Air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioning system comprises: an air conditioner for conditioning air in a space to be air-conditioned; and a control device for instructing a target temperature, which is a control target of the air conditioner, to the air conditioner, wherein the control device sets a target temperature on the basis of a first comfortable temperature estimated as a temperature at which a first user present in the space to be air-conditioned feels comfortable, and a second comfortable temperature estimated as a temperature at which a second user present in the space to be air-conditioned feels comfortable, every time a predetermined integration time elapses, integrates a difference between the first comfortable temperature and a first ambient temperature of the first user and calculates a first degree of divergence, and integrates a difference between the second comfortable temperature and a second ambient temperature of the second user and calculates a second degree of divergence, and when the first degree of divergence is outside a predetermined allowable range and the second degree of divergence is within the allowable range, resets the target temperature to a value closer to the first comfortable temperature than the target temperature before the resetting.

Description

air conditioning system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that performs air conditioning.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known an air conditioning system that utilizes a comfort temperature, which is a temperature at which a user feels comfortable, to control an air conditioner in an air-conditioned space (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-176797

[0004] The air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1 only discloses controlling an air conditioner based on a comfort temperature for one user. Therefore, in conventional air conditioning systems, including the air conditioning system of Patent Document 1, when attempting to achieve comfort for multiple users in an air-conditioned space, it is conceivable to use a neutral temperature calculated by, for example, averaging the comfort temperatures for each user to control the air conditioner. However, in this case, each user will be staying in a space with a temperature different from their own comfort temperature. Therefore, when multiple users are staying in an air-conditioned space, conventional air conditioning systems can cause strong dissatisfaction among users who stay for long periods of time.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an air conditioning system that can reduce user dissatisfaction even when multiple users are staying in the air-conditioned space.

[0006] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises an air conditioner that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned, and a control device that instructs the air conditioner of a target temperature, which is a control target of the air conditioner. The control device sets the target temperature based on a first comfort temperature estimated as a temperature at which a first user in the space to be air-conditioned feels comfortable, and a second comfort temperature estimated as a temperature at which a second user in the space to be air-conditioned feels comfortable. Each time a predetermined accumulation time elapses, the control device calculates a first deviation degree by integrating the difference between the first ambient temperature of the first user and the first comfort temperature, and calculates a second deviation degree by integrating the difference between the second ambient temperature of the second user and the second comfort temperature. If the first deviation degree is outside a predetermined tolerance range and the second deviation degree is within the tolerance range, the control device resets the target temperature to a value closer to the first comfort temperature than the target temperature before resetting.

[0007] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure resets the target temperature closer to the user's comfort temperature when the deviation of the user calculated by integrating the difference between the ambient temperature and the comfort temperature over time falls outside the acceptable range. Therefore, the air conditioning system changes the operation of the air conditioner in response to increasing user dissatisfaction over time. Therefore, even when multiple users are present in the air-conditioned space, the air conditioning system can prevent users who stay for long periods of time from feeling strong dissatisfaction.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a terminal device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermal sensation declaration screen according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device for a terminal device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of acquiring an ambient temperature of a user according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a comfort temperature database according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating coefficients for each declaration content according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a target temperature when the deviation degree exceeds a warmth threshold in Embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a target temperature when the deviation degree exceeds a coldness threshold in Embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining the length of a reflection time according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where corrections overlap in Embodiment 1. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where corrections are resolved within the reflection time in Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a control device of an 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. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device according to embodiment 1.

[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 the air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioner 2, a terminal device 3, a fixed station 4, an ambient temperature detection device 5, and an information processing device 6. The air conditioner 2 conditions the air in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The terminal device 3 is a communication device, such as a smartphone, carried by each of multiple users in the room. The fixed station 4 is a device disposed in the space to be air-conditioned and measures the location information of the terminal device 3. Note that multiple fixed stations 4 may be provided in the room. The ambient temperature detection device 5 is, for example, an infrared sensor, and multiple devices are provided in multiple locations in the room, such as on a wall surface and on equipment such as a desk or shelf. The information processing device 6 is a device, such as a cloud server, that is communicatively connected to the air conditioner 2, the terminal device 3, the fixed station 4, and the ambient temperature detection device 5. The air conditioner 2, the terminal device 3, the fixed station 4, and the ambient temperature detection device 5 are communicatively connected to an information processing device 6 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet.

[0011] The air conditioner 2 will now be described. Figure 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing the air conditioner 2 according to Embodiment 1. The air conditioner 2 has an outdoor unit 7 that generates hot or cold heat, and an indoor unit 8 that conditions indoor air using the hot or cold heat generated by the outdoor unit 7. The outdoor unit 7 has 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 8 has an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor blower 22. The indoor unit 8 conditions indoor air by performing cooling operation and heating operation.

[0012] The compressor 11 compresses and discharges the drawn refrigerant. 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 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.

[0015] The indoor unit 8 has a room temperature sensor 31. The room temperature sensor 31 is provided, for example, at an air intake (not shown) of the indoor unit 8, and detects the temperature of the air in the room. In addition to the room temperature sensor 31, the indoor unit 8 may also have a sensor that detects the humidity of the air in the room.

[0016] The indoor unit 8 has a control device 32. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the control device 32 of the air conditioner 2 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 32 is communicatively connected to a room temperature sensor 31. The control device 32 is also communicatively connected to the compressor 11, the flow path switching device 12, the expansion valve 14, the outdoor blower 15, and the indoor blower 22. The control device 32 has, as functional units, an equipment control unit 41 and a communication unit 42.

[0017] 2 shows a case where the control device 32 is provided in the indoor unit 8, the installation location of the control device 32 is not limited to the indoor unit 8. The control device 32 may be provided in the outdoor unit 7, or may be provided in a location other than both the outdoor unit 7 and the indoor unit 8.

[0018] The device control unit 41 controls the flow path switching device 12 in response to the cooling operation and heating operation of the indoor unit 8. The device control unit 41 controls the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant circuit based on the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 31 and the target temperature Ts. For example, the device control unit 41 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11, the opening of the expansion valve 14, and the rotation speeds of the indoor blower 22 and the outdoor blower 15 so that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 31 coincides with the target temperature Ts, which is the control target, within a certain range. The target temperature Ts is set by a user installed in the room using a remote controller (not shown). In addition, in the first embodiment, the target temperature Ts may be set based on a comfort temperature Tp estimated by the information processing device 6 for each user staying in the room. A method for estimating the comfort temperature Tp and a method for setting the target temperature Ts using the information processing device 6 will be described later.

[0019] The communication unit 42 communicates with the information processing device 6. The communication unit 42 transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 6 according to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When the communication unit 42 receives the target temperature Ts from the information processing device 6, it transmits the received target temperature Ts to the device control unit 41.

[0020] Here, the hardware configuration of the control device 32 will be described. Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 32 of the air conditioner 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 32 are executed by hardware, the control device 32 is configured by a processing circuit 50, as shown in Fig. 4. 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.

[0021] Another example of the hardware configuration of the control device 32 will be described. Fig. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 32 of the air conditioner 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 32 are executed by software, the control device 32 is composed of a processor 51 and a memory 52, as shown in Fig. 5. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 51 and the memory 52. ​​Fig. 5 shows that the processor 51 and the memory 52 are connected to each other via a bus 53 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0022] 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).

[0023] The terminal device 3 is used to allow the information processing device 6 to identify the user's location information. The terminal device 3 is also used to transmit a thermal sensation report to the information processing device 6. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the terminal device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal device 3 has an operation / display device 61 and a control device 62.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 6 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 4. In response to a request from the information processing device 6, the multiple fixed stations 4 transmit the signal arrival time, signal arrival angle, transmission time, and identification information from the terminal device 3 to the information processing device 6. The identification information is a unique character string for identifying the terminal device 3 with which communication is being made, i.e., the user carrying the terminal device 3. The information processing device 6 analyzes the signal arrival time and signal arrival angle received from the multiple fixed stations 4 to identify the location information of the terminal device 3 for each piece of identification information.

[0026] 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. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the thermal sensation reporting screen G1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal sensation reporting screen G1 includes buttons indicating the reporting content, such as "hot," "slightly hot," "comfortable," "slightly cold," and "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.

[0027] Whenever a thermal sensation notification is input by the user, the notification unit 64 transmits the input thermal sensation notification and the identification information of the terminal device 3 on which the operation was performed to the information processing device 6. 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 4, the same identification information is assigned to them.

[0028] The hardware configuration of the control device 62 of the terminal device 3 will be described. Fig. 8 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. 8, 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. 8 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.

[0029] 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 conditioner 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.

[0030] The ambient temperature detecting devices 5 transmit the temperature detection results to the information processing device 6 in response to a request from the information processing device 6. Note that location information indicating the installation location of each ambient temperature detecting device 5 is recorded in advance in the information processing device 6. The location information is defined, for example, by coordinates (x, y) on a plane.

[0031] The information processing device 6 estimates the comfort temperature Tp of each of the multiple users in the room and sets the target temperature Ts based on the comfort temperature Tp of each user. Furthermore, the information processing device 6 of the first embodiment is characterized in that, when there is a user whose comfort temperature Tp continues to diverge from the ambient temperature Ti and who is presumed to be becoming increasingly dissatisfied, the target temperature Ts is shifted closer to the comfort temperature Tp of that user.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an information processing device 6 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 9, the information processing device 6 has a control device 81 and a storage device 82. The control device 81 has, as functional units, a declaration acquisition unit 91, a location information acquisition unit 92, an ambient temperature acquisition unit 93, a comfort temperature estimation unit 94, a correction unit 95, a target temperature setting unit 96, and a reflection time setting unit 97.

[0033] The declaration acquisition unit 91 communicates with the terminal device 3 to acquire thermal sensation declarations made by users staying in the room. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the room, the declaration acquisition unit 91 acquires a thermal sensation declaration for each user. Each time a thermal sensation declaration is input by a user, the declaration acquisition unit 91 acquires the input thermal sensation declaration.

[0034] When the report acquisition unit 91 acquires a thermal sensation report, the location information acquisition unit 92 communicates with the fixed station 4 to identify the user's location information. Specifically, when the report acquisition unit 91 acquires a thermal sensation report, the location information acquisition unit 92 requests the multiple fixed stations 4 to transmit the signal arrival times and signal arrival angles of the terminal devices 3 identified by the identification information attached to the thermal sensation report. The location information acquisition unit 92 identifies the indoor location information of the terminal devices 3 identified by the identification information attached to the thermal sensation report based on layout information about the air-conditioned space and the signal arrival times and signal arrival angles received from the multiple fixed stations 4. The location information is defined, for example, by coordinates (x, y) on a plane.

[0035] The ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 acquires the ambient temperature Ti of the user at the time the thermal sensation declaration is acquired by the declaration acquisition unit 91. Specifically, the ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 identifies the ambient temperature detection device 5 closest to the terminal device 3 based on the location information of the terminal device 3 identified by the location information acquisition unit 92 and the location information of the ambient temperature detection device 5. The ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 then requests a temperature detection result from the identified ambient temperature detection device 5. The ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 acquires the temperature transmitted by the identified ambient temperature detection device 5 as the ambient temperature Ti of the user at the time the thermal sensation declaration is acquired.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for acquiring a user's ambient temperature Ti according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which ambient temperature detection devices 5a to 5d are installed indoors. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , if the location information of the location where user A's thermal sensation declaration was acquired by the declaration acquisition unit 91 is identified by the location information acquisition unit 92 as (x, y) = (2, 3), the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device 5a located at (x, y) = (2, 4), which is closest to this location, is acquired as the user's ambient temperature Ti at the time the thermal sensation declaration was acquired. Similarly, if users B, C, and D each make a thermal sensation declaration at the locations shown in FIG. 10 , the temperatures detected by the ambient temperature detection devices 5b, 5c, and 5d are acquired as the ambient temperatures Ti of users B, C, and D at the time the thermal sensation declaration was acquired.

[0037] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a comfort temperature database according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 11, the comfort temperature estimator 94 records, for each user identified by the identification information, the ambient temperature Ti at the time when the thermal sensation declaration was acquired and the content of the thermal sensation declaration corresponding to the ambient temperature Ti in the comfort temperature database 83. Note that in this document, "database" may be abbreviated as "DB."

[0038] Furthermore, the comfort temperature estimator 94 estimates a comfort temperature Tp for each user identified by the identification information, based on the ambient temperature Ti and the content of the thermal sensation declaration corresponding to the ambient temperature Ti recorded in the comfort temperature DB 83. The comfort temperature Tp is calculated using the following formula (1):

[0039]

[0040] Here, t is a coefficient that varies depending on the content of the declaration. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing coefficients for each declaration content according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 , when the thermal sensation declaration is comfortable, the coefficient t is set to 1 so that the ambient temperature Ti is reflected in the comfortable temperature Tp. When the content of the thermal sensation declaration indicates that the user is feeling hot, the coefficient t is set to a value smaller than 1 so that a temperature lower than the ambient temperature Ti is reflected in the comfortable temperature Tp. Conversely, when the content of the thermal sensation declaration indicates that the user is feeling cold, the coefficient t is set to a value greater than 1 so that a temperature higher than the ambient temperature Ti is reflected in the comfortable temperature Tp. Furthermore, when the degree of the thermal sensation is small, the coefficient t is set to a value closer to 1 than when the degree of the thermal sensation is large.

[0041] n is the number of thermal sensation declarations used in calculating the comfort temperature Tp. All or some of the thermal sensation declarations recorded in the comfort temperature DB 83 may be used in calculating the comfort temperature Tp. In the latter case, for example, the thermal sensation declarations recorded in the comfort temperature DB 83 may be divided into multiple groups based on the date or date and time when the thermal sensation declarations were acquired, and only the thermal sensation declarations of the group to which the date or date when the comfort temperature Tp was calculated belongs may be used in calculating the comfort temperature Tp.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11 , the comfort temperature estimator 94 records the comfort temperature Tp in the comfort temperature DB 83 for each user identified by the identification information, in association with the user.

[0043] The correction unit 95 calculates the deviation D by integrating the difference between the user's ambient temperature Ti and the user's comfort temperature Tp every time a predetermined accumulation time (e.g., 15 minutes) elapses. If the deviation D falls outside a predetermined tolerance range, the correction unit 95 corrects the comfort temperature Tp to calculate a corrected temperature Tm. Specifically, the tolerance range includes a warmth threshold, which is the upper limit of the tolerance range, and a coldness threshold, which is the lower limit of the tolerance range. The warmth threshold is a positive value (e.g., +1.0°C) and is set to determine whether the user is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the ambient temperature Ti due to its heat. The coldness threshold is a negative value (e.g., −1.0°C) and is set to determine whether the user is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the ambient temperature Ti due to its coldness.

[0044] When the deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold, the correction unit 95 subtracts the correction value ΔT from the comfort temperature Tp to calculate the corrected temperature Tm. That is, the corrected temperature Tm at this time is lower than the comfort temperature Tp. Conversely, when the deviation D is less than the coldness threshold, the correction unit 95 adds the correction value ΔT to the comfort temperature Tp to calculate the corrected temperature Tm. That is, the corrected temperature Tm at this time is higher than the comfort temperature Tp. The correction value ΔT is, for example, 0.5°C.

[0045] The target temperature setting unit 96 sets a target temperature Ts from the comfort temperatures Tp of multiple users. For example, the target temperature setting unit 96 sets the target temperature Ts by averaging the comfort temperatures Tp of multiple users. However, if there is a user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range, that is, if there is a user for whom a corrected temperature Tm has been calculated, the following process is performed. That is, the target temperature setting unit 96 resets the target temperature Ts by averaging the corrected temperature Tm of the user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range and the average value of the comfort temperatures Tp of all users whose deviation D is within the allowable range. As a result, the target temperature setting unit 96 resets the target temperature Ts when a certain user's deviation D falls outside the allowable range to a value closer to the user's comfort temperature Tp than the target temperature Ts before the deviation D of the user fell outside the allowable range. In other words, the target temperature setting unit 96 resets the target temperature Ts to a value closer to the user's comfort temperature Tp of the user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range.

[0046] The target temperature setting unit 96 transmits the set (or reset) target temperature Ts to the air conditioner 2. The correction temperature Tm is valid only for the reflection time (e.g., one hour). When the predetermined reflection time has elapsed, the target temperature setting unit 96 deletes the correction temperature Tm and resets the target temperature Ts by averaging the comfort temperatures Tp of multiple users. In other words, the target temperature setting unit 96 uses the target temperature Ts calculated based on the correction temperature Tm over the reflection time to control the air conditioner 2.

[0047] 13 and 14, the operation of the correction unit 95 and the target temperature setting unit 96 will be described with specific temperature examples. First, the target temperature Ts when the deviation D exceeds the thermal sensation threshold will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the target temperature Ts when the deviation D exceeds the thermal sensation threshold in the first embodiment. In the following description, the subscripts "a" to "d" may be added to the comfort temperature Tp, the ambient temperature Ti, the deviation D, and the correction temperature Tm to indicate that they correspond to each of users A to D.

[0048] When the air conditioner 2 is first turned on (at 8:00), the target temperature Ts is set to the target temperature last set during the previous operation. After an accumulated time (e.g., 15 minutes) has elapsed (at 8:15), the average of the comfort temperatures Tp of all users staying in the room is calculated as the target temperature Ts. In other words, the target temperature Ts is calculated as 24.9°C (= (24.5 + 25.0 + 25.0 + 25.0) / 4; rounded to the nearest whole number). The target temperature Ts is not set because the user deviation D falls outside the acceptable range, but rather is intended to change the target temperature Ts immediately after the air conditioner 2 is turned on to a target temperature Ts tailored to the users staying in the room. For this reason, the target temperature Ts may be set at a timing independent of the accumulated time.

[0049] At this time, the correction unit 95 calculates the deviation Da (an example of the "first deviation" in the present disclosure) for user A (an example of the "first user" in the present disclosure) as +0.9 (= 25.4 - 24.5) [°C] by subtracting the comfort temperature Tpa (an example of the "first comfort temperature" in the present disclosure) from the ambient temperature Tia (an example of the "first ambient temperature" in the present disclosure). Note that the comfort temperature Tpb (an example of the "second comfort temperature" in the present disclosure) for user B (an example of the "second user" in the present disclosure) is 25.0 [°C], and for the sake of simplicity, the same value is assumed for users C and D. Furthermore, the deviations Db (an example of the "second deviation" in the present disclosure), Dc, and Dd for users B, C, and D are calculated using the same process as for user A. That is, the deviations Db, Dc, and Dd of users B, C, and D can also be calculated by the ambient temperature Tib (an example of the "second ambient temperature" in the present disclosure) - the comfortable temperature Tpb, the ambient temperature Tic - the comfortable temperature Tpc, and the ambient temperature Tid - the comfortable temperature Tpd. However, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the deviations Db, Dc, and Dd of users B, C, and D do not fluctuate from 0.0°C.

[0050] When the integration time has elapsed since 8:15 (time 8:30), the correction unit 95 again calculates the ambient temperature Tia minus the comfort temperature Tpa. The correction unit 95 adds the difference obtained this time, +0.4 (=24.9-24.5) [°C], to the deviation Da calculated at the time the previous integration time elapsed, to calculate a new deviation Da for user A of +1.3 (=0.9+0.4) [°C]. At this time, because the deviation Da for user A exceeds the warmth threshold (+1.0 [°C]), the correction unit 95 subtracts the correction value ΔT from the comfort temperature Tpa to calculate a corrected temperature Tma (an example of the "first correction temperature" of the present disclosure) of 24.0 (=24.5-0.5) [°C]. Then, because the deviation Da for user A exceeds the thermal sensation threshold, the target temperature setting unit 96 sets a new target temperature Ts. Here, the corrected temperature Tma for user A, whose deviation Da is outside the allowable range, and the average value of the comfortable temperatures Tpb to Tpd for users B to D, whose deviations Db to Dd are within the allowable range, are averaged to calculate the target temperature Ts as 24.5 (= (24.0 + (25.0 + 25.0 + 25.0) / 3) / 2; rounded to one decimal place) [°C]. The deviation D for user A is then reset to ±0.0 [°C].

[0051] When the cumulative time has elapsed since 8:30 (time 8:45), the correction unit 95 again calculates the ambient temperature Tia minus the comfortable temperature Tpa. The correction unit 95 adds the difference thus calculated, +0.1 (=24.6-24.5) [°C], to the deviation Da calculated at the time the previous cumulative time elapsed, and calculates a new deviation Da for user A of +0.1 (=0.0+0.1) [°C].

[0052] Then, when the reflection time elapses from 8:30, when the target temperature Ts based on the corrected temperature Tma is set (9:30), the corrected temperature Tma becomes invalid. The target temperature setting unit 96 again averages the comfort temperatures Tp of each user and sets the target temperature Ts to 24.9°C.

[0053] Next, the target temperature Ts when the deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining the target temperature Ts when the deviation D exceeds the coldness threshold in the first embodiment. Note that, unlike Fig. 13, the example in Fig. 14 sets the comfortable temperature Tpa for user A to 25.5°C. The same applies to users B to D as in Fig. 13.

[0054] When the air conditioner 2 is first turned on (at 8:00), the target temperature Ts is set to the target temperature last set during the previous operation. After an accumulated time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed (at 8:15), the average value of the comfort temperatures Tp of the users staying in the room is calculated as the target temperature Ts. That is, the target temperature Ts is calculated as 25.1 (= (25.5 + 25.0 + 25.0 + 25.0) / 4; rounded to one decimal place) [°C]. At this time, the correction unit 95 also calculates the deviation Da for user A as -0.4 (= 25.1 - 24.5) [°C], calculated by subtracting the ambient temperature Tia from the comfort temperature Tpa.

[0055] When the cumulative time has elapsed since 8:15 (time 8:30), the correction unit 95 again calculates the ambient temperature Tia minus the comfortable temperature Tpa. The correction unit 95 adds the difference of −0.3 (= 25.2 − 25.5) [°C] thus calculated to the deviation Da calculated at the time the previous cumulative time elapsed, and calculates a new deviation D for user A of −0.7 (= −0.4 − 0.3) [°C].

[0056] When the integration time has elapsed since 8:30 (time 8:45), the correction unit 95 again calculates the ambient temperature Tia minus the comfort temperature Tpa. The correction unit 95 adds the difference of −0.6 (= 24.9 − 25.5) [°C] found this time to the deviation Da calculated at the time the previous integration time elapsed, thereby calculating a new deviation Da for user A of −1.3 (= −0.7 − 0.6) [°C]. At this time, because user A's deviation Da is less than the coldness threshold (−1.0 [°C]), the correction unit 95 adds the correction value ΔT to the comfort temperature Tpa to calculate a corrected temperature Tma of 26.0 (= 25.5 + 0.5) [°C]. Then, because user A's deviation Da is less than the coldness threshold, the target temperature setting unit 96 sets a new target temperature Ts. Here, the corrected temperature Tma of user A, whose deviation Da is outside the allowable range, and the average value of the comfortable temperatures Tpb to Tpd of users B to D, whose deviations Db to Dd are within the allowable range, are averaged to calculate the target temperature Ts as 25.5 (= (26.0 + (25.0 + 25.0 + 25.0) / 3) / 2; rounded to one decimal place) [°C]. Then, the deviation D of user A is reset to ±0.0 [°C].

[0057] Then, when the reflection time has elapsed since 8:45, when the target temperature Ts based on the corrected temperature Tma was set (9:45), the corrected temperature Tma becomes invalid. The target temperature setting unit 96 again averages the comfort temperatures Tp of each user and calculates a target temperature Ts of 25.1°C.

[0058] The reflection time setting unit 97 determines the length of the reflection time based on the number of times the deviation D falls outside the allowable range during a predetermined period (e.g., one day). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the length of the reflection time according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15 , if a user exceeded the warmth threshold or the coldness threshold one to five times in the previous day, the reflection time setting unit 97 sets the reflection time to a short time (e.g., one hour). Furthermore, if the number of times was six to ten, the reflection time is set to a medium time (e.g., 1.5 hours). If the number was ten or more, the reflection time is set to a long time (e.g., two hours). In this way, the reflection time setting unit 97 sets the reflection time longer the more times the warmth threshold or the coldness threshold was exceeded in the previous day. The reflection time when the warmth threshold is exceeded and the reflection time when the coldness threshold is reached do not have to be the same for each number of times. For example, it is generally known that people tend to feel cold when sitting in a chair and not moving. Therefore, in order to make the reflection time longer when the coldness threshold is exceeded, the reflection time for each count may be set to be longer than the reflection time when the warmth threshold is exceeded.

[0059] Note that if the deviation D for a certain user falls outside the allowable range again before the reflection time has elapsed, the following processing may be performed. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case in which corrections are repeated in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16 , if the deviation D for a certain user exceeds the warmth threshold again before the reflection time has elapsed after the deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold, the correction unit 95 may further correct the correction temperature Tm to calculate a new correction temperature Tm. In this case, the reflection time may not be changed or may be extended. The same applies to a case in which the deviation D falls below the coldness threshold. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case in which correction is canceled within the reflection time in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17 , if the deviation D for a certain user falls below the coldness threshold before the reflection time has elapsed after the deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold, the correction unit 95 may disable the correction temperature Tm regardless of the elapse of the reflection time. In this case, the target temperature setting unit 96 calculates the target temperature Ts based on the average of the comfort temperatures Tp of all users. The same applies to the case where, for a certain user, the deviation degree D becomes less than the warmth threshold before the reflection time has elapsed after the deviation degree D exceeded the coldness threshold.

[0060] Furthermore, if the deviation D of multiple users deviates from the acceptable range during a certain time period, the target temperature Ts may be reset by averaging the average value of the corrected temperatures Tm of all users whose deviation D is outside the acceptable range and the average value of the comfortable temperatures Tp of all users whose deviation D is within the acceptable range.

[0061] The storage device 82 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device 82 stores a comfort temperature DB 83. The storage device 82 also stores layout information. The layout information is information including the floor plan of the air-conditioned space and the arrangement (position information) of the fixed station 4 and the ambient temperature detection device 5 in the air-conditioned space. The layout information is registered in advance, for example, by a user or an installer of the air conditioner 2.

[0062] 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 6 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Next, the operation of the information processing device 6 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIGS. 19 to 21 are flowcharts showing the operation of the information processing device 6 according to the first embodiment. First, the process of calculating the comfort temperature Tp will be described with reference to FIG. 19. First, the declaration acquisition unit 91 acquires a thermal sensation declaration (step S1). The location information acquisition unit 92 acquires the indoor location information of the terminal device 3 identified by the identification information attached to the thermal sensation declaration (step S2). The ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 acquires, as the user's ambient temperature Ti at the time the thermal sensation declaration is acquired, the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device 5 that is closest to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 92, among the multiple ambient temperature detection devices 5 (step S3).

[0065] The comfort temperature estimator 94 then records the ambient temperature Ti at the time the thermal sensation declaration was acquired and the content of the thermal sensation declaration corresponding to the ambient temperature Ti in the comfort temperature DB 83, and estimates the user's comfort temperature Tp based on the recorded content (step S4). The comfort temperature estimator 94 records the estimated comfort temperature Tp in the comfort temperature DB. The information processing device 6 successively performs the processes of steps S2 to S4 every time a thermal sensation declaration is acquired from any user staying in the room (step S1).

[0066] Next, a method for calculating the target temperature Ts will be described using FIG. 20 . Here, we will omit a description of the initial setting of the target temperature Ts when the air conditioner 2 is started, and instead focus on the setting of the target temperature Ts that is repeatedly performed based on the deviation D while the air conditioner 2 is operating. While the air conditioner 2 is operating, the correction unit 95 determines whether the accumulated time has elapsed since the start of operation or since the accumulated time previously elapsed (step S11). If the accumulated time has not elapsed (step S11: NO), the correction unit 95 waits until the accumulated time has elapsed. If the accumulated time has elapsed (step S11: YES), the location information acquisition unit 92 acquires location information of a given user (step S12). Next, the ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 acquires the user's ambient temperature Ti from the ambient temperature detection device 5 closest to the user's location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 92 (step S13). Then, the correction unit 95 integrates the difference between the ambient temperature Ti and the comfort temperature Tp as the deviation D (step S14). The correction unit 95 performs the processes of steps S12 to S14 in order for all users who have been detected as staying indoors and who have been identified by their identification information.

[0067] The target temperature setting unit 96 then determines whether there is a user whose deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold or falls below the coldness threshold (step S15). If the deviation D for all users is equal to or less than the warmth threshold and equal to or greater than the coldness threshold (step S15: NO), the target temperature setting unit 96 does not change the target temperature Ts. In this case, the calculation process for the deviation D is repeated every time the accumulated time indicated in steps S11 to S14 elapses. If there is a user whose deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold or falls below the coldness threshold (step S15: YES), the target temperature setting unit 96 resets the target temperature Ts based on the corrected temperature Tm of the user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range and the comfortable temperature Tp of the user whose deviation D falls within the allowable range (step S16). The correction unit 95 then resets the deviation D for the user whose deviation D exceeds the warmth threshold or falls below the coldness threshold (step S17).

[0068] Finally, referring to FIG. 21 , the process after the target temperature Ts is reset will be described. The process in FIG. 21 is performed for each user for whom a correction temperature Tm has been set. First, the target temperature setting unit 96 determines whether a reflection time has elapsed since the target temperature Ts was reset based on the correction temperature Tm of the user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range (step S21). If the reflection time has not elapsed (step S21: NO), the target temperature setting unit 96 maintains the reflection of the correction temperature Tm in the target temperature Ts and does not reset the target temperature Ts. If the reflection time has elapsed (step S21: YES), the target temperature setting unit 96 cancels the reflection of the correction temperature Tm. That is, the target temperature setting unit 96 switches the temperature used to calculate the target temperature Ts for the user for whom the correction temperature Tm has been set from the correction temperature Tm to the comfort temperature Tp, and resets the target temperature Ts (step S22).

[0069] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1, if the deviation degree of a user calculated by integrating the difference between the ambient temperature Ti and the comfort temperature Tp each time an integrated time elapses falls outside the tolerance range, the air conditioning system 1 resets the target temperature Ts closer to the comfort temperature Tp of the user whose deviation degree D falls outside the tolerance range. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 changes the operation of the air conditioner 2 in response to increasing user dissatisfaction over time. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 can reduce user dissatisfaction even when multiple users are staying in the air-conditioned space.

[0070] 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 and combinations are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, in the first embodiment, the information processing device 6 is a cloud server. However, the information processing device 6 may be a personal computer (PC) terminal provided outside the air conditioner 2, or the information processing device 6 may be part of the control device 32 of the air conditioner 2. Furthermore, some of the functions of the information processing device 6 may be realized by the PC terminal provided outside the air conditioner 2, the control device 32 of the air conditioner 2, or the control device 62 of the terminal device 3.

[0071] Furthermore, the communication unit 63 may be configured to transmit the location information of the terminal device 3 to the information processing device 6 by a method other than the method using the fixed station 4 described in the first embodiment. For example, the communication unit 63 may perform BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication with a plurality of beacons (not shown) installed in the room, identify the location information of the terminal device 3 in the air-conditioned space from the communication strength with the plurality of beacons, and transmit the location information to the information processing device 6. Furthermore, the communication unit 63 may be configured to transmit the location information of the terminal device 3 to the information processing device 6 by using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0072] Alternatively, the ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 may process the temperature detected by a wearable sensor worn by the user as the user's ambient temperature Ti in the information processing device 6, instead of the ambient temperature detection device 5 installed on the indoor wall or equipment. In this case, the wearable sensor may transmit the detected temperature to the information processing device 6 via the terminal device 3, or may transmit the detected temperature directly to the information processing device 6 without going through the terminal device 3. However, the information indicating the detected temperature transmitted by the wearable sensor may include identification information for identifying the user. Furthermore, if the terminal device 3 has a temperature detection function, the temperature detected by this function may be processed as the user's ambient temperature Ti in the information processing device 6. When detecting the user's ambient temperature Ti using these methods, the information processing device 6 may omit identifying the user's location information. Alternatively, the ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 may capture a thermal image of the room using an infrared sensor or the like installed in the air conditioner 2 and detect the user's ambient temperature Ti in the thermal image based on the user's location information. The ambient temperature acquisition unit 93 may also perform a fluid analysis of the indoor air using a three-dimensional indoor fluid model and multiple temperature and humidity sensors installed in the room, thereby detecting the temperature of a location corresponding to the user's position information as the user's ambient temperature Ti. In this way, a device having the function of detecting the user's ambient temperature Ti corresponds to the "temperature detection device" of the present disclosure.

[0073] Furthermore, although the first embodiment describes a case where only one air conditioner 2 is placed in the air-conditioned space, multiple air conditioners 2 may be placed in the air-conditioned space. In this case, an area to be air-conditioned is defined for each air conditioner 2. Each air conditioner 2 detects the location, acquires thermal sensation reports, estimates a comfort temperature, and sets a target temperature for users in the area to be air-conditioned.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the user's location information is detected when the thermal sensation declaration is acquired, and the ambient temperature Ti is acquired based on the detected location information. However, the thermal sensation declaration for the ambient temperature may be acquired by other methods. For example, the information processing device 6 acquires information for identifying the user's location information from the fixed station 4 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every second). Similarly, the information processing device 6 acquires the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device 5 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every second). The information processing device 6 then records these with the acquisition time. In this case, the information processing device 6 can determine the user's ambient temperature Ti from the time the thermal sensation declaration is acquired, and therefore can subsequently link the content of the thermal sensation declaration to the ambient temperature Ti.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the method for resetting the target temperature Ts has been described as averaging the corrected temperature Tm of a user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range and the average value of the comfort temperatures Tp of all users whose deviation D falls within the allowable range. However, the target temperature Ts may be set by other methods. For example, the target temperature Ts may be reset by averaging the corrected temperature Tm of a user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range and the comfort temperatures Tp of all users whose deviation D falls within the allowable range. Alternatively, the target temperature Ts may be reset by averaging the comfort temperature Tp of a user whose deviation D falls outside the allowable range and the average value of the comfort temperatures Tp of all users whose deviation D falls within the allowable range. In this case, calculation of the corrected temperature Tm is omitted.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the correction value ΔT for calculating the correction temperature Tm is a fixed value (e.g., 0.5°C). However, priorities may be assigned to users, with a larger correction value ΔT being assigned to users with higher priorities. For example, the shorter the time between when a user begins staying in a room and when the deviation D falls outside the acceptable range, the higher the priority. Furthermore, the larger the absolute value of the deviation D when the deviation D falls outside the acceptable range, the higher the priority. In particular, in the first embodiment, when the deviation D of multiple users falls outside the acceptable range during a certain time period, the target temperature Ts may be reset by averaging the average value of the correction temperatures Tm of all users whose deviation D falls outside the acceptable range and the average value of the comfort temperatures Tp of users whose deviation D falls within the acceptable range. In this case, by varying the correction value ΔT, the amount of fluctuation in the target temperature Ts at the time of resetting can be balanced among users whose deviation D exceeds the acceptable range.

[0077] Furthermore, in embodiment 1, when the target temperature Ts is calculated based on the corrected temperature Tm of a user whose deviation D falls outside the acceptable range, the deviation D of this user is reset to ±0.0 [°C], but it is also possible to continue calculating the deviation D without resetting.

[0078] 1 Air conditioning system, 2 Air conditioner, 3 Terminal device, 4 Fixed station, 5, 5a to 5d Ambient temperature detection device, 6 Information processing device, 7 Outdoor unit, 8 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, 31 Room temperature sensor, 32 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 Declaration unit, 71 Processor, 72 Memory, 73 Bus, 81 Control device, 82 Storage device, 83 Comfort temperature DB, 91 Declaration acquisition unit, 92 Location information acquisition unit, 93 Ambient temperature acquisition unit, 94 Comfort temperature estimation unit, 95 Correction unit, 96 Target temperature setting unit, 97 reflection time setting unit, 101 processor, 102 memory, 103 bus.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioner that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned; and a control device that instructs the air conditioner of a target temperature that is a control target of the air conditioner, wherein the control device: sets the target temperature based on a first comfort temperature estimated as a temperature at which a first user in the space to be air-conditioned would feel comfortable, and a second comfort temperature estimated as a temperature at which a second user in the space to be air-conditioned would feel comfortable; each time a predetermined accumulation time elapses, calculates a first deviation degree by integrating the difference between a first ambient temperature of the first user and the first comfort temperature, and calculates a second deviation degree by integrating the difference between a second ambient temperature of the second user and the second comfort temperature; and when the first deviation degree is outside a predetermined tolerance range and the second deviation degree is within the tolerance range, resets the target temperature to a value closer to the first comfort temperature than the target temperature before resetting.

2. The air conditioning system described in claim 1, wherein the control device acquires the first ambient temperature and a thermal sensation declaration indicating an evaluation of thermal sensation for the first ambient temperature declared by the first user, and calculates the first comfort temperature of the first user based on the thermal sensation declaration for the first ambient temperature.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device, when the first deviation degree is outside the allowable range and the second deviation degree is within the allowable range, corrects the first comfort temperature to calculate a first corrected temperature, and resets the target temperature based on the first corrected temperature and the second comfort temperature.

4. The air conditioning system described in claim 3, wherein the control device sets a lower limit and an upper limit as the allowable range, and when the first deviation degree exceeds the upper limit, subtracts a correction value from the first comfort temperature to calculate the first corrected temperature, and when the first deviation degree becomes less than the lower limit, adds the correction value to the first comfort temperature to calculate the first corrected temperature.

5. An air conditioning system as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the control device uses the target temperature reset based on the first correction temperature over a predetermined reflection time to control the air conditioner, and determines the length of the reflection time based on the number of times the first deviation falls outside the allowable range during a predetermined period.

6. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device calculates a deviation for each user present in the air-conditioned space by accumulating the difference between the ambient temperature and a comfort temperature estimated as a temperature at which the user feels comfortable, and does not change the target temperature if the deviation for all users present in the air-conditioned space is within the allowable range.

7. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a temperature detection device that detects the first ambient temperature of the first user and the second ambient temperature of the second user.

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