JP2015230137A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning system that can improve the operating efficiency of the whole of a plurality of indoor units depending on the state of the outside.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system according to an embodiment comprises a plurality of indoor units and a control device. The plurality of indoor units are arranged in the same space. The control device obtains the state of a boundary region thermally affected by the outside in the space. The control device controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units depending on the state of the boundary region.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air conditioning system.

  Conventionally, there is an air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units configured by indoor units connected to each of a plurality of refrigerant distribution systems. This air conditioning system controls the load factors and operating states of a plurality of indoor units in order to improve energy efficiency when maintaining a desired air conditioning state in the space. However, simply controlling the operation of multiple indoor units so as to maintain the desired air-conditioning state in the space, regardless of the factors that cause state changes in the space, the optimal operating efficiency of the multiple indoor units as a whole is optimal. There was a possibility that it could not be converted.

JP 2006-308212 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system capable of improving the operation efficiency of the plurality of indoor units as a whole according to the state of the outside world.

  The air conditioning system of the embodiment has a plurality of indoor units and a control device. The plurality of indoor units are arranged in the same space. The control device acquires the state of the boundary region that is thermally affected by the outside world in the space. The control device controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units according to the state of the boundary region.

The figure which shows the structure of the air conditioning system of embodiment. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the heating operation in which the air conditioning system of embodiment is influenced by solar radiation, and the airflow in a room. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the heating operation in which the air conditioning system of embodiment is influenced by solar radiation, and the airflow in a room. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the heating operation which the air conditioning system of embodiment does not receive to the influence of solar radiation, and indoor airflow. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation which the air conditioning system of embodiment does not receive to the influence of solar radiation, and indoor airflow. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner in the area | region where the person exists, and the area | region where a person does not exist at the time of the heating operation in which the air conditioning system of embodiment is influenced by solar radiation, and the indoor airflow. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the heating operation which the air conditioning system of the 1st modification of embodiment receives the influence of solar radiation, and indoor airflow. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the heating operation which the air conditioning system of the 1st modification of embodiment receives the influence of solar radiation, and indoor airflow. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner at the time of the air_conditionaing | cooling operation in which the air conditioning system of the 1st modification of embodiment is not influenced by solar radiation, and the airflow in a room | chamber interior. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner in the area | region where a person exists, and the area | region where a person does not exist at the time of the air_conditioning | cooling operation in which the air conditioning system of the 1st modification of embodiment is not influenced by solar radiation, and the airflow in a room. The side view which shows the blowing direction of each air conditioner and the airflow in a room at the time of the air_conditionaing | cooling operation in which the air conditioning system of the 2nd modification of embodiment is not influenced by solar radiation.

  Hereinafter, an air conditioning system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of air conditioners 11 (for example, a plurality of air conditioners including four first to fourth air conditioners 11 a to 11 d), and a plurality of air conditioners. And a control device 12 that controls the air conditioner 11. Each air conditioner 11 includes at least one indoor unit 21 arranged in the same space X and one outdoor unit 22 arranged outside the space X in which the indoor unit 21 is arranged. Each air conditioner 11 includes a refrigerant distribution pipe 23 that constitutes a refrigerant distribution system 24 that connects at least one indoor unit 21 and one outdoor unit 22 and distributes the refrigerant.
For example, each of the first to fourth air conditioners 11 a to 11 d includes four indoor units 21 and one outdoor unit 22. The first air conditioner 11a includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4), one outdoor unit 22 (A0), and a first refrigerant circulation pipe 23a. The second air conditioner 11b includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4), one outdoor unit 22 (B0), and a second refrigerant circulation pipe 23b. The third air conditioner 11c includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (C1 to C4), one outdoor unit 22 (C0), and a third refrigerant circulation pipe 23c. The fourth air conditioner 11d includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4), one outdoor unit 22 (D0), and a fourth refrigerant circulation pipe 23d.

  Each indoor unit 21 includes devices such as a decompressor (not shown), an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), and an indoor blower (not shown). The outdoor unit 22 includes devices such as a compressor 22a, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown), an accumulator (not shown), and an outdoor blower (not shown). The plurality of devices of the indoor unit 21 and the outdoor unit 22 form a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated by being connected by a refrigerant circulation pipe 23.

The space X that accommodates the plurality of indoor units 21 includes a boundary region Xa (so-called perimeter zone) that is thermally influenced from the outside, and a region Xb (so-called interior zone) other than the boundary region. The boundary region Xa is, for example, solar radiation that passes through a window W provided in a wall (not shown) that partitions the space X from the outside, such as an end of the space X, or an entrance provided in the wall of the space X This is a region where the degree of thermal influence from the outside world is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold due to outside air entering from (not shown). The region Xb other than the boundary region is a region (so-called interior zone) in which the degree of thermal influence from the outside is less than a predetermined threshold, such as the central portion of the space X, for example.
Among the plurality of indoor units 21, the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d are, for example, a floor-standing type, and are arranged on the floor (not shown) of the boundary region Xa. Has been. Among the plurality of indoor units 21, the indoor units 21 other than the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d are, for example, a ceiling-embedded type, and in the region Xb other than the boundary region It is arranged on the ceiling (not shown). In the region Xb other than the boundary region, the indoor units 21 of the first to third air conditioners 11a to 11c sequentially approach the boundary region Xa from the opposite side of the boundary region Xa with respect to the central portion of the space X. Is arranged. That is, the first to fourth indoor units 21 (C1 to C4) of the third air conditioner 11c, the first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4) of the second air conditioner 11b, and the first air conditioning. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the unit 11a are sequentially arranged in a direction away from the boundary region Xa.

Each indoor unit 21 includes a louver (not shown) that changes the blowing direction of air blown from an indoor blower (not shown) for each outlet.
Each indoor unit 21 includes a temperature sensor 25 including, for example, an infrared sensor. Each temperature sensor 25 is connected to the control device 12. Each temperature sensor 25 detects the temperature or temperature distribution of the peripheral region of each indoor unit 21 in the space X, and outputs a temperature detection result signal to the control device 12. For example, the temperature sensor 25 provided in each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d disposed in the boundary region Xa is a boundary region caused by a thermal influence from the outside. A temperature change of Xa is detected. Further, the temperature sensor 25 provided in each indoor unit 21 detects a temperature change caused by a human body or the like existing in the peripheral area of each indoor unit 21.

The control device 12 controls the air conditioning system 10 in an integrated manner. The control device 12 controls the operation of each indoor unit 21 and the outdoor unit 22 to which each indoor unit 21 is connected in accordance with a temperature signal output from a temperature sensor 25 provided in each indoor unit 21.
The control device 12 is based on a temperature signal output from the temperature sensor 25 provided in each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa. Determine the presence and degree of thermal influence from the outside world. For example, when the temperature output from each of the temperature sensors 25 of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) indicates a temperature change that is equal to or greater than a predetermined change, the control device 12 It is determined that the degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree. For example, the control device 12 is configured such that the temperature output from each temperature sensor 25 of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) is greater than or equal to a predetermined difference with respect to the temperature output from the other temperature sensor 25. When there is a temperature difference, it is determined that the degree of thermal influence from the outside is a predetermined degree or more.
The control device 12 controls the louver of at least one of the indoor units 21 so as to generate a circulating airflow that promotes air convection due to a thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region Xa.
When the degree of thermal influence from the outside world in the boundary region Xa is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree and the thermal influence from the outside world assists the operation of each air conditioner 11, the control device 12 is at least one of them. The rotation speed of the compressor 22a of the two air conditioners 11 is reduced or stopped.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the air conditioner 11 is in the heating operation, the control device 12 increases the air heated by the solar radiation in the boundary region Xa as shown in FIG. The blow-out direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 are controlled so as to generate a circulated air flow to be urged. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be upward. The control device 12 blows air from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the first air conditioner 11a that is disposed at the end opposite to the boundary region Xa with respect to the central portion of the space X. The air volume of the air Pa is increased from a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is set downward. The control device 12 includes first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c between the fourth air conditioner 11d and the first air conditioner 11a. ) Is set to a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. Thus, the control device 12 generates a circulating airflow P in which the air rising in the boundary region Xa flows toward the end of the region Xb other than the boundary region, and the air descending in the end of the region Xb flows toward the boundary region Xa. . The control device 12 reduces the rotational speed of the compressor 22a of the fourth air conditioner 11d or compresses the fourth air conditioner 11d when the degree of the influence of solar radiation in the boundary region Xa is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree. The machine 22a is stopped and the air blowing operation is performed.
In addition, the control apparatus 12 may increase the load factor of the indoor unit 21 to drive | operate by decreasing the number of the indoor units 21 to drive | operate among several indoor units 21 according to load. When the control device 12 is affected by solar radiation in the boundary region Xa during the heating operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c between the fourth and first air conditioners 11d and 11a are used. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) may be stopped.

  When there is no influence of solar radiation from the outside in the boundary region Xa during the heating operation of each air conditioner 11, the control device 12 removes the air in the central portion that is warmer than the boundary region Xa as shown in FIG. The blowing direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 are controlled so as to circulate. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. The blowing direction is a horizontal direction toward the end of the region Xb. The control device 12 includes each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the first to third air conditioners 11a to 11c arranged in the region Xb other than the boundary region. The air volume of the air Pa to Pc blown from is set as a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. As a result, the control device 12 flows such that the air from the boundary region Xa toward the end of the region Xb rises at the end of the region Xb, and the air from the end of the region Xb toward the boundary region Xa decreases in the boundary region Xa. A circulating airflow P that flows like this is generated.

  When there is no influence of solar radiation from the outside in the boundary region Xa during the cooling operation of each air conditioner 11, the control device 12 promotes air circulation more than in the heating operation as shown in FIG. The blowing direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 are controlled. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. The blowing direction is a horizontal direction toward the end of the region Xb. The control device 12 blows air from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the first air conditioner 11a that is disposed at the end opposite to the boundary region Xa with respect to the central portion of the space X. The air volume of the air Pa is set as a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is a horizontal direction and a downward direction toward the boundary region Xa. The control device 12 includes first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c between the fourth air conditioner 11d and the first air conditioner 11a. ) Is used as a predetermined reference value. The control device 12 blows out air Pb blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4) of the second air conditioner 11b that is farther from the boundary region Xa than the third air conditioner 11c. The direction is a horizontal direction toward the boundary region Xa. The control device 12 determines the blowing direction of the air Pc blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (C1 to C4) of the third air conditioner 11c that is closer to the boundary area Xa than the second air conditioner 11b. Downward. As a result, the control device 12 flows such that the air from the boundary region Xa toward the end of the region Xb rises at the end of the region Xb, and the air from the end of the region Xb toward the boundary region Xa decreases in the boundary region Xa. A circulating airflow P that flows like this is generated.

The control device 12 determines whether or not there is a person in the peripheral area of each indoor unit 21 based on the temperature signal output from the temperature sensor 25 provided in each indoor unit 21. Based on the presence / absence of a person in the surrounding area of each indoor unit 21, the control device 12 grasps the area where the person exists and the area where no person exists in the space X.
In the space X, the control device 12 generates at least one indoor unit 21 of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to generate an airflow that suppresses air flow between a region where a person exists and a region where no person exists. To control the operation.

  When the air conditioner 11 is in the heating operation, the control device 12 is affected by solar radiation from the outside in the boundary region Xa, and there is no person in the boundary region Xa and there is a person in the region Xb other than the boundary region. As shown in FIG. 6, each indoor unit 21 is controlled so as to suppress the draft feeling. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be upward. The control device 12 includes first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C1) of the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c that are arranged at the boundary between a region where a person exists and a region where no person exists. The amount of air Pb, Pc blown from each of C4) is increased from a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. The control device 12 increases the number of rotations of the compressors 22a of the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c arranged at the boundary between the region where the person exists and the region where the person does not exist, and sets the set temperature. Raise. The control device 12 determines the air volume of the air Pa blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the first air conditioner 11a arranged in the region Xb other than the boundary region where a person exists. Lower than the predetermined reference value, the blowing direction is downward. As a result, the control device 12 generates an air flow (so-called air curtain) that suppresses the air flow between the area where the person exists and the area where the person does not exist. Furthermore, the control device 12 generates a first circulating air flow P1 that promotes the rise of air heated by solar radiation in the boundary region Xa that is affected by solar radiation and does not have a person. Further, the control device 12 generates the second circulating airflow P2 so as to suppress the draft feeling in the region Xb where the person exists.

According to the embodiment described above, by having the control device 12 that controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 according to the state of the boundary region Xa that is thermally influenced from the outside, the thermal influence from the outside is reduced. It is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the plurality of indoor units 21 as a whole by making effective use.
Furthermore, by having the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa that is thermally influenced from the outside, the thermal influence from the outside is effective. Appropriate airflow control for use can be performed.
Furthermore, when the degree of the thermal influence from the outside of the boundary region Xa is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the controller 12 is provided that reduces or stops the rotational speed of the compressor 22a of at least one of the air conditioners 11. As a result, the load factor can be controlled to improve the operation efficiency. The control device 12 increases the load factor of the operating air conditioner 11 as the number of operating air conditioners 11 decreases, and performs intermittent operation in which the operation and stop of the operating air conditioner 11 are repeated. It is possible to improve the driving efficiency.
Furthermore, by having the control device 12 that controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to generate a circulating airflow that promotes air convection due to the thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region Xa, the space X A state of uniform temperature can be realized quickly and efficiently.
Furthermore, by having the control device 12 that controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to generate an air flow that suppresses the air flow between the region where the person exists and the region where the person does not exist in the space X. The operation efficiency of the plurality of indoor units 21 as a whole can be improved. The control device 12 can efficiently form an air curtain by a circulating air flow that promotes air convection due to a thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region Xa. The control device 12 can efficiently generate a circulating air flow that suppresses the draft feeling while functioning as an air curtain, with an air volume lower than a predetermined reference value in the region Xb in which a person exists.

Hereinafter, a first modification of the embodiment will be described.
The air conditioning system 10 according to the first modification of the embodiment includes a fourth air conditioner 11d having ceiling-embedded first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) instead of the floor-standing type in the boundary region Xa. I have. That is, the air conditioning system 10 of the first modification includes a plurality of ceiling-embedded indoor units 21.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the air conditioner 11 is in the heating operation, the control device 12 increases the air warmed by the solar radiation in the boundary region Xa as shown in FIG. The blow-out direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 are controlled so as to generate a circulated air flow to be urged. The control device 12 reduces the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa below a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be downward. The control device 12 blows air from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the first air conditioner 11a that is disposed at the end opposite to the boundary region Xa with respect to the central portion of the space X. The air volume of the air Pa is increased from a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is set downward. The control device 12 includes first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c between the fourth air conditioner 11d and the first air conditioner 11a. ) Is set to a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. Thus, the control device 12 generates a circulating airflow P in which the air rising in the boundary region Xa flows toward the end of the region Xb other than the boundary region, and the air descending in the end of the region Xb flows toward the boundary region Xa. . The control device 12 reduces the rotational speed of the compressor 22a of the fourth air conditioner 11d or compresses the fourth air conditioner 11d when the degree of the influence of solar radiation in the boundary region Xa is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree. The machine 22a is stopped and the air blowing operation is performed.
In addition, the control apparatus 12 may increase the load factor of the indoor unit 21 to drive | operate by decreasing the number of the indoor units 21 to drive | operate among several indoor units 21 according to load. When the control device 12 is affected by solar radiation in the boundary region Xa during the heating operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the second and third air conditioners 11b and 11c between the fourth and first air conditioners 11d and 11a are used. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) may be stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 12 controls the blowing direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 so that air circulation is more urged when the air conditioner 11 is in the cooling operation than in the heating operation. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be downward. The control device 12 includes each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the first to third air conditioners 11a to 11c arranged in the region Xb other than the boundary region. The air volume of the air Pa to Pc blown from is set as a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. As a result, the control device 12 flows such that the air from the boundary region Xa toward the end of the region Xb rises at the end of the region Xb, and the air from the end of the region Xb toward the boundary region Xa decreases in the boundary region Xa. A circulating airflow P that flows like this is generated.

  When the air conditioner 11 is in the heating operation, the control device 12 is affected by solar radiation from the outside in the boundary region Xa, and there is no person in the boundary region Xa and there is a person in the region Xb other than the boundary region. As shown in FIG. 10, each indoor unit 21 is controlled so as to suppress the draft feeling. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pd blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be downward. The control device 12 blows air from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (C1 to C4) of the third air conditioner 11c arranged at the boundary between a region where a person exists and a region where no person exists. The air volume of Pc is increased from a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is set downward. The control device 12 increases the set temperature while increasing the rotation speed of each compressor 22a of the third air conditioner 11c arranged at the boundary between the region where the person exists and the region where the person does not exist. The control device 12 includes each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4, B1 to B4) of the first and second air conditioners 11a and 11b that are disposed in the region Xb other than the boundary region where a person exists. The air volume of the air Pa and Pb blown from is reduced below a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is set downward. As a result, the control device 12 generates an air flow (so-called air curtain) that suppresses the air flow between the area where the person exists and the area where the person does not exist. Furthermore, the control device 12 generates a first circulating air flow P1 that promotes the rise of air heated by solar radiation in the boundary region Xa that is affected by solar radiation and does not have a person. Further, the control device 12 generates the second circulating airflow P2 so as to suppress the draft feeling in the region Xb where the person exists.

  According to the first modified example described above, when the plurality of ceiling-embedded indoor units 21 arranged in the boundary region Xa are provided, the floor-standing indoor unit 21 is not provided in the boundary region Xa. Even if it exists, the thermal influence from the outside world can be used effectively.

Hereinafter, a second modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment described above, the control device 12 controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to form a plurality of circulating airflows that appropriately divide the space X, regardless of the presence or absence of a person in the space X. May be.
The air conditioning system 10 of the second modified example of the embodiment includes the first to fourth indoor units 21 (D1 to D4) of the fourth air conditioner 11d in the region Xb other than the boundary region in the first modified example described above. In addition to being arranged, fifth and sixth air conditioners 11e and 11f are provided. The fifth air conditioner 11e includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (E1 to E4) and one outdoor unit 22. The sixth air conditioner 11f includes four first to fourth indoor units 21 (F1 to F4) and one outdoor unit 22. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (E1 to E4, F1 to F4) of the fifth and sixth air conditioners 11e and 11f are ceiling embedded types. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (E1 to E4) of the fifth air conditioner 11e are arranged in the region Xb other than the boundary region. The first to fourth indoor units 21 (F1 to F4) of the sixth air conditioner 11f are arranged in the boundary region Xa.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 12 controls the blowing direction and the air volume of each indoor unit 21 so as to form a plurality of circulating airflows that appropriately divide the interior of the space X during the cooling operation of each air conditioner 11. To do. The control device 12 increases the air volume of the air Pf blown from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (F1 to F4) of the sixth air conditioner 11f arranged in the boundary region Xa above a predetermined reference value. Let the blowing direction be downward. The control device 12 blows air from each of the first to fourth indoor units 21 (A1 to A4) of the first air conditioner 11a that is disposed at the end opposite to the boundary region Xa with respect to the central portion of the space X. The air volume of the air Pa is increased from a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is set downward. The control device 12 includes first to fourth indoor units 21 (B1 to B4, C1 to C4) of the second to fifth air conditioners 11b and 11e between the sixth air conditioner 11f and the first air conditioner 11a. , D1 to D4, E1 to E4), the air volume of the air Pb to Pe blown from each of them is a predetermined reference value, and the blowing direction is downward. As a result, the control device 12 causes the first circulating airflow P1 in which the air descending in the boundary region Xa flows toward the end of the region Xb other than the boundary region, and the air rising in the center of the space X flows toward the boundary region Xa. Is generated. Furthermore, the control device 12 generates a second circulating airflow P2 in which the air that has descended in the region Xb flows toward the boundary region Xa and the air that has risen in the center of the space X flows toward the region Xb.

  According to the second modified example described above, the control device 12 that controls the blowing direction and the air volume of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to form a plurality of circulating airflows that appropriately divide the space X is provided. It is possible to quickly and efficiently realize a state in which the inside of X has a uniform temperature.

Hereinafter, another modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning system 10 includes the control device 12 that controls the plurality of air conditioners 11, but is not limited thereto. For example, the air conditioning system 10 may include a plurality of control devices that control each of the plurality of air conditioners 11 or each group in which the plurality of air conditioners 11 are appropriately grouped. Moreover, the air conditioning system 10 may include a plurality of controllers that control each indoor unit 21 provided in each of the plurality of air conditioners 11 or each group in which the plurality of indoor units 21 are appropriately grouped. Furthermore, the control device 12, the plurality of control devices, and the plurality of controllers described above may control the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 according to the state of the boundary region Xa by accepting an operator's manual operation. .

  In the above-described embodiment, each indoor unit 21 includes the temperature sensor 25, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each air conditioner 11 may include at least one temperature sensor 25, or the air conditioning system 10 may include temperature sensors 25 arranged at a plurality of appropriate positions in the space X.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 12 determines whether or not there is a person based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 25, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 12 determines whether or not a person exists based on whether or not each controller that individually controls each indoor unit 21 is manually operated or based on a signal output from another sensor that detects a human body. It may be determined.

  In the embodiment described above, the control device 12 generates a circulating air flow that promotes the rise of air heated by solar radiation when there is an influence of solar radiation from the outside in the boundary region Xa during the heating operation of each air conditioner 11. As described above, each indoor unit 21 is controlled, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is an influence of outside air that enters from the outside in the boundary region Xa during the cooling operation of each air conditioner 11, the control device 12 generates a circulating air flow that promotes the descent of the air cooled by the outside air. The indoor unit 21 may be controlled.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 12 causes the downward air to flow from the ceiling-embedded indoor unit 21 in order to generate an airflow that suppresses the air flow between the area where the person exists and the area where the person does not exist. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the control device 12 generates an air flow that suppresses the air flow between the region where the person exists and the region where the person does not exist, by the air blown in the direction according to the installation state of each indoor unit 21. Good. For example, in the case of the floor-standing indoor unit 21, an air flow that suppresses air flow between a region where a person exists and a region where no person exists may be generated by blowing upward air.

  In the embodiment described above, the control device 12 sets the blowing direction of the air blown from each indoor unit 21 to upward, downward, and horizontal, but is not limited thereto. The control device 12 may set the blowing direction of the air blown from each indoor unit 21 to a direction within a predetermined inclination angle range in each of upward, downward, and horizontal directions.

  In the embodiment described above, the control device 12 appropriately circulates in the space X when the air conditioner 11 is not subjected to thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region Xa during heating operation or cooling operation. An air flow may be generated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 12 generates the airflow that suppresses the air flow between the area where the person exists and the area where the person does not exist, but is not limited thereto. For example, when there is a device that generates heat in the space X, an air flow that suppresses the air flow between a region where such a device exists and a region where such a device does not exist may be generated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning system 10 may not include the indoor unit 21 that is disposed in the boundary region Xa that receives the thermal influence from the outside. In this case, the control device 12 may control the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 arranged in the region Xb other than the boundary region according to the state of the boundary region Xa.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, by having the control device 12 that controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 according to the state of the boundary region Xa that is thermally influenced by the outside, heat from the outside It is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the plurality of indoor units 21 as a whole by effectively utilizing the influence of the environment. Furthermore, when the degree of the thermal influence from the outside of the boundary region Xa is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the controller 12 is provided that reduces or stops the rotational speed of the compressor 22a of at least one of the air conditioners 11. As a result, the load factor can be controlled to improve the operation efficiency. Furthermore, by having the control device 12 that controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units 21 so as to generate a circulating airflow that promotes air convection due to the thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region Xa, the space X A state of uniform temperature can be realized quickly and efficiently.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Air conditioning system, 11 ... Air conditioner, 12 ... Control apparatus, 21 ... Indoor unit, 22 ... Outdoor unit, 23 ... Refrigerant distribution piping, 24 ... Refrigerant distribution system, 25 ... Temperature sensor

Claims (7)

A plurality of indoor units arranged in the same space;
A controller that acquires a state of a boundary region that is thermally affected by an external environment in the space, and that controls operation of the plurality of indoor units according to the state of the boundary region;
Comprising
Air conditioning system. Some of the plurality of indoor units are arranged in the boundary region,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1. At least a plurality of different refrigerant distribution systems;
A compressor connected to each of the plurality of refrigerant distribution systems,
The plurality of indoor units are configured by at least one indoor unit connected to each of the plurality of refrigerant distribution systems,
When the degree of thermal influence from the outside world in the boundary region is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree, the control device is configured so that at least one of the plurality of refrigerant circulation systems has a rotation speed of the compressor. Reduce or stop,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2. The control device controls the operation of the plurality of indoor units so as to generate a circulating airflow that promotes convection of air due to a thermal influence from the outside in the boundary region.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An area grasping unit for grasping an area where a person exists in the space;
The control device is configured to generate at least one indoor unit of the plurality of indoor units so as to generate an air flow that suppresses air flow between a region where a person exists and a region where no person exists in the space. Control driving,
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control device controls the operation of at least one of the plurality of indoor units arranged in a region where no person exists in the space.
The air conditioning system according to claim 5. The control device increases the load factor of the operating indoor unit by decreasing the number of operating indoor units among the plurality of indoor units according to the load.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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