Air conditioning zoning method

Abstract

To solve the problem with a conventional technology that when a setting temperature of two indoor units far away from each other at the specific time is the same, there is a risk of the two indoor units being classified into the same air-conditioning zone.SOLUTION: In an air-conditioning zoning method, a plurality of indoor units 20 are classified into one or a plurality of first air conditioning zones Z1 in an air-conditioning system. The air-conditioning system 1 includes a plurality of indoor units 20 and a control part. The control part acquires a value of a setting temperature from the plurality of indoor units 20 as time-series data. The setting temperature indicates the state of the indoor units 20. The control part calculates a coincidence degree for each of one or a plurality of combinations. The combinations are composed of at least two indoor units 20 included in the plurality of indoor units 20. The coincidence degree is an index of the similarity among the time-series data. The control part classifies the plurality of indoor units 20 into the first air-conditioning zone Z1 on the basis of the coincidence degree.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This relates to an air conditioning zoning method. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2014-009895 A), there is a technique for classifying multiple indoor units into one or multiple air conditioning zones based on the set temperatures of the multiple indoor units at a specific time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] For example, when two indoor units that are far apart have the same set temperature at a specific time, Patent Document 1 has the problem that these two indoor units may be classified into the same air conditioning zone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] An air conditioning zoning method according to a first aspect classifies a plurality of indoor units into one or more first air conditioning zones in an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units and a control unit. The control unit acquires values ​​of a first parameter as time series data from the plurality of indoor units. The first parameter indicates the state of the indoor units. The control unit calculates a first index for each of one or more combinations. A combination is made up of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units. The first index is an index of similarity between the time series data. The control unit classifies the plurality of indoor units into the first air conditioning zones based on the first index.

[0005] In the air conditioning zoning method of the first aspect, the control unit acquires values ​​of a first parameter as time-series data from a plurality of indoor units. The control unit calculates a first index for each of one or more combinations. A combination is composed of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units. The first index is an index of similarity between the time-series data. The control unit classifies the plurality of indoor units into a first air conditioning zone based on the first index. As a result, the air conditioning zoning method can more accurately classify the plurality of indoor units into one or more air conditioning zones.

[0006] An air conditioning zoning method according to a second aspect is the air conditioning zoning method according to the first aspect, wherein the first parameter is a parameter that is controlled in common among a plurality of indoor units.

[0007] An air-conditioning zoning method according to a third aspect is the air-conditioning zoning method according to the first or second aspect, in which the control unit calculates a first index for one or more combinations, each of which is composed of two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units.

[0008] An air-conditioning zoning method according to a fourth aspect is the air-conditioning zoning method according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the first index is calculated using a value of a first parameter included in the time-series data. The control unit determines whether at least two indoor units are similar based on the first index. The control unit classifies the at least two indoor units determined to be similar into the same first air-conditioning zone.

[0009] An air-conditioning zoning method according to a fifth aspect is the air-conditioning zoning method according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first index is calculated using imaged time-series data. The control unit determines whether at least two indoor units are similar based on the first index. The control unit classifies the at least two indoor units determined to be similar into the same first air-conditioning zone.

[0010] An air conditioning zoning method of a sixth aspect is the air conditioning zoning method of any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the control unit further acquires identification information of the indoor units from the plurality of indoor units. The control unit calculates a second index for each of one or more combinations. A combination is composed of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units. The second index is an index of similarity between the identification information. The control unit classifies the plurality of indoor units into a first air conditioning zone based on the second index.

[0011] An air-conditioning zoning method according to a seventh aspect is the air-conditioning zoning method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the multiple indoor units are set as either main indoor units or sub-indoor units. The multiple indoor units include at least one main indoor unit. The control unit further acquires parent-child information indicating whether the indoor units are main indoor units or sub-indoor units from the multiple indoor units. The control unit classifies the multiple indoor units into one or more second air-conditioning zones based on the parent-child information and time-series data, so that each second air-conditioning zone includes at least one main indoor unit. The control unit classifies the multiple indoor units into one or more second air-conditioning zones so that the sub-indoor unit is classified into the same second air-conditioning zone as the main indoor unit determined to be most similar to the indoor unit based on the first index. The control unit calculates a first index for each of the one or more combinations. A combination is composed of at least two main indoor units whose classified second air-conditioning zones are different from each other. The control unit classifies the multiple indoor units into first air-conditioning zones based on the first index.

[0012] The air conditioning zoning method of the seventh aspect classifies multiple indoor units into one or more second air conditioning zones based on parent-child information and time series data, and then classifies them into one or more first air conditioning zones, thereby reducing the calculation cost for classifying multiple indoor units into one or more first air conditioning zones.

[0013] An air conditioning zoning method of an eighth aspect is the air conditioning zoning method of the seventh aspect, wherein the control unit further acquires identification information of the indoor units from the plurality of indoor units. The control unit calculates a second index for each of one or more combinations. A combination is composed of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units. The second index is an index of similarity between the identification information. The control unit classifies the plurality of indoor units into a first air conditioning zone or a second air conditioning zone based on the second index. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an air system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of indoor units that make up an indoor unit group. [Figure 11A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of classifying a plurality of indoor units into one or more first air conditioning zones. [Figure 11B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of classifying a plurality of indoor units into one or more first air conditioning zones. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of visualized time-series data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (1) Overall structure The air conditioning zoning method classifies a plurality of indoor units 20 in an air conditioning system 1 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the air conditioning system 1. The air conditioning system 1 configures a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and performs air conditioning for one or more air conditioning zones in a building BL. In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1 is a so-called multi-type air conditioning system for buildings. The air conditioning system 1 may be, for example, a central air conditioning system.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 has a management device 10, a controller 40, and one or more refrigerant systems RS. Each refrigerant system RS has an outdoor unit 30, a plurality of indoor units 20, and one or more remote controllers 70. The management device 10 and the controller 40 are communicatively connected via a network NW such as the Internet. The controller 40 and the outdoor unit 30 are communicatively connected via a communication line 91. The outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 20 are communicatively connected via a communication line 90.

[0017] The remote controller 70 transmits various signals to the corresponding one or more indoor units 20. The various signals are, for example, signals instructing the start and stop of operation, and signals related to various settings such as the operation mode (cooling operation, heating operation, etc.), set temperature, set humidity, and air volume. For example, the one or more indoor units 20 corresponding to the remote controller 70 start and stop operation at the same timing, and are set to the same operation mode, set temperature, set humidity, air volume, etc. Furthermore, each of the one or more indoor units 20 corresponding to the remote controller 70 is set as either a main indoor unit or a sub indoor unit. The one or more indoor units 20 corresponding to the remote controller 70 include at least one main indoor unit.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 50 of the air conditioning system 1. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the air conditioning system 1. Figs. 2 and 3 show one indoor unit 20 and one outdoor unit 30 as representatives. As shown in Fig. 2, the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 are connected by a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 51 and a gas refrigerant communication pipe 52 to form the refrigerant circuit 50.

[0019] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 20 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the building BL. As shown in Fig. 2, the indoor unit 20 mainly has an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, an indoor expansion valve 23, and an indoor control unit 29. The indoor unit 20 also has various sensors such as an indoor suction temperature sensor 61 and an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 62. The indoor unit 20 also has a liquid refrigerant pipe 53a that connects the liquid side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 51. The indoor unit 20 also has a gas refrigerant pipe 53b that connects the gas side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 52.

[0020] The indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the air in the air-conditioning zone. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes.

[0021] The indoor fan 22 draws air from the air-conditioning zone into the indoor unit 20, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 21, and supplies the air to the air-conditioning zone. The indoor fan 22 is, for example, a centrifugal fan such as a turbo fan or a sirocco fan. The indoor fan 22 is driven by an indoor fan motor 22m. The rotation speed of the indoor fan motor 22m can be controlled by an inverter.

[0022] The indoor expansion valve 23 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 53a. In this embodiment, the indoor expansion valve 23 is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree can be adjusted.

[0023] The indoor intake temperature sensor 61 measures the temperature of the air drawn into the indoor unit 20. The indoor intake temperature sensor 61 is provided near the air intake port of the indoor unit 20.

[0024] The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 62 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 (the refrigerant temperature in the indoor heat exchanger 21). The refrigerant temperature during cooling operation is the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant temperature during heating operation is the condensation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 62 is provided in the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0025] The indoor control unit 29 controls the operation of each component constituting the indoor unit 20. As shown in FIG. 3 , the indoor control unit 29 is communicatively connected to the indoor fan motor 22m and the indoor expansion valve 23. The indoor control unit 29 is also communicatively connected to various sensors, such as the indoor intake temperature sensor 61 and the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 62. The indoor control unit 29 has a control and arithmetic device and a storage device. The control and arithmetic device is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The storage device is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. The control and arithmetic device reads programs stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs, thereby controlling the operation of each component constituting the indoor unit 20. The control and arithmetic device can also write arithmetic results to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device in accordance with the programs. The storage device stores parent-child information 81 indicating whether the indoor unit 20 is a parent indoor unit or a child indoor unit, identification information of the indoor unit 20, and the like. The identification information of the indoor unit 20 is, for example, the device name of the indoor unit 20. The device name of the indoor unit 20 is indicated by sequence data such as "Conference Room 1-1," for example.

[0026] The indoor control unit 29 is configured to be able to receive various signals transmitted from the corresponding remote controller 70. The indoor control unit 29 also exchanges various information, such as control signals, signals related to measurements by various sensors, and signals related to various settings, with the outdoor control unit 39 of the outdoor unit 30 via a communication line 90.

[0027] (2-2) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 30 is installed, for example, on the roof of building BL. As shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit 30 mainly has a compressor 31, a flow path switching valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 33, an outdoor expansion valve 34, an accumulator 35, an outdoor fan 36, a liquid-side shut-off valve 37, a gas-side shut-off valve 38, and an outdoor control unit 39. The outdoor unit 30 also has various sensors such as an outdoor air temperature sensor 66. The outdoor unit 30 also has a suction pipe 54a, a discharge pipe 54b, gas refrigerant pipes 54c and 54e, and a liquid refrigerant pipe 54d.

[0028] The suction pipe 54a connects the flow path switching valve 32 and the suction side of the compressor 31. An accumulator 35 is provided on the suction pipe 54a. The discharge pipe 54b connects the discharge side of the compressor 31 and the flow path switching valve 32. The gas refrigerant pipe 54c connects the flow path switching valve 32 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 33. The liquid refrigerant pipe 54d connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 51. The liquid refrigerant pipe 54d is provided with an outdoor expansion valve 34. A liquid-side shut-off valve 37 is provided at the connection between the liquid refrigerant pipe 54d and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 51. The gas refrigerant pipe 54e connects the flow path switching valve 32 and the gas refrigerant communication pipe 52. A gas-side shut-off valve 38 is provided at the connection between the gas refrigerant pipe 54e and the gas refrigerant communication pipe 52. The liquid side shut-off valve 37 and the gas side shut-off valve 38 are valves that are opened and closed manually.

[0029] The compressor 31 draws low-pressure refrigerant through a suction pipe 54a, compresses the refrigerant using a compression mechanism (not shown), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to a discharge pipe 54b. The compressor 31 is, for example, a rotary or scroll type positive displacement compressor. The compression mechanism of the compressor 31 is driven by a compressor motor 31m. The rotation speed of the compressor motor 31m can be controlled by an inverter.

[0030] The flow path switching valve 32 is a mechanism that switches the refrigerant flow path between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the flow path switching valve 32 connects the suction pipe 54a to the gas refrigerant pipe 54e and the discharge pipe 54b to the gas refrigerant pipe 54c, as shown by the solid lines in the flow path switching valve 32 in Fig. 2. In the second state, the flow path switching valve 32 connects the suction pipe 54a to the gas refrigerant pipe 54c and the discharge pipe 54b to the gas refrigerant pipe 54e, as shown by the dashed lines in the flow path switching valve 32 in Fig. 2. The flow path switching valve 32 sets the refrigerant flow path to the first state during cooling operation. The flow path switching valve 32 sets the refrigerant flow path to the second state during heating operation.

[0031] The outdoor heat exchanger 33 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 33 and the outdoor air of the building BL. The outdoor heat exchanger 33 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes.

[0032] The outdoor expansion valve 34 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 54d. As shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor expansion valve 34 is provided in the liquid refrigerant pipe 54d. In this embodiment, the outdoor expansion valve 34 is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree can be adjusted.

[0033] The accumulator 35 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function that separates the refrigerant that flows in into the accumulator 35 into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that flows into the accumulator 35 is separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and the gas refrigerant that collects in the upper space flows into the compressor 31.

[0034] The outdoor fan 36 supplies outdoor air from the building BL to the outdoor heat exchanger 33. The outdoor fan 36 is, for example, an axial flow fan such as a propeller fan. As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor fan 36 is driven by an outdoor fan motor 36m. The rotation speed of the outdoor fan motor 36m can be controlled by an inverter.

[0035] The outdoor control unit 39 controls the operation of each component constituting the outdoor unit 30. As shown in FIG. 3 , the outdoor control unit 39 is communicatively connected to the compressor motor 31m, the flow path switching valve 32, the outdoor expansion valve 34, and the outdoor fan motor 36m. The outdoor control unit 39 is also communicatively connected to various sensors such as the outdoor air temperature sensor 66. The outdoor control unit 39 has a control and arithmetic device and a storage device. The control and arithmetic device is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The storage device is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. The control and arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program, thereby controlling the operation of each component constituting the outdoor unit 30. The control and arithmetic device can also write arithmetic results to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device in accordance with the program.

[0036] The outdoor control unit 39 exchanges various information such as control signals, signals related to measurements by various sensors, and signals related to various settings with the indoor control unit 29 of the indoor unit 20 via a communication line 90. The outdoor control unit 39 also exchanges various information such as control signals, signals related to measurements by various sensors, and signals related to various settings with the controller 40 via a communication line 91.

[0037] (2-3) Controller The controller 40 is a device called an edge that centrally controls one or more refrigerant systems RS. The controller 40 is installed, for example, in a server room in the building BL. As shown in FIG. 3 , the controller 40 mainly includes a storage unit 41, a communication unit 44, and a control unit 49.

[0038] The storage unit 41 is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 41 stores programs executed by the control unit 49, data necessary for executing the programs, and the like.

[0039] The communication unit 44 includes a network interface device for communicating with the management device 10 via the network NW, and a network interface device for communicating with the outdoor unit 30 via the communication line 91.

[0040] The control unit 49 is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control unit 49 centrally controls one or more refrigerant systems RS by reading out a program stored in the storage unit 41 and performing predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program. The control unit 49 can also write arithmetic results to the storage unit 41 and read out information stored in the storage unit 41 in accordance with the program.

[0041] The control unit 49 exchanges various information such as control signals, signals related to measurements by various sensors, and signals related to various settings with the indoor control unit 29 of the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor control unit 39 of the outdoor unit 30 via a communication line 91. The control unit 49 also exchanges various information such as control signals, signals related to measurements by various sensors, and signals related to various settings with the management device 10 via a network NW.

[0042] When the indoor unit 20 receives an instruction to start cooling operation from the remote controller 70, the control unit 49 switches the flow path switching valve 32 to the first state. Then, the control unit 49 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor 31, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23, etc. so that the refrigerant temperature (evaporation temperature) in the indoor heat exchanger 21 becomes the target refrigerant temperature received from the management device 10.

[0043] When the indoor unit 20 receives an instruction to start heating operation from the remote controller 70, the control unit 49 switches the flow path switching valve 32 to the second state. Then, the control unit 49 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor 31, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 34, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 23, etc. so that the refrigerant temperature (condensing temperature) in the indoor heat exchanger 21 becomes the target refrigerant temperature received from the management device 10.

[0044] (2-4) Management device The management device 10 acquires various types of information from the indoor units 20 and the outdoor units 30 via the controller 40, and transmits information for controlling the indoor units 20 and the outdoor units 30 to the controller 40. The management device 10 is installed, for example, on the cloud. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the management device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 10 mainly has a storage unit 11, a communication unit 14, and a control unit 19.

[0045] (2-4-1) Storage section The storage unit 11 is a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 11 stores programs executed by the control unit 19, data necessary for executing the programs, and the like.

[0046] (2-4-2) Communications Department The communication unit 14 is a network interface device for communicating with the controller 40 via the network NW.

[0047] (2-4-3) Control Unit The control unit 19 is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control unit 19 reads and executes programs stored in the storage unit 11 to realize various functions of the management device 10. The control unit 19 can also write calculation results to the storage unit 11 and read information stored in the storage unit 11 according to the programs.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 19 has, as functional blocks, an acquisition unit 191, a classification unit 192, a learning unit 193, a prediction unit 194, and an instruction unit 195.

[0049] (2-4-3-1) Acquisition section The acquisition unit 191 periodically acquires operating data 83 from multiple indoor units 20 and one or more outdoor units 30 via the controller 40. The operating data 83 includes the outdoor air temperature of the building BL (measured value of the outdoor air temperature sensor 66), the operating state of the indoor unit 20 (operating or stopped), the operating mode, the set temperature, the indoor intake temperature (measured value of the indoor intake temperature sensor 61), the refrigerant temperature (measured value of the indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 62), and the air volume (calculated from the rotation speed of the indoor fan motor 22m).

[0050] In particular, the acquisition unit 191 periodically acquires the value of the first parameter from the plurality of indoor units 20 via the controller 40 as operating data 83. In other words, the acquisition unit 191 acquires the value of the first parameter from the plurality of indoor units 20 via the controller 40 as time-series data 82. The first parameter is a parameter that indicates the state of the indoor unit 20. The first parameter is, for example, the operating state, operating mode, set temperature, indoor suction temperature, and refrigerant temperature of the indoor unit 20. In this embodiment, the first parameter is a parameter that is controlled in common among the plurality of indoor units 20, such as the operating state, operating mode, and set temperature of the indoor unit 20. Below, the first parameter will be described as the set temperature.

[0051] The acquisition unit 191 stores the acquired driving data 83 (including the time-series data 82) in the storage unit 11.

[0052] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 191 acquires parent-child information 81 from a plurality of indoor units 20 via the controller 40. The acquisition unit 191 stores the acquired parent-child information 81 in the storage unit 11.

[0053] (2-4-3-2) Classification section The classification unit 192 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1. In other words, the classification unit 192 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 into one or more groups that perform air conditioning for the same air conditioning zone.

[0054] As a first step, the classification unit 192 determines the indoor unit group 80 to be classified. The multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80 may all belong to the same refrigerant system RS, or some may belong to different refrigerant systems RS.

[0055] As a second step, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 based on the parent-child information 81 and the time-series data .

[0056] First, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 so that each second air conditioning zone Z2 includes at least one main indoor unit. In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 so that each second air conditioning zone Z2 includes one main indoor unit. Figures 5 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80. In Figures 5 to 10, parent-child information 81 indicates for each of the multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80 whether it is a parent indoor unit or a child indoor unit.

[0057] As a first case, when the multiple indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80 are all main indoor units, the classification unit 192 classifies each of the multiple indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80 into a second air conditioning zone Z2 that includes only that unit. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when the indoor unit group 80 is made up of main indoor units 20a to 20c, the classification unit 192 classifies each of the main indoor units 20a to 20c into a second air conditioning zone Z21 to Z23 that includes only that unit.

[0058] As a second case, when there is one master indoor unit among the multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one second air conditioning zone Z2. As shown in Fig. 6, when the indoor unit group 80 is made up of the master indoor unit 20a and the slave indoor units 20b, 20c, the classification unit 192 classifies the master indoor unit 20a and the slave indoor units 20b, 20c into one second air conditioning zone Z21.

[0059] As a third case, in cases other than the first and second cases, the classification unit 192 first calculates a first index for one or more combinations. A combination is made up of at least two indoor units 20 included in the indoor unit group 80. In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 calculates a first index for all combinations made up of one child indoor unit and one parent indoor unit (two indoor units 20) included in the indoor unit group 80.

[0060] The first index is an index of similarity between the time series data 82. Examples of the first index include degree of agreement, DTW (Dynamic Time Warping), Manhattan distance, and Euclidean distance. Below, the first index will be described as degree of agreement. The degree of agreement is calculated using the set temperature values ​​included in the time series data 82. For example, the degree of agreement is the proportion of the number of times at which the set temperatures of two indoor units 20 match, out of all the times included in the time series data 82. As shown in FIG. 7, if the indoor unit group 80 is made up of main indoor units 20a, 20b, 20d, and 20f and secondary indoor units 20c and 20e, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of agreement for each of eight combinations, such as between the secondary indoor unit 20c and the primary indoor unit 20a, between the secondary indoor unit 20c and the primary indoor unit 20b, and between the secondary indoor unit 20e and the primary indoor unit 20a. Table 1 below shows the degree of agreement between time series data 82 of the child indoor unit 20c and time series data 82 of each of the parent indoor units 20a, 20b, 20d, and 20f. As shown in Table 1, for example, the set temperature time series data 82 of the child indoor unit 20c and the set temperature time series data 82 of the parent indoor unit 20a match at seven out of ten times, and therefore the degree of agreement between the set temperature time series data 82 of the child indoor unit 20c and the set temperature time series data 82 of the parent indoor unit 20a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the degree of agreement between the child indoor unit 20c and the parent indoor unit 20a, etc.) is 0.7. [Table 1]

[0061] Next, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 so that each child indoor unit is classified into the same second air conditioning zone Z2 as the parent indoor unit determined to be most similar to itself based on the degree of similarity. In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 determines that the greater the degree of similarity, the greater the degree of similarity. Note that when the first index is DTW, Manhattan distance, and Euclidean distance, the classification unit 192 determines that the smaller the DTW, Manhattan distance, and Euclidean distance, the greater the degree of similarity. In Table 1, the parent indoor unit with the greatest degree of similarity to the child indoor unit 20c is the parent indoor unit 20b, so the classification unit 192 determines that the parent indoor unit 20b is the parent indoor unit most similar to the child indoor unit 20c. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the classification unit 192 classifies the child indoor unit 20c into the same second air conditioning zone Z21 as the parent indoor unit 20b. 7, the classification unit 192 performs the same operation on the child indoor unit 20e as on the child indoor unit 20c, thereby classifying the child indoor unit 20e into the same second air conditioning zone Z22 as the parent indoor unit 20d. Note that if there are multiple parent indoor units that match the child indoor unit most closely, the classification unit 192 determines that the parent indoor unit selected at random from among the parent indoor units that match the child indoor unit most closely is the parent indoor unit that is most similar to the child indoor unit.

[0062] Finally, the classification unit 192 classifies each of the master indoor units that have not yet been classified into the second air conditioning zone Z2 into the second air conditioning zone Z2 that it is in. In Fig. 7, the classification unit 192 classifies the master indoor unit 20a into the second air conditioning zone Z23, and the master indoor unit 20f into the second air conditioning zone Z24.

[0063] In a third step, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into a first air conditioning zone Z1. When the indoor unit group 80 is classified into a single second air conditioning zone Z2, as in the second case above, the classification unit 192 designates the second air conditioning zone Z2 as the first air conditioning zone Z1. For example, in FIG. 6, when the parent indoor unit 20a and the child indoor units 20b, 20c are classified into a single second air conditioning zone Z21, the classification unit 192 designates the second air conditioning zone Z21 as the first air conditioning zone Z11, as shown in FIG.

[0064] When the indoor unit group 80 is classified into multiple second air conditioning zones Z2, as in the first and third cases described above, the classification unit 192 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or multiple first air conditioning zones Z1 based on the degree of similarity.

[0065] First, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of match for each of one or more combinations. A combination is composed of at least two main indoor units whose classified second air conditioning zones Z2 are different. In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of match for all combinations composed of two main indoor units whose classified second air conditioning zones Z2 are different. Next, the classification unit 192 determines whether the two main indoor units are similar for each combination based on the degree of match. In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 determines that the two main indoor units are similar if the degree of match between the two main indoor units is greater than a predetermined threshold. The classification unit 192 combines two second air conditioning zones Z2, each including two main indoor units determined to be similar, into a single first air conditioning zone Z1. If, as a result of integrating the second air conditioning zones Z2, one master indoor unit is included in multiple first air conditioning zones Z1, the classification unit 192 further integrates these multiple first air conditioning zones Z1 into one first air conditioning zone Z1. Finally, the classification unit 192 classifies the second air conditioning zones Z2 that have not yet been integrated into different first air conditioning zones Z1.

[0066] For example, in Fig. 5, if the classification unit 192 determines that only the master indoor unit 20a and the master indoor unit 20b are similar, the classification unit 192 will combine the second air conditioning zones Z21 and Z22 into a first air conditioning zone Z11, as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the classification unit 192 will classify the second air conditioning zone Z23 as the first air conditioning zone Z12.

[0067] For example, in FIG. 7, if the classification unit 192 determines that only the master indoor units 20a and 20b, and the master indoor units 20d and 20f are similar, then, as shown in FIG. 10, the classification unit 192 combines the second air conditioning zones Z21 and Z23 into the first air conditioning zone Z11, and combines the second air conditioning zones Z22 and Z24 into the first air conditioning zone Z12.

[0068] (2-4-3-3) Learning Department The learning unit 193 learns a load model L1 that predicts the heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z1 for each of one or more first air conditioning zones Z1. Below, a case will be described in which the indoor units 20a and 20b are classified into the first air conditioning zone Z11 and the indoor unit 20c is classified into the first air conditioning zone Z12, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0069] The learning unit 193 associates and stores the outdoor air temperature of the building BL (measurement value of the outdoor air temperature sensor 66 in the outdoor unit 30 to which the indoor units 20a, 20b are connected; if there are multiple indoor units 20, the average value of the measurement values ​​of the outdoor air temperature sensor 66) and the indoor temperature of the first air conditioning zone Z11 (average value of the measurement values ​​of the indoor intake temperature sensor 61 in the indoor units 20a, 20b) at the same time acquired by the acquisition unit 191 with the calculated heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z11, and uses the associated and stored data as learning data for the load model L11 that predicts the heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z11. Similarly, the learning unit 193 associates and stores the outdoor air temperature of the building BL (measured value of the outdoor air temperature sensor 66 in the outdoor unit 30 to which the indoor unit 20c is connected) and the indoor temperature of the first air conditioning zone Z12 (measured value of the indoor intake temperature sensor 61 in the indoor unit 20c) at the same time acquired by the acquisition unit 191 with the calculated heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z12, and uses the associated and stored data as learning data for a load model L12 that predicts the heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z12. In other words, the learning unit 193 learns the load models L11 and L12 that predict the heat load of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 from the outdoor air temperature of the building BL and the indoor temperatures of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 for each of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12. The load models L11 and L12 are, for example, machine learning models, statistical models, or physics models.

[0070] The learning unit 193 calculates the heat loads of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 using a heat exchange function. The heat exchange function is a relational expression that holds between the airflow, refrigerant temperature, indoor intake temperature, and heat exchange amount of the indoor units 20a to 20c. The learning unit 193 calculates the heat exchange amount of the indoor units 20a to 20c by inputting the airflow, refrigerant temperature, and indoor intake temperature of the indoor units 20a to 20c acquired by the acquisition unit 191 into the heat exchange function. The learning unit 193 then adds up the calculated heat exchange amounts of the indoor units 20a to 20c for each of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 into which the indoor units 20a to 20c are classified, and sets these as the heat loads of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12. For example, the heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z11 is the sum of the heat exchange amount of the indoor unit 20a and the heat exchange amount of the indoor unit 20b. The heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z12 is the amount of heat exchanged by the indoor unit 20c.

[0071] The learning unit 193 stores the learned load models L11 and L12 in the storage unit 11.

[0072] (2-4-3-4) Prediction section The prediction unit 194 predicts future heat loads for each of one or more first air conditioning zones Z1 using the load model L1, and determines target refrigerant temperatures for the indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80.

[0073] Each time the acquisition unit 191 acquires the outdoor air temperature of the building BL and the indoor temperatures of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12, the prediction unit 194 predicts the heat load (future heat load) of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 a predetermined time after the data acquisition (e.g., 10 minutes later). Specifically, the prediction unit 194 inputs the outdoor air temperature of the building BL and the indoor temperatures of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 a predetermined time after the data acquisition into load models L11 and L12, thereby predicting the heat load of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12 a predetermined time after the data acquisition. For example, the outdoor air temperature of the building BL a predetermined time after the data acquisition is predicted using a model trained on previously acquired data that associates outdoor air temperatures with the outdoor air temperatures after the predetermined time.

[0074] The prediction unit 194 calculates the future heat load to be processed by the indoor units 20a-20c using the predicted future heat load of the first air conditioning zones Z11 and Z12. For example, the prediction unit 194 calculates the future heat load to be processed by the indoor units 20a and 20b based on the predicted future heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z11 and the relative positions of the indoor units 20a and 20b. For example, the prediction unit 194 assigns weights depending on whether the indoor units 20a and 20b are located in the perimeter zone or the interior zone, and apportions the predicted future heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z11 proportionally to the heat load to be processed by each of the indoor units 20a and 20b. Also, for example, the prediction unit 194 sets the predicted future heat load of the first air conditioning zone Z12 as the future heat load to be processed by the indoor unit 20c.

[0075] The prediction unit 194 determines the target refrigerant temperatures of the indoor units 20a-20c using the future heat loads that the indoor units 20a-20c will process. The prediction unit 194 determines the target refrigerant temperatures of the indoor units 20a-20c, for example, by inputting the air volume, indoor intake temperature, and heat load of the indoor units 20a-20c a predetermined time after the data acquisition into a heat exchange function. For example, the air volume a predetermined time after the data acquisition is predicted using a model trained from data that associates previously acquired air volumes with the air volume after that predetermined time.

[0076] (2-4-3-5) Instruction section The instruction unit 195 transmits the target refrigerant temperatures of the multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80, determined by the prediction unit 194, to the controller 40. In this case, the controller 40 performs feedforward control on the multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80.

[0077] The instruction unit 195 may transmit to the controller 40 a target refrigerant temperature determined using a heat exchange function from actual measurement values ​​of various sensors and the like of the multiple indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80, acquired by the acquisition unit 191. In this case, the controller 40 performs feedback control on the multiple indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80.

[0078] (3) Processing An example of the process of classifying a plurality of indoor units 20 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0079] As shown in step S1, the air conditioning system 1 determines the indoor unit group 80 to be classified.

[0080] After completing step S1, as shown in step S2, the air conditioning system 1 determines whether or not all of the indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80 are main indoor units. If all are main indoor units, the process proceeds to step S3. If the indoor units 20 constituting the indoor unit group 80 include a sub-indoor unit, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0081] When proceeding from step S2 to step S3, the air conditioning system 1 classifies each of the indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80 into a second air conditioning zone Z2 that includes only that unit.

[0082] When proceeding from step S2 to step S4, the air conditioning system 1 determines whether or not there is one main indoor unit among the multiple indoor units 20 that make up the indoor unit group 80. If there is one main indoor unit, proceed to step S5. If there is more than one main indoor unit, proceed to step S6.

[0083] When proceeding from step S4 to step S5, the air conditioning system 1 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one second air conditioning zone Z2.

[0084] When proceeding from step S4 to step S6, the air conditioning system 1 calculates the degree of coincidence for each combination of one slave indoor unit and one master indoor unit included in the indoor unit group 80.

[0085] After completing step S6, as shown in step S7, the air conditioning system 1 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 so that each child indoor unit is classified into the same second air conditioning zone Z2 as the parent indoor unit that is determined to be most similar to itself based on the degree of similarity.

[0086] After step S7 is completed, as shown in step S8, the air conditioning system 1 classifies each of the main indoor units that have not yet been classified into the second air conditioning zone Z2 into the second air conditioning zone Z2 that includes only that unit.

[0087] After steps S3, S5, and S8 are completed, the air conditioning system 1 determines whether the indoor unit group 80 is classified into one second air conditioning zone Z2, as shown in step S9. If the indoor unit group 80 is classified into one second air conditioning zone Z2, the process proceeds to step S10. If the indoor unit group 80 is classified into multiple second air conditioning zones Z2, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0088] When the process proceeds from step S9 to step S10, the air conditioning system 1 sets the second air conditioning zone Z2 as the first air conditioning zone Z1.

[0089] When proceeding from step S9 to step S11, the air conditioning system 1 calculates the degree of coincidence for every combination of the classified second air conditioning zones Z2 each consisting of two different main indoor units.

[0090] After completing step S11, the air conditioning system 1 combines two second air conditioning zones Z2, each including two master indoor units determined to be similar, into one first air conditioning zone Z1, as shown in step S12. If, as a result of combining the second air conditioning zones Z2, one master indoor unit is included in multiple first air conditioning zones Z1, the classification unit 192 further combines these multiple first air conditioning zones Z1 into one first air conditioning zone Z1.

[0091] After step S12 is completed, the air conditioning system 1 sets the second air conditioning zones Z2 that have not yet been integrated as different first air conditioning zones Z1, as shown in step S13.

[0092] (4) Features (4-1) Conventionally, there is a technique for classifying a plurality of indoor units into one or more air conditioning zones based on the set temperatures of the indoor units at a specific time.

[0093] For example, if two indoor units that are far apart have the same temperature setting at a specific time, there is a problem in conventional technology that these two indoor units may be classified into the same air conditioning zone.

[0094] The air conditioning zoning method of this embodiment classifies a plurality of indoor units 20 in an air conditioning system 1 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1. The air conditioning system 1 has a plurality of indoor units 20 and a control unit 19. The control unit 19 acquires set temperature (first parameter) values ​​from the plurality of indoor units 20 as time-series data 82. The set temperature (first parameter) indicates the state of the indoor units 20. The control unit 19 calculates a degree of agreement (first index) for one or more combinations. A combination is made up of at least two indoor units 20 included in the plurality of indoor units 20. The degree of agreement (first index) is an index of similarity between the time-series data 82. The control unit 19 classifies the plurality of indoor units 20 into the first air conditioning zone Z1 based on the degree of agreement (first index).

[0095] In the air conditioning zoning method of this embodiment, the control unit 19 acquires set temperature (first parameter) values ​​from multiple indoor units 20 as time-series data 82. The control unit 19 calculates the degree of agreement (first index) for one or more combinations. A combination is made up of at least two indoor units 20 included in the multiple indoor units 20. The degree of agreement (first index) is an index of similarity between the time-series data 82. The control unit 19 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 into a first air conditioning zone Z1 based on the degree of agreement (first index).

[0096] As a result, the air conditioning zoning method can more accurately classify multiple indoor units 20 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1.

[0097] (4-2) In the air conditioning zoning method of the present embodiment, the set temperature (first parameter) is a parameter that is controlled in common among a plurality of indoor units 20.

[0098] (4-3) In the air conditioning zoning method of this embodiment, the control unit 19 calculates the degree of coincidence (first index) for each of one or more combinations. A combination is made up of two indoor units 20 included in the plurality of indoor units 20.

[0099] (4-4) In the air conditioning zoning method of this embodiment, the degree of coincidence (first index) is calculated using the value of the set temperature (first parameter) included in the time-series data 82. The control unit 19 determines whether at least two indoor units 20 are similar based on the degree of coincidence (first index). The control unit 19 classifies at least two indoor units 20 that are determined to be similar into the same first air conditioning zone Z1.

[0100] (4-5) In the air-conditioning zoning method of this embodiment, the multiple indoor units 20 are set as either main indoor units or sub indoor units. The multiple indoor units 20 include at least one main indoor unit. The control unit 19 further acquires parent-child information 81 from the multiple indoor units 20, indicating whether the indoor unit 20 is a main indoor unit or a sub indoor unit. Based on the parent-child information 81 and time-series data 82, the control unit 19 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 into one or more second air-conditioning zones Z2 so that each second air-conditioning zone Z2 includes at least one main indoor unit. The control unit 19 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 into one or more second air-conditioning zones Z2 so that the sub indoor unit is classified into the same second air-conditioning zone Z2 as the main indoor unit determined to be most similar to itself based on the degree of similarity (first index). The control unit 19 calculates the degree of similarity (first index) for each combination or combinations. A combination is composed of at least two main indoor units whose classified second air-conditioning zones Z2 are different from each other. The control unit 19 classifies the indoor units 20 into a first air conditioning zone Z1 based on the degree of coincidence (first index).

[0101] As a result, the air conditioning zoning method classifies multiple indoor units 20 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 based on parent-child information 81 and time series data 82, and then classifies them into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1, thereby reducing the calculation cost for classifying multiple indoor units 20 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1.

[0102] (5) Variations (5-1) Variation 1A In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1 classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 based on the parent-child information 81 and time series data 82, and then classifies the indoor unit group 80 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1.

[0103] However, the air conditioning system 1 may classify the indoor unit group 80 into one or more first air conditioning zones Z1 without using the parent-child information 81.

[0104] First, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of match for every combination consisting of two indoor units 20 included in the indoor unit group 80. Next, the classification unit 192 determines whether the two indoor units 20 are similar for every combination based on the degree of match. For example, the classification unit 192 determines that the two indoor units 20 are similar if the degree of match between the two indoor units 20 is greater than a predetermined threshold. Next, the classification unit 192 classifies the two indoor units 20 that are determined to be similar into the same first air conditioning zone Z1. Finally, the classification unit 192 classifies each indoor unit 20 that has not yet been classified into the first air conditioning zone Z1 into a first air conditioning zone Z1 that includes only that indoor unit 20.

[0105] Furthermore, the classification unit 192 may calculate the degree of coincidence for each combination of three or more indoor units 20 included in the indoor unit group 80. For example, the degree of coincidence is the ratio of the number of times at which the set temperatures of three or more indoor units 20 are the same to the number of all times included in the time-series data 82. Next, the classification unit 192 determines whether the three or more indoor units 20 are similar for each combination based on the degree of coincidence. For example, the classification unit 192 determines that the three or more indoor units 20 are similar if the degree of coincidence of the three or more indoor units 20 is greater than a predetermined threshold. Next, the classification unit 192 classifies the three or more indoor units 20 determined to be similar into the same first air conditioning zone Z1. Next, if there are indoor units 20 included in two or more first air conditioning zones Z1, the classification unit 192 combines these first air conditioning zones Z1 into one. Finally, each indoor unit 20 not yet classified into a first air conditioning zone Z1 is classified into the first air conditioning zone Z1 that contains only that indoor unit 20.

[0106] (5-2) Variation 1B In the present embodiment, the first index is calculated using the value of the first parameter included in the time-series data 82. However, the first index may be calculated using imaged time-series data 82.

[0107] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of imaged time-series data 82. In Fig. 12, the first parameter is the set temperature. As shown in Fig. 12, the time-series data 82 for indoor unit 20a and the time-series data 82 for indoor unit 20b have different set temperatures between t2 and t3. When the first index is the degree of match, the degree of match is, for example, the proportion of pixels whose pixel values ​​match out of the total number of pixels.

[0108] (5-3) Variation 1C In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 classified the indoor unit group 80 into one or more second air conditioning zones Z2 so that each child indoor unit was classified into the same second air conditioning zone Z2 as the parent indoor unit that was determined to be most similar to itself based on the degree of match (first index) between the time-series data 82 of the set temperature (first parameter). In this case, if there were multiple parent indoor units that had the highest degree of match with the child indoor unit, the classification unit 192 determined that the parent indoor unit most similar to the child indoor unit was the parent indoor unit selected at random from among the parent indoor units that had the highest degree of match with the child indoor unit.

[0109] However, if there are multiple master indoor units that have the highest degree of match with the slave indoor unit, the classification section 192 may determine in more detail the master indoor unit that is most similar to the slave indoor unit.

[0110] For example, the acquisition unit 191 further acquires identification information of the indoor units 20 from multiple indoor units 20 via the controller 40. In the following description, the identification information of the indoor units 20 is described as the device name of the indoor unit 20. The classification unit 192 calculates a second index for every combination consisting of a child indoor unit and each parent indoor unit that has the highest degree of match with the child indoor unit. The second index is an index of similarity between the device names. The second index is, for example, the similarity of the sequence data. The classification unit 192 determines that the greater the similarity of the sequence data, the greater the degree of similarity. Of the parent indoor units that have the highest degree of match with the child indoor unit, the classification unit 192 determines that the parent indoor unit with the highest similarity of sequence data with the child indoor unit is the parent indoor unit most similar to the child indoor unit.

[0111] Furthermore, if there are multiple master indoor units with the highest degree of similarity in sequence data with the slave indoor units, for example, the classification unit 192 may calculate another first index between time-series data 82 of another first parameter for all combinations consisting of a slave indoor unit and each master indoor unit with the highest degree of similarity in sequence data with the slave indoor units. For example, the classification unit 192 calculates a DTW (first index) between time-series data 82 of the indoor intake temperature (first parameter) for all combinations consisting of a slave indoor unit and each master indoor unit with the highest degree of similarity in sequence data with the slave indoor units. Of the master indoor units with the highest degree of similarity in sequence data with the slave indoor units, the classification unit 192 determines the master indoor unit with the smallest DTW with the slave indoor unit to be the master indoor unit most similar to the slave indoor unit. If there are multiple master indoor units with the smallest DTW with the slave indoor units, the classification unit 192 determines the master indoor unit most similar to the slave indoor unit to be the master indoor unit most similar to the slave indoor unit.

[0112] (5-4) Variation 1D In this embodiment, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of agreement between the time series data 82 of the set temperature (first parameter) for every combination consisting of two different master indoor units in the classified second air conditioning zone Z2, and determines whether the two master indoor units are similar.

[0113] However, the classification unit 192 may calculate the degree of agreement between the time-series data 82 for multiple types of first parameters for every combination of two different master indoor units in the classified second air conditioning zone Z2, and determine whether the two master indoor units are similar.

[0114] For example, the classification unit 192 calculates the degree of coincidence between the time series data 82 of the set temperatures and the degree of coincidence between the time series data 82 of the operating states for two parent indoor units, and determines that the two parent indoor units are similar if the respective degrees of coincidence are greater than the respective predetermined thresholds.

[0115] In addition, the classification unit 192 may calculate the degree of agreement between the time-series data 82 of the set temperature and the degree of similarity of the sequence data shown in Modification 1C for every combination of two different master indoor units in the classified second air conditioning zone Z2, and determine whether the two master indoor units are similar.

[0116] For example, the classification unit 192 determines that two parent indoor units are similar if the degree of match between the time series data 82 of the set temperatures and the degree of similarity between the sequence data are greater than predetermined thresholds set for each.

[0117] The method of determining whether or not two main indoor units are similar in this modification can also be applied to determining whether or not two indoor units 20 are similar in modification 1A.

[0118] (5-5) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1. Air conditioning system 19 Control Unit 20 Indoor unit 81 Parent and Child Information 82 Time Series Data Z1 First Air Conditioning Zone Z2 Second air conditioning zone [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0120] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-009895

Claims

1. An air conditioning zoning method for an air conditioning system (1) having a plurality of indoor units (20) and a control unit (19), the method classifying the plurality of indoor units into one or more first air conditioning zones (Z1), The control unit Obtaining values ​​of a first parameter indicating the state of the indoor units from the plurality of indoor units as time-series data (82); calculating a first index that is an index of similarity between the time series data for one or more combinations of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units; classifying the indoor units into the first air conditioning zone based on the first index; the first parameter includes an operating state, an operating mode, or a refrigerant temperature of the indoor unit; The operating state indicates whether the device is operating or stopped. Air conditioning zoning method.

2. the control unit calculates the first index for each of one or more combinations of two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units. The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 1 .

3. the first index is calculated using the value of the first parameter included in the time-series data; The control unit determining whether at least two indoor units are similar based on the first index; classifying at least two indoor units determined to be similar into the same first air conditioning zone; The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 1 .

4. the first index is calculated using the imaged time-series data; The control unit determining whether at least two indoor units are similar based on the first index; classifying at least two indoor units determined to be similar into the same first air conditioning zone; The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit Further acquiring indoor unit identification information from the plurality of indoor units; calculating a second index that is an index of similarity between the identification information for one or more combinations of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units; classifying the indoor units into the first air conditioning zone based on the second index; The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 1 .

6. The plurality of indoor units include: It is set to either the main indoor unit or the sub indoor unit. at least one of the parent indoor units; The control unit parent-child information (81) indicating whether an indoor unit is the parent indoor unit or the child indoor unit is further acquired from the plurality of indoor units; classifying the indoor units into one or more second air conditioning zones based on the parent-child information and the time-series data, such that each second air conditioning zone (Z2) includes at least one parent indoor unit, and the child indoor unit is classified into the same second air conditioning zone as the parent indoor unit that is determined to be most similar to the child indoor unit based on the first index; calculating the first index for one or more combinations of the classified second air conditioning zones each composed of at least two different main indoor units; classifying the indoor units into the first air conditioning zone based on the first index; The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 1 .

7. The control unit Further acquiring indoor unit identification information from the plurality of indoor units; calculating a second index that is an index of similarity between the identification information for one or more combinations of at least two indoor units included in the plurality of indoor units; classifying the indoor units into the first air conditioning zone or the second air conditioning zone based on the second index; The air conditioning zoning method according to claim 6.

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