JP2011069577A - Air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, air conditioning control device and air conditioning control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the air conditioning of a region lacking comfort and its surrounding region while keeping an entire indoor space comfortable, and to air-condition the indoor space moderately and gently. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioning control system includes: a plurality of air conditioners supplying conditioned air to respective divided regions formed by dividing the indoor space into a plurality of space regions; an environmental information sensing means intermittently sensing environmental information on each divided region; a comfort level calculation means determining a comfort level of each divided region and a comfort level of the entire indoor space, based on the environmental information on each divided region from the environmental information sensing means and predetermined set information; and an air conditioning control means selecting one or the plurality of the divided regions outside a target range in the indoor space as a priority control target region when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort and performing air conditioning control with respect to each air conditioner in the priority control target region while being harmonized with the comfort level in the entire indoor space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, an air conditioning control device, and an air conditioning control program. For example, in a space where a large number of air conditioner indoor units such as a business office or a store are installed, The present invention can be applied to an air conditioning control system that maintains the comfort level of a region.

  For example, when air conditioning control is performed in an indoor space such as a business office or a store, it is desired to perform control so that a person in the indoor space gives a feeling of comfort.

  Conventionally, there are various methods for controlling an air conditioner based on the comfort level. As a typical technique, (a) a human activity area range is detected and the air conditioner in the corresponding area is controlled. Technology, (b) a technology that divides a specific region into a plurality of regions (zones) and obtains the comfort level for each region, (c) the comfort level is calculated from sensor information (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the specified region and specified conditions. There is a technique for obtaining a set temperature for obtaining a target comfort level and setting the temperature for an air conditioner in a specified area.

  (A) As a technique for detecting a human activity range, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique for determining a person's activity range by using a video camera and an image analysis device to grasp a person's position, distance, and number of people, and determining the corresponding area as an activity area.

  (B) As a technique for obtaining the comfort level of a specific area, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 2. The technology described in Patent Document 2 divides a room to be air-conditioned into a plurality of zones (zoning), detects a temperature, humidity, and radiation temperature for each divided zone, and parameters necessary for calculating comfort This is a technique that has setting means for setting (clothing amount, activity amount) and calculates the comfort level from the detection value from the detection device and the setting value from the setting means.

  (C) As a technique for controlling an air conditioner, the technique described in Patent Document 2 is installed in each area based on sensor information and human setting information in order to maintain comfort for each area (zone). Calculate and set the set temperature of the air conditioner. In addition, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is comfortable by controlling the air flow by using the upper and lower flaps and the left and right flaps of the air conditioner indoor unit in addition to the temperature setting of the air conditioner in order to maintain the comfort level for each region (zone). Perform energy-saving operation.

JP 2006-220405 A JP-A-9-14738

  When air conditioning control is performed using comfort levels in a commercial office or a store, it is necessary to perform air conditioning gently so that people in the area feel comfortable and to control comfort that is friendly to people.

  However, even if the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above are used, it is not always possible to guarantee control that makes a person in the indoor space feel comfortable.

  The technology described in Patent Document 2 includes one air conditioner for a room to be air-conditioned, and has a supply port for each zone that supplies conditioned air to each zone of the room. Then, each comfort level is calculated from the detected sensor information (temperature, humidity, radiation temperature, wind speed) detected in each zone, work intensity, and the amount of clothes, so that each comfort level satisfies the target comfort level. The air conditioning temperature of the air conditioning equipment is set, and the air volume of the conditioned air from each supply port is controlled according to the air conditioning temperature. For this reason, air conditioning control can be performed for each zone, but for example, when the set temperature is different in adjacent zones, it may become hot in some areas of the room or cold in some other areas. Thus, there may be a difference in the comfort of the entire room, and it may not be guaranteed that a person in the space feels comfortable.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to set conditions for performing air-conditioner flap control, and air-conditioning control is performed on an area to be controlled in order to maintain the target comfort level. May directly hit humans, and it may not be guaranteed that humans in the space feel comfortable.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention selects an area to be controlled based on the calculation of the comfort level in order to control an air conditioner installed in an indoor space such as a business office or a store. The air conditioning control system, the air conditioning control method, the air conditioning control device, and the air that control the temperature of the indoor space by dynamically performing control grouping including not only the region but also the air conditioners in the peripheral region of the region Provide a harmony control program.

  Thus, by performing temperature control of the air conditioning equipment while suppressing the environmental change felt by humans as much as possible, it can be expected to achieve the target comfort value in a state where the environmental changes felt by human beings are suppressed as much as possible.

  In order to solve this problem, an air conditioning control system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: (1) a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing an indoor space into a plurality of spatial areas; ) Environmental information detecting means for intermittently detecting environmental information of each divided area; and (3) comfort level and indoors of each divided area based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of each divided area from the environmental information detecting means. Comfort level calculating means for determining the comfort level of the entire space; (4) when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, priority control is performed on one or a plurality of divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space It is characterized by comprising air-conditioning control means that is selected as a target area and performs air-conditioning control on each air-conditioning device in the priority control target area while achieving harmony with the comfort level of the entire indoor space.

  An air conditioning control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning control method for an air conditioning system including a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided region obtained by dividing an indoor space into a plurality of spatial regions. An environmental information detection step in which the environmental information detection means intermittently detects environmental information in each divided area; and (2) a comfort level calculation means in which the environmental information and predetermined setting information of each divided area from the environmental information detection means. And (3) the air conditioning control means, when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, One or a plurality of divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space are selected as priority control target areas, and air conditioning control is performed for each air conditioner in the priority control target area while harmonizing with the comfort level of the entire indoor space. Air conditioning control And having a degree.

  An air conditioning control apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing an indoor space into a plurality of spatial areas, and an environment that intermittently detects environmental information of each divided area. In the air conditioning control device of an air conditioning system comprising information detection means, (1) based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of each divided area from the environment information detection means, the comfort level of each divided area and the overall indoor space Comfort level calculating means for determining the comfort level, and (2) when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, one or more divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space are set as priority control target areas The air-conditioning control means which performs air-conditioning control with respect to each air-conditioning apparatus of a priority control object area | region is selected, aiming at harmony with the comfort degree of the whole indoor space.

  An air conditioning control program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing an indoor space into a plurality of spatial areas, and an environment that intermittently detects environmental information of each divided area. An air conditioning control device of an air conditioning system comprising information detecting means is configured to: (1) the comfort level of each divided area and the entire indoor space based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of each divided area from the environmental information detecting means; (2) When the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating the comfort level, one or a plurality of divided areas outside the target range are selected as priority control target areas in the indoor space. In addition, it is characterized by functioning as air-conditioning control means for performing air-conditioning control for each air-conditioning device in the priority control target area while achieving harmony with the comfort level of the entire indoor space.

  According to the present invention, environmental changes felt by human beings in an indoor space are suppressed as much as possible, and air conditioning is controlled in an area that lacks comfort and its surrounding area while keeping the entire indoor space comfortable. Air conditioning can be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air conditioning control system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of installation of the environmental information collection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the comfort level of the division area of 1st Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the comfort level calculation part of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the comfort (PMV value) of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the content of the setting item of the setting condition memory | storage part 14 of 1st Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the air-conditioning control part 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the setting information of the group information storage part of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the air conditioning control process of 1st Embodiment (the 1). It is a flowchart which shows the air conditioning control process of 1st Embodiment (the 2). It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the comfort level calculation part of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the selection method of the priority control object area | region of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the area | region selection (1st method) of the adjacent area control object of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the area | region selection method (2nd method) of the adjacent area control object of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the area | region selection (2nd method) of the adjacent area control object of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the area | region selection method (3rd method) of the adjacent area control object of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a selection method of the area | region selection method of an adjacent area control object.

(A) Main Embodiments Hereinafter, main embodiments of an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, an air conditioning control device, and an air conditioning control program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, for example, when the present invention is applied to an air conditioning control system that performs air conditioning control of an indoor space in which indoor units of a plurality of air conditioning devices are set, such as a business office or a store The form is illustrated.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioning control system of an embodiment. In FIG. 1, an air conditioning control system 10 according to the embodiment includes at least a comfort level calculation unit 1, an air conditioning control unit 2, an air conditioning equipment group 3, and an environment information collection device 4.

  In this embodiment, the indoor space is divided into a plurality of regions (zones). This divided area is called a divided area.

  The environmental information collection device 4 detects predetermined environmental information constantly or periodically and supplies the environmental information to the comfort level calculation unit 1 by wire or wireless. The environmental information collection period can be set and changed by, for example, a system administrator. Various methods can be applied to the environment information communication method according to the indoor environment in which air conditioning is controlled. For wireless communication, for example, a short-range wireless method or a multi-hop communication method can be used. it can.

  Here, the environmental information refers to information necessary for calculating the comfort level of hot and cold indoor spaces. As a method for indicating the comfort level, for example, an evaluation index based on PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) is used. The PMV value is a value calculated based on the data of “temperature”, “humidity”, “radiation temperature (radiation temperature)”, “airflow”, “clothing amount”, and “activity”, and from the level of this PMV value Comfort can be judged.

  The environmental information collection device 4 detects “temperature”, “humidity”, “wind speed”, and “radiant temperature” of each divided region as environmental information. If the environmental information collection device 4 can provide sensor information of “temperature”, “humidity”, “wind speed”, and “radiant temperature” to the comfort level calculation unit 1, the temperature sensor 4-1, the humidity sensor 4-2, All of the wind speed sensor 4-3 and the radiation temperature sensor 4-4 may be provided, or the temperature sensor 4-1, the humidity sensor 4-2, the wind speed sensor 4-3, and the radiation temperature sensor 4-4. Any one or two or more sensors may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the environment information collection device 4 is installed in a divided area. In the case of the example in FIG. 2, the indoor space is divided into N (N is a positive integer) pieces, and each divided region is divided into “region 1”, “region 2”, “region 3”,. ". As shown in FIG. 2, the environment information collection device 4 is provided for each divided region.

  The comfort level calculation unit 1 calculates the comfort level of each divided area based on the environment information of each divided area from the environment information collecting device 4 and preset setting conditions, and the comfort level of each divided area, The comfort level of the entire space is given to the air conditioning control unit 2. The comfort level calculation unit 1 obtains a difference between the predetermined target comfort level and the comfort level of each divided area and the comfort level of the entire indoor space, and gives the difference result to the air conditioning control unit 2. It is.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the comfort level of the divided areas. In FIG. 3, for example, “comfort level 1” indicates the comfort level of “region 1”, not the level of the PMV value itself. As shown in FIG. 3, the comfort level calculation unit 1 calculates “comfort level 1” to “comfort level N” as comfort levels in “area 1” to “area N” of each divided area, and the entire indoor space. Ask for comfort.

  FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the comfort level calculation unit 1. In FIG. 4, the comfort level calculation unit 1 includes at least a divided region PMV value calculation unit 11, an entire indoor space PMV value calculation unit 12, a difference calculation unit 13, and a setting condition storage unit 14.

  The divided area PMV value calculation unit 11 includes the environment information (temperature, humidity, wind speed, radiation temperature) acquired from the environment information collection device 4 of each divided area, the work intensity and the amount of clothes stored in the setting condition storage unit 14. Based on the above, the comfort level of the divided area is calculated. The divided area PMV value calculation unit 11 periodically calculates the comfort level of each divided area according to the environment information collection time.

  In this embodiment, the PMV value is used as the comfort level, and the existing PMV value calculation method can be applied as the comfort level calculation method. As shown in FIG. 5, the PMV value indicating the degree of comfort is determined by expressing the heat / coldness on a level of “+3” to “−3”, where “+3” represents “hot” As the level goes down from +3, the feeling of “hot” is softened, and “0” represents “neutral” that is neither hot nor cold. As the level further decreases, the feeling of “cold” becomes stronger, and “−3” indicates “cold”.

  The entire indoor space PMV value calculation unit 12 calculates the comfort level of the entire indoor space based on the comfort level of each divided area from the divided area PMV value calculation unit 11. Various methods can be widely applied as a method for calculating the comfort level of the entire indoor space. For example, the average value of the PMV values of each divided area can be made the comfort level of the entire indoor space by arithmetic mean or harmonic mean.

  The difference calculation unit 13 obtains a difference between the comfort level and the target comfort level of each divided area and the difference between the comfort level and the target comfort level of the entire indoor space.

  The setting condition storage unit 14 stores setting conditions necessary for calculating the comfort level.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the setting items in the setting condition storage unit 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the setting items include “clothing amount”, “work strength”, “other environment information”, “Δt”, and “Δ ° C.”.

  “Clothing amount” and “work strength” are values necessary to calculate the PMV value. The “clothing amount” and the “work strength” are set for each divided region because, for example, it is conceivable that comfort is different between a region that is exposed to the sun and a region that is not. For “clothing amount” and “work intensity”, for example, set values may be set in accordance with time zones, months, seasons, and the like.

  “Other environmental information” is an initial value used when each of the sensors 4-1 to 4-4 of the environmental information collecting device 4 is not installed, and the initial values of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and radiation temperature are set. Has been. “Δt” is a time interval of temperature control. The time period of the temperature control corresponds to the environment information collection period (or the period for calculating the comfort level), and can be arbitrarily set. For example, in this embodiment, it is 10 minutes. “Δ ° C.” indicates a temperature control range.

  The air conditioning control unit 2 performs air conditioning control of the air conditioning equipment based on the comfort level calculation unit 1 and the comfort level of each divided area and the comfort level of the entire indoor space. The air-conditioning control unit 2 selects a divided area that does not reach the target comfort level when the comfort level of the entire indoor space does not reach the target comfort level, and air-conditioning equipment that performs air-conditioning of the divided area or the surrounding air-conditioning Control the equipment to reach the target comfort level. That is, for the selected divided area, make a group that includes not only the air-conditioning equipment but also the surrounding air-conditioning equipment, and if there are multiple areas, determine the priority of the areas to be adjusted and control the air-conditioning. Do. As a result, the air conditioning of the divided areas can be controlled in a point-wise manner while taking into account the degree of comfort of the entire indoor space, so that a comfortable feeling can be given gently and gently to the human throughout the entire indoor space.

  FIG. 7 is an internal configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the air conditioning control unit 2. In FIG. 7, the air-conditioning control unit 2 includes a group management unit 21, an overall indoor space comfort level determination unit 22, a divided area comfort level determination unit 23, a priority control target selection unit 24, an adjacent area control target selection unit 25, and an adjustment control unit. 26, a group information storage unit 27, and a determination result storage unit 28.

  The group information storage unit 27 stores information in which one group is set for one or a plurality of indoor units for each divided region.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating setting information stored in the group information storage unit 27. As shown in FIG. 8, the group information storage unit 27 stores a table in which divided areas, air conditioning equipment groups, and indoor units are associated as one piece of correspondence data. For example, in FIG. 8, an air conditioner group that performs air conditioning in the divided area “area 1” is “air conditioner group 1”, and indoor units that supply conditioned air to the divided areas are “indoor unit 1” and “indoor unit”. 2 ”. For example, “indoor unit 1” indicates an indoor unit installed in “region 1”. That is, for “region 1”, the indoor unit 1 in region 1 and the indoor unit 2 in region 2 adjacent to region 1 perform air conditioning operations as one group.

  The group management unit 21 manages air conditioner groups for the divided areas stored in the group information storage unit 27. For example, the setting of the air conditioning device group can be set / changed by an operation of an air conditioning system administrator or the like.

  The overall indoor space comfort level determination unit 22 determines whether the overall comfort level of the indoor space received from the comfort level calculation unit 1 has reached a predetermined target comfort level. Here, the target comfort level indicates the degree of human comfort. For example, when the PMV value is used, the target comfort level can be designated as the PMV value being in the range of “−0.5” to “+0.5”, and the comfort level of the entire indoor space is the target comfort level. Determine whether it is in range.

  The divided area comfort level determination unit 23 determines whether the overall comfort level of the indoor space received from the comfort level calculation unit 1 has reached a predetermined target comfort level (that is, whether the comfort level is within the target comfort range). To do. Moreover, the division area comfort level determination part 23 calculates | requires the difference of the comfort level of the whole indoor space, and the comfort level of each division area.

  The priority control target selection unit 24 determines the overall comfort level of the indoor space received from the comfort level calculation unit 1 when the overall comfort level of the indoor space is not within the range of the target comfort level by the overall comfort level determination unit 22. From the information on the difference with the comfort level of the divided area, the divided area having the largest difference is selected. That is, the selected divided area becomes a priority control target. Further, the priority control target selection unit 24 searches the group information storage unit 27 for an air conditioning device group of a divided region (hereinafter also referred to as a priority control target region) to be a priority control target.

  The adjacent region control target selection unit 25 selects a divided region adjacent to the priority control target region selected by the priority control target selection unit 24 as an adjacent region control target. The adjacent area control target selection unit 25 searches the group information storage unit 27 for the air conditioning equipment group of each divided area selected as the adjacent area control target.

  Here, various methods can be applied to the selection method of the adjacent region control target.

  For example, a method (first method) for selecting all divided regions adjacent to the priority control target region can be applied. Further, for example, a method of selecting an adjacent area control target (second method) so as to be in harmony with the comfort level of the indoor space by referring to the comfort level of each area from the areas adjacent to the priority control target area ) Can be applied. Further, for example, a method of selecting an adjacent area control target so that the comfort level of the priority control target area reaches the target comfort level by referring to the comfort level of each area from among the areas adjacent to the priority control target area ( A third method) can be applied.

  The adjacent area control target selection unit 25 may use any one of the first to third methods described above, and, for example, the comfort level of the entire indoor space and the comfort of the priority control target area. Depending on the degree level, any one of the first method to the third method may be selected.

The specific processing of the method for selecting the adjacent area control target will be described in detail in the operation section.

  The adjustment control unit 26 controls the air conditioning equipment. The adjustment control unit 26 performs air conditioning control of the indoor units of the air conditioning equipment group searched by the priority control target selection unit 24 or the adjacent region control target selection unit 25. The adjustment control unit 26 performs temperature adjustment using a predetermined temperature adjustment width value (Δ ° C.). For example, the adjustment control unit 26 calculates a difference between the comfort level of the priority control target area or the adjacent area control target area and the target comfort level. Thus, the temperature is adjusted by the product of the difference and the temperature adjustment width value.

  The determination result storage unit 28 stores the determination results of the overall indoor space comfort level determination unit 22 and the divided area comfort level determination unit 23.

  The air conditioner group 3 is a group composed of one or a plurality of air conditioners set for each divided area. In addition, the indoor unit of an air conditioner is set to each division area.

(A-2) Operation | movement of embodiment Next, operation | movement of the air conditioning control process of this embodiment is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating processing operations in the comfort level calculation unit 1 and the air conditioning control unit 2 that perform air conditioning control according to the embodiment. 9 and 10, the processing described on the right side is a description explaining the specific contents of the left-side flow processing step.

  First, the temperature sensor 4-1, the humidity sensor 4-2, the wind speed sensor 4-3, and the radiation temperature sensor 4-4 installed in each divided area are “temperature”, “humidity”, “ The “wind speed” and the “radiant temperature” are detected (step S10), and the environmental information collection device 4 in each divided region periodically transmits each environmental information to the comfort level calculation unit 1. Thereby, the comfort level calculation unit 1 collects environment information of each divided region (step S101).

  When the comfort level calculation unit 1 collects environment information of each divided region, the divided region PMV value calculation unit 11 sets the divided region set in the collected sensor information and setting condition storage unit 14 of each divided region. Using the values (clothing amount, work intensity), the comfort level of each divided area is calculated. Further, the entire indoor space PMV value calculation unit 12 calculates the average value of the comfort levels of all the divided areas, and obtains the comfort level of the entire indoor space (steps S101 and S11).

  Here, when the comfort level of a certain area is calculated, it may be considered that the sensors 4-1 to 4-4 are not installed in the area. In that case, the divided region PMV value calculation unit 11 may read other environment information stored in the setting condition storage unit 14 as shown in FIG. 6 and calculate using the value set in the other environment information. it can.

  In the comfort level calculation unit 1, the difference calculation unit 13 obtains the difference between the comfort level and the target comfort level of each divided area and the difference between the comfort level and the target comfort level of the entire indoor space (step S102, step S102). S12).

  The comfort level of each divided area obtained by the comfort level calculating unit 1, the comfort level of the entire indoor space, and the difference from the target comfort level (each divided area and the entire indoor space) are given to the air conditioning control unit 2.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a calculation result of the comfort level calculation unit 1. In the case of the example in FIG. 11, the target comfort level is “−0.5” to “+0.5”. For example, the comfort level of “area 1” is “1.2”, and the difference from the target comfort level is “0.7”. Further, the comfort level of “area 2” is “0.2”, which is within the range of the target comfort level, and therefore is described as “in the target range”. Furthermore, the comfort level of the entire indoor space is “0.4”, and in this case, it is within the range of the target comfort level, so “inside the target range” is described.

  Next, in the air conditioning control unit 2, the overall indoor space comfort level determination unit 22 refers to the calculation result from the comfort level calculation unit 1, and determines whether or not the overall indoor space comfort level is within the target comfort level range. Is determined (step S103).

  If the comfort level of the entire indoor space is within the target comfort level, the process proceeds to step S104. If the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target comfort level, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In addition, when it is outside the range of the target comfort level, the case where the comfort level is deviated in the + direction is expressed as “+”, and the case where the comfort level deviates in the − direction is expressed as “−”.

  In step S104, the divided region comfort level determination unit 23 refers to the calculation result from the comfort level calculation unit 1, and determines whether the comfort level of each divided region is within the target comfort level range. If the comfort level of all the divided areas is within the target comfort level, the process returns to step S100 and the process is repeated using the sensor information collected in the next cycle. On the other hand, when there is a divided area outside the target comfort level, the process proceeds to step S105.

  Thus, by determining the comfort level of each divided area, not only the air conditioning control of the control target area based on the comfort level of the entire indoor space but also each divided area individually based on the comfort level of each divided area. Air conditioning can be controlled.

  In step S105, the priority control target selection unit 24 refers to the calculation result from the comfort level calculation unit 1 and selects a divided region to be a priority control target (step S105).

  Here, a method for selecting the priority control target area will be described with reference to FIG. 12 (step S14).

  In FIG. 12, the priority control target selection unit 24 determines that the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside (+) of the target comfort level (in the + direction) (step S201) in step S103. An area having the maximum comfort level that maximizes the difference from the target comfort level is selected as a priority control target (step S202). That is, since the entire indoor space is out of the range in the + direction, the room is in a “hot” state, and therefore, an area having the maximum difference from the target comfort level is selected.

  For example, FIG. 11 shows a case where the comfort level of the entire indoor space is within the target range, but it is assumed that it is outside the target range (+). In this case, “area 1” having the largest difference from the target comfort level is selected as the divided area selected as the priority control target.

  In addition, when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the range of the target comfort level (−) (in the case of being deviated in the − direction) (step S201), the area having the minimum comfort level is selected as the priority control target from the divided areas. (Step S203). That is, since the entire indoor space is out of the range in the − direction, the room is in a “cold” state, and therefore, an area where the difference from the target comfort level is minimized is selected.

  For example, FIG. 11 shows a case where the comfort level of the entire indoor space is within the target range, but is assumed to be outside the target range (−). In this case, the “region N” having the smallest difference from the target comfort level is selected as the divided region selected as the priority control target.

  Further, if there is a divided area outside the target comfort level in step S104 (step S201), a divided area outside the target comfort level is selected (step S204).

  Then, the adjustment control unit 26 refers to the group information storage unit 27, searches for the air conditioning device group in the area subject to priority control, and instructs the indoor units belonging to the air conditioning device group to adjust the temperature ( Step S106). At this time, the adjustment control unit 26 sets a temperature (temperature control range Δ ° C.) to be adjusted with respect to the unit PMC value. Use to adjust the temperature (step S15).

  Next, in the air conditioning control unit 2, the overall indoor space comfort level determination unit 22 determines whether or not the overall indoor space comfort level has reached the target comfort level (step S107). If the comfort level of the entire indoor space is within the target comfort level, the process returns to step S100 and the process is repeated. If the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target comfort level, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, in the air conditioning control unit 26, the adjacent region control target selection unit 25 selects adjacent divided regions of the priority control target region (step S108), and the adjustment control unit 26 selects the adjacent region selected in step S108. The indoor unit is controlled by searching the air conditioner group in the area to be controlled (steps S109 and S16).

  Here, selection of a divided region to be an adjacent region control target and a control order will be described.

  The first method is a method in which all areas adjacent to the priority control target area are set as adjacent area control targets.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first method. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, for example, when “region 11” is a priority control target region, “region 6”, “region 7”, “region 8”, “region 10” adjacent to “region 11”. ”,“ Region 12 ”,“ region 14 ”,“ region 15 ”, and“ region 16 ”are adjacent region control targets. As illustrated in FIG. 13B, for example, when “area 1” in the corner of the indoor divided areas is the priority control target area, “area 2” and “area 5” adjacent to “area 1”. , “Area 6” is set as an adjacent area control target.

  At this time, the adjustment control unit 26 looks at the difference from the target comfort level of each divided region to be controlled by each adjacent region, and performs control with higher priority as the difference from the target comfort level is larger. For example, when the difference from the target comfort level in the priority control area is (+), the priority order of the divided areas having a large difference from the target comfort level is increased. On the other hand, when the difference from the target comfort level in the priority control area is (−), the priority order of the divided areas having a small difference from the target comfort level is increased.

  The second method refers to the comfort level of each area, and selects the adjacent area control target so as to be in harmony with the comfort level of the indoor space, from among the areas adjacent to the divided areas to be priority controlled. Is the method.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the second method. First, as in the first method, all divided areas adjacent to the priority control target area are specified (step S301). Next, the comfort level of the entire indoor space control is determined (step S302), and if the overall comfort level of the indoor space is outside the range of the target comfort level in the + direction, the difference from the target comfort level in the adjacent area Is selected as an adjacent area control target (step S303). And the priority of air-conditioning control is set so high that it is a divided area with a large difference with target comfort (Step S304).

  On the other hand, when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the range of the target comfort level in the − direction, all adjacent areas other than the area where the difference from the target comfort level is (+) among the adjacent areas are subject to the adjacent area control. (Step S305). And the priority order of air-conditioning control is set so high that it is a division area with a small difference with target comfort (Step S306).

  By selecting the adjacent region control target in this way, the comfort level of the entire indoor space is, for example, out of the range in the + direction (that is, when it is “hot” compared to the target comfort level), A divided area having a difference of (+) can be set as a control target. In other words, it is possible to avoid a temperature adjustment that makes the entire indoor space hot but makes the “cold” region even colder.

  On the other hand, the comfort level of the entire indoor space is out of range in the − direction (ie, in a “cold” state compared to the target comfort level), and the divided area has a difference from the target comfort level (−). Can be controlled. In other words, it is possible to avoid temperature adjustment that makes the entire indoor space cold but makes the “hot” region even hotter.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the second method. In FIG. 15, it is assumed that the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target comfort level range (+). Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, “area 11” is a priority control target area, and FIG. 15B shows the difference between the comfort level and the target comfort level of the divided area adjacent to “area 11”. Indicates such information.

  In this case, since the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target comfort level range (+), “region 16” whose difference from the target comfort level is “−0.5” is excluded from the control target, and the target comfort level The “region 7” having the difference “+0.2” and the “region 12” having the difference “+0.3” are set as the adjacent region control targets.

  Furthermore, since the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target comfort level range (+), priority is given to “area 12”, which has a large difference from the target comfort level, between “area 7” and “area 12”. The rank is set high as “1”, and the priority of “area” is set as “2”.

  The third method refers to the adjacent area control target so that the comfort level of the priority control target reaches the target comfort level by referring to the comfort level of each area from among the areas adjacent to the divided areas to be controlled priority. The method of selecting can be applied.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the third method. First, as in the first method, all divided areas adjacent to the priority control target area are specified (step S401). Next, a difference from the target comfort level of the priority control target area is determined (step S402). If the target comfort level of the priority control target area is out of the range in the + direction, Are selected as adjacent area control targets (step S403). And the priority order of air-conditioning control is set so high that it is a divided area with a large difference with a target comfort level (step S404).

  On the other hand, when the difference from the target comfort level of the priority control target area is out of the range in the − direction, a divided area having a difference (−) from the target comfort level among the adjacent areas is selected as the adjacent area control target ( Step S405). And the priority of air-conditioning control is set so high that it is a divided area with a large difference with a target comfort level (step S406).

(A-3) Effect of Embodiment As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the environment information collection device of each divided region collects environment information constantly or periodically, so that the comfort level calculation unit 1 is in real time. In addition, the comfort level of each divided area can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, in order to keep each divided area at the target comfort level, the priority control target area that has not reached the target comfort level, and the air conditioner installed in the adjacent area control target adjacent thereto By controlling the temperature of the group, the comfort level of the entire room can be maintained.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the temperature control order of the air conditioners in each region is automatically determined from the comfort distribution state, and a gentle temperature adjustment is performed. The comfort level of the indoor space can be maintained with minimal changes in the environment to be felt.

(B) Other Embodiments (B-1) In the embodiment described above, the air conditioning control unit 1 illustrated the first method to the third method as the selection method of the adjacent region control target. As described above, the air-conditioning control unit 1 may set any one of the first method to the third method in advance and use the set method, or the entire indoor space or the priority control target. Any one of the first method to the third method may be selected according to the comfort level of the region.

  A method example for selecting one of the first to third methods will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the air conditioning control unit 1 determines whether or not the difference between the comfort level of the entire indoor space and the target comfort level exceeds the first threshold value (step S501), and exceeds the first threshold value. If so, the first method is selected (step S502). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S503.

  Since the 1st method selects all the adjacent areas, it is possible that the number of areas to be air-conditioned is increased. For this reason, the first method may be more susceptible to air conditioning on the indoor space than the other methods. Therefore, when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is far from the target comfort level, the first method is used. select.

  Next, the air-conditioning control unit 1 determines whether or not the difference between the comfort level of the priority control target area and the target comfort level exceeds the second threshold (step S503), and exceeds the second threshold. If so, the second method is selected (step S504). If not, the third method is selected (step S505). This is also because the influence of the second method on the entire indoor space is larger than that of the third method.

(B-2) In the above-described embodiment, the comfort level calculation unit 1 and the air conditioning control unit 2 have been described as physically different devices. However, the physically same information processing apparatus includes the comfort level calculation unit 1 and the air conditioning unit. A control unit 2 may be provided. Moreover, the function processing of the comfort level calculation unit 1 and the air conditioning control unit 2 can be realized by software processing. For example, the processing described in the embodiment is realized by the CPU reading a processing program stored in the ROM and executing the processing program using data necessary for the processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Comfort degree calculation part, 2 ... Air conditioning control part, 3 ... Air conditioning equipment group, 4 ... Environmental information collection apparatus,
11 ... divided region PMV value calculating unit, 12 ... whole indoor space PMV value calculating unit,
13 ... Difference calculation unit, 14 ... Setting condition storage unit,
21 ... Group management unit, 22 ... Overall indoor space comfort level determination unit,
23 ... Divided area comfort level determination unit, 24 ... Priority control target selection unit,
25 ... Adjacent region control object selection unit, 26 ... Adjustment control unit, 27 ... Group information storage unit,
28: Determination result storage unit, 10 ... Air conditioning control system.

Claims (8)

A plurality of air conditioners for supplying conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing the indoor space into a plurality of spatial areas;
Environmental information detection means for intermittently detecting environmental information of each of the divided areas;
Comfort level calculating means for determining the comfort level of each of the divided areas and the comfort level of the entire indoor space based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of the divided areas from the environmental information detecting means;
When the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, one or more divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space are selected as priority control target areas, and the comfort level of the entire indoor space is An air conditioning control system comprising air conditioning control means for performing air conditioning control on each of the air conditioning devices in the priority control target area while achieving harmony. The air conditioning control means includes
An adjacent region control target selecting unit that selects all or part of a plurality of adjacent regions adjacent to the priority control target region as adjacent region control targets;
The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein air conditioning control is performed on each of the air conditioning devices in the control target region selected by the adjacent region control target selecting unit.   The air conditioning control means increases the air conditioning adjustment order in the divided areas where the comfort level is far from the target range among the plurality of divided areas to be controlled by the adjacent area. The air conditioning control system described.   The adjacent area control target selection unit, among the plurality of adjacent areas, the entire indoor space or the divided area that affects the comfort of the priority control target area, the degree of comfort deviates from the target range, The air conditioning control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the adjacent area control target is selected.   The adjacent region control target selecting unit selects the adjacent region control target after the air conditioning control of the priority control target region and when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range. Item 5. The air conditioning control system according to any one of Items 2 to 4. In an air conditioning control method for an air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided region obtained by dividing an indoor space into a plurality of spatial regions,
An environmental information detection step in which environmental information detection means intermittently detects environmental information of each of the divided areas;
A comfort level calculating step for calculating a comfort level of each divided area and a comfort level of the entire indoor space based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of each divided area from the environmental information detecting means; ,
The air conditioning control means selects one or a plurality of divided areas outside the target range as the priority control target area in the indoor space when the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, and the indoor space An air conditioning control method comprising: an air conditioning control step of performing air conditioning control on each of the air conditioning devices in the priority control target region while achieving harmony with the overall comfort level. Air of an air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing the indoor space into a plurality of space areas, and environmental information detection means that intermittently detects the environmental information of each divided area. In the harmonic control device,
Comfort level calculating means for determining the comfort level of each of the divided areas and the comfort level of the entire indoor space based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of the divided areas from the environmental information detecting means;
When the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, one or more divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space are selected as priority control target areas, and the comfort level of the entire indoor space is An air conditioning control device comprising: air conditioning control means for performing air conditioning control on each of the air conditioning devices in the priority control target area while achieving harmony. Air of an air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners that supply conditioned air to each divided area obtained by dividing the indoor space into a plurality of space areas, and environmental information detection means that intermittently detects the environmental information of each divided area. Harmonic control device
Comfort level calculating means for determining the comfort level of each of the divided areas and the comfort level of the entire indoor space based on the environmental information and predetermined setting information of the divided areas from the environmental information detecting means;
When the comfort level of the entire indoor space is outside the target range indicating comfort, one or more divided areas outside the target range in the indoor space are selected as priority control target areas, and the comfort level of the entire indoor space is An air conditioning control program that functions as air conditioning control means for performing air conditioning control on each of the air conditioning devices in the priority control target area while achieving harmony.

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