JP2010048531A - Air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning control system, capable of attaining efficiently a comfortable air conditioning environment. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioning control system 1 includes radio sensors 22a-22i, a plurality of sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c, a state value acquiring part 55a, an estimated value calculating part 55b, and air conditioners 10a-10i. The radio sensors measure state values of an indoor environment in prescribed areas, at a prescribed time interval, and is installed planarly discretely. Each of the plurality of sensor groups includes one or a plurality of the radio sensors. The state value acquiring part obtains the state value measured by each radio sensor. The estimated value calculating part calculates an estimated value of the state value in an area outside the prescribed areas that is an area other than the prescribed areas, using the state value. The air conditioner controls air conditioning, based on the state value or the estimated value. One of radio sensors belonging to one of the sensor groups measures the state value at the timing same to that of the other radio sensor belonging to the same sensor group, and measures the state value at timing different from that of the radio sensor belonging to the other sensor group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system.

  Conventionally, an air conditioning control system using a plurality of air conditioners is provided in a relatively wide space such as an office. In the air conditioning control system, the plurality of air conditioners are controlled using a single control device. The control device controls the air conditioner so that state values (temperature, humidity, etc.) measured by the air conditioner are maintained at approximate values of the state values set in the control device. For this reason, when the control device and the air conditioner are installed in a remote place, the air conditioning environment comfortable for the user is not necessarily provided.

Therefore, in order to provide a comfortable air conditioning environment for users in the room, a system has been proposed in which the room is divided into several areas and the air conditioners assigned to each area are linked and controlled (see Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2005-134021 A

  However, even if such a system is adopted, if the air conditioner is installed near the ceiling, cold air accumulation around the user is not taken into account, so the state value around the user and the state measured by the air conditioner It still diverges from the value. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a comfortable air-conditioning environment for users in the room.

  The subject of this invention is providing the air-conditioning control system which implement | achieves a comfortable air-conditioning environment efficiently.

  The air conditioning control system according to the first invention includes a plurality of sensor groups, a state value acquisition unit, an estimated value calculation unit, and an air conditioner. Each of the plurality of sensor groups includes one or more wireless sensors. The wireless sensor measures the state value of the indoor environment in a predetermined area at predetermined time intervals. The wireless sensors are installed discretely in a plane. The state value acquisition unit acquires a state value measured by the wireless sensor. The estimated value calculation unit calculates an estimated value of the state value in the non-predetermined region using the state value. The non-predetermined area is an area other than the predetermined area. The air conditioner performs air conditioning control based on the state value or the estimated value. In addition, one wireless sensor belonging to one sensor group measures a state value at the same timing as other wireless sensors belonging to the same sensor group. In addition, one wireless sensor belonging to one sensor group measures a state value at a timing different from that of wireless sensors belonging to another sensor group.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, wireless sensors that measure state values at predetermined time intervals are installed discretely in a plane and constitute a plurality of sensor groups. Here, the state values are indoor temperature and humidity. Each sensor group includes one or more wireless sensors. A state value measured by a plurality of wireless sensors is acquired, and a state value of an area outside the predetermined area is estimated based on the state value. The air conditioner is controlled based on the state value or the estimated value. In addition, the timing at which the plurality of wireless sensors measure the state value varies depending on the sensor group to which the wireless sensor belongs.

  Thereby, a comfortable air-conditioning environment for the user can be efficiently realized by using a limited wireless sensor.

  An air conditioning control system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a state value storage area. The state value storage area stores the state value acquired by the state value acquisition unit. The estimated value calculation unit calculates an estimated value using a plurality of state values that are state values stored in the state value storage area and measured at different timings.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the state value acquired by the state value acquisition unit is stored. An estimated value is calculated using a plurality of state values stored in the state value storage area and measured at different timings.

  Thereby, the frequency | count that one wireless sensor measures a state value can be decreased.

  An air conditioning control system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to the first aspect of the present invention or the second aspect of the present invention, and further includes a thermal load determination unit and an order change request unit. The thermal load determination unit determines the presence or absence or position of the thermal load. The order change request unit generates a request for changing the order of the wireless sensors for measuring the state value in units of sensor groups based on the presence or position of the thermal load determined by the thermal load determination unit.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the presence or absence or position of the thermal load is determined. Here, the heat load is a heat source that can be a load of air conditioning control, such as the sun or a stove. Based on the determined presence / absence or position of the thermal load, a request is generated for changing the order in which the wireless sensor measures the state value in units of sensor groups.

  Thereby, the flexible air-conditioning control according to the presence or absence or position of the thermal load can be performed.

  An air conditioning control system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the request generated by the order change requesting unit is a predetermined time interval until a state value is measured next. This is a request to change to a time interval longer than the interval.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, when the request is generated by the order change request unit, the time interval until the wireless sensor next measures the state value is changed to a time interval longer than the predetermined time interval. .

  Thereby, the timing which a wireless sensor measures a state value can be changed for every sensor group.

  An air conditioning control system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the thermal load determination unit determines the presence or absence or position of the thermal load in the initial setting when the air conditioner is installed.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the presence / absence and arrangement of the heat load is determined from the time of installation of the air conditioner.

  Thereby, the air-conditioning control which considered the heat load can be performed from the start of use of the air-conditioning control system.

  An air conditioning control system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to any of the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, further comprising an outside predetermined area determination unit. The predetermined outside area determination unit determines a range of the predetermined outside area. Further, the non-predetermined area determination unit increases the range in proportion to the distance from the heat load.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the range of the predetermined outside region is increased in proportion to the distance from the heat load.

  Thereby, an estimated value can be calculated in consideration of the influence of the heat load.

  An air conditioning control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to any of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, further comprising an ID storage area and a weight coefficient storage area. The ID storage area stores the sensor ID of the wireless sensor. The weight coefficient storage area stores weight coefficients. The weighting factor is a value indicating weighting that changes in accordance with the distance between the non-predetermined region and the wireless sensor. The estimated value calculation unit further uses the sensor ID and the weighting coefficient to calculate an estimated value of the state value.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the sensor ID is stored. A weighting coefficient that changes in accordance with the distance between the non-predetermined region and the wireless sensor is stored. The sensor ID and the weighting coefficient are further used to calculate an estimated value.

  Thereby, a more appropriate estimated value can be calculated.

  An air conditioning control system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control system according to any of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, wherein the predetermined area is an area that spreads around the wireless sensor. Further, the predetermined outside area is an area that spreads around the wireless sensor located at the center of the predetermined area, and is an area outside the predetermined area.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the predetermined area is an area extending around the wireless sensor, and the predetermined outside area is an area outside the predetermined area.

  Thereby, state values over a wide range can be measured with a small number of wireless sensors, or an estimated value can be calculated.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a comfortable air conditioning environment for the user can be provided using a limited number of wireless sensors.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the second aspect of the invention, the number of times that one wireless sensor measures the state value can be reduced.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the third aspect of the invention, flexible air conditioning control can be performed according to the presence or absence or position of the thermal load.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the timing at which the wireless sensor measures the state value can be changed for each sensor group.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the fifth aspect of the invention, air conditioning control can be performed in consideration of the heat load from the start of use of the air conditioning control system.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value can be calculated in consideration of the influence of the heat load.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the seventh aspect of the invention, a more appropriate estimated value can be calculated.

  In the air conditioning control system according to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to measure state values over a wide range with a small number of wireless sensors, or to calculate estimated values.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioning control system 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The air conditioning control system 1 is a system used in a relatively large indoor space such as an office. The air conditioning control system 1 mainly includes a plurality of indoor units 10a-10i, a plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i, a management device 40, a controller 50, and a repeater 60. As shown in FIG. 1, a management device 40, a repeater 60, and a plurality of indoor units 10 a to 10 i are connected to the controller 50. The repeater 60 relays communication between the plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i and the controller 50. That is, the repeater 60 receives the indoor space state value measured by the wireless sensors 22a-22i and transmits it to the controller 50, receives the command from the controller 50, and transmits it to the wireless sensors 22a-22i. . Here, the state value is the indoor temperature. The controller 50 controls the indoor units 10a-10i using the state values received from the wireless sensors 22a-22i via the repeater 60.

  In the air-conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a case where nine indoor units 10a to 10i are set in a room is taken as an example, but the number of indoor units is nine. It is not limited to. Further, the number of wireless sensors 22a-22i and repeaters 60 used in the air conditioning control system 1 is not limited to the number shown in FIG.

<Configuration of each part>
(1) Indoor unit First, the indoor unit 10a-10i which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 2 and FIG. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the indoor unit 10a. The configuration of the indoor unit 10a is the same as the configuration of the other indoor units 10b-10i. The indoor units 10a to 10i used in the present embodiment are ceiling-mounted indoor units and have a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat exchanger, and the like (not shown). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the indoor units 10a-10i include a main body 17, upper and lower flaps 12a-12d, and left and right louvers 13a-13d. The main body 17 has a box shape, and four blowout ports 11a to 11d are formed on the lower surface (see FIG. 3). The outlets ID1 to 4 are assigned to the outlets 11a to 11d. The outlet IDs 1 to 4 are used for controlling the indoor units 10a to 10i by the controller 50. The upper and lower flaps 12a to 12d and the left and right louvers 13a to 13d are provided near the outlets 11a to 11d of the main body 17, respectively. The upper and lower flaps 12a-12d are wind direction adjusting plates for guiding the conditioned air blown out from the respective outlets 11a-11d in the vertical direction. The left and right louvers 13a-13d are wind direction adjusting plates for guiding the conditioned air blown out from the outlets 11a-11d in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a communication unit 14, a blower fan 15, a control unit 16, and various motors are mainly provided inside the main body 17. The communication unit 14 is a communication interface for communicating with the controller 50. The blower fan 15 generates an air flow so that the conditioned air is sent into the room through the outlets 11a to 11d. The control unit 16 is connected to the communication unit 14 and various motors. The control unit 16 controls various motors. The motor functions as a drive source for the upper and lower flaps 12a to 12d, the left and right louvers 13a to 13d, and the blower fan 15. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the indoor units 10a to 10i according to the present embodiment are assigned indoor unit IDs 01 to 09 for convenience of control by the controller 50, respectively.

(2) Wireless sensor As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless sensors 22a-22i according to the present embodiment are equally spaced around a place (seat) where a user sits indoors or according to the layout of the room. The state value is measured at a predetermined position. Here, the state value is the indoor temperature as described above. In the present embodiment, nine wireless sensors 22a-22i are provided in the room, and sensor IDs 01 to 09 are assigned to the wireless sensors 22a-22i. The sensor IDs 01 to 09 are used for control by the controller 50.

In the present embodiment, wireless sensors 22a-22i capable of bidirectional communication are used. The wireless sensors 22a-22i incorporate a timer (not shown). The wireless sensors 22a-22i change the state to the active state or the sleep state at a predetermined time interval set by the controller 50. The wireless sensors 22a-22i transmit or receive information when in the active state.

(3) Repeater The repeater 60 according to the present embodiment is connected to the controller 50 via a communication line. When receiving information from the controller 50 or the wireless sensors 22a-22i, the repeater 60 transmits the information to the wireless sensors 22a-22i or the controller 50. That is, the repeater 60 relays communication between the controller 50 and the wireless sensors 22a-22i.

(4) Management Device The management device 40 according to the present embodiment is connected to the controller 50 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the management device 40 mainly includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43.

[Communication Department]
The communication unit is a communication interface for communicating with the controller 50.

[Storage section]
The storage unit 42 mainly includes a seat ID storage area 42a and a sensor ID storage area 42b.

  The seat ID storage area 42a stores a seat ID assigned near a place (seat) where a user sits indoors. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, there are nine groups of six desks in the room, and 54 seats are provided so that 54 people can be seated. As shown in a region 401 in FIG. 4, seat IDs 21 to 26 are allocated near each seat. Seat IDs are assigned to other seats as well. In the seat ID storage area 42a, coordinate information for each seat ID is stored in association with each coordinate ID.

The sensor ID storage area 42b stores sensor IDs 01 to 09 assigned to the wireless sensors 22a to 22i. The sensor ID storage area 42b stores coordinate information of a place where the wireless sensors 22a-22i are installed. Further, a sensor ID storage area 42
Information b regarding which seat ID is included in a circle centered on which sensor ID01 to ID09, which is information determined by a sensor area determination unit 43a described later, is stored in b. . In FIG. 4, for example, information indicating that the seat IDs 21 to 26 are located in a circle centered on the sensor ID 17 is stored.

(Control part)
The control unit 43 mainly includes a sensor region determination unit 43a and a weight coefficient calculation unit 43b.

  The sensor area determination unit 43a determines a range in which the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure state values. Specifically, the lengths of the radii X and Y (see FIG. 4) of the circle extending around the wireless sensors 22a-22i are determined. At this time, the lengths of the radii X and Y are X <Y. In addition, the management user stores information related to the arrangement of the room (by the window, near the wall), etc., so that the length of the radius Y is determined so as to increase from the window toward the wall by considering the influence of outside air. Is done.

The weighting factor calculation unit 43b is a weighting factor corresponding to the relative distance between the coordinates of each seat ID stored in the seat ID storage region 42a and the coordinates of the wireless sensors 22a-22i stored in the sensor ID storage region 42b. Is calculated. Here, the closer the distance between the seat and the wireless sensors 22a-22i, the greater the weight.

(5) Controller Next, the controller 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 50 is a touch panel controller having a GUI, and controls the indoor units 10a to 10i based on settings by an administrative user or a user. The controller 50 mainly includes a communication unit 51, a display unit 52, an input unit 53, a storage unit 54, a control unit 55, and a timer 56.

[Communication Department]
The communication unit 51 is a communication interface for communicating with the indoor units 10a to 10i, the management device 40, and the repeater 60, respectively.

[Display section]
The display unit 52 is a display that displays the operation state (operation / stop state, set temperature, room temperature, humidity, operation mode, etc.) of the indoor units 10a to 10i. The display unit 52 is also an operation screen for receiving control commands for the plurality of indoor units 10a to 10i from an administrative user or a user.

[Input section]
The input unit 53 mainly includes a touch panel and operation buttons that cover the above-described display.

[Storage section]
The storage unit 54 mainly includes a state value storage area 54a, a sensor ID storage area 54b, a sensor group storage area 54c, a measurement timing storage area 54d, a weighting coefficient storage area 54e, and an operation mode storage area 54f. .

  In the state value storage area 54a, state values acquired by the state value acquisition unit 55a described later from the wireless sensors 22a-22i are stored.

  In the sensor ID storage area 54b, as shown in FIG. 7, information relating to the seat ID and a sensor ID used when measuring a state value near the seat corresponding to the seat ID are stored in association with each other. Specifically, information regarding which seat state value is obtained using the state value measured by which wireless sensor 22a-22i is stored. Here, the sensor ID associated with the seat ID is determined by the mutual position between the position P of the seat and the positions of the wireless sensors 22a-22i.

  For example, when the seat position P is included in a circle having a radius X centered on any one wireless sensor, the sensor ID of the wireless sensor at the center is associated with the seat ID of the seat. That is, the sensor ID of the wireless sensor located closest to the seat position P is associated with the seat ID. In this case, the state value of the seat ID included in the circle with the radius X (corresponding to the predetermined area) is the state value itself measured by the wireless sensors 22a-22i.

  On the other hand, for example, when the position P of the seat is not included in the circle of radius X of any wireless sensor (corresponding to a non-predetermined area), the seat ID is relatively close to the position P of the seat. A wireless sensor is associated. More specifically, the sensor ID of one or more wireless sensors is associated with the seat ID based on the mutual position between the seat position P and the wireless sensor. For example, if the wireless sensors and seats arranged in the air conditioning control system 1 are arranged as shown in FIG. 8, the wireless sensors 1 to 4 are installed in the seat A, the wireless sensors 5 are installed in the seat B, and the seats C are installed in the seat C. Wireless sensors 3 and 5 are associated with each other. In this case, unlike the case of a seat included in a circle with a radius X, an estimated value calculated by an estimated value calculating unit 55b described later is a state value around the seat. Specifically, the estimated value calculation unit 55b calculates an estimated value of the temperature around the position P of the seat using the state value measured by the sensor ID associated with the seat ID. When the estimated value calculation unit 55b calculates an estimated value, an arithmetic average value of state values measured by a plurality of wireless sensors is taken into account in consideration of a weight coefficient stored in a weight coefficient storage area 54e described later. Is calculated.

  Referring to FIG. 7, for example, when the seat position P is included in a circle with a radius X of the wireless sensor as in the seat IDs 22, 23, and 26, the wireless sensor associated with the seat ID is used. The measured state value is set as the state value near the seat ID. On the other hand, for example, when the seat position P is not included in the circle of the radius X of the wireless sensor as in the seat IDs 21, 24, 25, the addition of the state value measured by the wireless sensor associated with the seat ID. The average value (estimated value) is set as the state value near the seat ID.

The sensor group storage area 54c stores information on sensor groups. A sensor group is a group consisting of one or more wireless sensors 22a-22i. Moreover, the information regarding a sensor group is the information regarding which wireless sensor 22a-22i is contained in sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the wireless sensors 22a-22i are divided into three sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c. In FIG. 9, the sensor group 21a includes wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h, the sensor group 21b includes wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g, and the sensor group 21c includes wireless sensors 22a, 22e, and 22i. Is included. When a plurality of wireless sensors are included in one sensor group as in the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c illustrated in FIG. 9, wireless sensors that are arranged at locations separated from each other are included in one sensor group.

In the measurement timing storage area 54d, information regarding at which timing the wireless sensors 22a-22i included in which sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c measure state values is stored. Specifically, a predetermined time interval at which the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure state values and the order set for each sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c are stored. The wireless sensors 22a-22i according to the present embodiment measure state values at different timings depending on the sensor group to which they belong. That is, one wireless sensor 22c belonging to one sensor group 21a measures state values at the same timing as the other wireless sensors 22d and 22h belonging to the same sensor group 21a, and wirelesss belonging to the other sensor groups 21b and 21c. The state value is measured at a timing different from that of the sensors 22a, 22b, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22i. Accordingly, each wireless sensor 22a-22i measures the state value according to the predetermined time interval stored in the measurement timing storage area 54d and the order set in each sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c. Become. Here, the predetermined time interval is a time interval at which the state values are measured by the wireless sensors 22a-22i at a timing once per hour. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the wireless sensors 22a-22i are divided into three sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c. Therefore, a wireless sensor belonging to one sensor group is a wireless belonging to another sensor group. The state value is measured with the sensor at intervals of 20 minutes. In addition, the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c are set in the order of the sensor group 21c, the sensor group 21b, and the sensor group 21a, and the wireless sensors 22a to 22i belonging to the respective groups measure the state values. More specifically, 20 minutes before the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h included in the sensor group 21a measure state values, the wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g included in the sensor group 21b measure state values. Also, 20 minutes before the wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g included in the sensor group 21b measure the state value, that is, 40 minutes of the time during which the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h included in the sensor group 21a measure the state value. Before, the wireless sensors 22a, 22e, and 22i included in the sensor group 21c measure state values. At a timing when the wireless sensor 22a-22i measures the state value, a state value measured by the wireless sensor 22a-22i is acquired by a state value acquisition unit 55a described later.

  Furthermore, a plurality of orders set for each of the sensor groups can be stored in the measurement timing storage area 54d. For example, by specifying a time zone from 7 am to 10:30 am, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 7 am, etc., and storing multiple orders, each time zone The wireless sensors 22a to 22i belonging to the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c measure the state values in the order according to the order.

  The weighting factor storage area 54e stores the weighting factor calculated by the weighting factor calculation unit 43b of the management device 40 described above.

  In the operation mode storage area 54f, information related to a plurality of operation modes is stored. The operation modes include a normal operation mode, a zone air conditioning operation mode, an absent area operation mode, and a swirl airflow operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation in which the cooling / heating operation is performed according to the content appropriately set in the controller 50 by the user (administrative user / user). The zone air conditioning operation mode is an operation in which airflow is blown to a specific zone. The absent area operation mode is an operation in which, for example, when there is no user in an area where one indoor unit performs air conditioning control, air conditioning for that area is stopped. The whirling airflow operation mode is an operation in which the indoor unit's upper and lower flaps 12a-12d and left and right louvers 13a-13d are operated to turn indoor air in order to eliminate cold air accumulation and draft feeling. A priority order is set for the operation mode. The priority is in the order of zone air-conditioning operation (airflow spraying) mode, absent area operation mode, swirling airflow operation mode, and normal operation mode.

(Control part)
The control unit 55 mainly includes a state value acquisition unit 55a, an estimated value calculation unit 55b, an order change request unit 55c, a setting reception unit 55d, and a mode switching unit 55e.

  The state value acquisition unit 55a acquires the state value measured at predetermined time intervals by the wireless sensors 22a-22i via the repeater 60. The state value acquired by the state value acquisition unit 55a is stored in the above-described state value storage area 54a.

  The estimated value calculation unit 55b calculates an estimated value for the state value around the seat using the state value stored in the state value storage area 54a. At this time, the estimated value calculation unit 55b calculates an estimated value by further using the information (see FIG. 7) stored in the sensor ID storage area 54b and the information stored in the weighting coefficient storage area 54e. For example, the case where the state value of the seat ID 24 is obtained will be described as an example. The position P of the seat corresponding to the seat ID 24 is not included in a circle with a radius X centered on any wireless sensor. Further, according to the table of FIG. 7, in order to obtain the state values around the seat ID 24, the state values measured by the sensor IDs 14, 15, 17, and 18 are used. Therefore, the estimated value calculation unit 55b considers the weighting factor stored in the weighting factor storage region 54e, and the arithmetic mean value of the state values of the sensor IDs 14, 15, 17, and 18 stored in the state value storage region 54a. (Estimated value) is calculated. Note that the state values of the sensor IDs 14, 15, 17, and 18 stored in the state value storage area 54a are the state values acquired at different timings according to the order set for the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c to which the sensors belong. It is.

  The order change request unit 55c is an order set in each sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c based on the information set in the setting receiving unit 55d described later or the information stored in the measurement timing storage area 54d. The wireless sensor 22a-22i belonging to the sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c generates a signal for changing the timing at which the state value is measured. A specific method for changing the timing will be described in detail in the section of (2) Timing change below.

  The setting accepting unit 55d accepts a setting of an air conditioning environment and various control settings desired by the user.

  The mode switching unit 55e appropriately switches the operation mode stored in the above-described operation mode storage area based on the command received by the setting reception unit 55d and the user information sent from the management device 40. The state transition of the operation mode will be described in detail in the column of (3) state transition of the operation mode below.

〔timer〕
The timer 56 measures time.

<Operation>
(1) Control method of indoor unit Next, the control method of indoor unit 10a-10i using the controller 50 is demonstrated using FIG. In step S101, an inquiry process is performed from the controller 50 to each wireless sensor 22a-22i. Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the state value measured by the wireless sensor has been acquired. If the state value can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S103, and the state value is stored in the state value storage area 54a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104. If the state value cannot be acquired in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, it is determined whether inquiry processing has been performed on all the wireless sensors 22a-22i. If the inquiry process has not been completed for all wireless sensors in step S104, the process returns to step S101. If the inquiry process for all the wireless sensors is completed in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, state values around each seat are determined. Specifically, based on information stored in the sensor ID storage area 54b (see FIG. 7), a state value measured by any one of the wireless sensors is determined as a state value around the seat, or a plurality of The estimated value calculated using the state value measured by the wireless sensor is determined as the state value around the corresponding seat. Thereafter, in step S106, the set value set in the controller 50 and the state value are compared, and the set value and the estimated value are compared. Thereafter, in step S107, the controller 50 controls the state value or the estimated value near the set value for the indoor unit that performs the air conditioning control near the seat ID having the state value or the estimated value that deviates from the set value. The air conditioning control command is transmitted.

(2) Timing Change Next, a method of changing the timing at which the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure state values will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 and 12, the order until the order change request is generated is as follows. First, the wireless sensors 22a, 22e, and 22i that belong to the sensor group 21c measure state values, and 20 minutes later, the wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g that belong to the sensor group 21b measure state values. Twenty minutes later, the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h belonging to the sensor group 21a measure state values. In FIG. 11, after the order change request is generated, the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h that belong to the sensor group 21a, the wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g that belong to the sensor group 21b, and the wireless sensors 22a and 22e that belong to the sensor group 21c. , 22i, the order set in the sensor group is changed so that the state values are measured. When the order change request is generated, a command related to the order change request is sent from the controller 50 to the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, 22h belonging to the sensor group 21a and the wireless sensors 22a, 22e, 22i belonging to the sensor group 21c. Specifically, a command is sent to the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h belonging to the sensor group 21a so that the timing for measuring the state value is shifted after 20 minutes. Further, a command is sent to the wireless sensors 22a, 22e, and 22i belonging to the sensor group 21c so as to shift the timing for measuring the state value next after 40 minutes.

  Similarly, in FIG. 12, after the order change request is generated, the wireless sensors 22a, 22e and 22i belonging to the sensor group 21c, the wireless sensors 22c, 22d and 22h belonging to the sensor group 21a, and the wireless sensors belonging to the sensor group 21b. The order set in the sensor group is changed so that the state values are measured in the order of 22b, 22f, and 22g. Specifically, a command is sent to the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h belonging to the sensor group 21a to shift the timing for measuring the state value next after 40 minutes. Also, a command is sent to the wireless sensors 22b, 22f, and 22g belonging to the sensor group 21b so as to shift the next timing for measuring the state value after 20 minutes.

(3) State transition of operation mode Next, the state transition of operation mode is demonstrated using FIG. The arrows shown in FIG. 13 indicate the state transition of each operation mode. Note that, in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, priorities are set for the respective operation modes. Based on the above-described priority order, the controller 50 preferentially controls the indoor units 10a-10i in the zone air conditioning operation mode.

(Zone air conditioning operation mode)
Even when the indoor units 10a to 10i are controlled in the absent area operation mode, the swirling airflow operation mode, or the normal operation mode, the controller 50 receives a command from the user, so that the zone air conditioning operation mode is preferentially performed. (I in FIG. 13).

(Absence area operation mode)
As for the absent area operation mode having the next highest priority, when the absent area is detected when the indoor units 10a-10i are controlled in the normal operation mode or the swirl air current operation mode, the normal operation mode or the swirl air current operation mode is detected. To the absent area operation mode (II in FIG. 13). In the present embodiment, each indoor unit 10a-10i has a built-in CMOS camera (not shown), and the presence or absence of a person in the entire indoor space is detected by the CMOS camera.

(Swirl airflow operation mode)
For the swirling airflow operation mode having the next highest priority, when the indoor unit 10a-10i is controlled in the normal operation mode and the controller 50 receives a request for the swirling airflow operation from the user, or the temperature difference distribution is When it becomes 50% or more, the normal operation mode is changed to the swirl airflow operation mode (III in FIG. 13). The temperature difference distribution is obtained by “suction temperature−temperature near the seat immediately below (measured value or estimated value)> number of 2 ° C./number of all samples (indoor units)”.

(Normal operation mode)
On the other hand, when the controller 50 controls the indoor units 10a-10i in the zone air-conditioning operation mode, when the controller 50 receives a request for canceling the zone air-conditioning operation mode from the user or after receiving a request for the zone air-conditioning operation, When the period has elapsed, the zone air-conditioning operation mode is changed to the normal operation mode (IV-1 in FIG. 13). Further, when the indoor units 10a-10i are controlled in the absence area operation, when the absence area disappears, the absence area operation mode is changed to the normal operation mode (IV-2 in FIG. 13). In addition, when the indoor units 10a-10i are controlled in the swirling airflow operation mode, the temperature difference distribution is less than 50% or when a certain period has elapsed after receiving a request for the zone air conditioning operation, Transition to the normal operation mode (IV-3 in FIG. 13). In addition, about a fixed period, a user can set arbitrarily.

<Features>
1. In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the indoor units 10a-10i are controlled using the state values measured by the wireless sensors 22a-22i. Conventionally, for example, indoor unit 10
The indoor unit 10a-10i was controlled by comparing the suction temperature value of a-10i with the temperature (set temperature) set in the controller 50. In this case, the room temperature in the vicinity of the ceiling is different from the temperature experienced by the user, and it is difficult to realize an air conditioning environment desired by the user. On the other hand, in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the state values for the vicinity of a plurality of seats are determined using the wireless sensors 22a-22i. That is, since the indoor unit 10a-10i can be controlled by comparing the temperature in the vicinity of the user and the set temperature, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning environment more in line with the user's request.

2. Further, in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the state values around the user at a plurality of locations are determined using the limited wireless sensors 22a-22i. That is, an estimated value is calculated using a state value of one or a plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i even for a place where the wireless sensor is not installed. Since the state values are interpolated, a comfortable indoor space in a plurality of areas can be efficiently provided using the limited wireless sensors 22a to 22i.
In addition, labor and cost for installing a large number of wireless sensors can be reduced.

3. In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i are
The state values are measured at different timings according to the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c to which they belong. That is, the number of times that one wireless sensor measures the state value can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to keep the plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i always active, the battery life can be extended.

4). In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure state values at predetermined time intervals according to the order set in the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c to which they belong. In addition, a plurality of such orders can be stored in the measurement timing storage area 54 d of the controller 50. By storing a plurality of such orders, for example, flexible air-conditioning control can be performed in consideration of the presence or position of a thermal load (for example, the sun or a stove) that changes according to the time zone or season.

  5. In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the controller 50 stores a plurality of operation modes. Thereby, detailed air conditioning control can be performed according to the indoor environment.

<Modification>
1. In the above embodiment, in the absence area operation mode, the CMOS camera incorporated in the indoor unit 10a-10i detects the presence / absence of a person directly under the indoor unit and switches the operation mode. However, the absence mode operation mode is incorporated in the indoor unit 10a-10i. The presence / absence of a person directly under the indoor unit may be detected by the thermopile sensor.

  Further, in the swirl airflow mode, when the temperature difference distribution is 50% or more, the normal operation mode is changed to the swirl airflow operation mode (III in FIG. 13), but the temperature difference distribution is limited to 50%. It may not be a thing but 40%-70% may be sufficient. In addition, the temperature difference distribution was obtained by “suction temperature-temperature near the seat immediately below (measured value or estimated value)> number of 2 ° C./number of all samples (indoor units)”, but 2 ° C. is a fixed value Instead, it may be changed to 3 ° C. to 4 ° C. according to the installation environment.

  Furthermore, in the air conditioning control system 1 in the above embodiment, the air conditioners 10a to 10i are controlled in the four operation modes of the zone air conditioning operation mode, the absent area operation mode, the swirl airflow operation mode, and the normal operation mode. The types of these operation modes are not limited to these. That is, among these operation modes, the air conditioner may be controlled only in the normal operation mode, and further, the air conditioner may be controlled in combination with other operation modes.

  2. In the above embodiment, the repeater 60 is connected to the controller 50 via a communication line, but the repeater may be wireless.

3. In the above embodiment, based on the setting received by the setting receiving unit 55d, the order change request unit 55c is in the order set in each sensor group 21a, 21b, 21c, and the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure the state values. The order to perform was changed for each sensor group. The controller 50 according to the above embodiment may further include a thermal load determination unit 55f as shown in FIG. For example, a function for determining the presence or position of the sun or a stove that can be a thermal load is added to each wireless sensor 20a-20i or each indoor unit 10a-10i, and the thermal load determination unit 55f is connected to the wireless sensor 22a. The result determined by -22i or indoor unit 10a-10i is acquired from each wireless sensor 22a-22i or indoor unit 10a-10i. The order change request unit 55c may change the order in which the order change request unit 55c is set in the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c based on the information acquired by the thermal load determination unit 55f.

Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the sensor area | region determination part 43a is included in the range (The circle of the radius X and the radius Y) where a state value is measured by wireless sensor 22a-22i based on the value set arbitrarily by the management user Range). Further, the length of the radius Y is determined so that the management user stores information related to the arrangement of the room (by the window, near the wall) and the like so as to increase from the window side toward the wall side in consideration of the influence of outside air. Is done. Therefore, for example, the influence of the thermal load on the air-conditioning environment is small at a location away from the thermal load, so the radius Y range is increased, and the influence of the thermal load on the air-conditioning environment is great at a location close to the thermal load. The range of the radius Y is reduced. At this time, the sensor region determination unit 43a acquires the information acquired by the thermal load determination unit 55f from the wireless sensors 22a-22i or the indoor units 10a-10i, and takes the information into consideration, and then the state is detected by the wireless sensors 22a-22i. A range in which values are measured may be determined.
Thereby, when the air conditioning control system 1 is introduced, an estimated value considering the influence of the heat load can be calculated as appropriate without the management user storing the information such as the room arrangement. In addition, air conditioning control can be performed in consideration of the heat load from the start of use of the air conditioning control system 1.

  4). In the above embodiment, the state value measured at different timings is stored in the state value storage area 54a, and the estimated value calculation unit 55b calculates the estimated value using the state values measured at different timings. You may design so that the state value itself of wireless sensor 22a-22i may be interpolated. For example, among the three sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c shown in FIG. 15, the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h included in the sensor group 21a do not measure state values, and belong to the other sensor groups 21b and 22c. When the state values are measured in 22a, 22b, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22i, the state values of the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h are the wireless sensors 22a, 22b, 22e, and 22f belonging to the other sensor groups 21b and 22c. , 22g, and 22i, the estimated value is calculated based on the state values measured. For example, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 15, the wireless sensor 22c calculates an estimated value using the state values measured by the wireless sensors 22b and 22f. The wireless sensor 22d calculates an estimated value using the state values measured by the wireless sensors 22a, 22e, and 22g. Further, the wireless sensor 22h calculates an estimated value using the state values measured by the wireless sensors 22e, 22g, and 22i. Also in this case, the weighting factor for each wireless sensor is stored in the weighting factor storage area 54e. Considering the weighting factor, calculating the arithmetic mean value of the state values measured by the plurality of wireless sensors 22a, 22b, 22e, 22f, 22g, and 22i, thereby obtaining the state values of the wireless sensors 22c, 22d, and 22h. Alternative estimates can be calculated. Thereby, for example, it is possible to cope with the case where any of the wireless sensors cannot calculate the state value due to a failure or the like.

  5. In the said embodiment, although the ceiling installation type indoor unit was used, you may use another type of indoor unit, for example, a duct type air conditioner. In this case, it is preferable that the air conditioner or other mechanism has a function of an outlet temperature sensor that can detect the temperature near the outlet and a human sensor that detects an absent area.

  6). In the above embodiment, in the indoor unit control method described with reference to FIG. 11, in step S <b> 101 to step S <b> 103, all the wireless sensors 22 a to 22 i are inquired to obtain the state values from the active wireless sensors. The inquiry process may be performed only on the wireless sensor in the active state. Further, it may be designed such that the state value is automatically transmitted from the wireless sensor in the active state.

  7). In the above embodiment, the plurality of wireless sensors 22a-22i are divided into three sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c, and the wireless sensors 22a-22i belonging to the sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c measure state values for each sensor group. did. Here, the wireless sensors 22a-22i belonging to the sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c are fixed. However, the wireless sensors 22a-22i constituting the sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c are in the time zone, presence / absence or position of thermal load. It may vary accordingly. In FIG. 16, the wireless sensors belonging to the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c are displayed as “old”, “medium”, and “new” according to the timing of measuring the state value. In this case, for example, an optimal combination of wireless sensors (sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c) is created according to the time zone (morning, noon, evening, etc.) or the position of the thermal load, and each wireless sensor 22a-22i belongs. It is designed to measure state values in the order set in the sensor groups 21a, 21b, and 21c.

  8). In the above embodiment, the wireless sensors 22a-22i belonging to any one of the three sensor groups 21a, 21b, 21c are designed to measure the state value at a rate of once per hour. However, the number of sensor groups Is not limited to three. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the number of wireless sensors may be 16, and each sensor group may be designed to include four wireless sensors. In this case, the wireless sensor belonging to each group measures the state value at an interval of 15 minutes from the sensor group to which the wireless sensor that previously measures the state value belongs. Also, the number of wireless sensors belonging to each sensor group may not be the same. Further, the timing at which the wireless sensors 22a-22i measure the state value is not limited to a one-time ratio.

  9. In the above embodiment, the management device 40 and the controller 50 are described as separate devices. However, some or all of the functions provided in these devices may be designed to be included in one device.

  10. In the said embodiment, indoor temperature was mentioned as a state value which a wireless sensor measures, However, A wireless sensor may measure both indoor temperature and humidity. As a result, when controlling the air conditioner in the swirl airflow operation mode, the air conditioner can be controlled in consideration of the humidity distribution in addition to the temperature distribution.

  11. In the above embodiment, the air conditioner having the left and right louvers 13a-13d is used, but an air conditioner not having the left and right louvers 13a-13d may be used.

  12 In the above-described embodiment, priority is set for each operation mode in which the controller 50 controls the indoor units 10a-10i, and the order is the zone air-conditioning operation (airflow spraying) mode, absent area operation mode, and swirling airflow operation. Although the order was the mode and the normal operation mode, this order is not limited to this. For example, the swirl airflow operation mode may be designed to give priority to the absent area operation mode.

  13. In the above embodiment, the presence / absence of a person in the indoor space is detected by a CMOS camera provided in each indoor unit 10a-10i. That is, the presence / absence of people in the entire indoor space is detected by the CMOS camera built in all the indoor units 10a-10i. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the CMOS camera is built in all the indoor units 10a-10i, and the presence / absence of people in the entire indoor space can be detected by the CMOS cameras built in some indoor units. It may be. Furthermore, the presence / absence of people in the entire indoor space may be detected by other sensors, not limited to the CMOS camera built in the indoor unit.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, a specific structure is not restricted to these embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention.

  The air conditioning control system according to the present invention can be used as an air conditioning control system that efficiently realizes a comfortable air conditioning environment.

It is a schematic block diagram of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the indoor unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the indoor unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated arrangement of a wireless sensor, a seat, etc. in an air-conditioning control system concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the management apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the controller which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of the information memorize | stored in the sensor ID storage area which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the information memorized by a sensor ID storage area. It is a figure which shows the timing which the wireless sensor which belongs to the sensor group which concerns on this embodiment, and each sensor group measures a state value. It is a flow which shows the control method of the indoor unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the control at the time of the order change request | requirement being produced | generated in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the control at the time of the order change request | requirement being produced | generated in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state transition of the operation mode which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the controller which concerns on the modification (3) of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the temperature interpolation of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on the modification (4) of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the air-conditioning control system which concerns on the modification (7) of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the air-conditioning control system which concerns on the modification (8) of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Air conditioning control system 10a-10i Indoor unit (air conditioner)
21a-21c sensor group 22a-22i wireless sensor 30 personal ID authentication device 40 management device 50 controller (control device)
60 repeater

Claims (8)

A plurality of wireless sensors (22a-22i) for measuring a state value of an indoor environment in a predetermined region at predetermined time intervals, each of which includes one or a plurality of the wireless sensors arranged in a plane. A group (21a, 21b, 21c);
A state value acquisition unit (55a) for acquiring the state value measured by the wireless sensor;
An estimated value calculation unit (55b) that calculates an estimated value of the state value in a non-predetermined region that is a region other than the predetermined region using the state value;
An air conditioner (10a-10i) that performs air conditioning control based on the state value or the estimated value,
One wireless sensor belonging to one sensor group measures the state value at the same timing as other wireless sensors belonging to the same sensor group, and the state value is different from the wireless sensor belonging to another sensor group. measure,
Air conditioning control system. A state value storage area (54a) for storing the state value acquired by the state value acquisition unit;
The estimated value calculating unit calculates the estimated value using a plurality of state values measured at different timings, which are the state values stored in the state value storage area;
The air conditioning control system according to claim 1. A thermal load determination unit (55f) for determining presence or absence of thermal load or a position;
An order change request unit (55c) that generates a request for changing the order of the wireless sensors that measure the state value in units of sensor groups based on the presence or position of the thermal load determined by the thermal load determination unit. And further comprising
The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2. The request generated by the order change request unit is a request to change a time interval until the state value is measured next to a time interval longer than the predetermined time interval.
The air conditioning control system according to claim 3. The thermal load determination unit determines the presence or position of the thermal load in the initial setting at the time of installation of the air conditioner;
The air conditioning control system according to claim 3. A predetermined outside area determining unit (43a) for determining a range of the predetermined outside area;
The non-predetermined region determination unit increases the range in proportion to the distance from the thermal load.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 3 to 5. An ID storage area (54b) for storing a sensor ID of the wireless sensor;
A weight coefficient storage area (54e) for storing a weight coefficient that is a value indicating weighting that changes according to a distance between the non-predetermined area and the wireless sensor;
The estimated value calculation unit further calculates the estimated value of the state value using the sensor ID and the weighting coefficient.
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The predetermined area is an area extending around the wireless sensor, and the predetermined outside area is an area extending around the wireless sensor located at the center of the predetermined area, and is an area outside the predetermined area. Is,
The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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