Control device and control program

Abstract

To improve a technique for attaining a comfortable indoor environment.SOLUTION: An environment control device 50 includes: an information acquisition section acquiring information indicating an indoor situation and information indicating an outdoor situation; and a control section performing cooperative control of windows 5 that are a plurality of ventilation facilities for ventilating indoor air and outdoor air and an air conditioning facility 6 for controlling a temperature or humidity of indoor air on the basis of information acquired by the information acquisition section. The control section controls the windows 5 and the air conditioning facility 6 in accordance with control criteria that are different depending on a plurality of indoor regions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control technology, and in particular to a control device and a control program for controlling a ventilation system and an air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] An air conditioning system for a building has been proposed that improves the efficiency of natural ventilation in the building by automatically controlling the opening and closing of the building's windows (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system that makes the environment in the building comfortable by appropriately performing natural ventilation until a user arrives at the building. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-23819 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors have recognized that in office buildings and other locations where many people work, it is necessary to provide natural ventilation while appropriately considering not only indoor comfort but also the effects that opening and closing the ventilation equipment has on people's activities indoors and the durability of the ventilation equipment.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and has as its purpose to improve techniques for realizing a comfortable indoor environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating indoor conditions and information indicating outdoor conditions, and a control unit that performs cooperative control of a plurality of ventilation devices for ventilating indoor air and outdoor air and an air conditioning device for adjusting the temperature or humidity of the indoor air based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The control unit controls the ventilation devices and the air conditioning devices according to different control standards for each of a plurality of indoor areas.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an environmental control system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of windows controlled by an environmental control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control criteria in the environmental control system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The environmental control system according to the embodiment automatically controls the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment in a comprehensive and coordinated manner according to indoor and outdoor conditions in an indoor space equipped with a ventilation equipment for ventilating indoor air and outdoor air, and an air conditioning equipment for adjusting the temperature or humidity of the indoor air. The environmental control system calculates a comfort index, which is an index that quantifies the comfort felt by a person indoors, and controls the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment so that the calculated comfort index is within a range in which the person indoors feels comfortable. When the outdoor conditions are good and it is expected that the comfort index will be improved by taking in outdoor air, the environmental control system opens the ventilation equipment to take in outdoor air indoors. When the outdoor conditions are not good, such as when it is raining, when the wind is strong, or when a lot of pollen or fine particulate matter is scattered, the environmental control system closes the ventilation equipment to block the outdoor air and adjusts the indoor air using the air conditioning equipment. This makes it possible to actively use the outdoor air to maintain the indoor air comfortable while suppressing the adverse effects on the indoors caused by opening the ventilation equipment, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0010] Generally, ventilation equipment such as windows is mechanically opened and closed by a driving means such as a motor, and frequent opening and closing can accelerate deterioration or cause breakdowns. In addition, since the opening and closing action generates noise, it is desirable to open and close the window less frequently when people inside are working, in a meeting, in class, sleeping, or other situations. Therefore, the environmental control system of this embodiment does not open the ventilation equipment when the outdoor situation is expected to worsen, even if the outdoor situation is good and the ventilation equipment can be opened. This makes it possible to efficiently take in outdoor air while suppressing the adverse effects on the ventilation equipment and people inside caused by excessive opening and closing of the ventilation equipment.

[0011] The temperature and humidity of indoor air may differ depending on the divided areas of the room. In particular, a relatively large building such as an office building where many people work includes peripheral areas where ventilation equipment such as windows is installed, and a central area where no ventilation equipment is installed. The area where no ventilation equipment is installed is less directly affected by the opening and closing of the ventilation equipment, so a large difference in the environment between the two areas may occur when the ventilation equipment is opened. Therefore, the environmental control system of this embodiment controls the ventilation equipment and air conditioning equipment according to different control standards for the peripheral area where the ventilation equipment is installed and the central area where no ventilation equipment is installed.

[0012] 1 shows the configuration of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. The environmental control system 1 includes a window 5, which is an example of a ventilation facility installed on the outer wall of a building 2 to be controlled, a ventilation facility control device 11 that opens and closes the window 5, air conditioning facilities 6 installed in various areas inside the building 2, an air conditioning facility control device 12 that controls the air conditioning facilities 6, a sensor 7 installed in the building 2, an environmental control device 50 that controls the ventilation facility control device 11 and the air conditioning facility control device 12, an information providing server 13 that provides weather information and the like, and a communication network 10 that connects these devices.

[0013] The interior of building 2 is divided into a perimeter zone 3, which is an area located on the periphery of building 2, and an interior zone 4, which is an area located in the center of building 2. Windows 5 are installed in perimeter zone 3. Air conditioning equipment 6 is installed in both perimeter zone 3 and interior zone 4.

[0014] The sensor 7 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind direction sensor, a wind speed sensor, a rainfall sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a pollen sensor, an illuminance sensor, a solar radiation sensor, etc. that are installed outdoors, and a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc. that are installed indoors.

[0015] The environmental control device 50 acquires information such as outdoor temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, air pressure, amount of scattered pollen, illuminance, amount of solar radiation, and indoor temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc., detected by the sensor 7. The environmental control device 50 further acquires public information such as information on outdoor air quality such as the amount of scattered fine particulate matter (PM2.5), yellow sand, pollen, etc., and photochemical smog, weather forecasts, and weather information from the information providing server 13.

[0016] Based on this information, the environmental control device 50 calculates a comfort index in real time for each of the multiple areas of the building 2. Although Fig. 1 shows an area of ​​one floor, if the building 2 has multiple floors, the environmental control device 50 calculates the comfort index for each of the multiple floors. The environmental control device 50 automatically controls the windows 5 and air conditioning equipment 6 installed in the building 2 in a comprehensive and coordinated manner by controlling the ventilation equipment control device 11 and the air conditioning equipment control device 12 so that the calculated comfort index falls within a range in which people indoors feel comfortable.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an example of a window controlled by the environmental control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram of a window 5 in a closed state seen from above. In the building 2, not only the openable window 5 but also the non-openable window 8 is provided. The openable window 5 has a right-angled triangular shape that protrudes outward from the non-openable window 8. FIG. 2(b) is a schematic diagram of the window 5 in an open state seen from above. The window 5 is opened by rotating the opening / closing part 9 provided on the side perpendicular to the outer wall. By adopting such a structure, the wind blowing along the outer wall of the building 2 can be efficiently taken inside the building. In addition, unlike a normal window, the structure is such that the wind does not blow directly into the building from the opening created by the rotation of the opening / closing part 9, so that documents and the like are prevented from being blown away or dust is prevented from being stirred up by the wind blown inside the building. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which a plurality of windows 5 with their hypotenuses aligned in the same direction are provided, but windows 5 with left-right inversions may be mixed. In this case, since there are windows that open leftward and windows that open rightward when facing from indoors to outdoors, the environmental control device 50 may determine the window 5 to be opened according to the outdoor wind speed or wind direction. For example, when the wind speed is faster than a predetermined value, the window 5 that opens in the opposite direction to the wind direction may be opened, and when the wind speed is slower than the predetermined value, the window 5 that opens in the same direction as the wind direction may be opened. This allows the outside air to be efficiently taken into the room when the wind is weak. Also, when the wind is strong, the impact of the wind on the room can be reduced. The window 5 may be a general horizontal sliding window, a sliding window, a casement window, a louver window, or the like, or may be a window with any other opening and closing method, or may be a window of any shape.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the control method according to the embodiment. First, in step S10, the environmental control device 50 sets an operation mode according to a predetermined period such as a day of the week or a time period. Since the environmental control system 1 of this embodiment controls an office building, the number of people in the building 2 and the situation in the building 2 change significantly over time according to the work system of the company that occupies the building 2. Therefore, the environmental control device 50 can set multiple operation modes according to the work system of the company. In this embodiment, five operation modes are provided: "weekday daytime" which is working hours, "overtime" which is a time period when some people work overtime after working hours, "nighttime" which is a time period when there are almost no people after the end of overtime, "dawn" which is a time period for preparation before work, and "holiday" where there are almost no people all day.

[0019] In the "weekday daytime" operating mode, the environmental control device 50 calculates the comfort index in real time and automatically controls the ventilation equipment such as the windows 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 so that the comfort index falls within a predetermined control range.

[0020] Even in the "overtime" operating mode, the environmental control device 50 automatically controls the windows 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 so that the comfort index falls within a predetermined control range. The "overtime" operating mode may be the same as the "weekday daytime" operating mode. Since it is considered that there will be fewer people in the building 2 during overtime than during working hours, the control range of the comfort index may be wider than in the "weekday daytime" operating mode. Also, since it is considered that the impact of noise caused by opening and closing the windows 5 will be relatively small during overtime, the conditions for opening the windows 5 may be relaxed compared to the "weekday daytime" operating mode.

[0021] In the "night" operating mode, the environmental control device 50 keeps the windows 5 closed and turns off the air conditioning equipment 6. During the midsummer period (e.g., from July to September), in order to reduce the load on the air conditioning equipment 6, the environmental control device 50 executes a "night purge function" that lowers the temperature inside the building 2 by taking in outside air in the early morning when the outside air temperature is lower than during the day. The night purge function will be described in detail later.

[0022] In the "daylight" operating mode, the environmental control device 50 automatically controls the ventilation equipment such as the windows 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 so that the comfort index falls within a predetermined control range toward working hours. The "daylight" operating mode may be the same as the "weekday daytime" operating mode. Since the impact of noise caused by opening and closing the windows 5 is considered to be relatively small during the daylight hours, the conditions for opening the windows 5 may be more relaxed than those in the "weekday daytime" operating mode.

[0023] In the "holiday" operating mode, the environmental control device 50 keeps the windows 5 closed and turns off the air conditioning equipment 6. If there are people in the building 2 who are working on a holiday, the windows 5 or air conditioning equipment 6 may be manually controllable, or the environmental control device 50 may automatically control the windows 5 and air conditioning equipment 6 in the area where people are working, as in the "weekday daytime" operating mode.

[0024] If a plurality of companies or the like are located in the building 2 to be controlled, a different operation mode may be set for each company. A different operation mode may be set for each period, such as hour, day, week, month, season, etc., other than for each day of the week or time period. The operation mode may be set by a person in charge. For example, the setting of holidays other than those on the calendar may be accepted.

[0025] By making it possible to set different operation modes for each specified period, it is possible to automatically control the ventilation equipment and air conditioning equipment according to more appropriate control standards depending on the situation inside building 2. This makes it possible to improve the environment inside building 2 while suppressing the adverse effects and energy consumption of natural ventilation.

[0026] In step S12, the environmental control device 50 acquires detection information from the sensor 7, public information from the information providing server 13, and device information from the ventilation equipment control device 11 and the air conditioning equipment control device 12, respectively.

[0027] In step S14, the environmental control device 50 calculates a comfort index for each floor of the building 2 and for each area on each floor. The comfort index may be, for example, the predicted mean vote (PMV) defined by the international standard ISO7730 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The PMV value is calculated based on four environmental factors that determine thermal sensation (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and thermal radiation) and two human body factors (metabolism rate and amount of clothing). The PMV value expresses human thermal comfort between -3 and 3, with 0 being thermally neutral. The comfort index is calculated based on the Standard New Effective Temperature (SET) defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). * The comfort index may be an index determined by other standards, or may be an index calculated by a formula uniquely determined in the environmental control system 1.

[0028] When calculating the PMV value as the comfort index, the environmental control device 50 acquires the temperature and humidity used to calculate the PMV value in real time from the sensor 7. When multiple sensors 7 for detecting temperature, humidity, etc. are installed in the same area, the average value of the values ​​measured by those sensors 7 may be used. Furthermore, values ​​measured by a sensor 7 installed in an adjacent area or another area on the same floor may be used as values ​​of temperature, humidity, etc. in an area where no sensor 7 is installed.

[0029] Since the amount of clothing, the metabolic rate, the external work, the average radiant temperature, and the air velocity used to calculate the PMV value are considered to change little over time, preset fixed values ​​may be used as these values. The fixed values ​​may be set for each predetermined period, for example, for each hour, day, week, month, or season. The fixed values ​​may be set for each floor or area of ​​the building 2. For example, different fixed values ​​may be set for the perimeter zone 3 and the interior zone 4. Also, different fixed values ​​may be set for an area where a window 5 is provided and an area where a window 5 is not provided. In this case, the comfort index is calculated according to different calculation standards for the perimeter zone 3 where the window 5 is provided and the interior zone 4 where no window is provided. This makes it possible to accurately evaluate the difference in environment between the perimeter zone 3 and the interior zone 4 and control the window 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6.

[0030] Fixed values ​​may be set according to the size, height, shape, volume, type of interior materials, and the like of each area, the type, number, and location of devices and equipment installed in each area, and the number, attributes, and behavior of people present in each area. The fixed values ​​may be changed manually or automatically according to changes in the situation of each area. For example, the amount of clothing worn that day may be calculated based on the outside air temperature before the start of work. In addition, a person in charge may visually check the amount of clothing worn by people in each area and input the amount of clothing worn that day into the environmental control device 50. The values ​​of these variables may be changed in real time. For example, the amount of clothing worn, the metabolic rate, the amount of external work, and the like may be obtained by the environmental control device 50 analyzing images taken by a camera installed in each area. Measurement values ​​detected by the sensor 7 may be used as the values ​​of the average radiant temperature and the air flow speed.

[0031] In step S16, the environmental control device 50 checks the outdoor weather. The environmental control device 50 refers to the detection information acquired from the sensor 7 to check whether the outdoor weather meets a predetermined condition that prohibits the opening of the window 5. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition related to wind speed, rainfall, or hail.

[0032] The environmental control device 50 calculates the average wind speed for a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes) based on the measured wind speed every predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) obtained from the wind speed sensor, and when the average wind speed becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 3 m / s), the environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened, and closes the window 5 if the window 5 is open. When the number of times that the instantaneous wind speed exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 8 m / s) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) during a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes), the environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened, and closes the window 5 if the window 5 is open. The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened until the state in which the wind speed is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 1 m / s) continues for a predetermined period (for example, 1 hour). When the state in which the wind speed is equal to or less than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined period or more, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0033] The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened when the rainfall measurement value obtained from the rainfall sensor every predetermined time (for example, 1 second) reaches a predetermined value (for example, 1 mm) for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) or more, and closes the window 5 if it is open. The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened until the state in which the amount of rainfall is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 0 mm) continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 30 minutes). When the state in which the amount of rainfall is equal to or less than the predetermined value continues for the predetermined period of time or more, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0034] The environmental control device 50 prohibits the opening of the window 5 when the number of hail detections per predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) obtained from the hail sensor exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 1 time) in a predetermined period (e.g., 10 seconds), and closes the window 5 if it is open. The environmental control device 50 prohibits the opening of the window 5 until the number of hail detections remains below a predetermined value (e.g., 0 times) for a predetermined period (e.g., 30 minutes). When the number of hail detections remains below the predetermined value for the predetermined period, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0035] In step S18, the environmental control device 50 checks the quality of the outdoor air. The environmental control device 50 checks whether the quality of the air meets a predetermined condition for which opening of the window 5 is prohibited, by referring to the detection information acquired from the sensor 7 and the public information acquired from the information providing server 13. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition related to pollen or PM2.5.

[0036] The environmental control device 50 detects whether the measured value of the amount of pollen per predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) obtained from the pollen sensor exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., 50 particles / cm) a predetermined number of times (e.g., 3 times). 3 ), the window 5 is prohibited from being opened, and if the window 5 is open, the window 5 is closed. 3 ) continues for a predetermined period (e.g., one hour). When the state in which the amount of pollen is less than the predetermined value continues for the predetermined period, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0037] The environmental control device 50 determines whether the amount of PM2.5 obtained from the information providing server 13 is a predetermined value (e.g., 35 μg / m 3 ), the window 5 is prohibited from being opened, and if the window 5 is open, the window 5 is closed. 3 ) continues for a predetermined period (e.g., one hour). When the amount of PM2.5 continues to be less than the predetermined value for the predetermined period, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0038] In step S20, the environmental control device 50 checks the public information acquired from the information providing server 13. The environmental control device 50 refers to the public information acquired from the information providing server 13 and checks whether the public information acquired from the information providing server 13 matches a predetermined condition that prohibits opening of the window 5 because the outdoor weather is expected to worsen. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition related to the probability of precipitation or a rainfall forecast.

[0039] The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened when the probability of precipitation after a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 50%), and closes the window 5 if it is open. The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened until the probability of precipitation falls below a predetermined value (e.g., 50%). When the probability of precipitation falls below the predetermined value, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0040] The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened when the predicted amount of rainfall after a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 10 mm), and closes the window 5 if it is open. The environmental control device 50 prohibits the window 5 from being opened until the predicted amount of rainfall falls below a predetermined value (e.g., 10 mm). When the probability of precipitation falls below the predetermined value, the environmental control device 50 releases the prohibition on opening the window 5 and returns to normal operation.

[0041] In step S22, the environmental control device 50 refers to the indoor and outdoor conditions and checks whether the conditions meet the predetermined conditions for opening and closing the window 5. If the opening of the window 5 is prohibited in the operation mode set in step S10, and if the opening of the window 5 is prohibited in steps S16, S18, and S20, the environmental control device 50 does not perform automatic control of the window 5 (N in S22). By closing the window 5 when the outdoor conditions are not good, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects of the outside air on the indoors. In addition, by not opening the window 5 when there is a possibility that the outdoor conditions will worsen, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects on the mechanism that drives the window 5 and people inside the room due to excessive opening and closing. If the opening of the window 5 is not prohibited, the environmental control device 50 determines the control contents of the window 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 according to the control criteria.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows examples of control standards in the environmental control system according to this embodiment. Control standard A is applied in seasons other than midwinter (e.g., from February to November). Control standard B is applied when opening of the windows 5 is prohibited in seasons other than midwinter (e.g., from February to November). Control standard C is applied when the outside air temperature is not within a predetermined temperature range, described later, in midwinter (e.g., from December to January) and in seasons other than midwinter (e.g., from February to November). Control standard D is applied when only the windows 5 are controlled without using the air conditioning equipment 6.

[0043] The target value of the PMV value, which is the comfort index, is 0, which represents a thermally neutral state. The environmental control device 50 controls the windows 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 so that the comfort index falls within a control range between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the control range. The window control lower limit value and the window control upper limit value are used by the environmental control device 50 to automatically control the windows 5. The air conditioning control lower limit value and the air conditioning control upper limit value are used by the environmental control device 50 to automatically control the air conditioning equipment 6. Normally, the value of the "intermediate mode" is used, and depending on the situation in the building 2 and requests from people in the building 2, the mode can be switched to a "comfort priority mode" that prioritizes comfort and refrains from opening the windows 5, or a "passive priority mode" that opens the windows 5 as much as possible to save energy.

[0044] When control standard A is applied, the environmental control device 50 automatically controls the window 5 based on the comfort index when the outside air temperature is within a predetermined temperature range in which the indoor comfort index can be expected to improve by taking in the outside air. The predetermined temperature range may be, for example, a temperature that is equal to or higher than a temperature that is a predetermined temperature (e.g., 4 degrees) lower than the temperature at which the comfort index becomes the lower limit of the control range, and equal to or lower than a temperature that is a predetermined temperature (e.g., 0 degrees) lower than the temperature at which the comfort index becomes the upper limit of the control range.

[0045] In control standard A, the environmental control device 50 does not perform automatic control of the window 5 while the comfort index is between the window control lower limit value and the window control upper limit value. If the comfort index rises and exceeds the window control upper limit value while the window is closed, the environmental control device 50 opens the window 5. If the comfort index further rises and exceeds the management range upper limit value, the environmental control device 50 closes the window 5. If the comfort index falls and falls below the window control lower limit value, the environmental control device 50 closes the window 5.

[0046] In control standard A, the environmental control device 50 turns on the air conditioning equipment 6 when the comfort index is higher than the air conditioning control upper limit value and lower than the air conditioning control lower limit value. While the air conditioning equipment 6 is on, the operation of the air conditioning equipment 6 is automatically controlled by the air conditioning equipment control device 12. If the comfort index rises or falls to 0 while the air conditioning equipment 6 is on, the environmental control device 50 turns off the air conditioning equipment 6.

[0047] When control standard B is applied, the environmental control device 50 keeps the windows 5 closed and controls only the air conditioning equipment 6. The method of controlling the air conditioning equipment 6 is the same as that of control standard A.

[0048] When control standard C is applied, the environmental control device 50 keeps the windows 5 closed and does not control the on / off of the air conditioning equipment 6. The environmental control device 50 calculates the temperature at which the comfort index is 0, and instructs the air conditioning equipment control device 12 to set the calculated temperature as the target temperature. The operation of the air conditioning equipment 6 is automatically controlled by the air conditioning equipment control device 12.

[0049] When control criterion D is applied, the environmental control device 50 does not control the air conditioning equipment 6, but controls only the window 5. The method of controlling the window 5 is the same as that of control criterion A.

[0050] As described above, the comfort index is calculated for each area, and is calculated according to different calculation standards for the perimeter zone 3 and the interior zone 4. By controlling the windows 5 and air conditioning equipment 6 based on the comfort index calculated in this way, it is possible to reduce the environmental difference between areas and improve the comfort of the entire interior of the building 2.

[0051] If it is determined in step S22 that the windows 5 are to be automatically controlled (Y in S22), in step S24, the environmental control device 50 automatically controls the windows 5. When opening the windows 5, the environmental control device 50 determines the number and positions of the windows 5 to be opened based on the outdoor wind speed or wind direction.

[0052] The environmental control device 50 calculates the average wind speed for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes) based on the wind speed measurement value obtained from the wind speed sensor every predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds), and determines the number and positions of the windows 5 to be opened based on the average wind speed. For example, the environmental control device 50 opens all the windows 5 when the average wind speed is less than a first threshold (e.g., 1.5 m / s), and opens half of the windows 5 on each side when the average wind speed is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold (e.g., 3 m / s). As described above, the environmental control device 50 closes the windows 5 when the average wind speed exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., 3 m / s), and prohibits the windows 5 from being opened until the state in which the wind speed is equal to or less than a predetermined value (e.g., 1 m / s) continues for a predetermined period (e.g., 1 hour). Similarly, when returning from a state in which half of the windows 5 are open to a state in which all of the windows 5 are open, the environmental control device 50 opens the remaining half of the windows 5 after the wind speed has remained below a predetermined value (e.g., 1 m / s) for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 hour).

[0053] The environmental control device 50 calculates the average value of the wind direction for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes) based on the measured wind direction value obtained from the wind direction sensor, and when the average value of the wind direction exceeds a threshold value twice consecutively, determines the position of the window 5 to be opened based on the wind direction. The environmental control device 50 may determine the position of the window 5 to be opened based on the relationship between the opening direction of the window 5 and the wind direction. For example, when the wind speed is faster than a predetermined value, the window 5 that opens in the opposite direction to the wind direction may be opened, and when the wind speed is slower than the predetermined value, the window 5 that opens in the same direction as the wind direction or in a direction perpendicular to the wind direction may be opened. When the average value of the wind direction does not exceed the threshold value twice consecutively, the environmental control device 50 may determine that the wind direction is not constant and open all the windows 5.

[0054] The environmental control device 50 may determine the number and positions of the windows 5 to be opened for each perimeter zone 3. The environmental control device 50 may determine the number and positions of the windows 5 to be opened for each floor. The environmental control device 50 may classify a plurality of windows 5 into groups and determine the groups of the windows 5 to be opened.

[0055] In step S26, the environmental control device 50 automatically controls the air conditioning equipment 6. The environmental control device 50 uses a formula for calculating a comfort index to calculate the indoor temperature at which the comfort index is 0. The environmental control device 50 instructs the air conditioning equipment control device 12 to set the calculated temperature as the set temperature. The air conditioning equipment control device 12 automatically controls each air conditioning equipment 6 based on the instructed set temperature.

[0056] In step S28, the environmental control device 50 checks the control range of the comfort index. If the calculated comfort index is not within the control range, the above control is continued so that the comfort index falls within the control range.

[0057] When the night purge function is executed in the above-mentioned "night" operation mode, the environmental control device 50 opens the windows 5 to let the outdoor air into the room if the outdoor air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature (e.g., 27 degrees) and the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 hours) before the start of working hours. The control of the windows 5 may be executed for each floor or area of ​​the building 2. When the outdoor air temperature becomes higher than the indoor temperature while the windows 5 are open, the environmental control device 50 closes the windows 5. When the outdoor air temperature becomes lower than the indoor temperature thereafter, the environmental control device 50 may open the windows 5 again. When the above-mentioned condition for prohibiting the opening of the windows 5 is satisfied, the environmental control device 50 does not open the windows 5. When the prohibition of opening the windows 5 is lifted, the environmental control device 50 may open the windows 5. When opening the windows 5, the environmental control device 50 may determine the number or position of the windows 5 to be opened based on the wind speed or wind direction as described above. Even if the wind speed is relatively fast and half of the windows 5 are opened, all the windows 5 in areas where the impact of the wind is small, such as conference rooms, may be opened. This allows the heat accumulated in the exterior walls and other parts of the building 2 to be cooled by the cool air in the early morning, reducing the load on the air conditioning equipment 6 and reducing energy consumption.

[0058] 5 shows the configuration of an environmental control device 50 according to an embodiment. The environmental control device 50 includes a communication device 51, a display device 52, an input device 53, a storage device 70, and a processing device 60. The environmental control device 50 may be a server device, a device such as a personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0059] The communication device 51 controls communication with other devices via the communication network 10. The communication device 51 may perform communication by any wired or wireless communication method. The display device 52 displays a screen generated by the processing device 60. The display device 52 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like. The input device 53 transmits instructions input by a person in charge to the processing device 60. The input device 53 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like. The display device 52 and the input device 53 may be implemented as a touch panel.

[0060] The storage device 70 stores programs, data, etc. used by the processing device 60. The storage device 70 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 70 stores a control standard storage unit 71, a control target information storage unit 72, and a history information storage unit 73.

[0061] The control standard storage unit 71 stores control standards for the environmental control device 50 to cooperatively control the windows 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6. The control standard storage unit 71 stores data of the control program, various parameters, thresholds, fixed values, etc. used by the control program.

[0062] The controlled object information storage unit 72 stores information about the building 2 that is the controlled object. The controlled object information storage unit 72 stores information about the floors and areas of the building 2, information about the types, number, and positions of the windows 5 and air conditioning equipment 6 installed in the building 2, information about the types, number, and positions of the sensors 7 installed in the building 2, information about the companies and the like that are located in the building 2, and the like.

[0063] The history information storage unit 73 stores history information of control by the environmental control device 50. The history information storage unit 73 stores history information such as detection information acquired from the sensor 7, public information acquired from the information providing server 13, opening and closing times of the window 5, opening and closing frequency, on / off times of the air conditioning equipment 6, and set temperatures. The history information stored in the history information storage unit 73 may be used for control by the environmental control device 50. For example, the conditions for opening and closing the window 5 may be changed depending on the frequency of opening and closing the window 5 in the past.

[0064] The processing device 60 includes an operation mode control unit 61, a detection information acquisition unit 62, a public information acquisition unit 63, a comfort index calculation unit 64, a control content determination unit 65, a ventilation equipment control unit 66, an air conditioning equipment control unit 67, and a setting change unit 68. These components are realized in hardware by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of any computer, and in software by programs loaded into memory, but here, functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these are depicted. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, such as hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

[0065] In step S10, the operation mode control unit 61 sets an operation mode. In step S12, the detection information acquisition unit 62 acquires detection information from the sensor 7. In step S12, the public information acquisition unit 63 acquires public information from the information providing server 13. In step S14, the comfort index calculation unit 64 calculates a comfort index for each floor and each area.

[0066] The control content determination unit 65 determines whether or not the conditions for prohibiting the opening of the window 5 are met in steps S16, S18, and S20. If the opening of the window 5 is not prohibited, the control content determination unit 65 determines the control content of the window 5 and the air conditioning equipment 6 in accordance with the control criteria stored in the control criteria storage unit 71 in step S22. The ventilation equipment control unit 66 controls the window 5 in accordance with the content determined by the control content determination unit 65 in step S24. The air conditioning equipment control unit 67 controls the air conditioning equipment 6 in accordance with the content determined by the control content determination unit 65 in step S26.

[0067] The setting change unit 68 changes the control parameters and the like stored in the control standard storage unit 71. The setting change unit 68 may receive an instruction from a person in charge to change the control parameters and the like and change the data stored in the control standard storage unit 71. For example, the control standard shown in Fig. 4 may be changed to a "comfort priority" mode or a "passive priority" mode. In addition, the management range upper limit value, management range lower limit value, air conditioning control upper limit value, air conditioning control lower limit value, window control upper limit value, window control lower limit value, and the like may be changed.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely show the principles and applications of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments can be modified in many ways and with different arrangements without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims.

[0069] In the embodiment, the case where an office building where many people work is the control target has been described, but the environmental control system of the embodiment can be used in any facility or building equipped with ventilation equipment and air conditioning equipment, such as residential spaces, accommodation facilities, commercial facilities, entertainment facilities, complex facilities, and public facilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Environmental control system, 2 Building, 3 Perimeter zone, 4 Interior zone, 5 Window, 6 Air conditioning equipment, 7 Sensor, 8 Window, 9 Opening / closing section, 10 Communication network, 11 Ventilation equipment control device, 12 Air conditioning equipment control device, 13 Information providing server, 50 Environmental control device, 61 Operation mode control section, 62 Detection information acquisition section, 63 Public information acquisition section, 64 Comfort index calculation section, 65 Control content determination section, 66 Ventilation equipment control section, 67 Air conditioning equipment control section, 68 Setting change section, 71 Control standard storage section, 72 Control target information storage section, 73 History information storage section.

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating an indoor state and information indicating an outdoor state; a control unit that coordinates and controls a plurality of ventilation equipment for ventilating indoor air and outdoor air and an air conditioning equipment for adjusting a temperature or humidity of the indoor air based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit; an index calculation unit that calculates an index representing indoor comfort for each area based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit; An operation mode control unit that sets a control criterion that defines conditions for determining the control content of each of the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment for cooperative control of the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment for each predetermined period of time; Equipped with The index calculation unit calculates the index according to different calculation criteria for an area where the ventilation equipment is installed and an area where the ventilation equipment is not installed, The control unit controls the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment in accordance with control standards corresponding to each of a plurality of indoor areas and the predetermined period based on the index calculated by the index calculation unit, The control unit does not open the ventilation equipment when the information indicating the outdoor situation acquired by the information acquisition unit matches a predetermined condition that predicts that the outdoor situation will worsen in the future and that opening the ventilation equipment will have a large adverse effect on the indoors. Control device.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment according to different control standards in an area where the ventilation equipment is provided and an area where the ventilation equipment is not provided.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when opening the ventilation equipment, the control unit determines the number or positions of the ventilation equipment to be opened based on the outdoor wind speed acquired by the information acquisition unit.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit keeps the ventilation equipment closed when information indicating the outdoor conditions acquired by the information acquisition unit matches predetermined conditions under which opening the ventilation equipment would have a large adverse effect on the indoors.

5. Computer, an information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating an indoor state and information indicating an outdoor state; a control unit that coordinates and controls a plurality of ventilation equipment for ventilating indoor air and outdoor air and an air conditioning equipment for adjusting a temperature or humidity of the indoor air based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit; an index calculation unit that calculates an index representing indoor comfort for each area based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit; an operation mode control unit that sets a control criterion that defines conditions for determining the control content of each of the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment for each predetermined period in order to control the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment in a coordinated manner; Function as a The index calculation unit calculates the index according to different calculation criteria for an area where the ventilation equipment is installed and an area where the ventilation equipment is not installed, The control unit controls the ventilation equipment and the air conditioning equipment in accordance with control standards corresponding to each of a plurality of indoor areas and the predetermined period based on the index calculated by the index calculation unit, The control unit does not open the ventilation equipment when the information indicating the outdoor situation acquired by the information acquisition unit matches a predetermined condition that predicts that the outdoor situation will worsen in the future and that opening the ventilation equipment will have a large adverse effect on the indoors. Control program.

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