Air conditioning control system

Abstract

To provide a control system for an air conditioner capable of performing power saving operation of the air conditioner without causing discomfort in relation to the exit time of the last person leaving. The system includes a plurality of air conditioners 4 for conditioning an air-conditioned space, an air conditioning controller 10 for controlling the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4, indoor and outdoor temperature detection means 24, 28 for detecting indoor and outdoor temperatures, and indoor and outdoor humidity detection means 26, 30 for detecting indoor and outdoor humidity. The air conditioning controller 10 includes discomfort index calculation means 14 for calculating an outdoor discomfort index based on the outdoor temperature and outdoor humidity and an indoor discomfort index based on the indoor temperature and indoor humidity, discomfort index difference calculation means 16 for calculating the discomfort index difference between the outdoor discomfort index and the indoor discomfort index, and stop time calculation means 22 for calculating the operation stop times of the plurality of air conditioners 4 based on this discomfort index difference.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner control system that controls an air conditioner so as to reduce power consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to suppress peaks in power usage, electricity contracts between power supply companies and large-scale power consumers (e.g., factories, commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, etc.) have come to determine the basic electricity usage charge based on demand power (also called "maximum demand power"). This maximum demand power is calculated by measuring the average power usage (also called "demand power") for each demand power measurement period (currently 30 minutes), and the maximum average power usage over the entire demand power measurement period (currently one year). The basic electricity usage charge for one year is determined based on this demand power (the maximum value of the average power usage over the demand power measurement period). For this reason, large-scale consumers are making efforts to keep their demand power (maximum demand power) low in order to keep their electricity bills low.

[0003] Generally, in Japan, which has four seasons, maximum demand for electricity occurs in summer or winter. This is because air conditioning equipment (air conditioners, heating and cooling equipment, etc.) is used during these seasons, and the simultaneous operation of these air conditioning equipment results in extremely large power consumption, which tends to increase demand for electricity.

[0004] For this reason, a demand power monitoring device has been proposed to monitor the maximum demand power so that it falls within the target demand power, and a demand control system equipped with this demand power monitoring device has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This demand control system is equipped with a demand power monitoring device that measures and monitors the power supplied to power loads (fixed power loads and adjustable power loads), and this demand power monitoring device forcibly stops the operation of the adjustable power loads when power consumption during the demand power measurement period is about to exceed the target demand power, thereby controlling the power so that it does not exceed the target demand power.

[0005] The demand power monitoring device also includes a power consumption calculation means for calculating power consumption based on a power amount pulse signal generated according to the amount of power supplied to the power loads (fixed power loads and adjustable power loads), a power comparison means for comparing the partial demand power (partial power consumption) of a partial measurement period into which the demand power measurement period (currently 30 minutes) is divided with the partial target demand power corresponding to that partial measurement period, and an operation control means for controlling the operation of the adjustable power loads.When the partial demand power of a partial measurement period exceeds the partial target demand power corresponding to the partial measurement period, the operation control means stops the operation of the adjustable power loads (all or part of it) for a predetermined continuous period of time, and by controlling the adjustable power loads in this manner, the power consumption of the fixed power loads and adjustable power loads is kept from exceeding the target demand power.

[0006] Such demand power monitoring devices aim to monitor the maximum demand power so that it falls within the target demand power, and therefore can reduce the power consumption of air conditioners in summer or winter when power consumption is high, thereby achieving power saving effects, but cannot be expected to achieve much power saving effect in spring or autumn when power consumption is low.

[0007] Therefore, a demand control system has been proposed that can achieve power saving effects even in seasons when power consumption is low (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this demand control system, initial mode operation is performed during the initial period of a demand power measurement period, and the power consumption during this initial period is compared with a reference power consumption that serves as a criterion for selecting an operation mode. If the power consumption during this initial period is greater than the reference power consumption, the demand mode is set as there is a risk that the power consumption of the air conditioner throughout the demand power measurement period will exceed the target demand power. In this demand mode operation, operation is controlled so that the power consumption of the air conditioner does not exceed the target demand power, thereby performing power-saving operation of the air conditioner.

[0008] If the power consumption during this initial period is smaller than the reference power consumption, it is determined that the power consumption of the air conditioner throughout the demand power measurement period is unlikely to exceed the target demand power, and the energy-saving mode is set. In this energy-saving mode, the air conditioner is controlled to reduce power consumption regardless of the target demand power, thereby achieving energy-saving operation of the air conditioner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4137632 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6849894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, even with such demand control systems, there is a problem in that sufficient power saving effects cannot be achieved when controlling the air conditioning in air-conditioned spaces in large supermarkets, large commercial facilities, large hospitals, and large buildings (for example, city halls, various universities, various schools, etc.).For example, in air-conditioned spaces (for example, grocery sections) in large supermarkets and the like, employees, shoppers, and other people are in this air-conditioned space to do work or shop when products are stocked on the shelves before the store opens, and during store hours and after closing, but there is no one in this air-conditioned space from the time when products are stocked on the shelves after closing (for example, 10 p.m.) until the time when products are stocked on the shelves before opening the next day (for example, 8 a.m.), and if the air conditioner were to operate during this time, power would be wasted.

[0011] Furthermore, in air-conditioned spaces (such as workspaces and work spaces) in places like city halls, employees and people seeking advice are there to work or give advice during working hours (for example, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM), but outside of these working hours, there is no one in the air-conditioned space, and if the air-conditioning equipment were to operate during this time, it would result in unnecessary consumption of electricity.

[0012] For this reason, conventionally, the last person to leave the air-conditioned space would turn off the air conditioner and stop its operation, and the first person to enter the air-conditioned space would turn it on and start it again. However, even if the last person to leave turns off the air conditioner, the air conditioner remains conditioned for a while even though there is no one in the air-conditioned space, which means that the air conditioner is running unnecessarily. Furthermore, even if the first person to enter starts the air conditioner, the air conditioner does not remain conditioned for a short while even though there is someone in the air-conditioned space, which makes the occupants feel uncomfortable.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner control system that can perform power-saving operation of the air conditioner without causing physical discomfort in relation to the exit time of the last person to leave.

[0014] Also, The present reference invention An object of the present invention is to provide a control system for an air conditioner that can perform power-saving operation of the air conditioner without causing physical discomfort in relation to the entry time of the first person entering the room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The air conditioning control system of the present invention includes an air conditioning device for conditioning an air-conditioned space, and an air conditioning controller for controlling the operation of the air conditioning device, The air conditioning controller includes: a discomfort index difference calculation means for calculating a discomfort index difference between an outdoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of an outdoor space and an indoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of the air-conditioned space; Discomfort index difference calculation means Based on the discomfort index difference calculated by a pre-stop time calculation means for calculating a pre-stop time until the time when discomfort is felt; a stop time calculation means for calculating a time when the air conditioner is to be stopped; Including, The pre-stop time calculation means calculates the pre-stop time based on the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means, and the stop time calculation means calculates the operation stop time based on the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means. It is characterized by:

[0016] In such an air conditioning control system, it is preferable that the air conditioning controller calculates the time before shutdown until the time when discomfort will be felt based on the discomfort index difference, and calculates the operation shutdown time based on this time before shutdown.By controlling in this way, it is possible to keep the user from feeling uncomfortable during the time before shutdown by utilizing the residual heat of the conditioned air (cold air when cooling, warm air when heating) in the air-conditioned space.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable to correct this pre-stop time based on the outdoor discomfort index or the outdoor temperature, and by making such correction, the pre-stop time can be adjusted in accordance with the outdoor discomfort index or the outdoor temperature. Furthermore, since the operation stop time is calculated based on the corrected pre-stop time corrected based on the exit time when people leave the air-conditioned space, even if the operation of the air conditioner is stopped at the operation stop time before the exit time, the air-conditioned space can be maintained in a state that is not physically uncomfortable until the exit time, and as a result, energy can be effectively saved while maintaining the air-conditioned space in a comfortable environmental state.

[0018] For example, in summer air conditioning control (cooling air conditioning control), the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) is higher than the indoor discomfort index (indoor temperature). In such a case, the higher the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature), the more likely the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space will rise, so the pre-stop time can be corrected to be shorter, and when the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) becomes lower, the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space becomes less likely to rise, so the pre-stop time can be corrected to be longer.

[0019] Furthermore, for example, in winter air conditioning control (heating and air conditioning control), the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) is lower than the indoor discomfort index (indoor temperature). In such a case, the lower the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature), the easier it is for the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space to decrease, so the pre-stop time can be corrected to be shorter, and when the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) becomes higher, the more difficult it is for the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space to decrease, so the pre-stop time can be corrected to be longer.

[0020] In such an air conditioning device control system, an operation stop signal is generated when the operation stop time is reached, and the operation of multiple air conditioning devices is stopped based on this operation stop signal.Therefore, even if the operation of multiple air conditioning devices is stopped before the exit time, the air-conditioned space can be kept comfortable until the exit time, and effective power saving can be achieved while maintaining a comfortable environment.

[0021] In such air conditioning control, the outdoor discomfort index for the outdoor space can be a discomfort index calculated based on the detected outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection means and the detected outdoor humidity detected by the outdoor humidity detection means, and the indoor discomfort index for the air-conditioned space can be a discomfort index calculated based on the detected indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detection means and the detected indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity detection means, or a set discomfort index that is set when air-conditioning the air-conditioned space.

[0022] Also, The present reference inventionThe air conditioning device control system includes an air conditioning device for conditioning an air-conditioned space, and an air conditioning controller for controlling the operation of the air conditioning device, The air conditioning controller is characterized by including a discomfort index difference calculation means for calculating a discomfort index difference between an outdoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of the outdoor space and a set discomfort index that is set when controlling the air conditioning of the air-conditioned space, and an operation time calculation means for calculating an operation start time of the air conditioning device based on the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means.

[0023] In such an air conditioner control system, it is preferable that the air conditioning controller calculates the pre-operation time until the time when the user will not feel uncomfortable based on the discomfort index difference, and calculates the operation start time based on this pre-operation time.By controlling in this manner, the air conditioner can be operated at the operation start time and the air-conditioned space can be kept in a state where it will not feel uncomfortable during the pre-operation time.

[0024] It is also preferable to correct this pre-activation time based on the outdoor discomfort index or the outdoor temperature, and by making such a correction, the pre-activation time can be adjusted in accordance with the outdoor discomfort index or the outdoor temperature. Furthermore, since the activation start time is calculated based on the corrected pre-activation time corrected based on the entry time when a person enters the air-conditioned space, by operating the air conditioner when the activation start time arrives, it is possible to maintain the air-conditioned space in a state that does not cause discomfort to the human body until the entry time, thereby enabling a comfortable space to be created while saving energy.

[0025] For example, in summer air conditioning control (cooling air conditioning control), the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) is higher than the indoor discomfort index (indoor temperature). In such a case, the higher the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature), the more difficult it is for the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space to decrease, so the pre-activation time can be corrected to be longer, and when the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) decreases, the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space becomes more likely to decrease, so the pre-activation time can be corrected to be shorter.

[0026] Also, for example, in winter air conditioning control (heating and air conditioning control), the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature) is lower than the indoor discomfort index (indoor temperature). In such a case, the lower the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature), the less likely the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space will rise, so the pre-activation time can be corrected to be longer, and the higher the outdoor discomfort index (or outdoor temperature), the more likely the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space will rise, so the pre-stop time can be corrected to be shorter.

[0027] In such an air conditioner control system, an operation start signal is generated when the operation start time is reached, and operation of multiple air conditioners is resumed based on this operation start signal.Therefore, operation of multiple air conditioners can be started before the entry time, and the air-conditioned space can be kept comfortable before the entry time, thereby maintaining a comfortable air-conditioned space while achieving effective power savings.

[0028] In such control, the outdoor discomfort index for the outdoor space can be calculated based on the detected outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection means and the detected outdoor humidity detected by the outdoor humidity detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the air conditioner control system of the present invention, the discomfort index difference calculation means calculates a discomfort index difference between an outdoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of the outdoor space and an indoor discomfort index indicating an indoor discomfort index of the air-conditioned space, The pre-stop time calculation means calculates the pre-stop time until the time when discomfort is felt based on the discomfort index difference, and the stop time calculation means calculates the operation stop time based on the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means. Even if the operation of the air conditioner is stopped at this operation stop time, the air-conditioned space can be kept in a state where it is not physically uncomfortable for a predetermined time, thereby achieving effective power saving while keeping the air-conditioned space in a state where it is not uncomfortable.

[0030] Also, The present reference inventionAccording to the air conditioning device control system, the discomfort index difference calculation means calculates the discomfort index difference between the outdoor discomfort index, which indicates the discomfort index of the outdoor space, and the set discomfort index that is set when controlling the air conditioning, and the operation time calculation means calculates the operation start time of the air conditioning device based on this discomfort index difference.By starting operation of the air conditioning device at this operation start time, it is possible to maintain the air-conditioned space in a state that does not cause discomfort to the human body after a predetermined time has passed, thereby enabling effective power savings while maintaining a comfortable air-conditioned space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an air conditioner control system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified control system of the control system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the daily change in the indoor discomfort index of an air-conditioned space in summer. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining correction of a pre-stop time. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of stopping the operation of the air conditioner by the control system of FIG. 2; [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of restarting the operation of the air conditioner by the control system of FIG. 2; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the daily change in the indoor discomfort index of an air-conditioned space in winter. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the change in the indoor discomfort index throughout the day when priority is given to saving electricity during business hours in the summer. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the change in the indoor discomfort index throughout the day when priority is given to saving electricity during business hours in winter. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of an air conditioner throughout the year. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] An embodiment of an air conditioner control system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the air conditioner control system will be described as being applied to air conditioning control in, for example, a food section (also referred to as an "air-conditioned space") of a medium- to large-scale supermarket, but the system can also be applied to air conditioning control in floors (air-conditioned spaces) of medium- to large-scale commercial facilities, medium- to large-scale hospitals, medium- to large-scale buildings (for example, city halls, company buildings, various universities, various schools, etc.).

[0033] In Fig. 1, a plurality of air conditioners 4 (for example, three in this example) are installed on one side wall of an air-conditioned space 2, which may be, for example, the food section of a large supermarket, for air-conditioning (cooling and / or heating) the air-conditioned space 2, and a plurality of freezer display devices 6 (for example, three in this example) for freezing or refrigerating food items for display are also installed. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of air conditioners 4 are arranged on one side of the air-conditioned space 2 (the upper side in Fig. 1), but they can be installed in any suitable location in the air-conditioned space 2. Furthermore, the plurality of freezer display devices 6 are arranged on the other side of the air-conditioned space 2 (the lower side in Fig. 1), but they can be installed in any suitable location in the air-conditioned space 2.

[0034] 2 together with Fig. 1, the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4 and the plurality of freezer display units 6 is controlled by a system control device 8. In this embodiment, the system control device 8 includes an air conditioning controller 10 and a refrigerator controller 12, and the air conditioning controller 10 controls the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4 as described below, and the refrigerator controller 12 controls the operation of the plurality of freezer display units 6 as required. In this embodiment, the air conditioners 4 are controlled by a dedicated air conditioning controller 10, and the freezer display units 6 are controlled by a dedicated refrigerator controller 12, but the air conditioners 4 and the freezer display units 6 can also be controlled by a single common controller (not shown).

[0035] This air conditioning control system saves power in relation to the time of leaving the air-conditioned space 2 so that it is not physically uncomfortable, and in addition, saves power in relation to the time of entering the air-conditioned space 2 so that it is not physically uncomfortable. Returning to Figures 2 and 3 for further explanation, this air conditioning controller 10 includes discomfort index calculation means 14, discomfort index difference calculation means 16, time before stop calculation means 18, time before stop correction means 20, and stop time calculation means 22 in order to set the operation stop time described below. In this embodiment, the air-conditioned space 2 (e.g., a grocery store) is provided with indoor temperature detection means 24 that detects the temperature within the air-conditioned space 2 and indoor humidity detection means 26 that detects the humidity therein, and detection signals from the indoor temperature detection means 24 and indoor humidity detection means 26 are sent to the air-conditioning controller 10. In addition, outside the air-conditioned space 2 (i.e., outdoors), an outdoor temperature detection means 28 for detecting the temperature of this outdoor space and an outdoor humidity detection means 30 for detecting the humidity thereof are provided, and detection signals from the outdoor temperature detection means 28 and the outdoor humidity detection means 30 are also sent to the air-conditioning controller 10.

[0036] The air conditioning controller 10 processes these detection signals as follows to calculate the operation stop times for stopping the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4. The discomfort index calculation means 14 calculates an indoor discomfort index based on the temperature detected by the indoor temperature detection means 24 and the humidity detected by the indoor humidity detection means 26, and also calculates an outdoor discomfort index based on the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection means 28 and the humidity detected by the outdoor humidity detection means 30. This discomfort index (DI) is calculated, for example, from the following formula (1): DI=0.81T+0.01H×(0.99T-14.3)+46.3···(1) H: Temperature (℃) H: Humidity (%) This formula (1) is registered in advance in the memory means 32 as discomfort index formula data. It is also possible to calculate the discomfort index by using a discomfort index map that shows the relationship between the temperature (°C) and humidity (%) and the discomfort index, without using such formula (1). In this case, the discomfort index map is registered in advance in the memory means 32.

[0037] Here, the relationship between the discomfort index (DI) and the physical sensation will be briefly explained. Generally, physically, people feel that when DI < 55: "cold", 55 < DI < 60: "chilly", 60 < DI < 65: "no feeling", 65 < DI < 70: "comfortable", 70 < DI < 75: "not hot", 75 < DI < 80: "a bit hot", 80 < DI < 85: "hot and sweating", 85 < DI: "extremely hot and unbearable".

[0038] Then, the discomfort index difference calculating means 16 calculates the discomfort index difference from the calculated indoor discomfort index and outdoor discomfort index, and the pre-stop time calculating means 18 calculates the pre-stop time from such discomfort index difference. FIG. 3 shows the daily change state of the discomfort index in the air-conditioned space 2 in summer. Referring to this FIG. 3, the pre-stop time will be described. The daily time schedule of this air-conditioned space 2 (for example, a food sales area) is, for example, the store opens at 8:00, people (such as employees) enter and the goods are displayed before business, the store opens at 10:00 and business (goods sales) is conducted for customers, closes at 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) and the business ends, the goods are displayed after the business, and the display after the business ends at 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) and people leave the air-conditioned space 2 and the store is closed. In such a time schedule, the time from 8:00 to 10:00 is the morning display time zone, the time from 10:00 to 20:00 is the business time zone, and the time from 20:00 to 22:00 is the night display time zone.

[0039] For example, if people have not left the air-conditioned space 2 at 22:00 (10:00 p.m.), and the operation (cooling operation in summer) of the air conditioner 2 is stopped at this 22:00, then for a certain period of time after people leave, the air-conditioned space 2 is maintained in an air-conditioned (cooled) state (the so-called comfortable state), and this air-conditioned state is being air-conditioned uselessly, and it cannot be said that sufficient power saving is being achieved.

[0040] To obtain sufficient energy saving effects while maintaining an air conditioning state that is not physically uncomfortable, it is sufficient to have an air conditioning state that is not physically uncomfortable when people leave the building (in this case, 10 p.m.), for example, a discomfort index value of about 75. To achieve such an air conditioning state, the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is stopped before the time when people leave the building, for example, 10 p.m., and after the operation is stopped, the residual heat (in this case, cold air) stored in the air-conditioned space 2 can be used to maintain an air conditioning state that is not physically uncomfortable.

[0041] For example, if 10 p.m. is the time when everyone leaves, stopping the operation of multiple air conditioners 4 at, say, time t2 before this time will ensure that the time period when people are present is maintained in a state that is not physically uncomfortable (i.e., not physically hot). For example, if the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space 2 at this operation stop time t2 is approximately 68 (a discomfort index set when controlling the air conditioning, which is a state that is physically comfortable), stopping the operation of the air conditioners 4 will transfer heat from the outside air to the air-conditioned space 2, causing the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space 2 to rise as shown in FIG. 3. Then, at the time of departure (e.g., 10 p.m.), the discomfort index will rise to approximately 75 (a state that is not physically hot), but the space will remain comfortably comfortable until this time. Since no one will be present after this time, there will be no problem even if the discomfort index exceeds 75.

[0042] For this reason, in this embodiment, the operation of the air conditioners 4 is controlled to stop at time t2 before 10 p.m. By controlling in this manner, the time between the time when the operation of the air conditioners 4 would conventionally have been stopped (in this case, the time when the room is left at 10 p.m.) and the time before that, t2 (the time when the operation of the air conditioners 4 actually stops in this embodiment), is described throughout this specification as the "pre-stop time," and effective power saving is achieved by stopping the operation of multiple air conditioners 4 from this pre-stop time.

[0043] Explaining this pre-shutdown time with reference to Figure 4, during air conditioning control by multiple air conditioners 4, the indoor discomfort index is kept almost constant by these air conditioners 4 (that is, the set discomfort index is maintained at a value of, for example, about 68), and therefore a large difference in discomfort index between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is high and the air-conditioned space 2 is susceptible to the influence of this outdoor space. At this time, as shown by the dashed-dotted line B in Figure 4, the rate at which the indoor discomfort index rises due to the outdoor temperature and / or humidity increases. Therefore, the state of change in the discomfort index in the air-conditioned space 2 at this time changes from the state shown by the solid line A in Figure 4 to the state shown by the dashed-dotted line B, the pre-shutdown time becomes shorter, and the operation of the air conditioners 4 is stopped at time t22, for example.

[0044] Furthermore, a small difference in discomfort index between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is not high, and in this case, the rate of increase in the indoor discomfort index due to the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is small, as shown by the two-dot chain line C in Fig. 4. Therefore, the state of change in the discomfort index in the air-conditioned space 2 at this time changes from the state shown by the solid line A to the state shown by the two-dot chain line C in Fig. 4, the time before shutdown becomes longer, and operation of the air conditioner 4 is stopped at time t21, for example.

[0045] The relationship between the discomfort index difference and the pre-stop time is registered in advance in the memory means 32 as, for example, a pre-stop time map, and the pre-stop time calculation means 18 calculates the pre-stop time using this pre-stop time map. In this embodiment, the pre-stop time correction means 20 corrects the pre-stop time as follows. As described above, a large value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is high, and in this case, the rate of increase of the indoor discomfort index is large. Therefore, it is preferable to correct the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means 18 so that it is shorter. On the other hand, a small value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and humidity are not high, and in this case, the rate of increase of the indoor discomfort index is small. Therefore, it is preferable to correct the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means 18 so that it is longer. Note that the correction by the pre-stop time correction means 20 may be made based on the detected outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection means 28 instead of the outdoor discomfort index.

[0046] In this embodiment, the stop time calculation means 22 calculates the operation stop time based on the corrected pre-stop time corrected by the pre-stop time correction means 20, with the exit time when people leave the air-conditioned space 2 as the reference. In this example, since all people leave the air-conditioned space 2 at 10 p.m., even if the operation of the air conditioner 4 is stopped the corrected pre-stop time before this exit time (10 p.m.), people will not feel hot, and will not feel slightly hot during cooling operation in the summer. Therefore, the stop time calculation means 22 calculates the time before 10 p.m. by the corrected pre-stop time as the operation stop time, and this operation stop time is registered in the memory means 32.

[0047] In this embodiment, the operation stop time is calculated based on the corrected pre-stop time corrected by the pre-stop time correction means 20, but this configuration is not limited to this, and the operation stop time may be calculated based on the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means 18, in which case the pre-stop time correction means 20 can be omitted.

[0048] In this embodiment, the air conditioning controller 10 further includes a stop signal generating means 34, an air conditioning control means 36, and a timing means 38. The stop signal generating means 34 generates an operation stop signal as described below, and the air conditioning control means 36 controls the operation of multiple air conditioners 4, for example, stopping the operation of these air conditioners 4 based on the operation stop signal. The timing means 38 also measures time, for example, measuring the operation stop time when the operation of the air conditioners 4 is to be stopped.

[0049] Furthermore, the freezer controller 12 is equipped with freezer control means 40, which controls the internal temperature of the corresponding freezer display device 6 to be maintained at a set temperature based on the temperature detected by internal temperature detection means 42 equipped in each freezer display device 6. Also, an input means 44 (for example, consisting of an input operation device) is provided in association with this system control device 8, and by operating this input means 44, values ​​such as the discomfort index value (for example, 68) at which the air-conditioned space 2 feels physically "comfortable," the discomfort index value (for example, 75) at which the air-conditioned space 2 feels physically "not hot," the time of entry into the air-conditioned space 2 (for example, 8:00), and the time of exit from the air-conditioned space 2 (for example, 22:00) are input, and the various input values ​​are registered and set in the memory means 32, and control is carried out based on these set values ​​as described below.

[0050] Next, referring mainly to Figure 5 as well as Figures 2 and 3, a description will be given of the control of stopping the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4. It is determined whether the time has come to start preparations for stopping the multiple air conditioners 4 (step S1), and in this embodiment, when it is, for example, five hours (17:00) before the room leaving time (22:00), the process proceeds to step S2 and preparations for stopping the air conditioners 4 begin.

[0051] Proceeding to step S2, the indoor temperature detection means 24 detects the indoor temperature, and the indoor humidity detection means 26 detects the indoor humidity, and the discomfort index calculation means 14 of the air conditioning controller 10 calculates the indoor discomfort index based on the detected indoor temperature and detected indoor humidity (step S3). Next, the outdoor temperature detection means 28 detects the outdoor temperature, and the outdoor humidity detection means 30 detects the outdoor humidity (step S4), and the discomfort index calculation means 14 calculates the outdoor discomfort index based on the detected outdoor temperature and detected outdoor humidity (step S5).

[0052] Next, the discomfort index difference calculation means 16 calculates the discomfort index difference from the calculated indoor discomfort index and outdoor discomfort index (step S6). Based on this discomfort index difference, the time before stop calculation means 18 calculates the time before stop as described above (step S7). The time before stop correction means 20 corrects this time before stop as described above based on the outdoor discomfort index (calculated by the discomfort index calculation means 16 using the detected outdoor temperature and the detected outdoor humidity) (step S8).

[0053] When the corrected pre-stop time before the exit time (10 p.m.) is calculated in this manner, the stop time calculation means 22 calculates the operation stop time based on the corrected pre-stop time using this exit time as the reference (step S9), and this calculated operation stop time is registered in the memory means 32 as the time when the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 will stop.

[0054] Then, when the timing means 38 times the operation stop time (for example, time t2), the stop signal generating means 34 generates an operation stop signal, and the air conditioning control means 36 stops the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 based on this operation stop signal.From this operation stop time (t2) to the exit time (10 p.m.), the residual heat (cold air) in the air-conditioned space 2 keeps the discomfort index value within a range not exceeding "75", thereby maintaining a state that feels "not hot" to the human body while saving power on the air conditioners 4.

[0055] In order to set the operation start time described below, the air conditioning controller 10 includes a pre-operation time calculation means 52, a pre-operation time correction means 54, an operation time calculation means 56, and an operation signal generation means 58, in addition to a discomfort index calculation means 14 and a discomfort index difference calculation means 16. The discomfort index calculation means 14 calculates the outdoor discomfort index based on the detected outdoor temperature and the detected outdoor humidity as described above, and the discomfort index difference calculation means 16 calculates the discomfort index difference between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index using a set discomfort index as the indoor discomfort index, as described below.

[0056] Then, the pre-activation time calculation means 52 calculates the pre-activation time based on this discomfort index difference as described below. With reference to Fig. 3, for example, if a person enters the air-conditioned space 2 at 8 o'clock, if the operation of the air conditioner 2 (cooling operation in summer) is started at 8 o'clock at the time of entry, the air-conditioned space 2 will not be air-conditioned (cooled) when the person enters, and the person will feel, for example, that it is "slightly hot" or "so hot that it makes you sweat." For example, a person (employee) who enters the room to display products in the morning will have to carry out display work in an environment that feels slightly hot or hot enough to make them sweat, and work efficiency will decrease due to the heat.

[0057] When trying to save energy while performing tasks such as arranging merchandise in comfortable air-conditioned conditions, it is sufficient to have an air-conditioned state that is comfortable at the time people enter the room (in this case, 8 o'clock) (an air-conditioned state that does not feel "hot" to the naked eye), for example, with a discomfort index value of around 75. To achieve such air-conditioned conditions, it is sufficient to restart operation of multiple air-conditioning devices 4 before the time people enter the room, for example, 8 o'clock, so that the air-conditioned state is comfortable at the time people enter the room.

[0058] For this reason, in this embodiment, operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is resumed at time t1 before 8:00, and the time between the time when operation of the air conditioners 4 would have been resumed in the past (in this case, the time of entry at 8:00) and time t1 (the time when operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 actually begins in this embodiment) is described throughout this specification as the "pre-operation time," and operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is initiated from this pre-operation time, thereby enabling to maintain a comfortable working environment while saving energy.

[0059] To explain this pre-activation time further, when calculating this pre-activation time, the set discomfort index (in this embodiment, the discomfort number value: 68) that is set when controlling the air-conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2 is used as the indoor discomfort index, and this indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index (the outdoor discomfort index calculated by the discomfort index calculation means 4) are used.

[0060] A large difference in discomfort index between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is high and the air-conditioned space 2 is easily affected by this outdoor space.In this case, the rate at which the indoor discomfort index decreases due to the outdoor temperature and / or humidity becomes smaller, and the pre-activation time is calculated to be longer.

[0061] Furthermore, if the difference between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index is small, it means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is not high. In this case, the rate at which the indoor discomfort index decreases due to the outdoor temperature and / or humidity increases, and the pre-activation time is calculated to be short.

[0062] The relationship between the discomfort index difference and the pre-activation time is registered in advance in the memory means 32 as, for example, a pre-activation time map, and the pre-activation time calculation means 52 calculates the pre-activation time using the pre-activation time map. Note that the memory means 32 also registers the entry time of a person entering the room.

[0063] In this embodiment, the pre-activation time correction means 54 corrects this pre-activation time as follows: A large value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor space is hot and / or humid, and in this case the rate of decrease in the indoor discomfort index is small, so it is preferable to correct the pre-activation time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52 to be longer, and a small value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor space is not hot or humid, and in this case the rate of decrease in the indoor discomfort index is large, so it is preferable to correct the pre-activation time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52 to be shorter. Note that this correction by the pre-activation time correction means 54 may also be based on the detected outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection means 28 instead of the outdoor discomfort index.

[0064] In this embodiment, the operation time calculation means 56 calculates the operation start time based on the corrected pre-operation time corrected by the pre-operation time correction means 54, with the entry time at which a person enters the air-conditioned space 2 as the reference. In this example, since a person enters the air-conditioned space 2 at 8:00, the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is started the corrected pre-operation time before this entry time (8:00), and by controlling in this way, a person will not feel hot when they enter the room (in other words, they will not feel that it is slightly hot during cooling operation in the summer).

[0065] For this reason, the operation time calculation means 56 calculates a time earlier than 8:00 by the corrected pre-operation time as the operation start time, and this operation start time is registered in the memory means 32. Furthermore, when the timing means 38 times the operation start time, the operation signal generation means 58 generates an operation start signal, and the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is started based on this operation start signal.

[0066] In this embodiment, the activation start time is calculated based on the corrected pre-activation time corrected by the pre-activation time correction means 54, but this configuration is not limited to this, and the activation start time may be calculated based on the pre-activation time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52, in which case the pre-activation time correction means 54 can be omitted.

[0067] Next, referring mainly to Figure 6 as well as Figures 2 and 3, a description will be given of the control of the start of operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4. It is determined whether the time has come to start preparations for restarting the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4 (step S21), and in this embodiment, when it is, for example, two hours (6:00) before the entry time (8:00), the process proceeds to step S22 and preparations for start of operation begin.

[0068] When the process proceeds to step S22, the outdoor temperature detection means 28 detects the outdoor temperature, and the outdoor humidity detection means 30 detects the outdoor humidity (step S22), and the discomfort index calculation means 14 calculates the outdoor discomfort index based on the detected outdoor temperature and the detected outdoor humidity (step S23).

[0069] Then, the discomfort index difference calculation means 16 reads out the set discomfort index that has been set from the memory means 32 (step S24), and calculates the discomfort index difference between the read set discomfort index and the calculated outdoor discomfort index (step S25).Based on this discomfort index difference, the pre-activation time calculation means 52 calculates the pre-activation time (step S26), and the pre-activation time correction means 54 corrects this pre-activation time based on the outdoor discomfort index as described above (step S27).

[0070] Once the corrected pre-stop time is calculated in this manner, the operation time calculation means 56 calculates the operation start time based on the corrected pre-operation time, using the entry time (8:00) as the reference time (step S28), and this calculated operation start time is registered in the memory means 32 as the time when the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 will begin.

[0071] Then, when the timing means 38 times the operation start time (for example, time t1), the operation signal generating means 58 generates an operation start signal, and the air conditioning control means 36 operates the multiple air conditioners 4 based on this operation start signal, so that the air-conditioned space 2 is conditioned from this operation start time (t1) until the entry time (8:00). When the air is conditioned in this way and it is time to enter the room, the discomfort index value drops to, for example, about 75, and the room feels "not hot," and morning product display work can be carried out in this environmental condition, resulting in a work environment that is easy to work in while saving electricity.

[0072] The above explanation with reference to Figure 3 is about air conditioning control (cooling control) by multiple air conditioners 4 in the summer, but air conditioning control (heating control) by multiple air conditioners 4 in the winter is as shown in Figure 7. In this case, the air-conditioned space 2 is heated and kept warm by the multiple air conditioners 4, while the outside is cold, and in such an environmental state, the indoor discomfort index value at the time of leaving the room (10 p.m.) is set to about 60, maintaining an environmental state in which one feels "nothing" physically.

[0073] Specifically, the pre-shutdown time calculation means 18 calculates the pre-shutdown time from the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means 16, as described above, and can perform calculations using, for example, a pre-shutdown time map registered in the memory means 32. Since the air-conditioned space 2 is heated by the multiple air conditioners 4 and the indoor discomfort index is kept substantially constant (for example, a discomfort index of about 68), a large difference between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is low and easily affected, and in this case the indoor discomfort index decreases at a large rate. Therefore, at this time the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space 2 changes rapidly and the pre-shutdown time is shortened. On the other hand, a small difference between the indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is not low, and in this case the indoor discomfort index decreases at a small rate. Therefore, at this time the discomfort index of the air-conditioned space 2 changes gradually, and the pre-shutdown time can be lengthened.

[0074] Furthermore, the pre-stop time correction means 20 corrects the calculated pre-stop time based on the outdoor discomfort index. In winter, a small value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is low, and at this time the rate of decrease in the indoor discomfort index is large, so it is preferable to correct the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means 18 to be shorter, and a not small value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and humidity are not low, and at this time the rate of decrease in the indoor discomfort index is small, so it is preferable to correct the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-stop time calculation means 18 to be longer. Note that the pre-stop time can also be corrected based on the outdoor temperature instead of the outdoor discomfort index.

[0075] Furthermore, as described above, the stop time calculation means 22 calculates the operation stop time based on the corrected pre-stop time corrected by the pre-stop time correction means 20, using the exit time when people leave the air-conditioned space 2 as the reference. Then, when this operation stop time arrives, the stop signal generation means 34 generates an operation stop signal, and the air conditioning control means 36 stops the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 based on this operation stop signal. By controlling in this manner, it is possible to effectively save energy in winter as well as in summer while maintaining the environmental state of the air-conditioned space 2 in a comfortable working state.

[0076] Furthermore, in the air conditioning control (heating control) of the air-conditioned space 2 in winter, control related to the entry time (8:00) is performed as follows: That is, the pre-operation time calculation means 52 calculates the pre-operation time based on the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means 16. In winter, there is no problem if the air conditioning state is such that people do not feel uncomfortable at the time they enter the room (8:00) (an environmental state in which they do not feel anything physically), for example, if the discomfort index value is around 60. In order to achieve such an air conditioning state, it is sufficient to restart the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 before the time people enter the room, for example, 8:00, and maintain an air conditioning state that does not feel uncomfortable at the time they enter the room.

[0077] To explain this pre-activation time further, when calculating this pre-activation time, the set discomfort index (in this embodiment, the discomfort number value: 68) set when controlling the air conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2 is used as the indoor discomfort index, and this indoor discomfort index and the outdoor discomfort index (the outdoor discomfort index calculated by the discomfort index calculation means 4) are used.

[0078] If the difference between the indoor discomfort index (set discomfort index) and the outdoor discomfort index is large, it means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is low and the air-conditioned space 2 is easily affected by this outdoor space.In this case, the rate of increase in the indoor discomfort index due to the influence of the outdoor temperature and / or humidity becomes smaller, and the pre-activation time is calculated to be longer.

[0079] Furthermore, if the difference between the indoor discomfort index (set discomfort index) and the outdoor discomfort index is small, it means that the outdoor temperature and humidity are not low. In this case, the influence of the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is small, the rate of increase of the indoor discomfort index becomes large, and the pre-activation time is calculated to be short.

[0080] The above-mentioned relationship between the discomfort index difference and the pre-activation time is registered in advance as a pre-activation time map in the memory means 32, and the pre-activation time calculation means 52 calculates the pre-activation time using the pre-activation time map. Also, the pre-activation time correction means 54 corrects the pre-activation time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52 based on the outdoor discomfort index.

[0081] A large value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature and / or humidity is low, and in this case the rate of increase of the indoor discomfort index will be small, so it is preferable to correct the pre-activation time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52 to be longer, and a non-small value of the outdoor discomfort index means that the outdoor temperature is not low and humidity is not low, and in this case the rate of increase of the indoor discomfort index will be large, so it is preferable to correct the pre-stop time calculated by the pre-activation time calculation means 52 to be shorter. Note that this correction by the pre-activation time correction means 54 may also be made based on the outdoor temperature.

[0082] Furthermore, the operation time calculation means 56 calculates the operation start time based on the corrected pre-operation time corrected by the pre-operation time correction means 54, using the entry time when a person enters the air-conditioned space 2 as a reference. In this example, since a person enters the air-conditioned space 2 at 8:00, it is sufficient to start operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 the corrected pre-operation time before this entry time (8:00), and the operation time calculation means 56 calculates the time earlier than 8:00 by the corrected pre-operation time as the operation start time, and this operation start time is set and registered in the memory means 32.

[0083] When this operation start time arrives, the operation signal generating means 58 generates an operation start signal, and the air conditioning control means 36 resumes operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 based on this operation start signal.By controlling in this manner, it is possible to maintain the environmental conditions of the air-conditioned space 2 in a favorable working state while achieving effective power saving in winter, just as in summer.

[0084] FIG. 8 shows another example of air-conditioning control (cooling control) of the air-conditioned space 2 in summer. In the example described above with reference to FIG. 3, the discomfort index value in the air-conditioned space 2 is controlled to be approximately the median value of the range (65 to 70) that is perceived as "comfortable," for example, the discomfort index value is "68." However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the upper limit (70) of the range that is perceived as "comfortable" is set (also referred to as the "first discomfort index value"). By setting this first discomfort index value as the discomfort index used for air-conditioning control in summer, it is possible to operate the multiple air conditioners 4 in energy-saving mode while maintaining a comfortable environment (a "comfortable" environmental state) during the time period in which the air-conditioned space 2 is air-conditioned (in this example, the time period includes the morning display time period, business hours, and evening display time period). This allows for a greater power-saving effect, and the longer the time period, the greater the power-saving effect.

[0085] Fig. 9 shows another example of air-conditioning control (heating control) of the air-conditioned space 2 in winter. In Fig. 3, the air-conditioning is controlled so that the discomfort index value in the air-conditioned space 2 is, for example, "68." However, in the embodiment of Fig. 9, the discomfort index is set to the lower limit (65) of the range of the sensory "comfortable" (also referred to as the "second discomfort index value"). By setting this second discomfort index value as the discomfort index used for air-conditioning control in winter, the operation of the multiple air-conditioning devices 4 during the time period when the air-conditioning control is performed in the air-conditioned space 2 (in this example, the time period including the morning display time period, business hours, and evening display time period) can be performed in an energy-saving manner while maintaining a comfortable environment (a sensory "comfortable" environmental state). This can further enhance the power-saving effect, and the longer the time period, the greater the power-saving effect can be obtained.

[0086] When the operation modes of multiple air conditioners 4 are switched between a summer operation mode (in other words, the summer air conditioning control mode shown in FIG. 8) and a winter operation mode (in other words, the winter air conditioning control mode shown in FIG. 9), the operation modes can be controlled, for example, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0087] First, the operation mode is set by operating the input means 44 (see FIG. 2). When the summer operation mode (summer air-conditioning control mode shown in FIG. 8) is set by the input means 44, the process proceeds from step S41 to step S42, the summer operation mode is set, and the air-conditioning control means 36 (see FIG. 2) controls the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 (see FIG. 2) in the summer operation mode, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the winter operation mode (winter air-conditioning control mode shown in FIG. 9) is set by the input means 44, the process proceeds from step S41 to step S43 and then to step S44, the winter operation mode is set, and the air-conditioning control means 36 controls the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 in the winter operation mode, which will be described later.

[0088] When the summer operation mode is set (step S42), a first discomfort index value (discomfort index value: 70) is set as the discomfort index used to control the air conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2 (see Figure 1) (step S45), and the air conditioning control device 36 controls the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 so that the discomfort index in the air-conditioned space 2 becomes the first discomfort index value (step S46).

[0089] Then, when the operation stop time set as described above arrives, the process proceeds from step S47 to step S48, an operation stop signal is generated as described above, and the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4 is stopped based on this operation stop signal. Thereafter, when the operation restart time set as described above arrives, the process proceeds from step S49 to step S50, an operation restart signal is generated as described above, and the operation of the plurality of air conditioners 4 is restarted based on this operation restart signal, and the air-conditioned space 2 is brought into a state in which it is air-conditioned by the air conditioners 4 (a state in which the first discomfort value is maintained). Thereafter, the process returns from step S51 to step S45, and operation in this summer operation mode is repeatedly carried out until operation ends.

[0090] Furthermore, when the winter operation mode is set (step S44), a second discomfort index value (discomfort index value: 65) is set as the discomfort index used to control the air conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2 (see Figure 1) (step S52), and the air conditioning control device 36 controls the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 so that the discomfort index in the air-conditioned space 2 becomes the second discomfort index value (step S53).

[0091] Then, when the operation stop time set as described above arrives, the process proceeds from step S54 to step S55, an operation stop signal is generated as described above, and the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is stopped based on this operation stop signal. Thereafter, when the operation restart time set as described above arrives, the process proceeds from step S56 to step S57, an operation restart signal is generated as described above, and the operation of the multiple air conditioners 4 is restarted based on this operation restart signal, and the air-conditioned space 2 is brought into a state in which it is air-conditioned by the air conditioners 4 (a state in which the second discomfort value is maintained). Thereafter, the process returns from step S58 to step S52, and operation in this winter operation mode is repeatedly carried out until operation ends.

[0092] Although the air conditioner control system according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0093] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a value within the range of "comfortable" sensation (discomfort index: 65 to 70) is used as the discomfort index for controlling the air-conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2, but a value in a range slightly beyond the range of "comfortable" sensation on the cold side (for example, discomfort index: 62 to 65) may be used, or a value in a range slightly beyond the range of "comfortable" sensation on the hot side (for example, discomfort index: 70 to 73) may be used.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the indoor discomfort index used when calculating the time before shutdown is calculated based on the detected indoor temperature and the detected indoor humidity, but instead of this calculated indoor discomfort index, a set discomfort index that is set when controlling the air conditioning of the air-conditioned space 2 may be used.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the technical matters relating to the operation stop time, which is related to the exit time when leaving the air-conditioned space 2, and the technical matters relating to the operation restart time, which is related to the entry time when entering the air-conditioning device 2, are applied in combination, but it is not necessary to apply the technical matters relating to the operation stop time and the technical matters relating to the operation restart time in combination; for example, the technical matters relating to the operation stop time can be applied alone, or the technical matters relating to the operation restart time can be applied alone. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 2 Air-conditioned space 4 Air conditioner 8 System Control Unit 10 Air conditioning controller 12 Refrigeration unit controller 14 Discomfort index calculation means 16 Discomfort index difference calculation means 18 Pre-stop time calculation means 20 Pre-stop time correction means 22 Stop time calculation means 24 Indoor temperature detection means 26 Indoor humidity detection means 28 Outdoor temperature detection means 30 Outdoor humidity detection means 34 Stop signal generation means 36 Air conditioning control means 52 Pre-operation time calculation means 54 Pre-operation time correction means 56 Operation time calculation means 58 Actuation signal generating means

Claims

1. An air conditioning device for conditioning an air-conditioned space, and an air conditioning controller for controlling the operation of the air conditioning device, The air conditioning controller includes a discomfort index difference calculation means for calculating a discomfort index difference between an outdoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of an outdoor space and an indoor discomfort index indicating a discomfort index of the air-conditioned space, a pre-stop time calculation means for calculating a pre-stop time until the time when discomfort will be felt based on the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means, and a stop time calculation means for calculating a time when operation of the air conditioner will be stopped, the time-before-stop calculation means calculates the time before stop based on the discomfort index difference calculated by the discomfort index difference calculation means, and the stop time calculation means calculates the operation stop time based on the time before stop calculated by the time-before-stop calculation means.

2. 2. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning controller further includes a time before stop correction means for correcting the time before stop calculated by the time before stop calculation means, the time before stop correction means correcting the time before stop based on the outdoor discomfort index or the outdoor temperature, and the stop time calculation means calculates the operation stop time based on the corrected time before stop corrected by the time before stop correction means, using an exit time at which a person exits the air-conditioned space as a reference.

3. 2. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning controller includes a stop signal generating means for generating an operation stop signal to stop operation of the air conditioning device, the stop signal generating means generating the operation stop signal when the operation stop time is reached, and the air conditioning controller stops operation of the air conditioning device based on the operation stop signal.

4. 2. The air conditioning control system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor discomfort index of the outdoor space is a discomfort index calculated based on the outdoor temperature detected by an outdoor temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the outdoor space and the outdoor humidity detected by an outdoor humidity detection means that detects the humidity of the outdoor space, and the indoor discomfort index of the air-conditioned space is a discomfort index calculated based on the indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the air-conditioned space and the indoor humidity detected by an indoor humidity detection means that detects the humidity of the air-conditioned space, or a set discomfort index that is set when controlling the air-conditioning of the air-conditioned space.

5. The air conditioning controller further includes an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of the air conditioning device, and the air conditioning control device controls the operation of the air conditioning device so that the air-conditioned space has a first discomfort index value when a summer operation mode is set, and controls the operation of the air conditioning device so that the air-conditioned space has a second discomfort index value when a winter operation mode is set, characterized in that the control system for the air conditioning device described in claim 1.

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