Air conditioning control device, air conditioning system, and air conditioning control method

Abstract

An air conditioning control device according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores wind speed data that is data of wind speed received by a human body, measured for each combination of a plurality of wind directions and a plurality of wind volumes, in order to maintain comfort of a user, and a computing device that performs computation for controlling an air conditioner on the basis of the wind speed data stored in the storage device. The computing device includes a wind speed index calculating unit that calculates a wind speed index from the wind speed data, and a control information deciding unit that decides control information for realizing the wind speed index when the wind speed index calculated by the wind speed index calculating unit satisfies an operation target value based on a comfort level evaluation test.

Description

Air conditioning control device, air conditioning system, and air conditioning control method

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

[0002] When the control method of an air conditioning device such as a room air conditioner is based on the intake temperature, there is a problem that the control method is based only on the temperature of the upper space around the indoor unit. To address this problem, Patent Document 1 proposes controlling the air conditioner based on a comfort index at the user's position rather than the intake temperature in order to improve user comfort and energy efficiency. Patent Document 1 is configured to measure a thermal environment measurement value at the user's position, and determine which mode (first mode, second mode, or third mode) to implement based on the target value and the measured value, and then determine an air conditioning control value.

[0003] The thermal environment measurement values ​​include, for example, temperature, humidity, wind speed, clothing amount, metabolic rate, and radiant temperature, and experimental values ​​or approximate formulas can be used. The first mode is a rapid cooling mode, which rapidly reduces the temperature when, for example, it is hot and uncomfortable. The second mode is a mode that cools the space and maintains personal comfort. The third mode is a mild cooling mode that maintains a neutral state. For example, immediately after startup, the first rapid cooling mode is implemented, and after the first target value is reached, the second mode that cools the space and the people is implemented, and after the second target value is reached, the third mild cooling mode is implemented. The up / down / left / right wind direction, compressor frequency, and airflow volume are controlled based on the air conditioning control values ​​determined according to the mode.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-174022

[0005] In Patent Document 1, comfort is ensured by determining a combination of set temperature, air volume, and air direction to achieve a comfortable state according to a predetermined comfort index. However, the comfort index does not provide a basis for determining the state of airflow that hits the body, which particularly affects the user's thermal sensation. Airflow can be broken down into various elements, such as frequency, speed, and temperature, and there is airflow that is comfortable for the user. However, when airflow is broken down into several elements, the individual elements are not determined by human sensation, so the basis for determining a comfortable airflow is unclear.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, there are six types of PMV, which is a predetermined comfort index, and a comfortable state is one where PMV≈0. For example, a situation where the frequency and speed of the airflow hitting the body are high and the temperature is high can result in the same comfortable PMV, as can a situation where the frequency and speed of the airflow hitting the body are low and the temperature is low. However, when based on the predetermined comfort index, there is a possibility that a combination of airflow elements that the user does not want, such as airflow that hits the body too hard, is strong or cold, or does not contribute to energy conservation, can be generated. As such, generating an airflow based on the predetermined comfort index may not necessarily result in a configuration that ensures comfort.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning system, and an air conditioning control method that can maintain a comfortable airflow feeling and reduce discomfort.

[0008] The air conditioning control device according to the present disclosure comprises a storage device that stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple air volumes, and a calculation device that performs calculations to control the air conditioner based on the wind speed data stored in the storage device. The calculation device has a wind speed index calculation unit that calculates a wind speed index from the wind speed data, and a control information determination unit that determines control information to realize the wind speed index when the wind speed index calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit satisfies an operating target value based on a comfort evaluation test.

[0009] In addition, the air conditioning control device according to the present disclosure includes a storage device that stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple air volumes, and a calculation device that performs calculations to control the air conditioner based on the wind speed data stored in the storage device. The calculation device has a wind speed index calculation unit that calculates a wind speed index from the wind speed data, a temperature index calculation unit that calculates a sensible temperature index based on the wind speed index, and a control information determination unit that determines control information to realize the sensible temperature index when it is determined that the current sensible temperature index is the same as the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control.

[0010] An air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes the above air conditioning control device and the air conditioner configured to be able to communicate with the air conditioning control device.

[0011] In addition, the air conditioning control method disclosed herein stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple air volumes, calculates a wind speed index based on the wind speed data, and, if the wind speed index meets a target value based on a comfort evaluation test, sends control information to the air conditioner to realize the wind speed index.

[0012] In addition, the air conditioning control method disclosed herein stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple air volumes, calculates a wind speed index based on the wind speed data, calculates a sensible temperature index based on the wind speed index, and if it is determined that the current sensible temperature index is the same as the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control, transmits control information to the air conditioner to realize the sensible temperature index.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, control information is updated and determined so that the wind speed index meets the operating target value or the sensible temperature index is maintained, so that airflow elements are taken into consideration individually, and discomfort can be reduced while maintaining a comfortable airflow sensation.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner equipped with an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating wind direction in an indoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example of wind speed data stored in an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating wind speed data stored in an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a wind direction schematic diagram illustrating a calculation method using a wind speed index calculation formula in an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 5 of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an air conditioning control device according to embodiment 5 of the present disclosure.

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. In particular, the combinations of components are not limited to those in each embodiment; components described in one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment. The configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the configurations of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings. In the following description, directional terms (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the present disclosure. In each drawing, components designated with the same reference numerals are identical or equivalent, and this applies throughout the entire specification. The relative dimensional relationships or shapes of the components in each drawing may differ from those in actuality.

[0016] Embodiment 1. <Configuration of Air Conditioner 2> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner 2 equipped with an air conditioning control device 21 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 2 includes an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 22, and is equipped with the air conditioning control device 21.

[0017] The indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 22 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 24. The indoor unit 20 exchanges heat between a heat medium and indoor air to adjust the indoor temperature. The outdoor unit 22 cools or heats a heat medium made of a refrigerant or water. The air conditioner 2 may be equipped with a remote control that allows a user to perform operations such as turning the power of the air conditioner 2 on and off, and setting operating conditions 2121 (see FIG. 3) for the indoor unit 20, such as the set temperature, air volume WV (see FIG. 3), and air direction WD (see FIG. 3). The air conditioning control device 21 is connected to the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 22 so as to be able to communicate with them. The air conditioning control device 21 is mounted, for example, inside the housing of the indoor unit 20. The air conditioning control device 21 may also be installed outside the air conditioner 2. The air conditioning control device 21 only needs to be connected to at least the indoor unit 20.

[0018] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wind direction WD in the indoor unit 20 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 20 can be set to one of a plurality of wind direction WDs. For example, the indoor unit 20 can be set to five different wind direction WDs, wind direction A to wind direction E. The wind direction WD may be set arbitrarily by the user using a remote control (not shown), or may be set automatically, for example, by detecting the user's position using MoveEye (registered trademark).

[0019] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning control device 21 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning control device 21 calculates and updates the air volume WV, which is one of the elements of the airflow, to adjust the speed of the airflow that strikes the body and provide a comfortable airflow to the user.

[0020] 3 , the air conditioning control device 21 includes an indoor environment measuring device 211, a storage device 212, and a computing device 213. The indoor environment measuring device 211 measures information related to the indoor environment. The storage device 212 stores various data related to the air conditioner 2. The computing device 213 performs calculations for controlling the air conditioner 2.

[0021] The air conditioning control device 21 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also called a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). The air conditioning control device 21 has memory configured with, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. The air conditioning control device 21 realizes processing by programs stored in the memory.

[0022] <Indoor environment measuring device 211> The indoor environment measuring device 211 has, for example, a room temperature measuring means 2111 and a user position detecting means 2112. The room temperature measuring means 2111 measures the room temperature, which is a value related to the indoor environment. The room temperature measuring means 2111 has one or more sensors. The room temperature measuring means 2111 measures the room temperature, for example, at a preset cycle. The cycle can be selected and set from a plurality of options, such as 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes.

[0023] The user position detection means 2112 measures the user position 2123 in the room. The user position detection means 2112 is configured with, for example, a thermal image sensor such as an infrared temperature sensor, a thermo camera, or a camera.

[0024] <Storage device 212> The storage device 212 stores various data. For example, the storage device 212 stores an indoor environment 2122, a user position 2123, an operating condition 2121, wind speed data 2124, control information 2126, an operating target value 2125, and a control command 2127. The storage device 212 is configured from a storage medium such as a hard disk, a RAM, etc.

[0025] The indoor environment 2122 is data relating to the current indoor environment, and is data on the room temperature measured by the room temperature measuring means 2111 of the indoor environment measuring device 211 .

[0026] The user position 2123 is data on the user's position in the room, and is data measured by the user position detection means 2112 of the indoor environment measuring device 211.

[0027] The operating conditions 2121 are the current setting values ​​of the air conditioner 2. The operating conditions 2121 include the air volume WV, air direction WD, and temperature of the air conditioner 2. The air volume WV is the amount of air blown out from the indoor unit 20 per unit time. The air volume WV includes multiple air volumes WV. The air direction WD is the direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit 20. The temperature is the set temperature that is preset in the indoor unit 20. The air conditioner 2 is operated based on the air volume WV, air direction WD, and temperature stored as the operating conditions 2121.

[0028] The wind speed data 2124 is data on the wind speed WS experienced by the body, measured for each combination of wind direction WD and air volume WV according to the distance from the indoor unit 20 to the user. The wind speed data 2124 is measured and stored in advance. If the distance from the indoor unit 20, wind direction WD, and air volume WV are known, the wind speed data 2124 can be referenced and compared with the wind direction WD and air volume WV to calculate the wind speed WS at a certain predetermined position.

[0029] The control information 2126 is information determined by the air conditioning control device 21 in order to provide a comfortable airflow to the user. In the first embodiment, the control information 2126 is a set value for the air volume WV. The control information 2126 is determined in order to provide a comfortable airflow to the user, and is stored in the storage device 212.

[0030] The operation target value 2125 is a target value for operating the air conditioner so that the state of the airflow hitting the body is comfortable for the user, and is determined in advance based on comfort evaluation by subject testing, etc. The operation target value 2125 is, for example, a target wind speed that is a target value of the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to, and the target wind speed as the operation target value 2125 is stored in the storage device 212.

[0031] The operation target value 2125 is determined based on a comfort evaluation by a test subject or the like, and therefore, it is possible to generate an airflow that conforms to personal or national preferences for wind sensation. In the comfort evaluation, for example, a value that is indicated or continues to be indicated as "comfortable" in a test subject or verification or evaluation by a human body model is set as the target value. For example, if the test subject or the human body model indicates that "a wind speed of 1 m / sec is comfortable," then "a wind speed of 1 m / sec" becomes the target value.

[0032] Here, whether the value indicated as "comfortable" is "1 m / sec" or "3 m / sec" varies from person to person even if other conditions are the same, and also varies greatly depending on national characteristics, such as whether the person is Southeast Asian, Japanese, Western, etc. By using the operation target value 2125 determined by the comfort evaluation, it is possible to provide airflow that takes such personal or national preferences into consideration.

[0033] The control command 2127 is the operating conditions 2121 transmitted to the air conditioner 2, and includes, for example, the air volume WV, air direction WD, and temperature set in the indoor unit 20. In other words, the air conditioner 2 is operated in accordance with the operating conditions 2121 transmitted based on the control command 2127.

[0034] <Calculation device 213> The calculation device 213 includes a receiving unit 2130, an indoor environment determination unit 2131, a stop wind direction determination unit 2132, a wind speed index calculation unit 2133, a control information determination unit 2134, a control information update unit 2135, and a control command transmission unit 2136.

[0035] The receiving unit 2130 receives information or data from the indoor environment measuring device 211 and stores the received data in the storage device 212. The receiving unit 2130 also accesses the storage device 212 and acquires information from the storage device 212.

[0036] The indoor environment determination unit 2131 determines whether the current indoor environment 2122 is stable or not based on the information of the indoor environment 2122 measured by the indoor environment measuring device 211. Whether the indoor environment 2122 is stable or not is determined, for example, by determining whether the fluctuation range of the room temperature data, which is the indoor environment 2122 measured by the room temperature measuring means 2111, is within a set range for a predetermined time.

[0037] The stop wind direction determination unit 2132 receives the user position 2123 stored in the storage device 212 at the receiving unit 2130, and determines one wind direction WD to stop based on the user position 2123. For convenience, the one wind direction WD determined by the stop wind direction determination unit 2132 may be referred to as the first wind direction WD1. The first wind direction WD1 determined by the stop wind direction determination unit 2132 is stored in the storage device 212 as the operating condition 2121.

[0038] The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 refers to the wind speed data 2124 stored in the storage device 212 and calculates a calculated wind speed WScal, which is the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to, using the operating conditions 2121. The wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to is an example of a wind speed index.

[0039] The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the calculation result of the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 satisfies the operation target value 2125, that is, whether it is equal to the operation target value 2125, and if it is equal, determines control information 2126 that realizes the operation target value 2125. The determined control information 2126 is transmitted to the control command transmission unit 2136.

[0040] The control information update unit 2135 updates the control information 2126 when the control information determination unit 2134 determines that the calculation result of the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 does not satisfy the operation target value 2125, i.e., is not equal to the operation target value 2125.

[0041] The control command transmission unit 2136 transmits the operating conditions 2121 including the control information 2126 determined by the control information determination unit 2134 to the air conditioner 2, which is an air conditioner.

[0042] 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the air conditioning control device 21 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4 , the air conditioning control device 21 calculates control information 2126 so that the wind speed WS continuously exposed to the body satisfies an operation target value 2125, reflects the control information 2126 in the operating conditions 2121, and transmits the information to the air conditioner 2. Specifically, first, in step S1, the air conditioning control device 21 measures an indoor environment 2122 and a user position 2123 as information related to the indoor environment, stores the information in the storage device 212, and proceeds to step S2. The processing of step S1 is executed by the indoor environment measuring device 211.

[0043] In step S2, the air conditioning control device 21 determines whether the room temperature is stable. If it determines that the room temperature is not stable, it returns to step S1 (NO in step S2), and if it determines that the room temperature is stable, it proceeds to step S3 (YES in step S2). The processing of step S2 is executed by the indoor environment determination unit 2131 of the calculation device 213 based on the indoor environment 2122 stored in the storage device 212. A state in which the room temperature is stable is a steady state, and a state in which the room temperature is not stable is an unsteady state. An unsteady state is, for example, when the air conditioner 2 is started up, and in an unsteady state, the room temperature fluctuates, such as when the temperature continues to drop.

[0044] In step S3, the air conditioning control device 21 determines a first airflow direction WD1, which is one airflow direction WD to be stopped, and proceeds to step S4. The first airflow direction WD1 to be stopped is determined from multiple airflow directions WD. The processing of step S3 is executed by the stop airflow direction determination unit 2132 of the calculation device 213, and is stored in the storage device 212 as the operating condition 2121.

[0045] In step S4, the air conditioning control device 21 refers to the wind speed data 2124, calculates the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to, and proceeds to step S5. The processing of step S4 is executed by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the arithmetic device 213. The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 receives as input the user position 2123, the first wind direction WD1, and the control information 2126, and calculates the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to as the calculated wind speed WScal. The control information 2126 is the air volume WV in the first wind direction WD1.

[0046] In step S5, the air conditioning control device 21 determines whether the calculated wind speed WScal, which is the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to, satisfies the operation target value 2125. If it is determined that the operation target value 2125 is satisfied (YES in step S5), the air conditioning control device 21 proceeds to step S7. The processing of step S5 is executed by the control information determination unit 2134. The control information determination unit 2134 obtains the operation target value 2125 stored in the storage device 212, and determines whether the calculated wind speed WScal satisfies the operation target value 2125.

[0047] If the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S5 that the calculated wind speed WScal does not satisfy the operation target value 2125 (NO in step S5), it proceeds to step S6, updates the control information 2126, and returns to step S4. The processing of step S6 is executed by the control information update unit 2135. For example, if the calculated wind speed WScal is smaller than the target wind speed, the control information update unit 2135 updates the control information 2126 in a direction that increases the air volume WV in the first wind direction WD1 in order to increase the calculated wind speed WScal.

[0048] In step S7, the air conditioning control device 21 determines the air volume WV that realizes the calculated air speed WScal as the control information 2126, transmits the determined air volume WV to the control command transmission unit 2136, and proceeds to step S8. The processing of step S7 is executed in the control information determination unit 2134 based on a determination by the control information determination unit 2134.

[0049] In step S8, the air conditioning control device 21 transmits the operating conditions 2121 reflecting the control information 2126 to the air conditioner 2, and ends the processing. The processing of step S8 is executed by the control command transmission unit 2136. The operating conditions 2121 are conditions including the control information 2126 determined by the control information determination unit 2134 in step S7.

[0050] The process by the air conditioning control device 21 is executed at a preset cycle, which can be selected from a number of options, such as 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a table showing an example of the wind speed data 2124 stored in the air conditioning control device 21 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wind speed data 2124 stored in the air conditioning control device 21 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. A method for calculating the calculated wind speed WScal by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 will be specifically described using Figs. 5 and 6 .

[0052] 5 and 6, in the wind speed data 2124, the wind speed WS experienced by the body is calculated and converted into data from a combination of each of a plurality of air volumes WV and each of a plurality of wind directions A to E for each distance from the indoor unit 20. In the wind speed data 2124, the calculated wind speed WScal can be derived by comparing the distance, air volume WV, and wind direction WD.

[0053] For example, assume that the user position 2123 is 0.2 to 0.4 m away from the indoor unit 20, and the first airflow direction WD1 at which the unit will stop is fixed at airflow direction B. In this case, if the current airflow volume WV is set to the first airflow volume WV1, the calculated air speed WScal at the user position 2123 can be calculated as 0.07 m / sec.

[0054] In this way, the air conditioning control device 21 determines the specific combination of airflow elements that will achieve the airflow speed that hits the body from the distance between the indoor unit 20 and the user and a predetermined wind speed index. This ensures user comfort with higher accuracy and also makes it possible to efficiently achieve energy savings.

[0055] The calculation of the wind speed WS experienced by the body based on the wind speed data 2124, i.e., the calculation of the wind speed index by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133, can be performed, for example, by machine learning using AI. In this case, the wind speed index calculation unit 2133, for example, learns previously calculated air conditioning setting values ​​and calculates the wind speed index through machine learning. If the air volume WV in the wind speed data 2124 can be set more precisely, more combinations of air volume WV and wind direction WD will be generated, and the task of comparing the distance, air volume WV, and wind direction WD will become inefficient. By using AI technology, it becomes possible to uniquely determine combinations, thereby improving the efficiency of calculations.

[0056] The air conditioning control device 21 may be provided in the indoor unit 20, or may be provided separately from and be capable of communicating with the indoor unit 20. The air conditioning control device 21 may also be configured such that at least a portion of the calculation process is performed by another device, such as a cloud, and the calculation results are transmitted.

[0057] As described above, the air conditioning control device 21 according to the first embodiment transmits control information 2126 to the air conditioner 2 so that the wind speed WS calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 satisfies the operation target value 2125, which is the target value of the wind speed WS based on the comfort evaluation test. This generates airflow that matches personal or national preferences for wind sensation and takes individual factors into consideration, thereby maintaining a comfortable airflow sensation for the user. In other words, the air conditioning control device 21 can quantitatively determine the comfortable wind speed WS when the airflow reaches the body, in accordance with personal or national preferences. This makes it possible to determine the operating conditions 2121, which are air conditioning setting values, that can maintain a comfortable airflow sensation for a long period of time and reduce discomfort caused by excessive wind sensation during swinging.

[0058] The control information 2126 is, for example, a set value of the air volume WV, and if the set value of the air volume WV can be updated to be smaller than the current set value, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant in the outdoor unit 22 and the rotation speed of the fan in the indoor unit 20. This reduces power consumption and achieves energy savings.

[0059] Furthermore, if the wind speed WS calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 does not satisfy the operation target value 2125, the control information update unit 2135 updates the control information 2126, thereby achieving energy savings.

[0060] Furthermore, when the room temperature is stable, the air conditioning control device 21 determines the airflow direction WD to be stopped and starts the process of determining the control information 2126. Therefore, during normal operation when the room temperature is stable, it is possible to achieve energy savings while maintaining user comfort.

[0061] The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 may be configured to calculate the wind speed WS by machine learning using AI, thereby improving the efficiency of calculation of the wind speed WS.

[0062] Embodiment 2. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 21 according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that, among the airflow elements, the frequency of airflow hitting the body is calculated and updated. In embodiment 2, parts common to embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the air conditioning control device 21 of embodiment 2 stores a wind speed index calculation formula 2128 in the memory device 212, and uses the wind speed index calculation formula 2128 to calculate the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to as the wind speed index.

[0064] The storage device 212 has a target average wind speed stored in advance as an operation target value 2125. The target average wind speed is a target value for the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to. The operation target value 2125 is determined based on personal or national beliefs about the feeling of wind blowing, and is a target value for the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, determined in advance based on a comfort level evaluation.

[0065] The control information 2126 of the storage device 212 stores a first stop time T1 in the first wind direction WD1, a second stop time T2 in the second wind direction WD2, and a travel time T3. The travel time T3 is the time required for one-way travel between the first wind direction WD1 and the second wind direction WD2.

[0066] The stop wind direction determination unit 2132 of the calculation device 213 determines two different wind directions WD: a first wind direction WD1 and a second wind direction WD2. The first wind direction WD1 and the second wind direction WD2 are determined based on, for example, a user position 2123. The first wind direction WD1 and the second wind direction WD2 are stored in the operating conditions 2121 of the storage device 212.

[0067] The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the calculation device 213 uses the wind speed data 2124, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3 to calculate the average wind speed Wsave per time required for one full swing. By calculating the average wind speed Wsave per time required for one full swing, it is possible to calculate the frequency of airflow hitting the body. The greater the frequency of airflow hitting the body, the greater the average wind speed Wsave.

[0068] The average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently subjected to is calculated as a wind speed index using a wind speed index calculation formula 2128. The wind speed index calculation formula 2128 is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0069]

[0070] Here, WS1 is the calculated wind speed WScal [m / s] in the first wind direction WD1, WS2 is the calculated wind speed WScal [m / s] in the second wind direction WD2, T1 is the stop time [s] in the first wind direction WD1, T2 is the stop time [s] in the second wind direction WD2, and T3 is the one-way travel time [s] between the stop wind directions.

[0071] The wind speed index calculation formula 2128 has as variables the first wind direction WD1, the second wind direction WD2, the travel time T3, and the wind speed data 2124. By using the wind speed index calculation formula 2128, it is possible to calculate the frequency of airflow hitting the body.

[0072] 8 is a schematic diagram of a wind direction illustrating a calculation method using the wind speed index calculation formula 2128 in the air conditioning control device 21 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that a first wind direction WD1 and a second wind direction WD2, and a user-set air volume WV are set.

[0073] Consider a situation where a person is located 0.2 to 0.4 m away from the indoor unit 20, with a first stop time T1 of 30 seconds in the first wind direction WD1, a second stop time T2 of 5 seconds in the second wind direction WD2, and a travel time T3 of 2 seconds. In this case, a first wind speed WS1 experienced by the body in the first wind direction WD1 and a second wind speed WS2 experienced by the body in the second wind direction WD2 are calculated with reference to the wind speed data 2124. The calculated first wind speed WS1 and second wind speed WS2, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the travel time T3 are then substituted into the wind speed index calculation formula 2128. As a result, the average wind speed WSave per unit time experienced by the body intermittently can be calculated as 0.063 m / s using formula (1).

[0074] If the calculated average wind speed W Save satisfies the operation target value 2125, the control information determination unit 2134 determines control information 2126 that realizes the calculated average wind speed W Save. The determined control information 2126 is transmitted to the control command transmission unit 2136.

[0075] When the control information determination unit 2134 determines that the calculated average wind speed W Save does not satisfy the operation target value 2125, the control information update unit 2135 updates at least any of the control information 2126. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the calculated average wind speed W Save is 0.063 m / s and does not satisfy the operation target value 2125, the control information update unit 2135 updates, for example, the first stop time T1 in the control information 2126. The control information update unit 2135 continues the operation of updating the control information 2126 until the calculated average wind speed W Save satisfies the operation target value 2125.

[0076] 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the air conditioning control device 21 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 9 , the air conditioning control device 21 calculates control information 2126 so that the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to satisfies an operation target value 2125, reflects this in the operating conditions 2121, and transmits the control information 2126 to the air conditioner 2.

[0077] When the air conditioning control device 21 starts the process, in steps S10 and S11, the air conditioning control device 21 performs the same processes as in steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 4, and then proceeds to step S12.

[0078] In step S12, the air conditioning control device 21 determines two different airflow directions WD to be stopped, that is, a first airflow direction WD1 and a second airflow direction WD2, and proceeds to step S13. The processing of step S12 is executed by the stop airflow direction determination unit 2132 of the calculation device 213, and the first airflow direction WD1 and the second airflow direction WD2 are stored in the storage device 212 as operating conditions 2121.

[0079] In step S13, the air conditioning control device 21 calculates the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, and then proceeds to step S14. The processing of step S13 is executed by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the arithmetic device 213. The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 calculates the average wind speed W Save using a wind speed index calculation formula 2128. The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 calculates the average wind speed W Save using the currently set air volume W V, first wind direction WD1, and second wind direction WD2, control information 2126, and wind speed data 2124 as input. The wind speed data 2124 is used to calculate the first wind speed WS1 and second wind speed WS2.

[0080] In step S14, the air conditioning control device 21 determines whether the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to satisfies the operation target value 2125, and if it determines that the operation target value 2125 is satisfied (YES in step S14), the air conditioning control device 21 proceeds to step S16. The processing of step S14 is executed by the control information determination unit 2134. The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is continuously exposed to satisfies the target average wind speed, which is the operation target value 2125.

[0081] If the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S14 that the average wind speed W Save calculated in step S13 does not satisfy the operation target value 2125 (NO in step S14), the air conditioning control device 21 proceeds to step S15, updates the control information 2126, and returns to step S13. The processing of step S15 is executed by the control information update unit 2135. For example, if the calculated average wind speed W Save is smaller than the target average wind speed, the control information update unit 2135 updates the control information 2126 to increase the calculated average wind speed W Save. In other words, at least one of the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the travel time T3 is updated in the direction that increases the average wind speed W Save.

[0082] In step S16, the air conditioning control device 21 determines the control information 2126 that will achieve the calculated average wind speed Wsave, transmits the determined control information 2126 to the control command transmission unit 2136, and proceeds to step S17. The processing of step S16 is executed in the control information determination unit 2134 based on a determination by the control information determination unit 2134.

[0083] In step S17, the air conditioning control device 21 transmits the operating conditions 2121 reflecting the control information 2126 to the air conditioner 2, and ends the process. The process of step S17 is executed by the control command transmission unit 2136. The operating conditions 2121 are conditions including the control information 2126 determined by the control information determination unit 2134 in step S16.

[0084] The air conditioning control device 21 calculates the average wind speed Wsave per unit time that the body is subjected to intermittently, thereby quantitatively determining the frequency at which the airflow reaches the body, and can therefore set air conditioning settings to maintain a comfortable airflow sensation for a long period of time.In addition, discomfort caused by excessive wind blowing during swings can be reduced.

[0085] Furthermore, the air conditioning control device 21 is configured to determine, based on the comfort level evaluation, a target value for the average air speed Wsave per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to as the operation target value 2125. This allows the frequency at which airflow reaches the body to be determined based on personal or national preferences.

[0086] In this way, the air conditioning control device 21 determines a specific combination of the frequency of airflow hitting the body from the distance between the indoor unit 20 and the user and a predetermined wind speed index. This ensures user comfort with higher accuracy and also makes it possible to efficiently achieve energy savings.

[0087] As described above, the air conditioning control device 21 according to the second embodiment calculates the average air speed Wsave per unit time experienced by the body as a wind speed index, and determines control information 2126 so that the average air speed Wsave becomes the target average air speed based on the comfort evaluation test. The control information 2126 is at least one of the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3. This allows the comfortable frequency at which airflow reaches the body to be quantitatively determined in accordance with personal or national preferences. This makes it possible to determine operating conditions 2121, which are air conditioning setting values ​​for maintaining a comfortable airflow sensation for a long period of time. It also makes it possible to determine air conditioning setting values ​​for reducing discomfort caused by excessive wind blowing during swinging.

[0088] Embodiment 3. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 21 according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. Embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 1 or 2 in that, among the airflow elements, air volume WV and air direction WD are calculated and updated. In embodiment 3, parts common to embodiment 1 or 2 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1 or 2.

[0089] 10 , the air conditioning control device 21 according to the third embodiment, like the second embodiment, stores a wind speed index calculation formula 2128 in the storage device 212, and calculates the wind speed index using the wind speed index calculation formula 2128. The wind speed index is the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to. Like the second embodiment, the air conditioning control device 21 stores a target average wind speed in advance in the storage device 212 as an operation target value 2125.

[0090] The control information 2126 of the storage device 212 stores the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, the movement time T3, as well as a set value of the first air volume WV1 in the first air direction WD1 and a set value of the second air volume WV2 in the second air direction WD2. The air volumes WV1 and WV2 may be set to the same air volume WV.

[0091] The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the arithmetic device 213 calculates the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, using the wind speed index calculation formula 2128. The input values ​​are the first wind direction WD1, the second wind direction WD2, the first wind volume WV1, the second wind volume WV2, the wind speed data 2124, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the travel time T3.

[0092] When the control information determination unit 2134 of the calculation device 213 determines that the calculated average wind speed Wsave does not satisfy the operation target value 2125, the control information update unit 2135 updates at least one of the control information 2126. The control information 2126 includes the first air volume WV1, the second air volume WV2, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3.

[0093] The control information 2126 includes not only the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3, but also the set value of the first air volume WV1 and the set value of the second air volume WV2, and by updating at least one of these, it is possible to adjust the airflow state in more detail.

[0094] 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the air conditioning control device 21 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, the air conditioning control device 21 calculates control information 2126 so that the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to satisfies the operation target value 2125, reflects this in the operating conditions 2121, and transmits this to the air conditioner 2. In steps S20 to S24, processing similar to the processing in steps S10 to S14 in the processing of the second embodiment is performed, and it is determined whether the calculated average wind speed W Save satisfies the operation target value 2125.

[0095] If the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S24 that the calculated average air speed W Save does not satisfy the operation target value 2125 (NO in step S24), the air conditioning control device 21 proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the air conditioning control device 21 updates the control information 2126, that is, at least one of the set value of the first air volume WV1, the set value of the second air volume WV2, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3, and returns to step S23.

[0096] On the other hand, if the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S24 that the calculated average wind speed W Save satisfies the operation target value 2125 (YES in step S24), the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the air conditioning control device 21 determines control information 2126 that will achieve the calculated average wind speed W Save, sends it to the control command transmitter 2136, and the process proceeds to step S27. Then, in step S27, the air conditioning control device 21 reflects the control information 2126 in the operating conditions 2121, sends it to the air conditioner 2, and ends the process.

[0097] The air conditioning control device 21 according to embodiment 3 achieves the same effects as those of embodiments 1 and 2. Furthermore, when the control information 2126 is updated so that at least one of the first air volume WV1 or the second air volume WV2 is reduced, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the outdoor unit 22 is reduced and the rotation speed of the fan in the indoor unit 20 is reduced, resulting in reduced power consumption and energy savings.

[0098] In this way, the air conditioning control device 21 determines a specific combination of the frequency and speed of the airflow that hits the body from the distance between the indoor unit 20 and the user and a predetermined wind speed index. This ensures user comfort with higher accuracy and also makes it possible to efficiently achieve energy savings.

[0099] The air conditioning control device 21 according to the third embodiment described above is configured to determine at least one of the first air volume WV1, the second air volume WV2, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the movement time T3, and to achieve a target average wind speed. This allows for the generation of an airflow that matches personal or national preferences for wind sensation and takes individual factors into consideration, thereby maintaining a comfortable airflow sensation for the user and reducing discomfort caused by excessive wind sensation during swings.

[0100] Fourth Embodiment Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 21 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that, among the elements of the airflow, the air volume WV and temperature of the airflow that strikes the body are calculated and updated. In the fourth embodiment, parts that are common to the first to third embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 12 , the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fourth embodiment stores a temperature index calculation formula 2129 in the storage device 212, and includes a temperature index calculation unit 2137 in the arithmetic device 213. The control information 2126 is at least one of the set value of the air volume WV and the update width ΔT from the current set value of the set temperature. The operating conditions 2121 in the storage device 212 include the set temperature and the wind direction WD. The set temperature is the temperature set in the air conditioner 2. The set temperature may be, for example, the intake temperature. The wind direction WD is fixed to, for example, the user position 2123.

[0102] The temperature index calculation formula 2129 is a calculation formula used by the temperature index calculation unit 2137 of the arithmetic device 213 to calculate a sensible temperature index representing the sensible temperature. The temperature index calculation formula 2129 uses at least two variables: the wind speed around the body and the ambient air temperature, and is expressed as the following formula (2). The wind speed around the body is the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to. The ambient air temperature is, for example, the current set temperature. In this case, the set temperature is a setting value that can be actively changed, so it can be included in the operating conditions or control information. The ambient air temperature may also be, for example, the intake temperature. The intake temperature cannot be included in the operating conditions or control information, and therefore cannot be changed by ΔT or relaxed toward energy saving, but it can be used, for example, as an input to the sensible temperature index.

[0103] The sensible temperature index can be calculated using, for example, the net effective temperature (NET), which is an improved version of the Misnar formula. The Misnar formula is a sensible temperature devised by taking into account the influence of humidity on temperature, and the sensible temperature NET is the Misnar formula that also takes into account the influence of wind speed. The sensible temperature NET is calculated using the following formula (2): where T is room temperature [°C], WS is the wind speed [m / s] that the body is continuously exposed to, and H is the indoor relative humidity [%]. The indoor relative humidity H can be assumed to be 60% assuming summer. A humidity sensor may be provided in the indoor environment measuring device 211, and the value measured by the humidity sensor may be used to determine the indoor relative humidity H.

[0104]

[0105] The temperature index calculation unit 2137 calculates the sensible temperature index using the temperature index calculation formula 2129 stored in the storage device 212, the wind speed data 2124, and the set temperature. By using the wind speed data 2124, the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to is calculated as the wind speed around the body. The temperature index calculation unit 2137 calculates the sensible temperature index at the current set temperature and the sensible temperature index at the next control, that is, when the set temperature fluctuates by an update width ΔT. The set temperature may be, for example, the intake temperature.

[0106] The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the current sensible temperature index is equal to the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control, and if they are approximately equal, transmits the first air volume WV1 and temperature setting that will achieve the sensible temperature index to the control command transmission unit 2136.

[0107] If the control information determination unit 2134 does not determine that the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control are equal, the control information 2126 is updated so that they become equal. The control information 2126 is, for example, the set value of the first air volume WV1.

[0108] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 13, the air conditioning control device 21 calculates the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index for the next control, and performs processing to update the control information 2126 so that the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index for the next control have approximately the same value.

[0109] When the air conditioning control device 21 starts the process, it performs the same processes as steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 4 in steps S30 to S33, and then proceeds to step S34.

[0110] In step S34, the air conditioning control device 21 determines whether the current sensible temperature index is equal to the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control. The processing of step S34 is executed by the control information determination unit 2134. The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the time of the next control, based on the sensible temperature index calculated by the temperature index calculation unit 2137.

[0111] If, in step S34, the air conditioning control device 21 determines that the current sensible temperature index will not be maintained at the next control (NO in step S34), the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the air conditioning control device 21 updates the control information 2126 so that the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the next control. The process of step S35 is executed by the control information update unit 2135. If the control information determination unit 2134 determines that the current sensible temperature index will not be maintained at the next control, the control information update unit 2134 updates the set value of at least one of the first air volume WV1 or the second air volume WV2 so that the sensible temperature index is realized, and the process returns to step S33.

[0112] If the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S34 that the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the next control (YES in step S34), the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the air conditioning control device 21 transmits the control information 2126, i.e., the set values ​​of the first air volume WV1 and the second air volume WV2, to the control command transmitter 2136, and then proceeds to step S37. Then, in step S37, the air conditioning control device 21 reflects the control information 2126 in the operating conditions 2121 and transmits them to the air conditioner 2, and then ends the process.

[0113] When the set temperature is updated from the current set value to a more energy-efficient setting, the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fourth embodiment raises the refrigerant evaporation temperature, reducing power consumption and achieving greater energy savings than the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, by lowering the set temperature to a more energy-efficient setting, excessive air conditioning, such as cooling, can be suppressed. Furthermore, the operating conditions 2121 reflect the control information 2126 determined so that the perceived temperature index when the room temperature is stable remains roughly constant. This allows for energy savings while maintaining user comfort. Furthermore, when the set temperature is updated from the current set value to a more energy-efficient setting, the indoor unit 20 may automatically switch to fan operation. In this case, the power consumption required for heat exchange in the outdoor unit 22 is reduced, thereby achieving greater energy savings than the first to third embodiments.

[0114] In the fourth embodiment, the first wind direction WD1 and the second wind direction WD2 are fixed by the user, and therefore the wind speed index calculation formula 2128 cannot be used. For this reason, the storage device 212 does not need to include the wind speed index calculation formula 2128 of the first to third embodiments in its configuration. Furthermore, since maintaining the sensible temperature index is a constraint or target in the control information 2126, the operation target value 2125 of the first to third embodiments does not need to be included in its configuration.

[0115] By using the sensible temperature index, even if the coolness decreases due to an increase in the temperature of the airflow, the coolness improves due to an increase in the wind speed WS that the body is continuously exposed to, offsetting the discomfort, thereby achieving energy savings while maintaining comfort.

[0116] In this way, the air conditioning control device 21 determines a specific combination of the speed of the airflow hitting the body from the distance between the indoor unit 20 and the user and a predetermined sensible temperature index. This ensures user comfort with higher accuracy and also makes it possible to achieve efficient energy savings.

[0117] According to the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fourth embodiment described above, the temperature index calculation unit 2137 calculates the sensible temperature index based on the wind speed index, and determines the control information 2126 so as to maintain the sensible temperature index. The control information 2126 is at least one of the set value of the air volume WV and the ambient air temperature. Therefore, when the control information 2126 is adjusted to change the set temperature from the current set value to a more energy-efficient setting, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant increases, reducing power consumption and achieving energy savings. Furthermore, by adjusting the set temperature and suppressing excessive air conditioning, for example, cooling can be suppressed. In this way, the air volume WV and the set temperature are determined so that the sensible temperature index is maintained at approximately the same value when the room temperature is stable under the operating conditions 2121, thereby achieving energy savings while maintaining user comfort.

[0118] Fifth embodiment. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 21 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The fifth embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that, among the airflow elements, the wind direction WD, the air volume WV, and the set temperature are calculated and updated. In the fifth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first to fourth embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the first to fourth embodiments.

[0119] 14 , the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fifth embodiment, like the fourth embodiment, stores a temperature index calculation formula 2129 in the storage device 212, and includes a temperature index calculation unit 2137 in the arithmetic device 213. The control information 2126 is at least one of a first stop time T1, a second stop time T2, a movement time T3, a first air volume WV1, a second air volume WV2, and a temperature update width ΔT.

[0120] The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the arithmetic device 213 calculates the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, using the wind speed index calculation formula 2128. The input values ​​are the first wind direction WD1, the second wind direction WD2, the first wind volume WV1, the second wind volume WV2, the wind speed data 2124, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the travel time T3.

[0121] The temperature index calculation unit 2137 calculates a sensible temperature index using the temperature index calculation formula 2129, the average wind speed W Save calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133, and the update width ΔT of the set temperature. The temperature index calculation unit 2137 calculates the sensible temperature index at the current set temperature and the sensible temperature index at the next control, that is, when the set temperature fluctuates by the update width ΔT. The sensible temperature index at the current set temperature is calculated using the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to and the current set temperature. The sensible temperature index at the next control is calculated using the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, the current set temperature, and the update width ΔT. The current set temperature may be the ambient air temperature or the intake temperature.

[0122] The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the current sensible temperature index is equal to the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control, and if they are approximately equal, transmits the control information 2126 that realizes the sensible temperature index to the control command transmission unit 2136.

[0123] If the control information determination unit 2134 does not determine that the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index for the next control are equal, the control information 2126 is updated to make them equal. When the set temperature is to be increased, the control information 2126 is updated so that the average wind speed per unit time W Save that the body is intermittently exposed to is updated.

[0124] 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 15, the air conditioning control device 21, like the fourth embodiment, calculates the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index for the next control, and performs processing to update the control information 2126 so that the current sensible temperature index and the sensible temperature index for the next control have approximately the same value.

[0125] When the air conditioning control device 21 starts the process, in steps S40 and S41, it performs the same processes as in steps S30 and S31 in FIG. 13, and then proceeds to step S42.

[0126] In step S42, the air conditioning control device 21 determines two different wind directions WD to be stopped, that is, a first wind direction WD1 and a second wind direction WD2, and proceeds to step S43. The processing of step S42 is executed by the stop wind direction determination unit 2132 of the calculation device 213, and the two different wind directions WD are stored in the storage device 212 as operating conditions 2121.

[0127] In step S43, the air conditioning control device 21 calculates the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, and then proceeds to step S44. The processing of step S43 is executed by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 of the arithmetic device 213. The wind speed index calculation unit 2133 calculates the average wind speed W Save using the currently set air volume W V, first wind direction WD1, and second wind direction WD2, the control information 2126, and the wind speed data 2124 as input to calculate the average wind speed W Save. The wind speed data 2124 is used to calculate the first wind speed WS1 and the second wind speed WS2.

[0128] In step S44, the air conditioning control device 21 determines whether the current sensible temperature index is equal to the sensible temperature index at the time of the next control. The processing of step S44 is executed by the control information determination unit 2134. The control information determination unit 2134 determines whether the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the time of the next control, based on the sensible temperature index calculated by the temperature index calculation unit 2137.

[0129] If, in step S44, the air conditioning control device 21 determines that the current sensible temperature index will not be maintained at the next control (NO in step S44), the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the air conditioning control device 21 updates the control information 2126 so that the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the next control. The control information 2126 includes the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, the movement time T3, the first air volume WV1, and the second air volume WV2. The process of step S35 is executed by the control information update unit 2135. If the control information determination unit 2134 determines that the current sensible temperature index will not be maintained at the next control, the control information update unit 2135 updates at least one setting value of the control information 2126 so that the sensible temperature index is realized, and the process returns to step S43.

[0130] If the air conditioning control device 21 determines in step S44 that the current sensible temperature index will be maintained at the next control (YES in step S44), the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the air conditioning control device 21 transmits the control information 2126 to the control command transmitter 2136, and then proceeds to step S47. Then, in step S47, the air conditioning control device 21 reflects the control information 2126 in the operating conditions 2121 and transmits the control information 2126 to the air conditioner 2, and then ends the process.

[0131] The air conditioning control device 21 according to the fifth embodiment determines the operating conditions 2121 so that the sensible temperature index is maintained at approximately the same value when the room temperature is stable, thereby achieving energy savings while maintaining user comfort. The operating conditions 2121 include five items: two stop wind directions, a stop time in each wind direction WD, a travel time T3 between the wind directions, an air volume WV in each wind direction WD, and a set temperature. The two stop wind directions are a first wind direction WD1 and a second wind direction WD2. The stop times in each wind direction WD are a first stop time T1 and a second stop time T2. The air volumes WV in each wind direction WD are a first air volume WV1 and a second air volume WV2.

[0132] Furthermore, the average wind speed Wsave per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to is calculated based on the wind speed index calculation formula 2128. Therefore, the average wind speed Wsave per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to can be increased without increasing the air volume WV.

[0133] Note that, in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, maintaining the sensible temperature index is a constraint in determining the control conditions, and therefore the target operation value 2125 is not included in the configuration of the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, for example, in the case of air conditioning, a decrease in coolness due to an increase in the temperature of the airflow is offset by an increase in coolness due to an increase in the average air speed W Save per unit time that the body is subjected to intermittently. The configuration of the fifth embodiment can offset the decrease in coolness due to an increase in temperature, while still providing a feeling of coolness.

[0134] The average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to is calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit 2133 from four factors: the two stationary wind directions WD, the stop time in the two wind directions WD, the travel time T3 between the wind directions, and the wind volume WV in the two wind directions WD. Here, there are three ways to increase the average wind speed W Save: first, lengthen the stop time in the user's wind direction WD; second, shorten the travel time T3 in the user's wind direction WD; and third, increase the wind volume WV in the stationary wind direction WD. Of these, the third method leads to an increase in power consumption. Therefore, by preferentially selecting the first or second method, the average wind speed W Save per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to can be increased without increasing power consumption. In this way, even when the only goal is to increase the average wind speed Wsave per unit time that the body is intermittently exposed to, by including the wind speed index calculation formula 2128 in the configuration, there is the advantage that it is possible to devise a way to prevent an increase in energy consumption.

[0135] In this way, the air conditioning control device 21 determines the specific combination of frequency, speed, and temperature of the airflow that hits the body based on the distance between the indoor unit 20 and the user and a predetermined sensible temperature index. This ensures user comfort with higher accuracy and also makes it possible to achieve efficient energy savings.

[0136] According to the air conditioning control device 21 according to the fifth embodiment, the wind speed index is the average wind speed Wsave. The control information 2126 is at least one of the first airflow rate WV1, the second airflow rate WV2, the first stop time T1, the second stop time T2, and the travel time T3. The control information 2126 is determined so that the sensible temperature index when the room temperature is stable remains approximately constant. This allows the average wind speed Wsave per unit time intermittently experienced by the body to be increased without increasing the airflow rate WV. When the set temperature is relaxed from the current set value toward energy conservation, the refrigerant evaporation temperature rises, reducing power consumption and achieving energy savings. Relaxing the set temperature also prevents excessive air conditioning, preventing excessive cooling during cooling, for example. This allows energy savings to be achieved while maintaining a comfortable airflow for the user.

[0137] It should be noted that the first to fifth embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0138] 2 Air conditioner, 20 Indoor unit, 21 Air conditioning control device, 22 Outdoor unit, 24 Refrigerant piping, 211 Indoor environment measuring device, 212 Storage device, 213 Arithmetic device, 2111 Room temperature measuring means, 2112 User position detection means, 2121 Operating conditions, 2122 Indoor environment, 2123 User position, 2124 Wind speed data, 2125 Operation target value, 2126 Control information, 2127 Control command, 2128 Wind speed index calculation formula, 2129 Temperature index calculation formula, 2130 Receiving unit, 2131 Indoor environment determination unit, 2132 Stop wind direction determination unit, 2133 Wind speed index calculation unit, 2134 Control information determination unit, 2135 Control information update unit, 2136 Control command transmission unit, 2137 Temperature index calculation unit.

Claims

1. A memory device that stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple wind volumes, A computing device that performs calculations for controlling an air conditioner based on the wind speed data stored in the memory device, Equipped with, The aforementioned computing device is A wind speed index calculation unit calculates a wind speed index from the aforementioned wind speed data, If the wind speed index calculated by the wind speed index calculation unit satisfies the operating target value based on the comfort level evaluation test, the control information determination unit determines the control information to realize the wind speed index, An air conditioning control device having

2. The aforementioned computing device is It further includes a stop wind direction determination unit that determines one first wind direction to stop from among multiple wind directions, The aforementioned wind speed index is, This is the wind speed that the body is continuously subjected to. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1.

3. The control information is the set value of the airflow. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned computing device is The system further includes a stop wind direction determination unit that determines two different first and second wind directions from among multiple wind directions to which the system will stop. The aforementioned wind speed index is, This is the average wind speed per unit time experienced by the aforementioned body. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1.

5. The control information is, This is at least one of the first stop time in the first wind direction, the second stop time in the second wind direction, and the one-way travel time between the first and second wind directions. The air conditioning control device according to claim 4.

6. The control information is, This is one of the following: the set value of the first airflow rate in the first wind direction, the set value of the second airflow rate in the second wind direction, the first stop time in the first wind direction, the second stop time in the second wind direction, and the one-way travel time between the first and second wind directions. The air conditioning control device according to claim 4.

7. A memory device that stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body measured for each combination of multiple wind directions and multiple wind volumes, A computing device that performs calculations for controlling an air conditioner based on the wind speed data stored in the memory device, Equipped with, The aforementioned computing device is A wind speed index calculation unit calculates a wind speed index from the aforementioned wind speed data, A temperature index calculation unit calculates a perceived temperature index based on the wind speed index, If it is determined that the current perceived temperature index is the same as the perceived temperature index for the next control, a control information determination unit determines the control information that will realize the perceived temperature index. An air conditioning control device having

8. The control information is at least one of the following: airflow and ambient air temperature. The air conditioning control device according to claim 7.

9. The system further includes a stop wind direction determination unit that determines two different first and second wind directions from among the plurality of wind directions to be stopped. The aforementioned wind speed index is, This is the average wind speed per unit time experienced by the aforementioned body. The air conditioning control device according to claim 7.

10. The control information includes, at least, This is one of the following: the set value of the first airflow rate in the first wind direction, the set value of the second airflow rate in the second wind direction, the first stop time in the first wind direction, the second stop time in the second wind direction, and the one-way travel time between the first and second wind directions. The air conditioning control device according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned computing device is If the control information is not determined in the control information determination unit, The system further includes a control information update unit that updates the aforementioned control information. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 7.

12. The aforementioned computing device is It further includes an indoor environment determination unit that determines whether or not the indoor environment is stable. If the indoor environment determination unit determines that the indoor environment is stable, the stop wind direction determination unit determines the wind direction in which the wind will stop. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 7.

13. The aforementioned computing device is The system further includes a control command transmission unit that transmits the control information to the air conditioner. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 7.

14. The wind speed index calculation unit calculates the wind speed index using machine learning. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 7.

15. An air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 7, The air conditioner is configured to communicate with the air conditioning control device, Equipped with an air conditioning system.

16. The system stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body, measured for each combination of wind direction and wind volume. Based on the wind speed data mentioned above, calculate the wind speed index, If the wind speed index meets the target value based on the comfort level evaluation test, control information to achieve the wind speed index is transmitted to the air conditioner. Air conditioning control method.

17. The system stores wind speed data, which is data on the wind speed experienced by the body, measured for each combination of wind direction and wind volume. Based on the wind speed data mentioned above, calculate the wind speed index, Based on the wind speed index mentioned above, the perceived temperature index is calculated, If it is determined that the current perceived temperature index is the same as the perceived temperature index for the next control, control information to achieve the perceived temperature index is transmitted to the air conditioner. Air conditioning control method.