Air conditioner control device, air conditioner, air conditioning method, and air conditioning program

Abstract

To provide a control device of an air conditioning device, the air conditioning device, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program that can more effectively perform a comfort evaluation.SOLUTION: In an air conditioning device constituted by using an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, a control device 20 comprises an acquisition unit 21 for acquiring temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information in a room to be air-conditioned, and an evaluation unit 22 for evaluating comfort of a user in the room on the basis of the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In air conditioners, temperature and humidity are controlled to make the indoor environment comfortable. Patent Document 1 also discloses that a ventilation system is controlled according to the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor environment in order to take in air from outside the building. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6415720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when only temperature and humidity are considered in determining indoor comfort, the comfort may not be sufficient.

[0005] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, since the purpose is ventilation, ventilation control is performed taking into account only the carbon dioxide concentration, and it is not possible to comprehensively evaluate indoor comfort by taking into account temperature and humidity.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an air conditioning device control device, an air conditioning device, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program that can perform comfort evaluation more effectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioning system including an acquisition unit that acquires temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room that is an air conditioning target, an evaluation unit that evaluates user comfort in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information, and a control unit that controls at least one of control targets of air conditioning airflow, target temperature, and target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result, The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, The evaluation unit evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset corresponding to the concentration of carbon dioxide, and the evaluation unit If the indoor environment information is within a range where the comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity and the comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, the indoor environment information is evaluated as comfortable. The control unit is an air conditioning device control device that evaluates the comfort level as poor when it is outside, and performs comfort improvement control by increasing the air conditioning airflow when the comfort level is evaluated as poor.

[0008] According to the above configuration, by using the temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information acquired as environmental information of the room to be air-conditioned, it is possible to more effectively evaluate comfort by taking into account not only the temperature and humidity but also the carbon dioxide concentration in the room.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the comfortable ranges of temperature and humidity are preset in accordance with the carbon dioxide concentration, so that it is possible to evaluate the comfort level in consideration of the relationship between the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity, thereby enabling a more effective evaluation of the comfort level. According to the above-described configuration, the comfort state of the room can be recognized as an evaluation result, and therefore, control can be performed to improve comfort. When controlling the air conditioning airflow, carbon dioxide stagnating in the room (for example, around the user) can be stirred, and therefore, a local increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the room can be suppressed. Furthermore, when controlling the target temperature or target humidity, it is possible to reduce the user's discomfort by, for example, lowering the target temperature or target humidity.

[0011] The control device for the air conditioning device may further include a notification unit that notifies a user of the comfort evaluation result.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the user can recognize the indoor environment (visualize the degree of air pollution) based on the comfort evaluation result that takes into account the carbon dioxide concentration. For example, if the user is notified that the comfort level is poor, the user can improve the indoor environment by ventilating the room.

[0015] The control device of the air conditioning device may be provided with a prediction unit that predicts an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration based on the number of users in the room, and the evaluation unit may use the prediction result instead of the concentration information based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the prediction result to evaluate the comfort after a predetermined time has passed.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration can be predicted based on the number of users in the room, making it possible to evaluate the comfort level in the room after a predetermined time has passed, thereby making it possible to know in advance whether the carbon dioxide concentration will increase after the predetermined time has passed and there is a risk of comfort being impaired.

[0017] In the air conditioner control device, the notification unit may notify a user of outdoor environment information.

[0018] According to the above configuration, outdoor environment information is notified to the user, thereby enabling the user to more efficiently determine whether or not to ventilate the room.

[0019] In the air conditioner control device, the outdoor environment information may include at least one of outdoor temperature information, pollen information, and particulate matter information.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the outdoor environment information includes at least one of outside temperature information, pollen information, and particulate matter information, allowing the user to more efficiently determine whether or not to ventilate the room.

[0021] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner having a refrigerant circuit and the above-described air conditioner control device.

[0022] A third aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step of acquiring temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room that is an air-conditioning target; an evaluation step of evaluating user comfort in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information; and a control step of controlling at least one control target of air conditioning airflow, target temperature, and target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result, The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, The evaluation step evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset corresponding to the concentration of carbon dioxide, and the evaluation step includes: If the indoor environment information is within a range where the comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity and the comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, the indoor environment information is evaluated as comfortable. The air conditioning method is such that the comfort level is evaluated as poor when it is outside, and the control step performs comfort improvement control to increase the airflow rate of the air conditioning when the comfort level is evaluated as poor.

[0023] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a method for making a computer execute an acquisition process for acquiring temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room that is an air-conditioning target, an evaluation process for evaluating user comfort in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information, and a control process for controlling at least one control target of air conditioning airflow, a target temperature, and a target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result, The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, The evaluation process evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset in accordance with the concentration of carbon dioxide, and the evaluation process includes: If the indoor environment information is within a range where the comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity and the comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, the indoor environment information is evaluated as comfortable. The air conditioning program evaluates the comfort level as poor when it is outside, and the control process performs comfort improvement control by increasing the airflow rate of the air conditioning when the comfort level is evaluated as poor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present disclosure, an effect is achieved in that comfort evaluation can be performed more effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of an indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a control device in an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reference information held by a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reference information held by a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of comfort improvement control in a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of comfort improvement control in a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of comfort improvement control in a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of comfort improvement control in a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing in a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning device control device, an air conditioning device, an air conditioning method, and an air conditioning program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment mainly comprises an outdoor unit 3 and an indoor unit 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, a case will be described in which one indoor unit 11 is connected to one outdoor unit 3, but the number of indoor units 11 is not limited to the above configuration.

[0027] The outdoor unit 3 is placed, for example, outdoors in a facility or the like, and exchanges heat between the outside air and a refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit (described later). The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the outdoor unit 3 is supplied to the indoor unit 11 through the refrigerant circuit.

[0028] The indoor unit 11 is placed, for example, indoors (to be air-conditioned) in a facility or the like, and exchanges heat between the indoor air and a refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit (described later). The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the indoor unit 11 is supplied to the outdoor unit 3 through the refrigerant circuit. The number of indoor units 11 connected to one outdoor unit 3 can be changed as appropriate.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a user of the indoor unit 11 can use a remote control 2 to send operation commands to the indoor unit 11. The remote control 2 is arranged corresponding to the indoor unit 11. That is, the user can control the air conditioner 1 by sending commands to the indoor unit 11 using the remote control 2. For example, the user (a person in the room) can use the remote control 2 to start / stop the air conditioner, set the air conditioning air volume, target temperature, target humidity, etc. Note that commands may also be sent to the indoor unit 11 using an operation button or the like provided on the indoor unit 11.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the exterior of the indoor unit 11. The indoor unit 11 is provided with a measurement unit (hereinafter referred to as the "CO2 sensor") 15 that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide, a human presence sensor 18, and a display unit 16. The CO2 sensor 15 is a measuring instrument that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the room to be air-conditioned, and the human presence sensor 18 is a detector that detects the presence or absence of people (the number of people) in the room to be air-conditioned. The detection results of the CO2 sensor 15 and the human presence sensor 18 are used by a control device 20, which will be described later. The indoor unit 11 is also provided with a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor that detect the temperature and humidity in the room. The display unit 16 is controlled by the control device 20, which will be described later, to display various information.

[0031] Next, the refrigerant circuit in the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 2 shows a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment. The air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 3 and an indoor unit 11. Note that the refrigerant circuit shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and the refrigerant circuit is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0032] The outdoor unit 3 includes an inverter-driven compressor 13 that compresses the refrigerant, a muffler (silencer) 12 that suppresses vibration noise generated in the compressor 13, a four-way switching valve 17 that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 19 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, a receiver 26 that stores liquid refrigerant, an expansion valve (EEV) 49, a strainer 14 that removes debris (solid matter) contained in the liquid refrigerant, an accumulator 31 that separates the liquid component from the refrigerant gas sucked into the compressor 13 and sucks only the gas component into the compressor 13, a gas-side operating valve 33, and a liquid-side operating valve 35.

[0033] The above-mentioned devices on the outdoor unit 3 side are connected in a known manner via refrigerant piping such as a discharge piping 37A, a gas piping 37B, a liquid piping 37C, and a suction piping 37E to form an outdoor refrigerant circuit 39. The outdoor unit 3 is also provided with an outdoor fan 41 that blows outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 19.

[0034] The gas side piping 5 and the liquid side piping 7 are refrigerant piping provided with the gas side operation valve 33 and the liquid side operation valve 35 of the outdoor unit 3, and are connected to the indoor unit 11. This constitutes a single sealed refrigeration cycle 45.

[0035] The indoor unit 11 includes an indoor heat exchanger 47 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air to provide indoor air conditioning, and an indoor fan 51 that circulates the indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger 47.

[0036] In the air conditioner 1, the cooling operation is performed as follows. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 13 is discharged to the discharge pipe 37A and supplied to the four-way switching valve 17 via the muffler 12. Thereafter, the refrigerant gas is circulated to the gas pipe 37B side by the four-way switching valve 17, and is condensed and liquefied by heat exchange with outside air blown by the outdoor fan 41 in the outdoor heat exchanger 19. This liquid refrigerant is temporarily stored in the receiver 26 via the liquid pipe 37C.

[0037] The liquid refrigerant, the circulation amount of which has been adjusted in the receiver 26, passes through the liquid side pipe 7 and is adiabatically expanded in the expansion valve 49. This liquid refrigerant passes through the strainer 14 and the liquid-side operating valve 35 and is discharged from the outdoor unit 3 and supplied to the indoor unit 11.

[0038] The liquid refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 47 in the indoor unit 11. In the indoor heat exchanger 47, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and indoor air circulated by the indoor fan 51, and the indoor air is cooled to cool the room. Meanwhile, the refrigerant is gasified and passes through the gas side piping 5 and the gas side operating valve 33 to the four-way switching valve 17, and is introduced into the accumulator 31 via the suction piping 37E. In the accumulator 31, the liquid component contained in the refrigerant gas is separated, and only the gas component is sucked into the compressor 13. This refrigerant is compressed again in the compressor 13, and the above cycle is repeated to perform cooling operation.

[0039] On the other hand, the heating operation is carried out as follows. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 13 is discharged into the discharge pipe 37A, supplied to the four-way switching valve 17 via the muffler 12, and then circulated to the gas side pipe 5 side by the four-way switching valve 17. This refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor unit 3 via the gas side operating valve 33 and introduced into the indoor unit 11.

[0040] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas introduced into the indoor unit 11 exchanges heat with the indoor air circulated via the indoor fan 51 in the indoor heat exchanger 47, and the indoor air is heated and used to heat the room. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 47 is returned to the outdoor unit 3.

[0041] The refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 3 flows into the receiver 26 via the liquid side operating valve 35, the strainer 14, and the expansion valve 49, and is temporarily stored there, whereby the circulation amount is adjusted. This liquid refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 19 via the liquid pipe 37C.

[0042] In the outdoor heat exchanger 19, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the outside air blown by the outdoor fan 41, and the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and is evaporated into gas. This refrigerant is introduced from the outdoor heat exchanger 19 through the gas pipe 37B, the four-way switching valve 17, and the suction pipe 37E into the accumulator 31. In the accumulator 31, the liquid component contained in the refrigerant gas is separated, and only the gas component is sucked into the compressor 13, where it is compressed again. The heating operation is performed by repeating the above cycle.

[0043] Next, control relating to the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The control device 20 controls the air conditioner 1. The control device 20 also evaluates the comfort of the room that is the target of air conditioning, and performs comfort improvement control based on the comfort evaluation results.

[0044] The control device 20 is composed of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and computer-readable recording media (not shown). A series of processing steps for realizing the various functions described below are recorded in the form of a program on a recording medium, and the CPU reads this program into RAM and executes information processing and arithmetic operations to realize the various functions described below. The program may be pre-installed on a ROM or other storage medium, provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0045] 4 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the control device 20 in the air conditioning device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 has an acquisition unit 21, an evaluation unit 22, a notification unit 23, a control unit 24, and a prediction unit 25.

[0046] The acquisition unit 21 acquires temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information for the room to be air-conditioned. Specifically, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the detection results of temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration as indoor environmental information from the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and CO2 sensor 15 provided in the indoor unit 11. Note that if the information allows for indirect estimation of the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration, it may be acquired as temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information without directly acquiring them. In the following description, since values ​​are acquired directly from each sensor, temperature will be used as temperature information, humidity as humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration as carbon dioxide concentration information.

[0047] In this way, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the current indoor environment information. Then, the acquired information is output to the evaluation unit 22.

[0048] The evaluation unit 22 evaluates the user's comfort in the room based on temperature information (temperature), humidity information (humidity), and concentration information (carbon dioxide concentration). Specifically, the evaluation unit 22 evaluates the comfort based on a comfortable range of temperature and humidity that is preset in accordance with the carbon dioxide concentration. That is, it is possible to more effectively evaluate the comfort by taking into account the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration.

[0049] The evaluation unit 22 has information (reference information) indicating a comfort range in which temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration are correlated. Note that this information does not have to be stored in the evaluation unit 22, but may be acquired by downloading or the like from another information processing device. FIG. 5 shows an example of the reference information (graph) held by the evaluation unit 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the reference information sets ranges for temperature and humidity (relative humidity) within which comfort for the user is expected to be ensured. That is, comfort is ensured in the temperature range from T1 to T2 for temperature, and in the humidity range from H1 to H2 for humidity. humidity Comfort is ensured within this range. That is, the ranges bounded by T1 to T2 and H1 to H2 are the comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity. As an example, T1 is 17°C, T2 is 28°C, H1 is 40%, and H2 is 70%. The comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity may be set based on, for example, the indoor air quality standards in the Building Management Act, or may be set arbitrarily as the ranges of temperature and humidity within which comfort is ensured.

[0050] The reference information includes the carbon dioxide concentration that may cause discomfort to the user. Warm Boundaries (contour lines) indicating the boundaries of the temperature and humidity ranges are shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, boundary lines L1, L2, and L3 are shown, with boundary line L1 being the highest carbon dioxide concentration, boundary line L2 being the next highest, and boundary line L3 being the lowest. As an example, the carbon dioxide concentration corresponding to boundary line L1 is 1500 ppm, the carbon dioxide concentration corresponding to boundary line L2 is 1000 ppm, and the carbon dioxide concentration corresponding to boundary line L3 is 400 ppm.

[0051] Each boundary line indicates that comfort is ensured for the corresponding carbon dioxide concentration as long as the temperature and humidity range is lower than the boundary line (i.e., the area to the lower left of the boundary line in Figure 5 is the comfortable range). Users tend to feel that the air quality is good when the temperature and humidity are appropriately low relative to the carbon dioxide concentration, so the boundary line is set in an area with lower temperature and humidity as the carbon dioxide concentration increases.

[0052] In other words, taking into account temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration, if the indoor environment is within the range (comfort range) where the comfortable range for temperature and humidity (the range bounded by T1 to T2 and H1 to H2) and the comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration (the temperature and humidity region lower than the boundary line corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration) overlap, it is evaluated as comfortable, and if it is outside, it is evaluated as uncomfortable (uncomfortable).

[0053] Specifically, in the current indoor environment, when the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the area R1 in Figure 5 becomes the comfort range. For example, when the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the temperature is t1, and the humidity is h1, the indoor environment is within the comfort range and is therefore evaluated as comfortable. On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the temperature is t2, and the humidity is h2, the indoor environment is not within the comfort range and is therefore evaluated as uncomfortable.

[0054] In this way, by setting the comfort range based on the relationship between temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration, it becomes possible to evaluate comfort more efficiently by taking into account the three elements of temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration.

[0055] 5 is an example of the reference information, and can be appropriately set based on the relationship between temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration. For example, if the boundary line is arc-shaped and the arc is maximum for humidity at T1 and the arc is maximum for temperature at H1, each boundary line for carbon dioxide concentration will be a quarter arc (i.e., the boundary line set for the comfortable range of temperature and humidity will be a quarter arc).

[0056] Furthermore, when the comfortable ranges of temperature and humidity are defined only by maximum values, the reference information will have a form such as that shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0057] In this way, the reference information is not limited to the graph shapes shown in Figures 5 and 6, as long as it shows a comfort range in which temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration are related to each other. Furthermore, the reference information is not limited to a graph, and may be shown in other formats, such as an evaluation formula, as long as it shows a comfort range.

[0058] Furthermore, the evaluation method is not limited to evaluating whether the boundary line is comfortable or uncomfortable, but may also be to set an area including the boundary line (for example, an area surrounded by parallel lines at a certain distance on both sides of the boundary line), and evaluate the area in stages, with high discomfort if the area is outside in a direction where the temperature and humidity are higher than the area, low discomfort if the area is inside, and comfortable if the area is outside in a direction where the temperature and humidity are lower.

[0059] The notification unit 23 notifies the user of the comfort evaluation result. Specifically, the notification unit 23 displays the comfort evaluation result on the display unit 16 of the indoor unit 11 to notify the user. The notification unit 23 may display the result on the remote control 2 or on the user's mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone). When displaying the result on the user's mobile terminal, a communication network (public notification network) such as Wi-Fi may be used. The notification method used by the notification unit 23 is not limited to a visual method on the display unit 16, and any method that can be recognized by the user (for example, an auditory method) may be applied.

[0060] The comfort evaluation result is displayed on the display unit 16 so as to indicate comfort or discomfort. For example, "blue" indicates comfort and "red" indicates discomfort. Furthermore, when the evaluation is performed in stages, the display unit 16 may display "blue" for comfort, "yellow" for low discomfort, and "red" for high discomfort. The display method is not limited to the above, and any method that can be recognized by the user may be applied. For example, a method of displaying the evaluation result in stages or a method of displaying it as a score may be applied.

[0061] The notification unit 23 also notifies the user of outdoor environment information. The outdoor environment information includes at least one of outdoor temperature information, pollen information, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) information. The display of the comfort rating may prompt the user to ventilate the room. However, ventilating the room may allow hot air from the outside, pollen, and the like to enter the room, reducing comfort. Therefore, by notifying the user of outdoor temperature information, pollen information, and fine particulate matter information as outdoor environment information, the user can more efficiently determine whether to ventilate the room based on the comfort rating. The outdoor environment information may be displayed on the indoor unit 11 or the remote control 2, or on the user's mobile device (e.g., a smartphone).

[0062] The control unit 24 controls at least one of the control targets of the air conditioning airflow rate, the target temperature, and the target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result. Specifically, when the evaluation unit 22 evaluates the comfort as poor (uncomfortable), the control unit 24 performs comfort improvement control to improve the indoor environment. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the control targets are the air conditioning airflow rate, the target temperature, and the target humidity, but comfort improvement control may be performed with at least one of these as the control target.

[0063] First, a case where the air conditioning air volume is the object to be controlled will be described. In a room that is the target of air conditioning, the carbon dioxide concentration may become high in certain areas (localized areas) within the space. In particular, if the carbon dioxide concentration is high in the area surrounding the user, the user is likely to feel uncomfortable. For this reason, when the comfort evaluation result is determined to be uncomfortable, the control unit 24 increases the air conditioning airflow to promote the flow of air in the room, agitating the carbon dioxide and preventing the carbon dioxide concentration from becoming high in certain areas. Note that the air conditioning airflow may be increased, for example, by increasing the rotation speed of the indoor fan 51 to increase the amount of air blown into the room.

[0064] In this way, by increasing the air conditioning airflow, for example, as shown in Figure 7, the boundary line L1 corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration can be shifted to the low concentration side (L1'), thereby improving comfort even when the indoor environment (temperature and humidity) is at point P1.

[0065] In addition, if the air conditioning device 1 has a ventilation function (a function to exhaust indoor air to the outside and bring outdoor air into the room), the ventilation function can be used to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the room, thereby improving comfort as in Figure 7.

[0066] Next, a case where the target temperature is the object of control will be described. As shown in Figure 5, users tend to feel more comfortable when the temperature is lowered relative to the carbon dioxide concentration. Therefore, when the comfort evaluation result is determined to be uncomfortable, the control unit 24 controls the indoor temperature by lowering the target temperature. Note that the air conditioning device 1 is controlled to follow the set target temperature.

[0067] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, when the indoor environment (temperature and humidity) is at point P2 and the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the user may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the control unit 24 lowers the target temperature and changes the indoor environment to point P2'. Point P2' is within the comfort range, so the user's comfort is improved.

[0068] When changing the target temperature, the target temperature may be lowered by a predetermined fixed value, or the target temperature may be lowered based on reference information so that the indoor environment is within a comfortable range.

[0069] Next, a case where the target humidity is the object of control will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, by lowering the humidity relative to the carbon dioxide concentration, the user tends to feel more comfortable. Therefore, when the comfort evaluation result is determined to be uncomfortable, the control unit 24 controls the indoor humidity by lowering the target humidity. Note that the air conditioning device 1 controls the humidity to follow the set target humidity.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, when the indoor environment (temperature and humidity) is at point P3 and the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the user may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the control unit 24 lowers the target humidity and changes the indoor environment to point P3'. Point P3' is within the comfortable range, so the user's comfort is improved.

[0071] When changing the target humidity, the target humidity may be lowered by a predetermined fixed value, or the target humidity may be lowered based on reference information so that the indoor environment is within a comfortable range.

[0072] It is also effective to control both the target temperature and the target humidity. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, when the indoor environment (temperature and humidity) is at point P4 and the carbon dioxide concentration corresponds to boundary line L1, the user may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the control unit 24 lowers the target temperature and target humidity to change the indoor environment to point P4'. Point P4' is within the comfortable range, so the user's comfort is improved.

[0073] The air conditioning air volume, the target temperature, and the target humidity may be controlled simultaneously.

[0074] In this way, the control unit 24 performs comfort improvement control with at least one of the air conditioning air volume, the target temperature, and the target humidity as the control target, thereby improving the comfort in the room.

[0075] The prediction unit 25 predicts an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration based on the number of users in the room. The more people in the room, the greater the increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the room, which is likely to lead to a deterioration in the indoor environment (a decrease in comfort). For this reason, the prediction unit 25 predicts an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in order to suppress a decrease in comfort.

[0076] Specifically, the prediction unit 25 acquires the number of people in the room based on information from the human presence sensor 18. Then, based on the acquired number of people, it estimates the future increase (increase trend) in carbon dioxide concentration. For example, the amount of increase in carbon dioxide concentration per hour is estimated according to the number of people, and the future increase trend is set.

[0077] The increase in carbon dioxide concentration may be estimated taking into consideration the volume of the room to be air-conditioned, etc.

[0078] The prediction unit 25 then estimates the carbon dioxide concentration after a predetermined time has elapsed and outputs the estimate to the evaluation unit 22. The predetermined time can be set arbitrarily, for example, one hour. The evaluation unit 22 then evaluates the comfort after the predetermined time has elapsed based on the temperature information, humidity information, and the prediction result (carbon dioxide concentration after the predetermined time has elapsed). That is, the evaluation unit 22 uses the prediction result of the prediction unit 25 instead of the carbon dioxide concentration information acquired from the CO2 sensor 15 to evaluate the comfort after the predetermined time has elapsed. The method of evaluating comfort is the same as above.

[0079] The prediction unit 25 estimates the carbon dioxide concentration after the predetermined time has elapsed, and the evaluation unit 22 can evaluate the comfort level after the predetermined time has elapsed. The evaluation result is then used by the notification unit 23 and the control unit 24 to notify the user of the comfort level after the predetermined time has elapsed, and comfort improvement control is performed based on the comfort level after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0080] Therefore, it is possible to evaluate in advance whether there is a risk that the carbon dioxide concentration will increase after a predetermined time has passed and that comfort will be impaired, and to take appropriate measures.

[0081] Next, the processing in the control device 20 described above will be explained with reference to Figure 11. The flow shown in Figure 11 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined control cycle when the air conditioning device 1 is activated.

[0082] First, temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information are acquired (S101).

[0083] Next, the comfort level is evaluated based on the acquired temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information (S102).

[0084] Next, the evaluation result is notified to the user (S103).

[0085] Next, it is determined whether the comfort evaluation is good or not (S104), that is, it is determined whether the comfort evaluation result is comfortable or not.

[0086] If the comfort rating is good (YES in S104), the process ends.

[0087] If the comfort evaluation is not good (NO in S104), comfort improvement control is performed (S105). The comfort improvement control is a control to improve comfort by controlling at least one of the control targets of the air conditioning air volume, the target temperature, and the target humidity in the room.

[0088] The order of the process in S103 and the processes in S104 and S105 may be changed, or only one of the processes may be performed.

[0089] As described above, the air conditioning device control device and air conditioning device, as well as the air conditioning method and air conditioning program of this embodiment, are based on temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information acquired as environmental information for the room to be air-conditioned, and can more effectively evaluate comfort by taking into account not only temperature and humidity but also the carbon dioxide concentration in the room.

[0090] Furthermore, since the comfortable ranges of temperature and humidity are preset in accordance with the carbon dioxide concentration, it is possible to evaluate comfort by taking into account the relationship between the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity.

[0091] Furthermore, the comfort evaluation results that take into account carbon dioxide concentration allow users to recognize the indoor environment (visualizing the level of air pollution). For example, if a user is notified that the comfort level is poor, they can improve the indoor environment by ventilating the room.

[0092] Furthermore, since the indoor comfort state can be recognized as a result of the evaluation, it becomes possible to perform comfort improvement control. Specifically, when controlling the air conditioning air volume, it is possible to agitate the carbon dioxide stagnating in the room (for example, around the user), thereby preventing the carbon dioxide concentration from increasing locally in the room. Furthermore, when controlling the target temperature or target humidity, it is possible to reduce the user's discomfort by, for example, lowering the target temperature or target humidity.

[0093] Furthermore, by predicting the increase in carbon dioxide concentration based on the number of users in the room, it is possible to evaluate the comfort level in the room after a predetermined time has passed, making it possible to know in advance whether the carbon dioxide concentration will increase after the predetermined time has passed and there is a risk of comfort being impaired.

[0094] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1: Air conditioning equipment 2: Remote control 3:Outdoor unit 5: Gas side piping 7: Liquid side piping 11: Indoor unit 12: Muffler 13: Compressor 14: Strainer 15: CO2 sensor 16:Display section 17: Four-way switching valve 18: Human sensor 19:Outdoor heat exchanger 20: Control device 21: Acquisition section 22: Evaluation section 23:Notification Department 24: Control unit 25: Prediction section 26: Receiver 31: Accumulator 33: Gas side operating valve 35: Liquid side operating valve 37A:Discharge piping 37B: Gas piping 37C:Liquid piping 37E: Suction piping 39: Outdoor refrigerant circuit 41: Outdoor fan 45: Refrigeration cycle 47: Indoor heat exchanger 49: Expansion valve 51: Indoor fan

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room that is an air-conditioning target; an evaluation unit that evaluates the comfort of the user in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information; a control unit that controls at least one of an air conditioning airflow rate, a target temperature, and a target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result; Equipped with The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, the evaluation unit evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset in accordance with the concentration of carbon dioxide; the evaluation unit evaluates the indoor environment information as comfortable if it is within a range where a comfortable range for temperature and humidity and a comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, and evaluates the indoor environment information as poor if it is outside the range; The control unit performs comfort improvement control to increase the airflow rate of the air conditioning when the comfort level is evaluated to be poor. Air conditioning device control device.

2. The air conditioning device control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of the comfort evaluation result.

3. a prediction unit that predicts the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide based on the number of users in the room; The air conditioning device control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation unit uses the result of the prediction instead of the concentration information to evaluate the comfort after a predetermined time has elapsed.

4. The air conditioning device control device according to claim 2 , wherein the notification unit notifies a user of outdoor environment information.

5. The air conditioner control device according to claim 4 , wherein the outdoor environment information includes at least one of outdoor temperature information, pollen information, and particulate matter information.

6. A refrigerant circuit; The air conditioning device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An air conditioning device having the above.

7. an acquisition step of acquiring temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room to be air-conditioned; an evaluation step of evaluating the comfort of the user in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information; a control step of controlling at least one of an air conditioning airflow rate, a target temperature, and a target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result; and The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, the evaluation step evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset in accordance with the concentration of carbon dioxide; the evaluation step evaluates the indoor environment information as comfortable if it is within a range where a comfortable range for temperature and humidity and a comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, and evaluates the indoor environment information as poor if it is outside the range, The control step performs comfort improvement control by increasing the airflow rate of the air conditioning when the comfort level is evaluated as poor. Air conditioning methods.

8. an acquisition process for acquiring temperature information, humidity information, and carbon dioxide concentration information of a room to be air-conditioned; an evaluation process for evaluating the comfort of the user in the room based on the temperature information, the humidity information, and the concentration information; a control process for controlling at least one of an air conditioning air volume, a target temperature, and a target humidity in the room based on the comfort evaluation result; on the computer, The indoor environment information is the temperature information, the humidity information, and the carbon dioxide concentration information of the room to be air-conditioned, the evaluation process evaluates the comfort level based on a comfort range of temperature and humidity that is preset in accordance with the concentration of carbon dioxide; the evaluation process evaluates the indoor environment information as comfortable if it is within a range where a comfortable range for temperature and humidity and a comfortable range for carbon dioxide concentration overlap, and evaluates the indoor environment information as poor if it is outside the range; The control process performs comfort improvement control by increasing the air conditioning airflow rate when the comfort level is evaluated to be poor. Air conditioning program.

Images