air conditioning system

Abstract

This air-conditioning system comprises a heat source unit, a first indoor unit (41), a first path (311) through which conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit (41) is guided to the floor side of a first aid-conditioned space (R11), a second path (312) through which conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit (41) is guided to the ceiling side of either of the first air-conditioned space (R11) or a second air-conditioned space (R12), a first switching mechanism (111) that switches the state of connection between the first indoor unit (41) and the first and second paths (311, 312) between a first connection state and a second connection state, and a control device, the control device being configured to be capable of executing a control for causing the first indoor unit (41) to operate in a warming mode in the first connection state and a control for causing the first indoor unit (41) to operate in a cooling mode in the second connection state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, air conditioning systems configured to blow conditioned air from the ceiling of an office space are known.

[0003] Such air conditioning systems have the problem that, during heating, the upper half of the body becomes hot and the lower half becomes cold. Air conditioning systems that are configured to blow conditioned air from under the floor have also existed for some time. For example, prior art document (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-317134) describes a heating and cooling system in which an air conditioner and a duct communicating with the air conditioner's outlet are arranged in the floor space, and cool and warm air passes through the duct and is blown out from indoor outlets installed on the floor of each room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-317134 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when conditioned air is blown out from under the floor, the feet are warm and comfortable during heating, but the feet become too cold during cooling.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide an air conditioning system that can provide a comfortable air-conditioned space whether supplying warm air or cool air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure includes a heat source unit, a first indoor unit having a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the heat source unit and that blows out conditioned air, a first path that guides the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to the floor side of a first air-conditioned space, a second path that guides the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to the ceiling side of either the first air-conditioned space or the second air-conditioned space, a first switching mechanism that switches the connection state between the first indoor unit, the first path and the second path between a first connection state and a second connection state, and a control device, and in the first connection state, In the first connection state, the indoor unit is connected to the first path and the first indoor unit is disconnected from the second path, and in the second connection state, the first indoor unit is connected to the second path and the first indoor unit is disconnected from the first path, and the first indoor unit is configured to be able to operate in two operating modes: a heating mode in which the heat exchanger operates as a condenser, and a cooling mode in which the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator, and the control device is configured to be able to control the first indoor unit to operate in the heating mode in the first connection state, and to control the first indoor unit to operate in the cooling mode in the second connection state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system that can provide a comfortable air-conditioned space whether supplying warm air or cool air. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a portion of the configuration of an air conditioning system installed in a building. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between an indoor unit, two rooms provided on the upper and lower floors, and a duct. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how warm air blown out from the indoor unit is guided to a room on an upper floor (first connection state). [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how cool air blown out from the indoor unit is guided to a room on the lower floor (second connection state). [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how the room to which hot air is supplied is changed by switching the state of the room-side damper. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how the state of the room-side damper is changed to change the room to which cool air is supplied. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how an operation in a heating mode and an operation in a cooling mode are performed in parallel. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a plurality of indoor units are used to air-condition a plurality of rooms. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how conditioned air is supplied from another indoor unit to a room where the air conditioning capacity is insufficient. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for switching the duct path depending on the operation mode of the indoor unit. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a parallel cooling and heating process. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for supplementing a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity with conditioned air from another indoor unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a free access floor. [Figure 15] 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a control device, a monitoring device, an in-house server, an air conditioning terminal, and a floor tile unit. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between a database provided in a monitoring device and a database provided in an in-house server. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for changing the opening degree of a tile opening in response to operation of an open button or a close button. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a process according to an opening degree command. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the airflow speed of an indoor unit according to the opening degree of each tile opening. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for switching the state of a damper. [Figure 21]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration as a first modification in which hot air is supplied from the floor side of a room and cold air is supplied from the ceiling side of the room. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second modification in which hot air is supplied from the floor side of a room and cold air is supplied from the ceiling side of the room. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which hot air operation and cold air operation are performed in parallel as a third modification. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for supplementing a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity with conditioned air from another indoor unit, as a fourth modification. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement of two paths formed in a duct, as a fifth modification. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another configuration of the floor tile unit as a sixth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing part of the configuration of the air conditioning system 100 installed in a building 1.

[0012] The air conditioning system 100 includes an outdoor unit 20, indoor units 41, 42, 43, 44..., a control device 50, a repeater (shunt controller) 60, dampers 111, 112, 113, 114..., dampers 211a, 211b, 212a, 212b..., a monitoring device 80, an in-house server 90, an air conditioning terminal 120, and a floor tile unit 710. Of these components, the monitoring device 80, the in-house server 90, the air conditioning terminal 120, and the floor tile unit 710 will be described in detail later using FIG. 15.

[0013] The outdoor unit 20 and the relay unit 60 are connected by pipes 26a and 26b through which a refrigerant flows. The relay unit 60 and each of the indoor units 41, 42, 43, 44... are connected by pipes 64a and 64b through which a refrigerant flows, respectively. Hereinafter, each of the indoor units 41, 42, 43, 44... may be referred to as an "indoor unit 4n." The outdoor unit 20, the relay unit 60, and the indoor unit 4n form a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant required for air conditioning flows.

[0014] The outdoor unit 20 includes a compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, a heat exchanger 23, and an expansion valve 24. The outdoor unit 20 functions as a heat source device that supplies heat for heat exchange to the indoor units 4n. The compressor 21 compresses the refrigerant and discharges the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit inside the outdoor unit 20. The four-way valve 22 switches the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit inside the outdoor unit 20. The expansion valve 24 changes the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit inside the outdoor unit 20 by adjusting the opening degree of the valve.

[0015] The indoor unit 4n includes a heat exchanger 40a and an expansion valve 40b. The heat exchanger 40a circulates the refrigerant that has passed through the relay device 60, and heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the air to be conditioned. The indoor unit 4n can switch its operating mode between a heating mode and a cooling mode.

[0016] The heat exchanger 40a functions as a condenser in heating mode, condensing and liquefying the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 40a functions as an evaporator in cooling mode, evaporating and vaporizing the refrigerant. The expansion valve 40b adjusts the opening of the valve to change the flow rate of the refrigerant. The indoor unit 4n blows out warm air in heating mode. The indoor unit 4n blows out cool air in cooling mode.

[0017] The relay 60 includes a flow dividing mechanism 61. The flow dividing mechanism 61 is composed of an expansion valve, a heat exchanger, a refrigerant branching path, etc. The refrigerant flows from the outdoor unit 20 to the relay 60 via pipe 26a. The refrigerant flows from the relay 60 to the outdoor unit 20 via pipe 26b. The refrigerant flows from the relay 60 to the indoor unit 4n via pipe 64a. The refrigerant flows from the indoor unit 4n to the relay 60 via pipe 64b.

[0018] The relay device 60 controls the flow of refrigerant flowing into the indoor units 4n. In this way, the relay device 60 enables some of the indoor units 4n to operate in heating mode while other of the indoor units 4n operate in cooling mode.

[0019] The dampers 111, 112, 113, 114... and the dampers 211a, 211b, 212a, 212b... are arranged in a duct that connects the indoor unit 4n and the air-conditioned space (room). Hereinafter, each of the dampers 111, 112, 113, 114... may be referred to as a "damper 11n," and each of the dampers 211a, 211b, 212a, 212b... may be referred to as a "damper 21n."

[0020] The control device 50 includes a processor 51, a memory 52, and a communication interface 53. The control device 50 controls each device in the air conditioning system 100 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 52. ​​The control device 50 controls, for example, the outdoor unit 20, the repeater 60, the indoor unit 4n, the damper 11n, and the damper 21n.

[0021] The processor 51 is typically configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Multi-Processing Unit). The processor 51 is an example of an arithmetic device. The processor 51 and a control device including the processor 51 are also an example of a processing circuitry.

[0022] The memory 52 includes a volatile storage area (e.g., a working area) that temporarily stores program code, work memory, and the like when the processor 51 executes any program. For example, the memory 52 includes volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), or non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM) and flash memory. Furthermore, the memory 52 may be a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning system 100 is applied to, for example, an air-conditioned space in a building 1. The building 1 has multiple floors arranged in the vertical direction, and multiple rooms are arranged on each floor. For example, rooms R11 and R13 are an example of multiple rooms arranged on a common floor. Similarly, rooms R12 and R14 are an example of multiple rooms arranged on a common floor. Rooms R12 and R14 are an example of multiple rooms arranged on a floor below rooms R11 and R13. In FIG. 2, detailed configurations of the air conditioning system 100 corresponding to rooms other than rooms R11 to R14 are omitted from the illustration.

[0024] Ducts 31, 32, 33... are provided between rooms on upper floors and rooms on lower floors. For example, a duct 31 is provided between rooms R11, R13 and rooms R12, R14. The relationship between the ducts 31, 32, 33..., indoor units 4n, and dampers 11n, 21n will be described in detail below, using the configuration between upper rooms R11, R13 and lower rooms R12, R14 as a representative example.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, duct 31 has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper path 311 and a lower path 312. Indoor unit 41 is disposed at one end of duct 31, and indoor unit 42 is disposed at the other end of duct 31. Conditioned air blown out from indoor unit 41 is introduced into duct 31. A damper 111 is provided at one end of duct 31 to switch the destination of the conditioned air introduced from indoor unit 41 between path 311 and path 312. Damper 111 is an example of a first switching mechanism. A damper 112 is provided at the other end of duct 31 to switch the destination of the conditioned air introduced from indoor unit 42 between path 311 and path 312. Damper 112 is an example of a second switching mechanism.

[0026] Instead of realizing the paths 311 and 312 by the two-layer structure of one duct 31, they may be realized by two ducts.

[0027] An opening 21a is formed on the floor side of each of the rooms R11 and R13, and communicates with a path 311 of the duct 31 under the floor. An opening 21b is formed on the ceiling side of each of the rooms R12 and R14, and communicates with a path 312 of the duct 31 above the ceiling.

[0028] The damper 211a is provided in the path 311 corresponding to the opening 21a on the floor side of the room R11. The damper 211a adjusts the volume of conditioned air blown from the path 311 to the floor side of the room R11. The room R11 is an example of a first air-conditioned space. The path 311 is an example of a first path. The damper 211a is an example of a first adjustment mechanism.

[0029] Damper 212b is provided in path 312 corresponding to opening 21b on the ceiling side of room R12. Damper 212b adjusts the volume of conditioned air blown from path 312 to the ceiling side of room R12. Room R12 is an example of a second air-conditioned space. Path 312 is an example of a second path. Damper 212b is an example of a second adjustment mechanism.

[0030] The damper 213a is provided in the path 311 corresponding to the opening 21a on the floor side of the room R13. The damper 213a adjusts the volume of conditioned air blown out from the path 313 to the floor side of the room R13. The room R13 is an example of a third air-conditioned space. The damper 213a is an example of a third adjustment mechanism.

[0031] Damper 214b is provided in path 312 corresponding to opening 21b on the ceiling side of room R14. Damper 214b adjusts the volume of conditioned air blown from path 312 to the ceiling side of room R14. Room R14 is an example of a fourth air-conditioned space. Damper 214b is an example of a fourth adjustment mechanism.

[0032] Hereinafter, among the dampers provided in the duct, a damper that opens and closes the room openings 21a, 21b may be referred to as the "room-side damper 21n," and a damper that switches the path connected to the indoor unit 4n may be referred to as the "damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side." Furthermore, with regard to the room-side damper 21n, the operation of the damper that closes the path between the room and the duct may be referred to as "closing the damper 21n," and the operation of the damper that opens the path between the room and the duct may be referred to as "opening the damper 21n." Instead of providing the "room-side damper 21n" in the duct, it may be provided at the room-side openings 21a, 21b. Instead of providing the "damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side" in the duct, it may be provided in the indoor unit 4n.

[0033] An opening 21a communicating with a path 313 of the under-floor duct 32 is formed on the floor side of each of rooms R12 and R14 in a similar manner to the floor sides of each of rooms R11 and R13. A damper 212a is provided in the path 313 corresponding to the opening 21a on the floor side of room R12. A damper 214a is provided in the path 313 corresponding to the opening 21a on the floor side of room R14.

[0034] An opening 21b communicating with a path 316 of the duct 33 on the ceiling is also formed on the ceiling side of each of the rooms R11 and R13 in a similar manner to the ceiling sides of the rooms R12 and R14. A damper 211b is provided in the path 316 corresponding to the opening 21b on the ceiling side of the room R11. A damper 213b is provided in the path 316 corresponding to the opening 21b on the ceiling side of the room R13.

[0035] Indoor units 43 and 44 are arranged in duct 32 in a manner similar to indoor units 41 and 42 arranged in duct 31. Indoor units 45 and 46 are arranged in duct 33 in a manner similar to indoor units 41 and 42 arranged in duct 31.

[0036] Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which two rooms are arranged on one floor, one room may be arranged on one floor, or three or more rooms may be arranged on one floor.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the relationship between indoor units 41, 42, two rooms R11, R12 provided on the upper and lower floors, and duct 31. As explained using Fig. 2, indoor units 41, 42 are provided at both ends of duct 31. Here, using indoor unit 41 of indoor units 41, 42 as a representative example, the relationship between the operation of indoor unit 4n, the operation of damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side, and the operation of damper 21n on the rooms R11, R12 side will be explained.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, sock ducts 600 may be provided on the ceiling side of rooms R11 and R12. The sock ducts 600 disperse the airflow of conditioned air blown out from the ceiling side. By providing the sock ducts 600, the air-conditioned space can be conditioned more uniformly. A free access floor 700 may be provided on the floor side of rooms R11 and R12. In this case, the conditioned air blown out from under the floor of rooms R11 and R12 passes through the free access floor 700 to condition the space above the free access floor 700. The floor tile units 710 shown in FIG. 1 are included in the free access floor 700.

[0039] The indoor unit 41 has an air outlet 401 that blows out conditioned air. The indoor unit 41 is arranged so that the air outlet 401 is connected to the duct 31. As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet 401 is guided into the duct 31. The indoor unit 41 operates in a heating mode in which it blows out warm air, and in a cooling mode in which it blows out cool air. As shown in the figure, a damper 111 is provided in the part of the duct 31 where it branches into paths 311 and 312. The damper 111 may also be provided in the air outlet 401 of the indoor unit 41. In this case, the duct 31 may be configured so that paths 311 and 312 branch off at the air outlet 401.

[0040] The control device 50 switches the state of the damper 111 between a first connection state and a second connection state according to the operation mode of the indoor unit 41. Here, the first connection state and the second connection state will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in this order.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing how warm air blown out from the indoor unit 41 is guided to room R11 on the upper floor. Fig. 4 shows the first connection state of the damper 111. When the operation mode of the indoor unit 41 is the heating mode, the control device 50 sets the damper 111 to the first connection state. As shown in Fig. 4, in the first connection state, the indoor unit 41 and path 311 are connected to each other, and the indoor unit 41 and path 312 are disconnected from each other.

[0042] Therefore, the warm air blown out from the air outlet 401 of the indoor unit 41 is guided to the path 311 on the upper level of the duct 31. When guiding warm air to room R11, the control device 50 controls the damper 211a on the room R11 side to the position shown in Figure 4. This causes the warm air flowing through the path 311 to flow into room R11 from the floor side. When causing the warm air to flow into room R11 from the floor side, the control device 50 may close the opening 21b on the ceiling side of room R11 with the damper 211b.

[0043] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how cool air blown out from the indoor unit 41 is guided to room R12 on the floor below. Fig. 5 shows the second connection state of the damper 111. When the operation mode of the indoor unit 41 is the cooling mode, the control device 50 sets the damper 111 to the second connection state. As shown in Fig. 5, in the second connection state, the indoor unit 41 and the path 312 are connected, and the indoor unit 41 and the path 311 are disconnected.

[0044] Therefore, the warm air blown out from the air outlet 401 of the indoor unit 41 is guided to the lower path 312 of the duct 31. When guiding cool air to room R12, the control device 50 sets the damper 212b on the room R12 side to the position shown in Figure 5. This causes the warm air flowing through the path 312 to flow in from the ceiling side of room R12. When allowing cool air to flow in from the ceiling side of room R12, the control device 50 may close the opening 21a on the floor side of room R12 with the damper 212a.

[0045] The above explanation also applies to the indoor unit 42 and the damper 112. That is, the control device 50 switches the path to be blocked by the damper 112 between the path 311 and the path 312 depending on the operation mode of the indoor unit 42.

[0046] When the operation mode of the indoor unit 42 is the heating mode, the control device 50 sets the state of the damper 112 so that the indoor unit 42 and the path 311 are connected and the indoor unit 41 and the path 312 are disconnected. This state of the damper 112 is another example of the first connection state. Alternatively, this state of the damper 112 is also an example of the third connection state when distinguished from the first connection state of the damper 111.

[0047] When the operation mode of the indoor unit 42 is the cooling mode, the control device 50 sets the state of the damper 112 so that the indoor unit 42 is in communication with the path 312 and is disconnected from the indoor unit 42 and the path 311. This state of the damper 112 is another example of the second connection state. Alternatively, this state of the damper 112 is also an example of the fourth connection state when distinguished from the second connection state of the damper 111.

[0048] As explained using FIG. 2, above room R11 and below room R12, there is a configuration similar to the configuration disposed between rooms R11 and R12. Therefore, when it is desired to cool room R11, air conditioning system 100 can blow cool air from the ceiling side of room R11. When it is desired to heat room R12, air conditioning system 100 can blow warm air into room R12 from the floor side. Similarly, for rooms R13, R14 and other rooms disposed in building 1, air conditioning system 100 can blow warm air from the floor side of the room to be air-conditioned when it is desired to heat the room, and can blow cool air from the ceiling side of the room when it is desired to cool the room to be air-conditioned.

[0049] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the problem of the upper half of the body becoming hot and the lower half of the body becoming cold during heating does not occur in any room in building 1. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the problem of the feet becoming too cold during cooling does not occur. As a result, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system 100 that can provide a comfortable air-conditioned space whether hot air or cold air is supplied to a room.

[0050] <Change the room to be air-conditioned> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing how the room to which hot air is supplied is changed by switching the state of the damper 213a on the room R13 side. As shown in Fig. 6, when the indoor unit 41 is operating in heating mode, the hot air blown out from the indoor unit 41 is guided to the upper path 311 of the duct 31 by the action of the damper 111.

[0051] The control device 50 controls the dampers 211a, 213a and can switch between a state in which both rooms R11 and R13 are connected to path 311 and a state in which one of rooms R11 and R13 is connected to path 311 and the other is closed off from path 311.

[0052] 6, the upper frame shows a state in which both rooms R11 and R13 are connected to path 311. The lower frame shows a state in which one of rooms R11 and R13 is connected to path 311, and the other is closed off from path 311. In particular, the lower frame shows a state in which room R11 is connected to path 311, and room R13 is closed off from path 311.

[0053] In the state shown in the upper frame in Fig. 6, warm air is supplied to rooms R11 and R13 from path 311. In the state shown in the lower frame in Fig. 6, warm air is supplied to room R11 from path 311, but warm air is not supplied to room R13 from path 311.

[0054] 7 is a diagram showing how the room to which cool air is supplied is changed by switching the state of the damper 214b on the room R14 side. As shown in Fig. 7, when the indoor unit 41 is operating in cooling mode, the cool air blown out from the indoor unit 41 is guided to the lower path 312 of the duct 31 by the action of the damper 111.

[0055] The control device 50 controls the dampers 212b, 214b, and can switch between a state in which both rooms R12 and R14 are connected to path 312 and a state in which one of rooms R12 and R14 is connected to path 312 and the other is closed off from path 312.

[0056] 7, the upper frame shows a state in which both rooms R12 and R14 are connected to path 312. The lower frame shows a state in which one of rooms R12 and R14 is connected to path 312, while the other is closed off from path 312. In particular, the lower frame shows a state in which room R12 is connected to path 312, while room R14 is closed off from path 312.

[0057] In the state shown in the upper frame in Fig. 7, cool air is supplied to rooms R12 and R14 from path 312. In the state shown in the lower frame in Fig. 7, cool air is supplied to room R12 from path 312, but cool air is not supplied to room R14 from path 312.

[0058] Here, the manner in which the rooms to which conditioned air is supplied are changed has been described using rooms R11 to R14 as representative examples of the multiple rooms. However, the control device 50 can also freely change the rooms to which conditioned air is supplied in the same way for other combinations of rooms that communicate with the upper-level paths in the duct.

[0059] 6 and 7, the control device 50 can freely set the room to which conditioned air is to be supplied by switching the state of the room-side damper 21n. Therefore, for example, the control device 50 can increase the air conditioning efficiency by closing the room-side damper 21n in a room where the indoor temperature has reached a target temperature (set temperature) or in a room where no one is present.

[0060] 6 and 7 show indoor unit 41 of indoor units 41, 42 arranged at both ends of duct 31. Here, indoor unit 42 may be operated in the same operation mode as indoor unit 41, or may be operated in an operation mode different from that of indoor unit 41.

[0061] <Parallel operation of heating mode and cooling mode> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing how operation in heating mode and operation in cooling mode are performed in parallel. In Fig. 8, rooms R12 and R13 are exemplified as rooms to which hot air is supplied, and rooms R11 and R14 are exemplified as rooms to which cold air is supplied.

[0062] When setting rooms R12 and R13 as rooms to which hot air is to be supplied and rooms R11 and R14 as rooms to which cold air is to be supplied, the control device 50, for example, operates indoor units 41 and 43 in heating mode and indoor units 42 and 46 in cooling mode. At this time, the control device 50 sets damper 111 on the indoor unit 41 side, damper 112 on the indoor unit 42 side, damper 113 on the indoor unit 43 side, damper 116 on the indoor unit 46 side, dampers 211a and 211b on the room R11 side, dampers 212a and 212b on the room R12 side, dampers 213a and 213b on the room R13 side, and dampers 214a and 214b on the room R14 side to the states shown in FIG.

[0063] More specifically, the control device 50 opens the path 311 toward the upper rooms R11 and R13 and closes the path 312 toward the lower rooms R12 and R14 using the damper 111 on the indoor unit 41 side. This connects the indoor unit 41 to the path 311 and blocks the indoor unit 41 from connecting to the path 312 (first connection state).

[0064] The control device 50 closes the path 311 toward the upper rooms R11 and R13 with the damper 112 on the indoor unit 42 side, and opens the path 312 toward the lower rooms R12 and R14. This connects the indoor unit 42 to the path 312, and blocks the indoor unit 42 from connecting to the path 311.

[0065] The control device 50 opens the path 313 toward the upper rooms R12, R14 and closes the path 314 toward the lower room using the damper 113 on the indoor unit 43 side. This connects the indoor unit 43 to the path 313 and blocks the indoor unit 43 from connecting to the path 314.

[0066] The control device 50 opens the path 316 toward the lower rooms R11 and R13 using the damper 116 on the indoor unit 46 side, and closes the path 315 toward the upper room. This connects the indoor unit 46 to the path 316, and disconnects the indoor unit 46 from the path 315.

[0067] The control device 50 closes the damper 211a corresponding to the floor-side opening 21a of room R11 and opens the damper 211b corresponding to the ceiling-side opening 21b of room R11. The control device 50 opens the damper 212a corresponding to the floor-side opening 21a of room R12 and closes the damper 212b corresponding to the ceiling-side opening 21b of room R12. The control device 50 opens the damper 213a corresponding to the floor-side opening 21a of room R13 and closes the damper 213b corresponding to the ceiling-side opening 21b of room R13. The control device 50 closes the damper 214a corresponding to the floor-side opening 21a of room R14 and opens the damper 214b corresponding to the ceiling-side opening 21b of room R14.

[0068] As a result, the warm air blown out from the indoor unit 41 is guided to the upper path 311 of the duct 31. The cool air blown out from the indoor unit 42 is guided to the lower path 312 of the duct 31. The warm air blown out from the indoor unit 43 is guided to the upper path 313 of the duct 32. The cool air blown out from the indoor unit 46 is guided to the lower path 316 of the duct 33. The warm air guided to path 311 flows into room R13 from the floor side. The cool air guided to path 312 flows into room R14 from the ceiling side. The warm air guided to path 313 flows into room R12 from the floor side. The warm air guided to path 316 flows into room R11 from the ceiling side. As a result, rooms R12 and R13 are heated, and rooms R11 and R14 are cooled.

[0069] The control device 50 switches the state of the dampers in the duct between damper 21n, which opens and closes openings 21a and 21b in the room, and damper 11n, which switches the path connected to the air outlet of indoor unit 4n, according to the air conditioning required for each room. This allows the control device 50 to supply the conditioned air (hot air or cold air) required for multiple rooms.

[0070] When rooms R12 and R13 are set as rooms to which hot air is to be supplied and rooms R11 and R14 are set as rooms to which cold air is to be supplied, the control device 50 can also condition rooms R11 to R14 as set in a pattern different from the pattern shown in Figure 8.

[0071] For example, the control device 50 operates the indoor unit 45 in the cooling mode, the indoor unit 41 in the cooling mode, the indoor unit 42 in the heating mode, and the indoor unit 44 in the heating mode.

[0072] In this case, the control device 50 switches the state of each of the dampers 111 to 116 to a state opposite to the state shown in Fig. 8. For example, the control device 50 opens the path 311 toward the upper rooms R11 and R13 in the damper 112 on the indoor unit 42 side, and closes the path 312 toward the lower rooms R12 and R14. As a result, the indoor unit 42 and the path 311 communicate with each other, and the indoor unit 42 and the path 312 are cut off from each other.

[0073] As a result, conditioned air is supplied to rooms R11 to R14 according to the settings. In this way, the control device 50 can also condition rooms R11 to R14 according to the settings in a pattern different from the pattern shown in Fig. 8. In this case, the indoor units 43, 46 do not need to be operated, and may be operated to condition other rooms.

[0074] The state in which the damper 112 connects the indoor unit 42 to the path 311 and blocks the indoor unit 42 from connecting to the path 312 is an example of a third connection state. The state in which the damper 112 connects the indoor unit 42 to the path 312 and blocks the indoor unit 42 from connecting to the path 311 is an example of a fourth connection state. The damper 112 is an example of a second switching mechanism that switches the connection state between the indoor unit 42 and the paths 311 and 312 between the third connection state and the fourth connection state. The control device 50 can execute control to operate the indoor unit 41 in the heating mode in the first connection state, and to operate the indoor unit 42 in the cooling mode in the fourth connection state.

[0075] <Compensation for rooms with insufficient air conditioning capacity> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing how multiple indoor units are used to air-condition multiple rooms, and Fig. 10 is a diagram showing how conditioned air is supplied from other indoor units to a room with insufficient air-conditioning capacity.

[0076] 9 shows how hot air is supplied to rooms R11 to R14. The indoor units 41 to 43 operate in heating mode. Here, it is assumed that the indoor unit 44 is not operating or is operating in cooling mode.

[0077] Dampers 111 and 112 open path 311 of duct 31 and close path 312 of duct 31. Damper 113 opens path 313 of duct 32 and closes path 314 of duct 32. Damper 114 closes path 313 of duct 32 and opens path 314 of duct 32.

[0078] The indoor units 41, 42 supply warm air to rooms R11, R13 via upper path 311 of duct 31. Warm air flows into rooms R11, R13 from the floor side. The indoor unit 43 supplies warm air to rooms R12, R14 via upper path 313 of duct 32. Warm air flows into rooms R12, R14 from the floor side. The indoor unit 43 is an example of a third indoor unit. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 50 is able to air-condition a plurality of air-conditioned spaces including rooms R11-R14 using conditioned air blown out from the indoor units 41-43.

[0079] Here, it is assumed that the room temperatures of rooms R11 and R13 have reached the target temperature, but the air conditioning capacity of the indoor unit 43 is insufficient, causing the room temperatures of rooms R12 and R14 to not reach the target temperature. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 50 controls the indoor units 41 and 42 to supply warm air to rooms R12 and R14. More specifically, the control device 50 closes path 311 of duct 31 and opens path 312 of duct 31 by switching the state of dampers 111 and 112 from the state shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the warm air blown out from the indoor units 41 and 42 is supplied to rooms R12 and R14 via path 312 in the lower layer of duct 31. As a result, the room temperatures of rooms R12 and R14 can reach the target temperature.

[0080] In this way, when there are insufficiently air-conditioned rooms R12, R14 among the rooms R11 to R14, the control device 50 can supply conditioned air from the indoor units 41, 42 that are not supplying conditioned air to the insufficiently air-conditioned rooms R12, R14 to the rooms R12, R14. The control device 50 may supply conditioned air from only one of the indoor units 41, 42 to the insufficiently air-conditioned rooms R12, R14. When the only room that is insufficiently air-conditioned is room R12, the control device 50 may supply conditioned air from only one of the indoor units 41, 42 to room R12.

[0081] According to this embodiment, a plurality of indoor units 4n can be utilized to make up for a temporary shortage of air conditioning capacity.

[0082] The control device 50 may guide the warm air from one of the indoor units 41, 42 to the path 312 and the warm air from the other to the path 311, rather than guiding the warm air from both indoor units 41, 42 to the path 312. Furthermore, the control device 50 may switch the states of the dampers 111, 112 back to the state shown in Fig. 9 after the room temperatures of the rooms R12, R14 reach the target temperatures.

[0083] <Flowchart showing processing according to operation mode> Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of switching the duct path depending on the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n. The process based on this flowchart is executed by the control device 50. The control device 50 executes the process based on this flowchart to realize the operation of the air conditioning system 100 described using Figs. 3 to 5.

[0084] 11, the control device 50 determines the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n (step S1). If the control device 50 determines that the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n is the heating mode, the control device 50 opens the first path toward the upper room with the damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side and closes the second path toward the lower room (step S2). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 50 opens the path 311 toward the upper room R11 with the damper 11 and closes the path 312 toward the lower room R12. As a result, a first connection state is achieved in which the indoor unit 41 and the path 311 are connected and the indoor unit 41 and the path 312 are disconnected.

[0085] If the control device 50 determines that the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n is the cooling mode, it closes the first path toward the upper room and opens the second path toward the lower room using the damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side (step S3). For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device 50 closes the path 311 toward the upper room R11 and opens the path 312 toward the lower room R12 using the damper 11. As a result, the indoor unit 41 is disconnected from the path 311, and a second connection state is established in which the indoor unit 41 is connected to the path 312. After step S2 or step S3, the control device 50 ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[0086] The control device 50 executes the process shown in Fig. 11 for each of the indoor units 4n. As a result, as described above, when it is desired to heat a room to be air-conditioned, warm air can be circulated from the floor side of the room, and when it is desired to cool a room to be air-conditioned, cool air can be circulated from the ceiling side of the room.

[0087] <Flowchart showing parallel heating and cooling processing> 12 is a flowchart showing the simultaneous cooling and heating process. The process based on this flowchart is executed by the control device 50. The control device 50 executes the process based on this flowchart to realize the operation of the air conditioning system 100 described using FIG. 8.

[0088] Referring to Fig. 12, the control device 50 operates the first indoor unit in heating mode (step S11). For example, Fig. 8 illustrates indoor unit 41 as an example of the first indoor unit. Here, the explanation will continue by applying indoor unit 41 shown in Fig. 8 to the first indoor unit.

[0089] Next, the control device 50 opens the first path toward the upper room with the damper 11n on the first indoor unit side, and closes the second path toward the lower room (step S12). For example, the control device 50 opens the path 311 toward the upper rooms R11 and R13 with the damper 111 on the indoor unit 41 side, and closes the path 312 toward the lower rooms R12 and R14. This connects the indoor unit 41 to the path 311, and blocks the indoor unit 41 from connecting to the path 312.

[0090] Next, the control device 50 operates the second indoor unit in cooling mode (step S13). For example, Fig. 8 illustrates an indoor unit 42 as an example of the second indoor unit. Here, the explanation will continue by applying the indoor unit 42 shown in Fig. 8 to the second indoor unit.

[0091] Next, the control device 50 closes the first path toward the upper room using the damper 11n on the second indoor unit side, and opens the second path toward the lower room (step S14). For example, the control device 50 closes the path 311 toward the upper rooms R11 and R13 using the damper 112 on the indoor unit 42 side, and opens the path 312 toward the lower rooms R12 and R14. This connects the indoor unit 42 to the path 312, and blocks the indoor unit 42 from communicating with the path 311. After step S14, the control device 50 ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[0092] The control device 50 executes processing based on this flowchart, thereby realizing the operation of the air conditioning system 100 described using Fig. 8, with operation in heating mode and operation in cooling mode being carried out in parallel.

[0093] <Flowchart showing ability compensation processing> Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the process for supplementing a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity with conditioned air from another indoor unit. The process based on this flowchart is executed by the control device 50. By executing the process based on this flowchart, the control device 50 realizes the operation of the air conditioning system 100 described using Figures 9 and 10.

[0094] 13, the control device 50 executes a first control for air-conditioning a plurality of rooms with a plurality of indoor units 4n (step S10). By executing the first control, for example, rooms R11 to R14 are air-conditioned by the indoor units 41 to 43, as shown in FIG.

[0095] More specifically, the control device 50 operates the indoor units 41, 42 in heating mode when the indoor units 41, 42 and path 311 are in communication and the indoor units 41, 42 and path 312 are disconnected (first connection state and third connection state) as shown in Fig. 9, and operates the indoor unit 43 in heating mode when path 313 is in communication with rooms R12, R14 (first control). In this case, as the first control, the control device 50 may designate room R12 as the air-conditioning target but not room R14 as the air-conditioning target. In this case, the control device 50 closes the opening corresponding to the floor side of room R14 with the damper 214a.

[0096] Next, the control device 50 determines whether there is a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity (step S11). The control device 50 may determine whether the air conditioning capacity of each room is insufficient, for example, based on the target temperature and air conditioning duration set for each room. If there is no room with insufficient air conditioning capacity, the control device 50 ends the processing based on this flowchart. If it determines that there is a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity, the control device 50 switches from the first control to the second control (step S12). By executing the second control, the control device 50 guides conditioned air from the indoor unit 4n with spare capacity to the room with insufficient air conditioning capacity.

[0097] By executing the second control, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, conditioned air from the indoor units 41, 42 is supplied to rooms R12, R14 where the air conditioning capacity is insufficient.

[0098] More specifically, the control device 50 operates the indoor units 41, 42 in heating mode when the indoor units 41, 42 and the path 312 are in communication and the indoor units 41, 42 and the path 311 are disconnected (second connection state and fourth connection state), and operates the indoor unit 43 in heating mode when the path 313 is in communication with the rooms R12, R14 (second control). When the room R14 is not a target for air conditioning, the control device 50 does not need to supply conditioned air to the room R14.

[0099] The control device 50 executes processing based on this flowchart. This realizes the operation of the air conditioning system 100 described using Figures 9 and 10. As a result, the multiple indoor units 4n are utilized, and the temperature of a room with insufficient air conditioning capacity can be made to reach a target temperature.

[0100] <Configuration of free access floor> Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a free access floor 700. The free access floor 700 shown in Fig. 14 is provided in rooms R11, R12, R13, etc., which are examples of air-conditioned spaces.

[0101] The free access floor 700 is configured by arranging floor tiles 717 in a matrix. A floor tile unit 710 including the floor tiles 717 is arranged in a part of the free access floor 700. The floor tile unit 710 is provided with an open button 711, a close button 712, and an opening / closing plate 713. A tile opening 716 is formed in the floor tile 717 included in the floor tile unit 710.

[0102] Conditioned air supplied from the duct to opening 21a on the floor side of the room is blown out from tile opening 716 provided in floor tile unit 710 of free access floor 700. Opening / closing plate 713 is arranged along tile opening 716 and is pivotally supported by floor tile 717.

[0103] The opening / closing plate 713 changes steplessly between a state in which the tile opening 716 is closed and a state in which the tile opening 716 is opened to the maximum extent. The opening / closing plate 713 changes the opening degree of the tile opening 716 in response to the operation of the open button 711 and the close button 712. More specifically, the opening / closing plate 713 increases the opening degree of the tile opening 716 in response to the duration of operation of the open button 711, and decreases the opening degree of the tile opening 716 in response to the duration of operation of the close button 712. A user can set a preferred air-conditioned space around the user by operating the open button 711 and the close button 712 provided on floor tile units 710 around the user.

[0104] The user can place the tile opening 716 in a desired location by changing the position of the floor tile unit 710 or by replacing the normal floor tile 717 with the floor tile unit 710.

[0105] <Relationship between the control device 50 and the floor tile unit 710> 15 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the control device 50, the monitoring device 80, the in-house server 90, the air conditioning terminal 120, and the floor tile unit 710. Here, it is assumed that employees of a certain company work in rooms R11, R12, ... R1n.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 15, rooms R11, R12, etc. are provided with a plurality of floor tile units 710 and air conditioning terminals 120. In addition to the configuration described using Fig. 14, the floor tile unit 710 further includes an actuator 714 that drives an opening / closing plate 713, and an opening / closing sensor 715 that detects the opening degree of a tile opening 716. Hereinafter, rooms R11, R12, etc. may be referred to as "room R1n."

[0107] The air conditioning terminal 120 placed in room R1n is communicatively connected to the monitoring device 80. The air conditioning terminal 120 is configured, for example, by a computer (personal computer). The monitoring device 80 monitors the air conditioning status of each room R1n. The monitoring device 80 is communicatively connected to the control device 50 and the in-house server 90. The in-house server 90 manages employee entry / exit records and a scheduler. The latest data on the entry / exit records and scheduler is provided to the in-house server 90 from the management server 70 via the in-house LAN 150. The in-house server 90 checks the entry / exit records and the scheduler to determine whether each employee is present or absent. As already explained, the control device 50 controls the indoor units 4n and the like.

[0108] The monitoring device 80 includes a processor 81, a memory 82, and a communication interface 83. The in-house server 90 includes a processor 91, a memory 92, and a communication interface 93. The processors 81 and 91, the memories 82 and 92, and the communication interfaces 83 and 93 have the same hardware configuration as the processor 51, the memory 52, and the communication interface 53, respectively, of the control device 50. Therefore, their description will not be repeated here.

[0109] Communication between devices such as the control device 50, the monitoring device 80, the in-house server 90, the air conditioning terminal 120, and the open / close sensor 715 may be either wired or wireless.

[0110] A database 821 is stored in the memory 82 of the monitoring device 80. A database 921 is stored in the memory 92 of the in-house server 90. The in-house server 90 determines the schedule of employee presence or absence based on the database 921. The monitoring device 80 determines the appropriate opening degree of the tile opening 716 for each floor tile unit 710 in room R1n based on the database 821. The database 821 may be provided in a storage device separate from the memory 82. The database 921 may be provided in a storage device separate from the memory 92.

[0111] <Control of air volume based on opening of tile opening 716> The open / close sensor 715 detects the opening degree of the tile opening 716 and transmits the detection information to the air conditioning terminal 120. The air conditioning terminal 120 transmits the opening degree information of the tile opening 716 for each floor tile unit 710 to the monitoring device 80. The monitoring device 80 identifies the opening degree information of the tile opening 716 for each floor tile unit 710. The monitoring device 80 stores such opening degree information of the tile opening 716 in the memory 82 for each room R1n.

[0112] The monitoring device 80 determines the air volume required for air conditioning for each room R1n based on the opening information of the tile openings 716. For example, if the sum of the openings of each tile opening 716 collected for room R11 is less than a first threshold, the monitoring device 80 determines that the air volume required for air conditioning of room R11 is a first air volume. Alternatively, if the sum is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, the monitoring device 80 determines that the air volume required for air conditioning of room R11 is a second air volume, which is greater than the first air volume. If the sum is zero, the monitoring device 80 may determine that air conditioning of room R11 is not necessary.

[0113] The monitoring device 80 transmits information indicating the determined air volume and the target room R1n to the control device 50. The control device 50 controls the multiple indoor units 4n so that conditioned air at the air volume determined by the monitoring device 80 is supplied to the target room R1n. This allows the air conditioning system 100 to supply each room R1n with an appropriate air volume of conditioned air that matches the opening degree of the tile opening 716 for each room R1n.

[0114] <Control of Opening and Closing Tile Opening 716 Based on Presence Information> FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between a database 821 provided in the monitoring device 80 and a database 921 provided in the in-house server 90. As shown in FIG.

[0115] 16, room codes, corresponding tile codes, and presence / absence information are registered for each employee code in database 921 of in-house server 90. The employee code is a code for identifying an employee. The room code indicates the room in which the employee's desk is located.

[0116] The room code corresponds to one of rooms R11, R12, etc. shown in FIG. 15. The corresponding tile code indicates the floor tile unit 710 located where the employee's seat is located. The presence / absence information indicates whether the employee is currently present or absent from the room. The in-house server 90 successively updates the presence / absence information based on the entry / exit records and scheduler provided from the in-house LAN 150.

[0117] The in-house server 90 determines whether an employee is present or not for each employee code based on the database 921. The in-house server 90 determines based on the database 921 that a person is scheduled to be present in the location corresponding to the corresponding tile codes 1 and 2 of room code 1. The in-house server 90 determines based on the database 921 that a person is not scheduled to be present in the location corresponding to the corresponding tile code 5 of room code 2.

[0118] Based on the results of such identification, the in-house server 90 generates information for the database 821 and transmits the generated information to the monitoring device 80.

[0119] Database 821 stores corresponding tile codes and open / close information for each room code. The open / close information indicates whether the tile opening 716 needs to be open or closed. For example, in database 821, the tile openings 716 corresponding to tile codes 1 and 2 corresponding to room code 1 are set to need to be opened. In database 821, the tile opening 716 corresponding to tile code 15 corresponding to room code 2 is set to need to be closed.

[0120] The monitoring device 80 identifies the need to open or close the tile opening 716 of each floor tile 717 for each room R1n based on the database 821. The monitoring device 80 transmits an opening / closing command (see FIG. 15) based on the identified result to the air conditioning terminal 120 of the corresponding room R1n. The air conditioning terminal 120 of each room R1n controls the opening degree of each tile opening 716 in accordance with the opening / closing command. More specifically, the air conditioning terminal 120 drives the actuator 714 to close or open the tile opening 716.

[0121] According to such an air conditioning system 100, it is possible to automatically open the tile openings 716 in areas that require air conditioning and automatically close the tile openings 716 in areas that do not require air conditioning, based on the planned presence or absence of a user in room R1n. For example, even if an employee forgets to close the tile opening 716 near their desk when they leave work or leave their desk to attend a meeting, the tile opening 716 can be automatically closed. Alternatively, it is possible to automatically open the tile opening 716 near the employee's desk when it is time for the employee to arrive at work.

[0122] Although information from database 821 is sent from in-house server 90 to monitoring device 80, this information does not include personal information or confidential information such as employee codes. This prevents the risk of personal information or confidential information being leaked from the data stored in monitoring device 80 and air conditioning terminal 120.

[0123] <Flowchart corresponding to operation of open button 711 or close button 712> 17 is a flowchart showing a process for changing the degree of opening of the tile opening 716 in response to the operation of the open button 711 or the close button 712. In this flowchart, the actuator 714 detects the operation of the open button 711 or the close button 712 (step S111). When the actuator 714 detects the operation of the open button 711 or the close button 712, it changes the degree of opening of the tile opening 716 in response to the type of button and the duration of detection (step S112).

[0124] More specifically, the actuator 714 increases the degree of opening of the tile opening 716 in response to the operation of the open button 711, and decreases the degree of opening of the tile opening 716 in response to the operation of the close button 712. After step S112, the processing based on this flowchart ends.

[0125] <Processing according to opening command> 18 is a flowchart showing processing in response to a command for the opening degree of the tile opening 716. In this flowchart, first, the monitoring device 80 transmits an open / close command for the tile opening 716 to the air conditioning terminal 120 (step S121). Instead of the monitoring device 80, the control device 50 may transmit the open / close command to the air conditioning terminal 120.

[0126] Next, the air conditioning terminal 120 commands the actuator 714 to open or close the tile opening 716 (step S122). Next, the actuator 714 drives the opening / closing plate 713 in response to the command, and opens or closes the tile opening 716 (step S123). This ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[0127] <Flowchart corresponding to the operation of the open button 711 and the close button 712> 19 is a flowchart showing a process for determining the airflow speed of the indoor unit 4n according to the opening degree of each tile opening 716. Here, an example of determining the airflow speed (or air volume) required for air conditioning in the indoor unit 4n will be described based on the flowchart.

[0128] First, the air conditioning terminal 120 collects the opening degree of each tile opening 716 for each room R1n and transmits the collected results to the control device 50 via the monitoring device 80 (step S131). The air conditioning terminal 120 may communicate directly with the control device 50 and transmit the collected results to the control device 50.

[0129] Next, the control device 50 transmits the opening degree of each tile opening 716 to the indoor unit 4n (step S132). The control device 50 may transmit the total amount of opening degrees to the indoor unit 4n instead of the opening degree of each tile opening 716. Next, the indoor unit 4n determines the required air speed from the opening degree of each tile opening 716 (step S133). This ends the processing based on this flowchart. After step S133, the indoor unit 4n blows out conditioned air based on the determined air speed.

[0130] <Flowchart for switching dampers 11n and 21n> 20 is a flowchart showing the process for switching the states of the dampers 11n, 21n. The process based on this flowchart is executed by the control device 50. Here, an example will be described in which the state of the damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side is switched in accordance with the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n, and the state of the damper 21n on the room R1n side is switched in accordance with the degree to which the tile opening 716 in the room R1n is opened.

[0131] First, the control device 50 switches the state of the damper 11n on the indoor unit 4n side in accordance with the operation mode of the indoor unit 4n (step S141). As a result, for example, when the indoor unit 41 operates in heating mode, the upper path 311 of the two paths 311, 312 of the duct 31 communicates with the indoor unit 41. When the indoor unit 41 operates in cooling mode, the lower path 312 of the two paths 311, 312 of the duct 31 communicates with the indoor unit 41.

[0132] Next, the control device 50 checks the state of the tile opening 716 of each room R1n (step S142). Next, the control device 50 determines whether there is a room R1n in which at least one tile opening 716 is open (step S143). A room R1n in which none of the tile openings 716 are open can be determined to be unused. In contrast, a room in which at least one tile opening 716 is open can be determined to have at least one user present in that room R1n. Therefore, if there is no room R1n in which at least one tile opening 716 is open, the control device 50 determines that there is no need to supply conditioned air to the room R1n. In this case, the control device 50 ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[0133] If the control device 50 determines that there is a room R1n with at least one open tile opening 716, it determines whether or not the room R1n is to be heated (step S144). If the room R1n is not to be heated, there is no need to supply hot air to the room R1n. Therefore, if the control device 50 determines NO in step S144, it ends the processing based on this flowchart. If the control device 50 determines YES in step S144, it opens the opening 21a on the floor side of the room R1n using the damper 21n on the side of the room R1n to be heated (step S145), and ends the processing based on this flowchart. As a result, hot air is supplied from the floor side of the room R1n where someone is present.

[0134] By executing the process based on this flowchart, if a room R1n in which someone is present is set as a heating target, warm air is automatically supplied to that room R1n. Furthermore, if no one is present in room R1n, warm air is not supplied to that room R1n, even if that room R1n is set as a heating target. Therefore, with the air conditioning system 100 capable of executing such a process, the floor-side opening 21a of room R1n can be automatically opened or closed depending on whether or not someone is present.

[0135] The advantages of this embodiment compared to conventional technology are described below. Currently, when heating an office room, a method of blowing warm air from the ceiling is the mainstream. However, this method has the problem that the upper half of the body is hot and the lower half is cold. In addition, this method concentrates heating on the space near the ceiling, where people cannot reach. This results in poor air conditioning efficiency. While it is possible to adopt hot water floor heating or electric floor heating, adopting these would increase initial construction costs and maintenance costs. According to this embodiment, because warm air is blown from the floor side, heating capacity can be used more effectively than when warm air is blown from the ceiling side. This allows for a significant reduction in the actual space to be air-conditioned. As a result, air conditioning operation can be carried out efficiently.

[0136] The user's feet can be heated, improving comfort. The opening of the air outlet can be controlled for each seat, allowing for temperature adjustment to suit individual preferences.

[0137] By providing a floor tile unit 710 for each seat, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning environment that suits the user's preference. Moreover, when the user is absent, the tile opening 716 can be closed with the opening / closing plate 713. This prevents unnecessary hot air from being supplied to an area where the user is absent. As a result, it becomes possible to operate the air conditioning efficiently according to the number of people present in the room.

[0138] By linking with an entry / exit recorder and a scheduler, etc., and automatically opening and closing the tile opening 716, energy savings can be realized and comfort can be improved.

[0139] Generally, areas directly hit by cool air become colder than other areas. This causes temperature unevenness during cooling. To eliminate temperature unevenness, it is conceivable to attach a sock duct to the cool air outlet. However, when the season comes when heating is needed, it becomes a hassle to remove the sock duct. According to the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the location of the room R1n to which warm air is supplied (opening 21a) and the location of the room R1n to which cool air is supplied (opening 21b) can be made different. Therefore, there is no need to remove the sock duct attached to the cool air outlet according to the season.

[0140] <Variation 1> Next, modifications of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for supplying warm air from the floor side of a room and cool air from the ceiling side of the room as modification 1. Fig. 21 shows an indoor unit 4n, a duct 30 arranged to face the indoor unit 4n, and a room R10. The duct 30 is configured to branch into paths 301 and 302 from a position facing the indoor unit 4n. The path 301 is connected to an opening 21a on the floor side of the room R10. The path 302 is connected to an opening 21b on the ceiling side of the room R10.

[0141] Of the upper and lower frames shown in Fig. 21, the upper frame shows a state in which the damper 110 connects the indoor unit 4n to the path 301 and blocks the indoor unit 4n from connecting to the path 302. In this case, by operating the indoor unit 4n in heating mode, it is possible to supply warm air from the floor side to room R10.

[0142] Of the upper and lower frames shown in Fig. 21, the lower frame shows a state in which the damper 110 connects the indoor unit 4n to the path 302 and blocks the indoor unit 4n from connecting to the path 301. In this case, by operating the indoor unit 4n in cooling mode, cool air can be supplied to room R10 from the ceiling side. In Fig. 21, the room-side damper 21n is not shown. The damper 21n may or may not be provided on the room side.

[0143] In Modification 1, path 301 is an example of a first path that guides conditioned air blown out from indoor unit 4n (first indoor unit) to the floor side of room R10 (first air-conditioned space). Path 302 is an example of a second path that guides conditioned air blown out from indoor unit 4n (first indoor unit) to the ceiling side of room R10 (first air-conditioned space).

[0144] <Variation 2> Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of Modification 2 in which warm air is supplied from the floor side of a room and cool air is supplied from the ceiling side of the room. Fig. 22 shows indoor unit 4n, a duct 30 arranged to face indoor unit 4n, and rooms R10 and R15. Duct 30 is configured to branch into paths 301 and 302 at a position facing indoor unit 4n. Path 301 is connected to opening 21a on the floor side of room R10. Path 302 is connected to opening 21b on the ceiling side of room R15.

[0145] Of the upper and lower frames shown in Fig. 22, the upper frame shows a state in which the damper 110 connects the indoor unit 4n to the path 301 and blocks the indoor unit 4n from connecting to the path 302. In this case, by operating the indoor unit 4n in heating mode, it is possible to supply warm air from the floor side to room R10.

[0146] Of the upper and lower frames shown in Fig. 22, the lower frame shows a state in which the damper 110 connects the indoor unit 4n to the path 302 and blocks the indoor unit 4n from connecting to the path 301. In this case, by operating the indoor unit 4n in cooling mode, cool air can be supplied to room R15 from the ceiling side. In Fig. 22, the room-side damper 21n is not shown. The damper 21n may or may not be provided on the room side.

[0147] In Modification 2, path 301 is an example of a first path that guides conditioned air blown out from indoor unit 4n (first indoor unit) to the floor side of room R10 (first air-conditioned space). Path 302 is an example of a second path that guides conditioned air blown out from indoor unit 4n (first indoor unit) to the ceiling side of room R15 (second air-conditioned space).

[0148] <Variation 3> Fig. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which hot air operation and cold air operation are performed in parallel as Modification 3. Here, Modification 3 will be explained using as an example rooms R10 and R15 configured on upper and lower floors, a duct 30 arranged between rooms R10 and R15, and indoor units 4n arranged at both ends of the duct 30, as shown in Fig. 23.

[0149] In Modification 3, hot air is supplied from indoor unit 47 to room R10, and cold air is supplied from indoor unit 48 to room R15. Therefore, indoor unit 47 operates in heating mode, and indoor unit 48 operates in cooling mode. As a result, in Modification 3, operation in heating mode and operation in cooling mode are performed in parallel, similar to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0150] <Variation 4> Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which conditioned air is supplied from another indoor unit 4n to room R10, which has insufficient air conditioning capacity, as Modification 4. Here, Modification 4 will be explained using as an example rooms R10 and R15 configured on upper and lower floors, a duct 30 placed between rooms R10 and R15, and indoor units 47 and 48 placed at both ends of the duct 30, as shown in Figure 24.

[0151] Of the upper and lower frames shown in Fig. 24, the upper frame shows how hot air is supplied from indoor unit 47 to room R10 and cool air is supplied from indoor unit 48 to room R15. Therefore, indoor unit 47 operates in heating mode, and indoor unit 48 operates in cooling mode. Here, it is assumed that the room temperature of room R15 has reached the target temperature, while the room temperature of room R10 has not reached the target temperature.

[0152] In this case, as shown in the lower box, the control device 50 switches the operation mode of the indoor unit 48 from cooling mode to heating mode, and performs control so that the warm air blown out from the indoor units 47, 48 is supplied to room R10. To this end, the control device 50 closes path 302 of the duct 30 using the damper 110, and opens path 301 of the duct 30. As a result, the warm air blown out from the indoor units 47, 48 is supplied to room R10 via path 301. According to Modification 4, multiple indoor units 47, 48 can be used to make up for temporary shortages in air conditioning capacity.

[0153] <Variation 5> Fig. 25 is a diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement of two paths configured in a duct as Modification 5. Fig. 25 shows ducts 31 and 32 as ducts according to Modification 5. Both ducts 31 and 32 have a two-layer structure similar to the embodiments described so far. However, in Modification 5, the arrangement of the two paths that configure the two-layer structure differs from that of the embodiments described so far.

[0154] For example, in Modification 5, when focusing on duct 31, both paths 311 and 312 are arranged within duct 31 so as to face the floor side of rooms R11 and R13 on upper floors and the ceiling side of rooms R12 and R14 on lower floors. In Fig. 25, dampers 11n for switching the connection relationship between indoor units 41 and 43 and paths 311 and 312 are not shown.

[0155] This configuration allows the paths 311 and 312 to communicate with the floor-side opening of room R11, the floor-side opening of room R13, the ceiling-side opening of room R12, and the floor-side opening of room R14. In this case, dampers are provided at each communication point to open and close the opening. The paths 313 and 314 of the duct 32 are configured in the same way as the paths 311 and 312 of the duct 31.

[0156] According to the fifth modification, when air-conditioning rooms R11 to R14 using indoor units 41 to 44, it is possible to increase the number of patterns combining paths 311 to 314 with rooms R11 to R14. According to the fifth modification, as shown in FIG. 25, room R14 can be heated by supplying warm air W1 from path 313 and warm air W2 from path 311 to room R14, while room R12 can be cooled by supplying cool air C1 from path 312 to room R12. In this case, warm air W1 can be supplied by operating either indoor unit 41 or 44 in heating mode. Warm air W2 can be supplied by setting indoor unit 43 in heating mode. Furthermore, cool air C1 can be supplied by operating indoor unit 41 in cooling mode.

[0157] This type of air conditioning pattern is useful when the room temperature of room R14 cannot reach the target temperature with only hot air W1. For example, assume that only hot air W1 is supplied to room R14, and hot air W2 is supplied to rooms R11 and R13. Assume that cold air C1 is being supplied to room R12. Furthermore, assume that the room temperatures of rooms R11 and R13 have reached the target temperature, while the room temperature of room R14 has not. In this case, the air conditioning system 100 can adopt the air conditioning pattern shown in FIG. 25. As a result, cold air C1 is supplied to room R12, while hot air W2 is supplied to room R14. As a result, the heating capacity for room R14 is enhanced.

[0158] <Variation 6> Fig. 26 is a diagram showing another configuration of floor tiles as Modification 6. As shown in Fig. 26, a cutout 720 is provided on the surface of a floor tile 717a according to Modification 6. Therefore, even when a free access floor 700 is configured with floor tile units 710 having tile openings 716 and floor tiles 717a having no tile openings 716, warm air can be supplied to a room through cutout 720. According to Modification 6, warm air can be supplied through cutout 720 to people in places where floor tile units 710 are not installed.

[0159] The above embodiments will be summarized. (1) The present disclosure provides an air conditioning system (100) including a heat source unit (20), a first indoor unit (41) having a heat exchanger (40a) for exchanging heat with the heat source unit and blowing out conditioned air, a first path (311, 301) for guiding the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to a floor side of a first air-conditioning space (R11, R10), a second path (312, 302) for guiding the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to a ceiling side of either the first air-conditioning space (R10) or a second air-conditioning space (R12, R15), a first switching mechanism (111, 110) for switching a connection state between the first indoor unit, the first path, and the second path between a first connection state and a second connection state, and a control device (50), In the first connection state, the first indoor unit is connected to the first path and the first indoor unit is disconnected from the second path (Figure 4), and in the second connection state, the first indoor unit is connected to the second path and the first indoor unit is disconnected from the first path (Figure 5). The first indoor unit is configured to be able to operate in two operating modes: a heating mode (Figure 4) in which the heat exchanger operates as a condenser, and a cooling mode (Figure 5) in which the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator. The control device is configured to be able to control the first indoor unit to operate in the heating mode in the first connection state (Figure 4, steps S1 and S2), and to control the first indoor unit to operate in the cooling mode in the second connection state (Figure 5, steps S1 and S3).

[0160] (2) In the air conditioning system, the second path guides the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit toward the ceiling side of the second air-conditioning space (FIG. 2), and further includes a first adjustment mechanism (211a) that adjusts the volume of the conditioned air flowing from the first path to the first air-conditioning space, and a second adjustment mechanism (212b) that adjusts the volume of the conditioned air flowing from the second path to the second air-conditioning space.

[0161] (3) In the air conditioning system, the first path guides the conditioned air to the floor side of the first air conditioning space and the floor side of the third air conditioning space (R13) (Figure 2), the second path guides the conditioned air to the ceiling side of the second air conditioning space and the ceiling side of the fourth air conditioning space (R14) (Figure 2), and the air conditioning system further includes a third adjustment mechanism (213a) that adjusts the air volume of the conditioned air flowing from the first path to the third air conditioning space, and a fourth adjustment mechanism (214b) that adjusts the air volume of the conditioned air flowing from the second path to the fourth air conditioning space.

[0162] (4) In the air conditioning system, the second path guides the conditioned air to the ceiling side of the second air-conditioning space (Figure 2), and the control device is configured to control the first adjustment mechanism and the third adjustment mechanism to switch between a state in which the first air-conditioning space and the third air-conditioning space are both connected to the first path (Figure 6) and a state in which one of the first air-conditioning space and the third air-conditioning space is connected to the first path and the other is closed off from the first path (Figure 6), and to control the second adjustment mechanism and the fourth adjustment mechanism to switch between a state in which the second air-conditioning space and the fourth air-conditioning space are both connected to the second path (Figure 7) and a state in which one of the second air-conditioning space and the fourth air-conditioning space is connected to the second path and the other is closed off from the second path (Figure 7).

[0163] (5) The air conditioning system further includes a second indoor unit (42) having a heat exchanger (40a) for exchanging heat with a heat source unit and blowing out conditioned air, and a second switching mechanism (112) for switching a connection state between the second indoor unit and the first and second paths between a third connection state and a fourth connection state, wherein in the third connection state, the second indoor unit is connected to the first path and the second path is disconnected, and in the fourth connection state, the second indoor unit is connected to the second path and the second indoor unit is disconnected from the first path, and the control device is configured to be able to execute control (FIG. 8, steps S11 to S14) for operating the first indoor unit in heating mode in the first connection state and for operating the second indoor unit in cooling mode in the fourth connection state.

[0164] (6) In the air conditioning system, the control device conditions a plurality of air-conditioned spaces, including a first air-conditioned space and a second air-conditioned space, using conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit (step S10, FIG. 9). If an air-conditioned space that is insufficiently air-conditioned exists among the plurality of air-conditioned spaces, the control device supplies conditioned air from one of the first and second indoor units that is not supplying conditioned air to the insufficiently air-conditioned space to the insufficiently air-conditioned space (steps S11, S12, FIG. 10).

[0165] (7) An air conditioning system further comprising a third indoor unit (43) having a heat exchanger (40a) for exchanging heat with a heat source unit and blowing out conditioned air, and a third path (313) for guiding the conditioned air blown out from the third indoor unit to the floor side of the second air-conditioned space, wherein the control device operates the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit in a heating mode in the first connection state and the third connection state, and operates the third indoor unit in the heating mode in a state where the third path is in communication with the second air-conditioned space. The control device is configured to be able to execute a first control (step S10, FIG. 9) and a second control (step S12, FIG. 10) in which the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit are operated in heating mode in the second connection state and the fourth connection state, and the third indoor unit is operated in heating mode in a state in which the third path is connected to the second air-conditioned space, and the control device switches from the first control to the second control (steps S11, S12, FIG. 10) when the second air-conditioned space corresponds to an air-conditioned space that is insufficiently air-conditioned.

[0166] (8) In the air conditioning system, the first air-conditioned space and the second air-conditioned space are formed on a floor within the building (1), and the second air-conditioned space is formed on a floor lower than the floor on which the first air-conditioned space is formed (Figure 2).

[0167] (9) In the air conditioning system, the first path and the second path are arranged between the floor where the first air-conditioning space is formed and the ceiling of the second air-conditioning space (Figure 3), and the first path is located closer to the floor where the first air-conditioning space is formed than the second path (Figure 3), and the second path is located closer to the ceiling of the second air-conditioning space than the first path (Figure 3).

[0168] (10) In the air conditioning system, the first path and the second path are configured by ducts (30-33) whose interiors are separated into two layers for the first path and the second path.

[0169] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 1 building, 20 outdoor unit (heat source device), 21 compressor, 21a, 21b opening, 22 four-way valve, 23 heat exchanger, 24 expansion valve, 26a, 26b, 63a, 63b piping, 30-33 duct, 61 flow dividing mechanism, 40-48, 4n indoor unit, 40a heat exchanger, 40b expansion valve, 50 control device, 51 processor, 52 memory, 53 communication interface, 60 relay, 70 management server, 80 monitoring device, 81 processor, 82 memory, 83 communication interface, 90 in-house server, 91 processor, 92 memory, 93 communication interface, 100 air conditioning system, 110-116, 11n damper, 120 air conditioning terminal, 150 Internal LAN, 211a-215a, 211b-215b, 21n dampers, 311-316 routes, 600 sock duct, 700 free access floor, 710 floor tile unit, 717, 717a floor tile, 711 open button, 712 close button, 713 opening / closing plate, 714 actuator, 715 opening / closing sensor, 716 tile opening, 720 notch, 821, 921 database, C1 cool air, R10-R15, R1n rooms, W1, W2 warm air.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system, A heat source machine, a first indoor unit having a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the heat source unit and blows out conditioned air; a first path that guides the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to a floor side of the first air-conditioned space; a second path that guides the conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit to a ceiling side of the second air-conditioned space; a first switching mechanism that switches a connection state between the first indoor unit and the first and second paths between a first connection state and a second connection state; a first adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume of conditioned air flowing from the first path to the first air-conditioned space; a second adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume of conditioned air flowing from the second path to the second air-conditioned space; a control device; In the first connection state, the first indoor unit and the first path are connected, and the first indoor unit and the second path are disconnected, In the second connection state, the first indoor unit and the second path are connected, and the first indoor unit and the first path are disconnected. The first indoor unit is configured to be operable in a heating mode in which the heat exchanger operates as a condenser and a cooling mode in which the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator, The control device is configured to be able to execute control to operate the first indoor unit in the heating mode in the first connection state, and control to operate the first indoor unit in the cooling mode in the second connection state.

2. the first path guides the conditioned air to a floor side of the first air-conditioning space and a floor side of the third air-conditioning space; the second path guides the conditioned air to a ceiling side of the second air-conditioning space and a ceiling side of the fourth air-conditioning space, a third adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume of conditioned air flowing from the first path to the third air-conditioned space; The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fourth adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume of conditioned air flowing from the second path to the fourth air-conditioned space.

3. The control device controlling the first adjustment mechanism and the third adjustment mechanism to switch between a state in which both the first air-conditioning space and the third air-conditioning space are in communication with the first path and a state in which one of the first air-conditioning space and the third air-conditioning space is in communication with the first path and the other is closed off from the first path; 3. The air conditioning system of claim 2, wherein the second adjustment mechanism and the fourth adjustment mechanism are controlled to switch between a state in which the second air-conditioning space and the fourth air-conditioning space are both connected to the second path and a state in which one of the second air-conditioning space and the fourth air-conditioning space is connected to the second path and the other is closed off from the second path.

4. a second indoor unit having a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the heat source unit and blows out conditioned air; the second indoor unit and a second switching mechanism that switches a connection state between the first path and the second path between a third connection state and a fourth connection state; In the third connection state, the second indoor unit and the first path are connected, and the second indoor unit and the second path are blocked, In the fourth connection state, the second indoor unit and the second path are connected, and the second indoor unit and the first path are disconnected, The control device 4. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioning system is configured to be capable of executing control to operate the first indoor unit in the heating mode in the first connection state, and to operate the second indoor unit in the cooling mode in the fourth connection state.

5. the control device conditions a plurality of air-conditioned spaces including the first air-conditioned space and the second air-conditioned space using conditioned air blown out from the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit; The air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein when an air-conditioned space that is insufficient in air conditioning is present among the plurality of air-conditioned spaces, the control device supplies conditioned air from one of the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit that is not supplying conditioned air to the air-conditioned space that is insufficient in air conditioning to the air-conditioned space that is insufficient in air conditioning.

6. a third indoor unit having a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the heat source unit and blows out conditioned air; a third path that guides the conditioned air blown out from the third indoor unit to a floor side of the second air-conditioned space, The control device a first control that operates the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit in the heating mode in the first connection state and the third connection state, and operates the third indoor unit in the heating mode in a state in which the third path is in communication with the second air-conditioned space; a second control that operates the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit in the heating mode in the second connection state and the fourth connection state, and operates the third indoor unit in the heating mode in a state in which the third path is in communication with the second air-conditioned space, The air conditioning system according to claim 5 , wherein the control device switches from the first control to the second control when the second air-conditioned space corresponds to the insufficiently air-conditioned space.

7. the first air-conditioned space and the second air-conditioned space are formed on a floor within a building, The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second air-conditioned space is formed on a floor lower than a floor on which the first air-conditioned space is formed.

8. the first path and the second path are arranged between a floor on which the first air-conditioning space is formed and a ceiling of the second air-conditioning space, the first path is located closer to a floor where the first air-conditioned space is formed than the second path; The air conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the second path is located closer to a ceiling of the second air-conditioned space than the first path.

9. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first path and the second path are configured by a duct whose interior is separated into two layers, the first path and the second path.

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