JP2004353973A - Air conditioning control device based on variation pattern and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform air conditioning control to reduce energy consumption without impairing the pleasant feel of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioning control is performed in accordance with a target PMV value and an indoor PMV value which are changed on the basis of a variation pattern. In the variation pattern, a variation occurs between a pleasant PMV value u2 pleasant to the user and an energy saving PMV value u1 closer to an outdoor PMV value than the value, where a first variation meaning a gradual variation from the pleasant PMV value u2 to the energy saving PMV value u1 and a second variation meaning an abrupt variation from the energy saving PMV value u1 to the pleasant PMV value u2 are repeated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air-conditioning control device for controlling an air-conditioning device, and more particularly to an air-conditioning control device and method for saving energy without impairing the comfort of a person to be air-conditioned.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, various air conditioners have been proposed for realizing energy saving while maintaining comfort of a person to be air-conditioned.
[0003]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an air conditioner that varies the room temperature with 1 / f fluctuations based on a preset temperature set as a reference. When a person is placed in an environment of a certain temperature for a long time, the person becomes accustomed to the environment and may feel uncomfortable even at a temperature that is initially comfortable. An air-conditioned person who feels uncomfortable changes the set temperature to a higher air-conditioning load, and as a result, wastes energy. This air conditioner prevents the decrease in comfort due to familiarity by periodically changing the room temperature with 1 / f fluctuations. This makes it possible to maintain the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned and prevent waste of energy consumption due to a change in the set temperature. That is, this air conditioner achieves energy saving by maintaining the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-61737 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the fluctuation is given based on the set temperature, that is, the temperature at which the person to be air-conditioned feels comfortable, energy saving may not be achieved depending on the feeling of the person to be air-conditioned.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning control device capable of further reducing energy consumption without impairing the comfort of the air-conditioned person.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The air-conditioning control device of the present invention is an air-conditioning control device that controls an air-conditioning device that air-conditions a target room, and an indoor environment value obtaining unit that obtains an environment value that is an index of the degree of comfort in the target room; Control means for controlling the air conditioner based on the target environment value fluctuating with the pattern and the acquired indoor environment value, wherein the fluctuation pattern is a comfortable environment value comfortable for the person to be air-conditioned and the outdoor environment This is a pattern that fluctuates between an energy-saving environment value close to a value and a first fluctuation that fluctuates gradually from a comfortable environment value to an energy-saving environment value, and a second fluctuation that fluctuates rapidly from the energy-saving environment value to a comfortable environment value. It is characterized by a repeating pattern.
[0008]
By gradually changing the target environment value to the energy-saving environment value, it is possible to widen the range in which the person to be air-conditioned feels comfortable or to move the air-conditioner to a smaller air-conditioning load. Further, by rapidly changing the target environment value from the energy-saving environment value to the comfortable environment value, it is possible to impress the air-conditioned person with a sense of comfort. Therefore, the energy consumption can be further reduced without impairing the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned.
[0009]
Here, the air conditioner may be any type, such as an air conditioner, a cooler, and a heater, as long as it provides conditioned air to the target room. As the environmental value, it is preferable to use a PMV value defined by ISO7730 as an index of the degree of comfort, but another index such as temperature may be used. The energy-saving environment value is preferably a predetermined value such that the number of air-conditioned persons who feel uncomfortable is less than 20% of the whole, but may be another value.
[0010]
The second variation is preferably a variation at a predetermined environmental value difference and a speed at which the person to be air-conditioned can experience the variation, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first variation has a small variation that fluctuates in a predetermined range.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 10 is roughly classified into an inverter type air conditioner 14 and a control device 12 for controlling the air conditioner 14.
[0013]
The control device 12 controls the air conditioner 14 based on a sensor unit 18 for detecting an environmental state (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc.) of the target space, a setting input unit 20 for setting and inputting various parameters, and information output from these. It comprises a main control unit 16 for controlling.
[0014]
The air conditioner 14 includes heat exchangers 26, 32, and 34, which are disposed indoors and outdoors, a compressor 22 that compresses refrigerant, an inverter 24 that changes the frequency of the compressor 22, and the like.
[0015]
During the cooling operation, the refrigerant sucked and compressed by the compressor 22 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 26 via the four-way valve 30, where it is condensed and liquefied. The refrigerant that has exited the outdoor heat exchanger 26 is depressurized by the expansion valve 40 and guided to the first heat exchanger 34. The refrigerant that has exited the first heat exchanger 34 flows into the second heat exchanger 32 through the electromagnetic valve 36 that is fully open. In each of the heat exchangers 34 and 32, the refrigerant takes latent heat of evaporation from room air and evaporates. Then, the refrigerant that has passed through these heat exchangers 34 and 32 is sucked into the compressor 22 again through the four-way valve 30.
[0016]
During the heating operation, the four-way valve 30 is switched, and the flow is reverse to that during the cooling. Further, the amount and direction of the cool / hot air during cooling / heating are adjusted by controlling the indoor fan 38.
[0017]
The main control unit 16 controls the air conditioner 14 by switching the above-described four-way valve 30 and the like and controlling the inverter 24.
[0018]
Next, the control device 12 of the air conditioner 10 will be described in detail.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the control device 12. The control device 12 includes the sensor unit 18, the setting input unit 20, and the main control unit 16 as described above.
[0020]
The sensor section 18 has four types of detectors 46, 48, 50, and 52 for detecting the indoor temperature, wind speed, humidity, and floor radiation temperature. The sensor unit 18 is installed indoors, converts a detected value into a digital value at predetermined intervals, and outputs the digital value to the main control unit 16. Note that each detector may be installed at a plurality of locations, and an average value thereof may be taken. Further, the airflow of the indoor fan 38 of the air conditioner 14 may be used as the wind speed value without using the wind speed detector 48. Further, a value measured in advance may be input without providing the radiation temperature detection unit 52.
[0021]
The setting input unit 20 is provided in, for example, a remote controller for operation of the air conditioner 10. It has a clothes amount / work amount input unit 58 for inputting a clothes amount and a work amount, and a fluctuation pattern input unit 60 for inputting a fluctuation pattern described later. The clothing amount is the clothing amount of the person to be air-conditioned, and can be set in three stages of “summer clothes”, “gown clothes”, and “winter clothes”. The clothing amount input here is converted to a clo value representing the thermal resistance of the clothing. On the other hand, the work amount can be set in three stages of “light”, “medium”, and “heavy”, and is converted into a meta value representing the metabolic rate of movement. Then, the input clothes amount and work amount are output to and stored in a PMV value calculation unit 54, which will be described later, as air conditioner condition values.
[0022]
The fluctuation pattern input unit 60 can input and set a fluctuation pattern representing the fluctuation of the target PMV value of the air conditioning as shown in FIG. The input fluctuation pattern is sent to the air-conditioning control unit 56 of the main control unit 16 and stored. Instead of inputting the pattern itself, only the parameters (period, amplitude, etc.) for specifying the pattern may be input. In that case, the main controller 16 may form a variation pattern based on each parameter.
[0023]
The main controller 16 includes a PMV value calculator 54 and an air conditioning controller 56. The PMV value calculation unit 54 calculates a PMV value based on six items of the temperature, humidity, wind speed, radiation temperature, clothing amount, and work amount sent from the sensor unit 18 and the clothing amount / work amount input unit 58.
[0024]
Here, PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) is translated as an average expected thermal sensation report, and is one of indexes for evaluating comfort. At present, it is internationally standardized as ISO-7730.
[0025]
This PMV value can be calculated by applying the temperature, humidity, radiation temperature, wind speed, amount of clothing, and amount of work to an expression called a comfort equation. In the PMV value, 0 is neutral, and it is evaluated that the temperature becomes higher as the temperature becomes higher and the temperature becomes lower as the temperature becomes lower.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, air conditioning control is performed based on this PMV value. By using the PMV value, it becomes possible to perform control closer to the sensation of the person to be air-conditioned, and it is possible to increase comfort while suppressing energy consumption.
[0027]
The air-conditioning control unit 56 calculates a control amount required for air-conditioning control based on the calculated PMV value and the fluctuation pattern. Then, a necessary control signal is output from the calculated control amount to the inverter 24 or the like of the air conditioner 14.
[0028]
Next, a variation pattern representing a variation in the target PMV value of the air conditioning control will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is an example of a fluctuation pattern during cooling. The fluctuation pattern input by the fluctuation pattern input unit 60 represents the fluctuation of the target PMV value of the air conditioning, and the air conditioning control unit 56 acquires the target PMV value from the fluctuation pattern. The fluctuation pattern is a pattern that fluctuates between two predetermined PMV values u1 and u2 at a constant cycle. The comfortable PMV value u2 is a value at which the person to be air-conditioned can feel comfortable and has a relatively high air-conditioning load. On the other hand, the energy-saving PMV value u1 is a value closer to the outdoor PMV value than the comfortable PMV value u2, and has a relatively low air conditioning load but a value that is unpleasant for the person to be air-conditioned.
[0030]
In this variation pattern, a first variation that gradually varies from the comfortable PMV value u2 to the energy-saving PMV value u1 and a second variation that rapidly varies from the energy-saving PMV value u1 to the comfortable PMV value u2 are repeated.
[0031]
By changing the target PMV value in this way, the comfortable region that the person to be air-conditioned can feel can be expanded or the air-conditioning load can be moved to a smaller one. That is, in the first variation, the person to be air-conditioned can be gradually adjusted to an environment with a small air conditioning load (an environment close to the outdoor PMV value) by gradually changing the comfortable PMV value u2 to the energy saving PMV value u1. For this reason, even if the energy-saving PMV value u1 is a PMV value that would normally be unpleasant, it would be difficult to recognize it as unpleasant.
[0032]
In addition, by rapidly changing the energy-saving PMV value u1 from the comfortable PMV value u2, the person to be air-conditioned can be impressed with a feeling of comfort, and can be recognized as having comfortable air-conditioning as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to provide air conditioning with reduced energy consumption without impairing the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned.
[0033]
Each parameter of such a fluctuation pattern is determined based on the following conditions.
[0034]
The energy-saving PMV value u1 is a PMV value at which less than 20% of the air-conditioned people feel uncomfortable. This is the limit value of the comfortable environment range specified in ANSI / ASHARE (Ashley standard). In other words, ANSI / ASHARE defines an environment called “comfortable” as an environment where less than 20% of people feel uncomfortable at most.
[0035]
The comfortable PMV value u2 is a value at which the air-conditioned person can experience the second variation in order to impress the air-conditioned person with a comfortable feeling. Further, in order to suppress energy consumption, it is desirable that the value be as close as possible to the energy saving PMV value u1. Then, the steeper the slope of the fluctuation, the more easily the fluctuation is perceived, but this inclination has a certain limit due to the capability of the air conditioner 14. Therefore, when the comfortable PMV value u2 is rapidly changed at a slope close to the limit of the air conditioner 14, the person to be air-conditioned can experience the change and has a value closest to the energy saving PMV value u1.
[0036]
The first fluctuation time t1 is determined based on the condition that the temperature fluctuation rate is within 2.2 [° C./hour] and within 60 minutes. This is a condition for maintaining the comfort determined by ANSI / ASHARE. According to this, in order to maintain comfort, it is desirable that the temperature fluctuation rate be 2.2 [° C./hour]. Further, it is desirable that the person to be air-conditioned has a comfortable feeling within 60 minutes. Therefore, the second fluctuation time t2 is determined in a range satisfying these two conditions.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, each parameter is determined from the various conditions described above in order to obtain a more optimal fluctuation pattern, but it is not always necessary to comply with these conditions. It is a fluctuation pattern that fluctuates between a comfortable PMV value that is comfortable for the person to be air-conditioned and an energy-saving PMV value that is closer to the outdoor PMV value than this value. Each parameter may be determined based on another condition as long as the variation pattern repeats the second variation that rapidly varies from the PMV value to the comfortable PMV value.
[0038]
Next, the air conditioning control performed by the control device 12 will be described.
[0039]
When performing air conditioning, the air conditioning control unit 56 acquires a target PMV value of an air conditioning target for each time from the input fluctuation pattern. In addition, the indoor PMV value sent from the PMV value calculation unit 54 is also acquired. The air-conditioning control unit 56 calculates a difference between the two PMV values, and calculates a necessary control amount from the difference. In the present embodiment, the amount of temperature change required to reach the target PMV value is calculated from the obtained PMV value difference. Then, the rotation frequency of the compressor 22 required for the temperature change is calculated. The air-conditioning control unit 56 outputs the rotation frequency to the inverter 24 or the like and controls air-conditioning. Then, the indoor PMV value is set to the target PMV value.
[0040]
Here, the target PMV value fluctuates according to the above-described fluctuation pattern. Therefore, the air conditioning control is performed so that the indoor PMV value changes in the same manner as the fluctuation pattern.
[0041]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in order to gradually change the target PMV value to the energy-saving PMV value, it is possible to widen the range in which the air-conditioned person feels comfortable or move the air-conditioned person to a smaller air conditioning load. it can. In addition, by rapidly changing the target PMV value from the energy-saving PMV value to the comfortable PMV value, a feeling of comfort can be impressed to the air-conditioned person. Therefore, the energy consumption can be further reduced without impairing the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, a variation pattern in which the first variation and the second variation are simply repeated is used, but a variation pattern combined with another pattern may be used as needed. For example, when used in an office or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, early morning and few overtime hours when there are few employees, and during lunch breaks when work is not performed, the comfort is reduced, and the peak hours of the employees are comfortable. To impress the sense, a variation pattern that provides a high PMV value of comfort may be used.
[0043]
Further, the first variation and the second variation do not need to be straight lines, and may vary stepwise as shown in FIG.
[0044]
Further, in the present embodiment, the PMV value is used, but air conditioning control using only a conventionally frequently used temperature may be used. In that case, a fluctuation pattern defined by the temperature may be used.
[0045]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control device 12 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a fluctuation pattern used in this embodiment.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the setting input section 20 is provided with a fluctuation amount input section 62, and the main control section 16 is provided with a fluctuation correction section 64.
[0048]
The fluctuation amount input unit 62 inputs a fluctuation amount to be added to a fluctuation pattern described later. The fluctuation amount input here is, for example, a value such as an amplitude and a period for determining the fluctuation. The input fluctuation amount is sent to the fluctuation correction unit 64. The fluctuation correction unit 64 also receives the reference fluctuation pattern input by the fluctuation pattern input unit 60. The fluctuation correction unit 64 forms a fluctuation pattern after fluctuation correction as shown in FIG. 7 based on the reference fluctuation pattern and the fluctuation amount.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 7, the fluctuation pattern after the correction fluctuates between the energy-saving PMV value u1 and the comfortable PMV value u2 if the fluctuation fluctuates by a predetermined allowable amount w. Here, it is desirable that the permissible amount w be at least 1.1 ° C. or less in terms of temperature change. This is because the fluctuation width in a short time is preferably 1.1 ° C. or less in order not to impair the comfort of the air-conditioned person (ANSI / ASHRAE55-92).
[0050]
Note that the fluctuation amount input unit 62 and the fluctuation correction unit 64 may not be provided, and the corrected fluctuation pattern (FIG. 7) may be directly input to the fluctuation pattern input unit 60.
[0051]
As described above, in addition to the reference pattern, the small fluctuation that fluctuates at the predetermined allowable amount allows intermittently applying a thermal stimulus (body change) to the air-conditioned person. In general, a person tends to maintain a comfortable feeling when a thermal stimulus is regularly applied. Therefore, due to the small fluctuation, the comfort of the air-conditioned person can be maintained for a longer time.
[0052]
Next, a case of an air conditioner having no inverter will be described.
[0053]
In this air conditioner 10, since there is no inverter that changes the frequency of the compressor 22, air conditioning control is mainly performed by ON / OFF control of the compressor 22. That is, the compressor 22 is operated until the target PMV value is reached, and the compressor 22 is stopped when the indoor PMV value reaches the target PMV value. When the indoor PMV value deviates from the target PMV value by a predetermined PMV value or more, the compressor 22 is operated again.
[0054]
In such an air conditioner 10, a variation pattern as shown in FIG. 8 is used. This varies between the energy saving PMV value u1 and the comfortable PMV value u2, and a predetermined allowable amount w is defined. When the indoor PMV value exceeds the allowable amount w and approaches the outdoor PMV value (in cooling, if it becomes higher), the controller 12 operates the compressor 22 to perform cooling or heating. Conversely, if the indoor PMV value moves to the excess load side beyond the allowable amount w (if it becomes low during cooling), the compressor 22 is stopped, and cooling or heating is stopped.
[0055]
Therefore, the change in the indoor PMV value, the operating state of the compressor 22, and the indoor PMV value during cooling in this case are as shown in FIG. That is, if the indoor PMV value becomes higher than the permissible amount w, the compressor 22 is started and cooling is performed. Therefore, the indoor PMV value decreases. Then, when cooling is continued and the indoor PMV value becomes lower than the allowable amount w, the compressor 22 is stopped. Since cooling stops, the indoor PMV value gradually increases and again exceeds the allowable amount w. When the allowable amount w is exceeded, the compressor 22 is started again. While repeating such an operation, the first variation and the second variation are gradually repeated. That is, in the present embodiment, the indoor PMV value fluctuates between the energy saving PMV value u1 and the comfortable PMV value u2, and also fluctuates slightly within a predetermined allowance w.
[0056]
This allowable amount w needs to be determined based on functional restrictions of the compressor 22. That is, usually, conditions for starting and stopping the compressor 22 are provided for protecting the compressor. For example, a minimum required operation time after the compressor is started is determined. The allowance w must be a value in consideration of the mechanical characteristics of the compressor 22. Further, as described above, it is desirable that the temperature be at least 1.1 ° C. or less in terms of temperature change.
[0057]
As described above, even in the case of the air conditioner 10 which is not the inverter 24 system, the energy consumption can be further reduced by defining the fluctuation pattern without impairing the comfort of the air-conditioned person. Also, by giving the allowable amount w, the person to be air-conditioned can be intermittently given a thermal stimulus (change in bodily sensation) and the comfort of the person to be air-conditioned can be maintained for a longer time.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, energy consumption can be further reduced without impairing the comfort of the air-conditioned person.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fluctuation pattern during cooling.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a variation pattern used in another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a variation pattern used in another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a variation pattern used in another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a variation pattern used in another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 air conditioner, 12 control device, 14 air conditioning means, 16 main control unit, 18 sensor unit, 20 setting input unit, 22 compressor, 24 inverter, 54 PMV value calculation unit, 56 air conditioning control unit, 58 clothing and work volume Input unit, 60 fluctuation pattern input unit, 62 fluctuation amount input unit, 64 fluctuation correction unit.

Claims (9)

An air-conditioning control device that controls an air-conditioning device that air-conditions a target room,
Indoor environment value acquisition means for acquiring an environment value that is an index of the degree of comfort in the target room;
Control means for controlling the air conditioner based on the target environment value fluctuating with a predetermined fluctuation pattern and the acquired indoor environment value,
And the fluctuation pattern is
This is a pattern that fluctuates between a comfortable environment value that is comfortable for the person to be air-conditioned and an energy-saving environment value that is closer to the outdoor environment value. An air-conditioning control device characterized in that the air-conditioning control pattern is a pattern in which a second change that rapidly changes from a comfortable environment value to a comfortable environment value is repeated. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1,
The air conditioning control device, wherein the second variation is a variation at a predetermined environmental value difference and a speed at which the person to be air-conditioned can experience the variation. The air-conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The air-conditioning control device is characterized in that the energy-saving environment value is a predetermined value such that less than 20% of all air-conditioned persons feel uncomfortable. The air-conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Environment value acquisition means
Temperature, humidity, radiant temperature and indoor condition acquisition means for acquiring indoor conditions that are airflow velocity,
Air conditioner condition setting means capable of setting the air conditioner condition that is the amount of clothing and the amount of work,
PMV calculating means for calculating a PMV value based on the indoor condition and the air conditioner condition,
An air conditioning control device, comprising: a PMV value used as an environment value. The air-conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein a time period of the first change is 60 minutes or less. The air-conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The air-conditioning control device, wherein the temperature fluctuation rate in the fluctuation pattern is smaller than 2.2 ° C./hour. The air-conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein the first fluctuation has a small wave fluctuation fluctuating within a predetermined allowable range. The air-conditioning control device according to claim 7,
An air conditioning control device characterized in that an allowable range of the small wave fluctuation is at least smaller than 1.1 ° C. An air-conditioning control method for controlling an air-conditioning device that air-conditions a target room,
An indoor environment value acquisition step of acquiring an environment value that is an index of the degree of comfort in the target room,
A control step of controlling the air conditioner based on the target environment value fluctuating with a predetermined fluctuation pattern and the acquired indoor environment value,
And the fluctuation pattern is
A first variation in which a comfortable environment value that is comfortable for a person to be air-conditioned and an energy-saving environment value that is closer to the outdoor environment value than this value. An air-conditioning control method characterized in that the air-conditioning control method is a pattern in which a second change that rapidly changes from a value to a comfortable environment value is repeated.

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