JP2011012955A - Air conditioning method and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately control indoor relative humidity at the onset of/arousal from sleep.SOLUTION: A dehumidification process is performed after an expected sleep onset time t1, and a humidification process is started at a predetermined time ΔT21 earlier than an expected arousal time t2. At the onset of sleep, the dehumidification process promotes insensible perspiration and lowers body temperature to induce sleep. Relieving a sore throat further provides comfortable arousal.

Description

  The present invention relates to air conditioning technology, and more particularly to indoor humidity control.

  It is known that the body temperature is lowered at the time of falling asleep to facilitate introduction into sleep, and the body temperature is increased before awakening to promote awakening. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes an air conditioning method for adjusting the temperature of indoor air in order to cause such fluctuations in body temperature. The humidity control is proposed in Patent Documents 2 and 3.

JP 2005-296642 A JP 2004-132572 A Japanese Patent No. 36553261

  However, if the room temperature is lowered during sleep, the relative humidity increases, and non-sweaty sweat during sleep is suppressed, and there is a case where the decrease in body temperature is not effective. At this time, excessive dehumidification may impede sleep due to thirst, cause rough skin, and unnecessarily consume power. Moreover, even if the relative humidity is low at the time of awakening, the awakening may not be comfortable due to thirst and may cause rough skin.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to appropriately control the indoor relative humidity during sleep, particularly during sleep / wakefulness.

  In the first aspect of the air conditioning method according to the present invention, (a) the step of starting the humidification process at the awakening preparation time (t2−ΔT21) which is a predetermined time (ΔT21) before the scheduled awakening time (t2). (203; 203A, 203B, 203C) is executed.

  The second mode of the air conditioning method according to the present invention is the first mode, and is only when the indoor relative humidity (RH) is smaller than a predetermined value (H3) at the scheduled awakening time (t2). (202) The step (a) is executed.

  The 3rd aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention is the 2nd aspect, Comprising: In the said step (a), the target value (RH *) which controls the relative humidity in the said room increases gradually (203A). ).

  The 4th aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention is the 3rd aspect, Comprising: The said target value (RH *) increases gradually until it reaches the said predetermined value (H3).

  Desirably in the third and fourth aspects, the target value (RH *) is updated and gradually increased every predetermined time. Alternatively, preferably, the target value (RH *) is updated and gradually increased when the indoor relative humidity (RH) reaches the target value (RH *).

  A fifth aspect of the air conditioning method according to the present invention is the second aspect, wherein in step (a), a target value (RH *) for controlling the relative humidity in the room is the predetermined value ( (203B).

  A sixth aspect of the air conditioning method according to the present invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein in step (a), the absolute humidity (OH) of the outside air is an absolute value in the room. Only when the humidity is higher than the humidity (AH), ventilation is performed to introduce the outside air into the room (203C).

  A seventh aspect of the air conditioning method according to the present invention is any one of the first to sixth aspects, and (b) a step of increasing the temperature in the room accompanying the step (a). (402) is further executed.

  In the seventh aspect, preferably, the step (b) starts prior to the step (a).

  According to an eighth aspect of the air conditioning method of the present invention, (a) a step of performing dehumidification processing (107; 107A, 107B, 107C) after a scheduled sleep time (t1), and (b) a planned awakening time (t2). The step (203; 203A, 203B, 203C) of starting the humidification process is executed at the awakening preparation time (t2-ΔT21) which is a time before the predetermined time (ΔT21).

  The air conditioner according to the present invention executes the air conditioning method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

  According to the first aspect of the air conditioning method of the present invention, the comfort after waking is obtained by reducing the sore throat.

  According to the second aspect of the air conditioning method of the present invention, unnecessary power consumption is avoided and the discomfort index is not increased unnecessarily.

  According to the 3rd aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention, it is easy to control a humidity increase rate.

  According to the 4th aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention, it is prevented that humidity rises excessively.

  According to the fifth aspect of the air conditioning method of the present invention, the amount of water vapor in the room increases so that the indoor relative humidity reaches the target value with simple control.

  According to the 6th aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention, humidification can be performed with little power consumption.

  According to the 7th aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention, body temperature is raised and arousal promotion becomes easy.

  According to the 8th aspect of the air conditioning method concerning this invention, a dehumidification process is performed at the time of falling asleep, non-sweaty evaporation is promoted, body temperature is lowered | hung, and it introduce | transduces into sleep. Moreover, it reduces the sore throat and provides comfort after awakening.

It is a graph which illustrates the basic idea of the air conditioning method concerning this invention. It is a flowchart shown about the process in the case of sleep introduction among the air conditioning methods concerning this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart shown about the process in the case of awakening promotion among the air conditioning methods concerning this invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of steps that can be employed as part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

Basic thought.
FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the basic idea of the air conditioning method according to the present invention. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the relative humidity RH of the indoor air that is the target of air conditioning.

  A scheduled sleep time t1 and a scheduled awakening time t2 are set. The dehumidifying process is performed after the scheduled sleep time t1, and the indoor relative humidity RH decreases to reach the value H2. This promotes sweatlessness and lowers body temperature, and deep sleep is introduced. Such dehumidification may or may not be performed after the period ΔT12 (> 0) has elapsed from the scheduled sleep time t1. It is also desirable to increase the indoor relative humidity RH at the scheduled sleep time t1 to a value H1 (> H2) in order to introduce sleep due to a decrease in humidity. In FIG. 1, a broken line illustrates the case where the humidification process is started by a time that is a period ΔT11 (> 0) later than the expected sleep time t1.

  Humidification is performed from a time that is a period ΔT21 (> 0) after the scheduled awakening time t2, and the indoor relative humidity RH rises to a value H3 (> H2). This reduces the sore throat associated with dryness and promotes comfortable arousal.

  It is also desirable to reduce the room temperature when introducing sleep or to increase the room temperature when promoting arousal. It is also desirable to temporarily increase the room temperature before sleeping in order to increase sleep pressure. Of course, even if the absolute humidity is the same amount, the indoor relative humidity RH decreases as the indoor temperature increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the indoor relative humidity RH when introducing sleep, it is desirable not to increase the indoor temperature by reducing the absolute humidity. Conversely, in order to increase the indoor relative humidity RH during the promotion of arousal, it is desirable that the absolute humidity is also increased so as not to decrease the room temperature.

  Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, a case will be described in which dehumidification is performed to promote non-sweaty digestion and introduce deep sleep. In the second embodiment, a case where humidification is performed to reduce sore throat and promote comfortable awakening will be described.

First embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of introducing sleep among processes for adjusting humidity during sleep. The flowchart is connected to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step 101, a scheduled sleep time t1 and a scheduled awakening time t2 are set. Next, the process proceeds to step 106 via steps 102 to 105 described later. Steps 102 to 105 correspond to the processing indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1, and the steps are the steps 106 to 108. Therefore, the latter will be described first.

  If the current time t0 is after the scheduled sleep time t1 in step 105, the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined whether the indoor relative humidity RH is greater than a value H2. The dehumidification process 107 is performed only when the result of the determination is a positive determination result. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 108 and returns to step 106 as long as the current time t0 is before the dehumidification end time (t1 + ΔT12).

  Thus, during sleep, the dehumidification process is performed to promote non-sweaty digestion, and the body temperature is lowered and introduced into sleep. However, when the indoor relative humidity RH is less than or equal to the value H2, the dehumidification process is not performed, and therefore, rough skin due to excessive dehumidification, sleep deprivation due to thirst and unnecessary power consumption are not caused.

  It is also desirable to execute step 300 for lowering the indoor temperature in accordance with at least step 107 and practically in order to facilitate processing. This is because introduction into sleep is facilitated due to a decrease in body temperature. Such additional temperature adjustment is indicated by a broken line in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the indoor relative humidity RH reaches the value H2 at the time (t1 + ΔT12−Δt) before the dehumidification end time (t1 + ΔT12) (Δt> 0).

  Here, steps 106 and 107 are repeatedly executed, but may be executed only once until it is determined in step 108 that the current time t0 is after the dehumidification end time. In this case, if the process proceeds from step 105 to step 106 and it is first determined that the indoor relative humidity RH is greater than the value H2, the dehumidification process is continued until the dehumidification end time. On the other hand, if the process proceeds from step 105 to step 106 and it is first determined that the indoor relative humidity RH is equal to or less than the value H2, dehumidification processing is not performed based on the determination. However, it is desirable that Steps 106 and 107 are repeatedly executed in a predetermined period from the scheduled sleep time t1 to the dehumidification end time. This is because the humidity can be finely controlled following the change in the indoor relative humidity RH.

  Steps 102 to 105 are a humidifying process prior to the dehumidifying process. Such a pre-humidification process can increase the rate of decrease in the indoor relative humidity RH in the subsequent dehumidification process, promote a decrease in body temperature due to non-sweat, and increase sleep-inducing effects. However, these processes may be omitted.

  The indoor relative humidity RH is increased to a predetermined value H1 by the scheduled sleep time t1 by the prior humidification process. However, since it is necessary to elapse time to humidify so much, it is desirable to determine in step 102 whether or not the elapsed time can be secured. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the current time t0 is before the period ΔT11 from the scheduled sleep time t1. That is, the period ΔT11 is a period expected to be necessary for humidification. This period can be estimated from the difference between the current indoor relative humidity RH and the value H1.

  If the determination result in step 102 is negative, the process proceeds to step 105 and waits until the current time t0 reaches the scheduled sleep time t1. If the determination result in step 102 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 103 to determine whether the indoor relative humidity RH is smaller than the value H1. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104 to perform humidification to increase the indoor relative humidity RH to the value H1. Specifically, in step 104, the target value RH * is set to the value H1, and the humidity is adjusted.

  If the determination result in step 103 is negative, that is, if the indoor relative humidity RH is greater than or equal to the value H1, the process proceeds to step 105 because the humidification process is unnecessary. As described above, the period ΔT11 in step 102 can be estimated from the difference between the current indoor relative humidity RH and the value H1, and therefore when the value (H1−RH) is less than or equal to zero, the current time t0 is calculated. The process of step 103 can be omitted by setting the time Δt11 to a value (t1−t00) with time t00.

  Further, even if the indoor relative humidity RH does not necessarily reach the value H1, the rate of decrease in the indoor relative humidity RH in the subsequent dehumidifying process can be increased, so both steps 102 and 103 may be omitted.

  In order to increase the sleep pressure before falling asleep, the room temperature is increased by step 401 at least with execution of step 105, further with execution of step 104, or with further execution of step 103. You may make adjustments. Such additional temperature adjustment is indicated by a broken line in the flowchart of FIG.

  It is also desirable to employ reheat dehumidification as the dehumidifying process in step 107 so as not to hinder the process of raising the room temperature. About reheat dehumidification, it is disclosed by patent document 2, for example.

  3 to 5 are flowcharts illustrating details of steps 107A, 107B, and 107C that can be adopted as step 107. FIG.

  In step 107A shown in FIG. 3, the target value RH * for controlling the indoor relative humidity RH is gradually reduced. Thereby, the amount of water vapor in the room is reduced so that the indoor relative humidity RH decreases. Specifically, in step 1071, the target value RH * is set to the value H1 increased in step 104. However, if steps 102 to 105 are omitted or step 104 is executed, but the determination in step 102 is omitted and the room relative humidity RH has not reached the value H1, the target value RH * is set to the room value. A value lower than the relative humidity RH (however, larger than the value H2) may be set.

  Next, in step 1072, humidity adjustment based on the target value RH * is performed. In step 1073, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and step 1072 is repeated until the determination becomes affirmative. That is, the condition used for the determination is a condition for determining how long step 1072 is to be executed.

  If the determination becomes affirmative, the target value RH * is updated by ΔH1 in step 1074, and steps 1072 to 1074 are repeated until the updated value becomes less than the value H2 in step 1075. That is, the dehumidifying process is performed while the target value RH * is gradually decreased until reaching the value H2. When the updated target value RH * becomes less than the value H2 in step 1075, the process proceeds from step 107 to step 108. Therefore, ΔH1 is a value that determines an error when setting the target value RH * while gradually decreasing to the value H2.

  Thus, by gradually decreasing the target value RH *, it is easy to control the period during which the humidity is decreasing. That is, it is easy to control the rate of decrease in humidity. Further, since the target value RH * is lowered only to the value H2, it is possible to prevent the humidity from being lowered excessively as compared with the value H2 used as the criterion in Step 106 (FIG. 2).

  In step 1073, the following conditions can be adopted. (i) Whether a predetermined time has elapsed: In this case, the target value RH * is updated every time the predetermined time elapses and gradually decreases. (ii) Has the room relative humidity RH reached the target value RH *? : In this case, the target value RH * is updated and gradually decreases when the indoor relative humidity RH reaches the target value RH *.

  In step 107B shown in FIG. 4, target value RH * is fixed to value H2 in step 1076. In step 1077, the humidity is adjusted based on the target value RH *. Even with such simple control, the amount of water vapor in the room decreases so that the indoor relative humidity RH reaches the target value RH *.

  In Step 107C shown in FIG. 5, when the outside air is dry, ventilation is performed to reduce the indoor relative humidity RH. Specifically, in step 1078, it is determined whether or not the absolute humidity OH of the outside air is lower than the absolute humidity AH in the room. If the determination result is positive, ventilation is performed to introduce outside air, and the amount of water vapor in the room is reduced. In general, there is a temperature difference between the outside air and the room, and the amount of saturated water vapor in the air depends on the temperature. Therefore, it is desirable to compare the humidity with absolute humidity.

  Of course, the comparison may be performed in the relative humidity. In that case, the relative humidity of the outside air is converted into the relative humidity at the room temperature through the absolute humidity and compared with the room relative humidity RH, or the room relative Humidity should be converted to relative humidity at ambient temperature via absolute humidity and compared with the relative humidity of ambient air. Since such conversion requires the use of a so-called air diagram, it is desirable in that it is easier to make a comparison in absolute humidity.

  The process proceeds to step 1070, and it is determined whether or not the indoor relative humidity RH has decreased to the value H2 or less. Steps 1078 and 1079 are repeated until the determination result is affirmative. However, if it is determined in step 1078 that the absolute humidity OH of the outside air is equal to or higher than the indoor absolute humidity AH, the process proceeds to step 1079 regardless of whether or not step 1079 has been executed so far. First (ie, ventilation is not performed), step 107A (FIG. 3) or step 107B (FIG. 4) is executed.

  As described above, by employing the ventilation in step 1079, the indoor relative humidity RH can be reduced with less power consumption.

  In the above embodiment, for example, the values H1 and H2 can be selected to be 50% and 35% relative humidity, respectively.

Second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for promoting arousal among processes for adjusting humidity during sleep. The flowchart is connected to the flowchart of FIG. 2 showing the first embodiment by a connector J. That is, step 201 is executed after step 108. However, it is not always necessary to execute the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 after step 108, and it is not always necessary to execute the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 before step 201. However, it is desirable to set the scheduled awakening time t2 in advance.

In this embodiment, wake schedule time t2 by remote predetermined time ΔT21 (> 0) to start the humidification process in the previous time and is awake preparation time (t2-ΔT21), the indoor relative humidity RH to a predetermined value H3 Increase air conditioning. Such an increase in humidity reduces the sore throat at the time of waking and provides comfort after waking. For example, the value H3 can be selected at a relative humidity of 50%.

  When the dehumidifying process shown in the first embodiment is performed, it is desirable to make the predetermined value H3 larger than the predetermined value H2. In addition, in FIG. 1, the case where the humidification process at the time of wakefulness induction is performed with the dehumidification process at the time of sleep introduction is illustrated, and the room relative humidity RH slightly increases between the dehumidification process and the humidification process Is illustrated.

  In the present embodiment, specifically, for example, in step 201, it is determined whether or not the current time t0 is after the awakening preparation time (t2−ΔT21). This period ΔT21 is selected as a period during which the indoor relative humidity RH increases. And it waits until the said judgment result becomes affirmation, and when the present time t0 reaches awakening preparation time (t2-ΔT21), the process proceeds to step 202, and whether or not the indoor relative humidity RH is less than the value H3. Is judged.

  If the determination result in step 202 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 203 to perform a humidification process, and if negative, the process proceeds to step 204. Even after step 203 is executed, the routine proceeds to step 204.

  In step 204, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time ΔT22 (≧ 0) has elapsed since the expected awakening time t2. If the judgment result is affirmative, the humidity adjustment for sleep is finished. If the result is negative, the process returns to step 202, and steps 202 and 203 are executed again.

  By such processing, the indoor relative humidity RH when awakening at the scheduled awakening time t2 can be increased. If the time ΔT22 is set to zero, the humidification process can be terminated at the expected awakening time t2. Further, when the indoor relative humidity RH is equal to or higher than the value H3, the humidification process is not performed, so unnecessary power consumption is avoided and the discomfort index is not increased unnecessarily.

  In order to promote wakefulness, adjustment to increase the room temperature in step 402 may be performed at least with the execution of step 203 or further with the execution of steps 202 and 204. Such an accompanying temperature adjustment is indicated by a broken line in the flowchart of FIG. Note that step 402 may be started before the awakening preparation time (t2−ΔT21). This is because the period ΔT21 necessary for humidification depends on the room temperature, the room relative humidity RH, and the value H3, but is considered to be shorter than the temperature increase period for promoting awakening.

  7 to 9 are flowcharts illustrating details of steps 203A, 203B, and 203C that can be adopted as step 203. FIG.

  In step 203A shown in FIG. 7, the target value RH * for controlling the indoor relative humidity RH is gradually increased. As a result, the amount of water vapor in the room is increased so that the indoor relative humidity RH increases. Specifically, in step 2031, the target value RH * is set to a value (RH + ΔH2) that is higher than the indoor relative humidity RH by ΔH2 (> 0).

  Next, in step 2032, humidity adjustment based on the target value RH * is performed. In step 2033, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and step 2032 is repeated until the determination becomes affirmative. That is, the condition used for the determination is a condition for determining how long the step 2032 is to be executed.

  If the determination becomes affirmative, the target value RH * is updated higher by ΔH3 in step 2034, and steps 2032 to 2034 are repeated until the updated value becomes equal to or greater than the value H3 in step 2035. That is, the humidification process is performed while the target value RH * gradually increases until reaching the value H3. When the updated target value RH * is greater than or equal to the value H3 in step 2035, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 204. Therefore, ΔH3 is a value that determines an error when setting the target value RH * while gradually increasing to the value H3.

  Thus, by gradually increasing the target value RH *, it is easy to control the period during which the humidity is increasing. That is, it is easy to control the rate of increase in humidity. Further, since the target value RH * only rises to the value H3, it is possible to prevent the humidity from increasing excessively as compared with the value H3 that is the determination criterion in step 202 (FIG. 6).

  In step 2033, the following conditions can be adopted. (i) Whether a predetermined time has elapsed: In this case, the target value RH * is updated and gradually increased every time the predetermined time elapses. (ii) Has the room relative humidity RH reached the target value RH *? In this case, the target value RH * is updated and gradually increased when the indoor relative humidity RH reaches the target value RH *.

  In step 203B shown in FIG. 8, target value RH * is fixed to value H3 in step 2036. In step 2037, the humidity is adjusted based on the target value RH *. Even with such simple control, the amount of water vapor in the room increases so that the room relative humidity RH reaches the target value RH *.

  In step 203C shown in FIG. 9, when the outside air is humid, ventilation is performed to increase the indoor relative humidity RH. Specifically, in step 2038, it is determined whether the absolute humidity OH of the outside air is higher than the indoor absolute humidity AH. If the determination result is affirmative, ventilate and introduce outside air to increase the amount of water vapor in the room. As described above when describing step 107C in the first embodiment, it is desirable to compare the humidity at the absolute humidity.

  The process proceeds to step 2030, and it is determined whether or not the indoor relative humidity RH has increased to the value H3 or higher. Steps 2038 and 2039 are repeated until the determination result is affirmative. However, if it is determined in step 2038 that the absolute humidity OH of the outside air is equal to or lower than the indoor absolute humidity AH, the process proceeds to step 2039 regardless of whether or not step 2039 has been executed so far. First (ie, ventilation is not performed), step 203A (FIG. 7) or step 203B (FIG. 8) is executed.

  Thus, by employing the ventilation in step 2039, the indoor relative humidity RH can be increased with less power consumption.

  The air conditioning method according to the present invention can be executed using a dehumidifying and humidifying function of a known air conditioner. And the air conditioner which performs the said air conditioning method also belongs to this invention.

t1 expected sleep time t2 expected awakening time t2-ΔT21 awakening preparation time

Claims (12)

(A) Step (203; 203A, 203B, 203C) of starting the humidification process at the awakening preparation time (t2-ΔT21) that is a predetermined time (ΔT21) before the scheduled awakening time (t2)
Perform air conditioning method.   The air conditioning method according to claim 1, wherein the step (a) is executed only when the indoor relative humidity (RH) is smaller than a predetermined value (H3) at the scheduled awakening time (t2).   3. The air conditioning method according to claim 2, wherein in step (a), a target value (RH *) for controlling the relative humidity in the room is gradually increased (203A).   The air conditioning method according to claim 3, wherein the target value (RH *) gradually increases until reaching the predetermined value (H3).   The air conditioning method according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the target value (RH *) is updated and gradually increased every elapse of a predetermined time.   5. The target value (RH *) is updated and gradually increases when the indoor relative humidity (RH) reaches the target value (RH *). The air conditioning method described in 1.   3. The air conditioning method according to claim 2, wherein in step (a), a target value (RH *) for controlling the relative humidity in the room is fixed to the predetermined value (H3) (203B).   In the step (a), ventilation is performed so that the outside air is introduced into the room only when the absolute humidity (OH) of the outside air is larger than the absolute humidity (AH) of the room (203C). The air conditioning method according to any one of 7 above. (B) A step (402) of raising the temperature in the room accompanying the step (a).
The air conditioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:   The air conditioning method according to claim 9, wherein said step (b) starts prior to said step (a). (A) performing dehumidification processing (107; 107A, 107B, 107C) after the scheduled sleep time (t1);
(B) Air for executing the step (203; 203A, 203B, 203C) of starting the humidification process at the awakening preparation time (t2-ΔT21) that is a time before the predetermined awakening time (t2). Harmony method.   The air conditioner which performs the air conditioning method as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 11.

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