EP4636327A1

EP4636327A1 - Air conditioning control system and control method

Info

Publication number: EP4636327A1
Application number: EP23903165.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kazuo Itoh
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-15
Filing date: 2023-11-10
Publication date: 2025-10-22
Also published as: EP4636327A4; JPWO2024127867A1; WO2024127867A1

Abstract

An air conditioning control system (10) includes: an obtainer (55) that obtains control information from a server device (60) by transmitting, to the server device (60), data related to (i) air conditioning devices (20) that individually regulate temperatures of areas (81) that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors (30) that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in the areas (81), and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each area (81); and a controller (56) that controls the air conditioning devices (20) using the control information obtained. The control information is for reducing, for each area (81), a difference between the target value and the detection value, and for controlling the air conditioning devices (20) for the person in each area (81) to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area.

Description

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system and a control method.

[Background Art]

A technique for controlling a thermal environment in an indoor space has been known. Patent literature (PTL) 1 discloses an information processing device that can implement an air conditioning control according to a duration time during which a present or absent state of a target to be detected continues.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-116197

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

The present invention provides an air conditioning control system or the like that can cause thermal environments in areas, in which changes in the thermal environments influence one another, to each approach a target.

[Solution to Problem]

An air conditioning control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an obtainer that obtains control information from an external server device by transmitting data to the external server device, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices that individually regulate temperatures of areas that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in the areas, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of the areas, the control information being for reducing, for each of the areas, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling the air conditioning devices for the person in each of the areas to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and a controller that controls the air conditioning devices using the control information obtained.
A control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a computer. The control method includes: transmitting data to an external server device, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices that individually regulate temperatures of areas that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in the areas, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of the areas; obtaining control information from the external server device as a result of the transmitting of the data, the control information being for reducing, for each of the areas, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling the air conditioning devices for the person in each of the areas to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and controlling the air conditioning devices using the control information obtained.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

The air conditioning control system or the like according to one aspect of the present invention can cause thermal environments in areas, in which changes in the thermal environments influence one another, to each approach a target.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[FIG. 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment.
[FIG. 2]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a space in which the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment is applied.
[FIG. 3]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of feedback control.
[FIG. 4]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a target area and an adjacent area that is adjacent to the target area.
[FIG. 5]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of control of a thermal environment.
[FIG. 6]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of Control Example 1 of the thermal environment.
[FIG. 7]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of Control Example 2 of the thermal environment.
[FIG. 8]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of Control Example 3 of the thermal environment.
[FIG. 9]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of Control Example 4 of the thermal environment.

[Description of Embodiments]

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below merely illustrate general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, elements, the arrangement and connection of the elements, steps, the order of the steps, etc., described in the following embodiments are mere examples, and are therefore not intended to limit the present invention. Accordingly, among elements in the following embodiments, those not appearing in any of the independent claims will be described as optional elements.
It should be noted that the respective figures are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily precise illustrations. Furthermore, in the respective figures, elements that are substantially the same are given the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[Embodiment]

(Configuration)

First, a configuration of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram (plan view) illustrating a space in which the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment is applied. It should be noted that, in FIG. 2, air conditioning devices 20 are indicated by dashed-line circles and sensors 30 are indicated by solid-line circles.
Air conditioning control system 10 is a system that can individually provide each user in space 80 in a facility with a thermal environment. Space 80 is an indoor space that is not partitioned by walls, for example. Space 80 is a hot-desking-style office space or the like, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 2, space 80 is, for example, divided into areas 81 in each of which a seat (chair 82 and desk 83) is provided. The dashed lines (straight lines) in FIG. 2 indicate dividing lines. Although space 80 is divided into a matrix in a top view, for example, the method in which space 80 is divided is not particularly limited.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, air conditioning control system 10 specifically includes multiple air conditioning devices 20, multiple sensors 30, multiple setting-reception devices 40, and control device 50. Air conditioning device 20, sensor 30, and setting-reception device 40 are provided in each of areas 81. Furthermore, server device 60 is also illustrated in FIG. 1.
Air conditioning devices 20 are provided on the ceiling or wall in space 80 and regulate a temperature of space 80 by sending temperature-regulated air into space 80. Air conditioning device 20 performs the heating operation in which warm air is sent into space 80 using heat released by liquefaction of a refrigerant (gas). Air conditioning device 20 also performs the cooling operation in which air cooled by vaporization of the refrigerant (gas) is sent into space 80. A setting temperature of air conditioning device 20, a wind speed of air conditioning device 20, and an orientation (wind direction) of air conditioning device 20 are controlled by control device 50.
Sensor 30 is a sensor unit that detects (senses) thermal-environment parameters of area 81 in which sensor 30 is provided. Sensor 30 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind-speed sensor, a wind-direction sensor, etc., and measures a temperature, a humidity, a wind speed, a wind direction, etc. in a position where sensor 30 is disposed. Sensor 30 also transmits, to control device 50, detection-value information indicating detection values such as the temperature, the humidity, the wind speed, and the wind direction. Sensor 30 is provided, for example, on top of desk 83 or the like. Sensor 30 is sufficient as long as a sensor is included that can measure a thermal-environment parameter (at least one of a temperature, a humidity, a wind speed, or a wind direction) desired to approach a target value in control of the thermal environment.
Setting-reception device 40 is a device for setting, by user's manual operation, a target value of the thermal-environment parameter (at least one of a temperature, a humidity, a wind speed, or a wind direction) of area 81 in which the user is present. Setting-reception device 40 is also a device for receiving a warm/cool sensation index from a user. The warm/cool sensation index is an index indicating how a user feels about the thermal environment in area 81 in which the user is present (index indicating comfortability), and is expressed as three phases of "cold", "comfortable", and "hot", for example.
Setting-reception device 40 is, for example, a dedicated remote controller that is in one-to-one correspondence with a corresponding one of air conditioning devices 20. Setting-reception device 40 transmits, to control device 50, target value information indicating the target value set by the user and warm/cool sensation information indicating the warm/cool sensation index inputted by the user. It should be noted that a mobile terminal in which an application program has been installed, and which is a mobile terminal in the user's possession, such as a smartphone or the like can be used as setting-reception device 40 in place of a dedicated remote controller.
Control device 50 is a controller that controls multiple air conditioning devices 20 provided in space 80. Control device 50 is implemented, for example, as an edge server provided in a facility that includes space 80 or as a cloud server or the like provided outside of the facility. Control device 50 specifically includes communicator 51, information processing unit 52, and storage 53.
Communicator 51 is a communication module (communication circuit) for control device 50 to communicate with air conditioning devices 20, sensors 30, setting-reception devices 40, and server device 60. Although communication performed by communicator 51 is, for example, wired communication, wireless communication may be used. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited.
Information processing unit 52 performs information processing related to control of air conditioning devices 20 in space 80. Although information processing unit 52 is implemented, for example, as a microcomputer, information processing unit 52 may be implemented as a processor.
Information processing unit 52 includes detector 54, obtainer 55, and controller 56 as functional elements. The functionality of detector 54, obtainer 55, and controller 56 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer or processor that includes information processing unit 52, or the like executing a computer program stored in storage 53. The functionality of each of detector 54, obtainer 55, and controller 56 will later be described in more detail.
Storage 53 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the above-mentioned information processing, a computer program to be executed by information processing unit 52, and the like. Although storage 53 is implemented, for example, as a hard disk drive (HDD), storage 53 may be implemented as semiconductor memory or the like.
Server device 60 is a computer that provides control device 50 with feedforward control (as described later) setting values. Server device 60 is implemented, for example, as an edge server provided in a facility that includes space 80 or as a cloud server or the like provided outside of the facility. Server device 60 is equipped with a machine learning model, and feedforward control setting values can be determined (calculated) using the machine learning model. A "machine learning model" as described here has a broad meaning, and machine learning performed by a machine learning model includes various algorithms, such as deep learning and the like. In other words, the specific machine learning algorithms are not particularly limited.
It should be note that in the following embodiments, although server device 60 is described as an external server device not included in air conditioning control system 10, server device 60 may be included in air conditioning control system 10. In other words, air conditioning control system 10 may include server device 60.

(Issue of Feedback Control)

As described above, for each of areas 81, air conditioning device 20, sensor 30, and setting-reception device 40 are provided for controlling the thermal environment in the area 81. The thermal environment as described here specifically refers to a temperature, a humidity, a wind speed, a wind direction, etc. For the sake of simplification, control that causes a temperature to approach a target value will be described below as an example, but control that causes one or more of a temperature, a humidity, a wind speed, a wind direction, etc. to approach a target value (e.g., control that causes a temperature and a wind speed to approach their respective target values) is also possible. In other words, in the following description, the temperature described as the thermal environment parameter can be replaced with the humidity, the wind speed, the wind direction, etc.
For example, when a target value of the temperature is set by setting-reception device 40 provided in target area 81 among areas 81, controller 56 of control device 50 achieves the temperature indicated by the target value in target area 81 by controlling air conditioning device 20 provided in target area 81. Feedback control can be considered as one control method for achieving the temperature indicated by the target value. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of feedback control.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, in feedback control, control device 50 calculates a setting value such that deviation of a detection value of sensor 30, which is provided in target area 81, from the target value becomes zero (the detection value and the target value become equal), and controls air conditioning device 20 provided in target area 81 based on the setting value calculated. The setting value as described here specifically refers to a set temperature.
Here, a change in temperature of target area 81 influences the temperature of adjacent area 81 and vice versa. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating target area 81 and adjacent area 81. In FIG. 4, target area 81 is labeled as target area 81a and adjacent area 81 is labeled as adjacent area 81b. In FIG. 4, the detection ranges of sensor 30a and sensor 30b are visualized in the drawing.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the detection value of sensor 30a provided in target area 81a is affected by not only air from air conditioning device 20a provided in target area 81a, but air from air conditioning device 20b provided in adjacent area 81b as well. In the same manner, the detection value of sensor 30b provided in adjacent area 81b is affected by not only air from air conditioning device 20b provided in adjacent area 81b, but air from air conditioning device 20a provided in target area 81a as well.
Thus, when feedback control is performed in each of target area 81a and adjacent area 81b, hunting oscillation may occur. Furthermore, a long period of time may be needed for the temperature of each of target area 81a and adjacent area 81b to stabilize.

(Outline of Thermal Environment Control in Air Conditioning Control System)

In view of this, control device 50 performs a majority of control using feedforward control that takes into consideration influences caused by changes in target values, disturbances, and the like, and inhibits the occurrence of overshoot and the occurrence of oscillatory responses. Furthermore, control device 50 reduces the residual amount of slight deviation between the target value and the detection value by performing feedback control. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of control of a thermal environment in air conditioning control system 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, control device 50 (controller 56) uses, for each of air conditioning devices 20, feedforward control in combination with feedback control that reduces the deviation between the target value and the detection value of the thermal environment, which is performed after the feedforward control.
The object of control of air conditioning devices 20a by air conditioning control system 10 is to provide a thermal environment in which a user in each of areas 81 feels comfortable. The warm/cool sensation of a user is affected by various thermal environment parameters such as the humidity and the wind speed as well as the temperature. For example, even when spaces have the same temperature, it is known that the feeling temperature is higher in a space where no wind blows than in a space where the wind blows.
Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when feedforward control setting values are determined, the warm/cool sensation index (any of three phases of "cold", "comfortable", and "hot") of the user in each of areas 81 is taken into consideration.
Control device 50 obtains the feedforward control setting values from server device 60. Server device 60 is equipped with a machine learning model trained, based on training data provided in advance by control device 50 or the like, on feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20.
Here, the above-mentioned training data includes information (a) through information (d) as described below.

(a) Information indicating positional relationships between air conditioning devices 20 (thermal sources) and sensors 30
(b) Detection values of each of sensors 30
(c) Setting values of each of air conditioning devices 20
(d) Warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81

Specifically, information (a) is, for example, information indicating the position (coordinates) of an air outlet of each of air conditioning devices 20 and the position (coordinates) of each of sensors included in sensors 30. Information (a) may include information indicating the position of chair 82 (i.e., the position of a user). Information (a) is stored (registered), for example, on a storage in control device 50 when air conditioning control system 10 is installed. Information (a) also can be regarded as information indicating a distance between each of air conditioning devices 20 and each of sensors 30.
Information (a) is needed since a path of air from air conditioning device 20 to sensor 30 varies depending on the positional relationship between the air outlet of air conditioning device 20 and sensor 30. It should be noted that it is known that the amounts of heat and air reaching a given position from the thermal source are inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the thermal source.
Information (b), i.e., the detection values, can be obtained, for example, by obtainer 55 from sensors 30. Information (c), i.e., the setting values, means what kind of setting (a set temperature, a wind speed, and a wind direction) is currently used to operate air conditioning devices 20, and is stored in storage 53.
Such training data can allow server device 60 (machine learning model) to learn the detection value of each of sensors 30 and the warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81 when air conditioning devices 20 are operating in accordance with the setting values (information (d)). In other words, server device 60 (machine learning model) can output feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20.
Moreover, the training data need not include all of information (a) through information (d), and part of such information may be omitted as needed. Furthermore, the training data may include information other than information (a) through information (d).
For example, the training data may include information indicating radiant heat for areas 81. When overall air conditioning that regulates a temperature of the entirety of space 80 (areas 81) is provided in space 80, the training data may include information indicating an operating state (setting values or the like) of the overall air conditioning. Moreover, the training data may include weather information for the geographical location at which space 80 (areas 81) is located. Specifically, the weather information is information such as an outside temperature. When the training data includes the above-mentioned information, the above-mentioned information is also included in the data that is included in the request information described later.
It should be noted that the training data may be data representing a transient state (state where a temperature in each of areas 81 is unstable, and where target values and detection values are different from each other), or may be data representing a steady state (state where a temperature in each of areas 81 is stable, and where target values and detection values are equal).

(Thermal Environment Control Example 1)

Next, control of a thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10 will be described in further detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of Control Example 1 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10.
In a steady state (state where a temperature in each of areas 81 is stable), detector 54 of control device 50 detects a change in target value of the temperature in at least one of areas 81 (S11). The change in the target value is made, for example, by manual operation of setting-reception device 40 by a user. It should be noted that the target value need not be changed by the user, and there may, for example, be cases where the change is made automatically by schedule information in which target values have been determined in advance.
Obtainer 55, triggered by the change in the target value detected, transmits request information for requesting feedforward control setting values to server device 60 (S12). Specifically, obtainer 55 transmits the request information to server device 60 using communicator 51. The request information includes data, and in addition to the above-mentioned information (a) through information (d), the data includes information (e) which is a target value of the thermal environment (temperature) in each of areas 81. The data can be said to be data related to air conditioning devices 20, sensors 30, and a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of areas 81. It should be noted that the values of information (b) through information (e) included in the request information are the latest values at the point in time at which the change in the target value is detected.
Here, when receiving the above-mentioned request information, server device 60 can calculate, using the data included in the request information and a machine learning model, feedforward control setting values (an operation mode, a set temperature, a wind speed, a wind direction, etc.) that compensates (reduces) a difference between the target value and the detection value of each of areas 81 and brings, to "comfort", the index indicating the warm/cool sensation of a user (person) in each of areas 81. Server device 60 transmits the feedforward control setting values calculated for each of air conditioning devices 20 to control device 50.
Communicator 51 of control device 50 receives the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20 as a response to the above-mentioned request information. Obtainer 55 obtains the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20 received by communicator 51 (S13). The feedforward control setting values are an example of control information for reducing, for each of areas 81, a difference between the target value and the detection value, and for controlling air conditioning devices 20 for a user (person) in each of areas 81 to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area 81.
Next, controller 56 performs feedforward control on each of air conditioning devices 20 using the feedforward control setting values obtained (S14). Controller 56 also performs feedback control based on deviation in temperature between the target value and the detection value in each of areas 81 (S15). Specifically, controller 56 calculates feedback control setting values based on deviation in temperature between the target value and the detection value, and performs feedback control on each of air conditioning devices 20 using the setting values calculated.
In this manner, air conditioning control system 10, triggered by the change in target value of the temperature in at least one of areas 81, updates the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20, and then performs feedback control on each of air conditioning devices 20. Accordingly, air conditioning control system 10 can prevent the occurrence of hunting oscillation and the like and cause a temperature of each of areas 81 to approach a target value with high accuracy. Moreover, by employing the feedforward control setting values, air conditioning control system 10 can cause the warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81 to approach "comfort".
It should be noted that server device 60 may use data included in the request information as training data. In other words, server device 60 can update the machine learning model, while providing the feedforward control setting values to control device 50.

(Thermal Environment Control Example 2)

Next, Control Example 2 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of Control Example 2 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10.
In a steady state, detector 54 of control device 50 detects a change in detection value of the temperature in at least one of areas 81 (S21). The change in detection value occurs, for example, due to disturbances. The change in detection value as described here refers to not a slight change but a clear change (such as a change of 1 degrees C or more), for example.
Obtainer 55, triggered by the change in detection value detected, transmits request information for requesting feedforward control setting values to server device 60 (S22). Specifically, obtainer 55 transmits the request information to server device 60 using communicator 51. The request information includes data, and the data includes the above-mentioned information (a) through information (e). It should be noted that the values of information (b) through information (e) included in the request information are the latest values at the point in time at which the change in detection value is detected. The subsequent processes Step S22 through Step S25 are the same as processes Step S12 through Step S15. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted.
In this manner, air conditioning control system 10, triggered by the change in detection value of the temperature in at least one of areas 81 (sensors 30), updates the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20, and then performs feedback control on each of air conditioning devices 20. Accordingly, air conditioning control system 10 can prevent the occurrence of hunting oscillation and the like and cause a temperature of each of areas 81 to approach a target value with high accuracy. Moreover, by employing the feedforward control setting values, air conditioning control system 10 can cause the warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81 to approach "comfort".

(Thermal Environment Control Example 3)

Next, Control Example 3 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of Control Example 3 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10.
In a steady state (state where a temperature in each of areas 81 is stable), detector 54 of control device 50 detects a change in warm/cool sensation index of at least one user in each of areas 81 (S31). The change in warm/cool sensation index is made, for example, by manual operation of setting-reception device 40 by a user.
It should be noted that the warm/cool sensation index need not be changed by the user, and there may, for example, be cases where the change is made automatically by schedule information in which the warm/cool sensation index has been determined in advance. Moreover, detector 54 may estimate the warm/cool sensation index in each of areas 81 from detection values such as the temperature, the humidity, and the amount of air in the area 81, and detect a change in the estimated warm/cool sensation index.
Obtainer 55, triggered by the change in warm/cool sensation index detected, transmits request information for requesting feedforward control setting values to server device 60 (S32). Specifically, obtainer 55 transmits the request information to server device 60 using communicator 51. The request information includes data, and the data includes the above-mentioned information (a) through information (e). The data can be said to be data related to air conditioning devices 20, sensors 30, and the warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of areas 81. It should be noted that the values of information (b) through information (e) included in the request information are the latest values at the point in time at which the change in warm/cool sensation index is detected. The subsequent processes Step S32 through Step S35 are the same as processes Step S12 through Step S15. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted.
In this manner, air conditioning control system 10, triggered by the change in warm/cool sensation index of at least one person among people in areas 81, updates the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20, and then performs feedback control on each of air conditioning devices 20. Accordingly, air conditioning control system 10 can prevent the occurrence of hunting oscillation and the like and cause a temperature of each of areas 81 to approach a target value with high accuracy. Moreover, by employing the feedforward control setting values, air conditioning control system 10 can cause the warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81 to approach "comfort".

(Thermal Environment Control Example 4)

Next, Control Example 4 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of Control Example 4 of the thermal environment of air conditioning control system 10.
In Control Example 4, feedforward control setting values are periodically updated at an update timing that arrives at a predetermined interval of time. Detector 54 of control device 50 detects that an update timing has arrived (S41). It should be noted that the predetermined interval of time is determined as needed based on experience or by way of experiment.
Obtainer 55, triggered by the arrival of the update timing detected, transmits request information for requesting feedforward control setting values to server device 60 (S42). Specifically, obtainer 55 transmits the request information to server device 60 using communicator 51. The request information includes data, and the data includes the above-mentioned information (a) through information (e). It should be noted that the values of information (b) through information (e) included in the request information are the latest values at the point in time at which the arrival of the update timing is detected. The subsequent processes Step S42 through Step S45 are the same as processes Step S12 through Step S15. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted.
In this manner, air conditioning control system 10, triggered by the arrival of the update timing, updates the feedforward control setting values for each of air conditioning devices 20, and then performs feedback control on each of air conditioning devices 20. Accordingly, air conditioning control system 10 can prevent the occurrence of hunting oscillation and the like and cause a temperatures of each of areas 81 to approach a target value with high accuracy. Moreover, by employing the feedforward control setting values, air conditioning control system 10 can cause the warm/cool sensation index of a user in each of areas 81 to approach "comfort".

(Training Mode Operation)

Furthermore, air conditioning control system 10 may perform training mode operation for providing server device 60 with training data. Training mode operation is, in other words, operation for generating training data. In the training mode, air conditioning control system 10 operates as follows, for example.
Controller 56 of control device 50 selects one of air conditioning devices 20 as a target air conditioning device. Controller 56 causes the target air conditioning device to operate at a first setting value (set temperature of 25 degrees C, for example), and causes non-target air conditioning devices (all air conditioning devices 20 other than the target air conditioning device) to operate at a second setting value (set temperature of 20 degrees C, for example). In this state, controller 56 generates training data (data that includes the above-mentioned information (a) through information (e)).
Controller 56 then switches the target air conditioning device among air conditioning devices 20 and repeats the above-mentioned operation. After each and every one of air conditioning devices 20 has been selected once as the target air conditioning device, the training mode operation comes to an end. It should be noted that controller 56 may change at least one of the first setting value or the second setting value and may further repeat the training mode operation. Training data generated during the training mode operation is provided to server device 60 from control device 50 as needed.
In this manner, air conditioning control system 10 can enhance the variation of the training data by obtaining a detection value of each of sensors 30 when setting values of each of air conditioning devices 20 have been forcibly changed.
It should be noted that, in the training mode operation, the order in which each of air conditioning devices 20 is selected as the target air conditioning device is not particularly limited. When air conditioning devices 20 are arranged in a matrix as illustrated in FIG. 2, air conditioning device 20 in the center may be selected as the first target air conditioning device, or alternatively, air conditioning device 20 at a corner may be selected as the first target air conditioning device.
Server device 60 (machine learning model) may learn feedforward control setting values not only using training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices 20 in space 80, but further using training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in another space as well. For example, when space 80 (areas 81) is provided on a primary floor of a facility, server device 60 may collect training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in a secondary floor (another space) of the same facility in addition to training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices 20 in the primary floor (space 80). The secondary floor is a floor that is different from the primary floor. Server device 60 may collect training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in three or more floors.
In this manner, server device 60 can improve the accuracy of calculating feedforward control setting values by collecting training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in two or more floors of the same facility.
Furthermore, for example, when space 80 (areas 81) is provided in a first facility, server device 60 may collect training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in a second facility (another space) in addition to training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices 20 in the first facility (space 80). The second facility is a facility that is different from the first facility. Server device 60 may collect training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in three or more facilities.
In this manner, server device 60 can improve the accuracy of calculating feedforward control setting values by collecting training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in each of spaces in two or more facilities.

(Variations)

In the above embodiment, although an example in which the temperature is controlled for each of areas 81 is described, the humidity, the wind speed, the wind direction, or the like can be controlled instead of or in addition to the temperature. Air conditioning control system 10 can be applied to the control of a thermal environment that includes at least one of the temperature, the humidity, the wind speed, the wind direction, and the like.
Moreover, the arrangement of air conditioning devices 20 and the arrangement of sensors 30 in the above embodiment are given as examples. Air conditioning devices 20 may be placed in any arrangement as long as temperatures of areas 81 that are adjacent to each other can be individually regulated. Moreover, sensors 30 may be placed in any arrangement as long as detection values of the thermal environments in areas 81 can be individually sensed.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, although a target value of the thermal environment in each of areas 81 is set (changed) by a user who is in space 80, the user need not set the target value. For example, the target value may be set by an administrator or the like who is outside the space. Moreover, the target value may be automatically changed based on schedule information determined in advance.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, one control device 50 obtains information associated with areas 81 (the above-mentioned information (a) through information (e), and the like) by communicating with air conditioning devices 20, sensors 30, and setting-reception devices 40. However, air conditioning control system 10 may include multiple control devices 50 corresponding to areas 80. Each of control devices 50 may obtain information associated with one area 81 corresponding to the control device 50 by communicating with air conditioning device 20, sensor 30, and setting-reception device 40 which correspond to the control device 50.
In this case, each of control devices 50 obtains feedforward control setting values by communicating with server device 60, and performs, based on the obtained setting values, feedforward control and feedback control on air conditioning device 20 corresponding to the control device 50.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, although one air conditioning control system 10 corresponds to areas 81, multiple air conditioning control systems 10 may correspond to areas 80 and each process information associated with one area 81 corresponding to the air conditioning control system 10.
In this case, each of air conditioning control systems 10 obtains feedforward control setting values, and performs, based on the obtained setting values, feedforward control and feedback control on air conditioning device 20 corresponding to the air conditioning control system 10.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, although air conditioning control system 10 (control device 50) controls the thermal environment in space 80 using feedforward control and feedback control in combination with each other, the feedback control may be omitted and only the feedforward control may be used to control the thermal environment in space 80.

(Advantageous Effects, Etc.)

The invention derived from the disclosure of this Description is as follows, for example. The following describes the invention derived from the disclosure of this Description, together with advantageous effects, etc., obtainable from the invention.
Invention 1 is air conditioning control system 10 including: obtainer 55 that obtains control information from server device 60 by transmitting data to server device 60, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices 20 that individually regulate temperatures of areas 81 that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors 30 that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in areas 81, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of areas 81, the control information being for reducing, for each of areas 81, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling air conditioning devices 20 for the person in each of areas 81 to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and controller 56 that controls air conditioning devices 20 using the control information obtained. Server device 60 is an example of an external server device.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can cause thermal environments in areas 81, in which changes in the thermal environments influence one another, to each approach a target. Moreover, air conditioning control system 10 can cause warm/cool sensation of a user in each of areas 81 to approach a state in which the user feels comfortable.
Invention 2 is air conditioning control system 10 according to Invention 1, in which the control information is information indicating a feedforward control setting value for each of air conditioning devices 20.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can cause thermal environments in areas 81, in which changes in the thermal environments influence one another, to each approach a target by performing feedforward control.
Invention 3 is air conditioning control system 10 according to Invention 2, in which controller 56 uses feedforward control and feedback control in combination with each other for each of air conditioning devices 20.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can perform a majority of control using feedforward control, and can reduce the residual amount of slight deviation between the target value and the detection value by performing feedback control. Air conditioning control system 10 can inhibit the occurrence of hunting oscillation and the like.
Invention 4 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the data includes information indicating positional relationships between air conditioning devices 20 and the sensors 30.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can obtain control information that takes into consideration the positional relationships between air conditioning devices 20 and sensors 30. In other words, air conditioning control system 10 can control air conditioning devices 20 while taking into consideration the positional relationships between air conditioning devices 20 and the sensors 30.
Invention 5 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which obtainer 55, triggered by a change in the target value in at least one of areas 81, obtains the control information from server device 60 by transmitting the data to server device 60.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can obtain (update) control information upon being triggered by a change in the target value of a thermal environment.
Invention 6 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 5, in which obtainer 55, triggered by a change in the detection value in at least one of areas 81, obtains the control information from server device 60 by transmitting the data to server device 60.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can obtain (update) control information upon being triggered by a change in the detection value of a thermal environment.
Invention 7 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 6, in which obtainer 55, triggered by a change in the warm/cool sensation index of at least one person among people in areas 81, obtains the control information from server device 60 by transmitting the data to server device 60.
Invention 8 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 7, in which obtainer 55 obtains the control information from server device 60 by transmitting the data to server device 60 at a predetermined interval of time.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can obtain (update) control information at a predetermined interval of time.
Invention 9 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 8, in which the data includes at least one of (i) information indicating radiant heat for areas 81, (ii) information indicating an operating state of overall air conditioning that regulates a temperature of an entirety of areas 81, or (iii) weather information for a geographical location at which areas 81 are located.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can obtain control information that takes into consideration at least one of radiant heat for areas 81, an operating state of overall air conditioning, or weather information. In other words, air conditioning control system 10 can control air conditioning devices 20 while taking into consideration at least one of radiant heat for areas 81, an operating state of overall air conditioning, or weather information.
Invention 10 is air conditioning control system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 9, in which server device 60 includes a machine learning model that outputs the control information based on the data received, and air conditioning control system 10, in operation of a training mode for providing training data to the machine learning model, generates the training data by repeatedly performing control to cause a target air conditioning device among air conditioning devices 20 to operate at a setting value different from a setting value of a remainder of the air conditioning devices, while switching the target air conditioning device among air conditioning devices 20.
Such air conditioning control system 10 can increase the variation of the training data.
Invention 11 is air conditioning control system 10 according to Invention 10, in which areas 81 are provided on a primary floor of a facility, and server device 60 collects training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices 20 in a secondary floor of the facility in addition to training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices 20 in the primary floor.
Such server device 60 can improve accuracy of control information by collecting training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in floors of the same facility.
Invention 12 is air conditioning control system 10 according to Invention 10, in which areas 81 are provided in a first facility, and server device 60 collects training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in a second facility in addition to training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices 20 in the first facility.
Such server device 60 can improve accuracy of control information by collecting training data based on operating states of air conditioning devices in each of spaces in facilities.
Invention 13 is a control method executed by a computer. The control method includes: transmitting data to server device 60, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices 20 that individually regulate temperatures of areas 81 that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors 30 that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in areas 81, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of areas 81; obtaining control information from server device 60 as a result of the transmitting of the data, the control information being for reducing, for each of areas 81, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling air conditioning devices 20 for the person in each of areas 81 to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and controlling air conditioning devices 20 using the control information obtained.
Such a control method can cause thermal environments in areas 81, in which changes in the thermal environments influence one another, to each approach a target. Moreover, air conditioning control system 10 can cause warm/cool sensation of a user in each of areas 81 to approach a state in which the user feels comfortable.

[Other Embodiments]

Although an embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, in the above embodiment, the air conditioning control system is implemented by multiple devices. In this case, the elements (in particular, the functional elements) included in the air conditioning control system may be assigned in any manner to the devices. Moreover, the air conditioning control system may be implemented as a single device. For example, the air conditioning control system may be implemented as a single device equivalent to the control device.
Moreover, the order of the processes described in the above embodiment is merely an example. The order of the processes may be changed, and the processes may be executed in parallel with each other. Moreover, processes to be executed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, each element may be implemented by executing a software program suitable for each element. Each element may be implemented by a program executing component, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or processor, reading out and executing the software program recorded in a recording medium, such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.
Moreover, each element may be implemented as hardware. For example, each element may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). Such circuits may be consolidated as a single circuit, or may be configured as individual circuits. Moreover, such circuits may each be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.
Moreover, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented as a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Moreover, general and specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented as any combination of a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be implemented as a control method executed by a computer, such as an air conditioning control system or the like, or may be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method. Moreover, the present invention may be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon such a program.
Forms obtained through various modifications to each of the foregoing embodiments that may be conceived by those skilled in the art, as well as forms realized by combining elements and functions in each of the foregoing embodiments without departing from the essence of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

[Reference Signs List]

10: air conditioning control system
20, 20a, 20b: air conditioning device
30, 30a, 30b: sensor
40: setting-reception device
50: control device
51: communicator
52: information processing unit
53: storage
54: detector
55: obtainer
56: controller
60: server device (external server device)
80: space
81: area
81a: target area
81b: adjacent area
82: chair
83: desk

Claims

An air conditioning control system comprising:
an obtainer that obtains control information from an external server device by transmitting data to the external server device, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices that individually regulate temperatures of areas that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in the areas, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of the areas, the control information being for reducing, for each of the areas, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling the air conditioning devices for the person in each of the areas to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and

a controller that controls the air conditioning devices using the control information obtained.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein
the control information is information indicating a feedforward control setting value for each of the air conditioning devices.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein
the controller uses feedforward control and feedback control in combination with each other for each of the air conditioning devices.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein
the data includes information indicating positional relationships between the air conditioning devices and the sensors.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the obtainer, triggered by a change in the target value in at least one of the areas, obtains the control information from the external server device by transmitting the data to the external server device.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the obtainer, triggered by a change in the detection value in at least one of the areas, obtains the control information from the external server device by transmitting the data to the external server device.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the obtainer, triggered by a change in the warm/cool sensation index of at least one person among people in the areas, obtains the control information from the external server device by transmitting the data to the external server device.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the obtainer obtains the control information from the external server device by transmitting the data to the external server device at a predetermined interval of time.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the data includes at least one of (i) information indicating radiant heat for the areas, (ii) information indicating an operating state of overall air conditioning that regulates a temperature of an entirety of the areas, or (iii) weather information for a geographical location at which the areas are located.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the external server device includes a machine learning model that outputs the control information based on the data received, and

the air conditioning control system, in operation of a training mode for providing training data to the machine learning model, generates the training data by repeatedly performing control to cause a target air conditioning device among the air conditioning devices to operate at a setting value different from a setting value of a remainder of the air conditioning devices, while switching the target air conditioning device among the air conditioning devices.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 10, wherein
the areas are provided on a primary floor of a facility, and

the external server device collects training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in a secondary floor of the facility in addition to training data based on operating states of the air conditioning devices in the primary floor.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 10, wherein
the areas are provided in a first facility, and

the external server device collects training data based on operating states of other air conditioning devices in a second facility in addition to training data based on operating states of the air conditioning devices in the first facility.
A control method executed by a computer, the control method comprising:
transmitting data to an external server device, the data being related to (i) air conditioning devices that individually regulate temperatures of areas that are adjacent to each other and each of which has a thermal environment for which a target value is predetermined, (ii) sensors that individually sense detection values of the thermal environments in the areas, and (iii) a warm/cool sensation index of a person in each of the areas;

obtaining control information from the external server device as a result of the transmitting of the data, the control information being for reducing, for each of the areas, a difference between the target value and a detection value, and for controlling the air conditioning devices for the person in each of the areas to feel comfortable about the thermal environment in the area, the detection value being one of the detection values; and

controlling the air conditioning devices using the control information obtained.