AU2014411648A1

AU2014411648A1 - Duct-type air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: AU2014411648A1
Application number: AU2014411648A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yoshihisa Kojima
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2014-11-19
Filing date: 2014-11-19
Publication date: 2017-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-19
Also published as: NZ731018A; EP3059517B1; US20170299218A1; ES2750617T3; EP3059517A1; EP3059517A4; JP6377174B2; AU2014411648B2; JPWO2016079825A1; WO2016079825A1

Abstract

This duct-type air conditioning system is provided with: a plurality of dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3 respectively installed in a plurality of duct branch portions 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 disposed corresponding to a plurality of spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 to be air-conditioned and to be supplied with conditioned air from an air conditioner, said dampers setting the air passages of the individual duct branch portions 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 to an open or closed state; a plurality of blowing outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3; and a control device 4. The control device 4 has a controlled wind volume calculation section which, when the air conditioner is to automatically adjust wind volume, calculates a controlled wind volume 48a used to control the wind volume of an indoor unit 2 on the basis of: an opening ratio, which is the ratio of the total number, or area, of open blowing outlets installed in ducts 7-1 and 7-2 where dampers 9-1 and 9-2 are in an open state to the total number, or area, of the plurality of blowing outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 installed in the plurality of spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 to be air-conditioned; and the temperature difference between a target temperature and the temperatures measured in the spaces 10-1 and 10-2 where the open blowing outlets are present.

Description

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 1

DESCRIPTION

DUCT-TYPE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM 5 Field [0001] The present invention relates to a duct-type air conditioning system that supplies conditioned air to a plurality air-conditioned spaces by a duct connected to an air conditioner. 10

Background [0002] In a conventional duct-type air conditioning system described in Patent Literature 1, a total required air volume of the entire system is decided by a variable 15 air volume (VAV) control unit and control of a damper opening degree and control of the number of revolutions of an air blower are executed, in order to maintain the room temperature in the air-conditioned spaces at a set temperature. In Patent Literature 1, an air volume is 20 finely adjusted based on the damper opening degree and a change amount of the total required air volume.

Citation List Patent Literature 25 [0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application

Laid-open No. H8-28941

Summary

Technical Problem 30 [0004] However, the VAV control unit used in Patent

Literature 1 has a complicated configuration such that information required for air conditioning control, such as excess and deficiency information of static pressure and

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 2 damper opening degree information, are acquired and the pieces of information are fed back to the control of the air conditioner. Therefore, the system becomes expensive as a whole and the system is not easy to be widely used in 5 general houses. Further, in the conventional technique described in Patent Literature 1, an air volume is adjusted by a damper opening degree, and thus it is required that a damper to be used can finely control the opening degree. Accordingly, the cost of the entire system increases. 10 [0005] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a duct-type air conditioning system that can realize air volume control corresponding to the environment in a plurality air-conditioned spaces, with an 15 inexpensive configuration.

Solution to Problem [0006] According to an aspect of the present invention in order to solve the above mentioned problems and achieve 20 the purpose, there is provided a duct-type air conditioning system including: an air conditioner; a plurality of dampers respectively provided in a plurality of ducts provided corresponding to a plurality air-conditioned spaces, to which conditioned air from the air conditioner 25 is supplied, to bring an air trunk in each of the ducts into an opened state or closed state individually; a plurality of outlets respectively provided at ends of the ducts; and a control device that controls the air conditioner and the dampers, wherein the control device 30 includes a controlled air-volume calculation unit that, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume adjustment, calculates a controlled air volume of an indoor unit constituting the air conditioner, on the basis of: an

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 3 opening ratio, which is a ratio of sum of numbers or areas of opened outlets provided in the duct having the damper in an opened state with respect to sum of numbers or areas of the outlets respectively provided in the air-conditioned spaces; and a temperature difference between a target temperature of the air-conditioned space and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned space where the opened outlet is present.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0007] The duct-type air conditioning system according to the present invention can realize air volume control corresponding to the environment in a plurality air-conditioned spaces, with an inexpensive configuration.

Brief Description of Drawings [0008] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the number of outlets is changed in the duct-type air conditioning system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in a control device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controlled air volume table illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 4 example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in a control device illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the controlled air-volume 5 calculation unit in the control device illustrated in FIG. 6.

Description of Embodiments [0009] Exemplary embodiments of a duct-type air 10 conditioning system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0010] First embodiment. 15 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A duct-type air conditioning system 1 includes an indoor unit 2 constituting an air conditioner, an outdoor unit 3 constituting the air conditioner and 20 connected to the indoor unit 2, a control device 4 that controls the air conditioner, a controller 6 provided in an air-conditioned space 10-1 to transmit various pieces of information to the control device 4 via a control line 5, and a duct 7 connected to the indoor unit 2 to supply 25 conditioned air from the indoor unit 2 to a plurality air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n. The duct- type air conditioning system 1 further includes a plurality of duct bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, ..., and 7-n branching from the duct 7 and provided corresponding to the air-30 conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n, and a plurality of dampers 9-1, 9-2, ..., and 9-n respectively provided in the duct bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, ..., and 7-n to open or close an air trunk in the duct according to

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 5 control of the control device 4. Further, the duct-type air conditioning system 1 includes a plurality of outlets 8-1, 8-2, ..., and 8-n respectively provided at ends of the duct bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, ..., and 7-n to discharge conditioned air to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1. In the duct-type air conditioning system 1, one duct and the plurality of duct bifurcation areas are used. However, the duct-type air conditioning system 1 can have a configuration such that a plurality of ducts are connected to the indoor unit 2 to supply conditioned air from the indoor unit 2 to a plurality air-conditioned spaces via the ducts .

[0011] The control device 4, the indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 3, the controller 6, and the dampers 9-1, 9-2, ..., and 9-n are connected by the control line 5, and the dampers 9-1, 9-2, ..., and 9-n are individually controlled to an opened state or a closed state by the control device 4. When the dampers 9-1, 9-2, ..., and 9-n are in an opened state, conditioned air is supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n, and when the dampers 9-1, 9-2, ..., and 9-n are in a closed state, supply of the conditioned air to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n is stopped.

[0012] The controller 6 has a thermistor 11 that measures the room temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1, and information of the measured room temperature is transmitted to the control device 4 via the control line 5. Further, the controller 6 performs various settings for controlling air conditioning in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n. The contents of the various settings are, for example, setting of the number of outlets 8-1, 8-2, ..., and 8-n respectively provided in the air-

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 6 conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, ..., and 10-n, setting of a target temperature in the air-conditioned spaces, and air volume automatic/manual setting indicating whether the air volume of the indoor unit 2 is adjusted automatically or manually. When these settings are performed by the controller 6, the number-of-outlets information a representing the number of outlets 8-1, 8-2, ..., and 8-n, target temperature information b, and air-volume automatic/manual setting information c representing the result of air-volume automatic/manual setting are generated, and these pieces of information are transmitted from the controller 6 to the control device 4, together with room temperature information d detected by the thermistor 11.

In the following descriptions, these pieces of information are referred to as "controller output information 6a". The contents to be set by the controller 6 are not limited to the setting contents described above.

[0013] The indoor unit 2 has a function of gradually changing a discharge amount of conditioned air by gradually changing the number of revolutions of an indoor unit fan (not illustrated), and the indoor unit 2 manages air-volume variable speed information e representing the variable speeds of the discharged air volume. The air-volume variable speed information e is information set in the indoor unit 2 beforehand at the time of, for example, factory shipment of the indoor unit 2. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that indoor-unit output information 2a including the air-volume variable speed information e is transmitted from the indoor unit 2 to the control device 4, so that the air-volume variable speed information e is managed by the control device 4. A specific example of the air-volume variable speed information e is described later.

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 7 [0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the number of outlets is changed in the duct-type air conditioning system illustrated in FIG. 1. In the air-conditioned space 10-1, three outlets 8-1 are provided at the end of the duct bifurcation area 7-1. In the air-conditioned space 10-2, two outlets 8-2 are provided at the end of the duct bifurcation area 7-2. In the air-conditioned space 10-3, one outlet 8-3 is provided at the end of the duct bifurcation area 7-3. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the damper 9-1 is in an opened state, and the dampers 9-2 and 9-3 are in a closed state. In this case, conditioned air supplied from the indoor unit 2 is conducted in the duct bifurcation area 7-1 and supplied from three outlets 8-1 to the air-conditioned space 10-1, but is not supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-2 and 10-3. At this time, an opening ratio representing the degree of conditioned air supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 is obtained, for example, by using the sum of the outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, and the sum of opened outlets of the three outlets 8-1, being opened outlets provided in the duct bifurcation area 7-1 having the damper 9-1 in the opened state. That is, in the example in FIG. 2, the opening ratio, being the ratio of the sum of opened outlets to the sum of outlets, becomes 50%. In the example of FIG. 2, it is also assumed that the room temperature detected by the thermistor 11 is 29°C, the target temperature is 27°C, the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation, and the air volume variable speeds are five. In the following descriptions, a function of the indoor unit 2 for calculating a controlled air volume is described specifically by using the example of the duct-type air conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0015] In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the controller

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 8 6 is installed in the air-conditioned space 10-1. However, the controller 6 can be installed in an air-conditioned space other than the air-conditioned space 10-1. Further, in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermistor 11 detects the room temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1. However, detection of the room temperature is not limited to the detection by the thermistor 11, and a temperature detection unit other than the thermistor 11 can be used. Further, the thermistor 11 is not limited to the one incorporated in the controller 6, and can be one provided in any space of the air-conditioned spaces.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in the control device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates only a controlled air-volume calculation unit 400, being a function of calculating a controlled air volume 48a of the indoor unit 2, of the functions of the control device 4. However, it is assumed that the control device 4 has a function other than the controlled air-volume calculating function, such as a damper control function of controlling opening/closing of the dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3 illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

[0017] The control device 4 includes an information reception unit 40 that receives the controller output information 6a from the controller 6 and the indoor-unit output information 2a from the indoor unit 2, and a storage unit 41 that stores therein the number-of-outlets information a, the target temperature information b, the air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, and the room temperature information d included in the controller output information 6a, as well as the air-volume variable speed information e included in the indoor-unit output information 2a, and damper opened/closed state information

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 9 f managed by the damper control function (not illustrated) and representing the opened/closed state of the dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3. The control device 4 also includes an outlet sum calculation unit 43 that calculates the sum of the outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 based on the number-of-outlets information a, an opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44 that calculates the sum of opened outlets provided in the duct having a damper in an opened state, of the outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, based on the number-of-outlets information a and the damper opened/closed state information f, an opening ratio calculation unit 45, and a temperature-difference calculation unit 46 that calculates a temperature difference between the target temperature and the room temperature based on the target temperature information b and the room temperature information d. Further, the control device 4 includes an air-volume setting determination unit 42 that determines whether it is set to perform air volume adjustment automatically or manually based on the air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, a controlled air volume table 47 in which the air volume variable speeds, the opening ratio, the temperature difference, and the controlled air volume are associated with each other, and a controlled air-volume decision unit 48 that decides and outputs the controlled air volume 48a by collating the temperature difference calculated by the temperature-difference calculation unit 46, the opening ratio calculated by the opening ratio calculation unit 45, and the air volume variable speeds stored in the storage unit 41 with the controlled air volume table 47, when it is determined that air volume adjustment is performed automatically.

[0018] The opening ratio calculation unit 45 calculates the degree of conditioned air supplied to the air-

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 10 conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3, that is, the opening ratio, being the ratio of the sum of opened outlets to the sum of outlets, by using the sum of outlets calculated by the outlet sum calculation unit 43 and the sum of opened outlets calculated by the opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44. In the example of FIG. 2, the opening ratio is 50%.

[0019] The temperature-difference calculation unit 46 calculates the temperature difference, taking into consideration whether the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation or heating operation. For example, when the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation, the temperature-difference calculation unit 46 calculates the temperature difference according to an equation (1), and when the indoor unit 2 is performing a heating operation, the temperature-difference calculation unit 46 calculates the temperature difference according to an equation (2). (1) Temperature difference = room temperature - target temperature (2) Temperature difference = target temperature - room temperature [0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the controlled air volume table illustrated in FIG. 3. In the controlled air volume table 47, the air volume variable speeds ranging from a speed 1 to a speed 5, opening ratio stages Rll to R55 representing one or a plurality of opening ratios associated with the values of the air volume variable speeds, a plurality of temperature difference stages SI to S7 associated with the temperature difference values, and a plurality of controlled air volumes for controlling the discharged air volume of conditioned air from the indoor unit 2 are associated with each other. The controlled air volume is a control amount, which has a

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 11 tendency such that the air volume is increased as the opening ratio increases or a tendency such that the air volume is increased as the temperature difference increases. The degree of the controlled air volume is represented by "very strong", "strong", "weak", "quiet", "very quiet", and "maintain previous state". In FIG. 4, to simplify the descriptions, the controlled air volume is expressed by characters. However, in practice, it is assumed that a value corresponding to the controlled air volume is set.

It is assumed that the contents of the controlled air volume table 47 can be changed partially such that the intensity of the air volume can be changed, for example, matched with the environment where the controller 6 is installed.

[0021] For example, in the case where the air volume variable speeds acquired from the air-volume variable speed information e are five, the opening ratio calculated by the opening ratio calculation unit 45 is from equal to or higher than 40% to lower than 60%, and the temperature difference calculated by the temperature-difference calculation unit 46 is equal to or higher than 6°C, the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the controlled air volume 48a corresponding to "very strong" indicated by (1) in FIG. 4. Similarly, in the case where the air volume variable speeds are five, the opening ratio is lower than 20%, and the temperature difference is lower than 1°C, the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the controlled air volume 48a corresponding to "very quiet" indicated by (2) in FIG. 4.

[0022] An operation of the control device is described below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1. If it is determined by the air-volume setting determination unit 42

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 12 of the control device 4 that automatic air volume adjustment is being set (YES at Step SI), the outlet sum calculation unit 43 calculates the sum of outlets, the opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44 calculates the sum of opened outlets, and the temperature-difference calculation unit 46 determines whether the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation or heating operation and calculates the temperature difference (Step S2). In the example of FIG. 2, the sum of outlets is 6, the sum of opened outlets is 3, and the temperature difference is 2°C. The opening ratio calculation unit 45 calculates the opening ratio (Step S3), and in the example of FIG. 2, the opening ratio becomes 50%. The controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the controlled air volume 48a by referring to the controlled air volume table 47 (Step S4). Specifically, because the air volume variable speeds are five, the opening ratio is 50%, and the temperature difference is 2°C, the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the controlled air volume 48a as "weak" corresponding to the opening ratio stage R53 and the temperature difference stage S3 in the controlled air volume table 47. The decided controlled air volume 48a is transmitted to the indoor unit 2 (Step S5).

[0023] If it is determined that the automatic air volume adjustment is not being set (NO at Step SI), the controller 6 transmits an air volume set by a user to the indoor unit 2 (Step S6).

[0024] In the duct-type air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, by focusing on the damper opened/closed state and the number of outlets, such control can be realized that the air volume is increased when the number of opened outlets is large or the temperature difference is large, and the air volume is decreased when the number of opened outlets is small or the

Docket No, PMDA-15119-PCT 13 temperature difference is small, while using the damper controlled to the opened state or closed state. Therefore, a damper whose opening degree can be controlled finely and a VAV control unit for acquiring excess and deficiency information of static pressure and an opening degree of the damper do not need to be used, and a user can establish a duct-type air conditioning system at a low cost.

[0025] Second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the duct-type air conditioning system according to the second embodiment and the duct-type air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment is as described below. In a duct-type air conditioning system 1A, a thermistor 11-1 is provided in the controller 6, a thermistor 11-2 is provided in the air-conditioned space 10-2 of the air-conditioned spaces 10-2, ..., and 10-n other than the air-conditioned space 10-1, and a thermistor 11-n is provided in the air-conditioned space 10-n, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1. Pieces of room temperature information 11a respectively detected by the thermistors 11-2, ..., and 11- n are transmitted to the control device 4 via a control line 12. While parts identical to those of the first embodiment are denoted by like reference signs and explanations thereof are omitted, only different parts will be explained.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in the control device illustrated in FIG. 6. A controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 includes an information reception unit 40A that receives the controller output information 6a, the indoor-unit output

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 14 information 2a, and the pieces of room temperature information 11a respectively detected by the thermistors 11-1, 11-2, ..., and 11-n, and a storage unit 41A that stores therein the number-of-outlets information a, the target temperature information b, the air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, the room temperature information d, the air-volume variable speed information e, the damper opened/closed state information f, and the room temperature information 11a. The controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 also includes the air-volume setting determination unit 42, the outlet sum calculation unit 43, the opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44, and the opening ratio calculation unit 45. The controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 further includes an average-temperature calculation unit 49 that calculates an averaged temperature obtained by averaging temperatures of air-conditioned spaces in which the outlets having the damper in an opened state are provided, based on the room temperature information d, the damper opened/closed state information f, and the room temperature information 11a. Further, the controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 includes a temperature-difference calculation unit 46A that calculates a temperature difference between the average temperature calculated by the average-temperature calculation unit 49 and the target temperature, the opening ratio calculation unit 45, the controlled air volume table 47, and the controlled air-volume decision unit 48.

[0027] In the duct-type air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the controlled air volume 48a is decided by using the room temperature information d from the thermistor 11. However, in the duct-type air conditioning system 1A, the controlled air volume 48a is decided by using the temperatures detected in

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 15 the air-conditioned spaces in which the damper is in an opened state. For example, in the case where only the dampers 9-1 and 9-2 in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 illustrated in FIG. 6 are in an opened state, the average-temperature calculation unit 49 specifies the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 in which the outlets having the damper in the opened state are provided according to the damper opened/closed state information f, to calculate an average value of the room temperature detected by the thermistor 11-1 provided in the air-conditioned space 10-1 and the room temperature detected by the thermistor 11-2 provided in the air-conditioned space 10-2. The temperature-difference calculation unit 46A uses the average value calculated by the average-temperature calculation unit 49 as the room temperature for calculating the temperature difference. Accordingly, temperature variation in the air-conditioned space 10-1 and the air-conditioned space 10-2 can be reduced.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the controlled air-volume calculation unit in the control device illustrated in FIG. 6. A controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 includes the information reception unit 40A, the storage unit 41A, the air-volume setting determination unit 42, the outlet sum calculation unit 43, the opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44, and the opening ratio calculation unit 45. The controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 further includes a weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 that calculates temperatures by weighted averaging of temperatures of the air-conditioned spaces in which the outlets having the damper in an opened state are provided, based on the number-of-outlets information a, the room temperature information d, the damper opened/closed state

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 16 information f, and the room temperature information 11a.

The controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 also includes a temperature-difference calculation unit 46B that calculates a temperature difference between the weighted average temperature calculated by the weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 and the target temperature, the opening ratio calculation unit 45, the controlled air volume table 47, and the controlled air-volume decision unit 48.

[0029] It is assumed that an air-conditioned space having a large number of outlets has a large area and is difficult to be air-conditioned. In a duct-type air conditioning system IB, temperature weighting based on the number of outlets in a plurality air-conditioned spaces is performed by using a plurality of temperatures detected in the air-conditioned spaces in which the damper is in an opened state. As a weighting method, the number of outlets and the weighted average of the room temperature are used. For example, in the duct-type air conditioning system 1A in FIG. 6, when the dampers 9-1 and 9-2 in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 are in an opened state, the room temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1 is 30°C and the number of outlets is five, and the room temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-2 is 25°C and the number of outlets is one, the weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 obtains the number of opened outlets in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 in which the outlets having the damper in an opened state are provided, based on the number-of-outlets information a and the damper opened/closed state information f, to obtain the weighted average temperature according to an equation (3). (3) Weighted average temperature = (30x5+25x1)/6 =

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 17

2 9.2°C

[0030] For example, when it is supposed that the air volume variable speeds are five, the opening ratio is 50%, the target temperature is 25°C, and the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation, the temperature calculated by the average-temperature calculation unit 49 of the controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 illustrated in FIG. 7 is 27.5°C, and the temperature difference calculated by the temperature-difference calculation unit 46A becomes 2.5°C. On the other hand, the temperature calculated by the weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 of the controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 illustrated in FIG. 8 is 29.2°C. Therefore, the temperature difference calculated by the temperature-difference calculation unit 46B becomes 4.2°C. When the temperature difference is 2.5°C, the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides "weak" illustrated in FIG. 4 as the controlled air volume. However, when the temperature difference is 4.2°C, the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides "strong" illustrated in FIG. 4 as the controlled air volume. In this manner, a decision of the air volume taking into consideration the air-conditioned space 10-1 that is difficult to be air-conditioned can be performed, and the room temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1 can be approximated to the target temperature more quickly.

[0031] In the first and second embodiments, the example of calculating the opening ratio by using the sum of outlets and the sum of opened outlets has been described. However, the opening ratio can be obtained by using the sum of outlet areas and the sum of opened outlet areas, taking into consideration a case where respective sectional areas of the outlets are different.

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 18 [0032] As described above, the duct-type air conditioning systems 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments include the air conditioner, the dampers respectively provided in the ducts provided corresponding to the air-conditioned spaces, to which conditioned air from the air conditioner is supplied, to bring the air trunk in each of the ducts into an opened state or closed state individually, the outlets respectively provided at the ends of the ducts, and the control device that controls the air conditioner and the dampers. The control device includes the controlled air-volume calculation unit 400 that decides the controlled air volume for controlling the air volume of the indoor unit constituting the air conditioner, based on the opening ratio, which is the ratio of the sum of numbers or areas of the opened outlets provided in the duct having a damper in an opened state with respect to the sum of numbers or areas of the outlets respectively provided in the air-conditioned spaces, and a temperature difference between the target temperature of the air-conditioned space and the temperature measured in the air-conditioned space where the opened outlet is present, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume adjustment. Due to this configuration, the air volume control can be executed without using a damper whose opening degree can be controlled finely and a VAV control unit for acquiring excess and deficiency information of static pressure and an opening degree of the damper, and a user can establish a duct-type air conditioning system at a low cost. Further, according to the duct-type air conditioning systems 1 and 1A, because a VAV control unit does not need to be used, the volume of the constituent components can be reduced. Further, the damper only needs to perform an opening or closing operation, and thus the

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 19 device configuration is simplified and a long life of the device can be realized.

[0033] The controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 according to the second embodiment uses a temperature difference between the target temperature and the average value of the temperatures measured in the air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is present. Due to this configuration, temperature variation in the air-conditioned spaces can be reduced.

[0034] The controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 according to the second embodiment uses a temperature difference between the target temperature and the weighted average temperature obtained by weighted averaging of the temperatures measured in the air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is present, by the number of opened outlets. Due to this configuration, the room temperature of the air-conditioned space that is difficult to be air-conditioned can be approximated to the target temperature more quickly.

[0035] The configurations of the above embodiments are only an example of the contents of the present invention.

The configurations can be combined with other well-known techniques, and can be modified or a part the configuration can be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference Signs List [0036] 1, 1A duct-type air conditioning system, 2 indoor unit, 2a indoor-unit output information, 3 outdoor unit, 4 control device, 5 control line, 6 controller, 6a controller output information, 7 duct, 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-n duct bifurcation area, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-n outlet, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-n dumper, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-n air-conditioned

Docket No. PMDA-15119-PCT 20 space, 11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-n thermistor, 11a room temperature information, 12 control line, 40, 40A information reception unit, 41, 41A storage unit, 42 air-volume setting determination unit, 43 outlet sum 5 calculation unit, 44 opened-outlet sum calculation unit, 45 opening ratio calculation unit, 46, 46A, 46B temperature-difference calculation unit, 47 controlled air volume table, 48 controlled air-volume decision unit, 48a controlled air volume, 49 average-temperature calculation 10 unit, 50 weighted-average temperature calculation unit, 400, 410, 420 controlled air-volume calculation unit.

Claims

1. A duct-type air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioner; a plurality of dampers respectively provided in a plurality of ducts provided corresponding to a plurality air-conditioned spaces, to which conditioned air from the air conditioner is supplied, to bring an air trunk in each of the ducts into an opened state or closed state individually; a plurality of outlets respectively provided at ends of the ducts; and a control device that controls the air conditioner and the dampers, wherein the control device includes a controlled air-volume calculation unit that, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume adjustment, calculates a controlled air volume of an indoor unit constituting the air conditioner, on the basis of: an opening ratio, which is a ratio of sum of numbers or areas of opened outlets provided in the duct having the damper in an opened state with respect to sum of numbers or areas of the outlets respectively provided in the air-conditioned spaces; and a temperature difference between a target temperature of the air-conditioned space and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned space where the opened outlet is present.

2. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit calculates the controlled air volume by using a controlled air volume table in which air volume variable speeds representing variable speeds of an air volume of the indoor unit, the opening ratio, the temperature difference, and a controlled air volume, which has a tendency such that the air volume is increased as the opening ratio increases, are set.

3. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit calculates the controlled air volume by using a controlled air volume table in which air volume variable speeds representing variable speeds of an air volume of the indoor unit, the opening ratio, the temperature difference, and a controlled air volume, which has a tendency such that the air volume is increased as the temperature difference increases, are set.

4. The duct-type air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit uses a temperature difference between the target temperature and an average value of a plurality of temperatures measured in a plurality air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is present.

5. The duct-type air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit uses a temperature difference between the target temperature and a weighted average temperature obtained by weighted averaging of a plurality of temperatures measured in the air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is present, by number of opened outlets. ]