Air Conditioning Control System

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning control system capable of efficiently reducing power consumption.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning control system includes at least one air conditioner, an outdoor unit, an ambient air temperature detection part, and a control device. The air conditioner is operated in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode and a cooling mode, and air-conditions the interior of a building. The outdoor unit is operated in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode, a cooling mode, and an air blowing mode, air-conditions the ambient air of the building, and supplies it to the air conditioner. The ambient air temperature detection part detects the temperature of the ambient air. The control device includes a control processing part, a communication control part, and a region storage part, and controls the operation of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit. The control processing part executes processing for controlling the operations of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit when the ambient air is supplied from the outdoor unit to the air conditioner. The communication control part controls transmission and reception of data between the control processing part and the air conditioner and between the control processing part and the outdoor unit. The region storage part stores a region where the building is located.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning control system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in buildings such as office buildings and stores, the air conditioning in the buildings is controlled by an air conditioning control system. Such an air conditioning control system includes, as main components, an outdoor air conditioner, air conditioners in each room of the building, and a control device that controls the operation of these.

[0003] An outdoor air conditioning system (hereinafter referred to as outdoor air conditioning unit) is composed of equipment such as an AHU (Air Handling Unit), a blower, and a VAV (Variable Air Volume), and takes in air outside the building (outside air) through ducts installed inside the building and supplies it to each room. An air conditioning device (hereafter referred to as an air conditioner), for example called an FCU (Fan Coil Unit), is installed in each room. The air conditioner is a device that adjusts the temperature of air supplied from an outdoor air conditioner and supplies it to a specified location in the room.

[0004] The control device is a device that controls the operation of each of the outdoor air-conditioning unit and the air conditioner, and adjusts, for example, the amount of air (air volume) supplied from the blower of the outdoor air-conditioning unit to each room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-66541 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, there has been a demand for reducing the environmental impact of such air conditioning control systems, and as one measure for this, it has become necessary to reduce power consumption.

[0007] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning control system that can efficiently reduce power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An air conditioning control system according to one embodiment includes at least one air conditioner, an outdoor air conditioner, an outdoor air temperature detection unit, and a control device. The air conditioner operates in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode and a cooling mode, and conditions the interior of a building. The outdoor air conditioner operates in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a blowing mode, and conditions the outdoor air of the building and supplies it to the air conditioner. The outdoor air temperature detection unit detects the temperature of the outdoor air. The control device has a control processing unit, a communication control unit, and an area memory unit, and controls the operation of the air conditioner and the outdoor air conditioner. The control processing unit executes processing for controlling the operation of the air conditioner and the outdoor air conditioner when the outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor air conditioner to the air conditioner. The communication control unit controls the transmission and reception of data between the control processing unit and the air conditioner and between the control processing unit and the outdoor air conditioner. The area memory unit stores the area in which the building is located. The control processing unit sets the operating mode of the outdoor air conditioning unit, the supply air volume of the outdoor air supplied from the outdoor air conditioning unit to the air conditioner, and the supply air temperature of the outdoor air supplied from the outdoor air conditioning unit to the air conditioner based on at least the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit and the operating mode of the air conditioner, and controls the operation of the outdoor air conditioning unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 5 is a diagram showing an example of data items of records held in a humidity estimation table in the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a control flow diagram of a control processing unit during air supply control processing in the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a control flow diagram of a control processing unit during a set value determination process in the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a result of conflict resolution of an operation mode when there are two air conditioners (main and sub) in the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a set value determination table in the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. The air conditioning control system is used to control the air conditioning mode in a building such as an office building or a store. As an example, this embodiment assumes an air conditioning control system that controls the air conditioning mode in a store such as a convenience store.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning control system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning control system 10 includes, as main components, an air conditioner 2, an outdoor air conditioner 4, and a control device 6. The air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 are connected via air piping (ducts), and the operation of each is controlled by the control device 6.

[0012] The air conditioner 2 conditions the air inside a building, and in the present embodiment, as an example, the inside of a store. The air that the air conditioner 2 conditions is supplied from an outdoor air conditioner 4. That is, the air conditioner 2 conditions the air supplied from the outdoor air conditioner 4 and supplies it to the inside of the store. The air conditioner 2 is called, for example, an FCU (Fan Coil Unit), and is installed at a desired location in the store, which is the space to be air-conditioned. In the present embodiment, at least one air conditioner 2 is installed in the store, and in the illustrated example, multiple air conditioners 21 to 2n: n is an arbitrary number). The installation location is any location that requires air conditioning, such as near the entrance of the store, near the cash register, near the freezer / refrigerator case, near the back yard, etc.

[0013] The air conditioner 2 operates in a predetermined operation mode. In this embodiment, three operation modes are applied: a stop mode, a cooling mode, and a heating mode. The air conditioner 2 operates in either the cooling mode or the heating mode, and stops in the stop mode (is in a non-operating state). However, the operation mode is not limited to these. In this embodiment, a state in which the air conditioner is stopped in the stop mode, that is, a non-operating state, is also considered as one of the operation modes of the air conditioner 2. The air conditioner 2 has an operation mode storage unit 2a that stores the set values ​​of the operation modes, that is, the set values ​​indicating the stop mode, the cooling mode, and the heating mode. As an example of the set values ​​of each mode, the stop mode is 0, the cooling mode is 1, and the heating mode is 2. The air conditioner 2 operates in an operation mode corresponding to the set values ​​stored in the operation mode storage unit 2a. The set values ​​stored in the operation mode storage unit 2a can be rewritten as appropriate. The rewriting of such set values ​​is executed by the control device 6, triggered by an input from, for example, the operation panel or remote control of the air conditioner 2, or a master controller installed in the store (all of which are not shown).

[0014] The outdoor air conditioning unit 4 conditions the outside air of the building, or in this embodiment, the store as an example (air outside the store, hereinafter simply referred to as outside air), and supplies it to the air conditioners 2. The outdoor air conditioning unit 4 includes devices such as an AHU (Air Handling Unit), a blower, and a VAV (Variable Air Volume). The outdoor air conditioning unit 4 is installed, for example, in the ceiling or behind a wall in the store, takes in outside air, and air-conditions the taken-in outside air. The conditioned outside air is supplied to the air conditioners 2 through ducts installed in the ceiling or behind a wall in the store together with the outdoor air conditioning unit 4. In this embodiment, as an example, the outside air is distributed to each air conditioner 2 (21-2n) through ducts branching toward the installation locations of each air conditioner 2 (21-2n).

[0015] The outdoor air conditioner 4 operates in a predetermined operation mode. In this embodiment, four operation modes are applied: a stop mode, a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a blowing mode. The outdoor air conditioner 4 operates in any one of the cooling mode, the heating mode, and the blowing mode, and stops in the stop mode (is in a non-operating state). However, the operation mode is not limited to these. In this embodiment, a state stopped in the stop mode, that is, a non-operating state, is also considered as one of the operation modes of the outdoor air conditioner 4. The outdoor air conditioner 4 has an operation mode storage unit 4a that stores the set values ​​of the operation modes, that is, the predetermined values ​​indicating the stop mode, the cooling mode, the heating mode, and the blowing mode. As an example, the set values ​​of each mode are 0 for the stop mode, 1 for the cooling mode, 2 for the heating mode, and 3 for the blowing mode. The outdoor air conditioner 4 operates in an operation mode corresponding to the set values ​​stored in the operation mode storage unit 4a. The set values ​​stored in the operation mode storage unit 4a can be rewritten by the control device 6 as appropriate.

[0016] The outdoor air conditioning unit 4 supplies outdoor air (outdoor air conditioned by the outdoor air conditioning unit 4) to the air conditioner 2 at a predetermined air volume (hereinafter referred to as supply air volume). For this reason, the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 has a supply air volume storage unit 4b that stores a value of the supply air volume (hereinafter referred to as supply air volume value). The supply air volume value is a value set by linking it to, for example, the output of the blower (air volume tap) and the like, and in this embodiment, it is associated with four stages of stop, weak, strong, and fast. As an example, the set values ​​of each stage are 0 for stop, 1 for weak, 2 for strong, and 3 for fast. The output of the blower (air volume tap) corresponding to the supply air volume increases in the order of stop, weak, strong, and fast, with stop being the minimum (zero air volume) and fast being the maximum. However, the supply air volume that can be set is not limited to four stages, and may be three stages or less or five stages or more. The supply air volume value stored in the supply air volume storage unit 4b can be appropriately rewritten by the control device 6.

[0017] In addition, the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 supplies outdoor air (outdoor air conditioned by the outdoor air conditioning unit 4) to the air conditioner 2 at a predetermined temperature (hereinafter referred to as the supply air temperature). For this reason, the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 has a supply air temperature holding unit 4c that holds a set value of the supply air temperature. Details of the setting of the supply air temperature will be described later. The outdoor air conditioning unit 4 supplies outdoor air to the air conditioner 2 at the set value of the supply air temperature held in the supply air temperature holding unit 4c. The set value of the supply air temperature held in the supply air temperature holding unit 4c can be rewritten by the control device 6 as appropriate.

[0018] The outdoor air conditioner 4 also has an outdoor air temperature detector 4d that detects the temperature of the outdoor air. The outdoor air temperature detector 4d is, for example, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor. The outdoor air temperature detector 4d provides the detected outdoor air temperature to the control device 6. In this embodiment, the outdoor air temperature detector 4d is one of the components of the outdoor air conditioner 4, but the outdoor air temperature detector 4d may be a component independent of the outdoor air conditioner 4. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the outdoor air temperature detector 4d, an embodiment may be possible in which data on the outdoor air temperature provided by an external system, such as a system of the Japan Meteorological Agency or a weather company, is acquired and provided to the control device 6.

[0019] The control device 6 is installed in a building in which the air conditioning mode is controlled by the air conditioning control system 10, in this embodiment, in a store such as a convenience store, and controls the operation of the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 installed in the store. The control device 6 is a device called a store controller, and includes, for example, a CPU, a memory, a storage device (non-volatile memory), an input / output circuit, a timer, etc., and executes a predetermined calculation process. The control device 6 reads various data by the input / output circuit, performs calculation processing by the CPU using a program read from the storage device to the memory, and controls the operation of the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 based on the processing result. Specifically, the control device 6 operates the air conditioner 2 in an operation mode corresponding to the set value stored in the operation mode storage unit 2a. The control device 6 also operates the outdoor air conditioner 4 in an operation mode corresponding to the set value stored in the operation mode storage unit 4a. At that time, the control device 6 causes the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 to supply outside air to the air conditioner 2 at a supply air volume corresponding to the set value held in the supply air volume holding unit 4b of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4, and at a supply air temperature corresponding to the set value held in the supply air temperature holding unit 4c.

[0020] In order to operate the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 in this manner, the control device 6 has a control processing unit 6a, a communication control unit 6b, an area storage unit 6c, and a humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d.

[0021] The control processing unit 6a executes a process (hereinafter, referred to as an air supply control process) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 when conditioned outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 to the air conditioner 2. The air supply control process is a process required when outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 to the air conditioner 2, and is a series of processes associated with setting the operation mode of the air conditioner 2, the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4, the supply air volume, and the supply air temperature. In the present embodiment, as an example, the control processing unit 6a is configured as a program for executing the air supply control process in the control device 6, and is stored in a storage device and read out to a memory. Note that the control processing unit 6a may be configured to store a program on a cloud, and the control device 6 may be configured to communicate with the cloud as appropriate to make the desired program available. In this case, the control device 6 is configured to include a communication module with the cloud, etc.

[0022] The communication control unit 6b controls the transmission and reception of data between the control processing unit 6a and the air conditioner 2, and between the control processing unit 6a and the outdoor air conditioner 4. The communication control unit 6b is connected to the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 by wire or wirelessly, and communicates with the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air conditioner 4 based on, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). The communication standard applied is not limited to ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), and other communication protocols may be used. The communication control unit 6b provides notifications of data transmission and reception and received data to the control processing unit 6a.

[0023] The area storage unit 6c stores the area (hereinafter referred to as the target area) where the building in which the air conditioning mode is controlled by the air conditioning control system 10, or in this embodiment, the store such as a convenience store in which the control device 6 is installed, is located. The area storage unit 6c is configured, for example, as a part of the storage area in the storage device of the control device 6. The target area is stored in the area storage unit 6c as a record having data items corresponding to the target area. The data items of the record are, for example, the area code (ID) of the target area and the area name set corresponding to the area code. The area code and area name are uniquely assigned by applying any division such as, for example, for each prefecture, city, town, or village. The records stored in the area storage unit 6c, i.e., the data items corresponding to the target area, are read out to the control processing unit 6a in the air supply control process.

[0024] The humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d stores coefficients (hereinafter referred to as humidity estimation coefficients) used to estimate the humidity (absolute humidity) of the outside air relative to the temperature in the target area. The humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d is configured, for example, as one of the storage devices of the control device 6, or as a part separate from the area storage unit 6c in the storage device of the control device 6. The humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d stores a table (hereinafter referred to as humidity estimation table) that holds a plurality of records having data items including humidity estimation coefficients. The humidity estimation coefficients are stored in the humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d as one of the data items of the humidity estimation table. The humidity estimation coefficients of the records held in the humidity estimation table are read out to the control processing unit 6a in the air supply control process.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data items of a record held by the humidity estimation table T1. As shown in FIG. 2, the record has, for example, a region code (ID), a region name set corresponding to the region code, and a humidity estimation coefficient as data items. The humidity estimation coefficient is a coefficient used to estimate the absolute humidity of the outside air relative to the temperature of the region corresponding to the region code (specifically, the target region). In the example shown in FIG. 2, five humidity estimation coefficients (A0 to A4) are set for one region code. These humidity estimation coefficients are set in advance from a function indicating the relationship between the temperature and humidity (absolute humidity) of meteorological statistical information in the target region, for example. FIG. 2 shows an example of each value of the five coefficients (A0 to A4) set for three regions, Kagoshima City, Tokyo's 23 Wards, and Sendai City. The region codes (IDs) and region names set corresponding to the region codes of the three regions in the example shown in FIG. 2 are "462" and "Kagoshima" for Kagoshima City, "131" and "Tokyo" for Tokyo's 23 Wards, and "041" and "Sendai" for Sendai City.

[0026] In the air conditioning control system 10 having the above configuration, the air supply control process performed by the control processing unit 6a of the controller 6 will be described according to the control flow of the control processing unit 6a. Figure 3 shows the control flow of the control processing unit 6a during the air supply control process.

[0027] In the air supply control process, the control processing unit 6a acquires the setting states of the operation modes of all the air conditioners 2 (air conditioners 21 to 2n in this embodiment; the same applies below) via the communication control unit 6b (S01, S02). At that time, the control processing unit 6a judges whether or not the setting values ​​of the operation modes of all the air conditioners 2 have been acquired (S01). If there is an air conditioner 2 for which the setting value of the operation mode has not been acquired (No in S01), the control processing unit 6a acquires the setting value of the operation mode of that air conditioner 2 from the operation mode storage unit 2a of that air conditioner 2 (S02). The control processing unit 6a repeats acquiring the setting values ​​of the operation modes in this way until the setting values ​​of the operation modes of all the air conditioners 2 have been acquired (Yes in S01) (S02).

[0028] Next, the control processing unit 6a acquires the outdoor air temperature (S03). The outdoor air temperature is detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit 4d of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4, and the control processing unit 6a acquires the detection value of the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit 4d via the communication control unit 6b.

[0029] Here, the control processing unit 6a judges whether or not the humidity (relative humidity) of the outdoor air can be acquired (S04). In this embodiment, the air conditioning control system 10 is assumed to be not equipped with an outdoor humidity detection unit such as a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of the outdoor air. Therefore, the control processing unit 6a judges that the relative humidity of the outdoor air cannot be acquired here (No in S04). However, the air conditioning control system 10 may be in a form equipped with the outdoor humidity detection unit. For example, when the outdoor humidity detection unit is equipped in the outdoor air conditioner 4 or the like, the control processing unit 6a judges that the relative humidity of the outdoor air can be acquired (Yes in S04). In this case, the control processing unit 6a acquires the detection value of the relative humidity of the outdoor air from the outdoor humidity detection unit (S05). Note that, regardless of whether the target areas are the same or different, when there are multiple stores whose air conditioning modes are controlled by the air conditioning control system 10, the presence or absence of the outdoor humidity detection unit may or may not be the same in each store.

[0030] Next, the control processing unit 6a performs a set value determination process (S06). The set value determination process is a process for resolving conflicts in the operation modes of the air conditioner 2 and calculating the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature to be set in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4. Figure 4 shows the control flow of the control processing unit 6a during the set value determination process.

[0031] In the set value determination process, the control processing unit 6a resolves conflicts in the operation modes of the air conditioners 2 and matches the operation modes of all the air conditioners 2 (S101). A conflict is a state in which the operation modes of the air conditioners 21-2n do not match and are different. When resolving conflicts in the operation modes of the air conditioners 21-2n, the control processing unit 6a matches the operation modes of all the air conditioners 2 to the highest operation mode in accordance with the priority order of the operation modes. In this embodiment, the heating mode has the highest priority, followed by the cooling mode, and the stop mode has the lowest priority.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows an example of the result of resolving the conflict of the operation mode when there are two air conditioners 2 (main and sub). As shown in FIG. 5, when the two air conditioners 2, the main and sub, are both operating in the same operation mode, which is either the stop mode, the cooling mode, or the heating mode, the control processing unit 6a continues the operation of the two air conditioners 2 in the same operation mode. In contrast, when the two air conditioners 2, the main and sub, are operating in different operation modes, the control processing unit 6a changes the operation mode of one of the main and sub, which is operating in a lower operation mode, to the other operation mode (higher operation mode). At that time, the control processing unit 6a rewrites the setting value stored in the operation mode storage unit 2a of the air conditioner 2 to be operated in a changed operation mode, to the setting value of the new operation mode.

[0033] For example, if of the two air conditioners 2, the main is operating in stop mode and the sub is operating in cooling mode, the operation mode of the main is changed to cooling mode. Conversely, if of the two air conditioners 2, the main is operating in cooling mode and the sub is operating in stop mode, the operation mode of the sub is changed to cooling mode. Also, for example, if of the two air conditioners 2, the main is operating in cooling mode or stop mode and the sub is operating in heating mode, the operation mode of the main is changed to heating mode. Conversely, if of the two air conditioners 2, the main is operating in heating mode and the sub is operating in cooling mode or stop mode, the operation mode of the sub is changed to heating mode.

[0034] When the conflict of the operation mode is resolved in this manner, the control processing unit 6a judges whether or not the humidity (relative humidity) of the outside air has been acquired (S102). In this embodiment, since the air conditioning control system 10 is assumed to have no outside air humidity detection unit as described above, the control processing unit 6a judges that the outside air relative humidity has not been acquired (Yes in S102). However, if the outside air humidity detection unit is provided in the outdoor air conditioner 4 or the like and the detection value of the outside air relative humidity is acquired from the outside air humidity detection unit (S05), the control processing unit 6a judges that the outside air relative humidity has been acquired (No in S102).

[0035] When it is determined that the relative humidity of the outside air has not been acquired (Yes in S102), the control processing unit 6a estimates the relative humidity of the outside air (S103). In this estimation, the control processing unit 6a reads a record stored in the area storage unit 6c, and acquires, for example, an area code (ID) of the target area from the record. The control processing unit 6a also reads a record of the humidity estimation table T1 (FIG. 2) stored in the humidity estimation coefficient storage unit 6d using the acquired area code (ID) as a key, and acquires the value of the humidity estimation coefficient (A0 to A4) of the target area from the record. Next, the control processing unit 6a calculates the value of the absolute humidity (Xo) relative to the air temperature of the target area using the following formula (1) based on the acquired values ​​of the humidity estimation coefficient (A0 to A4) of the target area and the value of the outside air temperature (To). The value of the outside air temperature (To) is the value acquired in the above-mentioned S03 (the detected value detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 4d). In addition, in formula (1), ^ indicates a power. Xo=A4×To^4+A3×To^3+A2×To^2+A1×To+A0 …(1)

[0036] After calculating the absolute humidity (Xo), the control processing unit 6a calculates the value of the saturated water vapor pressure (Pws) based on the calculated absolute humidity (Xo) value and the value of the outside air temperature (To) using the following formula (2). In formula (2), ^ indicates a power. Pws=0.1×6.11×10^(7.5×To / (To+237.3)) …(2)

[0037] Next, the control processing unit 6a calculates the value of the relative humidity (Ho) of the outside air based on the calculated value of the saturated water vapor pressure (Pws) and the value of the absolute humidity (Xo) by using the following formula (3). Ho=101.3×Xo×100 / (Xo+0.62198) / Pws…(3)

[0038] The control processing unit 6a estimates the calculated value as the value of the relative humidity (Ho) of the outside air.

[0039] When the value of the outdoor air relative humidity (Ho) is estimated, the control processing unit 6a calculates the outdoor air discomfort index and dew point temperature (S104). Furthermore, if it is determined in S102 that the outdoor air relative humidity has been acquired (No in S102), the control processing unit 6a similarly calculates the outdoor air discomfort index and dew point temperature (S104). In this case, the value of the outdoor air relative humidity (Ho) is, for example, the detected value of the outdoor air relative humidity acquired from the outdoor air humidity detection unit (S05). The control processing unit 6a calculates the outdoor air discomfort index (DI) based on the outdoor air temperature (To) and the outdoor air relative humidity (Ho) using the following formula (4). DI=To×0.81+0.01×Ho×(0.99×To-14.3)+46.3 …(4)

[0040] Furthermore, the control processing unit 6a calculates the value of the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outside air based on the calculated value of the saturated water vapor pressure (Pws) and the value of the relative humidity (Ho) of the outside air, using the following formula (5). DPT=-(RES×273.3) / (RES-17.2693882) …(5) The value of RES is calculated using the following formula (6): In formula (6), Log indicates the natural logarithm. RES=Log(Pws×10×Ho / 100 / 6.1078) …(6)

[0041] Then, the control processing unit 6a determines the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 (S105, S106, S107). Note that in the example of the control flow shown in Fig. 4, the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 (S105), the supply air volume (S106), and the supply air temperature (S107) are determined in this order, but the order of determination is not limited to this.

[0042] In making these determinations, the control processing unit 6a refers to the set value determination table T2. FIG. 6 shows an example of the set value determination table T2. The set value determination table T2 is a table showing the correspondence between the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 and the values ​​of the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air, the dew point temperature (DPT), and the operation mode of the air conditioner 2. The values ​​of the discomfort index (DI) and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air are referenced to the values ​​calculated in S104 described above. The value of the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 is the value of the operation mode after the conflict is resolved, that is, the value corresponding to the operation mode that the control processing unit 6a made consistent for all the air conditioners 2 in S101 described above. The set value determination table T2 is stored, for example, in the storage device of the control device 6. When determining the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4, the control processing unit 6a reads the set value determination table T2 from the storage device of the control device 6 into the memory.

[0043] The control processing unit 6a refers to the set value determination table T2 and determines the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioner 4 according to the values ​​of the outdoor air discomfort index (DI), dew point temperature (DPT), and the operation mode of the air conditioner 2.

[0044] For example, when the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is less than 57, the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is less than 14°C, and the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 is the heating mode or the stopped mode, the control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 to the heating mode and the supply air volume to low. SA ) is the value obtained by adding the value of ΔT to the value of the outside air temperature (To). ΔT is the supply air temperature (T SA) is a correction value, and in the example of the set value determination table T2 shown in FIG. 6, it is 12[°C]. However, any value can be applied as the value of ΔT. Furthermore, the supply air temperature (T SA The calculated value of is corrected with a lower limit of 12°C and an upper limit of 18°C.

[0045] When the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is 57 or more and less than 70, and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is less than 14°C, the control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 to the blowing mode and the supply air volume to high, regardless of the operation mode of the air conditioner 2. In this case, the control processing unit 6a also sets the supply air temperature (T SA ) is the value of the outside air temperature (To). In other words, in this case, the supply air temperature (T SA ) value is not corrected for the outside air temperature (To) value.

[0046] When the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is 57 or more and less than 70, and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is 14°C or more, if the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 is the heating mode, the control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 to the fan mode and the supply air volume to low. In this case, the control processing unit 6a also sets the supply air temperature (T SA ) is set to the value of the outside air temperature (To). In other words, in this case, the supply air temperature (T SA ) value is not corrected for the outside air temperature (To) value.

[0047] Similarly, when the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is 57 or more and less than 70, and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is 14°C or more, if the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 is the stop mode or the cooling mode, the control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 to the cooling mode and the supply air volume to low. SA The value of the supply air temperature (T SA The calculated value of is corrected with a lower limit of 14°C and an upper limit of 22°C.

[0048] Furthermore, when the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is 70 or more and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is 14[℃] or more, if the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 is the stop mode or the cooling mode, the control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 to the cooling mode and the supply air volume to low. SA The value of the supply air temperature (T SA The calculated value of is corrected with a lower limit of 14°C and an upper limit of 22°C.

[0049] When the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4, the supply air volume, and the supply air temperature have been determined, the control processing unit 6a ends the set value determination process, and continues the supply air control process as shown in FIG. The control processing unit 6a sets the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 determined in the set value determination process as the set values ​​of the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4, respectively (S07, S08, S09). Note that in the example of the control flow shown in Fig. 3, the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 (S07), the supply air volume (S08), and the supply air temperature (S09) are set in this order, but the setting order is not limited to this order.

[0050] When setting the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4, the control processing unit 6a rewrites the setting value of the operation mode held in the operation mode holding unit 4a of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 to the determined operation mode value via the communication control unit 6b. That is, the setting value of the operation mode held in the operation mode holding unit 4a is set to the value determined in the setting value determination process (S07). As a result, the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 operates in the operation mode corresponding to the setting value held in the operation mode holding unit 4a.

[0051] When setting the supply air volume of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4, the control processing unit 6a rewrites the supply air volume value held in the supply air volume holding unit 4b of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 to the determined supply air volume value via the communication control unit 6b. That is, the supply air volume value held in the supply air volume holding unit 4b is set to the value determined in the set value determination process (S08). As a result, the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 supplies air to the air conditioner 2 at a supply air volume corresponding to the set value held in the supply air volume holding unit 4b.

[0052] When setting the supply air temperature of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4, the control processing unit 6a rewrites the supply air temperature setting value held by the supply air temperature holding unit 4c of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 to the determined supply air temperature value via the communication control unit 6b. That is, the supply air temperature setting value held by the supply air temperature holding unit 4c is set to the value determined in the setting value determination process (S09). As a result, the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 supplies air to the air conditioner 2 at the setting value (supply air temperature) held in the supply air temperature holding unit 4c.

[0053] Once the set values ​​for the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 have been set (S07, S08, S09), the control processing unit 6a ends the series of air supply control processes (S01 to S09) including the set value determination process (S101 to S107). Then, the control processing unit 6a repeats the air supply control process at predetermined intervals while the air-conditioning control system 10 is operating, in other words while the air conditioner 2 and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 are operating. The predetermined intervals can be set arbitrarily, for example, every 15 minutes. In this case, the air supply control process (S01 to S09) is executed once every 15 minutes.

[0054] Thus, according to this embodiment, the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 can be set according to a predetermined condition based on the outdoor air temperature (To) and relative humidity (Ho), specifically, according to the values ​​of the discomfort index (DI) and dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air. Such a predetermined condition varies depending on the building in which the air conditioning mode is controlled by the air conditioning control system 10, which in this embodiment is a store such as a convenience store, that is, the target area, and also depending on the season of the target area. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 can be flexibly set (changed) according to the target area and further to the season of the target area. In addition, by considering the operation mode of the air conditioner 2 in addition to the values ​​of the discomfort index (DI) and dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air, the operation mode, supply air volume, and supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit 4 can be more flexibly set appropriately according to the target area.

[0055] For example, in the summer, when the outdoor air discomfort index (DI) is 70 or more and the outdoor air dew point temperature (DPT) is 14°C or more, and the air conditioner 2 is operating in cooling mode, the outdoor air conditioner 4 is set to cooling mode, the supply air volume is low, and the supply air temperature (T SA ) can be set to the value obtained by subtracting 12[℃] from the value of the outside air temperature (To). SA ) is corrected within a range of 14°C as a lower limit and 22°C as an upper limit, so that the dehumidification effect and power consumption reduction effect of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 4 can both be improved.

[0056] In addition, for example, in a winter season in which the discomfort index (DI) of the outdoor air is less than 57 and the dew point temperature (DPT) of the outdoor air is less than 14°C, when the air conditioner 2 is operating in the heating mode, the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner 4 is set to the heating mode, the supply air volume is set to low, and the supply air temperature (T SA ) can be set to the value obtained by adding 12[℃] to the value of the outside air temperature (To). SA ) is corrected within a range of 12°C as a lower limit and 18°C ​​as an upper limit, thereby reducing the air conditioning load on the air conditioner 2.

[0057] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 2, 21, 2n...air conditioner, 2a...operation mode storage unit, 4...outdoor air conditioner, 4a...operation mode storage unit, 4b...supply air volume storage unit, 4c...supply air temperature storage unit, 4d...outdoor air temperature detection unit, 6...control device, 6a...control processing unit, 6b...communication control unit, 6c...regional memory unit, 6d...humidity estimation coefficient memory unit, 10...air conditioning control system.

Claims

1. At least one air conditioner that operates in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode and a cooling mode and conditions air in a room of the building; an outdoor air conditioning unit that operates in a predetermined operation mode including a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a ventilation mode, conditions the outside air of the building, and supplies the air to the air conditioner; an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the outside air; A control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner and the outdoor air conditioner, The control device includes: a control processing unit that executes processing for controlling operations of the air conditioner and the outdoor air conditioner when the outside air is supplied from the outdoor air conditioner to the air conditioner; a communication control unit that controls transmission and reception of data between the control processing unit and the air conditioner and between the control processing unit and the outdoor air conditioner; A region storage unit that stores the region in which the building is located, The control processing unit sets an operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner, a supply air volume of the outdoor air supplied from the outdoor air conditioner to the air conditioner, and a supply air temperature of the outdoor air supplied from the outdoor air conditioner to the air conditioner, based on at least the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit and an operation mode of the air conditioner, and controls the operation of the outdoor air conditioner. Climate control system.

2. The control processing unit has a humidity estimation coefficient storage unit that stores a coefficient used to estimate the absolute humidity of the outside air relative to the air temperature in the region, and estimates the absolute humidity of the outside air using the temperature of the outside air detected by the outside air temperature detection unit and the coefficient stored in the humidity estimation coefficient storage unit. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 .

3. The control processing unit calculates a discomfort index and a dew point temperature of the outdoor air using the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit and the estimated absolute humidity of the outdoor air, and changes each setting of the operation mode, the supply air volume, and the supply air temperature of the outdoor air conditioning unit according to the calculated discomfort index and the dew point temperature. The air conditioning control system according to claim 2 .

4. The control processing unit: When the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is a heating mode, a predetermined correction value is added to the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit to set the supply air temperature. When the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is a cooling mode, a predetermined correction value is subtracted from the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit to set the supply air temperature; When the operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is the fan mode, the temperature of the outdoor air detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit is set as the supply air temperature. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 .

5. The control processing unit sets the supply air temperature within a range between a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value according to an operation mode of the outdoor air-conditioning unit. The air conditioning control system according to claim 4.

6. When a plurality of air conditioners are provided, the control processing unit matches the operation modes of the air conditioners and sets the operation mode of the outdoor air conditioner in accordance with the matched operation modes of all the air conditioners. An air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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