JP2012247100A - Air conditioner control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired energy saving effect, while maintaining the comfort of an air conditioned space, in an air conditioner control system.SOLUTION: A control device 40 connected to a plurality of air conditioners 22, 24, 26 is constituted by including a maximum efficiency operation portion 42 which operates basically each of the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 under the maximum efficiency condition, an air conditioning determination portion 44 which compares the room temperature of each air conditioning zone 12, 14, 16 and set air conditioning temperatures, a capability adjusting portion 46 which performs the adjustment of increasing or decreasing the cooling and heating capability of each of the air conditioners 22, 24, 26, an operation condition restoration portion 48 which returns the capability again to the operation condition before the capability adjustment after elapsing a suitable predetermined time after performing the capability adjustment, and an optimum operation portion 50 which operates the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 under the optimum operation condition, when the upper limit value of consumable electric power is defined.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner control system, and more particularly to an air conditioner control system that performs energy saving control.

  Energy saving control is performed to suppress power consumption of the air conditioner. If the power consumption of the air conditioner is reduced, the cooling capacity or heating capacity may be reduced. Therefore, the relationship between the energy efficiency of the air conditioner and the cooling / heating capacity becomes a problem. Coefficient of performance (COP) is known as an indication of the energy efficiency of an air conditioner. The COP of the air conditioner is a numerical value indicating how much heating / cooling energy can be output by the energy input to the air conditioner. For example, if the air conditioner exhibits 1 kW air conditioning capacity with 1 kW power consumption, COP = (air conditioning capacity) / (power consumption) = 1. When the cooling / heating capacity to be exhibited is 0.5 kW, COP = 0.5.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in an air conditioner, an efficiency curve indicating a relationship between an operating frequency of a compressor using an inverter and a coefficient of performance COP is an upward convex curve having a maximum value at a specific operating frequency. Is said to be common. On the other hand, it is stated that the capacity curve indicating the relationship between the operation frequency of the compressor by the inverter and the cooling / heating capacity is a simple increase curve that increases as the operation frequency increases.

JP 11-118263 A

  When energy saving control is performed on an air conditioner, the comfort of an air-conditioned space such as a living room is generally lowered. Further, depending on the on / off pattern of the air conditioner, for example, the operating efficiency of the compressor may be lowered, and the energy saving effect as expected may not be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner control system capable of obtaining a desired energy saving effect while maintaining the comfort of an air conditioned space.

  The air conditioner control system according to the present invention has an inverter, and the relationship between the operation frequency and the air conditioning capability is an increase in the operation frequency, and the efficiency curve characteristic in which the relationship between the operation frequency and the efficiency shows a maximum efficiency value at a specific operation frequency. An air conditioner having a capacity curve characteristic that increases with the control unit, and a control device that performs energy saving control for the air conditioner, and the control device specifies a maximum efficiency curve characteristic efficiency value during the energy saving control time period. The air-conditioning state deviation, which is the difference between the maximum-efficiency operation unit that operates the air-conditioner at the operating frequency of the air-conditioning, the air-conditioning setting conditions in the air-conditioned space, and the actual air-conditioning state is detected, and the detected air-conditioning state deviation is predetermined An air conditioning state determination unit that determines whether or not the threshold deviation is exceeded, and when it is determined that the air conditioning state deviation exceeds the threshold deviation, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner is determined to be insufficient. A capacity regulating unit to increase according to a predetermined increase condition from rolling frequency specific operating frequency, characterized in that it comprises a.

  In the air conditioner control system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device includes an operation state returning unit that returns the state of maximum efficiency operation again after a predetermined elapsed time after performing the capacity adjustment.

  Further, the air conditioner control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of air conditioners arranged in each of a plurality of air conditioning zones into which a plurality of air conditioning control target spaces are divided. Optimum operation of each air conditioner at an optimum operating frequency set in the vicinity of each specific operating frequency for the air conditioners arranged in each air conditioning zone in order to observe the set upper limit of power that can be consumed The air conditioning state determination unit includes an operation unit, detects an air conditioning state deviation that is a difference between the air conditioning setting condition in each air conditioning zone and the actual air conditioning state, and the detected air conditioning state deviation is a predetermined threshold deviation. For each air conditioning zone, the capacity adjustment unit arranges the air conditioning zone for which it is determined that the air conditioning state deviation exceeds the threshold deviation in that air conditioning zone. It is determined that the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient, and the operating frequency of the air conditioner is increased from the optimum operating frequency according to a predetermined increase condition, and is determined in advance from other air conditioners other than the air conditioner. It is preferable to perform a process of reducing the operating frequency of the air conditioner determined according to the capacity adjustment combination according to a predetermined reduction condition from the optimal operating frequency.

  Moreover, in the air conditioner control system according to the present invention, the control device preferably includes a storage unit that predetermines and stores the capacity adjustment combination based on the remaining capacity characteristic of the air conditioning load for the air conditioning zone of each air conditioner.

  In the air conditioner control system according to the present invention, the control device includes a remaining power characteristic learning unit that updates the remaining power characteristics of each air conditioner by learning, and the storage unit is based on the updated remaining power characteristics of each air conditioner. It is preferable to update the capability adjustment combination.

  With the above configuration, the air conditioner control system operates the air conditioner at a specific operation frequency indicating the maximum efficiency value of the efficiency curve characteristic in the energy saving control time zone. And when it is determined that the air conditioning state deviation, which is the difference between the air conditioning setting condition and the actual air conditioning state, exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation, it is determined that the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient, The operation frequency of the air conditioner is increased from a specific operation frequency according to a predetermined increase condition. As a result, the operation under the maximum efficiency condition is set to the basic state, and when the air conditioning state deviation is large in that state, the operation frequency of the air conditioner is increased to increase the air conditioning capability of the air conditioner. Increasing the operating frequency of the air conditioner increases the cooling / heating capacity, and decreasing the operating frequency also decreases the cooling / heating capacity. Thereby, the comfort of the air-conditioned space can be maintained while performing energy saving control based on the maximum efficiency operation.

  Also, in the air conditioner control system, after adjusting the capacity, after a predetermined elapsed time, it returns to the state of maximum efficiency operation again, so while performing energy saving control based on the maximum efficiency operation, Comfort can be maintained.

  In addition, when the air conditioner control system includes a plurality of air conditioners arranged in each of a plurality of air conditioning zones that are divided into a plurality of air conditioning control target spaces, each air conditioner is protected in order to maintain a predetermined power upper limit value. About the air conditioner arrange | positioned in a zone, each air conditioner is drive | operated by the optimal operation frequency predetermined in the vicinity of each specific operation frequency. When it is determined that the air-conditioning state deviation, which is the difference between the air-conditioning setting condition in each air-conditioning zone and the actual air-conditioning state, exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation, the air-conditioner arranged in that air-conditioning zone It is determined that the air conditioning capacity is insufficient, and the operation frequency of the air conditioner is increased from the optimum operation frequency according to a predetermined increase condition. Then, the operation frequency of the air conditioner determined according to the predetermined capacity adjustment combination is reduced from the other air conditioners other than the air conditioner according to the predetermined reduction condition from the optimum operation frequency. Thereby, the comfort of an air-conditioned space can be maintained, protecting an electric power upper limit.

  Further, in the air conditioner control system, the capacity adjustment combination is determined in advance and stored based on the remaining capacity characteristic of the air conditioning load for the air conditioning zone of each air conditioner. Thereby, control of an air conditioner can be made appropriate.

  In the air conditioner control system, the remaining power characteristics of each air conditioner are updated by learning. Then, the capacity adjustment combination is updated based on the updated capacity characteristics of each air conditioner. As a result, the control of the air conditioner can always be optimized.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the air-conditioner control system of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristic of an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristic of another air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristic of another air conditioner. It is a figure explaining the example of the capability adjustment combination used in the air conditioner control system of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the air-conditioner control procedure in embodiment which concerns on this invention. In embodiment concerning this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the air-conditioner control procedure in case the electric power upper limit is defined.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the air conditioning control space that is the target of the air conditioner control system will be described as being divided into three air conditioning zones. However, this is merely an example for explanation, and the number of air conditioning zones may be other than three. For example, there may be one, two, or four or more. In addition, it is assumed that the three air-conditioning zones are arranged in the east and west, and the central air-conditioning zone is described as the widest space, but these are also examples, and the arrangement and the size of the space may be other than this. For example, it may be an air-conditioning zone divided into each floor, and each of a plurality of different buildings may be a separate air-conditioning zone. One air conditioner is arranged in each air conditioning zone, but two or more air conditioners may be arranged.

  Below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element in all the drawings, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In the description in the text, the symbols described before are used as necessary.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the air conditioner control system 10. This air conditioner control system 10 divides a building as one air conditioning control space into three air conditioning zones 12, 14, 16 from the west side to the east side, and the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 and room temperature detectors 32, 34, and 36, and a system having a function of performing energy saving control of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 while maintaining the comfort of the three air conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16. It is.

  The air conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16 simply divide one wide space of a building as the respective jurisdiction of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26. There is no partition wall or the like between the air conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16. However, there may be a partition wall, and the air-conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16 may each be a living room. Since the air-conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16 are arranged from the west side to the east side of the building, the arrangement relationship between the air-conditioning zones can be well understood by referring to the air-conditioning zones W, C, and E. Therefore, hereinafter, the air-conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16 will be referred to as air-conditioning zones W, C, and E, depending on circumstances.

  The air conditioning zone 12 on the west side, which is designated as the air conditioning zone W, is most susceptible to the influence of outside air due to the influence of the western sun, etc. The air conditioning zone 14 shown as the air conditioning zone C has a large space and is arranged in the center. Therefore, the air conditioning zone 16 on the east side, which is indicated as the air conditioning zone E, is not affected as much as the air conditioning zone 12 on the west side, but is affected to some extent by the outside air. Thus, the air-conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16 are shown as examples of three air-conditioned spaces that have different air-conditioning load characteristics when air-conditioning is performed.

  The air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 are provided in the air conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16, respectively, and are circulation type air conditioners that include an evaporator, a compressor, an aggregator, and a pressure reducing valve. The compressor includes an inverter. The air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 have specifications that are selected according to the difference in the air conditioning load between the air conditioning zones W, C, and E, and have different air conditioning characteristics. The operations of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 are controlled by a control device 40 described later.

  Note that the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 include an indoor unit installed in the air-conditioning target space and an outdoor unit installed mainly outdoors to exchange heat with the atmosphere. In this case, the compressor is mounted on the outdoor unit. In addition, the air conditioner having such a configuration includes a so-called multi-air conditioner for a building in which the air conditioner is configured with a plurality of indoor units with respect to one or a plurality of outdoor units. In this case, all indoor units constituting the air conditioner 22 are in the air conditioning zone 12, all indoor units constituting the air conditioner 24 are in the air conditioning zone 14, and all indoor units constituting the air conditioner 26 are in the air conditioning zone 16. It will be installed and air-conditioned in each zone.

  The room temperature detectors 32, 34, and 36 are temperature sensors installed at appropriate locations in the air conditioning zones 12, 14, and 16, respectively. The detection data of the room temperature detectors 32, 34, and 36 is transmitted to the control device 40 via an appropriate signal line.

  The room temperature detector may be a sensor connected to the air conditioner to control the air conditioner. In this case, the room temperature is transmitted to the control device 40 via the control signal line of the air conditioner. Will be. Further, when a plurality of indoor units are installed in one zone, the temperature of the representative indoor unit may be transmitted to the control device 40, and the average temperature may be transmitted to the control device 40. Further, the control device 40 may select the temperature of the representative indoor unit, or may calculate the average temperature.

  The control device 40 is connected to the three air conditioners 22, 24, 26 and the three room temperature detectors 32, 34, 36, and has a function of controlling the operations of the three air conditioners 22, 24, 26 as a whole. Have. Such a control device 40 can be composed of a computer suitable for air conditioning control.

  The control device 40 basically operates the three air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 under the conditions of the maximum efficiency, the room temperature of each air conditioning zone 12, 14, and 16 and the set air conditioning. The air conditioning state determination unit 44 that compares the temperature, the capacity adjustment unit 46 that performs adjustment to increase or decrease the cooling / heating capacity of each of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26, and again after an appropriate predetermined time after performing the capacity adjustment The three air conditioners 22 and 24 under the optimum operating condition that is in the vicinity of the maximum efficiency condition when the operating state return unit 48 that returns to the operating state before the capacity adjustment and the upper limit of power that can be consumed are determined. , 26, and a surplus power characteristic learning unit 52 that learns the surplus power characteristics of the air conditioning loads in the air conditioning zones W, C, E in which the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 are disposed. .

  Such a function can be realized by executing software, specifically, by executing an air conditioner control program. Some of these functions may be realized by hardware.

  The storage unit 60 connected to the control device 40 is a storage device having a function of storing an air conditioning management program and the like. In addition, the storage unit 60 stores, for each air conditioner 22, 24, 26, a combination 62, 64, 66 of efficiency curve characteristics and capacity curve characteristics, and a capacity adjustment combination 68 for performing capacity adjustment. It has a function to memorize.

  2 to 4 are diagrams illustrating examples of combinations 62, 64, and 66 of efficiency curve characteristics and capacity curve characteristics for each of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26. FIG. Although the efficiency curve characteristic and the capacity curve characteristic are different for each of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26, the basic curve tendency is the same, so that the following description will be made representatively of the air conditioner 22 shown in FIG. Continue.

The efficiency curve characteristics for the air conditioner 22 are obtained by taking the operating frequency of the air conditioner 22 on the horizontal axis and the coefficient of performance COP of the air conditioner 22 on the vertical axis. Since the air conditioner 22 includes a compressor and an inverter is used for the compressor, the operating frequency corresponds to the operating frequency of the inverter. Efficiency curve characteristics, as shown in FIG. 2, COP increases when the operating frequency increases from zero, a maximum value at a particular operating frequency f _22, COP is reduced when exceeding a certain operation frequency f ₂₂ . Thus, the efficiency curve characteristics is a convex curve upward with a maximum at a particular operating frequency f _22.

  The capacity curve characteristics of the air conditioner 22 are obtained by taking the operating frequency of the air conditioner 22 on the horizontal axis and the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 22 on the vertical axis. The air conditioning capacity is the cooling capacity when the air conditioner 22 exhibits the cooling function, and the heating capacity when the air conditioning function is exerted. As shown in FIG. 2, the capacity curve characteristic is a simple increase curve that increases as the operation frequency increases.

Figure 3 is a combination 64 of the efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristics for the air conditioner 24, wherein the particular operating frequency is indicated by f _24. Figure 4 is a combination 66 of the efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristics for the air conditioner 26, wherein the particular operating frequency is indicated by f _26. Thus, although the specific operating frequency differs for each air conditioner, generally, a frequency of about 60% of the maximum operating frequency of the air conditioner is the specific operating frequency at which the efficiency is maximum.

As described above, the air conditioners ₂₂ , ₂₄ , and ₂₆ have maximum efficiency when operated at their specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ , and thus are energy saving. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cooling / heating capacity is not maximized at specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ at which the maximum efficiency is achieved. When the operating frequency is increased from the specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ , the cooling / heating capacity increases. Conversely, when the operating frequency is decreased from the specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ , the cooling / heating capacity is also increased. descend.

Therefore, when operating the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 under the condition of maximum efficiency, when it is determined that the air conditioning capacity of any of the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 is insufficient, What is necessary is just to increase the operating frequency of the air conditioner. Such capability adjustment can be referred to as capability increase adjustment. However, when the operating frequency is changed from the specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ , the air conditioner is not operating at the maximum efficiency, which increases power consumption. In order to suppress power consumption, it is only necessary to reduce the cooling / heating capacity. Specifically, the operating frequency of the air conditioner may be reduced. Such capability adjustment can be referred to as capability reduction adjustment.

When maximum efficiency operation is performed and the temperature of the air-conditioned space differs from the set temperature, the comfort of the air-conditioned space is impaired. Therefore, the operation frequency of the air conditioners ₂₂ , ₂₄ , _{26 is} changed from the specific operation frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , f ₂₆ to increase the cooling / heating capacity of the air conditioners ₂₂ , ₂₄ , ₂₆ . That is, the capacity increase adjustment of the air conditioner is performed. If it does so, since the power consumption of the air conditioner which performed capacity increase adjustment will increase, it is preferable to reduce the power consumption of another air conditioner during an energy saving control time slot | zone. In particular, when an upper limit value of power consumption is determined in advance by a contract of an electric power company, etc., the power consumption of other air conditioners is suppressed, and the power consumption values of a plurality of air conditioners as a whole do not exceed the power upper limit value. It will be necessary to do so. That is, it is necessary to adjust the capacity reduction of air conditioners other than the air conditioner.

  Thus, in the energy saving control time zone, if the capacity increase adjustment of one air conditioner is performed, the capacity reduction adjustment of other air conditioners is performed. In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the capacity increase of multiple air conditioners to maintain comfort, and conversely, the capacity reduction adjustment of multiple air conditioners to keep the power consumption value below the upper power limit. May need to be performed.

  In such a case, when the capacity increase adjustment of one air conditioner is performed, a capacity adjustment combination for which capacity reduction adjustment is performed for which air conditioner among other air conditioners is determined in advance, and this is stored in the storage unit 60. It is good to remember. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the capability adjustment combination 68 determined in advance as described above.

  FIG. 5 shows an air-conditioning zone in which three air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 are arranged as air conditioners arranged in the air-conditioning zone in which the capacity increase adjustment is performed along the vertical axis, and the capacity reduction adjustment is performed along the horizontal axis. Three air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 are arranged side by side as the air conditioners disposed in the. For example, if the air conditioner 22 in the air conditioning zone W is determined to have insufficient capacity for cooling and heating and the capacity increase adjustment is performed, the operating frequency of the air conditioner 22 is increased from the specific operating frequency with the maximum efficiency, and the power consumption is reduced. Increase. When the upper limit of power that can be consumed is determined, the ability reduction adjustment for reducing the power consumption of the other air conditioners 24 and 26 is performed. According to FIG. 5, in such a case, the first priority for performing capacity reduction adjustment is predetermined as the air conditioner 24 in the air conditioning zone C, and the second priority is determined as the air conditioner 26 in the air conditioning zone E.

  Similarly, when the capacity increase adjustment is performed for the air conditioner 24 in the air conditioning zone C, the first priority order for performing the capacity reduction adjustment is the air conditioner 26 in the air conditioning zone E, and the second priority order is the air conditioner 22 in the air conditioning zone W. Is determined in advance. Further, when the capacity increase adjustment is performed for the air conditioner 26 in the air conditioning zone E, the first priority order for performing the capacity reduction adjustment is the air conditioner 24 in the air conditioning zone C, and the air conditioner 22 in the air conditioning zone W is the second priority order. Predetermined.

  Rotating the operation of the air conditioner is a conventional practice, but the capacity adjustment combination in FIG. 5 is for each of the air conditioning zones W, C, E where the air conditioners 22, 24, 26 are respectively arranged. It is determined in advance by the remaining power characteristic of the air conditioning load of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26.

  The remaining capacity characteristic of the air conditioning load with respect to the air conditioning zone is a characteristic related to how much cooling / heating load the air conditioner has as the remaining capacity when a predetermined air conditioning condition is set. In short, it is a characteristic relating to whether the air conditioner is operating with sufficient capacity or operating at full capacity to perform predetermined air conditioning.

  The remaining power characteristic can be evaluated as follows. In other words, when the operation is performed under a certain condition and the temperature deviation, which is the difference between the set temperature and the actual temperature, becomes a predetermined threshold deviation, the capacity is insufficient, but the frequency at which it is determined that the capacity is insufficient. The remaining power characteristics can be evaluated depending on the size. In other words, an air conditioner that is frequently judged to be insufficient in capacity is considered not to have much surplus capacity for the air conditioning load of its air conditioning zone. On the other hand, an air conditioner that is less frequently judged to be incapacitated is considered to have sufficient capacity for the air conditioning load of its air conditioning zone. As the operation under a certain condition, for example, a maximum efficiency operation or the like can be used.

  Regarding the remaining power characteristics, other evaluation criteria include the length of operation time from the start of operation under a certain condition until it is determined that the capacity is insufficient. That is, it is considered that an air conditioner having a short time from the start of operation under a certain condition until it is determined that the capacity is insufficient has little remaining capacity for the air conditioning load of the air conditioning zone in charge. Conversely, an air conditioner that takes a long time from the start of operation under certain conditions until it is determined that the capacity is insufficient is considered to have sufficient capacity for the air conditioning load of the air conditioning zone in charge.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the air conditioning zone W on the west side is likely to be affected by the outside air temperature, so it is considered that the frequency with which the air conditioner 22 is determined to be insufficient in capacity is high. From this point of view, the air conditioner 22 is considered to have a relatively small remaining capacity with respect to the air conditioning load. The central air-conditioning zone C has a relatively large space, and the other air-conditioning zones 12 and 16 that perform air conditioning on both sides are considered to be easily maintained at a constant room temperature. From this point of view, the frequency with which the air conditioner 24 is determined to be insufficient in capacity is low, and it is considered that the air conditioner 24 has a relatively large remaining capacity with respect to the air conditioning load. The air conditioning zone E on the east side is not as much as the air conditioning zone W on the west side, but is affected by the outside air temperature. Therefore, the frequency of the air conditioner 26 being judged as insufficient in capacity is less than the air conditioner 22 and more often than the air conditioner 24. it is conceivable that. From this point of view, it is considered that the remaining capacity of the air conditioner 26 with respect to the air conditioning load is approximately between the air conditioner 22 and the air conditioner 24.

  Thus, since the remaining power characteristics differ depending on the air conditioner, in FIG. 5, the priority in the case where the capacity reduction adjustment is necessary is prioritized in the descending order of the remaining capacity with respect to the air conditioning load. The air conditioner 22 in the 26-air conditioning zone W is set in advance.

  In FIG. 5, one air conditioner that needs to be adjusted for capacity increase is provided, but depending on the case, the air conditioning capacity of the two air conditioners may be insufficient at the same time. In that case, it can be determined in advance based on the above-mentioned remaining power characteristics as to which one of the air conditioners is to be prioritized for capacity increase adjustment. The priority in the case where the capacity increase adjustment is necessary can be set as the air conditioner 22 in the air conditioning zone W-the air conditioner 26 in the air conditioning zone E-the air conditioner 24 in the air conditioning zone C in ascending order of remaining power.

  The operation of the above configuration will be further described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an air conditioner control procedure in general energy saving control. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an air conditioner control procedure in the energy saving control when a consumable power upper limit value is determined. Each of these procedures corresponds to each processing procedure of the air conditioner control program.

  First, the procedure of air conditioner control in general energy saving control will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the control procedure for the three air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 will be described. However, even when there are a plurality of air conditioners, they can be executed independently for each air conditioner.

Each air conditioner 22, 24, 26 is basically operated under maximum efficiency (S10). That is, the air conditioners ₂₂ , ₂₄ , and ₂₆ are operated at specific operating frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ in the efficiency curve characteristics, respectively. Since the specific operation frequency varies depending on the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26, the maximum efficiency operation unit 42 of the control device 40 refers to the storage unit 60 and performs specific operations for the respective air conditioners 22, 24, and 26. The frequencies f ₂₂ , f ₂₄ , and f ₂₆ are read, and the operation control of each air conditioner ₂₂ , ₂₄ , and ₂₆ is executed under the conditions. Since this operation state is a maximum efficiency operation state, it is suitable for energy saving control.

Next, at each appropriate control timing, the room temperature of each air-conditioning zone W, C, E is compared with the set temperature, and a temperature deviation Δθ therebetween is obtained. The obtained temperature deviation Δθ is compared with a predetermined threshold temperature deviation Δθ ₀ (S12). The room temperature of each air-conditioning zone W, C, E can be acquired by room temperature detectors 32, 34, 36, respectively. Therefore, the procedure of S12 is performed for each air conditioner 22, 24, 26.

The set temperature may be a temperature set by the user, or may be a recommended temperature determined in advance as a room temperature suitable for energy saving control. The threshold temperature deviation Δθ ₀ is set in advance based on a limit that the user feels impairing comfort. For example, Δθ ₀ can be set to about 2 ° C.

The procedure of S12 is executed by the function of the air conditioning state determination unit 44 of the control device 40. Note that Δθ−Δθ ₀ corresponds to the air conditioning state deviation. If it is determined in S12 that Δθ does not exceed Δθ ₀ for all the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26, the comfort can be maintained for all the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 under the maximum efficiency operation. Will be.

  As described above, when it is determined in S12 that the comfort can be maintained under the maximum efficiency operation, when the upper limit value of the power consumption is not particularly set for the energy saving control, the process returns to S10. Maximum efficiency operation can be continued. Regarding energy saving control, a procedure when an upper limit value of power consumption is set by a contract with an electric power company or the like will be described later with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in S12 that Δθ exceeds Δθ ₀ for at least one air conditioner, the air conditioner is determined to be insufficient in capacity, and the process proceeds to S14. For example, if the air conditioner 22 is determined to be insufficient in capacity, the capacity increase adjustment is performed on the air conditioner 22 in S14. Specifically, control is performed to increase the operating frequency of the air conditioner ₂₂ from the specific operating frequency f _{22 in} accordance with a predetermined increase condition. The predetermined increase condition may be an operating frequency corresponding to an air conditioning load for setting Δθ−Δθ ₀ = 0. That is, if Δθ ₀ = 2 ° C., the cooling / heating load is increased so that the temperature deviation Δθ is 2 ° C. or less from the state where the temperature deviation Δθ from the set temperature exceeds 2 ° C. The procedure of S14 is executed by the function of the capacity adjustment unit 46 of the control device 40.

  When the capacity increase adjustment is performed for the air conditioner 22 in which the capacity is insufficient, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the capacity adjustment was completed (S16). The predetermined time can be, for example, about 30 minutes to 1 hour. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to S10 again, and the air conditioner 22 returns to the maximum efficiency operation that is the operation state before the capacity adjustment. This procedure is executed by the function of the operation state return unit 48 of the control device 40.

  In this way, on the basis of the maximum efficiency operation, by adjusting the capacity increase temporarily for the air conditioner that is determined to have insufficient air conditioning capacity, the desired energy saving effect can be achieved while maintaining the comfort of the air conditioning space. Obtainable.

  Next, the procedure of air conditioner control in the case where the maximum power that can be consumed is determined will be described with reference to FIG. When the maximum electric power value is set, each air conditioner 22, 24, and 26 is not necessarily operated at the maximum efficiency, but it is preferable to operate at the maximum efficiency as much as possible in consideration of energy saving. . Therefore, optimal operating conditions are determined in advance for the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 so as to satisfy the maximum power value. The optimum operating condition can be determined by the operating frequency.

Since the optimum operating condition is preferably close to the maximum efficiency condition, for the air conditioners ₂₂ , ₂₄ , and ₂₆ , the optimum operating frequency that is the operating frequency of the optimum operating condition is the specific operating frequency f ₂₂ and f ₂₄ when the efficiency is maximum. , F ₂₆ in the vicinity. There may be a plurality of combinations instead of one.

  Therefore, when the power upper limit value is determined, combinations of optimum operating frequencies are determined in advance so as to satisfy the power upper limit values for the entire air conditioners 22, 24, and 26, and each air conditioner is operated at each optimum operating frequency. 22, 24 and 26 are operated (S20). This procedure is executed by the function of the optimum operation unit 50 of the control device 40.

Next, at each appropriate control timing, the room temperature of each air-conditioning zone W, C, E is compared with the set temperature, and a temperature deviation Δθ therebetween is obtained. The obtained temperature deviation Δθ is compared with a predetermined threshold temperature deviation Δθ ₀ (S22). The content of this procedure is the same as S12 described with reference to FIG. 6, and is executed by the function of the air conditioning state determination unit 44.

If it is determined in S22 that Δθ does not exceed Δθ ₀ for all the air conditioners 22, 24, 26, the comfort can be maintained under optimum operation for all the air conditioners 22, 24, 26. It will be. Thus, in S22, if it is determined that the comfort can be maintained under the optimum driving, the process returns to S20 and the optimum efficiency driving can be continued.

If it is determined in S22 that Δθ exceeds Δθ ₀ for at least one air conditioner, the capacity increase adjustment is performed for the air conditioner. The capacity reduction adjustment will be performed. Therefore, the capacity adjustment combination 68 is read from the storage unit 60 (S24). Then, according to the read ability adjustment combination, the ability increase adjustment and the ability reduction adjustment are performed (S26). The procedures of S24 and S26 are executed by the function of the capacity adjustment unit 46 of the control device 40.

  For example, if the air conditioner 22 is determined to have insufficient capacity in S22, and the content read in S24 is as shown in the capacity adjustment combination 68 of FIG. At the same time, the capacity reduction adjustment is performed for the air conditioner 24 which is the first priority of the capacity reduction adjustment.

The content of the capacity increase adjustment is the same as that described in S14 of FIG. That is, the capacity increase adjustment increases the operating frequency of the air conditioner 22 from the optimal operating frequency according to a predetermined increase condition. The capacity reduction adjustment performs control for reducing the operating frequency of the air conditioner 24 from the optimum operating frequency in accordance with a predetermined reduction condition. The predetermined reduction condition may be an operating frequency corresponding to an air conditioning load for setting Δθ−Δθ ₀ = ± 2 ° C. This 2 ° C. is the same value as Δθ ₀ . That is, the air-conditioning zone C is maintained at the current room temperature, and power consumption is suppressed at the expense of comfort.

  When the capacity increase adjustment is performed on the air conditioner 22 that has been determined to be insufficient, and the capacity reduction adjustment is performed on the air conditioner 24 correspondingly, a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of the capacity adjustment. Is determined (S28). This procedure is the same as S16 in FIG. 6, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the procedure returns to S20 again, and the air conditioners 22 and 24 return to the optimum operating state that is the operating state before the capacity adjustment. This procedure is executed by the function of the operation state return unit 48 of the control device 40.

  The capacity adjustment combination 68 of FIG. 5 is determined based on the remaining power characteristics of the air conditioning load for the space zones W, C, E of the air conditioners 22, 24, 26. The remaining power characteristics change if the air conditioning load of the space zones W, C, and E changes. For example, it varies depending on the time of the day, the season, the number of people in the air-conditioned space, and the state of the equipment. As described above, the surplus power characteristic can be evaluated based on the frequency of determining that the capacity is insufficient or the length of the operation time from the start of operation under a certain condition until it is determined that the capacity is insufficient. Therefore, the remaining power characteristics of the air conditioners 22, 24, and 26 can be evaluated by the number of times that the positive determination is made in S22 of FIG. 7 or the time from the start of S20 until the positive determination of S22 is made.

  S30 in FIG. 7 updates the count number every time a positive determination is made in S22, assuming that the surplus power characteristic is evaluated based on the number of times that the positive determination is made in S22. Then, in each air conditioner 22, 24, 26, the number of counts in a predetermined period is compared, and the remaining power characteristic learning is performed in which the order with the smaller number of counts is the order with the remaining power (S32). Then, the priority order of ability reduction adjustment is changed based on the learned surplus power order result, and the ability adjustment combination 68 of FIG. 5 is updated (S34). In this way, the ability adjustment combination 68 is always brought to the latest state by learning. The procedures of S30, S32, and S34 are executed by the function of the remaining power characteristic learning unit 52 of the control device 40.

  The air conditioner control system according to the present invention can be used for energy saving control of an air conditioner.

  10 Air-conditioner control system, 12, 14, 16 Air-conditioning zone, 22, 24, 26 Air-conditioner, 32, 34, 36 Room temperature detector, 40 Control device, 42 Maximum efficiency operation part, 44 Air-conditioning state judgment part, 46 Capacity adjustment Part, 48 operation state return part, 50 optimum operation part, 52 remaining capacity characteristic learning part, 60 storage part, 62, 64, 66 combination of efficiency curve characteristic and capacity curve characteristic, 68 capacity adjustment combination.

Claims (5)

An air conditioner having an inverter and an efficiency curve characteristic in which the relationship between the operating frequency and the efficiency exhibits a maximum efficiency value at a specific operating frequency, and a capacity curve characteristic in which the relationship between the operating frequency and the air conditioning capacity increases as the operating frequency increases. Machine,
For air conditioners, a control device that performs energy saving control,
With
The control device
In the energy saving control time zone, a maximum efficiency operation unit that operates the air conditioner at a specific operation frequency indicating the maximum efficiency value of the efficiency curve characteristic;
An air-conditioning state determination unit that detects an air-conditioning state deviation that is a difference between an air-conditioning setting condition in an air-conditioned space and an actual air-conditioning state, and determines whether or not the detected air-conditioning state deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation When,
When it is determined that the air conditioning state deviation exceeds the threshold deviation, it is determined that the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner is insufficient, and the capacity adjustment that increases the operating frequency of the air conditioner from a specific operating frequency according to a predetermined increase condition And
An air conditioner control system comprising: In the air conditioner control system according to claim 1,
The control device
An air conditioner control system comprising an operation state return unit that returns the state of maximum efficiency operation again after a predetermined elapsed time after performing capacity adjustment. In the air conditioner control system according to claim 1,
Provided with a plurality of air conditioners arranged in each of a plurality of air conditioning zones that divide the air conditioning control target space into a plurality,
The control device
In order to protect a predetermined power consumption upper limit predetermined for the entire plurality of air conditioning zones, for the air conditioners arranged in each air conditioning zone, at an optimal operation frequency predetermined in the vicinity of each specific operation frequency, Including an optimal operation section for operating each air conditioner,
The air-conditioning state determination unit detects an air-conditioning state deviation that is a difference between the air-conditioning setting condition in each air-conditioning zone and the actual air-conditioning state, and whether or not the detected air-conditioning state deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation For each air-conditioning zone,
The capacity adjustment unit determines that the air-conditioning capacity of the air-conditioning unit located in that air-conditioning zone is insufficient for the air-conditioning zone in which the air-conditioning state deviation exceeds the threshold deviation, and optimizes the operating frequency of the air-conditioning unit The operating frequency is increased according to a predetermined increase condition from the operating frequency, and the operating frequency of the air conditioner determined according to the predetermined capacity adjustment combination from other air conditioners other than the air conditioner is determined according to the predetermined decreasing condition from the optimum operating frequency. An air conditioner control system that performs processing to reduce. In the air conditioner control system according to claim 3,
The control device
An air conditioner control system including a storage unit that predetermines and stores a capacity adjustment combination based on a remaining capacity characteristic of an air conditioning load for an air conditioning zone of each air conditioner. In the air conditioner control system according to claim 4,
The control device
Including a remaining power characteristic learning unit that updates the remaining power characteristics of each air conditioner by learning;
The storage unit
An air conditioner control system, wherein the capacity adjustment combination is updated based on the updated capacity characteristics of each air conditioner.

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