JP2019158217A - Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent shifting of an operation state from being executed though an energy saving effect is not achieved, by determining propriety of the shifting of an operation state of an air conditioning system.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioning control device that determines propriety of shifting of an operation state for some air conditioning systems of a plurality of air conditioning systems that cooperate so that an air conditioning state in an object space is maintained at a desired state includes a load calculation unit, an air conditioning efficiency calculation unit, and an operation state shifting determination unit. The load calculation unit calculates a first load of remaining air conditioning systems other than the some air conditioning systems at a first time point prior to execution of shifting. The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit calculates a value on first air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning systems at the first time point on the basis of the first load. The operation state shifting determination unit determines whether or not the air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning systems becomes higher than the first air conditioning efficiency at the time of execution of shifting on the basis of the value on the first air conditioning efficiency, and determines the propriety of the shifting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control method, and a program.

  In recent years, so-called multi-type air conditioning has been provided in many office buildings. Multi-type air conditioning is an air conditioning system having a plurality of indoor units in an air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are connected by the same pipe and share a refrigerant. For example, the air conditioning state of an open plan office is often adjusted by multi-type air conditioning. In other words, there are many cases where a plurality of air conditioning systems cooperate to adjust the air conditioning state of the open plan office. In this multi-type air conditioning, the operating efficiency of each air conditioning system changes according to the load of each air conditioning system. Therefore, in multi-type air conditioning, even if the set temperature of some air-conditioning systems is changed to reduce power consumption, the operation efficiency of the multi-type air conditioning as a whole decreases, and the expected power reduction May not be obtained.

Japanese Patent No. 5029913 Japanese Patent No. 5720632 JP 2014-214944 A Japanese Patent No. 4155930

  One embodiment of the present invention prevents a situation where the transition is performed even though the energy saving effect cannot be obtained by determining whether or not the operation state of the air conditioning system is shifted.

  One embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not to change the operating state for some of the air conditioning systems that cooperate to keep the air conditioning state of the target space in a desired state. An air conditioning control device, comprising a load calculation unit, an air conditioning efficiency calculation unit, and an operating state transition determination unit. The load calculation unit calculates the first load of the remaining air conditioning systems other than the partial air conditioning system at the first time point before the transition is performed. The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit calculates a value related to the first air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system at the first time point based on the first load. The operation state transition determination unit determines whether or not the air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system is higher than the first air conditioning efficiency when the transition is performed based on the value related to the first air conditioning efficiency. To determine whether or not to implement the migration.

The block diagram which shows an example of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The figure which shows another example of air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The figure which shows an example of the schematic flowchart of the whole process of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows another example of the schematic flowchart of the whole process of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the schematic flowchart of the update process of air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the schematic flowchart of the adjustment process of preset temperature. The figure which shows an example of the schematic flowchart of the return process of a driving | running state. The block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions in one Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an air-conditioning control apparatus according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning control device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a data acquisition unit 11, an air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12, an operation state transition determination unit 13, and an air conditioning control unit (instruction unit) 14. The operation state transition determination unit 13 includes a load calculation unit 131, a load estimation unit 132, an air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133, and an operation state transition determination unit 134.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of air conditioning systems exist and the plurality of air conditioning systems cooperate so that the air conditioning state of a predetermined space is maintained in a desired state. Hereinafter, the space is referred to as a target space. The target space may be a part or the whole of a building. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of air conditioning systems cooperate to adjust the air conditioning state of an open plan office. The air-conditioning state to be adjusted is not particularly limited as long as known air-conditioning (air-conditioning) such as temperature and humidity can be adjusted. The air conditioning control device 1 controls each of these air conditioning systems.

  The air-conditioning control device 1 determines whether or not to shift the operating state for some of the air-conditioning systems in order to suppress the overall power consumption of the plurality of air-conditioning systems. For example, when the air conditioning system A, the air conditioning system B, and the air conditioning system C exist as control targets of the air conditioning control device 1, the air conditioning control device 1 determines whether to change the air conditioning system A from the operating state to the stopped state. To decide. The operation state may be shifted to a state where the load of the air conditioning system is reduced, and is not limited to the stopped state. For example, the operation state may be switched from “cooling” or “heating” to “fan”. Since “blow” does not generate heat, the load on the air conditioning system whose operation state is switched to “blow” is reduced. Alternatively, it may be switched to the “power saving mode” that is set in advance in the air conditioning system and has a low load. As described above, the specific operation state such as the air blowing and the power saving mode and the stop state are included in the “state where the load decreases”.

  Hereinafter, a part of the air conditioning systems for which the transition of the operating state is considered is described as a target air conditioning system. Further, the remaining air conditioning systems other than the target air conditioning system are described as non-target air conditioning systems.

  Note that the target air conditioning systems need not always be the same. For example, the target air conditioning system may be changed in the order of air conditioning system A, air conditioning system B, and air conditioning system C. In this way, the wheel operation may be performed on a plurality of air conditioning systems by sequentially switching the target air conditioning systems.

  However, since multiple air conditioning systems coordinate and adjust the air conditioning state of the target space, the target that the non-target air conditioning system increased its output and stopped even if the operation state of the target air conditioning system was transferred Take over the load of the air conditioning system so that the comfort of the target space does not decrease. If the air conditioning system A is stopped as in the above-described example, the non-target air conditioning systems B and C increase their outputs. That is, when the operation state of the target air conditioning system is shifted by the air conditioning control device 1, the load on the non-target air conditioning system increases. Instead of automatically increasing the output of the asymmetric air conditioning system, the air conditioning control device 1 may be controlled to increase the output of the asymmetric air conditioning system.

  Simply shifting the operating state of the target air conditioning system does not necessarily reduce the overall power consumption of the plurality of air conditioning systems. Therefore, the air conditioning control device 1 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not to shift the operation state after predicting the transition of the air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning system. In other words, the air-conditioning control device 1 determines the transition when it is determined that performing the transition leads to energy saving of the entire air-conditioning system even if the load of the asymmetric air conditioning system increases. In this way, energy saving is realized while maintaining the comfort of the target space.

  Note that each air conditioning system includes one or more air conditioners (outdoor units and indoor units), and the air conditioning control device 1 may individually control each air conditioner. The case where control is performed in units of systems will be described.

  The components of the air conditioning control device 1 will be described. The data acquisition unit 11 acquires data necessary for processing from an external device. The acquired data includes data used for calculating the load of the air conditioning system. Data used for calculating the load of the air conditioning system is described as load calculation data. The load calculation data is determined based on a load calculation method. For example, the temperature and humidity around the target space can be considered. The acquisition destination of the load calculation data is not particularly limited, and for example, air conditioning, sensors installed inside and outside the building, a system for managing the building, and the like are conceivable.

  The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12 stores air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data is data for calculating the air conditioning efficiency or a value related to the air conditioning efficiency from the load. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data is calculated in advance and stored in the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12. Details of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data will be described later. Data other than the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data may be stored in the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12.

  The operation state transition determination unit 13 determines whether or not to actually shift the operation state of the target air conditioning system based on the load calculation data and the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. Details of the processing of the operation state transition determination unit 13 will be described later together with the components of the operation state transition determination unit 13.

  The air conditioning control unit (instruction unit) 14 shifts the operation state of the target air conditioning system to the operation state determined by the operation state transition determination unit 13. In addition, the air-conditioning control part 14 may only transmit the instruction | indication of a driving | running state transition to the air conditioner which belongs to an object air-conditioning system, the apparatus which manages an air-conditioning system, etc. According to the instruction, the air conditioner belonging to the target air conditioning system may be finally switched to the operation state according to the instruction.

  The components of the operating state transition determination unit 13 will be described. The load calculation unit 131 calculates the load of each air conditioning system. The load of the air conditioning system means the amount of heat (generated heat amount) generated by the air conditioning system.

  In the present embodiment, the load calculation unit 131 is based on the data at the time point (first time point) before the operation state transition is performed before the operation state transition is performed. Calculate the load. In the present embodiment, the current time is the current time, and the current load of each air conditioning system calculated by the load calculation unit 131 is described as the current load.

  The load on the air conditioning system may be the sum of the loads on each air conditioning system belonging to the air conditioning system. A known method may be used as a method for calculating the load of each air conditioning. For example, a compressor curve method that calculates the amount of heat released into the space from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant flowing in the air conditioning system can be considered. Further, an air enthalpy method for calculating the amount of heat from the temperature and humidity of the intake air of the indoor unit, the temperature and humidity of the blown air, and the air volume can be considered.

各記号の意味は、空調の負荷：Ｑ_ＬＯＡＤ、給気風量：Q_{_ＦＬＯＷ＿ＯＵＴ}、空気温度：Ｔ、空気絶対湿度：ρ、対象空間の相対湿度：φ、空調の風量：Ｑ_ＦＬＯＷ、比体積（比容積）：Ｖ、比エンタルピ：ｈ、０℃における水の蒸発潜熱：Ｒ_０、大気圧：ＡＴＭ、飽和水蒸気圧：ｅｓ、乾き空気の定圧比熱：ＣＰ_ＡＩＲ、水蒸気の定圧比熱：ＣＰ_{ＶＡＰＯＲ}、水蒸気の気体定数：Ｒ_{ＶＡＰＯＲ}、乾き空気と水蒸気の気体定数比：Ｒ_{ＲＡＴＩＯ}、絶対温度と摂氏の変換定数：Ｔ_ＣＯＮＶである。また、各記号の添え字の「ＩＮ」は還気（空調の吸い込み）を示し、添え字の「ＯＵＴ」は給気（空調の吹き出し）を示す。なお、式（５）のＡＴＭは、本来は、湿り空気の全圧だが、ここでは１気圧とみなしている。 As an example, the calculation formula of the air enthalpy method is shown below. It is assumed that the constant value to be substituted into the calculation formula is included in the load calculation data from the data acquisition unit 11. The formulas shown below are examples, and other approximate formulas may be used. Moreover, the value of the coefficient may be different depending on the unit of the numerical value. For example, in the following formula (3), Φ / 100 is for converting to a decimal when Φ is expressed in%. Therefore, if Φ is in decimal notation, it is not necessary to divide by 100.

The meaning of each symbol is air conditioning load: Q _LOAD , supply air volume: Q _{_FLOW_OUT} , air temperature: T, air absolute humidity: ρ, relative humidity of target space: φ, air volume of air conditioning: Q _FLOW , specific volume (ratio) Volume): V, specific enthalpy: h, latent heat of vaporization of water at 0 ° C .: R ₀ , atmospheric pressure: ATM, saturated water vapor pressure: es, constant pressure specific heat of dry air: CP _AIR , constant pressure specific heat of water vapor: CP _VAPOR , water vapor Gas constant: R _VAPOR , dry air to water vapor gas constant ratio: R _RATIO , absolute temperature to Celsius conversion constant: T _CONV Also, the subscript “IN” of each symbol indicates return air (intake of air conditioning), and the subscript “OUT” indicates air supply (air conditioning blow-out). In addition, ATM of Formula (5) is originally the total pressure of humid air, but here it is regarded as 1 atmosphere.

  The load estimation unit 132 estimates the load of each air conditioning system when it is assumed that the operation state of the target air conditioning system has been transferred. Hereinafter, the load estimated by the load estimation unit 132 is referred to as an estimated load.

  For example, when it is assumed that the operation of the air conditioning system A is stopped, the sum of the load of the air conditioning system B and the load of the air conditioning system C theoretically increases by the current load of the air conditioning system A. Thus, the load estimation unit 132 estimates the load of each air conditioning system based on the current load of the target air conditioning system.

Note that not all the current loads of the target air conditioning system are necessarily added. Therefore, after multiplying the present load by an appropriate correction coefficient α, it may be added to the non-target air conditioning system. The correction coefficient α can be calculated in advance from data before and after the transition performed previously. In other words, when the operation state of the target air conditioning system is shifted last time, the generated heat amount Q _1B of the non-target air conditioning system before the operation state transition, the generated heat amount Q _2B of the target air conditioning system before the operation state transition, and the operation state transition. advance is calculated, and generated heat Q _1A of the non-target air-conditioning system after. Then, the correction coefficient α may be calculated from the calculation formula of α = (Q _1A −Q _1B ) / Q _2B , and the calculated correction coefficient α may be used when examining the transition of the next operation state.

  The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 calculates a value related to the air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning system. For example, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 calculates the air conditioning efficiency at the current load of each air conditioning system. In addition, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 may calculate the air conditioning efficiency at the estimated load of each air conditioning system. That is, the air conditioning efficiency before and after the operation switching may be calculated.

このように、空調効率は一定ではなく、空調系統に掛かる負荷、すなわち、空調系統にどれだけ熱量を作らせているか、により変動する。そのため、空調効率の算出には、前述の空調効率特性データが用いられる。 The air conditioning efficiency is also referred to as a coefficient of performance (COP: Coefficient of Performance). The COP of the air conditioning system is expressed by the following equation based on the ratio between the amount of heat generated by the air conditioning system and the electric power required to generate the amount of heat.

Thus, the air conditioning efficiency is not constant, but varies depending on the load applied to the air conditioning system, that is, how much heat is generated in the air conditioning system. Therefore, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data described above is used for calculating the air conditioning efficiency.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data of FIG. 2 is shown as a graph (air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve) showing the relationship between the load and the air conditioning efficiency. If the load at a certain point in time is known, the COP at that point in time, that is, the air conditioning efficiency is found from the graph. That is, the current air conditioning efficiency can be obtained from the current load using the graph.

  The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 may calculate a related value instead of the air conditioning efficiency value itself. For example, the slope (differential value) of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve may be calculated, and whether the air conditioning efficiency increases or decreases after the transition may be determined based on the calculated slope.

The air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve changes according to the temperature around the space target. In Figure 2, as an example, the cooling efficiency characteristic curve 2A when the temperature of around T _1, the temperature of the surroundings and the cooling efficiency characteristic curve 2B when the T _2, is the indicated. Therefore, it is necessary to select an air-conditioning efficiency characteristic curve to be used according to the temperature around the space target. Therefore, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 selects air conditioning efficiency characteristic data suitable for the calculation of the current air conditioning efficiency from the plurality of air conditioning efficiency characteristic data stored in the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12. For example, when it is desired to calculate the air conditioning efficiency with respect to the current load, the air conditioning efficiency calculating unit 133 checks the current temperature around the target space included in the data acquired by the data acquiring unit, and corresponds to the temperature. Select air conditioning efficiency characteristics data.

The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data may not be a graph. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data of FIG. 3 is shown as a table showing COP values for each temperature and load range. C _{(t, L)} in each table is a condition that the temperature around the target space is greater than t ° C. and less than or equal to (t + 1) ° C., and the load factor is greater than (L−5)% and less than or equal to L%. The representative value of COP in the case where both of the above conditions are satisfied is originally shown. Note that the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data in FIG. 3 is assumed to be that during cooling operation, and the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data during heating operation is separate from the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data during cooling operation. “Calculation” means obtaining target data from certain data. Selecting “numeric value” from the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data of FIG. 3 is also included in “calculation”.

  The operation state transition determination unit 134 determines whether or not to perform the transition of the operation state based on the value related to the air conditioning efficiency calculated by the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133. For example, the operation state transition determination unit 134 may simply determine the execution of the transition of the target air conditioning system based on the air conditioning efficiency at the current load of the non-target air conditioning system. For example, in the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve of the non-target air conditioning system, when there is a peak ahead of the current load, the air conditioning efficiency also increases as the load increases. . If the peak of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve of the non-target air conditioning system is one as shown in FIG. 2, and if the slope of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve at the current load is positive as shown in FIG. You can see it increases. That is, when the slope of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve at the current load of the non-target air conditioning system is positive, the execution of the transition may be determined. When the determination method is used, the load estimation unit 132 may be omitted. In this way, the load on the air conditioning control device may be suppressed. The slope of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve may be a differential value at the current load when the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve is given as a graph, or when it is given as a display as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be calculated from a representative value in a section adjacent to the current load.

  In addition, when there is both a non-target air conditioning system in which the air conditioning efficiency increases and a non-target air conditioning system in which the air conditioning efficiency does not increase, it may be determined comprehensively whether or not to move. For example, when there are more non-target air conditioning systems in which the air-conditioning efficiency is higher than non-target air-conditioning systems in which the air-conditioning efficiency is not increased, it may be determined that the transition is made. Alternatively, when there is a non-target air conditioning system in which the air conditioning efficiency does not increase, it may be determined that the transition does not occur.

  However, the load may increase excessively and exceed the peak of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic curve, and the load after the transition may be smaller than the current load. There may also be a plurality of peaks. In consideration of such a case, the operation state transition determination unit 134 compares the air conditioning efficiency of the current load and the estimated load of the non-target air conditioning system (in other words, the non-target before and after the transition of the operation state). Comparison of the air conditioning efficiency of the air conditioning systems) may be performed based on the comparison result. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning efficiency at the estimated load A is greater than the air conditioning efficiency at the current load. In this case, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines to perform the operation state transition. On the other hand, the air conditioning efficiency at the estimated load B is smaller than the air conditioning efficiency at the current load. In this case, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines not to perform the operation state transition. In this way, the accuracy of determination may be increased.

  Next, the flow of processing by each component will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic flowchart of the overall processing of the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment. This flow shows a case where it is determined whether or not to perform the transition based on the positive or negative slope of the air conditioning efficiency.

  First, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires load calculation data and the like (S101). The data is sent to the operating state transition determination unit 13. The load calculation unit 131 of the operation state transition determination unit 13 calculates the current load of each air conditioning system based on the load calculation data (S102). Further, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 selects air conditioning efficiency characteristic data used for the calculation of the current air conditioning efficiency based on the load calculation data (S103). Then, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 uses the selected air conditioning efficiency characteristic data to determine the slope of the air conditioning efficiency (first air conditioning efficiency) of the non-target air conditioning system in the current load (first load) of the non-target air conditioning system. The sign is confirmed (S104).

  The operating state transition determination unit 134 determines whether or not to perform transition of the target air conditioning system based on the sign of the slope calculated by the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 (S105). When the air conditioning efficiency of the non-target air conditioning system is higher than the current state when the transition is performed, the operation state transition determining unit 134 determines that the transition is to be performed (YES in S106), so the air conditioning control unit 14 is the target air conditioning system. Is executed or instructed (S107). If the air conditioning efficiency of the non-target air conditioning system does not increase from the current level when the transition is performed, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines that the transition is not performed (NO in S106), so the transition is not performed. This flow ends.

  Note that this flowchart is an example, and the order of processing is not limited as long as a required processing result can be obtained. For example, the processes of S102 and S103 may be performed in parallel, or the process of S103 may be performed first. Moreover, the processing result of each process may be sequentially stored in a storage unit such as the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit 12, and each component may acquire the processing result with reference to the storage unit. The same applies to the subsequent flowcharts.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the schematic flowchart of the overall processing of the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment. This flow shows a case where the right or wrong of the transition is determined by comparing the air conditioning efficiency.

  The data acquisition unit 11 acquires load calculation data and the like (S201), and the load calculation unit 131 calculates the current load of each air conditioning system based on the data (S202). That is, the load calculation unit 131 calculates the current load (first load) of the non-target air conditioning system and the current load (second load) of the target air conditioning system. Then, the load estimation unit 132 estimates the estimated load (third load) of the non-target air conditioning system based on the current load of each air conditioning system (S203).

  The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 selects the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data used for the calculation of the current air conditioning efficiency based on the data from the data acquisition unit 11 (S204). The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 calculates the current load air conditioning efficiency (first air conditioning efficiency) and the estimated load air conditioning efficiency (second air conditioning efficiency) for the non-target air conditioning system using the selected air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. (S205).

  Then, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines whether or not to perform transition of the target air conditioning system based on the air conditioning efficiency of the current load and the estimated load of the non-target air conditioning system (S206). When the air conditioning efficiency of the estimated load is larger than the air conditioning efficiency of the current load, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines to perform the transition (YES in S207), and the air conditioning control unit 14 performs the transition to the target air conditioning system or An instruction is given (S208). When the air conditioning efficiency of the estimated load is equal to or lower than the air conditioning efficiency of the current load, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines that the transition is not performed (NO in S207), and the flow ends without performing the transition.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the air-conditioning efficiency of the remaining air-conditioning systems is increased when the operation state of some of the air-conditioning systems is shifted. This prevents a situation where the transition is performed even though the energy saving effect cannot be obtained. Moreover, in this embodiment, even if the operating state of some air conditioning systems is changed, the comfort of the target space is maintained by the remaining air conditioning systems.

  Further, in the present embodiment, complicated calculations such as calculation of power consumption values, selection of an air-conditioning system whose operation state should be shifted, and determination of optimum set values are not performed. Therefore, the processing capacity of the air conditioning control device can be suppressed. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the air conditioning control device can be reduced and the air conditioning control device can be downsized.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data is calculated in advance and held by the air conditioning control device 1. In the second embodiment, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data can be updated. Thereby, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data can be updated to a data more suitable for the current state of the air conditioning system to be controlled, and the accuracy of the determination of the transition of the operating state is improved.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the air-conditioning control apparatus according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an air conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 15 is further provided. The description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The data acquisition unit 11 of this embodiment further acquires the power consumption of each air conditioning system. Since the power consumption is calculated by each air conditioner itself, it can be acquired from each air conditioner or a system that manages each air conditioner.

  The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 15 updates the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data based on the current load calculated by the load calculation unit 131 and the data acquired by the data acquisition unit. Specifically, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data at a certain temperature is updated using the above formula (6) based on the current load and the current power consumption.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic flowchart of the update processing of the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data.

  The data acquisition unit 11 acquires data necessary for the update process, such as load calculation data and power consumption of each air conditioning system (S301). The load calculation unit calculates the current load of each air conditioning system based on the load calculation data (S302). Note that S302 may be omitted when using the current load that has been calculated previously. The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 15 selects the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data to be updated based on the temperature or the like (S303). The air conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 15 calculates the current air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning based on the current load of each air conditioning system and the current power consumption of each air conditioning system (S304). Then, the air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 updates the air conditioning efficiency value of the selected air conditioning efficiency characteristic data to the calculated current air conditioning efficiency value (S305). In this way, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data is updated, and this flow ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 15 updates the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data. Thereby, since the air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data used is specific to the current state of the air-conditioning system to be controlled, the accuracy of the determination of the transition of the operating state is improved.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a transition is performed but energy saving as expected is not obtained, and a case corresponding to the case is described.

  For example, depending on the installation state of each air conditioning system, it takes time until the effect of shifting the operation state is transmitted to the non-target air conditioning system. That is, it may take time for the load of the non-target air conditioning system to reach the estimated load after the operation state is changed, and the comfort of the target space may be impaired. Therefore, in this embodiment, in such a case, the set temperature of each air conditioning system is changed so that the load of the non-target air conditioning system quickly reaches the estimated load. When the load of the non-target air conditioning system reaches the estimated load, the changed set temperature is restored. In this way, the comfort of the target space is prevented from being impaired.

  In addition, after the operation state is shifted, the air conditioning efficiency of the non-target air conditioning system may decrease, and it may be better to restore the operation state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the operation state is restored after the operation state is shifted.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an air conditioning control device according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the previous embodiments in that it further includes a set temperature adjustment determination unit 135 and an operation state return determination unit 136. Description of the same points as in the previous embodiments is omitted.

  The load calculation unit 131 of the present embodiment calculates the current load of each air conditioning system even after the transition is performed. For example, the current load of each air conditioning system after the transition is calculated when a certain time has elapsed from the previous calculation or when a calculation instruction is received. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the load calculated by the load calculation unit 131 is not simply described as the current load, the load calculated at the time before the transition is described as the current load before the transition, and at the time after the transition. The calculated load is described as the current load after the transition.

  The set temperature adjustment determination unit 135 determines whether to change the set temperature of each air conditioning temperature based on the estimated load (third load) and the current load after transition (fourth load) of the non-target air conditioning system. For example, if it is determined that the current load after the transition is smaller than the estimated load or a threshold determined based on the estimated load even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition, the set temperature of each air conditioning system is You may determine to adjust.

  The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 of the present embodiment calculates the air conditioning efficiency after the transition based on the current load of each air conditioning system even after the transition is performed.

  The operating state return determination unit 136 determines whether to return to the original operating state based on the air conditioning efficiency before the transition (first air conditioning efficiency) and the air conditioning efficiency after the transition (third air conditioning efficiency) of the non-target air conditioning system. judge. For example, when the air conditioning efficiency before the transition is larger than the air conditioning efficiency after the transition, it may be determined to return to the original operation state.

  In addition, when the set temperature adjustment determination unit 135 determines that the set temperature of each air conditioning system is to be transferred, the air conditioning control unit 14 of the present embodiment sets each air conditioning system so that the set temperature of each air conditioning system is transferred. Control or direct. The transition width of the set temperature may be determined in advance, or each air conditioning system or each air conditioning may be determined.

  Moreover, the air-conditioning control part 14 of this embodiment controls or instruct | indicates an object air conditioning system so that it may return to the original driving | running state, when it determines with the driving | running state return determination part 136 returning to the original driving | running state.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic flowchart of a set temperature adjustment process. The load calculation unit 131 calculates the current load after the transition of each air conditioning system (S401). The set temperature adjustment determination unit 135 determines whether to adjust the set temperature based on the current load after transition and the estimated load or threshold value of each air conditioning system (S402).

  If it is determined that the set temperature needs to be adjusted (YES in S403), the air conditioning control unit 14 records the set temperature of each air conditioner and checks whether the adjustment is possible (S404). If it is determined that the adjustment is not possible (NO in S405), this flow ends. If it is determined that the adjustment is possible (YES in S406), the air conditioning control unit 14 performs control or instruction to adjust the set temperature (S406). Then, the process returns to S401. The reason why the process returns to S401 is that the adjusted set temperature may be restored.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that adjustment of the set temperature is not necessary (NO in S403), it is confirmed whether the set temperature has been adjusted. If the preset temperature has not been adjusted (NO in S407), the process returns to S401 in order to wait for a situation where the preset temperature needs to be adjusted. If the set temperature has been adjusted (YES in S407), the air conditioning control unit 14 performs control or instruction to restore the set temperature (S408), and this flow ends. Thus, the set temperature is changed and switched back.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic flowchart of the operation state recovery process. It is assumed that this flow is performed after the operating state has already been shifted.

  The load calculation unit 131 calculates the current load after the transition of each air conditioning system (S501). The air-conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 selects air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data used for calculating the current air-conditioning efficiency (S502). The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit 133 calculates the air conditioning efficiency of the current load of each air conditioning system after the transition using the selected air conditioning efficiency characteristic data (S503).

  Then, the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines whether or not to perform the transition based on the air conditioning efficiency of the current load after the transition and the air conditioning efficiency of the estimated load that has been calculated during the transition process (S504). When the air conditioning efficiency at the current load before the transition is larger than the air conditioning efficiency at the current load after the transition, that is, when the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines to restore the transition (YES in S505), the air conditioning control unit 14 implements or instructs the target air conditioning system to return to the operating state (S506). When the air conditioning efficiency at the current load after the transition is equal to or lower than the air conditioning efficiency at the current load before the transition, that is, when the operation state transition determination unit 134 determines not to restore (NO in S207), the operation state is restored. Instead, this flow ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each air conditioning system is controlled so as not to cause a problem after the transition is performed. Thereby, comfort and energy saving can be ensured as compared with the previous embodiments.

  Note that it is possible to individually determine the change of the set temperature and the return of the operation state. When either one is performed alone, it is not necessary to include both the set temperature adjustment determination unit 135 and the operation state return determination unit 136, and either one may be omitted.

  Note that the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately migrated according to specifications and the like. For example, each component may be divided into a plurality according to the processing content, data used for the processing, and the like. For example, the data acquisition unit 11 may be divided according to data to be acquired. Moreover, the load calculation part 131 etc. may be divided for every air conditioning system of the object which calculates load. Further, some components may exist in an external device, and data may be transmitted to and received from the external device. Or each component may be separately contained in the some apparatus which performs data communication. That is, each process may be performed by a system including a plurality of devices.

  For example, an air conditioning control system in which the operating state transition determining device including the operating state transition determining unit 13 and the air conditioning control device 1 that controls each air conditioning system are separated can be considered. In this case, the operation state transition determination device determines the transition of the operation state and performs the process until the system determination is transmitted to the air conditioning control device 1. If it does in this way, determination of a shift of an operating state and control of an air-conditioning system can also be performed in a different place. For example, the control of the air conditioning system is performed in a building in which the air conditioning system is installed, but the determination of the transition of the operation state can be performed at a management center that bundles a plurality of air conditioning control devices 1.

  Note that at least a part of the above embodiments may be realized by a dedicated electronic circuit (that is, hardware) such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) on which a processor, a memory, and the like are mounted. Further, at least a part of the above-described embodiment may be realized by executing software (program). For example, the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by using a general-purpose computer device as basic hardware and causing a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) installed in the computer device to execute a program. Is possible.

  For example, when the computer reads out dedicated software stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the computer can be used as the apparatus of the above embodiment. The type of storage medium is not particularly limited. In addition, the computer can be used as the apparatus of the above-described embodiment by installing dedicated software downloaded via the communication network. In this way, information processing by software is specifically implemented using hardware resources.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning control device 1 includes a processor 31, a main storage device 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, a network interface 34, and a device interface 35, and is realized as a computer device 3 connected via a bus 36. it can.

  In addition, although the computer apparatus 3 of FIG. 11 is provided with each component, it may be provided with two or more same components. In addition, although one computer device 3 is shown in FIG. 11, software may be installed in a plurality of computer devices, and each of the plurality of computer devices may execute a part of processing different in software. .

  The processor 31 is an electronic circuit including a computer control device and an arithmetic device. The processor 31 performs arithmetic processing based on data and programs input from each device having an internal configuration of the computer device 3, and outputs a calculation result and a control signal to each device. Specifically, the processor 31 executes an OS (operating system), an application, and the like of the computer device 3 and controls each device constituting the computer device 3. The processor 31 is not particularly limited as long as the above processing can be performed.

  The main storage device 32 is a storage device that stores instructions executed by the processor 31 and various data, and information stored in the main storage device 32 is directly read out by the processor 31. The auxiliary storage device 33 is a storage device other than the main storage device 32. These storage devices mean any electronic component capable of storing electronic information, and may be a memory or a storage. The memory includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

  The network interface 34 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 4 by wireless or wired. What is necessary is just to use the network interface 34 suitable for the existing communication standard. The network interface 34 may exchange information with the external device 5A that is communicatively connected via the communication network 4.

  The external device 5A includes, for example, an external sensor. The external device 5A may be a device having a part of the processing function of the air conditioning control device 1, or may be a server (cloud server) that provides necessary data. That is, the computer apparatus 3 may receive the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data to be used via the communication network 4 like a cloud service.

  The device interface 35 is an interface such as a USB that is directly connected to the external device 5B. The external device 5B may be an external storage medium or a storage device such as a database.

  The external device 5B may be an output device. The output device may be, for example, a display device for displaying an image, or a device that outputs sound or the like. For example, there are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), speaker and the like, but not limited thereto.

  The external device 5B may be an input device. The input device includes devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and gives information input by these devices to the computer device 3. A signal from the input device is output to the processor 31.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, these embodiment are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and transitions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air-conditioning control apparatus 11 Data acquisition part 12 Air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage part 13 Operation state transition determination part 131 Load calculation part 132 Load estimation part 133 Air-conditioning efficiency calculation part 134 Operation state transition determination part 135 Set temperature adjustment determination part 136 Operation state return Judgment part 14 Air-conditioning control part (instruction part)
15 Air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit 2 (2A, 2B) Air-conditioning efficiency graph 3 Computer device 31 Processor 32 Main storage device 33 Auxiliary storage device 34 Network interface 35 Device interface 36 Bus 4 Communication network 5 External device

Claims (11)

An air conditioning control device that determines whether or not to shift the operating state for some of the plurality of air conditioning systems that cooperate so that the air conditioning state of the target space is maintained in a desired state,
A load calculating unit that calculates a first load of the remaining air conditioning systems other than the part of the air conditioning systems at a first time before the transition is performed;
An air conditioning efficiency calculation unit that calculates a value related to the first air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system at the first time point based on the first load;
By determining whether or not the air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system is higher than the first air conditioning efficiency when the transition is performed based on the value related to the first air conditioning efficiency, An operation state transition determination unit for determining the right or wrong;
An air conditioning control device. The transition is to change to a state in which the load of the part of the air conditioning system is reduced,
The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein a load on the remaining air conditioning system increases due to the transition. The transition is to change the part of the air conditioning system to a stopped state,
The air-conditioning control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of air-conditioning systems are rotated in turn by sequentially switching the partial air-conditioning systems. A load estimator for estimating a third load of the remaining air conditioning system when it is assumed that the transition is performed based on the second load of the partial air conditioning system at the first time point;
Further comprising
The load calculation unit further calculates the second load;
The load estimating unit estimates the third load based on the first load and the second load;
The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit further calculates a second air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system when it is assumed that the transition is performed based on the third load,
The air conditioning control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the operation state transition determination unit determines that the second air conditioning efficiency is greater than the first air conditioning efficiency, the execution of the transition is determined. apparatus. The load calculation unit further calculates a fourth load of the remaining air conditioning system at a second time point after the transition is performed;
5. A set temperature adjustment determination unit that determines adjustment of a set temperature of each air conditioning system when it is determined that the third load or a threshold value based on the third load is smaller than the fourth load. The air conditioning control device described in 1. The load calculation unit further calculates a fourth load of the remaining air conditioning system at a second time point after the transition is performed;
The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit further calculates a third air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system at the second time point based on the fourth load,
When it is determined that the third air conditioning efficiency is lower than the first air conditioning efficiency, an operation state return determination unit that determines to return the operation state after the transition of the partial air conditioning system to the operation state before the transition The air conditioning control device according to claim 4 or 5. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning system is calculated using air conditioning efficiency characteristic data indicating a relationship between a load of each air conditioning system and the air conditioning efficiency. At least a data acquisition unit for acquiring data on the temperature around the target space;
The air conditioning efficiency calculation unit calculates the air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning system using the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data corresponding to the temperature around the target space at the time of calculating the air conditioning efficiency of each air conditioning system. The air conditioning control device described. The data acquisition unit further acquires power consumption of each air conditioning system,
An air conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit for storing the air conditioning efficiency characteristic data;
An air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data update unit that updates air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data stored in the air-conditioning efficiency characteristic data storage unit based on the air temperature acquired by the data acquisition unit and the power consumption of each air-conditioning system;
The air conditioning control device according to claim 8, further comprising: An air conditioning control method for determining whether or not to shift the operating state for some of the air conditioning systems that cooperate so that the air conditioning state of the target space is maintained in a desired state,
Calculating a first load of the remaining air conditioning systems other than the part of the air conditioning systems at a first time before the transition is performed;
Calculating a value related to the first air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system at the first time point based on the first load;
By determining whether or not the air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system is higher than the first air conditioning efficiency when the transition is performed based on the value related to the first air conditioning efficiency, The steps to decide by all means,
An air conditioning control method comprising: In order to cause the computer to determine whether or not to change the operating state for some of the air conditioning systems that cooperate to keep the air conditioning state of the target space in a desired state The program of
Calculating a first load of the remaining air conditioning systems other than the part of the air conditioning systems at a first time before the transition is performed;
Calculating a value related to the first air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system at the first time point based on the first load;
By determining whether or not the air conditioning efficiency of the remaining air conditioning system is higher than the first air conditioning efficiency when the transition is performed based on the value related to the first air conditioning efficiency, The steps to decide by all means,
A program comprising

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