted from the lower controller 20 within a predetermined period and the date and time when the room temperature sensor 23 acquired it. The predicted time to reach the allowable temperature is the predicted time from the time when the air conditioner 10 is switched from an operating state to a stopped state until the room temperature reaches the allowable temperature if the stopped state continues.

[0030] For example, when calculating the predicted time to reach the permissible temperature, the room temperature prediction unit 34 first creates a temperature prediction model based on the multiple room temperatures transmitted from the lower controller 20 during the measurement period from the time the air conditioner 10 is switched from the operating state to the stopped state until a preset measurement reference time has elapsed, and the date and time when the room temperature sensor 23 acquired these multiple room temperatures. Specifically, the room temperature prediction unit 34 creates a temperature transition function, which is a linear function, as a temperature prediction model by a simple regression analysis in which the room temperature is used as the objective variable and the time difference when the room temperature is acquired multiple times at different times is used as the explanatory variable. Note that the measurement reference time is at least twice the interval at which the lower controller 20 transmits information about the room temperature, and it is desirable that the measurement reference time is at least three times the interval at which the lower controller 20 transmits information about the room temperature. Using the temperature prediction model created in this manner, the room temperature prediction unit 34 calculates a predicted time to reach the permissible temperature based on the room temperature at the time when the air conditioner 10 is switched from an operating state to a stopped state.

[0031] The air conditioning control unit 35 acquires information transmitted from the lower controller 20 and information calculated by each component of the upper controller 30, and controls the switching between the operating state and the stopped state of each air conditioner 10 by the switching unit 33 based on this information. For example, the air conditioning control unit 35 acquires information transmitted from the lower controller 20, information related to the time calculated by the timer unit 31, information stored in the storage unit 32, and information calculated by the room temperature prediction unit 34, and controls the switching of the switching unit 33 based on this information. Specifically, the air conditioning control unit 35 acquires information related to the room temperature transmitted from the lower controller 20, the energy saving target value, the set temperature, the allowable temperature, information related to the past stop time of the air conditioner 10, and the predicted time to reach the allowable temperature, and controls the switching between the operating state and the stopped state of each air conditioner 10 by the switching unit 33 based on this information.

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the process executed by the air conditioning control unit 35 will be described using an example in which the air conditioner 10 performs intermittent operation in the cooling mode. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control unit 35 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a timing chart and a graph showing the change in room temperature over time when the air conditioner 10 according to embodiment 1 performs intermittent operation.

[0033] When any of the air conditioners 10 is turned on, the air conditioning control unit 35 determines whether the room temperature corresponding to that air conditioner 10 is higher than the set temperature T1 (step ST1). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to the information stored in the memory unit 32, and compares the information related to the room temperature last transmitted from the lower controller 20 with the set temperature T1 to determine whether the room temperature desired by the user, i.e., the set temperature T1, is higher than the room temperature T, thereby determining whether it is necessary to operate the air conditioner 10 to keep the room comfortable.

[0034] In the processing of step ST1, if the room temperature T is lower than the set temperature T1 (NO in step ST1), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that the room temperature T is too low and therefore there is no need to operate the air conditioner 10, and causes the air conditioner 10 to maintain a stopped state until information indicating a room temperature higher than the set temperature T1 is sent from the lower controller 20, and waits for further processing. In the process of step ST1, if the room temperature T is higher than the set temperature T1 (YES in step ST1), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that it is necessary to operate the air conditioner 10 to maintain a comfortable state in the room, and starts the operation of the air conditioner 10 (step ST2). In other words, the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that it is necessary to operate the air conditioner 10 to maintain a comfortable state in the room, and causes the switching unit 33 to transmit an operation signal to the air conditioner 10 via the lower controller 20, and switches the air conditioner 10 from a stopped state to an operating state.

[0035] The air conditioning control unit 35 is not limited to immediately switching the air conditioner 10 from a stopped state to an operating state in the process of step ST2 when the room temperature T is higher than the set temperature T1 in the process of step ST1. The air conditioning control unit may be configured to switch the air conditioner from a stopped state to an operating state when the room temperature T is higher than the set temperature T1 in the process of step ST1, and may be configured to control the multiple air conditioners so that when another air conditioner is switched from an operating state to a stopped state, the air conditioner is switched from the stopped state to the operating state when multiple air conditioners are controlled by one upper controller. When configured in this way, the air conditioning control unit can prevent multiple air conditioners from being in an operating state at the same time and suppress the peak value of energy consumption.

[0036] When the operation of the air conditioner 10 is started by the processing of step ST2, the air conditioning control unit 35 judges whether or not the room temperature corresponding to the air conditioner 10 has reached the set temperature T1 (step ST3). In this processing, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to the information about the room temperature last transmitted from the lower controller 20, which is stored in the memory unit 32, and judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1, thereby judging whether or not the operation of the air conditioner 10 has sufficiently lowered the room temperature T to the temperature desired by the user.

[0037] The air conditioning control unit 35 may compare the room temperature T with the set temperature T1 and determine that the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1 if the room temperature T is lower than the set temperature T1, or may determine that the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1 if the relationship between the room temperature T and the set temperature T1 satisfies a predetermined condition even if the room temperature T is higher than the set temperature T1. For example, the air conditioning control unit 35 may compare the room temperature T with the set temperature T1 and determine that the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1 if the room temperature T is lower than a temperature that is higher than the set temperature T1 by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 0.5°C), or may compare the room temperature T with the set temperature T1 and determine that the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1 if the room temperature T is lower than a temperature obtained by multiplying the set temperature T1 by a predetermined coefficient (e.g., 1.1) that is greater than 1. By determining in this manner that the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1, it is possible to prevent the room temperature T from dropping too much beyond the set temperature T1 (overshoot), even when information about the room temperature is acquired at predetermined time intervals.

[0038] In the process of step ST3, if the room temperature T has not reached the set temperature T1 (NO in step ST3), the air conditioning control unit 35 maintains the operating state of the air conditioner 10 to further lower the room temperature T toward the set temperature T1.

[0039] In the process of step ST3, if the room temperature T has reached the set temperature T1 (YES in step ST3), the air conditioning control unit 35 stops the air conditioner 10 at time t1 and causes the timer unit 31 to start timing the stop time tr (step ST4). In other words, the air conditioning control unit 35 causes the switching unit 33 to switch the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state and causes the timer unit 31 to start timing the time since the air conditioner 10 was stopped. In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that the room temperature T has sufficiently dropped to the temperature desired by the user based on the room temperature T having reached the set temperature T1, and stops the air conditioner 10, thereby preventing the air conditioner 10 from consuming energy more than necessary, thereby saving energy.

[0040] After performing the process of step ST4, the air conditioning control unit 35 judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the allowable temperature T2 (step ST5). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to the information about the room temperature last transmitted from the lower controller 20, which is stored in the memory unit 32, and judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the allowable temperature T2, thereby judging whether or not the room temperature T has risen to a temperature at which the room cannot be kept comfortable due to stopping the air conditioner 10.

[0041] In the process of step ST5, if the room temperature T has not reached the allowable temperature T2 (NO in step ST5), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines whether or not the stop time tr has reached the measurement reference time tc (step ST6). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 compares the stop time tr measured by the timer 31 with the measurement reference time tc stored in the memory unit 32 to determine whether or not the stop time tr has reached the measurement reference time tc. In the process of step ST6, if the stop time tr has not reached the measurement reference time tc (NO in step ST6), the air conditioning control unit 35 returns the process to step ST5.

[0042] In the process of step ST6, if the stop time tr has reached the measurement reference time tc (YES in step ST6), the room temperature prediction unit 34 is caused to create a temperature prediction model based on information transmitted from the lower controller 20 within the measurement period until the stop time tr reaches the measurement reference time tc, and the created temperature prediction model is stored in the memory unit 32 (step ST7). Note that, before the temperature prediction model created in the process of step ST7 is stored in the memory unit 32, if a temperature prediction model has already been stored in the memory unit 32, the air conditioning control unit 35 overwrites the temperature prediction model stored in the memory unit 32 with the new temperature prediction model.

[0043] After performing the process of step ST7, the air conditioning control unit 35 restarts the operation of the air conditioner 10 at time t2, causes the timer unit 31 to stop timing the stop time tr and start timing the operation time tw (step ST8). In other words, the air conditioning control unit 35 causes the switching unit 33 to switch the air conditioner 10 from a stopped state to an operating state, and causes the timer unit 31 to stop timing the time since the air conditioner 10 was stopped and start timing the time since the operation of the air conditioner 10 was restarted. In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 stores the stop time tr whose timing has been stopped in the memory unit 32. Note that if the stop time tr has already been stored in the memory unit 32 before performing the process of step ST8, in this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 overwrites the stop time tr stored in the memory unit 32 with the new stop time tr. Furthermore, in the processing of step ST5, if the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2 (YES in step ST5), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that operation of the air conditioner 10 is necessary to maintain a comfortable indoor condition, and returns the processing to step ST8 to resume operation of the air conditioner 10.

[0044] After performing the process of step ST8, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to information related to the past stop time tr of the air conditioner 10 stored in the storage unit 32, and calculates the switching time ts (step ST9). The switching time ts is the time from when the air conditioner 10 starts operating to when it switches to the stopped state in order to obtain an energy-saving effect according to the energy-saving target value.

[0045] In embodiment 1, when the air conditioner 10 operates intermittently, the air conditioning control unit 35 controls the switching unit 33 so that one cycle is defined as one successive stop time tr and one operation time tw, and the ratio of the lengths of the stop time tr and the operation time tw in one cycle is in a relationship corresponding to the energy saving target value. Specifically, the air conditioning control unit 35 calculates a switching time ts, which is the maximum value of the operating time tw within one cycle including the stop time tr, based on the immediately preceding stop time tr and the energy saving target value, and controls the switching unit 33 to switch from the operating state to the stop state when the time since switching from the stop state to the operating state reaches the switching time ts, so that the relationship between the stop time tr and the operating time tw within one cycle corresponds to the energy saving target value.

[0046] For example, when the energy saving target value is a target value that represents the ratio of the total stop time tr to the air conditioning time during a certain air conditioning time, expressed as a percentage ((energy saving target value)=Σts×100 / Σ(tw+ts)), the air conditioning control unit 35 calculates the switching time ts as the time obtained by multiplying the immediately preceding stop time tr of the air conditioner 10 by 1 / 100 of the energy saving target value. For example, when the energy saving target value is 50[%], the switching time ts is the same length as the immediately preceding stop time tr (tr=ts). In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 calculates the switching time ts in this manner and operates the air conditioner 10 intermittently within the air conditioning time, so that the ratio of the total stop time to the air conditioning time within the air conditioning time approaches the energy saving target value.

[0047] After performing the process of step ST9, the air conditioning control unit 35 judges whether or not the operation time tw has reached the switching time ts (step ST11). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 compares the operation time tw measured by the timer unit 31 with the switching time ts stored in the memory unit 32 to judge whether or not the operation time tw has reached the switching time ts. In the processing of step ST11, if the operating time tw has not reached the switching time ts (NO in step ST11), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that the operating time tw has not reached the time corresponding to the energy saving target value, causes the air conditioner 10 to maintain the operating state, and waits for subsequent processing until the operating time tw reaches the switching time ts.

[0048] In the process of step ST11, if the operation time tw has reached the switching time ts (YES in step ST11), the air conditioning control unit 35 stops the air conditioner 10 at time t3 and causes the timer unit 31 to start timing the stop time tr (step ST12). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that although the room temperature T has not reached the set temperature T1, it is necessary to stop the air conditioner 10 in order to obtain the energy saving effect desired by the user, and stops the air conditioner 10.

[0049] After performing the process of step ST12, the air conditioning control unit 35 uses the temperature prediction model stored in the storage unit 32 to calculate the allowable temperature arrival predicted time tx until the room temperature T reaches the allowable temperature T2 if the stopped state is maintained (step ST13). For example, the air conditioning control unit 35 applies the room temperature T when the air conditioner 10 is stopped in step ST12 to a temperature transition function serving as the temperature prediction model stored in the storage unit 32, and calculates the allowable temperature arrival predicted time until the room temperature T reaches the allowable temperature T2 if the stopped state is maintained.

[0050] The room temperature when the air conditioner 10 is switched from an operating state to a stopped state and then maintained in the stopped state changes over time while being influenced by various conditions. For example, the room temperature when the air conditioner 10 is switched from an operating state to a stopped state and then maintained in the stopped state changes over time while being influenced by the size and shape of the room, the insulation properties of the walls, the size of the gaps connecting to the outside air, the presence and location of heat sources other than the air conditioner 10 including people in the room, the difference between the outside temperature and the room temperature, the amount of sunlight entering the room through the windows, etc. In the processing of step ST13, the air conditioning control unit 35 enables highly accurate prediction by calculating the predicted time for reaching the allowable temperature using a temperature prediction model created by the room temperature prediction unit 34 based on the change over time of the room temperature T in the stopped state in the previous cycle.

[0051] After performing the process of step ST13, the air conditioning control unit 35 judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2 (step ST14). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to the information about the room temperature last transmitted from the lower controller 20, which is stored in the memory unit 32, and judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2, thereby judging whether or not the room temperature T has risen to a temperature at which the room cannot be kept comfortable due to stopping the air conditioner 10.

[0052] In the processing of step ST14, if the room temperature T has reached the allowable temperature T2 (YES in step ST14), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that operation of the air conditioner 10 is necessary to maintain a comfortable interior state, and returns the processing to step ST8 to resume operation of the air conditioner 10. In the process of step ST14, if the room temperature T has not reached the allowable temperature T2 (NO in step ST14), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines whether or not the stop time tr has reached the measurement reference time tc (step ST16). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 compares the stop time tr measured by the timer unit 31 with the measurement reference time tc stored in the memory unit 32 to determine whether or not the stop time tr has reached the measurement reference time tc.

[0053] In the process of step ST16, if the stop time tr has not reached the measurement reference time tc (NO in step ST16), the air conditioning control unit 35 returns the process to step ST14. In the processing of step ST16, if the stop time tr reaches the measurement reference time tc (YES in step ST16), the air conditioning control unit 35 causes the room temperature prediction unit 34 to create a new temperature prediction model based on the information transmitted from the lower controller 20 within the measurement period until the stop time tr reaches the measurement reference time tc, and overwrites the temperature prediction model stored in the memory unit 32 with the new temperature prediction model (step ST17).

[0054] After performing the process of step ST17, the air conditioning control unit 35 judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2 (step ST18). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 refers to the information about the room temperature last transmitted from the lower controller 20, which is stored in the memory unit 32, and judges whether or not the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2, thereby judging whether or not the room temperature T has risen to a temperature at which the room cannot be kept comfortable due to stopping the air conditioner 10.

[0055] In the processing of step ST18, if the room temperature T has reached the permissible temperature T2 (YES in step ST18), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that operation of the air conditioner 10 is necessary to maintain a comfortable state in the room, and returns the processing to step ST8. In the process of step ST18, if the room temperature T has not reached the permissible temperature T2 (NO in step ST18), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines whether or not the stop time tr has reached the permissible temperature arrival predicted time tx calculated in step ST13 (step ST19). In this process, the air conditioning control unit 35 compares the stop time tr measured by the timer 31 with the permissible temperature arrival predicted time tx stored in the memory unit 32 to determine whether or not the stop time tr has reached the permissible temperature arrival predicted time tx.

[0056] In the process of step ST19, if the stop time tr has not reached the predicted permissible temperature arrival time tx (NO in step ST19), the air conditioning control unit 35 returns the process to step ST18. In the process of step ST19, if the stop time tr has reached the predicted allowable temperature arrival time tx (YES in step ST19), the air conditioning control unit 35 determines that operation of the air conditioner 10 is necessary to maintain a comfortable indoor state, returns the process to step ST8, and resumes operation of the air conditioner 10 at time t4. By performing the process as described above, the air conditioning control unit 35 controls the intermittent operation of the air conditioner 10 in the air conditioning engine until the air conditioner 10 is turned off.

[0057] In this way, the air conditioning control unit 35 according to the first embodiment controls the switching unit 33 to switch the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state, based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23 and the energy saving target value input to the input unit 21. For example, compared to an air conditioning control device that requires the user to input in detail the operating time and stop time to obtain the energy saving effect in addition to the set temperature when performing intermittent operation of the air conditioning equipment, the air conditioning control device 100 according to the first embodiment only requires the user to input the set temperature and the energy saving target value, thereby simplifying the operation performed by the user to obtain the energy saving effect desired.

[0058] Furthermore, the air conditioning control unit 35 according to the first embodiment controls the switching unit 33 to switch the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state so that the room temperature becomes a temperature higher than the set temperature. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, unnecessary energy consumption caused by maintaining the operating state even when the set temperature input by the user has been reached.

[0059] Furthermore, the air conditioning control unit 35 according to the first embodiment controls the switching of the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state based on the immediately preceding stop time stored in the memory unit 32 and the energy saving target value input to the input unit. Therefore, the relationship between the operating time and the stopped time can be made according to the energy saving target value, and the energy saving effect desired by the user can be obtained.

[0060] Furthermore, the air conditioning control unit 35 according to the first embodiment controls the switching unit 33 to switch the air conditioner 10 from a stopped state to an operating state based on the energy saving target value input to the input unit 21 and the prediction of the change in room temperature over time by the room temperature prediction unit, so that it is possible to predict the time when the stopped state and the operating state will be switched over, and for example, when multiple air conditioners 10 are controlled by one upper controller 30, it is possible to switch the other air conditioners 10 between a stopped state and an operating state according to the prediction of the time when the stopped state and the operating state of the air conditioner 10 will be switched over. By controlling multiple air conditioners 10 in this way, it is possible, for example, to prevent multiple air conditioners from entering an operating state at the same time and suppress the peak value of energy consumption.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control device 100 is configured to control a plurality of air conditioners 10 by a plurality of lower controllers 20, but is not limited thereto. For example, the air conditioning control device may be configured to control one air conditioner, or may be configured to control a plurality of air conditioners by one upper controller and one lower controller. In addition, the configurations of the upper controller and the lower controller of the air conditioning control device are not limited to those described in the first embodiment. One air conditioning control device may have all the configurations of the upper controller and the lower controller, the upper controller may have part of the configuration of the lower controller, or the lower controller may have part of the configuration of the upper controller, and various configurations are possible. For example, the lower controller may have a timer, and the room temperature acquired by the lower controller using a temperature sensor and the date and time when the room temperature was acquired may be linked and transmitted to the upper controller.

[0062] In addition, in the first embodiment, the room temperature sensor 23 is provided in the lower controller 20, but this is not limited thereto. The room temperature sensor may be configured to acquire room temperature so that the air conditioning control unit can switch between the operating state and the stopped state of the air conditioner based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value, and may be configured, for example, to be provided in the air conditioner and transmit a signal corresponding to the acquired room temperature to the lower controller or the upper controller. When configured in this way, the air conditioning control device is configured by the lower controller, the upper controller, and the room temperature sensor, and the air conditioning equipment is configured by the parts of the indoor unit excluding the room temperature sensor and the outdoor unit. Furthermore, when the room temperature sensor is provided in the air conditioner, the lower controller does not need to be located in the same room as the indoor unit.

[0063] Furthermore, the connections between the multiple air conditioners 10, the multiple lower controllers 20, and the upper controller 30 are not limited to wired connections. The connections between the multiple air conditioners 10, the multiple lower controllers 20, and the upper controller 30 need only be capable of transmitting and receiving electrical signals, and may be, for example, direct wired connections via wiring or the like, wireless connections via short-range wireless communication, or indirect connections via the Internet, etc.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the input unit 21 and the display unit 22 are provided in the lower controller 20 as separate components, but this is not limiting. For example, the input unit 21 and the display unit 22 may be integrally configured as a touch panel capable of inputting operations and displaying information.

[0065] In addition, in the first embodiment, the ratio information is an energy saving target value expressed as a percentage of the total ratio of stop time to air conditioning time when the air conditioner 10 operates intermittently during air conditioning time, but is not limited to this. The ratio information may be information regarding the ratio between operation time and stop time of the air conditioning equipment, and may be, for example, the ratio of stop time to operation time, or information indicating which of three stages the ratio of stop time to air conditioning time is.

[0066] In addition, in the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 is configured to control the switching of the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state by the switching unit 33 based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value, but is not limited thereto. The air conditioning control unit may be configured to control the switching of the switching unit based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value. In other words, the air conditioning control unit may be configured to control at least one of the switching of the air conditioner from an operating state to a stopped state or from a stopped state to an operating state by the switching unit based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value. For example, the air conditioning control unit may be configured to control the switching of the air conditioner from a stopped state to an operating state by the switching unit based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value, or may be configured to control the switching of the air conditioner from an operating state to a stopped state and from a stopped state to an operating state by the switching unit based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 is configured to control the switching of the air conditioner 10 from the operating state to the stopped state and from the stopped state to the operating state by the switching unit 33 so that the room temperature is higher than the set temperature and lower than the allowable temperature, but is not limited thereto. The air conditioning control unit may be configured to control the switching of the air conditioner between the operating state and the stopped state by the switching unit so that the room temperature is either higher or lower than the set temperature, and for example, the air conditioning control unit may be configured to control the switching of the air conditioner from the stopped state to the operating state by the switching unit based on the immediately preceding operating time and the energy saving target value without determining whether the room temperature has reached the allowable temperature. In addition, for example, the air conditioning control unit may be configured to switch the air conditioner between the operating state and the stopped state by the switching unit so that the room temperature is on the opposite side of the set temperature from the initial temperature, or the set temperature may be set to a temperature close to the initial temperature with respect to the allowable temperature.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 is configured to control the switching of the air conditioner 10 from an operating state to a stopped state by the switching unit 33 based on the past stop time of the air conditioner 10 and the energy saving target value, but is not limited to this. The air conditioning control unit may be configured to control at least one of the switching of the air conditioner from an operating state to a stopped state or from a stopped state to an operating state by the switching unit based on operation information related to the past operating time or past stop time of the air conditioner and the energy saving target value, and for example, the air conditioning control unit may be configured to control the switching of the air conditioner from a stopped state to an operating state by the switching unit based on operation information related to the past operating time of the air conditioner and the energy saving target value.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the room temperature prediction unit 34 is configured to create a temperature transition function, which is a linear function, as a temperature prediction model by simple regression analysis with the room temperature as the objective variable and the time difference between the room temperatures obtained multiple times as the explanatory variable, but is not limited to this. The room temperature prediction unit only needs to be able to predict the time change of the room temperature based on multiple room temperatures obtained at different times and the times when the multiple room temperatures were obtained. For example, the room temperature prediction unit may create a temperature prediction model according to the season or time based on the room temperature and the date and time when the room temperature was obtained, or may create a favorable function of degree 2 or more as a temperature prediction model.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the room temperature prediction unit 34 is configured to predict the change over time of the room temperature based on multiple room temperatures transmitted from the lower controller 20 during a measurement period from the time the air conditioner 10 is switched from an operating state to a stopped state until a preset measurement reference time has elapsed, but is not limited to this. The room temperature prediction unit only needs to be able to predict the change over time of the room temperature based on multiple room temperatures acquired at different times and the times at which the multiple room temperatures were acquired, and for example, the room temperature prediction unit may be configured to predict the change over time of the room temperature based on multiple room temperatures transmitted from the lower controller during a measurement period from the time the air conditioner is switched from an operating state to a stopped state until a predetermined number of room temperatures are acquired.

[0071] In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control device 100 is configured to transmit the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor 23 from the lower controller 20 to the upper controller 30 every minute, but is not limited thereto. The air conditioning control device may be configured such that the air conditioning control unit controls at least one of switching from the operating state to the stopped state or from the stopped state to the operating state by the switching unit based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor and the energy saving target value, and for example, the air conditioning control device may be configured such that the lower controller transmits to the upper controller only when there is a request from the upper controller, or the time interval for transmitting the room temperature from the lower controller 20 to the upper controller 30 may be changed, and the information transmitted from the lower controller 20 to the upper controller 30 does not have to be the room temperature itself, and may be, for example, information indicating the amount of change in the room temperature from the previous time, or information indicating which of a plurality of temperature stages the room temperature is in.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 35 acquires each piece of information from the storage unit 32 included in the host controller 30, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the air conditioning control unit 35 may acquire each piece of information, specifically, the operation information of the air conditioner, the room temperature acquired by the room temperature sensor, the set temperature, the allowable temperature, the measurement reference time, the temperature prediction model, the allowable temperature arrival time, and the switching time, from a storage unit provided outside the air conditioning control device.

[0073] In addition, the air conditioning control device may determine that the air conditioner has been switched between an operating state and a stopped state based on sending an operating signal or a stop signal to the air conditioner, or may be capable of sending a signal from the air conditioner indicating that the air conditioner has been switched between an operating state and a stopped state, and determine that the air conditioner has been switched between an operating state and a stopped state based on receiving a signal from the air conditioner indicating that the air conditioner has been switched between an operating state and a stopped state.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case where the air conditioner 10 performs intermittent operation in cooling mode has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air conditioning control device may be configured such that when the air conditioner 10 performs intermittent operation in heating mode, the air conditioning control unit controls switching between the operating state and the stopped state of the air conditioner based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value, or in both the cooling mode and the heating mode, the air conditioning control unit controls switching between the operating state and the stopped state of the air conditioner based on the room temperature and the energy saving target value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Air conditioner 23 Temperature Sensor 21 Input section 31 Timing section 32 Storage section 33 Switching section 34 Room temperature prediction section 35 Air conditioning control unit 100 Air conditioning control device T room temperature T1 Set temperature tr stop time tw Driving time

Claims

1. A room temperature acquisition unit for acquiring room temperature; A switching unit that switches between an operating state and a stopped state of an air conditioning device that adjusts a room temperature; an input unit that accepts an input operation of ratio information regarding a ratio between an operation time and a stop time of the air conditioning equipment; a switching control unit that controls switching of the switching unit based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit and the ratio information input to the input unit, The switching control unit switches between an operating state and a stopped state of the air conditioning equipment so that a ratio between a specific operation time and a specific stop time adjacent to the specific operation time becomes the ratio indicated by the ratio information, and so that a room temperature during the specific operation time and the specific stop time becomes either a higher temperature or a lower temperature than a preset set temperature. An air conditioning control device comprising:

2. The switching control unit acquires operation information regarding a past operation time or a past stop time of the air conditioning equipment, and controls switching of the switching unit based on the operation information and the ratio information input to the input unit.

2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1.

3. A timing unit for calculating time; a room temperature prediction unit that predicts a change in room temperature over time based on a plurality of room temperatures acquired at different times by the room temperature acquisition unit and the times at which the plurality of room temperatures were acquired; The switching control unit controls the switching of the switching unit based on the ratio information input to the input unit and a prediction of a time change in room temperature by the room temperature prediction unit.

3. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A room temperature acquisition unit acquires a room temperature; A step in which a switching unit switches between an operating state and a stopped state of an air conditioning device that adjusts a room temperature; An input unit receives an input operation of ratio information regarding a ratio between an operation time and a stop time of the air conditioning equipment; a switching control unit controlling switching of the switching unit based on the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit and the ratio information input to the input unit; The switching control unit switches between an operating state and a stopped state of the air conditioning equipment so that a ratio between a specific operation time and a specific stop time adjacent to the specific operation time becomes the ratio indicated by the ratio information, and so that a room temperature during the specific operation time and the specific stop time becomes either a higher temperature or a lower temperature than a preset set temperature. An air conditioning control method comprising:

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