Air conditioning system

Abstract

This air conditioning system comprises an air conditioning device for conditioning air in a space being air conditioned, and a control device for determining an air conditioning control pattern by which the operation of the air conditioning device is established. The control device: acquires a thermal sensation report indicating an evaluation of thermal sensation in the space being air conditioned and a discomfort report indicating an evaluation relating to discomfort in the space being air conditioned other than the thermal sensation, the evaluations being reported by a user present in the space being air conditioned; obtains a comfort index for the user on the basis of the thermal sensation report; determines, on the basis of the comfort index for the user and the discomfort report from the user, an air conditioning control pattern that eliminates discomfort or suppresses the occurrence of discomfort in the future; and outputs the air conditioning control pattern to the air conditioning device.

Description

air conditioning system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that performs air conditioning based on a user's comfort index.

[0002] Conventionally, various comfort indices have been proposed for air conditioning apparatuses to achieve user comfort. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning control system that controls an air conditioner using a predicted mean vote (PMV), which is one of the comfort indices and is calculated based on parameters that affect user comfort (e.g., the temperature or humidity of the air-conditioned space), and an evaluation value of comfort related to thermal sensation actually evaluated by the user.

[0003] International Publication No. 2008 / 087959

[0004] However, with the air conditioning control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the user is satisfied with the comfort level related to the thermal sensation, the user may still feel uncomfortable due to the airflow being too strong against them or the room being too dry.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an air conditioning system that performs air conditioning based on a comfort index that reflects the user's thermal sensation while addressing the user's discomfort.

[0006] The air conditioning system according to the present disclosure comprises an air conditioning device that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned, and a control device that determines an air conditioning control pattern that determines the operation of the air conditioning device. The control device acquires thermal sensation reports that indicate an evaluation of the thermal sensation of the space to be air-conditioned, and discomfort reports that indicate an evaluation of discomfort in the space to be air-conditioned other than the thermal sensation, reported by a user present in the space to be air-conditioned, calculates a comfort index for the user based on the thermal sensation reports, and determines an air conditioning control pattern that eliminates the discomfort or prevents future occurrence of the discomfort based on the user's comfort index and discomfort report, and outputs this pattern to the air conditioning device.

[0007] The control device of the present disclosure outputs to the air conditioner an air conditioning control pattern that is based on the comfort index and the discomfort declaration and that eliminates the discomfort or prevents the discomfort from occurring in the future. Therefore, the air conditioning system of the present disclosure can perform air conditioning based on a comfort index that reflects the user's thermal sensation while addressing the user's discomfort.

[0008] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an indoor unit 7 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the angle of a first flap and the air blowing direction according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the angle of a second flap and the air blowing direction according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control device for an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device for an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a terminal device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermal sensation declaration screen according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a discomfort declaration screen according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device for a terminal device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation procedure of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating an IPMV optimal value according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a preference database according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method of eliminating discomfort according to Embodiment 1. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device of the information processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Various specific setting examples described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the described setting examples. Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, communication refers to either wireless communication or wired communication, or both. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, communication may be a communication method in which wireless communication and wired communication are mixed. For example, the communication method may be such that wireless communication is performed in one section and wired communication is performed in another space. Furthermore, communication from one device to another device may be performed by wired communication, and communication from the other device to the present device may be performed by wireless communication.

[0010] Embodiment 1. The configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning apparatus 2, a terminal device 3, an information processing device 4, and a fixed station 5. The air conditioning apparatus 2 conditions the air in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The terminal device 3 is a communication device carried by a user in the room, such as a smartphone. The information processing device 4 is a device that is communicatively connected to the air conditioning apparatus 2, the terminal device 3, and the fixed station 5, such as a cloud server. The fixed station 5 is a device that is placed in the space to be air-conditioned and measures the position information of the terminal device 3. Note that multiple fixed stations 5 may be provided in the room. The air conditioning apparatus 2, the terminal device 3, and the fixed station 5 are communicatively connected to the information processing device 4 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet.

[0011] The air conditioner 2 will now be described. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing the air conditioner 2 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioner 2 includes an outdoor unit 6 that generates heat or cold, and an indoor unit 7 that uses the heat or cold generated by the outdoor unit 6 to condition indoor air. The outdoor unit 6 includes a compressor 11, a flow switching device 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, and an outdoor blower 15. The indoor unit 7 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor blower 22, an air purifier 23, and a humidifier 24. The indoor unit 7 conditions the indoor air by performing cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, fan operation, and the like. Furthermore, the indoor unit 7 can operate the air purifier 23 in an air purification mode to purify the indoor air while performing the cooling operation, heating operation, or the like.

[0012] The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant it draws in and discharges it. The compressor 11 is, for example, an inverter compressor whose capacity can be changed. The flow path switching device 12 changes the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit. The flow path switching device 12 is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The expansion valve 14 decompresses the refrigerant to expand it. The expansion valve 14 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve. The outdoor blower 15 supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0013] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The indoor blower 22 supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The indoor blower 22 is, for example, a cross-flow fan.

[0014] The air purifier 23 is provided in the indoor unit 7 to realize an air purification function that removes particulate matter such as dust from the air taken into the indoor unit 7 and purifies the air. The air purifier 23 is, for example, an electrostatic precipitator that charges particulate matter in the air and collects the charged particulate matter.

[0015] The humidifier 24 is configured to realize a humidifying function in the indoor unit 7 by spraying vaporized moisture into the room. The humidifier 24 vaporizes water, for example, by heating it with a heater or applying ultrasonic vibrations. The water to be vaporized is, for example, city water supplied from outside the air conditioner 2, or condensed water obtained by capturing moisture in the air.

[0016] The compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 are connected by refrigerant piping to form a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit while repeatedly compressing and expanding, thereby forming a heat pump.

[0017] The indoor unit 7 has a room temperature sensor 31, a humidity sensor 32, and a temperature sensor 33. The room temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature of the air in the room. The humidity sensor 32 detects the humidity of the air in the room. The temperature sensor 33 detects the temperature Tb of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7 into the room.

[0018] The indoor unit 7 has a control device 34. The control device 34 controls the operation of each device in the air conditioning device 2. Details of the control device 34 will be described later.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an indoor unit 7 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 shows the indoor unit 7 as viewed from below. The indoor unit 7 is embedded in the ceiling and blows air in all directions. The indoor unit 7 has an intake port 25 formed in the center of the underside and outlets 26 formed on each of the four sides. When the indoor blower 22 housed inside the indoor unit 7 rotates, air is drawn into the indoor unit 7 through the intake port 25. After heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant occurs in the indoor heat exchanger 21, the air is blown into the room through the outlets 26. Each outlet 26 is provided with a first flap 27a and a second flap 27b that adjust the direction of air blown out of the indoor unit 7. Note that hereinafter, the first flap 27a and the second flap 27b may be collectively referred to as the airflow direction adjustment unit 27.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the first flap 27a and the air blowing direction according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows only the first flap 27a corresponding to one of the four air outlets 26. FIG. 4 also shows the indoor unit 7 as viewed from above, with the first flap 27a visible through the view for illustrative purposes. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 7 has three first flaps 27a for each air outlet 26. The angle of the first flap 27a is represented as θh, and the front direction of the indoor unit 7 (the negative direction of the Y axis) is defined as the horizontal reference θh0 = 0°. In FIG. 4, the air blowing direction ad1 at a horizontal angle θh1 is indicated by a dashed arrow, and the air blowing direction ad2 at a horizontal angle θh2 is indicated by a solid arrow.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the second flap 27b and the air blowing direction according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows only the second flap 27b corresponding to one of the four air outlets 26. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the second flap 27b. The downward direction of the indoor unit 7 (the negative direction of the Z axis) is defined as the vertical reference Vax, and the angle of the second flap 27b is represented as θv. In FIG. 5, the air blowing direction ad3 when the vertical angle is θv1 is indicated by a solid arrow, and the air blowing direction ad4 when the vertical angle is θv2 is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0022] In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where the indoor unit 7 is a ceiling-embedded type has been described as an example, but the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the ceiling-embedded type, and may be of other types such as a type attached to a surface inside the room or a type attached to a wall. Furthermore, the configuration of the indoor unit 7 shown in Figures 3 to 5 is one example, and the configuration of the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0023] Furthermore, the configuration for adjusting the blowing direction of air blown out from the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the airflow direction adjustment unit 27 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 . For example, the number of first flaps 27a may be one, two, or four or more. The number of second flaps 27b may also be two or more. While the above-described airflow direction adjustment unit 27 includes a first flap 27a that adjusts the horizontal angle and a second flap 27b that adjusts the vertical angle, it may also be configured with a single type of vane that can adjust the angle in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the means for adjusting the blowing direction of air blown out from the indoor unit 7 is not limited to a means such as the airflow direction adjustment unit 27, but may also be a means for changing the direction of the air outlet 26 itself. For example, a means for changing the vertical and horizontal angles of the air outlet 26 may be considered.

[0024] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram showing the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 6, the control device 34 is communicatively connected to the room temperature sensor 31, the humidity sensor 32, and the temperature sensor 33. The control device 34 is also communicatively connected to the compressor 11, the flow path switching device 12, the expansion valve 14, the outdoor blower 15, the indoor blower 22, the air purifier 23, the humidifier 24, and the air direction adjustment unit 27. The control device 34 has, as functional units, an equipment control unit 41 and a communication unit 42.

[0025] 2 shows a case where the control device 34 is provided in the indoor unit 7, the installation location of the control device 34 is not limited to the indoor unit 7. The control device 34 may be provided in the outdoor unit 6, or may be provided in a location other than both the outdoor unit 6 and the indoor unit 7.

[0026] The device control unit 41 controls the flow path switching device 12 in accordance with the cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan operation of the indoor unit 7. The device control unit 41 controls the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant circuit based on the room temperature, the set temperature, and the room humidity and set humidity. For example, the device control unit 41 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11, the opening of the expansion valve 14, the rotation speeds of the indoor blower 22 and the outdoor blower 15, and the ON / OFF of the humidifier 24 so that the room temperature matches the set temperature within a certain range and the room humidity matches the set humidity within a certain range. The set temperature and set humidity are set in the control device 34 by the user via a remote controller (not shown). The wind speed W of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 22 is set to three levels, for example, high, medium, and low. Furthermore, the device control unit 41 operates the air purifier 23 when the user instructs the air purifier 23 to operate in the air purifier mode via the remote controller (not shown).

[0027] The device control unit 41 also transmits environmental information to the communication unit 42, including the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 31 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 32. The device control unit 41 transmits operating information to the communication unit 42, including the frequency of the compressor 11, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, the temperature Tb detected by the temperature sensor 33, the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 27a, the vertical angle θv of the second flap 27b, and the wind speed W.

[0028] Furthermore, when the equipment control unit 41 receives information about an air conditioning control pattern from the communication unit 42, it controls the compressor 11, the indoor blower 22, the air purifier 23, the humidifier 24, or the air direction adjustment unit 27 in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern. Specifically, the air conditioning control pattern includes at least settings related to the blowout temperature, wind speed, wind direction, air purification function, and humidification function of the air supplied to the air-conditioned space, and the equipment control unit 41 adjusts the blowout temperature, wind speed, wind direction, air purification function, and humidification function in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern.

[0029] The air conditioning control patterns are combinations of four control parameters: the temperature Tb detected by the temperature sensor 33; the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 27a; the vertical angle θv of the second flap 27b; the wind speed W of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7; the ON / OFF of the air purification function (the ON / OFF of the air purification device 23); and the ON / OFF of the humidification function (the ON / OFF of the humidification device 24). Each of the multiple air conditioning control patterns is a combination of these six control parameters such that at least one of the control parameters is different from the others. The total number of air conditioning control patterns is determined by multiplying the number of possible values ​​of each of the six control parameters. Specific examples of the multiple air conditioning control patterns will be described later.

[0030] The communication unit 42 transmits the environmental information and operation information received from the device control unit 41 to the information processing device 4. When the communication unit 42 receives information on an air conditioning control pattern from the information processing device 4, it transmits the received information on the air conditioning control pattern to the device control unit 41. The communication unit 42 transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 4 according to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0031] Here, the hardware configuration of the control device 34 will be described. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 34 are executed by hardware, the control device 34 is configured by a processing circuit 50, as shown in Fig. 7. Each functional unit is realized by the processing circuit 50. The processing circuit 50 corresponds to, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0032] Another example of the hardware configuration of the control device 34 will be described. Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 34 are executed by software, the control device 34 is composed of a processor 51 and a memory 52, as shown in Fig. 8. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 51 and the memory 52. ​​Fig. 8 shows that the processor 51 and the memory 52 are communicably connected to each other via a bus 53.

[0033] Each functional unit is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 52. ​​The processor 51 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0034] Next, the terminal device 3 will be described. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the terminal device 3 according to the first embodiment. The terminal device 3 is used to allow the information processing device 4 to identify the user's location information. The terminal device 3 is also a device used to transmit a thermal sensation report and a discomfort report to the information processing device 4. The terminal device 3 has an operation / display device 61 and a control device 62.

[0035] The operation display device 61 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation display device 61 may be a combination of an operation unit such as physical keys or a keyboard and a display unit such as a display.

[0036] The control device 62 has a communication unit 63 and a reporting unit 64 as functional units. The communication unit 63 performs wireless communication for the information processing device 4 to identify the location information of the terminal device 3. For example, the communication unit 63 performs UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication with multiple fixed stations 5. The multiple fixed stations 5 transmit to the information processing device 4 the signal arrival time and signal arrival angle from the terminal device 3, as well as identification information for identifying the terminal device 3 with which they are communicating. The transmission cycle is, for example, once per second. The information processing device 4 analyzes the signal arrival time and signal arrival angle received from the multiple fixed stations 5 to identify the location information of the terminal device 3.

[0037] The communication unit 63 may perform BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication with multiple beacons (not shown) installed in the room, identify location information of the terminal device 3 in the air-conditioned space from the communication strength with the multiple beacons, and transmit the location information to the information processing device 4. The communication unit 63 may also transmit the location information of the terminal device 3 to the information processing device 4 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). Furthermore, the communication unit 63 may combine the above-mentioned methods to cause the information processing device 4 to identify the location of the terminal device 3.

[0038] The reporting unit 64 displays a thermal sensation reporting screen G1 on the operation display device 61 for receiving input of a thermal sensation reporting, which is an evaluation of the thermal sensation of the room reported by the user. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the thermal sensation reporting screen G1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the thermal sensation reporting screen G1 includes buttons indicating the reporting content, such as "very hot," "hot," "comfortable," "cold," and "very cold." The user selects a button displayed on the input screen to report the thermal sensation of the room. Note that "comfortable" means the best evaluation among multiple reporting contents of the thermal sensation reporting.

[0039] Furthermore, the reporting unit 64 causes the operation display device 61 to display an discomfort reporting screen G2 for receiving input of a discomfort reporting indicating an evaluation of the discomfort reported by the user regarding the discomfort in the room. The discomfort is a sensation other than a thermal sensation that the user feels uncomfortable with. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the discomfort reporting screen G2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the discomfort reporting screen G2 includes buttons indicating the content of the reporting, such as "the wind blows directly on me," "my feet are cold," "the air conditioning is loud," "the air is dry," and "the room is dusty."

[0040] The "Direct Wind" button is selected by the user when the user feels uncomfortable with the air conditioning's wind. The "Cold Feet" button is selected by the user when the user feels uncomfortable with the cold feet due to the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the indoor space. The "Loud Air Conditioning" button is selected by the user when the user feels uncomfortable with the sound of airflow. The "Dry Air" button is selected by the user when the user feels uncomfortable with dry air. The "Dusty Room" button is selected by the user when the user feels uncomfortable with stagnant air in the room. The user selects a button displayed on the discomfort declaration screen G2 to declare their evaluation of the discomfort in the room. The user determines whether or not they remember the discomfort of each displayed item and selects one or more buttons from the multiple buttons corresponding to the discomfort they remember. In this way, the discomfort declaration indicates whether or not the user feels uncomfortable with various items in the room at the time of the declaration.

[0041] The reporting unit 64 transmits the thermal sensation report and discomfort report input by the user, as well as identification information for identifying the terminal device 3 on which the operation was performed, to the information processing device 4 each time. If the terminal device 3 on which the operation was performed is the same as the terminal device 3 that performed wireless communication with the fixed station 5, the same identification information is assigned to them.

[0042] The hardware configuration of the control device 62 of the terminal device 3 will be described. Fig. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 62 of the terminal device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the control device 62 is composed of a processor 71 such as a CPU and a memory 72. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 71 and the memory 72. Fig. 12 shows that the processor 71 and the memory 72 are connected to each other via a bus 73 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0043] Each functional unit is realized by software or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 72. The software is, for example, an application program for managing the air conditioning apparatus 2, which is installed in the terminal device 3 by the user. The processor 71 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 72. The memory 72 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM.

[0044] Before describing the configuration of the information processing device 4, we will now explain the comfort index used by the information processing device 4 when determining the air conditioning control pattern for the air conditioner 2. First, we will explain PMV, which is one type of comfort index.

[0045] PMV is a value proposed by Professor Fanger of the Technical University of Denmark as an index for numerically evaluating human comfort and thermal sensation in a thermal environment. PMV was internationally standardized as ISO-7730 in 1984. PMV links the thermal load of the human body with a person's thermal sensation. Specifically, PMV is calculated by formulating a heat balance equation for the human body based on factors from the air environment and factors from the human body, and then substituting into this heat balance equation the equation for the skin temperature at which a person feels comfortable and the amount of heat lost through sweating. Factors from the air environment include not only air temperature, but also factors such as radiant temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, and airflow. Factors from the human body include a person's activity level, amount of clothing worn, and average skin temperature.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the case where the comfort index is IPMV (Individual PMV), which is an index of personal comfort, will be described. The IPMV value is a value based on PMV, but is not an average value of the thermal sensation of the entire air-conditioned space, but a value indicating the local thermal sensation, which is the thermal sensation at a specific position where a person is present. IPMV is expressed by the following equation (1):

[0047]

[0048] The eight variables in equation (1) are explained below: M is metabolic rate [W / m ２ ], and W is the mechanical work [W / m ２ Ed is the insensible perspiration rate [W / m ２ ], and Es is the amount of heat loss from sweat evaporation from the skin surface [W / m ２ Ere is the amount of latent heat loss due to respiration [W / m ２ ], and Cre is the sensible heat loss due to respiration [W / m ２ ]. R is the radiation heat loss [W / m ２ ] and C is the convection heat loss [W / m ２ ].

[0049] As shown in equation (1), IPMV is a numerical representation of a person's thermal sensation based on temperature, humidity, radiant temperature, and the like. The IPMV ranges from -3 to +3. IPMV = 0 is considered neutral. IPMV = 0 is defined as comfortable. IPMV = 3 is defined as hot, IPMV = 2 is defined as warm, and IPMV = 1 is defined as slightly warm. IPMV = -3 is defined as cold, IPMV = -2 is defined as cool, and IPMV = -1 is defined as slightly cool. In other words, the closer the IPMV is to 0, the higher the level of comfort for the person. However, as will be described in detail later, in the first embodiment, the optimal IPMV for each user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "optimal IPMV value") is set based on 0.

[0050] Next, the information processing device 4 will be described. The information processing device 4 calculates the IPMVs for the positions of multiple users in a room, and provides the air conditioning device 2 with an optimal air-conditioning control pattern determined based on each user's IPMV. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the information processing device 4 pertaining to embodiment 1. An overview of the operation of the information processing device 4 will be described using Figure 13.

[0051] First, as shown in FIG. 13( a), the information processing device 4 generates a distribution group consisting of a collection of multiple IPMV distributions for each activity amount value, targeting multiple activity amounts. The activity amount is a type of human biometric information and is used to generate the IPMV database 821 in the model generation unit 92 using a method described below. The activity amount is expressed in a unit called MET (Metabolic Equivalent), which indicates exercise intensity. Various types of exercise are quantified using MET; for example, the exercise intensity of a person sitting quietly and watching television is defined as 1.0 MET. The IPMV distribution is a distribution of IPMVs at multiple positions in the air-conditioned space corresponding to multiple air-conditioning control patterns of the air conditioner 2.

[0052] In the example of Figure 13(a), the information processing device 4 generates distribution groups for multiple activity amounts ranging from 0.1 MET to 3.0 MET in 0.1 MET increments. Each distribution group is made up of IPMV distributions corresponding to all air conditioning control patterns (1296, as described in detail below) that the air conditioning device 2 can control. In other words, the information processing device 4 generates 1296 IPMV distributions for an activity amount of 0.1 MET, collecting these into one distribution group, and generates 1296 IPMV distributions for an activity amount of 0.2 MET, collecting these into another distribution group. Similarly, 1296 IPMV distributions are generated for activity amounts up to 3.0 MET in increments of 0.1 MET, and each collection is made into a separate distribution group.

[0053] The information processing device 4 generates a distribution group corresponding to each of the plurality of activity amounts, and stores the plurality of distribution groups as the IPMV database 821. Note that the intervals and ranges of the activity amounts to be generated and the number of air-conditioning control patterns described above are merely examples.

[0054] Next, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the information processing device 4 identifies a distribution group corresponding to the activity amount of each user from the plurality of distribution groups. In the example of Fig. 13(b), the activity amount of user A is 1.0 MET and the activity amount of user B is 2.0 MET.

[0055] Next, as shown in Fig. 13(c), the information processing device 4 extracts, for each user, a plurality of IPMVs corresponding to the user's location information from the plurality of IPMV distributions in the identified distribution group. Fig. 13(c) shows an example in which user A is located at coordinates (x, y) = (2, 7) and user B is located at coordinates (x, y) = (7, 9).

[0056] 13(d), the information processing device 4 deletes, from the multiple IPMVs corresponding to the user's location information, IPMVs corresponding to air-conditioning control patterns (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "discomfort patterns") that cannot resolve the user's discomfort declared in the discomfort declaration from the terminal device 3. As a result, the IPMVs corresponding to the discomfort patterns that have been removed from the IPMVs corresponding to the 1,296 air-conditioning control patterns extracted for each user will not be used in the subsequent calculation process of the comfort efficiency ζ.

[0057] Next, as shown in Fig. 13(e), the information processing device 4 calculates a comfort efficiency ζ that indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users for each of multiple air-conditioning control patterns using the multiple IPMVs extracted corresponding to the location of each user. In the example of Fig. 13(e), the information processing device 4 calculates a comfort efficiency ζ for the number of air-conditioning control patterns remaining after excluding uncomfortable patterns from the 1296 air-conditioning control patterns for each user.

[0058] Then, as shown in FIG. 13( f ), the information processing device 4 determines the air conditioning control pattern that maximizes the calculated comfort efficiency ζ from among the remaining air conditioning control patterns excluding the discomfort pattern.

[0059] In this way, the information processing device 4 determines an air conditioning control pattern that changes the air discharge temperature, air direction, air volume, etc. so that the IPMV at the user's location approaches neutral, and transmits this to the air conditioning device 2. The information processing device 4 does not attempt to neutralize the PMV in all areas of the room, but determines an air conditioning control pattern that approaches neutral the IPMV at the user's location, and does not include the IPMV at locations where the user is not present as a determining factor for the air conditioning control pattern. In addition, the information processing device 4 does not include discomfort patterns in the data to be transmitted to the air conditioning device 2.

[0060] Fig. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an information processing device 4 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 14 , the information processing device 4 has a control device 81 and a storage device 82. The control device 81 has, as functional units that perform the process of determining the above-mentioned air conditioning control pattern, a data acquisition unit 91, a model generation unit 92, a declaration processing unit 93, an activity amount calculation unit 94, a position information acquisition unit 95, a comfort calculation unit 96, a discomfort response unit 97, an efficiency calculation unit 98, and a control determination unit 99.

[0061] The data acquisition unit 91 periodically stores the environmental information and operating information received from the air conditioning device 2 in the storage device 82. The data acquisition unit 91 periodically stores the information received from the air conditioning device 2 in chronological order in the storage device 82, and monitors the operating status of the air conditioning device 2.

[0062] The model generation unit 92 reads environmental information and operating information from the storage device 82, reflects the read information in a standard three-dimensional fluid model that is a three-dimensional model of the air-conditioned space, and performs CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to generate an IPMV database 821.

[0063] Specifically, the model generation unit 92 performs CFD analysis on a plurality of air-conditioning control patterns for each of a plurality of activity amounts for the entire air-conditioned space, and generates a plurality of distribution groups each consisting of a plurality of IPMV distributions ( FIG. 13( a)). The IPMV distributions are obtained by dividing the air-conditioned space into a plurality of rectangular regions by the CFD analysis, and calculating the IPMV for each rectangular region.

[0064] The IPMV for each rectangular region can be derived from the above-mentioned formula (1). Here, the values ​​of the eight variables in formula (1) can be derived from six values: the local temperature of the rectangular region, the local wind speed of the rectangular region, the local radiant temperature and humidity of the rectangular region, and the amount of clothing and activity of the user. It is known that activity level = metabolic rate / basal metabolic rate. A representative value is given to the basal metabolic rate as a constant.

[0065] The model generation unit 92 calculates the local temperature, local wind speed, local radiation temperature, and humidity in each rectangular region under conditions that combine each of a plurality of preset activity amounts with each of a plurality of preset air-conditioning control patterns. The model generation unit 92 estimates the temperature at a specific location as the local temperature from the temperature distribution in the air-conditioned space indicated by the CFD analysis results. The model generation unit 92 acquires the humidity value detected by the humidity sensor 32 and stored in the storage device 82. The model generation unit 92 estimates the wind speed at a specific location from the overall air wind speed in the air-conditioned space indicated by the CFD analysis results. The local radiation temperature is assumed to be equivalent to the room temperature. Therefore, the model generation unit 92 acquires the room temperature value detected by the room temperature sensor 31 and stored in the storage device 82. The model generation unit 92 also acquires the clo value, which is preset for each season, based on calendar information at the time of control, etc., to acquire the amount of clothing. The clo value is stored, for example, in the storage device 82.

[0066] The model generating unit 92 generates distribution groups for a plurality of activity amounts, for example, between 0.1 MET and 3.0 MET, divided into 0.1 MET intervals.

[0067] The model generation unit 92 generates an IPMV distribution for an air conditioning control pattern that combines, for example, three patterns related to the angle θh of the first flap 27a, three patterns related to the angle θv of the second flap 27b, three patterns related to the air velocity W, three patterns related to the temperature Tb, two patterns related to the air purification function, and two patterns related to the humidification function. Here, the first flap 27a and the second flap 27b are provided for each of the four air outlets 26, and therefore, an air conditioning control pattern is considered for each air outlet 26. In other words, the model generation unit 92 generates an IPMV distribution for 3 x 3 x 4 x 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 = 1,296 different air conditioning control patterns.

[0068] For example, the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 27a has three patterns: 30° leftward (positive direction of the X axis in FIG. 4), 0°, and 30° rightward (negative direction of the X axis in FIG. 4). The vertical angle θv of the second flap 27b has three patterns: θv = 20°, 45°, and 60°. The wind speed W has three patterns: high, medium, and low. The temperature Tb of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7 has three patterns: high, medium, and low. The air purification function and humidification function have two patterns: ON / OFF.

[0069] However, the number of patterns for each parameter described above is merely an example, and the number of patterns may be increased or decreased from the above example. Furthermore, for parameters that are thought to have no or only a small effect on the IPMV distribution, such as the air purification function, the IPMV distribution may be made the same whether the function is ON or OFF.

[0070] The declaration processing unit 93 communicates with the terminal device 3 and acquires in real time thermal sensation declarations and discomfort declarations made by users present in the air-conditioned space. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the declaration processing unit 93 acquires thermal sensation declarations and discomfort declarations for each user.

[0071] The reporting processor 93 calculates an IPMV optimum value based on the thermal sensation report and records the calculated IPMV optimum value and the content of the discomfort report in the preference database 822. The preference database 822 is stored in the storage device 82. First, a method for calculating the IPMV optimum value will be described using FIG. 15 . FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the IPMV optimum value according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the air-conditioning control pattern is determined based on the comfort efficiency ζ, which indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users. Therefore, the IPMV of each individual may not necessarily be zero. Therefore, the IPMV of each user under a previously determined air-conditioning control pattern is referred to as the actual IPMV. The actual IPMV corresponds to the "actual comfort index" in this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 15 , the reporting processor 93 associates the actual IPMV under a given air-conditioning control pattern with the thermal sensation report reported when the air-conditioning control pattern was executed, and records the associated data in the storage device 82. The IPMV optimum value corresponds to the optimum value of the comfort index of the present disclosure.

[0072] Furthermore, the declaration processing unit 93 calculates, as the optimal value of the comfort index, the average value of the actual IPMV when the user's thermal sensation declaration receives the best rating when the air conditioning apparatus 2 operates using the air-conditioning control pattern determined based on the calculated IPMV and comfort efficiency ζ. That is, the declaration processing unit 93 sets an evaluation value of 1 for data when the thermal sensation declaration is "comfortable" and an evaluation value of 0 for data when the thermal sensation declaration is other than "comfortable." The declaration processing unit 93 then calculates the optimal IPMV value for each user by averaging the actual IPMVs when the evaluation value is 1. In the example of FIG. 15 , the evaluation value was 1 when the actual IPMV was +0.2 and +0.4, so +0.3, obtained from (0.2 + 0.4) / 2, is used as the optimal IPMV value.

[0073] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the preference database 822 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16 , the declaration processing unit 93 records, for each user, the IPMV optimum value calculated by the above-described process and the presence or absence of each discomfort in the preference database 822. In the example of FIG. 16 , "NG" is indicated for items for which the user reported discomfort, and "-" is indicated for items for which the user did not report discomfort. The recorded content is updated based on the thermal sensation declaration or discomfort declaration received from the terminal device 3. Note that the declaration processing unit 93 may update the preference database 822 by assuming that the discomfort report recorded therein has been resolved without a user declaration if a predetermined time has elapsed since an air-conditioning control pattern capable of resolving the discomfort, as determined by the procedure described below, was executed.

[0074] The activity amount calculation unit 94 calculates the activity amount for each user based on the reference value of the activity amount and the thermal sensation report acquired by the report processing unit 93. The reference value of the activity amount is the value of the activity amount expected when the report content of the thermal sensation report is "comfortable", and is, for example, 1.0 MET. Specifically, when a thermal sensation report is not acquired, the activity amount calculation unit 94 sets the user's activity amount to the reference value. When a thermal sensation report is acquired, the activity amount calculation unit 94 calculates the activity amount by adding or subtracting a correction amount to the reference value based on the report content of the thermal sensation report. For example, when the thermal sensation report is "hot" and "cold", the correction amounts are +0.5 and -0.5. When the thermal sensation report is "very hot" and "very cold", the correction amounts are +1.0 and -1.0.

[0075] The location information acquisition unit 95 communicates with the terminal device 3 or the fixed station 5 carried by the user to identify the user's location information in real time. Specifically, the location information acquisition unit 95 identifies the location information of the terminal device 3 in the air-conditioned space based on layout information about the air-conditioned space and the signal arrival times and signal arrival angles received from multiple fixed stations 5. The location information is expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on a plane. Note that the location information acquisition unit 95 may also receive the location information in the air-conditioned space directly from the terminal device 3.

[0076] The comfort calculation unit 96 calculates the IPMV of the user based on the activity amount. Specifically, first, the comfort calculation unit 96 refers to the IPMV database 821 and identifies a distribution group corresponding to the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 94 for each user identified by the identification information ( FIG. 13( b) ). Second, the comfort calculation unit 96 extracts, for each user, multiple IPMVs corresponding to the user's location information detected by the location information acquisition unit 95 from multiple IPMV distributions within the identified distribution group ( FIG. 13( c) ).

[0077] The discomfort handling unit 97 deletes IPMVs corresponding to discomfort patterns that cannot resolve the user's discomfort reported in the discomfort report from the terminal device 3 from among multiple IPMVs corresponding to the user's location information ( FIG. 13( d) ). In other words, the discomfort handling unit 97 excludes discomfort patterns that cannot resolve the discomfort indicated by the discomfort report from among multiple candidate air conditioning control patterns to be output to the air conditioner 2. First, air conditioning control that can resolve the user's discomfort reported in the discomfort report will be described. For example, discomfort caused by a feeling of wind can be resolved by setting the airflow direction to a direction away from users who feel uncomfortable with the wind or by reducing the airflow volume. Discomfort caused by cold feet can be resolved by directing the airflow downward to stir the air near the floor. Discomfort caused by noise generated by airflow can be resolved by setting the airflow direction to a direction away from users who feel uncomfortable with the wind or by reducing the airflow volume. The discomfort caused by stagnant air can be alleviated by executing the air purification function, or in addition, by setting the airflow direction toward the user who feels uncomfortable due to stagnant air. The discomfort caused by dry air can be alleviated by executing the humidification function. Therefore, an air conditioning control pattern that does not implement the above-mentioned air conditioning control is determined as the discomfort pattern depending on the content of the discomfort declaration received.

[0078] An example of a method for resolving discomfort and a method for determining a discomfort pattern will be described using FIGS. 16 and 17 . FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method for resolving discomfort according to the first embodiment. It is also assumed that the discomfort declarations shown in FIG. 16 have been made for users A to E shown in FIG. 17 . As shown in FIG. 16 , users A, B, and C experience discomfort due to the feeling of wind blowing. As shown in FIG. 17 , the air conditioning apparatus 2 can resolve the discomfort of users A, B, and C related to the feeling of wind blowing by setting the air blowing direction in a direction where users A, B, and C are not present. Therefore, the discomfort handling unit 97 determines an air conditioning control pattern that sets the air blowing direction in a direction where users A, B, or C are present as a discomfort pattern and removes it from the calculation of the comfort efficiency ζ.

[0079] 16 , user E feels uncomfortable due to cold feet. By setting at least the second flap 27b provided on the air outlet 26 closest to user E in a downward orientation, the air conditioning apparatus 2 promotes agitation of the air near the floor and can eliminate the discomfort related to cold feet of user E. For this reason, the discomfort countermeasure unit 97 determines, as a discomfort pattern, an air conditioning control pattern in which the second flap 27b provided on the air outlet 26 closest to user E is set in a direction other than downward, and removes it from the calculation of comfort efficiency ζ.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 16, users A and B experience discomfort due to the airflow-generated sound. As shown in Fig. 17, the air conditioning apparatus 2 can eliminate the discomfort felt by users A and B due to the airflow-generated sound by setting the airflow direction to a direction where users A and B are not present. For this reason, the discomfort countermeasure unit 97 determines the air conditioning control pattern that sets the airflow direction to a direction where users A or B are present as a discomfort pattern, and removes it from the targets for calculating the comfort efficiency ζ.

[0081] Furthermore, users C and E feel uncomfortable due to dry air. The air conditioning apparatus 2 can eliminate the discomfort caused by dry air for users C and E by operating the humidifier 24. For this reason, the discomfort countermeasure unit 97 determines the air conditioning control pattern in which the humidifier 24 is not operated as the discomfort pattern, and removes it from the targets for calculating the comfort efficiency ζ.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16 , user D experiences discomfort due to stagnant air. The air conditioning apparatus 2 can eliminate user D's discomfort related to stagnant air by operating the air purifier 23. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17 , the air conditioning apparatus 2 can send purified air to the vicinity of user D by setting the air blowing direction in the direction where user D is located, thereby promoting the elimination of discomfort related to stagnant air. For this reason, the discomfort handling unit 97 determines an air conditioning control pattern in which at least the air purifier 23 is not operated as a discomfort pattern, and removes it from the calculation of the comfort efficiency ζ. Furthermore, the discomfort handling unit 97 may determine an air conditioning control pattern in which the air blowing direction is set in a direction where user D is not located as a discomfort pattern, and remove it from the calculation of the comfort efficiency ζ.

[0083] The above method for determining discomfort patterns is merely an example. As long as only patterns that can eliminate the user's discomfort remain as targets for calculating the comfort efficiency ζ, other air-conditioning control patterns may be determined as discomfort patterns. Note that, when the user reports a large number of discomforts, it may be possible that it is not possible to eliminate all of the user's discomforts, or that no air-conditioning control patterns exist that satisfy the target IPMV+α (described later). In this case, priorities for eliminating factors that cause discomfort may be set in advance, and only air-conditioning control patterns that eliminate the higher-priority factors may be temporarily determined as discomfort patterns. In this case, air-conditioning control patterns that eliminate lower-priority factors are determined as discomfort patterns after the higher-priority factors have been eliminated. This allows factors with higher priorities to be eliminated more quickly. For example, factors that have a relatively large adverse effect on the user's health, such as a stagnant feeling or dry air, are set as factors with higher priorities for elimination. The priorities for elimination may, however, be set in advance by the user. Instead of ranking the elements that cause discomfort, it is also possible to set priorities for the user, for example, in descending order of the length of time spent on the site.

[0084] The efficiency calculation unit 98 calculates a comfort efficiency ζ, which indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users for each of the multiple air conditioning control patterns, using the multiple IPMVs after the IPMVs corresponding to the discomfort patterns have been deleted ( FIG. 13( e)). The efficiency calculation unit 98 calculates the comfort efficiency ζ for each of the multiple air conditioning control patterns using equation (2). Here, the comfort efficiency ζ corresponding to the remaining air conditioning control patterns, excluding the discomfort patterns from the 1,296 air conditioning control patterns, is calculated.

[0085]

[0086] The comfort efficiency ζ is a value that evaluates how close the thermal sensations of multiple users are to comfort (individual IPMV = 0). The comfort efficiency ζ is a value that indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users in a room. The higher the comfort efficiency ζ (up to 100%), the more comfortable the multiple users in the room will be. In other words, a comfort efficiency ζ = 100% means that multiple users are comfortable, and a comfort efficiency ζ = 0% means that multiple users are uncomfortable.

[0087] In equation (2), "IPMV" is the actual IPMV of the user according to the air-conditioning control pattern. "α" is a correction value of the actual IPMV to reflect the optimal IPMV of the user calculated by the declaration processing unit 93 in the comfort efficiency ζ. Specifically, "α" is a value obtained by inverting the positive and negative of the optimal IPMV. For example, in FIG. 16, the optimal IPMV of user A is +0.3, so "α" is −0.3. Note that the target value of the air-conditioning control pattern determined by the control determination unit 99 (described later) is set so that the individual's IPMV + α is within ±0.5, so that when |IPMV + α| > 0.5, |IPMV + α| is 0.5. The numbers attached to "IPMV" and "α" are identification numbers unique to each user, and K is the number of users present in the room.

[0088] The control decision unit 99 determines, from among the multiple air conditioning control patterns, the air conditioning control pattern that maximizes the calculated comfort efficiency ζ ( FIG. 13( f)). Here, the uncomfortable patterns are removed from the air conditioning control patterns, and the air conditioning control pattern that maximizes the comfort efficiency ζ is determined. The control decision unit 99 transmits the determined air conditioning control pattern to the air conditioner 2.

[0089] The storage device 82 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device 82 stores a standard three-dimensional fluid model for generating an IPMV database 821. The storage device 82 stores the IPMV database 821 and the preference database 822 generated by the model generation unit 92. Note that in FIG. 14 , "database" is written as "DB." The storage device 82 also stores layout information. The layout information is information including the floor plan of the air-conditioned space and the placement of the fixed stations 5 in the air-conditioned space. The layout information is registered in advance, for example, by the user or an installer of the air-conditioning device 2.

[0090] The hardware configuration of the control device 81 will be described. Fig. 18 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 81 of the information processing device 4 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, the control device 81 is composed of a processor 101 such as a CPU and a memory 102. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 101 and the memory 102. Fig. 18 shows that the processor 101 and the memory 102 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 103. The processor 101 and the memory 102 are connected to the storage device 82 shown in Fig. 14 via the bus 103. The memory 102 functions as a main storage device, and the storage device 82 functions as an auxiliary storage device.

[0091] Each functional unit is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 102. The processor 101 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 102. The memory 102 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM.

[0092] Next, the operation of the information processing device 4 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 4 according to the first embodiment. First, the model generation unit 92 generates an IPMV database 821 using the operating information and environmental information of the air conditioning device 2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 91, and stores the IPMV database 821 in the storage device 82 (step S1). The information processing device 4 determines whether the update time has elapsed (step S2). The update time is set to periodically monitor the thermal sensation report, discomfort report, and changes in the user's location, and is, for example, one hour. If the update time has elapsed (step S2: YES), the location information acquisition unit 95 acquires the user's location information (step S3). Furthermore, the report processing unit 93 acquires the user's thermal sensation report and discomfort report from the terminal device 3 (step S4), calculates the optimal IPMV value, and records it in the preference database 822 (step S5). Then, the activity amount calculation unit 94 calculates the activity amount based on the thermal sensation report (step S6).

[0093] Regardless of whether the update time has elapsed or not (step S2: NO), the location information acquisition unit 95 detects the user's location (step S7), and the report processing unit 93 acquires the user's thermal sensation report and discomfort report in real time (step S8). If the location information acquisition unit 95 detects a change in the user's location (step S7: YES), the process proceeds from step S9. If the location information acquisition unit 95 does not detect a change in the user's location (step S7: NO), the report processing unit 93 determines whether the user's thermal sensation report or discomfort report has been acquired from the terminal device 3 (step S8). If the user's thermal sensation report or discomfort report has been acquired (step S8: YES), the report processing unit 93 records the information in the preference database 822 (step S5). If a thermal sensation report has been acquired, the IPMV optimum value is calculated. If the update time has not elapsed and no change in the user's position has been detected, and no thermal sensation or discomfort report has been obtained (step S8: NO), the judgments of steps S2, S7, and S8 are repeated until any of steps S2, S7, and S8 is satisfied.

[0094] Next, the comfort calculation unit 96 reads out the distribution group of the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 94 from the IPMV database 821. This distribution group includes multiple IPMV distributions for each air-conditioning control pattern for the read activity amount. The comfort calculation unit 96 reads out multiple IPMVs located at the user's coordinates last identified by the position information acquisition unit 95 from the multiple IPMV distributions. This determines the IPMV for each air-conditioning control pattern that is a candidate for output to the air conditioner 2 (step S9). Furthermore, the discomfort response unit 97 deletes the IPMV corresponding to the discomfort pattern from the multiple IPMVs corresponding to the user's coordinates based on the discomfort declaration recorded in the preference database 822 (step S10). The processes of steps S2 to S10 are performed for each user detected in the room.

[0095] The efficiency calculation unit 98 substitutes each user's IPMV into equation (2) for each air-conditioning control pattern excluding the discomfort pattern. This calculates the comfort efficiency ζ for the number of air-conditioning control patterns (step S11). At this time, the actual IPMV has been corrected based on the optimal IPMV value recorded in the preference database 822.

[0096] The control decision unit 99 decides the air conditioning control pattern with the highest comfort efficiency ζ from among the multiple air conditioning control patterns excluding the discomfort pattern (step S12). At this time, the selection conditions for the air conditioning control pattern may include not only the condition that the comfort efficiency ζ is the highest, but also the condition that each user's IPMV is within ±0.5. The control decision unit 99 transmits information about the decided air conditioning control pattern to the air conditioner 2. The information processing device 4 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2 to S12.

[0097] When the control device 81 of the air conditioner 2 receives information about the air conditioning control pattern from the information processing device 4, it controls at least one of the compressor 11, the indoor blower 22, and the air direction adjustment unit 27 in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern. For example, to change the temperature of air blown out from the indoor unit 7, the equipment control unit 41 changes the operating frequency of the compressor 11. To change the air speed W, the equipment control unit 41 changes the rotation speed of the indoor blower 22. To change the angle θh, the equipment control unit 41 changes the angle θh of the first flap 27a. To change the angle θv, the equipment control unit 41 changes the angle θv of the second flap 27b. To switch between performing or not performing the air purification function, the air purification device 23 is turned ON / OFF. To switch between performing or not performing the humidification function, the humidifier 24 is turned ON / OFF.

[0098] As described above, the information processing device 4 of the first embodiment outputs an air conditioning control pattern that is based on a comfort index and a discomfort declaration and that eliminates discomfort to the air conditioner 2. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment can perform air conditioning based on a comfort index that reflects the user's thermal sensation while eliminating the user's discomfort.

[0099] The above is a description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments and various modifications or combinations are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, in the first embodiment, the user's position is detected by communication with the terminal device 3. However, the user's position may be detected by providing an infrared sensor in the air conditioning device 2 and generating a thermal image of the room based on the output of the infrared sensor. Note that well-known analysis methods are used to detect the user's position from the thermal image. Furthermore, the user's activity level may be detected using the thermal image or a wearable sensor worn by the user.

[0100] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing device 4 is a cloud server, but the information processing device 4 may also be a PC (Personal Computer) terminal provided outside the air conditioning device 2, or the information processing device 4 may be part of the control device 34 of the air conditioning device 2. Furthermore, some of the functions of the information processing device 4 may be realized by the above-mentioned PC terminal provided outside the air conditioning device 2, the control device 34 of the air conditioning device 2, or the control device 62 of the terminal device 3.

[0101] In addition, in the first embodiment, the discomfort declaration indicates whether or not the user felt discomfort at the time of the declaration, and by accepting the input of the discomfort declaration, the discomfort is resolved after the fact. However, the user may declare a discomfort that the user wishes to prevent from occurring in the future as a discomfort declaration and record the discomfort declaration in the preference database 822. This allows the occurrence of discomfort to be prevented in advance by not executing an air conditioning control pattern that may cause discomfort based on the discomfort declaration recorded in advance. In this case, the time period and time slots during which air conditioning control patterns that may cause discomfort should be excluded as discomfort patterns may be set. For example, discomfort caused by dry air may be set to be resolved only in winter, discomfort caused by cold feet may be set to be resolved only in early morning hours, or discomfort caused by airflow noise may be set to be resolved only at night.

[0102] Furthermore, although the first embodiment describes a case where only one air conditioning unit 2 is placed in the air-conditioned space, multiple air conditioning units 2 may be placed in the air-conditioned space. In this case, an area to be air-conditioned is defined for each air conditioning unit 2. Each air conditioning unit 2 detects the location and acquires thermal sensation reports and discomfort reports from users present in the area to be air-conditioned.

[0103] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air conditioning system, 2 Air conditioning device, 3 Terminal device, 4 Information processing device, 5 Fixed station, 6 Outdoor unit, 7 Indoor unit, 11 Compressor, 12 Flow path switching device, 13 Outdoor heat exchanger, 14 Expansion valve, 15 Outdoor blower, 21 Indoor heat exchanger, 22 Indoor blower, 23 Air purifier, 24 Humidifier, 25 Intake port, 26 Outlet, 27 Air direction adjustment unit, 27a First flap, 27b Second flap, 31 Room temperature sensor, 32 Humidity sensor, 33 Temperature sensor, 34 Control device, 41 Equipment control unit, 42 Communication unit, 50 Processing circuit, 51 Processor, 52 Memory, 53 Bus, 61 Operation display device, 62 Control device, 63 Communication unit, 64 Reporting unit, 71 Processor, 72 Memory, 73 Bus, 81 Control device, 82 Storage device, 91 data acquisition unit, 92 model generation unit, 93 declaration processing unit, 94 activity amount calculation unit, 95 position information acquisition unit, 96 comfort calculation unit, 97 discomfort handling unit, 98 efficiency calculation unit, 99 control decision unit, 101 processor, 102 memory, 103 bus, 821 IPMV database, 822 preference database.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioning device that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned; and a control device that determines an air conditioning control pattern that determines the operation of the air conditioning device, wherein the control device acquires thermal sensation reports that indicate an evaluation of the thermal sensation of the air-conditioned space and discomfort reports that indicate an evaluation of discomfort in the air-conditioned space other than the thermal sensation, reported by a user present in the space to be air-conditioned; calculates a comfort index for the user based on the thermal sensation reports; and determines the air conditioning control pattern that will eliminate the discomfort or prevent the discomfort from occurring in the future based on the comfort index and discomfort report of the user, and outputs the pattern to the air conditioning device.

2. An air conditioning system as described in claim 1, comprising a memory device, wherein the control device calculates an optimal value of the comfort index of the user based on the thermal sensation declaration, and stores the optimal value of the comfort index of the user and the discomfort declaration in the memory device.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2, wherein the control device calculates the average value of the actual comfort index when the user's thermal sensation report receives the best rating when the air conditioning device is operated using the air conditioning control pattern determined based on the obtained comfort index, as the optimal value of the comfort index.

4. The air conditioning system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the control device excludes from the candidates, among the plurality of air conditioning control patterns that are candidates to be output to the air conditioning device, discomfort patterns that cannot eliminate the discomfort indicated by the discomfort declaration or prevent the discomfort from occurring in the future.

5. An air conditioning system as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the discomfort declaration indicates whether or not the user feels discomfort at the time of the declaration, and the control device eliminates the discomfort based on the discomfort declaration.

6. The air conditioning system of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the discomfort report indicates the discomfort that the user wishes to prevent from occurring in the future, and the control device prevents the future occurrence of the discomfort based on the discomfort report.

7. An air conditioning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the discomfort that is the subject of the discomfort declaration is caused by the feeling of wind, cold feet, the sound of airflow, stagnant air, or dry air.

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