Air conditioning system, air conditioning control program, and storage medium storing the air conditioning control program

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of properly sending air in an air conditioning room to each of rooms in consideration of air conditioning load of each of the rooms, and to provide an air conditioning control program.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes: an air conditioner disposed in an air conditioning room communicating with a plurality of rooms in a house; air conveyance fans disposed corresponding to the respective rooms for conveying air in the air conditioning room to the respective rooms; a control device calculating distribution of the air quantity conveyed to the respective rooms from the air conditioning room on the basis of air conditioning load coefficients corresponding to the respective rooms, and controlling each of the air conveyance fans corresponding to the distribution of the air quantity; and room temperature sensors measuring temperatures of the living rooms. The control device detects a temperature change amount indicating an amount of temperature change in the rooms in a prescribed time zone on the basis of the temperatures of the corresponding rooms which are acquired from the room temperature sensors for the respective rooms, and calculates the air conditioning load coefficient on the basis of blast volumes of the air conveyed to the corresponding rooms from the air conditioning room and the temperature change amounts of the corresponding rooms in the prescribed time zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, an air conditioning control program, and a storage medium storing the air conditioning control program.

Background Art

[0002] In a house having a plurality of rooms, at least one air-conditioned room is provided independently to control the air conditioning in the air-conditioned room, and an air supply duct connecting the air-conditioned room and each room is provided to individually distribute the air in the air-conditioned room. A whole-house type air conditioning system is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Conventionally, in this type of air conditioning system, an individual setting switch or a temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature of the room is arranged for each room, and based on the difference between the set target temperature and the indoor temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the air supply volume of the air distributed from the air-conditioned room is controlled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Now, since the individually partitioned rooms have different sizes of the space, the air conditioning energy (air conditioning load) required to reach the target temperature for each room is different. Also, in each room, the air conditioning load varies depending on the presence or absence of sunlight, the presence of heat load equipment, the time zone when people are present, and the number of people.

[0006] However, in the conventional air conditioning system described above, since the air volume blown from the air conditioning room to each living room is determined for each living room without considering the air conditioning load in each living room, depending on the air conditioning load in each living room, there is a problem that it may be difficult to cool down, warm up, or there may be a state of overcooling or overwarming.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning system and an air conditioning control program capable of appropriately blowing the air in the air conditioning room to each living room in consideration of the air conditioning load in each living room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve this object, the air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner provided in an air conditioning room communicated with a plurality of living rooms, an air conveyance fan provided corresponding to each of the living rooms for conveying the air in the air conditioning room to each of the plurality of living rooms, a control device that calculates the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to each living room based on the air conditioning load coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms and controls each of the air conveyance fans according to the distribution of the air volume, and an indoor temperature sensor that measures the indoor temperature of each living room. The control device detects, for each living room, a temperature change amount indicating the amount of change in the temperature of the corresponding living room in a predetermined time period based on the indoor temperature of the corresponding living room acquired from the indoor temperature sensor, and calculates the air conditioning load coefficient based on the air volume blown from the air conditioning room to the corresponding living room and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room in the predetermined time period.

[0009] Further, the air conditioning control program of the present invention is provided in an air conditioning room communicated with a plurality of living rooms and equipped with an air conditioner It is executed by a control device that controls the operation of an air conveyance fan provided corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms in order to convey the air in the air-conditioned room to each of the plurality of living rooms. The air-conditioning control program calculates the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air-conditioned room to each living room based on the air-conditioning load coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms, controls each of the air conveyance fans according to the distribution of the air volume, and for each living room, detects a temperature change amount indicating the amount of change in the temperature of the corresponding living room in a predetermined time period based on the indoor temperature of the corresponding living room acquired from an indoor temperature sensor that measures the indoor temperature of each living room, and operates the control device so as to calculate the air-conditioning load coefficient based on the air volume of the air conveyed from the air-conditioned room to the corresponding living room and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room in the predetermined time period.

[0010] Further, the storage medium of the present invention stores the above air-conditioning control program.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the air-conditioning system and the air-conditioning control program of the present invention, based on the air-conditioning load coefficients set for each of the plurality of living rooms, the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air-conditioned room to each living room is calculated, and each air conveyance fan is controlled according to the distribution of the air volume. Therefore, there is an effect that the air in the air-conditioned room can be appropriately blown to each living room in consideration of the air-conditioning load of each living room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, and the steps (processes) and the order of the steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0014] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of an air conditioning system 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic connection diagram of the air conditioning system 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0015] The air conditioning system 20 includes an outside air introduction fan 4, a plurality of exhaust fans 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, a plurality of air conveyance fans 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, a plurality of indoor temperature sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, an air conditioning indoor temperature sensor 14, an air conditioner (air conditioning device) 9, an input / output terminal 19, and a control device 10.

[0016] The air conditioning system 20 is installed in a general house 1 which is an example of a building. The general house 1 has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of living rooms 2a to 2d and at least one air conditioning room 18 independent of the living rooms 2a to 2d. Here, the general house 1 (house) means that the occupants are private A dwelling provided as a place to lead a normal life, and as a general configuration, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, private rooms, children's rooms, etc. are included in the living quarters. Also, the living quarters provided by the air conditioning system 20 may include a toilet, a bathroom, a washroom, a dressing room, etc.

[0017] The air-conditioned room 18 communicates with each living quarter 2a - 2d via ducts 21a - 21d. The air-conditioned room 18 further communicates with each living quarter 2a - 2d via ducts 22a - 22d. In the air-conditioned room 18, outside air is taken into the air-conditioned room 18 by the outside air introduction fan 4 and mixed with the air conveyed from each living quarter 2a - 2d by the circulation fans 6a - 6d. The air in the air-conditioned room 18 is air-conditioned by controlling the temperature with an air conditioner 9 as an air-conditioning device provided in the air-conditioned room 18. The air air-conditioned in the air-conditioned room 18 is conveyed to each living quarter 2a - 2d by the air conveyance fans 3a - 3d.

[0018] The air in each living quarter 2a - 2d is conveyed to the air-conditioned room 18 by the circulation fans 6a - 6d and is discharged as outside air from inside the living quarters 2a - 2d to the outside of the general house 1 by the exhaust fans 5a - 5d. Note that the air conditioning system 20 controls the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a - 5d to discharge outside air from the room, and while interlocking with the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a - 5d, controls the supply air volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 to take in outside air into the room, thereby performing ventilation of the first type ventilation method. The first type ventilation method refers to a method that uses fans for both air supply and exhaust.

[0019] The outside air introduction fan 4 is a fan that takes in outside air into the interior of the general house 1, and corresponds to the air supply function of an air supply fan or a heat exchange air fan. As described above, the outside air taken in by the outside air introduction fan 4 is introduced into the air-conditioned room 18. The supply air volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 is configured to be settable in multiple stages, and its exhaust air volume is set according to the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a - 5d.

[0020] The exhaust fans 5a to 5d are fans that discharge a part of the air in the corresponding living rooms 2a to 2d to the outside air, and correspond to the exhaust functions of ceiling ventilation fans, wall-mounted ventilation fans, range hoods, heat exchange ventilation fans, etc. The exhaust fan 5a is provided in the living room 2a, the exhaust fan 5b is provided in the living room 2b, the exhaust fan 5c is provided in the living room 2c, and the exhaust fan 5d is provided in the living room 2d.

[0021] Each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d is configured such that its exhaust air volume can be set in multiple stages. Normally, each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d is controlled so as to have a preset exhaust air volume. Then, the exhaust air volume is controlled for each of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d according to the settings by the user and the values obtained by various sensors.

[0022] The air conveyance fans 3a to 3d are provided in the air-conditioning room 18 corresponding to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. The air in the air-conditioning room 18 is conveyed to the living room 2a by the air conveyance fan 3a, conveyed to the living room 2b by the air conveyance fan 3b, conveyed to the living room 2c by the air conveyance fan 3c, and conveyed to the living room 2d by the air conveyance fan 3d. The air conveyance fans 3a to 3d may be provided in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. The air conveyance fans 3a to 3d may be provided in the ducts 21a to 21d connecting between the air-conditioning room 18 and each of the living rooms 2a to 2d.

[0023] Each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d is driven by a DC motor, and air volume constant control is performed so that the air volume is constant at the air volume set for each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d. Each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d has a maximum air volume of 110 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) or 80 CFM according to the size and purpose (living room, bedroom, children's room, etc.) of the corresponding living room. For the air conveyance fan with a maximum air volume of 110 CFM, the air volume can be set in 10 CFM increments in the range of 50 to 110 CFM. Also, for the air conveyance fan with a maximum air volume of 80 CFM, the air volume can be set in 10 CFM increments in the range of 30 to 80 CFM.

[0024] The circulation fan 6a is provided in the living room 2a, the circulation fan 6b is provided in the living room 2b, the circulation fan 6c is provided in the living room 2c, and the circulation fan 6d is provided in the living room 2d. A part of the air in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is conveyed to the air-conditioning room 18 by the corresponding circulation fans 6a to 6d. Note that instead of the circulation fans 6a to 6d, the indoor air may be pushed out to the shared space in the general house 1 through a grille or the like that allows air to pass through from each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, and the air may be refluxed to the air-conditioning room 18 through the shared space.

[0025] The air conditioner 9 corresponds to the air-conditioning apparatus of the present invention and controls the air conditioning of the air-conditioning room 18. As an operation mode, the air conditioner 9 can be set to a cooling operation for cooling the air in the air-conditioning room 18 and a heating operation for heating the air in the air-conditioning room 18, and cools or heats the air in the air-conditioning room 18 so that the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning room 18 becomes a set target temperature.

[0026] The indoor temperature sensor 11a is provided in the living room 2a, the indoor temperature sensor 11b is provided in the living room 2b, the indoor temperature sensor 11c is provided in the living room 2c, and the indoor temperature sensor 11d is provided in the living room 2d. The indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d are sensors that measure the temperature (indoor temperature) in each of the corresponding living rooms 2a to 2d and transmit it to the control device 10.

[0027] The air-conditioning room temperature sensor 14 is provided in the air-conditioning room 18, measures the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning room 18 (air-conditioning room temperature), generates a signal indicating the air-conditioning room temperature, and transmits the signal to the control device 10.

[0028] The control device 10 is a controller that controls the entire air-conditioning system 20. For example, the control device 10 controls the operations of the air conditioner 9 provided in the air-conditioning room 18 and the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d provided corresponding to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. The control device 10 is communicably connected to the outside air introduction fan 4, the exhaust fans 5a to 5d, the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, the circulation fans 6a to 6d, the indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d, the air-conditioning room temperature sensor 14, and the air conditioner 9 by wireless communication.

[0029] Specifically, the control device 10 sets the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 based on the target temperatures set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d by the input / output terminal 19 described later. Then, the control device 10 controls the air conditioner 9 so that the temperature and humidity of the air-conditioned room 18 reach the target temperature set for the air-conditioned room 18 based on the temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 measured by the air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14.

[0030] Also, the control device 10 sets the air-conditioning load coefficient for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d from the energy required for air-conditioning the corresponding living room. Then, the control device 10 calculates the distribution of the air volume to be blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d based on the set air-conditioning load coefficients of the living rooms 2a to 2d, and controls the respective air conveyance fans 3a to 3d according to the distribution of the air volume.

[0031] Thereby, the air conditioned in the air-conditioned room 18 is appropriately conveyed to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d at an air volume corresponding to the air-conditioning load coefficient of each living room. Therefore, in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, it is controlled so as to reach the target temperature set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d without the occurrence of states such as being difficult to cool, difficult to warm, over-cooling, or over-warming.

[0032] Note that the setting of the air-conditioning load coefficient and the control of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0033] The control device 10 also controls the outside air introduction fan 4 and the exhaust fans 5a to 5d in conjunction with each other, such as setting the air supply volume of the outside air introduction fan 4 to be an air volume corresponding to the exhaust air volume of the exhaust fans 5a to 5d. Thereby, ventilation by the first type of ventilation method is performed for the general house 1.

[0034] Here, the control device 10, the outside air introduction fan 4, the exhaust fans 5a to 5d, the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, the circulation fans 6a to 6d, the indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d, the air-conditioning indoor temperature sensor 14, the air-conditioning room humidity sensor 15, and the air conditioner 9 are connected by wireless communication, so that complicated wiring work can be made unnecessary. However, all of these, or a part of the control device 10 and these, may be configured to be communicable by wired communication.

[0035] Also, in the present embodiment, the case where the control device 10 is installed as an independent device will be described, but it may be incorporated in the air conditioner 9 or another device. Further, the control device 10 does not necessarily have to be installed in the general house 1, and may be realized by a so-called cloud by an external server.

[0036] The input / output terminal 19 is communicably connected to the control device 10 by wireless communication, receives the input of information necessary for constructing the air-conditioning system 20 and stores it in the control device 10, or acquires the state of the air-conditioning system 20 from the control device 10 and displays it. The setting of the target temperature for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is also performed by the user from the input / output terminal 19. Examples of the input / output terminal 19 include portable information terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets.

[0037] Note that the input / output terminal 19 does not necessarily have to be connected to the control device 10 by wireless communication, and may be communicably connected to the control device 10 by wired communication. In this case, the input / output terminal 19 may be realized by, for example, a wall-mounted remote controller. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 1, one input / output terminal 19 is provided, but a plurality of input / output terminals 19 may be provided, for example, provided in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d.

[0038] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, each function of the control device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of the control device 10.

[0039] The control device 10 is configured to include at least an air-conditioning control unit 31, an air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32, a communication control unit 33, a calendar function unit 34, a data storage unit 35, and a load coefficient storage unit 36.

[0040] The air-conditioning control unit 31 controls the operation of the air conditioner 9 and the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d. For example, based on the target temperature and the like set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, the air-conditioning control unit 31 sets the operation of the air conditioner 9 to cooling operation or heating operation, and also sets the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18. Further, the air-conditioning control unit 31 calculates the distribution of the air volume to be blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d based on the air-conditioning load coefficient set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, and controls each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d according to the distribution of the air volume. Details of the air-conditioning control unit 31 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0041] The air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 calculates the air-conditioning load coefficient for each time zone for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d based on the energy required for air-conditioning the corresponding living room. In the present embodiment, the length of one time zone is 1 hour. That is, 0:00 to 1:00, 1:00 to 2:00, 2:00 to 3:00,..., 22:00 to 23:00, 23:00 to 24:00 are the respective time zones. The air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 calculates the air-conditioning load coefficient for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d for each time zone. The air-conditioning load coefficient calculated here is stored in the load coefficient storage unit 36. Details of the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. Note that the length of the time zone does not necessarily have to be 1 hour, and it may be arbitrarily assigned such as 2 hours, 3 hours, etc.

[0042] The communication control unit 33 controls the communication between the air-conditioning control unit 31 and the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, the air conditioner 9, the room temperature sensors 11a to 11d, and the air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14. The air-conditioning control unit 31 controls the operation of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d by transmitting the air volume for each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d set by the air-conditioning control unit 31 to the corresponding air conveyance fan via the communication control unit 33.

[0043] In addition, the air-conditioning control unit 31 controls the operation of the air conditioner 9 by transmitting the operation mode (cooling operation or heating operation) of the air conditioner 9 set by the air-conditioning control unit 31 and the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 to the air conditioner 9 via the communication control unit 33.

[0044] In addition, the air-conditioning control unit 31 periodically acquires, at predetermined time intervals via the communication control unit 33, the temperatures of the respective living rooms 2a to 2d measured by the in-room temperature sensors 11a to 11d provided in the respective living rooms 2a to 2d. Based on the acquired temperatures of the respective living rooms 2a to 2d, the air-conditioning control unit 31 sets the operation mode of the air conditioner 9 or determines the air volume of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d. Further, the air-conditioning control unit 31 stores the temperature of each living room periodically acquired for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d in the data storage unit 35.

[0045] In addition, the air-conditioning control unit 31 periodically acquires, at predetermined time intervals via the communication control unit 33, the temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 measured by the in-air-conditioned-room temperature sensor 14 provided in the air-conditioned room 18. The air-conditioning control unit 31 stores the temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 periodically acquired in the data storage unit 35.

[0046] The calendar function unit 34 outputs the current date and time to the air-conditioning control unit 31 and the air-conditioning load factor calculation unit 32, and is constituted by, for example, a Real Time Clock. The air-conditioning control unit 31 determines the air-conditioning load factor of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d at the date and time indicated by the calendar function unit 34, and determines the air volume of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d. The air-conditioning load factor calculation unit 32 sets the air-conditioning load factor of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d for each time zone and season (month) based on the date and time indicated by the calendar function unit 34.

[0047] The data storage unit 35 stores information necessary for setting the air-conditioning load coefficients of each of the rooms 2a to 2d, and is written by the air-conditioning control unit 31. When a predetermined time period starts, the air-conditioning control unit 31 stores the indoor temperature of each of the rooms 2a to 2d at that time in the data storage unit 35 as the original indoor temperature. Further, the air-conditioning control unit 31 stores in the data storage unit 35 the change over time of the indoor temperature of each of the rooms 2a to 2d, the change over time of the air volume of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, and the change over time of the indoor temperature of the air-conditioning room 18 during that time period. The air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 sets the air-conditioning load coefficient for each of the rooms 2a to 2d based on the original indoor temperature of each of the rooms 2a to 2d, the change over time of the indoor temperature of each of the rooms 2a to 2d, the change over time of the air volume of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, and the change over time of the indoor temperature of the air-conditioning room 18 stored in the data storage unit 35.

[0048] The load coefficient storage unit 36 stores the air-conditioning load coefficient set by the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32. The air-conditioning load coefficients stored in the load coefficient storage unit 36 are the calculated load coefficient 36a, the time label 36b, the room label 36c, and the season label 36d. These calculated load coefficient 36a, time label 36b, room label 36c, and season label 36d are stored for each of the rooms 2a to 2d. Here, with reference also to FIG. 3, the details of the load coefficient storage unit 36 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the relationship among the calculated load coefficient 36a, the time label 36b, and the room label 36c stored in the load coefficient storage unit 36.

[0049] The calculated load coefficient 36a is the air-conditioning load coefficient itself calculated for each time period in the target room. Here, the air-conditioning load coefficient R in one time period is calculated by the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 according to the following formula (1).

[0050] R = ΔS × F / (TT - OT) …(1) Here, TT is the target temperature set for the target living room, OT is the indoor temperature of the air-conditioned room 18, ΔS is the time from the start of a certain time period in the target living room until the target temperature TT set for that living room is reached, and F is the air volume set for the air conveyance fan that blows the air of the air-conditioned room 18 to the target living room. These variables are acquired from the data storage unit 35.

[0051] From the above formula (1), it can be said that the air-conditioning load coefficient R is set based on the amount of energy required for air-conditioning the corresponding living room. The larger the amount of energy required for air-conditioning in that living room, the larger the air-conditioning load coefficient.

[0052] In this way, for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, based on the air volume F blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to the corresponding living room within a predetermined time period and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room acquired by the indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d, the air-conditioning load coefficient R is calculated. Therefore, the air-conditioning load coefficient R can be easily obtained without complicated settings or calculations.

[0053] In this embodiment, as described above, one time period is set every hour, such as from 0:00 to 1:00, from 1:00 to 2:00, from 2:00 to 3:00,..., from 22:00 to 23:00, and from 23:00 to 24:00. And in this embodiment, for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, at least five days' worth of air-conditioning load coefficients R are stored for each time period, and the time label 36b described later is calculated. Therefore, the load coefficient storage unit 36 stores, as the calculated load coefficient 36a, the air-conditioning load coefficients for the number of living rooms × 24 time periods × five days.

[0054] The time label 36b indicates the air-conditioning load coefficient in that time period for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d for each predetermined time period, that is, for each of from 0:00 to 1:00, from 1:00 to 2:00, from 2:00 to 3:00,..., from 22:00 to 23:00, and from 23:00 to 24:00. That is, the time label 36b is stored for the number of predetermined time periods for each living room. However, in this embodiment, it is configured to be able to store the time label 36b for one month (up to 31 days) for calculating the season label 36d described later.

[0055] For one living room, the air-conditioning load factor calculation unit 32 calculates the time label 36b from 0:00 to 1:00 by averaging the calculated load factors 36a from 0:00 to 1:00 over the most recent predetermined number of days (5 days in this embodiment) calculated for that one living room. Also, for the time labels 36b in other time zones, they are calculated by averaging the calculated load factors 36a for that time zone over the most recent 5 days calculated for that one living room (Fig. 3(A)).

[0056] Note that at the time of factory shipment of the air-conditioning system 20, a predetermined initial value (for example, 1.00) is stored as the initial value of the time label 36b for all living rooms and time zones. And on the first day when the air-conditioning system 20 is operated for the first time, the air volume of each air conveyance fan 3a to 3d is set using the initial value of the time label 36b.

[0057] Also, when it is less than 5 days since the air-conditioning system 20 was first operated, there are no calculated load factors 36a for 5 days for each living room 2a to 2d. In this case, on the second day, the average value of the calculated load factors 36a on the first day and the second day for each time zone is used, on the third day, the average value of the calculated load factors 36a from the first day to the third day for each time zone is used, and on the fourth day, the average value of the calculated load factors 36a from the first day to the fourth day for each time zone are set as the time label 36b for each time zone.

[0058] Also, as is clear from the above formula (1), in one time zone, when the indoor temperature does not reach the target temperature TT set in the target living room, or when there is no difference between the target temperature of that living room and the air-conditioning indoor temperature, the calculated load factor 36a cannot be obtained. In Fig. 3, the state where this calculated load factor 36a cannot be obtained is shown as "-".

[0059] When setting the time label 36b in one time zone, if the calculated load factor 36a for that one time zone on that day cannot be obtained, the time label 36b for the same time zone on the previous day is set as it is (Fig. 3(B)).

[0060] Also, when setting the time label 36b for one time zone by averaging the calculated load coefficients 36a for the most recent 5 days (or several days), there may be cases where among the calculated load coefficients 36a up to the previous day used for the averaging, there are those for which the calculated load coefficient 36a could not be obtained. In such cases, for the day when the calculated load coefficient 36a could not be obtained, the calculated load coefficient 36a obtained in the same time zone up to the previous day is set as the calculated load coefficient 36a for that day without obtaining it, and the averaging for the most recent 5 days (or several days) is calculated. Note that for the calculated load coefficient 36a in FIG. 3, the numbers in parentheses indicate those where the calculated load coefficient 36a obtained in the same time zone up to the previous day is set as the calculated load coefficient 36a for the day when it could not be obtained as it is.

[0061] The air conditioning control unit 31 reads out the time label 36b for each living room 2a - 2d in that time zone from the load coefficient storage unit 36 based on the time output from the calendar function unit 34, and distributes the air volume of the air conveyance fans 3a - 3d. Since factors such as solar radiation and the presence or absence of people in each living room 2a - 2d change depending on the time zone, the air conditioning load coefficients for each living room 2a - 2d also change. By using the time label 36b indicating the air conditioning load coefficient for each time zone for each living room 2a - 2d, the air conditioned in the air conditioned room 18 can be appropriately distributed to each living room 2a - 2d depending on the time zone. Thus, among the air conditioning load coefficients, the time label 36b is used as the coefficient that forms the basis for the air conditioning control of each living room 2a - 2d.

[0062] The room label 36c indicates the average air conditioning load coefficient in each living room 2a - 2d. That is, the room label 36c is stored for the number of living rooms. The air conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 calculates it by averaging the time labels 36b set for the most recent 5 consecutive time zones for each living room 2a - 2d (in (C) of FIG. 3).

[0063] When the air conditioning system 20 is shipped from the factory, a predetermined initial value (e.g., 1.00) is stored as the initial value of the room label 36c for all rooms. Then, immediately after the air conditioning system 20 is operated for the first time, the initial value of the room label 36c is used to set the airflow rate of each of the air conveying fans 3a to 3d.

[0064] Furthermore, if the air conditioning system 20 has not been in operation for five time periods since it was first operated, the time labels 36b for the five time periods do not exist for each of the rooms 2a to 2d. In this case, the air conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 sets the time label 36b of the first time period as the room label 36c of the corresponding room when the first time period is completed. Furthermore, the air conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 sets the average value of the time labels 36b of the two time periods as the room label 36c of the corresponding room when the second time period is completed, the average value of the time labels 36b of the three time periods as the room label 36c of the corresponding room when the third time period is completed, and the average value of the time labels 36b of the four time periods as the room label 36c of the corresponding room when the fourth time period is completed.

[0065] The air conditioning control unit 31 determines the size of the room label 36c of each of the rooms 2a to 2d. By estimating the size of the living space of the rooms 2a to 2d, the balance of the airflow rate of the air conditioning room 18 between the rooms 2a to 2d is adjusted. That is, when the airflow rate of the air conditioning room 18 for each of the rooms 2a to 2d is determined using the time label 36b of each of the rooms 2a to 2d, the time label 36b reflects the fluctuation of the air conditioning load due to factors such as solar radiation, so that the airflow rate of the air conditioning room 18 for each of the rooms 2a to 2d may be set larger than necessary for the size of the living space. By estimating the size of the living space of each of the rooms 2a to 2d based on the size of the room label 36c of each of the rooms 2a to 2d and adjusting the balance of the airflow rate of the air conditioning room 18 between the rooms 2a to 2d, it is possible to prevent the airflow rate of the air conditioning room 18 for each of the rooms 2a to 2d from being set larger than necessary for the size of the living space.

[0066] The seasonal label 36d indicates, for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, the air-conditioning load coefficient for each corresponding month as a given season, that is, for each of January, February, March, …, November, and December. That is, the seasonal label 36d is stored for 12 months for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. When each month ends, the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32 calculates, for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, the average value of all the time labels 36b set for each time zone in the month that has ended, and sets that average value as the seasonal label 36d for that month of that living room.

[0067] The seasonal label 36d is used when determining the direction of the air-conditioning load calculation, such as when the temperature ranges for cooling operation and heating operation are different for each season.

[0068] Note that at the time of factory shipment of the air-conditioning system 20, a predetermined initial value (for example, 1.00) is stored as the initial value of the seasonal label 36d for all living rooms and months. After the air-conditioning system 20 is operated for the first time, if the seasonal label 36d for the month during which the air-conditioning system 20 is operating is not set, the initial value of that seasonal label 36d is used.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process executed by the control device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process. A program for causing the control device 10 to execute this air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process is a part of the air-conditioning control program of the present invention. By causing the control device 10 to execute this program, the control device 10 operates as the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation unit 32. This program is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) provided in the control device 10.

[0070] The air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process is a process of calculating the air-conditioning load coefficient for a corresponding living room from the energy required for air-conditioning the living room for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. The air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process is executed at the timing when a predetermined time zone switches (the timing of 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, …, 23:00, 24:00) based on the date and time output from the calendar function unit 34.

[0071] When the control device 10 executes the air-conditioning load factor calculation process, first, it sets one of the rooms 2a to 2d for which the calculation is to be performed as a room that has not yet undergone the calculation process (S1).

[0072] Next, the control device 10 acquires the temperature OT in the air-conditioned room 18 in the most recent one hour (the previous time period) from the data storage unit 35 (S2). Next, the control device 10 acquires the target temperature TT set for the room to be calculated in the process of S1 (S3). Also, the control device 10 acquires the air volume F set in the most recent one hour for the air conveyance fan corresponding to the room to be calculated from the data storage unit 35 (S4). Furthermore, the control device 10 acquires, in the room to be calculated, the time ΔS until the set target temperature TT is reached within the most recent one hour from the information stored in the data storage unit 35 (S5).

[0073] Then, the control device 10 uses the above-mentioned formula (1) to calculate the air-conditioning load factor R in the time period of the most recent one hour, and stores it as the calculated load factor 36a for the day in that time period of the room to be calculated in the load factor storage unit 36 (S6). Next, the control device 10 calculates the time label 36b in the time period of the most recent one hour by averaging the calculated load factors 36a in that time period for the most recent five days including the current day, and stores it as the time label 36b in that time period in the load factor storage unit 36 (S7). Regarding the setting method of the time label 36b when the calculated load factor 36a in that time period does not exist for the most recent five days including the current day, such as after factory shipment, or when the calculated load factor 36a cannot be obtained, it is as described above.

[0074]

[0075] ​Furthermore, after the process of S7, the control device 10 calculates the room label 36c of the room to be calculated by averaging the time labels 36b of the five most recent time zones including the time label 36b of the time zone calculated in the process of S7, and stores it in the load factor storage unit 36 (S8). Note that the method for setting the room label 36c when there are no time labels 36b for the five most recent time zones, such as after factory shipment, is as described above.

[0076] Next, the control device 10 determines whether the execution of the current air-conditioning load factor calculation process has started based on the fact that it has reached 24:00 at the end of the month from the date and time output from the calendar function unit 34 (S9). As a result, if it is determined that the execution of the current air-conditioning load factor calculation process has started based on the fact that it has reached 24:00 at the end of the month (S9: Yes), this means that the month including that end of the month has ended. Therefore, in this case, the control device 10 calculates the average value of all the time labels 36b set for each time zone in the month that ends, and stores that average value in the load factor storage unit 36 as the seasonal label 36d of that month for that room (S10).

[0077] After the process of S10, or as a result of the process of S9, if it is determined that the execution of the current air-conditioning load factor calculation process has not started based on the fact that it has reached 24:00 at the end of the month (S9: No), the control device 10 executes the process of S11. In the process of S11, in the current air-conditioning load factor calculation process, it is determined whether the air-conditioning load factor has been calculated for all the rooms 2a to 2d (S11). As a result, if there are still rooms 2a to 2d for which the air-conditioning load factor has not been calculated (S11: No), the control device 10 returns to the process of S1 and executes the calculation of the air-conditioning load factor for the rooms 2a to 2d for which the air-conditioning load factor has not been calculated. On the other hand, if the air-conditioning load factor has been calculated for all the rooms 2a to 2d (S11: Yes), the control device 10 ends this air-conditioning load factor calculation process.

[0078] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the air-conditioning control process executed by the control device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the air-conditioning control process. A program for causing the control device 10 to execute this air-conditioning control process is a part of the air-conditioning control program of the present invention. By causing the control device 10 to execute this program, the control device 10 operates as the air-conditioning control unit 31. This program is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) provided in the control device 10.

[0079] The air-conditioning control process is a process for controlling the overall air-conditioning in the general house 1 by controlling the operations of the air conditioner 9 and the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d. The air-conditioning control process is executed at the timing when a predetermined time zone changes (the timing of 1:00, 2:00, 3:00,..., 23:00, 24:00) based on the date and time output from the calendar function unit 34.

[0080] When the control device 10 executes the air-conditioning control process, first, it acquires the target temperature TT of each of the rooms 2a to 2d set by the input / output terminal 19 (S21). Next, the control device 10 acquires the current indoor temperature in each of the rooms 2a to 2d from the indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d (S22).

[0081] Then, based on the difference between the target temperature TT of each of the rooms 2a to 2d and the current indoor temperature acquired by the processes of S21 and S22, the control device 10 sets the operation mode of the air conditioner 9 to either a cooling operation or a heating operation (S23).

[0082] Next, the control device 10 determines the current time zone from the date and time output from the calendar function unit 34, and predicts the temporal variation of the air-conditioning load in each of the rooms 2a to 2d from the time labels 36b of each of the rooms 2a to 2d in the current time zone and the time zones before and after it (S24). Then, based on the target temperature of each of the rooms 2a to 2d acquired by the process of S21 and the magnitude of the variation of the air-conditioning load predicted for each of the rooms 2a to 2d by the process of S24, the control device 10 sets the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 (S25).

[0083] In the process of this S25, the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 is set based on the magnitude of the fluctuations in the air-conditioning load in each of the living rooms 2a to 2d predicted by the process of S24. For example, the greater the fluctuation in the air-conditioning load, the lower the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 is set during the cooling operation than the target temperatures set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, and during the heating operation, the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 is set higher than the target temperatures set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. As a result, for a living room with a large fluctuation in the air-conditioning load, the necessary air-conditioning energy can be supplied in advance, so that it is possible to suppress a sudden large increase in the necessary air-conditioning energy as the air-conditioning load increases thereafter. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the air volume blown by the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, and energy-saving operation and quiet operation can be realized.

[0084] Note that the operation mode of the air conditioner 9 set by the process of S23 and the target temperature of the air-conditioned room 18 set by the process of S25 are instructed to the air conditioner 9 via the communication control unit 33.

[0085] Then, in the subsequent process of S26, the distribution of the air volume blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is calculated according to the difference between the target temperature TT of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d and the current indoor temperature, the time label 36b of the current time zone set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, the room label 36c set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, and the seasonal label 36d of the current month set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d.

[0086] Specifically, the control device 10 first distributes the air volume blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d based on the difference between the target temperature TT of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d and the current indoor temperature, and the time label 36b of the current time zone set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. At this time, the greater the time label 36b (the greater the air-conditioning load) of the living room, the greater the air volume blown from the air-conditioned room 18 is set. More specifically, the air volume of each living room in a certain time zone may be determined based on the ratio to the total of the time labels of all the time labels of the time label 36b of each living room.

[0087] Then, based on the room labels 36c set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, the control device 10 estimates the sizes of the room spaces of the respective living rooms 2a to 2d, and adjusts the balance of the air blowing volumes from the air-conditioning chamber 18 to between the living rooms 2a to 2d. Thereby, as described above, it is possible to suppress the air blowing volume from the air-conditioning chamber 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d from being set to be larger than necessary with respect to the size of the room space.

[0088] Also, the control device 10 further adjusts the blowing volume from the air-conditioning chamber 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d in consideration of the energy required for air-conditioning of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d in that month according to the seasonal label 36d of the current month set for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d. Thereby, the air-conditioning energy corresponding to the air-conditioning load coefficient that varies according to the season can be supplied to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d.

[0089] In the process of S26, when the control device 10 calculates the distribution of the blowing volumes to be blown from the air-conditioning chamber 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, it controls the respective air conveyance fans 3a to 3d according to the distribution of the blowing volumes via the communication control unit 33.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the time label 36b is set in the air-conditioning load coefficient calculation process and there is no calculated load coefficient 36a for the most recent five days yet, and when the initial value or the average value of only the existing calculated load coefficients 36a is set as the time label 36b, the process of S26 is executed using the set time label 36b. On the other hand, for five days from when the air-conditioning system 20 starts operating until the time label 36b is set by averaging the calculated load coefficients 36a for the most recent five days, this is set as the learning period of the time label 36b. In the process of S26, the blowing volume from the air-conditioning chamber 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d may be set to a predetermined blowing volume without using the time label 36b or the like.

[0091] In this embodiment, the air volume to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is determined based on the time label 36b, the living room label 36c, and the season label 36d. However, not limited thereto, the air volume to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d may be determined based on any one of the calculated load factor 36a, the time label 36b, the living room label 36c, and the season label 36d.

[0092] Next, the control device 10 stores, in the data storage unit 35 for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d, information necessary for setting the air-conditioning load factor of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d (S27).

[0093] Specifically, in the process of S27, the indoor temperature of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d at the time when this air-conditioning control process is started is stored in the data storage unit 35. Also, in the process of S27, the time course of the indoor temperature of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d measured by each of the indoor temperature sensors 11a to 11d is stored in the data storage unit 35.

[0094] Also, in the process of S27, the time course of the air volume of the air sent to the air-conditioning room 18 supplied to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d (that is, the air volume of each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d provided corresponding to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d) is stored in the data storage unit 35. Further, in the process of S27, the time course of the air-conditioning room temperature measured by the air-conditioning room temperature sensor 14 is stored in the data storage unit 35.

[0095] Based on the information stored in this data storage unit 35, the air-conditioning load factor of each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is calculated in the air-conditioning load factor calculation process executed at the timing when this time period ends.

[0096] Next, the control device 10 controls the air conveyance fan corresponding to that living room so as to stop the air supply of the air-conditioning room 18 to the living room where the indoor temperature has reached the set target temperature (S28).

[0097] After that, the control device 10 reads out the subsequent time label 36b in the living room where the air supply to the air-conditioned room 18 has stopped from the load factor storage unit 36, and determines whether the change in the time label 36b is large (S29). Then, the control device 10 controls the air conveyance fan corresponding to the living room so as to perform a weak air supply operation on the living room where the change in the subsequent time label 36b is large (S30).

[0098] In this way, by performing a weak air supply operation in advance on the living room where the change in the subsequent time label 36b is large and supplying the energy required for air conditioning to that living room first, it is possible to suppress a sudden large increase in the energy required for air conditioning as the air conditioning load increases. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the air volume of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d, so that energy-saving operation and quiet operation can be realized.

[0099] After the process of S30, the control device 10 ends the air conditioning control process.

[0100] As described above, in the air conditioning system 20 according to the present embodiment, an air conditioning load factor (time label 36b, etc.) is calculated for each of the plurality of living rooms 2a to 2d. Based on the air conditioning load factor, the distribution of the air volume to be blown from the air-conditioned room 18 to each of the living rooms 2a to 2d is calculated. Then, each of the air conveyance fans 3a to 3d is controlled according to the distribution of the air volume. Therefore, the air in the air-conditioned room 18 can be appropriately blown to each living room in consideration of the air conditioning load of each living room 2a to 2d.

[0101] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it can be easily inferred that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments at all, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, each embodiment may be configured by modifying the embodiment by adding a part or a plurality of parts of the configuration of another embodiment to the embodiment or exchanging a part or a plurality of parts of the configuration of the embodiment. Also, the numerical values given in the above embodiments are examples, and it is of course possible to adopt other numerical values.

[0102] Further, the control device 10 may be communicably provided to a cloud server that is outdoors and is operated by, for example, a management company that manages the control of the air-conditioning system 20. In such a case, the control device 10 is mainly realized by a combination of the CPU of the cloud server and the software executed on this CPU.

[0103] Furthermore, the above-mentioned software can be distributed alone by storing it in a storage medium or distributing it via a network.

Industrial Applicability

[0104] The air-conditioning system according to the present invention is applicable to a multi-family house such as a detached house or an apartment. When applied to a multi-family house, one system corresponds to each household, and each household does not have one living room.

Explanation of Signs

[0105] 1 Single-family house 2a Living room 2b Living room 2c Living room 2d Living room 3a Air conveyance fan 3b Air conveyance fan 3c Air conveyance fan 3d Air conveyance fan 4 Outdoor air introduction fan 5a Exhaust fan 5b Exhaust fan 5c Exhaust fan 5d Exhaust fan 6a Circulation fan 6b Circulation fan 6c Circulation fan 6d Circulation fan 9 Air conditioner 10 Control device 11a Indoor temperature sensor 11b Indoor temperature sensor 11c Indoor temperature sensor 11d Indoor temperature sensor 14 Air conditioner indoor temperature sensor 18 Air-conditioned room 19 Input / output terminal 31 Air conditioner control unit 32 Air conditioner load factor calculation unit 33 Communication control unit 34 Calendar function unit 35 Data storage unit 36 Load factor storage unit 36a Calculated load factor 36b Time label 36c Room label 36d Season label

Claims

1. An air conditioner provided in an air conditioning room communicating with a plurality of living rooms, an air conveyance fan provided corresponding to each of the living rooms for conveying the air in the air conditioning room to each of the plurality of living rooms, a control device that calculates the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to each living room based on the air conditioning load coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms, and controls each of the air conveyance fans according to the distribution of the air volume, including an indoor temperature sensor for measuring the indoor temperature of each living room, wherein the control device detects, for each living room, a temperature change amount indicating the amount of change in the temperature of the corresponding living room in a predetermined time period based on the indoor temperature of the corresponding living room acquired from the indoor temperature sensor, and calculates the air conditioning load coefficient based on the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to the corresponding living room and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room in the predetermined time period. The air conditioning system described above is characterized by this.

2. In an air conditioning control program executed by a control device that controls the operation of an air conveyance fan provided corresponding to each of a plurality of living rooms for conveying the air in an air conditioning room communicating with the plurality of living rooms and equipped with an air conditioner to each of the plurality of living rooms, calculate the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to each living room based on the air conditioning load coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms, and control each of the air conveyance fans according to the distribution of the air volume, for each living room, detect a temperature change amount indicating the amount of change in the temperature of the corresponding living room in a predetermined time period based on the indoor temperature of the corresponding living room acquired from an indoor temperature sensor that measures the indoor temperature of each living room, and operate the control device so as to calculate the air conditioning load coefficient based on the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to the corresponding living room and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room in the predetermined time period. An air conditioning control program.

3. A storage medium storing an air conditioning control program executed by a control device that controls the operation of an air conveyance fan provided corresponding to each of a plurality of living rooms for conveying the air in an air conditioning room communicating with the plurality of living rooms and equipped with an air conditioner to each of the plurality of living rooms, calculate the distribution of the air volume of the air conveyed from the air conditioning room to each living room based on the air conditioning load coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of living rooms, and control each of the air conveyance fans according to the distribution of the air volume, A storage medium storing an air conditioning control program that causes the control device to operate so as to detect a temperature change amount indicating an amount of change in the temperature of the corresponding living room in a predetermined time zone based on the indoor temperature of the corresponding living room acquired from an indoor temperature sensor that measures the indoor temperature for each living room, and calculate the air conditioning load coefficient based on the air volume of the air conveyed from the air-conditioned room to the corresponding living room and the temperature change amount of the corresponding living room in the predetermined time zone.

Images