Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system (1) is provided with: an air conditioning unit (2); a duct (3); dampers (4a-4f) capable of switching between an open state in which air is allowed to be supplied to each of a plurality of rooms (20a-20f) and a closed state in which the air supply to each of the plurality of rooms (20a-20f) is blocked; a set temperature input unit (9); temperature sensors (5a-5f); and a control unit (6) that brings the dampers (4a-4f) respectively corresponding to the plurality of rooms (20a-20f) to the open state until a measured temperature reaches a set temperature for each of the plurality of rooms (20a-20f), and that brings the dampers (4a-4f) respectively corresponding to the plurality of rooms (20a-20f) to the closed state when the measured temperature has reached the set temperature for each of the plurality of rooms (20a-20f). The control unit (6) opens at least one of the plurality of dampers (4a-4f) when all the dampers (4a-4f) are in the closed state.

Description

air conditioning system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that supplies heat-exchanged air to multiple rooms.

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioning systems that supply heat-exchanged air from an air conditioning unit to multiple rooms via ducts have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system that includes multiple ducts connecting the air conditioning unit to each room, multiple dampers that can be switched between an open state that allows the supply of air to each room and a closed state that blocks the supply of air to each room, and a human detection unit that detects the presence or absence of people in each room and their entry and exit from each room. The air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1 controls the temperature of each of the multiple rooms by switching the open state or closed state of each damper based on the results detected by the human detection unit.

[0003] JP 2011-117625 A

[0004] In the air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the temperature in each room reaches the preset temperature for that room, all dampers are closed, which causes a problem in that there is no escape route for the air in each duct. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any specific method for creating an escape route for the air in each duct.

[0005] One possible solution to this problem is to provide a room (hereinafter referred to as a "non-damper room") to which air in the duct is supplied without passing through a damper. However, this method creates the problem that the non-damper room is always conditioned unless the air conditioning unit is stopped. Furthermore, this method also creates the problem that even if there is no need to air-condition the non-damper room and other rooms need to be air-conditioned, the non-damper room will also be air-conditioned, thereby reducing the air-conditioning efficiency of the other rooms.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an air conditioning system that can improve air conditioning efficiency while creating an escape route for air.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes an air conditioning unit that generates heat-exchanged air, ducts that connect the air conditioning unit to multiple rooms in a building and supply air to each of the multiple rooms, and multiple dampers installed in the ducts at positions corresponding to each of the multiple rooms and switchable between an open state that allows the supply of air to each of the multiple rooms and a closed state that blocks the supply of air to each of the multiple rooms. The air conditioning system also includes a set temperature input unit that accepts set temperatures for each of the multiple rooms from a user, multiple temperature sensors that measure the temperatures of each of the multiple rooms to obtain measured temperatures, and a control unit that keeps the dampers corresponding to each of the multiple rooms open until the measured temperatures for each of the multiple rooms reach the set temperatures and closes the dampers corresponding to each of the multiple rooms when the measured temperatures for each of the multiple rooms reach the set temperatures. The control unit opens at least one of the multiple dampers when all of the dampers are closed.

[0008] The air conditioning system according to the present disclosure has the effect of improving air conditioning efficiency while creating an escape route for air.

[0009] Schematic diagram showing a building to which the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment.

[0010] An air conditioning system according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a building 20 to which an air conditioning system 1 according to a first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 is applied to a building 20 having multiple rooms 20a to 20f. Here, a building 20 having six rooms 20a to 20f will be described as an example. The air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning unit 2, a duct 3, multiple dampers 4a to 4f, and multiple temperature sensors 5a to 5f. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning system 1 also includes a spill zone input unit 7, a spill zone memory unit 8, a set temperature input unit 9, a set temperature memory unit 10, and a control unit 6.

[0012] The air conditioning unit 2 generates heat-exchanged air. The air conditioning unit 2 is composed of, for example, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and has a heat exchanger such as a heat pump. The heat-exchanged air is either cold air or warm air. The air conditioning unit 2 is electrically connected to a control unit 6 shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] Duct 3 branches out into multiple branches from air conditioning unit 2 toward each of rooms 20a to 20f. Duct 3 connects air conditioning unit 2 to each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f in building 20, and supplies air to each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f. Air outlets 3a to 3f are provided at the connections of duct 3 with each of rooms 20a to 20f. Air outlets 3a to 3f play a role in directing air inside duct 3 to each of rooms 20a to 20f.

[0014] Each of the dampers 4a to 4f is installed in a position in the duct 3 corresponding to each of the rooms 20a to 20f. Each of the dampers 4a to 4f is switchable between an open state in which the duct 3 is partially open to allow air to be supplied to each of the rooms 20a to 20f, and a closed state in which the duct 3 is partially closed to block the supply of air to each of the rooms 20a to 20f. Each of the dampers 4a to 4f is installed in the duct 3 near the air outlets 3a to 3f. Air in the duct 3 is supplied to each of the rooms 20a to 20f via each of the dampers 4a to 4f. Each of the dampers 4a to 4f is electrically connected to the control unit 6 shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] Each of the plurality of temperature sensors 5a to 5f measures the temperature of each of the plurality of rooms 20a to 20f to obtain a measured temperature. One of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f is installed in each of the rooms 20a to 20f. Each of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f is electrically connected to the control unit 6 shown in FIG. 2. Each of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f sends the measured temperature to the control unit 6.

[0016] The spill zone input unit 7 shown in FIG. 2 accepts a user's selection of a room 20a-20f to be a spill zone from among the multiple rooms 20a-20f. That is, the user inputs at least one room 20a-20f to be selected as a spill zone from among the multiple rooms 20a-20f into the spill zone input unit 7. The spill zone storage unit 8 stores the selection accepted by the spill zone input unit 7 from the user. Note that, in this specification, a spill zone refers to a zone in which, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, at least one of the multiple dampers 4a-4f is opened, providing an escape route for air in the duct 3. The spill zone input unit 7 and the spill zone storage unit 8 are electrically connected to the control unit 6.

[0017] The set temperature input unit 9 receives the set temperatures for each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f from the user. That is, the user inputs the set temperatures for each of the rooms 20a to 20f in advance into the set temperature input unit 9. The set temperature memory unit 10 stores the set temperatures for each of the rooms 20a to 20f received from the user by the set temperature input unit 9. The set temperature input unit 9 and the set temperature memory unit 10 are electrically connected to the control unit 6.

[0018] The control unit 6 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2. Specifically, the control unit 6 controls switching between cold air and warm air generated by the air conditioning unit 2, and controls changes in the amount of cold air or warm air generated. The control unit 6 also controls the opening and closing operations of the dampers 4a to 4f. Specifically, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f until the measured temperature for each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f reaches the set temperature. When the measured temperature for each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f reaches the set temperature, the control unit 6 closes the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to each of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f. When all of the dampers 4a to 4f are closed, the control unit 6 opens at least one of the multiple dampers 4a to 4f. In other words, when all dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state, the control unit 6 switches some of the dampers 4a to 4f to the open state and leaves the remaining dampers 4a to 4f in the closed state.

[0019] In this embodiment, when all dampers 4a to 4f are closed, the control unit 6 reads out at least one room 20a to 20f stored as a spill zone in the spill zone storage unit 8 and opens the damper 4a to 4f corresponding to that room 20a to 20f. For example, when the spill zone input unit 7 receives input specifying room 20b as a spill zone, room 20b is stored as a spill zone in the spill zone storage unit 8. Thereafter, when all dampers 4a to 4f are closed, the control unit 6 opens only the damper 4b corresponding to room 20b stored in the spill zone storage unit 8. As a result, cool air or warm air is discharged only into room 20b.

[0020] Next, an example of processing during operation of the air conditioning system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] First, in step S11, the control unit 6 determines the open / close state of each of the dampers 4a to 4f based on the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f and the set temperatures of the rooms 20a to 20f stored in the set temperature memory unit 10. Specifically, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have not reached the set temperatures, and closes the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have reached the set temperatures. Then, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12.

[0022] In step S12, the control unit 6 determines whether or not all of the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state.

[0023] If the answer is No in step S12, the processes of steps S11 and S12 are repeated.

[0024] On the other hand, if the answer to step S12 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that all the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0025] In step S13, the control unit 6 reads out at least one of the rooms 20a to 20f stored as a spill zone in the spill zone storage unit 8. Then, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14.

[0026] In step S14, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to at least one of the rooms 20a to 20f read out in step S13, and then ends the process.

[0027] Next, the effects of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning unit 2 that generates heat-exchanged air, a duct 3 that connects the air conditioning unit 2 to a plurality of rooms 20a-20f in a building 20 and supplies air to each of the rooms 20a-20f, and a plurality of dampers 4a-4f that are installed in the duct 3 at positions corresponding to the rooms 20a-20f and are switchable between an open state that allows the supply of air to each of the rooms 20a-20f and a closed state that blocks the supply of air to each of the rooms 20a-20f. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioning system 1 includes a set temperature input unit 9 that receives a set temperature for each of the rooms 20a-20f from a user, and a plurality of temperature sensors 5a-5f that measure the temperatures of each of the rooms 20a-20f to obtain measured temperatures. The air conditioning system 1 also includes a control unit 6 that opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to each of the rooms 20a-20f until the measured temperature reaches the set temperature for that room, and closes the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to that room when the measured temperature reaches the set temperature for that room. The control unit 6 opens at least one of the dampers 4a-4f when all dampers 4a-4f are closed. This configuration allows air in the duct 3 to escape to at least one of the rooms 20a-20f through the open dampers 4a-4f. Furthermore, because the dampers 4a-4f are installed in positions corresponding to all of the rooms 20a-20f, there are no rooms without dampers. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of rooms 20a to 20f being constantly air-conditioned from the start to the stop of operation of the air conditioning unit 2, or the air conditioning of rooms 20a to 20f that do not require air conditioning, thereby improving air conditioning efficiency.

[0029] 2, the air conditioning system 1 includes a spill zone input unit 7 that receives from the user a selection of a room to be set as a spill zone from among the plurality of rooms 20a-20f, and a spill zone storage unit 8 that stores the selection received from the user by the spill zone input unit 7. Furthermore, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 reads out at least one room 20a-20f stored as a spill zone in the spill zone storage unit 8 and opens the damper 4a-4f corresponding to that room 20a-20f. This configuration allows the user to arbitrarily select the damper 4a-4f to be opened when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, thereby providing a high degree of freedom. Furthermore, when there is no need to air-condition the rooms 20a to 20f stored as spill zones, but there is a need to air-condition the other rooms 20a to 20f that are not stored as spill zones, the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f stored as spill zones can be closed, so that air-conditioning efficiency is not impaired.

[0030] Second Embodiment Next, an air conditioning system 1A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning system 1A according to the second embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioning system 1A according to the second embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the dampers 4a to 4f to be opened are switched depending on a preset time period. In the second embodiment, parts that overlap with those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , the air conditioning system 1A according to the second embodiment further includes a schedule input unit 11, a schedule storage unit 12, and a clock unit 13 in addition to the components of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment. The schedule input unit 11 receives a selection from the user as to which of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f to set as spill zones for each time period. That is, the user inputs in advance into the schedule input unit 11 which of the multiple rooms 20a to 20f to set as spill zones for each time period. The schedule storage unit 12 stores the selection received by the schedule input unit 11 from the user. The schedule input unit 11 and the schedule storage unit 12 are electrically connected to the control unit 6.

[0032] The clock unit 13 outputs the current time, such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, to the control unit 6. The clock unit 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 6.

[0033] In this embodiment, when all dampers 4a to 4f are closed, the control unit 6 obtains the current time from the clock unit 13, reads out the rooms 20a to 20f stored as spill zones in the schedule storage unit 12 that correspond to the time period to which the current time belongs, and opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to those rooms 20a to 20f. For example, when the schedule input unit 11 receives an input specifying room 20c, which is rarely used during the day, as a spill zone from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, and room 20e, which is rarely used at night, as a spill zone from midnight to 6:00 a.m., the schedule is stored in the schedule storage unit 12. Thereafter, when all dampers 4a to 4f are closed, the control unit 6 opens only damper 4c corresponding to room 20c if the current time is from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, and opens only damper 4e corresponding to room 20e if the current time is from midnight to 6:00 a.m. As a result, cool air or warm air is discharged only to room 20c or only to room 20e depending on the time of day.

[0034] Next, an example of processing during operation of the air conditioning system 1A will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] First, in step S21, the control unit 6 determines the open / close state of each of the dampers 4a to 4f based on the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f and the set temperatures of the rooms 20a to 20f stored in the set temperature memory unit 10. Specifically, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have not reached the set temperatures, and closes the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have reached the set temperatures. Then, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22.

[0036] In step S22, the control unit 6 determines whether or not all of the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state.

[0037] If the answer is No in step S22, the processes of steps S21 and S22 are repeated.

[0038] On the other hand, if the answer to step S22 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that all the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0039] In step S23, the control unit 6 acquires the current time from the clock unit 13. Then, the process proceeds from step S23 to step S24.

[0040] In step S24, the control unit 6 reads out the room 20a to 20f that corresponds to the time zone to which the current time belongs from among the plurality of rooms 20a to 20f stored as spill zones in the schedule storage unit 12. Then, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S25.

[0041] In step S25, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to at least one of the rooms 20a to 20f read out in step S24, and then ends the process.

[0042] Next, the effects of the air conditioning system 1A according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , the air conditioning system 1A includes a schedule input unit 11 that receives from a user a selection of which of a plurality of rooms 20a-20f to designate as a spill zone for each time period; a schedule storage unit 12 that stores the selection received from the user by the schedule input unit 11; and a clock unit 13 that outputs the current time to the control unit 6. Furthermore, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 obtains the current time from the clock unit 13, retrieves the room 20a-20f stored as a spill zone in the schedule storage unit 12 that corresponds to the time period to which the current time belongs, and opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to the room 20a-20f. In other words, the control unit 6 switches which dampers 4a-4f to keep open depending on the preset time period. With this configuration, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to rooms 20a-20f where a user is unlikely to be present can be opened. Therefore, even if air conditioning is performed unintentionally by the user, the comfort of the users in the building 20 is not impaired.

[0044] Third Embodiment Next, an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 6. The configuration of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment and the configuration of the building to which the air conditioning system is applied are the same as those of the first embodiment (see Figures 1 and 2). Figure 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that dampers 4a to 4f are set to an open state depending on the set temperature. In the third embodiment, parts that overlap with those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0045] The spill zone input unit 7 receives from the user a selection of two or more rooms 20a-20f that are infrequently occupied among the plurality of rooms 20a-20f as spill zone candidates. That is, the user inputs in advance into the spill zone input unit 7 two or more rooms 20a-20f that are infrequently occupied among the plurality of rooms 20a-20f. The spill zone storage unit 8 stores the selection received by the spill zone input unit 7 from the user.

[0046] In this embodiment, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to the rooms 20a-20f with the lowest set temperatures among two or more rooms 20a-20f with low occupancy frequencies stored as spill zone candidates in the spill zone storage unit 8 during cooling operation, and opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to the rooms 20a-20f with the highest set temperatures during heating operation. For example, when the spill zone input unit 7 receives input specifying rooms 20a, 20c, and 20d as spill zone candidates, the rooms 20a, 20c, and 20d are stored as spill zone candidates in the spill zone storage unit 8. Here, it is assumed that the air conditioning unit 2 is operating in cooling mode and the set temperatures of rooms 20a, 20c, and 20d are 28°C, 24°C, and 25°C, respectively. After that, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 opens only the damper 4c corresponding to room 20c with the lowest set temperature among rooms 20a, 20c, and 20d stored as spill zone candidates in the spill zone storage unit 8. This allows cool air to be discharged only to room 20c. Note that if there are two or more rooms 20a-20f with the lowest set temperatures, the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to each of the two or more rooms 20a-20f with the lowest set temperatures may be opened during cooling operation. On the other hand, if there are two or more rooms 20a-20f with the highest set temperatures, the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to each of the two or more rooms 20a-20f with the highest set temperatures may be opened during heating operation.

[0047] Next, an example of processing during operation of the air conditioning system will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] First, in step S31, the control unit 6 determines the open / close state of each of the dampers 4a to 4f based on the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 5a to 5f and the set temperatures of the rooms 20a to 20f stored in the set temperature memory unit 10. Specifically, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have not reached the set temperatures, and closes the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to the rooms 20a to 20f whose measured temperatures have reached the set temperatures. Then, the process proceeds from step S31 to step S32.

[0049] In step S32, the control unit 6 determines whether or not all of the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state.

[0050] If the answer is No in step S32, the processes of steps S31 and S32 are repeated.

[0051] On the other hand, if the answer to step S32 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that all the dampers 4a to 4f are in the closed state, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0052] In step S33, the control unit 6 determines whether the current operating state of the air conditioning unit 2 is heating operation.

[0053] If the answer to step S33 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the current operating state of the air conditioning unit 2 is heating operation, the process proceeds to step S34.

[0054] In step S34, control unit 6 acquires the set temperature of each of rooms 20a-20f from set temperature memory unit 10, and reads out at least one room 20a-20f with the highest set temperature from among the multiple rooms 20a-20f stored as spill zone candidates in spill zone memory unit 8. Then, the process proceeds from step S34 to step S36.

[0055] In step S36, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to at least one of the rooms 20a to 20f read out in step S34, and then ends the process.

[0056] On the other hand, if the answer to step S33 is No, that is, if it is determined that the current operating state of the air conditioning unit 2 is cooling operation, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0057] In step S35, control unit 6 acquires the set temperature of each of rooms 20a-20f from set temperature memory unit 10, and reads out at least one room 20a-20f with the lowest set temperature from among the multiple rooms 20a-20f stored as spill zone candidates in spill zone memory unit 8. Then, the process proceeds from step S35 to step S36.

[0058] In step S36, the control unit 6 opens the dampers 4a to 4f corresponding to at least one of the rooms 20a to 20f read out in step S35, and ends the process.

[0059] Next, the effects of the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0060] In this embodiment, the air conditioning system includes a spill zone input unit 7 that receives from a user a selection of rooms 20a-20f, with two or more rooms 20a-20f that are infrequently occupied as spill zone candidates, and a spill zone memory unit 8 that stores the selection received from the user by the spill zone input unit 7. The air conditioning system also includes a set temperature input unit 9 that receives from the user a set temperature for each of the multiple rooms 20a-20f, and a set temperature memory unit 10 that stores the set temperature for each of the rooms 20a-20f received from the user by the set temperature input unit 9. Furthermore, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 acquires the set temperatures of each room 20a-20f from the set temperature memory unit 10, and during heating operation, reads out the room 20a-20f with the highest set temperature among the multiple rooms 20a-20f stored as spill zone candidates in the spill zone memory unit 8, and opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to that room 20a-20f. On the other hand, when all dampers 4a-4f are closed, the control unit 6 acquires the set temperatures of each room 20a-20f from the set temperature memory unit 10, and during cooling operation, reads out the room 20a-20f with the lowest set temperature among the multiple rooms 20a-20f stored as spill zone candidates in the spill zone memory unit 8, and opens the dampers 4a-4f corresponding to that room 20a-20f. In other words, the control unit 6 sets the dampers 4a-4f to be open based on the set temperatures. With this configuration, when all dampers 4a to 4f are closed, it is possible to open the damper 4a to 4f corresponding to the room 20a to 20f that is most desired to be cooled or the room 20a to 20f that is most desired to be heated among the rooms 20a to 20f that are least likely to be occupied by a user. This allows air conditioning to be performed with the least impact from the user's perspective, and the comfort of users in the building 20 is not compromised.

[0061] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or may be combined with other embodiments, or may include some omissions or modifications to the configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the control unit 6 in the above-described first to third embodiments may open only one of the dampers 4a to 4f when all of the dampers 4a to 4f are closed.

[0062] Next, the hardware configuration of the control unit 6 in the first to third embodiments will be described. The control unit 6 is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be a control circuit including a processor, or may be dedicated hardware. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit 6 in the first to third embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit that realizes the control unit 6 includes a processor 30 and a memory 40. The processor 30 and the memory 40 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via, for example, a bus. The processor 30 performs each function by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 40. The processor 30 includes, for example, one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0063] The memory 40 includes one or more of a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM®). The programs stored in the memory 40 are provided, for example, by a recording medium. The recording medium includes one or more of a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible memory, an optical disk, a compact disk, and a digital versatile disk (DVD). The programs stored in the memory 40 may also be provided by a communication medium. When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit includes, for example, at least one of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a system large scale integration (LSI).

[0064] 1, 1A air conditioning system, 2 air conditioning unit, 3 duct, 3a to 3f air outlet, 4a to 4f damper, 5a to 5f temperature sensor, 6 control unit, 7 spill zone input unit, 8 spill zone memory unit, 9 set temperature input unit, 10 set temperature memory unit, 11 schedule input unit, 12 schedule memory unit, 13 clock unit, 20 building, 20a to 20f rooms, 30 processor, 40 memory.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioning unit that generates heat-exchanged air; ducts that connect the air conditioning unit to a plurality of rooms in a building and supply the air to each of the rooms; a plurality of dampers that are installed in the duct at positions corresponding to each of the rooms and that are switchable between an open state that allows the supply of the air to each of the rooms and a closed state that blocks the supply of the air to each of the rooms; a set temperature input unit that receives a set temperature for each of the rooms from a user; a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperature of each of the rooms to obtain the measured temperatures; and a control unit that keeps the dampers corresponding to each of the rooms in an open state until the measured temperature for each of the rooms reaches the set temperature, and closes the dampers corresponding to each of the rooms when the measured temperature for each of the rooms reaches the set temperature, wherein the control unit opens at least one of the dampers when all of the dampers are closed.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the dampers to be opened depending on a preset time period.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the damper to an open state according to the set temperature.

4. An air conditioning system as described in claim 3, wherein the control unit opens the damper corresponding to the room with the lowest set temperature among the plurality of rooms during cooling operation.

5. An air conditioning system as described in claim 3, wherein the control unit opens the damper corresponding to the room with the highest set temperature among the plurality of rooms during heating operation.

6. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit opens only one of the plurality of dampers.

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